Family Matters-IC

[Aillyria]

Brandon

As Warwick asked the question Brandon turned to Jackie and, using his eyes a facial expression hoping she would understand, indicated he didn’t want him to come. He didn’t mind Warwick but this was supposed to have been a brother-sister bonding time and already a cousin had joined in to Brandon’s dismay.

Jacqui

Jacqueline looked at Brandon and Daciana, "Yeah....you guys are gonna have to Rock-Paper-Scissors it out or somethin' to see who gets the deluxe first class passenger seat, or who is cast to the rear to the kiddie pots!!! May Spearminty be with you!!!"

She noticed her brother's trademark look of disapproval, this time to the idea of Warwick.....not to mention, she didn't want anyone else tagging along either....

"I see what you're doing Warwick.....trying to save gas by carpooling with me......take your car bub!"

Noticing the chill outside, Jacqui put her convertable top back up..."What was I thinking, putting that down?"

[Chewion]

Brandon Kiser

Without even giving his cousin a chance he hoped into the passenger seat and said “Too slow.” He turned to his sister as their cousin got in back. Looking at Jackie he said “Where we going sis?” He hoped she wouldn’t get mad at him for kinda playing dirty and taking the seat. He honestly missed hanging out with her.

[Ruskland-Preuben]

Brandon

As Warwick asked the question Brandon turned to Jackie and, using his eyes a facial expression hoping she would understand, indicated he didn’t want him to come. He didn’t mind Warwick but this was supposed to have been a brother-sister bonding time and already a cousin had joined in to Brandon’s dismay.

Jacqui

Jacqueline looked at Brandon and Daciana, "Yeah....you guys are gonna have to Rock-Paper-Scissors it out or somethin' to see who gets the deluxe first class passenger seat, or who is cast to the rear to the kiddie pots!!! May Spearminty be with you!!!"

She noticed her brother's trademark look of disapproval, this time to the idea of Warwick.....not to mention, she didn't want anyone else tagging along either....

"I see what you're doing Warwick.....trying to save gas by carpooling with me......take your car bub!"

Noticing the chill outside, Jacqui put her convertable top back up..."What was I thinking, putting that down?"

Warwick

He noticed the disapproving look of his cousin Brandon, but it seemed that Jackie had found a good compromise, by him using his car to follow cousin Jackie to wherever they were going. "I hope we go through a mountain road, that is very curvy." muttered the Japan born American as he went to his car. And readied it up. He turned the car on, and immediately placed his favorite sort of music, Eurobeat. The automobile currently was playing some music from an anime series he loved, Inital D, it was titled Gas Gas Gas. "When we heading out yo!" He shouted from his AE86 Sprinter Trueno.

[Alaroma]

Josephine Kiser

Josephine worked under her 1968 Mustang, catching up for the time she was gone in Cancún. Sure the weather was nice, and the boys were cute(Heh) however she wanted to get back home. For one her friend Sarah was left to take care of her younger brothers, who were 10 and 8, who were being a unfortunate handful for her friend. She had went over to help with that fiasco, and give her a friend when it came to taking care of the boys. When she eventually left, things were more smoothed over, and she trusted the rest to her childhood friend. After that, she came home and got immediately to the garage. She poped the hood of the hood to the Car's innards and got to work, poping in some earbuds along the way. Listening to Panic! at the Disco she lost herself in her work.

She wondered if she would take the Mustang out on Friday night for some racing, though it was still not in the condition she wanted it. Not quite yet, however she drove it before. It's been drivable(Only to her Knowledge) for a while, but the question was how to make it the racing car she desired. The funny thing was how chill Sarah's dad was(The Mechanic who was her mentor) on helping install the Racing enhancements. He had to have known something, but never questioned it. Better for her she supposed, better for her.

Now she had enough sense to keep the whole racing thing on the downlow, and very few people knew about it. Most of that select few were outside of the family for very obvious reasons, and for that she planned to keep it that way. In that regard, she reasoned she should keep the racing on hold for a moment and appreciate being home for now. She didn't have school work to accomplish since the first semester was over, so she would release her Mustang for public driving when she got back to school. She knew Sandra would love to be driven to school in a car instead of clinging to Josephine as they went to school on her Kawasaki Vulcan S Motorcycle. Though, she had to admit, the look on Sandra's face was pretty priceless, especially after the first time.

She sighed when she heard all the shouting from inside despite her earbuds, and for a moment wondered what was going on. However she decided to go back to working on her car instead of worrying about her family. They were all grown up enough, they shouldn't need her input, or brokering peace(which wasn't uncommon tbh) so she threw herself back into her work.

[Vietmihn]

Francis Kiser

Excitement and tension was building up by the minute. He felt a burst of joy as he saw the Kiser home slowly but surely come into sight.
In a flash, everything came back to him so quickly, his memories with them flashing through his mind. He remembered them as babies, he remembered them growing up, and he remembered them 2.5 years ago. After he want on tour, he didn't have a chance to see them, except for once, 2 months into the tour. The excitement was bubbling inside of them, and he felt so happy, but for a split second, he felt sadness, and loneliness, a thing he had tried to forget. He remembered his friends getting hurt fighting for their country. He missed them, and felt sorry that they could not see their family again. He was so goddamn happy after that, and THAT feeling stayed. He looks closely, and he sees the Kiser home come closer and closer, and when he sees the rest of them drive away, that doesn't affect his happiness, Josephine was still there. He muttered a quick "sh*t, that's a nice car," to himself, and he begins to clearly see the house, getting closer, foot by foot, meter by meter.
He gets closer and closer, looking just like any other person, but when he drives up to the side of the home, he is just too excited to wait. He pulls out the keys, opens the door with a loud click, and he steps out.
He sees Josephine working on her car, and with burst of happiness and a gleaming smile, he rushes over, BUT he realizes she is under her car, checking stuff and whatnot.
"Hi! It's me, Cousin Francis! I'm alive y'know, also, nice car you got there." he sputters out with a smile.

[Alaroma]

Josephine Kiser

With her earbuds in, she heard the sudden commotion which startled her leading her to bump her head against the car causing her to cure furiously. She came out from under the car, covered slightly in car grease. Rubbing her head slightly, she turns to the person who was standing there. She then realizes it's Francis standing there, causing her to laugh saying "Francis! You're back!" before throwing herself on him giving him a hug. Of course she hadn't realized the car grease she was probably getting on her cousin, but that's not the point. "Welcome back!" She said as she pulled away, resting her hand on her hip. "Also thanks on the car, I try my best ya know?" She said looking at Francis. She had remembered well their time as children, then it hit here. "What happened with the military? They didn't say anything about you getting out or anything I reckon, we would have threw a party or something."

[Vietmihn]

Josephine Kiser

With her earbuds in, she heard the sudden commotion which startled her leading her to bump her head against the car causing her to cure furiously. She came out from under the car, covered slightly in car grease. Rubbing her head slightly, she turns to the person who was standing there. She then realizes it's Francis standing there, causing her to laugh saying "Francis! You're back!" before throwing herself on him giving him a hug. Of course she hadn't realized the car grease she was probably getting on her cousin, but that's not the point. "Welcome back!" She said as she pulled away, resting her hand on her hip. "Also thanks on the car, I try my best ya know?" She said looking at Francis.

Francis Kiser

He distances himself for a moment as she curses, but he just waits, a couple feet further that where he was before. A moment later, as he saw her saying "Francis, you're back," he barely has time to respond, and he says a quick, short, "Yep," and embraces her, not really caring about getting messy with car grease, just really overjoyed to see his cousins again. When she pulls back, he smiles and says "Thanks for the warm welcome back!" and then as she makes her remark about the car, he says "Yeah, I know, also, hey, if it doesn't work right, it's okay, you can fix it, it just takes some time to do. If that's what you like to do, do it!"
He looks around. "Where's the rest of your family..?" he asks. with a curious look on his face. Afer a moment, he remembers what he was going to say before that and says "Hey, I forgot to tell you, I got a promotion to Captain."

[Chewion]

Kiser household
An hour later

Brandon sat in the passenger seat as his sister pulled back up towards their house. They had driven around town and gotten ice cream before heading back home. It had honestly been nice and Brandon realized just how much he missed hanging out with his sister.

As the car stopped Brandon felt a ting in his chest. He loved the fact he was getting closer with Jackie again but felt the guilt about the truth he was keeping from her and everyone else. But it just wasn’t time. Turning to her he said “That was fun sis.”

[Aillyria]

Kiser household
An hour later

Brandon sat in the passenger seat as his sister pulled back up towards their house. They had driven around town and gotten ice cream before heading back home. It had honestly been nice and Brandon realized just how much he missed hanging out with his sister.

As the car stopped Brandon felt a ting in his chest. He loved the fact he was getting closer with Jackie again but felt the guilt about the truth he was keeping from her and everyone else. But it just wasn’t time. Turning to her he said “That was fun sis.”

Pulling back into the back into the driveway, Jacqui throughly enjoyed the freedom of driving and the company of Brandon and Daciana on her quick ride around town. She put her shifter out of gear and cut the engine.

"I know right!!! We should do this more often, what do you think Daci?"

[Chewion]

Brandon Kiser

Brandon grimaced at the mention of their cousin. For whatever reason he just didn’t like her. Getting out of the car he shut the door and headed inside without saying a word. Sure it was childish and a little obvious why he stormed off but it felt good to give into childish impulses every now and then. Plus he felt like his cousin had stolen time from him and Jackie.

[Khasinkonia]

Ștefania Daciana Crăciun

The back seat of the car was cramped, but at least she’d gotten ice cream out of it. Why Brandon seemed hell-bent on shoving her in the back and forgetting about her was beyond her, not that it mattered. He seemed on the rather combatative and mean side, or however that word was pronounced. Ice cream and Jacqui being nice were good enough. Puberty blockers weren’t gonna hide everything, after all. There would certainly be a question or two as to why she was such a “late bloomer” as it was, but hopefully nobody would question the throwaway line.

And then Brandon stormed off before she could respond to her other cousin, evidently irritated with sometime. Probably her, if she read him right.

“Da, I like that idea,” she began, thinking of Brandon’s mood, “But I don’t think Brendan thinks the same.”

[Vietmihn]

Kiser household
An hour later

Brandon sat in the passenger seat as his sister pulled back up towards their house. They had driven around town and gotten ice cream before heading back home. It had honestly been nice and Brandon realized just how much he missed hanging out with his sister.

As the car stopped Brandon felt a ting in his chest. He loved the fact he was getting closer with Jackie again but felt the guilt about the truth he was keeping from her and everyone else. But it just wasn’t time. Turning to her he said “That was fun sis.”

Francis Kiser

Francis scrolled through his phone for a moment as he heard a quiet "ding" and then he turned down the volume as he slipped his phone back into his shirt pocket.
Francis looked over and saw one of the many Kiser cars come in, and he saw Brandon, Jacqui and Jackie inside. As he saw them for the first time in 2 years tears welled up in his eyes.
He remembers alemst everything about their personalities and all the fun he had during those many, many years he had together with them, mostly Brandon and Jackie, but he came to like Jacqui too.
He felt a slight warmth going through him, and he waved at them, sincerely hoping to get their attention, wondering what their reactions would be to seeing him again, for the first time in a long, long while that felt longer than it actually was to Francis. Seeing the other Kisers again, he flashed back to when they were only 6 years old, when he was about their age. he smiled, and muttered to himself "They grow so qui-" he stopped for a second as he saw Brandon storm inside, and he rushed in to follow him. He says "Hey Brandon! What's up?" as he sees Brandon face to face for the first time in 2 years.

[Aillyria]

Ștefania Daciana Crăciun

The back seat of the car was cramped, but at least she’d gotten ice cream out of it. Why Brandon seemed hell-bent on shoving her in the back and forgetting about her was beyond her, not that it mattered. He seemed on the rather combatative and mean side, or however that word was pronounced. Ice cream and Jacqui being nice were good enough. Puberty blockers weren’t gonna hide everything, after all. There would certainly be a question or two as to why she was such a “late bloomer” as it was, but hopefully nobody would question the throwaway line.

And then Brandon stormed off before she could respond to her other cousin, evidently irritated with sometime. Probably her, if she read him right.

“Da, I like that idea,” she began, thinking of Brandon’s mood, “But I don’t think Brendan thinks the same.”

Jacqui patted the passenger front seat, motioning for Daciana to come up to sit beside her.

"Brandon, is a bit possessive of me and or siblings, don't take it personally. He's honestly not a bad person, just give him some time to warm up to you. Why don't we have some girl time?", she said as she leaned her seat all the way back to relax.

She was in no rush to get back into the house, crowded with people she saw every day. Daciana was family, and Jacqui liked knowing them well, the fact she knew almost nothing of her little cousin was a bit of an embarrassment. Besides, the girl seems to enjoy their time out a bit, perhaps it was something she didn't get to experience often. Jacqui was a firm believer in fun, lots of it, and sought to bring that into all her interactions with others.

[Chewion]

Brandon Kiser

Brandon looked at his cousin and said “Nothing is wrong. I’m going outside to work on my car. Nice seeing you.” Grabbing his keys Brandon hurried outside and to his car which was near Jackie’s. Glancing over he felt anger boil inside as he saw his sister talking to their cousin. Mumbling about it and opened the hood to his car and poked around. Last time he drive it he noticed a strange clicking sound that he thought could be a loose belt. Reaching inside he felt something sharp before pulling away. Then he noticed the blood. He had sliced his hand from one side to the other and blood was now oozing out. He punched a nearby tree with his good hand as he yelled “MOTHERFUCKER!” Knowing Jackie would hear but he didn’t care. He just looked at his hand as shock set in.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

Cyril Kiser

Cyril had enjoyed his time with the other adults: he'd looked in on some of the kids who tended to live in their rooms, but they were playing their games, reading or doing other things which didn't involve their old granddad. Excusing himself from the house, he walked down to the driveway, opened his cigarillo case and brought one out to smoke it: he didn't smoke as much as he once did, but he still enjoyd a few per day.
As he puffed peacefully he couldn't help but hear an unmistakable voice coming from a nearby parked car; casually the old man walked up to the source of the voice: his grandson Brandon, bleeding quide badly and taking his annoyance out on an undeserving cedar tree.
"Who are you calling a motherfucker?" he asked casually, putting a hand on the teens shoulder. "Me...Probably not. Your mother is a beautiful lady, however I fear that even she is too young for me. Although with the example set by our new president, perhaps not? What do you think?"

[Vietmihn]

Francis Kiser

Francis, looking dazed, watches in shock as Brandon runs outside and sticks his hand in his car, which he noticed as he stepped outside. He saw something red coming our, and that was when he began to suspect the worst.

Francis walked further out and he bagan to see what was about to happen. He stood there, frozen, as Brandon punched the tree and yelled a curse word. Francis had a feeling in his gut, and that feeling was him being irritated. Very much so. His face turned from a smile to a frown very quickly, and he stepped forward slowly but surely as be looked at Brandon falling into shock.
"Jesus christ man, what the hell..?" he mutters as he turns around, rushes into his car and grabs some bandages. He runs over to him, waiting for a moment for anybody else to come over, as he prepared to fix the wound.
As he sees Cyril come over, he says a simple hello to his granduncle.

[Aillyria]

Brandon Kiser

Brandon looked at his cousin and said “Nothing is wrong. I’m going outside to work on my car. Nice seeing you.” Grabbing his keys Brandon hurried outside and to his car which was near Jackie’s. Glancing over he felt anger boil inside as he saw his sister talking to their cousin. Mumbling about it and opened the hood to his car and poked around. Last time he drive it he noticed a strange clicking sound that he thought could be a loose belt. Reaching inside he felt something sharp before pulling away. Then he noticed the blood. He had sliced his hand from one side to the other and blood was now oozing out. He punched a nearby tree with his good hand as he yelled “MOTHERFUCKER!” Knowing Jackie would hear but he didn’t care. He just looked at his hand as shock set in.

Jacqueline was just about to ask Daciana some questions when she heard Brandon screaming and cursing suddenly, she jumped up in her seat, hitting her head on her car's low roof. After briefly rubbing her forehead, she hopped out to survey just what happened.

She saw her brother grasping his hand and a fairly thick stream of blood flowing, dripping on the carport.
Jacqui, thinking quickly, ripped off her shirts left sleeve (which happened to be her favorite shirt) and wrapped in tightly around Brandons hand.

"Hey come on, let's get you in the house!!!"

She helped him up and lead him into the house moving towards the guest bathroom on the first floor, " MAKE WAY, MAN DOWN MAN DOWN!!! ", she yelled as she dramatically kicked the bathroom door open.

Jacqui unwrapped the torn sleeve from the wound and looked at it unusually intently, "OH NO LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GONNA HAFTA AMPUTATE SOLDIER!!!"

[Khasinkonia]

-snip-

[Chewion]

Brandon Kiser

Brandon looked at his cousin and said “Nothing is wrong. I’m going outside to work on my car. Nice seeing you.” Grabbing his keys Brandon hurried outside and to his car which was near Jackie’s. Glancing over he felt anger boil inside as he saw his sister talking to their cousin. Mumbling about it and opened the hood to his car and poked around. Last time he drive it he noticed a strange clicking sound that he thought could be a loose belt. Reaching inside he felt something sharp before pulling away. Then he noticed the blood. He had sliced his hand from one side to the other and blood was now oozing out. He punched a nearby tree with his good hand as he yelled “MOTHERFUCKER!” Knowing Jackie would hear but he didn’t care. He just looked at his hand as shock set in.

Jacqueline was just about to ask Daciana some questions when she heard Brandon screaming and cursing suddenly, she jumped up in her seat, hitting her head on her car's low roof. After briefly rubbing her forehead, she hopped out to survey just what happened.

She saw her brother grasping his hand and a fairly thick stream of blood flowing, dripping on the carport.
Jacqui, thinking quickly, ripped off her shirts left sleeve (which happened to be her favorite shirt) and wrapped in tightly around Brandons hand.

"Hey come on, let's get you in the house!!!"

She helped him up and lead him into the house moving towards the guest bathroom on the first floor, " MAKE WAY, MAN DOWN MAN DOWN!!! ", she yelled as she dramatically kicked the bathroom door open.

Jacqui unwrapped the torn sleeve from the wound and looked at it unusually intently, "OH NO LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GONNA HAFTA AMPUTATE SOLDIER!!!"

Brandon Kiser

Brandon was still in a state of shock but picked up on what Jackie had just said. Looking at her with a face of pure terror he said with a trembling voice “Am... amputation? Am... am I going to die?” Tears started forming in his eyes as he looked at his older sister and said “Please... I don’t want to die sis. Please. I don’t wanna die sissy.” His face has turned white at this point from the fear he was now feeling.

[Khasinkonia]

Jacqueline was just about to ask Daciana some questions when she heard Brandon screaming and cursing suddenly, she jumped up in her seat, hitting her head on her car's low roof. After briefly rubbing her forehead, she hopped out to survey just what happened.

She saw her brother grasping his hand and a fairly thick stream of blood flowing, dripping on the carport.
Jacqui, thinking quickly, ripped off her shirts left sleeve (which happened to be her favorite shirt) and wrapped in tightly around Brandons hand.

"Hey come on, let's get you in the house!!!"

She helped him up and lead him into the house moving towards the guest bathroom on the first floor, " MAKE WAY, MAN DOWN MAN DOWN!!! ", she yelled as she dramatically kicked the bathroom door open.

Jacqui unwrapped the torn sleeve from the wound and looked at it unusually intently, "OH NO LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GONNA HAFTA AMPUTATE SOLDIER!!!"

Brandon Kiser

Brandon was still in a state of shock but picked up on what Jackie had just said. Looking at her with a face of pure terror he said with a trembling voice “Am... amputation? Am... am I going to die?” Tears started forming in his eyes as he looked at his older sister and said “Please... I don’t want to die sis. Please.”

Ștefania Daciana Crăciun

Daciana nodded as she slithered out from behind into the seat Brandon had left. He’d certainly made sure to ignore her comfort, which was odd for family. She sat down, and her eyes lit up when Jacqui mentioned “Girl time.” It simply wasn’t something she’d expected to hear from perhaps anyone in the house for a while, so it was certainly a pleasant surprise. If only that was the only surprise. Just as she opened her mouth to respond, Brandon’s voice came echoing anything but melodiously.

“—Uwa!” she grunted, her voice sounding, to her dismay, much like her old male voice in the beginnings of the puberty she now fought with medicine. She clasped her hands over her mouth for a second, and fell forward into the seat. Figuring she ought to check on her cousin, even if he didn’t seem particularly fond of her, was only right. She thus hurried out of the car, shutting the door carefully behind her, and followed the commotion into the bathroom. She clasped her hands together, and gulped as she looked Brandon directly in the eye.

“Sh—Do you want me to go get an adult, or like something,” she said lightly, with a worried look on her face, “Anything? It looks really painful.”

[Aillyria]

Jacqueline was just about to ask Daciana some questions when she heard Brandon screaming and cursing suddenly, she jumped up in her seat, hitting her head on her car's low roof. After briefly rubbing her forehead, she hopped out to survey just what happened.

She saw her brother grasping his hand and a fairly thick stream of blood flowing, dripping on the carport.
Jacqui, thinking quickly, ripped off her shirts left sleeve (which happened to be her favorite shirt) and wrapped in tightly around Brandons hand.

"Hey come on, let's get you in the house!!!"

She helped him up and lead him into the house moving towards the guest bathroom on the first floor, " MAKE WAY, MAN DOWN MAN DOWN!!! ", she yelled as she dramatically kicked the bathroom door open.

Jacqui unwrapped the torn sleeve from the wound and looked at it unusually intently, "OH NO LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GONNA HAFTA AMPUTATE SOLDIER!!!"

Brandon Kiser

Brandon was still in a state of shock but picked up on what Jackie had just said. Looking at her with a face of pure terror he said with a trembling voice “Am... amputation? Am... am I going to die?” Tears started forming in his eyes as he looked at his older sister and said “Please... I don’t want to die sis. Please. I don’t wanna die sissy.” His face has turned white at this point from the fear he was now feeling.

Jacqui fought to hold back a chuckle, turning her face away from Brandon briefly to conceal a smurk. She collected her composure and faced him again with a stone serious expression.

"You fought admirably soldier, we'll try to save it, but alas, we can make no promises", she said with a solemn look, as she reached for cottonballs, a bottle of rubbing alcohol, and gauze.

"Ok soldier, here it comes!!!", she said after quickly dipping a cottonball in the alcohol and, with little warning, stared dabbing the cut.

[Chewion]

Brandon Kiser

Brandon was still in a state of shock but picked up on what Jackie had just said. Looking at her with a face of pure terror he said with a trembling voice “Am... amputation? Am... am I going to die?” Tears started forming in his eyes as he looked at his older sister and said “Please... I don’t want to die sis. Please. I don’t wanna die sissy.” His face has turned white at this point from the fear he was now feeling.

Jacqui fought to hold back a chuckle, turning her face away from Brandon briefly to conceal a smurk. She collected her composure and faced him again with a stone serious expression.

"You fought admirably soldier, we'll try to save it, but alas, we can make no promises", she said with a solemn look, as she reached for cottonballs, a bottle of rubbing alcohol, and gauze.

"Ok soldier, here it comes!!!", she said after quickly dipping a cottonball in the alcohol and, with little warning, stared dabbing the cut.

Brandon Kiser

Brandon felt fear rising in his chest before suddenly being overcome by the raw sting of the alcohol entering his cut. Looking at his sister with pleading eyes he said “Stop fucking with me Jackie! I’m scared. I am truly scared. It hurts and my whole arm feels cold.” Stopping for a moment he continued with tears in his eyes saying “If... if I die tell everyone I love them. And... tell my girlfriend I love her..” the last one he accidentally let slip realizing Jackie didn’t even know he had a girlfriend let alone who it was. Of course it was Sarah, his eldest twin’s best friend, so she would find out soon if he died and probably tell everyone.

[Hothnia]

Anna Kiser

It had been a peaceful hour. Ever since her older sister and younger brother went on their drive, the house had been quiet. What else was new. In the distance she could hear he other twin's, Josephine, music playing loudly, but it wasn't loud enough to distract her from her reading. Anna flipped the page of the aging book, sighing as a cool breeze drifted through her window. Life was good.

Of course, the peace was interrupted by her brother's loud screech of profanity. Anna sighed. It really wasn't kind nor necessary to use those words, but he, and the rest of them did anyways. But goodness knows what he was screeching at this time; it always seemed to change. It was probably for no reason at all, he just wanted to show how "grown up" he is. Anna shook her head in dissapointment and returned to her book.


Emilia Krupp

Thank God the man sitting next to her couldn't speak a spot of English. The Asian man dressed in the fine suit had spoken in some foreign language, probably Mandarin Chinese, the entire trip and she didn't have a clue what he was saying. The blessing in that? She didn't have to talk. At all. Emilia glanced out the window onto the Amerikan country side. Rolling farms, endless sea's of yellow and gold. To her, it looked like hell. Where was all the green? The blues and gray? Apparently not in her new "home". That was all back in her true home, the small town nestled in the Black Forest, tucked between old castles with tales filled with chivalry and honor.

Emilia grimaced. She had been told stories of this place as well. Tales of lawlessness, alcoholism, and murder. It didn't put a very good picture in her mind as the large United Airlines aircraft slowly descended towards the city of Austin itself. Great. Her new "home". As the annoying head flight attendant marked their progress over the intercom, Emilia clutched onto the hand rests of her seat even tighter, until her knuckles turned white. She wondered if this is what her father felt like as his own aircraft descended into the deserts of Afghanistan.

Emilia took a deep breath. Okay Emilia, it's a new place, an unwanted change, but you've got to embrace it. Father was very kind and caring and this is his family, they should be just like him. You'll be fine. Emilia closed her eyes and said a quick prayer as the aircraft made its final descent on the airport.

Airports here were so crowded. Granted, they weren't nearly as crowded as Frankfurt- AU Main, but they were busier than any airport in Bäden. Emilia had departed the plane quickly, going through the enormous lines at customs and showing her passport to the Amerikan officials. Now, she laughed through large crowds of people, her backpack full of personal belongings on her back and a small suitcase in her right hand. She halted at the doors to the airport, much to the annoyance of the people standing behind her. She took a deep breath and walked out into the large parking lot and drop off zone.

A new life. Here I come, no matter how reluctantly. Emilia halted as she walked along the sidewalk adjacent to the pickup zone. Wait a minute, how do I know who's picking me up? Emilia looked down at a photograph nearly 20 years old of her father and his brother, this Johnathan Kiser, sitting beside each other. Emilia felt her eyes well up and quickly stuffed the picture back into her backpack. Too soon. Emilia wiped her eyes and stood, rocking back and forth on her heels nervously. Both sides really should have thought this out better.

[Aillyria]

Jacqui fought to hold back a chuckle, turning her face away from Brandon briefly to conceal a smurk. She collected her composure and faced him again with a stone serious expression.

"You fought admirably soldier, we'll try to save it, but alas, we can make no promises", she said with a solemn look, as she reached for cottonballs, a bottle of rubbing alcohol, and gauze.

"Ok soldier, here it comes!!!", she said after quickly dipping a cottonball in the alcohol and, with little warning, stared dabbing the cut.

Brandon Kiser

Brandon felt fear rising in his chest before suddenly being overcome by the raw sting of the alcohol entering his cut. Looking at his sister with pleading eyes he said “Stop fucking with me Jackie! I’m scared. I am truly scared. It hurts and my whole arm feels cold.” Stopping for a moment he continued with tears in his eyes saying “If... if I die tell everyone I love them. And... tell my girlfriend I love her..” the last one he accidentally let slip realizing Jackie didn’t even know he had a girlfriend let alone who it was. Of course it was Sarah, his eldest twin’s best friend, so she would find out soon if he died and probably tell everyone.

As Brandon began squirming and talking about how he was afraid and actually thinking he was gonna die, Jacqui could barely contain her internal amusement. Had she peppered him up too much? Or was he really just that gullible? But just as those thought crossed her mind, she caught him saying something about a girlfriend......

"GIRLFRIEND?!?!", she suddenly blurted out, not realizing she had squeezed her brother's hand rather hard in her excitement. "How? When? Where? What?......OH MY GOD, tell me now!!!!"

Jacqui squeezed the cottonball, dripping alcohol directly into his cut.

[Chewion]

Brandon Kiser

Brandon realized his mistake before suddenly being overwhelmed by a burning pain in his hand. Constricting his whole body he grabbed Jackie’s hand and yelled “DAMMIT JACKIE THAT BURNS.” Taking a breath he looked back at her and said “I... I don’t know what your talking about. I don’t have any girlfriend....” Brandon knew he was caught but was trying to buy time to figure out how to avoid spilling the beans.