Drown Out the Sorrows

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By everybody, Andy clearly meant people that were not named Cepheid, Nerys, Daniela, Godwin, Selene, Sine, and Reuben, though the latter one didn't know that. Suspected it, yes, but didn't know that actually. He munched on a smaller piece of bread, raising his eyebrow as Andy asked whether he was capable of eating that much.

"Why not? I need to make up for the two days last month I had barely anything to eat." He gave Andy a pointed look at that. Yes, he was blaming him for that. "Ah, no, I think I can carry it back to my ship, thank you."

Of course then Nerys went over and began fussing over him, playing with his hair, and straightening his clothing. The boy stared at her. "Nerys... what're you doing?"

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<sub>Andy just rolled his eyes when Reuben spoke up. yeah he knew what he meant, after all. Didn't help that Nerys was fussing over the kid, who seemed to have no idea what was going on. At least Ceph managed to keep the situation light hearted, even if Andy didn't know he was no better than his family. Either way, it looks like Nerys is now occupied with the kid and he could easily look over to his twin who tugged his clothing.

"Hm? ... Yeah. Just..." He grinned, casting a mischievous glint at his twin brother. "I want to see his reaction when he finds out he's related to The Star Man."</sub>

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<sub>Nerys was so busy with that she was doing, she had no idea the weird looks she was getting for this. Did she care? No. Reuben looked like a mess, after all and she wanted to fix that. She straightened out his jacket and then flicked his hair back before she blinked at him.

"Huh? ... You look like a mess. I'm just making sure you look better." She put her hands on her hips, stepping back and nodding, as she was pleased with the results of her effort.</sub>

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....Oh Andromeda. You certainly have a mischievous streak. "Alright then." Ceph answered, deciding to get on board with this.

Stepping forward, The Star Man gave a flourish and addressed Reuben. "I fear I must absolutely insist that you allow me to impart aid to you, my dear nephew. That is quite the load and it would be a shame if you dropped any." This was said casuallyI use that word loosely. This is The Star Man we're talking about here. though the connotations were obvious.

"Very good, dear Nerys! He looks marvelous!~" He praised, casually ignoring any reaction Reuben might be giving in response to his earlier words.

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Good, Andy didn't say anything. Besides, the other had probably bought it with the money he'd gotten from robbing him, so it was technically his bread now, correct? Reuben fidgeted a bit more as Nerys continued to fuss over him and straighten his hair and jacket. For the love of god, he wasn't five years old anymore that needed to be taken care of!

"I could've fixed it myself..." He mumbled to her, embarrassed. Did she have to do it in front of Andy and the Star Man? Speaking of the Star Man, the other had insisted on giving him some aid.

"No, really, that's fine, I can-" It clicked in his brain what the other had said to him finally, and he just stared at him. "Nephew?!"

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<sub>Andromeda rubbed his head as Reuben insisted that everything was fine. No, it really wasn't. Even Andy could tell everything was not okay and his mind was still on Nerys and Ceph. Of course, nerys completely embarrassed the kid there, not that Andy minded. She did it all the time.

"He certainly looks like he needs some help. Look at all the bread! ... That he's taking from me." Seriously, Andy doesn't take your virginity, and you take his bread in return, how nice!

"Yes, that lunatic man is your nephew. Be proud." Now Andy's just trolling everyone. Everyone except Nerys. "Don't worry, if Nerys likes him enough, you'll have her an an inlaw." ... Never mind.</sub>

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<sub>Nerys smiled when Reuben complained. Didn't he always used to do this as a kid! Well.. He was treated specially as a kid anyway, odd how he wound up so flimsy compared to his biological father. Must have been the stress during pregnancy. Either way, she straightened her gown and then looked over to Ceph as he spoke up.

"..." And then Andromeda spoke up and she just gave him an awkward glance, her pale cheeks turning red as a blush rose up. She then hid her face and shuffled nervously. What could she say about that!

"... N-no I don't! Besides..." She then added, so quietly it probably barely could be heard. "... I like him unmasked better..."</sub>

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Thankfully, because of the mask, Ceph didn't have to restrain the smile that slipped across his features when Reuben finally figured it out.

"But dear brother, surely you will not refuse such a paltry meal to your own son?" He teased. If Andy had a problem with the bread Reuben was taking, he'd have probably done something about it by now.

"Well, I must say, Andromeda. Lunacy seems to run in the family." The Star Man commented idly, picking fun at himself as well as his twin and newly found nephew.

And Andy picked right back. Thankfully, this was the Star Man, so he took it in stride. "She is a wonderful young lady!" He said, gesturing to her while she turned red. "However I must say that our acquaintanceship is much to young to be considering something such as that."
He completely missed Nerys's quiet comment as he spoke.

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Reuben grumbled a bit, not really fighting off Nerys as she finished fussing over him. Oh well. If he didn't let her, she would probably give him that evil glare or something. He'd flail upon being called flimsy, even if it was true. He was allergic to common medication and was naturally scrawny and physically weak, especially compared to who his real father was.

"I don't need help! And you owe me!" He protested. Hey, you've robbed him three times and nearly raped him just as many times. He was entitled to this bread!

Of course he snorted a bit as Andy mentioned that the Star Man was his uncle, and gave a bit of a smirk. "Watch out for your eardrums. If Caden found out, they'd break from the squealing he'd do." Even if he had no idea whether Caden was related or not.

Nerys and the Star Man? He tilted his head, and then rested his arm on Nerys casually. "I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised, honestly."

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<sub>Andromeda smirked when Nerys got all embarrassed over it. Of course, now he was being trolled. So, who exactly was this... Caden? He perked his brow at Reuben, before taking off his trenchcoat and hanging it on the door. It was far too hot for it anyway. Don't mind my unzipped pants.

"So who is Caden? Your half brother? .... Full brother?" Andy figured he wouldn't go back for the SAME woman. Unless Reuben's mother had the hots for Andy after all. Maybe something happened and he forgot about her and went for her again, but maybe not.

"Watch, Reuben. It'll totally develop~." He laughed. Even if he couldn't troll Star Man as easily, he figured his brother would get all awkward over it. After all, his brother is who matters, even if he has a stage name.</sub>

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<sub>Nerys shuffled again. Pfft! Of course The Star Man would be unaffected by it, but how could he manage behind that mask? Cepheid needed an identity reroute now... Either way, Andy and Reuben were now teasing her and she just glared at the both of them.

"I'm not marrying him... You two are so..." She wanted to say alike. That would end with her getting yelled at so she changed her methods. You both are so annoying!"

She took a deep breath. Yeah Reuben was right, Caden would be excited, but... were Caden and The Star Man even related? She looked at Star Man. Maybe it was possible. It didn't seem likely. Unless something messed up happened.</sub>

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"Caden?" He asked. "I take it the lad is your kid brother?" He glanced at Andy as his twin added to his question.

After getting an answer, Ceph put a hand on his hip. "Well, regardless. A brother of yours is a nephew of mine."

IT was true, The Star Man was taking all of the marriage talk in stride, and was even playfully egging it on, though the man behind the mask was getting a little nervous. Wait, was Nerys really that interested? But she denied it... She seemed like the kind of person to happily joke about marrying such a celebrity, yet she was adamantly denying it...

Guh, women. Why couldn't they spell things out for once?

He tried to laugh as father and Son began ragging on Nerys, though he had a few lingering thoughts.

"Well, anyway. It was a wondrous meeting, dear Reuben, but I fear I must be off now. These charts won't sell themselves!~" Spinning on his heel, letting his cape billow out as he waved grandly, he turned and proceeded to depart for the exit. "Either of you are welcome to accompany me." He addressed Reuben and Nerys. He'd invite Andy, but not only would the man have better things to do than watch his twin be a serious fop, but making sure that Andromeda and The Star Man weren't associated was important. The fact that he'd be walking out of that ship was going to be tricky, as he'd have to keep out of sight until he was a small ways away.

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Reuben nodded as Cepheid concluded that Caden was his brother. Ah, Caden... he seriously hoped that the other was okay. He seemed less upset about it right now than when he had first found out, though that could have been because he'd cried all over Andy last night (despite not remembering at all). Jesus christ Andy keep those pants zipped.

"Yes, he's my brother. For the sake of a lot of people, including yours, Andy, let's hope he is my half-brother." Another pointed look at Andy. Dude, he wasn't going to be friendly if he found out Caden was your hellspawn too. Shree is saying no at the moment. "We had no other relatives that we knew of, so I'm looking for him."

Joking with Andy? This was clearly a parallel universe, though he chuckled a bit as Nerys grumbled at them, grinning back at her with a bit of a trollish smile. Hey, this was payback for fussing over him earlier. He munched a bit on the bread again, and swallowed. Ah, the Star Man was leaving.

"By all means, go right ahead. If you see or hear of a little boy named Caden, please tell me, so I can at least have some idea of whether he's alive." If anyone would spot Caden, it would be the Star Man. The kid had been a fanboy last he checked!

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<sub>Andromeda stretched as Cepheid and the others went on their daily business. Hah, the more Nerys spoke of it, the more he knew she liked him. Maybe not to the marriage level, but something was there. He put his hands behind his back and yawned. He's have to take a nap later, when people weren't on him and giving him a terrible night's sleep.

"I don't usually go after the same victim... personally." He paused, hoping they'd get the double entendre. "If it involves robbing them definitely, especially if they haven't learned how to safekeep their ship." he eyed Reuben. Boy, you need to get more protection.

"Right, you take care." He nodded to Cepheid as he walked off. Now he was left with Reuben, and Nerys was likely to go back to sleep knowing her.</sub>

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<sub>Nerys was glad all the teasing went out of place. As much as she made that scene she made obvious, she just wanted some sleep. Maybe she'll get a good chuckle out of it later, but it was morning, and she's terrible at mornings.

"I'd love to join, but I hate the daylight. It makes me sparkle Light isn't exactly so good on my eyes." She waved at Cepheid when he walked off, and then turned to address the two boys.

"I'd stay too, but I'm not a daytime girl. I'm heading back to sleep. Don't kill each other, okay?" She then grabbed Andy's coat and tossed it at him, since it was on her doorknob before she entered her room.</sub>