The Reunion Game

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<sub>Nerys visibly eyetwitched when they started spelling these out. So they all assumed that she knew, huh?! Nerys bit her lip, looking like she was about to cry. It wasn't until Andy explained that eh thought Cepheid told her that she got fed up.

"WELL NEXT TIME, YOU SHOULD PROBABLY DOUBLE CHECK!" She took several deep breaths, that is until she felt Lapis pulling on her sleeve. ... Oh so she was going to get a freaking lecture from a child too, huh? She just looked down at the kid, seemingly calmed down, before speaking up.

"No. Not this time. Not when they failed to tell me something REALLY. IMPORTANT." Sorry Lapis, but you can't pull the same trick on the girl who also uses cute to her whims. She whipped over to look at Benedict, who looked scared out of his wits, before she grabbed his sleeve and half dragged him down the hallway, stomping.

"I trust you can explain me what's going on without any sort of communication errors!" She snapped.</sub>

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Reuben didn't know what to say at the moment, except that he hoped to God that Nerys didn't start screeching at everybody present and actually calmed down once Lapis tried her charm on him. Nerys always had a thing for cute kids...

...Except not this time. She apparently tried to calm down, but refused to even pretend to consider the girl. Hooboy. He watched as Nerys dragged poor Benedict down the hallway, before he reached out a hand to Lapis.

"Hey, kiddo. Come here." Seriously, Nerys. You might be pissed off, but don't yell at a little kid that was just trying to make things better.

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<sub>Benedict noticed the entire boat just went on a frozen turn as Nerys went on her spiel. He sort of stood there, awkward, out of place, and just... out of place. He looked over to Cepheid and Andy as they both seemed to stutter on their own words, and he decided not to say anything.

He looked down to see Lapis, which he assumed was Julian's child, try and make things better for everyone. Nerys seemed to take the bait, that is until she snapped at the kid.

"Whoa, hold on a moment! Did you just-" He found that Nerys whipped around and now grabbed his wrist and was half dragging him to her room. Well this is just peachy.

"....." He yanked his arm away and just stood there, folding his arms. "Not until you apologize to the girl.... and I get my food."</sub>

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Lapis let out a frightened squeak when Nerys turned on her and bit her head off. As the woman turned and dragged Ben away, Lapis couldn't help it.

She started crying, quietly at first, but eventually it grew some in volume until she was crying out loud. Not obnoxiously loud, but it was still loud enough to warrant some action.

Oblivious to most everything now, Lapis just clung to Reuben's good leg when he ushered her over, sobbing.

---

Cepheid was stunned. Nerys could yell at him. She could yell at Andy. She could yell at most everyone on this boat. But the sheer audacity she had to snap at a CHILD.

Cepheid looked horrifyingly like his brother for a moment as he tried to get his temper in check. That was. out. of. line.

It was taking a large amount of self control for Ceph to keep from going after Nerys and ripping into her. His previous and much more childish squabble with his brother forgotten.

He remained silent for a moment before losing his temper, walking up to Nerys and looking at Ben. "Go calm down Lapis." He directed. Not requested. Directed. Something about his tone brooked little argument.

Once Ben was gone, he'd actually guide Nerys down the hall a few paces before looking at her with an expression that, had there been a scar, would have made him look every bit like his brother. He grabbed her upper arm, not roughly, but firmly enough to get a message across. His voice was low but firm. "You can be mad at me, you can be mad at Andromeda. Hell, be mad at fucking God, but that is no excuse to take your frustration out on a child." He glared at her. "Lapis trusts you! Have you forgotten she was part of a God damned slave trade!? Did you forget she was likely abused every fucking day because she didn't walk fast enough, or because she stopped to get dirt out of her fucking eyes? Did it ever occur to you that you, someone she trusts, yelling at her like that can not only remind her of those days, but break what little mental security she has!? You of all people should know this, Nerys! You, of all people, should give a shit!"

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<sub>Andromeda was completely taken aback. Nerys, of all people, yelled at a child. For a moment, he remembered as a kid, getting snapped at like that, getting hit, and all that to him. It was the very reason he had concern over poor Lapis. It was every reason that he would take care of her because she was in Dula, and Nerys had the audacity to snap at her.

Andromeda bit his lip, torn between dragging Nerys off and just slapping her, or staying and just wrapping his arms around the child, doing something that an adult should have done for him back when he was her age.

It seems Cepheid was taking care of it. There were no words that needed to be said between them. Andy was still shocked and numbed enough to not bother with Nerys and he had more important things to do. He just picked up the child, wrapping his arms around her.

"... Godwine, let's go start lunch." Dani spoke up quietly, both girls agreeing that they should get out of there. Selena stayed, however, her eyes wide and in shock at the whole situation.

For a moment, Andy's fatherly instincts just completely took over for this child, and he ran his fingers through her hair, looking at her.

"... You didn't do anything wrong. It's not your fault. Nerys is just... she's just having a moment." Pathetic excuse. Nerys had no excuse to hurt the feelings of the girl. "How about we get you something to drink, huh? Would you like some milk?</sub>

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<sub>Nerys looked over to Benedict when he yanked his arm away. He spoke up, refusing to speak to her unless she went over and apologized, but she needed to know! What the hell was she going to do anyway? Of course between the chaos and the noise, She found that Cepheid was right there, telling Ben to leave.

"No!" She was ushered away, that is until she was grabbed. "Let go! Let-" She found herself completely frozen wide eyed at the way he spoke to her. Oh god... it was just like Andromeda. Exactly like Andromeda. The fury that went around that man... It scared the living shit out of her and she just froze there like a deer in headlights.

"...." The worst part is that he was right. She yelled at a child, a child that probably used to be like her, her friends and probably even Andy. A child who was kidnapped and taken to Dula.

She promptly burst into tears and started blubbering out incoherent sentences as she tried to find out what she should say. Give her a moment, she'll be able to speak her mind soon.</sub>

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It didn't strike Reuben nearly as harshly as it would've struck Andy, but when poor Lapis came over to him and clung to her, he ruffled her hair. He would pick her up if he could, but his still-weak leg and arm wouldn't support the weight of the six-year-old and send them both tumbling down. Luckily for him, Andy chose to pick her up.

It was the strangest thing he had seen, seeing the pirate comfort a little girl, but given the situation, he was thankful about it. Reuben reached out and ran his fingers through her hair as Andy held her.

"You couldn't do anything wrong, never." Cepheid it seemed had taken off to talk to Nerys, and damn that woman needed a talking to. He'd been on the receiving end of her temper before, but not like that.

"Some warm milk sounds good, doesn't it? Maybe with some sugar in it, too? If Andy even had sugar, RPer has no idea. And come on, smile on your face. You look much better with a smile on your face." As if to emphasize his point, he playfully poked Lapis's nose a few times, hoping it would at least get her to calm down a little bit.

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<sub>Benedict was shocked when he saw Cepheid speak to him lie that and he wasted no time to turn around and focus on the boys over there. It came to his surprise that Andromeda had picked up and comforted the girl in such a.... non Andy fashion. It felt... heartwarming, to him. So sweet. Even the most infamous pirates love children. That and Andy is genre savvy.

"Here." He'd take off his hat, revealing his messy black hair again, and plop it on Lapis's head. Might be a bit big for her, but she'll like it. "Let's go to the kitchen. Nerys can sort herself out if she's... not like Sine."</sub>

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Lapis continued to bawl into Reuben's leg, at least until she felt herself hoisted up and held. She instinctively clung to whoever it was-she was only slightly aware of it being grumpytwin- and continued to cry, slowly settling down as Andy did what he could to calm her down. Her eyes were still streaked with tears and she was still hiccuping slightly, but she wasn't trying to flood a small coastal village anymore.

When she was given the offer for some milk, she nodded slightly. Milk sounded good. Daddy always said you should have at least one glass a day! She glanced at Reuben through blurry eyes as he gave his two cents. With sugar in it? She hadn't tried milk with sugar in it! She let out a small squeak when her nose was poked, and a louder one when Ben dumped his hat on her much smaller head.

She couldn't help but smile slightly from under the piece of headgear, still hiccuping slightly. Leaving the hat on, she wrapped her arms around Andy's neck and let herself be carried into the kitchen. She wasn't crying anymore, but she was still shaken.

---

There was one primary difference between Cepheid and Andromeda, personality wise. Andy lived his life pissing people off. Cepheid lived his life trying to make friends. Deep down, they were both capable of the same things. They had equal potential to be a fatherly source of comfort, or a burning example of complete fury.

After getting his piece out, he stood quietly, waiting for Nerys to pull herself together. A part of him that he had punted off a cliff felt bad for upsetting Nerys so, but he wasn't going to comfort her. She brought this on herself and needed to figure out that she wasn't the center of everything. A little bit of miscommunication was no reason to lose your top, especially at a child who had nothing but good intention.

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<sub>Andy looked down at his two boys, glad he could make an example in case they ever decide to have kids. Same with Selena. He adjusted his grip on Lapis, looking at her as she calmed down. He then smiled at her, hoping he wasn't scaring her or anything, and Reuben and Benedict were happy to help.

"You are right, Reuben. Let's go into the kitchen, boys." He'd let the girl hug his neck, making sure he could see in front of him past Benedict's hat and knowing the boys would follow him.

He felt... much better, more calm. When he entered the kitchen, Dani and Godwine were right there, and Selena skipped ahead to grab the milk.

"See if we can warm up some milk, put a little sugar in it." He explained to Dani, who did just that. While they were waiting for the milk to heat up, Andy sat down, again still holding the kid.

"Never seen you like that before, Andy." Godwine put her hands on her hip, poking Lapis's nose. That little girl definitely got on his good side.

"When I was growing up in Dula, I knew exactly what NOT to do to a child. Not only that I had to take care of numerous orphans unlucky to be part of the program, including Nerys herself. Hell if I know how I managed to raise her like THAT... I blame Sine."</sub>

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<sub>Currently, Nerys was a mess. A blubbering mess and once Cepheid lets go of her she'll be on the floor. It would take a good several minuted before she could finally calm down and breathe properly, her head swimming and aching.

"Oh God..." Finally the first thing coming out of her mouth that was actually comprehensible. "Just..." She just wanted to be left alone. Lapis would be swarmed with attention and she didn't want to face everybody again after that, and if Cepheid was pissed like that, fuck if she knew how Andy would react.

"... You're right. I should apologize to her." She just stared at the floor, feeling sick. ... That is if Lapis or anybody else would accept said apology, especially Andy. "... Andy is going to kill me!" Now she's having a panic attack.</sub>

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See Andy? Your sons knew how to deal with a little kid. Reuben had a much younger brother, and Benedict helped take care of orphan kids. They would know how to not make them cry. Reuben smiled a bit as Lapis's tears calmed down a bit and she even let out a little smile. Aww.

"See, there we go~." He chuckled a bit at her expression. "Yes, sugar. It makes the milk nice and sweet, see? It's very tasty." At least, Caden loved sugar milk which Julian has probably fed him a few times.

He watched Benedict plop his hat on her, and followed Andy to the kitchen. He wouldn't be too much use, but he could be there and trying to help keep Lapis much calmer. He dropped down in a chair next to Andy, relieved to be getting off of his leg.

"Her temper hasn't changed too much, from what I remember." Girl had probably made Reuben cry a few times when he was a little kid, too.

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<sub>Benedict smiled as well, sitting down near the guys as they cheered up the kid. Well, it looks like they all have something in common, and that was taking care of kids. He knew he couldn't afford milk with sugar in it, and wondered how it would taste, hm. Usually he rocked the younger ones to sleep, or read them stories.

"And what a temper she has. Sine was like that, huh?" It makes him wonder what kind of temper HE has. "I haven't tested out my temper to conform that, though." He chuckled. "Let us all never find out, though."

Andy mentioned he took care of orphans as well, and Ben knew Reuben loved his little brother. He smiled as well.

"Orphans too, huh?" It dropped when Andy mentioned a 'project.' There were rumors of Dula attempting such atrocities on children. Did this mean Nerys, Sine, and Andy were part of this? And Lapis was actually kidnapped for those reasons?

"You mean that project in Dula? Is... that how you got that scar on your face?" It was a wild guess. The scar looked very old, almost like something he grew up with and became a part of him.</sub>

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Cepheid did loose his grip on Nerys, and stood over her as she had her moment, simply waiting in silence for her to get her head back on right.

"Yes, you should, but lets wait a b- oh calm down Nerys!" He rolled his eyes. "The most Andy might do is smack you. Anyway, cool your jets and throw some cold water on your face from the wash basin." He said, turning. He had to put his hand on the wall to steady himself with. All of a sudden he felt rather dizzy and light headed. The hell? He brushed it off and continued to walk down the hall, taking a couple deeper breaths, letting his head stop spinning. It was probably just the adrenaline from his temper. He'll be fine in a bit.

He glanced back at Nerys before he completely left the hallway. "I'm sorry you weren't informed about Ben. But that's no excuse for any of your behavior, love. Calm yourself down and, once Lapis has gotten settled down, you can apologize." With that, Ceph stepped into the kitchen, closing the door behind him.

---

Lapis sat on Andy's lap, sneezing a few seconds after Godwin poked her nose again. Why did they do thaaaat?

As the milk was presented, she took the glass and, after a rather quiet thank you, took a drink while trying to balance the hat on her head and balance herself on Andy's lap. Yes. Julian did. And boy he had never seen a child that wound up.

She was one of the luckier children. She had been kidnapped for the soul purpose of being a slave, likely sold off to some Dulan nobleman to scour his washrooms until she was older, when... well, she was lucky she ran away.

Oblivious to almost everything but her sugared milk, she continued to sip at it.

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<sub>Well, now she looked very happy as soon as Dani handed her a nice glass of sugared milk. He'd bounce her, but that would just result in a huge mess he'd be forced to clean up. At least the other girls were happy to adore Lapis for now, even if Andy was ironically the one doing it.

"You'll learn when you have Callidum blood in you, people will learn to fear you by your temper alone." Well, it was true. "Even as a scrawny, awkward teenager I could scare the crap out of people."

Of course, everything was silent and Benjamin asked about that scar on his face, and he winced. It seems the girls were looking at him too. Yes, that was one story he never told the girls. They just assumed it was part of the treatment plan. Not only that, Cepheid came in then too.

"You know, you did mention you had it since you were about ten years old." Selena piped up.

Andy rolled his eyes, drew in a deep breath, and just leaned back. Seriously? It's not the best story to say with a child in his lap.

"Long story short. One Bowie knife, some idiot threatening me and a kid who was unfortunately picked up by Swire Inc... Gave him a piece of my mind. Wound up nearly losing my eye." He paused. "I've had worse."</sub>