ASTRALIS || Ben Hargreeves

H E R O E S.

THE MANSION CAST a shadow over 11 year old Eleanor. She remembers the first time she had walked up the steps to the front door. It was a scary thing to do back then, but now, 2 years later, she has gotten used to coming and going each year on her birthday. She made it a tradition to always bring the siblings cake. Klaus had explained to her, that even after 10 years their father still had yet to give them anything remotely related to birthdays.

This time though, it wasn't October 1st. It was any other day in May; sometime in the middle even. School was coming to a close soon, 4th grade for Eleanor was the same old education. The end of the year meant a bit more chill classes. She had just finished her lessons to write in cursive. Something Eleanor was excited to put to use. And to use she did.

In her hands was a large envelope. Written neatly in cursive was the name Hargreeves and the address. She didn't put hers though, opting to make this an 'anonymous' thing. She had asked her mother to create a fake advertisement, claiming that the family had won a contest. The name of Eleanor's dance school was clearly written out on the paper.

She had been selected to be part of the ballet ensemble for Firebird. She felt lucky, having her school choose such an elegant ballet, because knowing Hargreeves from what Klaus has talked about, it didn't seem as though he would enjoy whimsical ballet.

She was excited for this show. Mainly because if Hargreeves agreed to take the prize, it meant for the very first time, she would be able to meet Klaus and the Hargreeves in person. After two years of talking with Klaus, she finally found the reason that would possibly allow them to meet once and for all. It was exciting, it made Eleanor feel jittery.

Klaus had become her best friend in a short amount of time. It was an unspoken friendship that they felt went deeper than just an outward appearance. They were in tune with each other, always finding where one would be. There was a reason the first place she had gone to was the Umbrella Academy.

"Are you going to put it in the box or not?"

"Peter." Odalia poked at her son, the boy letting out a quiet 'ow' from the jab. While Odalia scolds her boy, she still looks at Eleanor, giving the girl a comforting smile. She gave the little girl a nod, which gave her a boost of confidence.

Eleanor moved up the steps, flipping the mail flap and dropping the envelope into the hole. She took a moment to look at it, making sure it had gone through officially. With a deep sigh, she turned to her family hopping down and grabbing a hold of her mother's hand.

"I hope they can go." Eleanor whispered.

"Me too, Ella." Odalia softly smiled at her daughter, feeling just a bit proud.

The mother had come to terms with what her daughter was capable of. She had heard all the stories about this friend named Klaus. If it was up to her she would take in the boy, the entire lot if she could. But Klaus was in the custody of that man. If leaving Eleanor in his care was the only way the boy would find some form of relief, she was happy it was her daughter.