Sorry this one took a lil' longer, but school and stuff. And people. Ugh. People. But seriously, whoa you guys! :D You really like this? I can't thank you enough for all the pretty lil' reviews you've been leaving! The support is seriously fueling my ability to write more, so lets try this out. I love you guys, every single one of you! :3
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Cupid's eyes were wide with fear, unable to speak due to the numb and sealed feeling in her lips. The old man who had drug her to the dark damp cellar sat a few feet away, one hand to his chin as he sat on an old wooden stool. A Great Grandfather clock ticked in time in the background, echoing off of the cold stone walls.
"Now Cupid," He started calmly, "You know what you did, my dear. You know just as well as I do that it was against the rules. We can't have that, can we? First things first, I would like to ask for my artifact back, please." He held out his hand, and from beneath the girls collar, rose a golden stop watch. It floated it's way to Father Time's palm, and came to rest in the center. "There we are." He smiled, and tucked the watch under his jacket, and waved his hand again.
The invisible bonds that held Cupid's mouth shut released, letting her take a huge breath, slightly panting afterwards. "What are going to do, Chronos?" She smirked, using his mortal-given name, "Reverse what I've done? You know it will destroy many already made bonds. You couldn't."
"Yes." Chronos smiled sickly, the wrinkles around his eyes and mouth giving him a sinister glower, "But I can make the love suffer. It was bound to happen eventually. Even if I can't kill either of them due to the bonds, the viking boy will weather off eventually. Over time." He chuckled at his own pun, "You obviously haven't thought this over, my dear. What will it do to Jack when his love grows old and forgets? When he grows up without him, when he can't see him any longer? Why, it will be worse than last time. You stupid girl."
Cupid's eyes grew in realization. "No." She whispered, "I... I only wanted to help. Now.. Oh what have I done..."
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Dinner was about as uncomfortable as it could get. Well, for Seb anyways. Penda laughed and joked around with the Bennetts, but all the poor boy could do was try not to stare at the strange woman, and wonder what the hell she had meant earlier. He felt very conscious, because he could feel Penda's eyes on him every time he looked away. Of course he had experienced girls gazing at him before (because, like, hormones...), but he could tell there was none of that kind of admiration in this girl's stare. It was if she was observing him, trying to figure out an impossible puzzle. Quite frankly, it was freaking him the hell out. When topics were just about to run out, and dessert was being served, Steph mentioned Seb's offer he kept bringing up.
"Seriously Pends, Sebby here keeps insisting on paying us rent for letting him live here!"
"Awh, that's sweet though." Penda chuckled and glanced over at the boy.
"That's exactly what I thought, but get this. Mildew made him pay full rent. Just to live in his own home."
"Well, he did provide the job though.." Seb interrupted quietly, "He could've made me find a job on my own."
"Honey," Steph gave him a sad look, "He didn't even help you. You were practically paying the bills yourself! Then making you buy your own food... I'm sorry, but that's just inconceivable. You're only fifteen years old, for God's sake."
Seb shrugged. "It's how I grew up."
"Tell you what." Penda propped her elbows on the table, "If you're itchin' to find a place to work and earn your stay, you can come on over to my park if you'd like. I could always use a helping hand. There's extra rooms and everything." Penda couldn't believe what she was implying.
