After seeing the situation at hand, there was a quick set of introductions.
"Adam, Felix. This is my sister, Halia." [Orion]
"'Kay." [Adam]
"Halia, these two are Adam and Felix." [Orion]
"Mn…" [Halia]
Hiding behind her brother's leg, Halia watched Adam and Felix with caution.
"Halia… They're my friends. Say hello." [Orion]
"...Hello…" [Halia]
Unlike before, Halia had turned meek. Perhaps it was because her brother was present, but it was enjoyable to watch.
"Now that we've dealt with the formalities, let's head in." [Orion]
Gesturing to follow, Orion entered the house.
"It's not much, but… make yourselves at home." [Orion]
The house was a bit of a mess. There were play toys that littered the ground, and random empty bottles that lined the hall.
("Alcohol?") [Adam]
"Orion… Do you… drink?" [Adam]
"Drink?" [Orion]
Glancing at the bottles on the ground, Orion understood.
"Ah, that. That's actually my dad's." [Orion]
"What about your mom-" [Adam]
"Adam. There are some things you shouldn't ask about." [Orion]
Interrupting Adam, Orion left an awkward silence after his warning. After going a bit further into the house, Orion lowered himself to one knee and faced Halia.
"Halia, you mind playing with dad for a bit?" [Orion]
"...Why? Halia wants to play with big brother." [Halia]
After hearing her words, Orion placed a hand on his forehead.
"Ah… I forgot! Halia, I actually have a bag of treats for you." [Orion]
"Treats?!" [Halia]
Her eyes lit up just at the mention of snacks. It seems that Orion had already learned of a way to handle his sister.
"Yeah, treats. But… It's locked with a spell that only YOU can undo." [Orion]
"Really?! How do I unlock it?" [Halia]
"It wont unlock if you don't play with dad until Adam and Felix leave." [Orion]
Halia turned to look at Adam, and then Felix.
"Leave!" [Halia]
"What?" [Felix]
"Leave so Halia can have treats!" [Halia]
"Halia…" [Orion]
Unexpectedly, Halia had thought of a quick solution.
"Leave! Leave! Leave! Lea-" [Halia]
"Halia, the treats won't come if you force them to leave." [Orion]
Hearing those words immediately shut down Halia's sudden outburst.
"Hmph…" [Halia]
"Halia… please. Be a good girl and go to dad." [Orion]
Filling her cheeks with air, Halia pouted while stomping a few times. After letting out some of her frustration, she left quietly.
"Thanks for waiting guys. How about we head to my room?" [Orion]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Following Orion's lead, Adam and Felix passed by the living room and the bathroom. They didn't stop until they had reached the end of the house, a small room decorated with pink furniture and other childlike features.
"This… is your room?" [Adam]
"Yeah, I share it with my sister." [Orion]
"That explains the dolls in the corner." [Felix]
He stared at a corner of the room where there sat multiple dolls. After glancing at them from time to time, chills were sent down his spine.
"Ugh…" [Orion]
Sitting onto the bed, Orion let out a groan.
"Your injuries getting to you?" [Adam]
"Yeah… You guys can just sit anywhere you want." [Orion]
"Then don't mind if I do…" [Felix]
Divulging into Orion's hospitality, Adam and Felix sat anywhere that was far from the dolls in the room.
"So, how're you holding up?" [Felix]
"Mentally or physically?" [Orion]
"Both." [Adam]
"That works too." [Felix]
"Hm…" [Orion]
Taking the moment to lay down, Orion leaned back onto the bed.
"Mentally… It feels like I went through a rollercoaster. Physically… It feels like I got thrown down a flight of stairs." [Orion]
"Sucks to suck." [Adam]
"Better shut up before I throw you down a flight." [Orion]
A calming silence took over the room, and they heard muffled laughter in the next room.
"What's that? Is that your dad?" [Adam]
"Probably. Either that or it's his gambling buddies." [Orion]
"Sounds like an unhealthy relationship." [Felix]
"It is. If you think my dad's the one who pays the bills here, you're dead wrong." [Orion]
It was then that Adam and Felix turned their heads towards Orion.
"...What?" [Orion]
"You pay the bills?" [Adam]
"What about it?" [Orion]
"What does your dad do? And how did you get the money?" [Felix]
"I work a ton of part time jobs. But... if I really need quick bucks, I help out my middle school friends beat up people. As for my dad… Drinking, gambling... I would say smoking too, but I pay him money to not do that." [Orion]
"...Have you considered moving out?" [Felix]
"I would, but… I still need someone to take care of my sister." [Orion]
"Don't tell me, you pay him for that too?" [Felix]
"You're getting the gist of it." [Orion]
Adam was speechless. He didn't really understand the weight of the situation Orion was in, but he felt that help was needed.
"Felix, doesn't your house have an extra room or something?" [Adam]
"Adam, we don't have enough space for Orion and his sister. Even if I tried, my house can only fit one more." [Felix]
Just as Adam was about to reply, a phone call cut him off.
"Huh?" [Adam]
The playing of a classical tune came from his pocket, and the sender of the caller was an unsaved number.
"I'll be right back guys." [Adam]
Standing up and leaving the room, Adam answered the call in the hallway.
"Hello?" [Adam]