Days Before
Vivian strolled through Garlin as everyone stared down at him. He took his time walking along the sidewalk looking quit sickly and dashing all at the same time. He still hasn't gotten his strength although he plans to recover at certain somewhere.
He reached his destination at nightfall, a long tiring walk he must admit. He was panting hard as he pounds the heavy door. He stood trying to regain his breathing, and when he heard the lock click open he adjusts his shirt, straightens his back, and grins.
Mr. Smith, a good butler who worked for the Thomas's family as long as he could remember, opens the door. He looks down at Vivian. For a minute he hadn't recognize him until his eyebrows rose and he asked in shock, "Vivian Throne?"
Vivian spread his arms, "The one and only."
"Dear lord," eyes ran up and down at him, "Do come in."
Vivian went pass him, spins, and made his way to the drawing room. Dark blue wallpaper covered the walls; the windows were covered and pulled tight with light blue curtains. Painted frames of old family members that once were the head of the manor were hung around. The fire place had a fire starting, low as if it has been going on for hours. A simple gold chandelier hung at the center of the chandelier, gas lights on the walls, and sofas surrounding the fireplace. There was a single one, a long one that sat in front of the fire place, and another single on the side, all a deep green like moss on a tree.
Vivian's body collapsed on the single sofa and sighed as his feet were no longer supporting him. He leaned his head back and smiled up at Mr. Smith who was unsure how to react. He tilts his head, "Call him here, and please, I'll like a nice cup of tea." Mr. Smith nods and heads out.
Vivian closed his eyes and to him what seemed like a moment later, Mr. Thomas scoffs, "Of course now of all time."
Vivian opens his eyes and smiles at Mr. Thomas who was sitting on the single sofa right in front of him. His hair was all over the place, his dress shirt wrinkled, and his sleeves rolled. Christopher was such a handsome young man. He was in his early thirties, with deep dark black hair and hazel blue eyes that seemed friendly and intimidating all the same.
"Christopher! handsome as always. How are your older brothers and younger sister? Rose was it?"
Christopher crossed his muscular arms, "Where were you?"
Vivian raised an eyebrow, "You and I both know exactly where I was."
"I meant before that, Vivian." Christopher sighed.
Mr. Smith walks in with a cart. The tray had a china teapot with two cups and plates with matching the floral designs of the teapot. There were also scones, pastry, and biscuits. The closer Mr. Smith pushed the cart Vivian could see the bowl of sugars and a small pitcher of milk.
"No sugar, no milk and I'll like one biscuit please." Vivian instructs. Mr. Smith gave him a long look but did as he was told. He started pouring the tea into the two cups. Vivian turned his attention back to Christopher, "I had to make sure Emmett understands that his life was a lie."
Christopher shook his head, "You understand what that made him like now? His skills are close with…well, with his brother."
Vivian took the steaming cup given to him, and Mr. Smith placed the small plate on his lap, just as he liked when he was a child. "That was exactly what I wanted." Vivian said, and he took a sip, "Besides, someone was ought to explain to him sooner or later."
Mr. Smith handed Christopher his own cup and retreated from the room. Christopher took a long sip and looks down at the brown substance, "I know everything you do is regarding of the matter of your visions, however…why shoulder this all yourself? You left your parents with no words-"
"And I'll do it a hundred times over and over again."
Christopher looks at him sadly, "I won't deny they weren't the best, although you made things back in England very complicated."
"Good."
Christopher was now annoyed, "What on earth are you planning?"
Vivian took the biscuit and dipped it into his tea, "I only want what everyone desire. Freedom, is it not?" he raised his eyebrows and took a bite.
Christopher shifted in his seat, "You…where in Garlin would you be staying? Your manor is empty with nothing more but spirits no doubt."
Vivian giggles, "Oh Christopher, handsome, but a little clueless are you? Is that why they keep you in that little club?"
Christopher rolled his eyes, "There are no secrets kept from you are there?"
"No, there is. Many." Vivian dipped his biscuit once more, "I'll be staying here."
"Alright," Christopher nods, "And if they found you?"
"I'm too powerful for them, finding me would be useless as I have already regained my energy."
Christopher gave him the sad long look again, "What-what had he done to you boy? You look as if he sucked all the blood from within you, your muscles tightening your bones, your face looking as if you have a serious illness that can't be cured."
"My Christopher, you are simply the light of everyone's dignity."
"What have he done to you? he shall be faced with punishment." Christopher's voice held anger, though he was calm.
Vivian smiles, "He'll get his punishment soon enough."
He blinks and realization came to him. He slowly drinks his tea, "Oh, I…see."
"How are your boys? Did they come along with you from England?"
He nodded, "I couldn't leave them alone, and besides, it was time for them to learn more of the truth." He looks away, his eyes lost in thoughts.
Vivian nods in agreement, "You and your late wife- May she rest in peace- are so ever kind. Adopting boys who were lost with nothing left in life. Look at them, each having a promising future." Christopher looks back at him and Vivian smirks, "Without the gift used of course."
Christopher chuckles quietly, "You might bring some excitement here. Lately the place has been so…dead."
Vivian looked down at his tea with crumbs floating at the top, "I hope that's a figure of speech."
"I'm not sure what's real or not in the young boy's mind."
"Hmm," Vivian drank the remaining portion of his tea, "Give him some time."
"He is too quite, it's hard to even guess what he is thinking. He reminds me so much like Elliot."
Vivian burst into laughter, "Elliot Leonard? Oh dear I hope not. Elliot is a walking corpse, whoever dropped him on his head when he was an infant, I blame them sincerely." He looked up at Christopher who was smiling a little.
"Elliot and Emmett are both the opposite yet the same. It's almost like Luther and Julius."
Vivian nods, "I agree, Emmett and Elliot are both strikingly beautiful, almost like fallen angels. One is from Heaven, the other from Hell." Vivian places his cup on the small plate, "Emmett is defiantly from Hell."
"The way you compare and think of things is superb." Christopher said.
"Oh Christopher, you are to most ever kindest person there is." Vivian stood up, "I expect to see all my stuff from England here in a few days time-"
"Vivian-"
Vivian placed his cup and plate on the cart, "I'm sure a person like you would be able to secretly get that done." He touched his necklace, "I hid this heirloom and my dagger from that blind bastard. I'm glad I was smart enough to keep it away from him."
"How was it done?" Christopher asks curious, he was also leaning towards him.
"Under the wood board," He turns around, "I'll be off."
He left the deflated Christopher staring behind him.
As Vivian climbed the stairs, he saw a shadow moving ahead of him. It was tall and moving fast to get away from him, Vivian smirks knowing exactly who it was and why the rush heading out. He took his time to get to the top giving enough time for the shadow to escape.
During the night, Vivian was staring out the window of the manor's attic. The window wouldn't open as much times as he tried. He figured it was probably from the lack of his strength or perhaps the darn latch was forever stuck.
The window faced the forest behind the manor, long tall trees that stretched out all around Garlin with a small pond that was in circled at the middle. The moon was out, only a small thin crescent that provided enough silver light as it shone through the small window into the attic room.
The attic had a musty smell to it. The smell wasn't strong enough indicating that it was used a little often. Vivian intended to use the attic more. It was practically empty, only few unused furniture's that had white cotton covers draped on.
"Are you Vivian?" they asked behind.
Vivian smiles and turned around leaning on the window ledge. The beautiful soul who stood before him made Vivian's heart beat faster and faster with each longing stare. His eyes were the color of the sky when the sun had almost just vanished away, a deep dark blue like the deep dark ocean. It was almost intoxicating the longer he stared at him. His eyes were filled with dark thick lashes that put most females to shame.
His hair was the color of sweet chocolate, a warm brown. Vivian bet that some strands might turn to gold under the sun. That made him excited. He wanted this beautiful person stand under the sun like a fallen piece of heaven.
And his face structure, it was perfection, everything symmetrical and set with sharp angles and hardness. His face naturally was set in a serious emotion making him seem to be made out of stone. His ivory skin made it believable.
And he was a tall being, his frame lean yet with Christopher's paranoia, he had muscles peeking from the thin cotton shirt. No doubt the boy trains, training in case of the future that might turn. He had a figure like painted figures in his Mother's paint room. His mother painted strong, tall heroes. He was the hero from the paintings.
Vivian loved beautiful things. And he would make sure beautiful, dazzling, and stunning things would be his.
"Well, aren't you smart figuring out yourself."
He frowns, "Father had said you'd appear soon."
Vivian took a step close to him, "Oh?"
He had such a deep soft voice. It was as if the child in him didn't want to leave, and yet his body had to grow and mature as he ages.
"Y-yes…is it true you can read the future?"
Vivian chuckles, "Reading would be the wrong word. I can see the future. It comes to me like visions or dreams. Sometimes flashes as if one would get a flash back."
He was uncomfortable standing there, exposed with nothing more than a cotton shirt and black trousers, and Vivian's presence made it worse. His eyes were also not focusing. They were flickering at and away from Vivian's face. As if he was seeing and listening to something else, trying hard to seem as if he wasn't seeing more then what Vivian's eyes could.
"That seems…" again the flicker to the side, he frowns, then they went back at Vivian, "Overwhelming."
Vivian was striding towards him slowly, "You haven't introduced yourself. You should have when you were listening to Christopher and me."
His blue eyes went wide and his shoulders shifted nervously, "I- I wanted to be sure it was you."
Vivian was now in front of him. Vivian was shorter then he was, much shorter, and Vivian loved that. He looked up and tilts his head, "Julius, I'm not a monster."
Julius Adam apple bobbed up and down, "I- I know. I just hope you won't bring trouble to my family and me…"
Vivian frowns, "Is that what you think of me."
He blinks, then he looks behind Vivian, paused, and finally his eyes went to him, "No-no! I…there are stories that speculate and rumors spread. I only hope they are all but counterfeit conversations."
"Julius," Vivian said, "Are you afraid of me?"
Julius for once was now focusing at Vivian looking down at him. They were close to one another, but not too close. Vivian didn't want the poor thing to feel trapped. "No. I assure you, if I were to be afraid of you I wouldn't have read and listened to your note."
Vivian smiles, "Ah yes, the 'Do please come and see me at the attic,' written note I gave Mr. Smith, who was also one to show me this dreadful place." Vivian looks around, "I intend to do something of this place. I assume you or your brother might come up here often."
"It is I who do." He clarifies, although Vivian already knew that.
"Well, I can't wait to see what the future holds for both of us here." Vivian clasps his hands together.
"What goal do you intend to accomplish?" Julius asks.
"I'm assuming you are asking more of my general presence in your household?"
"You're a Montgomery. An empty manor left by your grandparents should be around here."
"Hmm, yes, although I prefer a comfort of little, annoying, not amusing people around me." He admits.
Julius eyes became sad, "I'm sorry for your kidnapped incident."
Vivian felt as if Julius took a dagger and stabbed him. During this whole time he had played as if it didn't bother him that Mr. Bastard, curse him and his nerves to hell, had sexually and physically abused him. His back still ached on where Emmett tried to take care of yesterday. His body felt broken inside out. He felt like an empty shell, dirty in every way. Every moment spent waiting for Emmett and Emerelda felt as if his skin was being ripped. He knew they were coming, though he was slowly dying with hope.
Now, as Julius, a boy who was adopted when he was a lost soul looked sadly down at him, Vivian almost broke down into tears. All that had looked at him looked at him with sad and pity eyes not truly understanding. Vivian didn't hate on them for that, he found it annoying they looked at him with pity.
It wasn't his fault but was. It wasn't his intention to get kidnapped and understood his vision wrong, but it still was. However, no one knew of this and no one shall.
Julius, as much as he might not understand what Vivian has went through didn't look at him with pity. He didn't look at him as if he was a misfortune boy who got the best of him to intend the future to go smoothly. Julius was sad for him.
Vivian did love beautiful things. Vivian loves Julius.
"Are you crying?" Julius softly asks.
Vivian blinks and the tears fell, some already rolling down his cheeks. He rubbed them away, laughing as he did. "Oh Julius, why must you be such an alluring thing? First your beauty captivates me into lust. Then the way you speak and communicate is so fascinating. You seem nervous and yet not. And your ungraceful way of trying hard to focus your eyes on me does not work. Why must I be attracted to you since the very first time I has laid eyes you?"
Julius frowns, "I don't understand what you meant by…everything you said."
Vivian sniffed and placed a hand on his cheek. His fingers were skinny, long, cold, and almost ugly as he placed it on a soft skin, full of life, and warm. "You're a little dense, are you?"
Julius wasn't moving under him, he was still as stone, "I- yes…no." He chocked.
Vivian grins and removed his hand. He looks back, winks, and returned his glance back at Julius, "Tell the poor dead maiden of the manor my regards to her death."
And Vivian walks away leaving Julius shocked.
Julius was trying to regain what had just happened. He looks back to the door that leads to stairs though Vivian was already gone. Vivian Gideon Throne Montgomery. A boy prodigy. A boy who shamelessly flirts. A boy who knew everything of everyone. A boy who was shockingly, inhumanly beautiful but dangerous.
He was all silver, as if he was part of the silver moon. In fact the moon's light was attracted to him, making him glow. Julius could understand why almost everyone stops to stare at him. All sharp futures, eyes serious and mischievous that would make you wonder what he was truly thinking of you. It was so very hard to tell.
This was the first time he had a face to face conversation with him. He'd seen him at events back at England, and dear lord, was he the center of attention. Julius didn't fancy him much which his pride and charm that effected everyone. He'll look at you as if he wanted to seduce you or kill you, and there was no in between.
Vivian made himself look intimidating until right when he shed tears. That's when Julius realized that all the hardness, the smirks he pulls, and the attitude as if he had no care for the world, vanished before Julius eyes. What he saw was a boy who went through trauma and difficulty in life. He saw a vulnerable boy.
"Oooooh, isn't he adorable? He looks almost as God's angles in a form of a small body filled with the Devil's attitude." Lora sang. She was sitting on the window ledge now, finally had stopped floating around Vivian, "And the audacity to wink at me, how devilish of him!"
Julius glares at her, "You gave yourself away."
Lora's figure was faint, you could almost see right through her. She had long wavy blond hair that ran straight down her back and fell over her shoulders. Her eyes were the same color. She was wearing a nightgown, the clothing she had when she died.
She was the ghost of the first child of his great grandfather, Mark Thomas. Lora was his dead grandmother. She died when she was fifteen. Until now Lora and her family wasn't sure of her death. The man of the dead had taken her without warning in such a peaceful way. In her sleep.
Lora was always lonely until finally someone in the family had inherited the gift of seeing the dead, mediumship, which excited Lora. She made the most of their time before he went back to England.
"I suggest you, society or not, please fall in love with him. His oh-so wonderful." She sighs, her fingers both interlock together.
"Lora, you wouldn't stop distracting me. You kept on blurting out comments! That was what made him sure we both were not alone because I kept looking at you. He probably saw where my eyes were looking at to be sure he winked at the right spot."
She sighs again, her eyes dazed, "His silver eyes."
"Good god."
She floats away from the window and came directly in front of his face, "Be his lover! I see the way he looks at you, and Julius he fancies you!"
"How wonderful." he replied.
She pouted, "Stop being sarcastic and listen to me for once! You have a chance to be with someone who looks at you with huge admiring eyes."
Julius made a face and step aside towards the window, "He probably thinks seducing someone a year older would be a great game."
He felt a small breeze and Lora was glaring beside him, "He wouldn't! I know Throne's, and those guys are all only ruthless, rude, and arrogant people!"
Julius turns to her, "Didn't you fall in love with one?"
If ghosts could blush, she had probably done it. She waves a hand, "That was a long, long time ago."
"Well this is a long, long time after. I have no desire for Vivian. I'm only curious of him and curious on why he made himself home at a place where the Judas group attends meetings so often."
"Vivian seems like a boy who knows what he's doing and for the exact reason. Whatever he plans, be sure not to get in his way. The boy is beautiful, charming, and sweet. Still, I could see why most people wouldn't directly approach him." She took a deep breath, "He has the Throne's pride tainted on him, although there is something dark about him."
Julius scoffs, "Weren't you swooning for him just now?" He shook his head, "There isn't anything dark about him. His odd, yes, however everyone is wary of him because of the last incident and his gift, a gift that seems so new yet old and powerful."
"Is that what you truly believe?"
Julius looks away and into the night, "Yes."