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forensicated · 9 months ago

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Smiffina Episodes: Witness Part 8 - The Final Act (8/8)

Tony and Emma rush to the scene to find Smithy's car on its side and call for help. In the middle of it, Smithy comes round and in a nice character decision, Smithy's flight or fight response is clearly fight and he almost wallops Tony until he realises that it's friend not foe.

More with it after a few seconds, Smithy joins Tony and they manage to get the other two out of the car and away from the wreckage.

Reg and Beth are still pinned down by an attack on the mobile unit. Reg reports that they're getting bottles thrown at them now and as he does - a shot is fired at the window that luckily does not get through. A trojan unit and back up are on the way to them.

Heaton heads back to the station and asks Grace to delay Alesha giving evidence whilst they're being checked over and calming down. Smithy suggests an adjournment and Heaton asks Gina to check if possible and she rings Grace to ask her to ask. Sam starts looking into the car that ran Smithy off the road and checks for CCTV. Sunil plays down Grace's report that Smithy being run off the road is linked to the case, insisting it's a road traffic incident. Grace tells the judge Alesha was attacked to stop her giving evidence and not for the first time. Sunil pretty much rolls his eyes and says it's an unfounded allegation and that it can't be that bad as she's not in hospital. The judge asks if there's any injuries and Grace said she hasn't heard of any yet. Sunil claims if they take any further time to call Alesha then it just adds to the feeling of mystery and drama around her. The judge agrees and refuses to adjourn any longer than that afternoon. Alesha must attend - today.

Youths attempt to set fire to the car that was used in the attack on Smithy's police car in the middle of the Jasmine Allen. Beth, Will and others attend and are pelted with bricks and other debris including Will who gets a ball bearing to the stomach from a catapult and another officers trousers catch fire from a petrol bomb thrown.

Jo and Terry are sent to report intelligence on the scene, taking residence on a roof of a tower block nearby. Cars are being removed from the carpark and used to build a barricade at one end whilst others are breaking into a shop next to it. They suspect it's a Creekside Boys event rather than the residents getting involved.

Smithy and Alesha identify Spencer Wright - who he had a run in recently when looking for Oscar and Joel, as the driver of the car who drove them off the road from CCTV. Alesha promises Smithy she's strong enough to stand up to 'that idiot' if she can stand up to Tito and she'll give evidence against him too when it comes to trial. "Good." Smithy smiles at her, telling her it's time for court.

Heaton runs a briefing with the remaining uniform at the station to tell them what is happening on the Jasmine Allen. Heaton wants to disappoint them and not give them the head on collision that they want but to monitor and arrest from the backstreets as so far it's only the police who seem the targets, not the residents themselves. The stop and wait strategy is a nonstarter - they attack the van as soon as officers arrive - it's now a full scale riot and Nate is allowed to go back out to play with the big girls and boys after being station bound from the attack-that-never-was on Raheem Woods.

Three identical cars arrive in convoy at the court, using the side doors to get Alesha inside safely. She wants to give her evidence face to face, not hide behind a screen or use video monitors. Julian reassures her that all she has to do is stick to the truth, even admitting the lies about the alibi and why - and to stay calm.

Alesha takes her time and keeps calm as she faces Fox and explains why she lied - because she was scared what they'd do to her, she was scared of being blamed and was threatened. She came forward because Carly was her friend.

On the estate, van loads of officers arrive in riot gear to take control and arrest the trouble makers. They are pelted with all manner of items including bricks and a fire is burning too. Heaton reckons there's two groups present - the criminal Creekside element and the local youths out for a jolly (!). He thinks if they remove the criminal element then it'll stop the others and they'll regain control. There are two large groups of rioters and so Heaton arranges two arrest teams to keep them seperate and to remove the trouble makers.

Sunil comes at Alesha to call her a proven liar who changes her story as she pleases. Alesha hits back to insist there's only two versions and she explained why. Sunil claims she saw Tito dancing with another woman at the party and got upset and jealous and they argued and that is why she's accusing him of being in the car and shooting Carly. He claims they also argued in a McDonalds - and he has witnesses he can call - about it to. Alesha admits they argued but it was about him making her hide a gun. Not a jealousy row. Sunil paints a picture of Tito trying to get out of an mentally abusive relationship, beaten down by her constant jealousy and accusations of him cheating on her if he so much as looked at another woman. Alesha denies it all and Sunil asks "Not true? Or just not true today?" "He needed me to lie, thats why we argued."

Smithy wonders why Dwayne hasn't pleaded guilty like Joel did when they're both accomplices. He says he's going to go speak to him and ask why. Grace tells him not to because they've already accused him of breaking the rules and that it'll play into their hands. He still goes through. Smithy asks Dwayne if he's going to let one stupid decision to back Tito up take the rest of his life as he knows Tito shot Carly and so does Dwayne. [How? Two hands came out of the window. Two guns shot bullets. How can he know which got Carly and either way - he still shot a gun!] Smithy asks him what he's scared of. Creekside? Tito? Dwayne shouts for security to come through and Smithy has to leave the cell.

The riot has increased to 100 at least and they're throwing petrol bombs. Heaton wants Raheem and the other leaders arrested ASAP with the TSG. They advance in a line and split to allow TSG through to get to Woods and others. In doing so, Nate gets kidnapped and carried off by Raheem and others who beat him. Smithy arrives as court has adjourned until Tito and Dwayne have to give evidence so he's arrived to help having heard about Nate. Callum and Smithy take three other men and go into underground carpark to go and get him back. Of course Smithy's going in in just his uniform and a helmet. Of course he is!

In rescuing Nate, Smithy disarms and arrests Raheem Woods and Callum has Spencer Wright - not a bad 5 minutes work. "You alright Nate?" "Peachy Sarge, love a good beating." "Yeah, heard that about you."

At the station, Woods claims to Sam and Smithy he was only there to calm things down. When told there's surveillance of him trying to set a Honda alight he insists it's not him. Smithy and Sam then go to interview Spencer and tell him that Raheem claims it's all down to him because 'he went lone ranger'. Spencer insists he's not in Creekside by choice, he's there as protection. Smithy says he doesn't care either way - all they want to know is why Creekside are so wrapped up in stopping Carly's case. He either tells them or takes the entire attempted murder of Smithy and Alesha rap all by himself.

Spencer tells them that Tito rang him from remand and wanted to an eye kept on Alesha. She wasn't down to appear as a witness so he wanted it to stay that way. It was him who spray painted the house and smashed the window. He claims that since Marlon got arrested there's a huge power vacuum on the Jasmine Allen and that Creekside are backing Tito so he has to keep them sweet as they want control over the estate. The officers don't buy it - there'd still be that vacuum if Tito went down. "What does he know, Spencer? Why do Creekside want to keep Tito sweet?" Spencer tells them - reluctantly - that Tito got the guns from Woods. They find there's a third gun out there - an automatic "that Tito loves and favours everytime." If Tito did have the automatic gun in the car, it wasn't him who shot Carly. It was Dwayne.

Woods insists he's has nothing to do with any guns and that Spencer is lying. Smithy isn't deterred and works out it makes sense that Creekside got involved because with Marlon out the way they get the estate... but they didn't get Marlon, it was Carly. Sam says Creekside's involvement in supplying the guns explains the attempt to stop Alesha getting to court. With Smithy in the car as well it makes it attempted murder of a police officer as well as Alesha. Smithy asks if he knows Dwayne or why Tito took Dwayne on the night of the shooting. Woods no comments every question. Sam ends the interview and - with the tape recorder off - Woods starts talking, as long as they keep it off. Tito took Dwayne because he was pushing him 'You gonna let that joker make a fool of you? You gonna stand for that?' etc. They only worked together because they had a united reason - Marlon. They both hated him and wanted him gone. Dwayne hated him because Carly was going to leave for Sheffield and she'd told him that she was leaving with Brooke. They'd had a huge argument about it. She wrote a letter explaining it to him saying if he didn't pay her child support, he didn't deserve to see Brooke and that made him even angrier. Brooke was his, money or no money, and no lippy kid was going to tell him different. Woods says he'll also come clean about Nate not hurting him if they make his charge affray rather than violent disorder.

Smithy and Sam talk it over. What if Dwayne had engineered it from the start and it was his argument and not Tito? What if it was about Carly and Brooke rather than Tito's assault? Sam isn't so sure but Smithy continues. Carly was moving away and taking his daughter. Whilst she was on the estate he saw as much of Brooke as he wanted to - with her almost 200 miles away that wouldn't be as easy. Sam asks if Smithy is suggesting that Carly was the target all along? Smithy isn't sure if she was the intended target or if it was spur of the moment but he's starting to think that. He's been cunning either way because he told Smithy he didn't know she was leaving and he's hidden behind it being Tito's crime and him just taken along for the ride. Sam agrees and suggests Smithy take Leanne home so they can go through her belongings to see if they can find a letter. Leanne tells him he bought stuff for Brooke but never paid any money for her care and it was a real bone of contention. Leanne admits she would write things down if she had something serious to say. They hurry back to find it her notepad or to see if she kept a copy.

The riot is almost over with less than 20 people hanging around as Leanne returns with Smithy and Heaton. Leanne glares around the group still lingering. "Do you want killers living here? What happened to me can happen to you." She tells them, following Smithy up the stairs to her flat. Smithy finds a notepad and see the word 'Sheffield' as an indentation so they bag it to get it to the lab quickly. Leanne's words seem to have done the trick as the last few lingering around pay them no attention as they leave.

Sunil is summing up the prosecutions evidence and tells the jury that the prosecution is all smoke and mirrors and that they haven't made a case. The police have been accused, there's no real evidence and that the main witness is a liar. If the prosecution have not proven beyond reasonable doubt they must return a verdict of not guilty. Grace and Smithy worry that if he continues like this - as the jury seem to be lapping it up - it might end before they get the lab results back from the letter. If they do... it's too late.

Dwayne is then called to the stand to give his evidence. He claims he doesn't think of the canal as 'the canal' when he was asked, just 'The park' and that if they'd looked harder they'd find pushchair tracks and Brooke's footprints too. Smithy gets a text and goes out to meet Jo who hands him the initial basic report from forensics alongside the relevant bits of Dwayne's statement. He tells Jo it's going badly and she wishes him good luck with the evidence. He writes a note and passes it to the prosecuting barrister with the evidence. Dwayne looks very uneasy when he sees Smithy return and give Leanne, Grace and Heaton a thumbs up.

Ford asks Dwayne if there had been any arguments or conflicts between him and Carly and he says no. He is asked if they'd rowed over access or child support. Again he says no. He admits he gave Carly no money but bought things for Brooke and saw her as often as he could despite being seperated from Carly and that the father-daughter relationship is important to him. He claims he didn't know she was leaving and it was the police who told him after she'd died. Sunil claims that the prosecution is veering off into evidence that isn't in disclosure. Ford tells the judge that new evidence has been found today and both are asked to approach the judge. Dwayne claims if Carly sent him a letter he never saw it or got it. Alesha whispers to Leanne and Smithy that he did because Carly told him. She hadn't told Smithy because she didn't know it was relevant and everyone was focused on it being Tito's fight. Smithy hurries her out into the foyer where they discuss it.

Dwayne tells the court that Brooke is his daughter and no one can take that away from him. Ford pauses. "... But Carly was going to, wasn't she." he said before quoting Carly's words that she was going to take her away where he could never see her. He continues to say that Dwayne goaded Tito into that car and that when he got to the skateboard park he saw everything he was about to lose and got angry. He insists he wasn't in the car. He's asked if he shot Carly. Leanne stands up and shouts "ANSWER HIM!" at Dwayne. The judge orders silence in the gallery or she'll clear it. Dwayne's mother is looking conflicted from the back row. Dwayne still doesn't answer it and is told to step down. Smithy sends another note to Ford to tell him to call Alesha because she knows about the letter. Sunil tries to get the judge to refuse it, insisting she has been sat with police officers and that there's already been a coaching accusation. The judge allows her and says Sunil can cross examine her.

In the dock, Dwayne and Tito are talking and he whispers to Tito "I can't do this anymore, it's killing my mum!" Alesha tells the court that she didn't know what was in the letter and that all along she's thought it was Tito's fight. She does know however that Carly was going to Sheffield because she'd gotten her a job there with her cousin and Carly had told her about the letter and giving it to Dwayne she knew that he was lying. Sunil calls her a liar and that she can't be relied upon to tell the truth and there's too much doubt. Alesha shouts back she's not a liar, she knows the truth and was scared. Dwayne sobs that he can't do it anymore and leaps to his feet. Tito lunges at him and the two are parted. Dwayne wants to change his plea and Tito shouts after him that he's a grass and to keep his mouth shut as they're forced out of the room.

Both men are indited for murder, Tito can fight it but he'd be on a hiding to nothing as the plea change in Dwayne's case means that it's practically impossible and won't change anything - both are going to be put away for murder.

Outside Smithy hugs Alesha and congratulates her. She then hurries to her dad who hugs her and tells him he's so proud of her. Leanne thanks Ford and then Alesha for what they did. Beverley can barely look at her as she leaves court, turning and quietly lowering her head as she walks out. Leanne watches her go as Smithy touches her shoulder and comforts her. Leanne turns and kisses Smithy's cheek and tells him he's a good man. He blushes almost and tries to downplay it as his job. "Being a policeman is your job. Being a good man comes from in here." she says, touching his heart. Smithy almost shyly thanks her and leads her outside, taking her home.

I do have a few questions (like why do I pay attention to stuff that doesn't matter?) like :

Why didn't they mention going looking for the other automatic gun even in passing to get it off the streets? And if they're now saying Tito used the automatic in the car, and Dwayne used the revolver that killed Carly who used the 9mm? Surely that breaks the case somewhat? Or are we to accept they were wrong and Tito didn't take the gun that he favours and thinks of as his and poses with to shoot Marlon? The gun that hearing about made Smithy change his mind to it being Dwayne and not Tito who shot Carly?

What happened to 'Tito being a good boy' that they kept spouting in part 1 who was only with the gang so people didn't hassle him? And if he was such a good boy (even Oscar said it) why didn't anyone re-bring up that his dad threw him out and ask why? Or even go visit his parents?Alesha reckoned he was waiting to get into college. At no point did we see any Tito side that can be 'the good boy', especially funeral onwards. He was a greasy smarmy runt throughout! Having said that though, I'm probably answering my own question when I say that there were four writers for the entire 8 episodes and that each writer wrote two of the episodes.

If the rent scam had been caught out and the muppet who ran it prosecuted then Tito would be homeless. Where was he living after to be still around the estate to the point where he was picked up from his flat where he lived alone during a late night raid? Surely the council wouldn't rehouse him THAT quickly when he'd been scamming one of their properties with a housing list with demand as high as it would be in East London (and lets face it, the area Sun Hill is supposed to be a not that far from the City of London (around Whitechapel/Stepney/Spitalfields/Shadwell! ) and they'd surely not rehouse him right where his (at the time) potential victims mother still lived!

How did Sunil find the McDonalds argument witnesses? And if there were witnesses close enough to say they were arguing, didn't he ask them to attest to what was said to show it wasn't jealous girlfriend stuff? (and why didn't anyone report that guns were mentioned? If they're to back up Tito's false story then it wouldn't take 5 minutes to prove they're linked to Creekside!

Smithy says there were four gunshots. There were 9 at my count!. (not my link - go to 44.49 here there's 2 guns shooting at the same time and one takes an extra one) It doesn't look like one is an automatic either, they both look the same.

Why didn't they mention the intimidation Alesha faced and Smithy getting run off the road on the way to court? Yes Sunil claimed it was unfounded allegation but it could easily be proved, especially as by the time they were in the court room they'd named the suspect and he was a member of Creekside and that it could have been mentioned in that 'oops, strike that from the record...', jury you will ignore that' tropey bollocks crime shows use all the time when they want the jury to know something they're not supposed to!

is it possible to be too anal?

And whilst we're at it...

will the boys EVER stop saying 'Come on then?!' to someone threatening them? Especially when they have weapons in their hands like knives! Looking at you in this episode, Sgt Stone though Smithy is a bugger for it too.

How is Smithy not made of mostly metal now given the amount of bangs to the head/knocks to the body/hostage situations/smacked around/car crashes etc? He's like the terminator.

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neoninky · 1 year ago

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TWST Fanfic "Her Lost Voice": Chapter 18

Well readers we have reached the final two chapters of "Her Lost Voice" (this one being the part 1 to the finale)

I hope you have enjoyed either reading this story for the first time or revisiting it again.

As of now, I have the beginnings of a Diasomnia centered fic in the works but I am also working on my own original material as well. So with that said, I do not have an exact release date (or even a title now that I think of it lol) for Petra's story with the Diasomnia clan just yet.

Definitely stay tuned, however, as I will be posting all/any tidbits here! Also feel free to drop me a message in my inbox any time whether it's about my Sacred Crown series, TWST in general, or if you just have a question/request. I'm game for any of those options lol.

Inky's Links: AO3 : Masterlist : (Third Story coming soonish)

Chapter 18: Part of This World (Part 1)

She used to have dreams night after night about that storm, that terrible storm that changed her life entirely. It was always a rush of sound, brief fragments of harsh light, followed by the freezing cold blackness pressing down on her as the waves tossed her small child body about in their fury. But there was always a quiet moment of relief as a kind hand pulled her head above water. She never saw a face nor did she ever hear a voice: just that warm touch and a soft melody calling to her as she lay barely conscious on the shore. Sometimes there were more or fewer pieces in her dreams, but now as she stood face to face with this siren in all of her warmth and compassion, Elise knew it had to be...

"It was you...?" Part of her feared this was some cruel prank. Junonia's smile didn't falter for a moment. Even when she had tears streaming down her face.

"My little Cowrie was already missing and I was afraid she got caught up in the storm somewhere. Instead, I came across that terrible shipwreck and I saw you, struggling in the water. You were so young...you reminded me of my girls. Thank you so much for taking care of them all these years."

A quiet sob bubbled out of Elise as she shakily tried to keep her own tears from falling, "Honestly they took more care of me than the other way around," Elise sniffled before noticing the chain around Junonia's tail and snapping back into clarity, "B-But how...why are you here now? And who did this to you?"

Azul released Elise's hand before dipping into the shallow water to get a closer look at the chain itself. His tentacles slowly went to touch it. When nothing happened he was confused, "It seems like just an ordinary chain. I don't mean to be rude, Mrs. Cerith, but even a weak eel would be able to break this with ease."

The siren chuckled bitterly, "The chain is just a formality, my dears. I'm bound to stay put because of my dear boy's commitment."

"Do you mean Indigo?" Elise stepped into the water to speak in closer proximity to her savior.

The siren's eyes lit up, "You know my Indigo as well?"

"We want to help him and you, Mrs. Cerith," Azul circled around the two women to make sure the coast was clear, "An ally of yours told us he was in trouble."

Junonia gasped when Elise took her now repaired moon necklace from her pocket, "He had this with him. Don't worry, Spindle is safe and unharmed."

"Oh thank goodness," Junonia whispered, overwhelmed with relief, "that poor boy, I feared the worst after he tried to help me escape-"

She froze with a start as they heard approaching voices. It sounded like arguing. Junonia's face turned serious as she closed Elise's hand back over her moon necklace, "You two need to leave. Before he comes back. Don't let him see you or that."

Elise began to panic as Azul grabbed her hand once again, "We aren't going to abandon you, Junonia. I promise."

In seconds, as Azul pulled her deeper into the water, Elise put the vial of potion to her lips and quickly drank. The pair submerged into the murky water as Azul jetted them both away from the trees. Moments later there was a flash from the middle of the lake's surface. Junonia quickly shot off a couple of enchantments to spread flowers over the surrounding trees as a cover. The showier the better. The footfalls paused just behind her, greeting the trapped siren with a slimy nonchalance as Indigo's remaining brothers sniffed about the area suspiciously.

"It seems a bit late in the season for flowers, Mistress. A lovely display nonetheless."

Her once welcoming gaze turned steely cold as she glared over her shoulder at the bastard. Even now that he had legs, he still repulsed her.

"What do you expect me to do here, Proteus? Just sit around like some garden ornament?" Junonia spat, "I came to see my children. Yet you chain me up and leave me here like some stray animal!"

Human Proteus was just as disgustingly smug as Merman Proteus. Only now he was more mobile than she was, "Patience, my dear lady. I simply thought you could use some fresh air before the heartfelt reunion. I could be far less generous if you prefer," Proteus chuckled, "Besides, this is well within the agreement your son made to ensure your safety and freedom. Well...limited freedom. Can't have you running off now, can we?"

The foul man reached for a lock of Junonia's hair that had fallen across her shoulder only to have his hand swiftly rebuked, "I understand the conditions, Proteus. Does it look like I'm trying to escape?" she spat, "Where is my son? If I cannot see my girls, at least let me speak to your boss."

The ray scoffed dryly, making the two trained brothers laugh along with him, "My 'boss' she says! How adorable, how proud you must feel even now, Mistress Junonia. All because we've allowed you to believe for the first time in your miserable state that you have some semblance of power-"

Proteus groaned as the siren's tail whipped across his face with a hard smack, breaking the chain that bound it and his egotistical monologue. Junonia's arms were held tight by her stepsons after they dove into the water to keep her from swimming away. For a moment, Proteus was frazzled to the point of anger, "Ha...stubborn as always. You haughty bitch, I'll dry you out like the piece of bargain meat you are-"

In a snap of blood-red rage, Proteus lunged forward to grab Junonia by the throat before he was rapidly strong-armed and thrown on the ground. His copper-red eyes were wide with a mixture of madness and amusement in contrast to the fury that burned in Indigo's. The two younger eels quickly released Junonia before diving into the water to hide from their big brother's wrath.

"Ah, Master Seven-"

"SHUT IT," He barked and slammed a foot into Proteus' chest holding him in place, "You will not touch her, Luna, or Cowrie. You will not speak to any of them nor will you threaten them. THOSE are the terms we agreed upon. And that's Don Cerith to you."

The new Don drove his heel into the man's chest until he almost heard his ribcage creak underneath him. Proteus coughed out some weak compliance, the unhinged grin still on his face, "O-Of course, Don Cerith. Forgive my trespasses. But do remember, you're wearing a golden collar, not a crown. I'd hate to inform your father that maybe more discipline is in order for his new heir..."

Indigo's gaze returned to its stoic default as he removed his foot from the sneering man's chest, "Leave me with my mother for five minutes. If you don't trust me, then leave my brothers here to stand guard...if they even have the backbone to do it properly."

His two brothers were peeking out of the water like overgrown slugs quivering in the mud. Indigo didn't wait for the man to answer before turning to apologize and comfort his mother, stomping past his cowardly siblings. Proteus made his exit into the shadows with a venomous gaze at the young boss' back. Once he straightened himself out, the bitter ray removed two bottles from his jacket and held them up threateningly for the shaking eels to see, "You heard him, boys. Stay put. I will let your father know how things are going."

Azul was temporarily blinded by the sudden flash of light and the sheer force of the magic sent him tumbling straight into the dirt of the lakebed. He felt panic rattle all through him as he hurried to clear his vision.

"Elise?!" he searched about until he saw a form sinking to the ground a few feet away. The octopus swam through the cloudy waters to the dark mass of that seemed to be morphing before him. His breath caught as the figure suddenly rose up and turned towards him, facing him with familiar, bright turquoise eyes. She could breathe, she could feel every sense heightened as it had before, and her tentacles seemed to unfurl like iridescent vines all around her. Azul's face was painted over in astonishment, "E-Elise...?"

"Yes, Azul," she sobbed happily, brushing ink-filled tears away. The two octopus lovers suddenly tangled together as Azul cried out in absolute joy and threw his arms to embrace her completely. They both felt absolutely electric as they locked lips, tentacles intertwining affectionately. Azul felt his senses become intoxicated as Elise's magical aura grew and pulsed under each fingertip, each physical connection they shared. He nearly forgot how to breathe in his bliss.

"You are a wonder!" He suddenly blurted out as he continued to hold her and kiss her face.

The former human was overcome with too many feelings to list, "Shouldn't I be telling you that?! You did it, Azul!"

Azul suddenly felt a swell of pride go straight to his head, "But of course! Did you have any doubt, my darling? I said I would find a way and I did...with some help naturally but-"

Elise stopped the beginnings of a ramble with another, deeper kiss. Azul's face grew hot instantly as her expression glowed for him, "I love you, Azul Ashengrotto. I've missed you so much..."

His mind went into overdrive so fast that he literally had to smack a tentacle over his mouth to stop himself from proposing marriage right then and there. His princess giggled at how flushed his face just before realizing they had an audience.

"Ah...Azul," she lowered her voice with a bashful grin, "Don't freak out but...I think they saw the whole thing..."

Azul quickly looked over his shoulder as one of Elise's tentacles pointed behind him. Nonchalantly waving at him as they sat comfortably amongst some kelp was none other than the Leech brothers.

"Don't stop on our account, Azul," Jade's grin was merciless, "We'd feel terrible for interrupting such a tender moment."

Floyd's tail was swaying back and forth with feline-like mischief, "Hey hey, you gonna leave Octi-chan hanging like that??"

The twins just giggled amongst themselves as Azul began to sputter ink. He was the deepest shade of purple they had ever seen!

"Honestly, I can't have TEN minutes without you-ugh nevermind!" he groaned before clearing his throat and turning back to Elise, who was trying her best not to start laughing at the whole scene, "Darling, I am absolutely thrilled to have you by my side again. I cannot tell you how complete I feel with you here...mostly because we were so rudely interrupted!" He shouted towards the snarky twins. Elise ran her delicate fingers through his silvery locks, bringing him some ease before smiling at the brothers. Before she could say a word, however, two more eels suddenly plunged in the water behind her and she gave out a squeal.

"Luna! Cowrie!"

As annoyed as Azul wanted to be, seeing his love reunited with her beloved Cerith sisters was nothing short of heartwarming. Elise wrapped her arms and delighted tentacles around both girls in a tight bushel of hugs. Cowrie nuzzled her cheek against Elise's with a happy giggle, "Welcome back, Ellie!!"

The girls' excited chatter was going a mile a minute as the twins snuck up to Azul and started to poke fun at him. Elise noticed her beau's frustration rising and whispered something to the sisters. As happy as she was to be properly reunited with everyone...now was not the time for everyone. The eelmaids had a knowing look in their eyes as they left her side and around to their mates who they immediately started snuggling up to. The brothers were too distracted to notice how the girls had blocked them from Azul.

"Floyd, honey..." Luna sighed as she left a trail of tender kisses along Floyd's jawline.

"Jay Jay~" Cowrie purred affectionately as she nuzzled her face into Jade's broad chest.

Any teasing mischief the brothers had in mind for Azul was instantly abandoned as they were reeled in by their flirtatious siren mates. The sisters had different charms: Luna was naturally sultry, warm, and alluring whereas Cowrie was sweet, playful and a bit teasing like a kitten. And each sister had the Leech brothers' zeroed in and ready to eat up every morsel of affection they had to offer without question.

"Indigo has arranged a meeting at the resort you boys are staying at in town," Luna called out to everyone though her loving gaze never left Floyd as she teased his ear fins, "But we have some time until then. Why not make the most of it...I'd hate to waste another precious moment. Right, honey?" she cooed, batting her long lashes at her lovesick beau.

"Jaaade..." Cowrie cutely whined up at him with a flushed pout, using his full name against him, "We barely had any time together at all! It's not fair for you to keep me waiting like that..."

Hook, line, and sinker: the Leech Brothers were helpless and leaving the scene with their girls before they even knew what hit them. Azul was baffled and impressed as Elise drew his attention back to her, now that they were alone again, "You can always count on Luna and Cowrie to get the job done."

Azul leaned back into the intimate privacy and tucked his face into the soft crook of Elise's neck with a sigh, "I love you too..." This made a bell-like laugh leave her throat.

The high of their reunion began to sink back into reality when Elise looked over her shoulder toward where they had left Junonia. Azul knew what she was thinking. He could feel the quiet thrum of her heartbeat tell him everything he needed to know. Now that he knew for certain what came next, Azul just felt even more desperate to see things through to the end. But he had to be honest.

"I don't like this, Elise," his eyes were uneasy as he faced her properly, "I know we already discussed this ahead of time but-"

She placed a gentle hand on his as he brought it to her cheek, "I know, Azul. But now it's no longer an option. I have to. I owe it to her. Please trust me?"

He ran his free hand through his wavy hair with a frustrated groan, "You know I do. Just be careful, please. I can only go so far with you and I hate that."

She pressed her forehead to his with a sigh, holding him close as his presence anchored her, "It will be alright. I promise."

The city outside of Sacred Crown Hall took up the majority of the island. It was a very lovely and curated town set on keeping its old-fashioned aesthetic, but that didn't stop the spread of hotels and the occasional resort popping up over time. The rest of the Night Raven and Royal Sword students that had come for the festival were staying in hotels closer to the campus. The Leech brothers, however, would be staying at a far more exclusive resort tucked away on the beach along with their parents. Normally this resort was very popular and booked out season after season. For this particular 'family event', however, the entire establishment had been booked by the Leeches and the Muraeni-Cerith families, each having their own wing to themselves. Better to keep any potential prying eyes away lest things get even more complicated. Azul and Elise were invited too by the Leechs since they were family by proxy. Judging from the overcompensating resort staff, it was clear that anyone in the know about their guests' true identities was handsomely paid to keep their mouths shut.

An elegant hostess greeted the group of teenagers and directed them to the suite on the seventh floor. Jade, having been far more groomed than his brother for these situations, politely thanked the hostess and covertly slipped her a handsome tip. Just to keep things nice and neat, of course.

"Anyone else feel...weird about this?" Cowrie asked the rest of the elevator as she scooted closer to be in between Jade and her sister. Normally, she was pretty even-keeled but this whole situation had the younger Cerith on pins and needles.

Floyd scratched the back of his neck as he watched the floor numbers tick by, "Eh. Dad's been pretty tight-lipped but that's par for the course. He knows what he's doing."

"It's not Papa Leech I'm worried about..." Cowrie muttered. Luna wrapped her free arm around her younger sister and held her close.

"Don't worry, Cowrie. Mother's been waiting to see you again. Everything will be just fine," Luna's smile was genuine so Cowrie didn't have any reason to doubt her. Across from the eel couples, Azul and Elise said nothing but held each other's hand firmly. The elevator stopped with a ding and the golden doors opened onto a large corridor lined with arched windows. At the end of the hall, standing outside the large double doors were Don Leech and Don Indigo Cerith.

Even in human form, Don Leech looked intimidating in his deep charcoal double-breasted suit and the black leather gloves he wore on his hands. The fact that he didn't bother hiding his scars only added to the overall message: he was not a man to be messed with. In spite of all that, his normally grizzly expression softened when he saw his daughters-in-law. He would never admit it but he did have a soft spot for his girls.

"Hello Father Leech," Luna greeted her father-in-law with a gentle smile and hug which he accepted without any hesitation. He grunted when his other daughter barrelled forward and hugged him with way more enthusiasm and far less grace.

"Papa Leeeeech~" Cowrie chimed, trying to hide her nerves. The Don felt her slight tremble but only wrapped a strong arm around her.

"Hello, girls," the brief warmth in his deep voice evaporated as he laid eyes on his two sons, "Jade. Floyd. Eyes forward....and Floyd, straighten yourself up, boy! You're seriously going to meet your mother-in-law looking like some bum?!"

Floyd pouted and started to argue before Azul intervened, "Allow me, Don Leech sir."

One flick of his magic pen and suddenly Floyd's uniform buttoned itself properly and an NRC tie nearly choked him as it tied itself in place. The eel snarled at the smug look on the octopus' face, knowing deep down this was revenge for earlier. Don Leech made some grunt of approval before turning things over to Indigo.

"I'm sure you have a lot of questions," he said seeing the look on his sisters' faces, "I wish I could answer them for you but...I'm not at liberty to right now. Even so, I was able to negotiate this time for Mother to meet with you." He was speaking directly to his sisters but his tone was guarded, careful as he turned to open the doors. Azul silently nudged Jade before tilting his head towards the two adjoining doors outside the main room he was about to enter. Judging from Indigo's cautious air, it was evident that they weren't alone. Jade merely nodded as he kept his eyes forward as Luna and Cowrie entered the room. Jade and Floyd stayed in the doorway with their father to give the girls space while Azul and Elise stayed in the hallway.

Luna took the lead, entering the elegant room with her focus on the woman facing the windows. Cowrie stayed close to her older sister, wary of any possible danger that may be waiting around every corner of that room, but she felt her whole body freeze when the woman's motherly eyes turned to her and Luna. It had been years since Cowrie had seen her but her human form, a woman in a sleek blue gown, shawl, and snow-white pearls, couldn't hide those kind eyes. Cowrie would never forget those eyes.

Luna had seen her mother very briefly during her study with Madam Lorelei but it was merely a few minutes if that and they weren't actually able to get close to one another. It was more or less, a confirmation that her stepfather wasn't lying. A lump formed in her throat as she readily approached Junonia, arms open, "Mother!"

Junonia held Luna to her like it was her dying wish, "My dear, my sweet Luna!" she sobbed, "Oh how I've missed you girls! But look at you!" Junonia wept as she held Luna's face, "You've grown into such a fine woman!"

Cowrie stared wide-eyed, still as fawn as she watched her mother actually exist right in front of her. She completely forgot about everyone else in the room outside of her, her sister, and her mother. Junonia looked at her youngest with a heart so full it ached, "Cowrie, my jewel..." She slowly walked towards her, afraid that perhaps she had been forgotten, "I'm so sorry for being away for so long, my darling."

At first, Cowrie seemed to tense as if getting ready to flee. Her mother smiled sadly, waves of guilt sinking into her, "I...I wouldn't blame you if you felt angry with me, Cowrie. I never wanted to leave you, Luna, and Indigo behind-"

She couldn't finish. She nearly collapsed on her knees with relief as Cowrie threw her arms around her mother without any word except a very soft, "M-Mama."

From the doorway, Indigo sighed quietly with a faint grin. After a long moment of Junonia hugging her two daughters for the first time in years, Junonia finally noticed the other visitors with a hint of embarrassment. Luna quickly dried her eyes and introduced the twins, "Mother, this is Jade and Floyd Leech. They rescued and took care of Cowrie and me. And Floyd," Luna gave him a look that dripped with so much love it made him blush, "Floyd is my mate."

Floyd shuffled across the room and greeted Junonia with boyish enthusiasm, "Hello Mama Cerith!"

Cowrie perked up as Jade followed his brother with his usual poised gait, "And Jay-er-Jade is mine! Or he...will be in the future."

"It is an honor to finally meet you, Mrs. Cerith," Jade gave her a half bow along with a pleased grin.

Junonia suddenly made the connection of the necklaces her daughters wore and smiled at the two boys, "It's wonderful to meet you both. I'm happy to see that the Leechs are far more amiable than we were led to believe," she looked past the boys and gave Roscoe Leech a grateful smile, knowing that he could have just as easily turned her daughters away, or worse.

From outside the room, Azul and Elise heard something stir from the connected room but the door leading right into the reunion swung open faster than they could blink.

"Well, well...it would seem your brother hasn't been completely honest with us, doesn't it boys?"

The cold voice made the sisters hiss as their pupils shrunk into near-feral slits. Junonia protectively shielded her daughters from the sudden trespasser. His unscuffed heels slowly clicked on the polished floor as he carefully entered, flanked by Proteus and his remaining sons: Don Muraeni stared at his wife and daughters with a calculating eye. Jade and Floyd stood to block Junonia and the girls from him but the Don barely noticed.

He drawled as he locked eyes with Indigo across the room, "Not that it matters much in the long run. Cowrie..." he turned his steeled gaze to the young eelmaid, "Nothing to say to your father? Especially after worrying me for so long?"

Cowrie spat on his too-perfect shoes and snarled, "You used to starve me so I'd sneak into smaller spaces easier! You'd lock me away from Luna and let my brothers harass me if I didn't get you what you wanted! You let Proteus sick his sharks on me! Why should I give two shits about 'worrying' you?!"

Jade felt his blood boil hearing these terrible things but he kept his eyes forward just as his father ordered him to. Floyd had no problem bearing his teeth at the old Don, ready to pounce now that the enemy had a face. Muraeni spared the twins a glance, looking them over as one does a thoroughbred, "Your sons, Roscoe?"

Don Leech didn't move from his spot by the door, "Jade, my heir, and Floyd. I wouldn't get too close. You saw what they did to those sharks of yours."

His rival smirked at the memory, "Ah yes. I do appreciate the killer instinct. I'm sure they'll produce an even finer brood to connect our two houses. I must admit that I never expected this whole affair to become such a blessing. Although if there's anything I have learned...Proteus, our security could use some work."

"Indeed, sir. I'll see to it that our dear Don Cerith has the very best on staff," Proteus sneered at Indigo from where he stood, "Can't be too careful these days..."

"Good," Muraeni said curtly, "Now then. As touching as this reunion is, that's all the time we have."

Indigo snarled and marched over to his father, "This isn't what we agreed upon-"

"Is it not, my boy?" Muraeni's icy eyes pierced straight into Indigo, "I promised a meeting between my wife and our daughters and it happened. We have greater things to discuss here and I do not like keeping my precious assets on display like some charity auction. Proteus."

The ray removed a glass bottle from inside his jacket and unsealed it. As soon as the seal was broken Junonia doubled over and shrieked as she was shrunken back into a shriveled polyp and sucked into her glass prison. Proteus resealed the bottle with a satisfied grin as Luna cried out, "Haven't you ruined her life enough?!"

Her step-father tutted as he cruelly cooed to her, "Luna, my dear...I gave you and your mother purpose. Just as I gave Cowrie, Indigo, and all of my children purpose. As a unique siren, like your mother, do you understand just how precious, how rare you are?" Muraeni leaned in to look Luna directly in the eyes, ignoring the two boys trying to shield her, "I could have left her and you with that lowly Cerith fellow. You knew him as a father, a loving husband perhaps, but the reality was this: he was a desperate bottom feeder that took more than he could return. He was ruined. Nothing could have changed that. Had I not taken you into my home, you would've wasted away. But look at you now, dear girl, you are free. All thanks to your dear brother..."

The Don pulled away and clapped a firm hand on Indigo's shoulder as he began to circle him, "Junonia is my wife, my mate. She belongs to me, as is the law of the land in the Coral Sea no matter where you go... but you and your sister, well, your freedom was bought fair and square in the end," Indigo's face fell as his father chuckled, "But of course, he never told you, did he? So many secrets. I taught him well..."

The young leader shrugged his father's hand away from him, "You're just profiting off of blackmail!"

Muraeni didn't even bat an eye at the accusation, "Profit is profit. The method is trivial. This is the foundation of business and survival, my boy. Don't worry, you'll learn very quickly. Wouldn't you agree, Roscoe?"

The surly Don Leech narrowed his eyes at his rival, "Agree to disagree, Muraeni..."

The sly eel turned back to his daughters, almost mocking Luna's pained expression and Cowrie's confusion, "Indigo made a deal. He will be my heir, taking his place as the head of the Muraeni household. In exchange, you girls will be free to live your lives as you see fit. And of course, Junonia will have more freedom as I see fit. I can't say that I was originally thrilled with his choice in a mate, however, I am impressed with the tenacity of the Leech family tree. I am confident that Indigo's sons, and their sons, and theirs after will ensure that my legacy will thrive. As the esteemed Don Leech witnessed himself, a deal was struck and honored of the boy's own free will..."

'Free' was a joke. Everyone in that room knew it. The former Don could spin it any which way to make it all legit and bind Indigo to his decision. Muraeni grinned, satisfied at the stunned silence surrounding him, "You girls will someday understand just how lucky you, your brother, and dear Junonia are. To have a purpose, to be protected, and valued for what you are, what you have become, instead of being traded or thrown away for something better..."

"Then let's make another deal."

The room's tense air was sliced through as everyone turned to Elise. She stood tall, sure, and laser-focused on the Don as she entered the room with Azul at her side.

"Make another deal with me. Release Junonia permanently and I'll use my magic for your clan's benefit only."

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