After saying this Set went and got Kaiya from Elise's care, his steps measured and calm across the cracked marble threshold. The two of them locked eyes shortly—golden depths meeting stormy blue—before he turned away heading into his mansion, that now needed a bit of reconstruction after the chaos.
Shattered windows glinted like broken stars in the fading light, and chunks of the facade lay scattered like fallen soldiers. It didn't take them long to enter, upon entering the doors Set was faced with a rather simple decorated home. The theme of it was black and gray, sleek lines cutting through the shadows, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling like frozen cascades of crystal, and a staircase that curved upward in elegant spirals, promising hidden sanctuaries above.
He nodded impressed by this and continued walking into the living room. Well, he kind of chose a room at random that had couches plush and inviting, a massive TV hanging on the wall like a silent sentinel. The group entered and Set spoke, his voice echoing slightly in the vast space.
"Take a seat. I will take her to rest for a moment. I will return in a moment." He said before heading into another room, Kaiya cradled gently in his arms like fragile glass.
Once he left Dustin finally spoke as he couldn't hold back anymore, his voice tight with barely restrained fury.
"Elise! Don't you feel like explaining yet?" He asked. He knew the two of them were in the same hunting party for a few raids, but it was just that right?
Elise sighed and spoke, her fingers twisting in her lap. "It's complicated brother.... it's true that we were only hunting members, but a lot of unforeseen situations occurred that was out of our control." She said a bit cryptically, her gaze drifting to the floor.
"Unforeseen situations?" He asked as he was absolutely livid, veins pulsing at his temple. "Do you think I'm some toddler, Elise? Before I didn't understand why you kept blushing anytime, he or someone close to him was mentioned.... don't tell me you two are dating?" He asked, his words sharp as daggers.
"No... no we are not dating." She said a bit downcast, her voice softening like wilting petals, but the door opened a moment later as Set strode in casually and sat on the couch directly across from them, this time his mask was back on, the sleek black material concealing his devastating features. Currently his mind was still stuck on Tristan.... 'Hmm, I should go by the Association soon, maybe after I'm done with those Gates...'
Vyrak slithered from under his sleeves, perching on his shoulder as he spoke mentally, his voice a sly hiss in Set's mind. 'Tsk, that should be a lesson learned. Never play with your food, if you were in the wider cultivation world something like would result in dire consequences...'
His appearance shocked the two siblings, the tiny serpent scales shimmering under the light, but they didn't speak on it. Set nodded his head before speaking. He looked at Elise for a moment and then looked to Dustin before speaking aloud.
"Alright, you were looking for me..... Here I am, what do you want?" He asked bluntly, leaning back with casual authority.
Dustin frowned a bit, his jaw clenching. "Look, if you plan to have a serious conversation, at least remove your mask."
"NO! Don't take it off again..." Elise exclaimed as she hurriedly dismissed the idea, her cheeks flushing crimson.
Set smiled under his mask seeing her reaction, a warmth blooming in his chest. Before when he had it off during his appearance the effects weren't so drastic for people like Dustin because he wasn't exactly close to him. That's also why he put the mask back as well—if not Dustin would become like a mindless slave. "Right, it won't be coming off... besides you're a man... have some dignity."
Dustin's lip twitched as he looked at Elise for a moment and then he spoke, irritation flickering in his eyes.
"You are in possession of valuable information. Information that cannot be allowed to spread to normal folks or even weaker hunters." He said before continuing. "We were tasked with bringing you back to the Sunbelt Mansion, there our parents will determine your fate."
"Haha! My fate?" Set asked as he heard some sort of joke, his laugh low and rumbling. "Whatever, as I said before I planned on coming there soon enough anyways." He spoke the last part looking at Elise who lowered her head with a blush, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on her thigh.
"Good, we will leave at once." Dustin said as he stood up, eagerness to escape the tension radiating from him. He really wanted to cut this weird situation short he saw going on between his sister and Set.
"Tsk, be patient." Set said then he spoke to Elise, his tone softening imperceptibly.
"Do you want him present for our next conversation?" He asked to which she shook her head no, strands of blonde hair swaying like golden silk. Seeing this Set nodded and then looked at Dustin.
"You mind giving us a few minutes?"
Dustin pondered for a minute but before he could speak Elise spoke, her voice firm.
"Go brother, we will be out shortly." Hearing this he sighed and left out, the door clicking shut behind him like a final judgment. Elise's power was higher than his anyways, so she should be able to protect herself.
After he left Set looked over to Elise who still had her head lowered and her foot tapping on the marble floor, the rhythmic tap-tap-tap echoing in the quiet room. She then looked up to Set, with a face of anger—eyes blazing like storm-tossed seas?
Her hands clenched into a fist as she stood up and launched a punch directly at his mask, mana surging through her veins.
"YOU LIAR!" She bellowed as tears streamed down her face, crystalline trails carving paths through her flawless skin.
BOOOOM!
She didn't hold back not one bit, the force cracking the air like thunder, however to Set he smiled seeing this, amusement dancing in his hidden gaze. However he didn't sit in front of the punch, he simply dodged and appeared behind her in a flicker of void. He wrapped his arms around her waist as his lips moved towards her ears, breath warm against her skin.
"My love... tell me what did I lie about?"
"HMPH! GET OFF BASTARD!" She said as she tried to break free, elbows flailing, but how could she break the grip of a Dragon—unyielding as ancient chains?
Set sighed and placed a few kisses along her neck, face and finally her forehead as he turned her around, each touch igniting sparks. He sat back down onto the couch and placed her onto his lap, her body molding against his like it belonged there.
"You know, it would be much more mature if you just asked what's on your mind." He said simply as he began rubbing her back and moving his fingers through her hair, the strands silk between his digits.
Feeling his touch that she missed so much, she instantly calmed down and snuggled into his embrace, a soft sigh escaping her lips. Seeing this Set's eyes widened a bit before shaking his head. 'Hmm, Tsundere?' He thought before her voice was heard, muffled against his chest.
"I-I thought you didn't have a relationship..." Elise muttered, vulnerability cracking her voice.
Set shook his head as he figured this was what the situation stemmed from.
"Look, she is not my girlfriend. A few days ago she was just my Driver, but she saw my face a few days ago.... Things went real fast after that." He said being honest before continuing. "I told you, I'm not someone who will be 'faithful'... maybe one day, but right now I honestly just want to live life without shackles of any form.
This doesn't mean I will abandon you though.... you are already mine whether you like it or not. Also, I won't force you to like or be friends with Kaiya or any other female that be around in the future. You are your own person, live how you want, do what you want and live with the consequences.
As long as you don't betray my trust, you will never do bad in my eyes." He finished his little speech hugging Elise tight, his arms a fortress around her. This was a rare moment of him explaining his feelings that were straight up hypocritical. However, that's who he was... a hypocrite.
Elise finally spoke after awhile, her voice steadying. "Alright.... from now on though I want names of those you are messing around with..." She said.
Set's brow raised under his mask as he shrugged. "Fine, but there is one thing we need to talk about..."
Elise sat up and looked him into the eyes—well, the mask's slits. And when she heard his next words her eyes nearly popped out, shock rippling through her like a thunderclap.
"...You're.... pregnant..." He said.