[CrimsonxDinoxBlack] Love to the Third
 

Claude was moving. Again. Though he was glad to be leaving his current foster home he couldn't help but think while bumping around in the back end of the social worker's car, that at some point he had to find a family. When she pulled into the front of a house Claude unbuckled himself and got out, reaching back inside to grab his garbage bag of meager possessions. Hey, at least it was easy for him to pack.

The social worker brought him to the front of the home, a large white house with black shutters; it seemed nice enough. Only a beat after she knocked the door opened to an eager looking man with graying hair. "Claude this is Mr. Burns." She said, introducing the boy to the man of the house. Claude shook the man's hand and engaged in all the standard acts of meeting another person. This man was older and the home much nicer than any he'd been placed in before. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad after all.

Marianne sat down in her maid's lap as she brushed out her long, brown curly hair, putting them in two pony tails on the side of her head while the small girl sucked on a lollipop, looking at her reflection in a mirror. "Can I have a few bow in my hair too?" she asked, looking at the reflection f her maid. "Yes, jut let me find one, ok?" she said.

Mari nodded, getting out of the maid's lap and smoothing out the skirt of her Gothic Lolita dress, slipping on her dress shoes as she did than waiting for the old girl to find two matching bows, which she tied at the base of both pony tails, than made sure the girl's lips had chap stick on them. As a daughter of a play writer she had to be constantly prepped up for her part in a play.

Mari looked at her reflection one last time, than with a big grin she looked at her maid and hugged her. "It's perfect. Thank you Cary." She said than walked down the stairs of her grandpa's home, seeing a boy standing at the door and talking to him and she looked at them curiously before going to her mother, who was waiting patiently in a sitting room for her and they passed the boy and her grandpa on the way out and Mari smiled at the boy, waving shyly to him before going to the car that was waiting for them.

[[ Hope this works. ]]

Climbing into the car Talon scowled. He was so sick and tired of going from home to home. Talon was eight and he just wanted to find a permanet home. Sitting quietly he listened as the case worker told him about the new family. As the pulled up to the house Talon looked out his window. When the car stopped he gripped his backpack and opened the car door, jumping down onto the ground. Holding onto his bag with a death grip Talon followed the case worker up to the front doors where a boy a little older than himself was standing with what looked to be another case worker. Frowning Talon looked up to the man he was with, who put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

((I hope this is ok...lol. Wasn't quite sure what to post ^_^))

Claude frowned, another kid was here already, this was a situation he was unfamiliar with. Was he getting the boot already? Was this family taking on two children at once? The boy was younger than him but similar in his few possessions and trailing social worker, another foster kid like him. He turned back to the older man that was still beaming from ear to ear, slightly comforted by the hand on his shoulder.

"Boys, please come in." Mr. Burns said, holding back the excitement in his voice. Mr. Burns was 53 years old, fairly wealthy and a very kind man. When his teen aged daughter Amanda had passed away a few years ago he had grieved for months, but after his sharp grief turned into a dull daily pain he began to wonder what to do with his large home and his ample time. The remainder of the Burns children were adult, and the family home seemed empty. Mr. and Mrs. Burns had decided to do the only thing they could think of to occupy their time and hearts; take more children into their home. "I've always had girls you know, four... well, three girls now." He said, his voice trailing off at the end. "And so we wanted boys!" He reached over to ruffle the younger boy's hair. "Would you like to stay with us, Claude? Talon? I'd like you to become part of my family." Mr. Burns asked in all seriousness.

Claude considered the old man, the comfortable home and the true oddity of him asking if they wanted to stay, wanted to become part of his family, rather than simply expecting them to be happy to be there. This combined with the harsh reality that he really had no where else to go had the words "Yes." Rolling out of Claude's mouth.

Mari watched the other child arrive curiously before her mom started the car and began to drive her to the auditorium where the play was taking place. She was used to watching her grandpa take in more children, though she had to admit, when he paid more attention to them than her, it did make her jealous, but than again she liked meeting the new kids, playing with them. the fact they had no mommy like she did made her feel bad for them, though she knew showing her sympathy would probably annoy them or make them hate her, so she simply treated them like every other kid, she was nice, showed them around her house, took turns playing games they liked to play. Helping entertain them and keep them happy was her job, though a lot of times, there was an inner happiness she couldn't provide. she knew that because, not too long ago, her father was sent off to war, and not a few month later, and a guy was at their door with their condolences on her father's death was there.

Looking at her mom she wondered how orphans, or anyone, could take the pain of losing their family and past so easily.

the car stopped and Mari forced her thoughts to come back to the happy, energetic child side and she prance out of the car, waiting for her mom before skipping into the auditorium. She had the lead play this year, and since it was going to be her last year doing a play, she wanted to make this performance count.

Talon sat quietly and listened to the older man as he talked. The boy was skeptical about all of it, the nice house, the nice man. Usually he didn't get placed in really nice houses. They were usually small and cluttered. For only being eight Talon was really smart.

Frowning when the older man rumpled his hair Talon once again looked up to his case worker sort of asking with his eyes if this was some sort of joke. Talons gazed followed his case workers as he squatted down do he was at eye level with Talon. "It's alright Talon, this nice man wants you to be a part of his family. It really is ok and it's up to you if you want to stay or not." Moving his gaze to the older man Talon finally spoke in a soft voice. "I would like ta stay."

Mr. Burns and the case workers discussed the boys and completed paperwork while the children in question played together in the corner. Once Talon had declared that he intended to stay in the Burns home, Claude had seconded the intent with no lapse. A good home, a bed, that's all a ten year old really needed. As he leafed through a book that was a little too heavy on text for him, he appraised his new 'brother'. Claude had been tormented and had tormented foster siblings in the past, it was generally a forced and stressful relationship. Claude, however, wanted this home to stick. That meant the brother too.

"I'm Claude." He said, looking over the top of his book. The boy wasn't that much younger than he, perhaps they could be friends after all. "What's your name?"

Mari walked into the auditorium, getting a few touch ups on her make up and hair while they waited for the audience to arrive before she went out onto the stage behind the red curtains, that once the music started and everyone was in lace, pulled back to reveal her as she began her acting, going smoothly through her lines, her reactions, her acting, all flawless, and when it came to scenes where Mari's character was crying, she actually cried, and she went through every line, scenes, and setting until the play came to a close, where all the actors and actresses came out, held hands and they bowed starting from the left and going to the right.

Once the play was done, instead of talking to her friends like she usually would, her and her mother left immediately. Her mother had just gotten re-married, and so she was going on a two month honey moon, and Mari was staying with her grandpa, and the two new orphans for that time.

She, once again, climbed out of the car as soon as it arrive at her grandpa's house and walked towards the back door and going inside, taking her 'secret stairs' to her room and putting on something more comfortable, putting the lolita dress to be washed and putting on a white night gown and sitting on her bed, reading her favorite book.

Sitting quietly by his new "brother" Talon looked around his new home. Everything was so big and shiny. Almost to much for the young boy. He was use to ugly places and he didn't know if he liked those houses better or this house. There he could get dirty, here he was afraid that if he ever got dirty he'd have to stay outside. When the older boy spoke Talon shifted his gaze to him. "M'nams Talon." When he talked you could hear a light Cajun accent. Curious Talon looked at the book Claude was reading. "Wadda readin?" Talon aske softly.

Claude smiled warmly at his new 'brother'. Claude had had dozens of these types of siblings before, and it was usually best to makes friends early.

"I don't really know. Just looking." He replied, putting down the text heavy book. The two continued to chat amiably and Claude already felt a genuine liking growing in him for his new sibling. A half an hour had passed before the two even realized, one of the two social workers came over to pull them out of their reverie.

"Mr. Burns will be taking over now." She commented to the boys, as she and her coworker collected their belongings to leave. Suddenly the two boys were left with the kind older man and each other, a group of strangers suddenly thrust together.

Mr. Burns seemed to notice their predicament and rose to from his seat with a genial smile. "Follow me boys!" He called over his shoulder as he began striding across the room, leading the pair out of the living room and toward their new quarters. Claude nodded, rising from his position on the ground and walking over to where his worn trash bag of clothes had been unceremoniously deposited.

"You ready Talon?" He asked the younger boy, holding out his hand. Offering the boy what he had always wanted in life; a friend.

Mari heard her grandpa take the kids to their room and got up, looking out her door and seeing they weren't far from her room and she went over to the door, looking at both of them curiously and than shyly she went into the open. "Er... Hi...?" she said, she was always shy when it came to meeting the new orphans, always worried that she'd somehow offend them, or make them dislike her.

When Mr. Burns came over to them Talon looked up with wide eyes and just nodded when he told them to follow him. When Claude spoke Talon looked to him and paused at his outstreached hand. Giving the older boy a small smile he took his hand and let Claude pull him to his feet. "Ready." Turning he followed Mr. Burns walking close to Claudes side. When they got to their rooms a girl about their age came out of a room next to theirs. "Hi." He said shyly in response.

Claude paused, seeing the younger girl at the same moment as Talon. He was reasurred by the warmth of Talon's hand in his, and he squeezed the other boy's hand to reciprocate. He was glad that they were together. Gathering his courage he looked up to the newcomer that had squeaked out a shy hello just a moment ago.

She was the most beautiful thing that he had ever seen.

From her little dress to the way that her eyes were shifting nervously, to the hair that casually dipped across her brow Claude took her in. He'd liked a girl once, that looked like her. Claire, a girl that lived near his house about three placements ago. All this girl needed was a bow in her hair and she would look just like her. Except, with prettier eyes. Claude began to grin, letting himself grow comfortable. There was no way a girl that cute could be mean.

"Hi, I'm Claude. This is Talon." Claude said to the girl, wanting very much to hold out his other Talon-free hand to her. He didn't like her instantly like he had liked Claire; With constant blushing and awkward silences. But, she looked like someone he wanted to be friends with. He held his hand at his side, and kept his eyes focused on the girl. "Nice to meet you."

Mari looked up at Claude and Talon. They were both adorable, and they seemed nice enough....

Smiling she offered her hand to them. "I'm Marianne, but call me Mari. The guy you're staying with, Mr. Burns, he's my grandpa, I come here on the weekends and stuff when my mom's busy." She told them, eventually feeling at home with the other two boys. Sure she was shy at first, but they seemed so nice, and they seemed to be completely open to her, not closed up, rude and snobby like some orphans she'd met before.

(( Is anyone out there? Is this RP now dead?))

When Claude had squeezed his hand Talon couldn't help but feel safer and he squeezed back. Usually when he came into a new house that had kids they were horrible and mean. But this time was different and he smiled a little bit. Talon was usually distant and shy, he never trusted anyone but he could feel himself opening up a bit. "So Mr. Burns is your Papa? And you live with your Mama? Not here?" Looking at Claude, Talon gave his 'brother' a small frown. "Wadda we even call him?"

Claude let out a strained laugh, breaking the awkward tension that surrounded the three as they waited to get to know each other. For now they were just three kids with nothing in common but an address. He hoped that changed soon. Looking back to pretty Mari he asked her "Mari? Could you show us around?"

Claude, internally struggling with the act held his other hand up for the girl. "You know, if you want." He added. He wanted to make this work here, and if that meant making this kids be his friends, he had no problem with that.

Mari smiled and easily took his hand. "Of course! And my mom's one of his kids that are too old to be in the house. If you guys like it here, you'll end up with a big family in a nice neighborhood!" she told them as she excitedly pulled them out of the room and walked them down the halls. "This is my sitting room, pappy always makes sure he has new books and games in here for me, That's my room, notice all the papers, those are my lines for plays. Mumma has me do almost every school play there is in the books, most of them I've done already but she doesn't really care." She said, doing as she did with newer kids, talking 90 to nothing as she pulled them down the stairs and points to two large double doors. "That's the dining room. The kitchens can be accessed through there." she said and turned to them with a serious gaze. "Also, one thing I want you both to know, since pappy wants me to help make you at home, if anyone messed with you, tell me and I'll be the lights out of them..." she said, holding their eyes with no trace of a joke in her voice, or features. "Ok! So, call pappy, well, Pappy, It'll make him happier if you did, and Pappy deserves to smile, especially since mamaw is.. Well... She just recently..." MAri's voice trailed off and she looked sad as she walked them back to HER sitting room and plopped down on a couch.

Talon followed along quietly after Claude and Mari still clutching Claudes hand. As they walked through the house Talon's eyes got wide as he looked around. The house was just to nice for him andhe felt like he was going to break something. When Mari started to talk Talon shifted his focus to her and listened intently. As Talon watched Mari's bright face fall to saddness he couldn't help but feel sad to but he waited until they went into Mari's sitting room to talk. "So wez gonna call Mr. Burns Pappy?" Then thinking back on something that Mari said Talon frowned before talking again. "But Mari, wez the boys. Ain't we suppose to do the beatin?"

Claude chuckled at his brother and sister. "No Talon, it means that we're all going to protect each other." He said, squeezing their hands, already fond of the two younger misfits. "It means that we're in this together!" He added, bending slightly to sling the smallest boy onto his back. "Let's go play outside, huh guys?"

Mari looked offended than smiled, jumping up and fists on her hips. "Who said girls can't kick a guy's behind! I certainly can. Six degree black belt here, Heloooo!" she said, flicking her hair over her shoulder. "And I would but I'm a little under-dressed, and I could use a small nap... But give me five minutes and I'll meet you outside!" she said, going through a small secret dfoor to her room and throwing on some skinny jeans, a baggy shirt and brushing her hair quickly before tossing on a base ball cap backwards than making sure she had her tom boy effect she usually did than put on some tennis shoes and ran down the stairs and outside, fast as lightening.

Talon giggled as Claude swung him up on his back. He hung onto his neck loosely as the three of them went outside to go play. When they got outside Talon slid off Claude's back and started to run over to the jungle gym that was across the street. Turning around he yelled back to the other two. "Come on guys!" Talon began running again and came up to the huge jungle gym. He had never really been on one before, sure he had seen them while he walked past them in parks but his foster parents never had time to stop and let him and the other kids play. When Talon ran up the stairs someone put there foot out when he got to the top and in his excitement he didn't see it. Tripping he fell foward and put out his hands to catch his fall, scrapping them in the process. Turning over to sit on his butt he cradled his hands in his lap and looked around seeing the boy that tripped him. He was bigger than Talon was, with greasy black hair and dirty clothes. With tears in his eyes from the pain in his hands, Talon watched the other kid pick up some pebbles and start throwing them at Mari and Claude.

((I hope that was ok!!!))

After Talon had slid off his back, Claude had turned his attention back to the house, waiting for Mari's return. He'd assumed that the child would be fine on the deserted play set. When he heard a thump followed by a grunt of pain he turned, only to be confronted with a much older boy standing over a felled talon, and chucking rocks at his head. Claude wasn't much of a fighter but he ran toward the boy, in order to reach Talon. The rocks that were hitting him were not large but as he drew closer they began to hurt more and more. When the bully realized that Claude was about to reach him he raised his foot to stomp down hard on Talon's chest. In order to block the smaller boy from the blow Talon jumped in the air, landing on his arms so that he wouldn't crush the boy below him. He took the full force of the blow upon his back, tearing up from the pain.

Claude realized he'd made a mistake though, Talon was trapped beneath him, and he was in too much pain to get up. They were now sitting ducks for the anonymous bully's whims. He looked down at the face of the boy below him, and mustered all of his calm in order to sputter out a "Talon, it's going to be fine." Before gritting his teeth again.

Mari gasped when she saw Calude and Talon. her eyes began to darken and she ran at the bully, the rocks seeming not to bother her, though they did, and she jumped up, tackling the bully to the ground and than getting a baseball bat not far from her that she'd stashed in case something like this happend and she hit the bully in the stomach with it, than let him try to get up before kicking under his egs in the gonads, than jumping onto his back and hitting his head with her fist multiple times.

"Stupid... Little... TWIT!" She said and than hit him one more good time. By then the bully was yelling for help, and she'd gotten off, hands on her hips as she watched him run for his mommy, making sure he was gone before going over to Claude and Talon, helping Claude up gently. "Are you ok, Claude... Talon...?" She asked, taking Talon's hands tenderly in hers and than sighed, digging hrough her pockets and found, surprise another stash, alcohol wipes and some bandaids, carefully cleaning his hands. "Stupid Jerkface Derek..." She mumbled moodliy, l;ooking over at Claude with a worried gaze.