Walking back into Aldous's store Verona sighed as she fell back into her chair.
She glanced at Sebastian's back, and frowned.
Of all the times in the world Aldous has to do business when she is mourning the loss of Ezekiel.

"What kind of company," Aldous asked. The special mixture of drugs that he gave to the Singston's was far too strong for any normal human being.
"I don't think it'd be appropriate for someone like yourself," he stated while motioning to Verona.

As Verona rose, Aldous held out what seemed to be a feather duster,"Please?"
Verona took it from his hand silently, and began to walk around the small storefront, dusting miscellaneous items around her.
She didn't mind the work at all, because it could keep her mind off of Ezekiel, and that is where she wanted it, as far away from him as possible.

Sebastian looked a little surprised by Aldous' comment and then he just smiled. He had a secret no one else knew but he knew he would change to tonight if he didn't get back quick.

"A special visitor," he said. "I think maybe by the name of Ezekiel."

He had said it in almost a whisper so that only Aldous could hear it since he'd already her much about Verona. He thought she was pretty and could see why Ezekiel had such an interest in her.

He shifted his weight again so that he could be more at ease in the store. This wasn't really business for him but rather getting supplies that he needed. An anger rose up in him as he felt a sorrow take hold of his heart.

"I need to leave though," he said in a lower voice.

"Oh," Aldous said in a bright seeming tone. His mood seemed to brighten now, as if something within him sparked back to life. "Of course."
Pulling a small brown box from the back of the counter, Aldous smiled. "Tell him I said no alcohol," Aldous said smiling.

Verona had not taken much notice to the conversation, however she did notice that this new man had whispered something to Aldous that was inaudible to her, and she didn't like it.
She hated it when people began to say things about people like that, but no matter. She would not dwell on it.
Verona didn't pay any attention from that moment on as she dusted a group of small green dishes atop a shelf.
She dusted everything in her path, making small fuzz bunnies surrender their lives to her giant purple feather duster.

Sebastian laughed at Aldous' advice as he already knew the consequences to drinking after taking the medicine. He coughed slightly to stop himself.

"I apologize," he said. "I need to get running. Helen will be impatient to hear exactly what was said today though she knows that I could not possibly memorize his blasted speeches. Farewell!"

He ran out the door at that point and made his way towards the city limits. No one really stopped him as he ran past with the items he'd needed. The box of goods was under his arm and he seemed excited now.

When he reached the border, at a must faster pace than when Verona and Ezekiel had walked, he went to a small stable where he'd lodged his horse for the day. As soon as it was saddled up he went off. He essentially needed to get to Ezekiel to tell him to the news that he dreaded to tell.

"Run," he told the horse, and she did.

The wind in his hair seemed more pleasant than he remembered it and he was lost in this idea. When he reached the horse he jumped off and ran into the house. He gasped slightly as he saw Ezekiel laying there, with his shirt off and bruise exposed. He set the box down and then approached Helen.

"It's bad," he said. "Apparently Eric convinced his father that Ezekiel was trying to kill the family, including my sister, Veronica."

Once the strange man left, Verona dropped the duster on the counter, "What was that about?"
Aldous could only sigh as he looked down at the floor.
"If I tell you, will you promise not to get angry," he asked her.
He wasn't quite sure if it was such a good idea, but then again, what could it really hurt, she might like to know.
"Promise," she said with a faint smile.
"Well," Aldous began. "It was Ezekiel."

Closing her eyes, Verona felt the anger rising within herself,"Why didn't you tell me!?"
"Now you promised Verona."
"But why Aldous!?"
"All he wanted was some medicine, he said it probably wasn't him anyway."

Verona shook her head, and dashed out of the door.
Why did Aldous tell her that? It was stupid, all it did, was make her think. That must have been why he said no alcohol.

Helen turned pale when she heard the news and shook her head slightly. She knew that Ezekiel was out of it at this point so there was no danger of him knowing quite yet.

"That is foul business," she said. "If you must go out, go out. You look weary."

Sebastian did as he was told and he left. If had stayed longer he would have given away to Ezekiel what he was and he didn't want that yet.

It was only a few minutes after Sebastian left that Ezekiel seemed to become more aware of things. Whatever she used on the scars was numbing the pain enough for him to think clearly.

((sorry if its short, brain dead))

Verona began to walk the darkening streets towards her home. At her current pace, she wouldn't get there for hours, but at this point, the more time spent wasted was the less time she had to wait for Ezekiel.

Many people who she passed stared at her, and whispered amongst themselves, no doubt about how she was involved with Ezekiel. But Verona felt dead as she walked alone.
Sh didn't bother to look at any one of them as they snickered and giggled at her. What was the point of looking when she already knew what was happening.

(me too. X.X)

Eric had in mind a plan that'd he considered for a while. When he'd actually met Verona, officially, he'd taken an interest in her. He could not see why she had any interest in his foul brother that ruined everything for him.

Ezekiel hadn't been cruel to him at all. It was just the rights of being the first born son in the family. It made him more victimized by his father, causing dangers such as bruises that lasted for weeks.

His face was slightly pale at the moment from anxiety. Helen had told him in barely a whisper what his father had said and he knew at that moment it would take a miracle to get back to Verona before she got married.

He had demanded for paper and some writing utensil but she refused to give it to him, telling him he needed to rest before he did anything of that matter. He had groaned slightly and laid back down on the rough cot.

Everything in the little cottage seemed unnatural. The floor was barely clean with dirt specks here and there. There were stairs that led into a portion of the house that was created underground so that they would be warm in the winter and cool in the summer. All in all it was a pretty hideous place to live.

Verona arrived home earlier than she'd thought she would, the sun was still slightly out, and that amazed her.
When she walked through the door, maids rushed around violently, with vases in their hands, although the majority, were running around with food.
Her parents must have planned a dinner as a family tonight, which was very, very rare.

She walked into the massive dining room to see them seated at the table waiting for her.
"Come and sit Verona," he mother said in her sort voice.

Her mother was slender, with golden blond hair like Verona's. She was also quite tall.
And then, you spot Verona's father.
He had red hair, and was balding. He was short and fat to say bluntly, and looked very, well, there was no good word to describe them.
They both looked very snooty, and they both acted like your typical rich folk.

Sitting down at the large mahogany table, Verona sat while a large plate of food was delivered to her, it seemed to be a fish of some sort.

"Verona," her mother said. "Eat, enjoy your food."
Verona was weary now as she took a bite, she knew something was going on, she just wasn't sure what.
"Now Verona, I think that you are of proper age now, to consider marriage."

'I knew it,' she yelled at herself mentally.

Eric had finally decided, after a few minutes of deliberation, that he would most openly ask for her hand in marriage. If she refused than he would pose threats against Ezekiel if he had to. The only issue was he was unaware of where his brother was.

"Father," he said in an assertive tone. "I am going out now."

He needed no reason to go out but he left soon after that. The driver took him straight to the Byres house where he ascended the steps and knocked on the door. He felt rather relaxed but thought he should get this over with immediately.

Ezekiel on the other hand would have waited until he knew it was just right. It was essentially what he was doing, though unwillingly, as he waited out in the poorest places one could possibly imagine when they come from the higher caste.

He'd spent a majority of the time while attempting to rest that night thinking of what troubles his brother could get into. It could be dangerous and could easily effect the entire family.

He would just have to read the small paper that was issued out with news every day to the poorer areas.

As soon as Verona heard the knock at the door, she jumped from her chair.
"I'll get it," she called while running up to it.
She straightened her dress, and ran her fingers through her hair before opening the door, and when she did, she couldn't believe what she saw.

It was a spitting image of Ezekiel, only a bit shorter and maybe a bit more well-kept than he was. He was however equally as good looking, and more vain from what she'd seen of him.

Her eyes were wide as she stared in disbelief at what was before her.
What could he possibly want? Maybe Winslow sent him to apologize or something.
No matter what thoughts passed through her head, she couldn't seem to physically respond correctly to his presence.

"Uh.." Was all she could manage out of her open mouth.

"Verona," he mother called. "Who is it? Your food is getting cold.

Verona's hand slid up the arm of Ezekiel's jacket as she stood in the doorway. What was happening to her world?

Eric was surprised, and a bit offended by her response to his coming to the door. He looked smug and smiled at her slightly. When he heard her mother's voice he found his plan might actually work.

"Well dear Verona," he said clearly though it was obvious there was an edge of anxiety rimming his tone. "I thought I would drop by and pay my condolences. I would also like to have a word with your parents about a certain... thing."

He hadn't noticed Ezekiel's jacket at first but when he saw it he froze slightly. That was the exact jacket that he could remember Ezekiel wearing when he liked that one girl. They'd fought too much though and she ended up getting murdered, of course by Eric due to the fact he just couldn't stand her.

Blinking for a moment, Verona moved aside.
"Um, come in," she mumbled.

Closing the door behind Eric, Verona walked stiffly back to the dining room.
"We were just eating," she stated as they entered.
"Mother, father, this is Eric Singston... Ezekiel's brother..."

She knew by now that they had heard all about Ezekiel, and how he had "tried to kill" his family.
It was nothing but nonsense, but she knew that they would not believe her because of how she had been involved with Ezekiel for the past few days.

"Sit," Verona's mother cooed. Obviously she could sense his plans. But as for Verona, she went into the kitchen to fetch him some food, since it did seem as though it were the polite thing to do.
She listened in on the conversation carefully, making sure her eavesdropping went undetected.

Eric sat just after he was asked and pleasantly smiled at Verona's parents. He'd been introduced already so he had to formulate his plan quickly.

"Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Byres," he said gently. "I've been meaning to talk to you for a while. It seems that your daughter, Verona, has captured my interest. I am interested in requesting for her hand in marriage."

He'd stated it bluntly enough to mean, 'I will marry her or there will be consequences.' He did sound nice as he said it though and it seemed to anyone, besides himself, that it really was a request rather than a demand.

"I will ensure her safety from the cruelties of my obscene brother. Your delicate flower of a daughter will not be harmed in my care."[/list]

Verona dropped the plait when she heard Eric's words.
Marry her!? How dare he even think of something like that!? He knew how she felt about Ezekiel.

"Well," Verona's most said in a pleased tone. "This is certainly a-pleasant surprise. As a matter of fact, me and my husband Miles were just talking about arrangements for such an occasion. However, it would seem quite convenient for Verona to go with someone as prominent as yourself, rather than some common man."

"Yes," Miles said as he stood. "Stand up boy."

At that point, Eric rose as told.

"Yes..." Circling Eric slowly, Miles smiled.
"Yes yes, a fine young man!"

Miles voice was gruff, and very deep. Very rough like his body weight.

"I think he would do fine Amelia."

A grin was formed immediately after he knew he had passed. Standing there no longer felt awkward and his pride for being 'worthy' of such a girl was starting to show. He would need to get home to tell his parents soon of this noble arrangement.

"Well then," he began. "I am very pleased to meet you two."

He was unsure of whether or not he should ask to stay for dinner. He thought it might be rude and pressing slightly, or demanding. He opted out so they could ask.

"I must be going then," he said politely. "I should let you return to your meal."

When they asked him to stay though he sat down obediently. He had what his father called a good nature, in other words he almost always did what others 'requested' him to do.

After a moment, the pale and now sickened Verona emerged from the kitchen, with a well prepared looking fish.
She dropped the plate in front of him, and sat two seats down.

"Verona darling," her mother began. "Eric here has made quite a wonderful proposition, and I think maybe you would enjoy hearing it."

Looking up, Verona looked like she was going to throw up right then and there.
He intended to marry her, when he good and well knew how she felt!
And then, her parents had blindly agreed to it!

"What," she asked bluntly. Her voice was free of any and all emotion as she tried to avoid erupting in front of not only her parents, but Eric.

Eric smiled kindly at her parents. He was laughing on the inside at their stupidity and blindness to what he really was. No one knew what he'd done though and essentially he had gotten away with murder.

"Miss Verona Byres," he said with extreme politeness. "Since the day I met you I have been meaning to ask for your hand in marriage."

He flashed her a look that her parents couldn't see that was meant to mean that if she didn't there would be consequences. He smiled then gently to her parents to see the approval on their faces.

"It won't be for at least a week though," he said with a sigh. "I'm afraid my father's health is beginning to fail him."

It was the perfect set up for him now. He could get rid of the blasted Ezekiel loving father of his. He did not want to get rid of his mother though. He loved her dearly.

Verona at first had flushed bright red, but then, she spotted that look he gave her. What was his deal?
Something was clearly going on here. I mean, she had just seen Winslow only hours ago making his speech, and he looked fine.

"Um, actually," Verona began, staring at him with a quite putrid look herself. "I would prefer to marry someone, with how could you say, a bit more dignity than yourself. You understand, it's nothing personal."

The way Verona put emphasis on the word personal, made her sound a bit evil in the slightest way.
This was her way of saying, ' Go rot in hell'.
Of course, she would never say something of that sort in front of her parents, but she felt she was communicating it over quite well without using words.

"Oh Verona my dear," her mother began in a disappointed tone. "How could you say something such as that!?"

Obviously she had been thinking of that factory, and all that money! And now with Ezekiel was gone, it was only a matter of time.

Eric contained his anger as he clenched his fist slightly under the table. His brother would pay for this if it was the last thing he did. He had begun to eat has he'd asked her the question.

He stood up now as if he distasted the fish and the room itself. He seemed to be a bit angered now though he was restraining it almost completely.

"Verona," he said. "I'd like to speak to you... alone."

He knew what he'd say and he walked out to the entrance and waited for her to follow him. If she asked about Ezekiel, he'd say he's already dead.

Verona smiled pleasantly and crossed her arms after getting up from the table, "Is there a problem with speaking here?"
She felt a bit victorious for having stepped on a nerve, but being nice was apparently getting her no where in life, and she was sick of standing still.

She could see the anger rising up within him as he began to shake a bit. She sighed, and then followed him out of the door, and down a hall a bit, so they were clear of the parents ears.

"I don't know who you think you are Eric, but I will not marry you."

(Mwahahaaaaaaa! I know, mine is microscopic too.)

"You know," Eric began. "I do know there's a certain someone that just got banished from this city."

He let out a dramatic sigh and seemed to be depressed for a moment as he thought of the situation. It was all essentially for the effect, something he'd been working on for years and had perfected with ease.

"It's just," he tried to begin again. "He foolishly tried to place you and my family in harm. From what I've heard too, is he's dead. Are you going to wait forever just for someone that's dead? Do you understand that? Ezekiel's dead."

He looked perfectly serious when he spoke and any overly naive person would believe him. Verona's parents most certainly would have believed him on this subject without taking a second thought to it. He doubted if Verona would believe because of her strong interest in Ezekiel.

Verona could feel a heavy pain rising from deep within her.
"He is not dead," she stated coolly. She would not believe him, never. It wasn't possible, it just wasn't.
After a second, she remembered what Aldous had said, and how he spoke of Ezekiel, like it was something bad..
"That is not possible.. I will not believe you."

But evidence seemed to wear upon her. Maybe he was telling the truth, just maybe..

"And even if he were dead, which he's not, why would I ever want to marry you..?"

Crossing her arms again, she began to feel a bit nervous, she knew he could take care of her. And probably any girl in town would have given her soul just to be with him in this situation.
Even more to marry him..

Eric seemed to get closer to her though it wasn't a very threatening way. He looked sad for the most part and then he gave a wild grin.

"You'll marry me," he said. "Unless you want your little lover boy to die. That is of course, if he's not dead already. You wouldn't want to be stuck with plain old Mayhen now would you?"

He wanted to push her buttons a little, more for amusement than anything else. He would be telling all the reporters that swarmed the streets about his plan to marry her and he didn't care if she would protest.

It was going to happen.

"I'm afraid I must go dear Verona," he said gently, giving a more sympathetic look. "My father seems ill and I should be with him."

Verona's eyes closed.
This was terrible in every single way that was humanly possible. It was like blackmail almost! Only this was worse..
"Your father is not ill," she growled, her eyes suddenly shooting open.

She knew he wasn't, and she knew that something much bigger than a forced marriage was being plotted.
She knew she had lost. She would rather marry Eric, then have Ezekiel die for nothing but caring about her.

"You will have me your bride, but my heart will not budge," she said.

Her eyes seemed a bit unsteady as she stared at him now, as if maybe she was on the very verge of breaking down. But no, she wouldn't do that in front of him..