The Dinner

Victor turned around, blinking at Seraph. "Um...yes, this is my family."

Aunora stood up, eyeing the small spirit critically. "So this is your friend, huh?" She clapped her hand on Seraph's back, giving him a smirk. "Well, kid, thanks for saving our butts back there. I was kinda worried that crazy lady was going to kill us."

Seraph returned her smile. "Ah, that was no issue. It was my duty to protect you." He paused, cocking his head. "Are you...Victor's mother perhaps?"

Aunora waved her hand. "Aw nah, kiddo." She gestured at Umbra and Matthew, who were cuddling and kissing Victor on the head. "Those dweebs are his parents. Me and Esper are just some..." she gave Umbra a mischievous glance. "Family friends."

Matthew beamed at Seraph, quickly standing up and throwing his arms around him. "Oh! Oh my goodness, so this is Victor's new friend!" Seraph seemed slightly disturbed by Matthew's sudden act of affection, but nonetheless allowed him to hug him. "It's very nice to meet you, Seraph! Aw, I'm so happy that my baby Victor has a friend! You guys can hang out all the time now! And I can cook you awesome food!"

Umbra unsteadily rose to his feet, Victor still clinging to his chest and flushing in embarrassment. "Matthew, please don't scare him off." The fae muttered as he peeled Matthew away from the dazed spirit. He gave Seraph a gentle smile, lightly touching him on the shoulder. "That was Matthew. I am Umbra, and it is a pleasure to meet you." He sighed. "I was a bit  skeptical about you at first, but Victor seems to be very fond of you, so I guess you must be a fine young spirit."

Seraph's eyes traveled down to the burns on his chest. "Oh, did my mother do this? Allow me to heal you!" Before Umbra could refuse, the spirit reached his hand out, golden sparkles racing around his fingers. The skin that had been damaged was restored, and Seraph even repaired the ruined fabric.

"He's so nice!" Matthew cried, throwing his hands up in the air. He rocked on his heels in front of Seraph, grinning. "Hey, hey, hey, wanna come over to Vic's house and eat dinner?" Victor made a strangled squeaking noise when Matthew pitched the idea, staring at his father in shock.

"D-Dad, you can't just ask people that, it's rude..." he whimpered, staring up at Matthew.

"Nonsense!" Matthew exclaimed, patting Victor on the head. "So, Seraph, does that sound fun?"

Seraph giggled, clasping his hands together. "That sounds great! But I would have to see if it is okay with my Mother." he murmured, nodding his head at Celeste, who had distanced herself from the enthusiastic family reunion. His face fell. "But can I ask one question first?"

"Of course!" Matthew said cheerfully.

"Is Victor not mute?" Seraph said, cringing.

Victor covered his face with his hands, face turning red. He whispered something inaudible under his breath as Matthew remained cool and causal.

"Oh, that. Like, Victor's only kinda mute. He gets all nervous around unfamiliar people and stuff, and he can only talk to people he knows real well. So far, that's only me and Umbra." Matthew explained, placing his arms behind his back.

Nodding his head in understanding, Seraph turned on his heels. "Okay! I am going to ask my mother about coming to your house. Please hold on for a couple of seconds."

"Nah, I wanna meet the parents! I kinda made a bad introduction to her earlier. Just stay here and hang with Victor while I'm asking her." Matthew said flippantly, skipping to Celeste and holding out his hand.

"Hello, Miss Celeste! I know we got off a bad start earlier, so let's start over. My name is Matthew Mortis, I'm Victor's dad."

Celeste stared at Matthew's outstretched hand with a look of disgust, not bothering to return the greeting. She shuffled in her standing position, the silk of her dress rustling. "Ah, yes... The wind mage."

Matthew's eye twitched. "I guess you could call me that. But enough about me. You see, our kids are really good friends, so I was thinking Seraph could come over play with Victor! Heck, I'll even feed him too. Sound cool?"

Celeste thought for several seconds, staring darkly at Matthew all the while. "Well," she finally said, "I suppose if he truly wishes to go-"

"Hey, Seraph! Your mom said yes!" Matthew shouted, waving his arms.

"But he must be home by this evening."

Matthew frowned. "Fair enough."

The European man strutted back to the rest of his team, wrapping his arms around Victor and Seraph. "C'mon, boys! Let's go home and get this party started! We're burning daylight!" He winked at Umbra. "Umbry, could you do us the honors and cut the portal home?"

Umbra propped his hands on his hips. "Matthew, you can't possibly think all this is going to clear up by itself. We we just involved in a criminal set-up!"

"Um... What do we need to do?"

Groaning, Umbra retrieved his cellphone from his pocket. "I'll give the police a tip to come and investigate this place. Maybe they'll be able to figure just what the heck was going on down here..."

"I will send you home. Just tell me where you live." Celeste announced quietly, stepping forward.

"Awesome! I'll give you the address!" Matthew said, smiling.

----

Umbra stretched out his back, walking down the hall to the furthermost room on the top floor of his house. This room was located near Esper and Aunora's sleeping quarters, but was a good distance from his and Victor's bedroom.

Umbra used this extra space as a workout room, and he kept all his combat training equipment in it. He liked to train there at night, increasing his flexibility and practicing with his weapon skills.

Creeping into the door, Umbra walked with absolute stealth. It had been hours since Seraph had went home, and Matthew had even retreated back to his apartment. Umbra had sent Victor (who was practically dead on his feet when night fell) straight to bed, while he took a shower. He had left Esper and Aunora to their own whims, and last time he had checked on the two they had been watching television.

He hastily shut the door behind him, careful not to disturb Victor on the other end of the hall.

Umbra stepped across the foam mats of his workout room, plopping right down in the center of the room. He pulled out his phone from his pants pocket, selecting the first person on his speed dial.

"Matt, are you busy?" He said quietly.

Matthew's noticeably groggy voice came from the other end of the line. "Naw, I'm just on the computer. Why?"

Umbra swallowed, sweat beading on his forehead. "It's made progess. A lot of progress."

"What?!" Matthew's voice cracked.

"It's getting closer, Matthew. It's getting stronger every day."

"I...I... I guess that's a good thing, right?"

Umbra closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Of course."

Author's Note- Aaaaaand, with that, arc two is finished! Sorry for leaving off on that note lol! Remember to vote and comment!!!

The next arc is published! Please check it out in my works!