Chapter 4: La Familia, A Place to Call Home

The Lucky Maiden Ruins: 4:05 PM

‘LAAAAAANCE!’ Aria says as she eagerly floats up to him and wraps her arms around his neck

‘What happened? Everything is broken!’

Fluffy follows shortly after.

 

“Sire! We heard the commotion from outside the city! Are you alright?” 

“Haha nothing really just got into a little scuffle.”

‘He says a little scuffle, but the entire building has been leveled,’ Fluffy thinks to himself taking Lance's words with a grain of salt

Carolyn amazed at the sight of Lance's companions quickly rushes towards them.

“WOAH THAT GIRL IS FLYING! AND THAT TEDDY BEAR JUST TALKED!  That’s SOOO CUTE!!!!"

"Hey there cutie pie what’s your name?! Carolyn excitedly asks as she picks up Fluffy, giving him a bear hug."

Fluffy’s eyes light up.

“WELL MADAME IF YOU MUST KNOW, MY NAME IS COUNT VANDERBILT LEONE VON STR-“

“This little girl is Aria, and that loud stuffed animal over there is Fluffy. They're both really good friends of mine,” Lance replies casually cutting Fluffy off.

“Sire! Why must you always interrupt me when I introduce my-,“

Aria pushes Fluffy away..

‘Wow! You’re pretty Miss! Are you Lance’s girlfriend?,’ Aria asks with an innocent smile

‘Miss Aria not you too!’ Fluffy remarks to himself with tears rolling down his cheeks.

Carolyn’s face turns a bright crimson and begins to think to herself

‘G-G-Girlfriend? Me? I mean I admit he is easy on the eyes, but we just met.. ahhh no, why is my heart beating so fast, It’s not like I’ve never been on a date before, I’ve had plenty of guys court me before, so why..’

‘I’m just messing with ya! You don’t have to say anything I can tell from the expression on your face hehehe.’

“M-m-m-my expressions? What do you mean by my expressions? More importantly, how are you speaking directly into my mind?!" Carolyn asks Aria with a tone of confusion in her voice.

 Before Aria can answer, a short elderly man man with hair only on the sides of his head, glasses and a long grey goatee begins making his way towards the group.

“Carolyn! That’s the last straw! Sure you’ve caused many a scene before, but now the bar’s in shambles because of your antics,” Says the owner of the bar

 

“I’m sorry Mr. Winnipeg, I promise I’ll-"

 

“No that’s strike 3, no in fact it’s strike 27! Carolyn it pains me to say this, but you’re gonna have to find someplace else to work.."

“But Mr. Winnipeg..”

‘Woww 27 strikes? And Fluffy says I’m out of control,’ Lance thinks to himself with a snicker.

“I’m sorry, I know you mean well Carolyn, but enough is enough. I don’t even know if I’ll be able to rebuild the bar with the amount of money I have saved up.” Winnipeg says with a sigh

“But.. But Mr. Winnipeg, I love working at the Lucky Maiden! You’ve been so kind to me all these years, I don’t-“ Carolyn says with a trembly voice and tears beginning to form.

Lance then approaches Mr. Winnipeg

“Hey I can’t help but think this is my fault sir. Carol had nothing to do with this, I was the one that started the fight. Fluffs let’s take care of the damages ‘kay? That way Carol can keep doing what she loves!” Lance says nudging Fluffy on the shoulder

‘I know I saw this coming but I sure wish Sire would show just a little restraint when he gets into his little squabbles’

“Yes sir, we shall cover all the costs towards repairing your bar, I’ll send the bill over to our treasury back in Isonomia. I’m sure our Lord Alaster will be more than happy to pay for the damages.” Fluffy says putting his paw on his chest.

The bar owner hearing these words shouts out in astonishment.

“Alaster?! THE Supreme King Alaster?! Why he’s one of the Seven Rulers! Are you folks his delegates or something? I must say.. It’s an honor to meet you. Well if you put it that way..” 

“His delegates eh? Yeah i guess you can say that. I’m actually his apprentice. He sent me and my companions here out on a mission which we intend to see through to the end. But not only that, he also wanted me to see the world and make new friends along the way, so that’s what I intend to do.” Lance replies with a smile

“See the world eh? Carolyn I remember you said YOU wanted to see the world as well, and as I recall you told me you have no family of your own. Why don’t you tag along with these guys. It might be fun! At any rate, it will take at least a year or so to get the bar up and running. Go on, go and see the world!” Winnipeg encourages Carolyn giving her a thumbs up.

“But Mr. Winnipeg, what about you and your wife, you two have done so much for me. I can’t just leave you. Who will look after you guys?” She says with a slight tremble in her voice

“Don’t worry about us child, you’re a beautiful young lady, it’d be an injustice to keep you cooped up in the city. Go on and make a name for yourself, The Lucky Maiden will be fine, trust me."

Mr. Winnipeg walks over to Lance..

“Young man I know this may be a lot for a stranger to ask, but would you mind watching over Carolyn. She’s like a granddaughter to us, but we aren’t getting any younger, and it’s about time for her to spread her wings and fly. She may be rash, stubborn, and a bit clumsy, but she is a wonderful girl with a heart of gold. Will you do an old man this favor?” Mr. Winnipeg asks Lance clutching his hand.

“Mr. Winnipeg…” Carolyn says as she looks towards Lance and his friends with tears beginning to form in her eyes.. 

Lance lets go of Winnipeg’s hand and walks towards Carolyn and places his hand on her shoulder.

“Hey Carol I know we just met, but I really like girls like you”! Lance said with a bright smile. He then turns back to Winnipeg.

“I know how it feels to yearn for a place to belong Mr. Winnipeg, and I Lance Bladerunner have no problems with letting Carol tag along!” He enthusiastically replies with a huge grin on his face

Fluffy jumps onto Lance’s head 

“Nor do I Sir Winnipeg. We welcome you with open arms Lady Carolyn”

 Aria spins in the air. ‘Yay, I always wanted a big sister! Please come with us!’

Tears then begin to roll down Carolyn’s cheeks..

“Hey don’t cry Carol, as my Master always says ‘no worries’. All of us here, we don’t have family to call our own either, but my Master, Lord Alaster, took us all in and gave us a place to call home. So come on give us a smile! We’ll be all the family you need!,” Lance said with a cheerful grin on his face.

Carol begins to sob even more..

“Sorry..I’m just.. so.. so happy! No one, no one except Winnipeg and his wife has shown me so much kindness! I can’t help it!

Lance, Aria, and Fluffy all look at each other and smile..

“Don’t even give it a second thought Lady Carolyn, once Lance has his mind set he never goes back on his word.” Fluffy assures the young lady.

‘Yeah! Big Brother Lance is the best brother I could ever ask for!’ Aria says as she embraces Lance.

“We call ourselves La Familia, The Family. Though none of us are related by blood, we all share an unshakable bond that can never be broken. That’s what La Familia is about!” Lance says to Carolyn assuring her everything will be alright.

Lance then holds his hand out to Carolyn..

“Carol will you be a part of the family?”

Carol wiping the tears out her eyes begins to blush, and with a smile on her face takes hold of his hand saying happily:

“I’d Love to Lance Bladerunner!”

“Ahh, to be young again,” Fluffy cries with joy.

‘Beautiful, I think I’m gonna cry,’ Aria says with tears rolling down her cheek.

*GRUMBLE*

 “HAHAHA you know what? I never did order my food did I Carol?” Lance says rubbing his stomachwith an embarrassed look on his face.

‘Wow Sire way to ruin the mood,’ Fluffy says to himself in disappointment

Carolyn blushes but then starts laughing.

“Well maybe if you didn’t destroy the bar..” She replies with a smirk on her face

“Hey! It’s too early to be joking around about that!” Mr. Winnipeg shouts at the group.

Everyone pauses for a brief moment, then they all burst out laughing with Mr. Winnipeg joining in shortly after

 “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!”

With lots of cheers and plenty laughter a new member was added to The Family!

 

Back at Hellhound’s hideout, Knives tells a shadowy figure about what transpired at the bar.

 

“Hellhound sir! Me and my men got in a scuffle with this strange man named Lance Bladerunner! He took us down singlehandedly sir! He’s an Exalted Just like you! He said he’s coming after you sir!”

A man replies casually in deep, yet charismatic voice.

“And how would he know where my hideout is Knives? You didn’t rat me out did you?”

The man then rolls his chair around to reveal himself to his subordinate. He is a towering man that appears to be in his late 20s. He has long spiky red hair that looked as though it were lit on fire as well as sharp teeth that looked as if they came directly from a wolf's jowls. He wears a thick unzipped leather jacket that was as dark as the night sky with no shirt underneath revealing his chiseled physique. He wears matching black jeans with a belt that is adorned with a  larges kull buckle to go along with tall black leather boots, and the signature red eyes that are unique to all Exalteds.

Knives trembling at Hellhounds' menacing appearance nervously replies,

 “No sir! I would never do such a thing!” 

As Knives made his remark a mysterious boy comes crashing through Hellhounds' window leaving shards of glass everywhere. 

The boy is below average in terms of height, but his short spiky-black hair and piercing green eyes gave him an air of confidence. He wears a white, skin-tight long- sleeve shirt with an unbuttoned black-leather vest over it. He wears baggy grey pants with matching grey gloves that cut off at the joints of his fingers to go along with a solid black bandana around his neck.

“WHAT THE HELL IS THE MEANING OF THIS,” Hellhound yells out in anger.

“He’s lying to you, I saw him sell you out while he was pleading for his life when the Exalted had him on the ropes.” The man replies with a smirk.

“Sir, you can’t believe this guy! He’s obviously trying to trick you!” Knives exclaims

“Hmm. I wonder about that.” Hellhound says getting up out of his seat.

“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Didn’t mama tell you not to lie Mr. Lackey? Here let me make things easy for your boss.” The man says as he begins inching towards Knives.

“STOP! GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME OR ELSE I’LL CUT YOU TO RIBBONS!” Knives shrieks as he begins to conjure up his curved blade.

*WOOOOOOSH* 

With a sharp blast of wind the mysterious man sends Knives’ head rolling to the floor.

“TA DAA! Like splitting a watermelon! As if a half-bit man like that could ever take me on HAHAHAHA!” the young man says laughing hysterically

He then turns towards Hellhound.

“The name’s Allen Kirkwood. I’m just your friendly neighborhood bounty hunter, and who in the area DOESN’T know you? You’re Hellhound the leader of the Black Wolves, and I got a proposition for ya.

Allen begins walking towards Hellhound and continues his conversation.

I know you’re dying to meet this Lance Bladerunner so tell ya what, i’ll bring this Exalted to ya, but I’ll have you know my services aren’t free!”

Hellhound begins to emanate an thick aura of heat energy from his body at the sight of Allen's antics  and angrily shouts out at him.

“You’re a lunatic, and I should burn you to cinders for breaking my window and killing one of my subordinates!

He then takes a deep breath and begins walking towards his desk to open one of his drawers. 

“However you seem like a capable young man that gets the job done, unlike my deceased partner over there,” Hellhound says pulling out a large sack of gold coins

 “Very well bounty hunter, show me what you can do.” Hellhound says consenting to Allen's services.

“It’ll be my pleasure.” The bounty hunter replies with a sly grin as he leaps out of Hellhound's now shattered window frame.

 

A NEW THREAT IS INTRODUCED. WHAT PERIL LIES AHEAD OF LANCE AND HIS FRIENDS?