I Watched His Face To See Which Way

Bree lay, stomach pressed against wooden panels, on the floor. Her green eyes observed the curious creature before her.

The bundle of white linen squirmed on its mat, and a little gurgle of delight echoed in the empty room, as the baby caught sight of the decorated mobile that dangled ahead of him.

She'd wanted to put a little dagger up on there- it would have been adorable. The mother blew out a rough breath, propping her hands beneath her chin. That would have been...unorthodox. Tearing her gaze away from the baby mobile, she looked back at her son.

He didn't do all too much.

Eat.
Excrete.
Sleep.

It was odd that she loved him so much, when all he did were those three things. Her lips curved into a little smile, and her hand reached out to gently caress his head, although she only had a side view of him.

"You would have liked the dagger." she murmured. "I should definitely get the dagger."

Pale.

It was a good way to describe the girl, pale hair, pale complexion. Aria was pale, like sunlight or moonbeams. Being unable to burn meant that the girl didn't tan, either, so even in the midst of summer she remained unblemished by summer heat.

Summer was still months away, however, the last chill of winter still clinging tenaciously to the air. At present, she was walking along a corridor. She was on an errand for Djinn, of all things. Ordinarily, Aria would have no part in doing anything her creator would will of her. However, he had promised her a favor - anything she wanted, any time she asked of it - in exchange for occasionally serving a his emissary.

That favor was one thing she could not turn down.

Aria came to a stop outside a door, checking that she had arrived at the correct location. Then, reaching out a pale fist, she knocked against the wood.

The woman stood immediately at the knock- somewhat hoping it would be Brock so that he could take over around the time when Andrei decided putting his diaper to good use would be fun- and took one move towards the door- but stopped after the first step.

She froze, completely surprised.

There was no click.

There was no click of her heels against the wood of the floor, and Archer blinked down at her bare feet. No shoes.

The woman stared at her top. One that she had found around the house- it was loose. Too big for her. Her eyes narrowed accusingly at the baby that lay on the floor.

"Your fault." she muttered affectionately, before continuing to leave the room and make her way towards the door.

Opening it slightly ajar at first, the woman peered around, only expecting to see Brock- not the pale face that stood expectantly for her.

"Messenger girl." she greeted, opening the door fully, arms crossed over her chest.

"Aria," the blonde corrected smoothly, moving easily past the woman and into the apartment beyond. "I work for... payment, now. A freelancer, if you will."

She moved several steps forward, gaze moving to a shadow. "Come," she beckoned in Latin, crouching to meet the hound. "Hello, friend." After a moment, she rose to her feet once more, turning to face the woman.

"So, how is family life, Bree Archer?" Her mismatched gaze flitted over the woman. "It would seem it has done you some good."

"Aria- forgive me." Archer drawled sarcastically, but stepped aside to allow the girl to come into the Packhouse- although the student did not hesitate to enter on her own account.

"Congratulations, then." She commented wryly in response, raising one eyebrow at her. She didn't think that applying herself for a promotion wouldn't be the best move for her quite yet.

The woman rolled her eyes at the hound that had been observing in some dark corner, walking past the two into the room where Andrei was entertaining himself.

"Do the hounds never leave? I'm more of a cat person, myself." Bree called over her shoulder, expecting the messenger to follow her into the next area.

The mother crouched next to her son onto the floor, then slipped into a cross legged position and laughed dryly.

"I'd hardly call it a family." She replied, shaking her head- with her gaze locked on her son.

Aria inclined her head, mismatched gaze settling upon the woman. "I clawed my way out of Purgatory," she stated placidly.

"The hound belongs to Andrei. He will always guard his side." The girl followed the woman, as expected, footsteps light, eyes flitting about her surroundings.

"He is your blood and you care for him. It is more family than some have." Aria regarded her host quietly. "You are fond of the child." There was something unidentifiable in her tone.