((The aftermath of the above scene! It involves Blood's adopted son arriving at the result of the carnage, and the brother of the slain Hellsguard. And lies. Oh, the lies. Warning for death, blood, mentions of cannibalism. It was played out by myself and a roleplaying partner at the time.))
Smoke wafted from the direction of the building in which Burning Blood and his companions lived. The building itself had been evacuated and surrounded with Bladesmen who denied any and all entry. From the ground level it seemed like an explosion had taken place a few floors up...right where Burning Blood and Distant Storm's apartment was. Whether Jak's, Sun's and Moon's place had been destroyed too was difficult to tell. In front of the throng of Bladesmen a particularly large one stood -- a Highlander by all rights, dark-skinned and stubbled by the jawline visible beneath his fly-mask. By the way he roared orders to the others and warned off curious approachers, he was definitely the one in charge.
"Nono! It we-went fine, promise! But I gotta go, Blood’s expectin’ me I th-think!" A nod and wave and Jak was bolting out of the Quicksand, the Lalafellin woman behind the counter that also ran the adventurers guild shook her head with a smile, muttering something about 'that boy'.
It didn't take him long to reach the deeper parts of the city, where the apartments and other housing areas laid. Though something was clearly off, people walking quickly away and some running there with various equipment. "Wh---...What?" It became clear what was happening the closer he got.
Burning Blood’s apartment was ablaze.
"HEY! HEY!" Jak ran to the man barking orders and directing people away. "Th-the hells is that? WHAT HAPPENED!? IS MY DA OKAY?! WHAT THE HELLS HA-HAPPENED?!" Panic had set in rather fast, Jak daring to bolt past him and rush in, even giving the man a shove for not answering him in the point five seconds since he asked the questions.
The Highlander in charge turned on his waist and made a grab for the lad -- whatever he could get his hands on, if he was looking. "Oi, you stupid kid, stay out of there!" He roared. "We've only got one dead and one injured. I dunno if either of them is your da but if you go in there you're only gonna join them."
His words were interrupted as a gladiator in bronze armor ran up to him. "We got the injured one stable, but -- we're having a problem with...rgh. The other guy won't let us touch the dead one. I can understand, but it's going to be a problem when the group from the Ossuary gets here."
"Ngh, no lemme see wh---" One dead. One dead. Dead. One. That seemed to be the only thing going through his mind when those words escaped the other Highlander. Jak himself stepped back even, eyes wide and mouth hanging open as if he was going to protest that statement but nothing came out.
Other guy? Jak snapped back to the here and now. "Oth-other? Which one got the Moon tattoo on 'em and which one got the Sun and which one got the he-heavy black one on his face?!" More a demand to know than general inquiry, eyes still wide and pleading with the ones gathered to let him know.
Both the midlander and highlander looked at the teen at the same time, then exchanged dire glances. After a moment, the highlander blade nodded. "Take him. He can help identify."
The midlander nodded and beckoned toward Jak. "Come on, we set up an emergency tent for them until it's safe to move. Follow me." At that, he turned swiftly and made for a red tent nearby, where two medical officers stood outside the flap -- two lalafell in white coats. Wordlessly they let the pair in.
The first thing was the evident stench of gore; something the disinfected chemical smell in the enclosure could not entirely conceal. Upon one bed laid Burning Blood; sleeping, bandaged and covered to the waist-- bruised and ragged, but alive. Beyond him was the broad back of one of the twins, sitting quietly before a covered body. He clutched at something -- the hand that poked from under the white covering.
The hand identical to his.
"WELL?!" Spoken before the two said anything, whatever Jak had been holding onto was long since dropped, crumpled under his step backs from before. "...Al-alright." Finally an answer, Jak calming himself down just a bit at getting some progress in finding out what had happened. Following the Midlander was not easy, the youth having to force some of his steps the closer they got to the tent.
"Ech," The stench made him stop, stop right in front of the door and cover his mouth before giving a quick nod to the two Lalafells before stepping in. "DA?!" Not two seconds of looking around and Jak was making his way to Burning Blood's side, grabbing at his hand and staring at his face.
Tears instantly formed in his eyes, a hand to the Hellsguard's chest and sighing when he felt the man breathing. If it wasn't Burning Blood it had to be... "Sun?" If anyone could tell the twins apart just by looking at them, Jak was one of them. "...Oh." Then it rang like a thousand bells. It was Moon.
"Sun?" Anyone else in the room were nothing but white noise, lost in what Jak was seeing and more so when he went to the mans side, looking down at the covered body. He couldn't speak, couldn't do anything but touch at Sun's arm and stare at the lost one of the twins.
If there was a noise to escape him, it was a loud wailing that was muffled when he wrapped both his arms around Sun's and pulled it close to his face, burying it against it and cried. And cried. And cried. And cried.
Sun didn't look at him, transfixed with hollow eyes upon the covered body of his brother. He did however, tug his arm to bring the young highlander closer. The other arm wound around to keep him tight, comforting and seeking comfort at the same time. "Stupid kid," He grunted hoarsely. As harsh as he tried to make it sound, it trembled with grief. "Why you cryin' like that, huh? Man up."
Jak's initial wail caused Blood to stir with a pained grunt. "Jak," He managed. "Thank the heavens you're safe. I feared he may have gone after you too."
Not that that stopped his sobbing, wrapping arms around the man that dragged him close and had arms around him as well. It wasn't until Burning Blood spoke that he stopped his sobbing, wiping at his eyes and looking up at Sun. "Wh-why can' I cry, mean lo---He? Who was gonna come after me t-too?" Jak blinked, looking past Sun and to Burning Blood.
"Da? What happened here?"
Blood went quiet and looked up at the tent's covering. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again as tears flowed from his eyes. In shame, he raised a hand to cover them, grimacing and shaking with quiet sobs. It elicited a grunt of strongest disdain from the other grieving Hellsguard.
"Pussies, the both o'ya," He snarled -- despite the way he held onto Jak. "Gotta gird yer pair and ride this out. Life is shite sometimes an' lettin' it break ya down ain't good." Yet, he drew a breath to explain. "Storm went Ballistic. Got beatin' on Blood, pounded 'im real bad. Blood almost got the axe, but -- Moon--"
There was a distinct pause as he collected himself to say the words. "Moon took it for 'im. Storm was crazy. Torched the place with us in there. Only barely got out. Threatened to off ya if we told anyone it was him who caused all that."
The lie was perfectly executed, the performance flawless.
Tears formed in Jak's eyes as well when Blood did his sob, that act hitting the Highlander rather hard in the chest. He'd never seen Burning Blood react in such a way before, much less in a public environment. Though with Sun speaking, holding onto him, Jak couldn't help but feel even more sorry for Sun than he had ever before.
"That do-doesn't make any sense though? Why would Uncle Storm go...and...do this?" Eyes looked up to the Hellsguard for answers, clear confusion over his face and a need for understanding of why Moon had to die. "Like, no, th-that doesn't make any sense at all!"
"Course it don't make sense, that's why he's so broken up about it, can't ya see that? He don't understand anythin' same as me. Same as you. I figure Storm was playin' us all along. Blood won't tell me what Storm wanted, neither. " The way Sun gritted his teeth at that made it rather obvious that he was displeased.
"We'll figure it out,l but right now best leave 'im  let 'im grieve."
"Righ'...r-righ', just ..." Words failed the Highlander, turning himself around and leaning against Blazing Sun as he stared at the covered body of Moon. A hand reached out and tapped at the edge of the cover, wanting to tear it away and get one last look but he couldn't bring himself to do it. It retracted and clenched, Jak gritting his own teeth and shoving back against Sun.
"SO WHA-WHA!?" Jak gave a hard huff, shoving back against Sun. "Just sit n-n'just stare? This is stupid! I didn' e-even get..." He stopped, wipping at his eyes to try and stop them from spilling over once more. "Just why?"
"I dunno. But if that bastard thinks I'm gonna leave this alone he's got another thing comin'." Sun's body trembled, and he gripped the pale hand of his dead twin tightly. "I'll kill 'im if it's the last thing I do."
"Jak," Blood called hoarsely, "I know it is not yet your nameday, but I need you to be the head of the household this day. I will write a missive to grant you access to my assets. You are to find us suitable accommodation for when we are released from the custody of the protective and restorative services. Purchase the basics for living, and some sturdy armor and weapons, just in case. Can you do that for me?"
"Why..." It repeated itself silently over his lips for a time, a hand now going to cover Sun's and grip at it tightly, it being the best he could do to console himself at the moment. "Hm?" Head turning slightly, focusing in on Blood's voice. Him? Be the man of the house? Why not Sun? Mourning needed to be done, of course. Jak ran that through his head and simply nodded.
"Yeah, I ca-can do that, I'll do m-my best to get that going, swear dad." Jak couldnt help but look back up to Sun, looking at his grief stricken face and the pain that was being kept inside. "An-anything I should get in par-particular?"
"Just anything you think we may need. I'm counting on you," Blood concluded. "And Sun--"
"Don't," Sun growled.
"Please, my friend, I --"
"Don't, Blood. The only reason I'm still here is for Jak. You brought that monster along an' he killed half o'me. Half o'who I was. I hate you jus' as much as I hate that bastard. I won't forgive ya, not ever. Don't try ta even think there's anythin' you can do ta fix this." The words were laced with pain and filled with anger; tears streamed down Sun's face without slowing.
Blood was crying too -- silently for a time. "I understand," Said simply. "Fetch me a quill and some parchment, Jak. Let's get the arrangements made."
"Sun!"
He backed off at the growl, hanging his head and giving a rough sigh. The spat between the two didn't seem right, it wasn't the time or the place, the Highlander shutting his eyes and giving a hard squeeze to the Hellsguard’s hand. "I'll g-get on it Blood, doncha worry." The most of his attention turned to Sun, turning around and giving the man the best hug he could muster at the moment.
"I'm s-sorry Sun, I'm so sorry, we gonna avenge him, bloody swear."
Sun snorted gruffly, but he didn't refuse the contact. His free arm roughly wound around the highlander and tugged him into a tighter hug. "'Preciate it," He grunted. "Now go do what yer da says. What's 'tween me an' him shouldn't stop you from doin' as he tells ya."
"Righ'...righ'" Jak leaned himself back, shaking his head and wiping at his eyes once more. Off he peeled himself from Sun, giving the distraught man one last look before making his way to Burning Blood.
He didn't look much better, at least not to the youth. "Just g-got this lil piece of paper, can go n'get some but dunno where right now I guess." A crumpled ball was taken from his pockets, left out for Blood to take if he wished or to tell him to find a better suited one!
Blood pushed himself up on an elbow -- he appeared to be in considerable pain, even though he tried to mask it. "This will do." Wordlessly, he pulled a bit of a broken quill from his shirt, which was set nearby. In a move of macabre innovation, the Roegadyn peeled one of the bandages off his midsection to dip it into his own blood before smoothing the parchment as best as he could. When he did, he began writing feverishly.
All the while, Sun clutched his brother's hand and leaned forward.
"Da..." Jak saw those signs of hidden pain, growing up making those same faces left a good impression on what it looked like. He cringed though, watching Blood peel the bandage apart and start writing.
Looks were made to Sun, curious to his lean forward as a certain memory came through his mind. No, Sun would never do that.
"Wa-whatcha writin’ there then?"
Blood continued to scribble in the macabre red, frowning in agony every other quillstroke. "I am writing instructions to the overseer of my estate, to transfer control from me to you. You will be the executor of my estate, and claim ownership of all within it. Only appropriate, I think. With that power you can move my gil, and my possessions as you like. It will make carrying out my instructions convenient." Slowly, he managed a smile at Jak. "I expect it to be temporary, however. When it is done, we shall conduct a transaction to return the estate to me. I trust you with this, Jak -- as I would with my life."
Sun remained where he was, hunched in apparent grief. No matter what, he would not let Moon's cold hand go.
Sun glanced back and cracked a hard-fought smile at Jak. "I know they will, with you at the helm, bossman." Slowly, he shifted from where he stood, and laid down Moon's uncovered hand reverently. "Y'can say goodbye if y'want. Jus'...don't lift the sheet up. Don't think he'd wanna let ya see 'im like that."
Burning Blood finished writing, signing his distinct signature in his own blood.
Any look of Jak pulling himself to feel better melted away when Sun spoke. Nothing about any of this could be masked or covered up, the wounds ran far too deep for now. "Alrigh'." Jak swallowed the frog in his throat, taking slow and cautious steps over to the covered body.
Kneeling down, he took the cold hand in his own and spoke rather soft. "Hey, uh...know I did-didn' seem to show ya much love as did Sun, but ya meant the wor-world to me too ya know." He squeezed, leaning against Sun as he did so. "But ya do-don' gotta worry, I-I look after him f-for ya, alrigh'? Don' gotta worry bou...bout..." Jak couldn't finish, eyes squeezing shit as he trembled, tears pouring down his face once more.
Sun's arm provided heavy arm of support around Jak's shoulder. "I think he'd be happy ta hear that. He was alright with ya, and never thought ya saw him any less. Y'did good. M'honored, an' I'm sure he would be too."
Moon's body, naturally remained unresponsive. It did not hear the sentiment, howmuchever of it Sun tried to draw out and communicate. "Now go on along. Yer Da's waitin."
"Ri-righ', yeah." Jak kept himself close to Sun, giving Moon's hand one last squeeze and turned to give Sun's the same. Standing, the lad stretched back and gave a soft sigh and rub at his neck. His whole body was aching by now, mentally exhausted and then some in such a short time.
"Wh-wha ya want me to do first then?" The question directed to Burning Blood, Jak himself going back to the mans side and setting a hand onhis leg with a gentle smile pressed over his lips.
Sun managed to sweep a hand out to ruffle the long hair, but then returned to his brother's side in silence.
Blood smiled slightly at Jak, then indicated to the paper. "Take this to the retainer vocate at the Sapphire exchange and ask for Thirsty Shark. He will take you to his office and execute the transfer. From there, you can withdraw gil from my account in the Ul'Dahn depository to use for our accommodations. After that, come back here -- or if we are not here, the Ossuary. We'll all head to where you've acquired for us."
"Thirst Sh-Shark? O...kay?" A little more than confusion etched over his face, at the name and what Blood was saying. As he tried to make heads or tails of what he could do with all that gil, more questions bubbled to the surface but promptly shut back down with a shake of his head and a nod and grab at the paper.
"I c-can do all th-that, promise. Just there anythin specific that ya wan' me t-to get or?"
"That's quite all for now," Blood assured, "Though, you must heed this. If you see Storm at any time during your dealings -- you are to run, do you understand? Run, and do not allow him to give successful chase."
Sun turned his head back, "Come an' find me so I can--"
"Just run," Blood interrupted firmly. "We are not in any sort of position to face him right now, and I will not abide by the possibility of losing either of you. There's been enough death this day. So -- if you see him, run away. Can you do that for me, Jak?"
"Alrigh' I---" He stopped once Blood kept speaking, expression falling flat at the mention of Storm, a storm of his own brewing in his thoughts. Jak snapped out of it when asked if he could keep that promise.
A look to Sun, a look to Blood, a long look to the body of Moon. "...Ye-yeah, I'll try alrigh'? Make it quick n'send for ya. Got m'word!" Without much warning or though, the youth had his arms around Blood and hugging at him tight. "Promise, da, I love ya."
Blood could only manage one hand around the lad, but he managed it well, holding him close ever so briefly. "I love you too, my boy. Now hurry! I wish to be able to make you both a lovely dinner by tomorrow."
"Take care out there, Jak," Sun encouraged, "But hurry yer arse up, alright?"
Pulling himself off Blood, the Highlander youth wiped at his eyes once more, nodding and making quick glance to Sun.
"I help ya fix everythin', alrigh'? Ya and Moon meant everything t'me but Sun, whatever ya ne-need, I do, okay?" Jak pressed his forehead to the other’s and made a break for it and to where Blood told him, not stopping for a breath until then.
Once the young Highlander had departed, Blood took a sweeping glance about the tent. No one but the two guarding outside, for the moment. Golden eyes slipped onto Sun. "How romantic," He drawled.
"Shut up," Growled the sun-tattoed Hellsguard.
Blood looked down at the body with a placid lack of emotion. "I'm sorry for Moon."
"No y'aren't. You don't feel a thing."
"Do you?"
"Hungry," Sun grunted. The look he gave towards Moon's hand was anything but mourning. "When I tell those boys from the  ossuary to shove off, I'll take 'im out to the desert an' have my fill. Want me to save you some?"
Blood hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, please. Enough for us to have a lovely dinner with Jak tomorrow evening."