walk a little straighter // Dante

[CRESSIDA THEA PANOS]

Words: 848 | Tag: DANTE APOSTOLOS CARPETHOS
Notes: Now they could possibly have a better time or at least Dante may be able to.

Cressida honestly hated the trip up to England. She had made plans a long time ago for these trips and to make them not so suspicious she sent letters to surrounding countries hospitals for small work and told Luca it was to keep her mind busy. She had always privately practiced her healing for the Panos family but now she was trying to practice a bit more. It wasn’t all a lie but it wasn’t exactly the full truth either. She always made the trips different lengths of time and she always made contact with Dante when she was visiting. But she went other places to and for the Greek girl it was the most time she had really ever spent outside of the country. And the first time she visited Dante with Apollin well it was the first time she had ever spent time in England.

Carefully she packed their bags and made sure that both Apollin and she would have the items they would need. She put on a nice long black skirt with a conservative white button up short sleeved shirt with a simple tan sweater pulled over. She dressed Apollin in similar style clothes before she said her goodbyes to Luca and she told him when she would be back and gave him the location of the place that she was to stay in case he needed her. She then grabbed her bags and left the home. She never requested company from her husband to the train station, he was welcome to come but Luca Panos was a busy man and she didn’t want to interrupt him from his work.

With Apollin in hand, she made her way to the train station in their town. Apollin was eight now and was becoming very much more grown up in a matter of words. She was intelligent and she could hold a conversation. And as she got older she had a few more of her mother’s features, but it was still clear at least to Cress that she was looking more and more like her actual father with each growing step. That worried Cress so very much. She was sure that one day Luca would notice how much his daughter looked like his bastard half brother and that day was not going to be a pleasant one. She had honestly wished that Dante’s genes hadn’t been so strong through Apollin. She wished that she looked more like herself for the sake of the young girl.

Carefully she boarded the train with their luggage in hand and the smaller girl followed up. And they sat in a private compartment together that had a bed in it. This would make the travel easier until they had to switch trains to go through the English Channel. She loved riding the train it was peaceful and she didn’t have to really think about anything except what passed by. Apollin had a book to read and she did the same and the two quietly sat in the compartment for most of the ride. At one point one of the train employees stopped by and they ordered some food which came not too much longer. They spent some time talking about different things. Apollin wasn’t even nine yet and had about three years until she would go off to school but she was clearly excited. Apollin also wanted to get a few things that she could show off to some of her friends. Cress always found it funny that how children wanted to one up each other, so she now made it a habit to help her daughter find something that she really liked when they went to another country, normally it was clothes though. Apollin loved the different clothes that she could get.

Time had passed and eventually the two boarded off their train and onto another to take them into Kings Cross. Cress had changed clothes before they arrived at the station into another long skirt this one was a white skirt with another white top but a longer sleeved button top. Soon enough they were arriving in England and Cress grabbed their luggage once more before leaving the train and making her way onto the platform. ”Apollin, we’re going to meet your uncle outside,” she told the girl. Cress still felt decently lost in England. She was really beginning to learn the language but it was still clear that this was not her native tongue some words were not used properly or sentences in the proper format. She really got nervous being in such a foreign world. She did not understand how Dante lived this every day of his life.
 
Once they reached outside of the station she looked around. They had spent the greater part of two days on trains, she was tired and worn out. She was honestly ready for Dante to just want to spend time with Apollin because she just wanted to relax before she would do a little bit of work at St. Mungo’s. Carefully her green eyes scanned around for the male.

*template by Fiona Maccafferty of CTTW!

[DANTE APOSTOLOS CARPETHOS]

If all that we are is two matching scars Lines in our movie
The same favorite song we both sing along Then i don't wanna be in love

Dante could never deny the selfish nature of these visits.  If he thought about it too long than he realized all too much the danger that he put Cressida and Apollin in - something Dante was never keen to admit.  Maybe it was because for just a few days he actually could feel like a decent father...something he never had.  Could Luca even claim to be a decent father to the girl?  Dante didn't think so. Sure, maybe, his brother had kept his daughter feed and clothed over the year but it was Cress who kept Apollin safe this Dante was sure of.  Cress and himself they were the only ones truly looking out for their daughter. Still a part of him knew he should tell Cress the trips needed to stop, maybe they were careful making sure there was never a pattern but...how long could they keep this up?

Dante never admitted just how early he would show up to the train when Cressida would make the trip.  He also would never admit to the lengths he would go to make sure Cress and Apollin would be safe while staging with him.  Yes, he had bought  the small house just before that first trip the two had made, a house he used for the few visits he was allotted. A house that no one from either clan knew about except the three of them.  Hidden among muggles far enough away that he didn't have to worry about any of his nosier friends like Liam and Tally. 

The young man paced outside the station, a rented car waiting for them.  As the hours passed and their arrival time approached Dante found himself worrying. He could face creatures of nightmares under a full moon with nothing but a knife and feel nothing but waiting for his sister-in-law and daughter to arrive left him feeling on the verge of a panic attack.  Yes, this was one thing where Dante truly horrified of the worst outcomes.

It took a few moments to spot them in the crowd of people exiting and entering the station.  He never could help the way he smiled when he saw just the two of them.  Maybe because for just a single moment it would seem almost normal, they seemed almost normal.  Mother, Father, daughter - together.  Was it really just about Apollin?  Was that they they did this, or were they both selfish...taking these moments and enjoying them for their own sick pleasure?  Or was it just him?  A foolish kid playing house for a few days a year?

"Cress! " Dante felt his heart leap into this throat as he made and effort to get her attention.  He didn't dare call out his daughter's name, not around so many people.  Dante hardly trusted his voice to hid his excitement about seeing his 'niece', no Panos ever had been known to take such an interested in someone else's kid after all...

Wading through the loose crowd Dante met cress and Apollin his blue eyes met with Cress's green ones and for a moment he allowed her to see just what he felt - the joy and excitement that was so much like when he was still a boy but also that hint of fear.  His smile didn't fade as he looked to the child though, if anything his face only grew softer as she bent down and grabbed the girl under her arms and lifted her up. He gabbed away in a mix of French and Greek to the girl, talking about how much bigger and beautiful she was since the last time he had seen her.  It was hard to hold back....to not just steal them both away forever...sometimes Dante wondered if it was worth the pain each time - for himself. But all it would take was one look into those blue eyes, his blue eyes...and yes, it was always going to be worth it.

Only after Apollin had started to protest her 'Uncle's' embarrassing behavior did Dante set her back down, though his hand was quick to grab her's and hold on.  He turned to look back at Cress his features softer than usual, a look only so few ever saw.  "You look exhausted. Let's get you home so you can rest..." Dante lightly placed his free hand on the small of Cress' back to help move and guide her back to the car.  It wasn't one of those modified cars, just a typical rented muggle car - not that Dante thought he could actually get Cress into a flying car.

  Dante tended to getting their bags in the trunk and told Cress that he would double check that Apollin was safely buckled in the back seat.  It was still somewhat unnerving driving his own daughter in a car - he found himself worrying about things he didn't often worry about when he was alone,  But it helped keep up the appearance, it helped to draw less attention to the woman who meet her brother-in-law in another country, it drew less attention to the fact a bastard hunter was picking up the only family he considered real.

As Dante seated himself in driver's seat he looked to Cress and offered a small smile.  Maybe it was of thanks, or maybe it was just because he was actually happy to see her and his daughter.  But would he say that to her?  "I drew you a bath...I know how sore those train rides make you.  I thought...it'd be nice for you, to just relax for a bit.  I can take Apollin to the London Zoo, and the park - you could have a few hours to yourself.." It was rare Dante made an effort for anyone but he always seemed to try to make these trips a little easier for Cress.  Limiting how much time she had to spend with him, doing his best to keep his time with Apollin to simple things that would not be over stimulating or come off as too grand. starting the car Dante carefully got them onto the road and headed off to the place they would call home for the next few days. 

NOTES: -dead- sorry this is so late TT-TT
WORDS: 1034 TAG: CRESSIDA THEA PANOS

[CRESSIDA THEA PANOS]

Words: 920 | Tag: DANTE APOSTOLOS CARPETHOS
Notes: sorry for the delay

Cress had knots in her stomach... or were they butterflies? Dante had once been the love of her life. Honestly he still was. His elder brother Luca was never a person that she could find herself attached to, from the day she met him to the end of time, she would never be able to find herself able to love him. She anticipated seeing Dante. Dangerous games that they were playing, treading very deep water each time she and Apollin made their appearances in London. Luca could do dangerous things. Her job was to protect Apollin and honestly it was a relief knowing that Dante was there for their daughter now as well. She didn't feel alone in a uphill battle.

There it was. His voice and then it was confirmed, they were definitely butterflies in her stomach. Her heart jumped when her green eyes found him in the crowd of people. He stood near a car before making his way over to Apollin and herself. She listened to them talk after Dante picked Apollin up. Cress looked around at their surroundings, taking in the city. It was nothing like their home. It was nothing like Greece where she was used to, and even though she had seen these sights a handful of times, she never quite got used to it. There days like today that she very much wished that this was her life. Apollin and she did some of the best things that they could when they came here. Dante knew how to treat Apollin well.

He took the opportunity to tell her that she had looked exhausted and that she should go home and rest. His touch made her freeze for a moment but her feet moved underneath her as they made their way to the car. Her eyes caught sight of the car and she started to protest. She'd never liked flying in anyway shape or form. But this was Dante she was with. She remembered and knew that he would know better than to try putting her in one of those contraptions. She carefully got in but was clearly still a bit wary of it.

”I drew you a bath... I know how sore those train rides make you. I thought... it'd be nice for you, to just relax for a bit. I can take Apollin to the London Zoo, and the park – you could have a few hours to yourself.” She looked over at him as the car began driving. Even this was a little unnerving, her being unable to control the movement that the car had. ”Makes one a little stiff,” she told him. She couldn't tell him that Luca never did things like this for her, though he probably knew as much. With Apollin in the rear seat she still needed to be careful with what she said.

Apollin was in the back seat as wide eyed as she normally was when they visited. She was quiet and her eyes were glued to the window. Her hands gripped the car door as if she were dreaming. She wasn't listening to a word that either Cress or Dante said. No, she always loved coming to London. She looked forward to these trips. She smiled and was clearly so very happy. This was a whole new world for a young child. She couldn't wait to tell her friends when she got into school. These are things that she was excited for when she'd go off to school.

Cress gave him a small smile. ”The London Zoo, she's never been to one, neither have I, Father said that books and learning to stand up straight was by far more important than experiences such as going to a zoo would be,” she told him with a small smile. Cressida had never been what one would call a girly girl. She tried her best and could fake it rather well but there were times from her childhood that she never told anyone, to say the least as much as she loved having family, she hated what her parents wanted of her to be. A young girl was forced to become a person she was not born to be all because they wanted her to be set up with a man who would never love her. At the end of the day they were her parents though. Life in the shoes of important, old fashioned families were not exactly as beautiful as some would picture.

Dante made Cress find her rhythm. He liked her for who she was and not who she was forced to be. She was sure that he wouldn't care if she'd just been rolling around in dirt or her dress had grass stains. No, she was sure that he could have cared less. It was Luca who needed a kind person on his arm. He needed someone to make him seem less like his father. At least they could tolerate each other. ”I do have a private call tomorrow that I have to attend to, I could enjoy some time to relax after a stressful travel,” she smiled. Her eyes moved to look out at the scenes that went by the window. ”Maybe after we could enjoy dinner with the three of us, will you be working at all while we're here?” she asked him. Seeing as he held two jobs, one was easier to get away from than the other, considering the latter was more of a lifestyle than an actual job.

*template by Fiona Maccafferty of CTTW!

[DANTE APOSTOLOS CARPETHOS]

If all that we are is two matching scars Lines in our movie
The same favorite song we both sing along Then i don't wanna be in love

It was a reflex to reach over with his hand and squeeze her's - one of the many silent ways he had come to reassure her that he wouldn't let anything happen to her. He didn't linger though, for a few reasons - the chance Apollin might see being one of the bigger concerns. His daughter was at an age where she could reason and deduct, he didn't need to risk her safety any more than he already was...even if he was sure Apollin would rather him for a rather than his brother if she was given the choice.

'Makes one a little stiff' Dante glanced at the woman seated beside him, a half smile crept onto his face. He wanted to say she was welcome, to express he understood her unspoken thanks. Yes, she could have drawn her own back when they got back - yes it did mean he had to take the extra time and trouble to enchant the water so it would keep at the perfect temperature and get all those extra bath supplies that most men didn't even know existed. But how many times had she bathed him by hand? How many times had he almost bleed out in her arms? How many times had she taken care of him when no one else had ever shown him that sort of kindness? And how many times had he done something terrible to her instead of finding a way to thank her? No instead he fought with her, cursed at her, hit her....No not the same way that his father struck his mother and not the same way he imaged Luca would strike her. Dante fought the Panos nature, thought of his mother when he acted like the monster that he spawned from. Apologies would never make up for wronging her like that. But he would try his hardest to do what he could to repay all the kindnesses she showed him.

His gaze was quick to return to the road as he didn't entirely trust himself to drive with out watching, plus he couldn't get distracted. He listed as Cress spoke of never having been to a Zoo before - truth be told Dante had only been once before when he checked out the location before this very trip - he wanted to make sure he knew what he was getting his daughter into. He should have realized Cress had never been to one either - their childhoods had been intertwined after all - and well the fights were a zoo of their own but not one anyone would want to claim to have been to.

"You know, we could always do the zoo after you've had time to rest up and freshen up, the three of us that is. Pollin and I can go to the park, fly some kites, feed some ducks - and then we can go to the Zoo and pick up take away on our way back to the house...." A family outing....like the kinds we would have had every weekend.... Maybe it was just rosy thoughts. Would he really have given up this life if she had run away with him? Become a proper family man? Sure short term he was maybe the best Dad known to man - but its an easy job when you only get to do it maybe 9 days out of the year.

Dante couldn't help but try and steal a quick glance at Cress. Did she wan't to spend the extra time with him? Or was this one of the time when she wanted her space? It was impossible to think of her as his sister-in-law, and he knew she never could look at him as a brother - even if he hadn't been the father of her child. Did she want to play pretend as badly as he did? He found no answers, just a beautiful woman who was becoming entranced with the city streets - their daughter shared the same glimmer in her blues that Cress did in her green...how badly he wished he could just steal them away. Maybe some day.


"Traffic is being kind on us today....seems like we'll be back at the house in fifteen minutes or so." It was always hard to think of safe topics to talk about around their daughter, even more so since the girl spoke what was it - four languages now? Sure it was important to know English and French for her later schooling and well she was Greek but Dante was sure there was one more...either way just speaking in English in front of Apollin wasn't an option with how well she understood now....He tried not to think about how much harder this was going to make things - because the more he ignored it the longer he could hold on to those few days he got.

NOTES:
WORDS: 1034 TAG: CRESSIDA THEA PANOS

[CRESSIDA THEA PANOS]

Words: 704 | Tag: DANTE APOSTOLOS CARPETHOS
Notes: I miss these two.

A squeeze of her hand from his own gave her that reassuring feeling that he's always been capable of doing. Even when they were younger, he always had a way of making sure she knew she'd be okay when she was around him. Why did her family have to choose Luca? Why couldn't they have chosen someone who had been capable of making her truly happy? But then she did also do it to herself. She could have been the stronger person and chosen to just leave to England with him, especially when she found herself pregnant with Apollin. Dante could have and would have cared for her the way Luca could never do so, even through their own pain and heartbreak.

No matter how much Dante thought he was like his brothers and father, the Panos side of him wasn't who he was, it wasn't what she had ever seen in him. She saw the nature that had nothing to do with the Panos in him, he was kind, he was thoughtful, he cared more for her than most. When she made mention that she'd never been to a zoo before he told her that they could all go after she had time to rest. Cress shook her head. ”No, no, you already had plans to take Apollin to the zoo, you should continue with your plans, maybe when I have time we can go to the park all together,” she told him, ”maybe another visit you can take us both to the zoo.” She gave a small smile. She never liked it when people changed plans to accommodate her.

Cressida's eyes glanced over at him as he drove the car. She would have honestly loved to have spent more time with Dante, loved to have been more involved in his life. Some days she just wished that she could stay here, never go back home. That would have been a choice that would have left her without a family and put not only herself but Apollin and Dante in danger as well. She wished that he could understand her choices and why she did as she did. Why she chose the safer route to make sure none of them were in danger, that she would still have her family.

Her eyes made their way back to the streets. London was an interesting city, a beautiful city, she preferred being here more than she did when she was in Greece. She just never liked the journey there. If only she had known that nearly a decade ago when he had begged her to go with him. His voice drew her eyes back over to him ”Traffic is being kind on us today... seems like we'll be back at the house in fifteen minutes or so.” ”Thank Merlin, I don't know if I can sit in this contraption for a moment longer than that. In the future we should just apparate, or walk, I don't mind the time that it could take,” she told him. There was no doubt about it, moving things in general just wasn't up for her. She couldn't stand sitting in this car, and she also very much disliked train travel. ”You know what, Dante, I would actually appreciate it if I could come along with the two of you to the zoo, it would be a nice way to relax, if I can just freshen up a bit first though, if I won't be a bother or in the way,” she said after putting some thought into it.

Cressida wish she could freely speak with Dante, but with Apollin here, it wasn't possible. She wished she could actually talk to him, a real conversation with him actually sober. During a time where she didn't have to worry about him, take care of him and make sure that he would be okay. She wished she could reopen their book and write some new pages. For now, though, she could settle on new experiences with him. She could settle for a happy day with him, something that neither of them had honestly had with each other in an incredibly long time, since at least the day Apollin had been conceived.

*template by Fiona Maccafferty of CTTW!

[DANTE APOSTOLOS CARPETHOS]

If all that we are is two matching scars Lines in our movie
The same favorite song we both sing along Then i don't wanna be in love

Nodding Dante made sure not to show a face of rejection as Cressida turned down his suggestion to join him at the zoo. No, she was right, this time was for him and Apollin he couldn't expect her to take part as well. Still he wished she had wanted to join them, or that she would, it had seemed like she had wanted to as well - or maybe he really was just that keen to dream that she might. Instead Dante just nodded and made a sound of acceptance as he kept his eyes on the road. It would do no good to beg, even less so with Apollin there to see.

A faint smirk turned upwards at the corner of his lips as Cress went on about the car. Maybe he shouldn't have been amused but it was just funny how deep her distaste of travel could be. He was about to make a remark about how he could bring her a sleeping draft too or charm her into forgetting she was in a car. Of course next time they would figure something else out, something she felt more comfortable with. But before he could make his little joke Cress shocked him a little expressing her change of mind and how she actually was keen to join them at the zoo, well there was no hiding the smile that crept on to his lips. "No bother at all - means I don't have to try and change your mind now too, I think we all will have an even better trip with you joining us." There was a tone in his words that wasn't often heard, somewhere between excitement and joy - things he often struggled to feel these days. "And we don't even have to take the car."

It was a minor change to his plan, but changes like these were ones he never really minded. He was hopeless for Cressida's attention and craved being a father to Apollin more than he ever dare admit, there was little he wouldn't do to enjoy every moment he could steal with them. Still the excitement of going to the zoo now was all the more for Dante knowing he was getting more than he had hoped for even if it wasn't going to be the family zoo trip of his dreams it was a step closer. His replies became more automated as he continued on the way, he let Cress enjoy the view as best she could while he made sure he got them to the house safely.

The drive took a little longer than Dante had expected they had hit a few more red lights than Dante had expected. The down fall to non flying cars, you had to obey traffic laws. Pulling into the garage he shut off the car and turned to Cress. "You go ahead and freshen up, I take the bags in and get Pollin all ready to head to the zoo." Sometimes Dante found himself wondering if Luca ever took time to help care for Apollin, dress her, make sure she was getting fed - or did he pass her off to a nanny or Cress at every moment possible? Honestly he wasn't to hurt at the idea of Luca having next to no interaction with his child. But at the same time the girl deserved a father....guess that was just another reason he wanted to try so hard to make this work.

Stepping out of the car he moved to the back door to let Apollin out. "And don't worry about rushing, there are plenty of ways Apollin and I can keep entertained, so really - take your time." He hoped Cress understood she was no inconveniencing him at all, that he was actually very happy she was coming along. He helped the child out of her seat and out of the car shutting both his door and hers once she was clear from the vehicle. Next he went to the trunk for the bags. He followed both Cress and Apollin into the house taking extra time to make sure he locked them in. They might not have been followed but that didn't mean he was about to leave the house unlocked - even more so when his family was actually in it. Setting the bags on the floor he looked around.

Not much had changed about the house since the less time Cressida had been in it, after all it was around for one reason and one reason only - for this. He looked to Cress and offered a small smile, this was a moment they both could take to relax after the morning the both no doubt found stressful. "I'll take Apollin to her room, we'll get her settled in and I'll show her the new books I picked up for her, you can come find us when you're ready." It felt impersonal on some level, to have her here in this house and than sort of just brush her off. He couldn't treat her the way he wanted though, not in front of their daughter - her daughter, his niece. This was just how it had to be for now.

NOTES: omg - so much feels about what is going to come!
WORDS: 871 TAG: CRESSIDA THEA PANOS

[CRESSIDA THEA PANOS]

Words: 796 | Tag: DANTE APOSTOLOS CARPETHOS
Notes: Gonna give opportunity for just Dante and Apollin atm.

Cressida noted his nod when she had initially turned down the offer for her to join them at the zoo. She also made note of the smirk that he had made when she mentioned her distaste for the car that they were in. She'd never liked traveling, but being in a car seemed to make it worse.

A change in her mind made the small accepting nod turn into a smile. ”No bother at all – means I don't have to try and change your mind now too, I think we all will have an even better trip with you joining us.” He then added that they didn't even need to take the car. ”Oh thank Merlin, I am glad that I will not have to sit in this contraption to get to a place that is supposed to be relaxing,” she said with a smile. She knew when she said that she did want to go, he wouldn't mind making the change to his plans. That was the thing, Dante never did mind to make a change for her. There was no doubt that even after all these years the two still had a fondness for each other. For Cress it was a love that never went away.

They pulled into the garage and he turned off the car. He told her to go freshen up and he would take the bags in and get Apollin ready to leave for the zoo. ”No, I can get her ready, you shouldn't need to bother yourself with it,” she told him. She always got Apollin ready. And while she wouldn't have minded him getting Apollin ready, she wasn't used to having the help except when Apollin was younger and had a nanny. Now mostly it was just on Cress. ”I can get freshened up and then I will get her ready, it will only take me a few minutes,” she said softly.

Dante was already out of the car and let Apollin out. ”And don't worry about rushing, there are plenty of ways Apollin and I can keep entertained, so really – take your time.” She knew that wouldn't be able to argue with him after he said that. ”Well let me pick her something nice to wear so you can help get her ready,” she said softly. Dante had grabbed the bags and then sat them inside. Cressida had leaned over the bags and pulled out a white collared undershirt and a light blue sweater with a pair a black pants for her. ”Apollin, change into these once you get settled,” she told the young girl, once Dante had told her that he would get her settled and show her new books. Apollin nodded and agreed.

”I shouldn't be long,” she told him. ”Thank you for your help.” She turned and made her way up to the room. The house was very much the same as when she left. She knew the purpose of this home. It was at this point that she got changed out and dipped down into the warm bath which she just sat and relaxed for several moments.


Apollin had gotten excited when she heard that Dante had gotten new books. ”Uncle Dante, what kind of books did you get?” she asked him. She held the clothes that Cressida had picked out for her in one arm and grabbed his hand to nearly drag him to her room. She'd been here enough to know it's exact location. ”Mother bought me a book before the train ride, I finished it before we got to the station,” she told him with a smile. Apollin definitely showed the influences that she had from Cress. She loved to read and was much like how Cress was at that age.

Apollin was raised the same that Cress was due to their family. Much like Cress Apollin had to be proper. And much like Cress, she had the wild side that her mother had, that she wanted to be out, she wanted to have adventures. Cress did what her own parents did for her with Apollin, she introduced her to books, she introduced her to adventures within the spine of a cover with a title. And Apollin got excited whenever she was given a new book. It was a new story, a new adventure, a new way to live.

She had pulled him along like any determined child and pulled him up to the bedroom. She had heard the conversation of the zoo, she had been excited for that, but books were something that would stay with her longer than a few hours. She got excited for the books. Had she not been taught to be calm and polite she probably would have been bouncing off the walls.

*template by Fiona Maccafferty of CTTW!

[DANTE APOSTOLOS CARPETHOS]

If all that we are is two matching scars Lines in our movie
The same favorite song we both sing along Then i don't wanna be in love

It was always amusing to watch Cress fight to give up control even if she never could seem to give it up completely. Well no sometimes it pissed him off, a lot, but in this moment Dante just found himself laughing on the inside at how she struggled to just let him help. Of course he also wasn't thinking about all the reason behind why she struggled to accept help with their daughter - after all it wasn't as if his brother was lifting a finger when it came to the care of Apollin. Truth be told though it was best that Cress pick out an outfit for the girl instead of leaving it to the chance that the two of them could actually manage to dress her like a proper young lady and some parent-less ruffian. As she thanked him Dante just looked at her with a soft smile, "Of course, now, take some time - for you."

When Cress had finally headed on her own to relax and prepare herself for the family outting Dante found himself alone with his daughter. It was hard to feel so many emotion as he looked upon her. Over the years she had started to favor her mother in looks, his features had almost all but vanished - except that eyes that mirrored his own. She was lucky to favor her mother in looks though, she was growing into a very beautiful young lady. It was heartbreaking in many ways for Dante each glimpse into his daughter's life was short and each time she seemed as if she had grown up in so many ways. Most parents felt pride in this growth, Dante couldn't help but feel loss. It was the necessary evil of keeping her safe though.

Hearing the child address him, would it ever not feel strange to hear her call him Uncle? Still while he had a hate for the title he found himself always feeling a warmth in his chest when he heard the tone she would call to him in. She was innocent to the blood on his hands and the sins of his past, shielded from the life of a Panos - Cressida was to thank for preserving her innocence as much as she could. As his blue eyes met his daughter's he couldn't help the smile that spread across his lips. Out of all the wrong he had done in this world....Apollin was his right, his good, his light.

"I guess its a good thing your Uncle knew to pick you up a number of books than!" Dante beamed at the girl as he carefully took her hand and lead her through the halls to the room that had been made up to be her's, using magic he floated the bag that seemed to be her's down the hall with them, Cress could unpack it later but he would at least take it to the room for her. Of course it was similar to the room she had back at home, Dante couldn't object though after all he'd had not a clue how to have the room for her initially. "Do you remember when I came to France to escort you and your mother, and we went to that pet shop and you picked out that goldfish, Amadeus? Well I have been keeping him at my shop taking care of him, but I brought him here to keep you company while you and your mother visit."

Now Dante honestly knew very little about being a father, so often he felt like Cress ought to hold his hand through the whole thing and tell him that it was going to be alright and that he could do it. But it was hard when he had never known a loving father. He wanted something better for Apollin though, which was why he wished Luca was not in his daughter's life at all - some day, some day he would make sure Luca would never be a part of any of their lives.

"As for your books...well it has to be our secret how much your Uncle spoiled you today - you have quiet the selection now! There's a few I got in France on magical entomology, I also picked you up a few books about the sand ruins hidden in the middle east and a book on pyramids - the ones the muggles don't even know about. Of course, since you shouldn't just have to read educational books I went out and I found this popular novel series that other wizards and witches your age are rather fond of - it has 9 books in total! So should keep you busy for a least a day, although it is in English so you might not be up for that challenge yet!" Of course Dante was joking about it being a challenge, Apollin was picking up her languages exceptionally - though she was his daughter after all.

Maybe it seemed strange to get her books on bugs and ruins but they were things he had been interested in when he was her age - maybe even still he was interested if he didn't have to focus so much on the life he lived. This was his way to try and bond with her, to share things he knew - things that didn't have to do with being a Panos, that didn't have to do with being a hunter. This was how he could just be her father for a moment, her father teaching her about the wide world she lived in. Floating the bag to the floor Dante continued to lead his daughter to the book shelf that housed the row of fresh new books, of course it was already a rather full bookshelf a collection he had been building over the years.

"Pick a short one and we can read through it, you can show me how much you've learned since last time, than you can change into the outfit your mother picked for you and if your mother is still relaxing we can pick another and than I'm sure we all will be ready to head to the zoo for an adventure." Dante grinned at his daughter even with all the concerns she brought these times were precious to him, moments he became a man he didn't know existed. How could someone so cold, so heartless as he - how was it that being around this little light brought out this stranger, this man who felt so much? Dante wasn't sure he would ever understand the way Apollin changed him, instead he just did his best to try and embrace it, did his best to try and be the father he felt she deserved.

NOTES: omg daddy dante!
WORDS: 1128 TAG: CRESSIDA THEA PANOS

[CRESSIDA THEA PANOS]

Words: 485 | Tag: DANTE APOSTOLOS CARPETHOS
Notes: Daddy Dante

Cress had slipped into the bath and began to relax. Dante was most definitely not his brother, or his father. Despite everything they’d been through there were things he did that still showed he cared. She closed her eyes as she relaxed in the bath. It was nice to relax without having to worry about what Apollin was doing. At least Dante tried, Luca on the other hand was another story one for another day.

-------

There was a spark in Apollin’s eyes when she spoke to Dante about books, there was always a spark in her eyes whenever books came into a conversation. Much like her mother books seemed to be her life. Cressida introduced her to the stories of the world to keep Apollin from seeing things that she had seen a number of times herself. She shielded her daughter for protection. She did all she could to ensure that Apollin would be protected.

Dante asked her if she remembered the time she picked out a goldfish while they’d been in France. Apollin grinned, ”I love Amadeus! Thank you so much Uncle Dante!” She wrapped her arms around him with a happy hug.

”As for your books… well it has to be our secret how much your Uncle spoiled you today - you have quite the selection now” Apollin turned towards the bookshelf as they got into the room. ”Pick a short one and we can read through it, you can show me how much you’ve learned since last time, than you can change into the outfit your mother picked for you and if your mother is relaxing we can pick another and then I’m sure we will be ready to head to the zoo for an adventure.” Her eyes scanned each binding on the book but before she selected a book she turned back to Dante. ”Uncle Dante, why do mother and you always want me to keep this a secret?” she asked. Apollin knew that her father didn’t like Dante, she didn’t understand why but Cress had always stressed that it was important that no one knew just how they spent their time when they traveled, it was always important if Uncle Dante was involved that secrets be held even more so. Cressida never explained it, there was no way she could explain everything to her. The older Apollin got the more she wanted to know about what was going on around her. She could see things that she wasn’t sure about and she wanted to know. Apollin was incredibly intelligent and she picked up on things quite easily. She’d tried to ask Cressida why but Cressida wouldn’t give in to her questions. No risks could be taken with everything that was going on now. Not with Luca’s temper and Cressida wasn’t going to risk anything happen, whether it be to Dante, Apollin or herself.

*template by Fiona Maccafferty of CTTW!

[DANTE APOSTOLOS CARPETHOS]

If all that we are is two matching scars Lines in our movie
The same favorite song we both sing along Then i don't wanna be in love

As Dante held the child he couldn't help but wonder how he managed to aid in creating something so wonderful - so pure. He might have hugged her too tight or too long and he always tried to just laugh it off as just being that overly lovey uncle. It hurt in some ways too though. Having her this close, he could feel how she had grown since the last time. So many changes he had missed. He wasn't keen to let her out of his arms but he didn't want to be thought of as creepy either.

Watching her look over the books brought a smile to his face. Alone time with her was the most valuable thing to the young man - if only he realized this when she wasn't here as well. He waited for her to pick out a book but instead Apollin turned away from the books. It puzzled him at first but before he could question what was the matter his child opened her mouth.

Dante couldn't help but press his lips together in a slightly frustrated way. He couldn't even think of which language he could curse in with out her knowing he was saying something bad. Failing he sighed. It was inevitable that one day Apollin would ask this question (maybe in his own foolish way Dante had wished the child would figure it out for herself, that some how she knew when she saw him). Regardless he had to think of a way to answer his child while protecting her innocence. If she was anything like her mother (which she undoubtedly was) she wasn't going to be happy with just any made up answer.

"Well...that's a bit difficult for me to explain - you see Apollin I'm on this super secret mission that is very important to my brother - Luca, your...father - but part of that mission, is that no one is to know that I'm, me. So we have to keep your visits a secret because I'm not supposed to see the family at all...." It was the truth, stretched. Luca had mentioned killing him if he found him around the family when he wasn't summoned. Luca often mentioned killing him though - so far only one of them managed to kill a brother. Dante felt a panic coming as well, Cress had worked hard to make sure Apollin knew very little about the Panos family - had he said too much on that matter as well?

"I know that doesn't tell you much, but your father's business isn't anything you need to worry about. Your uncle just gets lonely - Amadeus isn't always the best company to keep." Dante hoped his answer would be satisfactory to the child. It was more than he ought to have told her - but if he shifted the focus on it being a business matter maybe it would keep the question at bay for a while. The truth could not come out at a time like this - not matter how much he ached for his child to know him as she always should have.

"...You're mother was one of my best friends when I was a kid - before she married my brother. And you, well you're my favorite niece, and not just because your cousins are only boys. So, when I feel homesick it's always really nice to see your mother, and you." Dante smiled at his daughter, but also to himself as he spoke, now that was all truth. Of course it still didn't really answer why it had to be a secret - only just a way to explain why he would even ask them to keep secrets.

NOTES: ahaha Dante will panic about this later to Cress
WORDS: 620 TAG: CRESSIDA THEA PANOS