Chapter Text
"Karai, come to the throne room, please. I have a surprise for you." Daddy said. Karai looked up from cleaning her blade to see her father standing in the doorway of her room, a smile on his scarred face. The little girls brown eyes widened as she hopped up to her feet. "Really, Daddy? What is it? Huh, huh? Oh let's go! I wanna see it!" Karai ran past her father, through the halls and soon burst through the throne room doors and ran to his throne, hopping over the steps that led to it. She looked around the back, the front, the sides, nothing. She pouted. Where was her surprise?
"I don't think your supposed to be up there." A small voice said from the shadows. Karai turned to see a red headed girl with freckles walk out from the shadows. Karai sniffed, her excitement turning to suspicion. She leapt from the throne, pulling her small blade from her belt and glared at the intruder. "Who are you?" She snarled.
The red headed girl smiled, dropping into a crouch, a perfect copy of Karai's. The only difference was, the red head didn't have any weapons. "My name's April." The red head answered. Karai snorted. "Why are you here? How did you get to Daddy's throne room?"
"The man in silver? He let me in. He said he could help me."
Karai was floored. She froze in shock. Her father had taken in some kid off the street? What did this kid need help with anyway? Karai looked at her, truly looked at her. Her knee high light brown pants were faded, one leg had a hole in it, her socks were ripped, her shoes were worn and scuffed, her grey sweater looked to big on her. Her face looked thin, her cheekbones showing, her eyes looked tired, her face was sunken in slightly. Her hands were boney, her fingers all but skin on bone. Karai huffed, standing up from her position.
Kids probably to weak to be a decent fight anyway, or a decent thief. Why would Daddy wanna help her though? Where is he anyway? He should've been here by now...
"What's your name?" April asked, standing from her position as well.
Karai wasn't sure if she was allowed to tell or not. Would that get her in trouble? Was the girl even telling the truth? Karai sighed. "Come with me." Karai walked until she was at the doors of the throne room, she opened one then turned to the other girl who hadn't moved, only her head and eyes to watch Karai.
April tilted her head. "Why?"
Karai rolled her eyes. "I'm taking you to Father."
"No need, Karai. I'm here." Father said from the doorway she stood at. Karai jumped, her head whipping to see the tall form of her father. Karai sighed. Sneaking up on people all the time ugh...Whatever.
"Mister!" April cried, running forward, shoving past Karai and hugged her father around the legs. Karai growled, glaring at the girl. "Hey watch it!" She snapped.
"Karai." Daddy's deep stern voice made her lower her head, standing to attention. Karai watched through her lashes as Daddy gently moved April away, took her hand and stepped into the throne room, closing the door. Daddy walked until he was in the middle of the room then sat on the floor. April followed him like a shadow, sitting across from him, staring at him like he was the sun. Karai glared at the girl. Daddy made a gesture with his hand for Karai to join them so join them Karai did, taking a seat far from the new girl.
"Karai, April is the surprise." Daddy said softly. "Why? Why would you take this street rat in? Why would you help her? What's she need help with anyway?"
Daddy sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. Karai blinked. Daddy's maskless. He's not wearing his helmet...Does he trust this kid already? Or is he going to kill her? He normally only takes it off if the person seeing won't be seeing anything else soon after. Karai sighed, confused then alarmed as April stood, walking over to Daddy and running her small dirty hand over his scarred face, from his cheek to his forehead until he grabbed her little hand in his hand. Karai was sure he was going to break every bone in it but he shocked her as he smiled, leaning his face in her palm. What's going on? Why would he...? Why would she...? What?!
Daddy's eyes, gentle, so very gentle and loving, turned from April to Karai, but those eyes that were gentle for April, turned hard as flint as they landed on his daughter. Karai flinched, lowering her head. Why is he being so nice to her? What did I do? I'm not the one touching him. He doesn't like anyone touching his face...Yet that girl...Why her? Why would she be so stupid as to just walk up to him and do that?
"Karai."
Her eyes lifted to meet her father's unwavering gaze. He then shocked her even more as he pulled April in for a sideways hug. April squealed and threw herself in his arms, he laughed as he hugged her softly, gazing at Karai over the red heads shoulder. "April here will be staying with you for the time being. Show her the ropes."
Karai felt her resolve and common sense snap as she narrowed her eyes at him. "Why is-"
"Karai." His eyes narrowed at her, his warning clear. She growled softly, lowering her head. She glared at April through her lashes as the girl kissed Daddy's cheek before pulling away, skipping over to Karai who snapped her head up, rolling out of the way as April tried to hug her. The red head only caught air as Karai rolled into a crouch, glaring at the intruder who had someone manipulated her father into acting different and taking her in and somehow sneaking her way into staying in Karai's room. That was her room! Daddy was her Daddy! No silly little street rat should be kissing him and hugging him! Karai herself...could hardly get a hug...She narrowed her eyes and leaped at the girl who squeaked, jumping back. Karai landed on her left foot, whirling around and trying to punch April who ducked.
"Yame!"
Karai froze. April looked at Daddy dumbly, confused. Karai felt fear wash over her, drowning her anger and confusion. "Karai, go to your room, I'll be there shortly."
"Father-"
"Do not make me repeat myself or take you there, my daughter."
Karai bit her tongue. She knew what that meant. She sighed and bowed, then left.