The Age of The Masrui

“I... okay. Do you need your mother there too?”

Sienna nodded, adding quietly, "Uncle Cal is here too."

(( Sorry, got put into a group activity with the girl I fell out with 3 weeks ago and we haven't spoken since. I wanted to die It helped that we both felt awkward ))

“I’ll grab her and meet you downstairs.” Maddox nodded before heading into the bedroom.

((Oh no, at least it was virtual))

(( We giggled the situation off. I still hate her though You know those people that just grate on you? She is one of those ))

---

"Was that See's voice I heard? I thought she was with Grayson tonight." Marlowe hummed, sat cross-legged on the bed with her laptop in front of her and a drink in her hand.

---

Sienna headed downstairs, nodding toward the living room at Caliban before heading in ahead of him.

“She wants a chat...” Maddox sighed softly.

---

Caliban followed her in.

"That sounds.... serious." Marlowe grimaced, grabbing the glass of whisky she had poured him and offering it out to him. "We're going to need more of this stuff,"

---

"I- what do I start with? There's so much... can you.. can you lead?"

“I’d start with the kid, Felix and go from there.”

---

“She’s brought Cal for backup.”

Marlowe grimaced, closing the laptop and downing her drink before getting to her feet. "Lets get it over with then, whatever it is."

---

"I.. OK.. "

Maddox nodded, heading down into the sitting room before perching on the couch. “So... what’s up?”

"I uh.. Well.. Felix has been coming to the parties and things recently." Sienna began, shifting her weight uncomfortably on the edge of the sofa. Swallowing thickly as Marlowe sat down beside Maddox and frowned at her.

"Has he hurt yo-"

"No.. no." She shook her head. "I- I've been wanting him there so he and I could spend more time together."

“We know you want to be his friend Sienna...”

"No... not that it even really matters but.. not friend, more. We uh, we've kissed and stuff."

Maddox tended, flexing his jaw to calm down. “You... you have feelings for him?” He asked quietly.

"You kissed a boy involved in tormenting you? Was this since you've been home or was it back then? We'll have to let the police know, add another charge t-"

"No! No." Sienna exclaimed, moving her hand up to run her forehead. "Yes. I have feelings for him, yes a- and he likes me too, I - I think. He doesn't know he.. he is hard to read, or I am being stupid."

“Have you done anything else?” Maddox grimaced

Sienna shook her head in the negative.

"He is taking advantage of you." Marlowe muttered, shoulders tensing. "This - this isn't right."

"I kissed him first, I - I intiate it every time actually so uh.. yeah he doesnt know how he feels."

“The boy may be a perpetrator but he’s also a victim too. The kid can barely read.” Caliban sighed softly. “I asked Karsi for details from his tutor. He can’t read past the level Christian is on, his school results are shocking, you saw how skinny and malnourished he was when he got picked up... the kid doesn’t have any friends or family... he was excited about prison because it was a guaranteed bed and food... this situation isn’t ideal, far from it. And I don’t think it’s the healthiest of relationships or necessarily one that will last but I don’t think the kid has it in him to take advantage, I don’t think he’s... mentally up to it.”

Maddox just sighed deeply. “I.... I don’t think this relationship is a good one for you Sienna. You... you understand what Stockholm syndrome is don’t you?”

"I don't know the ins and outs but I know the basics." Sienna answered, wrinkling her nose up in clear irritation as her fingers dug into the edge of the sofa. "Maybe I am crazy, not - not because I like him though. No, no.. different reason I am crazy."

"Your not.. not crazy Sienna." Marlowe frowned. "Who has called you crazy."

"Grayson. Theo alluded to it, didn't use the words but 'that is insane' may as well be 'you are insane'."

“You’re not crazy Sienna... but this isn’t... usual behaviour. Most people don’t end up falling for their captors... you know this”

"He isn't his brother." She insisted. "He is the reason I am alive, he is the reason the police found me. He cares, and he cared even though some days he never came in at all and I was sure his brother had killed him."

"I want to believe you. I spoke to him, and I want to believe him too it's just..."

"You can be mad at his brother, you can wish him dead a- and everything you want to do but not him. Felix isn't his brother, he was caught up in it all as much as me only he didn't have anyone to rescue him."

"He isn't his brother." She insisted. "He is the reason I am alive, he is the reason the police found me. He cares, and he cared even though some days he never came in at all and I was sure his brother had killed him."

"I want to believe you. I spoke to him, and I want to believe him too it's just..."

"You can be mad at his brother, you can wish him dead a- and everything you want to do but not him. Felix isn't his brother, he was caught up in it all as much as me only he didn't have anyone to rescue him."

“Marlowe... remember how Altair was convinced you were in on some big conspiracy to bring the family down... but the truth is you were just a kid from the other side of the wealth line who fell in love with someone when they showed you basic kindness and decency?” Caliban said gently. “Your daughter is you... just a bit younger and she’s on the opposite side this time.”

"I-" Marlowe began, making a quiet noise of frustration; uncomfortable with the parallels. Turning her gaze onto Maddox to see what he was making of it all.

"He is going to end up in prison anyway," Sienna added sadly when the silence had rested. "He doesn't think he deserves anything else; thinks that is too good for him. He doesn't see that he deserves so much more."

“You two weren’t supposed to fall in love and you did despite everything... your daughter is trying to be honest with you instead of bottling it up. She’s coming to you as an adult because she’s having adult feelings. She was scared you’d shout and not understand... so prove her wrong?”

"We aren't shouting." Marlowe answered with a shake of her head. "I- I think Mads is right though, this just seems like Stockholm Syndrome."