July 4th, 1889 — St. Mungos

Charlie was generally an individual with a bit of pep in his step, but not today, not ever again the way he saw it. He sighed and slumped down into the seat just outside he mediwitch's office. His life was over, and he wasn't quite sure how to cope with it.

That was the problem with having a quaint life. When things became rocky, strength was hard to find. What would Angelica think? What would her family think? She was a nine he was, well he felt like a 0. His disfigured expression sank down into his claw like hands. At least he still had a job at the museum? Yeah, as a part of the freak show exhibit.

A tear trailed down his cheek and he quickly wiped it a way. He was a man. He wasn't going to cry, sleep maybe, for eternity if he could get away with it. He sighed and ran a hand through his long hair. This was not the way life was supposed to go, this was not what he had planned! Dishonoring his family, his name, his future all in one, gulp.

Ace Lukeson

  

Ace had always liked Charlie. Not nearly as purist as his mother, if at all, the Operine cousin was likable in nature and great to talk to. Even if his mother was a pain. What didn't help now was the fact that this was practically Ace's fault. Wanting to spend time simply doing potions and ignoring the world. Look how well that turned out.

If Ace wasn't the first born of his branch, Jade might have actually attempted to kill him. Though that might be some overdramatic thoughts brought on by Ace's anxiety over this whole situation. Still, Ace didn't see this as life ruining for his cousin. A bit of a problem, sure. But ruined? Absolutely not. The man was still amazing, as he was kind and thoughtful. If anything, Ace had likely saved him from a loveless marriage to a purist brat.

So now, as he walked up to his cousin, he gave a sheepish smile. "How are you, Charlie? Doing any better?" He asked as he sat down next to the soon-to-be-former patient of the hospital.

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Set by Me

Charles lifted his head to peer at his cousin, and for the first time in probably his entire life he sounded angry. Charles never got angry, he was perhaps the most lax out of his brothers, brushing off just about everything, which is how he somehow managed to snag a high maintenance bride to be, well snagged and lost. "Ace!? Look at me! There's no cure! None, it's permanent, forever!" His voice was booming and loud and an animal like growl deep within his gut emerged in such a way it would raise the finest of hairs on every person nearby.

After all Ace was a pretty boy, who showed promise beyond his looks with some remarkable talents, though right not Charles couldn't think of any of them, all he wanted to do was rip that smile off his damn face. Charles was the, "I'm the hag of men!" He stood up abruptly his nostrils flaring, his fingers folding into fists and stretching out once again only to repeat themselves. He also wasn't quite sure where this anger was stemming from, but it was taking everything in him not to deck his cousin, or throw the chair he had just been in across the room, or punch the wall. He was shaking and he didn't even realize it, red flaring before his eyes in warning, but he didn't know it.

  

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It was true that seeing Charles so angry was not very typical for Ace. Charles was always the most calm one. Something Ace had always admired. When Avril had ran off, he was sure Charles would have handled it better. While it did startle him, he didn't shy away. But the attempt at a smile did vanish. "I know. Your mother's howler informed me promptly." It wasn't as if it had been completely his fault. He'd never told his cousin to drink the potion. But Charles was upset, and rightly so. There was no use in arguing.

He watched as his cousin stood and Ace held back a sigh. It's not like he had a solution. Even with magic, this couldn't simply go away. They had to live through it, grow from it, and eventually move on. "Getting angry won't solve anything. You still have a life, a family." Even if aunt Jade rejected him, he knew he wouldn't. Mother wouldn't. Every decent member of their family wouldn't. Wasn't that what mattered? Sure, finding a wife would be nice. But at the end of the day, he had people who cared about him for him, not a pretty face.

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Set by Me

Charles took a breath, or two, or three, and tried to calm down. "I know...I know..." Came the logical part of him, "But it would feel really good just to- to- to hit something right now!" The words that tumbled out of his mouth gave his mind and heart a tumble as well. He had never wanted to hurt anyone or anything in his life. It was very uncharacteristic of him.

"What's happening to me?" A hint of fear peeked through his voice. Had the potion done more than alter his appearance, had it messed with his mind as well. He looked over to Ace, a silent plea for help. He did not want to end up in an asylum they did dreadful things to people there. He looked around and people honestly looked mortified of him, and children hid behind their parents legs. He looked back to Ace, a mixture of emotions in his gaze, but every single one of them lead to pain.

Charles loved children, he loved making people smile and laugh. Now look at them, he was vile. Would his family tolerate it? He knew his mother cared quite a bit about image. "What will?" He asked in regards to a solution quietly a groan ever present that might make one pity the beast. He didn't blame Ace, he just didn't know how to deal with his current situation.

  

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Was this how it was going to be? So much negativity from one who used to be so happy. It really was something else in Ace's eyes. How much can change from one potion. "Well, perhaps you can take up boxing." Though partially sarcastic, it might not have been a bad idea to help Charles get rid of some tension.

Ace couldn't help his sigh now. "I'm sure once you get over the shock, your mind shall start clearing." He reasoned. One could only hope. And his cousin being labeled as crazy certainly wouldn't help anyone.

Things wouldn't be the same, but Ace felt they could get back to normal. A new normal. Perhaps less parties, and more... horseback riding or something. Hunting would certainly be interesting. Some travelling perhaps?

"Behaving normal. Enjoying life. You can still do things, have fun. Sure, a few less parties, but that means more time finding other interesting things to do." He offered. Acting like it was the end of the world would likely make it feel more like it was ending. But acting like everything was fine? It would certainly help, Ace reasoned.

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Set by Me

Charles heard Ace's words, but one had to wonder where he got the chalk board from as it sounded akin to nails dragging. He took a deep breathe, a calming breathe, a-- his fist flew back and went flying. He didn't know where it would land or what it would hit, but his war cry sounded akin to, "STOP IT!"

Red flared through his mind and into his vision. He had never punched anything or anyone, but perhaps Ace was right about one thing. Boxing may very well become a new hobby. His hearth thumped hard as it pumped the adrenaline. He needed a friend, his best friend, but he needed time to come to grips with the situation as well. Time he hadn't really been allotted in the span of his mistake and his diagnosis.

  

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This was the real shocking blow, Ace decided as he dodged Charles's fist. The punch landed against the wall, but it was enough to rattle the Ravenclaw as he stood up and stepped back.

Perhaps seeing him this soon had been a bad idea. This was certainly not his usual behavior, but was it his new behaviour? "I should go." He stated blankly. What else could be said at this point?

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Set by Me

The wall cracked and left a hint of a crater in the wake of Charles fist that was not burning as it became bruised and bloodied with the impact, with it went all of Charles anger and with it came the clarity of what he had done, or what he had attempted to do. He stared at his own hand in disbelief and then the impact he had made on the wall.

Where had that come from? What had he done it? Was this the new normal? Could he control it? His mind reeled to the point that he didn't quite hear his cousin say he should leave, and he began to shake as the rest of his nerve exited the body. Finally he looked up, "I'm- I'm sorry." He sounded more bewildered than anything else. This new Charles would take some getting used to, maybe perhaps he should take up meditation too. If Ace wanted to leave, Charles would not stop him, but the man did worry what kind of damage his actions had just inflicted on the sanctity of their brotherly bond.

  

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He hesitated and looked again to his cousin. The man had apologized, and his tone seemed to take a turn. But perhaps Ace being here was too much. "I'm going to go, Charles. I think space is best for now." Hopefully only for now.

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Set by Me

Charles gave a solemn nod and swallowed hard. He took a seat and a breath. He needed to figure out what was going on with him, on the inside more than the outside. He sighed and shook his head. Healing took time, but Ace was right, space was needed.

  

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