Title: Lycan Tales
Genre: Drama, suspense
Characters: Julius, Gemini, Footpads(aka Ramirez and Onyx)
Prompt: 097~Facade
Word Count: 1,830~ish
Rating: PG-13
Type: Series
Summary: Julius has the blinders ripped from his eyes
Warnings: Language, violence
Julius trudged along as he tried to ignore the water that was making his sweater heavy and the rain that was slipping down his neck. Someone had stolen his book bag. His Batman book bag that mom had gotten for him for the new school year. He had put it down on the chair beside him as he had sat at the bus terminal waiting for a bus into the city. He must have fallen asleep, it was past his bedtime, because the lady at the counter came and gently shook his shoulder.
“Five more minutes mom,” he mumbled.
“Sweetheart, were you waiting for someone? The last bus just left.”
Jolting upright he had scrubbed at his eyes and looked around the near empty terminal. He absently groped for his book bag but kept coming up empty handed.
“Honey, what are you doing?”
The lady had a nice voice and she smelled good but Julius didn’t care. His book bag!! With almost all his money in it. His lower lip trembled but he caught it between his teeth.
“Did you want me to call your par-”
Getting up from his seat Julius raced out of the terminal and down the street. He kept running until he was out of breath and now here he was…without his Batman book bag.
“Man, this sucks!”
He saw the lady leaning but mom had always told him not to talk to strangers so he kept walking, keeping a wary eye on her out the corner of his eye.
He stopped when he saw the man laying down by the trashcans. At least he thought it was a man. All he could see was his legs and the top of his hat. Shuffling his feet he planted his hands on his waist as he stared down.
Mom always says we gotta help those who can’t help themselves. Dad always says it’s survival of the fittest. Maybe that was true in the pack but full humans were different.
“Sir? ‘Scuse me, sir? Are you….are you okay?”
“Piss off kid,” came a deep gravelly voice underneath of the blankets.
“Sir, if you need some ‘sitance there’s a shelter in-”
“Kid, leave me the hell alone! I don’t need no fucking shelter.”
Julius heaved a sigh. Why wouldn’t the man want a shelter? Maybe the lady would know how to help him. Yeah, she might know. Turning, he let out a startled yelp as he took a hasty step back and tripped over his own feet.
Wincing, he looked up as the lady cracked her knuckles over him. Standing, he took a step back.
“I didn’t hear you come up behind me ma’am.”
“Well, aren’t you a polite one?”
Her voice was deeper than his mom’s and she smelled like the bottles in dad’s cabinet that he was never allowed to touch. He took another smaller step back.
She grinned and Julius watched the cigarette shift in her mouth..
“Gemini, get the hell away from me and take the stupid kid too.”
“Shut it up Ivan,” she snapped as she lifted her foot and gave the man a sharp kick before she turned back to smile down at him. The man let out a curse then rolling over began to snore.
“What are you doing on this side of town sweetness?”
“I missed the bus.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Got some place to go?”
Julius nodded. “I’m looking for my uncle. ’Cept he’s not really uncle, he’s my cousin and he doesn’t know that I’m looking for him. And where am I?”
“Hillcrest.” She laughed when he frowned.
“Yeah, you’ve never been out of your gated community have you?”
Something in her voice made Julius tense up and take another step away. She grinned at him and took a step closer.
“Yeah, with your designer duds on I bet you’ve never even heard of Hillcrest.”
Designer duds? Julius looked down at his clothes. They were just…clothes. Something that he pulled out of his closet every day. Nothing special. What was this lady talking about?
“Didn’t your mommy ever tell you that you should never leave home after dark?”
Julius nodded. “Cause of bad people who do bad thing.”
“Yeah…bad people like me.” Her smile was replaced with a scowl.
“You think you have some right to come into my territory and just walk around as if you own it? I don’t think so kiddo.”
“I-I wasn’t. I didn’t know! Wh-”
“Ignorance isn’t an excuse. First rule of the street kid. And unfortunately for you, lucky for me, you’ve broken it.”
“Ma’am, I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about. All I wanted to do-”
“Name’s Gemini. Make sure you remember it when you go back home. If you go back home. Footpads! Get him. His clothes should get us a little dough.”
“Sure thing Gemini!”
“Aye, aye Cap’n!”
Julius’ eyes shot up to where he heard the voices. Two kids stared back at him with grins on their faces as they worked their way down from the roof. Not even stopping to think Julius took off at a dead run. He was faster. He had to get away. He had to.
“Run, run, run…” he heard Gemini whisper tauntingly behind him.
“As fast as you can!” That sounded as if it had been whispered in his ear.
“We’re gonna catch ya. You don’t stand a chance!”
Julius came to a stop as a boy landed in front of him.
Julius stared down into his grinning face before he spun around only…only to see another kid glaring at him.
“You think you’re better than us ‘cause of your fancy clothes and sneakers?” The boy’s hands curled into fists as he shoved his face close to Julius’.
“Well ya ain’t! Ya live out here, in these streets, and then tell us who’s better.”
“I don’t think that I’m better.” Julius swallowed past the knot in his throat. “I swear I don’t! I-”
“Shut your pie hole!” the kid snapped as he reached out and shoved him. Julius stumbled and came up hard against the other boy. He turned, an apology on his lips.
“So-OW!!”
Faster than Julius could blink the boy had lifted his foot and kicked him in the stomach.
“Ramirez, don’t soil the merchandise. Onyx, if I remember correctly you handled the last one. Let Ramirez take care of this one.”
“Easy peasy lemon squeezy!” Ramirez said with a laugh.
“But Gemini! I want to help.”
“No, not this time Onyx.”
“Man, this sucks ass,” the kid behind him grumbled.
“Watch your mouth!” Gemini snapped.
He heard sneakers scrap the pavement but he didn’t dare take his eyes off the kid who had kicked him. Ramirez was his name and he still had a grin on his face.
Julius straightened and was trying to work his way around Ramirez. He blinked and Ramirez backhanded him. He stumbled back, tripped over someone’s leg and hit his head against the pavement. He heard laughter, as if it were coming from a distance, just before a kick landed on his ribs.
“Where do ya think you’re going homeboy?” Ramirez asked his accent making the words almost musical. “We ain’t done with you. We ain’t even started yet.”
Pages: 1 2
awesome, looks like you spent like AGES to get those shots right! but your labour paid off, it looks really great!
Poor little Julius, i hope he meets some less crazy people soon.
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 21st, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Hey thanks Dolly_riot! Ummm…I think I spent about an hour just taking photos. The rest was spent making all the rest of the cast in CAS. So about four hours tops with this update…which is really longer than I usually spend on it!
I like posing with kids those. Their faces are great! 
I hope he does too! I haven’t gotten that far with him yet!
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Aww, he’s an adorable puppy with his tongue stuck out! Poor boy, even with a total jerk for a father he still lived much like Siddhartha until now. He actually had a LOT of luck there. And he’s taking it very good, it’s nice to see he got his mother’s courage!
Btw., I’m still waiting impatiently for Alana’s reaction and the makeovers, lol!
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 21st, 2009 at 5:19 PM
LOL!! I tried to catch a more series puppy face but…puppies just aren’t serious are they?
Alright…I admit I had to look up Siddhartha and yeah…that’s pretty much on point with Julius. He’s never had to want for anything but still…yeah know…he has Ethan for a dad! 
Oh yeah! Plus I think it’s still some of Ethan’s teaching in his head. Ya know…about boys not crying and all that. But he does have Dom’s courage. He just doesn’t know it yet!
LOL!!! Hahaha! I know! But I had to do Julius first. Next prompt! Promise!
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Poor Julius, that batman backpack was the least of his worries. Good for him fighting back, he has obviously been saving that up for some time. He makes such a cute little puppy
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 21st, 2009 at 5:20 PM
LOL! It’s all in the mind set right? He’s still stuck on the book bag! And yeah…he was so not going to lay there and take it. He has a lot of anger he needs to get out. Guess that helped huh? Haha! He doesn’t doesn’t he? Cute as a button!
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Great update… All I kept thinking while reading it was: come ooon when is he going to phase
!!! Oh well… I guess my thought were right lol!!! He’s such a cute puppyyy 
!!! Can’t wait for the next update (and as meralgia said Alanas reaction 
lol) !!
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 21st, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Thanks Maria! LOL!! Actually kids aren’t supposed to change until about fifteen or sixteen…at least that’s been the standard age. With the refugees in the forest I think they pushed their kids to change just in case they had to run ya know? So that’s why Dom wanted to keep it away from Ethan. She didn’t want him pressuring Julius anymore than he already does. She wants him to have some sort of childhood.
You two are a trip! Next update!
And it won’t be pretty…seriously!
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Awww… puppy! Poor Julius. He’s a lucky boy, though, at least so far, considering all the horrible people he could have run into.
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 21st, 2009 at 5:23 PM
Yeah he is. Anything could have happened to him. Anything could STILL happen to him. I don’t know yet!
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Aww, poor little guy. But he does make the cutest puppy. What a rude awakening for him. I had no idea he was THAT sheltered. I’m glad he got a few punches in. What he lost in the way of a backpack and clothing, he will definitely make up in courage.
Shots were fantastic!
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 21st, 2009 at 10:15 PM
LOL! Isn’t he the cutest? I have no idea where he’s running to though! Should be interesting to see what happens next! Yeah…he’s really sheltered. Ethan doesn’t want anyone getting to his heir. He knows there are those out there that would mess with his son to get to him. He doesn’t even realize how courageous he’s been.
Thanks Gayl!
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Holy crap, Phoenix! Poor, sweet, delicate little Julius! I hope he finds safety fast!
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 21st, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Hahahaha! Why do you make him sound as if he’s about 80? I have an idea(just formed actually)…I don’t know how safe it’ll be though.
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Penelope Reply:
May 21st, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Well you know, children and the elderly are very similar when you think about it. They can’t really fend for themselves. They’re a little feeble-brained. They’re short. Highly susceptible to disease. Diapers. Day care. Need I say more?
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 22nd, 2009 at 9:16 AM
Nope! I worked in a nursing home for a few years so I know how it goes!
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Poor Julius, he lost his favourite batman pack! D: It didn’t occur to me that he should just change and run away, that would have been faster, eh? Plus he can bite with sharper teeth then. >)
He doesn’t seem very street-smart though, especially not when he’s been cooped up at home all his life.
Hope he finds someone trustworthy soon!
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 22nd, 2009 at 9:27 AM
Yeah…that’s what really upset him! LOL! Kids, I tell you! His mom drilled it into his head not to do it. But by the time the old man was yelling at him Julius was just exhausted, beat up and had enough! Poor guy!
No, he’s not street smart at all!! Not at all! But he’s a smart kid…I think he’s learned a lot in such a short time.
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Awww, Julius
I know I’m being very unoriginal, but… poor little guy
Hopefully he either finds Caine and Co. or his mom finds him soon…
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 22nd, 2009 at 9:28 AM
LOL Van! There’s really not much else to say is there! Poor little fella! He’s so confused right about now! Yeah…I think I know where I’m going to go with this!
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Poor Julius but he showed a lot of courage and even more compassion. Loved the ending and the shots are, as usual, fabulous!
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 22nd, 2009 at 9:29 AM
He did. He’s gotten the best qualities from his mom. Haha! Thanks Beth! I had fun doing these shots. I love working with Sim kids! They’re so animated.
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Where is this kid, Sin City? LOL! Love the whole grungy, urban look, great shots as always, and Julius is a feisty little sucker, giving back as good as he got. Love that he had no idea about Armani, LOL, nice touch! Hope uncle/cousin Caine finds him soon! Great update!
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 25th, 2009 at 12:15 AM
One of these days I’m going to have to take a pic of that ‘hood. I have it set up where there’s the “nice” neighborhood but then there’s an almost indistinguishable line crossing over into the “bad” neighborhood. I pulled that from my days of living in Jersey!
Thanks Karen. Yes, he is! I think Dom instilled that in him. LOL! Yeah, I didn’t want him to come off as a spoiled brat. He’s not really! Just sheltered.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
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whi i caught up! it is now, euhm…03.46 oh boy, i should really learn to pace myself! lol! now i can’t wait for an update! lol. i can’t wait to see Caine and Lana’s enw looks. and dear Julius. i’m so happy he won’t grow up like his dad! he is teribly cute, but then all puppies are ^^ i just hope someone good finds him before someone bad finds him… now i need sleep,lol. love the story and shots !!
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 3:15 AM
LOL! I can’t believe you read this all in one day! Haha! I’m working on the next update! Have half of it shot. Just have to get in game and shoot the rest.
Nope, Julius won’t grow up like his dad…at least I don’t think he will. He has too kind of a heart!
Thanks so much QG! It was a great compliment you reading this all the way through in one sitting!
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Poor little Julius! He really is sheltered, isn’t he?
Loved the Batman bookbag bit, that was really cute! And man what mean peoples! He’s probably going to be terrified of Caine now. 
And the old man, LOL!
That last shot was too cute! LOL, no one will believe the old man anyway. Ha ha, he’s right though!
Great update, if a bit sad for the little tyke.
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 30th, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Yes, he is. He just didn’t realize it until now. I got the Batman bookbag thing from my little bro. He can be anal retentive about the wrong things!
More than likely. Although after seeing his dad and mom he might think any Lycan is better than his dad!
Thanks Emily!!
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Poor Julius, I feel so very sorry for him
he had been living in a golden cage and went out just to find out that live out there is worst than inside his cage…. oh well, that’s how this world is…
Poor Julious!!! that last picture is adorable!!! I believe Julius has the potential to be like Caine or even surpass Caine!!!!
Kudos for him, he is a beautiful child with a great heart!!!!
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PhoenixFG Reply:
July 7th, 2009 at 11:40 PM
I do too Sandy! I can’t believe that I put him through this! It makes me sad! He has. He doesn’t know what’s going on outside the house and now that’s he out he’s even more scared. And that sure is how the world works…
He is. He’s a sweetheart. I think he’d make either a great alpha or a poor one. Great because he’d want to be the opposite of his dad. Poor because he wants to be the opposite of his dad. It’s a two sided coin ya know? He could grow to be strong or become a push over.
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AWW! How freaking adorable is Julius in his puppy form?! OMG, I know I’m supposed to be all angry–but puppy! Cute!
But poor Julius. He is really sheltered, he has no idea what’s out there waiting. What the hell is he gonna do now? Yikes.
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PhoenixFG Reply:
January 3rd, 2010 at 1:15 AM
PUPPY!! You always have to awww at puppies!
Yeah, he’s clueless. He’s completely sheltered and doesn’t know what’s out there. Just waiting to snatch him up. Poor fella!
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