He was excited, one of his favourite pass times was shopping. Didn’t hurt that he needed some new sheets as well, since the last shoot out he hasn’t been able to keep it together for quite some time. Until recently now that he thinks about it. He’s been more careful more alert for anyone that could kill him. Shaking his head he started to talk with Ari about what she would want to look for at the store. Then what they wanted to eat. He listened quietly at first and added his own thoughts every now and then until they got to the large shopping mall in Crison.Ari rushed to get out practically pushing him out the car, he knew she would be excited to get some new dresses and some new tea set plates. They walked through the doors and he noticed some new changes to the 5 story building. It seems a small amusement park was added, he spotted some new clothing shops as well when they were handed the pamphlets to the building.They made their way to the bed sheets in Pillow Country, he turned to Tony that suddenly appeared out of no where and told him what to do. He followed Ari as she started looking for some bed sheets that she liked. She picked out five, pink with white stars, purple with some princess characters, light blue with some bubbles, a light green one with fairies and a rainbow and unicorns.They walked to the more solid ones for beds // They made their way to the kings and queens and he picked a few dark solid colours, some that won’t show that he’s badly injured and can get away with the dark spots. He also got a new bed, he noticed that he had bled through a few times already and it was starting to look like a murder scene. Ari picked his last one and it was nice, he’ll have to use it when he’s not dying.Sen seemed to pick a silky red one for his bed and oddly it would suit that room well. He tried not to think too much on it and they moved stores for some clothes. Ari had said that she wanted to be a Princess at the castle. He had looked at the schedule and picked out some events that he figured she would enjoy. They ran around the place searching for the best dress even though he promised that they can visit more stores like this one. He made sure to pick out a few that were not dresses, he always enjoyed shopping for clothes. Picking them out and trying them on.He picked a few for himself since the last suit had some irreparable holes in them. Also wouldn’t be a good look if he showed up raggedly to work. He also noticed that Sen barely has any suits for himself so he picked out a few for him that he would need. Or more accurately needed. He glanced around every now and then and seen that some people were staring. Feeling a bit out of place suddenly he withdrew himself from actively interacting with his employee’s daughter.Then realized that she wasn’t his child, ‘What am I doing?’ he felt even more out of place now until one of the women were brave enough to walk up to him.“Hi, how old is she, she’s adorable and looks just like her father,” he stared at her in astonishment, and shook his head.“I’m not her father,” she immediately looked embarrassed and apologized soon she ran away. It wasn’t often that people were willing to walk up to him, is a child really the difference between his scary looks. Ari ran up to him holding up a dress, he smiled at her and just nodded, she giggled and ran off to pick more dresses and other things cute. He followed along loyally immediately forgetting that he was not meant to be in such a cute setting.He told Sen to pick out something that he liked and off they went, he figured that they don’t have a lot of clothes now since they only brought a few things with them when they first arrived and the few bedroom furniture that was brought into his home for Ari.Soon they were done with the clothes much too soon for his liking but he figured there will be more opportunities later. They walked to the shoes and picked some new ones out. He wondered how Sen hasn’t done much interaction with his own daughter then figured that he was hogging their time together. The mere thought of not helping Ari ached in his chest, then wondered if he ever had a daughter would she be like Ari. Maybe not, his daughter would be a little rougher, would know how to defend herself. If he were to have a son would he be a protector? Or be just like him?Shaking himself from those thoughts he told Ari to see her dad while he took care of a few things. He wasn’t sure but he knew that he would be needed from his men. Stepping back hurt more than he thought and tried to numb himself by making a few calls that he knew would need him.“I can’t be there, I’m doing some shopping right now.” He glanced at Sen and Ari picking their shoes and laughing. It was so nice to see the family of two bonding.“Sorry, hope the new bed will be soft. Well, what should we do with him? He’s refusing to pay even with threats.” It was annoying when family men only think of themselves when family is involved. Oh, family.“I’m sure he’ll loosen up, have you contacted his family?” He glanced back to Sen and couldn’t help but pull the phone away from him and bring up his camera. He took a quick photo before going back to talking with his men.“No, I thought that wasn’t what you do.” Ah, he was new. This must be his first time out in the shark tank. Wasn’t an experienced Shark out there? Or did he gather them up with him when he went out without realizing.“Only when necessary, gather his wife and two children and put them in a hotel for a night or two. Give them a script or a quick rundown of what their ‘Man of the house’ has been currently up to.” He was sure that the wife won’t be happy about this and she’ll be even more pissed when she gets her hands on the man. But he knew that the opportunity to get revenge was within her grasp when the plan was explained to them.“What will that accomplish?” It will snowball, a worried man that cares for his family, the wife getting her just desserts and a fun activity with the children. They’ll also get to stay in a nice place like a vacation. Hm, a few days out of town doesn’t sound too bad. He could visit his father and Sen and Ari would have the house to themselves. He’s sure that they would bond more by then.“Say that you have kidnapped his wife and children and are going to torture them until he gives up the money he owes. He has enough to pay us off, it will leave him without for a week but I’m sure that the family can cope with it if they are willing to work together.” He hoped that they are willing to work together if not then there might be a divorcee in that mans future.“I’ll let the family know of how it will turn out. Thanks Boss have fun shopping.” Have fun shopping he says, it’s his favourite pass time. Maybe that’s why he can’t get in the garage anymore. He’ll need to fix that.“Tomorrow, take inventory of my storage units, it’s about time to spring clean.”“Yes Boss, anything else?”“I’ll need to get into my garage at some point in my life. Have a few men take a look at the state its in, I’ll sort it out on my days off.”“Of course Sir.” Tomorrow went back to his post and Van followed along with the two not wanting to interrupt them too much. He figured that their time together was long overdue and having life back in his home again was... energizing. He felt like he could do more now, or it could be the result of food finally entering his system. He has been practically starving for quite some time. He also noticed that on certain days his food was good. He forgot to note those days down. He’s been trying everyday to cook for himself but it always ended bad. He knows he’s not a terrible cook that year with his mom had taught him a lot about cooking. And applying it in the Knight training was good practice, everyone loved it.He followed them out of the shoe store and lead them to get something to eat. He was sure that they were hungry by now. He got them their food and waited while they ate, often talking to Ari of her day. He shivered a bit when Ari offered her food to him and declined as gently as he could. He didn’t mind when it was at home, but with people watching some might think it’s strange that he would need to run to the washroom or the nearest trashcan to throw up and he didn’t want the public to know about his unhealthy condition.He had often wondered recently if this was the feeling of being a father. He felt so relaxed with them but then something in the back of his mind told him not to relax complete since they were out in the open where he can’t protect them. He’ll have to draw himself in, he needs to remember that he can’t get attached to the two. They will be leaving after the contract ends or when Sen breaks it off. He felt a quick stab to his chest and wondered if he was shot. The place was calm and his vigilant bodyguards were not moving.‘All the more to stay alert outside,’ he thought and gathered himself and showed his outside face to the world. He stopped his smiling and let his eyes return to their cold gaze. Sitting up properly and straight he allowed himself the smallest amount of relaxation before they got up to go browsing through the stores. He tried his best to not give in to Ari’s wishes knowing full well that he should keep his promise to Sen. He allowed himself to play hide and seek in the toy store with Ari and play with some toys as they walked around some isles. Even popping his head out of some display houses and commenting that it was too small.Soon they were ushered out by Sen and they moved to the next store but now without buying one of the houses that Ari seems to enjoy. They gave a quick visit to the candy store but they couldn’t go inside because Sen said no. Now they are in the pet store. Seeing some puppies in the window playing Ari and him practically ran inside to poke around. He gave a quick reminder that they were not buying anything, and this promise he can actually keep. He’s not home most of the time and he knew that Sen would be stuck with the pet. He didn’t want that to happen to his cook, he wanted the two to bond.‘I keep thinking that, but in the end it’s me playing with Ari. I’m needlessly making this harder on myself. He allowed Ari to run off somewhere seeing that one of his guards was following after her and stayed beside Sen to see what he would do. They travelled to the back of the store where the fish and reptiles were kept. He seen a few frogs and wondered how he would be able to keep a frog and for how long. Sen seems more interested in snakes he saw one moved and he stared at it too afraid to move. Guess the snake noticed his fear and held him captive until a woman saved him.Or more like ‘saved’ him. Now she wants to put a live snake in his hands. He tried his best to remain calm when a snake was in his hands. How big would that thing get? Would it eat him? He tried to calm himself down in hopes that he would be passed over to holding a snake.Sen on the other hand agreed and willingly let the woman put a snake in his hand. It looked harmless enough in his hands and he was starting to get curious and wondered if the fear was in his head. It has been a long time since he allowed a snake to be in his presence. Maybe it won’t be as bad as he remembers. Besides they don’t look venomous. At least he hopes so.He hesitantly held his left hand out and the snake was placed there. It was interesting, not slimy as the scales would imply and not too cold to the touch it was almost fascinating. It flicked it’s tough once and then started to move. It felt weird to have it move in his palm holding his left hand back out and away from him he held his wrist with his right hand and started to almost yell for them to take it. He pulled his hand back when it was taken and seen the snake snap at him and he shuddered.Hugging himself quickly to to stop his shaking he was suddenly remembering a dark place.“I’m going to check on Ari,” he ran as far away as he could and found Ari watching some kitten play. Shaking visibly now and placed each of his hands on his elbows to hold himself together.“Kay?” Ari asked without looking up at him. It was nice to hear her ask and steeled himself to answer so as to not remember bad memories.“Yeah, I don’t like snakes. Seen one move and well I’m now here, heh.” Ari grabbed his fingers and held them while they watched the kittens play for a bit. He looked up a bit and seen that they were allowed to play with the kittens. “Wanna play with the kittens?”They entered through the back and he sat on the floor, Ari tried chasing after them.“Ari, like this,” he picked up a toy and placed it in front of an open door where one of the kittens ran into and gently tugged on it the feather moving the smallest amount. Ari sat beside him while he tried to lure the kittens out. He gave her a small jingly bell to softly move about and soon the kittens were out smelling them. “Don’t move too much, let them smell you and continue to ignore them. Just play with the toy gently.”“Why?” Ari asked.“Because they are skittish, they don’t like when something new enters their home. Can you guess why?”“No, why?”“I’m sure you can guess, what happened when you first met me?”“Ran away.” Ari said remembering that day.“What did I do that made you feel safe around me?”“No see you move. You stay there.”“Yes, what else? What made you think that i wasn’t going to hurt you?”“You had my bed in my room.”“Yes, I had something familiar and safe for you.” The kittens now were playing with the feather and trying to get the ball from Ari. Soon he started playing with the kittens themselves and gave Ari the feather. He gently laid down and swatted at the black and white kittens tail, he watched how the other kittens played with each other and tried to mimic it with his hand. They started running around now and used him to climb on, he purred and laid there while they jumped around him. Soon a ball was rolled to him and he rolled it back to the kitten and they passed it between them taking a few moments to ‘pounce’ on it before passing it back. Then a feather appeared in front of his nose and swatted at it.