Trog's Second Floor VI

[phoenixineohp]

"But before you met me. What was most important?"

[AmberVael]

My oath, and the meaning behind it. Honestly I didn't like following it all the time, but it was something worthwhile and good.

[phoenixineohp]

"I thought so."
Phoenix curls up into a ball. A random shiver passes through her body as she keeps shaking her head, mouthing words to herself.

[AmberVael]

What is it, Phoenix?
Fenix runs a hand down her back, smiling comfortingly.

[phoenixineohp]

"I....I can't... do this... but I can't... not do it either..." A few blood tear slips out from under her closed eyes.

[AmberVael]

Why, Phoenix? What prevents you?
Fenix puts his arms around her.

[phoenixineohp]

"It's.. it's not ethical. It hurts too much. That's why I swore the oath. To never have it happen again."

[AmberVael]

I don't understand, Phoenix.
He smiles sadly and softly at her.

[phoenixineohp]

She starts to cry a bit more.
"I bring ruin to anyone who I care about. They all..." She curls up tighter as she trails off.

"I've told you that if I care about someone, the worst possible thing that could happen to them does. You have already lost so much. You don't even know me that well. When you find out more about me, when you see some of the things I do... I should have stayed away. I should have just gone back to Ravenloft...." She starts to rock gently.

"You see, if I love you then your life will be destroyed and that will rip out my heart. I told myself I would never have that happen to another person. I can't take it." She turns to Fenix.

"I've only been in one serious relationship before." She shakes her head her eyes wide and pleading. "I... I can't let that happen to you."

[NecroPaladin]

#6

Namesake looks for an available room, talking to himself. His hood's fire has diminished, leaving his red, glaring eyes visible through the burial mask.

"I swear, if it would not kill the man I would rip that Ruin right off his body and tear him away, pluck by pluck. Then maybe I could be rid of that annoying 'Captain Cadaver' nickname, even if I didn't obviously help society by killing him."

At first he wonders if the residents of room 9 are still doing their heretic-hunt planning without a map. Even with two planners, a good hunt needs a map. He considers lending his own, necromancer-tracking, map to them, but decides not to interfere. After all, if they could best him in combat then they were likely better inquisitors. A pity that they lack the ruthlessness to truly achieve perfection. Namesake thinks for a second. A pity that the MAN lacks the ruthlessness. The woman has plenty.

Deciding to keep his map (He also reminds himself that they could keep his map, and then what would he use to track down necromancers?), he instead enters room 6. Not noticing the significance of a bed, he instead "sleeps" standing up in the middle of the room, facing the door. I despise this town. But the hunt is worth it.

((Is anyone in room 6? I don't think so but haven't checked entire thread...speak up and I'll change the room if you are in 6))

[AmberVael]

#9

Fenix looks her in the eyes.
Phoenix, I chose this. Every step of the way, I could have turned aside and taken a different path, an easier path that woul have prevented any of this from happening.
But I stayed on this path. You know why? Because of you. You were worth it all to me. I have given up so much to be with you, but every sacrifice I have made, every choice which may seem hard to you... it doesn't even compare to what I have gained.
He smiles and caresses her cheek.
Would you count yourself at a loss for having bought something with your coin? For having traded your copper for gold? In the same way, I see no loss in what I have done, only gain.
He gives her a gentle, loving kiss.

((Room six is empty))

[NecroPaladin]

((Thanks. And before you do anything foolish, look under the bed! Necromancers could be anywhere, and love makes you vulnerable!))

[phoenixineohp]

Phoenix relaxes a little but looks down and holds his hand.
"But if he find you and catches you, he'll make you curse my name. Your death will not be worth anything I can give you. And you still have seen so little of me and my world." She shakes her head.

((Remember, the necromancer is IN the bed. Probably worse in his mind...))

[AmberVael]

((^^: At least the necromancer won't give me moral ravings before killing me :smalltongue:))

Fenix sighs.
And who is this secretive and ominous figure you speak of?

[phoenixineohp]

Her eyes close as she winces from his tone.
"My sire."

[AmberVael]

Somehow I got that feeling. Nice guy, huh?
Fenix runs a hand up and down her back.

[phoenixineohp]

Phoenix blankly stares at him.
"He is the one who created me so that I would serve his purpose. He is the cause of, reason for and bane of my existence. The mark you are touching now was even placed by him." She scowls and looks away.
"My hatred for him and all that he has done knows no bounds. So I do not joke about that which is the regrettable cornerstone of my life." She mutters, "I have killed those who made lesser blasphemes."

[AmberVael]

Fenix hugs her tightly.
I'm sorry, Phoenix.

[phoenixineohp]

"It's a touchy subject." She hugs him closely.

[AmberVael]

Fenix sighs.
I'll be here for you, and be with you as long as you want me, Phoenix. I can help you.

[phoenixineohp]

Phoenix seems to scoff a little, just a little.
"I am not your new project and I will not be the one who leaves unless it is by true death. But I will gladly embrace and welcome your presence until you change your mind." She gives him a squeeze.

[AmberVael]

Maybe thats all the help you want or need, Phoenix.
Fenix kisses her and smiles.

[phoenixineohp]

She rolls her eyes at him before kissing him back and snuggling into him.

[AmberVael]

Or maybe- Fenix kisses her on the cheek. I should just shut up so we can stop thinking and be happy, hm?

[phoenixineohp]

"Mmm. Might be a good idea." She kisses him back.
"So if all the soul baring is done, do you want to show me how you are going to say goodnight to me tonight?" She grins.

[AmberVael]

Um... goodnight?
Fenix grins cheerily at her.

[phoenixineohp]

She punches him gently.

[AmberVael]

Fenix chuckles and winks as he pulls the sheets and Phoenix over him. The curtain decides to dodge in so Fenix's player can get some sleep.

[Lykan]

#10

Lykan wakes up, stands, and nudges Mhina with his nose.

Friend?

[Wukei]

Mhina mumbles and rolls over in her sleep, reaching out for a blank spot next to her.

[Lykan]

Lykan frowns and jumps into the bank spot, nudging Mhina again.

Friend?

[Wukei]

Mhina opens her eyes slowly and sighs upon seeing Lykan in his young state.

[Lykan]

Lykan smiles upon seeing Mhina awaken and rolls onto his back.

Can we play, friend?

[Wukei]

Mhina blinks and shrugs. What do you want to play?

[Lykan]

Lykan smiles and pounces at a stray strand of Mhina's hair.

Your hair is pretty.

[Wukei]

Mhina smiles sadly, Thank you... Do you remember what colour it used to be?

[Lykan]

Lykan looks at Mhina questioningly

Gray? It was gray yesterday.

[Wukei]

Mhina shakes her head. No...I mean before that.

[Lykan]

Lykan seems a little preoccupied with Mhina's hair before he stops, with the bit of hair in his mouth

Brown!

[Wukei]

She smiles in relief and hugs him.

[Lykan]

Lykan shifts back to human form and snuggles Mhina

Friend? Is your name Friend?

[Wukei]

Mhina shakes her head. Do you know what it is?

[Lykan]

Lykan bites his lip.

Friend?

[Wukei]

She sighs and shakes her head.

[Lykan]

Lykan frowns

Then what is it?

[Wukei]

Mhina, she responds, her face returning to a neutral position.

[Lykan]

Lykan hugs Mhina again.

Okay, Misses Mhina.

[Wukei]

Mhina hugs him, No. Just Mhina.

[Lykan]

Lykan nods

Okay, Mhina.

He looks around the room

Whose the sea-theif lady and the hunter person?

[Wukei]

She raises an eyebrow. You mean my parents?

[Lykan]

Lykan shrugs

And fire-head?

[Wukei]

She bites her lip. Loki?

[Lykan]

Lykan shakes his head

No. Firehead with sea thief for a mom.

He looks out the window

Black-haired giant seatheif? Blond not-a-wolf?

[Goblin Music]

Valic heads for room 6 which should be empty and knocks.

With no reply he enters. hits the bed and sighs.

[Goblin Music]

Valic vacates the room after his rest and heads down stairs.

[NecroPaladin]

#6

Namesake, standing "asleep" in the corner of the room, neither notices Valic nor is noticed. He eventually awakens and heads downstairs.

[Landaro]

#20

Landaro has recieved the key for number 20 and now follows the corridor until he reaches his room.
He knocks once, you can't be so sure, and then opens the door and enters.

As nobody appears to be occupying the room, Landaro puts his travelling cloak on peg at the wall and leans his quarterstaff in a corner of the room.

So this is, where I'll stay the next time? Doesn't look to bad to me.

Then he checks the windows and shuts them tight. That would not keep a delibarate assault away, but there's no need to invite whatever is lurking out there in the dark.
Then he leaves the room for a last short trip to the stables to fetch the rest of his belongings.

Onyx appears to be in good mood and greets him with an exaggerated whinnying. The groom has taken good care of him, supposedly because of the generous tip Landaro gave him earlier. Getting all of his stuff out of the saddlebags and whishing Onyx a good night, he returns to his room.

The Alarm he had placed on the room before he left was still untouched. Landaro stored his belongings in the room and went to sleep, peacefully.

((I am out for now, but I intend to keep this room for some time, see you tomorrow.))

[AmberVael]

#3

Firolon wakes up and goes downstairs.

[Wukei]

Mhina shakes her head as Lykan rambles on. I'm sorry...I don't know all of the people you're talking about...

[Lykan]

Lykan shrugs, and begins bouncing up and down on the bed

Whee!

[Wukei]

Mhina sighs trying to sort out what to try to fix this.

[Lykan]

Lykan leaps foreward off the bed, completing a full frontflip, and landing in a crouched position on the floor.

Ta-da!

[Wukei]

Mhina smiles at him. Please be careful...

[Lykan]

Lykan hugs Mhina again

Okay Mhina. I'm sorry.

[Wukei]

She kisses him on the forehead. It's okay.

[Lykan]

Lykan sniffs the air, a curious look on his face

Are you a wolf too?

[Wukei]

Mhina nods. But I wasn't born one like you.

[Lykan]

Lykan frowns. You were married to one like mommy?

[Wukei]

I'm not married...but I was bitten...

[Lykan]

Lykan doesn't seem to entirely get the concept.

Then why were you bitten?

[Wukei]

Not all wolves are nice. The one that bit me first was mean.

[Lykan]

A look off realization comes over Lykan's face

Like Mommy?

[Wukei]

Mhina looks away. Let's talk about something else...

[Lykan]

Lykan shiftsto wolf form and circles behind Mhina, then pounces

Rawr!

[Wukei]

Mhina spins and catches him, quickly, her eyes glowing slightly. She holds him, regarding him for one moment, her ungloved hand quite a bit colder than the gloved one. Her eyes return to normal and she frowns, How about you go on a hunt for dust bunnies...

[Lykan]

Lykan frowns.

Dust bunnies don't taste like normal bunnies.

[Wukei]

Yes, but they are hard to catch. They tend to fly when you chase them.

[Lykan]

Lykan frowns, and shifts back to human form. He looks up at Mhina again. Mhina? Why are you so pretty?

[Wukei]

She smiles. Because my mom and dad made me that way.

[Lykan]

Lykan smiles, andhugs Mhina again. They made you good.

[Wukei]

She nods. I agree.

[Lykan]

Lykan looks up and down Mhina again

Why's your belly big?

[Wukei]

Mhina smiles. Because I'm going to have a baby. A girl.

[Lykan]

Lykan's eyes light up

Can I play with her when she's born? I've always wanted a friend...

[Wukei]

She smiles. Sure. I think she'd like you.

[Lykan]

Lykan smiles, shifting to wolf form again

Does she have a dad? Dad says almost everyone had a mommy and daddy at some point...

[Wukei]

She nods. But...he hasn't been himself...a demon attacked him.

[Lykan]

Lykan gasps. Oh no! Not demons!

[Wukei]

Mhina laughs. It's all right...he'll be okay.

[Lykan]

Lykan whipes his brow.

Phew... That would be bad, if the baby's dady had been hurt badly by demons!

He pauses, then adds

How do you know the baby's a girl?

[Wukei]

She smiles. Because I met her from the future.

[Lykan]

Lykan's eyes widen in wonder

You can go to the future? Do you know me in the future?

[Wukei]

Mhina shakes her head. No, I didn't go to the future. She came here.

[Lykan]

Lykan nods. Does she know me in the future?

[Wukei]

Mhina nods. She mentions you a lot...

[Lykan]

Lykan grins, and pounces on the edge of Mhina's dress again

[Wukei]

Mhina sighs, sitting on the edge of the bed.

[Lykan]

Lykan looks up at Mhina again, beaking, with a bit of her dress in his mouth.

You're nice, Mhina. You're the nicest person in the world.

[Wukei]

Mhina smiles. Thank you...

[Romulus]

#1

Romulus opens his eyes and sits up.

[AmberVael]

#1

Svala continues sleeping, a small smile on her face. Her note from the day before lies crumpled on the floor.

[Romulus]

#1

Romulus slowly gets up and looks at the note.

[AmberVael]

#1

The note simply explains that Svala had left to go to Verdandi's wedding and would be back later.

[Romulus]

#1

Romulus gives a small sigh and goes back towards the bed. He kneels down beside Svala, and gently runs a hand through her hair.

[AmberVael]

#1


Svala slowly opens her eyes and smiles at Romulus. Hello.

[Romulus]

#1

Romulus smiles. "Sorry I missed your note..."

[AmberVael]

#1

Its fine. She tilts her head and looks up at him. It was a good wedding.

[Romulus]

#1

"Glad you enjoyed yourself." Romulus continues to smile at her.

[AmberVael]

#1

Svala sits up and ruffles her wings.

[Romulus]

#1

Romulus gives her a light kiss on the cheek. "Anything you'd like to do for today?"

[AmberVael]

#1

Hmm... Svala looks thoughtful.

[Romulus]

#1

Romulus smiles and watches her as she thinks.

[AmberVael]

#1

Svala smiles suddenly and hops to her feet, getting dressed.

[Romulus]

#1

"So, what conclusion did you come to?"

Romulus gathers his close and gets dressed.

[AmberVael]

#1

Svala smiles as she straightens out her shirt. We're going flying.

[Romulus]

#1

Romulus grins. "Sounds like a wonderful idea."

[AmberVael]

#1

Svala beams and takes his hand. Where to then?

[Romulus]

#1

Romulus brings her hand to his lips and lightly kisses it. "Well, how about at the beach?"

[AmberVael]

#1

Svala nods in happy agreement, then they vanish.

[Lykan]

Lykan grins and hugs Mhina again.

Can we play?

[Wukei]

Mhina shakes her head. I'm sorry, Lykan...I'm tired...

[Lykan]

Lykan frowns.

Okay...

He looks up again

Can I see you as a wolf?

[AmberVael]

#3

Firolon wakes up and goes downstairs.

[Wukei]

Mhina smiles. Not right now. The pregnancy is making my body act funny enough already.

[Lykan]

Lykan frowns, hugging Mhina again. He begins shaking

[Wukei]

She looks down at him in concern. Are you okay?

[Lykan]

Lykan looks up at Mhina

Mom hit dad. With fire.

[Romulus]

#1

Romulus and Svala appear. Romulus brings his wings around them both and kisses Svala passionately.

[AmberVael]

#1

Svala kisses him back and pushes him gently towards the bed.

[Wukei]

Mhina looks at him strangely. What?

[Romulus]

#1

Romulus grins and catches his balance as he almost falls over onto the bed. "Now I know you're trying to tell me something..."

[Lykan]

Lykan shivers, holding tightly to Mhina

Mom said something to dad. She was really angry... They were yelling really loud. She waved her hands and dad was on fire.

[Wukei]

Mhina hugs him and shakes her head. It's okay. Your parents are fine...

[AmberVael]

#1

Svala smiles as the curtain falls around them.

[Lykan]

Lykan hugs Mhina tighter

Mom left...

[Wukei]

She shakes her head. No...we brought her back, remember?

[Lykan]

Lykan sobs and hugs Mhina tightly

She's gone! She's gone and never coming home!

[Wukei]

She hugs him and kisses him on the forehead, wiping the tears from his eyes. Listen closely, I brought her back. I had your dad help me.

[Lykan]

Lykan looks up.

But... She cut off dad's arm... He cut her face... Romulus came and took mom away....

[Wukei]

She shakes her head. That was a long time ago. They're both okay now.

[Lykan]

Lykan shakes his head, tears streaming down his cheeks

I don't want to see her anymore...

[Wukei]

Mhina stiffens and looks away. I see...

[Lykan]

Lykan sobs, hugging Mhina

[Wukei]

She wraps an arm around him, but doesn't look down at him.

[Lykan]

Lykan looks up again, still crying slightly

Did I-... Did I do something wrong?

[Wukei]

She smiles sadly at him and shakes her head. No...it appears I have.

[Lykan]

Lykan looks at her questioningly through the tears

What?

[Wukei]

I brought your mother back...but you didn't want that...

[Lykan]

Lykan squeeks

She'll kill us all! Hide!

Lykan dives under the bed and curls into a ball.

[Wukei]

Mhina sighs and looks out the window. No...she'll not kill you.

[Lykan]

Lykan sticks his head out

But she tried to kill dad... She tried to kill me and Asi...

[Wukei]

Mhina shakes her head. That mom doesn't exist. Your mom is good now.

[Lykan]

Lykan crawls out and eyes at Mhina with a look of disbeleif

But... She tried to kill us.

[Wukei]

She shakes her head. It's called 'redemption.' It means 'second chance.' We gave her a second chance.

[Lykan]

Lykan comes out from under the bed and sits next to Mhina

Why?

[Wukei]

Mhina shrugs. Because everyone deserves a second chance.

[Lykan]

Lykan nods

Okay...

Lykan pads overe next to Mhina

You're smart... That DOES make sense.

[Wukei]

She smiles. Well, don't you want a mom?

[Lykan]

Lykan shrugs

She hits me sometimes... For playing...

[Wukei]

She shakes her head. No, I mean a real mom. One that won't hurt you.

[Lykan]

Lykan nods, his eyes lighting up.

Yes I would.

[Wukei]

She nods. Well that's what your mom is like now.

[Lykan]

Lykan's eyes light up, and he leaps at Mhina

Yay!

[Wukei]

She smiles, catching him. I'm glad your happy. But be careful, okay...we don't want to hurt my stomach.

[Lykan]

Lykan backs away shyly

Sorry...

[Wukei]

She shakes her head and smiles. It's okay. I'm not blaming you for being happy.

[Lykan]

Lykan smiles, hugging Mhina

Thank you, Mhina.

He looks up at her, curiously

Why are you so nice to me?

[Wukei]

She smiles sadly. Because you remind me of someone very special to me.

[Lykan]

Lykan nods

Who?

[Wukei]

My fiancee.

[Lykan]

Lykan nods again

Who's that?

[Wukei]

She chuckles. A wolf. Like you. He has a very similar story to yours.

[Lykan]

Lykan nods

What's his name? Where's he from? What tribe?

[Wukei]

She smiles and shakes her head. Okay, enough questions. It's bedtime for little boys.

[Lykan]

Lykan moans

Aww... Do I have to? The moons out!

[Wukei]

She nods. Yes, you have to. No complaining.

[Lykan]

Lykan sighs and crawls into bed

Storytime? Dad always told us a story before bed...

[Wukei]

Mhina bites her lip. I...wasn't told any stories...

[Lykan]

Lykan bites his lip

Okay...

He sighs and crawls under the covers

I guess no storytime tonight, then.

[Wukei]

Mhina bites her lip. I think I remember a lullaby my uncle sang, though...

[Lykan]

Lykan looks at her curiously

[Wukei]

Mhina begins to sing All the Pretty Little Ponies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2sn9pQ4tVQ) to him.

[Lykan]

Lykan falls asleep as Mhina sings, snoozing lightly

[Wukei]

She smiles and curls up on the bed beside him.

[McBish]

Eric limps upstairs and finds an empty room and climbs into bed. He takes off his shirt and checks his wounds. Then he goes to sleep.

[Kyrian]

#1

Romulus opens his eyes and stretches his wings, carefully, trying not to wake Svala up.

[AmberVael]

#1

Svala's wing twitches but she remains asleep.

[Kyrian]

#1

Romulus smiles and leans over, lightly kissing Svala on the cheek.

[AmberVael]

#1

Svala stirs a little in her sleep.

[Kyrian]

#1

Romulus begins to hum a song he's heard Svala sing to him before, as he gets up and dressed.

[AmberVael]

#1

Svala continues sleeping.

[Kyrian]

#1

Romulus opens the door, which decides today to make a loud squeaking noise as he opens it. Romulus cringes slightly and turns to see Svala's reaction.

[AmberVael]

#1

Svala's wing twitches again, but otherwise there is no reaction.

[Kyrian]

#1

Romulus heads downstairs.

[Kyrian]

#1

Romulus returns with food. He enters the room and looks over at Svala. "Svala?"

[AmberVael]

#1

Svala lets out a minor snore just so that Romulus's and his player will know she is still fast asleep.

[Kyrian]

#1

Romulus sets the food down and climbs back in beside her, wrapping one arm around her waist and holding her close as he closes his eyes.

[Landaro]

As Landaro awakes, he feels slightly hungry. His dreams had been very distorted and he feels kind of upset.

Leaving his room and shutting the door tight he heads down the stairs.

[McBish]

Eric leaves his room colecting his stuff.

[Landaro]

#20

Strolling along the corridor, Landaro whistles a slow tune he remembers from somewhere and finally enters the room that is now his home. For the time being he tells himself. I really ought to go out and try to find a job. Settling down in this town somewhere would also be nice. But right now he doesn't feel like doing any of this.

He pulls the desk under the window (why not making it comfortable as long as he was going to stay here) and sets the tray with the meal, which Cosmo or someone else of the staff has brought in earlier, upon it. Opening the window wide he sits down to eat and enjoys the sunny prospect that opens up to him.

Even when he has finished eating he keeps looking out of the window and into the blue sky ...

[AmberVael]

#3

Firolon appears and lets out a long breath and sigh. He sits on the floor and meditates on what he just learned.

[Lykan]

#10

Lykan has been up for several hours, practicing a sort of shadowboxing routine. He seems to be around 6 years of age.

Practice makes perfect... Practice makes perfect...

[Wukei]

Mhina raises an eyebrow at the child Lykan.

[Lykan]

Lykan seems not to pay attention, still practicing his fighting techniques, and repeating the same phrase over and over again.

[Wukei]

Mhina watches him practice, frowning slightly.

[Lykan]

Lykan stops after slamming his fist into the ground in a final, fluent technique. He looks up at Mhina

Hi Mhina... Something wrong?

[Wukei]

She shakes her head. No, don't worry about it...

[Lykan]

Lykan looks at her quizically before flopping onto the e ground, exhausted

Mhina? Am I a good fighter?

[Wukei]

She nods. Of course.

[Lykan]

Lykan bites his lip

The best in the village? Better then Lobu and Kreph and Maros?

[Wukei]

Mhina shakes her head. I can't say...I haven't seen them fight.

[Lykan]

Lykan bites his lip, and begins practicing the routine again.

Gotta be better, gotta be perfect...

[Wukei]

Mhina frowns and looks toward the window.

[Lykan]

Lykan stops, looking up at Mhina. He walks over and hugs her.

[Wukei]

She smiles and hugs him.

[Lykan]

Lykan looks up, frowning

Do you not like me fighting, Mhina?

[Wukei]

She shakes her head. No, I don't like anyone fighting...

[Lykan]

Lykan frowns

But... If I don't learn how, I won't be allowed to go on pilgrimage...

[Wukei]

Mhina frowns. What pilgrimage?

[Lykan]

Lykan raises an eyebrow

To Rem's Grave.

[Wukei]

Mhina frowns. I'm...not a big fan of Remus...

[Lykan]

Lykan frowns.

... Oh.

He sits down besides Mhina

I just want to make my mark... Next to Grandma's and Uncle Nox's and Dad's and Great-Grandpa's... It's a big honor...

Lykan's eyes widen, and glow slightly

But... I won't be able to now...

[Wukei]

She frowns. Why not?

[Lykan]

Lykan curls up in a ball

That noble... Psyches... I hurt him, I think... I can't run... I can't fight back... I have to be a sl-...

He shakes his head, buring his face in his hands

[Wukei]

She smiles and hugs him. It'll be okay.

[Lykan]

Lykan shy's away from her touch

I caan't be a slave... Why? Why ddoes he have to do this? I can't... I just want to see the grave...

[Wukei]

#14

Mikhail leads Mike into #14.

In Mhina and Lykan's room. Mhina shakes her head. You're not going to be a slave.

[Lykan]

Lykan nods, tears forming in his eyes

Psyches is powerful... I would be working for him the rest of my life...

[Kyrian]

#14

"Thanks for the help. Maybe I'll see you around again sometime. You know, without my trying to kill you and all."

[Wukei]

Mhina kisses Lykan on the forehead. I won't allow it.

Mikhail shakes his head with a sad smile. I doubt it...someone's going to kill me soon, even if it isn't you.

[Kyrian]

"You sure knocked me a hell of a punch back there, so I know you can stand up for your own."

[Lykan]

Lykan looks up, hopefully

I won't have to stay in that smelly city forever? I can travel and make friends and save people like dad?

[Wukei]

Mikhail smiles. I don't fight to kill...

Mhina nods. Of course.

[Kyrian]

Mike yawns. "You don't have to. I can tell you're able to fight to defend." He lays down on the bed.

[Lykan]

Lykan hugs Mhina again, holding her tight

[Wukei]

Mikhail nods. Well, I'll allow you to get some sleep. Good night. He turns toward the door.

Mhina smiles, hugging Lykan as well.

[Lykan]

Lykan eventually falls asleep in Mhina's arms.

[Kyrian]

"Thanks again." Mike slowly falls asleep.

[Wukei]

Mikhail heads back downstairs.

Mhina falls asleep shortly after Lykan.

[Kyrian]

#14

Mike was up and heads downstairs.

[hr]

#1

Romulus wakes up and gently strokes Svala's cheek.

[Lykan]

Lykan comes back to the room and sits down on the floor, his face neutral.

[Wukei]

Mhina looks at Lykan with concern. Is everything okay?

[Lykan]

Lykan nodsd, looking at the ground with the same expression.

[Wukei]

Mhina stands and walks over to him, crouching so that she can look at him closer. Are you sure?

[Lykan]

Lykan nods again, tears welling up in his eyes.

[Wukei]

Mhina reaches out to hug him. Didn't your father ever tell you not to lie?

[Lykan]

Lykan sobs

Y-yes... B-b-but he also said not t-to cry... It g-gives away where we are...

[Wukei]

She kisses his cheek. You can cry...you're safe here.

[Lykan]

Lykan sobs again, hugging Mhina tight

N-no one ever leaves me alone... They throw things at m-me and call me names...

[Wukei]

Mhina hugs him tightly. Don't listen to them...they don't matter.