Welcome...

You think you're so much better than me, don't you?

Stop looking at me like that.

We're on the same side now, whether you like it or not.

I'd rather die than work with you.

You're the last person I wanted to see today.

Don't you dare act like you care about me now.

I know what you did. I know everything.

You've always been my enemy, but you've never been my equal.

Why does it feel like you're the only one who actually sees me?

I don't trust you. I'll never trust you.

You're insufferable, you know that?

We can't keep doing this—pretending we don't feel it.

I've spent half my life trying to destroy you.

God, I want to hate you so badly right now.

You make me want to scream.

I didn't save you because I like you. I saved you because I had to.

We're not friends. We'll never be friends.

You don't get to be vulnerable with me now, not after everything.

I've imagined killing you a thousand different ways.

Why do you always have to be right?

I hate how much space you take up in my head.

You're my rival, not my—whatever the hell this is.

Don't touch me. Don't you fucking dare.

I know you better than anyone, and that's the worst part.

You've ruined me for anyone else, and I hate you for it.

I'd burn the world down before I let you win.

You look at me like I'm the villain, but you're no hero either.

I can't do this. I can't want you and hate you at the same time.

You're the only person who's ever challenged me.

Stop pretending you don't feel this too.

I've never wanted to throttle someone and hold them this badly before.

We're going to regret this in the morning.

You think you know me? You don't know anything.

I didn't mean to fall for you. This is a mistake.

You make me feel like I'm losing a battle I didn't even know I was fighting.

I swore I'd never let you get close to me.

Why does fighting with you feel better than being happy with anyone else?

You're dangerous. To me. To everything I've built.

I hate that you're the only one who makes me feel alive.

This thing between us—it's toxic. We're toxic.

You've always been the thorn in my side. Now you're under my skin.

You betrayed me once. How do I know you won't do it again?

I've spent years building walls to keep you out.

We're playing with fire here, and we both know it.

You're my competition, my nemesis, my—fuck, I don't even know anymore.

"Looks like they could kill you" "is a cinnamon roll"

"Looks like a cinnamon roll" "is a cinnamon roll"

"Looks like they could kill you" "would kill you"

"Sasha"

The sound of her name from his lips caused her to drop to her knees. He was here...he was really here.

Foolishly, she needed to remind herself to respond, "Sihtric....Sihtric....I'm here." She'd yelled so loud that birds evacuated and scattered from the branches above. The woman pleaded with the gods that he would respond, and she wasn't just suffering from a delusion.

It was then she heard the rapid approach of footsteps pushing through the forest, and she turned to the side to catch sight of him exploding through the treeline in a full run. Quickly, she stood up and began to move forward, and did not stop until she collapsed in his arms. Wrapping around him so tightly she worried she'd steal the breath from him.

Through soft cries, all she could express was, "The gods answered me. They answered me." Resting her cheek on his shoulder as tears collected there.

And then he heard her. Sithric stopped dead in his tracks and looked around. He called her again and then dismounted and stormed through bushes on his way to find Sasha. HIs dagger in hand, he was just careful enough as she wrapped her arms tightly around him.

"I'm here, I'm here." He whispered as he held her close. His eyes were searching the surroundings. "Is he close?" Sihtric was sure that Wilhelm was on his way towards her unless she had managed to disarm him in some manner.

"Sasha... is he close?" Sihtric asked more urgently, even if he didn't let go of her.

A quick check in the mirror before she exited the room to hear the soft trail of voices down the hall. Closing in, she stopped in the doorway, read Ross's most peculiar body language, and wondered if everything was okay. Waiting until she was acknowledged before she stepped forward and extended a hand, "Hello, I'm Etta. It's lovely to meet you." She wondered what their intention was to be there after surveying Ross.

"Elizabeth." He whispered as she smiled at Etta.

"Nice to meet you, Etta. My name is Elizabeth." To her credit, Elizabeth smiled as if nothing was wrong and if she wasn't coming over to her ex out of the blue. "I ehm... am married to Ross' cousing Francis. I would like to talk to Ross, if that's ok."

Joscelin looked between Caz and Rene once again. The vampire chuckled, “Take the time you can. I know Caz is not from here.”

Joscelin nodded to Rene not expecting the assistance from the vampire and finding he appreciated it greatly.

He spoke in Ellaern for a moment to Rene before bowing his head. Rene bowed his head back.

The Sovereign moved to take Caz’s hand, “It’s alright. Rene said he would tonight. I will just pay him back another time. Would you like to go outside? I realize such a place like this is not somewhere you would rather be.”

He waited for what Joscelin would decide, because it really wasn't his call. He wasn't the one with the responsabilities and children, and a realm to care for. When René told them to go, he stood slowly and squeezed the other's hand softly.

"Yes, I would actually." He nodded when Joscelin asked if he wanted to go outside. While the palace was nice, he already ached to be outside, this was not his realm... but still nature would call to him.

Rico spoke, laughing gently as the man seemed ready for battle. He was right, as there were many enemies hidden in seemingly plain sight, yet one more had made its face known. He was painfully aware that it was not an ally yet, but how big an obstacle they would be come was yet to be seen. He could see the eagle of Rome in his mind, alerting him to the affiliation, yet he would need to find out a bit more.

"However, your blade has me far more interested. Also, the way it feels I doubt that I would get tired of that."

Though the current staffing of the house was small, it held enough people for the amount of time that Ricardo had been there. He was realizing that he may need more staff, but also considered the appointment of a small army nearby. The man was commenting on the state of the home, but with Rico's status, little could be said in earnest. Feeling the man against him, he moaned softly, secretly hoping for an excuse to dismiss his guest and play with hs new soldier/ Gladiator

" Should we greet our guests or stay away a bit longer?"

He stayed close to the other man because he wanted to, but partly because he felt the need to protect Rico. He probably didn't need it, he was more powerful than anyone Gannicus knew, but the urge was still there. "I believe that you can do anything you like. If you want to keep him waiting, then there is nobody stopping you. Depends on if you want to piss him off or not."