#compiled thread

shinycollectingteifling

The roars could be heard for miles around the mountain, for several minutes it was the loudest sound anywhere near the mountain. Until an almighty crack of thunder silenced them, the sickening crunch of scale and bone went unheard, as did the heavy breathing.

A little scratched up and singed but otherwise looking alright, the blue teifling panted hard until her rage subsided, leaving her a bit shaky for a few moments. It took some effort to uncurl her fingers from her hammer, leaving it in what was once the face of a young but arrogant red dragon.

While the group were picking each other up and heading back to the path down with what they could carry from the disappointing pile of treasures she turned and spotted her favourite wizard nearby. She waved to the others to keep going, that she’d catch up in a few minutes. Not too worried since most of the dangers up here had been quite thoroughly dealt with.  

Moving quietly so as to not alarm him any more than he seemed to be already she crouched before him and tried to offer a reassuring smile, somewhat diminished by the smears of crimson across her face and chest. Her one working eye flicking over the elf to make sure he’d been unharmed, and her shoulders dropped with releif.

“Hey...”

cunninginstinct

Sand could never remember so desperately flinging spells in his life. The incantations left his lips with little pause between one and the next, he must have gone through at least twenty potions, and on more than one occasion he found himself hiding behind Khelgar - Khelgar! Of all people!

And at the forefront of the battle was Aku, incandescent with rage, her muscles visibly straining under taut scarred blue flesh. She leaped and struck with all the proficiency of a warrior of her caliber. The fact that she faced a dragon seemed to daunt her very little at all. Sand did not have enough time between screaming wards and protections to envy this about her.

Together, a force combined into one synergistic effort, they vanquished dread Tholapsyx at last. Sand had been hanging on with great effort to the remains of rational strategy up until the telltale crack of bone. He stood there for many moments, panting heavily, and his shoulders eventually relaxed. With relief he shakily sank down onto the top of a rugged chunk of volcanic stone, gathering his bearings.

Distantly Sand heard the voice of the knight captain trying to reach him. His eyes were still wide with terror, somewhat glazed as he reached up to rub his forehead. Every part of him was still intact. Singed, but intact. He never thought he would be so happy to find everything just the way he’d left it.

Shakily, he ducked his head and held up a hand to brandish a gloved finger. “Aku, darling,” he gulped. “Give me three seconds - my life is almost finished flashing before my eyes.” And it was just as underwhelming as he remembered it… well. Aside from his recollections of misadventures in the hosttower and running along after Aku.

shinycollectingteifling

While it would be the easiest thing in the world to assume Aku possessed all the intellect of a drunken chimp with the power of speech, she did in fact pick up on things very quickly. Some things at least. It was more her priorities for giving things thought were a little different, and she certainly wasn’t (as someone once said to her face before his got broken) a heartless killing machine.

She nodded and waited on her haunches for Sand to recover, poised ready to help if she was needed. Though she was smiling, her eyes held a great deal of worry for him.

Thinking maybe her state might be a bit unsettling she emptied a bit of her waterskin into he rhand to get most of the blood off of her face, but realised it would take a bit more effort than they had time for up here. At least her face was clean now.

Glancing up again at Sand she thought for a moment then offered the skin to him, remembering their earlier battles the gentle reminders to drink water after all the excitement, which made it easier to recover. Hoping it would have the same affect now.

cunninginstinct

Sand eased his eyes towards Aku again. She was squatting before him, and in her calloused hand she held a waterskin. His mouth suddenly felt very dry - another reminder that he was still living and breathing. “Oh… why, thank you, dear girl.” With a wan smile, he reached out to accept the offering of a drink and their fingertips lightly brushed against each other.

His hand shook as he rose it to his lips and drank steadily, though he took care to leave plenty for Aku to slake her own thirst. For many moments after he finished taking a drink, he blinked at the scorched earth where spatters of blood painted the scenery. Now that he’d found the time to ground himself, he became acutely aware of his heart hammering in his chest.

“We’re alive,” Sand acknowledged at last. He wheezed in something that might have been a chuckle, were he not so exhausted. “Aku, how in the realms did you muster this kind of fortitude…?”

shinycollectingteifling

The teifling let out a breath she’d been holding, and relaxed a bit, though looked around to make sure nothing else would be making an attempt to munch on them unawares. Looking back only to take the waterskin back, corking it and tying the loop back to her belt.

“Yes we’re alive. I promised I wouldn’t let anything hurt you.” She grinned,but it faded with the follow up question. She shifted a little uncomfortable while thinking how to answer that.

“Uh I think you probably wont like the answer. Short answer would be I got into fights a lot, like probably way more than I should’ve. Even as a kid. Not my fault. Guess I wasn’t too popular.” She tried a weak smile for him and bounced a little,eager to get going.

“You gonna be alright?” She leaned forward a bit and in a motion as tender as she could make it, placed her hand over Sand’s forehead, growing worried again.

cunninginstinct

“Hm? Oh - yes,” said Sand, reaching up to close his fingers over the tiefling’s rugged hand. “Quite fine. Nothing like a little fresh volcanic air to really set one righ–” Seconds after this incomplete utterance he turned approximately the color of the Waterdhavian algae that he sold in his shop. Unceremoniously he lurched to the side and heaved, puking up the lunch he’d picked at earlier that day. “…To set one r–”

Again, he retched. And again. Only twice more did he attempt to repeat his unfinished sentence before he gave up. At last Sand spat up the last of the foulness and he groaned. Suddenly he felt very faint and beset upon by the violent onset of vertigo. The sight before him dimmed as he swayed in his seated position. Before eventually tipping over, he faintly recalled murmuring: “Aku, would you be a dear and catch me before I flounder in my own vomit? Thank you…”

shinycollectingteifling

Seeing what was coming, Aku moved aside and very carefully pulled Sand’s hair aside, and held onto his arm. Politely looking away till he seemed to regain himself. She began to ask him a question but she could see the lights going out and quickly looped her arms around him.

It took a bit of careful maneuvering, but eventually she got him up on one arm, using her tail to keep him upright and pulled his arm over one shoulder. Satisfied he was secure she began to long trek back down the mountainside, taking things a considerably more careful path so she wouldn’t jostle Sand around too much. While dragging her hammer behind her as well.

The heat began to diminish after a while and the air was not as thick and noxious. The heavy clouds above them began opening up and a (Thankfully) cool drizzle started to soak them through. As much as Aku hated water and the rain she kept going, able to see the camp a ways further down.

cunninginstinct

Were Sand in a more controlled state, he would have recoiled to see himself giving in to such graceless displays. However, his hero was there to rescue him before he could splash about in the remains of his lunch and dignity on the scorched stone below. Suddenly he felt himself moving through the air, held above the ground by a firm, muscular arm. As reality slipped away from him, he sighed and pressed his cheek to Aku’s forehead and finally went still.

He did not shift around a lot at all and his eyes remained closed throughout most of the trip down Mount Galardrym. Even as the rain started he was still retreated into reverie for the most part. Every now and then his fingers would shift along Aku’s skin where they made contact.

If Sand were ‘awake’ he would have spared them both with a spell to protect them from the elements… except they were all used up in the scrap against Tholapsyx. Burning, scorching fire? Or a little bit of drizzle? Still, once he would finally stir from his state of semi-consciousness, they would have the luxury of being able to avoid the misty raining.

shinycollectingteifling

The slow walk down, while wet and slippery, not to mention dangerously narrow pathways, was made bearable. At least in Akuma’s mind. Finding she quite liked being this close to her favourite wizard.

A slight prickling feeling ran up her spine as she edged her way very carefully over a narrow rock pass over a very painful looking drop below. She turned just enough at the way she’d come from and felt ice drop into her stomach.

Clearly on their way up they hadn’t quite finished off one of the giants who had been hindering their progress all damn day. This one, while not the largest by any means looked angry. His flaming beard flickering as the weather turned from drizzle to a downpour, muscles bulging as he began charging at them and this narrow little bridge.

Had she been on her own Aku would have charged right back, but… She looked at Sand in her arm and at her hammer in the other and whimpered for a moment. She shouldered her weapon and pulled Sand closer to her chest as she began to run across the bridge, flinching as she heard a loud crack behind her.

Her hooves clicked rapidly across the stone and her tail thrashed side to side to help her keep her balance, she began muttering under her breath. “Don’t panic, I’ve got you I’ve got you, I promised. I promised.”  Trying desperately to look only at the end of the bridge and not at Sand or what was coming behind them.

cunninginstinct

Sand’s eyes snapped open and he tilted his head upwards, furrowing his brow against the intensifying rain. He recalled fighting the dread Tholapsyx - and surviving, successfully subverting expectation - and his exhaustion suddenly and rather nauseatingly catching up with him on the mountaintop. Everything past that was beyond his mental reach. Except… Aku caught him, held him, carried him. He recalled comfort and bliss in her arms. And she was still lofting him around, but at a scurry rather than a leisurely trot.

Sudden lightning highlighted the giant behind them and his eyes widened.

“Oh for the love of the Seldarine,” he croaked.

At least the wizard’s impromptu rest did him some good to replenish his spells. As Aku hurdled down the stone path, the elf she carried with her hurriedly chanted a haste spell on her. Hopefully that should put some distance between her and the fire giant, but it would not be enough… Without missing a beat, he began to rattle out the incantation to Polar Ray, aiming true at their cranky pursuer.

shinycollectingteifling

As the magic took a hold of her, Aku took the hint and began a full on dash across the bridge, legs blurring as she crashed through the driving rain. The edge was in sight, and she felt the creeping cold from behind her and heard an almighty roar and something heavy hitting the bridge. Which then shook.

The giant had run right into the spell and started to slip, unable to hold his balance fell backwards and hit the bridge with such a force that it was beginning to crack under his weight. He shook his head and sat up to hurl his axe at the retreating duo, just as the rock gave way and his yells quickly grew quiet then silent.

The teifling glanced back and let out another whimper before looking at her companion. “I am so so sorry about this.” She twisted and spun around, launching the wizard towards the safe end of the bridge in an upwards arc, biting on her lower lip with worry while she made a much less graceful but much faster sprint across. Sliding the last few feet on her side.

She sprung up at the last moment, arms up and got bowled over backwards in her attempt to catch Sand on his return to the ground. Going horn over tail down the muddy slope.

When they came to a stop she slowly uncurled herself from around the elf, breathing hard, and looking up to make sure they weren’t still being hunted then looked down at him, ears turned downward, and a very apologetic look on her face.

cunninginstinct

If moon elves were meant to fly they’d be avariel. That’s what Sand always thought, anyways. Yet here he was, airborne, without so much as a hint of a plan of what in the realms Akuma thought she was doing. So, he did what he’d naturally do - he screamed.

Now whatever mystique he built up over the years was gone, but dire life-threatening situations had a certain way about them that put a person’s true priorities into order. And this? This was the least of his concerns at the moment.

The wind tore at his lungs as he sailed gracelessly in an arc through the air, wailing all the while. At last gravity caught up to him and he began his journey (perhaps not so much that as it was a harsh plummet) earthwards. The ground was coming close. By Mystra, there had to be something there between his sharp ears that would save him from a squashed state! However, even with all the racing his mind was doing in that moment, all he could begin to think of was whatever eulogy he’d get once whatever smears was left of him could be collected and buried. Here lies Sand, hedge-wizard, unconventional lawyer, elven pancake.

Serendipity by the name of Aku saved him from his perilous descent through the air. His yelp was cut short quite abruptly. A mass of blue muscle tumbled into him, Sand’s ragdoll body held tight against the knight captain in a protective grasp. For a while yet they traveled, but at last when their surroundings ceased its spinning Sand found he was still, miraculously, alive.

His breathing was ragged. The twitch in his left eye was sustained for several moments until his gaze found Aku. The elf’s chest continued to heave with greedy gulps of air.

“Thank you. And also never,” Sand groaned hoarsely, “ever, throw me again.” His palm found his forehead shakily, pressing against the surface in a fed up manner. “But… more importantly, thank you.”

shinycollectingteifling

Akuma let out a sigh of relief at hearing him speak and sounding (all things considered) fine. She nodded, agreeing to his terms. “You’re welcome. I uh, wasn’t exactly thinking…just sort of uhm…”  She shut up quickly, not wanting to be any more of an idiot than she was making herself already. Besides, ‘Wanted to get you across safe’ didn’t want to leave her thoughts via words anyway.

Once the adrenaline wore off, she checked Sand for any obvious injuries, though there wouldn’t be much she could do about that at the moment. Satisfied nothing life threatening was going on she began to shift to stand up but hissed softly. Seems sliding over bare rock was not an ideal method of travel. She grit her teeth for a moment and tried again, managing to get upright and offered her hand for her companion. Wishing she could do something about the rain.

“I don’t think the camp is that far away now, we got quite a bit of distance covered.” She picked up her hammer, looking around the pass, it didn’t look quite the same in the dark, since her vision only made things black and white in the low light. Yet while she was figuring out where they were her gaze kept being drawn back to the hedge wizard.

Another flash of lightning impressed the urgency of the situation. So she took point and picked out the safer places to step down along the path, not quite going as quick as she would’ve liked.

She checked back over her shoulder fairly frequently, making sure Sand was still there. Feeling the need to lighten the mood somewhat she smiled. “You know, If anyone asks I’ll say that was me. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you be that loud before.”

cunninginstinct

“Well! At least some part of my dignity is maintained.” Sand rolled his eyes heavanward in fond exasperation. A delicate elven hand found the side of her face, fingertips lightly tracing her cheekbone. “Aku, dear girl,” he sighed with a sly little half-smile, “what ever am I going to do with you?” Rivulets of water trailed down the surface of her face like tears at his touch.

There was a pause and his ears twitched, soon afterwards his keen eyes zoned in on the commotion of camp quite a ways below them. His smile was slow to broaden, but it found inspiration with the offer of her hand. The wizard’s fingers closed around her palm, but not before he took advantage of the lack of surveillance upon the two of them to kiss where he caressed her cheek earlier. “Consider this the first part of my payment for saving our lives.”

He ran his fingers through his coal black hair and frowned in distaste at the sodden texture. “Mm,” he hummed thoughtfully. “And consider this the next part.” While still grasping her hand, he wove a spell to protect them from the elements for the duration of the rest of their descent. And if Tymora smiled upon them, hopefully it would be a slower and less treacherous one. “You saved me from a dragon, so naturally I must rescue you from the clutches of a dreadful cold. Ah, don’t thank me all at once.”

shinycollectingteifling

Seeing the hand close to her face she couldn’t help flinch slightly but relaxed almost immediately.

It was the strangest most surreal thing in the world to her that with the barest hint of a touch Sand could make her simply melt against his palm, eyes closing for a few moments.

She couldn’t have answered his question even if she wanted to, her brain and stomach were becoming quite fuzzy, enough to distract her until the brief kiss against her cheek.

Then the fuzz became a blaze of heat and she felt like she’d been stunned for a good while, and simply followed where he was leading her, hoping the walk down to the camp wouldn’t be too short after all, and for once thankful the dark was hiding the new colour on her face.

“Uhm yeah rescue the cold from a dragon…” She grinned, clearly hadn’t paid quite full attention and walked a little closer, looking far too happy in the dark and pouring rain when usually she’d be the first to complain about the weather. “Best wizard ever.”

cunninginstinct

Sand chuckled. “I’ll take that as a ‘thank you’.” He was not so disoriented that he would miss the flush spreading across her face, but he accepted his success with a smug, knowing smile.

They strode down the path steadily, hand in hand, protected from the rain by a magical bubble. Still he took care with his steps... it would not do well to ruin the moment by taking another impromptu tumble down the slippery hill. There would always be a better time and place for the two of them to be sprawling, and the rocks here were not looking particularly comfortable for it. With a twinge of amusement he tucked that thought away for a different time.

The gods graced the rest of their journey without any more dragons or giants, or even sudden natural disasters, that would have no doubt put a damper on their walk. Despite the dark and the rain he would dare say he even enjoyed these moments, more since they were not burdened with the risk of being watched by prying eyes. They were for each other in this simple stroll. Any lingering fire giants would just have to form a queue and wait until Aku and Sand’s precious rare time alone was over.

She traipses from each floor of the tavern, dressed as a boater escaping the midnight chill and with half a mug of jasper brandy grasped in one hand; the other occasionally taking a coin or two from unfortunate passerby who cross her path. And she'd continue traversing from one end of the room to the other, listening to bits of gossip until the words “gala” and “showcase” and “art” were filtered through the rest of the noise, making her stop and casually lean back on a post to take a swig of her drink, all while overhearing every detail that had to be offered.

Yet Zyad, self-proclaimed “infamous, elusive thief” is oblivious to the fact that she had caught the eye of a certain person who watched her every move intently.

(Shadow) Shadow sat at her usual table, the one in the corner. The hunter was not extremely keen on drink but came to taverns often to seek out new information, targets and just to observe. Maybe she liked to drink a little after some hard missions. She wasn't disturbed there by anyone; the only thing she received were the odd, nervous glances of a server maid.

This tavern is one you never want to draw too much attention to yourself. You either were feared, threatened, or killed. It's best to stay on the feared list. Many unsavory characters come to this tavern. The kind Shadow has pleasure in killing. Did she look that intimidating? I suppose being clad in black robes wearing a hood and armed with knives who have seen many victims, and having a companion of a merciless peregrine falcon, it's not hard to guess why people are afraid.

The assassin never had much table manners and that was evident here as she rested her heels on the table, lazily watching the crowds of people waiting for something interesting to happen.

So it was that something had caught her eye. This girl making her way around the tavern pick pocketing unlucky victims. Such ease and skill. Shadows assumptions were that she was a petty thief but even they wouldn't be this good. They wouldn't be this efficient. Shadow could even see the vantage points she used to eavesdrop into conversations. Definitely someone I need to keep an eye on.

Ah of course who came to crash the party only some palace guards who marched into the tavern. How brave of them to come in here, how foolish of them. It must be something important to bring them in here. They headed straight for the new mysterious girl.

(Zyad) It was not until the chatter of the other patrons quieted to a hushed muttering and the air turned deathly cold did Zyad pay heed to the oncoming palace guard brigade.

“Evenin’ gentleman,” she says once they are in front of her. But her smile does not reach her eyes. “You got a problem with me?”

“You know what the problem is,” the leader retorts. He is thick and sinewy with roughened skin that's decorated with creases and scars, and his animal-companion, a growling bulldog, stands beside him. “My brother's stuff's been taken. And you fit his description perfectly.” He spits at her feet, then points his sword to her throat, the others following his lead and drawing their weapons. "Now hand over whatever you stole and this won't have to get ugly."

Zyad's eyebrows furrow as she exchanges a glance between the blade and the stupidly brave guards standing in a den of vipers.

"Please," she breathes out as she carefully sets her mug on a nearby table, crossing her arms soon after. For a moment, all the onlookers think they might have a free show of a thief pleading for her life.

"I doubt this situation could become uglier than your face."

(Shadow) As soon as the swords were out Shadow was up on her feet.  Quietly making her way over to the guards who didn't notice her coming. For someone with swords to her throats the thief is being very brave saying smart comments like that. She must have had near death experiences before. Shadows previous guess is correct this stranger is much more than a petty thief.

The assassin was inches away from the main guard, her falcon above in the rafters.

"She has a point." Shadow grinned showing her teeth, but her hood hid the rest of her face. "If I were you I would cease your convictions in retrieving whatever stolen objects this… petty thief has taken.  I don't like trouble in this tavern and you sure don't want to make even more of a fool of yourself."

The guard’s only response was a grunt and remained firm in his position, but his true feelings were portrayed on his conflicted face.

"Besides you mustn't be that great of a guard if something got stolen, and also who exactly is guarding your master while you go on your little adventure to chase down his lost treasure?"

One thing Shadow learned is that when people are angry they can't fight effectively. She was trying to get him angry and he almost is outraged. The only problem this has is if he strikes the stranger and not her. Time shall tell in his response as for now he was visibly fuming.

"This is none of your business." He scoffed.

"Ah, but it is now since you disturbed my peaceful observations. Why don't we take this outside and I can show you just how much of this is my business. Just because you can't do your job doesn't mean you should kill someone," Shadow replied sarcastically.

It was then he whipped around, pointing the sword at Shadow’s abdomen, the two other guards attention still focused on the thief. His face twisted into a confident grin.

"I know you. Well, I know the stories and all you are is a cold-blooded killer. Don't lecture me, you criminal."

The assassin laughed again "Oh no! You got me there. You just proved I'm really efficient at my job, and if you don't step back from that girl I'll give you a demonstration."

(Zyad) Zyad snorted in sheer amusement once the now-revealed “killer” and the guard finished their banter with one another.

Sure, Zyad didn’t know who the girl in the hood was, but the thief knew when a person simply emanated “threat” and to stay far away from them as possible. However, with the way things are now, maybe a little help wouldn’t hurt from a fellow criminal, for the crowd already encircled them and blocked all the escape routes she previously planned to take.

The guard was highly livid with each word the assassin quipped back at him; and though the thief did not know her helper’s true intentions, she would do what she knew best: to adapt.

“If we’re placing bets, then I‘m putting mine on her. ‘Cause I’m pretty sure you just pissed your pants when you realized who she was,” she pointedly said to the red-faced guard.

He visibly tenses, his eyes shifting towards the thief, but his blade still trained on the assassin.

“Wow,” Zyad drawls. “I can already hear the people whispering about a failed guardsman who soiled his pants while attempting to fight a killer in a shady tavern.” She leans slightly forward, her arms loosely crossing over herself. There’s a glint of deviousness in her eye and a smile to go with it as she continues her mockery.

“You’d be the laughing-stock of this city by the morrow.”

Various, quiet snickering echoed throughout the building as the guard’s own lips twitched into a snarl while his knuckles turned white.

The thief saw the strike before he even roared his raging battle-cry. He diagonally slashed downward, the screech of metal upon metal ringing sharply when his sword was blocked by what looked like a small, gray cane that Zyad had deftly taken from her person. And the split second of momentary confusion that showed on the guard’s demeanor was more than enough for Zyad to bring her blunt weapon straight across his jaw and kick him back to the two other guards. 

The thief shoots the assassin a quick, cheeky grin, while twirling the dark gray rod. “Keep up, will ya?”

(Shadow) Shadow was surprised to say the least by the stranger’s actions. They were rather quick for a civilian, nearly as quick as hers. I think her surprise was most evident from her facial expression with raised eyebrows and a smirk.

The phase passed quickly when she turned to the guards who were now poised and ready for attack. "I don't think we will be able to leave till these fellows are incapacitated." She directed to the stranger.

"Now what do ye say die now or live to fight another day?" The assassin grinned as she unsheathed her twin calcattas. Their responses were weary grunts and strengthening of their positions.

"Very well then, don't say I didn't give you a choice."

The guards charged forward but their strikes were slow and wide and easily blocked. One of the weaker guards was struck down by being impaled in the back after the assassin blocked his strike.

"Anytime you feel like it, you can join me so I can get you out of here before reinforcements arrive."

(Zyad) When the assassin killed one the guards, Zyad quickly fanned her weapon to the temples of the remaining one, promptly striking his ribs and shoulder afterwards. His distractedness had cost him severely and she watched as his body fell to join the others.

"Last time I checked," she sheaths her metal yantok, "I'm the one who had to attack first to get you to join me in the fight," she winks at the assassin. "But do lead the way. This city's streets are still unfamiliar to me."

Until the thief was far away from the people she stole, she'd have to rely on the assassin. For now.

(Shadow) "Let's not get too caught up in the details." The assassin chuckled a little. She proceeded to wipe the blood off the swords onto the guards on the floor, then sheathed them when satisfied.

"I have a horse out back. Let's leave before this gets worse."

Shadow turned to go pushing her way through the crowd to get to the stalls out back. Following behind was her animal companion, Aldmari, following overhead.

Reaching outside there was the horse tied up exactly where she left him. She untied him and mounted up. "Now you can either steal a horse and draw more attention to yourself or just ride with me."

(Zyad) Zyad was grateful to be away from the prying eyes of the other patrons in the tavern. The stir she caused here would spread whispers about her presence within the city, no longer leaving her obscure from the different factions and other thieves. It would be another problem she'd begrudgingly have to work around.

As she follows the assassin through the crowd, she taps one of her inner-coat pockets, making sure her little companion, Iko, was still snug inside. His head peeking out a moment later was all the affirmation she needed.

Once they're outside, the thief eyes the other horses in the stall, biting her lip while internally debating whether or not she should steal one on account of the assassin's quip. The owners could always replace it. But then again...

Zyad shrugs, a sigh following after it. "I think I had enough attention for tonight." She helps herself onto the horse and sits behind the assassin.

"So... Where are we going?"

(Shadow) The assassin squeezed her heels and the horse walked onto the street. It was a glamorous part of the town and the streets were dirty, thanks to the contents of the chamber pots being thrown onto them, just like the people who walked them.

"Where prying eyes don't look, somewhere the guards won't look. They call it 'Death Alley' but really it's perfectly safe, safer than that tavern even. Well, safe for a person like me. It's the perfect place to escape guards as the city folk fear it from the stories told about it."

The poor patrons evaded their path left and right, shooting glares at the hooded rider and her female companion. People were always curious, too curious, too nosey, too interested in everyone else's business.

That's one thing that annoyed Shadow- the gossip, oh people would kill for that. None of which affected her or which she cared for in the slightest.

"Where is your companion? That's mine." The assassin signaled up to the falcon. "Aldmari." The falcon cawed ((I don't know what sound it makes??)) in response to hearing its name and merely circled the sky above, the pace of the horse appearing too slow for her.

(Zyad) The pungent smell of the streets mixed with peering eyes that often looked their way instinctively made Zyad pull her collar closer to her face and her cap further down her eyes. It seems that the cold, night air wasn't the only thing causing goosebumps to crawl all over her dark skin.

But her silent snickering at the assassin's mention of such an innocuous name (for “Death Alley” was nowhere near intimidating to the thief) left her forgetting the wind's bite for just a moment. If it is indeed safe for a trained killer, then it is even better for an unsuspecting thief. However, she’ll make no mention of that to the assassin. She might need the leverage later on.

"What a beautiful bird," the thief mutters as she glances at the hawk gliding overhead. "Mine's in my coat po–”

Abruptly, she shudders.

“Never mind. He’s on my neck now.” The blue-tailed lizard continues to climb upwards until he’s resting on top of Zyad’s cap.

“Hope your companion isn't hungry 'cause Iko's a rather eye-catching lizard,” she jokes offhandedly with the barest of smiles curling at her lips.

“You know, I never did thank you properly for helping me back there. So uh… thanks. For not letting me die.”

(Shadow) Shadow glanced back to see the lizard on top of the strangers head.

“Indeed a very eye catching lizard. It's nothing really. I like to spice up my evenings every now and then. No matter who you are or what you've done I can guarantee I hate the city guards more.”

The horse’s hooves echoed through the streets as they went deeper into the suburbs. The streets seemed to have fewer and fewer people the further they went.

Finally, the assassin turned down a dark eerie street. They passed a sign post: “Death Alley”

“What is your name if you don't mind me asking?”

(Zyad) Zyad quirks a brow upon the assassin's remark on the city's guards, a silent sigh of relief escaping her lips. At the very least, Zyad now knows not to incur her helper's hatred to the point beyond what the assassin already has for the guards.

For the most of the ride, the two remained quiet, and the thief returned to counting the horse's steps that seemed to resound louder and louder the further down they went.

It was at 526 steps later that Zyad noticed the worn sign post held together by rusted nails. A perfectly placed eerie sign for a perfectly placed eerie street. All it needed now was a few dark clouds hanging overhead marked with occasional lightning and thunder to make it absolutely wonderful and inviting.

Yet despite the dreadful stillness it held, a small smile pulled at the corner of Zyad's lips, for the potential of becoming invisible once more lay greatly within Death Alley.

As the thief thought of the many things she'd do in her spare time when she is far from the city proper, the assassin interrupts her train of thought.

The thief blinks twice before relenting with a smirk.

"Zyad." A pause. "Just Zyad. Not 'petty thief,' mind you." It's not like she forgot what the assassin called her back at the tavern. "And what about you? Or should I just assume that everybody knows who I'm talking about when I mention a 'cold- blooded killer' with a big-ass hawk as her companion?"

(Shadow) “They call me Shadow. When I say they I mean everyone besides me. You may not be a petty thief, Zyad, but you are a thief all the same.”

The horse’s strides slowed and soon came to a stop outside a house. It looked better than some of the others on the street, but it still wasn't an inviting home. There was no paint on the outside which made it look dark, which was made even worse by the fact there were no oil lamps on these alleys. Least the house had all its windows unlike the others.

Shadow swung her leg up over the horse’s neck, sliding off the saddle, and dismounted. She grabbed the horse’s reigns and gave him a pat on the neck. She turned back to Zyad.

“My real name is Iolar. You can stay here for a while eat, drink and rest if you need. “

(Zyad) "You forgot to put 'fantastic' or 'amazing' before 'thief,'" and Zyad smiles a Cheshire smile, a small chuckle accompanying along with it. She leans her head against interlocked fingers and continues on,

"But 'Shadow,' huh? Wonder if that's just self-proclaimed or you earned it from your notoriety."

However, her mind wanders from the question once the horse stops in front of what she presumes to be Shadow's residence, one so carefully more intact, yet nonetheless daunting than the other houses.

She follows suit in dismounting, and was about to make a curt farewell, but is suddenly taken aback by the assassin's offer.

Her eyes narrow.

"Iolar, thank you for the assistance earlier, but I think this is where we should part ways." It's a shame such kindness is wasted on the thief.

But nonetheless, Zyad rolls her shoulders back, turns on her heel, then takes one last glance at Shadow.

"If we ever cross paths again, I'll make sure to return the favor. Thief's honor and all that."

She heads down an alleyway and disappears without a trace.

(Shadow) "Like there's much honor in thieves." The assassin whispered to herself. "I suppose a murderer’s wouldn't be that much better."

The assassin, although she wouldn't admit it, was disappointed. She was disappointed she wouldn't have company for the evening.

The assassin brings the horse around the back and takes off his tack, leaving him running free in the paddock.

Shadow made her way inside, slowly stripping off pieces of her clothes starting with her belt and boots, then her assassin blades and outer robes. She quickly got a strong fire going giving at least a source of light.

Tension hung so taut in the air that it was practically tangible, and as the sun elf paced about in his humble shop, Sand consulted the mysterious tome she’d presented him with. Foul magicks indeed were tied to this book. Even Sand, who had known personally the wickedness of the Arcane Brotherhood, found it difficult to not be squeamish… yet utterly enraptured at the same time, in the same way that one would find it difficult to look away from a horrifying accident.

Tempting as it was to tell the distraught woman that there was no hope for her friend, and that she should leave the book under his professional care and forget the whole ordeal, there seemed to be several intriguing references in what Sand could decipher. But, looking at what was required, it was easier to tell her there was nothing to be done. Still…

Sand sighed, closing the book from both ends together. That was a mistake, as the smell of decay gusted upwards from that motion, and Sand’s sigh had just the right timing to breathe it in despite his conscious efforts to not inhale its stench. He coughed and retched for a while, feeling bile rise in the back of his throat. Hearing this, Jaral remained huddled at the very top of the staircase, tail fluffed and ears flattened.

Sand waved a hand in front of his face to attempt to clear the air as he recovered from his fit of coughing and gagging. “L-look,” he wheezed, much calmer now. “Look at the c… er-ehm. Look at the cover. See how there’s… only a few cr–” His voice broke and he hacked and coughed in a way similar to how his familiar would throw up a hairball. “There’s only a few crystals on the cover. The others seem to have been purposefully gouged out, and maybe hidden. Though I’d be simply ecstatic to tell you it may be as simple as locating and retrieving its counterparts, I wouldn’t put too much stock into your friend recovering from his curse. Possible, yes, but his chances are slim.”

The moon elf held the book underneath of his arm and clasped his hands behind his back. His expression was as grim as the tomb. “Something as powerful as this, my dear, must have some sort of guardian making sure these crystals are not recovered… whether for good or for ill. Are you really sure reviving your friend is worth the sacrifice?”

The dust clouded her vision for an instant. The mage took a long time to examine the grimoire, that didn’t seem too good. Yet she still had hope, Sand was known for his knowledge in the arcane mysteries. It was even why Lord Nasher had kept him near him. But more than that, it was the fact that the mage had worked with Ophelia, that had pushed the paladin to come here.

Oh it was not the first time she visited the shop. Yet it was maybe the first time she exchanged more than a few words with the moon elf. Until then she hadn’t noticed the cat. He too, seemed a bit affected by the dust and the smell.

It was not very surprising either, animals often sensed things better than them. And the odor that came from that flow of dust was truly horrible. She coughed a bit and tried to calm down quickly. But images of corpses flashed before her eyes.

No, no, they aren’t there, they aren’t there! You’re in a shop Rith, not there, not there…

Morninglord. With my eyes I see your holy sunrise. Morninglord. With my hands I sense your mercifull warmth. Morninglord. With my heart I feel your eternal love.

Her heart beat decreased slowly, yet she could feel a cold sweat dripping down her back. The magician didn’t seem too good either. The foul smell had invaded the shop, leaving no fresh air. Pressed against a shelf, she tried to catch her breath.

“Ugh…I see, are you alright?”

The crystals, that was the key.  She doubted that these gems were inoffensive and it looked like she was right. Every thing had a purpose, and it wasn’t the first spellbook she had found. She was used to see magical mechanisms.

She stood up, as she felt better. Her amber eyes supported the gaze of the moon elf. She was determined. She remembered too well the first time she had seen Leandre, a child back then. The blonde curls and that innocent smile hadn’t fooled her. But she had also seen how thin and dirty he was as he stole that apple. She was the one who had send him to Aarin. And yes, she was responsible. It was her fault.

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes. And I’m kinda good at retrieving hidden things if I may say so.”

She paused, her tone was a bit ironic.

“That won’t be the first time I have to fight a guardian. We should elaborate a plan. when I would find it I would act accordingly. So… are you in?”

Startled by her assumption that he would simply go along, willy-nilly, into the heart of danger once more, he leaned away a little from the paladin. Holding up both of his hands in a simultaneous halting and submissive manner, he interrupted, “Oh, me? No, no, no, no. No. I have had my fill of adventuring, thank-you-very-much, and I do not intend to get myself wrapped up into the risky affairs of others over a stranger.”

He backed away, his spine (or, in this particular situation, lackthereof) brushing against the counter. “You’ll have to find someone else. No ifs, ands, or buts, my dear. While I would be simply ecstatic to put my life on the line yet again, those days are over. And my inventory will not take stock of itself.” Dismissively, he grabbed some random papers from his desk and looked them over as though she were no longer there.

The only hint he gave that he was still aware of her presence was the off-hand suggestion, “Try the mercenarys’ barracks. You’re sure to find a meatshield in there or two to help you along your way. Have a wonderful time, and ah, don’t die.”

It’s was an understatement to say that she was disapointed. Usually people were easily convinced by gold and gems. Some were also happy to help, or even eager to do what’s right. Unfortunatly the mage seemed a little to attached to his own comfort to really want to face danger.

Well it was not the first time someone said no to her. The paladin approached the cat, maybe a familiar, to hide that she had to think about a better reply to convince Sand. She reached for the cat, presenting her hand so it could smell her odor. Maybe then she could caress the lovely animal.

“Well. I still need a mage. If I understand it well, we’ll have to put the crystals back into the book to undo the curse. Maybe even perfom some ritual. And I can’t do that.”

The cat didn’t seem to mind her. In fact he didn’t seem to care at all. So she touched it very softly, Somehow it was quite comforting.

“I understand that you don’t want to risk your life for a stranger. But after what Ophelia told me about you I thought… Well that’s too bad. I need to act fast and an apprentice mage would only slow me. I need a veteran mage, one who can perform a spell while I protect him.”

Almost as a reflex she chanted softly a short prayer. Lathander give me the strenght! Then she turned to him, her amber eyes fixed on his.

“And you should know that I won’t take any meatshield. I am the shield, I have been the shield of this whole city, don’t you remember? So I’ll go alone then.”

She returned to the mage, and took the book on the counter. Her eyes were glowing with a fierce determination. A holy aura was surrounding her. She was willing to do anything to save Leandre.

Sand snootily watched as she acquainted herself with Jaral. The feline ducked his head and sniffed her hand, maintaining a respectable distance, before rearing his head to butt it into her palm, eyes closed into content little slits. A low purr rumbled in his throat. Ah, Jaral. Much more a ladies’ man than Sand ever was.

Admittedly, he felt a little bad leaving her to her own devices. Sand made an unsatisfactory host tower mage due to his guilty conscience and now here it was, throwing him headfirst into more danger and, almost worse yet, inconvenience. But did Rith really expect she would survive alone? Likely not. This was a little obvious trick she was playing on his feelings and to his unenthusiastic surprise, it was working.

One of these days, he’ll have to track down Ophelia and give her a talk about the reputation she painted of him, and how expectations go hand in hand.

“In that case, I suppose joining you would be prudent. A veteran mage would be difficult to locate in the docks district, after all, and the ones in the other quarters of Neverwinter would likely be less interested than I.” He placed both hands on the counter and leaned forward towards her, his face half-cast in shadow, one eyebrow raised. “Fair warning - I’m not risking life and limb on the whim of a stranger. I will help, but I have my boundaries.”

The feline was purring, its comforting sound was nice to hear. It was too long since she had seen such a nice cat. Well maybe not just a cat, as she was at a wizard’s shop, but still. It sure looked like one. Its fur was soft and fluffly under her fingers.

A wave of relief eased the tension in her shoulders. She felt like someone had lifted her heavy burden for now. Hearing the mage changing his mind put a smile on her face. The kind that she couldn’t erase even if she tried. Mentally she thanked the Morninglord. Then she composed herself, it was not the time to look stupidly joyfull.

“Well veteran mages seem quite rare these times. I’m really happy to see that you changed your mind. “

She approached the counter, leaning in quite close to the moon elf. Those two were like color opposites.

“That’s only fair I guess, should we discuss your boundaries right now? Or do you prefer a meal first? “

The paladin smiled.

Sand raised his hands from the counter top to cross his arms and half-turn away, still looking in her direction. “Allow me to pack first, then we’ll eat. We will have plenty of time to discuss boundaries afterwards on our way to find answers.” He sniffed and began to close up shop while she continued making friends with his familiar. “I’ll have my apprentice take over the shop for the time-being. And I trust you have authority to appeal to Lord Nasher? If you are to borrow me, in a manner of speaking, he will need to allow me the freedom to chase after you into danger without violating any codes between myself and Neverwinter.”

The mage compared wands and, with a shrug, packed both away into the bag on his hip alongside his spellbook. “Let us make relative haste, I am sure we will have a lot of ground to cover in order to help this friend of yours, Rith.” His smile was sly. “At least you had the sense to ask someone proficient enough to help, my dear. I make no promises, but I assure you I will do my best on your behalf.”

Oh so he did have boundaries, although rather tempted to address it, she didn’t say that out loud. She was honestly happy that he changed his mind. Because she knew by Ophelia how valuable his skills were. Still her joyful smile disappeared at the mention of the lord’s name. She was surprised that he too, was not totally free of his movements in the city. Maybe he was also some kind of spy.

She didn’t think about that and Ophie didn’t tell her. But well, kinda normal if any of this was a bit true. That man had pawns everywhere, even in the oddest places. That was nothing new really. She shrugged, a thin grin on her lips.

“Well, I left a note for Aarin Gend, I’m sure he will transmit the message if he thinks it has some importance to Nasher.”

As he was packing stuff, she took the grimoire back, putting it carefully into her magical backpack. Its touch made her shiver an instant. Fortunatly Rith had already packed her bag, armored, she had her weapon on her side, her shield was in the bag.

(Shadow) The grand-master was invited to this party. Merely because she was indeed a noble and, of course, she pulled a few strings.

The assassin found little joy in this party, nor did she in noble politics. But she had her mission, her target.

You could imagine her surprise when a familiar face appeared.

"You would be surprised what one could hide in her skirts. They can be quite efficient at hiding things I find. But yes, I'll take a champagne." She took a glass from her tray and took a sip.

"I assume you haven't settled down to an actual job, so what is your plan? Rob every noble one by one after you get them drunk with your wares? Steal things from the house? Or are you after something specific? "

The assassin returned her attention to her glass and sipped again waiting for Zyad to answer.

(Zyad) Zyad merely grins, her mirth much more genuine than what she showed to the other nobles.

“Nosy, aren’t we? But you’re not wrong.” Her eyes shift from side to side before lowering her tone to the assassin.

“Norville has… something in his study that I want.” A shrug. “Of course, jewelry and coin purses are an added bonus, but,” she sighs, “not as important.”

With all the nobles walking around flaunting their wealth, how can Zyad not be tempted to pinch a coin or two or three from each person?

“What about you, Iolar? Hopefully you didn’t have to dirty your hands to get in here. After all, someone of your caliber doesn’t simply strut around this sort of place without having business to take care of.”

A grand gala like this was actually the last place Zyad imagined the assassin to be at. Well, someone important must’ve pissed her off greatly.

(Shadow) "Norville eh? I'm sure he has more than one object of interest in his study. Me? Get my hands dirty? No way. I pulled a few favors and reminded people I was an unwed estate owner with quite a lot of wealth. Can't you see the looks some younger gentlemen are flashing in my direction?"

The assassin finished her glass and placed it back on the tray.

"I can tell you this. My plans don't commence till much later and I am out of this dress. But I can assure you Norville will have much bigger problems than you stealing some things."

Shadow fixed her dress before she spoke again. "I would love to chat but the dancing will begin soon and I am to dance the first two with Norville's eldest son." The assassin sighed. "How exhilarating. I have been asked by a few men at this stage that I don't think there will be enough dances to accommodate them. I would much rather run off."

The assassins face lit up when an idea popped into her head. "Meet me on the second floor hallway after the fifth dance, and I can get you the key to his safe."

(Zyad) A bemused smirk curled at the corner of Zyad’s lips. It seemed the assassin is much more resourceful than what she thought.

She nearly rolls her eyes.

“I’m pretty sure wealth isn’t the only thing that’s attracting them to you.”

The thief long since noticed the lustful gazes given to Iolar, and the ones full of contempt reserved for herself because why is a mere servant garnering the attention of someone like Iolar? And as ignorant as Zyad wanted to be, the whole situation was just too damn hilarious.

She quirks a brow.

“Oh no,” she drawls bemusedly, her eyes glinting with mischief. “The consequences of being both rich and beautiful. How tiresome.”

Zyad was about to leave with another snarky quip, but stops when she hears the words “key” and “safe,” her mouth now pursed and eyes slightly narrowed. If the assassin was offering her an easier way to access Norville’s collection, she’ll take it.

“Fine,” she finally articulates, and against better judgment.

Zyad gives a small bow.

“Until then, Lady Iolar.”

(Shadow) The grand-master courtesies politely in return.

Just as Zyad left, the music began.

The assassin huffed and fixed her expression into a smile. Just as promised, Norville's son approached her for the first dance. It was a common dance, though Shadow could not remember the name of it now.

There must have been twelve sets of dancers in the hall. The ladies on one side, the gentlemen on the other. They bowed before it truly commenced.

"You spent a lot of time conversing with that servant. That sort of carry on is condemned here," he spoke as they graced the dance floor.

"Well, I hardly was going to go to the wine cellar myself to get something a bit stronger. The champagne is not quite to my taste."

Norville's son wasn't that bad looking in comparison to her other suitors, maybe even handsome and also a bit more lean than them. He seemed kind and gentle. But then so would any gentleman trying to woo a girl for her fortune.

"You don't like the champagne?" He inquired.

"I do not like champagne in general, sir. Never took my fancy." With her current cover it made it very hard for the assassin to really do anything. Everyone was watching them. Or at least watching her.

The fact she rarely showed her face at court seemed to make the older generation very skeptical. The generation with unmarried sons, however, didn't even doubt for a second. I think they are forming a queue.

"There are quite a lot of young gentlemen here tonight; not enough lady partners." The assassin spoke, making small talk to make the whole situation less awkward.

"I'm not going to lie, milady, but I think they are here for you. News got out an unmarried lady with great wealth was coming. So, all the lords in the area came rushing in. No one knew you would also be so pretty". He pulled her close to him so their faces were inches apart.

She gasped.

Nice work, Shadow. Instead of making things less awkward you made them more awkward. She quickly twirled away as the dance demanded.

That was only the first dance.

(Zyad) Had the gala been in a bigger and more open venue, Zyad would have easily slipped back into the crowd. Yet, this was not the case. For no sooner had she stepped away from Shadow, a small group of noble sons approached her, their faces pulled taut with distaste.

“Servant-boy, explain to me why you took up so much of Lady Iolar’s precious time,” one with strikingly red hair said with a sneer.

Zyad internally grimaces. And even though she would love to stab him with a fork, she still has a charade to put up.

“Lady Iolar was curious about the state of the alcohol Master Landris is serving at the party, and inquired if I could, perchance, conjure something much stronger than this champagne,” Zyad replies innocently, and in a slightly lower pitch. “However, as much as this household prides itself with the finest of wines and other strong spirits, I had to explain to her that such drinks were reserved for Master Landris’s personal use.”

The noble scoffs and rolls his eyes, while the others who were following him looked impatient and frustrated as they found no fault in Zyad’s answer.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I cannot be an idle servant for too long.”

Zyad leaves before they can say another word and before they become suspicious of her being.

She heads down the length of the room towards the food table and trades her empty drink tray for a full one, aware that the first dance had ended.

This left her to listen to the idle chatter and laughter of the other guests as she wanders carefully around the dance floor, hoping to pick up any useful bits of information. But none really left their mouth.

She rolls her eyes when another noblewoman mentions a cheating relative. 

Waiting is really no fun. So, she steals a glance at Iolar and nearly spills the drink tray from laughter.

Zyad has never seen a person so distressed as the assassin is now.

“We should probably go help her out, huh, Iko?” the thief mutters underneath her breath, and the lizard responds with some squirming in her pocket.

Zyad keeps her eyes on Iolar and Norville’s son as she circles the dance floor, watching their routine closely. She hands a few drinks to a group standing near the edge, drops her tray off to the food table, and then slows her walk towards the very same group.

She waits until Norville’s son guides Iolar to the edge of the dance floor, where Zyad then smoothly trips an unlucky guest who was nearing the group of nobles holding full glasses of champagne.

There are shatters, gasps, and most importantly a drenched and red-faced son.

Other surrounding servants are quick to respond to the situation. So is Zyad.

As the other servants attend to the son brimming with anger, Zyad proffers a small towel and a subtle sly smile to the assassin.

“I hope you are unhurt as well, Lady Iolar.”

(Shadow) "I am sure to survive this ordeal," the assassin replied, trying her best to hide the smile on her face as she took the towel.

"Now, now. Give him some space he hasn't been shot," Iolar added as she brushed down herself and her dancing partner. "It appears our routine has been cut short, but I'll be sure to be waiting for your return, my lord." With that final statement, she courtesies and turns to leave.

Meanwhile, she could hear Norville's son scrambling behind to run and get changed.

At one of the tables she could see Lord Norville was entertaining some guests. As expected, when she approached, the gentlemen almost tripped over themselves to offer her a seat. She sat closest to Norville as she could.

What she was after, she might not need to go to the study. It might be on his person. But nonetheless, she needed to get the key.

"I sure should go out more," Lady Iolar said. "I do miss the excitement of a ball!"

(Norville Landris) "And society misses how you grace us with your presence!" At that, Sir Norville bursts into laughter, his raucous voice echoing to the ends of the entire room.

"After all," he begins while roughly taking Iolar's hand. "One with beauty, such as yours, should be displayed to the whole world." And he kisses her knuckles with shameless gaiety.

"So what brings you to my table, Lady Iolar? Has one of my sons caught your eye? Or..." his eyes darken and his voice lowers conspiratorially, "have you come to discuss about the other matter that I've yet to hear your response on?"

(Shadow) "You are too kind, sir." The assassin smiled, tapping the empty glass on the table, a symbol for a servant to fill it. With her hand quickly pulled away, Shadow found it hard not to tense up and pull it back, so she let him have it.

"I never quite caught your eldest son’s name, for our set was cut short. I haven't danced with all of them yet. In fact, I came to sit down and rest. I have plenty of dances to get through, it seems. And I'm sure every gentlemen on this table has a son who requested my hand in a dance."

The assassin took a sip of her drink.

"As for that matter," Iolar sighed. "You don't look like a military man milord. So, let me give you sound military advice. I believe it is unwise to go after them, the dragon holders, for they would have even more reason to go after us. If we kill them, they would use their superiority to kill even more of us. It would be entering a losing fight. I don't want to give them a reason to come after me and kill me or my future family. As I see it, current relationships with them aren't so bad. If we leave them alone, they leave us alone.”

“I will help you defend against them, but hunt them I shall not."

Shadow smiled after her speech.

"Now, now, Mr. Norville. Let's not spoil a party with talk of business. Look, your son returns."

(Norville Landris, Fredrick Landris) Norville looked a touch disappointed at Iolar’s response. But he recovered with a smile that hid secrets.

“A shame, Lady Iolar. You could have benefited much more than you can imagine from this endeavor.”

Just as his son approaches the table, Norville stands while resting his hands at the lapels of his bright-colored jacket, and the son looks at him confused.

“I hear you didn’t properly introduce yourself,” Norville said, lightly chastising him.

“Forgive me, father,” the son begins, but Norville places a hand on his shoulder, dismissing the apology altogether.

“Lady Iolar, this is my eldest son and heir to the Landris household, Fredrick Landris,” and Fredrick bows slightly.

Suddenly, a servant comes up to Norville and whispers in his ear. Whatever the message was, it did not bode well, for Norville’s countenance began to twist into anger.

“Now that you too have been reacquainted, please excuse me. It seems there is something that requires my attention.”

There is a beat of silence as Fredrick nervously runs his hand through his hair, the earlier air of bravado dissipating the moment his father pointed out his faux pas, and in front of Lady Iolar no less.

“Lady Iolar,” he finally says, determined to regain his former confidence. “May we continue where we left off?” And he offers her his hand.

(Shadow) Iolar watched Mr. Norville's reaction to the message with great interest. She could not make out the dialogue, but clearly something was wrong.

This distraction delayed her response. "Yes of course. I couldn't be happier to dance with you again, Fredrick." She took his hand and her smile grew as she looked into his eyes.

The assassin decided that the best way to get into Norville's office is to give Fredrick the wrong impression. She did not yet know how far she would have to go, but whatever it takes, she will do. Something more was happening here, and she must find out.

They took their places again as the music played for another dance.

"So, you are the heir to the Landris household and fortune? I assume you have had plenty suitors thrown into your path just like I have."

"Indeed, but Lady Iolar," he pulls her close to him whispering in her ear. "You are by far the most beautiful creature that graced this earth."

Like before, she had to stop herself from cringing. She must play along.

"Is that so?" She replied in the same fashion. "Well you better not lose sight of me then."

The next part of the dance was a solo piece for all the ladies. All eyes were on her as she twirled and danced around the hall, but she kept her eyes on Fredrick and only him. She was like a predator and he was her prey.

When she returned to his arms, a devilish grin grew on his face. He was handsome and maybe a bit flirty. Shadow knew damn well he had many ladies wrapped around his finger, a player and a user.

"I think we should get to know each other better."

(Fredrick Landris) Fredrick’s eyes flashed with great interest and lust, which he hides all too quickly behind a brilliant smile.

As expected of any lady, Iolar was much too easy to swoon. She’s beautiful, she’s rich, and hopefully she’ll be better in bed than on the dance floor. But despite that, she’s truly a prize to be won.

“Certainly, Lady Iolar. Perhaps we could speak somewhere quieter. And I happen to know the perfect place.”

Before the next dance, he leads her by the hand, weaving through the crowd of people as discreetly as possible, until they are in one of the many halls in the manor.

“My father’s study has an extensive collection of beautiful artwork from across the world. And,” he chuckles, “a more prominent selection of alcohol.”

He unlocks and opens the door to the study.

The walls are lined with various books, maps, old oil paintings, and decorative, foreign weapons. In the foremost back is a grand, hand-carved wooden desk; to the left side of it, a tall, glass cabinet holding a multitude of bottles of liquor.

“Do take your time perusing the room, while I go pick out our poison for the evening.”

(Shadow) The assassin searched for Zyad in the crowd. However, it seems her friend had left the party early. Shadow pulled up her skirt to move faster.

When he announced their destination, Shadow nearly broke character.

The room was indeed quite a spectacle. She couldn't help but approach one of the swords. The assassin ran her finger across the blade. She cut her finger, surprised the blade was still sharp.

The assassin clasped her hands behind her back and walked towards him.

"I know what you want. You'll have to try a bit harder than that to get it."

He turned around to face her. The new challenge played on the corner of his lips as he poured two glasses out onto the table.

(Fredrick Landris, Zyad) “Whatever do you mean, Lady Iolar?” Fredrick asks behind an innocent smile. “All I want is to have a conversation and a drink with you.”

He takes the two glasses, settles on the couch, and offers one of them to Iolar.

“So… How well do you know your wine?”

*20 glasses later of various alcohol*

“I’m impressssed,” a red-faced Fredrick says. His eyes are half-lidded as he hiccups through a droopy smile. “Not many ‘ave tasted Gold Amber Liquer. There’sss only been few bottles made… I think.”

He rubs his head in the palm of his hand.

“Do you feeeear,” he looks at the ceiling through squinting eyes, “plaguesss, Iolar?” And he lolls his head to get a better look at her.

“I heard there’sss one running rampant through thisss city in the form of a perssson.” Fredrick makes an indignant snort at that.

“A ssstupidly, brave thief haunting just the noblesss ‘n stealing from them.”

He chuckles.

“But don’t worry. ‘Caussse I’ll–“

Fredrick’s sentence is cut short when he’s suddenly knocked out by a familiar-looking servant.

“Ah-ah,” Zyad says while catching the falling glass from Fredrick’s hand.

She sets it aside on one of the nightstands then looks back at Iolar, blinks once, twice, then breaks into a wide smirk.

“You’re drunk, aren’t you?”

(Shadow) "I didn't even get to kiss him," the assassin announced disappointingly.

"Of course I’m not as sober as... as... as a newborn babe."

She got up and stumbled forward.

Although she was not as drunk as him, she still was extremely tipsy.

She finished her glass and placed it roughly back on the table. It leaned off the edge nearly ready to fall.

Finally, she made her way over to the desks and pulled out a drawer and started going through the letters.

(Zyad) “Really now? I wouldn’t have guessed that at all,” the thief jokes.

She searches Fredrick for anything useful, but all she finds is a few coins and jewels, which she pockets anyway.

Then she heads over to the desk as well, running her hands on the underside of it and its drawers.

“Tsk,” she says with a frown. There was nothing.

Zyad taps her finger against her chin as she scans the whole desk.

There were more documents, a placard, exquisite feather pens, a jewelry box, an empty chalice– she carefully grabs the chalice and finds a small key underneath the base of the cup.

“Look what I found,” she says to Iolar with a cheeky grin, while holding up the key.

“Now, Fredrick wouldn’t happened to have told you where the safe was, did he?”

(Shadow)

"Excellent work, detective! It's another clue to solve our crime."

The assassin reached under the table and pushed a button.

"He may have said something of the sort."

A passage opened in one of the walls leading down a narrow corridor to a secret room.

"You go! I'll stay. Keep Fredrick company."

She moved to sit on his lap.

(Zyad) “Well, your loss then!” The thief said while putting on her mask and hood. “Don’t get too comfy while I’m gone.”

With that, she followed the winding hall to the very end until it opened up to a much larger room covered in velvet drapes and light-gray stone. And one by one she lit the small lamplights and torches scattered along the walls.

There were display cases littered around the room full of multiple antiques and other gold cast or jewel covered items, each shimmering with bright lustre. Zyad would have definitely taken each item and simply gone away with it, but… She looks at the large painting obviously hiding Norville’s safe. She has other things to attend to.

Her gloved fingers run over the length of the frame. The painting wasn’t hanging loose, so there should be a mechanism…

Ah, here it is; and the painting swings slightly onto the side, revealing the key-locked safe.

Once she unlocks it, there are stacks of gold, bags of diamonds and jewelry, and a pile of papers.

She quickly sifts through the papers, which the first few were mostly correspondences between Norville and the government and other companies largely dealing in blackmail and bribes. Zyad nearly loses her patience before finding what she needed: two lists of names and a map.

She takes those three and a small bag of stones.

“Are you ready to leave, Iolar,” Zyad says the moment she returns to the study. “’Cause I sure– “

The thief’s eyes go wide as she hears heavy footfalls echo from the main hallway.

“Shit.”

She runs towards Iolar, locks her arm behind her, and then lightly holds a knife to her throat.

“Hope you’re sober enough to play along,” Zyad whispers quickly.

(Shadow) "Of course," she whispered back, shaking her head trying to sober up a bit.

She pretended to struggle, obviously not trying too hard as even in this state she could be out in seconds.

Norville turned into the study and shock was painted all over his face. His guards were armed and tense in stance. They had their guns trained on Shadow and the girl.

"For pity’s, sake lower your guns. Lady Iolar cannot be harmed." He looked to his son who was still unconscious. "Definitely not."

He returned his gaze to Zyad.

"Thief, you have bitten off more than you can chew. Now, let Lady Iolar go and give back what you stole. Harm her, and I'll kill you. Leave, and I'll gift you with your life."

(Zyad) “Sir,” one of the guards speak up. “That’s Plague. The one who killed Sir Vyre and Lady Mazul.”

Norville’s face suddenly goes pale as he clenches his jaw. He finally recognizes the mask.

And Zyad just chuckles at his reaction.

“At least one of you has some common sense here,” she sneers. “Be glad you get to live another day, Norville. But mark my words when I say that you and your cohorts are forever haunted by me.”

As Zyad speaks, she takes a few small steps backward with Iolar, then whispers, “Hold your breath,” and with one swift motion she lightly pushes Iolar away while throwing smoke bombs at the feet of Norville and his guards.

There’s sounds of coughing, a crash, and Norville wheezing out, “Don’t shoot, you fools!” to the unaffected few who raised their weapons. And in the distance, there could be heard the fading gallop of a horse.

Once most of the smoke settled, Norville saw the huge, gaping hole in his now broken window. But the damage was the least of his worries, for he saw the door to his secret vault wide open. Yet as much as he wanted to run inside and see what was stolen, he was still in the company of Lady Iolar and must put on his public face.

“Lady Iolar,” Norville says, walking towards her with whatever dignity was left. “Are you unhurt?”

(Shadow) Plague? The assassin tossed the word around her mind a bit as she waited for the smoke to disperse. The assassin was familiar with these, a common friend to hers when she needed a quick exit. She had heard the name before, hushed whispers in the streets, now she knows the face to the name, to her target.

Zyad, why did it have to be you?

She returned to her previous, “distressed” state.

"I'm unharmed. But Fredrick!"

Shadow moved over to the chair, pretending to show she cared for his well-being.

"I'm sorry, my lord. I couldn't stop her. I have rethought the proposition in joining you, and I think I will. It's the only way I can repay you for my failures."

At this stage all the assassin wanted to do was get out of the place, but she had to make sure the fish was on the hook before she reeled in the line. A position in his group would surely give her advantage in the long term. She could always be a step ahead and make sure they never get too powerful. And as a main source of income, she would have Norville wrapped around her finger and powerless.

(Norville Landris) “Her?” Norville questions. He runs a hand through his hair and laughs lightly. “Seems that we can finally put that debate aside.”

Information on Plague was scarce amongst the dragon-hunters. Other than knowing that Plague was a thief, and now recently a killer of their order, nothing significant nor her past was dug up by their spies. Well, at least they can now establish that Plague is female. And…

Norville’s eyes shift towards the distressed lady.

Lady Iolar may be able to provide some more information.

“Get a doctor in here,” he orders one of the guards. “And get some people to start cleaning up this mess.”

He moves towards his son and Iolar, and places a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“Lady Iolar,” he begins with much concern in his voice. “This was not your fault. You were merely a defenseless victim when this all happened. However…” and his eyes begin to sparkle. “If you do truly wish to join our order of hunters, not only will you be more protected, you yourself will be able to stop these vagrant criminals.”

Not to mention her money and social stature will definitely boost the hunters’ morale.

“I will certainly send a letter detailing specifics of where our next meeting is, should you wish to learn more. But for now,” and he pulls her to the side as the doctor begins to examine Fredrick, “stay a little longer; eat and drink something to ease your mind of this predicament. After all, like you said, talk of business does spoil a party mood.”

(Shadow) The assassin moved with him, a gentle smile pulling at her lips.

"I would be grateful." She added to the response to her place in the order.

She looked back at Fredrick as the doctor cared for him. She wondered if he would remember what had happened or if it would be a blur.

It didn’t matter what the tribunal decided. Light’s life had been over the moment Rem defied him, offering to turn state’s evidence against him to win a pardon for Misa. He suspected the only reason Ryuk hadn’t ended his life right there was the shinigami’s curiosity about the trial. He had months, maybe a year, until the tribunal decided, but once they did, it would be all over. Whether they sentenced him to death or not.

Light scratched absently under his tracking collar, then added another two cards to the tower. Suddenly, the hairs rose on the back of his neck. He considered the castle for a moment and flicked the whole thing down in disgust.

"I know you’re watching me," he snapped. "Go away."

~

“I don’t know what I expected to feel upon catching Kira. Elation, vindication, pride, victory … I feel none of those; only an immense sadness for the nameless victims who fell beneath Light Yagami’s misdirected judgment in his twisted aims to create a new world order, and for Light Yagami himself. A genius of his caliber is a rare gift; and I mourn that his genius became so corrupted by power. We will never see or benefit from the good Light Yagami could have been capable of, for I say with confidence that he could have been a great man … a true hero in whatever he set his mind to. I am also confident in saying that he is far more intelligent than I am, and had the creature Rem not come to me as she did, I am sure I would be dead now, and Kira’s power would have grown unchecked to hold this world in terror and death. In truth, I feel nothing, save for this great and terrible sadness. For his Father. His mother. His sister …”

A pause.

“In regards to determining an appropriate sentence, I beseech the council to consider the unprecedented scope of this case, as well as the chaotic insertion and influence by the supernatural world. It’s hard to say that one of us would not have made the same choices if presented with the power of the Death Note, and Light Yagami’s innocence and youth had no defense against its corrosive power.”

A longer pause.

“Council deliberations will take months, if not years … but however long it does take, I would like to make a proposal. I wish to test if Light Yagami can be restored now that he has been removed from the corrosive influence of the supernatural and the Death Note. If I can prove this, then I would ask that he be committed to a secure institution for psychiatric study, and not put to death. However, I will defer to the judgments of the council in these matters. That is all I have to say.”

A slender, pale finger extended to depress a long, black button and the connection was broken. The control room was dark and cold and quiet, save for the warm hum of the computers and the occasional whir of the cooling units. L. Lawliet sat hunched in his chair, his tops of his slender thighs pressed against his breast, his hands fisted tightly and bent legs tucked beneath his chin and his head bent, his forehead resting against his knees. He had never once hated being right, except now, and this case had crushed him.

He closed his eyes and sighed heavily. There was no victory in this moment. He hated this moment. So, he curled into himself, wrapping himself in a darkness that removed him from the waking world. He had dismissed Watari altogether, and locked himself away. Permanently.

No more justice. No more cases. L … was dead.

He couldn’t remember that last time he’d eaten. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d cried so hard … or for so long.

Light Yagami was confined under his care and watch, but in the two weeks since his capture, the detective had not brought himself to even look at the man whom he had called friend. But, something stirred in him that moment, and he suddenly wished to see his friend. He wanted to look into Light’s eyes with the hope that there was a salvageable fragment. He yearned to embrace his friend, to say he was sorry and to thank him, and tell him that he hated and loved him … and that … he hated this world, too.

What were you thinking? How could you have become so twisted? And why do I feel you are so much like me?

He tentatively switched on a small monitoring screen, and caught his first glimpse. He studied the back of Light’s head with wide, vacant eyes. 

I know you’re watching me. Go away.

 Lawliet blinked slowly, and bit down hard on his lower lip.

 “My name is Lawliet,” he croaked, his voice still raw from emotion. “And Light Yagami will always be … my friend. I … I am sorry.”

~

Lawliet. Two weeks ago, Light would have given anything to have that name. Now it meant nothing.

What the fuck do you want from me, L? he thought. Forgiveness? Light had none to give. Not for himself, not for Ryuk, and certainly not for L. Or Lawliet. Whoever the fuck he was.

"So you finally deign to speak to me," he said coldly. "I wondered when you would." He began collecting the fallen cards, his back still firmly to the camera. "You can tell the council I haven’t changed my mind about testifying. They can have their circus, but I won’t be the dancing bear." Literally wearing a collar was bad enough without also being pushed to bark on command. For better or worse, he was done putting on an act. He had that much freedom, at least.

Light patted the deck together. “You can also tell them to go to hell.”

~

Even now you think only of yourself and your ego, you bastard. You did not have to see that look in your father’s eyes, or hear your mother’s anguished screams. I did.

"I wouldn’t allow you to testify regardless," answered L in a dull, almost defeated voice. "Kira used your charm and intelligence to manipulate and corrupt too many decent people."

There was a long pause filled only with the soft, fuzzy cackle of static.

"For what it’s worth … I am sorry things had to end this way." The middle knuckle of his thumb rose to rest between his lips, slightly muffling his following words. "I do not ask for nor expect forgiveness from you or anyone. I am simply … sorry … after all, you were my first ever friend."

That endearing term left his lips with a sweet nostalgic and almost mocking intonation.

Despite it all, I wish I had been able to save you … as you saved me, Light-kun.

~

L was wrong. Light had seen the look of shame and horror in his father’s eyes. It had been the last thing he saw as he knelt, still struggling and screaming denials, before they blindfolded and gagged him. He couldn’t regret what he had done, but the knowledge of how thoroughly he’d disappointed the man he most admired would haunt him to the grave.

Keep telling me how sorry you are, Lawliet. I could not give less of a fuck.

"You wouldn’t let me testify because you know what I would say." He leaned back and ran his hands through his hair. "Stop trying to save me from myself, L. I never asked you to beg for my life."

~

Is it too much to hope that someday you’ll be able to accept that someone would still care for you despite everything you are? If not, I’d just as soon kill you myself.

"Fine then. Sit in there and ROT for all I care.”

The connection terminated with a sharp, electronic click.

~

"I’ll do that," Light muttered. He was being unreasonable and he knew it. I tried to kill him, and he still wants to save my life. Which makes him the only person on earth to give a shit about my life, including me.

Light stared up at the ceiling and sighed. History would call him many things—most of them unflattering—but stupid wasn’t one of them. And alienating his last living ally out of bitterness, however justified, would be irredeemably stupid.

Damn it.

"When I was eight," he told the ceiling, "I used to play cops and robbers with my friend Yamamoto. We’d chase each other around a while, and then the cop would put the robber in this old moving box we’d colored to look like a jail. Then after a few minutes, we’d switch roles and start again. One day, some of his cousins were over at his house, too. When it was my turn to be the robber, one of them decided it would be funny to tape the box closed with me inside. Then they left me there. When his mother finally let me out, they were all playing tag in the backyard." He’d busted his own lip in his frantic attempts to escape, screaming and clawing like a maniac until Yamamoto’s mother had come and found him. "They meant it as a prank, but I had nightmares for months. It took me a long time before I could bring myself to speak to them again."

The loudspeaker was silent, but Light was certain that L was listening.God, I hope he is. At last, he turned to face the camera. “I don’t want your fucking apologies, Lawliet, but you could at least have the guts to come look me in the face if you want to talk. I promise I won’t use my intelligence and charm on you.” He grinned. “Well, maybe my charm.”

His grin was a short-lived shadow of his usual rakish smirk, but it was honest. Gallows humor to the last. After a moment, he turned away.

"You know where to find me."

~

Lawliet was half out of his chair when he heard Light’s voice carry over the monitoring system; he froze in the darkness with one leg extended in arrested moment, his big toe pressed against the cold, steel floor.

His wide, dark eyes reflected the images on the screen before him, and he listened.

"When I was eight …" 

The detective closed his eyes against Light’s memories, as the voicing of them brought a flood of his own memories of a time he wished he could forget — of his own childhood, that place …. the stench, the tearing of flesh and the fear — that crippling, disgusting fear. And then there was that day when an old man with white hair and a kind voice appeared and threw back the fetid shutters of his hidden world. Lawliet had been scarred, naked, living in his own filth, but that old man …. that angel sent from some good and happy place … only smiled and pulled Lawliet’s small battered body into the warm enclosure of his arms.  

The kind, old man smelled like licorice and tobacco, and gave the him a small, red candy along with a whispered promise. Lawliet later recalled this to be a strawberry flavored confection, but in that tender moment, there was no comparison … no reference to anything that existed in that dark and evil world, for it was his first sweet … his first gift …. his first happy moment.

Lawliet had wrapped small, bruised arms around his savior’s neck as the old man carried him, trembling, out into the sunlight, and into a new life.

The door to Light’s confinement cell slid open, and L stood there — his face serious and sad. His gaze immediately settled on Light, sliding across the line of his shoulders and down slight curve of his spine as he sat shackled. Solitary confinement had not been easy for Light Yagami; he was only a shadow of himself, and his former glory.

"You look pathetic, Light-kun."

Of course, Lawliet was in no position to be making judgments of any kind in regards to appearance. His was nothing more than a shadow himself; his limbs and joints poked out at sharp angles, and his now prominent cheekbones shone in sharp relief beneath his sunken eyes.

~

Light snorted. “I feel pathetic.” He sized up his former foe, slightly horrified. L always looked like he’d skipped a week’s worth of sleep and showers, but now… Fuck me, he looks worse than I do. The old Light would have made a joke of it, he was sure, but nothing sprang to mind. “You look like shit, Ryuuzaki. Lawliet.”

He wasn’t sure what to call the detective anymore, or even how to quantify their relationship. Frienemies? Foes with benefits? Does any language even have a word for what we are?

"You’d better not have been starving yourself on my account," he said. "I’m the one stuck in serial killer detox, not you." He smiled wanly.

~

The detective responded with a cautious and rueful smile, even though he half expected Light to lunge at him and strangle him to death. But, all good things involved a certain acceptable level of risk.

Lawliet stepped inside the cell, but left the door open. The entire building was on strict lockdown, so while he preferred that Light remain in his cell for convenience and assurance’s sake, there was no great breach in security if he happened to bolt.

He eased himself down onto the floor and opted to sit cross-legged on a sudden whim. His legs and hips were not used to this more open position, so he grunted softly as he tried to make himself comfortable.

"The lights are very bright in here," he said, slightly distracted, as a slender hand rose to shield his sensitive eyes. "I’ll turn them down for you."

~

"Please don’t." It was hard enough finding the will to get out of bed as it was. If the room weren’t so ungodly bright, he’d probably spend the rest of his life hiding under the covers.

He noticed Lawliet’s uneasiness and was surprised at how much it hurt. As long as they’d known each other, the detective had distrusted him, but outright fear was something new. I’d better get used to it, he thought, bitter. From now on, every face I see will have that look. Once he had killed the criminals whose faces and names filled the nightly news, but now the face and name on the news were his. He’d thought he would become a god, but he’d become the world’s monster-in-the-closet instead—dreaded for a time, to be later outgrown and mocked.Go to sleep, or Light Yagami will get you. It wearied him. Everything did.

Still, he pulled his shackled feet up onto the chair as a gesture that he wouldn’t flee. As if I could. ”I’m afraid I don’t have much in the way of small talk,” he said. “I haven’t been doing anything worth talking about, and I have no idea what the weather’s like.” The last time he’d been outside had been standing in a downpour, listening to the bells with Lawliet. It pained him to think he might never feel rain again.

~

Lawliet elbow came forward to rest on his thigh as he cupped his chin in his palm. He exhaled softly.

"Likewise, I’m afraid."

He pursed his lips for a moment.

"So, do you have a favorite book?"

~

Light couldn’t help but chuckle at the incongruity of the conversation. “Yeah, sure,” he said wryly. “Darkness at Noon.”

It felt good to laugh again, even if only at himself.

"You?"

~

Lawliet scoffed and smiled despite himself. “What an appropriate choice,” conceded the detective. “As is mine. The Plague, by Albert Camus.”

His pale, thin lips straightened into a hard line and he cast Light a long stare from beneath a fringe of thick, dark lashes. “Was it true what you said earlier …. about ‘cops and robbers’?”

Lawliet’s gaze drifted to the side as he was consumed by his own thoughts for several moments. How can a sense of justice become so warped? Who is the cop … and who is the robber?

"Perhaps I am the robber," he mused finally and pulled his bottom lip between his teeth to chew on it ponderously.

~

"Camus? Really?" Light grinned. "We should start a book club. That’s what convicts are supposed to do, right? Ransack the prison library?"

It was impossible, of course. Under the rules of his confinement, he wasn’t allowed pens or paper of any kind—books included. They’d been hesitant even to approve his deck of cards. Go to sleep, or the monster will get you, he thought, his mouth twisting. He changed the subject.

"Yeah, it was true," he admitted. "The cops and robbers bit had no greater meaning, though. All it really means is that I used to hold grudges past the point of sanity and freak the fuck out over being confined. Both of which are still true." He shrugged. "But you already knew that."

~

"And he knew, also, what the old man was thinking as his tears flowed, and he, Rieux, thought it too…" Lawliet began to quote as his lips softly, almost reverently, formed the words he’d long since committed to permanent memory from that favored tome.

"A loveless world is a dead world, and always there comes an hour when one is weary of prisons, of one’s work, and of devotion to duty, and all one craves for is a loved face, the warmth and wonder of a loving heart." 

L’s lips twisted wryly. “I may be childish, but I am also inherently lazy. Keeping a grudge requires too much effort on my part.”  He shifted his weight slightly; for a sudden, sickening moment, his jaw went slack and his eyes began to roll back into his head. Lawliet began to fall forward for a second as his consciousness flickered, but he restored his faculties just as quickly as they had slipped.

~

Light scowled. “‘There comes an hour when one is weary of prisons?’ That’s what you decide to quote at me?”

He couldn’t decide whether he’d been mocked or not, but he forgot his stung pride entirely as he saw L faint. Oh, shit. In an instant Light’s feet were on the floor again, but before he could hobble to the detective’s aid, L jerked back into consciousness. Light peered anxiously into his face.

"When did you last eat?"

~

Lawliet stared blankly as he attempted to slosh through his memory of the last few days. “Mm … I don’t remember. I … should probably eat something.” His gaze cleared and he focused on Light.

"I’ll order whatever you want. Anything sound appetizing?"

He began to slowly push himself to his feet.

"And yes," he mumbled, not looking at Light and keeping preoccupied with the delicate process of standing up and not fainting, “you will grow weary of this prison, but I have resolved to stay with you until the end. Who knows … your shinigami may kill us both out of boredom.”

He looked up and smiled as his shadowed eyes closed and arched into twin crescents.

"I’d rather die with a friend than alone."

~

Light stiffened as if he’d been slapped.

"No," he snapped. "Don’t give me that shared fate bullshit. Don’t you dare." His hands actually trembled with fury. "You think you can come in here and talk to me about dying? I’m the one on trial here. Not us, me. You want to mope around and starve yourself and watch me from a distance and say we’re in the same boat? Fuck you. You’re not the one wearing a goddamn collar and chains like some fucking dog.You’re not going to end up strapped to some gurney at fuckingeighteen. You expect me to be sympathetic because you’re martyring yourself? You put me here, asshole! I’m not here by fucking choice!”

Spit flew from his mouth with the final words, his voice nearly cracking with rage. Light wiped his mouth angrily with a cuffed hand.

"I know I’ve been too much of a self-centered little shit to say this with any authority, but for God’s sake, Lawliet, this is not about you. You treating yourself like shit isn’t doing me any favors. So stop making a spectacle of yourself and own the fuck up.” With a rattle of chains, he spun in his seat, turning his back on the cringing ex-detective. “Stop trying to mooch on my death.”

~

Throw your tantrums, Light Yagami. Soon you won’t be able to. You ARE here by choice — you knew the consequences of your decision full well when you began your journey into darkness. If you felt the consequences would never catch you, then you are only a fool. Your self-righteous anger means nothing to me.

Lawliet stood with his shoulders hunched forward and distractedly picked at the corner of his mouth as he endured Light’s tirade with a slightly disinterested expression.

"So … do you still want me to order out, or…?"

~

"Feed yourself. I’m not hungry." He hadn’t really expected the man to listen. Why should he? Look, it’s the pot calling the kettle a selfish prick. What a joke. He pulled his feet up and hugged his knees. God, just kill me already.

"I know why you brought me here, and it wasn’t for me," he said. "You’re like one of those women who write love letters to poor, misunderstood serial killers, insisting their love can redeem them. You have a savior complex, Ryuuzaki. You have to believe I was insane, or possessed, or something, and you can fix me. But you can’t. Because I was never broken.”

He wet his lip thoughtfully, then turned his head to look Lawliet in the eye.

"You asked me once if I had ever in my life said something true. So here’s the truth. The only way the tribunal would even consider sparing me would be for me to appear in person, apologize tearfully to the families of those I killed, and beg the council for mercy. And even if you’d let me do that, I wouldn’t. Because in truth, I regret nothing. If I could kill you here and go back to fixing the world, I would. I wasn’t insane, and I wasn’t possessed. Kira, Light—it’s all me, always was. I made a choice. And I will always believe it was right."

He drew a deep, shaky breath. “So I’m going to be executed. We both know it. I wish I could say I’ve made my peace with it, but the truth is that I’m fucking terrified. I’ve tried to convince myself that I won’t lose my dignity, that I’ll spit out some cheeky last words and die like a man, but even I’m not that good a liar. I’m going to go to my death crying and shitting myself, and history will remember me as the boy who dished death out but couldn’t take it. I hate myself for that, and for what I put my family through. So the only person left who doesn’t hate me—maybe—is you.”

Light hadn’t meant to be this open, to give this much of himself away, but the words kept pouring out in spite of him. He kept expecting Lawliet to interrupt, but the man barely even moved. He simply stared at Light without speaking, his dark eyes full of sadness. How can he still look at me like that? Light thought, his vision blurring. Damn him to hell!

"Do you want to know the worst part?" he said softly. "When your police buddies threw me down and you read out the evidence against me, there was a part of me that was relieved. Not for my sake, but for yours. If Rem had killed you, I would have danced on your grave—but when you rubbed my face in the dirt, some part of me was fucking thankful. And I hate you for that, Lawliet. I hate you for killing me, and I hate you for making me care.” 

Light was crying now, hot tears trickling down his gaunt cheeks as he stared at the floor, his hands, the ceiling…anywhere but at the ex-detective’s eyes. “You’re still here, and I don’t know why,” he sobbed. “What the hell else do you want from me? Friendship? Forgiveness? You fucking killed me. You taped me in this box, and I can’t…I can’t…”

He buried his face in his hands.

~

Ryuuzaki was rarely angry — he’d dealt with enough shit in his life to not let it upset the delicate, mental balance of his carefully constructed rhyme and reason, but as Light raged, he felt that unfamiliar, tiny and angry flame flare to life in the pit of his stomach.

You built your own prison, walked inside and handed me the key, and now you’re angry that I’m not letting you out?

His charcoaled eyes narrowed; however he chose to look at the situation, Light was right. Call him a fool for wanting to believe Kira and Light were separate entities; it didn’t change his resolve.

His expression softened suddenly and eyes widened in momentary surprise as the tone of Light’s confession (if it could be called that) changed. 

“And I hate you for that, Lawliet. I hate you for killing me, and I hate you for making me care … What the hell else do you want from me?”

It was quiet for what seemed an eternity, the space filled with L’s steady breathing and the occasional ebb of emotion from Light.

"I cannot let you out," said the detective after great length. His ghoulish features twisted in a strange, unreadable expression. He wasn’t sure how to voice his thoughts, so he stumbled over the words as best he could. "You … are evil, Light Yagami — and bound for Hell. And this is your purgatory. I am also evil, so I find myself here as well.”

Ryuuzaki licked his lips.

"…and you are right. This case wasn’t about me, and it sure as hell wasn’t about you. The general specifics were irrelevant; we were two forces in opposition of a singular goal. We wanted to change the world. We wanted to purify it. Better it. Mold it. Break it beneath the weight of our intelligence and ambition. And that makes us evil."

He spread his thin arms.

"Well, this is our world now. What are you going to do?"

~

Vomit, most likely. Cry. Add No Exit to the book club list. What do you care?

"There is no Hell," he said dully. "Ask Ryuk. He’ll tell you." He rubbed his eyes with the palm of his hand. "And I’m going to sit here feeling like shit while you go order a fucking pizza.”

He still wasn’t hungry, but he could use the few minutes alone.

~

Lawliet turned and left the room without a word, and the thick steel door to Kira’s shrinking world swung shut with a dull and resounding boom, followed by the telltale metallic screech and scrape of a thick deadbolt sliding into place.

Some god you turned out to be … and what a hopelessly deluded fool I turned out to be.

He shuffled back into the dim recesses of the monitoring station, and made a point to switch off the cameras in Light’s room; he could give him that much at least.

And damn it all to hell … how do you order pizza?

One would think that the simple ordering of food would be no contest for a genius of Lawliet’s caliber, but in actuality, the thought of it was slightly terrifying. He had send Watari away weeks ago and Lawliet would be forced to fend for himself. He ambled over to Watari’s desk, an antique roll-top credenza, and pushed it open. He gave a delicate tug on the pull chain of the marble-shaded lamp atop the desk and carefully rooted around the various documents, bills, reports, files, receipts, to-do lists and order forms. It took a little doing, but he managed to locate a small collection of grease-stained menus hurriedly jammed in the bottom drawer, and Lawliet sent a silent thought of appreciation to Aizawa and Matsuda and their late-night cravings for burnt coffee and Italian food.

~

The detective reappeared in the doorway to Light’s cell some time later with two medium sized cups precariously balanced atop three slim cardboard boxes, a couple of collapsible food-trays made for TV dinners, and a large, lumpy bag. He entered the cell, squinted again under the harsh light, and pushed the heavy door shut behind him with his foot. The scent of warm bread, toasted cheese and spicy meat filled the small, sterile space.

He leaned the dinner-trays against Light’s bed, and set the pizzas down on the floor. He sank into a crouch and tugged at his bag. He dipped a hand inside and pulled out several bags of Skittles, chocolate chips and Smarties, which he began to meticulously arrange in a processional line of eating preference.

Lawliet kept his face averted and his eyes preoccupied by the candy as he pulled a box of pepperoni pizza towards him and opened it. His stomach growled audibly, and he devoted himself to sprinkling a handful of pastel-colored Smarties into the warm cheese.

“I know you don’t want me, but I’m here anyway. I’m here because I hate you. I hate you because I love you. So eat your goddamned pizza, shit-face.”

Besides, I don’t make love on an empty stomach.

Lawliet blinked the strange thought away and deftly rolled his pizza into a tight roll. He brought it to his lips and smiled boyishly at Light.

“Pizza cigar.”

~

Light had pulled himself together enough to recognize the man’s lame attempt to cheer him up for what it was. Worse, it actually worked. Damn you. He gave the man a weak smile and watched him eat his bizarre candy pizza, but made no move to touch the food himself.

Lawliet’s fainting spell had scared him more than he cared to admit. He could have hobbled to the telephone to call for help, but there would be no way to hide from the council that he’d been able to get out of his cell. No amount of protestations from Lawliet would have saved him from a real prison then. Light gnawed his lip.

"You need to keep eating," he said softly. "Please. If you actually pass out in here, I’m fucked." It hurt his pride to admit how much he depended on Lawliet’s charity, but there it was.

~

Lawliet was already into his third piece of pizza before Light spoke, and a smooth brow rose victoriously. He swallowed and reached out for a fourth piece.

"You’re fucked either way, Light-kun," answered the detective as he sank his teeth into his piece of pizza. He chewed energetically for several moments, looking for all tense and purposes like a malformed, overgrown rodent.

"I got us strawberry milkshakes, too," he said through his mouthful of dough and meat-sauce, gesturing his head in the direction of the cold drinks. "Please eat something; I’m started to feel like a pig."

He reached down with his free hand, grabbed a small packet of Skittles and threw it at Light.

~

Even in chains, Light’s reflexes hadn’t failed him. He snatched the candy from the air and sighed. “Way to sugarcoat the situation, Ryuuzaki. Fine. I’ll eat.” He opened the bag and popped a pair of Skittles into his mouth, letting their sweetness sit and dissolve on his tongue. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

"So what are they saying about me?" he asked. "At the tribunal, I mean. I suppose I should probably know."

~

Lawliet reached for another slice of pizza.

"You have many supporters," he said softly. "Many, many voices calling for your release and pardon. The world is learning to accept that good and evil are not so clearly defined."

He exhaled heavily.

"To be honest, I don’t even know what to think myself. And who knows … you just may come out of this whole thing alive."

~

Light nodded thoughtfully and popped another Skittle into his mouth. Many voices calling for his release? And many others calling for my bloody dismemberment, I’m sure. Including a number of national governments. One of the guards who’d first escorted him to Lawliet’s custom-built dungeon had told Light, sneeringly, that America and its allies had already issued a petition calling on the council to deliver Light to them for execution. He’d laughed and made a smartass comment at the time, but he wasn’t laughing now. Still…I have supporters. That’s something.

"Supporters, huh?" Light snorted. "I may yet become a god, then. I wouldn’t be the first martyred revolutionary to manage it." He rolled his head toward the detective, one eyebrow arched. "I guess that makes you Judas, L."

~

"Don’t flatter yourself," said the detective with a sharp glance. "You are only a man, as am I."

He turned back to his food and reached for the strawberry milkshake. He took a long draught, and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Besides, I don’t think anyone will be paying me 30 pieces of silver for you, not to mention your demise wasn’t sealed with a kiss."

His expression turned dark and he fixed Light with a penetrating glare.

"Eat."

~

Light had meant it as a joke, but the detective’s indignant reaction was still gratifying. I know I’m not a god, Lawliet. A god would forgive you. I can’t. He peeled himself reluctantly from the chair and hobbled over to kneel by the bed. He grabbed a piece of pizza, eyed it glumly, and began eating without gusto, trying to ignore L’s unnerving stare.

If I end up vomiting in a corner tonight, he thought, that’s your fault too.

~

Lawliet chewed slowly, and did not remove his gaze from Light. His eyes roved over the ex-god’s face in silent study of his features — the features he thought he knew so well. That turn in his chin, the arch of his cheek, the gentle dip and swell of his lips. 

"You broke my heart."

His dark-rimmed eyes widened in horror as he realized his own lips had betrayed him, forming the words and voicing his thoughts without permission. He dropped the slice of pizza he had pinched between his thumbs and index fingers, wiped the digits self-consciously on his faded jeans and pitched forward awkwardly as he got to his feet.

"I didn’t … I … sorry," he mumbled hastily in a small voice, unable to face the other, and headed for the door.

~

"Get back here, Lawliet, you coward." Light had lost much of his rakish charisma, but he could still give his voice the snap of command. He set down his own half-eaten slice and scowled at the detective’s retreating back. "I know you’ve been calling me names in your head since you took me in. It’s about time you started saying them to my face. You can’t tell me we’re in the same boat and then walk away when things get real. I can’t walk away. I can barely walk at all. So if you’re really serious about all your ‘we’re both evil,’ ‘shared purgatory’ bullshit, don’t fucking walk out on me.”

He had to grab onto the bed to get to his feet, but he made it without falling. “I was completely fucking honest with you earlier. Me. Now it’s your turn. Tell me what you really think of me, Ryuuzaki. You owe me that.”

~

I owe you NOTHING. 

Lawliet stopped, and one hand came to rest against the frame of the cell door as if he had suddenly shouldered a great weight. His other arm hung limply at his side, and his long fingers curled into a tight fist.

"You want me to be honest with you?" he asked slowly, his voice small and soft. "I cannot, for I cannot be honest with even myself."

His head bowed.

"I hate you, and … I love you. I have since I first glimpsed the depth of your mind … that mind that is more dark and deep than my own. I could spend one hundred lifetimes in solitary study of it, and still not learn all its secrets."

He exhaled.

"My name … is Lawliet. Would it interest you to hear that I have no spark of individualism, no understanding of self … no identity assigned to that designation? It was the same with Ryuuga, L, Ryuuzaki … I am, and always have been, a vessel for the indwelling of ideals."

His shoulders shook with a sudden onset of emotion.

"L is dead. You destroyed him when he caught you. And I am all that remains. A nameless, faceless person with no identity." He clutched at his chest and bent at the waist as if in pain. "This person is scared. God, he’s terrified, Light. And all this person knows …. is you. And this person loves you.”

He turned suddenly to face Light Yagami, his face twisted in ugly emotion.

"Oh, I know what L would do. He would sit and watch you rot and whither away without a shred of compassion. But I … I want to stay, and sit with you and draw windows on the inside of your cardboard prison and tell you everything will be alright, even though it never will. L would claw out those eyes that looked down at him with such holy and disparaging hatred. But I stay … because I hope that one day I might see fondness reflected in your eyes."

The tears were in full flow now; his eyes screwed shut and his pale skin turned red and blotchy. 

"There will never be another like you, Light. There will never be another who compliments my nature so completely. There will never be another I will love as I love you, and I hate you for that. God, I HATE YOU…Fuck…”

His words ended with a whispered curse and to turned his face away.

~

A long, low breath escaped Light’s lips. That’s it? That’s all you’ve got?He threw back his head and laughed, collapsing down onto the bed in a fit of helpless giggles.

"Oh, hell," he said, his shoulders still shaking. "I’m sorry, Lawliet, but…I had you spot on, didn’t I? The serial killer’s secret admirer. Oh, God." The man who most vehemently denied my godhood, yet he worships me more devoutly than Mikami. Light put his forehead in his hands. “We’re so fucked up…”

When he straightened back up, his face was as serious as it had ever been.

"I’m not your boyfriend, and I’m not a god, and I’m not some deep, mystical puzzle for you to solve. I’m just a scared, bitter kid with no future. You can’t trust me, you can’t keep me, and you sure as hell can’t build your life around me. I am never going to love you back, Lawliet. I don’t have the capacity."

He scratched under his tracking collar, feeling weary to the bone. “I know what it feels like to have your identity ripped away. God, but I do. But you can’t just plug me into that hole and hope I fit. You can lie to yourself all you want, tell yourself this is our cell and not just mine, but the truth is going to catch up. No matter how this trial turns out, I’m going to be gone, and you won’t be able to follow me. You need alife, Lawliet. And I don’t have one to give you.”

He closed his eyes and swallowed hard.

"Call the council and tell them I want to be moved to a regular prison."

~

Ryuuzaki made his way to the bed and remained still for several long moments as he fixed Light with a cold, hard stare. Then, without any word or warning, he lunged forward, fingers curling around the neckline of Light’s shirt, and he jerked the lanky youth off the thin mattress. He grunted with immense satisfaction when he felt his bony fist make square contact with Light’s cheekbone and jaw again and again.

Still shackled, Ryuuzaki twisted the short chain between Light’s wrists to immobilize him further, and pushed him roughly against the cold, concrete wall.

"I may be a fool, and I may harbor more affection for you than I should, but I am not stupid, nor should you assume that you can manipulate me because I love you,” he hissed. “I’ll just kill you myself, Light Yagami.” 

~

He really means it. I’m going to die…

Light’s vision was hazy, his mouth on fire, his mind awash with fear. No, God, not like this, not him! He’d wanted to protect L, to give him a chance at a real life, but he’d fucked up, he’d fucked it up, and now…He followed me after all. We’re both murderers now. The detective’s cage was self-imposed before, but if he did this, if he killed Light, it would be real. And it was all Light’s fault.

Light closed his eyes, his face wet with tears. “You deserve better,” he wept as the blows rained down. “You deserve…better…than me…”

~

Just once I need you to TRY and look beyond yourself, you goddamn fucking piece of shit.

He was lost in his rage. He screamed and cried and beat at that beautiful and warm and evil and hated body until he forgot why he’d even begun. 

"You deserve better.’

"….?!"

A fist stopped in mid-throw and his eyes widened in that frozen moment. Thick, hot tears sprung and clung to his dark, long lashes and a choking sob caught painfully in his throat. 

He drew Light into a thankful embrace, tentative at first, and held him fiercely against his chest.

"I deserve nothing,” he said hoarsely. “And that’s exactly what I have here with you now.” His spindly fingers spread and pressed against the angle of Light’s shoulder blades.

His eyes closed as his chin rested on Light’s shoulder.

~

Light heard Lawliet’s words only distantly, foggily, and his eyes seemed to float in a sea of red. Blood and snot and sweat seeped down his face to dot the detective’s shoulder. Don’t…don’t touch me…He didn’t want Lawliet’s hugs any more than he’d wanted Lawliet’s punches, but he had no strength left to move away. He hung limply in the man’s grip, more corpse than boy.

"My head," he said at last, thickly. "Hurts…" He was concussed, he suspected, and probably a broken rib or two besides. His thoughts floated, like bubbles. Easily popped. The council…if they find out…they’ll move me…L goes free…

But L would be arrested, too. Unless.

Light shuddered violently, whimpering in pain. “H-hospital. Please. Say…s-say I attacked you…”

~

He felt Light’s slight form sag and fall limp in his embrace and he began to weep bitterly. 

“H-hospital. Please. Say…s-say I attacked you…”

"Either way, they’ll end this," L whispered. I’m not ready to lose you yet.

He gathered Light in his arms and carried him to the poor excuse of a bed at the far end of the cell. The detective tried to assess the damage he’d caused, but hot hears blurred his vision, occasionally breaking free from his lashes and following with a soft plip-plop against Light’s cheek or temple.

Lawliet’s bloody fingers grasped at his phone as he punched in a call to the only person left he trusted.

~

"He’s not seriously hurt, but I’m sure he’ll hold it against you. Though…I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing." Matsuda’s innocent, brown eyes reflected a deep concern as he took in L’s haggard countenance. "You look really bad, L. We’re all worried about you, you know."

L disregarded Matsuda’s fussing and turned to look through the open door to the cell. Thanks to Matsuda’s connections as one of the few mediators who spoke on behalf of Kira’s supporters, the two colleagues were able to bring the hospital to Light. It had been a furtive operation, but successful. A mild concussion, three bruised ribs and multiple lacerations.

"Not so pretty now, is he?" observed Matsuda with a tinge of bitterness. 

"Shut it, Matsu," commanded L harshly.

~

The doctors cleaned and dressed his wounds, left an ample supply of medication, and left the young serial killer attached to an IV to rehydrate and strengthen his fatigued body. Lawliet had turned down the lights in the cell and spent the first hour beside Light as he slept.  

Or perhaps it was longer than that.

He knew Light would be furious if he awoke with L sitting beside him, so Lawliet finally left the confinement cell, closed and bolted the door and sank to the floor just outside.

The cool concrete floor was calming against his flushed cheek, and he fell into a grateful and restless sleep.

~

When Light first opened his eyes, all he could see was whiteness. His heart raced in panic. Am…am I blind? Holy shit, L, what did you do to me? Then his eyes began to adjust, and he relaxed. A blind boy named Light. Now that would have been funny.

He reached up to inspect his face—and found he couldn’t. Light wasn’t cuffed anymore, but his arms and legs were strapped securely to the bed. Of course they did. He could feel the stiff, painful puffiness around his eyes, the swollen tenderness of his nose. His left arm was chilled to the bone from the IV fluids trickling into it. I feel like shit—and probably look like shit, too, he thought, licking his chapped lips. But I am shit, so I guess it’s fitting. Still…you didn’t have to hit me so hard.

Slowly, carefully, Light turned his aching head to look around the room. His heart sank when he realized he was still in his cell. He should have known Lawliet wouldn’t take him to the hospital, but when he saw the IV, he’d hoped he was wrong. Tears stung his eyes as he realized what the detective must have done. Matsuda, you idiot. But the man wasn’t there now, which meant he’d probably already left. Light wasn’t sure whether to be disappointed or relieved.

Lawliet wasn’t there, either. That did surprise him. If he has any sense, he should be sleeping. He’s probably watching me on camera, though…or waiting outside the door. Light sighed. He had no idea what to say to the man, but he’d have to say something eventually. Strapped to a bed or not, he would still be at L’s mercy. As he’d said himself, he couldn’t walk away.

Light cleared his throat.

"I’m awake," he rasped. "Unfortunately. You can come in."

~

“I’m scared, L. It will only be a matter of time before the ICPO and the governments of the world will destroy Light Yagami and denounce his actions as they begin to quietly pass legislation permitting their own claim and “justified” use of the Death Note – their intentions just as noble and corruptible. Sometimes I … sometimes I think it was a power better left in Light’s hands … less evil. One man can only do so much in his lifetime, and no matter what Light may have thought, his personal sphere of influence had always been small. But in the hands of a government or coalition of countries…individual freedom truly would cease to exist …and those who fought the encroaching control would be deemed dissenters … terrorists and killed for the protection of “good people” and the State.”

Matsuda had turned those eyes against him.

“You will be killed, too. But it’s what you deserve, as it’s all your doing. You have doomed us all by dooming him.”

The detective shrank back as Matsuda’s eyes blackened and sunk into his skull, and blood poured from the melted sockets.

“M-Matsuda?!”

L watched in horror as Matsuda seemed to bloat and sag as his skin melted and ran off his bones like hot, melted caramel.

“Matsuda, STOP!”

“You did this to me. You’ve killed us, all for your ego and so-called honor as a detective….” groaned the corpse, but the words trapped by a collapsing throat and bubbling blood. A skeletal hand reached for the detective and Lawliet stood petrified in terror.

“H-Heeelp meeee…L….it hurts …. It hurts so much…..”

He screamed.

~

“HNNK!”

The detective came awake with a start, his breath coming sharp and deep and his limbs shaking. His raven locks lay plastered against his forehead. The confinement corridor was cold and empty in the darkness. He had been dreaming again. Cautious fingers rose to touch his face, and he was relieved to find his features intact.

He pulled himself into a half-sitting position, leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he took long, shaking breaths in the wake of his nightmare. Matsuda had said those words as he left the old HQ; and Lawliet wondered when the young and normally hapless detective had started to remind himself so strongly of Soichiro Yagami.

“I had dinner with the Yagami family last night,” Matsuda had told him. “They seemed so sad and relieved that I came to fill the chair at their table that has been empty for so long, and Sayu held my hand beneath the table. We talked about happy things and better times, and allowed ourselves to forget. We helped each other forget. And we laughed, and …” Matsuda paused. “It doesn’t heal the wound; it doesn’t make it better, but … the world keeps turning, L.”

Lawliet rubbed his eyes ruefully and stood. There was no point in returning to sleep; he had no intention of reliving that dark chapter of his life twice in one night.

“I’m awake.”

And here I am, stationed here like an old faithful dog guarding his master’s door.

He let his forehead rest against the wall for a moment before he entered the cell again. He approached Light’s makeshift sickroom and came to stand beside the bed.

“I don’t regret it,” he said in a hollow voice. “I’d do it again, and again, and again until you just … stop. There’s nothing here. There is no pretense. You are waiting to die, and I will wait with you. Because … you are my most precious and most hated friend.”

~

It’s all pretense, Light thought wearily. Pretending we’re friends, pretending we’re the same, pretending I have a reason to get out of bed anymore. Every breath I take is just one more lie.

He wished Lawliet would leave him the fuck alone.

He wished Lawliet would stay.

"I’m not dead yet," lied Light. “If you want to sit here waiting for me to die, go ahead. But God Almighty, L, you don’t need to get so impatient about it.”

He smiled weakly—and the smile, at least, was true.

~

Lawliet looked down with an almost shy expression and smiled to himself.

"Speaking of impatient …. apparently Matsuda is dating your sister."

The detective’s smile grew into an almost cheeky grin; his thin shoulders began to shake softly as he laughed under his breath. He was beyond asking for permission, and he was beyond being off-put by Light’s irascible nature, so he gently pulled himself up onto the foot of Light’s bed where he tucked his knees under his chin as he pressed his back against the wall.

He curled his toes into the thin, linen sheets and eyed Light as his long-fingered hand came to rest lightly against his bent knees. 

In his heart of hearts, Lawliet knew it would only ever be this. Nothing. Regardless, he felt a strange sort of peace settle over him as he gazed at Light, and he was content. He wished he could throw off the mantle of L, but he couldn’t without Light abandoning Kira. And that … was just not possible in this world.

So, they were both bound and condemned by their own fates.

"You said earlier that you weren’t a mystical enigma, Light-kun," he muttered. "But to me …"

~

"Matsuda what?!” Light hadn’t asked L about his family, too afraid of what the answer would be. He’d seen the pain in his father’s eyes. I’ll kill Kira and then myself… He’d never been sure how much of his father’s action in the car that night had been real, and how much had been Lawliet’s script. But if Sayu and Matsuda were dating…

He’s alive, and they’re moving on. All of them. Without me.

The whole world was moving on, and Light Yagami had no more place in it. It was a sad, sobering thought, and yet… It’s for the best. Light grinned. Besides, if he breaks her heart—her brother knows how to kill people.

"Good for them," he said. "Tell Matsuda I-I’m happy for him." He lifted his head, wincing, to look the crouching detective in the eye. "But I want a promise from you, L. When this is all over, and I’m—when we’re done waiting, you’re going to let me go. Call Matsuda or Aizawa or Watari, move out of here, and move on. Find your own fucking life for once. That’s all I’m going to ask of you.”

He let his head fall back, softly. “Well, that and untying me from this fucking bed. My crotch itches and I’ll be damned if I let you scratch it for me.”

~

The detective wrinkled his nose in response to Light’s comment about a somewhat sensitive and stubborn itch. His only response was to reach down and pinch Light’s big toe through the thin medical sheet.

"You know, I wasn’t going to say anything earlier, but you reek.” It had probably been at least a week since Light had showered, he assumed as he playfully tugged at Light’s toe. “There’s no way I’m tainting my fingers.” His other hand rose and he wriggled his fingers.

"I eat with these.”

A few minutes later he relented and pulled back the sheets to expose Light’s shackled ankles. He deftly unbound them, and shimmied a little further up the side of the bed to release Light’s wrists.

He remained crouched along Light’s side and be gazed down at the injured youth, unwilling to leave the bed.

"You shouldn’t move around too much," he said, and blinked owlishly.

~

"Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere." Light curled his right bicep tentatively a few times, then made and unmade a fist. He looked up at Lawliet sternly. "You didn’t answer me, though."

~

Lawliet looked down at Light with his chin slightly cocked to the left, and he met Light’s commanding gaze with deep, dark eyes. He was silent for many moments and rubbed his lips together as if the words were trying to loosen themselves from his tongue.

"….the promise of a liar isn’t much, Light Yagami," answered the detective with final sincerity, "but I promise to live a life … you would be proud of."

The bed-springs squeaked as he leaned forward to bring a chaste kiss to the bruised skin of Light’s temple, just above the sweep of his brow, and thick, raven locks curled against auburn.

~

Betrayed with a kiss, thought Light, closing his eyes. You truly are my Judas, L. When he opened his eyes again, his battered face softened into a smile.

"God, I hope not," he said. "Any life I’d be proud of probably wouldn’t be much of a life. But thank you." His smile widened. "And one more thing, Ryuuzaki…"

It was more of a shove than a true punch, but it caught the crouching detective off-balance. He toppled to the floor, blinking in comical surprise. Light smirked at him over the edge of the bed.

"An eye for an eye."

They weren’t friends, and they never would be. Yet as the two men laughed together for the first time in weeks, their perpetual Last Supper forgotten, it didn’t matter. Someday soon—tomorrow, next week, a year—it would be over. But for now, they were together.

There was still today.

[end]

Christina: Christina had been wandering around aimlessly, having nothing to do and nowhere to go when she saw someone she didn’t recognize. Her senses tingling and her charming smile plastered upon her lips she approached the unfamiliar person, coming to a stop in front of him. “Need a hand?"

Ian: Still wary about Moroi, Ian instinctively flinched once this blue-eyed vampire approached him, his folders and laptop dropping on the floor in cue. At least his laptop sleeve made the thing redeemable. He dropped on his knees, clicking his tongue, “I—I’m fine… I was just—” He shook his head at the mess on the floor. “I was just looking for the library.”

Christina: Christina eyed the boy curiously as everything he held fell to the floor. Rolling her eyes she crouched down to help him gather up. “Am I making you nervous?"

Ian: Yes. Very. Extremely. ”N—not really, my mind was just a little off. I—it is my first time around here…” He swallowed, desperately hoping that his nerves wouldn’t show despite the pale wash over his lips and his quivering tone. 

Christina: Christina smirked to herself, biting back a small chuckle that threatened to escape. She looked up at the boy and smiled, flashing her fangs. Small white points coming out over her lower lip. “Sure?"

Ian: His heart leaped up to his throat at the sight of those fangs, words couldn’t come out comprehensibly for seconds. “Not very but I  would appreciate a little courtesy. Not everyone here can tolerate the sight of those pointy little things.”

Christina: Christina arched a brow. “Pointy little things? Do my fangs make you uncomfortable? You know most people around here have them, right?" Picking up her small pile, Christina stood, offering them to him.

Ian: “I know. Is that a little innuendo that I should not be here because I should tell you that it is not my choice.” He shrugged. “But then you may already know that.” 

Christina: Christina let her eyes roll again. “We aren’t going to eat you, you know. Despite what you may think of vampires, we don’t eat those that haven’t volunteered," she paused. “Unless your Strigoi or want to become one. Lucky for you I have no desire to become an immortal monster."

Ian: He formed a little smirk, “I know.” But he couldn’t tell her how they were taught as novices, not if he wanted to be set on fire. “I should probably learn how to adapt.” He can’t believe he’s saying those words. Him, a human, adapting into the world of monsters. Just fantastic. 

Christina: "Probably or you’re going to get every asshole around here taking advantage of your fear and having a merry old time with it." She shrugged in a nonchalant manner, and eyed him up and down, slowly. “Library did you say?"

Ian: “Funny how they can find hilarity on that when we’re quivering in fear. Isn’t that some sort of power-tripping?” He frowned a little. “Yes, the library. Or actually anywhere that’s a wifi zone.” 

Christina: Christina let a brow arch at that, her arms coming around, crossing over her chest. “Don’t people do the same? Leaders…Soldiers…Bosses. Everyone uses their power against others." She shrugged. “That’s the world for you. Library is this way but it is probably full of power hungry blood suckers."

Ian: “Yeah, but we don’t eat each other… or at least the rational ones don’t.” He shrugged. “In the food chain, you’re obviously on a higher spot. Just like Strigoi is above yours. Don’t you fear or want to kill Strigoi? At least you have the ability to defend yourselves with that.. that magic… I was just saying that I have the fight to be afraid, I just didn’t understand why some would make fun of it. I only need the wifi. Is there anywhere else that’s less crowded?”

Christina: "Oh so because of our diets we can be discriminated against? So should I hate you because of whatever you had for lunch that made your breath smell like that?" She arched a brow, arms crossed, her stance relaxed. She was making no apologies for her words. “Yes we fear and kill them, because they kill people to live, we don’t kill people. Animals for meat, true, but not people." She snorted. “Yeah, we have magic, doesn’t mean we all use it. Or know how too." She shrugged. “Uh, your house?"

Ian: “It is not discrimination at all. There is a reason why you guys are called supernatural creatures.” A sway from the natural order of things. Now he regretted not holding his tongue. He knew he was quite close on pissing off an evil creature of the night and it is not going to end pretty. “I am human, you drink human blood. I bet the cow would despise me once it knew that I’m enjoying my burger. If my room has a proper connection, I wouldn’t be searching around here now, would I?” 

Christina: Christina looked completely unamused as he spoke. “Okay kid, I get that you’re out of your comfort zone, but I was only trying to be nice. I have a reputation for being…not nice so you can see what an honor it is that you’re still standing here with no burns on you, but please, keep pushing me…we’ll see what happens then and whose on top of the food chain then." She gave him a sickly sweet smile, her blue eyes sparking. 

Ian: “And I am only trying to be adaptable. Now if you are really hiding behind a nice mask, then let’s just do that while I take this conversation as professional as I can.” He shrugged. “It’s not like you’re the only one that’s making an effort here, Miss. As you’ve just said, I am out of my comfort zone. Outnumbered. Like a fish out of water. Now if you really are the welcoming kind that you say you are, I would suggest you keep the threats to a minimum. It’s not like I can do anything to defend myself.”

Christina: "And I was being nothing but pleasant while you acted like you had a stick rammed up your ass." She breathed in, an attempt to calm herself. “Thing about fire users, Lily boy, we have short tempers, thanks to our element." She twisted her lips. “There is a small cafe not too far that has free wifi access and no one ever goes there on weekdays because they don’t have the poetry readings or open mike nights they do on weekends. There."

Ian: “Because that is basically what I feel right now but that’s irrelevant.” He frowned a little. He still wondered how Sydney managed to interact with these people without being terrified when he just couldn’t take off the images of them biting on his neck, images that had been a part of his bedtime stories even as a child growing up in an Alchemist family. He took another deep breath to calm himself, keeping that poker face on. “Believe me, I know, that’s why there are a lot of terms that I’ve automatically censored in my vocabulary for the sake of not offending anyone around here.” Evil. Monsters. Bloodsuckers. “Thank you, Miss. That information is well appreciated.” 

Christina: "Must be uncomfortable to walk around like that." She smirked to herself, her eyes filling with slight amusement. “Yeah, well there are worse things to be called than monster Lily boy, I myself have been called a fair few things worse but," she shrugged. “People don’t like me, that’s their misfortune." She let out a sigh. “I can do my good deed for the year and walk you there, if you want, I won’t bite you unless you give me a reason too." She smirked again. “And that was a joke, before you start throwing holy water on me."

Ian: “Uncomfortable, that’s basically one word to describe my problem.” He said quietly, a little smile forming on his lips. “I can’t say I don’t like you, I don’t know you that much to say so and as you said, you’ve been nothing but nice to me. It is just my way of seeing the natural order of things that gave this conversation a rough beginning.” He shrugged then he blinked, confused. “But I—I don’t have holy water with me and why would I don’t do such a thing?” 

Christina: "Well, you better get comfy, it’s going to be bumpy ride." She grinned to herself. “So basically, you don’t hate me…I have never heard that before, let me wrap my mind around it." She smirked, dropping a small wink to him before straightening herself up. “Joke Lily boy, joke."

Ian: “I’m trying my hardest.” He shrugged. “Not really. I was terrified of you but that’s not exclusively for you.” He smirked a little, “Oh a joke. I didn’t realize, sorry.”

Christina: "Lucky you have me to guide you," She teased lightly, glancing over at him. “Now that won’t do, I am very terrifying. You should be shaking in your boots." She grinned. “Not used you humor?"

Ian: He bit back a chuckle at that. He can’t be caught being this amused with a Moroi. But he was genuinely feeling a little lighter. “I’m still scared. Especially when you grin, I can still see those pointy little things.” He smirked. “Not much. There’s no room for it in my job.”

Christina: "I try to hide them but I’m so used to not having too…" She shrugged, smiling, keeping her lips closed this time. “Your job sucks Lily boy, if you can’t even find things funny."

Ian: “It’s fine. I just have to get used to it.” He rubbed his palm over his neck, erasing the scary image of being bitten by a vampire. “Well, my job is no laughing matter.” He snorted. “Get it? No laughing matter? Because funny and—” 

Christina: "If you’re going to be stay here, you will." She eyed his movement with amusement, shaking her head slightly. Some things would never change. Christina blinked, giving him an awkward grin. “Yeah…funny…"

Ian: “I hope so. I just don’t want it to affect my job. I have to meet the queen at some point because of Stanton’s orders and if I can’t be comfortable with you, then how am I supposed to face her?” Ian shook his head slowly, “It’s not really, but thanks for lying.” He chuckled this time.

Christina: "Li—The Queen isn’t so bad. She is probably the nicest Moroi you could meet, of course her title makes her intimidating, but in all honestly, I’m scarier than her." She winked and shrugged. “Well, what better way to make you comfortable then laugh at your jokes..?"

Ian: “So they say, but I won’t get to know unless I meet her, I guess. The one before her was frowned upon in our order.” He said simply. “I can see how you could say that. You can be intimidating.” He shrugged. “Right. I already said it wasn’t my strongest suit.”

Christina: "Well she was frowned upon a lot here too," Christina shrugged, not caring about talk of old and new Queen’s. Lissa was a sensitive subject even for her, considering what had happened between Lissa and Christian. “That’s because I’m straight to the point, most people don’t like that." She smirked. “Well, maybe you’ll be unintentionally funny."

Ian: “Why? Isn’t she supposed to be an icon? Oh well, even the English Monarchy’s frowned upon these days.” He shrugged, not actually bothered but a little bit curious. “Yeah, you are. Which could be taken differently and you will be called a… a…” He bit his lip, holding back the word that immediately comes to mind, then let it out while forming air quotes with his fingers, “Bitch. Which you’re obviously not.” He smirked a little, “I have quite a few things that I do in all seriousness and still people find it funny. Like my job to look around and gather information, people easily twist ‘em around and accuse me of voyeurism.”

Christina: “Aren’t there a lot of monarchs in history that were frowned upon? Even ones that are now classified as icons?” She asked with arched brows, bringing her arms up to cross in front of her chest, her hip cocking to the side. Her eyes widened and then narrowed. “Bitch? Did you just call me a bitch? How dare you? Who the hell do you think you are?” She huffed, pressing her lips into a thin line, unable to stop herself as a laugh broke free. “I’m kidding, yeah I am a pretty big bitch.” She blinked and eyed him suspiciously. “Just keep those eyes and hands to yourself and we’ll be fine.”

Christina: "A little too much information there."

Adrian: He was still licking his fingers, poking her again and grinned, “Hmmm-mmm. Christiaaaan, did you leave all these food? Thank youuuu~” 

Christina: "Uh Christina and," she moved his hand away, stepping back from him. “There is no food." 

Adrian: He blinked, “Oh you know what I’m actually craving for…? Meatloaf. I wonder if he left me some around here somewhere…” He sees her arm and his eyes brightened, “Oh, I love you.” He pinched her arm, thinking he was taking a meatloaf piece.

Christina: "Well knowing my cousin he probably—" She cut off, letting out a small yelp as he pinched her. “Adrian what the hell?" She stepped back, her brows arched. “Did you really just pinch me? Really?" 

Adrian: “Christian, the meatloaf is a bit rubbery, should I stick it back in the oven?” He frowned a little. “Oh, I’ll let you do that, I don’t wanna break another oven.” He poked her chest, dangerously close to her boob and licked his finger. “But the fondue’s perfect.”

Christina: Christina frowned at that, her brows furrowed deeply. “Is Christian even here?" She asked him before blinking and looking down to where his finger had just been. “Okay Adrian, they’re real, no need to do the poke test…Fondue?" 

Adrian: “Why all the food though?” He called out, still convinced that Christian prepared all those food. “You even picked all my favourites. It’s not my birthday. It’s not even your birthday….” He frowned a little, “Am I missing something?” He poked at the same spot again and licked his fingers again.

Christina: "Adrian…there is no…did you hit your head or something?" She looked down again, smacking at his hand. “Can you stop trying to grope my boob, seriously." 

Adrian: “All these food.” He widened his grin excitedly. “I should probably wait for you, I don’t wanna jump in without you if this is supposed to be a dinner for two.” He smirked, still eyeing Christina as a table filled with his favourite food, his eyes sparkling in excitement. “But you should know, I am drooling and starving right now.” 

Christina: "Adrian…there is no food…what…did you take drugs?" She eyed him up and down, assessing everything. “Did you eat funny mushrooms?"

Adrian: “One day I’ll be able to cook you something, I promise.” 

Christina: "Okay Adrian, too much something in you…maybe you should sit down.."

Adrian: He blinked, sitting down, waiting patiently for Christian to arrive. “Aren’t you concerned that the food’s gonna get cold? Soon I’ll dive in and don’t be mad if I do. And that meatloaf really needs fixing.”

Christina: "What food, what are you even talking about?"

Adrian: “I was talking to your cousin, he seemed to prepare all these food for me. There are loads. Wanna stay for dinner?”

Christina: "Adrian…Christian isn’t here…and there isn’t lots of food…"

Adrian: He looked around, “Of course he’s here, I knew his meatloaf, it’s there. See?”

Christina: Christina slowly shook her head. “No meatloaf, Adrian.."

Adrian: “What the—-don’t mess with my head like this, you know I’m a bit shaky with reality and stuff. You are sitting on a table filled with food right now, and I am so fucking hungry.”

Christina: "No Adrian, I’m not. Why would I sit on food?"

Adrian: “Then what the hell am I seeing right now?” He widened his green eyes, hands trembling as he began to panic.

Christina: Christina stepped forward, taking his hands in hers. “It’s okay Adrian, just calm down…it’s okay. Just focus on me…ignore the food. All the food. Just look at me."

Adrian: “Even if you are starting to look like an apple pie?” He furrowed his brows. “Hey, so when I tasted that fondue, I tasted… I tasted you??”

Christina: "Is that a sexual comment?" She asked with an arched brow. “Yeah…it was almost my boob."

Adrian: “What, no! Seriously. You look like an apple pie with a mouth right now….” He frowned. “That was your boob?” He snorted, “Oops. Sorry. Please don’t tell Christian. Ugh, what the fuck is wrong with me??”

Christina: "Adrian, you’re kind of freaking me out here, are you okay? She asked, concern lacing her voice. “Yeah because I am really going to tell Christian this happened." She let out a small snort.

Adrian: “I’m not. So long as you keep talking because soon you will look like a total pastry to me.” He frowned. “All I see is food, and I am starving really badly and—-oh god, god, god, no, please don’t tell him.” He begged. “I don’t want him to know about this, it’s stupid and ridiculous and… and it’s crazy.”

Christina: "Look like a…Adrian what have you been taking?" She gave him a hard look. “God, what the hell is going on? I come over to visit my cousin and his boyfriend and said boyfriend thinks I’m food? Did I die and wake up in some Dr Seuss world?" She shook her head and snorted. “I won’t tell him…unless I have too."

Adrian: “I’m not taking anything! I don’t even drink much anymore, god, when will people start getting over the fact that I am not like that anymore?!” He glared, anger flared in his emerald eyes.Although upon sight of a talking apple pie with Christina Ozera’s lips, it was not hard to pull that anger back down, as he let out an airy laugh. “I think I lost it Christina.” He frowned, “I think I totally lost it.…” He fisted his hair as he basically dropped and slumped on the floor. “I lost it.” 

Christina: Christina rolled her eyes at that. “You think I am a talking pastry, what the hell should I think? That this is normal?" She gave him a hard look, repressing the urge to slap him out of it. She stepped forward and took his hands, uncurling them from fists and giving them a small squeeze. “No you didn’t, this could just be your brain showing you how much you actually want me and not my cousin by making you view me as pie." She winked playfully, attempting to lighten the mood as much as she could.

Adrian: “I’m not saying it’s normal, I’m just saying I don’t fucking know what is happening to me, and it’s not because I’m drunk.” His hands balled into fists as they curled tight over his head, which relaxed a little when Christina took them. He glanced up to her, still with that distressed expression on his face, “Christian won’t be happy to hear that.” He bit his lower lip as a small smirk fought to show. “I—I’m sorry… I was just…” He remained slumping on the floor. “Scared.”

Christina: “Yeah, when guys say I look good enough to eat they don’t actually mean they’re going to eat me.” She paused, a smirk curving her lips. “Well, not in the way you want to eat me anyway.” She winked, shaking her head at his next words. “Christian isn’t a complete asshole, he’ll and, hey, he doesn’t even need to know.” She shrugged. “It’s okay Adrian, you’ll get through this and be merry again.”  

Adrian: “Right now, I am trying my hardest not to take a bite.” He laughed a little this time, “S-sorry. It’s hard to take you seriously when you look like pie to me.” He looked down instead, staring at his feet. “I hope it doesn’t reach him, Christina. I don’t really wanna burden him with another episode of my craziness, especially something as ridiculous as this one.” He snorted, feeling a little lighter now, “Thanks.” He smirked, “Being merry sounds good. Not that I’m totally miserable considering I’m surrounded by my favorite food right now.”

Christina: “In any other instant, that would turn me on. Right now, you’re kind of creeping me out.” She shook her head. “Well Adrian, snap out of it, I will slap you across the face. For your own good of course,” she smirked. “I am not going to tell him, this will stay between us, okay? As long as you keep your teeth to yourself.” She tilted her head, lips pursed in thought. “What’s a food you hate?”

Adrian: “Which is good because you being turned on by what I say would be another complication.” He nodded rapidly and laughed. “Well you could but seeing that I practically hit my own head and nothing happened, I don’t think that will do the trick.” He grimaced, “I will try.” He took a few steps back, stepping away from the scrumptious pie that is Christina Ozera right now. “I don’t particularly hate any food, but… I don’t know…” He shook his head rapidly, still panicking a little, “I’m not a big fan of veggies?”

Christina: “Very much so, I don’t think Christian would like that very much.” She shook her head. “Well, it couldn’t hurt.” She smirked, trying to think of what she could do to somehow help him, in anyway she could. She eyed him for a moment before moving the fridge and bringing out a sprig or broccoli and handing it to him. “Eat that. Don’t look at or think about it, just eat it.”

Adrian: Adrian still appeared in a different dimension where apple pie talk. “W—where are you going?” Although he remained on his seat, still tugging his hair, slapping himself, and banging his head against the backrest of the couch, hoping that any of those measures would bring back the normalcy, but none of them worked. “What?” He arched an eyebrow as the pie-looking Christina Ozera handed him some broccoli. “What am I, eight? This is not a curse for not liking veggies, is it…” .He frowned, and made a face but then he had been exhausting all the options to fix whatever the fuck happened to him. He took a bite of the greens, “Uh, great…” He blinked, slowly chewing the food. “This is ridiculous.”

Christina: “I’m just going to the fridge, don’t wet yourself with paranoia.” She shook her head as she came back, eyeing him and not getting too close. She didn’t much want him to lick her or take a bite out of her, she didn’t care what she tasted like. “Just eat the damn vegetable and stop asking me questions. You think I’m food!” She widened her eyes at him, looking over at him. “Just eat it, and concentrate on the taste of it.” She huffed. “No, what’s ridiculous is you thinking your boyfriends cousin is edible.”

Christina: Christina blinked up and smiled as she saw the girl standing before her. Jill, she had met her through her cousin—Christian and the two had become friends, though she hadn’t spoken to her in a long time. “Well, well, Jill. Fancy seeing you here."

Jill: Jill gave the girl a smile. “I could say the same to you, what are you doing in Palm Springs?” she asked, excitement for seeing an old friend in her voice.

Christina: "Change of scenery and I missed the sun." Christina peered at her, blue eyes narrowing in study. “What are you doing here?" 

Jill: “Trust me you will get suck of the sun here soon enough.” she commented back, pausing before speaking again, unsure of how much Christina knew of what had happened. “I have been living here for a while now, attending school at Amberwood, keeping out of trouble.” she laughed.

Christina: Christina tilted her head, frowning slightly. “You go to school here? A human school? Jill…what is going on?"

Jill: Jill looked over at the older moroi, biting her lip nervously, sitting down on the grass before speaking. “They sent me here for protection, you can’t tell a single soul that i am here okay. Sydney is going to flip when she finds out there is another moroi in town.”

Christina:Christina blinked at that. Though she had heard of the attacks, Christian had left the details vague and there were rumors, knowing they had happened…"Jill," she looked at her friend, concern filling her. “Are you okay?"

Jill: Jill pursed her lips. “A few things happened, I’m all fine now though, I’m safe here.” She gave her a reassuring smile. “How did you end up out this way anyway?” Christina: Christina sighed, running a hand over her hair. “If you say so…" She shrugged. “I drove and didn’t stop until I found somewhere I liked."

Jill: Jill smiled again. “I promise i’m fine, i just need to stay here till Lissa gets the laws sorted out.” stopping to listen to her. “Well i’m glad you ended up here, are you sticking around for long?”

Christina: "Hopefully she can get them done soon," Christina mused. Even if Lissa was Queen, it was taking a lot of time to get some damn laws changed. Laws that could save lives and keep Lissa in power. “Don’t know, how many cute boys do you think are here that can keep me occupied?" She grinned at Jill.

Jill: “I hope so.. i would like to be able to speak to my family again.” she spoke quietly, losing herself in thought till Christina responded to her question. She gave the girl a smile. “I attend a private school Christina.. of course there is cute boys.” Christina: "I’m sure they want to see you too, Jillybean." She smiled at her, bumping the girl’s shoulder with her own. “An entire school of them? Where do I sign up?" She smirked. “Is there a uniform?" 

Jill:“Yes Christina an entire school of them, and yes there is a uniform.” she giggled. “You always could come to school here if you wanted to.. Or there is local colleges, even Adrian is taking a class.” she smiled.

Christina: "Describe the male uniform and I may consider." She grinned. “College?" Crinkling her nose at that, she looked away from Jill. “I have no desire to go back to school."

Jill: “Why not?” she asked sincerely. “It would be a great way to meet people… either way i hope you stick around for a while, it’d be nice to have another friend here that i don’t have to lie to everyday, kinda sucks making friends with humans.”

Christina: "Because I don’t need to go back to school." She answered with a small shrug. “Jillybean, I’m not going to leave straight away. Now that I know you’re here, I am more than happy to stay for a long time." 

Jill: Jill gave her a big smile. “Good, it’s going to be nice having another girl around here that i get along with.” she paused for a moment. “What have you been up to since i last saw you?”

Christina: Christina grinned at that. “Don’t you have any girls with you?" She asked with a quirk of her brow, giving a shrug at her question. “Oh you know me, party, party, boys, party." She smirked. 

Jill: Jill nodded. “There’s other girl’s there. One of my Guardian’s is a girl.. needed one so that i have a guardian with me at all times. There is a few human girl’s here i was friends with till i stopped dating Micah and they decided they didn’t like me anymore.” she shrugged realising that she was rambling again.

Christina: Christina blinked. “I’m sorry dating? You were dating someone?" She grinned and turned towards her. “Okay, this I need to hear, little miss Princess that you are."

Jill: Jill blushed. “I only dated either of them for a while, both ending for reason’s beyond my control.. but yeah.” she paused for a moment looking down at her hands as she picked at the grass. “Lee was a Moroi, he used to live at Clarence’s.. where we go for feedings here.. and Micah.. well he was a human guy who goes to school here.” 

Christina: "Ah," Christina nodded. “Complicated. Say no more. That’s why I was never into the relationship thing. Too easy to fuck it up." She bit her lip before she shrugged. “You’re sixteen, you can hear people swear."

Jill: Jill laughed. “I’m around Adrian a lot i can handle swearing.” pausing for a moment. “Yeah complicated is one way of putting it, at least I’m friend’s with Micah again now, well.. at least on speaking terms.” she gave the older moroi a small smile.

Christina: "Well then, fuck, shit, bitch, ass." She grinned. A frown puckered between her brows. “Not friends with the other guy?"

Jill: Jill pursed her lip’s, knowing that if she lied to her friend that she would find out eventually and would probably be angry with her. Taking a deep breath she started picking at the grass again. “He’s dead.” Christina: Christina frowned at that, bringing her arm around the Moroi girl. “Jill, I’m so sorry." 

Jill: Jill lip her lip and looked back over at Christina, trying to give her a small smile. “It’s okay.. It’s just not something we talk about much.. it was a strange situation and a lot of people could have been hurt… Just mean’s i trust new people a little less.” she sighed.

Christina: Christina decided not to push for details, and just pulled the girl into a hug. “Jeez Jill, what trouble have you been getting yourself into?" 

Jill: Jill returned the hug from the older moroi. “I haven’t been looking for the trouble… it kind of just.. follows me.” she sighed. “Lee had us all fooled, he even pulled the wool over Eddie and Adrian’s eyes. He was… he was a strigoi and recently got restored. but he wanted to go back to being a strigoi.. and he wanted to turn me to be with him. Instead he ended up getting killed in the process of trying to go back and nearly took Adrian and Sydney with him.” She sighed and shook her head.

Christina: Christina blinked at that and pulled back, her brows furrowing. “A restored Strigoi? And he wanted to change you into one?” She narrowed her eyes. “That asshole, oh he is so lucky he’s dead or I would be finding him right now and kicking his ass.”

Jill: Jill gave her a small smile. “Thanks..” she took a deep breath to clear her mind out a bit. “Come on, lets go do something.. not that i can go far but i’m sure we can figure out something to do right?”

Christina: "Sure," she grinned and stood. “Hey, how about we shop. I haven’t have a good shopping partner in a while. I’ll even pay."

Jill: Jill livened up at the thought of going shopping before a sudden realisation hit her and she sighed. “I can’t go anywhere without Angeline or Eddie or both in tow, If i sneak off and they can’t find me they’ll flip out.” 

Christina: Christina arched a brow at that, crossing her arms over her chest. “Jill, it’s the middle of the day and you’ve already succeeded in sneaking away. Plus, you’re with me. Should count for something." 

Jill: Jill bit her lip, she really wanted to go with her friend, but she really didn’t want the other to worry and not trust her when they found out she was missing. “It’s not just that Christina, The daytime’s not even safe from the reason why i’m here. I shouldn’t even really be out here honestly… but i want to go with you…” she pursed her lips again, furrowing her brow as she battled with her choice.

Christina: Christina held her hands up to Jill. “I can keep you safe, and if it makes you feel better, text Eddie and let him know who you’re with. Simple solution. If people are smart, they won’t touch you with me around."

Jill: “I know you can keep me safe, it’s just… There are a lot of dangerous people around this area.” she paused and pulled her phone out of her pocket. “I’ll send him a text but he’s probably not going to like this idea.” she spoke as she typed out a quick text. 

Christina: Christina held her hands up and stepped back, waiting. “Go ahead, but I’m pretty sure Eddie’s scared of me." She smirked, waiting for his response. 

Jill: Jill looked shocked down at her phone as she exchanged text’s with Eddie, putting her phone back in her pocket as she sent recieved the last text. “Well it seems he is in a good mood and is willing to trust us, We’re free to go, i just have to text every half hour and be back before the end of his classes to meet up with him.” she smiled and actually started to get excited to have a bit of freedom around here.

Christina: Christina eyed Jill for a moment, a small smirk playing on her lips. “Is that it? Jeez, you’d think he’d loosen the leash a little. Maybe he has someone watching you." She grinned, giving Jill a small nudge and linking her arm through the young Moroi’s, starting towards the main street. “So, tell me all about life at a regular high school."

Jill: Jill eyed her friend and gave a small laugh. “This is as free as i’m going to get around here and knowing him he probably has sent Angeline or Niel to follow me.” she sighed and walked along with the older Moroi. “Well, it’s not that bad, It just sucks having to keep secrets about everything and also only getting to a feeder three days a week took some getting used to, especially with this sun.”

Christina: "Well if we see anyone hiding behind racks or in trees then we’ll know." She grinned back, loping her arm through Jill’s as they walked. As far as pretenses went, Christina liked to pretend she didn’t need anyone but right now, she was basking in being able to spend time with her friend. Someone she considered her sister. “Only three times a week?" She scowled. “You’d think they’d try blood bags or something.."

Jill: Jill laughed at her comment. “Trust me, they probably would so if you see a dhampir stalking around and it is’t Eddie it’d most likely be Angeline or Niel.” she shook her head mumbling to herself. “I have no idea why they decided to send me a third Guardian.”. she paused and looked over at Christina curiously. “Blood bags? You mean from a blood bank?.. I don’t think i would be able to store them and well… wouldn’t it taste gross?”

Christina: Christina grinned. “I’m sure I’d recognize Angeline, girl, not Eddie." She smirked, arching a brow. “Neil though, whose Neil and is he cute?" She shrugged at her mumbled statement. “Princess, sister of the Queen, rebels wanted to hurt you. I’m surprised you only have three." Christina crinkled her nose. “They aren’t as good as fresh blood, but they aren’t awful either."

Jill: Jill crinkled up her nose. “I guess he is.. reminds me far too much of Christian with the black hair and blue eyes for me to really take much notice, It would feel wrong checking someone out that reminds you of someone that may as well be your brother.” she laughed before pursing her lips at her next comment. “They need their guardian’s elsewhere i don’t want any more, not when there are people that have none and have been waiting a long time for one.”

“Seriously? I mean i guess i could mention it to Sydney.. but it would be a little weird having a haul of blood bags in my mini-fridge in my room, not sure on how Angeline would feel about that either.”

Christina: "Well, yes, but it’s also wrong for anyone to consider Christian their brother." She smirked, teasingly. Christian was as close to a brother as she had in her life, even if they rarely got along. “I’ll have to introduce myself to him." She bumped her hip with Jill’s. “You mean the Moroi that can defend themselves but chose not too? I don’t have one." She arched a brow. “Does that mean I should get one before you?"

Christina gave Jill a dry look. “It’s either that, or continue to be weaker through the week."

Jill: “Hey, Christian is not that bad.. he’s always been there for me from the day i met him.” she scoffed back at her, knowing the moroi was teasing her but she was always defensive of her friends, even of the one teasing her. She looked back over at her as Christina bumped into her and shrugged. “I mean to people that really need it, there are whole families out there that have no guardian. I would rather see one go to a family or someone that really needs it rather than have yet another person follow me around, I was quite fine with one or two but now a third?” she sighed, she knew it was all for her own protection but it still bugged her about how the guardians got assigned.

She thought about the thought of blood bags for another moment. “I would be willing to risk it, but i would probably have to store them in Sydney’s room, she is less likely to have anyone snooping around her things. But i think she would be more uncomfortable with it than what Angeline would be.”

Christina: “I know Jill, but he is my cousin and I can make fun of him all I want. He often does it to me and bitches about the length and tightness of my clothes.” She rolled her eyes. Although she and her cousin were close, they often came to blows because of their personalities. Although she knew that if anyone intended to harm him or did harm him, they wouldn’t have a spot on their body that wasn’t burnt. She suspected Christian felt the same as she did. “You and Lissa are signs of hope to many. I hear them talk, because they don’t think I listen. If anything happened to you or her, there’d probably be a giant revolt. As much as you think people only care about you because of Lissa, it’s not true. They see you as their future too.” She nodded. “And that is as wise as I’m getting today so don’t push it.” She grinned.

“You could always drink them from something not clear you know. And they’re easy to hide.”

Jill: Jill laughed. “You know he only does it because he cares, god help me when i get back to court if he finds out I’ve been dating because i won’t hear the end of it.” She knew he only did it to stir her but she also knew there was the protective stance he had over her and that he seen her as a little sister he probably didn’t want to think about her dating. Jill pursed her lips a little at Christina’s comment about her and Lissa, but eased up and laughed softly in the end. “It’s great to have you back, i missed having you around and as for the rest, I guess the day i’m able to go home because my own kind aren’t trying to kill me is the say i’ll believe that.” she shrugged. 

Christina: “Oh, he probably already knows and is hopefully remaining calm about it.” She paused. “Or he’s on his way over here with a bat in hand ready to bust skulls.” She smirked, giving Jill a light nudge even though she wouldn’t put it past her cousin to do. “Of course you missed me, I’m amazing and spunky and I don’t care what you do as long as you don’t die and tell me all the juicy gossip.” She winked. “Soon Jill, good things are happening.”

She grinned. “See? I can have my smart moments.”

Jill: “Christian.. Calm??” she laughed. “And he would have no luck in finding out who it was that i was dating.. only one is here remember and there are thousands of human’s in this area that it could have been.” she grinned, knowing very well that if Christian wanted to, he would find a way to find out who it was. “Not that it should bother him at the moment anyway, i’m not dating anyone.”

She grinned. “There isn’t that much juicy gossip from around here, not unless you wanna know who’s dating who in the human world.” she shrugged, knowing very well she was the keeper of many secrets for a lot of people. “Yeah, i just gotta hide out here and wait… for god knows how long.”

Christina: “Well, it has been known to happen. Rarely, but it does happen.” She grinned. “Well, I could get it out of you and report back to him. Maybe that’s my secret mission.” She winked, a teasing smirk gracing her lips. “Or, maybe, he could ask someone that would know like…Eddie or whoever else is around.” She nudged her lightly. “But I won’t let him, Jillybean, I will personally kick his ass if he tries to go all protective older brother on you.” She paused. “Unless it is entirely called for then he can wait in line while I kick ass.”

Christina walked along, her hands swinging as she did, fully embracing the sun on her face and over her body. “Not really, what about boys? Anyone cute for me? I need names.” She grinned, wiggling her eyebrows. “It’ll be okay.”

Jill: Jill laughed. “I know you wouldn’t do that to me.” she paused. “Well i wouldn’t put it past you to want to try and find out names but i know you would’t go out and tell everyone. Plus there isn’t much to actually pass along in regards to him, I ended it all because I knew i couldn’t keep dating a human without there being too many risk’s of exposure and I didn’t want to hurt him.” she shrugged it off. 

“How can you be enjoying the heat here so much? It’s miserable.” she groaned as she watched Christina. “Can’t really give names, you’ll just have to look around and see what is there if you really want to know. I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t take much for them to give you their name and number.” she grinned. 

Christina: “Oh I wouldn’t, although I would probably talk about it with someone…if they were someone I cared to even think about. With your permission of course.” She winked, huffing slightly. “But forbidden love Jill, isn’t it supposed to be what every girl your age wants? According to all of those ‘romance’ books anyway.” She shrugged, smirking a little. “Except boys climbing into your bedroom when you are unaware is not romantic it is fucking illegal.” She gave the younger Moroi a hard look, before grinning again.

“Because lot’s of cute guys walk around with their shirts off.” She nudged her lightly. “No it wouldn’t, I can even teach you how it’s done. Get the guys eating out of the palm of your hand. It’s a great power to have.”

Jill:  ”There’s nothing to talk about though.. So a bit of a waste of time.” she smiled before shrugging. “Whats the point of going into something that would only end up with him getting hurt.. I was better off hurting his feeling a bit now.. Rather than when i get sent back to court.” she bit back a laugh at her next comment. “The boys sneaking in would be more my roommates style rather than mine, everything with Micah and Lee was perfectly innocent and they were both gentlemen.” rolling her eyes at the comment, trying to hide her feelings about mentioning Lee again. 

“Or you could teach me your brilliant skills at finding the perfect dress int his boutique” she grinned and nodded towards the small store just in front of them. “We only have about ninety minutes before we have to head back, speaking of i better text him and do the check in before he flips out.” she added as she pulled out her phone, quickly typing a check in message to Eddie.

Christina: “Oh come on Jill, there has to be something to tell me.” She huffed, a teasing light in her eyes and she glanced over at the younger Moroi. “True…and it’s easier for him to move on if you two weren’t together long enough for him to fall in love…at least that’s what I hear.” She shook her hair, making her hair bounce as she did. “Jeez Jill, live a little you’re sixteen and gorgeous, boys should be fighting for your attention.” She smirked.

“I could, someone should know my secrets.” Christina dropped a wink to the Princess as she looked over at the store Jill had stopped in front of. “Really? Tight leash they have you on.” Shaking her head Christina walked into the store, a small bell announcing their presence, her eyes scanning over the racks of clothes, trying to find something she’d want to wear.

Jill: “I may be sixteen, but around here i’m not one of the pretty girls… I am more of the freak and it only stopped when I started dating Micah, which meant it all started again once we broke up.” she responded. She was never a popular girl, or one of the pretty ones back at the Academy, but at least there she was never considered a freak. “Most of the stuff got sorted out with them though, Sydney helped a lot to keep the main girls off my back.”

She quickly finished her text and slipped her phone back in her pocket and followed her into the store. “Trust me, this is ultimate freedom for me at the moment.” she responded as she moved over to the rack of clothing, browsing through the dresses.

Christina: “I have a very hard time believing that.” Christina said, looking over at her. Jill was still young and had time to grow into her looks, but she was still unbelievably gorgeous, anyone that called her named or made fun of her clearly saw her as a threat. “You are not a freak and if anyone calls you that when I’m around I’ll go crazy Christina on their ass.” She huffed, giving Jill a serious look to let her know she was, in no way, joking. Anyone that could make fun of Jill could take what Christina would dish out to them. “Good because if not I would consider enrolling just to keep them away. Of course, with what I’d do I would probably get expelled.” She grinned.

“Well that sucks, you mean I have to spend my time here alone?” She let out an annoyed huff and went back to scanning the dresses. Christina hated feeling lonely, but at least she had Jill around if she did need company. It wouldn’t take much to convince Eddie to let her out.

Jill: Jill have her a small smile. “I know you would do that for me, but there is no need. They just see me as different as well in this work i am, as far as they are concerned i am a tall, overly skinny, pale girl that can’t be out in the sun too much because of a ‘sun allergy’.” she looked back away, though she knew they were supposed to be harmless comments but they got to her at times. At least they had stopped since Sydney’s hair incident with the ring leader. “It’d near be a competition between you and Angeline as to who could get expelled first, I think she is on her final warning and that’s with Sydney pulling strings.” 

“I can spend as much time with you as i can, you shouldn’t have any issues getting into the main campus area if you want to meet up with my any time you can message me and meet me there.. well as long as i’m not in class.” she responded, still somewhat buzzing from having one of her close friends here in Palm Springs. She grinned as she spotted a deep red dress on the rack, flicking through the sizes and pulling out one that would fit Christina. “Here, this would look amazing on you.” she said, holding it out for her.

Christina: “Seriously, don’t make me come down there and kick ass. I will and they will regret the day they ever came near you with an insult. And while I’m there I can scope out the guy situation.” She winked, her teasing grin faltering as Jill continued speaking. “No, you are a beautiful girl inside and out that boys worship and girls hate because they can never compare. Hell, look at me, I am confident, I know I am good looking and guys love it, girls too but we won’t go into that…but even I falter when I see you. Even my ego takes a hit when I see you.” She said, tone completely serious. A laugh escaped her at the rest of Jill’s words. “Well, I think I could easily get expelled. What’s the punishment for being caught ‘canoodling’ in the bathrooms? Or with a teacher on their desk.” She grinned.

“I will, I will kidnap you if I have too. Hell, I’ll even flirt with Castile to smuggle you out. Yes I am willing to make that sacrifice, that’s how much I love you.” She smiled, tucking some of her own hair behind her ear, looking at what Jill held in her hands a slow smile etching onto her lips as she looked it over. “You’re right it would,” she smirked, taking it from her hands. “Let’s find you something.”

Jill: Jill couldn’t help the smile that came over her face at the protectiveness that Christina had over her, because she herself felt that protectiveness over the older Moroi. “Everything will be fine, I promise, but you can still come around and scope out the guys if you must, you don’t need an excuse for that.” Her next words actually made Jill blush, she knew that Christina wouldn’t just say it to make her feel better and that she would be saying what she thought was true, but she still didn’t actually believe it herself. She always left so awkward around the humans here, they all we’re comfortable and confident in themselves and most of the tie, especially here Jill felt out of place. The only place she actually felt comfortable with her looks was when she did the modelling for Lia, and that was a no go zone for her now.  She snapped out of her thoughts and laughed over at the other girl. “I think all of that would be expulsion, Angeline got in enough trouble for wearing her home made denim shorts that were too inappropriate”

She kept her face neutral at the mention of her flirting with Eddie; she had no rights to feel jealous at the thought of it. Eddie had no interest in her and she had to accept that and move on with her life. “Thanks, though I don’t think you’ll have to go to big lengths to get me out of there. If everything runs smoothly on this trip I might be able to get more freedom.” She responded, with a smile growing on her face over Christina liking the dress she chose. She nodded and continued to browse through the racks. “There isn’t that much here that I think would suit me though, they would all look a lot nicer on you.”

Christina: Christina eyed her for another long moment. Jill was someone she hadn’t known for long but in the time she had known her she felt compelled to look out for her. Like the little sister she never had. “Yeah, well I will be the judge of that. I was a pretty big bitch in the academy, I can be an even bigger one here.” She paused and grinned at her. “Well, too bad all of those boys will be too young and inexperienced for me.” She smirked. “Maybe they have older brothers…” she mused, drifting off in thought for a moment before shaking her head and looking back at the younger Moroi. “Jill, don’t let them get to you. Those girls, anyone that makes fun of you, they want to be you. Hell I would kill for you figure, not that I don’t love mine,” she said looking down at herself. As a Moroi, Christina was petite and short, but she did have some hint of curves in her hips and breasts. “Oh really? I wouldn’t last an hour there once they saw my wardrobe.” She grinned.

Shrugging, Christina looked back down at the dress, a small smile playing on her lips. “Well, you definitely have a promising career in fashion.” She huffed and started looking around. “I’ll find something for you, don’t worry. Except, well, what I wear and you wear are really different and I don’t want you wearing what I do.” She hooked the dress she held over her arm. “I’ll go try this on, you going to be okay? No leaving the store, I’ll know.” Christina gave her a look, both eyebrows arched before making her way to the change room.

Jill: Jill smiled back at her, she had not known Christina for all that long, but she had known her cousin for longer. She was close to Christian, as if he were her own brother, but there was a bond forming between the two Moroi girls that she couldn’t have with Christian. She loved her sister like friendship with Christina and wouldn’t give it up for anything. She had a biological sister, but even if she sorted things out with Lissa, she didn’t think that she would ever be able to have a relationship with her like she had with Christina. “You’re not like that, you are just… Strong minded and don’t take peoples… yeah that.” She cut herself off, not able to think of a better non cuss that wasn’t crap. Christina seen herself as a bitch but Jill saw her as just a strong woman who took no crap from no one. “Well if you want over eighteen guys you will have to have a talk with Adrian and see if you can tag along to Carlton College with him one day, There is a few guys in his art class with him.” She responded with a grin and tried to keep that smile on her face with the next comment. “Yeah… Maybe… The only human girl around here that hasn’t made me feel awkward was Lia, the fashion designer… but for my own safety, I’m not allowed to go back and do more modelling for her.” She huffed a little and went back to browsing through the racks.

Jill was browsing a new rack of dresses, there were so many in here for such a small shop. “You could rock a potato sack and still look good though Christina.” And replied and glanced over at her with a smile. “I’ll be fine and I wouldn’t dare go walk abouts, just show me what it looks like when you get it on.” Moving around to another rack she found a dress she liked, only to frown when they didn’t have it in her size. Shopping at the Moroi court was easy, everything there was suited for Moroi or Dhampir body styles, but in a human world, when Jill was one of the smallest sizes they usually stocked and taller than the average human girl, it was hard to find something that fit her properly. At that moment she envied Christina for her shorter height and slight curves.

Christina: Finding herself so close to someone like Jill, someone who was so young and innocent. Who had been sheltered a lot of her life and was still being sheltered from things. Although Christina agreed that there were some things Jill didn’t need to know about right now, if she ever came to her to ask Christina wouldn’t deny her the answers. She was pretty sure she was the only one that wouldn’t keep things from Jill, at sixteen she was no longer a child and everyone seemed to forget that. “Basically I am a bitch with opinions and I give no fucks about what people say or think and if they do insult me to my face, I am not going to take that lying down. Is that a good summary?” She asked with a smirk, and then brightened at her next words. “College boys? Well…they may need some stress relief.” She nudged Jill playfully, and hoped she wasn’t making her overly uncomfortable. Pausing, Christina looked over at her and sighed. “Not even headless shots? Or masks? Something to hide your identity? Is it modelling you want to do or fashion design?” She asked, knowing she was asking too many questions at once but she had no idea which one was the right one to ask.

Grinning over at her, Christina gave her another light nudge. “Probably but I don’t think I want to test that theory out.” She walked to the change rooms and tried to dress on, skimming her hands over it once she was done. It hugged her just right, accentuating her slight curves and making her skin look creamy and glowing. Her eyes seemed to pop. This dress was made for her, that’s how she liked to view clothes. She didn’t care if other people had it, she doubted anyone would look as good as she did in the dress. Was that conceited? Probably but she wasn’t caring. Every girl had some piece of clothing they knew they rocked better than anyone before or after them, this dress would just be adding to Christina’s pile. Peeking out of the dressing room, her eyes scanned the area. “Jillybean,” she called out in a slight whisper, still cautious of anyone overhearing. She came out of the room and started walking towards where she had last seen the young Princess.