#dawcrp

In the real world Aria was curled up in a ball, pressed to Ash’s side.

Aria thought over it for a bit before shaking her head. “This is all too much. Going back there will make it worse…” She looked at him in the eyes and froze a bit. He was so close. Her heart started beating faster and her cheeks warmed up. Gods, he was close…she could just lean in, but she didn’t. He might not want it. She wouldn’t push that on him without him showing he wanted it, and it was hard to think.

He hummed a bit in thought. “I’m not picky. I take what I can get. But the best offer besides a year of her life or sex” he gave her a pointed look as he said the word “would be a shrine. It’s one of the few things that I don’t have.”

Lhorcan could sense her reluctance in her tone and in her body language, so he changed the subject.  “I suppose then, if we are indeed going to share, we should try to get to know one another.... Why a magic shop?”  She clearly radiated power now, but he could only assume that growing up human, she didn’t have any idea of her powers.  

Natemare didn’t look up as he heard the door creak open, finishing bandaging his back up as best he could. He could tell it was Dusk though. “How did it go?” He had a sad and pained tone in his voice as he spoke.

Dusk didn’t say anything, not at first, as she took the bandage from Mare and healed the worst of the damage, then cleaned his back up.  “He doesn’t remember anything.”  That traitorous voice whispered ‘or so he says....’  Dusk tried to ignore it, knowing this is what Anti wanted, to drive a wedge between them all.  And it was working.  “What happened?”

Dusk was about to answer Midnight when a presence came over her. A command from her god, given as a thinly veiled request. How could she say no? Her aura faded, guttered then flared black as she rose. She had enough control still to make sure to put Midnight in the chair, not just dump him unceremoniously to the floor. And the she walked out without a word, heading to Aria’s room.

When Dusk opened the door, Ash took one look at her and swore softly under his breath. If the black aura around her didn’t give it away, the deep, echoing baritone voice coming out of her mouth did. “To what do we owe this… unexpected pleasure, Aurum?”

Midnight hesitated before sighing. “I guess…”

“Oh.....Kam....”  She squeezed his hand. Dusk knew Ash was ....furious at Kam, and not without reason, but it still came down to the fact that Kam was very young, and just trying to survive.  “Will you please try to eat...or just talk to me?” At least if he opened out and got it all out, it wouldn’t be festering inside him.

Ash pet down Midnight’s back, “If she can’t, you’re no worse off...” But if she could, it would make a huge difference for both Midnight and Aria.  Perhaps Phantom as well....

Midnight nodded. “Milk and meat. I’ll be fine, no need to get Dusk. But…can you thank her for healing my arm for me?” He didn’t elaborate as he settled himself in. He had to change to his feline form or he would have to continue putting small amounts of magic into staying human. “Put the milk in a bowl, please.”