Mana Academy (IC) (Open, Fantasy)

[Charlia]

Hikari's eyes widened in shock. "N-no!" she protested. "Henry's not like that! I--"

And... he's gone.

"...I'm sorry," she mumbled, her face as bright red as her hair. "...I guess your reputation is going to be tarnished now, huh? I never meant for that..."

Henry Von Kressel

A slight smile appeared in Henry's slightly reddened face. Indeed, the scene led to a conclusion very different from what it actually happened. He would explain what happened later, but now he had to calm Hikari down.

"No need to say sorry, Hikari. Allistor has a very peculiar sense of humor, and my reputation will be the same, so there's no need to worry as well. I can explain it to him later, in a way that it won't invade your privacy."

"Oh... Oh, that's good," Hikari said with obvious relief. "I'd feel awful if people started treating you differently just because of me. I should have realized sooner... I guess it's just a good thing that nothing really was happening..."

...Stupid little whore! You really didn't see any of that coming? Of course not, you were being too selfish and desperate to think about it. Idiot!

[Saldinado]

Shaun Calhoun

Sitting in the seat next to Soleil, he watched as he continued to grab his rabbit construct and faintly smiled at it; it appeared that the effects of the rabbit were starting to get to him. Although he still continue to say 'I'm sorry.' constantly. With a hint of worry in his eyes, he softly sighed and rubbed his eyes as they were now starting to burn and sting from the sensation of lack of rest and watched to see what he was going to do next.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw someone coming towards him, to which the skittish boy winched and closed his eyes in fear from the sight of them bringing their hand towards them. Until he saw that it was Allistor and he was combing his hair. Weakly chuckling in response to he touching of his hair before listening to him explain that he would need some rest. "No, I'm okay, I jus-" However he stopped himself from lying again as he heard him say that no would not be an answer to him. Nodding to him, he watched as Allistor walked away to get some rest as well, he sighed as he slapped his knees slightly as he got up from his seat and looked at John before both John and Tsukiyomi and weakly smiled at them. "I guess that I should go and get some rest. Thank you both for helping him, and I hope that the both of you get some sleep as well." He then turned towards Soleil before facing the two adults. "I know that he'll be safe with you two. So...Thanks." He said shyly smiling at them with his face pink from embarrassment. Nodding at them, he walked out of the room and closed the door behind them. While walking, he saw Allistor returning and waved at him as he passed by him and walked towards his room.

Opening the door and walked inside, he looked at the empty and desolated room, he sighed as he was still too stressed to sleep. He needed something to sleep, and decided to do something that he knew he love- And that was exercising- He knew that such extreme physical conditions might do harm to him, but his stubbornness was getting in the way, and believed that this was the best way to sleep. Walking to his dresser, he grabbed a pair of blue basketball shorts with a space/galaxy-like teal graphic tank top and put in on. Replacing his boots with his light purple sneakers, he got up and stretchered for a bit before walking back out of his room and making his way to the top of the roof. Seeing that the destruction that they have made earlier was nearly cleared, he softly sighed as he walked towards where the grand swimming pool was and watched it as the gold and white pool lights brightened up the area as the darkness surrounded it dissipated in the light. Sighing softly, he pulled his phone out of pocket and placed it on a beach lounge chair before removing his shirt, shoes, and socks and placing them on the chair and grabbed his phone once again, opened it and played a song loudly as the only one with him was the moon itself before standing near the deep end of the pool and diving into the crystal blue water and began doing laps in the pool.

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Henry Von Kressel

A slight smile appeared in Henry's slightly reddened face. Indeed, the scene led to a conclusion very different from what it actually happened. He would explain what happened later, but now he had to calm Hikari down.

"No need to say sorry, Hikari. Allistor has a very peculiar sense of humor, and my reputation will be the same, so there's no need to worry as well. I can explain it to him later, in a way that it won't invade your privacy."

"Oh... Oh, that's good," Hikari said with obvious relief. "I'd feel awful if people started treating you differently just because of me. I should have realized sooner... I guess it's just a good thing that nothing really was happening..."

...Stupid little whore! You really didn't see any of that coming? Of course not, you were being too selfish and desperate to think about it. Idiot!

Henry Von Kressel

"Don't worry, Hikari. They wouldn't do it, and even if something was happening, it wouldn't be their business, I guess. People usually treat me differently for other reasons, but never because of things like this. Now, I think it would be better if we go back to sleep, it's quite late after all."

Henry's tone showed a confidence that was mostly backed up by the incomprehension of her fear. Why people would treat him differently if he slept with her? There was a hint of low self-esteem in her voice, but he wouldn't ask her now: It was late, and he was tired.

[Charlia]

"Oh... Oh, that's good," Hikari said with obvious relief. "I'd feel awful if people started treating you differently just because of me. I should have realized sooner... I guess it's just a good thing that nothing really was happening..."

...Stupid little whore! You really didn't see any of that coming? Of course not, you were being too selfish and desperate to think about it. Idiot!

Henry Von Kressel

"Don't worry, Hikari. They wouldn't do it, and even if something was happening, it wouldn't be their business, I guess. People usually treat me differently for other reasons, but never because of things like this. Now, I think it would be better if we go back to sleep, it's quite late after all."

Henry's tone showed a confidence that was mostly backed up by the incomprehension of her fear. Why people would treat him differently if he slept with her? There was a hint of low self-esteem in her voice, but he wouldn't ask her now: It was late, and he was tired.

"...All right," she whispered, and lay back down, closing her eyes. "Good night, Henry. Thank you again... for all of this."

...It's too good for someone like me... so I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

[Luminesa]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor grabbed a chair and sat beside Soleil. The warm feeling of the healing magic that John was using was like an afternoon sea breeze, calming and refreshing at the same time. He noticed that Soleil is cuddling Shaun's bunny in his nervous breakdown induced coma and smiled at the sight. 'Atleast he's still receptive to outside stimulation.' Allistor opened the violin case and pulled out the shiny brown instrument and placed it on his shoulder. Fixing his hold on the instrument, Allistor placed the bow across the strings and started to play. The piece was made for a cello but Allistor adjusted it to fit for violin playing. He closed his eyes as he started put emotion into it. It was a serene piece, perfect for a still night such as this. The gentleness and aura of sadness it radiates reflects parts of Soleil, his isolation, his kind hands that shaped those wonderful constructs to life, his scars, his all accepting heart. Remembering one trick that he made during his free time, roses made out of snow emerged from Soleil's bed as Allistor continued to play, as soft as sheep's wool. It looks like they respond to the very music Allistor is playing, blooming, swaying, and shrinking. As the performance was about to end, the roses stayed at full bloom until the final notes were hit. He opened his eyes and looked at Soleil. "How is he?"

At first, Soleil did not seem to respond. Yet music, the beautiful universal language that it was, reached crevices of his heart that he did not even know were aching. As Allistor moved his bow back and forth across the strings, it was as though he was smoothing-out the wrinkles, the tension in the boy's soul. The tiny light that had shown when Shaun had given him the rabbit now glittered strongly in his eyes, and his breathing became completely silent as he listened. The chords spoke to him, whispering the love and affection of the hand behind the strings.

Then there were the roses. They seemed to dance softly in time with the music, blossoming and budding and blossoming again as the music progressed. Without moving his head, his eyes followed one of them, as it opened and closed with the beautiful music. He no longer whispered 'I'm sorry'. His heart was entirely caught in the overwhelming ocean of the music, of the vision of the little flower in front of him, which filled his soul and embraced him warmly. He wanted to reach the rose, but it vanished as the music ended. Yet despite this, the glow remained in his eyes. They were their normal sky-blue once again, and fully open. He still did not blink, but he seemed more aware of what was happening around him.

"...Allistor...that was...beautiful," John answered, smiling warmly himself as he listened to the heartbreakingly-beautiful music that his student played for his friend. The entire scene was almost mesmerizing, in how tender it was. This older student played music to soothe his broken friend, speaking to him in a sublime language that caressed all of his inner wounds and spoke to him in secret ways that only the two of them could understand. Meanwhile, Soleil had regained some of his consciousness. John looked at his face and noticed that, and his eyes widened. "...He even stopped mumbling...Allistor...something you did really reached him...He heard you...he saw you," he whispered, as he continued to work.

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Henry Von Kressel

"Don't worry, Hikari. They wouldn't do it, and even if something was happening, it wouldn't be their business, I guess. People usually treat me differently for other reasons, but never because of things like this. Now, I think it would be better if we go back to sleep, it's quite late after all."

Henry's tone showed a confidence that was mostly backed up by the incomprehension of her fear. Why people would treat him differently if he slept with her? There was a hint of low self-esteem in her voice, but he wouldn't ask her now: It was late, and he was tired.

"...All right," she whispered, and lay back down, closing her eyes. "Good night, Henry. Thank you again... for all of this."

...It's too good for someone like me... so I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

Henry Von Kressel

"No need to thank me, Hikari."

Once more, he slowly placed his arm around her in a friendly manner, hugging her and finally falling asleep once more. It was peaceful, something he needed after such a confusing day. Now, Henry couldn't count on his uncle's support anymore, and the role of counselor was passed on to Rabbit, who also seemed to have a stressful day. It was obvious to him that the most probable option to inherit what Vladimir had was himself, forcing Henry to grow up in face of this new responsibility.

In the other hand, there were more situations. Ambrosia, Madame Bourbon, Soleil, Ruta, Rabbit, everything also worried him. Anatoly, Lorianus and Saturninus were clearly a matter of worry, with the Russian even attempting a direct attack on him. But now, all of these worries seemed to disappear as Henry's sleep progressively got deeper, as he awaited for a new day, or a new confusion.

[Chrome Legion]

Elizabeth Tsukuyomi


What had Solaine done to her son? Melding a still born brother into Soliel's consciousness? Yet that still didn't explain the others. What were they? Tsukuyomi had her own experience with having dual a dual natured mind, but nothing like this. There were so many separate consciousnesses, completely different voices. It looked like one had been explained, but now that left more questions. Part of her was already thinking about how the magic might be undone, but she would need to know more. And it seemed she would need to pay a visit to Soli's mother. And here she was hoping that taking Soli could be drama free. Maybe she should start looking for another yacht.

"And what of the rest of you? What exactly are you?"

[Luminesa]

Elizabeth Tsukuyomi


What had Solaine done to her son? Melding a still born brother into Soliel's consciousness? Yet that still didn't explain the others. What were they? Tsukuyomi had her own experience with having dual a dual natured mind, but nothing like this. There were so many separate consciousnesses, completely different voices. It looked like one had been explained, but now that left more questions. Part of her was already thinking about how the magic might be undone, but she would need to know more. And it seemed she would need to pay a visit to Soli's mother. And here she was hoping that taking Soli could be drama free. Maybe she should start looking for another yacht.

"And what of the rest of you? What exactly are you?"

"We are the Five Emperors," the blue-eyed Soleil answered, stepping forward. His gaze was unblinking and cold, but at the same time it was honest. "Once in the distant past, all of us ruled over various magical kingdoms throughout the world. I was at one time the Emperor of Japan, and the only Mage to be such," he explained.

The violet-eyed one put his hands on his hips and narrowed his eyes. "Must you brag about your rule over the Land of the Rising Sun every time you speak? So obsequious of you," he admonished. He then turned to Tsukiyomi. "I was the prince of China, once. I was not emperor, but only because I was assassinated the day I was going to be crowned. Tragic, isn't it? Such a fragile flower as myself killed before I could truly bloom," he bemoaned, overdramatically.

"Yes, Guangli, you are indeed fragile. Like a weed," the orange-eyed Soleil laughed. He then turned to Tsukiyomi. "I was a Duke and a pretender to the throne of France. I tried to lead the Mages of France in order to take turn France back into a monarchy, but ahhhh...you can tell now how well that went. Crisdean was a prince of the kingdom of Leinster quite some time ago, before Ireland was united, and Wilheim was a prince of Bohemia." He nodded to the green-eyed Soleil and the red-eyed one respectively.

"...You know we can talk, right?" the green-eyed Soleil questioned, annoyed. He then turned to Tsukiyomi. "But yes. The boy's mother placed us in the boy, wanting us to combine our Mana and to lend it to him when he reached the threshold of his panic. You'll have to ask her if you want the whole story."

[Charlia]

"The greatest mistake humans ever made was wishing for powers they could not control."

Piercing blue eyes. A swirl of blackness, a child with snowy hair.

"But then, you know this, don't you? Power that cannot be controlled is not a power at all. It is a curse. And it is one that will destroy you if you let it fester."

A sad smile, a flash of red.

"Don't let the darkness get hold of you for even a moment, for if it does, it will never release you. For the remainder of your life, if it can be called life, you will not be your own. Because even if you succeed in subduing the void, it will never leave you. And you will live with the power it grants you, and the destruction it causes, until the day you die."

The sound of a small explosion. More red. Flashes of intermingling color--red, black, blue, white, and a purple so deep it could barely be identified as purple. And through all of it, the rough snarling of a beast that could never be tamed.

Labored breathing.

"...And then... it will strike..."

Silence.

Darkness.

[Finsternia]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor grabbed a chair and sat beside Soleil. The warm feeling of the healing magic that John was using was like an afternoon sea breeze, calming and refreshing at the same time. He noticed that Soleil is cuddling Shaun's bunny in his nervous breakdown induced coma and smiled at the sight. 'Atleast he's still receptive to outside stimulation.' Allistor opened the violin case and pulled out the shiny brown instrument and placed it on his shoulder. Fixing his hold on the instrument, Allistor placed the bow across the strings and started to play. The piece was made for a cello but Allistor adjusted it to fit for violin playing. He closed his eyes as he started put emotion into it. It was a serene piece, perfect for a still night such as this. The gentleness and aura of sadness it radiates reflects parts of Soleil, his isolation, his kind hands that shaped those wonderful constructs to life, his scars, his all accepting heart. Remembering one trick that he made during his free time, roses made out of snow emerged from Soleil's bed as Allistor continued to play, as soft as sheep's wool. It looks like they respond to the very music Allistor is playing, blooming, swaying, and shrinking. As the performance was about to end, the roses stayed at full bloom until the final notes were hit. He opened his eyes and looked at Soleil. "How is he?"

At first, Soleil did not seem to respond. Yet music, the beautiful universal language that it was, reached crevices of his heart that he did not even know were aching. As Allistor moved his bow back and forth across the strings, it was as though he was smoothing-out the wrinkles, the tension in the boy's soul. The tiny light that had shown when Shaun had given him the rabbit now glittered strongly in his eyes, and his breathing became completely silent as he listened. The chords spoke to him, whispering the love and affection of the hand behind the strings.

Then there were the roses. They seemed to dance softly in time with the music, blossoming and budding and blossoming again as the music progressed. Without moving his head, his eyes followed one of them, as it opened and closed with the beautiful music. He no longer whispered 'I'm sorry'. His heart was entirely caught in the overwhelming ocean of the music, of the vision of the little flower in front of him, which filled his soul and embraced him warmly. He wanted to reach the rose, but it vanished as the music ended. Yet despite this, the glow remained in his eyes. They were their normal sky-blue once again, and fully open. He still did not blink, but he seemed more aware of what was happening around him.

"...Allistor...that was...beautiful," John answered, smiling warmly himself as he listened to the heartbreakingly-beautiful music that his student played for his friend. The entire scene was almost mesmerizing, in how tender it was. This older student played music to soothe his broken friend, speaking to him in a sublime language that caressed all of his inner wounds and spoke to him in secret ways that only the two of them could understand. Meanwhile, Soleil had regained some of his consciousness. John looked at his face and noticed that, and his eyes widened. "...He even stopped mumbling...Allistor...something you did really reached him...He heard you...he saw you," he whispered, as he continued to work.

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor set his violin down first before rushing to Soleil's bedside. John wasn't just bluffing or kidding him, Soleil really stopped mumbling and now his eyes are open. And they see him. Allistor reached for Soleil's forehead, brushing off the sweat and hair off his eyes in a brotherly manner. "Did you like my playing? How are you?" Allistor didn't expect him to reply to him, he's still in shock afterall, but he was still hoping for that sliver of hope that the young boy in front of him would give him a sign if not a word. He continued to caress the boy's head and hair, combing it out of his face. The roses on Soleil's bed bloomed like large cotton balls that look so soft that it might squish under your touch. Allistor hummed the tune of his piece awhile ago before turning to John. "This is an improvement isn't it? Will he truly wake up soon?"

[Luminesa]

At first, Soleil did not seem to respond. Yet music, the beautiful universal language that it was, reached crevices of his heart that he did not even know were aching. As Allistor moved his bow back and forth across the strings, it was as though he was smoothing-out the wrinkles, the tension in the boy's soul. The tiny light that had shown when Shaun had given him the rabbit now glittered strongly in his eyes, and his breathing became completely silent as he listened. The chords spoke to him, whispering the love and affection of the hand behind the strings.

Then there were the roses. They seemed to dance softly in time with the music, blossoming and budding and blossoming again as the music progressed. Without moving his head, his eyes followed one of them, as it opened and closed with the beautiful music. He no longer whispered 'I'm sorry'. His heart was entirely caught in the overwhelming ocean of the music, of the vision of the little flower in front of him, which filled his soul and embraced him warmly. He wanted to reach the rose, but it vanished as the music ended. Yet despite this, the glow remained in his eyes. They were their normal sky-blue once again, and fully open. He still did not blink, but he seemed more aware of what was happening around him.

"...Allistor...that was...beautiful," John answered, smiling warmly himself as he listened to the heartbreakingly-beautiful music that his student played for his friend. The entire scene was almost mesmerizing, in how tender it was. This older student played music to soothe his broken friend, speaking to him in a sublime language that caressed all of his inner wounds and spoke to him in secret ways that only the two of them could understand. Meanwhile, Soleil had regained some of his consciousness. John looked at his face and noticed that, and his eyes widened. "...He even stopped mumbling...Allistor...something you did really reached him...He heard you...he saw you," he whispered, as he continued to work.

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor set his violin down first before rushing to Soleil's bedside. John wasn't just bluffing or kidding him, Soleil really stopped mumbling and now his eyes are open. And they see him. Allistor reached for Soleil's forehead, brushing off the sweat and hair off his eyes in a brotherly manner. "Did you like my playing? How are you?" Allistor didn't expect him to reply to him, he's still in shock afterall, but he was still hoping for that sliver of hope that the young boy in front of him would give him a sign if not a word. He continued to caress the boy's head and hair, combing it out of his face. The roses on Soleil's bed bloomed like large cotton balls that look so soft that it might squish under your touch. Allistor hummed the tune of his piece awhile ago before turning to John. "This is an improvement isn't it? Will he truly wake up soon?"

"Very much so. If he gets better psychologically, he can begin to heal. His physical wounds are still egregious, but once he rests himself, those will heal faster as well. He won't be able to do any physical activity for a few days, or perform any serious magic, but at this rate, he should be able to do both by the end of the week," John answered, smiling. He looked down at his patient, whom Allistor showed such gentleness to, and he watched his face for any signs of recognition.

The soft hand against Soleil's face seemed to relax the boy even further, and he responded. He gave a very slow nod, and he cuddled Shaun's rabbit closer to his chest, its velveteen fur tickling his chin and neck as he did so. He still did not smile or move the rest of his face, but he kept his eyes entirely focused on Allistor, as though he was trying hard to ask him not to leave. Not even the roses caught his attention this time. He simply wanted to see the person in front of him, who he now loved dearly.

In the meantime, John looked to Kasumi, as she sat in the corner. "You can always come speak to Soleil too, if you want. He's responding to sounds and speech again. Just be careful and don't panic. We want him to stay calm," he told her gently, knowing how frantic she was feeling for him.

[Charlia]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor set his violin down first before rushing to Soleil's bedside. John wasn't just bluffing or kidding him, Soleil really stopped mumbling and now his eyes are open. And they see him. Allistor reached for Soleil's forehead, brushing off the sweat and hair off his eyes in a brotherly manner. "Did you like my playing? How are you?" Allistor didn't expect him to reply to him, he's still in shock afterall, but he was still hoping for that sliver of hope that the young boy in front of him would give him a sign if not a word. He continued to caress the boy's head and hair, combing it out of his face. The roses on Soleil's bed bloomed like large cotton balls that look so soft that it might squish under your touch. Allistor hummed the tune of his piece awhile ago before turning to John. "This is an improvement isn't it? Will he truly wake up soon?"

"Very much so. If he gets better psychologically, he can begin to heal. His physical wounds are still egregious, but once he rests himself, those will heal faster as well. He won't be able to do any physical activity for a few days, or perform any serious magic, but at this rate, he should be able to do both by the end of the week," John answered, smiling. He looked down at his patient, whom Allistor showed such gentleness to, and he watched his face for any signs of recognition.

The soft hand against Soleil's face seemed to relax the boy even further, and he responded. He gave a very slow nod, and he cuddled Shaun's rabbit closer to his chest, its velveteen fur tickling his chin and neck as he did so. He still did not smile or move the rest of his face, but he kept his eyes entirely focused on Allistor, as though he was trying hard to ask him not to leave. Not even the roses caught his attention this time. He simply wanted to see the person in front of him, who he now loved dearly.

In the meantime, John looked to Kasumi, as she sat in the corner. "You can always come speak to Soleil too, if you want. He's responding to sounds and speech again. Just be careful and don't panic. We want him to stay calm," he told her gently, knowing how frantic she was feeling for him.

Taking a few careful steps forward, as if afraid that even the tiniest mistake could send Soleil back into his near-comatose state, Kasumi put one hand over Soleil's and tried not to cry.

"...Hello, Soleil-kun..." she said slowly. "The doctor says you can hear me now... How are you feeling? No, I'm sorry, you probably can't answer me... I hope you're not in any pain..." Leaning in close, she kissed him, on the lips no less, and blushed bright red. "...Come back to us, all right? Take as much time as you need... but... come back to us... come back to me... okay? I... love you..."

The struggle to keep from crying failed, and a single tear slipped down her face.

"I love you..." she repeated quickly, and ducked her head, rubbing the back of Soleil's hand as if she could rub him back into normalcy.

[Luminesa]

"Very much so. If he gets better psychologically, he can begin to heal. His physical wounds are still egregious, but once he rests himself, those will heal faster as well. He won't be able to do any physical activity for a few days, or perform any serious magic, but at this rate, he should be able to do both by the end of the week," John answered, smiling. He looked down at his patient, whom Allistor showed such gentleness to, and he watched his face for any signs of recognition.

The soft hand against Soleil's face seemed to relax the boy even further, and he responded. He gave a very slow nod, and he cuddled Shaun's rabbit closer to his chest, its velveteen fur tickling his chin and neck as he did so. He still did not smile or move the rest of his face, but he kept his eyes entirely focused on Allistor, as though he was trying hard to ask him not to leave. Not even the roses caught his attention this time. He simply wanted to see the person in front of him, who he now loved dearly.

In the meantime, John looked to Kasumi, as she sat in the corner. "You can always come speak to Soleil too, if you want. He's responding to sounds and speech again. Just be careful and don't panic. We want him to stay calm," he told her gently, knowing how frantic she was feeling for him.

Taking a few careful steps forward, as if afraid that even the tiniest mistake could send Soleil back into his near-comatose state, Kasumi put one hand over Soleil's and tried not to cry.

"...Hello, Soleil-kun..." she said slowly. "The doctor says you can hear me now... How are you feeling? No, I'm sorry, you probably can't answer me... I hope you're not in any pain..." Leaning in close, she kissed him, on the lips no less, and blushed bright red. "...Come back to us, all right? Take as much time as you need... but... come back to us... come back to me... okay? I... love you..."

The struggle to keep from crying failed, and a single tear slipped down her face.

"I love you..." she repeated quickly, and ducked her head, rubbing the back of Soleil's hand as if she could rub him back into normalcy.

He also responded to this sensation, as now Soleil blushed and stared down at Kasumi's hand on top of his. He flexed his hand a little, and then his eyes flicked to her again. He looked like he wanted to say something, but nothing would come to him. Now tears seemed to trickle down his own eyes, into the fur of the rabbit he held in his arms. He blinked again, and more tears fell. He simply did not have the strength to speak. His throat and lungs were so tired, and his brain could not seemingly create the words he wanted to say to her, or to anyone.

"He loves you too, Kasumi," John answered, watching the tears roll down the boy's eyes as he watched his beloved sob in front of him. "He loves all of you a ton. And when he finally wakes up fully, he's going to appreciate everything that all of you have done for him. Thanks for all that you all have done so far," he told them warmly. In the midst of all of the chaos happening with Madame Bourbon, with the Committee, with Rabbit and Ruta, and with the students from the other schools, seeing the Mana students all coming together to watch over one of their fallen friends, one of their more fragile friends, was heartwarming. They had all become so tight-knit over the last two months, it amazed him.

[Finsternia]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor moved to give way for Kasumi, watching the romance before him like some benderbent Sleeping Beauty. He pulled out a fresh handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped off Soleil's tears. Allistor could feel like as if Soleil wanted to speak but just cannot do it. "You don't need to stress yourself further, okay? Just bid your time and heal for us. For Kasumi. For yourself." He stood up and gave a warm glance at Soleil's fragile form before turning to John. "I think this is really the time for me to go. I'll be leaving Soleil in your hands once again sir." He pulled out something from his pockets, his phone, and opened a playlist. He played the first song, the tune sounding like the longing for someone you care about, for your long lost friend, family, or lover. It is reminiscent of a cold rainy day when you just wanted to let your tears fall free like the droplets outside of your window. He placed his phone on the bedside table and took his violin case with him. "I'll be leaving my phone with Sol. Atleast even without my presence, I can still help him. Goodnight sir, maam, Kasumi." He paused for awhile to look back at Soleil and smiled. "And Soleil." He closed the doors behind him, the sentimental piano and violin music still softly rang in his ears.

Still not being able to sleep and fearing that he might see something not for his eyes if ever he goes back to his room, Allistor wandered around the hotel and found himself going to the rooftop to practice playing his violin. He can hear a faint music playing and saw that he wasn't alone in the cleared rooftops. He can see someone splashing and swimming in the pool alone. He was wondering who would even swim at this time when most people would be asleep or going through evening businesses. He slowly approached the pool and saw that it was Shaun who he already thought was sleeping in his room. He gritted his teeth and stood by the pool's edge near Shaun's discarded clothing. He just waited to be seen, slightly tapping his shoes on the marble.

[Luminesa]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor moved to give way for Kasumi, watching the romance before him like some benderbent Sleeping Beauty. He pulled out a fresh handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped off Soleil's tears. Allistor could feel like as if Soleil wanted to speak but just cannot do it. "You don't need to stress yourself further, okay? Just bid your time and heal for us. For Kasumi. For yourself." He stood up and gave a warm glance at Soleil's fragile form before turning to John. "I think this is really the time for me to go. I'll be leaving Soleil in your hands once again sir." He pulled out something from his pockets, his phone, and opened a playlist. He played the first song, the tune sounding like the longing for someone you care about, for your long lost friend, family, or lover. It is reminiscent of a cold rainy day when you just wanted to let your tears fall free like the droplets outside of your window. He placed his phone on the bedside table and took his violin case with him. "I'll be leaving my phone with Sol. Atleast even without my presence, I can still help him. Goodnight sir, maam, Kasumi." He paused for awhile to look back at Soleil and smiled. "And Soleil." He closed the doors behind him, the sentimental piano and violin music still softly rang in his ears.

Still not being able to sleep and fearing that he might see something not for his eyes if ever he goes back to his room, Allistor wandered around the hotel and found himself going to the rooftop to practice playing his violin. He can hear a faint music playing and saw that he wasn't alone in the cleared rooftops. He can see someone splashing and swimming in the pool alone. He was wondering who would even swim at this time when most people would be asleep or going through evening businesses. He slowly approached the pool and saw that it was Shaun who he already thought was sleeping in his room. He gritted his teeth and stood by the pool's edge near Shaun's discarded clothing. He just waited to be seen, slightly tapping his shoes on the marble.

Soleil looked at Allistor and followed him with his eyes, as he left the room. He then turned back toward Kasumi, and he listened to the song Allistor had loaded on his phone. It was sweet, wistful, and pure, and it made Soleil begin to remember things. What those things were, he would not-or could not-say. However, the soft music made his eyes mist over, and while he was still awake and aware of what was happening around him, he slowly became lost in his thoughts. He then closed his eyes, curled-up with the bunny, and he began to fall asleep finally. He continued to leave his hand out for Kasumi to hold, not even strong enough to move it back toward himself as he curled-up. The music flowed through him, and he finally closed his eyes, the twinkle in them still alive as he finally began to rest.

[Charlia]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor moved to give way for Kasumi, watching the romance before him like some benderbent Sleeping Beauty. He pulled out a fresh handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped off Soleil's tears. Allistor could feel like as if Soleil wanted to speak but just cannot do it. "You don't need to stress yourself further, okay? Just bid your time and heal for us. For Kasumi. For yourself." He stood up and gave a warm glance at Soleil's fragile form before turning to John. "I think this is really the time for me to go. I'll be leaving Soleil in your hands once again sir." He pulled out something from his pockets, his phone, and opened a playlist. He played the first song, the tune sounding like the longing for someone you care about, for your long lost friend, family, or lover. It is reminiscent of a cold rainy day when you just wanted to let your tears fall free like the droplets outside of your window. He placed his phone on the bedside table and took his violin case with him. "I'll be leaving my phone with Sol. Atleast even without my presence, I can still help him. Goodnight sir, maam, Kasumi." He paused for awhile to look back at Soleil and smiled. "And Soleil." He closed the doors behind him, the sentimental piano and violin music still softly rang in his ears.

Still not being able to sleep and fearing that he might see something not for his eyes if ever he goes back to his room, Allistor wandered around the hotel and found himself going to the rooftop to practice playing his violin. He can hear a faint music playing and saw that he wasn't alone in the cleared rooftops. He can see someone splashing and swimming in the pool alone. He was wondering who would even swim at this time when most people would be asleep or going through evening businesses. He slowly approached the pool and saw that it was Shaun who he already thought was sleeping in his room. He gritted his teeth and stood by the pool's edge near Shaun's discarded clothing. He just waited to be seen, slightly tapping his shoes on the marble.

Soleil looked at Allistor and followed him with his eyes, as he left the room. He then turned back toward Kasumi, and he listened to the song Allistor had loaded on his phone. It was sweet, wistful, and pure, and it made Soleil begin to remember things. What those things were, he would not-or could not-say. However, the soft music made his eyes mist over, and while he was still awake and aware of what was happening around him, he slowly became lost in his thoughts. He then closed his eyes, curled-up with the bunny, and he began to fall asleep finally. He continued to leave his hand out for Kasumi to hold, not even strong enough to move it back toward himself as he curled-up. The music flowed through him, and he finally closed his eyes, the twinkle in them still alive as he finally began to rest.

Kasumi gently placed his hand on the bunny, not wanting his arm to be sore when he woke up. She was also tired, but she didn't want to leave Soleil--so she pulled up a chair, sat down, and allowed her head to droop lower and fall to her chest, her eyes blinking once, twice, and then closing.

"Good night, Soleil-kun," she whispered, and then fell into her own dreamland.

[Saldinado]

Allistor Abendroth

Still not being able to sleep and fearing that he might see something not for his eyes if ever he goes back to his room, Allistor wandered around the hotel and found himself going to the rooftop to practice playing his violin. He can hear a faint music playing and saw that he wasn't alone in the cleared rooftops. He can see someone splashing and swimming in the pool alone. He was wondering who would even swim at this time when most people would be asleep or going through evening businesses. He slowly approached the pool and saw that it was Shaun who he already thought was sleeping in his room. He gritted his teeth and stood by the pool's edge near Shaun's discarded clothing. He just waited to be seen, slightly tapping his shoes on the marble.

Shaun Calhoun

As the music played loudly in his ears, Shaun continued to laps in the pool; the music, the coolness of the water, the blood pumping through his veins were all starting to make him feel awake. Although even though his mind felt as though he was awake, his body said otherwise. With each lap that he took, he began to slow down some as a small amount of pain began to travel through his body. And after doing over 20 laps since he got in, he was starting to tired out. Making one last lap from the back to the front, he rose from under the water and ran his hands over his hair as it was now as bright as the moon itself and softly panted as he heard the sound of what appeared to be soft tapping. Looking at the shoes that were in front of him, he raised his head up to see that it was Allistor standing there, in what appeared to be an irritated state. Shaun reciprocated the expression by blushing while awkwardly chuckling at him, rubbing the back of his head and looking away to avoid eye contact with him.

"H-Hi..."

[Finsternia]

Allistor Abendroth

Still not being able to sleep and fearing that he might see something not for his eyes if ever he goes back to his room, Allistor wandered around the hotel and found himself going to the rooftop to practice playing his violin. He can hear a faint music playing and saw that he wasn't alone in the cleared rooftops. He can see someone splashing and swimming in the pool alone. He was wondering who would even swim at this time when most people would be asleep or going through evening businesses. He slowly approached the pool and saw that it was Shaun who he already thought was sleeping in his room. He gritted his teeth and stood by the pool's edge near Shaun's discarded clothing. He just waited to be seen, slightly tapping his shoes on the marble.

Shaun Calhoun

As the music played loudly in his ears, Shaun continued to laps in the pool; the music, the coolness of the water, the blood pumping through his veins were all starting to make him feel awake. Although even though his mind felt as though he was awake, his body said otherwise. With each lap that he took, he began to slow down some as a small amount of pain began to travel through his body. And after doing over 20 laps since he got in, he was starting to tired out. Making one last lap from the back to the front, he rose from under the water and ran his hands over his hair as it was now as bright as the moon itself and softly panted as he heard the sound of what appeared to be soft tapping. Looking at the shoes that were in front of him, he raised his head up to see that it was Allistor standing there, in what appeared to be an irritated state. Shaun reciprocated the expression by blushing while awkwardly chuckling at him, rubbing the back of his head and looking away to avoid eye contact with him.

"H-Hi..."

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor crossed his arms across his chest and grimaced at the soaked teen in front of him. "What did I tell you awhile ago? You're fucking tired and you're gonna do laps?!" His voice was strained, as if he's trying to restrain himself from shouting at Shaun. "You're already mentally and physically drained and you're swimming?!" He took deep breathes like he told Shaun awhile ago. He pulled his jacket off his wrist and looked at the clock. "It's almost midnight. You have a tournament round to join tomorrow and you'll running out of sleeping hours." He kneeled down and held Shaun's chin with his index finger and thumb, forcing him to look at his worried and angry eyes. "Alright, tell me what's wrong. Don't even bother telling me lies."

[Saldinado]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor crossed his arms across his chest and grimaced at the soaked teen in front of him. "What did I tell you awhile ago? You're fucking tired and you're gonna do laps?!" His voice was strained, as if he's trying to restrain himself from shouting at Shaun. "You're already mentally and physically drained and you're swimming?!" He took deep breathes like he told Shaun awhile ago. He pulled his jacket off his wrist and looked at the clock. "It's almost midnight. You have a tournament round to join tomorrow and you'll running out of sleeping hours." He kneeled down and held Shaun's chin with his index finger and thumb, forcing him to look at his worried and angry eyes. "Alright, tell me what's wrong. Don't even bother telling me lies."

Shaun Calhoun

Shaun watched and turned redder as he was scowled by AllIstor. But he didn't do anything about it, seeing as he did kind of deserve it. However, the intensity and straining of his voice made him a little fearful of the teen. When it came to being yelled at or shouted at, he would normally try to hide his nervousness and fear, only to slightly let his armor down and have his eyes fill with water and prevent himself from completely shutting down. Seeing him kneel down, he watched as he felt him bring his head up to make him look at the worry and anger in his eyes as his eyes were now not only tired and stressed, but full of emotion and nervousness as he tired to not do anything drastic. Hearing what he said next, he sat there in silence, trying to figure out a way to tell him.

"Um...Well, I-I had got into an altercation with a friend earlier tonight, and now I just feel exhausted, tensed, and a little nervous about it I guess. Although I don't know where he is now. I just got up in a made rage and left him alone in the restaurant that we went to." He said softly as his eyes were now starting to get heavy. "And after having that manic moment, hearing what happened to Soleil and you, a-and now the tournament tomorrow, I just couldn't sleep. There's just too much going on, and I'm...", he said looking away in nervousness and dejection. "I'm just too tensed and scared as to what might happen next. That I won't be able to help you or anyone something were to happen. I wasn't there to help you or Soleil while you were at the bar, and now look where that got us. I'm sorry...For not being there for either of you." He said as he felt a lump in his throat.

Oh, stop it damnit! There's no need to get all emotional! Not in front of him especially. This unlike you at all! Remember what Dad told you: 'This is completely embarrassing and you know it. What would people think if they saw you like this, huh? You'd showed them your weakness, and now they'll use it against you in God-knows what ways. Only do it if you can trust the person with your life. But there's no such thing as a completely trustworthy person, is there?'

[Finsternia]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor crossed his arms across his chest and grimaced at the soaked teen in front of him. "What did I tell you awhile ago? You're fucking tired and you're gonna do laps?!" His voice was strained, as if he's trying to restrain himself from shouting at Shaun. "You're already mentally and physically drained and you're swimming?!" He took deep breathes like he told Shaun awhile ago. He pulled his jacket off his wrist and looked at the clock. "It's almost midnight. You have a tournament round to join tomorrow and you'll running out of sleeping hours." He kneeled down and held Shaun's chin with his index finger and thumb, forcing him to look at his worried and angry eyes. "Alright, tell me what's wrong. Don't even bother telling me lies."

Shaun Calhoun

Shaun watched and turned redder as he was scowled by AllIstor. But he didn't do anything about it, seeing as he did kind of deserve it. However, the intensity and straining of his voice made him a little fearful of the teen. When it came to being yelled at or shouted at, he would normally try to hide his nervousness and fear, only to slightly let his armor down and have his eyes fill with water and prevent himself from completely shutting down. Seeing him kneel down, he watched as he felt him bring his head up to make him look at the worry and anger in his eyes as his eyes were now not only tired and stressed, but full of emotion and nervousness as he tired to not do anything drastic. Hearing what he said next, he sat there in silence, trying to figure out a way to tell him.

"Um...Well, I-I had got into an altercation with a friend earlier tonight, and now I just feel exhausted, tensed, and a little nervous about it I guess. Although I don't know where he is now. I just got up in a made rage and left him alone in the restaurant that we went to." He said softly as his eyes were now starting to get heavy. "And after having that manic moment, hearing what happened to Soleil and you, a-and now the tournament tomorrow, I just couldn't sleep. There's just too much going on, and I'm...", he said looking away in nervousness and dejection. "I'm just too tensed and scared as to what might happen next. That I won't be able to help you or anyone something were to happen. I wasn't there to help you or Soleil while you were at the bar, and now look where that got us. I'm sorry...For not being there for either of you." He said as he felt a lump in his throat.

Oh, stop it damnit! There's no need to get all emotional! Not in front of him especially. This unlike you at all! Remember what Dad told you: 'This is completely embarrassing and you know it. What would people think if they saw you like this, huh? You'd showed them your weakness, and now they'll use it against you in God-knows what ways. Only do it if you can trust the person with your life. But there's no such thing as a completely trustworthy person, is there?'

Allistor Abendroth

"That is not a valid reason to just work your body to death!" Allistor accidentally raised his voice and sighed. He sat on the pool's edge and let his feel submerge into the waters, neverminding if he'll get wet. "I'm sorry. I just... I'm just worried for you." He waddled his feet a bit, sending ripples across the brilliantly clear waters of the pool. "If you couldn't sleep you could've done something that would tire you more. I know that you are worried for Soleil and me but the fight's over and they're are only wounds to take care for. No villains to fight, no enemies to kill."

Allistor looked at him and smiled. "And don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. I just received some small cuts and bruises so no big deal." He reached for his raven hair and combed them out of his face. "Let me guess. It's Dominique isn't it? I remember you mentioning "Dom" awhile ago." He reached his hand towards Shaun, beckoning him to hold it so that he can pull him out of the water. "Sit beside me. You're just tiring yourself there."

[Saldinado]

Allistor Abendroth

"That is not a valid reason to just work your body to death!" Allistor accidentally raised his voice and sighed. He sat one the pool's edge and let his feel submerge into the waters, neverminding if he'll get wet. "I'm sorry. I just... I'm just worried for you." He waddled his feet a bit, sending ripples across the brilliantly clear waters of the pool. "If you couldn't sleep you could've done something that would tire you more. I know that you are worried for Soleil and me but the fight's over and they're are only wounds to take care for. No villains to fight, no enemies to kill."

Allistor looked at him and smiled. "And don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. I just received some small cuts and bruises so no big deal." He reached for his raven hair and combed them out of his face. "Let me guess. It's Dominique isn't it? I remember you mentioning "Dom" awhile ago." He reached his hand towards Shaun, beckoning him to hold it so that he can pull him out of the water. "Sit beside me. You're just tiring yourself there."

Shaun Calhoun

Shaun winced at the loudness of his voice and got even more anxious. Keeping his eyes close, he slowly opened one of them as he saw that Allistor was placing his feet into the water. Why he would do such a thing while fully clothed discombobulated him, but let it slide this time as he was not in the mood to ask such questions. Hearing him apologize, he loosed his tension and watched as he wadded his feet in the water, sending ripples through the pool. And as a cat was to a laser pointer, Shaun was to the water. He fixated and placed his gaze on the ripples as if he was in a trance and listened to what he was saying as well. "Well I thought that by doing this and working out some, that I can tire my body out. And o-okay...If you say so..." He said softly while still looking at the ripples.

Hearing him mention Dominique's name, he raised an eyebrow and turned to face him. Looking at him, he nodded as he saw his hand reach out towards him and grabbed onto it before using his other hand to pull himself up from out of the water and sat down right beside Allistor. Placing his feet into the water once more, he began to shake and tremble slightly from the coldness of the autumn Paris air and yawned once again in tiredness, trying not to doze off so suddenly. However it wasn't working as his plan on making himself tired was working as his head would slowly nod off every few moments before his shot it back up and shake it. "Yeah...It's him. I don't want to say it was my fault for it...But yet I don't want to say that it was his either. It kinda just happened I guess. Fighting over such a trivial thing that caused us both to say some rather serious and intense words to each other. I dunno," he sighed and ran his hand though his hair and combed it, only to little success as a few of his his wet curls stuck to his forehead still, for which he ignored. Yawning greatly once again, he rubbed his eyes as the music behind him continued to play. "So yeah..." He weakly said as sleep was now starting to get to him. "Now I don't know where he is now; but I do hope that he made it back to the hotel safely. And nice to know that you are alright." Shaun then got up from his spot and walked to where the lounge chair was and collapsed on it, trying to cover himself up with his own shirt and curled up from the coldness of the night air. "I don't wanna go anywhere...I just want to stay here and sleep." He said in an almost slow, lazily and whiny way. And soon upon his own request, he began to sleep on the chair outside; his body trembling every now and then.

[Finsternia]

Allistor Abendroth

"That is not a valid reason to just work your body to death!" Allistor accidentally raised his voice and sighed. He sat one the pool's edge and let his feel submerge into the waters, neverminding if he'll get wet. "I'm sorry. I just... I'm just worried for you." He waddled his feet a bit, sending ripples across the brilliantly clear waters of the pool. "If you couldn't sleep you could've done something that would tire you more. I know that you are worried for Soleil and me but the fight's over and they're are only wounds to take care for. No villains to fight, no enemies to kill."

Allistor looked at him and smiled. "And don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. I just received some small cuts and bruises so no big deal." He reached for his raven hair and combed them out of his face. "Let me guess. It's Dominique isn't it? I remember you mentioning "Dom" awhile ago." He reached his hand towards Shaun, beckoning him to hold it so that he can pull him out of the water. "Sit beside me. You're just tiring yourself there."

Shaun Calhoun

Shaun winced at the loudness of his voice and got even more anxious. Keeping his eyes close, he slowly opened one of them as he saw that Allistor was placing his feet into the water. Why he would do such a thing while fully clothed discombobulated him, but let it slide this time as he was not in the mood to ask such questions. Hearing him apologize, he loosed his tension and watched as he wadded his feet in the water, sending ripples through the pool. And as a cat was to a laser pointer, Shaun was to the water. He fixated and placed his gaze on the ripples as if he was in a trance and listened to what he was saying as well. "Well I thought that by doing this and working out some, that I can tire my body out. And o-okay...If you say so..." He said softly while still looking at the ripples.

Hearing him mention Dominique's name, he raised an eyebrow and turned to face him. Looking at him, he nodded as he saw his hand reach out towards him and grabbed onto it before using his other hand to pull himself up from out of the water and sat down right beside Allistor. Placing his feet into the water once more, he began to shake and tremble slightly from the coldness of the autumn Paris air and yawned once again in tiredness, trying not to doze off so suddenly. However it wasn't working as his plan on making himself tired was working as his head would slowly nod off every few moments before his shot it back up and shake it. "Yeah...It's him. I don't want to say it was my fault for it...But yet I don't want to say that it was his either. It kinda just happened I guess. Fighting over such a trivial thing that caused us both to say some rather serious and intense words to each other. I dunno," he sighed and ran his hand though his hair and combed it, only to little success as a few of his his wet curls stuck to his forehead still, for which he ignored. Yawning greatly once again, he rubbed his eyes as the music behind him continued to play. "So yeah..." He weakly said as sleep was now starting to get to him. "Now I don't know where he is now; but I do hope that he made it back to the hotel safely. And nice to know that you are alright." Shaun then got up from his spot and walked to where the lounge chair was and collapsed on it, trying to cover himself up with his own shirt and curled up from the coldness of the night air. "I don't wanna go anywhere...I just want to stay here and sleep." He said in an almost slow, lazily and whiny way. And soon upon his own request, he began to sleep on the chair outside; his body trembling every now and then.

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor sighed as Shaun just doze off on one of the chairs. He pulled himself out of the water and his wet shoes and pants froze instantly before the ice flaked off in an instant. He picked up some of his clothes that he forgot, including Shaun's phone, and walked towards him. He can see his body shake every now and then due to the cold and he's still partially naked. He removed his jacket and draped it over Shaun's body before lifting him of the chair like how a husband would carry his wife off the ground during their wedding.

The cold of the autumn night never bothered Allistor. In fact, he loved it. He has no problem getting naked even in winter but other people are not like him. He concentrated at Shaun's body in his arms, trying to make the water on his skin and hair condense into a big ball of water to dry him up. It was kind of slow and utterly cold, the water turning to ice as they are being pulled together into a slushy ball. He threw it back into the pool, making a wet splash on the once calm waters.

He carried him back down inside the hotel and made his way towards his room. He slowly placed him on the soft bed and went to fix Shaun's clothes and things. Once done, he stretched his body, making joints pop and crack, and planted a kiss on the boy's forehead. "Now, sleep tight. You still have a tournament to attend to."

[Saldinado]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor sighed as Shaun just doze off on one of the chairs. He pulled himself out of the water and his wet shoes and pants froze instantly before the ice flaked off in an instant. He picked up some of his clothes that he forgot, including Shaun's phone, and walked towards him. He can see his body shake every now and then due to the cold and he's still partially naked. He removed his jacket and draped it over Shaun's body before lifting him of the chair like how a husband would carry his wife off the ground during their wedding.

The cold of the autumn night never bothered Allistor. In fact, he loved it. He has no problem getting naked even in winter but other people are not like him. He concentrated at Shaun's body in his arms, trying to make the water on his skin and hair condense into a big ball of water to dry him up. It was kind of slow and utterly cold, the water turning to ice as they are being pulled together into a slushy ball. He threw it back into the pool, making a wet splash on the once calm waters.

He carried him back down inside the hotel and made his way towards his room. He slowly placed him on the soft bed and went to fix Shaun's clothes and things. Once done, he stretched his body, making joints pop and crack, and planted a kiss on the boy's forehead. "Now, sleep tight. You still have a tournament to attend to."

Shaun Calhoun

While in the peacefulness of his early stages of sleep, Shaun suddenly felt pressure on his body and soon feel the sensation of being picked up, causing him to quickly open his eyes and look around as to what was going on, Seeing that it was Allistor carrying him, he groaned in annoyance and dug his head into Allistor's chest in response of being abruptly woken up in a rather comfortable place, even if he was freezing cold and had the chance of developing a cold or pneumonia. "Why do you do this?" He quietly groaned to himself as he continued to be carried inside. Soon, the sudden feel of dryness in both his body and hair came as he felt the water on his body being absorbed by the taller teen and soon hearing a small splash afterwards. Ignoring it, he continued to internally groan and growl as he was rather irritated by the boy waking him up.

As they finally made it back to his room, Shaun felt his body being lowered and shot his head up at Allistor to give him a deadly, almost irritated glare. Only to loose the serious look and let out a small chuckle. Watching him fix his clothes and such, he furrowed his eyebrows in curiosity at the sound of the teen's joints cracking and shrugged it off. Seeing that he was done, he saw as he walked over towards him and planted a kiss on his forehead, causing him to blush and fold his arms, looking away with an annoyed, albeit cute expression on his face. "Yeah, yeah, I know." He said still looking away from Allistor. "Even though I don't want to, I guess that I have to go. Oh, yeah..." He said softly before turning towards Al and glaring at him with a hint of seriousness in his eyes. "And if you continue to watch over me while I sleep, I will make sure that this pretty face will be the last thing that you see, got it? Good. Now either stay here and do whatever besides what I said, or go and lay down as well. I don't know if you know, but you need your beauty rest as well; and judging by the looks of you now, you really need it." He said with an almost assertive tone before loosening up and giggling deeply. However, his toned then changed from a harsh, authoritative way to an almost, gentle, soft, and sensual one. "But thank you and goodnight." Shaun said smiling at him before getting more comfortable and sinking into his bed some more before placing his arms behind his head and finally closing his eyes and trying to get some rest.

[Rhomaia]

Ruta had known such suffering all his life-it seemed that from what Rabbit had seen, any time he had let his guard down he was afraid of being attacked, afraid of losing something precious to him because he reached out, afraid of death and what lay beyond it, for his sins. He could feel the pain that radiated not only from wounds Rabbit had yet to heal, but from his own memories begging to be remembered. "...Do know that I took no pleasure in what I did...I merely did those things because I was afraid, as you were when you first became a Jaegar. For quite some time I had no conscience...I merely did what I was asked because it guaranteed me a home, as awful as that sounds..."

He paused for a moment, as though he was looking himself over for any wounds, for some reason, or perhaps some stray ice on his kimono. Looking back up again, he continued softly, "But now I look back upon such things with the same emptiness and remorse with which you look upon the deaths you have wrought. I have looked back upon my sins, and I have sought repentance for them. Perhaps there is none for me...But that is the way I my life is...I am aware of what I am, and that my end may come swiftly at the hands of someone else, even someone I hold dear, no matter what I say..."

He now walked back toward Antonius again, this time placing both of his hands on his face, staring at him intently but showing no hostility. "I will not hold anything against you, Antonius, if you cut me down where I stand. I have caused you much suffering, you of all people who has suffered enough. But I must say this...You must survive, Antonius...creatures that you have not seen exist in the shadows...and they seek to destroy you and all of the students as well. I came to this school to protect you from these forces, as they have yet to reveal themselves...But you must do what you must," he warned him gently.

Antonius Ruta

For a moment, Ruta closed his eyes and listened to the Rabbit's words as his hand remained on the sword's hilt. The enigmatic teacher was still so kind, so gentle, even in the face of death from someone that he truly cared about. The harsh venom in his voice was all but faded, and had become so soft and somber within these few quiet moments, where that Sword of Damocles hung over his head. It no longer offered reprisal and indignation, but instead pleaded to the Jaegar...not to keep the Rabbit alive, but to warn of an impending threat, and for Ruta to survive in spite of it all...

And yet, the Rabbit's words meant nothing. He had openly declared himself as a killer, and even if he did not take joy in his good work, that did not garner any sympathy from the Hunter...No, nothing would at this point. According to this mas...no, this fiend...he had been watching Ruta since even before that hellish night that passed nearly a decade ago...If he was truly pure of heart, if he was at all the good Samaritan he projected himself to be, why did he stand by and let it happen? Had he simply been apathetic to her, the angel in devil's clothing? Or had he watched on with a cruel smile under his mask as she met her end, swallowed whole by the Abyss?

In either case, Ruta would not be as forgiving as she was. Not if it meant saving a person who would not have done the same for his lost love when they were perfectly capable of doing so.

'Auf diese Klinge trage ich meine Seele.'

With these words of oath, the cold around them intensified and became even more suffocating as it hung over them, like a leaden blanket of despair, hatred, grief, and every single negative emotion that welled within the Jaegar's consciousness. The weight of it all was crushing and all consuming, as if the cold nipped at the Rabbit's very soul and heart, and that of the Jaegars as well. Ruta's eyes went dark with rage as he gazed into wear the Rabbit's eyes should have been under the mask, and with brute force pushed him away onto the rubble, all the while bringing the sable sword from his back and stepping forward to the place where the Rabbit now lie, pointing the tip of the blade directly at the Rabbit's throat.

If you were watching me for so long, Rabbit...If you were there on that night...then you would have been able to save her when I could not..." Ruta chided, his voice brimming with an absolute, cold fury and his eyes locked upon the Rabbit as he held the blade to his neck."...So tell me...If you are such a protector of goodness...why did you not save her? You are so able, so motivated to protect me, and everyone else, but when you had your chance to save her, you never so much as showed yourself!"

"Give me the reason why...Or I swear to her and all the powers that be...I will end your life."

[Chrome Legion]

Elizabeth Tsukuyomi


Liz turned away from the "Emperors", in truth she wasn't terribly interested in them, only in how they could interfere with Soli. For now, she had done what she needed to in his mind. Every second she maintained the bond she risked his heath, she could lose control of her mana and cause even more damage. It felt wrong to leave with out a goodbye though, especially with Soli's emotional state. So she sat next to him again, taking him in a brief embrace.

"I can't stay with you any longer, you should come to my room when you have the chance. I think we have much to talk about... And it would be nice to sit down with you. I'd come find you, but I would prefer to try to keep my condition private."