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Darza was excellent at acting. Oh and did he mention that Rouchlos was one scouting leader short now...?

Hatal gave a big grin before laughing out loud in a boyish manner, "Careful Rouchlos, I might just start boosting and showing off infront of your pretty lady now!" He looked over his shoulder at Mearo. Soon after Hatal eyes immediately widen before he darted behind Kat for safety.

"I mean the pretty lady!!" Hatal quickly corrected before he looked up to the slightly taller newcomer. "Why don't we be friends," started Hatal as he patted Kat's shoulders with both hands in a friendly gesture as he stood behind him, "you just stand right here. Appreciate it pal...!" Hatal piered over Kat's arm and grinned like an idiot at Rouchlos.

"Now you wouldn't hurt guest here, or your best friend...," said Hatal hopefully, when Rouchlos didn't react to the "best friend" part Hatal went back to plan A, Kat's, "right...you are friends right...RIGHT!?" The red hair man looked up a Kat briefly for confirmation but didn't really wait for it. He needed to plan his escape. Hatal ducked back behind Kats before turning around and began looking for the nearest door that would mark his exit and prolong his life. "Sesh...what is it with me and my damn timing, not to mention mouth."

Relena eyes opened slowly as her lips parted, "Gweeeeen..." "What have you done to my charge?" echoed in Relena head. She was too tired to even give him an nasty name that she so desperately wish to say.

"And here I thought you were beginning to like me better." There was slight humor in the tone of his voice. The King has been quiet since she was left alone in her room. She needed rest and he would only keep her from that. Besides, he was truely trying to gain her trust or at least get her on some neutral ground. She was unique and too valuable to his plans to let her just fade away. He needed her at least a little bit managable. Her trust was something to work one, right now, he just wanted her to listen until he came to make her well again.

"Where is she...?" Her voice wavered then. She was trying to find her little charge. Such loyalty. A loyalty he would like to have among his men but it was barely there. He had to admit that goodie-to-shoes did have him wanting some of their traits. It would be so nice if all of his men were willing to die for their leader, that and it would be nice if there wasn't any damn whiners. The old resistance never really did complain amazingly. They accepted whatever was thrown at them. God he hated them for that too! He remember the pissed off nights that he would have them on their knees but then they would jump up and survive. Still pissed him off to degree.

"In a room, not to far from you my dear. Worry not, she will be treated with the upmost care and tenderness." Even if he didn't have to keep one of the few key's for his plan to have major success and finished quicker calm, Gwen would still be tended too. She too had her purpose and that required her to be alive and well in health. "Stop your searching. It only proves to weaken you and we can't have that." No, he couldn't. He couldn't have one the originals in such a dangerous state. Besides, no matter how foul Relena's tongue was, she was smart and cautious enough to know that attacking was not always the answer and he knew she was still that way. Despite her wants to slay him, she would let him give he two cents. Perhaps it was her way of gathering intel and giving her time to work on a plan. Either way, all he needed was two cents of her time.

"Go to..." Relena voice cut off suddenly as pain wrack havoc on her body. Such a simple form of communciate was proving to be trying on her. Oddly enough, she knew the monster was telling the truth but she was never one double check regardless. He was different though, but he was still a man bent on ruling the lands and if the rivers turn red with the blood of the fallen he would be the happier of it. Still, he was by far more patient with the world and his goals. She could hear it in his voice and the way he talked. He throughly believe he could get her listen to him and see whatever he wanted her to see. He was clearly happy to wait for his plans to take effect and that was dangerous. Relena fear that this plan of his required alot of time, patiences, things, and people to work and he was only in the beginning stages of it. Apparently he took his second chance for all it was worth and make it a priority to not let his past mistakes threaten it.

Laughter echoed in her head, and oddly calm and genuine laugh. "You did always have just a vivid and colorful language. Actually, you had many of them. I see, I have no choice then. You will only relax once you see your charge with you own eyes. You must really learn to trust me my dear. I have found lying could be such a problematic thing, being honest seems to have such better outcomes."

The sound of feet moving barely reached her ears. Was he truely bringing Gwen to her? Trust was something she doubted would be ever given to him but she had honor. Maybe that was what he relied on so much. He had her curiousity and knowledge had always prove to be more valuable to her than power. She would listen but she was going to make damn sure it as on her terms, iif she could.

The door to her room creaked open and light foot step sentered before the door was closed. "Now don't scare the poor girl too much. After all, you were a much different person before you left to aid your dear old friend Sang. Honestly she doesn't look that strong mentally. Don't take it the wrong way though. I will let you two talk now. Please don't make me regret this action. I trust you, don't betray it." Relena didn't speak back but instead slowly turned her head to the entrance of the room holding her. There stood Gwen, wide eye and beweldered with her back turned to Relena.

"I thought I taught you to watch your back better, little one," chimed Relena softly. She was trying to keep her voice steady but she didn't know how long it would last. Relena rarely called Gwen "Little One" unless something was wrong, she used Gwen full name when danger was around though. It was sort of their way of communciating problems to degree.

Relena had no idea of the infant in Gwen arms as she had not seen it yet, but she heard a soft cry. "Gwen...I doubt that is you crying. What happened...?!"

Gwen turned around when she heard Relena. "Durza ambushed Sebastian and I in Yazuac. Erica and Julia were already at the house when it happened," she said turning around, the infant now visible to her. She cradled Alice gently to try and get her back to sleep.

"You know her?" Gwen asked in surprise, though she was careful to keep her voice down. "Selena came in with her and Durza told her to hand Alice to me."

"Hes Harmless Kat..." Rouchlos starts off but for some odd reason he still stands up from his perch on the wooden benches. "But i would warn you to keep your threats idle or not ether to your self of in a calmer meaner. " Rouchlos continues as he waves one of his hands around half of the room pointing out the few dozen men that had stood up in a hurry, almost coming to the defense to one of their comrades in arms. Hands on their weapons but their forwards progress was halted when Rouchlos stood up.

"We are not a rag tag bunch of miscreants, or mindless servants of the man you so quickly speak of. each and every man came into my service by their own right and have chosen to stay because of the life they can make for themselves here. I would appreciate it if you would show us the respect that you demand for your self. We all are warriors here, each end every one of us have lost something dear..." Pausing Rouchlos composes himself as he could feel his voice starting to influx and grown in anger. Letting out a long sigh he looks at the man who was still smoking on his pipe.

"You are my guest here Kat, both of you. As much i am expecting you to behave like guests. but if you continue to throw off that robe of protection that i cast upon you, even my word will not be enough to save you when my men brake." Rouchlos offers as a warning to his actions and his brash tongue. Stepping away from the table Rouchlos softly places his hand on the hilt of his sword. knowing that this meal and conversation wee over. he figured that he would take his leave.

"Please sit and eat to your hearts content. when you've finished my guards will gladly escort you back to your room so that you may sleep. Do not give me another reason to throw both of you into the dungeons, i would rather keep my kinds men near. if for nothing else so i don't feel alone in this place any more. But i must head out. this place wont stay afloat all on its own." Letting a warm smile flow over his lips Rouchlos turns from the two riders and heads back into the halls where Durza's cover had disappeared into wanting to at least take a walk to clear his head.

Her throat constricted at Relena's words about being Alice's only defense. Gwen let out a sigh as she removed the cloth from her shoulder, showing the mark that was burnt under her rider's mark. "After we were ambushed, Durza pushed Sebastian into the water and Kaida dived in to save him. After both of their heads were above the water, he froze them."

(( sorry for the disappearance evryone- some major changes happened. I have to sue my moms pc fomr now on if I want to post..><''...and I cought a case of the H1 N1 which got very serious. Hope you cna forgive me))


Thanking Rouclos, Mearo took her seat at the table, her stomach growling for two. she blushed at that thought- her dragon did rely on her own intake of sustanence at times.

As they began to eat, Maero did some strange kind of blessing, she learned from her former caretaker- using a few words in the ancient language. Mostly like ' Bless this meal to the best of my body's useage', and began to eat. It was then that the flame haired young man appeared.

Eleniel felt a strange presence that made her feathered scales ruffle, and sent a shiver down Maero's spine- but she said nothing and looked up at the newcomer with her two toned eyes. She bowed her head first in greeting, then when she swallowed-actually spoke. "Good evening Hatal-" Maero felt funny around this man, a sense of cold that was unusual, it hung around him like a cloak that seperated Hatal from the rest of the envoirment. Unfortunately, she wasn't as skilled in her senses to realize it was the presence of concealed evil. But Eleniel certanly did- but until given reason, her dragon said nothing and waited.

As he took ehr hand and placed a kiss upon it, Maero felt the cold and warmth at the same time. Her cheeks flushed and she would nod, " Oh it is alright, you're manners are fine, you must be very hungry."
She smiled and turned towards Rouchlos, "I would be lying fi I made any claim to being part of any dignified circles, what you demonstrate is the fanciest I've ever witnessed in social edicit. Hatal you're certainly made me feel more at home, thankyou."

Maero was only made to blush even further when the handsom red head called her Rouchlos's pretty lady! The girls cheeks went very very red now- and she could hear the spiritual chuckles of her dragon as she watched through her partners eyes.

~He's certainly a smooth talker- why the red face?~

' I- I've just never been called beautiful before- thats all!'

~...or been kissed on the hand- or anywhere for that matter-~

' oh-hush you!'

However the fun and games came to an end as once again Kat's defencive and protective nature against any representation of the King- kicked in, and sunk them back into bad graces with Rouchlos. Before Maero could recover and apologize it seemed the chance was missed and he was excusing himself already.

"Rouchlod wait I-!" But the maiden had rose only too late and stared at the empty space in which he once ocupied. In their absence- she twirled around and stared at Kat very disapprovingly.
"I know you have very good reason to feel the way you do- but even a hethen beggar like myself can swallow my own pride and accept someone elses good intensions when their are given Kat! You could get us both killed- and rightly so if you keep this up! Why are you so eager to make this situation worse?" she said-pleading.

(( again- sorry for the long wait- Swine Flu sucks!))

Maero wasn't one to burst like that all the time, unless she trully thought it was needed, and frankly she thought any further pressing- would land them ina lot of trouble. And she wasn't ready for trouble- not without Eleniel there in the flesh to back her.

It seemed Kat was feeling the same ominous feeling of an approaching doom. It was coming closer..and closer...
But apprently it affected his judgment and conduct more then it did her.
She looked at him in sympathy- Kat was like a falcon ina cage, with a big cat coming over to poke at him with it's big claws.

When he humered her with his little promise she smirked a little and settled back down into her chair while saying;
"I'd rather no one died this day Kat- me or you. I would not have you suffer for my acount if I can help it- it is something I cannot keep on my concience."

As she returned to eating Maero was not prepared for Kat to make such a statement and again she found herself blushing... for the second time today.

~Awww you're so adorable~

' I'm not- used to this kind of flattery!'

~ Well get used to it- you're not a child anymore Maero- you're a grown woman. And being a dragon rider does have it's perks in some ways for you.. you'll be young and pretty for a very veeeery long time.~

'...beauty isn't everything.'

~ True- but ignoring that fact is disrespectful to me- remember that lil one.~

'I'll try not to...'


Maero looked across to Kat again and smiled in appreciation. "Thank you. I spoke the truth though.. up until my release- I lived in the wild most of my life. If it were not for the teaching and care of a kind old woman- you'd never consider me... civilized." She looked into her cup, seeing her odd reflection in it's surface. One normal brown human eye- and a pale round opal sphere with it's feirce slit pupil. She wondered if Hatal noticed that upon closer inspection.
Did it frighten him?
Did it frighten any of them?

"..I was innocent and wild once... but full of pain. And then I realized after years of isolation, that I wasn't some shade abomination, possessed by a spirit- but a vessel housing Eleniel."