Welcome to Gaia! ::

Auri grimaced lightly and she sighed, rubbing her temples lightly. Her eyes went from Regen, to Xennik, to the "Seven Horrors". How was she going to get them all out of here? Though she supposed that Regen and the spiritkins could ride on her back as an eagle.

"We don't have time, Xennik. Do you trust me?" Her eyes pleaded with him silently, but she wouldn't move on him unless he said yes. She didn't want to ruin their friendship just because he'd misinterpret her knocking him out with Chloroform, and she suspected it would take a long time for Regen to forgive her, but it needed to be done.



"No..." Xennik choked, making the syllable sound more like a question than a resolute answer. He stared in confusion at her face, trying to read her expression. What was going on? What was with the urgent tone in her voice? His eyes left her face and went to Dr. Florrant, who still hadn't even looked up. What the heck was going on?

"Auri!" Regen peeped happily, pleased to see the young woman now that she was over the shock.

"What's going on?" Xennik demanded, as the cries of the Spritkin grew louder and more panicked.



A flash of hurt flew across Auri's eyes before she squashed it down, now wasn't the time. And she couldn't really blame him, after all he'd only met her once and suddenly here she was out of the blue, with no warning, in a very serious situation. Of course he didn't trust her, idiot. She winced as she listened to the Spiritkins' cries getting louder, at this rate the guards would be here any minute if Arika couldn't keep up the diversion.

"We're getting you out, Xennik. There's no time to waste." She moved to the door and looked out to try to make sure they weren't in -immediate- danger. Her eyes turned to Dr. Florrant and they pleaded with him.

'Make him turn his back to me.' She knew he couldn't understand her thoughts, but she hoped to whatever god was listening that he'd come up with the same idea. She still clutched the cloth bag in her hands, her fists tightening on it even more.

Her eyes flitted over to Regen and she smiled to the small Wethkin, amazed at the transformation that had obviously taken place since the last time she saw her several months ago. "You look good, Regen."



Xennik's look of surprise and confusion turned to one of annoyance. With one deft sweep of his hand, he silenced the panicked Spritkin, much as a conductor would handle an orchestra. The Spritkin huddled around his feet, looking confused but not knowing why, daft creatures that they were.

Xennik's hand went to his temple, as though he had a bad headache. He closed his eyes. "You're in on this, aren't you?" He asked the inventor tiredly.

"Thanks!" Regen cheeped happily, squirming with delight at teh compliment. Not many people around here complimented her.

Dr. Florrant replied by closing the control panel of the guard dog and locking it. Term lay as though in a peaceful sleep, forced though it was.



Aurora sighed gently as she watched the two of them, gently shaking her head as Dr. Florrant remained completely silent and unhelpful. She rolled her eyes upwards and moved to make it seem as though she was going to start pacing behind Xennik. (Assuming he doesn't turn to watch her) Once she was behind him she deftly opened the bag and pulled out the bottle and the cloth. 'Should have done this before I even showed up' she mumbled in her thoughts, pouring some of the chloroform onto the cloth. Her eyes watched everything going on out of the corners, before in one quick move she slid behind Xennik and attempted to wrap one around around his chest from behind, and press the cloth to his nose and mouth. 'Please please please work.'



As Auri moved behind him, Dr. Florrant finally spoke, distracting the young man. "Mr. Diagin, I assume you won't be missing Terminator2000 very much."

"What?" Xennik asked, brow furrowing.

Regen, meanwhile, was watching Auri with interest, too naiive to understand what she was planning to do. Her head tilted curiously to the side and her little lips puckered thoughtfully.

Xennik was startled to feel an arm wrap around his chest. He arched his back reflexively, but far too late to do him any good. Crying out, he felt a cloth press against his mouth and nose. His cry turned into a weak moan as he was forced to inhale the chemicals. His knees buckled, and he fell unconscious against her.

By this point Regen had finally pieced together that something was wrong. She let out a shreik. "You killed him! You hugged him to death!" She cried, large eyes widened in horror.


Auri grimaced as Xennik slumped against her, sure her arms were stronger from flying, but he was still pretty heavy. Her eyes glanced over at Dr. Florrant and she growled lightly at him. "A little help here, man?" Her eyes turned to Regen and they softened a bit, though she couldn't help but giggle at Regen's assessment of this situation.

"Regen, sweetie, listen to me. Xennik's not dead. See? You can still see him breathing, he's just asleep that's all. We're going to take him someplace safe, someplace where he'll be happy and he won't have all these doctors poking and prodding him." She hoped her explination was sufficient enough. Her eyes turned to Dr. Florrant and she tilted her head lightly. "How are we going to get them out?"



Regen pulled at her hair. "Happy?" She whimpered, her shoulders slouching in unassurance. Dr. Florrant stood.

"Excellent job, m'dear." he drawled, stepping forward and almost lazily helping her pull herself out from under the unconscious man. "The dog is staying here. I'll take good care of him." He didn't mention the Spritkin or Regen. He didn't even know they existed.



Auri frowned when she realized the doctor couldn't see the little magic puffs and Regen, and she sighed, shaking her head. "I see. How do we get Xennik out, then?" She waited for a moment when Dr. Florrant wasn't looking before she winked and smiled reassuringly to Regen and the Spiritkins. They needed to get out of here as soon as possible. She hated doing these sorts of things blind.



"Out?" Regen purred, looking thoughtful. "We can come?" She gestured to the Spritkin.

Dr. Florrant had pulled something out of his pocket and was typing into it. The door of the room opened, and a large man dressed in a Security Officer's outfit came in. The inventor nodded at Xennik. "Would you be so kind, Aran? This man needs to be transported safely to the vehicle outdoors."

'Aran' looked annoyed. He knew what he was supposed to be doing. Brushing past Auri, he picked up the unconscious man and tossed him ungracefully over his shoulder.



A slight wince crossed Auri's face as she watched Xennik being dumped over 'Aran's' shoulder, and she lofted a brow at the security guard quietly. She shrugged then and sighed, there was nothing that could be done for all that. She moved over to where Regen and the little spiritkin were, and stuck her hand in her pocket in such a way that it widened it and left ample room for the eight little creatures to jump inside. And, hopefully, without attracting the attention of Dr. Florrant and Aran, she gestured for the little magical beings to get inside so she could take them with her. It might be a little cramped, but they'd be alright.



Aran, still looking annoyed at the whole situation, approached the window and released a string of magic from his palm. Silently, he leapt out the window with Xennik in his arms. He landed in a crouch on the ground, long purple braid coming loose from his collar. Completely unwinded, he took off across the grounds at a casual trot, Xennik's smaller form cradled against his chest.

Aran's leisurely pace brought pain to Dr. Florrant's face. "Idiot," he hissed under his breath. "Could ruin everything!"

Regen cocked her head curiously at Auri, before understanding her meaning. She spun in the air, floated down to the Spritkin's level, and directed them on no uncertian terms to leap into Auri's pocket. They agreed swiftly and did as she was told. Regen turned her face up to the woman and smiled. "We go now?" She asked innocently, completely unaware that she was helping out in Xennik's kidnapping.



Auri smiled downward and nodded her head towards Regen and the spiritkin, but tried to make it look like she was agreeing with Dr. Florrant's assessment of Aran. She was glad that, besides Xennik being a pain in the a**, things had gone relatively smoothly so far.

"Guess I'd better get after him." She nodded her head once to Dr. Florrant, then flashed him a brilliant smile, one that lit her face up almost as much as Cira did. "Thank you for all your help, Doctor." She reached her hand out to pat him on the arm in a friendly gesture, before she moved to the window and climbed out, closing it behind her. She glanced down at the ground, threw up a silent prayer, put her hand over her pocket to keep the little magic creatures from falling out, and she slipped off the edge of the window down towards the ground. ((hopefully it's not too far up O.o))



(( Well, they're on the fourth floor...but hey, who cares about the laws of physiques, anyways? XD ))

Dr. Florrant gave a quick nod before turning away from her. Over his back, he said. "Better hurry, the camera's coming back on in two minutes." Pulling on a pair of gloves, he rolled up the legs of his trousers and secret-agent/spiderman-style climbed up the wall and through the vent. ((I couldn't resist XD))

A black, non-descript car sat hidden by the trees. As Aran approached, the door was swung open and he unceremoniously dumped the captive on the backseat, turning back to see what had become of the young Auri girl.

Regen, after having gawked at Dr. Florrant's display, followed Auri curiously out the window. She herself refused to be stuffed in someone's pockets. She liked her freedom.



Auri grunted gently as she hit the ground and stumbled a bit, wincing lightly before she sat up and composed herself, glancing to look over at Regen. She flashed another smile and jerked her head towards the card. "C'mon Regen, lets go catch up with your dad."

She broke into a jog towards the car, unsure of just how well Regen could keep up with her. Xennik would never forgive her if the little Wethkin was left here all alone. A few moments later she stopped next to the car and slipped inside, making sure Regen was right there with her, and all the little spiritkins were safe. She looked up at Aran, and gave one last warm smile. "Thanks, man. We couldn't have done it without you!"



Regen had never flown so hard in her short life! Something about Auri's attitude lent an air of urgency to the situation. As the little Wethkin flew after her, the air grew noticeably more strained as her mind stormed over, and a few clouds drifted over the sky at an alarming rate. Despite these signs of uncertainty, Regen seemed fairly cheerful as she dashed into the vehicle full of awe (she'd never ridden in a car, after all).

"I know." Aran said to her thanks, already exchanging his security guard costume for his own better-fitting shirt. "Now I've got to go save my sister from whatever torture the real security guards are putting her through. Copante'!" Her gave her something that -in the dark- might have been taken as a grin as he uttered a foreign farewell and shut the door of the car. The vehicle began rolling as soon as the door was shut, slowly at first, then picking up speed as it left the trees and the sight of the hospital, beginning the fairly lengthy drive from the outskirts of Gambino to Barton Town.

Xennik was still unconscious, crumpled on the seat beside Auri.

Lightly blinking Auri stared at Regen for a few moments, a single eyebrow lifting quietly and she shivered a little. "Xennik has a ghost following him around?" Her eyes traveled around the car, as though both hoping and dreading that she'd be able to see something, but they found nothing. "Wonder how that happened. He didn't believe? Does that mean he does now?"



"Yeah, he follows him around, even though he dun't like 'im vury much." She noticed her wandering eyes, and said, "He's not here right now. He's Somewhere. 'At's where he goes when he's not here. Zschenik still doesn't believe in him, but he b'lieves in me now." She smiled happily, absently stroking her guardian's cheek with the back of her hand.



"Well, I'm certainly glad he believes in you now, otherwise how would he be able to take care of you?" Her fingers still massaged Xennik's scalp and hair, her other hand reaching out to rest on the driver's seat. "How much further is it?" She asked. One thing was for sure, she didn't want to be stuck in the car when Xennik woke up, then she wouldn't be able to get away from what she -knew- was going to be a very unpleasant encounter.



"Dessin tooked care uh me when Zschenik culdn't see me." Regen explained, watching the hand that continued to move through her guardian's hair, as though transfixed. "But he cudn't help vury much 'cause he sometimes goes through stuff."

In reply, the silent driver held up a single index finger, sliding the car in place in front of a small building titled Joe's Coffee Shop.

AKA, Headquarters.

A single honk from the front seat -bringing cries of surprise from the Spritkin- brought two men scurrying out of the building, looking quickly both ways before opening the doors on either side of the car. One o fthe men gestured for Auri to slip inside, while the other began adjusting the unconscious young man for transport.



"Well, I imagine most ghosts do have a tendency to go straight through things." She chuckled gently at Regen, nodding her head in satisfation as they reached in destination. "This is our stop, guys. We're going to head inside that shop." She told the 8 little beings. When the man opened her door she slid out of the car, waiting to make sure the Wethkin and Spiritkins got out too. Her eyes slid over to the man pulling Xennik out and she frowned.

"Hey, be careful with him alright? He's had a pretty rough night. He's been out for awhile now, so he might wake up soon, I'm not sure how long that chloroform will keep him out." She watched for a few more minutes, before turning to make her way into the HQ.



Regen quickly directed her entourage to follow Auri. She picked Jig up in her arms, taking off after the woman, while Assai bit down on Xennik's hair, going with him to spy on what these strange people might do to his favorite chew toy. Both men helped carry Xennik in, the movements half-rousing him.

Xennik could feel himself moving, his arms draped around the shoulders of men he didn't recognize, but...who cared? Dang, he was so tired...

The men followed Auri through the back door of th ecoffee shop and down a flight of stairs, the door opened for them, and a silent cheer went up when Xennik was brought in, then he was taken to a small room and helped into a bed. Xennik's mind was stuffy with exhaustion, but the chloroform was definetly wearing off.

Regen and six of he Spritkin hovered near Auri, watching the men carry Xennik off, a worried look on Regen's face while the Spritkin looked around their new environment with interest.



Critical grey eyes watched every movement of the men as they carried Xennik into the small bedroom that was kept under the coffee shop, before she turned to those present, a determined and authoritative look in her eye.

"I want fresh food, some coffee and some water brought down here for when he wakes up. His mind's going to be fuzzy as hell, and he's probably going to be in a very bad mood so I want you guys to leave him alone for the rest of the night and let him rest after I leave. I'll stay here until he wakes up and explain things too him, I imagine he's going to want answers for why I knocked him out the way I did. Everyone understand? Oh, by the way. Good job guys." She nodded her head and smiled, her eyes turning to look at Regen and the Spiritkin and she gestured for them to follow her, making their way into the room where Xennik had been placed.

"He's going to wake up soon, so be prepared. He'll probably be in a very bad mood, but I want you guys to remember it's not directed at you, it's directed at me and the current situation he's in, alright?"



Regen's worried expression did not leave her face as she and the other six Spritkin followed Auri into Xennik's temporary bedroom. The sky outside the coffee shop was likely as stormy as her troubled expression as she watched Xennik with worry, practically expecting him to blow up when he woke. Some of the members were conducting quick tests on him, checking his clothes and teeth for tracking devices and making sure that he was in fairly good health. Satisfied, the left the room and sent people scurrying for the things Auri had demanded.

Xennik finally woke with a groan, his hand moving sluggishly up to his forehead and pressing on his temples. It only took him a moment after that to realize that he wasn't where he was supposed to be. "Where am I?" he asked, his voice still dull from sleepiness, his eyes still glazed and unseeing.



Auri once more watched what was being done to Xennik closely before she settled down to wait for him to wake up, and apparently it wasn't going to be nearly as long a wait as she had thought. She frowned as she watched him rub his temples and she stood then.

"I'll explain in just a moment." She slipped out and into the bathroom, grabbing a few paper towels and wetting them down before ringing them out until they offered just a cool dampness. She returned to Xennik's room then, settling into a chair next to his bed and attempting to gently lay the wet paper towels over his forehead. "Here, this might help a little." She sighed and settled back into the chair, shaking her head.

"You're in Barton Town, beneath a small coffee shop. I'm sorry for knocking you out like that, but apparently they wanted this staged as a kidnapping." Her eyes watched him closely, both ready to run if he decided to get -really- mad, while at the same time ready to get him whatever he needed to be comfortable.



The cool dampess on his forehead brought Xennik to reality. He sat up, blinking. "What?" He turned on Auri accusingly. "You kidnapped me? What is wrong with you? How-"

Regen cut in at that moment, spinning excitedly before her guardian. "She says we're going to be fwee! And you'll get all bettered up and we kin spend time ou'side and do fun stuff!" She squealed excitedly.

Xennik's gaze left Regen and snapped back to Auri. "What? Why are you telling her things like that?" His eyes pierced hers, his expression strangely mixed; part anger, part confusion, part hurt.



The expression on her face went from shock, to a little bit of hurt, then to shame and finally to anger. She stood then and growled, wrapping her arms around her stomach. "You make it sound like I was lieing to her! You can be free, to make your own decisions, to do what you want, to raise Regen someplace where she can meet others of her kind, and where she can be out in the world instead of locked in a room most of her life! You emailed me Xennik. The kidnapping was not -my- idea, you have very odd doctors who spend too much time trying to play secret agent. But their help was neccessary and it worked. I'm sorry I had to use methods I wouldn't particularly agree with. But -you- emailed me. Which meant you were ready to get out."

She sighed, dropping her head into her hand as she rubbed her temples. "Or were you not ready?" Her head remained hung and she leaned up against a wall across from him.

"You are free to live your life however you wish, Xennik. Free to look into other alternatives for bettering your body. Or, should you wish, free to continue hiding yourself away from the world by locking yourself into your own mental prison of fear and denial. But either way, you've been given that choice."



"I-I never thought you'd go through with it!" Xennik cried, jumping to his feet. This explained two things - he could stand on his own, and speak without stuttering. He hadn't been able to the last time they'd met. "Those-these people are crazy! They think they know what's best, but they have no idea! I can't survive out here. What if the Clinic tries to find me? I'll be all too easy to track, and, and, and-!" Xennik hissed in frustration, glowering at her, out of ideas. He collapsed back onto the bed, his jaw clenched.

Regen was now cowering in Auri's hair, the Spritkin hiding under the bed, fearful of Xennik's temper. Xennik looked like he was about to cry from frustration, his fists clenching the blanket he sat on, unable to look up at her as he tried to straighten out his thoughts.

"Well, she'll feel better when she sees you, Regen, but I don't think she'll be completely better. That's going to take time, and it's going to be completely up to her when she decides to talk again." Auri sighed gently, having composed herself she wiped at her eyes before turning around once more to face Xennik. "She'll be alright.."

It was Auri's greatest hope that Cira would get better, and soon, but part of her worried every night that she might never get better. "After your email I contacted those that wanted to get you out and found out that they'd set up headquarters down here. They didn't really trust me, so had demanded that I stay here and not have any contact with the outside world. Most of them couldn't see Cira, either. The only reason I agreed was because I thought we'd get you out of there fairly quick. But... after 6 months I finally had to put my foot down. Cira didn't get to go outside, or see other Wethkin, and we could only really talk at night, after everyone had left or gone to be. About 3 weeks before we left she stopped talking all together..."



The expression on Xennik's face softened when he saw her obvious worry over her Wethkin's health. He looked at her for a moent before saying, almost shyly. "When I wouldn't speak, I had a speech tutor drag the speech out of me. She was rather affective.....And she can see Regen."

"We talk sometimes!" Regen chirped, taking hold of Medley, who happened to be flying by, and stroking its head. It didn't seem to mind the attention. She had been about to add something else very interesting, but Xennik spoke, and she obediently silenced herself, content to pet the Spritkin she held.

"She might be able to help. Her name is Arika Viadia." He cast his eyes down, something just occuring to him. "But she's part of..." He was unaware that she was a member of the Underground.



A gentle smile crossed Auri's face as she watched Xennik and Regen before she chuckled and shrugged her shoulders gently. "I didn't know Arika could see the Wethkin. Although, considering what I saw Aran do tonight it makes sense. Them being brother and sister and all. I wonder if he managed to get her out earlier." Her eyes went to the door as she mused gently, before turning back to Regen and Xennik. "Arika was on distraction duty. She's the one that created all that commotion so I could get in and get you out. Dr. Florrant disabled Term for us so he wouldn't ruin anything by announcing my precence. And Aran, he's the one that carried you out the window and to the car."

She didn't mind explaining what happened, Xennik might feel a bit better knowing who was on what side. "I'm not sure if Arika is coming back here or not, though." She paused again, running a critical eye over Xennik's shyness before she grinned. "Seems like she's special to you."



"Mmm.." Xennik murmurred as she explained all that had happened. He had met Aran a time or two before. The man had to be the most frightening creature Xennik had ever laid eyes on. That guy had carried him? Out the window of a four-story building?

Good greif.

A blush quickly spread over Xennik's face at what she assumed. "What makes you think that?" he mumbled, looking away from her. He felt fondly for Arika because she had always been nice - not the 'sympathy nice' but real nice - and it had been her alone that had gotten him speaking again without the annoying stutter. Even when he'd been angry at the Clinic and had been giving them all the silent treatment (he'd managed three weeks without talking to anyone but Regen), her force of character alone had dragged it out of him.



Auri suddenly grinned again and she chuckled, shaking her head as she moved once more to lean against a wall, not finding a better spot to sit and not wanting to invade Xennik's privacy by sitting on 'his' bed. She merely shrugged her shoulders once and moved her hand out in a gentle arc to gesture towards his blush and his turning away. "That." She merely smiled, then opted to change the subject.

"I shouldn't stay too much longer, Cira is at home with just Keeran and Gin to protect her. They're two... cat-like creatures that have adopted us apparently. They really see to like her, especially Gin." She frowned then, tilting her head as if in contemplation. "I mean, do you feel comfortable being here alone? If you don't, I can go pick her up and hang out until you feel better."



"Adopted you, hmm?" Xennik asked in a soft voice. "I know how you feel." He cast a glance at Regen and the seven Spritkin, more than most people had or could even imagine controlling. They seemed to be attracted to Xennik's essence like flies to honey. His face took on a look of horror as she suggested leaving. She was leaving him here?! Alone? But-

Xennik swallowed his horror, but he still looked sick to his stomach. "I...I suppose-"

"You bring Cira here?!" Reegen squealed happily, causing all of the Spritkin to chorus in glee as well.



Auri nodded her head lightly as she thought about Keeran and Gin. "Yeah, we were just walking around when we came across them. Adorably cute kitten-like creatures with two tails, and oddly colored markings. Gin is black with green stripes, and Keern is black with silver. Anyway, we brought them some deli meat back from the house and they followed us all the way home."

She lofted a brow suddenly as Xennik looked like he was in serious need of a bathroom and she rolled her eyes at him, before grinning at Regen. "You need to teach him to not be afraid to ask for help when he needs it, Regen. Cause he's a horrible, horrible liar." She smirked gently and shook her head at Xennik. "I'll go get Cira and bring her back here. Maybe seeing Regen will do her some good." She yawned then a bit and grimaced. "Though I will have to get some sleep at some point, I'll have to look for a chair or something, or see if they've got an extra cot around here somewhere when I get back." She smiled at Xennik warmly.

"I assume you'll be alright while I'm gone?"



Regen giggled as though she were in on a mischeivous secret.

Xennik scowled. "I'll be fine." He informed her grouchily, annoyed that he was the butt of another joke. "You don't need to return if you don't want to."

Regen and the Spritkin's faces fell and in unison they cried, "Aaaaaaaw!"

Xennik sighed in distress, but didn't continue pressing her. "It's your choice." He informed her, looking unhappily at the corner of the bed on which he sat.



Auri smiled gently as she reached over to try to pat Xennik on the shoulder warmly. "Relax, I'll be back. More for myself then you... I need to know if seeing Regen and the Spiritkin will help Cira. If it doesn't... then I won't lose more time in trying to figure out what else to do, you know?" She smiled again, though this time it was full of stress and worries. "I shouldn't be too long, I hope. It's a long drive here, but I think I'll fly with her instead, she should be able to fit in the neck pouch I still have." She nodded to herself, before turning to head out the door. "I told them to get you food and water, hopefully they'll bring it soon. Is there anything you want me to tell them to get you while I'm gone?"



How about getting me out of here? Xennik thought, but bit back his asnwer. He didn't really want to go back, he knew that. But he didn't want to remain here. He felt even more like a prisoner here than he had in the Clinic. At least there he'd had a window...

"No. Nothing." he said instead, his voice soft with melancholy and thoughfulness.

What happens next? He wondered. Where do I go from here? Certainly they don't plan to keep me down here for the rest of my life!



She watched the emotions flit across her face and she sighed gently, shaking her head. "If you need anything, just head out into the main room, I'm sure someone there would be more then happy to help you out." She moved towards the door, her fingers grasping the handle before she paused and grinned to him, a bit of her confidence back in her stature now. "Everything'll be fine. I promise." She opened the door and slipped out, off to gather up Cira.



How can you keep that promise, though? How do you know? Xennik shivered, wrapping his arms around himself. He couldn't explain how he felt. Lonely? No, he was so used to lonely that he never really felt it anymore. Besides, Regen and the Spritkin were right there. It must have been the change of scenery that had thrown him off. Yes, that was it. Everything had happened so fast...he was just naturally introverted. That was all.

Regen -as always- sensed his feelings and flew to him, accompanied by the Spritkin. She snuggled into his shirt pocket, pressing herself against his chest. She could feel the beating of his heart this way, feel the warmth that proved that he was still alive.

All of the Spritkin landed on various perches, all snuggling Xennik affectionately. He had to laugh at their behavior. "Alright, what do you guys want?" He asked good-naturedly, picking Dolce up in his hands and bringing her closer to his face, smiling.



The small woman slipped out of the building as quietly as she could, and hopefully without attracting too much attention. She'd come to know most of these people, but she didn't want them to suddenly be aware of just what exactly she was. With Dr. Florrant it didn't really matter, he probably didn't believe his eyes if he did see her back at the clinic.

She walked for a bit away from the coffee shop, trying to put a safe distance between her and it before she gently tugged a feather out from her jacket pocket. It was one she kept with her at all times, in case she needed speed on her side. The usual procedure was accomplished, and instead of Aurora standing there on the side of a deserted road, there was a peregrine falcon who looked like she was just getting her bearings. With a great swoop of her wings she lifted up and into the air, heading in the direction towards her home. She paced herself as well as she could, not wanting to use up too much energy on the way there, since she'd need it on the way back. The thought of her and Cira resting in a random place wasn't something that appealed to her at all.

For a long time she allowed the feeling of the wind in her feathers to comfort and relax her, taking away her cares and her worries for just a little bit. While she was flying she could almost forget the world around her and just enjoy life for a bit like she used to.



Xennik let out a sigh as he laid back on his elbows on the creaky little bed. A man he didn't recognize brought a small plate of food in for him. Nothing fancy, just some coffee, a donut, a cup of vegetable stew, and some graham crackers. Not a coffee drinker, he set the coffee aside and offered up the donut as sacrifice to the Seven Horrors. He broke a bit off the graham cracker and handed it to Regen, who ate it quickly and then looked curiously at the stew. She was used to always eating Xennik's Jell-o, but had still somehow gained a taste for salty foods, an odd thing for a Wethkin. Xennik wasn't very hungry. too much had happened that day, and he had horrible eating habits to begin with, so he shared the stew with Regen (who couldn't eat very much of it before she was stuffed, ate a bit of it himself, and set it aside with the coffee. He ate all of the graham crackers, though, nibbling them slowly, if not for the sake of eating than just to have something to do while he waited for Auri's return.



After Auri had finally arrived at her house, it didn't take her too long to change back, pick Cira up, and then be on her way towards the clinic once more. Cira was quiet, though that wasn't really shocking, but Auri hadn't told her where they were going. She told her she had a surprise waiting for her, but that it might take a bit to get to it. So, Cira went back to sleep inside her little neck pouch, considering it was pretty late for the little Wethkin anyway, but for her to see some of her own kind and get some interaction, Auri was willing to sacrifice some of the little creature's sleep.

They flew for what seemed like forever to Auri, so anxious she was to see how Cira would react to Regen, though to the sleeping Wethkin it seemed like they'd only just left the house before Auri landed, changed and walked down into the underground part of the coffee shop. At the sight of the shop Cira immediately looked crestfallen, and almost looked completely depressed. She had, after all, spent six months of her life cooped up in that place, but Auri merely smiled at her and continued in.

Cira was surprised when she walked right past everyone and into the little room in the back. What was going on?



Xennik had been dozing, most of his food untouched by himself. The tray that the food had been delivered on had been turned upside down and placed on top of the untouched coffee. Xennik really didn't want to know what would happen if the Seven Horrors hapened to get their hands on it. They were hyper enough already.

He shook himself awake quickly when the door opened and Auri walked in, smiling, but looking anxious. Regen had been asleep on Xennik's shoulder, snuggled up against his neck, but woke up when Xennik sat up, looking slightly embarrassed to be caught asleep. "Vhut time es et?" she mumbled groggily, gingerly rubbing her eyes.

Xennik pulled away quickly, sitting on his legs, looking as embarrassed as Auri did. "I...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have...I-" He bit his lip, staring at the floor.

Cira could control herself, but Regen couldn't. She giggled at the two adults, her own face flushed as well, reflecting their emotions. Her giggling caused Xennik's blush to deepen and he winced slightly. He hadn't remembered that they had an audience in his spur-of-the-moment show of affection. He glanced up at her, her words finally sinking in. "Really?" He whispered.



Cira couldn't control herself any longer after Regen started giggling and she did too, but her attention demanded more interesting things, so she slowly began to explore the room, making sure to avoid the hyper-active Spiritkin in her little adventure.

Aurora blushed again and she shook her head, smiling shyly. "No it.. it's alright. I didn't.. mind." She glanced down, her face now a deep pink as she lifted a hand to gently run it through her hair, her cheek still tingling from the quick contact.

She paused to listen to him, before nodding her head gently. "You haven't managed to get rid of me yet, have you?" She was teasing him now.



Xennik laughed, a kind of choked little chuckle as he ran his fingers through his hair nervously. Way to go, Xennik. He thought, now you'll never be able to look at her again! Kisses always seemed to make everything better in books. Having rarely dated (and definetly not within the last four years), his veiws of romance were a little naiive.

Regen followed Cira around, interested, realizing that Xennik wasn't in the mood to be teased.



Aurora might have enjoyed the kiss a bit more if it hadn't immediately brought up thoughts of Pales. She hadn't seen nor heard from him in six months, obviously, nor had she been able to talk to him when she finally go back to her own home. She didn't know where the two of them stood after she'd disappeared on him twice, one time right after the other. Those thoughts really kept her from knowing how to react. Still, she smiled reassuringly to Xennik, but suddenly found herself uncertain about what to say. Though anything she might have said was quickly cut off by a large yawn, which she tried hard to stifle. "Sorry.. I'm tired. It's been a.. tiring night. Not in a bad way, just lots of emotions going this way and that, plus all the flying and such, y'know?" She sighed, partly afraid to leave in case he decided he never wanted her to come back. She was sorely lacking in the friend department, and so was Cira. "Guess I should start looking for a cot or a chair. At the very least a blanket and an empty spot of floor somewhere."

Cira darted under the bed all of a sudden at Auri's words. She was trying to hide because she didn't want to leave Regen, now that she'd finally had someone to talk to.



Xennik nodded, his own thoughts still boiling in his mind, making it hard for him to think of a witty or any other kind of response at all. Wordlessly, he beckoned to the Spritkin, wishing that he had their little home to trap them in for the night. Ah, well, he'd have to live without it for now. Maybe he could make another one. He doubted he'd be able to talk anyone into fetching it for him. And Regen's Pond...

Those were replacable. Regen would hardly miss it.

They just might have a few nibble-marks from the Spritkin by morning.

The Spritkin obediently clustered around him, a little thrown off by the lack of their usual bed



Another bite of her lip and she was now officially chewing on it as she watched him, his silence unnerving her and making her unsure of what to do. She'd seen Cira dart under the bed, and could guess pretty well at what the little Wethkin was thinking, and she was loathe to take her away from Regen right now too.

"Um.. I'll leave Cira in here with Regen, if that's alright. If it's not that's okay, she can sleep somewhere with me..."



"No, no, that's fine." He reassured her with his gentle smile, looking distractedly around the small room for a place to stash the Spritkin hoarde. Preferably a place where they couldn't escape in the night to nibble on unsuspecting peoples...

"Whacha doin'?" Regen asked, peeking under the bed where Cira hid.



Aurora nodded gently before she stood a little awkwardly. "Alright, well, I'm going to go see if I can find a place to crash." She paused for a moment, hesitating, before leaning over to return his earlier kiss to the cheek, hoping that might let him know that she didn't think badly of him for it or anything, and that things were cool. She smiled, blushed, said goodnight to Cira, and then moved to slip out the door as quickly as possible before her face turned the color of a ripe strawberry.

Cira blinked at Regen and grinned. "Hidy f.. f..from momma."



Xennik's eyes widened and his mouth fell open slightly when she kissed him on the cheek. "Well...I-um...alright. I...I guess I'll see you in the morning, then?" He watched her as she left, then pulled his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around his knees and burying his face in his arms. The Spritkin scattered.

Regen giggled. "That's silly! Yo' momma idn't even here no longer!"



Cira poked her head out just as Auri closed the door and she smiled happily, glad that she was going to get to stay here with Regen. She bounced happily and snuggled up against the other Wethkin, still craving contact and attention from her own kind.

Auri rested her back against the door and let out a soft sigh, lifting her hand once more to run her fingers through her hair. Ignoring the looks from those around her she started searching for a place to sleep. Finding nothing wonderful, obviously, she settled into one of the plastic chairs that were scattered around and laid her head down on her arms that were now resting on a table. Oh man, was she going to regret this tomorrow.

Wonder if I managed to screw it all up again. Idiot. You're always doing these things Auri. You're no good socially. She sighed unhappily and buried her head into her arms, trying to will her mind to shut down and her body to sleep.