Welcome to Gaia! ::

Silva had a small creature tucked under his arm like a football as he walked across the yard. He had a determined look on his face as he went, as if he was forcing himself to do something that he didn't really want to do.

"Flowers..." He muttered around his toothpick. "Make sure you burn the damn things, would you?" He asked the small creature, earning a sleepy wide-mouthed yawn.

He slipped through the gap in the fence, looking around. If she wasn't there, he thought, he could just leave it on her step. And then she would have to deal with the evil little b*****d burning down her porch, too. The thought made him grin wickedly.

Unfortunately for Silva, Ruya was there. Perched on the window leading out to her porch from the kitchen, she was humming and petting a small cat.

She didn't notice Silva, totally absorbed in her own little world.

Silva jerked as he saw her, his grip tightening slightly on the small dragon, enough to make the small creature let out a puny roar of complaint. "Damn I hope she didn't hear that..." He muttered, taking a step back and wishing there were darker shadows to hide in.

The small dragon squirmed, trying to escape his grasp. But Silva was focused on the girl he wanted revenge on.

Hmm? Ruya looked up, having thought she heard something.

"Someone out there?"

She blinked and leaned forward a bit, earning a cry of protest from the cat in her lap.

"Silva?"

"s**t..." He muttered, unable to stop himself from taking a step from out of the shadows. He was an eerie sight, half there, half hidden in the shadow, the small creature tucked under his arm. He chewed on his toothpick, watching her for a while without saying a word.

"Darlin..." He finally said in a form of greeting. The small dragon under his arm struggled, giving a plaintive cry.

Ruya blinked and offered him a smile. She shooed the cat back into the kitchen and floated down out of the window onto the porch.

"What have you got there?"

"Nothing much." He muttered, biting back a grunt as the dragon bit his arm. He dropped it, watching as the small dragon ran across the clearing to stop at Ruya's feet. "Just... that." He finished, crossing his arms over his chest, waiting for the dragon to DO something.

Nothing happened, save for the dragon giving a little yawn. Silva scowled.

"Is he for me?"

Ruya smiled and knelt down to pick the little dragon up. Once she got a good look at him she squealed, "You're so cute!"

Cute... *Twitch* Dammit to hell, he wasn't supposed to be "So cute." He was supposed to be lighting her on fire! Nipping at her feet! Not begging for belly scratchings! He scowled, finally remembering what she had asked.

"Yeah. Something like that." He muttered, hating himself for enjoying the sight of her happy. So what if she hadn't kissed the other male? She had still given him the impression she was interested. That whole "unsure" bullshit didn't go over with him.

Ruya cradelled the little guy like a baby and scratched his tummy, cooing at him.

"Hmm... where can I put you? I know! You can sleep with me."

Snuggle, snuggle. Oh wait, Silva was still here.

"That was really sweet of you to get him for me Silva."

She looked away, unable to meet his eyes for a moment.

"This really isn't the time, but I've been thinking and I think we should talk sometime."

Okay... now that was just cruel. He was jealous of a dragon, for crying out loud! The damn thing had gotten more love then him and the other kid combined. And he got to SLEEP with her? Not that he cared, he told himself, clearing his expression of anything save a smirk.

"Talk, huh? Fine. Whatever." He chewed on his toothpick, looking her over. "What, no snog as thanks? I'm hurt, darlin. And here I picked him out just for you." He stopped, cursing himself for admitting that fact.

Ruya blinked a couple times and bit her lip. It was a really sweet gift, but she had decided no more kissing until she talked to Neruo.

"Well, I'd love to kiss you Silva, I think you know that, " she blushed a little thinking about it, "but I can't. I decided I wouldn't until I told Neruo about you and I."

She snuggled the little dragon some more, and played with his wings. Just like Silva's really.

"... Tell him." He repeated after a while. And when she told him what would keep the kid from telling her that Silva had already told... "Sure, darlin. I suppose I can wait." As in never get kissed again... dammit. He stepped forward, reaching out and brushing her hair back.

"But you didn't say I couldn't kiss you." He said, leaning forward and brushing a kiss over her lips before stepping back. "Goodbye, darlin. Come find me when you want to do that... talking." He took the step back into the shadows, retreating far enough that she couldn't see him, although he could still see her.

So she was going to tell Neruo... Hmm...

"Bye, " Ruya called out a little sadly. She smiled lopsidedly at the little dragon in her arms.

"I hope you're not as much trouble as he is."

She sighed and turned back to the house, flying up and in the kitchen window.

"Arrrgh! Shut up!"

Sunil was at the end of her rope. She had thought perhaps once he was fed Tosten would not be so difficult. She had thought wrong. Every little thing seemed to make him whine or exclaim with glee. You'd have thought every single butterfly in the forest was a tiny miracle on wings the way Tosten got excited about them.

Not only that, but because of the night before Sunil was running on little to no sleep and that made her cranky. So she decided it was naptime and this time she was going to tell the bedtime stories. Stories that would make Tosten have trouble sleeping this time.

So Sunil found herself a nice little hollowed out area by the base of a tree and settled down, dragging Tosten with her.

"Ok Tosten. Naptime. And this time I'm going to tell the bedtime stories all by myself. Ready?"

But that wasn't a butterfly, that was a DRAGONFLY! Let's go see the dragonfly Sunil. Lets go see, lets go see -- Whaa? Nap?! Tosten was tugged after her without much a say of what was happening, plunking down as she did.

"But I'm not tiiiired -- ah? Really??" He brightened immediately, curious. Oh sure it was probably gonna have an unhappy ending - more dying? He hoped not! But at least she was trying. So he looked at her like an expectant child. "Ready, ready!"

Sunil smiled in her best imitation of a sweet smile. It probably wasn't very good. Sunil didn't smile very often.

"Once upon a time there was a beautiful female feien named Ares and she had three children with a feien named Arturo."

Sunil looked up at her captive.

"You follow the story so far?"

Tosten saw nothing wrong with the smile... until she spoke. His expectant, smiling features shadowed a little and his smile became a little more confused.

"... yes." But he went along with this as he simply had to know what she was getting at now. It was starting to remind him already that Sunil wasn't his playmate, as much fun as he was having her today. (Though the feeling wasn't mutual it seemed)

Sunil nodded.

"Good because I want to make sure you really understand the story. Now, I'm just using the triplets as an example, really this applies to all the new feien."

Sunil settled back and took a few deep breaths.

"Not too long after the triplets, another feien was born named Calico and he was an unstable feien, who amusingly enough liked to cause pain in those weaker than him. Still following me Tosten?"

Tosten's expression fell away entirely and he was staring at her in displeasure now. His knees drew somewhat to his chest, his arms looping around his legs themselves as he only stared, refusing to answer this time. This wasn't a good story, he didn't like it already.

Sunil continued.

"Now normally, Calico wouldn't be strong enough to prey on allt he juveniles. Some of them might be stronger, or more clever. Luckily, Calico has a friend. A feien who can help him to become as strong as he needs to be so he can prey on all the feien. Face it Tosten, with Calico as a tool I can spread pain, suffering, and despair among the juveniles. And when Calico finally matures, he and I can wreak the same havoc among the adults. And with you out of the way Tosten, no one is going to be able to figure it all out in time to stop us."

A horrible story indeed. Tosten dipped his head forward rather listlessly by the end of this and curled his hands into fists against his legs. That wasn't fair... not fair at all. They were going to hurt more people? Sunil was going to help him and use him to hurt people? He shifted over and lay on his side then, putting his back to her without ever replying. Nor was he sleeping, but balling up to think this over... What was he doing here? Playing with Sunil, staying with her like this? Sure she was keeping him away but he wasn't even trying to stop her... he promised Ares to tell her, to protect her kids... why was he still here?

Sunil felt smug as Tosten just toppled over. That ought to keep him quiet for a while. She settled back on the ground and promptly dozed off.

Tosten was left brooding. Sleep wasn't an option, just thoughts. Many, many thoughts. He was scared deep inside of what desire was growing inside him... he had to leave. More desperately then before. She was more serious then he ever chose to acknowledge, but to continue ignoring what Sunil had become was making him part of their plans then something to stop it.

Eventually he rolled over once more, propped up to watch her. Was she... asleep? He sat up quietly and set his gaze on the vine between them. If he pulled this she'd know he moved. He had to take it off and he had to just hope Ares was still home. As he looked about them he spied a stone, the tip of a larger one exposed from the dirt. A few scoots drew him near and he took as much slack of the vine as he dared...

Would this work? It did in the movies. During the dramatic scene a rope hung over a cliff edge usually, all the jostling rubbed it around till it snapped and they fell. Was that real? Lets see. He pressured the two sides and rubbed it against the edge of the stone, rawing it away further and further until -- snap!

Unluckily for poor Tosten, the snap was enough to wake up Sunil. Sunil sat up in confusion and felt the slack on the vine as she moved. Oh no!

She looked around and spotted Tosten still by the stone he had used to break the handcuffs.

"Don't you dare move Tosten. Or the minute you fly for Ares, I'll fly for home. Any idea how much damage I can cause Ruya before you get someone there? I don't know either, but it would be interesting to find out wouldn't it?"

Sunil stood up and approached him slowly. She just had to get close enough to grab him.

The moment Sunil moved he had taken to air, even as she spoke her threat. He was a bare few inches from the ground however as he absorbed her words, frozen and fearful as he stared at her.

"I.. I have to... I have to tell them ..." He rose a little then sunk back down, captured by her words and trying so hard to know if they were truthful. "Don't.. hurt Ruya.." He protested softly at the very idea. What could he do now? He couldn't risk her being serious, even if he flew as fast as he could to Ares' home it may be too late to reach Sunil's and ensure Ruya's safety. Oh dear.

Sensing him wavering, Sunil leaped at Tosten. If she could pin him against the tree for long enough, she could get the vine hanging from her wrist around his neck. That would keep him still for a while.

What do I do, what do I do?? Tosten's mind was awhirl of two situations at once, the danger of not going now before Ares would surely be gone and the danger of Ruya being hurt if he went! He could barely concentrate on this that when she was jumping at him all he could do was blink like a frightened deer in the headlights. And by that point was resigned. He couldn't leave, not right now. If he was going to escape he'd have to make sure she didn't realize so he had the headstart. So he gave up hope of even trying to escape, letting the capture succeed resignedly.

Sunil pinned Tosten against the tree with little trouble and then looped the loose vine around his neck and pulled it tight.

"You listen to me Tosten. I told you what would happen if you told on us. I even went back on my word and kept you safe and whole. And this is how you repay me? By trying to escape? I don't think so."

Sunil's eyes weren't totally sane anymore. She was boiling over with anger and she didn't have the sleep necessary to bring herself under control.

"I still say it would be too much trouble to cut out your tongue without a knife. But maybe we can just break something instead."

Sunil considered her options carefully and she decided on his wings. His stupid, fluffy, always shedding wings.

Without any warning to him she pulled back and punched at the delicate upper bone in his right wing.

Tosten was frightened when pinned against the tree and caught with the vine tight at his throat.... but the more she spoke, the more he saw her, the more fear was absolute terror and he scrabbled back against the trunk of the tree. She wouldn't, would she?

"Sunill, wai-- !!" But she had struck up, and wings were nothing meant to withstand something as strong as she. They were hollow bones light for flying... bones that snapped so easily when under such violent pressure. He was just stunned by the numbness overcame him, shock ultimately, before he realized it hurt. A lot. More then the stab ever had. And he screamed something awful, limp in her pinning hold as all fight left him for the replacement of broken sobs.

Ruya waited until Neruo was out of sight to dive off the fence and start running across Silva's lawn to his porch.

That pain in the a**, lying, punk. So he thought he could just claim her and chase off her friends? Not to mention basically lying to her.

She picked up a fistfull of tiny pebbles on her way to the porch and once there started pelting the door, hurling the pebbles with everything she had.

"Silva, you b*****d! Get out here!"

The pebbles, not being very big, probably didn't make much of a noise on the inside of the house, but it did start to make Ruya feel better.

Silva watched her from the shadows, seriously contemplating not letting her see him. It would be easy enough, after all. She didn't have nightvision... But he had the insane urge to get this over with.

She was probably going to dump him sooner or later, anyways, he thought philosophically. He spoke, not willing to reveal himself until she put the stones down. "Now, darlin..."

Ruya whirled, stones in hand and started randomly lobbing them in the direction she thought his voice had come from.

"Don't you dare "darlin'" me. Get out here."

Her supply of pebbles wasn't endless, and eventually she had lobbed them all out into the dark. Finding more would have taken energy, and her rage wasn't enough to keep her going too much longer.

He finished dodging the pebbles and slowly stepped into the lighter area where she could see him, hoping she had run out. "I can explain. Actually... I probably can't. Hell..."

He stopped, looking thoughtful for a second. He wasn't sure how much the other male had told her. He might be able to talk his way out of it... or not. And by the look on her face he was leaning towards the "or not."

"I'm... sorry?" He finally offered in a pathetic attempt to keep from being maimed. If she fought him... something told him he wouldn't fight back. Dammit.

Those were probably the two words she least expected out of his treacherous mouth and it stopped her up short. She just blinked at him, wondering what was going on in his head.

"Why, " she said finally, desperately, " Why would you go talk to him like that?"

She sighed, and then added, "And don't try and feed me any crap."

Not like she'd know anyway, a little voice said, Not like she could really tell what he said was truth and what was lie when it came out of his mouth.

"Why did I go talk to him?" He repeated, thinking for a minute. "Hell, I thought it was obvious. I'm jealous, darlin. I wanted to see for myself the guy that brings you flowers. And... dammit... I hate not being in control." The last was muttered, as if he was irritated with himself over that one.

"Look, I screwed up. But--" I'm not the only one... of course he couldn't say that, not when she was this pissed. "But I had a reason. Now, granted, it's not a very good one, and--" He stopped, searching for a good point.

"And I didn't do anything to the kid. I swear. Didn't even really warn him off. I just wanted to scope out the competition."

Damnit. She was still pissed, but she was also oddly flattered. If he was truly jealous, maybe he did care.

But maybe that was bad? She still hadn't sorted exactly how she felt about him.

Arrgh. It was too late to think about this. She needed to go home and go to sleep and worry about this some other day.

"Whatever. You should have told me you'd seen him when I said I was going to talk to him. You lied to me. By omission sure, but you still lied."

Ruya sighed crossed her arms over her chest and looked at her feet. This was the second time tonight she had to study something other than the person she was talking to.

"I already didn't know exactly how I felt about you Silva, and this only makes it worse."

He nodded, watching her for a few seconds. "You're not the only one, darlin. Now go... Before I do something stupid and offer to walk you home." He paused, examining his toothpick. "And it was omission, darlin... but hell, you weren't the only one mad."

He took a step back, fading into the shadows feeling something sitting on his gut... something that felt suspiciously like guilt.

Ruya blinked back the stupid tears she felt hiding behind her eyes. Why was she crying? This was so stupid.

"Night."

Ruya slowly headed back to her porch where the gang was all waiting for her. At least for once she wasn't worried she'd stay up and worry, she was going to pass out the minute she hit the pillow.

Jhiri pushed open the door of the tavern and put out the "Open" sign once again. She shuffled some papers in her hands and glanced over them absently as she slipped behind the bar.

On her shoulder, Averno peered at the papers as if looking for anything of interest or use in them. Seeing nothing she cared about she leapt into the air and flitted over to the Feien-sized portion of the tavern and settled into a chair at one of the tables.

Jhiri put on her usual pot of coffee and settled on a stool behind the bar to balance her finances. Fuuuun!

Ruya slipped in the door to the tavern and purposefully made her way up to the bar. She spared a glance for the other feien present, but made no move in her direction.

Instead, she made her way over to the human sitting behind the bar.

"Excuse me? Are you the owner of this establishment?"

Jhiri smiled merrily at the Feien and nodded her head. "I am indeed. Can I get you something to drink or eat, miss?"

Averno's eyes flashed doorward at the glimpse of motion, her body stiffening in anticipation of an unpleasant visitor, but relaxing again to see it was not Calico. She got up and winged her way to the human-sized bar, alighting not far from the new arrival to study her.

Ruya smiled up at the human and replied happily, "Oh, well yes something to drink would be lovely. May I have some lemonade?"

Then she laughed a little at herself.

"That isn't the primary reason I'm here though. I would like to apply for a job. A waitress I think, if there is an opening."

Sajhiri looked elated as she eyedroppered some lemonade into a tiny mug for the Feien. "Wonderful! I just so happen to be in need of a waitress. Can I get your name to add to my records?" She carefully handed the mug to Ruya.

Averno wrinkled her nose for a moment at the very thought of manual labor, but she composed herself again quickly and gave a smile to the multi-colored female. "Hello...I don't believe we've met yet. I'm Averno."

Ruya took the mug with care and sipped a bit of the lemonade before replying. It had been a long flight there and she was a little parched.

"Excellent. My name is Ruya."

Ruya then turned to face Averno. She studied the girl for a second, while drinking a little more of her lemonade.

"Hello. I'm Ruya, as you undoubtable already heard. It's nice to meet you Averno. Are you bonded to the owner? Do you work here too?"

Averno quelled the brow that threatened to arch, her past few experiences tempering her outward shows of arrogance a bit. She smiled instead. "Ruya...that's a lovely name. I am bonded to Sajhiri, yes, though I don't work here, really. I suppose I could, but I want to get a bit more settled into this life before I do something like that. You're only the 4th Feien I've even met so far."

Sajhiri jotted down Ruya's name with a grin on her roster. "Great! It's always good to have some more folks delivering drinks and such. Especially Feien-sized ones. It's difficult for me to even get a hold of some of the mugs."

"Ah, so you must be new, " she guestured over to the feien sized area of the bar, "Mind if we sit? I'd love to chat, but I'm a little tired from flying over here."

Averno smiled her best approximation of a warm smile. Perhaps this being friendly thing had merit afterall. "Of course." She flitted over to one of the Feien-sized tables and settled into a chair.

Sajhiri brought over another mug and a tiny pitcher of lemonade for the two to share before she headed back to her paperwork.

"So, how long have you been out of your bloom, Ruya?" the dark haired Feien queried.

Ruya followed after Averno and settled herself at the same table as the other feien. She thanked Sajhiri with a smile and a nod as the human brought over a pitcher and another mug.

"I'm not sure, " Ruya thought for a moment, " several months, I believe. It doesn't seem like that long, " she laughed softly, "time flies I guess."

She drank a little more of her lemonade, finishing off the mug.

"You haven't been out long you said, but do you have any hobbies?"

Ruya smiled and poured herself a little more lemonade. This was nice, she didn't really know any other girls. She hoped they had something in common.

Averno blinked a few times in mild confusion. "Hobbies? Hm...no, not at the moment other than a burning curiosity to know more about this place and about the other Feien who are here." She poured herself a mug of the lemonade and sipped from it, narrowing her eyes in thought.

"I've only been out for a few days, so I'm not really entirely sure what there is to do around here for a hobby. What do you like to do?"

Ruya thought for a moment before replying. She probably hadn't had any hobbies either when she was new.

"Well, I like to paint. I picked that up from my friend Tosten. He is very nice, if you haven't you should meet him, " she paused briefly, "I also like to read, lots of different things, " Ruya waved her hand absently, not wanting to bore Averno with the specifics of her literary tastes, "and I have a whole herd of pets I take care of."

Ruya stopped, that was quite a bit about herself and it seemed rude to go on, even if she did enjoy sharing her interests with others.

"You said you'd met four feien? I'm curious to know who. I don't really know all that many feien myself."

Averno brightens at the mention of painting. "You paint? Would you perhaps be interested in painting my portrait? My bond is an artist, but she's always too busy to paint me."

As to the question she murmurs, "Well you were one, and the tavern bouncer, Sunil, who seemed relatively nice, then there was some arrogant jerk who is bonded to someone Sajhiri calls 'Ice' and some violent b*****d who assaulted me because I sniped back at him when he rudely insulted me."

Silva looked up at the tavern for a second, just out of habit before walking in. "Hey! Princess, I need to--" He stopped, his expression going blank as he got close enough to see who Averno was talking to. He levitated up to the feien area, dropping down and smirking slightly.

"Well, well... ain't this a pretty picture. Long time no see, Darlin."

Ruya glanced at Silva, and chose to ignore him for a minute in favor of answering Averno's question.

"I'm not very good, but I'd be happy to try."

Then trying to look totally unconcerned, she turned and looked at Silva.

"Indeed. I assume you've been well?"

She tried to go for a cold tone, but really only succeeded in being neutral. It was sorta nice to see him.

Averno flitted her eyes towards Silva narrowly. She had to admit, being called a Princess wasn't all that bad. She'd still prefer Empress but it would do for now. "You need to what, Red?" If he refused to give her a name she'd give him one.

She looked between Silva and Ruya at the recognition that they seemed to know one another and her brow creeped up slightly. "Would you two rather be alone?" She took a sip of her lemonade.

Ruya turned back to Averno and drank some more of her lemonade after glaring at it for a second.

"No. I have nothing to say to him that can't be said in public. Besides, it sounds like he came here to speak with you anyway."

That earned the lemonade another glare. He called her Princess? Ruya was not pleased and the fact she even cared made her less pleased.

Now this... was tricky. He smirked, looking back at Averno. "She doesn't like me at the moment, princess. I'm sure you know how that is." He looked around, grabbing one of the chairs and straddling it so he could keep an eye on both of them.

"I was hoping you might tell me more about your... what did you call him? Violent assaulter. Was it a tall blue female with a bad attitude?" If it was Sunil then he was back to where he had started from...

Averno nodded to Ruya, then arched a brow at Silva. "Not even remotely. It was that red and yellow lunatic who was in here the day we met. It happened just after you left actually."

She leaned back in her chair, tasting the tension between the other two Feien fairies as if it were a fine vintage of wine.

Ruya took a deep breath and finished off her lemonade, half listening in on the other feiens' conversation. Then she glanced up at Averno with a shocked expression as something processed.

"You were attacked? In the tavern? That sounds awful!"

What sort of feien, other than Sunil, who had already been eliminated from the running, would attack Averno? The girl seemed sweet.

And then Ruya frowned, could this whole thing have something to do with Sunil sending her out into the woods that night?

"You said you met Sunil. Did you happen to speak with her about your attacker?"

Ruya felt bad highjacking the conversation, but her curiosity was piqued.

Silva relaxed, letting Ruya take over the conversation as he thought back. Red and yellow... violent... Yeah, he kinda remembered seeing another male that day. Hadn't actually talk to him much, other then offering the princess over...

But that's the guy she had said assaulted her. He smirked slightly, noting the concern in Ruya's voice. He hadn't even bothered trying to sound as if he cared. But Ruya... Ruya would get the entire story for him and he wouldn't have to do a thing. He blinked, realizing that he had been watching her for the past few minutes, then turned away as if it hadn't happened.

"You happen to catch his name?"

Averno shook her head sadly. "Sunil said she had no idea who he was, and I never got his name. He told me I was useless because I didn't know anything about any other Feien, so I replied that if I was useless, being as I was the first few hours out of my bloom, what was his excuse if he had to consult a newly emerged Feien on other Feien. That was when he grabbed me by the hair and threatened me. So I dumped my hot tea in his lap and got away."

Ruya leaned forward to put her hand on Averno's shoulder briefly.

"That sounds awful, but at least you're ok."

Sunil didn't know him? Huh, it seemed hard to believe there were lots of dangerous feien running around. Perhaps Sunil had been lying. No real way to tell now.

"Yeah." Silva muttered, chewing on his toothpick. He didn't sound very convincing. "Try and get his name next time, princess. In case... he decides to attack again, that is. I'm sure there'll be people willing to give you a hand."

Non-commital. But it sounded good. He turned, looking at Ruya again, unable to help himself, then away. "Think I could get a drink?" He called over to Jhiri.

Averno scoffed quietly. "Who would be willing to protect me from him? He's a homicidal psychopath. And I really haven't met many other Feien to inspire them to come to my aid. I'm afraid to even stray to far from Sajhiri..." she glanced towards her bond.

Sajhiri looked over at Silva and chuckled. "Surely, Mr. No Name. I'll have to ask Ice what your name is." She brought over an already poured cherry phosphate for the male and set it on Averno and Ruya's table.

Sajhiri stooped down to gently scoop Averno up in her hand. "Time to go dear. You can talk to your friends again tomorrow I'm sure." With that the pair departed.

Ruya frowned as she was left alone with Silva.

"So, you and Averno are friends?"

She pushed her now empty mug to the center of the table, wishing she had thought to ask where dirty dishes went.

Friends? With the princess? He blinked, then smirked slightly. "I guess you could say that, darlin. She comes in handy." He took a drink, watching her through lowered lashes. "But I doubt she'd be willing to hunt fireflies with me."

Ruya turned and met Silva's eyes, blushing a little before she turned away and carefully began rearranging the cups on the table.

"I doubt it, too, " she lowered her voice a little, "She called you an 'arrogant jerk'."

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, wondering what he was thinking.

"You come in here a lot? They seemed to know what you like to drink."

"Often?" He repeated, thinking about it. "Not really... often, so to say. But this place is quiet. You don't have to talk to anybody you don't want to. It suits me."

He leaned forward, watching her. "You still mad at me, Darlin? Because I've been getting... lonely."

Ruya stopped shuffling the stuff on the table around uselessly and sighed. She turned to face Silva and put her hands in her lap.

"I'm not really mad anymore. You got my gift didn't you? But I still think what you did was wrong and no amount of time is going to change my mind."

She smiled in spite of herself.

"I don't think you're lonely. I think you just miss having someone to kiss."

"I--" He stopped, biting down on his toothpick before forcing his muscles to relax. "I'm not going to argue with you, darlin. Not about something that's already happened. And we'll get into the kissing or not kissing subject later. When we're not in a public place. But I will say one thing, darlin. If I just wanted someone to kiss I think I would have found them by now."

He stood, looking at her for a few minutes before turning. "And you're going to haveta show me how to play that game, darlin. Before Io lets that damn dragon of hers light it like a matchstick."

Ruya stood as well, but stayed facing the table.

"I'd be happy to show you how to play anytime, but you could have looked up the rules on your own."

He wanted to yell at her. He REALLY wanted to yell at her. All this making it out to be his fault was starting to piss him off. SHE had cheated on HIM, not the other way around. So what if she hadn't actually kissed the other guy?

So what if he had hunted the other guy down? What would she have said if he had done what he wanted to do and beat the living s**t out of him while he was at it? He scowled, grateful he wasn't facing her.

"I could have, darlin... but you aren't getting out of this that easily." He said easily. "Now I think I'll... take my leave." He headed for the edge, dropping off and walking to the door before turning. "Goodbye, darlin."

"Fine, I made a mistake, " Ruya mumbled, probably too quiet for Silva to hear as he left. Then she turned and headed for the door herself.

Neruo stretched and floated outside, liking the smell of the warm breeze as he drifted upon it. It was such a nice day. He had spent most of the day inside, practicing calligraphy with his new items from the Feien shop. He had begun to paint, and wanted to get some tips from Ruya.

Or maybe he just used that excuse just to see her...

She doesn't want anything like that. he kept telling himself. I'm such a loser sometimes that it's embarassing...

He found a stable slot on the fence and perched.

Ruya was upstairs in her room painting by the window when she spotted a flash of orange out of the corner of her eye. That color could only belong to Neruo.

Ruya smiled and put down her paints, stepping out the partially opened window.

"Hi Neruo," she called. "I'm so glad you decided to visit. How have you been?"

The orange one glanced up and saw her in the window. He cheerfully waved. It was so good to see her. He decided to fly up there, and did so slowly, as he always did. He reached the sill of the window and stopped, fluttering just out of reach. He smiled.

"I'm fine. You?" He looked inside and saw a flash of her paint set. He felt proud suddenly. "I got some items like the paints to the other day...And a quill, too, which I'm learning to use in calligraphy. I was wondering if you could give me painting tips. I tend to make quite a mess..."

Ruya stepped back inside and guestured for Neruo to join her.

"Sure. I'm really not very good, but I find it helps to have a drop cloth down to catch any paint you drip. I like to use napkins. They're relatively absorbent and they come in good sizes for a work area."

She paused and thought for a second.

"If I'm going to be doing a lot of painting I also try to wrap something around myself. It is only a temporary solution, but I've been using some old doll aprons of Kam's."

She started picking up the paints, to put them away on a low shelf Kam had installed for her so the pixapets wouldn't knock them over and stain the carpet.

"So what have you been painting?"

Neruo smiled and flew in, landing quieting next to Ruya. He took down a mental list of necessary painting supplies. He was alright with painting, but tripping over paint containers did prove to be an occasional problem. And LF didn't have any dolls, but paint on his skin didn't bother him much. He liked other colors other than orange anyway.

He shrugged. "I've been painting mostly what I feel. I think it's better than writing in a diary. It's less work, I think. LF says they look nice, but I'm not sure I agree."

He walked over to her. "How have you been lately?"

Ruya laughed and sat down on the inside of the windowsill cross-legged.

"I agree. Painting is a great way to work out emotions, but I'm not sure mine means much to anyone except me."

She reached up to grab his hand and pull him down so he could sit with her.

"And I've been well. I've been reading, painting. I went to the tavern and signed up to work as a waitress."

She looked up at him.

"So we'll have to coordinate shifts so we can work together."

She shifted her gaze and studied her hands. Talking about the tavern brought Silva to mind, but she didn't really want to discuss him with Neruo.

He chuckled, smiling, and sat down with her. He folded his wings and put his chin in his hands, watching her.

"We'll have to coordinate shifts. I'm not sure I'd want to be there alone." He smiled again. He tilted his head, thinking.

What would it be like? It'll be fun! I'll learn to do so many things, and I'll be with friends.

Are you sure about that? What about...him? What ABOUT him? Hey...why am I having this retarded dialouge with myself? Silva doesn't matter. That's between Ruya and him. It doesn't really concern me anyway.

He huffed without realizing it. How...frustrating. Why'd that voice have to be so...negative?

"I think it'll be fun," she said cheerfully. "If its slow we'll be able to hang out and just chat."

She glanced over at Neruo quizzically. He seemed to be thinking about something that bothered him.

"Something bothering you?"

Neruo looked up suddenly, forgetting what it was that he was thinking about. It was unlike him, but, being around her seemed to have that effect on him. He smiled.

"Nope. I'm fine. It's just..." He trailed off. Perhaps she knew what it was like?

"Have you ever heard this vioce in your head that couldn't stop talking about all the bad things in life?" He chuckled. How ridiculous. "It's difficult to get anything done..."

Concerned, Ruya looked over at Neruo.

"No, I can't say I do, but it sounds like it would be tough to get things done."

She leaned a little closer to him and looked him in the eyes.

"Are you sure nothing is bothering you? You seem distracted. You can talk to me Neruo."

Neruo looked up suddenly. Was he spacing out? But, why?

"Oh, no, Ruya. I'm fine. Really." He smiled at her, hoping that it would dispell any doubts she had. He honestly wasn't sure if anything was wrong...wait...

Yes I am, but I wouldn't want to bother her with any of MY problems. She's got much more important things to do.

"...would you mind showing me some of your paintings...?"

Neruo's request surprised Ruya and she blushed, before slowly standing.

"Sure. They really aren't very good..."

She walked over to the shelf with the paints and pulled down a handful of papers before returning to where Neruo was seated. Nervously she handed them to him, unsure what she would say about each of them if he asked.

"I made them for me, so its hard to know what other people would see in them," she explained shyly.

Neruo's eyes turned serious as he examined the paintings. They were made with such depth, thought and character...He didn't know where to begin with his compliments. He was truely impressed. He'd have to practice more if he were to make her something worthy of wall space next to these.

"Very...exquisite! I wish I could paint like this...with such...feeling. I'm afraid I become too boring sometimes. I'm not too...emotional. Not like him..."

Ruya blushed even deeper as Neruo complimented her paintings. She hadn't made them for other people to see, but it turned out having someone else look at them and be impressed meant a lot to her.

"Him?"

She asked it without thinking, and then realized exactly who Neruo must mean. Her hands suddenly became very interesting.

"I'm sure you have emotions Neruo even if you don't choose to express them as vocally as some others."

She nodded seriously and looked up.

"You have a unique personality Neruo, and thats what will come through in your paintings. You should be proud to be who you are. You're a good person. You're kind and caring, a wonderful friend."

Ruya paused and took a deep breath, reaching for her paintings back, having startled herself with how much she had to say.

Neruo relectantly gave them back, committing every pigment and brushstroke to memory. He'd need to practice in order to gain skill...He smiled and a slight pink flush came to his cheeks as well. He didn't mean to startle or bring up bad memories with her. He dashed any other thoughts from his head and leaned over to her.

He wrapped his orange arms around her, smiling brightly. "Thank you, Ruya. I thought for a moment that I had become boring to you...I'm glad to see that it isn't so..."

Ruya wrapped her arms around Neruo as well and held him tight.

"Of course not. Now did you happen to remember to bring those seeds?"

She enjoyed holding him for a moment before letting go.

"Ahh..." He choked. In all his preparation, he had forgotten something ESSENTIAL. ...He'd have to punish himself later. Not in front of a lady. He tugged at one of his curls before appologizing.

"I'm so sorry...I...forgot them." He sighed, defeated. She wouldn't be mad, would she? He hoped not.

He nodded, determined. He'd make it up to her...somehow.

Ruya smiled and put a hand lightly on his shoulder.

"Its no problem at all."

She stood and absent-mindedly offered him a hand up as well.

"I want to show you something I found. I think you might appreciate it as much as I do."

He looked up at her, almost quizzically, and took her hand. He stood slowly, wondering what it was that she had to show him. Another painting? A plant? He racked his brain, but couldn't come up with a definate answer.

Surprise, surprise, I suppose. he thought.

Leading him by his hand, Ruya took Neruo to the windowsill and then let go. She pointed at one of the trees in her own yard.

"That is where we are going. Follow me and try to be quiet, ok?"

Ruya leaped off the windowsill and with a glance at Neruo, took off for the tree. She zoomed in and landed carefully on the outer part of a branch about halfway up the tree.

Neruo tilted his head to one side and leaped off the ledge, his orange wings flowing out to his sides. He wished her were much faster as he floated slowly to the branch where Ruya waited. He shouted an appology on his way to the tree.

"Sorry about being so slow!"

Ruya held a finger up to her lips, as Neruo yelled. As he reached the branch, she leaned over and whispered.

"No problem. We've got all the time in the world. But you have to be quiet or you'll scare them."

Ruya took Neruo's arm and started farther in on the branch, going slowly and carefully. Eventually she crouched down and pointed to the branch below them.

"Look," she said quietly. "Baby birds. I've been watching them."

On the branch below was a nest of newborn robins, bald with their eyes still closed and all peeping quietly amongst themselves.

Neruo's eyes went wide and he smiled. He was doingh is best to be quiet, watching the baby birds wiggle and chirp in the nest. He couldn't help but think about how adorable and helpless they were. He was glad, though, that they had a wonderful caretaker in Ruya. He brushed a few leaves from his hair.

"They are...darling, I think." he said quietly. "I'm glad they have someone like you to watch over them."

He picked another branch higher up and floated to it, sitting on it carefully. He swung his legs, looking down at her, smiling.

Ruya looked up from the baby birds to Neruo and offered him a particularly bright smile. Then she flew up to join him on the higher branch, settling down not too far from him.

"It has been so amazing to watch them. I can't believe that they'll grow up to be big birds like their mother. They're so small and helpless right now."

Neruo tilted his head. He sighed inwardly. His head seemed to buzz with inner conversation, but he tried his best to concentrate.

"I wonder what it was like to be a baby? I don't remember. I don't remember much before I met LF..." He trailed off, rubbing strongly on his left wrist.

Ruya let out a puff of air and stared down at the nest. She didn't really remember being newly out of the bloom either.

"I don't really remember either. I've never really thought much about the past."

"You don't think about the past?" He said absently. "I figured you would, since you are a Memory-elemental, right?"

This is never going to work. he thought angrily. I might as well just give up already.

Ruya glanced over at Neruo curiously. She no longer worried about not having magic, but it was still a frustration for her.

"My magic is very weak, I guess."

She shrugged, trying to look unconcerned. Life seemed to go just fine without magic.

"I can't change what has already happened, so why worry about it? That's what I decided anyway. I worry about the future instead."

She laughed softly. Worrying about the future really hadn't done her any good either.

Neruo chuckled. "I don't have any magic, either, so I wouldn't worry about it." He sighed. "i really don't worry about much of anything, really."

He hopped off the branch and onto a lower, thicker one. He began to pace. "I really don't do much of anything, now that I think about it. No wonder I have hardly any friends. I don't worry, I don't flirt, I don't compete, I don't cry, I don't dance..."

He curled his fingers into a fist angrily and punched the tree itself. Though it did not make much of an impact, Neruo was surprised at himself.

"I. Don't. Do. ANYTHING."

He finally threw his head into the tree and fell to his knees. Spots of red appeared in his bright orange hair and he took to the air by falling from the branch.

He had to get away. Now.

Ruya just sat on the branch paralyzed by shock. She had thought something was wrong earlier, but this was a bit more than she had expected.

"Neruo...," she said softly, more to herself than anything else.

She stood as he fell off the branch and watched him go, speechless. She wished she had understood what had just happened.

The world was spinning, but he had to maintain his altitude. He had to make it home. There was no alternative. He could feel the warmth from his head reach down to his face. He knew he was bleeding, and the pain was very intense. He had to own up, though. He wouldn't let Ruya see him like this.

Finally, he made it to the fence. Almost home. He took one last look at the tree, a solitary tear mixing iwth the crimson sea flowing from his sunset curls. He struggled and then floated away. Towards home.

Curiosity about Sunil had been killing Ruya for days and after the preceding days events with Neruo and Silva, she needed something else to wrap her mind around. Otherwise she kept thinking about Neruo's scars and the feel of his skin under her fingers.

It was not a comfortable thought and she paused in the hall to shake it out of her head. She noted that the light was on in Sunil's closet and it sounded like someone was talking. Ruya tiptoed closer and pressed her ear against the door.

Huh. Sunil was apparently in a bad mood. Normally Ruya would have thought nothing of it and slipped back into her own room, but after a moment she heard an unfamiliar sound coming from Sunil's room. Sobbing. Loud, heart wrenching sobbing.

Against her better judgement, Ruya pushed open the door (Kam had done something with the knobs so a feien's strength was sufficient to open them.) and entered.

"Sunil? Are you ok?"

From where she was sitting on the floor crying, Sunil looked up angrily.

"Get out."

The command really didn't have much force behind it, as she hiccuped halway through and the tears still clung to her face.

Ruya ignored Sunil's words and approached her, shutting the door. She knelt by the older feien and reached out to put a hand on her shoulder.

"What happened?"

Ruya couldn't really say she was concerned, but she was curious. What on earth would make Sunil upset to the point where she showed it openly.

Sunil swatted Ruya's hand away and roughly wiped the tears off her face. She swallowed, composing herself, and got ready to tell Ruya to go to hell.

But the words didn't come out.

"I went to see Corvus," she whispered hoarsely, "and I managed to blow my chances at ever merging with a gemstone. Or obtaining immortality," she added with a smothered sob.

She shook her head in disgust before laying her forehead in her palm.

"I'm an idiot and I really can't see the point of continuing to live," she sighed, "but I don't want to die."

Immortality? Ruya was horrified at the idea of Sunil being able to live forever and she didn't bother to hide her reaction.

"I can't say I'm sorry really. I don't think you should be able to live forever. You're mean and I dislike you."

Ruya pursed her lips and settled into a sitting position with her hands arranged neatly in her lap.

"But is Corvus really so important you need to agonize over your existence?"

Sunil looked up and blinked.

"Maybe not. Have you read the posters in the shop?"

"Of course. I find it a good idea to keep updated on developments in the feien world," Ruya replied primly.

She ground her teeth in annoyance and spoke curtly, doing her best to suppress her anger.

"I had not and I wasted Corvus's time." She didn't sound particularly sorry. "He alone is not critical, no. The posters seem to imply it is Julius who controls everything of importance."

Sunil sighed and put her head in her palm again.

"And I wasted his time too," she admitted shamefully. "If only Corvus wasn't such a p***k about everything. And I wasn't so quick to anger and lose my head."

The last part was muttered quietly. It was still hard to admit to herself how much had been her fault. It made her stomach hurt and she wanted to throw up.

"So? Fix it."

Ruya was completely unsympathetic.

"Nothing is going to change while you sit here feeling sorry for yourself. If these goals are so important to you, you can't let Corvus and Julius get in the way."

Sunil snorted into her hand.

"What am I supposed to do, just march back over there and hope they forgive me? That is so stupid I can't believe you even suggested it."

Ruya couldn't help it, she reached out and smacked Sunil in the back of the head. It couldn't have hurt much, but Sunil's head snapped up.

"You're pathetic. Seeing you now, I can't believe I was ever afraid of you."

She reached out and grabbed Sunil's chin, forcing her to look at her.

"They don't have to forgive you. It is their job to help you, just as it was your job to go into this experience prepared. You're prepared now aren't you?"

Sunil wrenched her chin out of Ruya's hand and contemplated beating the crap out of her. Ruya was right however, and in the interests of not being stupid any longer Sunil just scowled.

"I am, but why are you doing this? You're helping me. I'm not going to help you in return."

It was childish, but she said it anyway.

Ruya stood and looked down at Sunil disdainfully.

"I don't need your help."

Ruya turned and walked back out of the closet, letting Susu slip in as she slipped out.

"Besides I pity you all alone, with nothing to look forward to in life except extending it. When you're finally immortal, what are you even going to do with your time?"

She didn't wait for an answer and took off down the hall and back to her own room.