Welcome to Gaia! ::

Lewis shook his head, "can't sleep in these rooms...and i couldn't hold onto Al." her warmth was such a comfort to him. he leaned against her, his hand slipping into Megan's and holding it tightly. "i hate this. i want to go home, i never wanted to come back to this place." tears filled his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. "there's something more than just the king's party coming, i can feel it. he's planning something, but what? i don't-i don't know. it's going to change everything. our lives, the world, everything is going to change and i don't want it to! i'm scared...." he pulled his knees in tighter and tried to control his breathing, not wanting to pass out.

"you aren't alone, Lewis," Tsume said softly from the doorway. "you have friends and family all around you. we'll fight together, all of us against whatever is coming."

Lewis leaned against Megan and drank in her support closing his eyes as he listened

Tsume signed and returned to is human form standing up to walk over and sit on the couch. "he stole a come home from Elliott's room and said that the only way to make him stop was to break his hand. I didn't break it but I did squeeze it hard enough that it almost broke. He will be sore but I was going to ask Leo to heal him today. I didn't think you actually would say yes when I asked if that is what he wanted me to do to help him stop stealing "

Lewis shivered a little at the touch of her skin, feeling his life being drained, but not caring. it just was a bit odd after so long. his closed his eyes and just enjoyed the touch, knowing it was probably costing Megan a lot to do this too.

Tsume nodded, "i would never actually break it. that's just-it's cruel." he blushed a little at being called gentle and looked away, "i just don't want to loose anymore friends. excuse me," he cleared his throat, "i should go check on Kashi and see how he's doing. don't want him to be scared of me because of this if i can help it." he hurried out, heading for the room Kashi and Henry were sharing, moving as silently as he could so as to not wake them

Lewis smiled, "you're always been so motherly, Megan. I'm still jelous of Justin."

Tsume nodded to Henry as the man left and sat down on the bed next to Kashi, watching the hare sleep. he gently brushed back some of Kashi's hair, his eyes on the swollen hand that was cradled close. at lest Kashi had been able to get some sleep

Istavia walked towards the complex that housed his guests, humming happily to himself. he had only gotten a couple hours of sleep, but the time he spent with his dear brother the night before more than made up for the lack of rest. time to play with his nephew now.

Lewis took a deep breath before standing up, "alright. time to follow my king's orders and be strong."

the three boys came out and Lewis smiled, "hey there. hope you slept well. what are your plans for the day? if you want time off I can order you to stay here for the day and await our return. it'll give you an excuse to just hang out."

they looked at each other before looking down. "we are to get your breakfast and-and to report to our master."

Lewis' eye narrowed, but he nodded. "I understand. you were told to spy on us, to look for weaknesses right?" none of the boys looked up, or even moved. "that's alright, i understand, i have those assignments too before. tell him the truth, he'll know if you lie. it's ok. do your duty, ok?"

the boys nodded and hurried to gather the dishes, running out to do as they had been told.

Lewis sighed, "poor things. probably thought i was going to beat them for obeying orders. i should check on Al."

Tsume smiled and slide into bed behind Kashi, his arms slipping around the boy and holding him close. "if that's what you want." he hadn't slept well anyways, laying together like this might be nice.

Leo woke, the back of his mind telling him he should be awake. he sighed softly, his eyes wanting to close again, but he forced them back open.

Lewis nodded, "i'll go. thank you, megan. you've always been there for me. always arms i can run to...thank you." he smiled at her, not sure if she understood just how important she was to him. he head to their bedroom and poked his head in, smiling, "you dressed yet?"

Tsume smiled as Kashi hugged his arm close, "i'll be sure to have leo heal your hand. i'm sorry i hurt you, Kash." he rested his head against the back of the hare's and closed his eyes, enjoying the peace of the moment.

Leo sighed, "i think it's a couple hours since sunrise, though i can't tell in these rooms." he glanced around, his eyes sad, "it's impossible to tell. that was the worst part, wondering how many hours, days, weeks had passed. scared of the next time you would be summoned, no idea when the call would come..." he closed his eyes, a single tear sliding down, "it was the absolute worst."

Istavia stepped out of the shadows of a pillar right behind the three slaves, "hello there." his smile grew as he watched them jump in freight, one nearly dropping the tray he was carrying. "too bad," he moved closer to the boy, the smallest of the group, and cupped his cheek, "too bad. i wish you had dropped that. then i could have the pleasure of punishing you." the boy was shaking now, his eyes locked on the ground. "hmmm, you seem to be hiding something, should i punish you anyways?" his eyes trailed to the head of the group, "report, slave. if i am satisfied with your observations of the night, i just might reconsider punishing this boy."

The boy swallowed, "Y-yes master-"

Lewis looked down, "oh-i forgot my pants again. can't do that here..." he stepped in and started to dress properly. he didn't speak, just kept his eyes down and dressed.

Leo smiled, "i know. i belong to you now." he lifted his hand and showed Elliot his ring, "see? this is the bond you placed on me, the chains holding us together." he took Elliot's left hand in his, their rings touching, "We belong to each other, Elliot. nothing can change that."