Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ree:

We've been moving apart lately. I suspect that had to do with the influx of children that we have been ... finding/adopting/recruiting/kidnapping. At first it likely was that, leaving the base more and more often to avoid being force to keep an eye on them. A problem he has to work himself through...not that he has ever asked for help.

Later being at fault for an order that resulted in Hexxis's death and the escape of two Renegade members. Guilt for Hexxis, I can see it hurt him deeply but he doesn't come to me. I assume he doesn't want to face me.... I am not quite sure what I would say either. Mara talked to him, or lectured him.....Hexxis through a miracle and the help of some renegade members survived.

Then his insane deal with Ashral. That is when his naivety shines through and his stubbornness. I should have been faster...should have teleported him out sooner. Now he is stuck and still under the assumption everything was okay now... that maybe he could change her. In trying to save me and Hexxis he locked himself.

Perhaps I am remembering all these things as a way to explain what happened at Parley. Was it a misunderstanding? or betrayal? Ree had to much freedom to many faults .. the perfect person to take the blame if he was frames. If he was frames.... to many eyes even his own saw the sword sticking out of (criel)'s chest, seemingly pushed there by Ree in an attempt to frame the Renegades. Nothing he knew of him supported that he would do that.. but there it was. The question now was it real or frames? planned or spur of the moment. Ree could have perfectly wel hidden another face from him... he would wish to say he would be able to tell but he couldn't say that...just miss the small kitten like meta he used to be ...when things were much simpler. I hope he is okay ..... need to find him and Mara as soon as I can stop being an idiot and just escape.
--------------

Hexxis/Ashral:

I never wrote back in here after my first encounter with Ashral and subsequent interactions with Hexxis.Things have reluctantly improved, after going catastrophically wrong 3 times. I was stabbed, and going from hexxis, died the first time when was stabbed by Ashral during an attempt to capture Zaku. Saved by Hexxis herself when she supposedly changing one of her skills to be something similar to healing ...for that I am always grateful. The second time was stabbed by Ashral when SIU was under attack by the Renegades. The recovery room and I were on close terms for those past months

It wasn't soon after that Hexxis formally asked if I would be her father.A note written in crayon but with a hint of formality I would not have expected of someone her age. I was surprised, I am still surprised even after all this time. It had taken me a few months after she arrived to start being able to read her ..and she likely me. Hexxis was not the robot she tried to be, she had her own emotions her own views and her own goals. It was something I did not understand early on...I accepted because I felt it would help her grow and I still do believe that. I just never expected to become so attached .

It was soon after that Hexxis and Ashral were injured in the Renegade attack on SIU. Stabbed by one of the armor prototype unit sword weapons, to this day we are still not quite who who had been piloting it when a majority of the base were children. An experience he gladly escaped from.

After that kage and his companions left the base, taking hexxis with them, in what we still assume as a hostage situation. Ree gave a command that ended with her death...the renegades, ashral and leukos brought her back. He was still insure of why or for what purpose they did that ... other than feel gratituede. ... maybe that will be the only reason keeping form stabbing Zaku now.. because he saved Hexxis.. he helped bring her back.

Soon after Ashral made the deal with Ree... the ability to walk around for an hour every month and being allowed to leave SIU when she split in exchange for following' ree's orders keeping him safe and herself. This was after Ree pointed out that I might be more valuable.

It took nearly a week more before Hexxis was able to return enough from the "near death" experience to finally take over. The first think I do? leave her alone with her malice hoping not to make it worse. It looked like she managed to some how overcome Ashral for a moment... pushing her away.. stopping her. During that day I promise I wouldn't leave her, except there was parley and things have been planned weeks in advance. He had left .. but he mean tit more in not leaving her alone for always.

Hexxis and Ashral survived until current problems showed how dangerous SIU and its people are and how metas can't be trusted. Ree and Mara are missing.... I assume Asriel have taken over SIU ... I hope Hexxis is well. Unable to do anything until I escape myself .

Mara:
.....where are you? are you okay? I need to escape....

Phase ...shadow. Tri moved quietly through the darken house, wings furled tightly as he investigated different rooms, taking note of what metas he could before pulling away. As tempting as it was to investigate a bit more he didn't want to accidentally wake any one, even so he could possible kill them without waking...

What ever possessed Zaku to free him?....It had been a relief when his powers returned an hour later but why didn't they kill him? why let him wander? actually he was almost certain he could escape if he tried to. Almost ... not quite, and if he failed? then they would be sure of what he could do and prevent it for a second time... or block his powers again.

He counted... a vast majority of the Bounties in this house including Zaku himself. So why wasn't he trying to slit their throats as they slept? No clue.... he really had no idea

Blinking he phased through the next wall frowning as he appeared in the kitchen. Smell of the bread that had previous been oven earlier that day still clung in the air and while it made him hungrier. Ignoring the bread itself he moving instead to the fruit and smiled faintly spotting 3 oranges that he snuck into his jacket pocket before looking in the fridge.

He took a deep breath of the cold air that hit his face as he opened the door. For a moment the dull but consistent pain on his face eased and came back when he pulled away. It was amazing the Rock Lady didn't break his nose.... or maybe she did, that was sore too.

Scanning the contents of the fridge he blinked absently taking note of what he saw before spotting some cherries in a container in the back. //cherries.....// frowning he looked away and around. Pulling the container out he grabbed a napkin and poured them in.....smiling faintly and just leaving one wrinkled and almost squished cherry inside before popping it back where he found it and putting the napkin with the cherries in another pocket. Maybe his brains were scrambled... but he had cherries and oranges. Life was slightly better...then he can drop cherry pits in everyone's shoes.

Tri stared down at the phone in his hand and pocket it safely in his jacket before pulling up the collar, pausing to touch the empty place where he collar use to be. "...." moving away from the bed of the cheap motel he had manage to rent he went into the bathroom and looked at himself.

Tracing one finger along the edge of his jawline he touched the burn that was a angry red still, almost hiding the faint bruising along his eyes and nose. Shaking his head he lifted his neck and traces the strong discolored area marked only by a mild red line where Zaku's blade nicked him.

A flicker of memory of a bright smile aimed only at him, so easy to change the pink hair to white the blue to just a lighter shade. Then it would be a fake... Est wouldn't smile like that for him again, not after what he did.

A soft tired sigh escape his lips as he opened the water and washed his face carefully. At least Mara was safe....Lucien was likely at the base Mara was at. He said he would help..... yet telling them would go contrary to keeping Mara safe. Also as a bounty ...Lucien did deserve it.

He'll keep an eye on them if they were still there, he might be able to give warning...and in the mean time try finding Hexxis, Ree and Kae before any hunters found them first.

A few minutes later Tri lifted up out of the shadow of one of the trees and turned to look at them with a harsh gaze. Eyes flickering between the state of their clothes and the stiffness of the dried blood on it to their faces and finally down toward Hexxis's neck with a flicker of alarm.

Ashral had frowned and just let Ree pace, remaining quiet as she messed with blades of grass, pulling one and trying to make noise with it like her brother had shown her once before, but she didn't remember how to do it anymore. As Tri emerged, it caught her off guard as she tensed and moved her legs back to a low kneeling stance, ready to summon her sword and attack if needed. She narrowed her eyes at Tri, her heart beginning to beat fast again. She looked to Ree with a look of concern, swallowed hard and spoke a very soft and calm tone. "...red.." she waited to meet Ree's gaze before nodding like a signal that she would try, just staying where she was and not moving a muscle as she shifted her gaze to fixate on Tri, like a cat ready to capture prey, watching his every movement with a burning intensity like she was seconds from pouncing.

//Red ...// he turned sharply to look at Ash, his heart pounding as he tried to figure out what set her of- shoot. Moving toward Tri he stopped and look back at Ash, not wanting to send her away but not going to give her the okay to attack. She looked....to be holding herself for the moment but that wouldn't matter if she still wanted to kill him by just seeing him. "Do you want the collar now?" He said calmly moving to the packs and crouching down slowly looking between them

Tri on the other hand held very still, his gaze traveling between Ree and Hex- no Ashral and back. Slowly his shadow lifted up near his feet in the shape of a cougar, a predator, one that hunted woodland areas like these ...one who didn't have to fear the lone wolf. The shadow laid down in front of him and flicked its tail..a distraction but not a provocation. Tri kept his eyes on Ashral as he listened to Ree look through the packs. He was disappointed...he thought Ree would me smarter than to loosen the only thing helping to keep control of Hexxis and the Malice. He wasn't to sure that this wasn't a trap still, no matter how they looked.mSo far the only thing that prevented him from shadowing at that moment was that Ash didn't attack and Ree sounded worried.

Ashral just stared at Tri intently, tensing a bit as a shadow lifted from the ground. She instinctively summoned her sword, and stayed still. Taking one deep and steady breath, she tried to calm her heart. Her hands were shaking, one hand on the hilt but not drawn as she watched the cougar laid down. Ashral could hear Ree rustle through the bag and ask if she wanted the collar. She wanted to prove herself, but that may prove a more difficult task. Her breath was heavy as she closed her eyes for a moment then forced herself to lay her sword down next to her, opening her eyes to continue staring at him. "If I put on the collar... I won't have as much power to stop him. Do you trust this isn't a trap enough for me to put it back on? Because I can't guarantee anything at this point. If he makes a move.. I won't... I can't hold back with him.... I'm sorry, Ree." she spoke calm, like she was desperately trying to fight back her own urges, doing good when Tri didn't move. She stared at Tri, almost not blinking as she focused on only him, and not the cougar at his feet.

Tri continued to hold still even as the cougar stopped moving when she lowered the sword. There was a faint look of confusion on his face as he listened to their interaction and watched the intense look on Ashral's face but said nothing. Getting the feeling everything was barely held together by a string as Ree pulled the collar out of one of the packs.

Ree pulled the collar out and held it against him as he looked between them, gave Ashral's words some thought. Yet the look he gave Tri was one of pain instead of suspicion as he turned away and moved to Ash, wanting to move between them but not sure that won't set her off either. "At some point trust is just that blind leap of faith where you are not sure if what you are throwing yourself at will hold or will fail. Yet you still believe with all your heart that it will hold, sometimes even against all logic." There was a pause as he swallowed "Tri won't do anything without proof... " he didn't look back at Tri, but looked at Ash. "I believe that, I have seen that " his wings lowered to the ground in emotional pain. "I can at least trust that. " he heads up the collar as if waiting for permission. "Thank you for offering me your blade in protection...."

Ashral had been holding focus until Ree began to talk, as he spoke, she blinked and her face seemed to soften as she then looked to Ree, listening to his words. As he finished she nodded, a smile surfacing for a moment as she came to a stand and the sword dispelled. She turned to him as she closed her eyes. "Then I trust it too..." she took a steady breath and stayed still as she waited for him to put it back on her, she assumed by phasing, as she braced for pain if he wasn't exactly accurate about it, but she trust him completely. "...no.. thank you ... for trusting me..." she whispered with a faint smile.

Ashral missed the look of surprise then sadness as he watched her that faded into a smile as he moved the collar against her neck then phased it angling himself so he could see all the way around. Using the tip of his fingers on the outside edge he adjusted it until he got it as close as he could before solidifying with it, eyes wide.

Tri still didn't move watching the whole thing in confusion, wondering how the world went crazy in the past few days. Ashral.... acting so unlike herself. Ree trusting her...and she him.

Ashral held her breath and stayed perfectly still as he phased the collar back onto her, wincing only slightly as it solidified, but it seemed to have worked. She kept her eyes closed.

After a few moments, she opened her eyes and they were red and blue again, her hand reaching up to touch the collar, a sigh of relief escaping her lips as she then slid her eyes to Tri and they widened very slightly. "...Tri..." she whispered, taking in a stifled breath as she slid her foot forward but hesitated seeing the cougar and then realizing that he was probably still on guard from Ashral being there that she didn't want to startle him. Still, in her mind, she wanted to just run to him, hug him even, just know that he was real and affirm that he was alive and okay. She suddenly noticed the bruises on his face and the burn mark on his cheek as a hint of pain in her blank eyes, already questioning what happened to him in her mind.

Ree relaxed when there was no indication of pain. "Good?" He asked watching her touch the collar then look up at Tri...Hexxis.

Looking up at the shadow arc then back he took a step away and let out a breath.

Tri watched them emotionlessly, both the shadow and he tensed when Hexxis took a step toward them. Grateful when Hexxis stopped he didn't have to deal with the confusion of either pulling away from Hexxis or hugging her.

"You let Ashral go....and she let you collar her again .." There was a flicker of confusion on his face, was almost certain Ashral had some control on Ree when he saw her without the collar. "Hexxis? The whole situation ...can you explain it to me. What has happened..what you are feeling? " he glanced up at Ree who looked confused, his black and blue wings lifting then lowering again. A good sign.

Looking back at Hexxis he watched her as the cougar disappeared into the shadows, but made no move to approach them. It hurt deeply having to second guess their words even their intentions but he couldn't assume that it wasn't a plot or plan from either Ashral or Ree..so he asked the only person he knew who was more or less always truthful.

Hexxis watched Tri's confusion on his face, hearing him question Ashral and Ree, knowing exactly what he was thinking. As he asked here to explain, she nodded. "Ree came to SIU to retrieve supplies and did not plan to break us out but decided last minute that he should do so anyway. I did encourage him, however, so I am partly to blame for his reckless behavior on that front. He had explained that parley did not go as planned in the worst scenarios and you all were separated and that he explained he was being framed for the murder of a city leader. I helped break out the other two kids at first. My argument with Ashral led to being shot. She took over and killed to soldiers and maimed another. She also fought against Kae in a sword battle in front of Lieutenant Colonel Asriel." she kept her emotionless gaze on Tri as she spoke, explaining everything she knew up until this point, "Ashral was able to escape with the help of Kae and Zira, although she chose to leave Leukos and Melody behind. Zira had saved Ree from almost dying and being captured himself. We were taken to a safe house which we discovered was a renegade base and found a map with many more like it that I have memorized. During our stay to rest, Ashral and Ree talked a lot. About their pasts and family and the song that Ashral and I sing at times.. mudane things, really. Ree asked Ashral to be his sister, saying that if you could bring me into the family without asking him, that he could too bring in her into the family." she paused for a moment, thinking about other things that had been said.

'Don't you ******** dare, Hexxis. You were supposed to be asleep! You weren't supposed to hear any of that stuff!!'

Hexxis sighed, moving away from the topic of what they talked about after that. "We rested after that and I had... nightmares. In our panicked state, Ree phased the collar off of me. They decided to keep it off for the time being. Ree was cautious enough to keep a tranquilizer on him. In my opinion, it was too much of a risk, but it worked out in their.. our favor. We were attacked by armored units and Ashral maimed yet another soldier. That's how we arrived here, and now they don't know whether you are here as a trap or out of genuine concern for their well being. Trust is... fragile."

"As for how I feel... I am fatigued, but able to continue moving. Mentally, I am apprehensive about their relationship as I feel it is not on equal ground. The metaphor being that one could easily slip on uneven terrain. Though, I am sure they are both aware of that and still continue on regardless."

Ree twitched wings lifting and flaring slightly then lowering at the mention of the two death and the maiming. "Hexxis! ...." He hissed softly but sharply, staring at the other meta in both disbelief and exasperation. She wasn't supposed to blurt -all- of that out, he assumed he had Ashral to thank when she moved away from the topic before touching on the other thing but...raawwrrr!! Really? Tri did not need to know even half of that ..nope.

Tri looked even more confused as Hexxis went on. Confused and exasperated while watching Ree's body language, especially his wings which he had yet to learn to control from showing his emotion. Satisfied he looked back at Hexxis and starting to shake his head in amazement as it lined up with what bit Mara had been able to scrounge up. An truly utter mess and they were both alive only because of Kae and Zira ... That he had to keep in mind. And ..........oh goodness....no.

"You adopted...a malice?!" He blurted and stared at Ree intently, trying to see any hint of pink in that white hair because he was almost certain they were somehow related in stupid situations like this.

Ree turned to him and frowned, wings lifting a bit defensively. "Yes" narrowing his eyes as if daring him to say anything.

"...." Narrows his eyes back. "Later" he warned blinking in confusion at the sudden relief instead of anger...oh.

"I agree with you, Hexxis. I am apprehensive as well... But they seem to have at least have gain some god-only-knows understanding in each other that is making what shouldn't work...work. " and he saw it, he couldn't deny there was a change in Ashral and a confirmation in her hatred for him. "So for the time being, to avoid even more ...misunderstands and deaths " he looked at them both. "You should come with me... It's not a trap. SIU is after all of us since Parley ..." He looked at Hexxis. "And you for stolen property " a grimace since that was the same on his warrant to. "You managed to find the renegade safe houses...I would like a map of that later...am I good in assuming you were hunting for me with them?"

Ree looked flustered then alarmed and finally worried, wings lowering again as he looked at Hexxis. If he left her there they wouldn't be looking ...but it would only have been a small time before Ashral just considered the contract broken and or they did something to them without Mara there. "Looking for you and Mara. I found lightning strikes and glass near the trailer and ozone. I assumed you were captured" his said curiously, eyes moving to the bruise on his face and the burns, but no other indications of damage from the way he carried himself....and the collar was missing...

Tri frown raising his hand up as if to either touch his face or neck but stopped. "They let me go. Mara is back at the base but she is not in charge. She will deal with helping Melody and Leukos escape. Kae is also missing." He took a step toward them now and waited to see their reactions. Their words the exhausted look on their faces combined with the blood on their clothes...He was incline to believe them. Their story was a mess...an utter mess which made him more in line to believe them. Either ways he wanted them with him....he didn't want to have to second guess his family.....he might have even done it even if Ree had purposely killed (Criel) if there was a good enough reason. His family wasn't big but that was what he was most loyal too... Including putting them in the right path if needed.

Hexxis slid her eyes to Ree as he hissed at her, her expression never changing as she blinked, then shifted her gaze back to Tri. He was suggesting they go with him. She didn't even seem phased at the insinuation of her being property, as she was. She nodded as he asked her for a map later of the bases. "I can draw it, or mark it on a map." she commented bluntly. She listened to their exchange, moving her gaze back and forth as she then landed on Ree. "We should go with him, brother. It is advantageous for us to stick together." Without much further explanation, she began to move toward Tri.

Tri watched her and relaxed, holding his hands out slightly if she wanted a hug. It was automatic, because he wanted to hug them, take them both away. Be relieved that they still cared even if that trust had been almost broken moments before.

Ree stared after her, wings shifting uncomfortably agains the ground before he finally moved after her and stuck his young out at her back.

"They let you go and Kae is missing?' He looked up again following Hexxis, "do I have to ask why? " he didn't smirk as he might have any other day, he jus watched him tiredly.

"... I don't know why they did. Zaku is odd...and Mara mentioned Kae's disapperences when she woke up. No one seems to be looking... So we will where we can. She saved you two..the is the least we can do"

Hexxis resisted every urge to start running as he offered a hug, only walking straight into his arms like she wasn't going to stop, wrapping her arms as far as they would go. She closed her eyes, just happy that the physical touch of his jacket seemed to be the only thing that soldified how real he was and that he was okay. She took a few moments before releasing again, her face still expressionless as she turned to look at Ree, her hand reflexively grabbing onto Tri's jacket. "Zaku healed me when I was deceased, and let me go as well. Even suggested he stay with me until SIU arrived to retrieve me. The other members convinced him otherwise.... However, I do feel he is very out of the ordinary." she mentioned to Tri. She nodded as he suggested they still look for Kae or at least keep an eye out for her.

Tri smiled cry faintly and bent over to returned her hug, mantling his wings over her protectively for as long as the hug lasted and pulled them back. Feeling more comfortable as she pulled on his jacket, as it it was right. "Zaku? How do you know that?" He glanced at them both, and the odd look Ree was giving him. He extended his middle wings out to the other meta and waited silently.

Ree took a step forward and brushed wings with him, not jealous of the hug he gave Hexxis. Hugs were just awkward between them. "Ash sent Hexxis the memories she had of that moments. " he said quietly.

Tri frowned faintly "She was dead?..." Something none of them had been able to explain up to then.

Hexxis nodded. "Yes, Ashral was able to pull my soul back with the help of Leukos. Ashral was still able to hear everything that happened during that time. She let me listen to it all in her memories." She explained. "Ree took notes of important key points."

Tri looked down at Hexxis seriously, looking at her duel colored eyes for ..something and not finding it. "... You three go into the metaphysical and lose me there " he shook his head, just glad it worked even if the implications were staggering as well the the shared memory. He wondered if it worked in the opposite way as well....was Ree actually right? Or was Ashral just doing this because of her self bounded contract? She was working along with Hexxis...

Looking at Ree he nodded faintly, brushing wings back "I would also like to see those encase there was anything we missed." before he motioned to the packs and waited. "Ready to port?" He glanced at them both while Ree's packs hovered up to him.

Hexxis gripped his jacket tighter, stepping closer as she looked to Ree then looked to Tri and nodded with a faint smile.

"Yes yes." but there was still a faint smile of relief and worry as he stepped closer. It didn't mean things were finished but at least they had a better ground on which to stand. It was sad to see how fast they could doubt each other....that was something to keep in mind from now on and see what can change it. Moving closer he pulled the packs to them.

Tri smiled faintly and shadow jumps them twice before reaching the hotel room he had rented.

There was only silence as Cordelia shadowed away. Ree held up the card shakily in his hand and pocket it before falling back down and glaring in Tri's direction. Insanity, Cordelia said? he could believe it considering he was acting all trusting before, but it didn't change what he was feeling. Fear, betrayal and anger flared up with the pain coursing through his body making him want to actually cry or scream or just hide under his wings. Tri would have killed Hexxis ..would have killed him. Tried to.

Tri rubbed his arm tiredly and stood up while keeping an eye on Ree. Guilt pulled ahead of his worry and confusion as he focused only at the moment. "..." he didn't know what to say, he didn't even remember doing anything other than trying to get aw-...a girl touching his face?.

He ran his hand through his hair then lowered it after seeing Ree bare his teeth. " Ar...." he stopped, no of course he wasn't. "...." he shook his head slightly wanting to move to him but the look warned him away. "I don't know what happened. I was getting away from Michael, phased out of the wall fell and now wake up here" he said bluntly, uncomfortable since he didn't know what else to say but the truth even when his own handiwork was in evidence on one of the people he cared for. It made him sick, sick at himself

Ree glared as the burns on his skin very slowly lightning as he stopped tired. "You tried to kill me. You tried to kill Cordelia who looked like Hexxis.... you likely were chasing Mara to kill her too" he looked up at Tri pushing himself up and angrily grabbed on to his own shaking arm to make it stop. Trying to keep his anger instead of going cold.

"Cordelia said you were crazy, I was under something to, but at least I knew not to attack those I know!" maybe it was unfair, he hadn't been able to fight what ever had happen to him, he was never even aware. So unaware he trusted an EE member for goodness sake and was lucky she pulled through. No truthfully he was freaked out because for that moment Tri had seemed sane with him and distraught with Hexxis patting her head even as he analyzed how to kill her.

Watching him Tri slowly knelt on the ground, he had no idea where they were but so far it looked safe. "Ree, listen to me. I do not remember what I did..what happened at all. " he said quietly, his mind catching on to the mention of Mara with a flicker of fear but he pushed it down for the moment."However, I wouldn't take what I did as any hidden desire to actually hurt any of you." he kept his voice even trying to calm him down even as he had no idea how to actually fix this.

"....Then tell me who is Estrian? Grey storm of blood? crying..." he pulled his top wings around his body looking away finally.

He missed the looked of alarm on Tri's face as the other meta closed his hands into a fist. He said that? damn it! What point was hiding it now? He shouldn't have hidden it so long anyways and now he told him when he was tapped into his own fears. "Your other parent. A healer in Hinale and a target. He is the one who killed the unit Mara and I were in. He almost killed me but regain his sanity a bit later and healed me instead. " the glow in his eyes dull slightly as he continued.

"He loses his sanity and ki......" he blinked and looked at Ree's injured, he did that ..he tried to kill him? just like Est did? " you can't reason with him. The items I gave you to choose..was to hopefully prevent that. " he continued forcing himself to look up. "Estrian tried to get me to stay when I was healed up. He... no, we tried it, we summoned you and I stayed for a week. yet, I couldn't just leave what I tried to start nor could I just leave you so I took you with me. He is still alive and fine last I heard of him. Kai would sometimes tell me when I visited" he went emotionless just watching him and staying where he was.


".......So....." he shook his head, tried to say something and just lowered his head and shook it again. "You never knew how to say something like that emphatically ..." he went quiet at the realization of Tri's preference and looked faintly uncomfortable. " So you loved and left....and never even told me. Then.. you fear me... you've always feared me? darn it Tri!!!" he looked up wings pulling away, already emotional and wanting to leave but he wasn't like Hexxis.

"....I may have worried you inherited that.You didn't. You are as you are, a little selfish, annoying, kind, prideful, clever, ambitious, happy. Protective of those you care about. I didn't want to change you or Hexxis to be what Mara and I are, even if you are both already heading in that direction. " he looked very uncomfortable. "I fear for both of you... what has happened.. everything since Parely has not been very lucky for us but we're still alive. That is what was most important to me... Estrian had me choose between him and you and Mara. Neither would accept the other, he knew I wouldn't leave without you ..so I chose."

"....I was just a pawn piece then" he left out a soft pained laugh as he looked down at the blue feather of his wings. " manipulative... I guess I got that from...him. " he lowered his wings and sighed but said nothing more for quite sometime as he stared at the blue edges of his wings.

"You shadow jumped after hitting the ground. Cordelia came to me looking like you and had me show her to the hotel room." wondering why he didn't figure it out when she hugged him so many times, feeling a pain in his heart as he thought about it and her crying face. " We found Hexxis note. Calling herself a burden and not wanting to inconvenience us further. Cordelia returned to her normal shape then offered to help me find her before Haven did. She was crying....but I really wanted to see you. So she took us to ..Norcrest" realizing only now how powerful Cordelia had to be in that skill for her to be able to make it here then still leave them using the same thing.

Shaking his head slightly, feeling numb he continued. "Right into the base as she disguised herself. We saw you getting attacked by the prototype armors while chasing after Mara. Mara tried to get them to stop but they shot at you. I teleported and tried to protect you and suddenly we were teleported and you attacked us ...then ...now" he waved to the grass, looking up as the wind picked up and blew some loose leaves around them.

Tri looked away again, listening but fearful. He focused on what was said in disbelief, Hexxis ran away, and EE member helped out and Mara, who he hoped was okay, saw them. This was like a dream but he couldn't delude himself into thinking of it as one, everything was real and on top of it all he couldn't remember anything. He might have also questioned Ree being like Cordelia, another shifter, but then why mention it at all.

Pushing himself to his feet he looked at Ree and took a step toward him, noticing he didn't react now. " I am sorry..." he trailed off looked pained, wings drooping along with his two injured ones, they needed to find a place to rest for a while and head back to look for Hexxis....the thing was if Ree would join him or leave. He didn't doubt Ree could survive alone, he knew most of the dangers and how to avoid them, it just hurt him that he would leave now after what he said even if he had all right.

".... " Ree shook his head and got up slowly, his good hand holding his trembling one and just started walking. "(place) ....there is a safe house near by. " he muttered dully and just walked, wings trailing behind him hearing Tri's foot steps follow nearly a minute later.

I wasn't able to do anything... She is gone. Her only warning...hours to late.

"Script error means death please help me tri emotions too much easy now"

Did emotions cause script error? How much was she suffering when it activated? Was there anyway to get her back?

I am here feeling like as worthless piece of refuse, being unable to keep her safe...even if it was from us.

I am trying to do a few things at once on my end while Mara works on hers with Hexxis. I am staying near until there is a final verdict. That might likely be years but I would stay... Keep Anadii safe, if I don't fail that as well.

Ree...... I don't know him. I don't even know how to help him even if I want to shake him for what he did to Hexxis. I wish I saw how jealous he was before it got to this point. Yet choose a malice over Hexxis?

Tri stared quietly at his phone, at the message that he could see there and just not comprehend.

"There is a Malice here named Ashral, Ree does not know if I am safe here."

Already he had tried to call Ree's phone twice but it went directly to voice mail and now he was calling Anadii, only after Bob stopped long enough for him to squeeze to the back seats to grab his pack and the laptop there.

"It's only been 10 minutes. What trouble did he get into now?"

".....stay in the same hotel room as a Malice"

"..................... Wow. uh... Anadii has skill. " she muttered shaking her head in quiet disbelief

"...Ree was hunting for a specific one. I didn't expect him to find her at all, much less agree to let Anadii go " he clenched the phone in his hands and waited.

"...Cocky isn't her. She's a new bounty? Taking one down isn't going to take his warrant off"

"No. Thinks she is his friend. "

"..... Takes after his grandmother"

"..." says nothing to her and waits.

"So what happened?" Bob glanced at the rear view mirror as Tri eyed the front seat again and seemed to give up on the thought.

"Short version. Ree found the malice and was with her. Anadii was able to leave before he was stabbed. Ree's phone is throwing me directly to voice mail and Mara isn't answering" he said quietly glaring at the traitorous phone.

"Anadii jumped again and didn't make it. He is in Morrad. I have the address. He will wait until we get there then To figure out what to do"

"......." Bob shook her head. "..... Just. Nothing seems to go right when you're not there does it?" she snort getting a glare from Tri which she ignored. "Other than your son. As far as I know stubborn stupidity can't be cured. Mara should be fine, Anadii seems to be fine. Just lay down and take a nap. Nothing you can do right now, not even jump. Call them in an hour or so" she said turning on the radio.

Tri watched her frowning as he held the phone and sighed, relaxing his grip and laying down in the seat. There wasn't much he could do, going forward he helped two people going back he would only be checking in on Mara who would likely casts her ghosts on him when she was fine. He'll tell her where Ree is and let her handle that...something he should be doing. Laying down on his side he shifted his wings uncomfortably until he could lay down and finally close his eyes but never slept, fingers just tightening on the phone case waiting.