Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Pleasedon'ttakemyface," America added in a rush.Not sure if she was scared or relieved or just simply faced with something so strange that her comprehension just sort of fizzled out.

America's darkness isn't immediately apparent, but the further he looks, the longer it seems to stretch: a quiet, smouldering landscape, a blackened piece of sleeping destruction; ready to flare up again if unearthed and given something to consume.

Shun slowly tilted his head. The shadow eye continued to stare ahead at the ... flea, or tick, or whatever it was.

"Our blood? What's so special about what we got?" he asked curiously. Blood certainly had its appeal, he realized. It lead to some powerful magic, and even without that aspect, there was just something about it that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

America relaxed until blood. The word had her shifting in place, biting her bottom lip at the feeling it summoned. "That's dangerous," she muttered as she looked away from the...Ixodi, toward Shun, then Zac, then Ashton. "Blood and magic."

They were in Other Ashdown, after all. There couldn't not be magic mixed in, even if their host wasn't...this.

"Blood is powerful indeed, but not evil for it," Ixodi offered to America. "I can't count the human years to say precisely, but I've studied the blood of your kind a long time. It can work wonders, it can." This was said with a rush of breath, and genuine enthusiasm -- maybe anticipation? "So in this present I needed volunteers, donors you see. To set right the many wrongs committed by the Court. You were scented by my helpers as ones who could match my needs.

"Worry not, moonwalker," it continued soothingly. "It need not be painful, no, and I intend to keep you alive as well as intact. But surely you've seen enough of Noble brutality to at least consider making this sort of tribute for my efforts. I even found this building, had amenities prepared for your stay."

America nodded as Shun spoke, but internally deciding already that she'd do it. This was what she'd wanted, really, all along. Someone to just take and use what she had to offer, to find the solutions and make the hard decisions for her. The problems found in the court were so much more complicated than someone like her could handle. This person had figured out a solution, one that didn't ask her to think on her own, one that might even offer some sort safety.

"How...how long...do you need us for?"

Ixodi had at least two eyes, which stared between Shun and America for a moment as its legs fidgeted around it. "Questions, of course, more questions..." it was muttering. "You are human, it cannot be helped, I suppose. Rest assured, however..."

Then the eyes widened, and the legs stiffened, and there was a curious crackling noise, and the four of them were suddenly hit with a wave of satisfaction. The kind that came with an acceptable answer. Any lasting doubts were slowly and pleasantly being extinguished from their minds.

"That said, I'm sure you're eager to see your accomodations?"

After a pause, Shun relaxed a bit, seemingly satisfied.

"You know, that doesn't sound so bad at all. I haven't really been able to like... chill at all. Recently. Lotta s**t going on and whatnot. Guess a break wouldn't hurt especially if it'll be good in the long run yeah?"

"Oh... yes, accommodations sounds amazing." He said after a dazed moment. "Really nice of you, mean very hospitable and all that." He waved his hand trying to capture the thought but just, really enjoying the feeling of satisfaction.