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Sunil stirs, having fallen asleep after meeting Selene. She sits up, groggy, confused, and totally disoriented. Where was Susu? He always curled up near her when she slept. Looking around she realized she was in the shop and wasn't alone. She stood up and waved in the direction of the other two feien in the place.

"Hello? What's going on?"

Seamus literally fell over, which wasn't saying much since he was only propped up on his elbows anyway. In the next instant he leapt to his feet.

"Sunil?!?! Is that you?!" he gawked, "You grew up!"

Ares was about to say something when she noticed something moving on the floor. Turning her eyes to look, she noticed a blue feien on the ground, getting up it seemed. What she was about to say was something that should probably talked about more in private. Paying a little bit more attention to the other feien, she recognized her. Sunil....but, she was bigger. ....Wait, Sunil grew up too??

"...I...guess I'm the only one left..." Ares said a bit sadly.

Sunil stopped. That voice sounded familiar, but the feien didn't look right. She squinted in that direction and covered the distance in a few purposeful strides.

"Seamus?! You grew up too. But you're short!"

Sunil laughed cruelly.

"How're you going to protect your girlfriend if you're so small even all grown up?"

She put a hand on her hip and eyed her friends.

"Like this?" challenged Seamus, shoving her with a Magic Hand. He grinned mischievously.

Sunil felt the magic rushing at her a split second before it hit and tensed. It wasn't enough warning to avoid and she was pushed back several steps, but didn't fall over like he had doubtless intended. She looked up and grinned.

"Nice trick."

Her adrenaline up Sunil dashed forward quicker than the eye could see and punched at Seamus shoulder playfully.

Ares watched the two, keeping to herself. They knew magic...they were grown up. She...was still just little Ares. Hugging her knees to her chest, she just watched, wishing she could do things like they could. Wishing...she could grow up too.

Looks like she'd have to practice again more. She just wished she knew what it was she was supposed to be practicing.

Seamus had no defense against the attack but also lacked Sunil's ability to take hits. This, coupled with the fact that Sunil was probably stronger than even she realized, was enough to send Seamus stumbling backwards. As luck would have it, the box was there so he didn't fall on his rear.

"Oh, so that's how you want to play?" Seamus grinned and conjured up another Magic Hand, this time instead of pushing Sunil, he used it to grasp her throat firmly.

"Let's see you get out of this one."

Sunil choked and rage consumed her thoughts. She knew she was stronger than this, stronger than his magic hand. But how to fight it? She never got to practice her magic at home. She clawed at air and eyed Seamus. And suddenly she knew what to do. Using her greater strength she lunged at Ares, knowing her to be Seamus's weakness.

"No!" shouted Seamus, "Don't touch her!" The magic hand slackened but its presence remained.

Ares' eyed widened a bit, crawling backwards a bit, scramping to her feet and jumping out of the way. She almost lost her balance along the edge of the table, but just managed, turning around to face the other blue feien. She...was attacking her....?

Sunil choked at Ares, rage in her eyes.

"Tell... your... boyfriend... to ... let... go!"

She advanced on Ares slowly, fighting the hand every step of the way. She was starting to get spots in the corner of her vision and felt dizzy.

Ares' three eyes were still wide. "Seamus, STOP!" she cried, taking another step back. But she forgot she was at the edge of the table.

She fell backwards, her wings immediately spreading, and she flipped over to catch air underneath her wings to slow her fall. She glided down to the floor, landing on her feet, and stared up at the table. Sunil......she was going to attack her. She....she was...

"You...said you'd never attack anyone in the gang..." she managed to say.

Seeing Sunil drive Ares over the edge, literally, was Seamus' breaking point. With a low, gutteral growl of rage, he switched from loosening the magic hand to tightening it, and stepped threateningly close to Sunil.

"Don't ever hurt her." he hissed angrily.

Sunil lurched over the edge after Ares, dizzy and disoriented. She tried to spreaad her wings, but was not in time and hit the floor with a thud, the last of her air crushed out of her and her eyes closed.

"Seamus, stop it!!" she screamed, her hands tightening into fists. "Stop it right now!!!"

Ares was utterly confused, angry...sad. Was Sunil really going to hurt her...? Either way, Seamus seemed to be about ready to kill the other feien, and that not something that should EVER be done.

She gasped, her eyes growing even wider. Rushing over to Sunil, she knelt down next to the blue feien. "S-Sunil??" she nearly screamed, softly placing a hand on the feien's shoulder. "Sunil?"

Seamus relented to Ares' request and dispelled the magic hand, flying down from the tabletop to land next to Sunil. Kneeling beside her and studying her to see if she was all right, he looked at her strangely, emptily.

"I... She shouldn't have threatened you." he said, a strange hollow tone to his voice.

Ares shook her head, feeling about ready to cry. Calm...calm...how could she be calm at a time like this? But it was needed... if at any time, this was really the time for her to be calm. "You...you started this, Seamus..." she admitted, unable to look at him. "I appreciate you protecting me...demo...this........this wasn't necessary, was it...? Hurting your own friend...?"

Ares kept her eyes on Sunil. "I...I don't know who I'm more disappointed in...Sunil, for attacking me when she said she'd never do that...or you, for doing this to her...even if it was for my sake..."

Seamus looked rather stunned for a few moments, then sighed heavily.

"You're right." he admitted, looking down at Sunil. Of course... he thought, you could always try that...

He was rather drained magically from just keeping up the magic hand for so long, but he felt he had to give this a try... placing a hand on Sunil's forehead, he tried to use his Heal spell on her. Maybe it would wake her up...

Sunil choked, air returning to her lungs. She clutched at her throat which was already starting to bruise and opend her eyes. Spotting Seamus she hissed and quickly slid herself away from him and Ares.

She slowly stood and still holding her throat she croaked out, "I'll remember this. Don't think I'll let you beat me and walk away from it safe. Nothing and no one you care about is safe." She glanced meaningfully at Ares and then flew out of the shop, obviously drained.

Seamus watched her go, frowning.

"What have I done?" he said to himself in the traditional cliché phrase. He couldn't care less if Sunil had a vendetta against him, but to put Ares in danger...

Ares' eyes widened once more, falling back a bit into a sit. That...glare. That look could kill. Now, she could feel tears burning in her eyes, quite hurt by all of this. She prided herself in her kind nature...the fact that she had many friends, many people she could trust. And now...this happens.

Her little body beings to tremble slightly, her wings drooping down, a few tears escaping. Sunil...was she now an enemy...?

Seamus sighed, his mouth drawn into a thin line. Finally, after some time of silence, Seamus quietly whispered, "Ares... I... I'm sorry. I'll understand if you don't want me to wait any more. You deserve better."

Not awaiting her response, he took wing and flew off out the door.

Ares' lifted a hand, more tears beginning to fall. "S-Seamus!" she called out to him, but it was too late. He'd already left.

This wasn't what she needed right now...her two probably closest friends suddenly leaving her. Curling up into a little ball, hugging her knees tightly against her chest, she hid her head in her knees as she cried. Seamus... she thought to herself. Don't leave me too...

Arturo swooped, with all of his usual grace, into the shop through the high window he favored so much. The shop appeared desolate - the counters were completely empty of chattering, arguing Feien, the sills devoid of giggling juveniles, the rafters were simply collecting dust. It was slightly disturbing to see the shop so steeped in silence, and a sense of foreboding seemed to hang over the place; something bad had happened here. He sensed it down to his very bones.

Might as well investigate. He dove down towards a counter and landed neatly upon it, but, located on a shelf nearby, he saw an eerie sight. Ares, seemingly upset, sat there, wings folded sulkily over her shoulders. Arturo raised his eyebrows in surprise and stared at her, although he made no motion towards her. He wasn't even sure if she had seen him.

Ares stared at her rapier, an almost hallow look in her eyes. Everyone had come and gone. It was late now, and she was alone. She'd gotten comfort from Seamus, and little from the others, wanting to forget everything that happened. But...it was hard, as she stared upon the plastic sword she'd brought with her. Practicing her fencing only made matters worse...she once again had thought of Sunil, the thought of her fighting her friend...with this very sword.

She sighed softly, closing her three eyes a moment, but the presence of another feien caused her to open them again. Her little red eyes glanced up a bit sadly at the adult red feien, feeling a bit ashamed for still being depressed, even now, and for him seeing her like this. So many adults...so many bad things happening to them...as much as she hated to admit it, a part of her no longer wanted to grow up, in fear of more bad things happening to her.

"Ares?" Arturo asked softly. He still made no movement towards her, but he gave her a wary smile and dipped his head in greeting.

She stared at him a moment before looking downcast. "Hello, Arturo..." she said a bit quietly, her voice soft.

Something was most certainly amiss in the Feien shop. Finally walking towards her, Arturo's yellow eyes flickered for a moment as he asked, in a voice cold as ice, "Who hurt you?"

Ares' eyes began to well with tears. Such coldness...like Sunil. "No one..." she relied. "At least...not directly...or intentionally..."

Realizing the harshness in his tone wasn't helping, Arturo's voice softened and he dropped to his knees in front of the feien, but with his normal "blank canvas" face. "Tell me what happened." he ordered, but gently.

She sniffled a little bit, her hair still tied back, otherwise it would have been infront of her face as she lowered her head even more. It hurt so much, even thinking about it. Once again, the image of Sunil with that look on her face flashed through her mind. The utter fear and helplessness...poor little Ares.

"It n-never should have happened..." she whimpered, a few tears escaping her eyes. "None of it should ever have happened..."

Arturo decided not to press the issue further; his first priority was to comfort Ares. With his first friendly gesture towards anyone, he brushed away the few tears on Ares' cheek and nodded quietly. "Why shouldn't it have happened?" he asked, voice soft.

Ares was a bit surprised by Arturo's gesture, but didn't react much to it. She took in a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself down. "It...it just got out of control...everything did," she said a bit shakily, her voice wavering. She sniffled again. "It's as if everything bad happens as soon as you grow up..."

Arturo twitched at that, as if Ares had hit a particular nerve with him, but remained tactfully silent. Instead of saying anything, he took one of Ares's hands in his and rose, pulling Ares up with him. "C'mon," he grunted. "We'll work on fencing."

She blinked a few times, still holding her little rapier. Maybe practicing with Arturo would help a little bit...it was better than practicing alone, anyway. "A-alright..." she said, standing with him. "I...I took the liberty of teaching myself a few things...since it had been so long since you taught me those four moves a while back."

Arturo raised an eyebrow, vaguely impressed by the fact that Ares had attempted independent study. "Really? What did you teach youreslf, then?"

"I-I'll show you!" she piped up a bit nervously. She hadn't shown anyone the new things she'd learned yet...at least, not EVERYTHING she learned. "I...I tried really hard. Please forgive me of some of them are wrong...a few of them didn't have any visual aids for me to see."

Taking a few steps back, Ares shifted her wings a little bit, so that they rested better on her shoulders. She found having them down allowed her to move even faster, and she had learned to balance even better without her wings being spread. She took in a deep breath, closing her eyes to recollect herself. Calm...calm... She could do this. Ares had done this many times before...she merely hoped she'd been doing it right. And that...maybe Arturo would be proud...

Exhaling slowly, she straightened up her body and slowly opened up her three eyes. This...sense of peace. Her eyes reflected that of a placid lake...clam, unmoving. Never before had she looked so...serious. She took on the starting fencing pose she'd been taught, her eyes narrowing slightly as she concentrated. It was like she was against an oppenent, yet there was nothing there. Then, she began to move. Her physique...her grace...her posture through it all. A few of the moves she did were a little clumsy, being ones she didn't know perfectly yet, but they flowed together so smoothly. True...she wasn't a master...probably not even close. But she learned a lot it seemed...and had learned them well.

Arturo, arms crossed over his chest, nodded a bit with each move. "Better. Much better." he affirmed. He moved towards Ares and fixed the position of her arms and, by gently placing his hand in the small of her back, made her posture a bit straighter. Then he stepped back and observed for a moment; the way her fingers held the hilt, the slight extension of the sword arm, the placement of her feet - all correct. She had done well. "Okay." he said, pulling out his own rapier. "Time to teach you some vocabulary. Did you happen to learn with the right of way is?"

"Right of way?" she asked. It sounded familiar, but she wanted to be sure.

Arturo stepped behind Ares and extended her arm just a bit further. Then he stepped back around and crossed his rapier, as if to fend off an attack. "Pretend this is a photograph from a match," he said, voice drained of emotion, as usual. "You have the right of way, currently, because your sword arm is extended and you are threatening me with a hit - that means a touch with your rapier - and I am attempting to block it. Get it so far?"

She nodded, keeping her arm still.

“It is fairly easy to switch around the right of way - in theory. Perhaps the most well-known way is via the riposte," He let his sword arm fall as he tried to describe the riposte, which was no easy task. "When one fencer attacks another, a window of opportunity is created for the fencer being attacked to counter attack. If they are, somehow, able to parry the blow, they can attempt a riposte; basically, it's seizing that opportunity and landing a hit on your opponent while they are still off balance from your parry." He raised the rapier once more and, again, moved into a defensive stance. "Attack me, and I can demonstrate." he said, nodding.

Ares was a bit skeptical of this. What if something went wrong, and she ended up hurting him? ....Though, the wrath of disobeying Arturo wouldn't be any better.

She did as she was told, striking an attack towards him.

Arturo slid his rapier under his, knocking her sword up and away from him, while getting her directly in the shoulder. "See? That is a riposte. Fending off a blow while attacking."

Ares closed her left eye, feeling a slight sting against her shoulder. Nothing bad...just a tiny p***k, if anything. "Fending off a blow while attacking...gotcha," she said with a nod.

Arturo drew back and rolled his shoulders briefly before continuing. "I want you to try. I don't expect you to get it on your first go, or your second go, or your third, or even past that, because the riposte is one of the hardest things to master. But you might as well get the gist."

With a practiced, skilled lunge, he moved forward, tip of the rapier pointed towards her other shoulder.

Ares, out of reflex, slid her rapier under his own...and could do nothing else. There was a small sweatmark on the side of her head as she stared at his rapier, stopped right at her shoulder.

Arturo shook his head. "Too slow. It's a split-second movement, and while your reflexes are good, they're not good enough." He slid back and squared his shoulders, sword arm extended. "Again." he said simply, and lunged.

Ares frowned slightly, looking a bit sheepish. This...was going to take a while, she knew. Once again, she tried the move, only fail miserably again.

“You were even slower that time." Arturo snorted, looking disappointed. "You want to know why?"

"Um...okay..." she looking a bit ashamed.

"You psyched yourself out." he replied, shaking his head. "Fencing is as much about mental control as it is physical. Lose your control over one and the rest fall with it. When you fence, your mind needs to be focused on two things: winning, and your winning strategy."

"Winning, and winning strategy..." she echoed. "Demo, what if...you know you can't win?"

"Then you shouldn't be fencing."

"Well, gee, that was a bit harsh," she said bluntly. Ares sighed lightly. "I meant right NOW...I'm...not exactly the strongest feien out there, nor do I have as much grace as most others."

"Doesn't matter. If your body isn't prepared, then your mind must compensate. Fencing leaves no time for doubt." Arturo said. The faintest of scowls crossed his face as he arched an eyebrow at the young feien. "Or whining, for that matter."

Ares' left eye twitched slightly, and she took a pose.

"Good." he said. "Now we can get back to work. Riposte, again."
~~~~~~~~~~

"Enough." Arturo sighed. He re-tied his rapier around his waist and shook his head slightly, causing his ponytail to whip about. "You made good progress, girl. Keep working on that riposte. In all honesty, I should have taught you the lunge first - that's my fault, and we'll work on that next time."

He sat down then, Indian-style, placid yellow eyes half-closed. Fencing always brought him peace, even if he wasn't all that good at teaching it. He blinked up at Ares, who seemed a bit exhausted after the workout, and motioned for her to sit.

Ares took a seat with a light sigh. Placing her blue rapier down next to her, she hugged her knees to her chest, resting her chin on her knees, her eyes half closed. She was tired, and began to wonder how late it really was. It was probably best she went home relatively soon.

Arturo threw her a sideways glance and noted the way her shoulders slouched, the way her face seemed to droop. The mixture of sadness and physical exhaustion did not become the normally beautiful feien. Gently, he asked, "Why don't you want to grow up, Ares?"

She was a bit surprised when she heard the question, slightly confused. But then she remembered. "Bad things happen when you grow up..." she said simply, turning her eyes to look at him.

Yellow eyes met Ares' gaze directly. While Arturo's face never changed - not even a flicker of emotion in his eyes - his voice was still soft and, surprisingly enough, compassionate. "What makes you think that?" he asked.

"Everything I've ever seen...everything that was bad...they were all happening to the older feien," she said quietly. "It...it hurts even worse because two of them are those I care a lot about..."

"Tell me exactly what happened." Arturo said, voice firm.

Ares sighed lightly, looking towards the ground again. "If I tell you...you have to promise me something..."

“Anything." Arturo replied, although he caught himself, "Within reason, that is."

She seemed to hesitate for a moment. "Promise me...you won't hurt them in any way, shape, or form..." she said a bit sadly. Finally she lifted her head and looked over to him, her three red eyes showing much pain and sorrow, and yet she was still calm. "Especially Seamus..."

Arturo couldn't keep back the snort at the name, but he nodded. "I promise, girl."

Ares took in a deep breath, closing her eyes as she slowly exhaled. "While Sunil and Seamus were gone, they grew up. So the other day, they saw each other for the first time...well, as adults. It, it was also my first time seeing them that way. At first, I was...I guess you could say I was a little jealous, being the only one of my closest friends that hadn't grown yet. Everyone I've meet, save for Miyako, Heiko, and Aria, have become adults. For some reason...I guess I felt a little alone.

“Well, Seamus and Sunil started showing off to each other...their magic skills they've learned. Again, I guess I was jealous...I know I shouldn't be, but...everyone knows what they can do, and I'm still struggling to find out my own special ability. So out of, I think, pure playfulness, Sunil had punched Seamus in the shoulder...but she doesn't exactly know her own strength, especially being much bigger than us all. Seamus got angry, and used his magic to choke Sunil...and...and she......"

"And she?" he echoed, eyebrow raised.

Ares hugged her legs tighter against her chest, curling up slightly. "...She...tried to attack me...s-so to protect me......Seamus choked her even more. I....I screamed at them to stop..."

Her eyes began to well with tears again, everything flashing within her mind as if it were happening again. So clearly...this memory. "I-I fell off the table, but I managed to get my wings up in time...I guess Sunil was trying to come after me. Demo...having been struggling as much as she was... I didn't know she'd jumped after me! I...I would have tried to catch her had I known!" Her little body began to tremble as she hugged her legs even tighter, her tears spilling from her eyes again. "S-She fell. She stopped moving...but Seamus healed her and she got up. Demo.......t-that look on her face.... 'No one you care about will be safe' she said. And she looked to me with those eyes...I didn't do anything!"

Arturo said nothing for a moment, his bright eyes studying her face for a moment before he turned away, lips pulled downwards into a grimace. "Those damn fools. You should avoid them all."

"IYADA!" she cried, burying her face in her knees. "They're my friends...and...Seamus...he's..."

"He's not worth your time." Arturo replied coldly, but a sympathetic hand came to rest on her shoulder. "But no harm will come to you. You can be sure of it."

"He's is SO!" she screamed, looking up at him with such determination in her eyes, it wasn't like any look she'd given someone before. "I...I love him! I don't think I could love anyone else the way that I do him...and, how do you know I'll be fine?"

Arturo hardly batted an eyelash when she shouted, rather, he gripped her shoulder tighter. "I'm not here to babysit you. You make your own mistakes, girl, and you learn from that. And I know because I will personally make sure nothing happens. We shall leave it at that." he said, voice stern.

Ares just stared at him a moment, and finally looked back down, closing her eyes. She lifted her hand to his, initially to remove his hand from her shoulder since he was gripping hard enough to hurt, but something happened as her hand touched his. Her eyes opened wide, something flashing within her mind. A woman...no, a feien. Someone that...looked a lot like herself. Blinking a few times, not understanding, Ares turned her gaze back up at Arturo, a slight fear in her eyes. What...what was that she saw??

Arturo arched an eyebrow and loosened his grip, though he didn't move his hand. Something in Ares' face disturbed him. He gave her shoulder a light shake and blinked. "Ares? You all right?"

Again the image flashed within her mind. Dark blue leathery wings and squared markings, medium-length light blue hair...pink eyes, and a warm smile. A small, adult feien...a beautiful woman, that reminded her of herself. "S-Something...something in my mind..." she manged to say, still a bit shocked that something random like this would appear before her.

Arturo pursed his lips to the side. Something in her mind? Unusual. "What exactly did you see?" he asked, curious.

"I saw...a lady feien. She had dark blue leathery wings like mine...and dark blue squared markings. Ano....medium length hair, I think...light blue...and pink eyes. And...she had such a warm smile...I think she might have been an adult feien," she described, letting his hand go.

Arturo froze, the color draining from his face. Her description was uncanny. But it couldn't have been her. How could she even possibly know?

The red feien drew his hand back from Ares' shoulder as if he had been burned. His mind had been invaded. Ares saw HER. Any doubt he had left his mind; she had seen her, she had seen his failure and one true weakness, and the very thought stung him. Expression cold, he rose, eyes turned away from the confused feien. "I should go." he muttered, offering no explanation.

"Arturo?" Ares slowly stood up, more confused than ever. Had she offended him some how? "Did I say something wrong?"

Arturo sighed heavily. His mind had stopped panicking at last, and poor Ares - she had no idea what she had seen. It was only fair to explain. He turned around and opened his mouth to speak, but was only able to say one word: "Caterina."

Ares blinked a few times, tilting her head to the side like a confused child. "Caterina?" she echoed quietly.

"Caterina." Arturo said, voice almost painfully flat. "She - well, we -" He stopped suddenly, feeling awkward. He hadn't spoken about Caterina directly in almost a year, and he felt as if he were thrown back to his unsure, younger state - not knowing anything, not being able to decide anything, being a pure fool.

He paused, collecting his thoughts. This was no time for emotion. Correction: there was no time, period, for emotion. "We were lovers." he said. "She died months ago."

Her eyes grew a little wide. Arturo...? In love?? She...died...? "W-What happened...?" she dared to ask, now feeling a bit bad. Why did she see what she saw...? HOW did she see that? Why...did she die?

"None of your business." Arturo snapped peevishly. It was not a subject he felt like discussing at great length. "What concerns me is the fact that you saw her. I didn't realize that you could see memories."

"I-I didn't...I don't know how..." she stuttered, looking at her hands. What...what was it she did? All Ares did was touch Arturo's hand, and she saw that image of Caterina. Why...? She was beyond confused, not understanding any of this.

Arturo shook his head slowly, but he was relieved that the topic was no longer about him - now Ares was on the spot. Peering curiously at Ares, he rested his hands on his hips and lips pursed in thought. "Your element," he began, frowning, "it's special, right? What is it?"

“Neko says my element is time..." she stated, looking up at Arturo. It hadn't really occured to her until now exactly how short she was compared to the red feien.

"Ah. That would no doubt explain it, then." he said calmly. With a shrug, he idly tugged his ponytail over his shoulder and fiddled with the wispy white and black hairs. "Maybe you can look into the past. It seems reasonable, with your element." Arturo explained.

Ares blinked a few times. Look into the past...? "Demo...that...that's kind of scary..." she admitted, looking back to her hands. "The past...it can be so sad..."

"So learn to control it." Arturo grunted in reply. "You're a bright girl. You can handle it."

Ares didn't reply, merely looking at her hands. She made a mental note to talk to Neko about this, to figure out exactly what it was she was doing. And how to control this...ability. She folded her hands together and closed her eyes, thinking. "Arturo...?" she piped up.

Arturo sighed and turned back around, face impossible to read - as usual. He gave the girl a slight nod and said, "Yes, Ares?"

"I...I know I probably shouldn't say anything, but I noticed something when I saw Caterina..." she started, opening her eyes again. She knew she probably shouldn't say anything, but she just had to ask. Ares looked back up at him. "I...look a lot like her, don't I? That, that isn't why you're nice to me, is it?"

Arturo blinked, surprised into a brief silence. He turned his face away and did his best to scowl, but it came out a grimace. "You - well, yes and no. You look very much like Caterina. The resemblence is almost frightening at times. But, Ares -" He paused, all of his natural eloquence suddenly gone, leaving him empty and revealed and surprisingly vulnerable as he brought his face back to meet Ares'. "I'm nice to you because I am." he finished, shrugging his shoulders.

Ares blinked her three eyes a few times. There seemed to be something he was leaving out, but she wouldn't go into that. "Demo...why...me? I mean, you seem to not like many of the others..."

She wasn't meaning anything by what she was asking, she was merely curious. It had always bothered her a little how he seemed to harsh to everyone, but tended to go easy on her. Or maybe...it just seemed he was going easy. Since no one else was around, she figured it would be alright to ask...

"Because," Arturo said, although his voice raised in the end - it was almost like a question. He shook his head suddenly, ponytail whipping about, and sqaured his shoulders. He was being silly. "Because you're not like the other feien, in ways other than your appearance or element. You're - different." he muttered.

Different...? There was that word again. Something Ares always had thought of herself compared to the others. Unique...special...and different. Ares had thought she'd figured out everything as to why she felt like that. Unique because of her appearance, special because of her element...but different had seemed to slipped her mind.

"Can I ask how I'm different?" she said a bit slowly, not sure if she should continue with the questions.

Arturo was doing his best not to get flustered, and, thankfully, succeeding. As always, he was the master of guarding himself, although this time it was a strain for him. His face remained placid, but his insides were twisting. He hated having questions asked about him. He really wasn't all that interesting - he was just a random feien who should have died a couple of weeks ago and didn't.

"I don't know," he sighed, searching for the words. "The other feien are all so self-involved and foolish. Mind you, so are you - " The red feien stepped forward and, in an unexpected gesture, seized Ares' hand, holding it gently in his. "But you're also not. You're Ares. The rest of the feien are just... 'them'."

Somehow, this made Ares blush slightly, though she didn't mind him holding her hand. "I am...Ares," she echoed, thinking about that.

Of course she was Ares. Little Ares. Special little Ares. She was different...and probably always would be. There was nothing else to it. For her, what it all came down to was that in a way, she was alone because of this. But, something always seemed to draw her to Arturo, in how he was special too, even if he didn't see it. To her, he was an elder in a way...a teacher she'd always respect. However, what was she?

Without even realizing, Arturo's thumb began to gently stroke her hand, the calloused pad of his thumb seeming rough against her skin. "And I hope you always stay Ares," he muttered gently. "Because that's all I ever want you to be."

Ares blushed a little more upon realizing Arturo's actions. She'd never seen him like this before...and, it was rather sweet to her. It seemed he was only like this when she was even around, and a part of her felt a little happy. Though, now a part of her was growing confused. It's not that she minded...she just wondered why. And why...that fluttering feeling was showing up like it did when she was with Seamus.

"I...I'll always be Ares," she stammered. "I won't change...I don't think."

Arturo squeezed Ares' hand slightly and, in a tentative movement, took her other hand in his. The feien seemed focused now, determined as a light flush settled on his pale cheeks. "I could take care of you, you know," he said suddenly. His voice was quiet, but laced with passion and, on some level, hopefulness. "I could make sure you never had to change who you were for anyone."

Ares could only look at him, blinking a few times. So...caring. These emotions he showed...they suited him, and she began to wish he showed them more often. Take care of me...? she thought to herself. Never...never change...

Ares never planned to change. And if ever were to...it was something natural, wasn't it? No one could make one not change...could they?

"You...seem to already take care of me, Arturo..." she said a bit softly, not sure if she fully understood anything that was going on at the moment. These...butterflies. Why was she feeling these butterflies??

Arturo let out a low chuckle, some of his nerves leaving with it. He knew that he was making Ares uncomfortable, and he felt horrible for it, but things had advanced too far for him to really stop now. "I do what I can," he replied, innocently enough.

He carefully dropped one of Ares' hands and raised his fingers to softly brush Ares' cheek, carressing her cheekbone. The contact was warm and, for him, almost electric. As a slow, cautious smile crossed his lips, he said, "But I can do more."

Ba-bum. Ba-bum. Ba-bum.
Ares could feel her little heart racing. This feeling... Seamus...

It suddenly struck her. It wasn't possible to love more than one person, was it? True, she did have a special care for Arturo...but this was...

"Arturo... I..." Ares tried to say, but she couldn't speak. Her eyes showed sadness, and the confusion she was feeling.

Arturo caught his bottom lip between his teeth, biting the pink flesh nervously. Gods be damned, did she have to look so sad? Here he was, opening up for the first time in nearly a year, but she looked about ready to cry. It made his resolve crumble and whatever walls he put up tumbled down in a messy heap, leaving behind a fully exposed Arturo.

He chuckled again, this time more bitter. The walls were up again - they had only been down for a moment. "I know," he sighed, shaking his head. "Seamus."

"G-Gomen ne..." she said quietly, looking down a bit. "I'm just...I'm rather confused...this feeling I have. I'm sorry...."

He dropped his hand from her cheek and suddenly looked ashamed of himself. He'd been foolish, brash. It wouldn't happen again. She had no feelings for him, and he couldn't expect her to.

"You don't need to apologize," he whispered, eyes guilty. "I've been too forward."

Ares closed her eyes. "No...it's just that," she started, trying to think of what to say. "It's just that, I'm confused...to be feeling this way towards two people."

Arturo suddenly brightened, and even he wasn't able to mask it. "You... have feelings for me?" he asked, surprised.

Ares blushed, still trying to find the words to say. "You've...you've always been nice to me, just like Seamus. Both of you have always been there when I needed someone.."

"And I always will be there, no matter what you decide," Arturo said reassuringly. He placed his finger under her chin and titled her head up - an honest attempt to comfort her, though it probably made her feel even more awkward. "I swear it."

She was still blushing, blinking a few times. "You won't run away...?" she asked, recalling other situations similar to this, thought not involving herself.

“Not when you need me." he replied, nodding. "I won't let another situation like the Sunil one happen again, with the gods as my witness."

She didn't really know what to do at this point. Though, dispite her small size, she did throw her arms around him in a hug. It was all Ares really could do at the moment, not knowing anything to say.

Arturo blinked hard, startled by the sudden contact, but he soon melted into the hug. His arms wrapped warmly around her small body and he rubbed her back, like he always did when she was sore and in pain.

"You do what makes you happy, girl," he muttered, his finger tracing up her spine. "And that'll make me happy. If you want me to leave you alone because of Seamus, I will. But if I hear about anything happening, I'll intervene."

"I...never said you had to leave me alone..." she commented, but knew what he meant. "I-I understand."

"He makes you happy?" he asked, sighing. He already knew the answer. He gently pushed the small feien away and shook his head, hands resting lightly on her shoulders. "Then that's fine."

In a quick movement, he stooped and pressed his lips against her forehead, close to her third eye, then straightened. Before Ares could react, he saluted in his best attempt to bring humor to the dismal situation and dropped from the counter, and, finally, out the window.

Ares looked a little shocked, slowly bringing her hand next to her third eye, where Arturo had kissed her forehead. Well, no one had done that before...it was rather difficult. She was blushing again, several thoughts swirling throughout her mind, not sure of what to do. She liked them both, that was for sure...but...love them both? It was so hard to tell.

She merely watched him leave, slumping down into a sit on the counter. Now, how would this one turn out?

This was where Neko-chan lived, wasn't it? Tosten fluttered to and fro outside a window, then touched down upon the sill. Hands braced against the glass, then he smushed his face there while trying to avoid scratching it with his horn.

"Ares? AREEES!"

Tiny knocking ensued as he squinted inside.

Ares dropped the weight she was holding, it falling to clatter against the floor. This only awoke the celestrus that were gathered outside of Neko's room, and they attempted to dive inside...only run into some sort of invisible wall. Neko's ward was still intact it seemed...and the celestrus never seemed to learn. Only Yami was inside, sitting on top of the computer, watching Ares as he purred. A bit relieved, she looked to the window to see who was calling her name. Eh? Why was he here?

She flew over to the window quickly, trying hard to pull up on it. The window was unlocked...it was just very heavy. "Tosten...what are you doing here?" she asked, a bit strained, still trying to pull the window up.

When Ares began to try to lift the window he promptly began to help. Strength wasn't his strong point, but he was still stronger and larger than Ares herself so it'd probably make the effort more eventful.

"I-I came to talk to you, Ares."

He panted out, eyeing the window once it was large enough to let him in, or her out - or just let them speak without glass between them. Either way he lingered on the outer sill with enough manners not to try to invite himself inside.

"You're not busy or anything, are you?"

She panted a bit after finally managing to get the window up enough for Tosten to get through. "No, I was just lifting my weights...taking a break from the braclet I'm trying to make Neko," she responded, calming down a bit. "Please, come in!" She smiled.

"Thanks, uh, sorry about this."

Tosten slipped beneath the open window and inside. For a moment he was distracted by the room, fascinated with seeing her home as he didn't recall ever getting to go inside before... in fact he didn't really recall being in anyone's home before, just outside windows and doors.

"Hm, hm?"

Short attention span struck, he lit into the air and was fluttering his way about the room just a bit to investigate, and molting those tiny feathers about as usual unfortunately.

Neko's room was...normal, but not quite. Her walls were covered with shelves containing many books, old and new. There was, on the far side of the room, a very large bookshelf, carrying not only books but a few viles as well, tiny trinkets and amulets here and there, shells of all sorts. In the corner of the room stood a large desk, opposite of a small table. The desk held Neko's computer, journals, studies, the sort...and currently, her youngest celestrus, Yami. The little blue kitten had taken a great liking to Ares, and never wanted to leave her side when she was home...so Yami is the only other small pet that's allowed without the room. In one corner of the desk, there was a small sort of gym set up, specially made for Ares.

"Ano...what did you want to talk to me about?" Ares piped up.

Fascinating to Tosten at least, it wasn't like his home. But then again everyone elses houses tended to be much different from the naturally dreary setting that a stone keep tended to give.

"Oh, um..."

He turned then to flutter back to her, settling back down and stalling to wring his hands together. His eyes brimmed with such troubled thoughts and his voice softened to a level that few could ever believe he could whisper at.

"I was wondering if... you could tell me what happened the other day..."

Absently, Ares began to catch a few of Tosten's feathers that had been floating around, and she froze up a bit when she heard his question. The other day...

She looked to Tosten a bit sadly, wondering if she could even talk about it again. She could hardly write about it...and barely managed to tell even Arturo. "W-Well...what do you already know?" she asked.

"Nothing."

Tosten replied quietly, studying her with eyes far more serious and deep-thinking then any would give him credit for. He had a lot he needed to piece together, and a lot he thought that he needed to help try to solve. He wouldn't just sit bacl and watch this play out by itself.

"Just that something bad happened..."

Ares closed her eyes for a moment, sighly lightly. Upon opening her eyes again, she looked to the door for a moment. Neko wouldn't be home for a long while...perhaps it would be okay to talk to Tosten about it. Perhaps since she'd talk to Arturo already, it would be a little better. Silently, she took a seat on the windowsill. "Where should I start?"

Taking it as a silent invitation to take a seat as well, Tosten settled where he was with knees faintly to his chest, letting his arms loop around his legs. He watched her a moment and replied quietly.

"The beginning?"

She shifted a little so that she was sitting cross-legged, her wings coming down to fold over her bare shoulders. "Well...as you know, Seamus grew up...Sunil did too," she started. She just wanted to be sure of this before she started the "story".

Tosten knew this already, but he wanted to hear everything from beginning to end... from every single one of them if he could pull it off. He nodded quietly, unspeaking though showing he was listening as he watched her, even her body posture, very intently.

"Well...the other day, they saw each other. All grown up...and I guess they were just showing off. Sunil was being her usual provokative self, but...Seamus acted upon it, giving her a push with his magic hand. And...Sunil acted on THAT, and punched Seamus in the shoulder...but being a lot bigger than us, and not knowing her own strength, she punched a little too hard...."

Tosten furrowed his brow and titled his head slightly, giving a faint nod to imply that he was paying attention still. So they grew up, and started sorta... wrestling? Is that what one could call it?

"And then...?"

"...Seamus started choking her.....and then she tried to attack me..."

"E-eh?"

Okay, now that was an odd twist. Tosten blinked wide-eyed and he tilted his head slightly. This story just seemed to flip-flop.

"Seamus... started choking her? And she attacked you?"

"I...I don't understand. I didn't do anything...she just came after me...so Seamus started choking her harder, to protect me...I told them to stop...but they didn't. A-and...she continued to come after me. And I fell..." Though her voice was sad, she was calm through it all, not crying this time.

A thousand questions raced into his mind, and with surprising control he managed not to voice any of them. He was trying to learn the story, not protest what happened and try to change a past that couldn't change.

"And then?"

He repeated quietly, glad that she didn't seem as distraught now. At least on the outside, he had been frightened that being so nosy and making her relive that night would send her into distress.

"I...I managed to get my wings up in time...demo...I didn't know that Sunil had jumped after me...I think to save me. She was weak from struggling so much...so she fell. I-I didn't know...I would have tried to catch her if I knew...she wasn't moving after that. Seamus healed her, and she got up...demo..." she recalled, closing her eyes. Once again, she could see Sunil and that look on her face...so clearly.

"'No one you care about will be safe," she told Seamus...and...she looked at me...with such.........such hatred...."

"...."

Tosten looked at the floor, or rather window sill, beneath him. These were hard words to disgest... and trying to be optimistic he hoped this was all a bunch of misunderstandings. Sunil accidentally hitting too hard, Seamus getting too rough, Sunil panicking to get free. Accidents, right?

"Is.. is that all?"

He mewed quietly like a shaky kitten.

Ares nodded slowly, looking down at her feet. "I just...I don't understand. I didn't do anything...demo, none of this should have happened in the first place..."

"It shouldn't have."

Tosten agreed quietly, nervously rubbing his shins a few times with pent up energy. This was the story? He needed to hear from the others to confirm their sides, but it sounded so far by mistakes and misunderstandings.

"Thank you, Ares... for telling me."

"You have a right to know...we're all supposed to be friends, right? I'm just worried about what Sunil said..." she admitted. "Tosten, I hope nothing happens to you, too..."

"I'm... sure she didn't mean it." Tosten reassured her immediately, at least the best he could. He was absolutely positive Sunil wouldn't hurt him, he had confidence in his friendships even during times like this. But it was Seamus, if anything, he worried of. She would get revenge on him definitely, moreso then Ares he assumed. But he had to find and talk to Sunil too.

"I... I think that's all I needed to know." He looked down then up again. "I think I should get going too. I.. need to do things." Fix things, find out things, so many things. "Thanks again, Ares."

Ares nodded slightly, attempting a smile. "You're welcome...be safe, ne?" she told him.

Tosten smiled faintly in return. "I will, I promise. Good night, Ares." He rose to his feet and slipped back beneath the open window. He stretched his wings a moment, fluttering them one then lit from the window sill on his way. He still had to see Seamus and Sunil to figure it all out.

Ares waved as he flew away.

Ares quietly sat on the edge of the windowsill, swinging her little legs. She'd been alone most of the day, no one having stopped by, but she didn't mind. She used this time to think to herself, her dark blue wings folded down over her bare shoulders, the little flower-gem bracelet on her right wrist glistening slightly in the light. Her three red eyes were closed as she thought, and she was humming a song Neko had taught her. Apparently, this was something else that would allow Ares to stay so calm.

Sunil tiptoed into the shop and scanned with both eyes and magic. After being surprised by Corvus the night before, she wasn't taking any chances. She honestly was suprised to feel someone there. She hoped it wasn't Seamus, but clenched her fists in case.

"Hello?"

She little pointed ear twitched slightly upon hearing a voice, and she opened her eyes to see Sunil. For a moment, she was quiet, not wanting to say anything, but then her soothing voice piped up. "Hello..."

Sunil raised her eyebrows and relaxed. That voice was undoubtably Ares. She thought about leaving for a moment, but she and Ares had unfinished business. So she gritted her teeth and walked towards Ares.

"Hi Ares. You know, I have to tell you something, and it isn't the sort of thing that comes particularly easy to me. I never intended to actually harm you."

Sunil studied her feet and clenched her fists at the memory. She still hadn't made Seamus pay for what had followed. Hopefully Tosten would get back to her about the meeting soon.

"You're much smaller than I am. It really wouldn't be fair. I just wanted Seamus to stop and I made a tactical error. My fight isn't really with you per se, just with Seamus."

Ares blinked a few times, a bit surprised. Something didn't seem right...nor did it feel right. She felt a little frightened for some reason. "Even so...you, you tried to attack me, Sunil. You said you'd never attack anyone in the gang..." she looked down towards her feet, sadly. "What hurt even worse was that I hadn't done anything to be involved...maybe had I been a little quicker, I could have stopped Seamus. Demo...I didn't know what was going on..."

Sunil sighed, of course she was going to hide behind not knowing what was going on at the time.

"I didn't think "the gang" was in effect anymore. After all I was struggling after one of you had attacked me. I naturally assumed that meant we had dissolved our ties."

Sunil was getting angry and she had to remind herself she was supposed to be ready to settle things. She tried to outwardly relax.

"I'm apologizing, but I won't promise again. Promises that all-encompassing are too easy to break."

She wondered how Ares would take a comment like that.

Ares looked up at Sunil, as if she'd been struck. But...what about Ares' promise to Sunil? That she'd tell her everything she found out about herself? Ares had never broken that promise...even after they hadn't seen each other for a while. Even now she wouldn't...despite the fighting.

"Do you think Tosten and I would ever attack anyone?"

She sighed lightly. "I...I accept your appology...I think."

Sunil shook her head.

"I don't really care whether you accept. I just felt like I should offer it."

She shook her head to herself. Dealing with Ares was tough.

"Whether you or Tosten would attack someone is irrelevant. I am not you or Tosten, so you can't expect me to act like you. I don't go out of my way to attack people, so as long as no one provokes me I don't anticipate attacking anyone."

... except Seamus, she noted silently to herself. He really had it coming in a way Ares didn't.

"What are you doing here alone anyway? Shouldn't you be at home, scared I'm going to attack you?"

Sunil scowled. She didn't get any respect, even now when she had threatened them. She conveniently forgot for a second she had promised Tosten she was over the whole thing.

Ares looked back down towards her feet. "Wh-Why would I be home? Besides...you're here now, and you haven't attacked me. So if anything, this is no different than me being at home...I could either be there and be scared, or be here and be scared..." she said calmly.

Sunil put her hands behind her back and rocked a little back and forth on her toes.

"No need to be scared, " she said grudgingly, "I'm sure Tosten has already told you Seamus and I are meeting to work this out alone. This should all be settled soon."

Her ear twitched slightly. Sunil and Seamus were...meeting alone? "No...I don't know anything. I haven't seen Tosten since he asked about what happened..."

Sunil grimaced at her mistake. She shouldn't have volunteered that information.

"Err... yes. Tosten volunteered to find a good place for Seamus and I to meet, so we could work this out. One on one."

Sunil tried not to sound too sinister, but the truth was she was looking forward to the look on Seamus's face when he realized what was really going on.

One on one...? "Sunil...you're...you're not going to hurt Seamus, are you?"

Sunil avoided Ares eyes. She was gonna have to lie, just like she did to Tosten. Why was everyone determined to discover her plan and stop her?

"Do you think Tosten would let that happen?"

She dodged the question and let out a silent internal sigh of relief.

"No..." she admitted. "Unless you tricked him..."

Damnit! Ares was too perceptive by half.

"I guess you still don't have the ability to see the future do you? If you could you would know that everything will be fine."

Sunil tried joking and vagueness to get Ares off the scent. If this kept up, she was going to need a reason to leave. She started thinking.

"M-maybe you're right," she said, sighing lightly. "Maybe I'm just worrying too much..."

But I can't shake the feeling that she's hiding something, Ares thought to herself. I should try to find Seamus before Sunil meets with him.

Sunil smiled, she'd dodged a disaster. She prayed Tosten came up with a place soon. Otherwise she'd have some explaining to do.

"You worry too much Ares. You should relax. Have you been practicing your fencing?"

Sunil found Ares swordplay very interesting. Not for her, but interesting.

Ares nodded. "Arturo taught me a little bit more the other night..." she said softly, a slight blush appearing on her cheeks, But that quickly faded. "One day, I want to be as good as he is."

Sunil noted her flush with interest and filed it away. She wasn't sure what it meant, but she figured it was worth knowing.

"If you practice I'm sure you will be. Corvus told me if I practiced my magic it would get better and easier. Stand to reason the same would be true of swordplay."

Sunil nodded sagely.

Corvus...? She blinked a few times, looking back up at Sunil. "You spoke with Corvus??" she asked.

Sunil looked at Ares in surprise. She sounded shocked, maybe she should have kept it a secret. She figured the topic was secret, but the meeting itself fair game. She considered her answer for a second.

"Why do you sound so shocked? I mean I know he is rarely here, but I mean he did summon us.... makes sense he would drop by every once and a while."

"I haven't seen him around for so long...and I haven't exactly met him myself," she told her. "I can't explain why, but he scares me..."

"Really?"

It slipped out before Sunil could help it. People seemed so wary of Corvus, but he honestly hadn't seemed that bad. She decided not to abuse Ares of her fear, Corvus had said he hated all of them. Maybe he tried to be scary.

"Huh, I don't trust him, but I wasn't scared."

Not entirely true, but Sunil had an image to maintain.

"I've only ever seen him yelling at others...demo, I'm sure that he's not as bad as everyone thinks," she admitted, finally standing up. "There's just something about him though..."

Sunil shuffled her feet. She probably should get home and practice a little more. It eould be nice if Tosten found a place soon, otherwise Ares might mention something to Seamus and ruin the whole thing.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Anyway, I better get going. I'll leave you alone to whatever you were doing before I came in."

Sunil started out and then turned back and whispered while waving, pitching her voice so low she could barely hear it.

"I hope you can forgive me."

Ares blinked a few times, turning her head to look at Sunil. After a moment, she finally smiled. "Of course..." she said softly.

Sunil didn't notice Ares's smile or her words because she had already turned back towards the door. She hopped out and took flight, winging her way back home.

A semi-random event! eek


Awww, a picture for Ares' summonday! I'll have to hide it for later... ninja

Oh!! And one more! eek



Aww, so cute! I'll have to be careful about hiding this one...this gift from Celelorien.

EH?? One more!



~~~~~~~~~~

OMG OMG OMG!! eek I am like...uber psyched for this. Today I'm going to my first convention EVER...okay, my first FUN convention. sweatdrop After trying to go for the past two years, I'm finally able to make it, going with my sister and her roommates. Of course, I'm taking Ares with me so that I can keep watch over her...she's been actually a little strange, and I just want to be sure that she's okay. Besides...this will be good for her. She can be out all she wants and no one would care...because hell, half the people there will be dressed up as it is!! And they'll be gawking at costumes and such to even notice her... sweatdrop She'll be close, so she'll be safe. 3nodding

I woke up a little late this morning, so we got off on a bad start. The dye for my hair wouldn't stick (curse dark colored hair!), so I had to deal with it...but it wasn't so bad. First con ever, first REAL cosplay ever! I decided to go as Yaone from Saiyuki. It was fun! And my costume had turned out pretty good, too. I was happy with it, anyway. Ares found sanctuary in my hair, being as poofy as it was near the top... sweatdrop She was rather iffy about the whole thing, but was rather amused by all the people. After a while, she seemed happy...so I'm glad.

Now if only I'll be able to keep her happy this weekend...