Welcome to Gaia! ::

Well, having been up all night, part of it caring for Kasha (who hasn't got her schedule all regularized for day/night yet), I'm ready to catch a few hours sleep before family dinner tonight. I was just by Proto's diary, and his fairy's appeared, and has glowing eyes! How'd that happen, hm?

Kancho's holding Kasha now. He'll care for her while I'm asleep. I'm so encouraged that I'm bidding on a sibling or two for Kasha: http://rina.go-gaia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1338948 Corvus doesn't mind Kasha too much, so hasn't complained. Kancho gave me a Look (that same Look he gives me when I step out of the shower in a towel with my hair all funny) and said, "We'll see." I don't think he'll mind another baby or two. I wonder when Kasha will grow into her next stage? Then she can help with the tending.

I also entered two more coloring contests. I'm such a coloring whore! http://josie.go-gaia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1209789 and http://gino.go-gaia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1278822 . I may yet enter one or two more. Coloring is easy for me, and I can honestly pop out a nice job in 15 minutes. (It only takes longer if I start obsessing over stuff, as I'm prone to do.)

I lost the Kymaera auction... I really wasn't paying enough attention to it. I was outbid by 100g. crying It's probably for the best... I'd have no place to keep the poor creature, it was fairly big. But so interesting! Maybe after I've done some more expanding I can try for another Kymaera.

I just got an idea for a breedable! Yay! I've been thinking about doing all this coloring, well, just doing the lineart and running the shop isn't too much work, and I can hire other colorists and just make money without coloring myself. It'll be a simple breedable, three stages, not all fancy like the feien. But it should be cool!

... Assuming I even bother to draw up the lineart.

If I get more lineart ideas, I could auction them... that might be fun... but I like the idea of a constant, steady supply of gold versus a one-time lump sum. Anyway, I'm just brainstorming out loud.

To sleep with me! I hope I have time to do OP updates later...

Living in Miami, humidity was a near-constant companion. It was the city’s greatest flaw in Corvus’s opinion. Even at one in the morning the humidity still lingered, the air swimming with heat both residual and imagined. The window was open, allowing a faint breeze to pulsate through the room, but this did nothing to change the temperature of air on skin. Corvus flipped a lock of sticky hair behind his ear as he pored over a book on Norse mythology.

Nearby, Em was typing happily away at the computer, moving seamlessly between a dozen open windows. Photoshop, Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer, and Trillian. Ever few minutes, the noise of her typing would be interrupted with laughter at something onscreen.

It was, despite the humidity, a perfect evening in Corvus’s opinion. Of course, given his lousy luck, that was about to change.

The change wasn’t anything truly tangible. It started as a sort of prickly on the back of the fairy’s neck. He’d learned the meaning of that prickle several weeks earlier. There was magic somewhere nearby.

He looked up from his book momentarily, just long enough to mentally curse his luck, and the prickle disappeared.

Hm. Never mind, then, and he returned to his reading.

Only it came back a moment later.

Irritated, Corvus scratched at his neck, and the feeling went away. And came back. And went away. And came back once more. Thanks to weeks of training and practice, he was able to deduce one thing about the magic.

It was moving, and it was getting closer.

That realization drove Corvus to action. Leaving his book, he zipped over to Em’s desk. “Em?” he said.

“Mm?”

“There’s some sort of magic coming this way.”

“Oh?” She sounded honestly surprised. “Saisai hasn’t said anything about it.”

Saisai was Em’s resident guard who spent most of his time thirteen floors up on the roof standing around and… guarding stuff, Corvus supposed, though he’d never seen any actual evidence of this. “It’s very faint,” he countered. “I doubt he’s sensed it.”

“Ohp!” she went. “He’s got it now!” How she knew that was anyone’s guess, but sure enough, the magical energy had reappeared, much stronger this time, and was making a beeline for the apartment.

Corvus’s first instinct was, as always, protect Em. He leapt from the desk and flew to the window. Somewhere, thirteen floors above, he imagined Saisai doing the same. What he saw made him gasp. It was a fairy. “Tell Saisai not to shoot!” Corvus exclaimed.

“Saisai, don’t shoot!” said Em, utilizing that dubious psychic connection or imaginary radio or whatever she used to contact her guardian. Either Saisai was asleep or had heard her, since there were no shots fired of any kind.

The strange fairy was haphazardly flying for the window, lugging with him a large book. Like Corvus, he had feathered wings, but his were red in color. His long hair, white at the top and fading into a darker color, was tied back, the ponytail whipping around him like a snake. He seemed to be under the influence of two spells, Flight and Grow, but his magic was in the process of failing. His size was pulsating oddly and for every two feet he ascended, he fell one and a half.

Eager to see this new fairy, Em jumped form her computer chair to the window and peered out. “Corvus, do something!” she exclaimed upon seeing the fairy’s distress. “Help him!”

At Em’s command, Corvus had no choice but to obey. He easily levitated both strange fairy and book towards the windowsill. The magic fluctuations stopped when the levitation began; the stranger, sensing Corvus’s magic at work, decided it was best to conserve what little energy he had left. He was coon within speaking range.

The feien, exhausted, nearly collapsed upon the windowsill. Were it not for his odd, beat-up book, there was no doubt that he would've fallen, but he leaned against its spine for support. After pausing for a moment to catch his breath, he stood as straight as he could and folded his wings behind him.

"I... need help," he said slowly. A wince crossed his face at the words, as if saying he needed help was some sort of black mark on his reputation, but he clenched his jaw and said nothing more. His gaze moved slowly across the room before finally resting on Corvus, and there a pleading look was evident, despite his best efforts to mask it in his voice.

“Sure, what can we do for you?” said Em, only to be cut off by Corvus.

“I think that’s obvious.” The black fairy looked the stranger up and down once. “He’s dying like everyone else and wants me to save his life. That only begs the question, why aren’t you dead already and why bother me about it?”

"Because you're the only one I can bother about it." the stranger replied, his expression darkening. "It's not fair," he added, after a brief pause. "It's not fair that the 'new generation' get every chance in the world for survival while we older feien are left to rot. I know you can help me, and I will not leave until I get what I want. Or die trying." His last sentence was not meant to be sarcastic or clever - the feien was serious.

It started with a snort, which was trademark Corvus. He snorted again, his shoulders jerking, and finally broke out into laughter. “Is-- Is that so?” he said between spasms of mirth. His laughter subsided. “I could probably push you out the window and you couldn’t do a thing about it!” (“Corvyyy,” went Em.) “I have no intention on wasting vast amounts of magic on feien who are doomed. You’re unnecessary. Go away.”

The feien was silent for a moment, eyes on his feet. His pride was roaring with anger by this insult, but his common sense managed to beat it down and he spoke again, humbly, "My name is Arturo. I have flown here from Connecticut because I heard about you, the summoner fairy, and how you summoned blossoms that could bond to people and survive. I have not died yet because I don't see the point of dying an early death, and I don't give up easily. I don't feel like dying." The feien paused again, slightly winded by his long speech, and he leaned heavily against the book again. "I can't lie and say that I am necessary. No one much needs me. But I'm tired and afraid and I. Need. Help."

Corvus was ready to reply with another firm no, but Em was quicker. “And why not, Corvus? Surely that’s not outside of your powers?” It was her most underhanded trick, appealing to Corvus’s obsession with large magical tasks. And as usual, it worked.

Slowly, he said, “I can save you, but I’m still at a loss as to why.” Then he caught a glimpse of the book’s title: “Agrippa's Approach to Fencing: the Condensed Version.” A tiny smile tugged at the corner of his lips, and not a pleasant one. “On second thought, perhaps you can be of use. Do you know how to read that book, or do you just carry it around for show?”

"I have read it thirty-six times and memorized chapters one through thirteen, word for word." Arturo replied honestly, a hint of pride in his voice.

“Good, then you can be of use,” concluded Corvus. “We have need of a fencing tutor at the store. If I help you, you will work at the store in that capacity, or in any other capacity of my choosing, until the day of your eventual and unavoidable death.”

Arturo couldn't help but snort. "I am to be your vassal?" he asked, eyebrow arched.

“Exactly so.”

Arturo hesitated, weighing his options. Live and be stuck as a servant for life with a feien who obviously did not like him, or die right there on the windowsill. "... I'm considering." he grunted when Corvus gave him an impatient look.

“Take your time,” offered Em, waving her hand and smiling at Arturo.

The red feien did not smile back. His pride was already smarting, and this odd ultimatum was not helping.

Still, it was better than being dead.

"I'll need a foil sword, or an epeé sword, if I am to teach properly." he muttered at last.

With a wave of his hand, Corvus summoned up one of the plastic cocktail rapiers. “We have these. Hardly your typical fencing foil, but fine enough for theory. Not that I believe you’re in a position to negotiate. I don’t recall seeing any other summoner fairies that could help you.”

"A plastic rapier." There was a definite tinge of distaste in his voice, but he stopped himself from saying anything more. His head was swimming and, much to his chagrin, blotches of black were starting to cover his sight. The summoner was right - he either had to accept the terms as they were, or suffer a fate that was no doubt (he hoped) worse.

"Help me and I am yours to command, whatever the situation may be."

“Then that’s that,” concluded Em, clasping her hands together. “Do it, Corvus.”

Frowning, Corvus shook his head. “I can’t.”

Arturo's eyebrows knit together instantly, and his eyes narrowed. The fury on his face lasted only momentarily, however, as he forced himself to look neutral. It was taking more power not to get angry than to survive. "Why not?" he asked.

“I need a human, and Em won’t do.”

Arturo's eyebrows knit together instantly, and his eyes narrowed. The fury on his face lasted only momentarily, however, as he forced himself to look neutral. It was taking more power not to get angry than to survive. "Why not?" he asked.

“Because being bonded to a summoner fairy requires a great deal of energy,” said Em, “right, Corvus?”

“Indeed. Bonding to flowers or juveniles is one thing, but to bond a human to an adult fairy... I need someone else.” Corvus appraised Arturo’s condition, adding, “and fast.”

Em’s eyes flicked to her computer. One of her many instant messages was blinking on the screen. “What about Puchi?”

"Yes, listen to the girl! What about Puchi?" Arturo said quickly. He nodded and leaned further against his book - his legs felt weak. "She sounds fine. Go get her."
After a nod from Corvus, Em took her seat at the computer and began typing away.

RikProwley: Hey, Puchiko, can you meet me at the shop?
Puchiko: Sure! Want me to bring Gogol?

Arturo stared, puzzled at Em's actions. "That's a computer, not a person." he stated flatly. The concept of IM had never been made known to the feien. Em ignored the statement.

RikProwley: No, Corvus will be there. Just hurry down, it’s an emergency!
Puchiko: o___O, okay!

“She’ll be there asap,” announced Em. “Let’s go.”

--------------

The shop was quite empty at this hour, and it seemed strange to Puchiko that a room - normally filled with chattering, arguing, giggling feien - could be so quiet. She stood near the door and waited, slightly impatiently, for Em and Corvus's arrival. It wasn't like they were late or anything, but the mention of an emergency had gotten the girl's blood pumping, and she hoped it wasn't anything too serious.

After about a minute or so, Puchiko spotted Em and her feien approaching, carrying some sort of bundle. When they got a bit closer, she noticed that it was a book - with a feien riding on top! Instead of waiting for them to greet her, she moved quickly to meet them halfway and smiled.

"I didn't know Corvus could summon adults!"

"I can't," snapped Corvus, though he was quite possibly angrier at the impossibility of the idea than at Puchiko's question.

"This is one of the old fairies," supplied Em.

Puchiko blinked, surprised. She stooped a bit to eye the feien; large for his kind, with macaw-red wings wrapped warmly around him. The feien acknowledged her attentions with a grunt and looked away, as if this whole process was shameful.

"He's not dead yet." she said finally, displaying her talent of stating the obvious.

Corvus rolled his eyes. "No, but he will be soon. Which is why we need you."

"Me?" she echoed, surprised. She didn't know anything about the feien, aside from what she had learned with Gogol - what could she do? Puchiko glanced at the feien again, and noticed that during the past few seconds, his conditioned had worsened; what she assumed to be normally bright feathers were entirely lackluster, and the feien, already pale, was whiter than a ghost.

It didn't take long for her to make her decision. "Okay. What do you need me to do, then?"

"Just to be his bond, the way you are with Gogol," said Corvus. Em held Arturo out for Puchi.

Puchiko carefully picked the feien off the book and nearly melted. He was such a pretty feien, and drastically different looking from Gogol - variety could be fun, in this case. The soft feathers of his wing tickled her palm as he stirred slightly, letting out a slight grunt, and slumped further. There wasn't much time left.

"Fine with me. Just do it quick, 'cause I don't think he's gonna last much longer." Puchiko said quickly.

Em stepped back to let Corvus do his work. The feien landed on the counter so he could devote all his energies to the spell and closed his eyes. He didn’t need his eyes open to be able to sense the magical energies that were Puchiko and Arturo, no matter how faint the latter’s magic was. “Relax,” was all the instruction he gave as he brought his hands up before him.

At first, nothing seemed to happen. Then, as Corvus’s concentration and focus narrowed in on the task at hand, the air began to grow thick. A dark glow surrounded Corvus; this was not a necessary part of the process, but a casting of Greater Darkness to increase his magic’s potency. The dark cloud enveloped the group and the faint lights of the shop dimmed to mere memory.

Inside the darkness it was impossible to tell exactly what was going on, but a tingle crept up and down Puchiko’s arms. It began to intensify. In her hands, Arturo twitched once, twice, then jerked as the magic permeated his body, filling up his being. The process must have been much more painful for him than for Puchiko. He cried out as spasms of energy rocked his body, binding him to Puchiko’s soul.

Puchiko looked up, worried. Corvus did not seem alarmed by the feien's reaction, and so she bit her lip and said nothing. The odd, pins-and-needles feeling that prickled down her arm was uncomfortable, but it wasn't painful - she just hoped that the small red feien would be all right.

Finally, after over a minute, the darkness subsided. Corvus’s hands were down at this sides and he was bent over slightly, panting from the exertion. Arturo was splayed out across Puchi’s hands, glowing red from wings to toes.

"Corvus?" Puchiko asked quietly, concerned. However, the glowing red feien soon commanded her attention and she stared at him, wide-eyed. He seemed unconscious, but thankfully, he also seemed to be breathing. The red glow subsided and, groaning, Arturo pushed himself up. He cringed at the soreness of his muscles, but he shifted slowly into a comfortable sitting position and blinked up at Puchiko.

"Are we done?" he muttered. It was fairly obvious what he wanted the answer to be.

“We are,” gasped Corvus. Em dashed forward in time to catch him as he fainted dead away.

"He'll be okay?" Arturo asked, looking at Em and Corvus from over his shoulder.

Puchiko, however, was still a bit more interested in her new feien. "You grew more wings." Puchiko pointed out humbly.

Arturo's arched an eyebrow and felt along his temples, where he had an odd, itching sensation. Feathers met his fingers and the feien looked completely shocked.

“Ooh, cool,” said Em, folding the unconscious Corvus against her shirt. “I guess we should be getting home, then? You two have a lot of acquainting to be doing, I think.”

Puchiko nodded. "Tell Corvus to feel better!"

“Sure thing. Goodnight Puchi, Arturo!” Em waved as she exited.

Your name is Arturo?" Puchiko asked. Arturo nodded, causing Puchiko to giggle. "That's my aunt's cat's name."

"Wonderful," replied Arturo dryly.

It was going to be an interesting relationship.

Today was a very difficult day at the shop. Not only was it crowded, things happened. A lot of things. For one, Yeande basically confessed love for Corvus.

So I hat to explain. I had to explain how we don't much like to be touched, Corvus and I, except by the certain people we love. So Corvus doesn't mind me, and I don't mind him. Just because we don't like being touched doesn't mean we don't need it, though... It's a very confusing, complicated place to be in, living in a world where most humans and feien alike hug and kiss and enjoy each other, and the two of us standing at the sidelines shuddering at the mere thought.

Corvus has to deal with a lot of stuff, I think. For starters, there's the touch thing. He needs to learn to repress that instinct to jerk back and yell. It took me many years to do that. I still shudder inwardly when my grandmother hugs me, or especially when my friend Tra is over. He greets people with hugs. It just... ugh. I'm shuddering thinking about it.

But anyway, Corvy is always being perceived as being alone by the other feien. I don't know particularly why. You'd think I was minced liver or something. I guess they fail to see why he prefers not to have the company of his own kind. I know why: his inability to reproduce makes him feel inadequate and undeserving of love. But who says he needs another feien? He's got me. For that matter, who says I need other humans?

Okay, well, so maybe I do, but I've spent weeks at a time not going outside with only my family for contact, and then only barely at that, and you know what? I liked it juuuust fine. I'm not a giant people person. I'm happy if I have a book for company. You know that Twilight Zone episode where the guy is the last person on the planet with all the books and his glasses break? That's me. Except I have nice, durable lenses that don't break. Declining eyesight might be a problem, but I could just go raid the bodies of the dead for new perscriptions. Ha, that'd be funny! Ha ha!

Okay, but back to the matter at hand: Corvus. And here's the other thing when it comes to Corvus and Yeande... so she says she loves him, but I don't think he loves her. We had a very long, very serious discussion about it, or at least it started with that.



So now I know why Corvus has been doing all that research. Silly Corvy, the answer's not going to be there. I have a good idea of where to look. And I think it has to do with something innately feien, not to be found in mythologies outside. I thikn a lot of things, so I guess it's time to put them into action. Damned if I let MY feien die before I do!

And to the original point: I know Corvus has feelings in his heart for someone. I'm afraid to see his heart break, since it might not heal. Why'd he have to pick a love unrequited? And furthermore, what is it that makes San so much more desirable than Yeande? What exactly is the quality that attracts Corvus to her? But that's for another day, I've had quite enough conversation for tonight.

Things happened with Yeande today that I would rather not go over. I don't know how it happened that she came to think she loved me. I think perhaps she's gotten over her crush. Because the fact of the matter is... she's a very beautiful, smart, sweet feien, but I just can't shake my mind off San. I must be the greatest fool to walk the planet to fall for her ploy of feigning interest, her little touch, that whole moment, but I am forced to admit that a fool I must be. And even then, when she touched me, it was there. I forced her away, because it's pitifully obvious to me that she's a lost cause. And yet, that look in her face was undescribable.

That stupid look that gives me hope that she cares. It's impossible to hurt a person if they don't care, and she looked so hurt.

As promised, here's the update on all the pets!

First things first, I got a second Bloomling to keep Snapdragon company! Not that she didn't have plenty of company already... She and Kasha really hit it off. Kasha absolutely loves her, and likes to stroke her petals and leaves. Kancho confided in me that he finds it very cute. After I got over the fact that he used the word "cute," I agreed.

So here's my second Bloomling, whom I've named Marius:


I really hope he gets along with Snapdragon. She's such a sweetie, though, how can he not? And she's been venturing out of her pot a bit lately. She went with Kasha out onto the balcony and they played with Chedem a bit.

In other news, I acquired a Birthstone Dragon. A March female, just like me! She's utterly gorgeous... but huge. So the first thing I did was take her up to the roof with Saisai. I named her Esmerelda, which was almost my name, beleive it or not. I think Esme will be a good help defending the apartment building. Saisai seemed a tad overwhelmed by being handed the reins of a dragon, so to speak. He seemed to think she was a GF at first, which was kind of funny. Then again, I'm afraid all the sun might be baking his brains. Why hasn't he married Fujin yet?? He seems determined to be a bachelor into old age. I'm also rather afraid Fujin's moved past him at this point. Does Saisai have commitment issues...?

But moving along! So I'd won that Puri egg. I heard it was starting to hatch, so I sent Rikard to go pick it up. Well, Rik decided that not only was the egg his, but that he ought to strip for it.

.............................

Yeah.

But apprently, giving a Puri your clothes is a good thing. He probably didn't have to give it his pants and wetsuit, though. He was just prancing around in his boxers, nightmare minis, and a devil's tail! And then, and then, get this--

He named the Puri VOLDEMORT.

*dies laughing* Apparently, he thought I'd be scared that he named his Puri after the now-deceased Dark Lord. I told Sev about it and he was similarly amused. He gave a really hefty snort of amusement, anyway.

Voldemort and Telrik seemed to hit it off immediately. They're both really snide little creatures. Telrik ony talks a little and I can't understand Voldemort at all, but you can tell it by their attitudes. Very snide. I decided that Telrik really wasn't doing much of anything around here besides inciting the cats (Alderaan & Cooper) to mischief, so I sent him along with Voldemort and Rik. Rik seemed quite happy to have a MoKat named after his dad finally in his possession. He's... weird about things concerning his dad. They'll make a fine trio, those three. Torvwyn's going to die when Voldemort and Telrik go after his curtains, I assure you.

And back to Kasha. She's an adult now! Kancho's just beaming. Not only is he proud of what a wonderful, smart kitsunoko she's turned out to be, now she can help him with the new nokos get here. XD We've finally decided how to divide them up. One boy for Max & Sally, one for Etoh & Fianna, one for Sev & Em (the other Em), two for Kancho & Kasha, and one for me. That just leaves one unaccounted for. Make that three if I adopt the two that were abandoned. So, uh... Right! One for Atri & Yalla. One for Lilem & Fett. And... need a home for one more. I can do it!

I think this is the final thing for the moment: My piffle egg turned into a pifflet! Martouf is soooo cute! He's been bumbling around the drawer, nosing Corvus's stuff, but all very innocently. He's very well-behaved. Griswald likes him.

Oh, that's right, Colin! I got a second Pixacat! But why don't I tackle Colin tomorrow...

The lights and sounds of the shop were instantly replaced with an empty darkness and the sensation of weightlessness. It was something akin to imagining being dead, only there was the distinct sensation of being alive and breathing in stale, dusty air.

San clutched at Corvus tightly, irrationally afraid that she would fall, even though she knew that she could fly without even flapping her wings if she wanted. "W-where are we?"

“‘Between the wall,’” Corvus quoted, though it wasn’t a quote anyone would recognize. He glanced around the inky blackness, nightvision automatically compensating for the lack of light, and looked for a place to land. “More specifically, we’re currently in the hollow space of the shop wall, somewhere near the roof.” He selected a nearby rafter that looked fairly sturdy and steered San toward it.

San didn't utilize her own flight magic, not sure what Corvus was doing, and not wanting to throw him off. "Why did you bring me here of all places?" she asked in confusion.

“It’s private. Nobody else can get in here. Yet.” He scowled at the thought. Eventually, someone else was bound to learn teleportation, and then his hiding place in plain sight would be lost. “Here’s the ground.” Gently, he lowered them onto the rafter. It was only slightly moldy under their bare feet.

San didn't mind the mould, or the darkness. The darkness was comforting, and always had been. She couldn't see Corvus, however, so she kept hold of his arm as he set her down. "I see," she said, wishing he would tell her what the point of bringing her here was. Privacy for WHAT?

One of his hands gently brushed against her shoulder before making full contact with her skin. “But nobody else will.” He unhooked his arm and his other hand came up to her face, cupping her cheek.

San's eyes widened at the gesture. "C-Corvus?" she whispered uncertainly.

He leaned in, tilting his head, and said quietly, “I believe I forgot to give you something.” His breath tickled her face just a moment before his lips pressed against hers.

San gasped softly into Corvus's mouth. For a moment, her eyes closed and she began to melt against him, then she pulled away, shaking her head violently. "W-What are you doing?" she exclaimed.

Even though he had anticipated that reaction, it still hurt. “Precisely what you were doing two minutes ago,” he blurted. Not exactly the line he’d had in mind.

"N-no..." San said. "I...I didn't mean it that way. I just....what you just did, that's the way AILERON does it..."

Corvus’s fingers tightened slightly. Invisible to San, one of his eyes was twitching with annoyance. That little... There wasn’t even a word for it in his head. “Hhriket’t” was the word in Rhea, it just didn’t translate. He abruptly removed his hands and took a step back.

San gasped softly, immediately feeling lost and abandoned as he moved away. "Corvus?" she asked nervously, reaching out blindly. "Corvus, please don't leave."

“Then why?” he hissed. He hadn’t left, he’d just left her.

"Why did I kiss you?" San asked, taking a blind step towards the voice. "I...I just meant, because I care about you. I want to be friends with you. Is that wrong? I can't do that?"

He growled lightly. “Why any of it. Why all those weeks ago, why last week, why tonight. You clearly only care for Aileron, so stop stringing me along.”

San shook her head. "Stringing you along? I...I don't understand. Why do you say that?"

“Because every time I think I’ve gotten over you, you show up and do something to change my mind!”

"Corvus..." San said softly. "I'm so sorry...I didn't mean to hurt you... I just wanted you to let me care about you." She wanted to curl up in a ball and hide in the deepest, darkest hole she could. She knew there had been a time when Corvus could have had her in an instant if he wanted. All he would have had to do was respond when she'd tried to be nice to him, instead of pushing her away. Now, though...now she knew who she really wanted, and the comforting weight of the gem reminded her of it every minute.

“But you don’t,” he said accusingly. “You care for him.”

"Why can't I care about both of you?" San asked, taking another step forward and still not finding him.

His voice was constantly moving, coming from every which direction. “I hardly think Aileron’s open to sharing.”

"Corvus..." San began, finally sitting down on the rafter and curling up into a ball, too confused and disoriented, even frightened, to keep chasing him in the darkness. "I don't think we're understanding each other. I say I care about you, you say I can't, or I'm not allowed, or something. Aren't there different KINDS of caring?"

“Yes. Just not any I’m prepared to settle for,” he said.

"Why not?" San asked.

His voice was suddenly much closer, somewhere near her right ear. “Because. That would be no different than now. You are maddeningly within reach, yet impossible to touch.”

"S-So what you're saying is, either I love you like I love Aileron, or you continue to hurt me every time I see you?" San asked, not bothering to reach out for Corvus again, even though he seemed so close. "But Aileron EARNED it, Corvus. You could have, but instead you made me cry. When I was crying, and hurt, Aileron made me feel good!"

“San,” he said, landing in front of her once more, “I’m sorry.” He took her hand in his and awkwardly pressed it against his damp face.

San caught her breath softly, feeling her heart ache as she realized that he'd been crying. "Corvus," she whispered, uncurling. Suddenly, she shifted forward, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tightly. "I...I don't know what to do. Everything I do hurts you."

“And everything I do hurts you. San, please, we cannot just be friends.”

"But..." San whispered. "What else can we do?"

“I don’t know.”

San closed her eyes, clinging to him. "Maybe it won't be as bad as you think, to be friends?" she whispered.

“If it’s even half as bad as this, it’s not something I can stand.” He sighed and buried his nose into her hair. “I can’t even begin to explain to you the things going through my head right now.”

San sighed softly, closing her eyes. "I...I'd be lying if I said I'm not thinking of anything right now," she whispered. "I wish you'd told me all of this sooner, Corvus."

“You weren’t around for me to tell. I suppose that’s what I get for being so cruel.” He leaned his head back. “I don’t have the time for a relationship, no matter what everyone thinks, and it’s clearly too excruciating for both of us. We should both just forget about this, all of it.”

"And do what?" San demanded. "Hate each other? Should I just never come to the shop again? Is that what you want?"

“Hate is rather easier to fake than indifference. Speaking from experience, of course.”

"I don't want to fake hate OR indifference, Corvus," San said softly. She sighed softly. "Please...just tell me what you want me to do, and I'll do it."

“Kiss me,” he said, turning his usual growl into a low purr.

San hesitated, her guilt warring with her natural impulses. "C-Corvus...I...Please don't make me do that..." she begged softly.

With a scowl, he pushed her away. “Then don’t ask! Why couldn’t you have left me alone when we first met? Why won’t you leave me alone now?”

San fell back, unprepared for the shove, catching herself on her hands. "Is that all you want from me?" she whispered. "A kiss?"

“No,” he replied darkly. “Which is why, if you’re not going to give me anything, you should stay the hell away from me.”

"I'd give it to you," San said miserably. "If it were mine to give."

“It is yours to give, San.”

"But I'd just hurt Aileron," San protested. "That might not matter to you, Corvus, but it matters a lot to me."

“You’ll have to hurt one of us, San. You can’t have it both ways,” Corvus informed her.

San curled up again, having no idea what to say or do. Nothing that could break the impasse inside of her. "Corvus," she whispered finally.

He crossed his arms. “Don’t bother, I already know your answer.”

"Please...take me back," she said softly, as though he hadn't spoken.

Quickly, he uncrossed his arms, grabbed her hand, and they blinked out again. Only not back into the shop as expected. The broad night sky stretched out above them and the tiles of the roof lingered a short distance below. Corvus dropped her hand as quickly as he had picked it up and dropped like a rock to the roof. Only his quick reactions kept him from tumbling down the rough incline.

San had caught herself, but didn't have the ability to catch Corvus. She floated an inch off the roof for a moment, then lowered herself. "I don't understand anything you do," she said softly. "Why you cause yourself so much pain, when you already have enough."

“Maybe I like it,” he smirked, staring out at the dark vista.

"Maybe," San said sadly. "Seems like it sometimes." She reached out and caught Corvus' hand, giving it a squeeze before releasing it and beginning to move away. "Good night, Corvus. I'll see you soon."

“Don’t count on it,” he called after her. “And for your sake, I hope you don’t.”

She didn't reply, launching into the air and quickly merging with the night sky, disappearing from view.

Corvus remained sitting there for a few moments. It wasn’t as if he had a choice. His magic was worn up from two teleports, so flying was out of the question unless he wanted to risk falling. He really didn’t feel like sporting any new bruises. He’d only just gotten over the last batch, and that had taken help from a healer.

The view was rather nice. Beautiful clear night sky, thousands of stars, the lights and sounds of shops on the streets below, a cool breeze stirring the air. Of course, for all its beauty, he would much rather be sitting in the park with Em. Unfortunately, there was no way for him to reach her from up here. He might very well have to wait for hours before his magic came back enough. Nothing to do about it but try to climb down.

Carefully, Corvus rose to his feet, testing his legs. Running out of magic always left him feeling physically depleted, which he suspected was at least partly psychosomatic. Taking care to keep his balance, he made his way down towards the edge of the roof to take a look around. It was hard to judge the distance to the ground; he estimated it somewhere between “broken neck” and “broken leg.” There were some trees on the side of the shop, though. He scrambled over there, sending dust and grit flying off the roof as he went.

Dodging bits of dirt and dust was Arturo, quietly winging over to Corvus. It was fairly easy to catch up - after all, it wasn't like the summoner was making quick progress. He hovered behind for a moment, eyeing Corvus as he staggered across the roof, then sighed heavily and flapped over to the summoner. He knew that the last person Corvus wanted to see, aside from maybe Aileron and San, was him. Still, a sense of duty bound him to Corvus, and he felt obligated to offer his services.

"Do you need help getting down?" he asked quietly, coming to drift next to Corvus.

“Damnit,” said Corvus, more at the fact that his lack of magic at the moment meant he hadn’t sensed Arturo’s approach. “No, I just thought I’d climb around up here for fun.”

Arturo snorted and landed, carefully, on the roof, one knee bent to keep his balance on the incline. "I don't have enough magic to levitate you down. I can either help you climb down that tree, which is where I am assuming you were headed, or you can hang on to me and I can fly you down. Your choice, summoner."

Corvus scowled at the tree. Lots of branches and twigs and scrapes. He was arrogant, but not to the point where he couldn’t admit he was beat. “Fly me down,” he said quickly, and in a low voice.

"Okay." Arturo said with a nod, but hesitated. He couldn't very well carry Corvus on his back, as he'd simply be a burden on his wings, but he had no idea how else to carry Corvus while still maintaining his dignity. He shrugged and decided to let Corvus figure it out. "Climb on." he prompted. The faintest trace of a snicker crossed his face, but was gone as soon as it had arrived.

Without the slightest inhibition, Corvus stepped up, swung his arms around Arturo’s neck, and latched on. “Hurry it up,” he ordered.

Arturo nodded again and dropped swiftly from the roof, falling, much like a rock, towards the ground. He had practically no magic to support him in this endeavour and Corvus was more than a strain on his wings, but he adjusted quickly and the two landed, safely, in the grass. He straightened as Corvus let go and sighed, rubbing at his shoulder. That was going to be a bit sore for a while, but it wasn't a big deal.

With a curt nod, Corvus said, “Well, then, that’s that. Good night,” and turned to leave.

"I saw San fly by." Arturo said flatly. He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms across his chest. "I heard noises on the roof. She sounded upset."

Corvus stopped. “She’ll live.”

"I know she will. I'm wondering about you."

Corvus gave a short laugh. “You already know the answer to that!”

Arturo snorted. "True," he said, then paused. Might as well give him the report. "The others have given you up for a lost cause. They said you don't 'deserve' their hatred."

“Don’t care. Doesn’t matter.”

"It doesn't." Arturo affirmed quietly. He stared at his feet for a moment then snorted. "She's a sweet girl. What in the world did you say to her?"

“What did I say to her? Ha! Haha!” His laughter came in short, uncomfortable bursts and he bent over, as if pained. “What did I say, indeed!”

Arturo hunched forward with Corvus, arms still crossed over his chest. His ponytail tumbled forward and the black tips brushed the ground slightly, but he didn't seem to care, or even notice. "What if she tells Aileron?" he asked softly.

“Tells him what?” hissed Corvus. “I kissed her. And she wouldn’t kiss me back. He’d like that, I imagine. And then I told her to get lost. He’ll like that even more.” Corvus crumpled onto the grass.

Arturo, hunched over Corvus, sighed heavily. He carefully sat down next to Corvus and shook his head, then, surprisingly, laughed. It was short and bitter, and there was pained grimace on his face as he leaned back on his elbows. "Women," he sighed, expression dark, "they're not worth the trouble."

Whatever Corvus said in reply, it was too muffled to hear, as he was practically eating the grass at the moment.

"You said it." muttered the red feien, who chuckled, this time with a little more humor. It was short-lived however, as Arturo's face soon went as dull as slate. "I suggest lifting your head, by the way. There is an anthill right nearby and I know that I wouldn't want one of those in my mouth."

Corvus turned his head to the side. “Good source of fiber,” he noted blankly.

"Sit up," sighed Arturo. "You'll get dirty."

“I don’t care!” retorted Corvus, but he sat up any way. He tore out a blade of glass and threw it; it went all of an inch and fluttered to the ground. “This sucks!”

Arturo followed the blade of grass for a moment with his eyes, then grabbed it and idly began peeling it apart. "Is it only the San situation that sucks, or is it something else?" he asked calmly.

“All of it. Every single little damn thing. But mostly that.” He pulled his legs in and put his chin on his knees.

Arturo snorted. He had successfully pulled the blade of grass apart and began to weave the strips together, still seeming bored. "It's just a girl," he muttered, his best attempt at being consoling. "That pretty Yeande girl was literally throwing herself at you. At least, that's just the word around the shop."

“That’s not the same. San and I... we had a connection. She admitted as much. It was there the first time we met. But...”

"But she's taken. And you knew that."

A low growl came from the back of Corvus’s throat. “By that-- that oaf Aileron.” He lifted his head up and looked at Arturo. “And so what? What’s he got that I don’t?”

Arturo didn't meet Corvus' eyes directly. He looked at him sideways for a moment, the continued his weaving. "San, apparently."

Corvus leapt to his feet and spun around. “Shut up, you! Shut up!” He seemed at a loss to find an appropriate term for Arturo. “I could have her if I wanted! A sheep like that? She’s easy game!”

Arturo sighed heavily. He never expected to have this conversation with another adult. "Love isn't some game, Corvus, cliché as that sounds. Face facts - she loves someone else. She isn't yours to have."

“Ha!” went Corvus. “You’re jealous!”

"Of -who-?" Arturo asked, exasperated.

That was not an expected response. It was, in fact, the most devastating, shattering response possible. Corvus’s eyes went wide and he took a step back. His hands closed into tight fists. It took him a moment to muster his strength, then his mouth pursed in a tight frown and he turned away and started marching off.

Arturo stood instantly, his weaving forgotten. In a few quick strides he was beside the summoner, head cocked to the side. "You're not well." he said flatly.

“Bugger off,” snapped Corvus, and kept walking.

Arturo rolled his eyes heavily. "Or maybe you are."

“I said, bugger off!” repeated Corvus, pausing in midstride so he could shoot Arturo a glare.

"I don't think you want to be alone right now. Not in your weakened state, anyway." Arturo replied, shrugging at the logic.

“See, that’s where you’re wrong,” said Corvus, stopping again. “I want to be alone all the time, everywhere I go, with no exceptions, and that’s all!”

"Then why did you want San to love you back?"

“Buh--” started Corvus. He wanted to start moving again, but his feet seemed to have become frozen to the ground. “I-- Because-- I don’t think that’s any of your business!”

Arturo held up his hands defensively. "You're right. It's not." he muttered, voice gentle. "But you should think about that." With a shrug, Arturo moved ahead of Corvus, deciding not to pursue that topic of conversation further. Instead, he tactfully switched subjects, " I gave a brief fencing lesson a while back. To the Ares girl."

Corvus wasn’t buying it. “Get out of my bloody way!”

"I'm not in your 'bloody way,'" was the cool reply.

“Then why are you still here? Get lost!”

Arturo twitched. "Was that an order?" he asked. If it was, he would have to obey - of course.

“Yes it was,” said Corvus. “A direct order. Unless your ears are in need of cleaning?”

"My ears are fine, thank you," Arturo replied stiffly. He spread his wings and hopped lightly into the air, hovering for a second to stare sternly at Corvus, then swooped upwards and out of the summoner's sight.

That left Corvus exactly as he wanted to be: alone. Only he wasn’t any happier.

Aiyaaaah... I was out last night and missed the ending of the nokos auction... I was trying to get six, but only ended up managing to get two!

And this after I'd already worked out the homes...

Naturally, this means some people who were expecting a new family member are going to be disappointed. But obviously, I'm not going to disappoint Etoh and Fianna. Therefore, I presented them with a beautiful baby boy, whom they've named Marcel.



The other boy, Yosef, I've given to Em (the other one) and Sev. Em seemed happy about it, apparently attempting to use the chance to spring a bit of joy on Draco (whose recovery is going quite nicely).



And lastly, a female noko arrived, and will be finding a home with Lilem and Fett.



Lilem seemed rather intrigued by the whole thing, and Fett, well, it's always hard to read his face.

I was really hoping to have one for Max and Sally... but in the end, maybe this is for the best. Max looked kind of relieved at the shortage, though Sally was rather disappointed... (Note to Max: SALLY WANTS KIDS, WHAT'S TAKING YOU SO LONG? GO MAKE SOME BABIES!)

Oh well. That means it'll still be just me and Kasha and Kancho for a while more. And Corvus, if he ever comes back. I'm a little worried. I mean, where would he go?? He hasn't come back for meals or anything. I left some food out during the night, but he didn't take any.

This is very unsettling. I hope Corvus knows what he's doing and is okay, because if anything ever happened to him...

Still no sign of Corvy. Talos and Caligula came over, though. Talos mentioned some problems with Caligula, and it was pretty obvious what those are are once they got here. Caligula has gotten very angry and is butting heads with people, even Talos.

I'm at a loss. I'd heard male Lakael woud be violent, but I thought maybe Caligula would be an exception? He was really quite shy when he was smaller. I guess Lakaels are more animal than person?

Talos seems to be dealing with it pretty well. He's grown up a lot. A bit os responsibility puts the color on his cheeks, methinks.

I suggested to Talos maybe Caligula wants a mate, and that he might calm down once he found one, so Talos agreed to try and take him to the shop.

So far, Caligula has made a mess of my stuff, thrown half a hot dog at the wall, and tried to attack Chedem. Kancho brought Marius and Snapdragon into his section of the apartment so they wouldn't be bothered by our little terror.

Oh, and did I mention Caligula smelled?

Now, I know Talos hates baths (slight fear of water), but that doesn't mean he shouldn't try to bathe Caligula or try to get someone else to do it. I sent Max instructions to make sure that Caligula gets bathed a little more often, and took it upon myself to bathe him in the meantime.

Oy. What a fiasco. The bathroom is a sopping wet mess and Caligula knocked over the cat shampoo. It's all over the floor. Aiyah.

But Talos and Caligula will stay here tonight. I suppose I'll keep Caligula in the bathroom, and Talos can stay with me. I do so love having him around. ^^

It was a typical bright Miami day, a faint breeze blowing through the open window. The slats of the verticals blinds clacked lightly together. The sounds of birds and cars drifted into the third-floor room from the streets below.

Of course, the sound of something landing on the window was unmistakable. From her computer chair three feet away, Emperial looked up.

It was a winged black rag.

“Corvy!” she gasped, forgetting the computer, and rose from her chair. Then she sniffed the air lightly. “What’s that smell?” It smelled vaguely like the giant sewer that was Biscayne Bay.

“May... may I have some food?”

“Of course!” She dashed from the room only to return a few moments later with a cup of water and half a piece of matzo-- and Saisai in tow. He was holding a mug of coffee in his hand, which offered explanation as to why he was downstairs, if leaving the question of why he was in the bedroom unanswered.

Corvus was too hungry to worry about that at the moment, though. Gliding down to Em’s desk, he practically inhaled the water, ignoring the tiny bottle cap cup she offered in favor of dunking his head into the bigger cup. He took a long draught before tearing himself away and going for the matzo.

For the most part, Em watched quietly, crooning small warnings about eating too quickly or too much. Behind her, Saisai sipped his coffee and pretended to find something of interest on the bare apartment walls. When it finally seemed that Corvus had satiated the worst of his hunger pangs, Em spoke more seriously. “Corvy?”

Somewhat embarrassed, Corvus kept his gaze downward.

“It’s okay.” She snaked a finger across the desk towards him, offering her hand in support. He gratefully held on to her finger. “I know what it’s like. We all need someplace we can go sometimes. That’s what this room is for me, even though it’s full of you guys. It’s where I go to be alone. So I had an idea. You know the boxes on the closet shelf? Well, why don’t you make yourself a place up there? No one will disturb you; I’ll make sure it’s off-limits. You’ll always be able to go up there to be alone.”

Weak eyes looked up at her. Corvus’s fingers tightened slightly on hers and he looked up at her with exhaustion. “Yes,” he said slowly, “I would like that.”

“It’s okay, Corvy.” And it was.

Leaning against her hands, Corvus intertwined his hands with her fingers, embracing that one part of her which was similar enough to his own size to make an embrace possible. Nearby, Griswald’s tiny glittering eyes watched from the shadowy confines of the drawer.

Finally, after a good long embrace, Corvus brought his hand to his mouth. “I think I’m going to be sick,” he managed.

“I told you not to eat so fast,” admonished Em, grabbing a nearby Time magazine for Corvus to stumble on top of. It was three weeks old and had been read thoroughly from front to back twice, so was easily disposable. Em didn’t blink an eye at the mess, since it was such a miniscule amount (less than a mouthful for a human) and not even digested. It looked like a pile of watery matzo mush and smelled only a little worse.

With utmost care, Em scooped up the sullied Corvus and took both him and the magazine to the bathroom. Saisai sipped his coffee once as they passed, following them with his eyes, remaining where he was. The magazine was disposed of in the bathroom trash can and Corvus was deposited next to the sink. Em started the warm water and started to peel away layers of mended, dirty, tattered black cloth.

It was a slow process. Neither spoke. Every minute or so Em checked the water until it finally reached a temperature she found agreeable. Corvus stood, approached the stream of water, found it to his liking, and stepped in.

The dirt and grime disappeared with a small application of soap and some scrubbing. Corvus’s pale skin soon shone through, returned to its usual luster, and his hair went from windblown tangle of knotted filaments to sleek and shiny tresses with three thorough washings.

Of course, for every motion Em made to assist, Corvus shuddered slightly, involuntarily reacting to the sensation of her touch. She soon gave up on assisting with the bathing element and instead readied tissues to dry him off. The entire ordeal took nearly twenty-five minutes, and though Saisai’s coffee completely disappeared in that time he himself remained, quietly observing it all with crossed arms.

Once dry, Corvus reached for the heap of black cloth, but Em whisked it away too quickly. “We’ll have to wash this. I was just about to do a load anyway.” She stepped out of the bathroom and disappeared, presumably heading to the washer/dryer.

Which left Saisai holding an empty cup and staring at Corvus. Defiantly, Corvus stared back, only to be met with a wall of impassiveness. Neither budged. Their eye contact was broken only when Em returned, offending ball of smelly black rags gone, and passed between them. “Well, that settles that, then!” she concluded. “Why don’t we all go get some work done?”

“Not quite,” said Saisai. He finally pushed away from the wall he was leaning against and trudged forward. “You. With me.” His eyes clearly indicated Corvus.

Corvus started to object, but Em exchanged a glance with Saisai and nodded. “Go,” she said to Corvus. Saisai held out a hand.

He had no choice.

-----

The roof of the apartment building was never meant for habitation. The flat surface was rough, unfinished, and open to the sky. Despite the newness of the building, it was already fairly worn from the weather, particularly the frequent rainstorms and heavy winds that accompanied living near the sea.

Saisai’s living arrangements were Spartan. There was a tent of blue tarp, heavily secured into place, and a small fire circle. A quilt was laid out near the circle, and it was this that they headed for.

The trip had been a quiet one. Once Corvus was in hand, Saisai walked straight from the apartment (dropping his coffee mug in the kitchen on the way out) and into the elevators, taking them to the sixteenth floor. From there they took the stairwell to the roof. Saisia was conveniently equipped with a roof access key.

Corvus had no idea what he was doing here. He wrapped his wings around him against the sharp winds, valiantly attempting to retain his position in the palm of his abductor’s hand.

Saisai sat and placed Corvus on the quilt next to him. It was a fairly thick quilt, but even the several layers of heavy cloth could not fully conceal the uncomfortable sensation of the hard roofing material.

“Do you mind?”

Corvus looked up to find his host holding a pack of cigarettes. He had never really been exposed to them, so his only response was a weak, “Er...”

Saisai rolled his eyes at Corvus’s hesitation, said, “Don’t ********’ care,” and popped a cigarette in his mouth, fishing in his jacket for a lighter. A few flicks and he had it lit, taking a deep drag.

At the offensive smell, Corvus coughed and choked. That elicited a laugh from Saisai, who leaned back onto the quilt and puffed away happily, totally dismissive of his guest’s discomfort. Corvus shot him an annoyed look and got to leave.

“Sit down,” came the order, firm and clear. Saisai snubbed the cigarette out on the asphalt.

“And why should I?”

With a sigh, Saisai shoved himself back into sitting position. “I’ve been hearing you’re having some problems. Maybe some problems with a girl.”

“None of your business.”

There was something crazy in Saisai’s eyes when he looked at Corvus. “Everything concerning Em is my business. Sitting up here, defending your sorry little a** from god-knows-what is my business. So quit the high and mighty act and listen.” He started to go for another cigarette out of habit but stopped himself. “The people down there, they can’t deal with relationships, but up here, it’s the relationships that can’t deal with us. You can be like Emi and the Admiral. They can’t deal with normal relationships ever. Their screwy bond depends on the fact that neither is adaptable enough to deal with s**t like that, so they stick to each other. Or you can learn to have a little backbone. So you get burned, you learn. Life sucks, but it don’t matter, ‘cause the sky’s still blue and the view’s nice, and you don’t need other people’s s**t.”

Corvus, who had at some forgotten point seated himself, stared up at Saisai. He was truly in the company of a madman. Furthermore, the madman was talking against Em. Maybe. He was being rather vague in a sense. “I don’t follow,” Corvus said at last, making it sound as if the fault for the lack of understanding was Saisai’s.

Totally deadpan, Saisai replied: “******** you, chickenwuss. It’s like this. Either you spend all your time worrying what the other party’s gonna do and act all the time for others, or you figure out yourself. You wanna throw a tantrum every time someone does something that ticks you off, that’s your own damn fault. What the hell does it matter what they do and say, huh?”

“It doesn’t matter!” protested Corvus, as if he already knew this and the whole conversation were an exercise in futility.

Saisai leaned in close until his smoke-and-coffee breath was threatening to suffocate Corvus. “Then stop bloody ******** acting like it does.” He leaned back and began ticking things off his hand. “Tantrums, running away, shouting, sulking -- all of that’s crap. You let people get under your skin and you react.”

That part, at least, made some sense, and Corvus fumed at the thought.

“And now look at you,” continued Saisai, “all steamed ‘cause I got you pegged. So what?”

“Coming from a man who spends all his time standing like an idiot on a roof for no reason, this doesn’t mean much,” sneered Corvus.

On an emotional level, there was absolutely no reaction. “So?”

“So you’re an idiot!”

Saisai threw up his hands. “Don’t care. That’s what you think, and it’s got nothing to do with anything far as I’m concerned.”

Corvus looked around for something to kill, or at the very least kick. There was nothing except several feet of soft quilt.

“Hey, look at me, kiddo,” instructed Saisai. Corvus did so with a murderous glare. “I don’t give a s**t, and neither should you. So Em’s got too many people around for your liking. So nobody gives you any respect. So you’ve got no friends and your cat’s been keeping secrets from you. So your girlfriend dumped you. It doesn’t matter. Just forget about it and move on.”

Said Corvus, “That is the most foolish, insane thing I have ever heard.”

“You’re the upset one, not me,” pointed out Saisai.

“You couldn’t possibly understand!”

Saisai waved a finger at Corvus. “Au contraire, mon chere, when it comes to love s**t, I’ve got more experience than all the dunderheads downstairs put together. Try me. What’s your problem?” He fixed Corvus with a serious look. Corvus hesitated, squirming under the steady gaze, prompting Saisai to add, “Whatever it is, trust me, it’s happened to me and about a gazillion other guys already.”

“She loves someone else.”

Saisai started to laugh. “Is that all? I had a girlfriend once who ran off with another guy. She suited him anyway. Real cute, but lousy in bed.”

“And she doesn’t love me like that.”

The laughter subsided into a cough. “Been there, too. I’ll give you credit, kid, you’re pretty open. My last girlfriend left me for the same reason, more or less. First it was her after me, but I liked her as a friend, then we got together, and by the time I got around to loving her, she was over me and left. Not worth it on either end. We’re still friends, though.” He coughed again. “But that’s history. You move on. That’s your problem, kiddo, you’re too caught up in stuff that’s behind you. You gotta stick with the stuff that’s going on right now. Live moment to moment. And if you’re gonna tell people that you don’t care, then don’t care.”

Even after all that, Corvus wasn’t convinced. He stared at Saisai rather contemptuously. “You’re crazy.”

Saisai smirked. “Crazy, but I’ve got a ******** huge dragon and I can kick your a**.”

Something tugged at the corner of Corvus’s mouth. “You also talk too much.”

“Nah, you just say that now. Stick up here long enough and you’ll find I run out of conversation topics pretty quick. Girls, cards, and clouds are about it. You play?” The quizzical look on Corvus’s face was answer enough. Saisai reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a deck. “I’ll teach you, but you have to come back and play me sometimes, coppish?”

“Hmph, we’ll see,” was all Corvus said as he settled down on the quilt and the cards were dealt.