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At the glare, Kalore almost whimpered, looking down instantly before he shook his head some. “But…” He didn’t want Gambler to see him like this but he refused to go back to Eri’s. Unless the contract was nulled then he wouldn’t really have a choice. In fact, the time for him to go back there, the scheduled time, was coming up in a little over a month. He didn’t think that he could handle that, especially if there wasn’t any reason or Gambler and the others to really help him out. “F-Fine.” As he spoke, he bit his lip harder before the juice was offered. Sniffing it, a small smile appeared on his lips before he took a sip. “thank you, Monty.”

Even though he normally would, Rave was almost trapped in the dreams that were haunting him. He could hear the sounds from Gambler, could hear Monty’s low voice from the phone, but Rave couldn’t force himself to wake up. Something close to panic gripped him as he shook his head just slightly, trying to see if he could force himself with his own power, but it wasn’t working. Groaning in his sleep, Rave turned a bit, his head being gripped by his hand as he instead tried to change the dream. That didn’t work either. What was happening to him?

The dreams weren’t going away but when he felt himself being shaken awake, Rave’s eyes finally began to open as he glanced over at her, his eyes fogged for a bit as he muttered, “I-Isa… Isabelle?” He looked confused for a moment, noticing that that’s what it was that she looked like but when his eyes cleared, he saw just who it was. s**t. “Gambler?” Sitting up some, he frowned a bit, touching her cheek as he tried to ignore the miss up in names that he had just done. “Is something wrong?” He didn’t mention that he had heard what it was that the demon had said… that would probably set something off or something.

In a way, the man knew that someone had to put their foot down, but as he took another small sip of the strawberry drink, he sat up just enough to put it on a tray. “Well… I don’t really need anything…” He smiled softly before he wrapped his arms around the other, keeping close to him. “Is um… is she on her way?”

Fighting back the temptation to indulge in his nervous habit, biting his lip, Rave sighed softly as he stood up, beginning to find his clothes. “I… I see. Shall we leave now, then?” He knew that she was upset about him saying the wrong name, but he didn’t even realize why it was that he had said it. Maybe he was really lacking in sleep, but surely not. He had had more sleep and rest than he had in a long time. It had to be something else, but it wasn’t like the anniversary of her death was near… no, that had passed a long time ago. Then what was it? Shaking his head to himself, he watched her for a moment before pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead once he was done changing and his hair was in some order. “Shall we leave now then?”

A soft chuckle came from the pink haired elf as he tilted back in his chair, his feet on his desk and a grin on his face. He was calling Sin, chuckling softly as his eyes continued to stay closed; watching the damage that he was beginning to cause. This was actually… fun. In fact, this was a lot more fun than what he had expected it to be. Now he just needed a good illusion to begin to be set up… and then things would be even better. He didn’t know if Sin could make it to where only one person saw it or not, though… that would make it perfect.

Kalore touched the arm that was keeping him there as he slowly nodded, sighing softly before reaching out to touch the strawberries. He knew that he probably wanted to have something else other than this first but he couldn’t help it. The man wanted his favorite fruit, but the moment that the slice was in his mouth, he regretted it. Making a face, he tilted his head forward, against Monty’s shoulder. The elf wasn’t going to throw up, but the taste… with everything that had been going out of his mouth, it was bitter, more concentrated than the juice, almost... gross. “Damnitt…”

Rave tried to smile back at the woman but soon had to sigh as he brought her closer, kissing the top of her forehead once more. “I… Okay.” He didn’t want to explain himself or do anything like that. No, that would only make things worse. So, bringing her closer to him, his eyes closed for just a second in concentration. Shadows began to envelop them and it wasn’t long before they were on the front doorstep of the home that Monty was using and where he sensed the two. It almost scared him that he could sense the demon nearly as well as he could sense Kalore… not as much lately, but when the two were together… He shook his head a bit at the thought, muttering, “Scary…” Without another word, he reluctantly released Gambler, hoping that the fluke from the morning would simply blow over. Hopefully.

Shaking his head some, the man looked down for a moment. “I don’t know… I mean… it just tastes bad.” Kalore didn’t want to deal with bread too… he really didn’t. Sighing softly, his arms crossed as he just glared at the bread. “I’m not hungry.” He was, but the taste in his mouth was just disgusting. Maybe more water would help? The bile mixed with the odd taste from a dry mouth while he was sleeping, along with the strawberries… he didn’t think that it was something that he wanted to deal with for much longer.

Eri’s face was almost plastered with a grin as he spoke, “Well hello to you too, friend.” The man was almost giddy as he leaned back, knowing full well that neither of them had friends, but the name worked for the moment. “Our lovely raven haired man is now beginning to panic. Beyond my highest dreams, he actually said the wrong name… how cute.” Another chuckle and he shook his head, feet resting on the desk. “Now… here’s my question… I can continue this, but that nifty little illusion trick… Can you hone it down to where only one person can see it?”

Kalore hadn’t really known what to do when Monty was gone but he did what was asked for him. He moved to the bathroom, washing out his mouth and making another face as he soon was collapsed back onto the bed. Without drinking anything, he simply closed his eyes, trying to get just a bit more rest before anyone else decided to come into the door. By the time Rave and Gambler came up, the man was shown with how frail he had become. Body thinner than healthy, nails bitten to the point of bleeding, eyes baggy and dull… he was a wreck. The only thing that was the same as before was his hair; tangled and wet here and there, but still the beautiful blonde that it had been before.

When Rave had seen Monty narrow his eyes, he hadn’t given him any thought. He hadn’t been the one that started anything, he hadn’t been the one that had done things that he probably shouldn’t. Rave had simply helped their boss and his lover, and he apparently was disliked for it. It didn’t matter to him, however, because Monty already disliked him. What was a bit more?

Seeing Kalore, however, had his eyes wide and rave stepping just a bit further into the room. He knew that what it was that he was going to see was going to be bad, but nothing really prepared him for this. His friend, one of the more beautiful people that he knew, was… was a wreck. He was still gorgeous, but it was as if someone had seen a beautiful statue and had decided that it was too pretty, so they would whittle it down, more and more, until it got too unbearable to destroy. “Kal…” Muttering the words, he glanced over at Gambler, silencing himself before anyone else could say anything. He wasn’t Kalore’s supreme boss at the moment; she was.

But… it bothered him that Kalore didn’t even open his eyes to smile at them as he had done when he had lost his voice. He had come to them bloodied, beaten, voiceless, and damn near dead, but he had still joked and grinned. Now the man wasn’t even looking up from his state, knowing that they were in there but just too tired to really do much of anything at the moment other than cuddle up to the blanket that was still from where Monty had slept by him. The passed out sleep that he had had did nothing for him. Kalore needed real rest, real food, but his body just wasn’t listening.

Chuckling, Eri nodded. “Sure thing. Come on down and we’ll figure out what it is that we can do.” His eyes gained a curious glint in them, however, as a grin was creeping back onto his features. “A touchable illusion, eh? Well now.. that would be pretty interesting.” He laughed, shaking his head some. “The doors are open for you. Though, this time, try not to scare my waitresses or dancers, please. I can’t keep comforting them when I’m trying to do other things.”

Eri was laughing before he shook his head, allowing the man into his office and gesturing for him to take a seat. “I didn’t hear any problems so that’s always a good thing… but now… How exactly do those illusions of yours work? I’ve got Rave’s memories coming back but… I’m not exactly talented in that area.” He was good at the things he could do, however. Very good at those things. “And is there anything that you’d like me to bring out in Gambler? Rave was easier than I thought it would be…” But loved ones always had a special place in one’s mind and heart.

Stiffening, Kalore soon was looking away, eyes still closed as he spoke, “Hey… Gambler…” It still hurt a bit to talk too loudly but he brought the covers over him, hiding the frail body and leaving only the pretty face and beautiful hair. He knew, from Monty’s reaction before, that he was in bad shape. He just didn’t need Gambler to mention it to. “Did to…?” Sighing softly, he just muttered Eri’s name, but Kalore would say no more. He didn’t want everyone around now. He really, really, really didn’t want everyone around right now.

As the others were speaking, Rave had already moved so that he was sitting on the bed, stroking his friend’s hair much like what he used to do for him when he would get away from Lucien for a day or so. He smiled softly when Kalore looked up at him, the rare action causing Kalore to smile just a bit as well. “Hey… You’re smiling…” Blinking some, Rave was laughing softly as he nodded a bit, “Yeah, I guess that I am.” “I knew I’d get you to eventually… even if I had to go through hell to do it…” The comment had Rave rolling his eyes as he pressed a kiss to the top of his head, nodding some. “If you’re joking around then you’ll be fine.” Kalore made a face but soon was looking over at Gambler, blinking some, “Um… I’ll be okay.” He felt like s**t, though.

“Well now… this is quite interesting.” Getting up, Eri soon was moving around the doll, remembering just how it was that Isabelle looked. She was beautiful, but not in the beautiful that Gambler was. The brunette had a charm other that was solely her own, but Isabelle was the beauty that was classic, always there, always desired. Listening to Sin tell his tale, a grin was on Eri’s face as he nodded, “Then I’ll work at that as well. Now… for Miss Isabelle…” It took some time, but soon he was gesturing, showing him what it was to do. “Hair, down to her waist in soft waves, amber that turns nearly gold in the sun. Smaller waist, softer curves but nicely formed…” He was remembering her perfectly, his own memory as sharp as his tongue.

“Birthmark here,” He pointed to the hip, “A bit bigger… perfect. A scar here, here, and here. They’re all small and delicate, done either shaving or cooking or something like that.” He had never asked; he had never cared. “Nails cut close to the skin, smooth, nearly flawless skin…” Touching the face, he showed where her eyes were, “Here and here, almond eyes that are a spring green, quite pretty. No, no, no, too harsh. There we are, delicate. Isabelle was one of the most delicate people around.” He chuckled again, shaking his head. “Lips… full, her upper lip has a bit of a quirk to it, small scar here,” Eri pointed, nodding a bit to himself. “Lovely lashes, small freckles dusting her cheeks… and perfect.”

He stepped back, nodding some before he was trying to remember the clothes that she wore. He didn’t tend to think of her with clothes on… “Hmm… she never wore pants… always dresses or skirts. Halters did tend to be something that she wore often… Maybe a spring dress?” Eri shrugged, “Clothes weren’t something I liked her with.”

“Um…” Biting his lip, Kalore looked away as Rave sighed softly, “I take it that that’s a no…” He looked a bit amused as Kalore glared at both of them, pulling the covers over his head. The man simply looked at the other two, raising a brow. He wasn’t going to force feed the other; that would just give him reason to force feed him if the man ever got into this position and he definitely didn’t think that he could handle that all that well. Kalore grumbled a bit, “I ate something before. I’ll be fine.” Such a liar. Rave rolled his eyes, looking through the food as he picked out some small things, poking the now-bony shoulder of his friend, “Kalore…” “No damnitt! It hurts!”

Eri simply smirked at the other, “Not my story to tell.” Touching the face of ‘Isabelle’, the man looked almost nostalgic for a moment as he stroked her cheek, “Such a shame… Lucien had it out for you, however…” He continued to overlook her, nodding just a bit, “Is there any special way to do that or can I just implant memories in her?” It was something that was tricky, but with something that had no memories before… it would be a lot easier than it probably should have been with a real thing. “Lucien… later we’ll need to make him so that we can keep Rave broken and down. Otherwise… this will probably just piss him off. A pissed Rave is… bad. Very, very, very bad.”