Welcome to Gaia! ::

Kit was thankful that Joker had spoke, otherwise she wouldn’t have noticed that he even left. Looking up, she bit her lip, nodding. “Alright, I’ll do that.” His sense of humor made her smile and it wasn’t long before they were in the presence of the room from before, Kit opening the door for him. “Here.” They entered, Eldin paling as he saw Kalore, “Is he…?” Dear Goddess, not another one… but Kit shook her head, “No, just… just upset.” No one questioned it as a sense of silence became nearly normal for the group. This was beginning to wear on all of them, but they couldn’t take their eyes off of the trio as Kit opened the door for Joker, closing it behind them as she helped position Kalore on the bed.

A laugh came from Dusk’s lips as she covered them, smiling softly at the man. She truly did love this man… truly, she did. But she sighed softly as she leaned over, kissing him softly. “Alright then. Let’s go.” Wrapping the robe around her tighter, she took in a breath before they began to walk out. She wouldn’t go into her main room, but there were the dressing rooms that Rave had had installed… it seemed like the man was prepared for nearly every disaster. Well… nearly.

Allowing himself to be hit, Rave turned his face away for a moment, sighing softly. “I… None of us believe it, Gambler, but… it has been reported. It will be checked again but he was poisoned with the same blade that you were harmed with, but too a steeper degree, I believe.” Rave hated himself for sounding official about this, for not giving the emotion that the comrade’s death deserved but… if he showed emotion then it would be the same that he had shown for the twin’s death, and that was to hold the woman close to him, tell her he loved her. He wouldn’t be allowed to do that, however, so he held himself straight, watching her with eyes that were the only sign of the pain he felt from all of this.

Kit nodded as she went out to get the things that were needed. She wanted to just help out Joker so she wouldn’t be able to be the one that helped, Eldin couldn’t stand Kalore so he was out - - plus she didn’t trust the brat - - and Rave was busy so… hmm… Kit shook her head as she went to get the things. Maybe they would just have to do this on their own. She didn’t trust these new people with her friend, even if Talon and the others were of nearly the same group. No… she just didn’t trust them. “Here are the things, then.” She had looked and found the normal black and green that Kalore loved to wear, setting them on the side table, along with the water and the cloth. Looking at her friend, Kit sighed softly, “He… He looks so…” Lost. Even as he latched onto the pillow, Kalore still looked lost.

The cute blink and look had Dusk laughing again, more than thankful for the other’s actions as she nodded, “You can wear whatever it is that you want.” She, on the other hand, needed something else that would express how she felt. She was sad, yeah, but Dusk didn’t like getting sad. No… she much preferred to just get pissed. So, she picked a flowing red gown, nodding in approval as she changed into the striking outfit, her long hair down on her shoulders, the circlet back on her brow before she made sure she looked more than presentable. Those council members were going to listen to her, even if one or more of them didn’t like her at all.

Rave watched her tremble, his heart beginning to break but when she asked he didn’t say a word. He walked the few steps that it took before his arms wrapped around her, keeping her close as he kissed the top of her head. For a moment he allowed her to do whatever she wished, but then he spoke, softly, carefully, “I could not leave you there, Gambler. I… I would rather allow myself to perish, to feel the worst pains imaginable before I just stood back as you were in the hands of that… wretched being.” He couldn’t believe what Sin had done to Gambler, to his Gambler. Yes, the woman probably hated him but… still.

Kit raised a brow at the other, “Aren’t you a doctor?” She had to giggle softly before her hands began to work at Kalore’s feet, moving from the bottom up. “How about this? Wash the top half of him, which includes making sure that his hair is fine, and then I’ll wash the bottom. Deal?” Kalore’s hair just had to get the blood and such out of it. How he had managed to get that in his hair, however, was beyond him, but at least it was just in the braid… but then again, could that make it worse? She didn’t know, but Kit preferred thinking about things like Kalore’s hair, his body, anything that wasn’t the horribleness that was their lives of the past few hours.

With her mid-back hair tied back in a loose ponytail, Dusk raised a brow as she chuckled softly, shaking her head some, “Hmm… we’ll see.” She walked over to him, the heels that she wore allowing her to barely have to raise herself up to kiss him softly. “But, it all depends on how well you behave.” But then again, it also depended on how well she behaved. Dusk didn’t want to talk to the members of the council but she didn’t have much of a choice. Actually… “I don’t think that you’ve had much luck with those in the council but… look, there are some in there that really dislike me and you. They’re going to be cruel, but do not speak unless I allow it, alright.” She took his hand, frowning some. “I’ll see if I can find some way to get them disbanded, but I don’t think that it’s going to happen anytime soon.”

The words surprised him but Rave didn’t show it as he just held her tighter, allowing his hand to stroke her back slowly. He shook his head, leaning down to kiss the top of her head, “No, Gambler… No. A death of one does not bring back the life of another, I am afraid, and even if that were true, no one in either group, no one at all, can handle more death.” He knew that Kalore would panic at even Gambler’s death, but part of that was just because of the state that he was in. “Please, Gambler…” Please what? He didn’t know.

His words stopped as he just held her close, his own grief beginning to show as he grieved for so many things. Mostly what had happened between them but also for the damage that had been done to their group. Some things just couldn’t be stopped but some things… could they have stopped them> Could some of these hells have been avoided? Well, the death of Eri would have saved them nearly all of this… but he knew better than to continue to think in the past. It would do nothing now… no, nothing now could be changed. They had to figure out how to keep their heads high, how to solve the things that had been done now. If not… if not they would just destroy themselves.

Kit gave a soft laugh, nodding some to him. “I promise that I’ll behave.” This was good thing, getting distracted. Cleaning the other didn’t take long, however, as she leaned forward and kissed her friend’s forehead. She sighed softly, stroking his cheek gently before she went to clean up the rest of the room, just needing to do something else other than watch her friend sleep and begin to think of what had caused the edges of his green eyes to turn scarlet. No… she didn’t want to think about that but it wasn’t long before the place was spotless and she was left staring at the window. It was dark out now… very dark.

Taking in a breath, the woman sighed before she nodded some to herself. “this will be interesting…” She took his hand, kissing him softly again. This wouldn’t turn out well, that much she knew, but she tried to be a little optimistic. It wasn’t like this was going to end horrendously, she hoped… Dusk sighed as they walked out, glancing over at the others as she turned many, many heads. Even Raul had to raise a brow at the red dress sliding down her form. “What’s the occasion?” She glanced over, sighing, “We’re going to speak with the council. If Rave comes out, tell him that so that he can decide whether to come or not.”

He closed his eyes for a moment before taking in a breath, holding her close as he touched her chin, pressing their lips together suddenly. The kiss was brief but he parted, taking her chin in his hand as he watched her with sharp eyes. “Gambler, you will not give up, do you understand me?” There was more emotion in his eyes than he had shown in a long time as he watched her. She may hate him for this but…

“You are all that I have close to me, Gambler, so do not force me to lose you as well, please.” His eyes saddened for a moment. “Kalore is hurting, but he enjoys your company and will want to make sure that you are alright. Eldin enjoys your company as well, as do many others but I… I truly love being with you.” He sighed softly, shaking his head. “I will not just leave you, Gambler, even if you push me away as was done before. I still love you and I do not wish for you to give in like this. It is not like you.”

Gritting his teeth, Rave touched her hand again, shaking his head, "Gambler... You know that that woman was not the real Isabelle, and even if she were then that makes no difference to me. I did not go searching for someone to fill her place, as you have put it." He glared back at her, beginning to get annoyed. He wanted her to just shut up, heal, and then help them get through all of this without feeling so damn sorry about herself but that was beginning to become nearly impossible. If Rave knocked her out... how many people would be angry? No, that wasn't a good thing to ask. There were more people in Dusk's group there at the moment that wouldn't care and wouldn't do anything to stop the two of violence ensued.

So, he behaved. For now. "Did you fall for me to only replace the void in which your own heart held, Gambler?" It was a horrible thing to say, but if she was going to accuse him then it was only right. "I stayed with you for love, respect, and knowing that you were a strong leader. Are you here to tell me that that is not the case? Shall you truly lie down and take anything now because you are 'too much of a hassle' now?" his eyes were cold. "You are acting as Cecilia did and weren't you one of the ones to push her to do what she needs to do?" He shook his head again. "Emotions aside, Gambler, there are people that need you. Even if my emotions matter nothing to you, that alone should spur you out of this self pity."

Sighing softly, Kit shook her head, "No... I'm not." She smiled softly at him, however, touching Joker's hand. "But I will be." Looking at her friend, another soft sigh came from her before she gestured, "Why don't we go somewhere else? Thank you for cleaning him up." Didn't they need to get Monty? Kit's heart clenched at the thought but... it was what needed to be done. Did she want it done? No... No, not at all did she want that done but she had little choice. She would do this, help, but then Kit wanted to take a nice long bubble bath, get in a robe, and just sleep for days.

The two soon were in the room of the council, Dusk's arms crossed as she watched the five beings in front of her. Two were women, three were men, and all five of them were looking stern. Most looked shaken, but the man in the middle... he just looked pissed. "So you're finally here, my queen... We're glad to find that you are safe. You know what happened, correct?" Dusk sighed softly, stepping forward, "I know very well, Lord Kristopher, for we were on the front helping to destroy the beings." most of the people looked surprised, their tired faces gaining a light of curiosity, but the brunette in the middle sighed softly, shaking his head, "Isn't that how it always is? While you were slowly fighting, we lost nearly one hundred men on our front."

Dusk sighed softly, nodding. "I know. I was given the report by Sir Rave. He also told me that you five were nowhere to be found... Lord Kristopher, aren't you skilled with a sword? Lady Scalete, can't you cast spells?" Her eyes were narrowed as she scoffed. "I had to get outsiders to help while you two were gone, along with the rest of you. I'm beginning to question the use of this group now." Kristopher began to rise, glaring at her with disgust in his eyes. "We have been here, making sure that this land was safe, for longer than you've been alive, half breed." Dusk stiffened at the name but she knew that that wasn't a prejudice she could get past. Ever.

"The people are not loyal to you yet, Princess." A soft voice came from the far side of the table, a woman with silver hair speaking. "You are not the Queen in their eyes and after this incident... I don't know if you ever will be." She gestured to Kyoshi. "You bring him in and this happens. How do we know he is not the cause of all this? He was here, helped slay our king... though most do not know of his existence, those that do question him; much as they question you."

Gritting his teeth, Rave tried his hardest not to let his anger get a hold of him. No, he had to remain calm and collected and… f*ck it. He took a step forward, grabbing Gambler’s arm and forcing her against the wall, watching her with deadly eyes. “Nothing but a good f*ck, eh? The same goes to you, my dear, but understand this and understand this well. You hired me before and then assigned me as your second to make sure that you did what you were supposed to. Because you did not listen to me and decided that I was lying to you, we were split and you were captured. Wallow in self pity, go ahead, I open the door for it for you are acting like a selfish child!” his words were sharp, angry. Rave didn’t yell, but he knew that any elf could hear every word he was saying.

“You will not abandon your people, Gambler. You will calm your head and do what you need to do. Once this whole mess is cleared then you can speak to Joker and the others, find your replacement, but until this disaster is solved, you will do what you need to do.” He kept her against the wall, anger turning his eyes dark but… rave really didn’t want to be mad at the woman before him. He wanted to hold her, calm her, do anything that he could to make sure that she was safe from whatever was hurting her, even if he was one of the causes. But reality wasn’t allowing that. The reality was that there were still things that needed to be done and Gambler needed a calm head before she faced those things. After all was said and done then she could do what she wanted; she was an adult and though Rave loved her… he would have to respect and allow that.

Sighing softly, his grip tightened as he made sure that she wasn’t moving. “I will keep you in here if that is needed but you will calm down and you will think clear once again.” And he would stand by that. Hibachi may not agree, and Joker won’t like it… but Joker had to deal with Monty and that should be his first priority. How many others could actually follow through with the threat of locking Gambler up? Then again, that would mean that he would have to stay in the room as well but… whatever. He could live.

Kit sighed softly as she nodded, leaning over to kiss his cheek, “Alright… I’ll stay here.” Her ear twitched, however, as she was sure that she heard… Was that Rave? It was slight but… surely that was him? She didn’t know for sure because it wasn’t normal for him to actually speak up over his soft tone normally but it seemed… Kit sighed softly, running a hand through her hair as she smiled sadly, “What exactly… What are you going to do with Monty, Joker?” And would Kalore be told about it?

Another breath was taken as the woman shook her head, “Kyoshi is not the cause of this. The cause of the spiders and the creatures has been found and destroyed.” “And how do we know? Did he do this? Did those that came into our land do this?” Dusk growled softly at the woman. Some of the habits she now had ended up coming from Kyoshi and the others… not that she’d admit that. “Sir Rave is the one that destroyed the man. He stayed back and made sure that we would not have any problems with him. If you doubt me then you may find him. Now, is there anything else that we need to speak of? What is the death toll of citizens?” Now they were beginning to play nice, but it was done on both sides. Neither liked the other… but a job did need to be done and numbers were found, prices made… It wasn’t going to take too much to fix all of this, but it was still going to be annoying and nearly horrendous. Damn.

Kit frowned as her ear twitched, no longer listening to Joker though she much would have rather have done that. Closing her eyes, she shook her head, “one… One moment, alright?” Moving quickly, she soon was going out into the main room, touching Eldin’s shoulder, “Get Rave out of there, alright? We’ve had enough fighting.” Eldin nodded as he scrambled up, understanding why both of his bosses were angry but… this was beginning to get ridiculous. Knocking on the door, he didn’t risk opening it as he spoke quickly, “S-Sir Rave, the p-princess is in a meeting with th-the council.” He was ringing his hands a bit, looking down before backing away quickly, speaking again, “Y-You may want to help her.”

Staring at Gambler, Rave just released her, his arms dropping as he spoke, low, with a tone that he had only used a few times in the presence of the woman. His eyes, his form, his voice… Rave was pissed and when he was like that, it was easy for him to become deadly even to those he loved. “Heh… a whore, my dear? I am afraid that you have taken that job from me.” Turning his back, he gestured to the window, “Fall to your death. There are guns all around you, shoot yourself. Ask Eldin for drugs, overdose. Do what you need to and become the coward we now know you are, Gambler.” The door opened and his pace was quick. Ignoring everyone, he walked out, only slowing down to take a jacket that was hanging on a rack. He needed to be presentable for the council, didn’t he?

Kit froze, sinking down as she was sitting on her knees. She could hear all of his words, no matter how soft they were, and he knew that Eldin could as well. Shaking her head, she stoked the boy’s hair as she walked to Joker again, whispering softly as pain was obvious in her eyes, “I assume that she does know, Joker… but… just go prepare it, alright? I’ll stay here with Kalore.” Kit didn’t want to go outside for a while. It seemed like the two groups weren’t going to even work together well anymore because of all this. Lovely… just… just lovely.

Gritting her teeth, it was beginning to get harder to speak to these people but soon the door opened and Rave came in, his face calm and collected but something was… off. Dusk frowned as she turned, watching the man as he walked in, the council silent for a while. Most of them knew that if Dusk got her way then they wouldn’t have a job, they would be gone and the only adviser that she would have would be the one in front of her. That normally wouldn’t bother them, seeing as Dusk didn’t know how, but Rave did and Kristopher mainly knew that he was in the process of eliminating the need for the council. “Sir Rave… how nice it is for you to join us…”

Rave glanced up, a bored look on his face, “I was getting rid of some trash that has remained in our border… but surely you do not rely on a soldier’s words so heavily that you cannot get things done yourself?” Dusk flinched, frowning. Rave never talked like that, with underhanded insults… Just what was wrong with him? Hell, he even had his eyes a bit narrowed, though the action was slight. Dusk frowned but didn’t speak. Instead, she looked at the council, her head still held high, “He’s got a point… is there anything else that you have to find out before you can actually do something of use?” The rest of the meeting ended up like that before Dusk, Rave, and Kyoshi all left the room, nearly an hour later, with Dusk nearly screaming. “Those… those damned idiots!” So pompous, so annoying, so in need of getting their a** kicked!

Kit nodded, looking down for a moment before she ended up just laying down on the bed beside Kalore, closing her eyes. This was horrible… she hated this. Why was it that everyone had to fight now, of all times? Wasn’t enough crap going on at once? For once she knew that she and Eldin were probably thinking the same thing, just wanting everyone to get along. Kit didn’t mind it if people ended up fighting, but Monty was dead, Kalore was suffering, two cities were suffering, Dusk was going through enough, Gambler had just been through hell… but no one was just taking a step back to look at all this and take one problem at a time. No… it all had to be at once. It just all had to be at once.

The man continued walking for a moment before he glanced back, his face unmoving. “She is awake and she already knows about Monty.” That was all that he said before he began to walk away. Dusk watched, frowning as she looked at Kyoshi, turning to him as she spoke softly, “Find out what happened.” Soon the woman was trotting after at Rave, touching the man’s arm as they spoke softly. She couldn’t get anything out of him, however, so maybe Kyoshi could get something out of the others that were in the room, or near it. Raul was resting but Eldin was there; pale faced and terrified of what he had heard from his idol.