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"Just keep yourself from spilling anymore blood on my streets and I can call this even," was Mastema's only response to Mugiri's inquisition of being punished; it seemed the warrior was getting off scotch free from this one. "I think that round was more than enough. Stay to the sidelines and tend to your wounds." Mastema's hand continued to softly stroke Trilla's head in a small effort to calm her down.

Slayer hid any offense he may have taken to being called 'old.' "Come now, Himura; your brain isn't that senile yet is it? I didn't call you here at all: you were invited. And secondly, this is for the benefit of the citadel. It isn't a ring where you can see how well your new cohort can fare in a blood fight. I'm sure you can do whatever you need to do without endangering the rest of us, ne?" Rather than saying it in a condescending way, Slayer had turned around and grinned at Tyr in speaking: he was speaking in a 'correctional' manner with a pinch of mockery.

The conversations going on would be halted by a sudden, short, sharp, and perhaps slightly girly scream. The people who paid attention to its origin would trace it to Sho, who was now on the ground, face up, looking like he was trying to slow his heart down. Zeno questioned him: "The BZZT's up with you?"

Sho raised a hand and pointed to where he'd just been standing. Just behind the spot where Sho had been before screaming, was Proto, blinking in a confused manner. " crying He snuck up on me and scared the bejeezes out of me. I thought he was supposed to be an android, not a sneaking ghost." Apparently the swordsman had been scared out of his wits by Proto's sudden appearance. Indeed, no one had seen the bot arrive or where from.

The event at least got a laugh or chuckle out of Slayer, Zeno, and Mastema.

Mugiri bowed his head again, and rose, walking to the shadows cast from the building. He pulled some string rom the binding of his clothes, and a looked for some instrument to use as a needle. He intended to sow himself up.

Yuri meanwhile had wandered over to the edge of the citadel complex and was looking out at the massive barrier which surrounded it. The empty packet of blood lay next to him, completely drained of its contents. Yuri would let out a long sigh as he sat there before returning to his thoughts, letting his mind wander as he pondered what had just occured. What he was becoming....

With the amusement subsiding, Sho got up from his spot, straightened himself out, and moved over to place his back against something so he couldn't be spooked like that again. Proto was still baffled for the most part. At the very least, Mastema could see Trilla had snapped out of her sobbing, so he took his hand away from her and replaced it on the small of Nana's back instead.

Slayer didn't seem to mind that his amusement at Sho's fright was delaying him from responding to the vampire; Tyr would have to wait a full ten seconds before getting a response. "Oh, for his good you say? Well maybe the next time you have a chance to control how his nature is released, you'll inform his opponent. I don't think Mugiri would mind being told the next time he's being used so you can awaken your new apprentice's inner nature. Besides, it will take more than practice to have him gain control, and releasing it without prior knowledge is not advisable. I don't claim to have the perfect answer, Himura; I just thought you were trying to cause less trouble in this citadel." Slayer stood up from his seat, turning slightly. "Now, if you'll excuse me...... "

While Slayer had been conversing with Tyr, Zeno had been eyeing Proto and vice-versa. Though no words were spoken, it was obvious there was something between them. It wasn't certain if they were actually communicating in some way or not. Right now, the two didn't seem to be paying attention to much else.

((editted))

The children would go largely unnoticed by most of the group, probably because they were under everyone's range of site. As they stopped just a few short feet from Zeno, he would, after about 5 seconds, take notice of them. Zeno turned away from Proto and looked down to both Trilla and Eecheb. They were silent, but he was almost certain they were looking at him and wanting his attention. Zeno had largely forgotten about the incident, with other things on his mind, so he didn't talk angrily. "Um...... Hi?.....You want something?" It was about all he could say to the two. Proto would also turn his attention to the kids.

Mastema had noticed that the two trotted off, and kept an eye on them. When he noticed that they were after Zenogais, he chuckled quietly to himself and leaned over close to Nana. "I believe Trilla and Eecheb have something to settle with Zenogais," He whispered to her, before moving his head back to normal. Hopefully, she could just turn and see that the two were standing beside Zeno.

If Zeno's eyes were normal, he'd probably be blinking right now. Even he had forgotten about the incident, so how was he to think two half-pint kids were to remember and take it upon themselves to apologize for it. "Uh......" Zeno stumbled a bit, still too caught off guard to really say anything at all. Before long, Zeno caught himself on how stupid he must've looked. Immediately regaining his composure, Zeno stood up straight and didn't look directly at the children while they stood there. "Well.... don't worry about it. I got over that anyway......" He sounded like someone trying to put on a tough face in an odd situation. However, Zeno decided to swallow his pride and say something else. "Meh... it's partially my fault for letting it happen anyway. Look, just forget it happened; I'm not mad at you guys anymore. We're even.... just be more careful next time." Though normally cold-hearted and cynical, it seemed the two were being let off the hook with no ill-will toward them. Hopefully it was something they, as well as Nana, could appreciate.

Zeno would tilt his head back toward the two when Eecheb shrieked. The rest of the crowd would also hear the shriek and watch a little confused at the sight of Eecheb being dragged by his sister. No doubt Nana had also seen it happen, if she was still looking in their direction. However, before Nana could say anything, Mastema turned to look down at his daughter and address her. "Trilla, let go of your brother. There is no reason to drag him around, much less hurt him. I believe he knows where he wants to go." The statement was short and simple: Trilla was to release Eecheb's tail. Mastema was sure Trilla would find something else to cling to.

Mastema looked back at Trilla's confused expression, figuring that she didnt' realize she was hurting Eecheb. Of course, it wasn't much of an excuse for Eecheb to ring her neck. As Eecheb grabbed Trilla, Mastema signed and this time gave Eecheb the same command/request he'd given to Trilla. "Eecheb.... I know you were hurt but Trilla does not understand that. Now let go of her before you hurt her in return. Trilla would not have done it if she knew it would harm you." It was a simple but thought out response, trying to appeal to Eecheb by understanding that he'd been hurt. If that didn't work, Mastema would have to resort to threatening Eecheb with a punishment if Trilla was hurt.