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Aren takes Cissa home to the reservation... so she can get a taste of the pious life.



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Narcissa Lucania - Selena Lucania
Aren Aquene - The Bunit




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Aren and Cissa explore their flirtatious behavior to each other while on vacation in Montana, each pushing the other to try and break them. It ends with them both succumbing to their unspoken feelings for another.

And while the honeymoon phase of that is ablaze between them... the get a nasty encounter with the Shadow King.

Jean and Rachel come to their aid, expelling the demon from within Cissa's mind. The Phoenix discovers then that Cissa has inadvertently bonded Aren to her, and she to him. And now they are trying to deal with the fact that it's permanent.

Narcissa hadn’t minded the flight, using most of the time to write to her Kerrigan on her orange MAC laptop, whom she’d again left in charge of her motley crew. She never spent much time away from the red head… So while it was strange to leave her behind… She really needed some time off. Time away from the Academy. The Omega’s were…Hers, for lack of a better term. But it was draining, keeping them on their toes.

And keeping their asses out of the frying pan.

She felt a little bit like a nervous mother leaving her two year old alone at daycare for the first time. Her long legs stayed resting across Aren’s lap for most of the trip, whilst they chatted about this and that—Much of it being her innocently wicked smile, it was an easy time in the air. She heard him speak “Home” and her expression softened briefly. She hadn’t been back to London in so long… She missed the scent of the rain on the streets. The taste of biscuits and tea everyday at half past one.

“Well. I’m trying not to be judgmental… Trying. Just so you know, if I sleep in the same shack as the chickens… There will be KFC for dinner.”, she trailed off, her voice lilting with a layer of sweet sarcasm—Letting him know that for the most part she was kidding. Unless there really were chickens involved. And then all bets were off.

He’d jokingly offered bringing her home with him… And Cissa, surprising herself, had agreed… It was much too late to turn back now. “I’ve roughed it before, love…”

“In a five star hotel.”, she disclosed with a wink, that promised far more than it should. She was…more intimate a creature than most people were used to, managing to turn every innocent action into something that seemed unholy. An angel faced woman with a demons intent… It took a special kind of person to read her clearly, even half the time.

Luckily for Aren, he was seemingly one of the special ones who didn’t need everything spelled out for him. She genuinely liked him, being near someone that didn’t disgust her… It was a nice change.

Her hair had grown out since they’d first met, now reaching the length that it had been before her demonic encounter. It swirled down to her lower back… Though what she didn’t say, was that Elixir had helped it grow somewhat. She’d hated having her hair shorn so short…It just reminded her of things she would rather not remember.

Leaving the plane terminal, it was easy enough to stop her things—All of the many, many suitcases matched. They were all ivory white, studded with gold and actual diamonds. They even matched her white carryon. The luggage itself was monogrammed with golden letters in the form of ‘N.G.S.’.... Whilst Aren greeted his family initially, she arranged for their luggage to be brought to them by the bellhop, a cool hundred slipped into the man’s outstretched hand as they shook.

“It’s good to meet all of you. Peta…”, she said his name with a faintly sweet drawl as she came up beside him, her arm slipping through his as he introduced her. Her body language played the demure vixen kitten…Not a violent thought in her head. “Has told me so much about his home. I just couldn’t pass up a chance to see it. Or all of his loved ones…”

Peta? Oh that was rich… It sounded like that idiotic Russian girl who’d been on the Omega’s for awhile.

Narcissa was a master at charming parents… Considering she appeared, often, to perfect to be real. Even now, in the sunlight she had a faintly ethereal glow about her. She wore a golden dress that hugged to her every curve… No matter how much Aren may have warned her, her sense of style would not be changing anytime soon. And not just because she’d entered Reservation County. The hem of the dress was just slightly longer than her usual fair—Her golden hair pinned and curled just perfectly. Yet instead of heels, she wore matching knee high leather boots.

On her person were actual diamonds, small enough not to be noticed immediately, but intricately woven into her hair. Narcissa had a lot of time to waste while others were sleeping.

Even coming off of the plane, she looked like she had stepped from the silver screen—And was in no way ready for anything other than a limo.

When Aren led her away to get their luggage, she could only smile--
That lazy smirk of a lioness. “Peytah?”

She didn’t say anything else on it… But before they met the bellhop she had paid to collect her things, she simply smiled at him… Gentle fingers reaching up to touch his cheek, out of earshot from his family. “Bite? Aren, love… Why would I be worried about that? I rather like it.”

She smiled at him, glacier eyes alight with amusement as she let her hand slip to his shoulder—Her touch warmer than the average girl through cloth. Her natural hundred and twelve degrees ensured this. Their luggage was brought over in short order, not a thing missing as she suddenly chuckled herself. Again, only half kidding… “You know…I think your brothers might like a city girl... They’re cute.”

“Tease.”, Narcissa responded flippantly to Aren, commenting back about his mention of how much better his biting would be. She would have kept going with it, but they were already too closely nearing his family. Another wicked kitten smile crossed her features when he stated that his brothers were still underage, his hand at the small of her back. She murmured softly, voice a beguiling tenor. “It’s a pity… I guess you’ll just have to entertain me then.”

She hadn’t been prepared to get dragged off by Aren’s mother though… And she wasn’t at all sure if she should be calling Aren, Aren or Peta? Would it offend his mother to hear the wrong name? She had only even known him as Aren… So it was going to be difficult. Her hand squeezed Aren’t a little tighter than normal before she was pulled ahead. She felt a slight bit of nervousness… But that was deeply hidden and unseen by the pure confidence she exuded.

“The envy of the reservation?”, Cissa laughed gracefully, walking alongside the woman easily, motions fluid, as only water could be. She was kind, and ever so complimentary, that there was no way she could….Not like her. The flattery rolled off her tongue like silk. ”You flatter me…But I doubt it, not with you there Na'á.”

“And what do you mean, all of his admirers?”, she questioned, her glacier eyes wide, holding the innocence of a newborn as she seemed to pause on mid motion. Her head inclined as she looked at the ground then, before looking back at Aren’s gentle mother. “Should I be concerned?”

Narcissa played the part of the sweet fool very well. It came from years of playing a stupid blonde. She was not unaware of what things looked like to Aren’s family… But rightfully didn’t care. It left less questions about her, if they all just assumed what they wanted, and didn’t bother asking her questions about their relationship. It struck her as odd, with how familiar Na'á was with her. Her own parents were always distant, from what she could remember. Just beyond her reach.

She also wasn’t sure if they would be as friendly, if they knew her ability could take out their entire reservation. And then some.

“Peta is a wonderful addition to my group. We actually seemed to get along– Straight away. He’s just so sweet and courteous… You must have raised him well.”, she went on, smiling demurely, the faintly British lilt to her tones easy and respectful. Reaching into her clutch, she pulled out a sleek silver cell phone. She frowned, when she realized there wasn’t much in the way of a signal… It was just one bar. Enough to make a call, but she wasn’t interested in that.

Flipping to the camera, she went to the pictures and started showing Aren’s mother photographs of the campus. She had a million, taking a shot here and there when she grew bored. She spent afternoon’s walking the grounds, soaking in the sun. There were plenty of things to see… The pool, the towers of the mansion, the lounge, the foyer, the forest—Though there were only a scant few with actual people in it. Any pictures she did have of the students, were solely Omega’s. Kerrigan populated a few… Strange though, that she distantly remembered taking a few shots with Shandra in them. The girl was absent, as if removed from the shot—Just taken from beside Aren, Jacen, Dom, and Forellen and the rest of the Omega’s as if she’d never been there at all.

It dawned on her a moment later that candid photographs probably wouldn’t work with the red head due to her ability. She’d taken some pictures, never to look at them again… Simply out of boredom or a phantom notion of silliness…Not really a need to possess mementos. But she was glad she had now, there was something to fill the conversation with. She passed one, a close up that had herself and Aren looking at the screen, clearly with one of them holding the camera. Their expressions were, for some reason entirely similar, quiet— Expressive eyes, the gold of her hair filling the empty places in the frame. A few more of the last autumn they’d had…Orange was her favorite color, next to gold and white. One of the pond being frozen over…The last she stopped on was a picture of Aren at the archery range—Just pulling back the arrow.

“If you’d like some of these… I’m sure we can find someway to make prints.”, she spoke, listening to Na'á coo and gush over the loveliness of campus, and ask questions about the others in the pictures. Narcissa dutifully explained, taking in each compliment with grace… Almost indifference. Words like that never went to her head… She knew what she was, who she was. And as such, she never noticed Naki, until she turned to get into one of the cars—Her expression perfectly schooled and innocent as she called to her Omega, her eyes lingering on Naki…Flickering for just a moment, cold as ice. A look that Aren would know to be wary of. “Peta, love… Come sit with me...”


**

Narcissa was surprised to see that the Siksiká nation had buildings… But everything was so small. At least, they wouldn’t be sleeping in tents. Or chicken coops, as she’d feared. They passed a school, a heritage center, and a few other things that it took Cissa a few moments to realize what they were. It was hot and windy… That part she liked. She would never complain about something being too hot, or too sunny. She didn’t really feel temperature as others did, but warmth comforted her. Another reason she often touched those she was close to—Either to regulate her body temperature to their’s, or to feel, or give warmth. She didn’t always understand that what comforted her, didn’t always comfort everyone else.

But what caught her attention was the openness… The empty plains that seemed to sprawl forever. Her golden head tilted to rest on Aren’s shoulder… Watching the upturned flowers from her stead in the middle, outside of his window. It made her heart beat a little faster to see such things. She’d lived in cities all her life, huge—Industrial cities. With skyscrapers and bell towers that touched the clouds. This was completely foreign to her. They passed a deer on the roadside, and her hand curled around his—Playing with the pulse that beat at his wrist… Remembering to keep her body cool. “I’ve never seen this before... No metal...”, she breathed out slowly, for once, her expression open to him. A little....struck, by the differences that of a world she never knew existed.

Narcissa distinctly liked Aren’s mother. And she would indeed, keep her word about getting her prints. More than she could handle, if she would wish it. It would take a few phone calls, and a few days delivery… But it wasn’t anything the sun goddess had any issues with. She could certainly understand a mother wanting to see more of her son. Pictures, to replace the time with him that she lost, whilst he was away.

She only wished her parents cared one-tenth as much. She was an heir, to her now barren mother—And that was all. Precious, because of her what she had been born into. It was different than being loved. Truly, cared for.

Perhaps that was part of the reason for her…Interesting temperament.

“Móáhk… She can be a little camera shy. I’ll see if I can’t find one or two that she isn’t…Looking away from the camera in.”, she also wasn’t sure how all of Aren’s family felt about mutations—Or if they knew of Shandra. She wasn’t sure how to explain that most pictures of the red head turned out total crap…At least 90% of the time. Though she was doubly relieved when Na’á called him Aren. At least she knew that she wouldn’t offend anyone by calling him that… She was bound to slip up and call him by what she knew him as soon.

Narcissa… Had nodded her head gracefully when Na’á explained who the harlot had been, hanging on her Omega. That explained it. It made a feeling of possession wash over her. The sun goddess did not share well, ever. She didn’t care who had laid claim to Aren first… All that mattered was the now. And he would not, be staying behind, when they left this little flat plained oasis. She never feared having anything to worry about… Aren was a flirt, she knew that. But she was just as bad, if not worse with her inconsistencies… Seemingly determined never to be caught by anyone. She never considered the words ‘involved’ with anyone.

She just didn’t like, other people, touching her things—And plotting to steal them.

She didn’t care that Naki sat on the other side of Aren in the car—That was her problem, and it was only going to make things that much worse. Her eyes remained outside the window as she gently teased the pulse that ran along the radial side of the size shifters wrist… His whispered words to her about setting the reservation on fire making her chuckle softly, the sound like quiet wind chimes… Not deigning to respond right away—Lest someone hear what they were discussing.

She was… A little more tense however, until he squeezed her hand—Momentarily concerned that she was already too warm. It helped her regulate, by being close to Aren—Lowering her body temperature some. But she still worried…Humans could be overly judgmental and hysterical when it came to mutants—Family or not.

Narcissa felt a small smile touch her lips, when he called her ki’somma, welcoming her. It the first nickname she’d ever hand that didn’t sound retarded. Like Goldilocks. Who the hell in their right mind would call her something as stupid as Goldilocks. Her glacier eyes lingered on the mountain caps visible in the distance, still faintly unnerved by the lack of tall buildings. It was so quiet…Barely any other cars on the road. It felt too quiet…Made her nervous. It was the way it felt at the Academy before something really, really shitty happened.

So…Enamored with the nature around her, she didn’t realize right away that the cars had stopped. She was quite comfortable, leaning on Aren—And her face formed a small pout as she slowly sat up, resting her chin on his shoulder a moment as she reached to unbuckle, realizing she’d forgotten to do so in the first place. Opening the door, she slid gracefully out of the car—Rising to her boot covered feet, her eyes landing on… A house. Forcing the horror to go down.

It looked like a one room school house.

Her face was expressionless, not relaying any of the screaming panic she felt inside—A small smile slowly making its way up her face, for the benefit of those around her. But her feet were rooted to the spot as she looked around…Trying to take everything in without offending anyone present by looking a shocked as she felt.

While the Siksika people were attached to their land… She was attached to the sky. And was far used to being closer to it. Needed to be. It was not the size of the dwelling, or the state of it... It was simpler than that. She didn't like enclosed spaces. The dorms at the Academy were almost too small. She smoothed the front of her dress silently, as she turned to look at Aren….Unsure of what else to do as she grabbed the carryon that had been in her lap. Her luggage…Right…Luggage. But it looked like Aren’s brothers and family members were already taking it inside the… one room school house.

Heaven help her—She felt almost like having a panic attack, until the sun came from behind a cloud, bathing her in comforting light, warmth, that she so desperately needed. She seemed…Unreal, in the sunlight, the gold of her hair seeming even more so, the diamonds hidden therein glittering like little stars. Her skin seemed to have a warmer tone, than the normal British pale.

Her eyes falling closed for a moment, she breathed out slowly—The first time she’d taken a breath since she’d gotten out of the car. It would be fine. It was just a house.

Just a teeny, tiny, little pill box, of a house.

He was right. Narcissa hadn’t known how poorly funded the reservations were. This was…Expected, from what he had told her. But hearing about it, and seeing it herself were two different things. Not to mention, that she didn’t feel… Safe in small, enclosed spaces anymore. Mostly, because when the sun went down and the lights were turned off… It felt like a tomb. But she would deal with it, because there was no way, she was going home now. This was Aren’s time, for himself, and his family—Her time, to get away from the academy. So she swallowed her thoughts, burying them deep. It was his hand on her lower back that snapped her out of the daze she’d fallen in… She never once wondered what his family might think with the two of them so…Familiar with one another. It was normal, for the most part. “Just a little different…”, she agreed with Aren, her glacier eyes falling him, cold—But the sharp edges softened by fondness. He was genuinely happy… And she wouldn’t ruin that on purpose.

“I’m adjusting.”, her small smirk promised that much.

Though her gaze caught Naki moving towards her Omega and she frowned, turning towards the house—But not before she tossed casual words over her shoulder. “I guess there are Alpha’s everywhere though love… Small world.”

She headed inside, ever independent, as Aren’s apparently younger brother was carrying her luggage. She called thanks after him, her British tones gentler than normal. She felt her stomach twist for a split second at the thought of such a small house being stuffed to the brim with people. She almost felt bad for having packed so much now…Especially if she was taking Aren’s room. Where would he sleep? Hopefully not in another one of these little doll houses… Even the one across the way, was much to far for her liking. Once inside the house though, she didn’t feel nearly as suffocated as she imagined she would. It helped that she could hear Na’á, whom she found she rather liked, from not far away—And the house was empty, except for vast amounts of food.

She almost would have wanted the rooms filled with people.

Narcissa hadn’t smelled it at first, because she wasn’t breathing. There was a barely noticeable unnatural stillness about her—But usually, she remembered to force herself to breath. If she was speaking, or trying to smell something she needed to draw breath…But otherwise, it just wasn’t necessary for her. Seeing all of the food laid out, she did breathe in… And it did smell wonderful.

As was true of most foods. But it was rarely ever the case for her. She had again stopped in her footsteps, unsure of what to do. This was new ground for her… It wasn’t the school, it didn’t have anything to do with fighting, tactical plans, danger room simulations, shopping, or Cosmo. But again, Aren saved her—Tugging her forward to sit and eat.

Sitting at the table, she waited for others to get what they wanted…Watching what they took, and what they put where. She mimicked them, and watched Aren for the most part, taking cues. She didn’t want to offend Na’á for not eating. If she was going to offend someone’s mother… It was going to be over something worse, than snubbing her food. Though for the first time, in a long time, she felt like she had ‘MUTANT’ stamped across her forehead for everyone to read. Picking up her fork, she tried things here and there…Taking very small bites. Some things she didn’t mind, others she swallowed with difficulty—Simply unused to the texture.

Food was SO complicated.

She hoped that the reservation was like everywhere else, where no one thought twice about a beautiful slim blonde seeming to eat next to nothing. But she ate far more in that meal than she had in the past two weeks. Aren would more than likely notice, and wonder…If necessary, she would explain later.

Most of dinner she simply spent silent, watching Aren and his family enjoy one another. She was definitely an outsider looking in…Not because of their heritage, but because of the way they obviously cared for one another.

**

She took Aren’s offered hand—rising from her chair with all the natural grace of a little Queen. Her eyes widened only briefly, when he mentioned her meeting the town…She was fine with it, but hadn’t really expected to meet everyone so soon after landing. She kept his hand in her own, for the time being, not out of spite for Naki—But simply because she wanted to.

“Thank you, Na’á—Everyone, it was wonderful.”, she spoke as she nudged in her chair with her hip softly, not forgetting her manners, despite the culture shock she was slowly starting to feel. If meeting the rest of the town, meant that she got to go outside—She would welcome it. There was still a little bit of daylight left, not much though.

Narcissa let him lead her by the hand, something that would be unheard of around the Academy… She lead, always—Even if she was going into something blind. But not here. No one knew Solaris here, but Aren. And for the most part, he didn’t seem to mind.

"Where are we going first?"

She let Aren pull her closer without complaint, nestling her warm body to his side, knowing that she felt quite like a warm fuzzy blanket on a cool evening. Her stomach settled when it was just the two of them. She had never in her life been so concerned with offending others, or making them want to stone her. But these weren’t the type of people she usually dealt with. They were good, kind, and seemingly generous. Not the people that her family usually associated with- The kind where she didn’t give a damn if they were offended or not. She usually went out of her way to offend them.

Her hand slid from his to wrap about his waist, fingers deftly massaging his side for a moment as she listened to him. “Mmm… Dancing and a bonfire. Do we get to dance around it nude too and bay at the moon?”

She was teasing of course, and the small smirk on her aristocratic features would tell him enough, if her tone didn’t tip him off already. She did lose that smirk, growing tense, when he mentioned that some elders could…Tell, that they were ‘gifted’. A sigh escaped her rose colored lips, her head leaning to his shoulder again, as she had a dozen times. Aren had…Literally dropped into her life, and had stayed there. Like Kerrigan, and Shandra—A constant.

She didn’t like thinking of when the day came, that he would choose to stay here forever. That one day they would be going separate ways. It actually…Pained her, to think on it.

She disliked Naki, because she reminded her of that--All too soon.

“It’s different. Your power won’t necessarily cause damage to anyone other than yourself, or some innocent bystander might get squashed if your head suddenly grows to the size of a beach ball. I’m a walking nuclear weapon. They probably think I just float things, or something lame like that. Accepting or not… I have to be careful until I find out for myself where everyone stands…”, she spoke quietly, unapologetic. Narcissa never said anything she didn’t mean, in some form or another. It might be in the lightest sense of the word, but she always meant it. Which meant she believed it. “I…should have thought about that, before agreeing to this. I don’t want one of your elders to touch my hand and have a heart attack.”

But she did relax as he bid her. He usually got his way with her, when he called her ki’somma. It was the one nickname she had, that she didn’t hate.

And then they walked into the heritage center... And while she had heard the music as they neared, it was nothing like being inside the hall. The world suddenly exploded with color and sound, people crowing them, hugging Aren, asking questions. Inside, she could feel the drums in her bones. Someone suddenly took her by the hand, tearing her from Aren’s side—And she was lost in a sea of people. The man that took her hand was handsome, smiling—And eager to show her how to do this interesting dance.

Hearing Aren laugh—She assumed that it was all right for her to try.

She had never, ever been so thankful that she’d worn soft leather boots with only a slight heel—Instead of her normal four inch spike heels. She watched for a moment, her hand over her mouth as she tried to hide a smile. The leader in her refused to back down from a challenge, even one as ridiculous as this dance! It took her about…Half way through the song she was finally getting some of it. She was passed around between three other men wearing outfits far more suited to this than she was—But glancing over at Aren, now talking with Naki, she misstepped and had to wait a few moments before falling back into place.

It was…Enjoyable. Not so much the dance. It was like the chicken dance, the electric slide, and jumping rope, on speed. It was the happiness of those around her that was infectious, the way they laughed, having a good time…Not seeming to notice that she was slightly warmer than they were.

Cheeks slightly flushed, cerulean eyes dazzling and bright, she got lost in the crowd for quite some time.—Golden head weaving through heads of darker colors, getting lost and then reappearing every so often.

The sun goddess was…Having fun.

**

When the song ended, she did indeed make her way back to Aren— Intending on making him show her more of these, traditional dance moves that seemed so complicated. Smiling she came up beside him—Interrupting any conversation they might have been having. To begin with, she simply didn’t care. If Aren wanted to be alone with the little bint…He shouldn’t have offered to bring her along. From the look on Naki’s face when she approached, she could tell what it had been about. Instead she simply smiled sweetly…Her hand sliding down Aren’s arm at her side, linking their fingers. “That was…Interesting. I’ve never had two left feet before.”

It was true…Narcissa could dance, both ballroom, and a club scene…But not the way these people did. It was an art form, clearly, that she would need more practice in. The drums were still going, people still yelling and calling others names, whooping and making sounds she wasn’t sure how the human mouth made, so she had to speak loudly enough to be heard. A new song came on and she bit her lip as she looked at Aren, eyes pleading in a coquettish way that only she could achieve, without looking pathetic. “Teach me this one?”

“I’ve been trusting you all day.”, she had reminded, hushed by the kiss to her temple. Was this why she enjoyed his company, far more than some? Was it that she didn’t have to hide what she was thinking all the time? Or was it the way that he treated her? She couldn’t be sure… But she did trust him. And that spoke volumes… The list of people Cissa actually, completely trusted could fit on one hand.

She continued to smile sweetly at Naki as she kept their hands linked, a little confused that he had drawn away from her. Was she too hot? Holding his hand, she checked her own body temperature….No, that wasn’t it. And then she remembered the conversation she’d interrupted—Or rather, the dirty look Naki gave her, and suddenly it made sense. Though the smile that Aren gave her well made up for it, so familiar—Something she knew instinctively belonged to her.

“I did so have two left feet…Just now. You weren’t watching?”, she questioned with a pout, resting her chin against him as she gazed up at him, paying Naki no mind. She would either get over it, or she wouldn’t. Narcissa wasn’t interested in anyone who tried to take her dear friends away… Or who decided to ruin what was slowly turning into a good evening. She had so few good friends. More than likely of her own doing…But Aren had made the cut for her, without even seeming to try. That was the way it should be.

Though she did have to hide a smile when he told her off succinctly—without actually being rude. Simply put, and smooth… She would have applauded, had she of been at home—And had Naki truly been an Alpha. Truly, he was her Omega. She wanted to point out that even if she wasn’t his guest—She would still come first…But that would just be like over hammering the nail into the coffin. Nevertheless, she laughed as he led her back to the group… Listening intently as he started showing and explaining the dance to her. While she slowly picked up on the dance, it was far more enjoyable to watch him do it. He was so… So happy, here. Perhaps he did belong here… Far away from her, and everything she knew. But was it really fair to keep him in her world, when this was everything he knew?

But Cissa wasn’t ready to admit any of that to herself yet.

Was she having fun? Another song came on—And she nodded her head at him, blue eyes luminous as she smiled… That particular smile for her was strange. It held no malice…Nothing, other than a smile. It was contentment. “Again! It’s like aerobics hit a death metal concert…But better. Less screaming—More drums.”

So they kept dancing.

**

Her feet ached… But it was a good ache. She enjoyed exercise. Granted, her powers didn’t always require her to be physical, she still went to the gym and trained in the DR simulations… She’d felt far worse pain than this. Just because she didn’t often punch someone in the jaw, didn’t mean that she couldn’t—She simply deigned not to. She stayed near to Aren, simply because she really didn’t know anyone else…Though considering he was one of her favorite people to be around, he really shouldn’t have expected any less. She gave him space though, when others wanted to speak with him, greet and embrace him—Welcome him home. But they always seemed interested in her, so it never lasted long.

Then, there was a bonfire—Just as promised. Leaning towards Aren she whispered coyly… “We dance nude now?”

A blanket was handed to her, and some of Aren’s friends sat down on either side of them and started talking over her head as she lay it out in front of a large log. It would be more comfortable to do what some of the others were doing, sit on a blanket, and lean on the log. She took a seat next to Aren, closer to the fire than the others…Not realizing exactly how close she was, because she couldn’t feel the heat the way a normal human did. She sat as ladylike as humanly possible, her legs tucked beside her.

Everyone started looking at Aren when it came time to share a story, and she too found herself looking at him, amused by this. He’d never told her a story, and she was a little jealous she hadn’t gotten to hear it. Her blue eyes were bright in the reflection of the fire, dancing as she smiled at him… “Tell one…”, she spoke gently, hoping that he wouldn’t decline—Just because she was there.

She laughed when he touched the tip of her nose, darker eyelashes dusting over rosy cheeks as she moved, dancing away, matching his motions. Though she did wink flirtatiously at him, commenting back… “Setting things on fire? That’s kind of my job description—Isn’t it?”

“Or making men…Very jealous of you. Maybe that’s it…”, she went on, speaking between motions, her coquettish smile challenging, a gentle touch of vixen to it. It was that same smile that promised…Very delicious things, sweet as a perfectly ripened strawberry. She was having fun—Feeling playful. It was good, to be herself without having to govern a crew of potentially badass misfits. She sometimes felt like Julie Andrews in the sound of music… Though, less singing and dancing. More hot foreigners.

His warm chocolate eyes at the bonfire led her to stare at his handsome face—Again entranced by the look of happiness he wore. It…Warmed her, to see him so carefree. But at the same time, it ate a hole in the pit of her stomach. He responded to her tease about dancing naked, and she let her fingers fall from his—Unlacing easily, only to reach up and brush his hair softly from his forehead. She leaned towards him, her smile inviting and alluring as she pressed a light kiss to his cheek—The action ever so soft and discrete, lips pleasantly warm as she spoke against his ear, as he had done many a time with her. Her voice was that of affectionate honey, sweet and soothing… “Maybe I don’t think you could handle me… So if you think otherwise, perhaps you should be the one doing the asking.”

And then he bounced away—Taking center stage like she had never seen him do. She listened happily as he wove a story around them that held her attention, her body leaning on the large log behind her. At first, she felt a little…Irritated with Naki, considering she had been the one to bring up the story theme. Bitter much? But to his credit, Aren didn’t stumble or falter, but kept going. Her eyes remained on him the entire time, watching him through the masses… Her expression open, soft in the firelight as it never was.

She rather…Liked it here, on the so called poor reservation. What they lacked in social standing, they well made up for in a wealth of every other important thing that mattered. Cissa was pleasantly lulled by the sound of Aren’s voice, his story making her think of the trials the others had gone through long ago in Limbo to get to…Her. Well, to save the world, and get to her, as it were. They’d mentioned the ghosts that were corporeal that scared the hell out of them… But there was no loyal husband at the end of that story. Only sadness, and broken hearted despair. It was not a road she wanted to think of.

She was startled out of her quiet reverie and absent minded Aren-watching when Naki sat down next to her. Her body recoiled, she didn’t enjoy people she didn’t know, or particularly like invading her space so suddenly. She was sitting quite close to the fire, not realizing how truly hot it was because didn’t feel it. It masked the presence of someone approaching her slightly.

Her first thought was to bark some nasty comment, she really didn’t want the girl anywhere near Aren—Let alone her. She’d been happy, enjoying herself, until the brat came along and soured her mood. Her head slowly turned to Naki as she spoke, her expression and eyes growing colder by the second. It only took moments for her gaze to became that which she wore at the academy… Some cold, unfeeling creature. Not at all the golden goddess that had danced to her hearts content in the heritage hall. Her words sparked the protective shield she had for herself, and for Aren. Naki, was a threat. An assuming, and rude, however kind she spoke it, unfortunate little girl. If her gaze could have killed, there would be nothing left of Naki but splintered bone and blood.

“Who the hell do you think you are?”, she murmured, quietly enough, that only Naki would be able to hear. Her voice was pointed and barren—Dead. All of the manners and warmth of a well bred British woman were out the window. “How dare you, come to me, and try to -instruct- me on how to look at him. I look at him now, and I’ve seen him before—I see all of him. I am content, because he is happy. Are you?”

“Who are you, besides a selfish ex-girlfriend, to determine where he belongs? To…Outright determine his future, without finding out what he truly wants? He belongs, wherever -HE- decides. Be it here, or in bloody Antarctica.”, she bit out, her gaze turning back towards Aren while he spoke with some of the others. They congratulated him on a job well done… And she couldn’t help but agree, a feeling of pride for him sitting at the tail end of her freezing heart. “I know the way he thinks. I know that he enjoys my company. And I enjoy him… I live in the moment that is here, that is now. I don’t like to think of years to come…But I don’t damn him early. And his liking me, doesn’t have anything to do with me being pretty and white—Though I assure you, it probably doesn’t hurt.”

“Accept it, Naki.”, she said her name, harshly, as if it were a curse. “At this point and time, he simply doesn’t want -you-. If he did, he wouldn’t keep coming back to me—Guest or not. You’re clinging to a boy that has become a man and changed while you sat on your hands. It’s pathetic. Whatever choice he makes… It won’t change anything. It’s not about what he gives me, but what we give freely to each other. His life decisions don’t affect me, even if I don’t enjoy them. I won’t care for him any less.”

It was then that Aren sat down between them, and Narcissa stood up, having never touched the peace pipe—Her eyes clearly cold. Beneath it, there was a layer of something else that was unreadable… “I need some air. It’s too warm, here.”, she spoke succinctly, stepping over the log that they leaned against a glittering figure of pale skin, gold and sparkling diamonds disappearing rapidly into the darkness. She didn’t go far—Not knowing the wooded area, but she didn’t have to.

She just needed to get far enough away from that girl-child—So she didn’t fight with her any longer. Perhaps she meant well, perhaps she didn't... Aren wouldn’t enjoy that. And contrary to anyone else’s thoughts, she didn’t want to tear him apart. If he wanted to spend the evening with the superiority-complex diseased Naki—He damn well could. She didn't like the implication that because she was different, and white, that eventually he was destined to disappear. What did it mean, when he came home? Was he forced to cease all contact with the outside world?

Would it happen, later on-- That he would simply disappear from her life, as if he had never existed at all?