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((I do get off work on the hour, so if it suddenly gets slow then just give me a little time to drive 10 minutes home ^_~))

Claret had stolen Irasiel's immaculate desk for the afternoon, perusing a slightly ragged copy of the Gino Street Journal with intense focus. He didn't actually notice the smoking stone in it's box for several minutes; only when he went to turn the page did his eyes go wide, noticing the change. The rabbit folded his paper carefully, biting his lip as he examined the event. Irasiel had been msot pleasant to him, and this stone seemed to make him very nervous...things were about to get very interesting.

Quietly, he moved to the door, and went scouting for the head of the household. Fortunately, Ira was in one of his nicer coats today, and he looked regal as he arranged the irises in the vase by the door- a relief, in Claret's eyes. If this person made him nervous, he would want to look his best.

"Irasiel," he said softly, and the man glanced up curiously. "The stone on your desk...I'm afraid it's active."

The man's expression changed completely. The cool neutrality in his eyes was nearly painful; Claret moved aside as he swept into the Library to stand and stare at the offending object.

"Go find Miyoshino," Ira stated softly, and shook his head. "See if you can contact Lady Aishiki, as well, or at least expect her to arrive. I'm certain she already knows."

Claret jumped at even that soft sound, but Miyo reached past him confidently to open the door. The Dog seemed tired as he smiled at their visitor, flicking an ear. "Thought it was you. Come in, my Lady- Ira is in the library, fretting himself to death."

Not certain for a moment that he was being adressed, the delicate rabbit blinked at her before shaking himself. "Oh, yes! Everything is going quite well...or it was, until the stone tried to set my paper on fire. I don't htink this wait has done Irasiel any good, though- he's been very pale lately, and getting thin."

"Even I'm having trouble getting him to eat," Miyo added softly, leaning against the wall to cross his arms. "He's terrified of her."

Leaning close, the Dog nuzzled her gently and nodded. "I'll take care of it. In return? Insist that Lady Hiliira 'rest' after she is summoned. I don't think any of us would actually be able to eat if she were present. Come on, Claret- let's put those idle hands to work."

Looking mournfully back at the paper he'd left on the table, Claret followed Miyo into the kitchen. The house was quiet- far, far too quiet.

The quiet form seated behind the desk watching the stone raised his eyes, crest flashing brightly in the soft light. He did seem painfully thin- His robe was just the tiniest bit too big on his frame, and his eyes seemed hunted. He rose, moving around the desk to embrace her gently.

"I knew you would come, Aishi," he whispered. "It is a bit sooner than I expected...but it can't be helped."

"I'm ready," he said, his voice hushed. "As ready as I will ever be. She is a victim, too- I must remember that."

He drew back, hands clasped behind his back as his eyes locked onto the stone.