Dealing with the plants, the young girl didnt even notice that Master Howl was there. She had been trimming some of the hedges and raking the parts that were on the ground into a pile in the corner of the garden. Once all that had decomposed, she could use it as fertilizer.
It was his voice. That beautiful voice of the man that had shown her around had brought her away from the trance he had put her in.

Nikia smiled as she looked over at Howl. "I'm sorry to disagree, Master Howl. This garden will be able to walk through once mo....." As she looked over at Howl, she noticed his hands were bleeding. Quickly, she went up to him.

"Master Howl, Is your hand alright?" Nikia tore a piece of her skirt off and started to wrap it around his wound.

((Sorry its bad. I cant actually think of anything. Too much studying for Finals))

((:ninja: I'll bring someone after Anette momentarily. :twisted: And I'll respond to Nikia in a little while! Es needs to sleep. :c))

(OK... I can wait)

"I'm alright," Howl lifted his hand as Nikia began to wrap it. "Just scratched." Though the cuts stung, he would be fine. He didn't seem to notice that the woman was helping him; he just passed it off easily.
His slight smile was in place again. "I see you have already started to clear the paths." His blue eyes moved away from the woman quickly, seeking out the changes that she'd influenced. "I suppose Cypher had something to do with that, didn't she?"
-

((:XD ON second thought, I'll have Howl come to Anette. It woudl be a bigger drama . . . .

Hmm. But now Markhel needs to do his rounds. :lol: And Cypher's around somewhere. . . .

This is hard to do with only two males. :sarcasm:))

((What happened to the crazy guy and the cook? And I'd be more than happy to add a male! Who do you think would best fit the story? A butler, a cook, a gardener... someone entirely different!? Lol I'm up for suggestions!))

(LOL I think Nikia is techinically the gardener right now and there is a cook already. Go with someone entirely different. POOL BOY LMFAO JK JK

<.< im kinda hyper right now, sorry :sweat:)

((*bursts into laughter* Well, Zane is a great piece to the puzzle . . . but Ameika is offline for a while. :sweat: I suppose we'll have to update her when she comes back. LOL!!

I don't really know what happened to Scrythe! He's still in the kitchens, I presume.

Hm. Another male. . .. *giggles* Who isn't the pool boy! :lol:
Let's see. He could be a scholar of some sort. Someone who was hired by Cypher to teach Markhel. :yes: Or . . . something like that. :XD I dunno! I can't really think of anything . . . but you can come up with anything you want and let me know. All I know is we need another guy. :lol: It's hard to think of having over . . . what, like . . . 5 females? :XD And four guys? Two are currently inactive. LOL!))

((Hey, I'm still a bit scattered, since I'm in a different state from home for the arrangements still, but I found some time to put a post in. Also, I'd be happy to make a male character if wanted, of course when I got back. : ) )

Hyoyeon took in a deep breath, knowing she had intruded. She hadn't meant to... but at the same time, she didn't think it had to be a bad thing. If a memory hurt, that meant it mattered. Still. "I... am no one to say this, really. But it seems to me that, even if the happiness from before has left, that the members of the house still have strength." She felt a space to say more, but she felt no need. Her point had been made, and short is sweet. Hyoyeon might not know the situation, or Cypher much at all, but she knew one thing: that she could always trust her true instincts. And they said that Cypher had at least one source of hidden strength, even if it may now be clouded over by emotions of the past.

"Thank you for listening. The story is not mine to know, not without entire permission or a due cause." She suspected that Cypher may have more to do with it than she let on, but Hyoyeon wasn't the type to pester someone for such things. Intrigue, curiosity, a desire to help could all be pushed to the side for efficiency and respect in this situation. "I will return to my work, and thank you again." Hyoyeon turned back to the steps she had left, the new rag twisting itself around her hand in the old one's path. She'd just become completely absorbed in her task when a few whimsical words slipped from her lips, completely unbeknownst to her conscious mind. "I hope some happiness finds its way back."

((Well, thank you for posting and keeping us updated! I pray that everything is moving along smoothly for ya'll? :3

Okay, so Kya will be bringing in a male character! :yes: Speaking of Kya: I'll bring Howl inside when he's done talking to Nikia. ^__^))

It had been almost twenty years now since Cymbiir had been at the Howl estate. He actually lived there, once upon a time. He'd left to travel the world, and now, here he was, back in town and excited to see his good ol' family after such a long time.

Of course, he wasn't technically blood related to any of them, but he'd grown up with them, he loved them, his fondest memories were with them. The were certainly his family. He was smiling with excitement as the cab pulled up to the gate.

As his light bronze colored eyes looked over the grounds, his smile faded. Was the place abandoned? "Excuse me," he asked the driver, "This is the Howl Estate, has it been abandoned?" he asked with shock and sadness.

"No," the driver responded, "It's still occupied. But the man who lives there is crazy. He ate a woman's heart once, that Howl fellow did."

Cymbiir blinked owlishly at the man. "I see." His eyes moved to the door of the large mansion. "Thank you," he said, before opening his door and handing the driver some cash. He grabbed his bags, one pack over his shoulder and large suitcase and a large trunk on rollers.

He waved the driver off and made the walk up to the large door, a concerned expression frozen on his face as he took in the condition of the front lawn and home. What has become of this place? he wondered.

As Cymbiir stood in front of the door, he took a deep breath. His excitement was returning at the thought of seeing them again, but a bit of worry tugged the excitement down much lower than it previously had been. He let go of the handle on the trunk and knocked on the door.

(>.>" what i miss?)

((:lol: Weeeell. Nothing, really. Cali set everyone to work. Everyone's cleaning or preparing to entertain Howl. :yes:

Ooh, and Cymbiir is someone who knew the people on the Pendragon estate before everything started happening. So he remembers happy friends and family, not this doom and gloom stuff. :lol:

That's pretty much it. :lol:))

(ah so um who is the new guy? lol anyways i will post for Zane now and stuff lol and and ummmm read on the new guy and stuff and i don't think asca will be joining us anymore*

((Good idea. :3 Kya plays the new guy, so that's his first post *points up the page* and his profile is up front.

Awww, is Asca alright? D:))

(she just doesn't get on mene much anymore lol i can text her to see what she wants to do lol and then let you know lol)

Zane had escaped the run down mansion, he stood there staring at the house for a few minutes, shaking his head as he turned and made his way down the long drive way, stopping as he watched a cab pull up. His brow furrowed as he looked at the male that had stepped out of the car, he watched him, oh how he looked familiar but then again everyone and thing was familiar to him now. He shook his head and did say anything to him as he stopped the cab, considering well he was the only cab driver that had the nerve to drive up to the run down, seemingly abandon mansion. "Take me to the nearest hotel." he said to the cab driver as he tossed his small bag into the vehicle before he climbed into it, trying hard to ignore the man that actually came up to the place, seemed like Cali found someone else to start working at the place. He growled, now his once people free home was packed chalk full of people and it was getting on his nerves, he hoped that Cali was bloody happy with all those people and everything had gone one, cause just maybe just maybe he will die.

((:XD SOrry for the delay!))

"I'm alright," Howl lifted his hand as Nikia began to wrap it. "Just scratched." Though the cuts stung, he would be fine. He didn't seem to notice that the woman was helping him; he just passed it off easily.
His slight smile was in place again. "I see you have already started to clear the paths." His blue eyes moved away from the woman quickly, seeking out the changes that she'd influenced. "I suppose Cypher had something to do with that, didn't she?"

Howl smiled, pulling his hand away from Nikia. "I have things to do today," he said politely, flexing his fingers before looking back to Nikia. "Thank you for your aid. I hope this garden doesn't prove too difficult of a task for you." The blond male then turned and headed back toward the house at a leisurely pace, not looking concerned in the least.

He headed in through the door in the kitchen just in time to hear someone knock at the door. It seemed that there was no lack of guests nowadays. "Markhel! Someone's at the door." Howl paused to listen for the boy's footsteps. When he heard them, he continued on through the main hall. Stepping up the stairs, carefully avoiding Hyoyeon's work, he paused. "All of this already?" he said quietly, lifting a blond brow. "Most impressive."
With a smile, he continued on, making his way toward his own wing. The moment he got there, something made him lift his gaze from his bandaged hand. He sensed a presence farther down the hall. Howl frowned slightly, and he approached the corner warily. A few seconds later, he was behind Anette.

"This portrait is rather old," he said, standing directly behind the woman. When she whipped around to face him, she collided with his chest. Howl caught her arms gently, an eyebrow raised. "Though I'm sure you weren't here to just look at the pictures." Surely Cypher had mentioned that his wing was off limits. . . .
-

Markhel skid into the room. The teen darted toward the door as the knock came for a second time. Straightening and taking a deep breath, the redhead opened the door. "Pendragon residence. Can I help you?" The man that stood before him was completely unfamiliar. Heck, the guy looked stunned. It made Markhel frown. Hadn't he seen his face somewhere before? But . . . where?
"Have we met?" he asked, his gold eyes darting over the male's features. Truthfully, no. They had never met before that moment.
-

Cypher watched from a window as a cab pulled up. She frowned when she saw someone get out, and then stood still as there was a knock on the door. She stayed in her room, her silver eyes lingering on the vehicle as it began to drive back the way it had come. But . . . there was movement.
"Zane?" she whispered, watching the male get into the taxi. "Where are you going?" A burden of sadness overcame her so suddenly, a tear slid over her cheek. "Come back. Please come back." Her words grew a bit louder, but he would never hear her. He couldn't. There was glass between them.

Cali closed her eyes, turning away from the scene. Zane was leaving. He was really leaving. I won't leave this estate, Zane. You know that. She hadn't since everything had fallen apart. It was her duty to be guardian to what was left of a once-glorious family. This was her place. She wouldn't go after Zane.
"Please, return."

When the door opened to show Markhel, Cymbiir blinked owlishly at the boy. Who was he? He certainly didn't look like a butler. "I am Cymbiir, ol' Howl's cousin", he said finally with a smile. "I apologize for my, state, it's been quite some time since I've been home. It looks, different." That was an understatement.

Cymbiir looked passed the boy into the home. "What happened here? Is Howl...?" He couldn't force himself to say the word dead. But he couldn't imagine that Howl would let the home fall into such a state. "Who is in charge of this place now?" Cymbiir was unsure how to feel. He was confused and slightly appalled. Would he still be welcome here?

~~~*~~~*~~~

Her comfy white over the shoulder sweater slid further down her arm as her opposite hand reached up to wipe the dust from one of the faces on the portrait. In mid reach she heard a voice so close that she would have sworn she felt the heat of his breath.

Startled, Anette spun around to be met with the chest of a man. The man she'd locked eyes with when she'd first arrived. As he caught her arms and spoke again, she blushed deeply. Not because of how close the insanely attractive male was to her, but because she felt like a child, caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

"I- I'm sorry," she started, "I was just, cleaning, I...". Well, it wasn't a lie, she had been cleaning after all. But Anette was a terrible liar, and she hated doing it. "I didn't mean any harm...". She looked up at the man with almost timid hazel eyes. A strand of her auburn hair hung across her forehead and over one eye from spinning around so abruptly.

Who was this man? Could this be Howl himself? There were only two men in the household that she didn't know and although Zane certainly seemed to fit the personality of the Howl rumors, she was almost certain she was in Howl's wing. Not to mention, one of the two faces in the portrait was of the man she stood before.

Anette's heart raced, just as it had so many times before as a child when she was caught in the act of doing things she knew better than to do. Would this man be angry with her? Would she be fired? How would she pay for her Nana's care then?

She did a mental groan. She knew she shouldn't have come into this wing. She'd just been so curious, it would have surely eaten at her until she died. Maybe she could tell him that. It was for her own safety and well-being that she had to come here. Would he buy that? No, she didn't either.

Still, she wondered who the other person in the portrait was. A female? She wasn't sure through all of the dust. Before she could stop herself from saying anything stupid, she clenched her eyes shut, almost as if she were flinching at the sight of a fist. "Please don't eat my heart."

"Master Howl has a cousin?" Markhel, though looking a bit confused, slowly opened the door more widely. "Please, come in. I wasn't aware of anyone else related to the Pendragons." The youth's golden eyes were a bit wider than usual as he shut the door behind Cymbiir. Watching the newcomer curiously, he shook his head fiercely when the older male mentioned Howl possibly being . . . well, not in charge of the estate any longer.
"No, sir. Master Howl is here. He runs the estate still." Markhel looked up at the torn curtains that partially covered the window beside the door. The place had always been in a poor state . . . or, it had been as long as Markhel could remember. He was raised on the grounds, so he didn't recall anything from before his first years of tutoring with Master Howl. "I should tell my aunt that you've arrived. I'm sure she'll remember you."

The auburn-haired teen sent a glance at Cymbiir before heading toward the stairs. He gave Hyoyeon a smile before carefully moving over what she'd worked on. It was looking so . . . nice. The one place in the house that actually looked decent, really. Thank goodness she was starting in the main hall. . . .
As he reached the top of the stairs, the youth glanced back down at Cymbiir. Cousin. Perhaps Markhel had seen pictures of him. That must be why he looked so familiar. Markhel continued on into the girls' wing in search of Cypher. Surely she would want to talk with the man downstairs.
-

"Miss Cypher?"

Cali wiped away a tear with a barely perceivable movement. "Yes, Markhel?"

"There's a man downstairs. He says he's Master Howl's cousin?"

Cypher frowned. Is that who'd arrived? Turning away from the window, she ignored the boy's eyes as they focused on her pale face. She'd obviously been crying. Cymbiir had . . . returned? Emotions flit over her features before the emotionless mask took its place once more. Cali straightened her shoulders and stepped past the teen before her.
Cali herself had changed so much. She once had blonde hair, but it was now bleached of any color. She used to carry more life in her: she'd been truly happy once. Her demeanor hadn't been cold, but welcoming. Cypher had lost her sense of joy, and with it her glow of kindness. But . . . what of Cymbiir? Had he changed? Would he see this place as the hell-hole it was?

As Cypher stepped down the main stairs, she tried to keep her attention locked on the man near the door. His familiar features made her expression shift. He hadn't changed a bit. "Cymbiir?"
-

Howl reached up to tuck the stray bit of hair out of Anette's flushed features. He did so without an emotional response, but merely because it had fallen from its place. "Rarely is harm meant when people trespass to sate their curiosity," he said in a strangely calm tone. He watched the expressions filter over the woman's face, his soft smile constantly in place. "I wouldn't make it a habit to lie to your authorities."
The woman's next words came out as a plea. The blond seemed to hesitate . . . and his expression darkened. Immediately, he released Anette's arms and took a step back. "My dear girl, what would make you say that?" The fear in her eyes made Howl's chest tighten. What did this girl know? Only the rumors? Or . . . more than that?

Looking at her face, how she squeezed her eyes shut, Howl knew his answer. She was responding to the fear put in place by rumors. "I am not going to eat your heart," he said, forcing his usual slight smile back into place.

Zane sighed as he looked out the window of the cab, watching the world go by as he thought about everything, even his life. It was pathetic, it was all his fault, he ruined his relationship with his best friend who was once his brother. He can't feel anything anymore, which was clear by the fact that he could so easily hurt him self. He brushed his long black hair back as he continued to look out the window, he knew he came between Cali and Howl, that he was the reason for everything and all this was because of him, maybe he should have just been left to die, cause at least that way the problem would have been removed from the picture.
He paid the man as he climb out the cab, shoving his hands into his pockets as he began to walk down the street, walking no where but every where at the same time. Sure he figured that he should find a new place to live but then again he wouldn't need it if he killed himself, save Cali and Howl the trouble of having to deal with him.

( I'm still in!! Just, been busy. x.x; Have had writers block.. Scrythe isn't helping. XD )

When he released her and took a step back, Anette watched the man for a moment. Why had she said that? She'd always had a problem of saying all the things she should never say at all the wrong times. Only when she was nervous of course.

She straightened up and pulled one side of her over the shoulder sweater up a bit. She couldn't read him at all. He was certainly a very mysterious man. Her wheels were turning. No, no... she told herself.

The last thing she needed now was to stir her own curiosity even more and get herself into even more trouble. When he smiled once again, Anette frowned lightly. He'd seemed bothered by her request, and now he seemed back to his normal self. Well, the normal that she'd seen of him so far anyway.

"I'm sorry," she said finally. She should tell him about the rumors? Did he already know? More importantly, were they only rumors!? The mystery was going to kill Anette, she knew. "There are just these, rumors," she paused to try and gauge some sort of expression or feeling from the man.

"That you," she certainly hoped she'd guessed the right person to be Howl, "ate..." why were the words so hard to get out? Was it because it all seemed so silly? The man standing before her really didn't look like the type to be a creepy heart eater.

"...a woman's heart." Anette immediately recalled the photo she had been wiping at. Was the person in the photo with Howl a woman? Maybe the woman? She resisted the urge to turn around and wipe over the other face. And 'resisted' was putting it lightly.

Anette's knuckles grew white as she clutched the rag tightly, fighting all of the voices in her head telling her to dust the photo. Deep breath, Anette. What does any of this even matter to you? You're only here to clean. Right. Anette took a breath. I'm cool, rumors forgotten...

She was blinking almost owlishly at Howl again trying to decide what it was about him that made him so, different, and mysterious. Certainly the rumors had a lot to do with that, but there was something else, too. "You don't look like you eat hearts for breakfast..." she mumbled, merely thinking outloud.

Immediately Anette looked to the ground. Mental face palm. Why!? Why couldn't she just tape her mouth shut to be here. Did she really have to bring it up again?

((:lol: Poor Anette! She's just stuffing her foot in her mouth every other word, isn't she? :XD

And Zane! :cry: Nuuuuu! Leaving. :feesh:))

As Anette slowly went on, her words of accusation halting, Howl slowly raised an eyebrow. "Is that what you think?" His question wasn't accusing, or even surprised, but a genuine question. His words were calm, his expression smooth . . . and his eyes curious. "Do you think a man is capable of such a thing?"
Howl slowly stepped toward the portrait, sending a slow glance over his shoulder to the woman. Using the end of his white sleeve, the blond brushed the layers of dust and cobwebs from the second figure in the portrait. It was a woman that was blonde, and carried a striking resemblance to Cypher. "Your curiosity is poorly hidden." And, judging by the look on Howl's face, he wasn't going to enlighten her any further.

He turned from the portrait, looking back to Anette. "Is there anything else you need to know about my personal space in the estate?" Howl's slight smile hadn't shifted a millimeter. "I'm sure Cali has informed you that this area is off limits to the guests."

((It's okay, Asca! Hmmm. I'm sorry for the writer's block! :XD))

((Lol that's Anette for ya'!))

Cymbiir stepped inside, pulling his things along to sit beside him. "I'm not technically related," Cymbiir explained, "Especially since the divorce. But this is where I grew up." His eyes scanned over the place once again. No, this isn't where he grew up.

He nodded as Markhel closed the door behind them and left to find his aunt. So, he was related to someone who lived here, and Howl was still here, too. He found himself exhaling heavily. He couldn't help but let his eyes roam the impossible mess that seemed to take a toll on his very heart.

On the stairs was a woman, who seemed to be repairing the broken places of the banister. Maybe they were trying to get the place back in order then? Maybe he could help! When Cali appeared, Cymbiir's eyes widened with joy as memories of the woman flooded him.

"Cali!" he exclaimed as he released his bags and took the woman in a tight hug. He pulled back from her, still holding onto her arms above her shoulders to keep her close as he grinned uncontrollably, eyes sparkling with excitement as he looked into hers.

It wasn't long before his smile began to fade. He was finally taking the woman in now. She looked so different. "Your hair, you've changed it..." and everything else seemed to be different, too, but he was trying not to be rude. "It looks great!" he said, forcing a smile once again.

He stared into her eyes, and all he could find was sadness. He took the woman in another hug. This time it was much more calm and comforting. He didn't know what had happened here, and what had happened to Cali, and those were things he could wait to ask until a different time. For now, he held the woman in a warm embrace, hoping to offer some sort of comfort and reassurance.

~~~*~~~*~~~

Hazel green eyes found the man again. Did he look capable of something like that? Well, honestly, will all of the mystery that surrounded him, she wouldn't be surprised. But, no, she didn't think a person would be capable of such a thing, or that he would get away with it either. She found herself shaking her head almost unnoticeably as if to respond with a 'no'.

Blinking owlishly as he moved towards the painting and wiped away the dust, Anette blushed at his words. She knew he could see right through her, anyone could, anytime. She was an awful liar, and wore her emotions on her sleeve. It was just who she was.

Before she could ask who the woman was he was speaking again. "No, sir." She added the sir in a last ditch effort to seem somewhat professional, although she was almost positive that aspect of her being here had officially vanished. He was still smiling.

Why did he do that? Most people smiled when they were happy. But she wouldn't exactly classify the man as looking obviously happy. His actions were so calm like his smile, that appeared humble, but fake.

Now she was flooded with a new curiosity. Why was Cali looking for entertainment for Howl? Was it because he was lonely? That was a possibility. But the state of the estate and the wings being off limits, as well as this photo, had her thinking there was more to the story. Much more.

She studied the man for a moment. Aside from her immense curiosity of the man and this place, she found herself feeling bad for the guy. How would she feel if there were awful lies floating around town about her eating someone's heart? And it was clear that the things in this wing meant a lot to him, otherwise he probably wouldn't be so protective over the wing. That, and it was his personal space, which she understood.

Anette took a step forward wanting badly to know what happened, but more so, wanting to help him get his home and his life back together. "Ho- Mr. Pendragon, sir" she corrected herself, she was working for him after all. "If these things are dear to you why do you leave them in such a state?" She paused, not really expecting him to answer, but hoping he understood that the things would eventually become stained and deteriorate at this rate...

"I don't want to toot my own horn here, but I've been a sort of 'maid' since I was a child. I can have everything looking new, in no time at all..." Well, it would take time, especially since things looked as if they had been in this state for many many years.

"If you don't trust me, I can do it while you're here, or with the supervision of Miss Cypher." Anette was trying to help, but suddenly she realized that Howl might not want the things touched because they were dear to him, and not want them cleaned, because he didn't want to see them clearly again, maybe because the sight of them caused him pain. That darned piece of auburn hair fell over her eye again in her excitement to help. She brushed at it lazily as she seemed to lean forward in anticipation for his answer. As if he would say yes. Mental eye roll.

Also, the things he had here were amazing and she wanted to learn about them. After all, if this was to be her new home for some undetermined amount of time, she'd like to know at least a little more about the beautiful and mysterious things that surrounded her.

((Where exactly are Anette and Howl btw? Are they in the main part of the hall?

And omg I think I just pieced some of the story together! :squee:))

((Er, well, this is embarrassing. I want to post, as I'm definitely home now, but I'm not sure what to do/I feel like there's something I should be having my Hyoyeon do, that I've simply completely missed. If so, anyone care to smack me over the head with what it is? In any case, I'll be brainstorming, haha. >.<))

((*purrs* Haha, it's okay! I hope everything went well for you! :3

Well, she's there for Cymbiir and Cali's reunion. :XD She could hear Howl and Anette talking upstairs, though it's more likely that she'd not hear them due to the stuff going on near the door. Hmmm. Markhel could come and talk to her. He's probably listening in on the conversation near the door, too! :lol:

I'll reply to you soon, Kya! Haha, got busy all of a sudden.))