He didn't want to speak of why it was he traveled with Sophronia, not to anyone and certainly not to Naer. They were friends, even though he wished to be so much more, and telling him of the blood he'd had to spill to survive was too ugly a thing. Arkerril eyed Gisa warily as he stood to stand near Naer uncertainly, as if he wanted to reach out and hug the other other man in greeting, but he didn't dare.

Almost pleadingly he glanced at Sophronia. She smiled slightly before reaching out and patting his arm companionably. Even though he did hate being bound, and found Soph unbearable at times, there were some good points to it all such as the sometimes wordless communication they shared. "Thank you very much for the information." She tilted her head to the side and glanced at the girl who seemed to care for the Inn in her father's absence. "Something that is soothing, with a bookshelf perhaps? Both myself and my friend like taking the time to relax and read. We're actually searching for a specific type of knowledge ... I do wonder if anyone could help. I am a witch , called Sophronia, in search for knowledge of bonds, of their making and breaking. Arkerril is my guard, though it seems some of your number already know him."

The tension in the elf's frame eased at her words. He'd feared she would speak of their shared past, and was relieved that no such thing had happened. Ark realized he should have known better then to doubt Sophronia's tact. The woman seemed to rise in his esteem a little more everyday, though he was unwilling to admit it to himself.

Gisa Kriemhild

Gisa glanced at Ark as he neared, surprised not to see him give her his usual look of hatred. He seemed distracted. For a moment she glanced at him and the witch in thought. She closed her eyes a moment, letting her witch half reach to the bond between them. Him walking closer made it easier... to see the connection. It was a natural thing of witches to be able to sense bonds, mainly so one wouldn't unknowingly harm another's familiar and similar such things. The type of bond it was surprised her. It was based on need and will, if they did not truly want it.......it would not be. It would break when they truly desired it....

The half demon couldn't help but chuckle as she pulled her energy back from ark and his connection to the younger seeming witch. Such a divine and simple connection, yet their reaction was far more common then people realized. What people wanted and what they thought they wanted were often so very different. Even she herself could be that way she was sure. Still, she had dismissed what she wanted now and was focused on what was needed. The truth was, in this case, what was needed was for her to say nothing. She could break the bond but it would just reattach because it was truly a needed connection and deep down they knew they needed each other right now. So all she did was chuckle to herself and speak softly.

"They do have a good library."

Lalita 'Lia' Tien

"Oh I have a room like that, I was practicing for my own to make sure i'd like it. And yes we do have a wonderful library. I do love magic... and my rooms too small to keep them all" The apparent teen pipped up as the demon spoke. She was curious about this bond but was polite enough not to reach out. She pouted a moment at this, shifting from one foot to another as she resisted the urge. Any bond could be useful in her own studies, some of which had a time limit not that she could say. Oh well, it could wait and was likely fairly normal.....

"the library is to the right of the door, near the base of the stairs. Your room will be room 12 on the first floor" She said as she put on a bright smile and dismissed her other thoughts. The witch seemed fairly normal and the dark elf too.... Not what she needed. Then again what she needed may not exist... Everyone seemed to think so. Still she had to try, she had ot discover everything.

The witch felt a probing of her bond with the dark elf, making her frown and reach out automatically in kind. It was an old reflex born out of hard learning and what she found made her eyes narrow in confusion. Sophronia couldn't understand the energies she sensed, nor did she quite like the way in which the darker ones spread to the other unnamed elf. Even so, that worry was tempered with the knowledge that the apparent demon had some witch in her. It was puzzling to be sure, which prompted Soph to smile slightly and begin to make her way towards the library mentioned.

"I have so many questions that I think I'll go immerse myself in words now. Hopefully we'll speak later," ended the witch as she finally turned away to move past the stairs. Soon her hand was turning a knob, and at last the smell of pages and dust filled her nose. Delighted, she stepped inside and plucked tomes at random from the shelves then settled down for a long session of reading upon a very comfortable looking couch.

Arkerril sighed a little upon seeing her depart, knowing full well that he would probably make some kind of mistake or other as he was wont to do left to his own devices. With the thought he lifted his head to glare at Gisa, though with not quite as much malice as he had upon his arrival. "I assume things are still as they were? " The dark elf moved his gaze to the other elf. "Are we still friends?" He knew more about friendship then before and how to deal with people, strange as it was for Arkerril to admit that to himself. "I know I've said and done many things in the past that were wrong and I apologize." ,after the moment of hesitation he lifted his gaze to Gisa sitting upon her perch, "To both of you."

Naer had opened his mouth to reply to Gisa when Arkerril entered the inn. Violet eyes with gold specks blinked a few times, but he recovered from his surprise very quickly. When Ark demanded what Gisa was thinking by bringing Naer here, the odd colored sun elf moved, or rather, he started to move. Ready to place himself between Ark and Gisa. He would not stand idly by and let Ark be mean to Gisa, but Naer did not need to do anything. The woman with Ark had spoken up and Naerlodir looked to her for a few moments. Watching. Had Ark found someone he could be with? That was wonderful. Naer almost smiled at such a thought.

He was silent though, not really sure of what to say. When Gisa had touched his hand, he barely glanced at her. The touch had been subtle but it meant something. Gisa had answered the question rather elusively, so perhaps she meant to keep their business a secret? Naer decided to remain silent, for now. He watched Ark as the other moved to sit down, then he watched the female for a few moments. Naerlodir shifted on his feet slightly, still a bit eager to try his new bow, but he couldn't just rudely bolt out when a friend had suddenly appeared.

Those eyes found Gisa's face once more, as she mentioned a library and when he looked to Ark again he found the dark elf next to him. The female with him patted Ark's arm and Naer very nearly almost smiled again. It was good for his friend to have a found a friend that could actually be there for him. The way a friend ought to be. Friendship was a wonderful thing. Then Ark was speaking and Naer nodded slightly.

"Things are the same, and of course we are still friends." Then Ark was apologizing. This did bring a smile to Naer's lips, a bit of light to his eyes. Surely Arkerril's new friend was teaching him good things, when last they had seen each other, Naer had never imagined Ark would apologize for anything. "I have already forgiven you for such things, your apology is humbly accepted." Naer spoke the words softly but with certainty in his voice and he glanced at Gisa.

Gisa Kriemhild

Gisa simply smirked as he glared at her, giving him an almost suggestive smile in return before rolling her eyes. She was well aware of the dark elf's hatred of her, and view of her as a rival, so had come to expect as much. If he was not mean to her then ...... well it must be a sign of the Armageddon! Or such was how she thought of it as she listened in silence to him speaking with Naer. He seemed much more well mannered now.... perhaps she would not have to protect Naer's easily confused heart from him after all.

Even as she thought this, however, her own heart got a jolt of shock. She had to grip the banister at her sides slightly tighter to keep her balance and for a moment her eyes half widened as if startled only for her to quickly cover it up with her usual amused mask. If she had not had her hands already on the railings she may have slid she was so startled. She did not quite recover her voice so quickly for a moment as she had never thought he could consider her worthy of an apology. Still she was herself so she simply leaped to the stairs to cover up her moment of shock and reached out to pat Arkerill on the head.

"Politeness? To a vile demon like myself? And they said my birth was a sign of the Armageddon. You're forgiven, you're forgiven. I have a quiver to make though, then Naer and I will go riding... He has something to test. We're going to the forest north of here," She said nonchalantly as she waved dismissively, telling Ark the location as her best attempt at an invitation. She began to take Naer's hand then and would lead him up stairs if not stopped. She payed no mind if Ark followed and would begin measuring Naer and getting a leather quiver she started making fixed for him. It was not to ornate really. the most she did was take a piece of silver from her boot so she could place it inside the bottom and enchant the quiver to replenish itself with whatever arrows was put inside it.

The smile on Naer's lips had widened just slightly and amusement nearly danced in his eyes when the demon pat Ark on the head, his smile widening slightly at her words, but then Naer seemed to remember himself, and the smile vanished. The spark of amusement snuffed out quickly. Still he couldn't help but think how good it would be for his two friends to actually get along with one another, and then Gisa had his hand and was tugging him up the stairs.

He went with her willingly enough. He was eager for the quiver, eager to shoot the bow and even more so, he was eager for the forest Gisa had spoken of. Naer would stand there as she measured him, just shifting slightly on his feet, and his fingers played over the silver arrows he had tucked into his belt. His eyes though were on Gisa, watching as she worked on the quiver. A hint of impatience in those eyes, but Naer knew things like that should not be rushed. Most things shouldn't be rushed.

Gisa Kriemhild

"You're like a little kid with a new toy," Gisa couldn't help but laugh. She shook her head for a moment and soon returned to her work. Due to her nimble fingers and the fact she used metal sprinkled thread she would finish in mere minutes. She might have been quicker but the occasional squirm would cause her to have to shift slightly. She'd chide him and call him 'young one' but there was a slight smile on her lips. She had made him happy....He wasn't thinking of guilt or death, he was just....happy. For a moment the half demon couldn't help but feel a little happy too.

Sometimes watching him, he really was so innocent... almost angelic with that pale hair and gold flecked eyes. That thought made a twinge of pain touch her as she knew she could not bare the light of that smile too long. It did not belong in her world, in her existence it would be dimmed slowly, surely. Those soft doe eyes would become hard, guilt replaced with emptiness just as her own could be. She admired him, she enjoyed his company, but she could never truly allow herself to be his friend. She could not let him be drawn into the world of demons and their pets, necromancy and alchemy that created monsters. No, Once this was over she would have to let him go. Still she managed a perfectly amused smile and reached up to give his hair a playful ruffle for the first time in a long time.

"There you go, now all we have to do is put your arrow somewhere" She teased suggestively, knowing it held him at a distance as she reached around him to grab the arrows from his belt. She then simply dropped them in the quiver, however, and stepped back as if she had said 'arrows' properly like a good little girl and hadn't teased him. She glanced around to see if Ark had headed up, passively wondering how he would react. Oh well.... it was an irony really. It would make ark believe she was trying to seduce Naer but in the end just push them both away from her. They had the elf world to return to, if not Naer's kingdom anothers or some other magical forest that waited for them.

((OOC: there now the quiver 'plot point' that was started before ark's arrival is done and we can move on without ark having to post 'stands around the room' or 'waits in stable' and we can go straight into the three going adventuring.... or ark yelling at Gisa for being.......well...... gisa hehe and then forest adventuring. ))

"You don't understand." Though maybe she did understand, still that was his response to her remark of him acting like a little kid with a new toy. It was a bow, he had tried to swear off weapons, but he was an elf and this was a bow but that wasn't it. It wasn't quite that simple. It also had to do with how much work Gisa had put into the bow, a simple piece of weaponry that he could not fully trust would not have gotten him this excited. He wriggled a bit on his feet as she continued to fit the quiver and when she was done he was ready to bolt out the door and leap onto one of the horses and go, he held all that in.

The playful ruffle of his hair almost caused him to smile. He had missed those simple touches. A blush crept across his cheeks at her teasing remark, embarrassment most likely, and his body had tensed just the slightest bit as she reached around him to grasp the arrows from his belt. Gisa was kind to him, but Naer could not quite understand why she would tease him in such a way. He belonged to her, and though he had once thought he was still free to give his heart and body to one he loved, Gisa had taught him how easily that freedom could be taken away.

Anyone could take that freedom from him. Naer shoved those thoughts from his head, Gisa, he was certain, would not actually do anything like that to him. She had been pushing him that night and he had been stupid. She had been teaching him. Those eyes blinked and he looked to see if Ark had followed and how the other elf would react to the way Gisa had teased. Naer was half afraid Ark might get angry.

The dark elf tensed at Gisa's actions, and was ready to make an angry retort but she was already gone. At the mention of a forest escapade, his golden eyes had narrowed and a worrisome feeling had crept into his heart. Maybe he was already too late? With a shift of his shoulders, Arkerril slipped up the stairs behind the pair and moved to the place from which he heard their voices. It reminded him of another time when he had snuck up behind them and overheard much more then he should have, and more then he had commented on. He sighed softly at the thought before moving to the doorway to peer inside the room with an attempt at an angry glare. "Well well well, still treating him like a toy? I can't say I'm surprised you haven't changed." Apparently his earlier apology had done nothing to soften Arkerril's feelings towards the half demon woman. "About this trip to the forest, I do believe I'll come along."

The little explanation he'd been planning on giving for his accompaniment was squashed before he could begin as he felt a strong hand slam just hard enough to the back of his head. Arkerril made a face as he rubbed his head and looked away from Sophronia sheepishly; he'd been caught after saying angry words again... Their mutual empathy could be quite annoying sometimes, reacting as it did to certain strong emotions. "I don't know what he said but I'm sorry, we're still working on his manners. It's a constant work in progress. What are your names? I didn't catch them earlier." The witch tugged her sleeves down from her elbows as she spoke. Sophronia was rather curious about these two, and Ark gave her the perfect excuse to learn more about them. For some reason the dark elf seemed to always be a boiling pot of emotions when near the sun elf and half-demon, which only served to increase her curiosity all the more. Sometimes she didn't like feeling what the dark elf's heart screamed out with, but this time it was truly an eye opener. He was so confused, so full of love and anger, it was saddening and heartbreaking all at once. Sophronia wished she could help, but didn't know the story of what had happened. Arkerril had seldom spoken of his past, and she didn't think he was ready to.

Gisa Kriemhild

Gisa understood..... well as much as she could understand how an elf that shuddered at the word necromancy could love a demon's bow anyway. She understood too well how it had reached his heart and make him think kindly of her for a moment. Accordingly she had teased him and as expected he had tensed, likely barely resisting the urge to pull away. Yes, it was easy to keep his feelings in check....and as arkerril's angry voice joined them she found she had managed two for the price of one. His hatred was as easily inspired as many a man's love. Inwardly she suppressed a sigh as she turned to smirk at him and laugh at his words.

"I have way too much fun to change! Id tease you but you'd just get angry and not give me a cute little blush at all!" She teased them both with a playful pout, her hand running down Naer's hair as she leaned close to him a moment longer. She let a small piece fall through one curled finger, a simple touch but pleasant enough it should assure Naer enough while still keeping him confused. As the woman entered the room he glanced at her and tilted her head to the side. So curious wasn't she?

"He was just saying he'd like to join us on a trip, and I'm Gisa. I dislike my pet's name so I won't say it." She dismissed the name easily and started for the door. The name meaning things so opposite to his nature.... if Naer had been ready she would have provided him a new name long ago. A new start and a new name was her ultimate goal to give him, before she left to continue her life as she always has. She sauntered towards the door then, knowing she'd have to tell Lia being they were technically suppose to be guarding her.

Sophronia shot Arkerril a warning glance as she felt his anger and irritation slip through her mind. He always seemed to be hosting such negative emotions. Shaking her head, she moved aside for the demon and tugged Arkerril along with her so they didn't block the way. "If you don't like his name, then why not give him a new one? Everyone deserves a name." Her voice held no judgement, only simple curiosity a she shifted to eye the elf, and then the demon holding his bond. Gisa's words helped to make that obvious.

The dark elf crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "You wouldn't be able to make me blush, no matter how much you might try Gisa!"He couldn't remember very well, but thought that perhaps that was the first time he used her name. It was a rather odd thing to realize for him, and even his tone held less rancoeur then usual. Part of that of course could be attributed to Sophronia's presence, but not all. There was something a little odd about the way Gisa interacted with Naer, though perhaps that was more Soph's sentiment then his ... Sometimes he caught himself thinking a little like her, and she the same.

Nenet trotted along a faint path, glancing behind her to the line between forest and dead-land. The line was so clear, she couldn't help but feel it was a true scar on the land. She shook her self, trying to put the feeling aside. Her paws padded along, aimed right for the center of the scar, and the building erected there.

The scent of horses as she drew closer let her know that this form probably wasn't going to be very accepted. She'd had accidents involving equines before, something about her scent or energy tended to trigger them. But that was easy to avoid. shifting to her human form as she walked, clothing and jewelry in place from the last time she walked on two legs, she approached the Inn. She was about to open the door when she remembered that people used money for things like this. And that she didn't have any.

Taking a breath, she opened toe door anyway. There was a pull to here, something from before she'd been made into this, and she had to try to see if there was a way to stay here. "Hello?"

Gisa Kriemhild

"He seems determined to hold to a false name that suits him not. So he chooses to deserve no name from me. I would name him Neaphowea Biwhut from an old language I knew once but if he is unwilling to accept it then he does not deserve it" Gisa replied flippantly, knowing that there was no way they could know the language so could not guess her true feelings from it. It was a language of an odd little being that had been enslaved with her that he taught her as well as the others so they could communicate in secret. Of course he was killed for it later but it was the language she first communicated with those she had grown to care for with after her mothers death so it meant alot to her.

Hell it was the first time she really spoke as for a while after she had been brought into slavery she had said and done nothing. She had just shut down. To this day she was fairly sure the odd little man had simply been trying to open her up again. He had succeeded, and for that she would always be grateful. It would have been easier and safer to ignore her and keep his head down but he... the last of his kind, could not see a child like that and do nothing. He had been kind and pure despite centuries in hell even if he hid it well...

She started out the door, only glancing at the dark elf. She raised an eyebrow as if to say 'isn't that what i just said' before she turned from him. She paused at the top of the stairs for only a moment as she realized he had actually called her by name. Normally he called her 'the demon' or something similar or nothing at all and just 'you'. She glanced back a moment but simply shook her head and looked to Naer as if waiting for him.


(For everyone else's benefit XD Neaphowea (pronounced Nah'p'Hoe'wahy) Biwhut (bi'wah'ut) Meaning 'Spirit that is Shining/Radiating/Star like' and 'True, right, loyal heart'. The language is spoken quickly, without the pauses, those are just to show you where one sound ends and begins. )

Lalita 'Lia' Tien

Lia had just been walking towards the stairs, eager to go on a ride as she needed some plants from the forest when she felt someone approaching. She leaned against the wall, so silent it was easy not to notice the small woman. She smiled at the woman and glanced at the horn. What a strange energy she had... it was not quite like a unicorn as that type of horn generally meant but rather a bunch of other things. How fascinating.

"I can check you inn miss" She said rather suddenly and gave the woman a rather angelic smile. She didn't seem to think she might be startling... with how she tended to go unheard and unsensed by people even the supernatural. If anything judging by the fact she smiled she was rather use to it and didn't mind it one bit. Even the elf hadn't heard her walk earlier....

Nenet jumped, bright green eyes widening and hair seeming to stand on end for a moment. At least she hadn't accidentally started a fire, this time. "I would like to, but I have no way to pay for a room," she said, closing the door behind her. She smiled at the woman in return, wondering why she hadn't noticed her. She was usually able to tell when there were people around.

"Unless you might need help? I can work for a space to sleep." She'd done that a few times, though she'd always been night staff around humans. The work always felt good, reminded her of her time with her creator. She'd helped keep his tower tidy, along with the maid-cook. They had both been such kind people... But that was a long time ago, now. She'd out-lived them both, something she was aware was a rare occurrence.

Lalita 'Lia' Tien

"Well I've been the main cooking and cleaning staff so either would work, though of course either way you must stay out of my father's study and my room. We like our privacy and take care of ourselves." Lia said simply as she tilted her head to the side. Nobody really stayed long, generally spooked by the place and the strange lights and voices that could sometimes be heard. This woman would likely have a little more resistance to such things then her typical human worker. Maybe she could even get the woman to let her experiment and find out more about what she is.

"So which would you prefer?" Lia hated cleaning and cooking both so either would be a relief. She half the time just didn't do it so she imagined the guests would be pretty happy about it too. She smirked a little at the thought before glancing upstairs. She had four guests at the moment... that wouldn't be too hard for someone else to take over she supposed.

Naer shifted on his feet a bit, his eagerness to test his new bow seemed to be ebbing away some. The sun elf watched them all carefully, frowning ever so slightly when Gisa spoke about his name and spoke the one that she would have chosen for him. He didn't know what it meant nor did he pretend to, he just watched Gisa after she had spoken it and gave a light sigh. "You don't understand." He spoke the words quietly to Gisa, his attention shifting to Ark and Sophronia. "I am Naerlodir." He moved to follow Gisa when she glanced back at him, he nodded to Ark and Sophronia as he passed them.

There was an inexplicable pain in his heart when Gisa had called him undeserving of the name she would give him. The pain was inexplicable because her words were true, even though he did not know the meaning of such a name, he knew he did not deserve it. So then, why had it hurt for her to say that? Naer couldn't understand it, and he didn't like it. Hesitantly, the sun elf reached out to grasp Gisa's hand, gently and uncertainly, almost as if he needed the physical contact as a reassurance of something. Still, as soon as his hand touched her hand, he drew it back and moved past her. As if eager to get on with things.

And she'd been thinking just a moment ago about such things. She really didn't know how to cook anything more complicated than a simple stew, but... "I can clean," she said, smile more genuine than before. Cleaning was such a comforting thing for her. She stepped further into the room, starting to look around at the decor and state of things. It wasn't too particularly dirty, but it could be cleaner.

"I can also hunt if need be. Unless that is unlawful around here." She didn't pretend to understand why people thought hunting was bad, because to her it was just part of life. She'd spent months at a time in her wolf form, when she had been unable to find accepting peoples. She looked back at the woman, happy to have found such people again. "As long as I know which rooms to leave be, it is no problem. When would you like me to start?"

Lalita 'Lia' Tien

"Cleaning is always helpful, I can show you which places later.... and there is one place you can hunt. We're going to go there if you want to head up. I want to gather some herbs anyway. She said, suddenly a little less bored sounding and a little more cheerful. For a moment she had worried she would have to stay behind but she thought she had a way to get the new hire to come. It was legal to hunt or do as you wished in the norht forest as long as you did not settle there or disturb it fundamentally. There were some 'protected' places but only because the settlements used them for food but the north forest was left wild .

Gisa Kriemhild

Gisa almost sighed as she felt the twinge of pain, wondering inwardly if he would ever understand that to accept a gift was to deserve it and that was what she had meant. Oh well, better people think she was cold hearted and meant it how he had taken it. Still as he reached for her hand only to withdraw she would roll her eyes and step forward to grip his hand. She wouldn't let go but did pause to look at the other two.

"You coming?" She called to the them teasingly before turning back to Naer and leading him now by the hand towards the main room. They had to go through the front door to get to the stable anyway. She did speak offhandly to the elf then, as if she was making a random observation even as she squeezed Naer's hand in an almost comfortingly way though she did not look at him. She spoke in a quiet tone that the others might not hear.

"My mother had a saying about gifts, even one such as a name. To deserve it, One must simply accept it with their whole heart because it is from the giver. Silly, Sentimental, but ultimately I think it was true. My mother had her moments... that's why I gave you the bow without a care. I knew any elf would accept a bow," She said the last sentence almost mockingly, teasing him once again. She laughed softly then, as if she had said nothing kind at all.

Nenet nodded, she didn't see a need to start immediately, anyway. The mention of coming with to hunt... "I... I do not hunt in this shape," she said cautiously. Some reacted badly to knowing she was a shape-shifter, but she hoped that this woman would not. Too many had. Now that she had found the center of the pull on her, she did not want to have to leave. Not when she was sensing others who were not human as well. "I will come with if you still wish it, though. I have no qualms about staying in this one."

Sophronia stared after Gisa for a few moments with a frown. "She's even more of a puzzle then you are," stated the young woman at last as she walked briskly out of the room's doorway without a second glance. There was a certain grace in her movements as the witch raced down the stairs, a wild kind of beauty that she'd won in the hardest of ways. Her hand moved to play with her dagger as she followed the elf and demon, noting their hands together and silently wondering if perhaps the bond they held was something entirely different then even they thought. That was merely speculation upon her part, she didn't truly know what had brought those two together.

An angry sound made her shift to sigh at Arkerril. He was charging over to the other two, and reaching out to do what, she didn't know. Something stopped him though, making his golden eyes widen and a resigned sadness fill his heart. The white haired man bowed his head slightly as he regarded the pair before him. "What you said earlier, could Soph and I take that as an invitation to hunt with you?" The dark elf shifted uncomfortably upon his feet, remembering some of their previous conversations all too clearly. It was no wonder he'd always been angry with Gisa, and still was, but there was nothing that could be done about the fact that Naer didn't seem to want her gone, at all. Why else would the elf follow her around like a joyful puppy all the time?

When Gisa grabbed his hand, he looked at her. Obviously he hadn't expected her to grab his hand, but maybe he should have. When she spoke, she made a very good point, but Naer did not deserve any gifts. Honestly he didn't even feel like he deserved the bow she had crafted for him, it was so beautiful and she had poured herself into the work. He truly did not deserve a weapon like that. He deserved a bow that was nothing but a stick with a string attached. A weapon he could not trust. That last line she spoke though, it made Naer's entire body jerk slightly.

'Any elf would accept a bow.' Naer glanced up, just in time to see Ark approaching, as if the dark elf intended to rip him and Gisa from one another. He ignored Ark for the moment, scowling at Gisa. She did not understand. "A weapon that cannot be trusted by it's wielder is not a weapon that should be used." For a few moments his bottom lip quivered slightly, then he let out a low sigh. "I knew you would make a weapon I could trust. Elves do not carelessly choose bows." For half a moment he gave her an almost haughty look, then turned an almost smile to Ark. "Of course you can come...can't they?" He glanced at Gisa as he spoke that question.

Gisa Kriemhild

"Sure." Gisa responded, raising her eyebrow slightly. He seemed so resigned to something suddenly but at the same time determined to go with them. She would have thought he hated her enough he'd go pout instead. Oh well, his choice really. She didn't care who came with them. They'd all be living in the same inn a while at any rate so it wasn't as if avoiding contact would be particularly helpful in any way. Of course even as she was answering Naer was speaking and it surprised her.

To see him show backbone was unusual. Yet he contradicted her teasing now with the utmost seriousness and pride. She could almost see the prince he was peaking out of those eyes a moment. She might have laughed had he not spoke of how he had been so sure she would make a weapon he could trust. True, due to her magic and her power over metal she was truly a divine weapon smith but she was still a demon. The idea any elf could consider choosing one of her weapons as choosing carefully or wisely seemed rather silly. She released his hand a moment, as if that would help keep the contract from showing her conflicted emotions that boiled beneath that mask of hers and it's amused smile.

Nobody ever really complimented her work unless they were well...... of a darker nature just like her. The fact this practically angelic soul, raised in a community to hate her, had grown to trust and believe in her skill was rather startling and if she was honest a little endearing. The weapon had meant more then she had intended it seemed, to both of them. She said nothing about it, however, and simply covered up her confusion with a smile as she swung her arms to be over both ark and naer's shoulders.

"Well my dears it seems everyone's going, so come. Let's go play in the forest. I won't be as good as you elves at it I'm sure but I'll try to keep up" She teased them both with a wink, trying to squelch the weird happy feeling she had. He had spoken as if he would have chosen no one else to make such a thing for him. She called him a fool, pushed him away and insulted him, teased him until he was red, but none of it seemed to make any difference. He believed in her...... and that was a rare thing. A far more precious thing then she wanted to admit...

She released them both then with a soft teasing tug of Naer and Ark's pale hair before she released them to prance out of reach before Ark could try and smack her for it as she was sure he would. She chuckled softly as she headed downstairs, said they were leaving now to the girl, then headed to the stables. She began to get the horses ready, her face briefly thoughtful. Was he just naive, her dear naer, was that all it was? The twin black horses she prepared were ones she had told naer she had gotten from a 'friend' rather then summoned. Any demon could summon a nightmare from oblivion, it was the nature of things, but she by simply giving them a silver earring enchanted with her voice could make them seem perfectly average normal horses even to the keenest of senses.

Lalita 'Lia' Tien

"Oh, you shapeshift? You must show me. I always find magic a fun and curious thing." Lia announced to the wolf with genuine delight. She clapped her little hands and seemed about ready to hug the other woman. Magic was her passion, even if it had only become so out of necessity. Anything new and different was appreciated, but she found herself distracted. Then again, Lia always seemed very easily distracted, her thoughts moving at a pace hard to catch. This time, however, it was the half demons fault as she told her they were ready.

"Come with us, My horses won't mind you." She said with a soft wink and a smile. She then began to prance to the stables too. She would prepare two of the horses. One was of course her own, a shining white creature with a long blue mane and tail. It also had something on its forehead that appeared to be either a gem or a broken off horn. Some said rumors of it being a unicorn she had made mute and captured, others said she had changed a normal horse to this trying to create a unicorn. Neither was really true. She had found the horse with it's throat slit, which left a scar there even now, and dying. An infusion of unicorn blood had saved it's life due to the horse being so closely related to unicorns... shame the same did not work for humans quite the same way.

Once her horse was ready she picked out a large gray steed that was almost silver for Nenet. It was a beautiful creature and it too seemed to have oddly intelligent eyes but appeared relatively normal. It stomped it's feet as she prepared it, happy to have a rider for once. It only glanced at the half demon, inwardly wondering if the elf she had brought her knew they were riding nightmares only disguised as normal horses.. oh well...

Sophronia hummed slightly to herself as she watched Gisa and Naer together. They were adorable in a way, though is did seem like there were barriers between them. She tilted her head to the side with a small smile as a little thought flitted to the forefront of her mind, even as Gisa tugged and teased the two elves. She imaged a sweet little kiss, given by the sun elf to the demon under the light of the stars ...

The witch sighed softly, and immersed as she was in her own imagination, she didn't notice Arkerril freeze, then begin to run outside.

He followed Gisa's steps into the stables with a panicked look in his eyes, well aware that he didn't have much time. Maybe if he did this, then maybe what Soph had imagined wouldn't happen. It could delay things at least... Moving forward, he reached out to tug lightly at Gisa's dark blue hair with a teasing smile upon his lips. "You said something about playing?"Then he bent down, closing his eyes along the way and imagining that he held another in his arms, and let his mouth brush against hers gently, like the wings of a butterfly or like water flowing over rock.

Soph felt his confusion as if it was her own as she moved to stand beside the elf, Naer, with her head tilted to the side. She wasn't entirely sure what had just happened ... "Naer ... I think I might just have done something to make Ark act even more incomprehensible then usual." What was going through that man's mind? She shook her head, and placed her hands upon her hips thoughtfully.

(( it was too tempting ... And Star wanted to know what I had planned in my mind, so there it is))

Nenet's worried look melted away at the woman's words and exuberance, and she followed her to the stables. On the way she tried to figure out the other people who had joined them, both glad and worried about the company. One seemed demonic, and two were obviously of some elven origin... then there was one who smelled of magic, the same way her creator had.

She let them be, keeping a little bit of distance for the time being. She knew demons could be rather spontaneous, and she didn't know what kind this one was... And was surprised when the darker elf was instead. Her eyes widened, and she pulled a bit further away, closer to the stables.

They must have some history, she thought, turning and going to the silvery grey stallion that was waiting impatiently for her. She held a hand out, waiting for him to accept her scent and she searched for his among the others. There was something very different about it, about all of them. Something... darker? She shook her head slightly, running her hand along his neck as she walked to the saddle, puling herself up into it with ease. It had been so long, she had thought she might have forgotten... A happy smile came to her lips as she tangled her fingers in the mane that didn't feel the ay it looked.

"He is wonderful," she finally said, looking over. "And we have not exchanged names, yet. I am Nenet." She wanted to ask, wanted to know if the horses here were truly just that, but held her tongue. 'Trust your instincts' her creator would have told her. She didn't feel that they were, but neither did she feel that they were truly dangerous.

((She's never seen a nightmare before...))

Naer brushed Gisa's teasing off silently, she was a silly creature. Always teasing. Honestly he didn't mind too much, depending on what the teasing was and the context. He let Gisa go without a word, looking to Ark. His lips parting, about to speak when he noticed the elf freeze and then run after Gisa. Naer's heart skipped a beat, was Ark going to do something to Gisa? He glanced at Sophronia as she approached and then he bolted. Only somewhat hearing her words as he chased after Ark. Swift and nimble on his feet, Naer rushed after the two.

He set foot in the stables just as Ark's lips touched Gisa's. Anger and confusion even a little jealousy gripped Naer's heart, but for a few moments it wasn't Ark and Gisa he saw. It was him and the girl he had suddenly kissed in the first Inn he had met Gisa. He had known when he had done it, that it had been a horrible thing to do, and all the things that Gisa had said to him about that even ran through his head. All of that took only mere seconds and before he had even realized it himself, he had approached them. His hand reaching out to grasp Ark by the hair and pull him back while at the same time turning the dark elf to face him.

When Arkerril faced Naer, the dark elf's face would suddenly be met by the exiled sun elf's fist. A hard punch born of anger, confusion, jealousy and some other emotions Naer was not sure he understood himself, then he had moved, placing himself between Gisa and Ark. Those violet colored eyes with their gold flecks blazed with emotion, mostly anger and confusion. "Arkerril." Naer did not raise his voice, but he stood straighter, and his voice held all the certainty and authority of a proper prince. "What gives you the right, to take a maiden's kiss from her? What right do you have, tell me, Arkerril."

He half glanced at Gisa, hoping she wouldn't react violently. She probably would, he knew how she felt about unwelcome actions that were or could be taken as sexual advances, but Naer stood his ground. He stood as the prince he once was, and once would have been."You above all others should understand how precious freedom is. Even the freedom of choice, even a choice as simple as who to kiss or not to kiss. So tell me, what gives you the right to deny someone that simple freedom of choice?"