This was too interesting a conversation to pass up. Besides, it was only right to pop up and say hello to an old acquaintance. With quicksilver movements the kelpie swam to the surface after shifting to his human form. People always found it disconcerting to have dealings with a kelpie in his natural form for some reason. Pulling himself up with graceful movements onto the edge of the pond, Frewen glanced at Loki then at Aine with a grin. "Curiosity made me pop up. Don't mind me, I'm simply trying to figure people out in general, it's what I do. " Loki knew that at least. The words were mostly for the benefit of the fae woman.

He couldn't get her face out of his mind. Her sheer radiance was enough to captivate his very mind and soul. He didn't want to wait around to bump into her later, but he didn't want to seem like a creep either. Ciar pushed away from the bar and exited the Inn, standing on the covered porch as his eyes searched left and right for some clue as to where the female fae had gone.

Ciar stepped off the porch, a deep frown forming as he reached up to shield his eyes from the sun. Then he spotted her, out by the pond, sunning. A small groan escaped him, he wasn't the sun's biggest fan, but for her, he would endure it. But wait, who was the male she lay near? Certainly not someone who she had, relations with. No, he could read them both, the male upset about something, the fae mostly minding her own business, although surly curious about why the other was upset. Why else in the whole area around the pond would she have sat so near the other.

Then there was a third. A nymph he appeared to be. Ciar sighed. He certainly wasn't a man for entertaining. He didn't like crowds, and he didn't like speaking in front of groups of unknown people either. Instead of moving to Aine where he wanted desperately to find out more about her, he stepped back up onto the porch, leaning against the building as he watched out over the pond. He wasn't stalking her by any means, just simply waiting for her to approach the Inn again so that he might introduce himself.

"Well...I don't know. I have never been interested in either." Rida commented, one elbow coming up to rest on the countertop while his palm cradled his chin. Such a simple change of posture, but it made him look so much older. He really never had a reason to bother with dating or courting, no one really had ever liked him anyway. He was older than he appeared, looking maybe around mid to late teens, but in reality he was 20. It didn't help that he tended to suffer from malnutrition at a young age. "I guess just because I'd never found the right person." The neko shrugged softly.

Aine had closed her eyes, not really expecting him to speak, but when he did, she smiled softly. Opening them, she felt the smile falter in response to his frown. "If you don't mind, is there something bothering you? I'm not expecting you to give me the nitty gritty details, but maybe I could help?" She asked softly, though she was very curious about what occured between him and the vampire. Thinking about the other, she brushed her fingers across where the pin-pricks had been left. It really hadn't been that long ago, but even with Regan assisting to close them, Aine's own energy healed them quickly so that now they only looked like two pale pink dots that stood out from her usual lightly tanned skin.

He sounded wise to Priscilla's ears. Much wiser then she, who'd been so sheltered in her life that even thinking of what the male might have had to endure was a difficult task. "I'm sorry I bothered you about it then. It was quite impolite after such a short acquaintance. " The young woman's heart plummeted at her own words, though it didn't show upon her face. The only sign of Priscilla's troubles was in her golden eyes as she stood from her seat. Glancing at the bottles behind the counter, she shrugged. That wasn't for Priscilla, not even when she felt down as she did. Almost hopefully, she stood beside the counter, while looking a little lost though she didn't know the signals she sent out.

Loki blinked when Frewen came ashore. He eyed the kelpie with suspicion for a few moments and then shrugged. "Get tired of splashing around in Luce's pond, seahorse?" The way Loki said those words, almost as if he were trying to provoke the kelpie. The wolf watched Frewen for a few moments then glanced at the faery. "There's nothing you can do to help, faery lady. So tell me, was it fun, letting Luce and that kitten play with your body like that? Letting men do things to you like that at the same time, was it worth it being used and toyed with? If you want to do things like that, you should go live in a brothel." It was one of those moments, where you realize you really should not have said the thing you said after you said it. Loki hadn't even been thinking such mean things, and yet when is lips parted those words had escaped. Loki's expression didn't change, even if he did feel apologetic directly after saying such mean things. It was the anger talking, the anger wasn't really directed at Aine, but it seemed she would be the outlet at the moment.


Luce gently guided Sikura back to the main room of the Inn. Smiling at her when she spoke so only he could hear. "You'll be just fine." His words equally as quiet, words for only her ears. His gaze danced over the room, flitting over each person for a brief moment before he brought Sikura around the bar and to a stool for her to sit on. Once there, he lightly released her hand and gave her a fleeting kiss on the cheek. Then Luce was moving away, he moved towards Rida, his eyes on Priscilla as he approached. "Sweetling, I hope you can forgive me for not paying any attention to you. So many things have demanded my attention, I promise I will try so very hard to make more time for you." Luce's movements were quick and gentle, his lips brushed against Rida's cheek for a moment and then the tall demon was moving around and behind the bar. Those eyes sweeping over the other guests. "I am so very sorry for neglecting all of you, my wonderful guests. Please forgive my rudeness." Luce gave a quick, but elegant bow and straightened. "The bar is self serve, but if there is anything needed from the kitchen, I would be happy to get it for you." Even as his voice carried across the room, it remained soft and gentle. Though easy to hear, as if he had spoken the words right next to each and every person there.

Sikura looked at the demon as she held his hand and smiled at him. She sat down on the bar stool and blushed slightly as Luce kissed her cheek. Her eyes followed him to the neko and noticed he kissed the neko, too. A ping of jealousy went through her heart as she sat there at the bar. The young woman said nothing as she looked around for someone she knew. She kept one hand on her stomach to protect her growing child.

Rida glanced at Priscilla, head tilting and ear twitching. Her current behavior confused him. Didn't she want to spend time with him? "Huh? Why are you leaving?" The neko asked quickly, though he was quickly distracted as Luce approached, smilling and purring faintly as the tall demon brushed his lips across Rida's cheek before he moved around the bar. "Good morning Luce. Please, don't apologize. Its ok. As the owner I'm sure you would have been very busy. Especially with all the different guests." He told the demon, though he wasn't sure if he should comment about what he saw Luce do to that disgusting man. He felt comfortable in the males prescence, even after the other had killed someone, and Rida glanced over to Priscilla, winking at her and chuckling a little. Suddenly he felt very playful.

Aine frowned, listening to his words to the water being. When he spoke to her, she knew that he intended on the words to hurt, which in a way they did. Yet she also found them funny. Letting her anger show, she shook her head and stood up, brushing the dirt off her back and legs. "Really? Must you insult another just to make yourself feel better?" She commented, one hand on her hip. She didn't look like she was going to hit him, and she certainly thought against hitting him. It wasn't the proper thing to do. As a royal, Aine should be above such things, but considering her current self-imposed exile, she decided to just go with it. Tightening her fist, she twisted back and came forward to punch him as hard as she could. Staring at him, the fae cradled her hand against her chest. Though she was fit and surprisingly strong, she knew the ookami was stronger, and she'd felt a few delicate bones break. "And for your information, if you want to call someone a whore, do it to someone that deserves it. I was a virgin till last night." It probably wasn't the best idea to say that, but it had already slipped past her lips.

A tinge of pink crept up Priscilla's cheeks. This ... This display of affection wrenched trough her heart in a painful way she wasn't used to. Slamming her hand against the counter top, the young woman turned away from Luce and Rida. Let them have each other, she needed no one for her happiness. "Excuse me Rida, Luce, but I need to go and fetch something in the kitchen." The pangs in her stomach weren't from hunger, but the young woman didn't want anyone else to know that. Her voice was cold as ice as she spoke, though it trembled a little to someone who listened well. Shaking it off, Priscilla walked with dignity into the kitchen, only to slump down behind the counter to stare at her hands. Why had the obvious affection between the two men affected her so? Ah yes ... Rida's comfort with Luce. She was jealous and hurt, and sad. She couldn't compete with someone like Luce, not in a million years.

The seahorse in question listened without comment until the lady fae punched Loki. Now that took some guts. Standing quickly, Frewen placed himself between the two. He was braced for an attack from either side as he held out his hands to stop the both of them from doing anything too rash. "Loki ... Perhaps some time in solitude within my pond might help you to finally control that temper of yours." Turning his gaze to Aine, he smiled kindly at her with his teal eyes sparkling. "I've been tempted to do that a few times, but I've never had the courage. Now, why don't you go inside Lady and tend to that hand. I'll take care of this fellow." More like give him a good earful. A sweet revenge, Loki had done that to Frewen far too many times and now it was the wolf's turn.

Loki's ears twitched a bit as Aine spoke to him, he expected a light slap. The kind women give when someone upsets them. The wolf hadn't expected to be punched, a startled yelp left his lips and he staggered back a few steps just to keep his balance. For a faery woman, she hit hard. Loki didn't growl at her, if it had been a man, Loki would have been growling and probably counterattacking even though he had deserved the hit, but she was a woman, and Frewen had put himself in the way. Those lips parted, but the wolf said nothing to Aine or Frewen, he looked away from them both. Loki was gently rubbing the side of his face where Aine had punched him so forcefully, he was certain a bruise was already forming. He wasn't sure, but he also thought Aine might have damaged herself with that punch. Loki stared off to the side. Barely listening to what Frewen said as the kelpie told Aine to go inside.


Luce looked slightly startled when Priscilla slammed her hand against the counter top and turned away. A slight frown tugged at his lips as he watched the woman walk away. Luce wasn't completely sure why she was upset, but he had a very good idea. The tall demon leaned on the bar direction in front of Rida, leaning towards the neko. He spoke softly. "I am terribly sorry, it seems my kiss upset your friend. You should follow her, go talk to her. Tell her that you and I are only friends." Luce had heard the tremble in Priscilla's voice, it was easy for him to pick out such things. "She wants you to be the one to talk to her, I am certain of that." Luce gave Rida a reassuring smile and reached over to very gently pat the top of his head. "Also, you look so very lovely in your outfit." Luce did adore the way Rida was dressed, so cute. Luce straightened back up, and glanced around to see if anyone needed his attention.

A small yawn escaped him as Ciar watched the world around them. From time to time, his eyes glanced back over to the group by the pond. Upon the last glance, he saw Aine stand. He sighed, finally, and gladly, he really hadn't wanted to go out into the sun or be in the company of the other two while he tried to know Aine. But then, the female punched the man she'd been sitting near.

Without a moments hesitation, Ciar rushed out to the pond, a deep frown upon his face as he stopped next to Aine. He didn't know what exactly had happened, or why, but he could only assume that Loki had said or even done something to upset her. But, since he couldn't be sure, and since Aine seemed to have taken care of the problem herself, he turned back to Aine, only looking back over his shoulder to glare at the wolf one last time.

"Are you ok?" he asked her calmly, in a low and smooth voice. Her hand was turning black and blue in various places and beginning to swell. Without hesitating again, he gently took hold of her arm and began to lead her back to the Inn. "This looks serious," he said, "let's get inside and get it wrapped up." He of course knew nothing about the Inn yet, or he would know that the Inn would begin healing her as soon as she stepped inside and asked.

He smiled down at her, in a way that reassured her that he was only there to help her out. He looked mysterious, but gentle. His presence was calming, no matter where he was, and he knew that.

~~~*~~~*~~~

As Vex stood beside Fern hoping she would understand and leave the vampire girl alone, something caught her eye outside the Inn through the nearby window, just as Aine punched Loki. Vex frowned. She liked Aine, and Loki, and couldn't imagine what could have happened to cause Aine to hit Loki like that. Looking back down at Fern, she seemed to be in a daze. Vex could always drag her upstairs, but, it wasn't really her place, nor was it her problem.

Now Loki on the other hand, she truly cared about. Turning on her heel, she moved to exit the Inn, passing Aine and Ciar as she walked, only nodding at them and curious of the new guy and Aine's forming relationship. When she made it to Ferwen and Loki, she stopped. "Hey Ferwen," she said. "I though for a minute you were the one getting punched. There's probably only so many times you can try to drown people before you get your ass kicked." She shrugged.

Her amethyst eyes fell on Loki now, something was seriously bothering him. Unfortunately, Vex wasn't much for comforting, or giving positive sentiments or even helpful advice, so she didn't know what to do. She wanted to hug him and let that be enough to take away his pains, at least for the moment, but she thought twice. He didn't want her she reminded herself.

She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Maybe she should just leave. Clearing her throat, she managed finally. "Loki," she started softly, still searching for what should come after. She knew he was unhappy, and she wanted to know what needed to be done to fix that, although the thought shocked her. She never cared about people like that. Well, there was Cade, but that had been a sham, and he was dead now anyway. She wanted to at least let him know that she was here for him, should he ever need a shoulder, a smile, a heart... but again, she knew better.

Feeling defeated by her own thoughts, she decided to shut up before she said something else stupid, like she had earlier. If Loki left, she'd leave him be, if he opened up to her, like she hoped, maybe she could help.

Frewen watched without comment as another fae came over. There was a twinkle in his eyes though, as if an idea of what might happen between the two had already planted itself between those teal eyes. Turning his attention to the fast approaching Vex he bowed dramatically in greeting. Looking up at her with a smirk, the kelpie righted himself. "Oh but Vex! I'm as slippery as the water I live in. Someone would be hard pressed to harm me." Glancing from the woman to Loki quietly after lapsing into silence the kelpie felt his customary curiosity bubbling up in full force. At the same time .... A small hint of something else surfaced along with it. Tilting his head to the side, the blue haired man crossed his arms and settled down on the ground. He wasn't leaving until someone threw him bodily into the pond, and even then he could listen in on the conversation so Frewen really didn't care either way.

Rubbing his eyes softly after his nap, the vampire slipped into a sitting position with a groan. It had helped, this small time of rest, but now he needed to go sort things out with Loki. Changing his white shirt for another, he also slipped on a black vest. Then running a comb trough his hair, and making sure he looked more then presentable, Regan slipped out of his room and down into the common room. Waving absentmindedly at the people sitting there, he walked outside only to stop in his tracks when he noticed the little group by the pond. Shaking his head, Regan moved to sit on a nearby stone bench in the garden to watch from afar until Loki was alone again.

"Vex.." Loki blinked, looking right at Vex, giving Frewen a slight glance as the kelpie sat down to listen and watch. It would just be better to get the truth out there, to say everything. Loki hesitated and rubbed his jaw lightly, who knew faeries could hit so hard? It was tender to the touch and a purple bruise was there already. He had deserved it, he almost wished she had hit him even harder, Loki pushed those thoughts away, focusing on the here and now. Another glance to Frewen, then his gaze settled on Vex. "I'm sorry Vex. I really did want to wine and dine you, I wanted to romance you and make you fall deeply in love with me. When I first saw you, I wanted you to be mine. But none of that can happen now, doesn't matter how I feel deep inside because I've made my choice. Even if it was a hasty and rash mistake. I have to live with the consequences, but there's so many others out there for you Vex. You still have the freedom of choice." Loki turned, to walk away and paused. He looked at Frewen. "If you try to drown her, nothing in this world or the next will stop me from destroying you."

Then Loki was walking again, and again he paused. His crimson gaze had caught sight of Regan, the vampire was sitting there in the garden, not quite out of sight. With a deep sigh, Loki knew he had to go speak to that man. He had been so cruel to the vampire. The wolf started walking, a bit slower, but still he was moving towards Regan. His face lowered just a bit, Loki was ashamed. He'd been so terrible, not only to Regan but to the faery girl as well. Loki grit his teeth as he approached the vampire.

He was sure if his ears had been like those of a wolf, they'd have been twitching furiously. So now this little mystery was fast becoming clear. What a horrible mess! Humans, no ... Land dwellers were such complicated creatures. They complicated things to no end, it was as if they couldn't live life without it. Rolling his eyes at Loki's last words, the kelpie stood and brushed of strands of grass from his dark pants. "He's always ending up in situations like this, the old wolf. " Moving to Vex's side with a light smile, he glanced up at the soon. "You know, under this light your hair looks like gold." The sentence was a simple statement of fact to Frewen. No flirtation was intended at all, and it was obvious with his tone. It was the type of thing he loved noticing, and spent his days looking for.

Keen ears catching the sounds of familiar footsteps, the vampire remained seated. He wasn't relishing this next encounter at all. No matter that it was necessary. It was difficult enough for Regan knowing that he had betrayed Loki so soon and so terribly. Add to that words spoken in anger, and this next meeting had him dreading every word. "Loki." The name, spoken softly, was an acknowledgment of the other man's presence. Regan didn't dare say anything else, knowing how very volatile the wolf could be. He didn't want another fight.

Flinching when Priscilla slammed her hand on the counter, Rida watched in confusion as she went off to the kitchen. "But why...?" The neko wondered why the simple, innocent kiss had upset the other woman, though with Luce suggesting he go talk to her, Rida shook his head. Dealing with others that were angry was never a strong suit of his. Sighing, he knew the demon was right though, smiling slightly at the compliment and the gentle pat, the neko got up from the stool and headed into the kitchen. "Priscilla?" He cautiously opened the door, old fears creeping up of when old owners would hide behind the door then ambush him with his back turned. He didn't think this girl was like that, but considering her anger, he felt his nervousness was justified.


Watching the as the nymph left his pond to stand between her and the ookami, she nearly growled at him. "I hope that when you take care of him, you pull out the giant stick in his ass." She murmured, glancing down to her hand as she slowly stretched and clenched it. The bones were healing already, but the bruising and swelling would be there for a day or two. Sighing, she looked up as the strange fae from inside came towards her, asking about her hand and suggested going inside. "Fine..." Aine pouted, she wanted to remain outside, especially since she could remain as is. Going inside would mean getting dressed.

Shrugging off his arm, she went back to where she'd lain, picking up her clothes and carefully pulling the shorts back on, then the shirt, her shorts remaining unbuttoned. Not that they'd fall off anyway since they were rather form fitting. Jogging back up to the male, she smiled lightly and nodded in greeting to Regan, then made her way toward the vampire. "Just pausing to say hello. Try to behave ok? Though if you need more, I'm still available as a donor. I'll even be nice and keep to a minimum of sugar." Aine joked lightly to the vampire before continuing on her way to the Inn. Hopefully in there she could get a sweet drink and some ice for her hand.

Frewen was right, Loki always got himself into situations like this. His entire life seemed to be one ginormous downward spiral of self destruction. The wolf had stopped, about a foot and a half from Regan. "I'm sorry. I've said mean things to you and I shouldn't have hit you." He would have to go apologize to Aine as well, but first, doing this was more important. "Hit me if you want, I deserve it. I won't hit back." Loki turned his head slightly and tapped the bruise Aine had given him. "Hit me there, so it'll hurt more." Loki stood there, fully expecting the vampire to hit him as hard as he could. He almost welcomed the physical pain he was sure was coming.

He had listened absentmindedly to Aine earlier, now facing Loki the vampire could only wonder. Would it always be like this? A wry laugh left Regan, as he realized it probably would be. Shaking his head, he stood to face Loki with his arms crossed. Examining the wolf, his eyes narrowed upon seeing him hurt. A low growl left Regan at the thought of anyone laying a hand upon him. Moving forward quickly, he gripped the other man's arms tightly in his hands. "Who hurt you?" The vampire's voice held a dangerous edge, and his blue eyes were merciless. The need to find the person who'd harmed Loki had pushed away any petty arguments from the vampire's mind.

Hearing a familiar voice call her name, the young woman shook her emotions away and placed them behind a polite mask. Standing, Priscilla brushed of her skirt and glanced at Rida with a tentative smile. "I'm right here. What did you want to talk about?" He wanted to talk about her shameful outburst probably. Maybe Rida wouldn't even want to be so much as friends. The brunette wouldn't blame him. In similar circumstances perhaps she would have reacted the same way. Frankly, the young woman didn't know how to deal with this situation and it was making her act out of character. She was glad for the counter separating them.

Regan didn't hit him. Loki had wanted and expected it. The wolf did not expect Regan to be so upset over the bruise Aine had left. He blinked, staring at the vampire Loki was very startled by Regan's reaction. The way he spoke, the look in his eyes, it seemed to spell out murder for the one that had bruised him. "Stop that." Loki squirmed lightly in Regan's grip, not really trying to pull away, but trying to get Regan to let go on his own. "I did it to myself, so if you need to murder someone for putting a bruise on my flesh, you'll have to start with me." He was frowning deeply at the vampire.

Sighing, the vampire moved one hand from Loki's arm to the bruise upon his jaw. Gently running his fingers over the spot, Regan titled his head to the side with a stubborn gleam in his eyes. "Tell me who did this Loki, I know it wasn't you." Regan was quite sure that if the wolf had wanted to do harm to himself, it would have been for something far more then a mere bruise. Moving forward he licked the tender flesh tentatively, in the meager chance that some blood from Loki's attacker, some taste of them, still remained there. Stiffening at some tentatively familiar taste, the vampire pulled back with a thoughtful expression.

Loki was looking off to the side, feeling even more ashamed for what he had said to Aine earlier. "Alright, I indirectly did it to myself." The wolf shrugged slightly, his eyes fluttering for a moment when Regan ran his fingers over the bruise. Then when the vampire leaned in to lick, Loki leaned back, he couldn't escape that questing tongue though. With a soft sigh Loki glanced at Regan's face, then at the ground. "I called the faery girl a whore, so she punched me."

That certainly put things in a new light. Regan tamped down the urge to give Loki a good clout himself after hearing what had happened. "And here I was worrying someone had made an attempt on your life," murmured Regan quietly. Pulling Loki close with a lump in his throat, the vampire couldn't believe how relieved he was. Breathing in the wolf's scent, he closed his eyes then released Loki and backed away. Regan didn't want to be always groveling at the other's feet, begging to know what would please him. No, he wouldn't do that anymore, though the distance would certainly pain him.

Loki blinked. The vampire had worried, over a little bruise like that? Well, Loki didn't know exactly how big the bruise was, still. He shook his head, also not expecting Regan to pull him close when he did. Loki didn't deserve to be hugged by this man, not after the way he had treated him. Then he was released and Regan had moved back some. Loki sighed. "Well, c'mon then. It's your turn to slug me. I'll even let you do it twice." He tilted that head slightly again, and tapped that bruise gently. "There's already a bullseye for you to aim at."

"Just so we can fight again? No thank you." That was the last thing Regan wanted. Besides, couldn't Loki see that harming him was akin to harming Regan himself? The absurdity of the situation brought a smile to the redhead's face, even as he turned away from Loki. "Come talk to me when you actually want to have a conversation." Moving away at a rather slower pace then usual, the vampire moved towards the Inn with the probably futile hope that the wolf would call after him.

Loki blinked, shaking his head. There wouldn't be a fight, Regan would hit him and then both of them would feel better. That was how it was supposed to work, didn't the vampire understand that Loki was trying to apologize for being so mean? But Regan just turned away and started towards the inn. That hurt, here the wolf was, apologizing the best way he knew how and Regan just, walked away. Those ears twitched a bit and Loki couldn't help but feel rather dejected. He deserved that though, but Loki did not like emotional pain. A soft whine left his throat. "But I..." Loki didn't move, he just watched the vampire. Part of him wanted to go to Regan, but he didn't. He just stood there and watched the man walk away.

His heart leaped when he heard that whine, and those few words. It was enough, it had to be enough. The vampire knew he wouldn't get anymore then that from Loki. Stopping in his tracks, the redhead turned to face the direction he'd left and returned upon his steps. Tilting his head to the side, Regan licked his lips as he tried to find the right words. "Was there something you wanted to say?" His blue eyes found Loki's red ones, and remained there in a silent plea for something, anything, besides an invitation to harm.

Regan had stopped and come back to him. When their eyes met, Loki had to look away. He couldn't do it, he couldn't look into Regan's eyes, he was to ashamed. "I've hurt you so badly, I don't know how else to apologize for it...and you just. You just walked away, as if I wasn't even trying, or my effort isn't good enough. I don't know how else to apologize for hurting someone. Telling you I'm sorry isn't good enough, not for what I did to you." Slowly Loki met Regan's gaze only to show he was sincere. "I was never angry at you. Never. I'm only angry at myself, and just a little hurt that you would sleep with someone else. It did hurt me a little more because you chose Vex, but I deserve it. I deserve any kind of hurt you can throw my way." Loki's fingers curled into a tight fist, uncurled and repeated the motion. Honestly the wolf had no idea what to do, how could he fix all the wrong he had done?