Turning his head slightly , the vampire breathed out a sigh of relief. Leaning over, he placed his head on Loki's shoulder and closed his eyes. "You're right, and I'm glad." If only things stopped making them so angry and doubtful ... If only he could stop hurting Loki.

She smiled as she came across a passage about the helpers of a nature god. The prose was so beautiful, and the illustrations just as much. Tilting the book as she red, Callista would have gasped a little as she noticed a fox with purple eyes in the illustration. Elves wee such wonderful artists, they could capture someone's looks with a few simple strokes of teh brush. That's what they had done with this fox, or rather one of this god's aids. A loud burst of laughter took hold of Callista when the little kitten pounced.

Loki reached up and pat Regan lightly on the head. "Good. Next time think before you speak." He was content to sit there with Regan, knowing Luce would be out there at any moment with those containers to be unsealed. Loki wasn't looking forward to that or to the conversation he knew was going to happen the first chance Luce could get him alone. Well, Loki just wouldn't let the demon get him alone, that seemed simple enough. "Everything will be just fine." He spoke the words softly.


Duskryn let out a small yip when the cat pounced on his tail, half turning his body to peer curiously at the thing with his purple eyes. Such bad timing that kitty had, this woman had just found the information about him in her book. The fox blinked, his tail twitching the slightest bit beneath the kitten. His muzzle parting in what could only be a vulpine smile as he watched cat. Cats were fun to play with, though not good companions for adventures, they were to fickle and got distracted way too much. The fox barked out a soft greeting to the kitten.

As the wolf spoke once more, Regan wrapped his arms around the other man to hug him tightly. "It will, even if I have to take care of everything myself." He had to remember to think, always, before letting words fly from his mouth. Regan supposed that was his greatest fault, along with worrying too much. It was just so easy to do so, taking in everything that went wrong and imagining other things going to same way.

Not noticing that the fox had turned around, Briar continued to hold down the fluffy tail that taunted her attack. When it twitched again she jumped back, butt in the air again before swatting at the tail with her tiny paw. Her deep denim blue eyes wandered up to meet the purple ones that seemed to be greeting her, before she sat up quickly, realizing she hadn't been very sneaky, as no one had seemed very surprised by her attack. She would probably need to work on that if she were on her own now.

Moving around the fox, keeping her distance, Briar stood in front of him sniffing slightly in his direction ready to sprint away if need be. What was he she wondered. She'd never seen another animal besides birds that had flown by the windows of the home she was confined to, an occasional butterfly, and a deer once. She wondered if they were very much alike at all, looking so similar, but she could tell there were some definite differences. Her eyes moved from Duskryn to Callista and back again. This world certainly had more living things in it than she'd thought it would.

Her eyes went to her brother as she shook her head. "No, Tarin. I am here of my own free will." Sikura said as Tarin noticed Luce, Loki, and Reagen staring at them. He scowled at them and turned back to his sister. "I love this place, Tarin. It's peaceful, relaxing, and I feel at home here. Before that beast came into our home." She looked at her brother with hopeful eyes. But his confused look told her he didn't understand. "He has been nothing but kind to us. He saved us from losing the farm. He treated you with the most kindness."

That made Sikura close her eyes and pull her hand back from his. "He raped me, Tarin." Tears started to swell in Sikura's eyes as she moved her hand to her budding stomach. "He impregnated me and beat me before he raped me. Every night after you went to bed...I saw the real beast that resided inside him." She said as angry tears started to fill her blue eyes. Tarin sat there in shock and looked down at his cup of tea. He did not speak for a very long time. "I don't believe you." Sikura looked up at him with hurt and anger in her eyes. "Tarin..."

Duskryn kept his eyes on the kitten, when she moved around him to stand in front of him he turned his head to look at her. He made no movements at all, save those that were required to keep his eyes on her. She seemed very curious about him, had she never seen a fox before? Probably, he glanced up at Callista for a moment, then looked back at the cat. Duskryn's tail curled around his hindquarters, the tip of it coming around to twitch lightly at his front paws as he sat there. It twitched and flicked lightly, as if the fluffy thing were taunting the cat into another attack. After all, cats were fun to play with.

Callista watched the two frolicking around while smiling and laughing lightly. Her eyes traveled up to include Ain the the merriment. She wondered what was going trough their minds, these two animals. Though one was far more then that at least. "You're no fox, so why wear such a form right now." She was wondering aloud the question running trough her mind.

Coral had been playing silently with all the toys in front of her. She was especially fascinated in the set of multi-colored blocks. When Rida kneeled down by her she looked up and grinned at him, her wings buzzing happily behind her. "Blocks! 'M pwa'ing blocks!" The pixie had been making a small castle for her doll with the pretty blocks. She was about to place another block when her stomach started to growl loudly. Giggling she looked up at Rida. "My tummies ungy!" She giggled again and clutched her doll in her arms. The flowers she had ate earlier didn't do much and she was starving.

Briar watched the tail flicking as it seemed to hypnotize her into another attack. When Callista spoke of the animal being a fox, Briar took note. So this thing was called a fox? When she finished speaking, Briar looked questioningly at Duskryn again. He was wearing a form? What was that? She searched him for anything out of the ordinary, but found nothing she decided could be a "form".

As she searched him, his flicking tail seemed to draw her in again. Sitting on the ground at the bottom of the steps, Briar crouched again. Only her deep blue eyes could be seen peering over the step. Well, her ears too, but she didn't realize that. She was truly awful at stalking and didn't know the first thing about doing it right, although crouching came instinctively.

When Briar decided to finally attack, she did that horribly too. She leaped high in the air, only coming down one step higher. She'd pounced on nothing. But it didn't stop her from hopping up again and swatting at the bushy tail that continued to taunt her so. She certainly found herself enjoying the game as she crouched and swatted and hopped to re-situate before crouching and swatting again. She was never allowed to play like this at her home. Soon she found herself on her back, the fox on the step above her as she swatted playfully at the furry tail.

((Been gone all day, supuh tired. More postage tomorrow. <3))

Duskryn's ears twitched a bit and those purple eyes peered up at Callista when she spoke. No doubt her book had told her things, it was probably a book written by elves then. They generally got their information right. He blinked and looked at the kitten, watching her as she pounced at his tail. No doubt she'd need another cat to teach her how to properly stalk and pounce, Duskryn didn't really think a fox could teach a cat those things. His tail twitched and flicked this way and that as the kitten batted it with her paws. Callista was right though, he wasn't really a fox, but he was too busy playing with the kitty to bother with changing forms right now.


Luce busied himself with looking those two containers over carefully, though he was really paying attention to Sikura's interaction with her brother. Though for all appearances it seemed the demon was simply inspecting those containers. He had to resist the urge to walk over there to them with some excuse or other, and he really didn't want to go out and leave Sikura alone. Judging from her expressions the conversation wasn't very pleasant.


Loki shook his head as he leaned against Regan. "You don't have to take care of everything. I'll take care of everything. You just need to relax and trust me." He nuzzled the vampire lightly before moving to capture Regan's lips softly with his own. "Let's just relax a while." At least Loki wanted to relax before Luce brought those jars out there.

Watching the fox and the cat with a smile, Callista leaned down so she lay upon her stomach. Pillowing her head on her arms, she looked at the two with blue eyes filled with amusement. It was such a fun little scene.

He'd need to talk to Loki about his habit of wanting to take care of things alone. In the long run it would end up driving Regan crazy, not being able to deal with problems. For now though, he leaned into the wolf's kiss and wrapped his arms around him with a smile. A sudden idea came to mind, making the vampire grin. He began to sing a song which had popped into his head. Of course, his voice was different from the man who sang it, but the emotions were certainly the same in his velvety voice. Singing was a secret passion of his, one Regan didn't often show to others.

Sikura sat there in shock as a tear rolled down her cheek. "Why, Tarin? I have never lied to you. Why do you think I would lie to you?" Her eyes on her brother as she waited for an answer to her question. He sighed and rubbed his face as he looked at her. "Wilran told us you left because you couldn't handle the pressure of raising our younger siblings. He said you had run off to escape your responsibility. And that you lost your virginity for money." She just sat there and listened to her brother as her face grew almost deathly pale.

Her eyes dulled with pain and sadness as Tarin spoke of the lies used to cover Wilran's deed. She could barely breath as her body shook with anger and sadness but Sikura was nearly at her breaking point. The young woman could only sit there and cry. Tarin watched her with anger as he waited for her to say something. But when she didn't he sighed and stood. "I'm not leaving here without you, Sikura. So you better either say goodbye or be prepared for force." Tarin walked by the bar to glare at Luce as he walked towards the bathroom.

[Just posting on a whim. If anything is incorrect, please tell me.<3]



Lyle glanced around the road, his eyes darting back on forth as if he was nervous. Carrying a silent bundle in his arms, he heard someone speak, and cringed. Everything was so loud and awful. His ears pricked up as he felt the dress he was wearing slowly lift up, in the cool wind. Without any noise, he walked down the road, hearing compliments about his clothes, his hair. When he got around the corner, he stood behind a bush and stripped, before throwing on a tight shirt that was around three inches above his naval, an over-shirt that he didn't bother to button, and shorts. He still looked feminine, but at least he wouldn't be recognized if his master were to come around the corner. Taking scissors, he attacked his long hair, shortening it to only a few inches. He walked back out from behind the bush, the clothes shoved into his bag, and he ran. He ran until he finally reached his destination, Red Rose Inn. Bursting through the doors, he sighed with relief, the bundle in his arms wriggling softly. "Hello?" he called out, his sweet voice seemingly echoing.

Luce paid Tarin no mind as the man glared at him. After all, the demon was busy looking those jars over carefully. At least, he appeared to be. When the door opened, his head snapped up, a smile on his lips and blue eyes met the newcomer gently. "Hello. Welcome to Red Rose, a sanctuary and haven for all who enter." He watched the man carefully for a moment. "We have rooms and food, and drinks of course. The bar, I'm afraid is self serve, but everything is on the house." Luce glanced from the newcomer to Sikura, biting his bottom lip softly. Not really sure what he could do, she was clearly upset.

Loki was content to sit there all day with Regan. His ears twitching a bit when the vampire began to sing, and he couldn't help but smile. His vampire was singing to him. And such a sweet song it was, though the fact that his mate was singing it to him only made it that much sweeter. Loki shook his head slightly, sighing contentedly and snuggled against Regan. Though all this closeness and snuggling, and singing made Loki feel a little vulnerable, he hated that feeling. There wasn't much he could do about it at the moment though.

It was such a nice feeling knowing he'd brought a smile to Loki's face. That made the Regan smile, the fact that his wolf demon was happy. "I don't sing very often, so I might have been a little rusty." That was a little white lie. He didn't sing often for people other then himself. Placing a gentle kiss upon the wolf's neck, Regan closed his eyes for a few moments. Loki was right, he really did have to stop worrying so much.

Rida giggled as Coral's stomach grumbled. "I can tell. I wonder what pixies eat though...Anyway I'm ready, so we can go down and show off that pretty dress." He commented, gracefully standing and picking her up with him. He was tempted to toss her in the air and catch her, but with her wings she could easily fly away. Holding her against his side, the neko grinned over to the older female in his room. "Coming with?" He asked as she stepped around the bed to the door. Hesitating a little, he almost turned around to pick up the choker he'd worn earlier. Clearing his throat and grinning down at the pixie he stepped out of the room, patiently waiting for Priscilla to follow, then shutting the door and heading downstairs.

Gently tightening his hold on the pixie, Rida pressed a light kiss to her temple. "No one is going to hurt you here." He murmured reassuringly, moving closer to the bar, grinning at the demon behind the bar. "Coral, this is Luce. He's a demon, but very nice. He's one of my friends." Rida told her, navy eyes looking around to see if he could find the others he'd met and talked to. "Did Aine, Loki, and Regan leave?" He asked softly, sitting on one of the empty stools and turning the child so she sat in his lap.


Arcis sighed. What could she do? Clearly things for the siblings weren't working out like one would hope. And it seemed to be making the demon nervous. "I don't know how strong the seals are. The ones who put them on there, while pretty strong, were rather corrupt. The only reason I can see them being that strong though is because they got them from another church that was rather pure." The psychic shrugged, voice turning hollow as she spoke. Too many memories being dragged up. Most of it due to the vampire having antagonized the demon and ookami earlier. It made her think of her own father. Arcis really couldn't fault Luce for his decision concerning his own father. Many times she had wanted to kill her own father.

Knowing Nurya would keep watch, Arcis rested her head on her folded arms on the counter top, her mind drifting back. Both her parents had been young, mother from the upper middle class, father from the upper-upper class. When her mother had become pregnant, her family had thrown her out and her father hadn't even helped at all. Then when Arcis had been about 6, he showed back up, giving money to her mother to support them, paying for Arcis to go to Catholic school. It was about then that Arcis had found out she was different from the other kids, and when a sickness had taken her mother from her. Living with her father hadn't been that bad, he was always too busy to take care of her, instead having nannies to do it.

Her eyes closed as she sat there in her seat. Sikura cried as she covered her face in her hands and sobbed softly for herself. She thought of her time here at the inn and touched the key around her neck. She had told Luce and Frewen that she'd remain her until she died. But the young woman did not want more fighting to go on here. It was sanctuary for her and many people that were accepted nowhere else.

Sikura touched her budding stomach and feared the outcomes for her child. Her heart said stay but her mind said go. She wanted Luce's help but this was her own matter to handle. But the question was how does she handle it?

The bundle in Lyle's arms began shifting, moving around almost worm-like. "Shh.." he whispered to the bundle, bouncing it lightly. He looked to the man who greeted him, and gave a worried smile, seeing the man's gaze shift around. "I-I...Just need some help...But, I can go elsewhere?" he uttered, his feminine voice cracking slightly. The bundle began crying, louder and louder. How was he going to explain that he had stolen a baby from a man who was about to sacrifice it to 'his God'? Lyle stood there, his mouth agape, his large eyes welling with tears. "Please!" he cried out, uncovering the child's face, to show the man. He was too stressed out to deal with a child all on his own, just too tired to do anything.

Vex was leaning lazily against the bar, still standing near Luce when Lyle came in. She was still eating, only halfway paying attention when the baby began to cry. She stopped eating to look at the thing wide-eyed. Were they all so, loud? No way she was going to listen to that thing crying all night long. Her eyes darted from Luce to Lyle, to the baby. "Can't you make it stop doing that?" she asked Lyle with an almost disgusted look. Vex certainly wasn't a baby person, although, they all seemed to love her. Still, they were alien to her and she hated when they cried, even more when they pooped.

~~~*~~~*~~~

Briar was still laying on her back swatting playfully at the fox's tail when Lyle came up the stairs. It had been so unexpected, Briar shot into the air again, landing on her feet before darting off the porch and into the garden to hide. Once she felt well distanced from the porch, she began slowly backing away, just too add a little extra distance, unknowingly backing into the shoe of one of the males sitting in the garden. She sat there, thinking it was a rock or a tree stump as she shook slightly. This world was much bigger and scarier than back inside that small home she once lived in.

giving a smile to Rida and Coral, Pris fell into step behind them easily. Though when they reached the bar, she wasn't quite sure where to sit. So the elegantly clad woman stood instead, content with being to watch everyone better from this vantage point. That was one of the reasons why she noticed right away what the man who'd rushed inside was holding. She shot a glare at Vex when the woman spoke so harshly about such a sweet child.

It might not have been obvious, but Priscilla adored children. Moving forward, she reached out for the baby. "Will you allow me to help?" The young woman had taken to helping out the staff with their children, though they didn't like her very much they had to admit she had a knack with the little ones, and an obvious love for them. She did love adorable things in general after all. After turning to glance with her golden eyes at Rida and Coral, she smiled at both of them in slipped onto a nearby stool to wait and see if she'd get to hold the little crying child.

Luce's gaze lingered on Sikura for a few moments longer, then turned to Rida when the neko approached and spoke. "Aine is playing tag with Ciar, apparently. Loki and Regan are in the garden, I believe." Easily his attention turned to Lyle. So many things seemed to be happening at once, Luce inhaled slowly and gave Vex an almost warning glare. "Vex, please do not say such rude things to my guests." As usual, Luce's voice was gentle, a welcoming smile on his lips as he watched Priscilla approach the man and baby. Those blue eyes focused on Lyle. "I turn no one away. Especially those in need of help, and I am sure you will find many here that are willing to help you." He gave an approving nod and smile towards Priscilla. "Let Miss Priscilla watch the child for a bit," Luce motioned to a stool. "while you sit and rest. You look so tired, and perhaps hungry?" It was little more than just a suggestion, but Luce didn't think this man needed much persuasion to sit and rest. The Inn hummed around Luce, speaking quietly only for his ears.

"You sing just fine, for a bloodsucker. It's no wolf song, but good enough." Loki was only teasing, though when he felt something touch his foot, he blinked. Straightening a bit on the bench and looking down. His ears twitched. He had thought he'd smelled a cat nearby. The wolf didn't hesitate, he reached down and picked the kitten up from behind, turning it to face him. A smile on his lips. "Another cat." Loki's ears twitched again, but he resisted the urge to drop the kitty and chase her. He put her down gently on his lap and reached to pet the kitty.

Duskryn had watched the man pass with hardly a glance. That head tilting to the side and confusion flickered across his face when the kitty darted off. The stranger had apparently frightened her. The fox shrugged it's shoulders and stood, shaking itself off from nose to tail tip. He glanced at Callista for a moment moving closer to her until his nose tip touched her nose tip. Then the fox jumped back a few steps. His form shimmered and then he was just, different. Duskryn stood before Callista and the cat demon. Arms crossed across his chest, his purple eyes seeming just a bit dulled over in this human form. Those purple eyes the only indication that he and the fox were the same creature. Duskryn was clothed quite simply, white shirt and white pants.

Lyle held onto the child, his eyes even wider as he backed away. There was no reason for anyone to take the child away from him. The baby boy managed to pull the blanket from his face, revealing scratched-up, pale skin, which was stained with blood and dirt. The man quickly panicked, looking all around; not even the voice of the man who stood in front of him could calm him right now. 'They all saw,' Lyle thought, his forehead lining with sweat. He felt his heart speed up, and before he knew it, he and the baby became transparent, which is what happened to him when he got upset. All of his emotions had some effect on his body - And when he became nervous, he disappeared from everyone's sight. But he didn't run, he stood there, the baby still crying louder and louder as the scratches continuing to bleed. "You can't touch him..." he whispered.

With a chuckle, he shook his head at the wolf's words. Blue eyes filling with surprise, the vampire watched as Loki picked up the little kitten. Smiling, Regan watched as the wolf began petting the fluffy creature. "Seems like you have a fondness for cats." Now that was a thought, and a strange one at that. Maybe they could find a pet .. but nothing even close to ordinary.

Priscilla was glad Luce seemed to approve of her offer. The demon was quite nice, and really seemed to care sincerely for everyone's well being. Her thoughts turned away from him soon enough when the baby's face was exposed. A twinge of worry and concern flashed trough the woman's golden eyes as she moved forward to try and see the little one better. Though by now both Lyle and him had seemed to disappear.

"Look, I'll sit right beside you so you'll have him in sight the whole time. All we want to do is help." Speaking softly, she tried to soothe with her cultured voice. Glancing at Luce, she wondered if the Inn had any warm milk bottles lying around.

It was a little strange how very busy this place seemed to be, and she'd not even set foot inside yet! Callista shook her head a little as the kitten ran off, then looked on in confusion as the fox moved forward to touch his nose to hers. Then again, the mage knew very well he was no such thing. So the bluish haired woman was only mildly surprised when the fox turned into a man. "So, I was right... Did you catch my name earlier? And what's yours?" Curiosity was taking the forefront quite easily as Callista shifted around a little making sure that her yellow dress covered her legs.

As soon as Rida picked her up Coral wrapped her small arms around his neck, one hand still holding her doll. "Pixie eats lots n lots of geens!" Laying her head on his shoulder she let out a nappy sigh. Her stomach grumbled again and she let out a small giggle. As soon as they made it down stairs Coral hugged Rida tighter. The little pixie was beginning to become nervous, there was just so many people. When Rida spoke to Luce she gave him a small wave, she remembered him healing her in the garden.

When Rida set her in his lap she hugged her doll close to her chest and played with the end of one of her braids. With wide eyes she looked around trembling slightly. She wasn't afraid quite yet but then the baby started crying. Coral wished that she hadn't ask Priscilla to braid her hair, then she could have hidden behind it like she normally did. Not liking all the people and the noises she pressed her hands over her ears, one hand still holding the doll and closed her eyes. The noises reminded her of the day the dark fairies attacked, lots of crying babies. Dropping the hand that the doll was holding, Coral turned her head so she could press her ear against Rida's chest to listen to his heartbeat.

Luce frowned deeply for a moment, it seemed his attention had turned to Rida. Or rather, to Coral in Rida's lap. He assumed it was much to noisy in here for her. "Rida, it is rather loud, perhaps you should take the little one into the kitchen. I am sure there will be some food for the two of you in there." He watched the neko for a moment then turned to look at Lyle. Or rather, in the man's direction. "This place is a haven, a sanctuary to all who enter and seek such refuge. You are under my protection, as is nearly everyone in this place." Luce's voice had not changed. It remained gentle with a calming allure to it, a little calming magic added by the Inn itself. It was subtle though and not guaranteed to work. "Miss Priscilla would never do anything to harm a child, of that I am quite certain. Allow her to help you, surely the babe is in need of a bottle and rest."


Duskryn was busy searching the pockets of his pants when Callista spoke to him. Purple eyes blinking as he glanced at her for only a moment before he continued patting himself down. Nothing in his pants pockets, he sighed in irritation and reached up to scratch the back of his head, eyeing Callista more fully now. "This one is called Duskryn. We are well met, Callista." His purple eyes had seemed to brighten for a moment, then they dulled again. He glanced towards the door of the Inn. "Would you buy this one a drink?" That head tilted to the side slightly as he looked back to her.