Mood: Meh. -.-
Music: Majinai -- Kagrra

Rae: You know what? I give up. I SO give up! Every damn time I promise to update... I don't. What the hell is wrong with me? T.T It's been months... I know. But better late than never I suppose... T.T

Too bad this part is by far... Like... THE WORST PART YET. >.<
I am so not happy with it. But I’ve just... You know... Given up on making it better. I can’t get myself to be happy with it, so... Yeah.

Not a whole lot happens, as usual. Make that worse than usual. >.<

And... And to make things horribly, terribly worse?

...

I can’t get Angst and Ansem to leave me the hell alone. T_T

Ansem: SHINY!! ^__^ *is glomping onto Angst happily, his hair pink and obviously stoned/drunk on Kopaka Water Dude! ... as usual* My shiny dark Angst.

Angst: ^__^ Angsty angst. Ansey-chan! ^__^ *dressed in slutty, whore-ish emo clothes, looking girly as ever*

Rae: T.T ...They scare me... And... I think they like, have the hots for each other or something. O.o;;;

Ansem: Shiny, pretty Angst. ^_^

Angst: <333

Rae: O.O;;; Yeah... I’d say so. Hots. Yeah.... It figures. Only Ansem would go for someone as scary as Angst. O.o;;;

Angst: No one can resist my sexy, angsty charm. ^_~

Ansem: <333 Shiny. ^_^

Rae: .... -_-;; Well, at least this way, Ansem won’t be stalking Riku as much... Hopefully... *sweatdrop*

Ansem: SHINY! ^__^

Rae: Well, let’s get on with this part before Angst and Ansem jump each other or something. O.o;;

*sigh* T.T Why am I such a lame writer?

Angst: Because you are angsty angsty?

Ansem: Because you have shiny pink hair?

Angst: Because you have no cool emo clothes?

Ansem: Because you have no lampshades to wear on your head?

Rae: ... Uh... Yeah. I’m sure that’s it. -_-;;; Well... At least Angst isn’t using hacker speak at the moment.... @.@ He still doesn’t make any sense, however. >.<

Well... Enough stalling. Let’s get on with the pointlessness that doesn’t advance the plot and just plain sucks. And warning ya now. This is long. Over two hundred pages in word...

*falls over*

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
dreams of dawn ~cold-light~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Cairra Darcy strode briskly down yet another long, white corridor, a small smirk on her lips as she turned a corner. Long, endless hallways, cold and sterile, white. Boring, dull and drab. The seemingly never-ending corridors of the Tevrran Operations and Development Center.

Though despite the white bleakness, she smiled, dark amusement sparkling in her silver-white eyes. How could she not be amused? How could she not be thoroughly entertained after watching Aevik Kaine suffer so, watching him bleed, seeing the supposed immortal, ‘invincible’ Letrum Venator weak and helpless. Blood drenched and pale, spent and weary, dying. It had been nearly perfect.

Watching that man bleed is so very amusing... The lavender haired demon’s smile increased at this thought, her mind running across the events that had taken place hours before. In Ikenna Nuiwa’s office... The man may be utterly useless otherwise, but at least he does know how to torture, the demon thought, licking her lower lip at the memory of that red blood flowing freely from Kaine’s burned, raw mouth. Red intoxicating blood, warm and rich, enthralling. She truly loved the smell of blood. Though I love the taste of it even more...

It was annoying that Nuiwa actually had the nerve to blame her for his precious, spoiled son’s injury and escape, yet in the end... It had still been worth it. Though she may have to look for the annoying little traitor, she had still gotten the opportunity to see the Letrum Venator bleed. It had been such a wondrous site to behold.

Darcy turned another corner, finding herself in yet another empty hallway, long and white, lined with metallic doors. The woman rolled her eyes, a small sigh escaping her painted black lips. After her earlier incident with that damn elevator, she had decided not to even bother with attempting to use the ridiculous, faulty new machinery, opting to walk to the old elevator corridor instead. Which... Was taking longer than she had hoped. The demon really wanted to return to the comfort of the residential floor, to her large apartment... To slip out of her uniform, to relax and gloat in the knowledge that while she lay in comfort, the Letrum Venator lay dying in a back alley, bleeding to death. Hopefully he’ll be gnawed by rats. That would be kind of amusing.

It had been tempting to just outright kill the blonde. It would have been so simple. She had stood over his suffering form for at least five minutes, watching as he laid bleeding, gagging on that warm, red blood. Letting out such pained, agonized moans. Suffering sounds of agony are so beautiful... Agony and blood... What could be more stunning, more mesmeric?

Yes, it had been so very tempting to snuff out that weak life, to lean down and stop that heart from beating, to run a sharp nail through his flesh... I could have slit his throat, or suffocated him... Or I could have torn out his eyes. The bloodier the better. Yes, strangling him would have been too easy. Too simple. Death should be messy. Death is messy, there’s nothing neat about death. Messy and beautiful, Darcy thought, her silver-white eyes glancing down at her hands by her sides, noting the dried bloodstains on her gloves. Aevik Kaine’s blood of course.

Intoxicating and oh so sweet. Nothing could ever surpass the sweet scent of blood. Especially if I’m the one who’s the cause of it... Of course, she hadn’t been the one to cause the damage to Kaine, she had only been a mere spectator, standing back and watching as Ikenna got to have all the fun... Yes, but watching Kaine suffer is enough to make me happy. Darcy smirked at the thought, moving a hand up to her lips, licking the stains on her black glove. So sweet... she thought, her gaze moving to her left hand, to the cut out fingers of her glove, revealing bloodstained skin. It was such a wonderful feeling. Blood on her hands.

Sticky and enticing, red stains... Darcy had learned to love the feel of that life-force, that crimson liquid centuries ago. Red death... Her first experience with death had hardly been enjoyable, but... As a child, it had been that very life essence, that warm, red blood which eased away the guilt. Covered head to toe, drenched in warm, crimson death. The lavender haired demon had found solace in the sweet, overpowering sensation of blood soaking her hands, her clothes, her hair, her face... The taste of blood, the smell... Driving away the ability to feel nonsensical, worthless emotions such as fear, guilt or sorrow.

Guilt? A fool’s emotion... To waste energy feeling something as trivial as remorse? Foolish. With that thought, Darcy’s contemplations slowly drifted into the realm of the past as she continued her trek, her silver-white eyes focusing to the tile floor. A time filled with blood, so very much blood. She had learned to love it so. Empty eyes and blood soaked streets, gunfire and... Why in the world am I thinking about that? The woman blinked, a frown briefly overtaking her smirk. The past? Why ponder the unchangeable?

Darcy shrugged the memories away, instead turning her attention back to the long corridor. As she refocused her attention, she noticed a meek, small framed woman walking on the opposite side of the hall, dressed in casual black pants and a short sleeved, cream-colored top. How bland. The short, slender lab assistant trying her very best to avoid eye contact, her head down, her medium length, spiky red hair hiding her features. One of her personal lab assistants... Darcy let a grin play on her lips, moving to step directly in the woman’s path, forcing the demon to stop. She wasn’t in the mood for memories. I’m in too good of a mood to bother thinking about pointless, irrelevant things. No, she was the mood to have a little fun instead...

“Ah... Miss Darcy, ma’am? Um...” the young demon stuttered, slowly raising her head to meet the taller woman’s silver-white gaze, anxiety apparent on her soft features. The lavender haired demon felt a wave of amusement at the fear playing in the woman’s bright, fiery-orange eyes. It was so entertaining, terrifying the foolish little insects of the base. Meaningless worker ants, all the same. Weak little sheep, following every order with a ‘yes ma’am,’ no spines, no freewill. Foolish, worthless ants. How I love torturing insects. If only they had personalities or brains... Incompetent fools, every last one of them. At least I can see emotion in their eyes when I terrify them. It was amusing. The only real response Darcy could ever provoke from the cold, seemingly mindless drones? Fear. They still have self preservation instincts I suppose...

“Now where are you going? Hm?” Darcy questioned, her voice saccharine sweet, her arms crossing about her barely concealed breasts. “Shouldn’t you be in the lab? Well?”

“W-well ma’am, the lab... Closed hours ago, and I um... I thought that I... Would go... Um, meet with a few colleagues... In the Naina District for the weekend... There’s an experiment involving... Um, Jian cells that um... I am hoping to assist them with...” the red-head hesitantly responded, her soft voice shaking, uneven. Such a sweet sound. Fear. It was certainly a change. Though Darcy couldn’t quite recall the woman’s name, she certainly knew the young demon. A personal research assistant, cold and emotionless, those fiery eyes usually so very empty. Really, fear looks much better on her. Now, to put a little more fear in those eyes...

“Oh? Is that so?” the lavender haired demon inquired, stepping closer to the slender woman, moving to grab the demon’s neck, pulling her closer. “So, exactly who was it that gave you permission to leave the facility for the weekend? Who gave you permission to go off and perform private, unauthorized experiments, hm? ” Darcy questioned pleasantly, her silver-white eyes shining with dark amusement. Really, it was far too easy to scare the little insect. How pathetic.

“Uh... You did, ma’am. Um... Remember? Um... You said that um... That you wouldn’t be in this weekend... So we... Could do what we... Um... We could do whatever we want?” the red haired demon stuttered in response, her eyes widening, her soft, pale features clearly revealing her fear.

“Did I?” was Darcy’s only response, tightening her hold on the woman’s neck. In fact, she had indeed told the fools of her personal research team to take the weekend off. Now that she had been put on ‘find Nuiwa’s son’ duty, it would be rather pointless to have her entire research staff working on such a meaningless task. Find that obnoxious little fool... I still don’t understand why Ikenna wants to find him, the lavender haired woman thought, a brief spark of irritation threatening to damper her good mood. She shoved the feeling away however, deciding to be angry over that later. As now? She was far too wound up and downright giddy, after seeing so much blood and pain...

“Um...I... Um,” the small framed demon stammered fearfully, tears appearing in her fiery-orange eyes. Oh, how cute. Nothing cuter than a frightened, weak, teary eyed sheep. No, wait... There was one thing that could make the little sheep cuter... Blood. Darcy smirked, releasing her hold on the demon’s neck, instead moving to trace her juggler vein with a sharp fingernail, watching the fear on the red-head’s face. “Now. Should I slit your throat or let you go play with your little friends? Hm, what to do, what to do,” Darcy pondered cheerfully, relishing the look of sheer terror appearing in the young woman’s eyes. This is just too amusing.

“Ma’am... Please... Um...” the red haired woman responded unevenly, shrinking back, attempting to step away from the taller demon. Darcy did not allow this however, grabbing the woman’s wrist, the smirk on her lips widening. “Oh no you don’t. Where are you going? Aren’t we having fun, hm?” she chirped, again tracing the woman’s neck with a sharp, manicured nail, debating whether she should actually kill the demon or not. As amusing as it would be... She generally refrained from actually killing any of the ants, for the most part anyway. Not that it wouldn’t be entertaining, but in the end? A pain in the ass. Torturing the bugs was one thing, but actually killing them only proved to be more of a nuisance than anything else. Paperwork to file, replacements to be found... Besides. No matter how many I kill, they are always replaced with just as cold, hollow insects as the ones before... This base is full of hollow drones. Of course she herself could most certainly count as cold and heartless, but at least... Well. At least I have a sense of humor.

“Well, what do you think? Should I just kill you?” Darcy inquired lightly, blinking her silver-white eyes innocently, a small smirk on her black lips. It was rather funny. I’ve seen this woman watch test subjects beg and cry for mercy, yet not show one ounce of emotion. Hm, but now that it’s her own ass on the line, it’s quite a different story, now isn’t it? the lavender haired demon thought, her dark grin widening. How amusing. “Well? Tell me, what do you think? Well?” she questioned pleasantly, her voice lowering, her silver-white eyes flickering with black-humor. This is far too easy...

The slender, clearly terrified demon took in a quaking breath, tightly closing her eyes, as if expecting a fatal blow. Her lips trembled, her small face losing all color as she closed her eyes even tighter. It was really so very entertaining. Darcy let out a short laugh, pulling her hand away from the woman’s neck. She instead moved to slice the demon’s cheek, watching with pleasure as the woman’s pale face oozed blood. A minor little nick, yet it was enough blood to satisfy the lavender haired demon. She dipped a finger into that thin trickle of blood, feeling the warm, sticky sensation on her glove-free fingers.

“...Ma’am?” the redhead inquired shakily, slowly peeking open a fiery-orange eye, unease and hesitancy clear in her soft voice. Pathetic little insect. One look from me and she’s ready to break into tears. How sad. And entertaining of course, the demon thought with another short laugh, pulling her hand away from the woman’s face. She instead moved her bloody fingers to her painted black lips, licking away the fresh, sticky liquid. Not as good as Kaine’s...

“Have fun in Naina, insect. Though I hardly see how wasting a weekend experimenting with Jian cells could be considered fun,” Darcy stated pleasantly, a dark grin firmly in place on her lips. With that comment, she moved away from the redhead, continuing her trek down the long hallway. As the demon strode, she made out the sound of the young woman sobbing, running down the hallway, her heels clicking loudly against the hard tile as she fled. That’s right, run. Insect.

With a faint shake of her head, Darcy turned another corner, her silver-white eyes locking on a narrow wooden door at the end of this new corridor. The lean, scantily clad demon headed directly towards the door, her high heels clicking, echoing in the otherwise empty hallway. Only a few more moments and she should be in the old elevator corridor, with those ancient, annoyingly primitive contraptions... Though at least the old ones work. They may only go up and down, but they don’t talk back and take you to the wrong wing... Darcy twitched a bit, her silver-white eyes rolling as her thoughts briefly flickered over her previous experience in the defective elevator. Damned thing...

It had been a good idea to renovate all of the Tevrran facilities, to add new, high tech lifts among many other things... Too bad Nuiwa had been such a god damn cheapskate. Hi-tech. Right. Fool... Too busy obsessing over that weak son of his, wasting money on meaningless, irrational things. All over that fucking waste of a son... Fool. After the way that foolish boy treated him, I really don’t see why Ikenna would want to help the ass. Talk about an ungrateful brat. Besides. He’s beyond help. Why bother delaying the inevitable? Ikenna had apparently lost his sanity, all over that annoying son of his. And my work suffers because of it. How was she supposed to effectively do her job with that man constantly breathing down her neck, wasting all of her money and... Being a general nuisance, a pain in the ass? I can’t even get functioning AI chips for my god damn elevators, thanks to that fool...

Darcy let out an irritated sigh, forcing the thoughts away. She really was in too good of a mood to let that idiot ruin it for her. An image of Aevik Kaine lying in a puddle of blood flashed through her thoughts and she grinned, her eyes brightening. Yes, she was far too amused to be worrying about Ikenna Nuiwa at the moment. The Council will probably get rid of the bastard fairly soon anyway. Put the idiot out of his misery. Alcoholic whore. Though she wasn’t positive, Darcy had a pretty good idea as to where the Councilman had went after torturing Kaine and bitching at her... To either find a bottle to crawl into or a place to stick his dick, I’m sure. The man was such a self-destructive fool... It was annoying. He’s such a damn pain in the ass...

With another sigh, Darcy fully focused her attention back to the corridor, quickly reaching the narrow, dark door. She reached out a slim hand, turning the silver knob. The woman shoved the heavy door open, stepping through the entryway.

She strode into yet another similar hallway, the only true difference being that this one held the antique, slow elevators she sought. Finally. The lavender haired demon promptly walked to the closed elevator shafts, moving a long, lean finger to press the call button. Darcy tapped her booted foot against the tile floor, crossing her arms.

I wonder if he’s dead yet? she wondered idly, a smile on her lips as she waited for the ancient contraption to descend. Aevik Kaine... Though it had been so very tempting to finish him off, in the end... She had simply walked away, (after kicking him in the stomach for the mere fun of it,) deciding to leave him be. Looking back on it now, it had been a perfect opportunity to finish the man, to end his life, yet... She walked away. It was odd. Somehow Darcy hadn’t quite been able to bring herself to kill the blonde outright.

Yet, Aevik Kaine would die anyway. That she was almost sure of. Left alone in an alley with massive internal bleeding? Yes. He would die. If he’s not dead yet, he will be by sunrise. I’d bet on it. It was after three in the morning, and she had left him there hours before, so... Yes, I bet he’s dead. Though, the only unfortunate thing about the man’s death? I’ll have to find someone else to help me work on the interesting things happening in Teaja. She certainly hadn’t forgotten. Even with all the fun she had watching Nuiwa burn Kaine... It had still been in the back of her mind.

First the assassination, then the energy blast and of course the supposed suicide... It was far too peculiar to all be a mere coincidence. Darcy had so looked forward to investigating the matter, yet... No. Instead, I have to look for that idiot, Malba. God damn Kaine. If you had just brought the fool back to Nuiwa, I could have the time I need to investigate Teaja... Darcy’s thoughts were abruptly cut off as the nearest elevator car opened, revealing an empty, metallic box. Small and cramped. Ugh. Forced to use a commoner’s primitive piece of garbage. The demon rolled her eyes, letting out a groan. Whenever the Council finally decides to kill Ikenna, hopefully whoever takes his place as head of med and science research won’t be such an impossible fool.

The tall, lavender haired woman stepped into the empty car, her silver-white eyes focusing on the metallic panel on the left wall. Numbered one through seventy, small circular buttons, faded and worn... Darcy quickly punched the button for floor seventy, watching with disinterest as the metallic doors slid closed. The car began to slowly ascend and the demon closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath. This had been quite an interesting day. Now, if only she had gotten to kill someone with her own hands...

It had been days since her last kill. That was rather impressive, she thought. It took such restraint to control the urge to feel the warm sensation of blood covering her hands. It was such an addicting feeling. Death. She had grown so very addicted to death, so very long ago... A smile formed on her black lips, her thoughts again drifting back to that dark alleyway, to that dying, weak face... As much as she despised the man, as much as she loathed him, it had been such a beautiful sight. Death is truly so beautiful.

Suffering and beautiful. Blood drenched and pale, burned and broken... Moaning softly, gagging, fading... The cold wind brushing against him, encompassing that dying body... It had been quite a sight to behold. Beautifully pallid skin, crimson streams of blood dripping from lovely, burned lips. Though... There had been one odd thing. Darcy’s smile slightly faded, replaced with a perplexed expression. It had confused her, really. As Darcy had stood in that dank, cold alleyway, watching Aevik Kaine die, he had mumbled something... Something odd. Something that... It suddenly wasn’t nearly as enjoyable... I don’t understand why, but...

Soft words barely distinguishable amongst the cold Tevrran wind.

--“...M--Malba...I’m sorry, Malba...”--

It had startled her. Apologizing? The Letrum Venator? To Malba Nuiwa of all people? Definitely strange. Why would he apologize? After all, it was really Malba that betrayed him. Definitely odd, the lavender haired woman thought, her look of puzzlement increasing. In theory, the man shouldn’t even have the capability to feel remorse, so why...? Yet those words had been uttered. Soft and filled with repentance. --“...M--Malba...I’m sorry, Malba...”--

Remorse? Such a worthless emotion.

So... Had the Letrum Venator indeed let Nuiwa’s son go? If so, why? It simply made no sense. Kaine makes no sense. Well. I suppose it really doesn’t matter anymore. A faint frown formed on her lips at this. No, it really didn’t matter. As the Letrum Venator? He’ll die. So it doesn’t matter. Darcy wasn’t going to even bother to contemplate the man further. What did it matter? Contemplate a dead man? Why bother?

Darcy knew death well. She had played with death for centuries, so yes, she was well acquainted with death. Death. It had emanated from him, surrounding him. Death and cool gusts of wind... He would die. That she was rather sure of. The lavender haired demon hadn’t been sure until that moment, his mumbled words, the cold wind brushing against him... Yet in that moment? It had become perfectly clear. Death was hounding Aevik Kaine. Not just because of Ikenna’s torture either. He... I think Kaine wanted it. On some level... It was an odd thought, but she... As she had stood, watching the blonde, taking in the weariness, the pain... It had been at that moment she decided to leave him be. Killing him suddenly seemed.... Hollow. Why? Because of those words, the sound in his voice...

I think he wanted to die. I guess he gets his wish, the woman thought, her frown deepening, her eyes closing a bit tighter. It wasn’t as fun when the person wanted it. He had wanted it. Maybe not consciously, but it was there. In that moment, as he whispered those words, she had felt it so very clearly. So, it... Darcy had merely kicked Kaine instead, walking away. For some reason, she hadn’t quite been able to bring herself to finish the man. It seemed too hollow. It’s better when they plead and beg... Death isn’t something to wish for... That simply takes all the fun out of it... Darcy shrugged the thought off, forcing a dark smirk on her lips, replacing her previous frown. Well, regardless of Aevik Kaine’s wants or intentions, it had still been so very pleasurable, watching him suffer. You deserve it. The Letrum Venator deserves to suffer. Born a Letrum Venator, die a Letrum Venator.

The elevator let out a soft ding and the doors slid open, cutting into Darcy’s contemplations. The woman opened her eyes, expecting to see another tediously white, abandoned hallway. She was of course right in her assumption, the corridor was indeed bland and colorless, brightly lit and so very uninteresting... Though not abandoned. Unfortunately. Oh. Wonderful. The scantily clad demon let out a sigh, noting the tall, slender man leaning against the wall directly opposite the elevator, a small smirk on his full, pink lips.

“Well, well. Look who it is. Cairra Darcy, using the lowly, commoner lifts? How unlike you,” the man stated evenly, his luminescent amber colored eyes shining with amusement.

Darcy frowned, stepping out into the hallway, taking in the elemental before her. And I was having such a good night... The lavender haired woman glanced over the man, taking in his appearance. Dressed in the black and gold colors of the Tevrran military, his attire as intricate of a uniform as her own. If not more so. Unlike her form fitting, revealing apparel, the man wore an elegantly designed, loose-fitting, dressier uniform. His attire consisted of black pants and a long sleeved, elegant black top, finished off with an intricately designed gold ankle length coat, trimmed with gold and black tassels. Not to mention the clunky black boots, trimmed with gold. Admittedly it was a well put together ensemble. Very well put together.

The man was quite attractive as well, effeminate and refined. Soft, elegant facial features and a sharp, piercing amber gaze. Short silvery hair with a bright aqua-blue tint, slicked back, though spiked in the back in a rather interesting style. Pale, lean and tall. Shiox Zeiyth, head of the military troops stationed in the TODC base, as well as the prison floors. Attractive, but an annoying prick all the same... “What do you want, Shiox?” the woman questioned irritably, raising a lavender eyebrow at the man.

Shiox smiled at this, shaking his head. “Well, that’s a pretty stupid question, Cairra. I’m just waiting for a lift. How unexpected, running into you in the commoners section of the residential floor,” the man stated airily, his smile widening. “I thought you only used the VIP lifts for high class officials? Slumming are you?” he then inquired, amusement clearly playing in his luminous, ethereal gaze.

Darcy narrowed her eyes, her hands clenching into fists by her sides. How dare the man speak to her with such disrespect? Ugh... If only I could kill him without getting in trouble... Unfortunately, the silvery-aqua haired elemental was untouchable. I may be in charge of the medical departments for Tevrra, but killing a high up military official basically in charge of the base could still possibly get me in a bit of trouble... Sad really. Shiox would look so beautiful, covered in blood... “Well, if the damn things would actually work, it would be one thing. Nuiwa’s habit of cutting my funds is even affecting things as simple as elevators,” she grumbled irritably, crossing her arms about her chest. “He’s an incompetent fool.”

“Yes, that horrible man. Spending all of your money on such trivial things. Like saving his son. How dare he cut back on special lifts for her majesty? Terrible,” Shiox responded lightly, a smirk on his lips, clearly enjoying taunting the woman. “I feel for you, Cairra. Truly,” he added, his tone sarcastic, condescending.

“Save his son? Yes well, as we both know, that’s an impossible task, so it’s rather pointless to waste all of our funding on an unattainable feat, now isn’t it?” Darcy bit back in response, her silver-white eyes flashing with anger. Leave it to Shiox Zeiyth to ruin an almost perfect night. Her good mood was quickly deteriorating, all thanks to that obnoxious smile on the man’s pink lips... Bastard. I don’t know who he thinks he is. He’s only been here for a little over a decade, yet he prances around as if he owns the god damn place... Her thoughts trailed off and she clenched her fists tighter.

At least the one before him didn’t have such an obnoxious smile... Though the man previously in charge of the prison floors and military affairs of the building had turned out to be an utter traitor, but... At least he hadn’t been so... So annoying. Tsurugi Ryuuji had been a cold, heartless man. Detached and apathetic, dispassionate and quiet, unlike the loudmouthed, snarky bastard before her now. God damn Shiox... He even wears a prissier uniform than what Tsurugi did... Ryuuji may have been a traitor, but at least he wasn’t a prissy, annoying loudmouth.... Darcy shoved the thought away, refocusing on the conversation she had been (quite unwillingly) drawn into. “Ikenna’s son is not going to be saved. It’s impossible. He needs to wake up and realize that,” the woman stated matter-of-factly, rolling her eyes. When would the man come to his senses and give up on that foolish son of his? It was ridiculous to hope for the hopeless...

“Hm, yes this is true. Though it’s fun watching Nuiwa slowly lose his sanity, all in hope of obtaining the impossible. It’s pretty funny, don’t you think?” the silvery-aqua haired elemental commented thoughtfully, his amber eyes twinkling, his voice calm and airy.

Darcy raised an eyebrow at the man’s remark, letting out an exasperated sigh. “That got old centuries ago. He’s obnoxious,” she stated with a frown, moving her arms away from her chest, instead resting her hands against her slender hips.

“Oh no, I don’t think it’s gotten old at all. If anything, it’s only grown more entertaining over the years. Watching the almighty soulfire-vampire go down in his own flames,” Shiox stated, stepping away from his leaning position against the white wall, moving closer to the lavender haired demon. “Come on, don’t tell me you haven’t noticed. His suffering? His growing mental instability? It’s so amusing, don’t you think? Watching him suffer, agonizing over that son of his. Isn’t it great?” he inquired, his amber eyes locking with the woman’s silver-white gaze. “You can’t tell me that you don’t find it even a little entertaining.”

Entertaining? No, entertaining would be watching Ikenna Nuiwa drown in a pool of his own blood. Or better yet, a vat of alcohol. Having to deal with the man’s obsessive-compulsive personality? Not entertaining. At all. There’s nothing entertaining about that fool... Her thoughts trailed off and she let out an irritated sigh, rolling her eyes. Darcy was growing rather bored with this conversation. “Entertaining? No. If he were to die in misery, in pain? Then I might be entertained,” she stated evenly, her voice flat, uninterested.

“Die in misery and pain? He is, Cairra,” the elemental responded, the dark smirk on his full lips widening, his silky voice knowing, self-important. “I assure you, he is. Dying in misery and pain.”

What the hell was the foolish man talking about? Ugh. Darcy simply was not in the mood to listen to the fool blather on. Obnoxious bastard... “What are you talking about?” the lavender haired demon inquired, tapping a booted foot against the hard tile floor, her pale face taking on a frustrated expression.

Shiox laughed, shaking his head. “You really are an idiot, aren’t you? I’m still not sure how you of all people were able to make it to the top of the med/science field. You, the head of the whole department?” the man inquired, an amused look in his eyes, his voice light, blasé. “I’m surprised you even made it past med school. So, tell me. Who did you have to sleep with to get your position?” he then questioned nonchalantly, blinking his eyes innocently.

“Excuse me? How dare you!” Darcy snapped irately, her voice rising, a fresh surge of anger washing over her. How dare the fool? I’m not Ikenna, I didn’t have to sleep with anyone to get to where I am. Unlike that bastard, Darcy thought bitterly, a lavender eyebrow twitching. “If you’re quite finished, I have better things to do than stand here, talking to a pitiful, insignificant ant. Bastard,” she added angrily, moving her hands away from her hips, clenching her fists.

“Oh, did I offend you, Cairra? My apologies,” the silvery-aqua haired man calmly replied, clearly not a bit sorry. “That of course wasn’t my intention. You’re just so touchy,” Shiox stated with a shrug of his shoulders, a smirk still in place on his full lips.

“Bastard,” was the woman’s only response, her eyes narrowing. With that said, she turned away from the elemental, taking a few steps towards the right end of the long hallway. Darcy wasn’t going to stand and argue with the irritating ass any longer. He had already entirely ruined her good mood and he was really starting to grate her nerves. I need to get out of here before I kill him...

“If it makes you feel better, Cairra... I can practically guarantee that you won’t have to deal with Councilman Nuiwa much longer,” Shiox stated nonchalantly, his voice calm, a hint of amusement in his smooth voice.

Darcy paused, turning back to meet the man’s amber gaze. “Oh?” Was he serious? What did he know that she didn’t? A spark of interest flashed in her eyes and she frowned, crossing her arms. Does he even know what he’s talking about?

“Hm... There’s more than one way to kill a man, you know,” was the silvery-aqua haired elemental’s response, pulling his gaze away from the woman, focusing on the closed elevator shaft. “As a matter of fact, I’m on my way to have a little discussion about Nuiwa with Councilman Durth right now,” Shiox commented evenly as he stepped up to the elevator, pressing the call button.

Durth? Darcy raised an eyebrow, her interest peaking. Shiox was on his way to meet with Durth? To meet with one of the oldest, most prominent members of the Council? At this time of night? “...A meeting with Councilman Durth?” she inquired curiously, stepping closer to the elemental, her voice holding a hint of interest. “Why the hell would Durth want to meet with you?” That didn’t even make sense. Durth has nothing to do with the military, so why would he want to meet with Shiox of all people? the demon thought, a perplexed expression briefly flickering in her silver-white eyes.

“Yes, he called me just a few moments ago, actually. Councilman Durth trusts me quite a bit you see. I was assigned to his security detail for several years before being transferred to this boring place,” the man stated with a shrug of his shoulders. “He took a liking to me. Durth enjoys having me take on certain... Tasks. The man is so meddling. He’s amusing,” Shiox added, a grin on his lips. “It pays well. Meddling.”

Darcy frowned, a spark of irritation playing across her attractive features at the elemental’s vague response. What the hell had he meant by that? Certain tasks? Meddling? What does that have to do with Ikenna? the woman thought, the frown on her lips deepening. “That doesn’t explain why he would want to meet with you in the middle of the night,” the lavender haired demon pointed out, her voice flat, irritated.

“Hm, you’re right. It doesn’t,” he replied, turning to wink an incandescent amber eye at the woman. “By the way, Cairra. Durth knows that you took the Letrum Venator to see Nuiwa. And now, by some mysterious circumstance... The Letrum Venator has turned up in a local hospital, gravely injured. This could really prove to cause a little trouble for Nuiwa, don’t you think?” the man then questioned, amusement tinting his haughty voice.

Wait... What? The Letrum Venator had been found? Darcy blinked, taken aback by this revelation. Who could have found him? And... How the hell does Durth know that I... Her thoughts trailed off and she took a step closer to the man, irritation in her silver-white eyes. “Kaine is alive?” she inquired flatly, her eyebrow twitching.

“At the moment anyway. No thanks to you,” Shiox responded with a dry laugh, moving to brush a lean hand lightly over his spiked back, silvery blue-green hair. “Durth was quite amused. Leaving the man in an alley. You’re so cold,” the elemental added as the elevator dinged, the doors sliding open. The man moved to step closer to the small, open elevator car, shaking his head. “So very cold. It’s charming.”

What the hell... How could Durth or Shiox possibly know that she had... Unless... “You stupid bastard!” the woman snapped, moving to stand directly in front of Shiox, blocking his access to the elevator. Darcy forcefully shoved the tall elemental back, her silver-white eyes incensed. “Has Durth been spying on me? Hm? Well?”

“Well of course he has. I thought that was pretty obvious,” the man responded with a blink, a grin on his lips. “You really are dense,” Shiox commented evenly, amusement clear on his pale features as he moved a lean hand to his coat, adjusting the rumpled fabric where the woman had shoved him. He briefly moved his gaze to the gold fabric, carefully straightening his collar in an arrogantly obnoxious gesture. “It is a little cute however,” the elemental added with another wink. “Though you could really use a new hairstyle,” he went on to comment, thoughtfully taking in the lavender haired demon’s unusually styled ponytails. “That style is ridiculous. How did you even come up with something so... Hideous?”

...What?! How dare he? That, that... “How dare you!” Darcy sputtered, her face inexplicably growing warm, color flooding her pale cheeks. Cute? How dare the insignificant fool? That... And exactly what the hell is wrong with my hair? First Ikenna, now this moron... What do they know? Fools, the woman thought irritably, her fists clenching tighter.

“My, my. You look even cuter when you’re embarrassed. I’ll have to remember that,” was the elemental’s only response, his grin widening as he moved past Darcy, into the empty elevator car. “Have a nice night, Cairra.”

Darcy stood in silence as the doors of the elevator closed, cutting off her view of the bastard’s obnoxious smile. Embarrassed? Embarrassed? That... That... Her fists clenched tighter and she growled, her face warm and her eyes irate. That... Idiot! With another loud, angry growl, the lavender haired demon turned, stomping forcefully away from the closed shaft. How dare he? Annoying, obnoxious fool! And he didn’t even so much as explain why he was meeting with Durth. Ass, she thought irritably, her silver-white eyes flashing angrily, her painted black lips forming a deep scowl. She really despised the fool. Not only had he mocked her hair, but he had the nerve to call her cute? “I should kill him,” the demon muttered aloud, moving swiftly down the hallway, her eyes focusing to the far right side of the corridor, taking in the large metal door at the end of the passage. I’m beautiful and sensual, not cute. Cute? Embarrassed? Fucking fool!

That fool had entirely ruined her good mood. Not only had he ridiculed her, but he... Kaine is alive? How is that possible? How very unexpected. She had left the man to die alone in that alley, yet if Shiox actually knew what the hell he was talking about... In a hospital.. She hadn’t expected that. Maybe I really should have just killed Kaine myself.... Darcy’s thoughts trailed off and her scowl deepened.

--“...M--Malba...I’m sorry, Malba...”--

Why? Why hadn’t she just torn the man’s eyes out when she had the damn chance? Ripped out those hollow eyes, torn those lips off of his face.... Rid the world of those hollow eyes and false, empty smiles that she hated so very much... Now he’s alive, in a hospital... Well, I suppose he could still die, but... Yet she had sensed it, hadn’t she? Death had been dancing around the man, engulfing him, along with that cold wind... How is he alive? It didn’t make sense.

Darcy let out a deep sigh, shaking her head. How very annoying. And Shiox, having the nerve to mock me? ME? Ridiculous fool. Annoying, obnoxious, idiot! The demon forced the thought away, refocusing her attention on the long corridor, making her way towards the right end of the long hallway. She quickly reached the large, metallic door at the end of the tediously white corridor, letting out a sigh. She was really so irritated... The lavender haired demon focused on the small panel located directly next to the metal door, pressing her gloveless thumb on the scan pad. After a few moments the door clicked, unlocking.

This... This was really proving to be so very frustrating. Not only was the woman forced to ‘find’ Nuiwa’s son, but her fun had entirely been ruined, all with a few obnoxious words from that fool Shiox. Not only do I not get to research Teaja until I find Malba, but to make things worse, Kaine didn’t even die! Darcy’s scowl deepened and she tightly gripped the metal door, jerking it open. With an irritated groan, she stepped into a dimmer, grey hallway, her eyes livid, her face holding a look of frustration. She... She was really angry.

The woman stomped through this new, darker hallway, grumbling irritably to herself, tightly clenching her fists. Only a few more minutes and she would finally arrive at her apartment, yet... Now her plans of relaxing and gloating were entirely ruined. How... How irritating.

“Damn you, Shiox...”

She really despised the man and that obnoxious, grating smile. It seemed every damn encounter she had with the elemental resulted in... Entirely pissing her off. Shiox definitely seemed to enjoy pressing her buttons... Bastard. The one person in this god damn base with a personality... An obnoxious, idiotic personality. Ironic. Fucking fool...

With another deep sigh, the lavender haired demon continued her trek down the residential corridor, her thoughts running over the man’s words. Durth... So Durth has someone watching me? Why? It seemed a little odd. Why would Councilman Durth care about her? The man had little to do with the medical and scientific research field, so why would he be interested in her movements? It was somewhat troubling... At least I know what to expect of Ikenna. Durth is a different story... As irritating as Ikenna could be, Durth was far worse in her eyes, as... I don’t know his agenda. He makes me nervous. The woman frowned at this thought, crossing her arms about her chest as she continued her trek through the dim corridor.

True, Ikenna Nuiwa was an utter pain in the ass, temperamental and self-destructive, annoying and a dick, yet... Durth? I like him even less... What could he want with Shiox, and how does it involve Ikenna? Darcy’s frown deepened and she increased her pace. Durth... I don’t trust him...

Councilman Tanek Durth... A quiet, calculating man. Dark and cold, intelligent and so very unreadable. Yes, it was indeed quite troubling that the man was ‘spying’ on her...

It would figure that Shiox was in with Durth of all people. Yet another reason to despise Shiox. Idiot. Why had that moron been the one chosen to run the military affairs of the facility anyway? He’s obviously an inept idiot... Durth probably got him the job... As he’s obviously not smart enough to get it on his own, Darcy thought darkly, her pace again increasing, a fresh surge of irritation washing over her. Stop thinking about that fool! She shoved the image of the man’s obnoxious smirk from her thoughts, instead focusing on her orders from Ikenna. To find that son of his... I wonder where the little traitor is, anyway? How injured? Where to even begin in locating him? How annoying...

The slender, scantily clad demon let out a deep groan, shaking her head as she turned a corner, stepping into an identically dim and uninteresting corridor. She really was not looking forward to trying to locate Ikenna’s son. Malba was notoriously illusive; trying to find the little bastard would be no easy task. I have to deal with finding Malba, figuring out why the hell Durth is having me watched and... Ugh. This had turned out to be a very disappointing day.

Forced to put off interesting research, to instead focus on finding an obnoxious little weakling. Her one remaining amusement taken away, as the Letrum Venator had actually managed to live long enough to be taken to a hospital... Then the news that Councilman Tanek Durth was watching her... It... It was all so very frustrating.

I suppose I should really try to get some sleep, as... I have a feeling this is going to be a long weekend, the demon thought with a weary frown, her silver-white gaze focused to the dark carpeted floor of the dim, grey hallway. Councilman Durth.... Somehow.... She had a bad feeling about the man. His intentions... I really don’t trust him... Darcy shrugged her shoulders, casting the thought aside. If the man wanted to watch her, fine. I have nothing to hide. Bastard.

The lavender haired demon cleared her thoughts, noting that she had finally arrived in her apartment’s corridor, her eyes focusing on the dark door at the end of the hallway. Finally. Now... To slip out of her uniform, to relax and... Try not to think about that arrogant bastard. Cute? Bastard...

--- C. Darcy; Wing C, Apt. 54 ---

As the woman stepped up to her closed, locked apartment door, she self-consciously moved a gloved hand up to her head, gingerly feeling her triple lavender ponytails. “And my hair is not hideous...”

...Though, maybe she should think of trying out a new style. After all, this one was getting old... She’d been styling it that way for over a month now, so... Perhaps it was time for something new?

Not that she cared what anyone else thought of course.

With a deep frown, the woman punched in her password on the door’s keypad, then pressed her thumb against the scan panel. The door clicked and she shoved it open, an irritated expression overtaking her pale, attractive features. Of course she didn’t care. I don’t care. With that thought, she stepped into her darkened apartment, slamming the door behind her. Stupid bastard...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“I’m taking you back to the bedroom... Malba?”

“...Okay...”

Rae watched with wide, teary eyes as Kitsune slowly picked Malba up, carefully positioning the darkness sprite in her bandaged arms. The man had gone limp, his eyes closed, his facial expression blank. Obviously unconscious. His blank, expressionless face pale, his skin clammy, his closed eyes ringed with eerily dark circles... Malba looked terrible.

On discovering the man in the bathroom, on the cold, white tile floor, the pink haired girl had nearly had a freaking panic attack. She had known that he looked bad, and his sudden departure from her room had been seriously troublesome, but she... I didn’t expect to find him so... So... Her thoughts trailed off and she bit down on her already swollen, chewed sore lip. Rae hadn’t expected the sheer... Despair? Desolation? It...

“Move,” Kitsune stated flatly, breaking into the girl’s thoughts and she complied, stepping away from the bathroom’s entrance. The lean, slender demon stepped through the entryway, out into the dim hallway, her ice eyes locked on the sprite held in her arms. A look of worry written across her icy, pale features, worry and... Something else Rae could not quite define. It was so very hard, trying to decipher Kitsune’s facial expressions. The woman usually wore that blank mask, and even now that the mask had slipped, it still... She’s so hard to read...

After a few more moments of contemplation, the pink haired girl gave up trying to interpret the ice demon’s facial expression, instead focusing her blue-green gaze to her younger brother. The siblings shared a concerned, uneasy look and Rae took in a deep breath, anxiety clearly written across her face. They both had seen it. Heard it. It... That wasn’t the Malba we’re used to, that’s for damn sure... Her frown deepened at this and she crossed her arms about her chest, a shiver running up her spine. Instead of that cocky, bitchy attitude, he... The man had seemed so very fatigued, so... Broken? His red eyes weary, his soft voice flat, disconsolate. He... Malba...

“Kitsune, is he going to be okay?” Rae inquired shakily, following after the woman as she walked down the dimly lit hallway, turning left, towards Rae’s bedroom. “Kitsune?” she added, her tone uneven and... Well, pretty weak and stupid sounding probably, but she... This is all too much, I... So much to process, so many horrible, terrible things had happened all so quickly, turning her world upside down.

Druuvbin dying, Malba... Malba so very... Broken and miserable. Yuki hiding things, Kopaka ill, Kouji’s heartbreaking past, Ryuuji’s revelation that his eye had been fucking burned away or whatever... The terrible things Tatsuki had done to Kitsune... All of it, everything so... It was hard to take in. So much pain and suffering, both physical and mental, everyone so... God, they all... I...

“Is he going to be okay or not?” Jiro broke into the girl’s thoughts, his steel-blue gaze focused squarely on the unconscious dark haired elemental, his tone a bit uneven as well. “Kits?”

“Hn,” the ice demon responded softly, a frown on her lips, her blue eyes still locked on that pale, blank face, the dark circles and clammy skin...

“Is that a yes?” the shaggy haired brunette questioned, raising an eyebrow at the woman’s vague response. “Well?”

“Malba just needs to rest,” the ice-fox replied, her tone flat, weary.

Rae and Jiro shared another glance, the lanky teen shooting a questioning look to his sister, obviously wanting to know if she knew anything about what was happening with the darkness sprite. The pink haired girl shook her head, faintly shrugging her shoulders in response. Of course I don’t know. No one will tell me... It was frustrating. Malba had seemed so... So very... Why won’t he tell me? What... What’s going on with him? The red eyes and the hollow, dejected tone in his soft voice, the... The... Malba...

The siblings remained in silence, quietly following Kitsune back to the bedroom, entering the open doorway, stepping into the dark, moody room.

Rae focused her attention to the large bed in the middle of the room, her aqua gaze first focusing to Druuvbin, taking in his pale face and closed eyes. Unconscious and gravely ill, pallid and wheezing... The girl forced her gaze away from the water elemental’s blank, so very pale face, instead focusing on Ryuuji.

The spiky haired kokuei demon frowned as he raised his head, his sole eye locking on the unconscious darkness elemental cradled in Kitsune’s arms. “Is he alright?” Ryuuji inquired uneasily from his sitting position on the full-sized bed, his red gaze clearly showing his concern as he took in the unconscious darkness sprite.

“Does he look ‘alright,’ Ryuuji?” Kitsune responded dryly, a hint of sarcasm bleeding into her flat voice as she met the kokuei demon’s gaze.

“...You know what I mean, Kitsune,” the purple haired man responded with a sigh, a look of frustration flickering across his pale features, his purple lips forming a frown. “I knew he... Damn it. I knew I shouldn’t have let him do that,” he then muttered, a tone of self-reproach entering his smooth voice.

“The fact that Malba is a fucking idiot is hardly your fault,” the ice demon stated irritably, a frustated breath escaping her lips. “Malba is a reckless fool, he knew better.”

“Yeah, well that is true,” Ryuuji responded with a half-smile, slightly shaking his head. “I still should’ve just knocked him out or something,” he added, his voice quiet, his gaze again focusing on Malba’s unconscious form. “Idiot...”

“He’s not a ‘fool’ or an ‘idiot.’ He just... Malba just wanted to help Druu. That’s not being a fool. He is reckless, but he just... He just wanted to help,” Rae cut in softly, somehow feeling a little... Feeling a little irritated by Kitsune and Ryuuji’s words. Of course she knew nothing of the situation or why the man was so... Yet still. He just wanted to help Druu, he... Malba isn’t stupid. I... God had she felt so helpless, so useless, listening to the hollow, forlorn tone in Malba’s voice as he had sat on the bathroom floor, his head pressed against his knees. He... He was hurting so much and he... The girl’s thoughts trailed off and she blinked rapidly, fighting to keep her emotions in check. “He just wanted to help.”

“Yes well, he’ll be of no use to anyone dead, don’t you think?” Kitsune snapped back, a tone of agitation tinting her flat voice. “He shouldn’t have done it,” she added irritably, giving the girl an aggravated look.

“I know that, Kitsune. I’m just saying to lay off the guy and stop calling him a freaking idiot! First you bitched at him for breaking into that base for the meds, and now you’re pissed over this. I know it wasn’t a good idea for him to use that much energy but... He just... He... Just lay off,” Rae retorted, a spark of anger washing over her as she met the ice demon’s cold gaze. Er... Hm. Okay, so it probably hadn’t been such a good idea to snap at Kitsune, but she... The girl lowered her gaze to the wooden floor, taking in the faded, scratched floorboards. I just... Malba was so... Even though it was true, what Kitsune had said, Rae still... She... Malba doesn’t deserve to be called an idiot for wanting to help, he... The pink haired girl’s thoughts trailed and she closed her eyes for a moment, her mind drawn back to the soft, hollow tone in the dark haired elemental’s voice. He isn’t stupid.

“-‘Lay off,’- you say? Idiot,” was Kitsune’s response to the girl’s outburst, her voice cold, flat. The woman then shook her head, releasing an irritated growl. “He’s a fool and apparently, so are you.” With that statement, the pale ice/fox demon moved closer to the small black couch, preparing to lay the man on the furniture piece.

“Yeah well, I guess I am a ‘fool,’ but it’d fucking help if someone would even tell me what the hell’s going on. All I know is I found Malba on the damn floor, and that he...” Rae trailed off, taking a deep breath, clenching her jaw. “Just forget it,” she then mumbled, shrugging her shoulders. There was no point in continuing the conversation. I know Kitsune isn’t going to tell me anything. Obviously Malba doesn’t want me to know, so... The pink haired girl let out a sigh, focusing her gaze to the darkness elemental held in the ice/fox demon’s lean, bandaged arms. He doesn’t want me to know...

“Ahem. Now, if you two are finished bickering, Kitsune, just put him over here,” Ryuuji broke in, his voice holding a hint of irritation. The man let out a slow breath, his gaze focusing on the unconscious darkness elemental, his facial expression uneasy, worried. “There’s enough room for him to lay over here,” he added, his tone softening, his gaze moving to the large bed he sat upon, the wheezing, unconscious psychic resting in his arms...

It was true; the bed was definitely large enough to lay Malba on, as... Well. The guy was pretty thin and small anyway, and it was a double bed, so... Yeah. A hell of a lot better than putting him back on the stupid couch, Rae thought with a frown, briefly meeting her younger brother’s worried gaze, taking in his concerned expression. The boy stood in the entrance to the dark bedroom, leaning against the doorframe with an intense, anxious expression playing in his steel-blue eyes. I’m worried too, Jiro.

“Yeah, Kitsune, put him on the bed. He’s hurting, He’ll be more comfortable on a bed than on a stupid little couch,” the pink haired girl commented quietly, her aqua eyes locked on the darkness sprite. Malba...

“Hn...” Kitsune responded, and with a small nod of her head (and an irritated glare at Ryuuji for the ‘bickering’ comment) she moved to sit on the side of the bed, then gently laid Malba down, positioning the darkness sprite in a comfortable position. She rested the man’s head in her lap, her pale, sword-calloused hands moving to gently loosen his ponytail, freeing his dark locks. She ran a hand through the darkness sprite’s long hair, the frown on her lips deepening. “Idiot.”

A faint, weary smile formed on Rae’s lips at the ice demon’s movement, the frustration she had felt at the woman slowly easing away. She’s just worried... I guess I really shouldn’t have gotten bitchy with her... Even if she did start it... After all, the way Kitsune had acted in the bathroom had definitely proven without a doubt how much the demon cared for the sprite. It had been sweet; the way Kitsune had held Malba. The way Malba had held on to the woman, pressing his head against her shoulder, the way Kitsune had gently rubbed the man’s back and... It was the first time she had ever seen the two act so... So un-bitchy. Sure Kitsune was bitching at him a little, but still...

It had also been apparent to the girl that the two had conversed telepathically, just by watching their facial expressions, their body language. I wonder what they said? she couldn’t help but wonder, her thoughts flickering over the events in the small bathroom only a few moments before. Telepathy was pretty unfair, really. Yeah, they get to leave me out of everything and keep me in the dark. Nothing new there.

Whatever had been said between the two seemed to calm Malba a bit however. Er, well. Until Dad blew it by calling Mals a girl and royally pissed him off... Which... Well, okay, despite the bleak situation, it had still been pretty damn funny. The darkness sprite’s reaction when he realized the man had called him a girl... Poor Mals... A trace of a bittersweet smirk briefly played across her lips as she took in the dark haired sprite’s face. His small, delicate features, his feminine figure and long, silky black hair... Heh. For once I can’t really blame Dad for being an idiot. Malba really does look like a girl.

With a fatigued sigh, Rae cleared her thoughts, moving to stand closer to the black-framed bed, her blue-green eyes still locked on the darkness elemental’s blank face. His dark-circles and pale, clammy skin... “Kitsune... I’m sorry I snapped at you a second ago,” she stated quietly, her gaze not moving from the man’s face. Kits is just worried, and she gets bitchy... Bitchier when she’s freaked out, I guess... I get that. And Malba really shouldn’t have used that energy. Obviously. I just... The girl crossed her arms a bit tighter, another cold chill racing up her spine. “I’m sorry.”

“Hn,” Kitsune remarked with a roll of her ice-blue eyes, obviously not concerned with the girl’s prior behavior. “He is a fool, but I... I suppose I do understand,” the ice demon then admitted quietly, her intense gaze moving to focus on Druuvbin, the frown on her blue-white lips deepening. “Druuvbin suffers so very much... It’s difficult. To sit by and watch as Druuvbin, as he...” the woman trailed off and her gaze moved back to Malba, her bandaged right hand moving to gently caress the man’s pale forehead. “You’re still a moron, Malba,” she stated flatly, her cool voice weary.

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