dreams of dawn ~cold-light~ part F
~

“...Kopaka-san. I’m dead. I can’t get sick from energy loss,” Yuki stated frankly, no emotion in his flat, hollow voice. The silver haired ‘spirit’ finally pulled his gaze to Kopaka, his grey eyes expressionless. “I’m not going to get sick. I can’t get sick. I’m dead. It’s a little late for that. The worst that could happen is I might have a little trouble keeping myself solid for awhile. Other than that? It doesn’t matter,” he added, his voice still holding that utterly hollow, toneless sound. “Now, will you please let me try to help you?”

Rae raised an eyebrow at the completely emotionless tint in the man’s flat voice, feeling... Rather disturbed. It... It didn’t sound like Yuki. At all. It... You aren’t a spirit, but... He... The frank tone in his voice, the sure, certain way he had stated: --“...I’m dead...”-- It... I think he’s telling the truth. So, he really is dead? Wait, but how can he be dead, but not be a ghost? That... Rae’s thoughts trailed off as a genuinely puzzled expression overtook her face, a perplexed frown on her lips. How could that be? What the hell are you, Yuki?

“Yuki... I still... Ngh, say no...” Kopaka slowly responded, interrupted by a pained intake of breath, his eyes firmly closing. “God damn...” he then mumbled, swallowing hard as a queasy expression passed over his boyish, attractive face.

“And I say yes,” Yuki retorted with a quick flash of... Was that irritation? Yuki? Irritated? Rae had to fight the look of surprise off of her face, her eyebrow rising further. Uh... Uh... Okay, that’s just too weird... Soft spoken, timid Yuki? To hear such a flat, emotionless tone in his voice, to see that irritated flash of emotion wash over his pale features...

“...Please, Kopaka-san?” the ‘spirit’ then inquired, all trace of agitation simply vanishing, leaving only a sad, dejected look in its place. His voice soft, his grey eyes quite suddenly growing teary, and... Guilt. Again, that look of guilt, of regret...

“...Yuki-dude... You’re a... Stubborn little guy, aren’t you?” Kopaka questioned softly after a moment of silence, a hint of a smile replacing his frown. “...Ngh...”

“...Yeah... I guess I can be,” Yuki whispered in response, a single tear leaking from his left eye, trailing down his pallid cheek. “I can be,” he repeated, moving to quickly wipe the tear away, forcing a shaky smile onto his lips. Entirely forced, entirely fake... “Does that mean you’ll let me try to help you?” he went on to question, his voice hesitant and uneven, his eyes holding an almost apologetic expression.

The grey haired elemental let out a weary sigh, slowly opening his blue eyes to take in the silver haired man’s teary, remorseful gaze. “...You aren’t going to take no for an answer, are you?” he inquired in response, a dry tone in his weak voice, a soft smile still gracing his lips.

“Um... No, probably not,” Yuki admitted with a shake of his head, returning Kopaka’s small grin with a more genuine, unsure smile of his own. “I just... I want to help, Kopaka-san,” he stated, his eyes moving away from the grey haired man to again focus on the carpet.

“...Heh... You’ve helped, Yuki. Trust me,” Kopaka responded softly, his weak voice holding a gentle, warm tone. The wind elemental then let out a sigh, a rueful look appearing on his pale face. “I’m not gonna argue with you anymore. If you want to drain yourself...” he commented softly, his eyelids drooping, his voice holding a dazed, faraway tone. Kopaka’s eyes slowly drifted closed, a weary breath escaping him.

“I’ve helped... You have no idea how wrong you are, Kopaka-san...” Yuki mumbled quietly, so much so that Rae barely made out the spirit’s murmured words. The pink haired girl raised an eyebrow at the man’s soft statement, casting a questioning look at Yuki. He is acting so strange... That hollow gaze, the regretful, bitter tone in his timid, gentle voice....

“Yuki, you said he wasn’t keeping your energy earlier. What makes you think you can do anything now? You’ve got to be low on energy anyway, so... Yeah,” Rae pointed out with a frown, continuing to closely watch the silver haired ‘spirit,’ trying to gauge the man’s reaction to her question... Nothing. His facial expression remained the same, not a hint of... Anything. Anything, other than that dejected, empty look, that bitter... Apologetic expression....

“I want to try again,” was Yuki’s only verbal response, stated with a shrug of his shoulders and a sigh. The silver haired man then carefully reached out a hand to touch Kopaka’s blanket covered lower leg, closing his eyes. A look of concentration formed on Yuki’s pale face and Rae frowned, an uneasy feeling settling over her. She didn’t like it. His energy already felt... Odd, so... I don’t think he should be doing this... The girl’s thoughts trailed as a wave of energy swept over the large, cushiony couch, flowing around the ill wind elemental, slowly filtering into Kopaka’s body. Uh... It felt... Different. It wasn’t the same energy as what he had used earlier. The energy he was using on Kopaka earlier felt soft, and... I don’t know, Yuki-like. This... The girl’s frown deepened as a spark of realization flashed in her aqua colored eyes.

This... When Yuki had summoned forth that bolt of lightning, called it down from the dark, murky clouds... This is what it felt like. It... What the fuck is that? It... A shiver traversed up her spine and she turned her gaze to the small framed spirit’s tense face, taking in the look of concentration, the.... The feel of that thick, murky energy encircling Kopaka. Yuki... This doesn’t feel... This doesn’t feel right...

“Damn it,” the slender, silver haired man mumbled softly, a troubled frown forming on his pale lips, his grey eyes opening, focusing to the wind/ice sprite. “Rae-chan... Move, please? I need better contact with him. I can’t... Can’t quite get through,” he stated, his voice hesitant, his eyes not pulling from the grey haired elemental’s round, boyish face.

“Yuki...” Rae started, yet paused, an unsure look in her eyes, an unnerved tone in her voice. I still don’t like this. I...

“Please?” Yuki requested, moving his gaze to the girl, giving her a beseeching look, his grey eyes teary. “Please, Rae-chan?”

The girl frowned but nodded, moving to gently run a hand over Kopaka’s pallid forehead in a soothing gesture once more before standing, taking a few steps away from the tan sofa. Rae crossed her arms about her chest in a nervous manner as the silver haired man pulled his hand away from Kopaka, standing, moving to sit on the edge of the couch where she had sat moments before. “I still don’t think this is a good idea,” she muttered softly, crossing her arms a bit tighter. Kitsune said to ‘keep an eye on him’ but... It’s not like I can tell him what to do or not to do. He isn’t going to listen to me... Obviously.

“Kopaka-san? Are you still awake?” Yuki inquired softly, gently moving to touch the sprite’s blanket covered arm, his teary grey eyes focused on the pained, sickly expression playing on Kopaka’s face.

“...Yeah... Kinda...” the grey haired elemental responded slowly after a few moments of silence, a hint of a weary smile briefly gracing his lips.

“I know it... Won’t be as comfortable, but, I... This will work better if you let me um... Hold you. I’m not at full strength right now, so it’s going to be a little harder for me to get you to accept my energy... And, um...” the ‘spirit’ trailed off, his mumbled words holding a tint of embarrassment, his voice soft and unsure.

“...Heh. Okay, Yuki-dude...” Kopaka replied, not opening his eyes, his tone far-off, weary. “I don’t mind,” he added with a small smile, his eyelids briefly rising, his blue gaze moving to the silver haired man sitting directly beside him on the edge of the tan sofa. “I still... You’re not lying, right? You really have enough energy? Are you sure, Yuki-dude?” the sprite then inquired, his smile fading, his eyelids drooping.

“I’m not lying,” the ‘spirit’ gently responded, a melancholy smile forming on his pale lips. “I wouldn’t lie about that, Kopaka-san.”

“...Yeah... I think you would...” Kopaka mumbled in response, his weary voice distant, again taking on a dazed tint.

“Well. Maybe. But I’m not lying, Kopaka-san. I promise,” the small framed man replied dryly, a wry expression overtaking his pale, delicate facial features. “I promise.”

Rae muffled an uneasy sigh, uncrossing her arms, moving to sit on the carpeted floor next to the sofa. I think you are lying, Yuki. I don’t care if you ‘promise.’ This isn’t right. You’re using that weird energy, and it... It just feels weird... she thought hesitantly, her blue-green eyes focusing on the ‘spirit.’ I don’t even know what the hell it is, but it feels freaking... Uh, well kind of freaky, actually. The girl cleared her throat, trying to catch Yuki’s attention, her gaze not moving from the small framed man. I want to talk to you, Yuki...

The silver haired ‘spirit’ did not respond to Rae’s attempt to get his attention, instead gently moved to momentarily sit Kopaka up, long enough for Yuki to sit back on the couch. He then delicately pulled the elemental into his arms, lying him back, allowing Kopaka to rest his head against Yuki’s thin shoulder. “Is... Is that okay, Kopaka-san?” he inquired quietly, his grey gaze still fully set on the wind/ice elemental.

“...Yeah...” was the grey haired man’s only mumbled response, his body relaxing into the spirit’s hold as he wearily leaned his head against the man’s small, thin shoulder. A sigh escaped Yuki’s lips and he moved to rearrange the brown blanket covering the sprite, tucking it around his lean frame a bit better. He then closed his grey eyes, a look of concentration overtaking his pale features.

The pink haired human’s frown deepened and she resisted the urge to let out an aggravated groan, running a hand through her long hair in an abrupt, agitated manner. I don’t like this. She again cleared her throat, raising an eyebrow at the slender ‘spirit.’ Come on, Yuki... Will you at least talk to me?

--Rae-chan, I’m fine,-- Yuki’s soft voice flittered through her mind and she shook her head, her fists clenching by her sides. --No, I don’t think so. I think you’re full of it,-- Rae retorted edgily, a hint of agitation entering her mental tone. --And... Yuki, what the hell is that? A minute ago you hardly had any energy left and now... You... You didn’t go outside to ‘calm down,’ did you?-- she questioned flatly, realization flashing in her aqua colored eyes. --What did you really do?-- Rae went on to ask, suspicion coursing through her. He did something... This isn’t his energy.

A bitter smile momentarily graced Yuki’s pale lips and he closed his eyes tighter, that... That odd, thick energy continuing to slowly stream from his small body, encircling Kopaka, gradually filtering into the drained, exhausted wind sprite. --...Well. I did calm down too...-- the ‘spirit’ remarked dryly, a self-deprecating tint entering his soft mental voice. --...I... Please don’t worry, Rae-chan. We’ll... We’ll talk about this later, okay?-- he then inquired, a hint of an apologetic tenor in his ‘voice.’

The girl remained silent for a moment, carefully watching the small framed man, his pale, tense face, his closed eyes and focused, determined expression. --...Fine, but... You... This isn’t going to hurt you, right?-- she finally inquired, moving a hand to wearily massage her throbbing temple.

--...Nothing hurts. Nothing hurts me, Rae-chan,-- Yuki softly responded, his mental ‘voice’ suddenly sounding so... So dejected. Rae’s frown deepened at this and she pulled her hand away from her temple, focusing again on the silver haired man, meeting his now open eyes with her own. --Yuki...-- She didn’t know how to respond. Nothing hurts? What did he mean by that? --Yuki-chan... You’re... You’re really wigging me out,-- the pink haired human finally stated shakily, giving the man a small, uneasy smile.

--Yeah, I know. I’m sorry, Rae-chan. I really am,-- was Yuki’s only response, his gaze lowering to the ill wind/ice elemental resting against him. With that he closed the mind-link, and Rae was once again alone in her thoughts. ...Nothing hurts... A shudder raced up her spine at those soft, sad words, her fists clenching, her eyes troubled. Nothing hurts? What... What the hell does that mean? That...

“Hey... Yuki-dude...” Kopaka suddenly mumbled, cutting into Rae’s thoughts. She focused her attention to the grey haired elemental, noting his slightly open eyelids, his dazed, somewhat unfocused blue gaze.

“Hm?” Yuki inquired in response, giving the sprite a small forced smile. “What is it, Kopaka-san?” he then questioned gently, his grey eyes meeting the elemental’s blue gaze.

“...Where... Did you get this?” the grey haired man slowly inquired, his eyelids drooping, his voice soft and weak.

“Get what, Kopaka-san?” Yuki responded with a blink, an uneasy, questioning look on his pale face. “What do you mean?”

“...The energy, Yuki. This isn’t the same. When you were helping me with Druu, you said you were using power from the storm, and then... When it stopped storming, you just helped me with your own energy,” Kopaka stated softly, forcing his eyelids open, continuing to meet the silver haired spirit’s gaze. “This isn’t power from a storm, but it isn’t your energy either,” he went on to say, a frown forming on his pale-pink lips. “So where did you get it?”

Power from the storm? Yuki had used energy from the passing storm? Well... That was pretty smart, actually. That’s cool, Yuki. I don’t know how the hell you did it, but cool. But this energy here... Definitely not power from a storm. Hell. It isn’t even raining now, so yeah, the girl thought, her attention briefly moving to the lightening sky. It hardly looks like it stormed now. Funny how that works...

“...Don’t worry about it, Kopaka-san. I just... It’s just a mix of my power and a little... Natural elemental... Energy,” Yuki responded after a few moments of silence, his gaze pulling away from the sprite, instead focusing to the window, the cloudy sky.

Rae raised an eyebrow at the man’s feeble explanation, shaking her head a bit. Oh come on, Yuki. Do you honestly expect anyone to buy that? That’s no ‘natural elemental energy’ I’ve ever felt, that’s for damn sure, she thought, a frustrated look appearing on her weary face. Not to mention that Kopaka is an elemental sprite, so uh, he knows what elemental energy feels like. Obviously. No way he’ll buy that. The girl let out a soft sigh, turning her attention to the wind/ice elemental, noting the man’s bitter smile and weary blue eyes.

“You’re.... You’re such a damn liar,” Kopaka mumbled after a few moments of silence, his weak voice light and warm, despite his accusatory words. He then closed his eyes, obviously not waiting for any response from the silver haired ‘spirit.’ He instead pulled a little closer to the man, resting against Yuki in an affectionate gesture. “Heh... I like you, Yuki. You’re... You’re so... Weird...” he then murmured softly, his fatigued, pained voice muffled by Yuki’s shoulder.

A blush quickly spread over the spirit’s pale face at the wind/ice elemental’s words, red flooding his cheeks as he continued to filter that murky, thick energy into Kopaka. “I... Um... Well, I like you too, Kopaka-san,” he finally stated after a few moments, his words holding an embarrassed, unsure tenor. “Um...”

A warm, bittersweet smile formed on Rae’s lips as she took in Yuki’s flustered, blushing face, finding the expression... So very endearing. He’s so cute. His petite, delicate cheeks tinged red, his grey eyes focusing to the carpeted floor, his lips forming a small, unsure frown. He... Really, he looked so young. It was almost hard for Rae to believe that this small, slender man could be older than her. He almost looks like a teenager or something, she thought, a hint of a bittersweet smile still playing on her sore lips. She continued to watch the ‘spirit,’ noting that some of his shorter, chin length silver bangs had fallen free from his half hazard, low ponytail. Silver strands framing his small face, partially hiding his blushing cheeks... He really looked like the picture of boyish innocence. Yet... I guess looks can be deceiving sometimes...

How was it possible for him to blush, anyway? If he were indeed dead... How does he blush, cry, faint? How can he be dead, but still be so... So alive? She didn’t understand. Didn’t understand the enigmatic man, didn’t understand his secrecy, his... Sad grey eyes and... Boyish innocence.... Yeah, I guess looks really are deceiving sometimes.

“So... Is this... Is this helping any, Kopaka-san? Do you feel any better at all?” Yuki questioned, slowly bringing his gaze up from the tan carpet, his grey eyes moving to focus on the ill wind elemental’s wan face.

“...Actually? Yeah. I don’t... Don’t know how you’re doing it, but yeah, I feel a little better,” Kopaka replied with a sigh, his blue eyes not opening, his voice holding an exhausted tenor. “I don’t feel like I’m going to puke myself to death so much now and it’s not hurting quite as much either... Just... I’m just really tired...” he then admitted, shifting in Yuki’s arms, pressing his head gently into the slender man’s thin shoulder. “Thanks, Yuki...”

“Don’t thank me, Kopaka-san,” Yuki stated with a shaky smile, closing his grey eyes, lowering his head a bit. “I’m just glad you feel a little better. You just... You need to rest, Kopaka-san. I’ll... I’ll try to keep you from... Feeling worse again. I think I have enough energy to last for awhile,” the man then commented softly, his hold on the wind/ice sprite tightening in a comforting, gentle motion. “So, just rest, okay?”

“You know that when Kits comes back in here... She’s probably going to yell at you... Right?” Kopaka inquired softly, his weak voice light, teasing. “She’s gonna be... Pissed that you’re... Using so much energy...”

“That’s okay. She can yell at me if she wants to,” the ‘spirit’ remarked dryly, a bittersweet smile on his pale lips.

“Heh...” was the wind/ice sprite’s response, faintly shifting in Yuki’s arms, drawing closer. “You’re... Definitely one... Weird little guy...” he mumbled softly, moving to press against Yuki just a touch firmer in what seemed to be an inattentive, affectionate gesture. As Rae watched the elemental, it was pretty apparent that the guy was probably only half alert, his weariness quickly catching up with him.

The pink haired girl then turned her attention to Yuki, noting that the small framed man was once again blushing, his cheeks tinged red. Not an uncommon reaction. How many times had she seen the spirit’s youthful face flood with red when conversing with Kopaka? (Or in some cases, when being tormented by Kopaka.) Heh... Yuki... He was such a cute, sweet little guy. Even if... Even if that boyish innocence wasn’t entirely real, Rae still... I know he’s hiding things and he’s not what he says he is, but... His unsure, timid nature seemed so genuine. I still... He’s still Yuki. That’s all that matters... Right?

The room fell into silence as Yuki continued to slowly pour energy into the ailing wind sprite in his arms and Rae let out a sigh, moving to wearily rub at her eyes. She was worried. So very worried. Worried about Druuvbin, about Malba, Kouji, Kitsune, Kopaka and... Yuki. Despite Yuki’s claims, claims that he would be ‘fine’ it... Somehow, she knew that wasn’t true. That energy... It gave her a bad feeling. Hopefully I’m just being paranoid, but... It was a familiar feeling. A small, empathic twinge of bad things to come.... A similar feeling had passed over her minutes before Druuvbin’s collapse and now as she watched Yuki, as she felt that energy... The girl was again getting a sensation... A foreboding, dark feeling...

Rae pulled her hand away from her eyes, focusing her attention to Kopaka. And somehow... It had something to do with Kopaka as well. She didn’t know how or why, but something... Something was seriously not right. This just keeps getting worse and worse... she thought, pulling her gaze away, focusing instead on the window, the dawn sky. The sun was rising. Bright rays of morning light flooding the cloudy sky, drowning the darkness in amber radiance. Shades of yellows, pinks, blues... Dawn had finally come. Yet as the girl took in those bright, shining rays... They somehow failed to ease the dark thoughts from her mind.

Dawn had come, yet... It felt somehow...

Somehow... I...

Somehow, that bright morning light felt cold.

That doesn’t make any sense, but I...

She didn’t know why, but as she watched the morning sky, Rae felt that... This new day would only bring more darkness.

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

Memories. Memories haunting him as he drifted through dreams, dark and encompassing, memories of a day he didn’t want to think of, a face he didn’t want to dream of. Memories of a voice he didn’t want to hear, a time he didn’t want to remember.

--“Fool. Why can’t you get it through your head that you aren’t welcome here? Why do you insist on arguing?”--

A face from the distant past, a woman with long black hair and beautifully cruel, midnight blue eyes. Full, lovely lips painted pink, and those eyes... Luminous and dark, cold and disdainful...

--“How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t want you near him.”--

A smooth, silky voice filled with bitterness and resentment, those full, moist lips set in an angry scowl. Contempt filled eyes, beautiful and spiteful.

--“You’ll ruin him, just as you ruined yourself. You’re a disgrace. He doesn’t need you.”--

Ruin him? Yes... That was correct. He had ruined him, hadn’t he? She had been right, so many years ago...

Why was he dreaming? Why must he be tormented with memories of that day, of that face, that voice? He... He only wanted to sleep, to sleep in a dark, dreamless place...

--“You truly want to help him? Is that what you really want? If only you could just disappear, that would be the best thing you could ever do. If you could just fade away. Die. That would help.”--

Die... Disappear... Why hadn’t he? He...

--“Is that what you want?”-- His voice had been utterly void of emotion, hadn’t it? As he gazed into those beautiful eyes, her pale, lovely face... –-“Is that what you truly want?”--

--“...I want you to leave us be. I have a family. You aren’t a part of it. You never have been and you never will be.”—

--“...I see.”--

Her cold, beautiful face faded into a thick mist, light and wispy, dragging that specter from the past away. Her face replaced by a shroud of vapor, smoke encircling him... He closed his eyes, lowering his head. He didn’t want to dream, didn’t want to see this mist of smoky bleakness, didn’t want to feel or... Dream. Yet he did. Dreamed of murky haze, a world of colorless fog encircling him... Alone in the mist... Or was he? A familiar presence, one he had been seeking so desperately...

“Malba?” he opened his eyes, searching the suffocatingly thick mists enshrouding him, clouding his senses and thoughts... A boy. As he focused, his eyes made out the figure of a small boy in the smoke. He knew that boy.

A boy from centuries past.

A mere child with sickly eyes and dark circles, short, spiky black hair, streaked with red... Pale, wan skin, frail and so very small... “Malba?”

“You killed mommy, didn’t you? Just like you’re killing me. You kill everyone...”

He laughed at this. A bitter, humorless laugh. He couldn’t escape the truth. Not in dreams, not in alcohol, not in sex, not in... Anything. Despite his best efforts, it... It was always there. The undying truth.

“You’re the one who’s really a monster,” the boy then whispered, such a hurt, betrayed expression on his pale, sickly face.

“That’s right, Malba. I am.”

“Why? Why are you?” the boy then inquired softly, his midnight-blue eyes ringed with heavy, dark circles, his small lips chapped and dry. “Why?”

Why?

Why...

Why had he become a monster? Had he always been so cold, so apathetic and bitter? It had been so long, it was hard to remember now... What he had been before. Before.... The past...

“Why are you so mean? Why do you hurt everyone?”

He... He had no answer for the boy. No answer.

--“You truly want to help him? Is that what you really want? If only you could just disappear, that would be the best thing you could ever do. If you could just fade away. Die. That would help.”--

Why?

--“Is that what you want? Is that truly what you want?”--

Voices from the past, reflected in a small boy’s sad, tear filled eyes...

--“...I want you to leave us be. I have a family. You aren’t a part of it. You never have been and you never will be.”—

--“...I see.”--

Voices and memories from a day centuries past. Years and years... It still hurt. The dreams and words, the memories and pain... Still fresh. After centuries, it hadn’t lessened, hadn’t ceased...

--“You... You really aren’t going to tell me, are you. I knew it... I knew this would be a waste of time. You fucking cold bastard. Druuvbin isn’t a monster... You are.”—

Words and memories, all things he didn’t want to hear, didn’t want to see. Was it so much to ask for a moment of dreamless sleep? A moment of escape, of... To escape the worry and guilt, the...

--“...It’s interesting. You claim to care so dearly for your son, yet you care nothing for his wishes. That really is interesting, don’t you think? Fascinating indeed, sir.”--

To escape. That’s what he really wanted.

--“To save that son of yours, you’re willing to sacrifice one of his best friends. That monster friend of his. What does that make you?”—

To escape.

--“Druuvbin isn’t a monster... You are.”—

Just for a moment...

--“You’ll ruin him, just as you ruined yourself. You’re a disgrace. He doesn’t need you.”—

The small, sad boy turned away, walking back, back into the dense encompassing smoke. “..Wait... Don’t go...”

“...You never answered my question...” was the boy’s only response as he drifted, drifted away...

“Why are you killing me?”

He...

Ikenna Nuiwa started, jerked from his dreams, his red eyes snapping open, an unsteady breath escaping him. Damned dreams... The red-head took in a deep, shaky breath, his jaw clenching, his heart racing. He closed his eyes for a moment, swallowing hard at the bile rising in his throat and the terrible throbbing in his head, the pain coursing through his body...

Sleep was really proving to be such a pointless endeavor. Even when he managed to sleep, thanks to the power of copious amounts of alcohol, it... Anymore, it seemed his dreams were continuing to grow steadily worse and worse... Wait. Exactly when had he fallen asleep, anyway? The last thing he could remember was... Nia’s bar... Tuoni showed up and made an ass of himself and then... Ikenna’s thoughts trailed off and a frown formed on his lips as he hit a blank mental wall. Nothing. The man then let out a sigh, slowly opening his eyes, only to find that his surroundings were completely unfamiliar.

Where the hell am I? he thought, his mind still fogged, his gaze blurred, his world spinning. The redhead moved to slowly sit up, though quickly found that to be a bad idea as an explosion of pain erupted in his head, causing his vision to blur more so. Okay, so maybe it would be best not to sit up for a minute...

Ikenna moved to lie back, noting that he was resting on a black leather couch, the sofa pillowed and soft, and... Well, rather comfortable actually. Of course it would be sort of nice to know who the hell’s couch it even was... Oh fuck it. I really don’t care... He’d think about it in a minute. As right at the moment? Thinking was proving to be somewhat difficult. His head absolutely throbbing, his whole body aching, his stomach churning, his mouth dry and... Not to mention his newest dream.

Not that it had been particularly different than any of his countless unpleasant sleeping experiences, but still... It... It never got easier. Waking from dreams filled with the past and... It didn’t help that as of late, his dreams seemed even more vivid, more tangible and engulfing than usual. Ugh... Which is saying quite a bit...

Ikenna slowly opened his eyes, not wanting to think of the look on Malba’s face, of that sad look in the small child’s eyes, the child from his dreams... A hint of a bittersweet smile formed on his lips, his thoughts drifting to that boy, that... He had looked just a bit different back then. Small and fragile, and... He hadn’t started coloring his hair yet, (obviously, as he was a mere child) and he... Malba hadn’t despised him back then, either. One of the few people who didn’t hate me. Of course, I screwed that up, didn’t I? The lithe, red haired man took in a weary breath, allowing his eyes to slowly wander about his surroundings, taking in the long, large room.

Though really, he... He was simply too weary and apathetic to focus intently on the area. From his quick unfocused glance, he made out a plush, expensive looking carpet of some kind, a design of black and grey, a loud... Nauseating design. It was kind of... Making him dizzy to look at, so he pulled his gaze away, noting the black tiled walls with white lines, which... Okay, so pretty much everything was dizzying to look at.

The red haired man took in a shaky breath, casting another quick glance over the room, noting the black couch and loveseat – nearly identical to the one he lay upon-- further down the long room, situated around a slim, widescreen TV and... Some sort of videogame system... Black circular end tables and... Black and silver egg shaped armchairs of some sort, he... Really, the world was just moving far too much for him to clearly make anything out.... Was that a jukebox? Ikenna raised an eyebrow on noting a purple and black jukebox on the opposite side of the room, directly next to a black bookcase and another of those odd, egg shaped chairs... Well... Wherever this is, at least it looks clean, he thought absentmindedly, his eyelids drifting half-closed, his unfocused gaze set on the black ceiling.

--“To save that son of yours, you’re willing to sacrifice one of his best friends. That monster friend of his. What does that make you?”—

Ikenna let out a small agitated moan at that obnoxious voice invading his thoughts, the foggy memory of Arlo Tuoni and his smug, haughty remarks, his... What does he know? Fool. I... The man let his thoughts trail and he forced the image of the large, burly demon from his mind. He really did not feel like contemplating the bastard’s words at the moment. He hardly felt like existing.

--“...It’s interesting. You claim to care so dearly for your son, yet you care nothing for his wishes. That really is interesting, don’t you think? Fascinating indeed, sir.”—

Of course and then there was that. Aevik Kaine... Ikenna slowly raised his right hand to his throbbing head, placing that lean hand on his forehead, suppressing a wince. The Letrum Venator, so... Condescending and arrogant... The red-head’s lips formed an angry frown and he let out a troubled breath, pressing his hand against his aching head just a bit firmer. He... He could have brought Malba back, he could have... He had him right there and he... A fresh wave of concern abruptly washed over the man and he clenched his left fist, barely noting the dull pain in the palm of his hand and the tips of his fingers. Hadn’t he cut it on a broken liquor glass? His memory was little vague and he honestly couldn’t care less, regardless. Yes, I broke a glass and then... Oh. I Stabbed Arlo with it as well... That had been rather amusing, actually... It didn’t matter that he had cut his own hand in the process. What did it matter? Why should he care?

No, what he cared about? The fact that his son had been shot and now... Now? No way to know if the stubborn fool was even alive. Not only did he have to worry about how badly Malba had been injured, or how much mental anguish it must have put him through to be shot at that damn base of all places, but... What if he bleeds too much? What if he couldn’t get to Kopaka, what if he couldn’t get the bleeding stopped? Not only did he risk bleeding to death, but he... He...

Ikenna clenched his left fist fighter, digging his sharp nails into his cut palm, drawing blood. On noting the red liquid slowly seeping from his wounded hand, he only dug his nails in deeper. Fool... Fool!

If not for Aevik Kaine, he... And who knows what the bastard did to Malba before he let him go... What he said or did... He knew the Letrum Venator still held a grudge, still blamed Malba for things, and he... I really... I do pity you, Kaine, but you... He had no right to let his son... Let his son go, to... Possibly hurt him, to...To barge into his office and accuse him of such... Such...

--“...It’s interesting. You claim to care so dearly for your son, yet you care nothing for his wishes. That really is interesting, don’t you think? Fascinating indeed, sir...”--

He dared question his love for his own son? That... It had angered him so very much... To... He really shouldn’t have used his ability on the man, he knew that, but he... I couldn’t control myself... Not that he felt guilty for doing it to the Letrum Venator. Well. Not really. He... It... Ikenna’s frown deepened and he closed his eyes for a moment, attempting to force the image of the blonde Hunter’s slumped over body on his office floor from his thoughts. He didn’t care. He didn’t. He should have... I should have finished him. Fool, the lean redhead thought, pressing his right hand firmly against his forehead, almost painfully so.

--“...a broken, hollow tool for our worthless government, you say? Yes, I suppose that is quite accurate. And you sir? Are a pompous fool, so busy worrying about your son’s ‘well being’ that you entirely forget to care for what he truly needs. Though that’s just the opinion of a soulless pawn, sir...”--

Yes... He really should have just killed him outright. Bastard. He... He didn’t care if the man suffered, if he... He should live... Not that I care...

“Well, well. Look who lives. I’m kind of surprised,” a light voice cut into Ikenna’s thoughts and he slowly pulled his gaze away from the black ceiling, noting Nia standing in a doorway located on the opposite side of the narrow room. On closer inspection, there were actually three doorways, this one being the middle, situated in about the center of the long room. The door the silver haired elemental leaned casually against was made of clear glass and as the redhead forced himself to focus; he vaguely made out a bedroom lying beyond that glass. Not that he was going to bother focusing on it too much, as his head... Was still a bit too fuzzy... From what he could make out, the room was decorated in neutral colors, fancy but not overly so... It... Ngh... Damn headache... He really just didn’t feel like focusing on the bedroom behind the clear door.

He instead turned his attention back to Nia, taking a quick look over the man. His long, lean body positioned casually against the glass door, his arms crossed about his chest and a small smile on his lips. The elemental had changed clothes, no longer wearing a magenta top and dark-blue colored jeans, but now dressed in black jeans and a long sleeved black top. A black top... With an odd green and white design running throughout the shirt. It... Well, sort of looked like a heart monitor gone haywire... Or something... Something equally dizzying. Ikenna turned his gaze back to the ceiling, deciding the man’s shirt was a little too much to look at right at the moment.

“Alive? ...Unfortunately...” He finally responded, closing his red eyes, taking in a weary breath. His head felt as if it were going to burst open at any moment, his slender body throbbing, aching, and he... He was still so very tired. Not that sleep was an option. Ugh... I’m never sleeping again... Damned dreams... “Where... Where are we?” he then questioned, opening his eyes to meet Nia’s black gaze.

“My apartment,” the man stated with a blink, as if the answer should have been obvious. Though now that Ikenna thought about it... It indeed should have been obvious, just by the dark, edgy décor of the long, narrow room.

“The bathroom’s over there by the way, in case you have to yak. That carpet’s expensive you know, so don’t get sick in here,” the silver haired elemental commented wryly, pointing to another clear glass door, further up the long room, near... Oh, a computer and a sleek black desk. He hadn’t noticed that before... Nor had he noticed the black file cabinet or the additional bookshelf. It seemed to be a mini-office of some sort... Wait... The bathroom has a glass door? Ikenna raised an eyebrow at this as he focused on the clear door to the bathroom located near the makeshift office, but a hint of a smile formed on his lips. It somehow didn’t surprise him, knowing Nia and his... Outgoing, laidback nature. “I’m not going to get sick,” he then stated with a roll of his eyes, slowly moving to sit up, stifling a small grimace. “I handle my liquor quite well, thank you very much,” he added, his voice taking on a hint of an indignant tone.

Nia grinned at this, amusement playing in his black eyes. “Obviously. Most people would be in a coma after drinking as much as you did last night,” the elemental commented with a dry laugh, moving away from the glass bedroom door to sit in a black and silver armchair directly across from the couch. “You really are a lush.”

The red haired man rolled his eyes at this, moving his gaze down to his left hand, noting the small amount of sticky, drying blood staining his palm. He then sighed, pulling his gaze back to the elemental sitting across from him. “A lush? I thought that was rather obvious by now, Nia,” he remarked dryly, his smooth voice flat. “...How did I get here, by the way?” Ikenna then inquired with a frown, trying --and failing miserably-- to remember.

The silver haired man shrugged his shoulders, a look of amusement playing on his thin, attractive face, his lips forming a smile. “Carried you up here,” he stated evenly, his voice holding a tint of mischievousness. “Not to say it wasn’t fun watching you drool all over my bar, but I was starting to feel a little sorry for you,” he then stated, a full grin replacing his small smile.

“Ugh...” was Ikenna’s only response, closing his eyes, a hint of embarrassment briefly playing across his pale facial features. “...Was I really drooling?” he finally inquired after a few moments of silence, his voice flat. I can’t believe I slept on the damn bar... Think of the germs... he then thought, letting out a weary, agitated sigh.

“Afraid so,” the silver haired sprite replied with a laugh, his black eyes practically sparkling with amusement. “You were scaring the customers,” he added, his smirk not lessening.

“What customers? Started serving imaginary customers, have you?” Ikenna questioned tonelessly, a slender, arched eyebrow rising at Nia’s comment. Now he’s just being an ass...

The elemental laughed again, shaking his head. “Okay, you’ve pretty much got me there,” he admitted, winking a black eye at the redhead. “The place was pretty much dead, as usual. Just a few quick customers. They weren’t real interested in buying booze, if you get what I’m saying,” Nia then commented, his tone light and teasing.

Ikenna rolled his eyes, yet couldn’t help but smile a bit at the man’s statement. He... The elemental really was refreshing to be around. What with the lack of terror or disgust he seems to feel for me... he thought dryly, closing his blood-red eyes for a moment, gingerly rubbing his aching forehead. Not that he’d blame the elemental if he were terrified of him. People are right to hate me, Ikenna thought, a hint of a wry smile briefly gracing his dark, lipstick painted lips. “So... Where exactly is your apartment, anyway? Over the bar?” he inquired, his flat voice quiet, his eyes opening to again glance about the large, narrow room.

Funny, for a man who supposedly ran a ‘dive,’ his apartment sure was nice... Can’t imagine why, he thought sardonically, another hint of a smile forming on his lips. Could it be the drugs? Hm... No, of course not...

“Yeah. You know those stairs out near the front entrance. That would be where those lead. Here,” Nia responded, amusement again tinting his pleasant, light voice. “Lucky for me, you’re like a stick. If you’d been heavy, I’d have just left you on the bar,” he then stated teasingly, absentmindedly brushing a few strands of long, silvery hair away from his lean face. “So, do you ever eat or what?” Nia inquired, glancing over the slender redhead, his smile somewhat fading, a thin eyebrow rising.

“What, are you my mother now?” Ikenna retorted in response, a frown forming on his lips. I’m not that thin... Fool. The red haired man then let out a sigh, his head lowering as a fresh wave of sharp pain ripped through his temples, the room’s steady spin seeming to pick up pace, spinning faster and faster... “Ngh. What time is it, anyway?” he inquired softly, carefully massaging his throbbing head with slender fingers.

“Well. Past time for that meeting of yours. I couldn’t get you to wake up, and I figured it probably wouldn’t be such a great idea for you to show up at some big Council meeting plastered anyway,” Nia commented, his black gaze carefully set on the redhead.

Meeting? What m-...Oh... He had entirely forgotten. “Fuck,” he mumbled quietly, closing his eyes a bit tighter. “I suppose I’m in trouble now,” he then stated with a dry laugh, honestly unable to work up enough energy to give a damn. “Make that ‘more’ trouble. All well. It isn’t the first meeting I’ve skipped out on. Won’t be the last either,” he then stated, sitting back up, running a hand through his short blood-red hair, mussed by sleeping on a bar and a couch... Damn, my head... Ngh.

Nia remained in silence for a moment, a troubled look briefly washing over his pale, attractive features. “...How much trouble? That Tuoni seems like a real dick and I’m guessing he’s not the only one on the Council with a personality problem, right?” he inquired, moving to reach a hand into a black jean pocket, pulling out his crumpled pack of cigarettes and small, faded green lighter.

“I believe the entire Council has a serious personality problem, myself included,” Ikenna remarked, dodging the elemental’s real question. What good would it do to worry the man? Why he would worry I haven’t a clue, but still... He wasn’t sure why Nia seemed to not dislike him. Ikenna wasn’t used to having someone that didn’t pretty much openly detest him. Perhaps that was the real reason he kept coming to the Pullus Fragmen. He could drink at any bar, or hell, his office, but... At least the quirky bartender/drug-dealer could hold a decent conversation.

“You didn’t answer my question,” Nia pointed out, his frown returning as he lit a cigarette, taking in a large draw of smoke. He then stuffed the cigarette pack and lighter back into a jean pocket, his eyes never leaving the redhead. “How much trouble?” he inquired again, and it was apparent by the tone in his voice that the man wasn’t going to let the question go unanswered.

Ikenna smiled at the elemental’s stubbornness, closing his weary red eyes, contemplating how to respond. “Honestly? It’s hard to tell. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. I’ve had to deal with those fools for quite some time now. I can take care of myself, I assure you,” he finally stated evenly, opening his blurred eyes to meet the elemental’s dark gaze. I’m sure they are already angry to begin with over the ‘incident’ at the base, so now they’ll be even angrier. Wonderful... He really wasn’t looking forward to having to meet with the bastards... “Plus if I’m not mistaken, I believe you put Arlo out of commission, so I suppose I wasn’t the only one to miss the meeting, right?” he then added, a hint of amusement entering his silky-smooth voice. Drugged him... Arlo will be thrilled, I’m sure.

“Take care of yourself, huh? Says the guy who was drooling all over my bar,” Nia quipped in response, a small smile replacing his frown. The man took in another breath of nicotine, shaking his head. “To think. Not only were you hanging out at a drug dealer’s bar, but now, Councilman Nuiwa, you were sleeping in a drug dealer’s living room. Just think of the rumors that could be spread,” the man commented mischievously, exhaling a puff of smoke. “Heh.”

Ikenna didn’t even dignify that with a response, merely letting out an exasperated sigh. Fool... He then took in a sharp breath, resisting the urge to lie back as another sharp pain shot through his head, his lips forming a frown as he fought down a grimace. He... Really... He was so weary.

“Headache?” Nia inquired with a small sympathetic smile, his vivid black eyes focused on the red haired man. Ikenna merely let out a low groan in response and Nia’s smile widened. “I’m guessing that’s a yes.”

“Good guess,” the slender man retorted flatly, opening his eyes to give the tall, lean elemental an annoyed look. “Ugh...”

“Well. What did you expect? I’m surprised you’re not still out,” the silver haired man quipped, amusement shining in those dark eyes.

“Drink as long as I have and you’ll be surprised how much you can tolerate,” Ikenna responded with a sigh, again closing his eyes, his slender hand still pressed against his head.

“And exactly how long have you been drinking, Councilman Nuiwa?” the sprite inquired teasingly, a small smile on his lips as he took another drag off of the cigarette held in his right hand.

How long... “Nine hundred and sixteen years,” he responded matter-of-factly, not opening his red eyes. Of course over the years he had taken to drinking more (particularly within the last couple of centuries) but he... Alcohol had become one of his few escapes long ago. Though sadly, that’s not even working anymore... he thought with a deep, weary intake of air, closing his eyes tighter.

“That exact?” Nia inquired, raising an eyebrow. “You can count it to the year?” he questioned, a bit of amusement entering his light voice.

“Want me to count it down to the actual day?” Ikenna quipped dryly, lightly shrugging his shoulders. “I told you I’m a lush. I meant it,” he added with a small bitter smile. “I’ve been drinking for quite some time. I’ve gotten used to the hangovers. It’s still unpleasant, but it’s nothing I don’t deserve,” he stated, opening his eyes to give the elemental a hint of a smirk.

Nia remained in silence for a moment, a pensive frown forming on his lips, his gaze moving to cigarette held in his right hand. “So... Who’s Coelia?” he finally inquired, his black eyes focused on the thin trail of smoke drifting from his lit cigarette.

Ikenna’s eyes momentarily widened at the elemental’s sudden question, his gaze moving to take in the silver haired man and his troubled expression. “...Coelia?” he inquired, a hint of unease entering his smooth voice. Coelia... I... Why... Why would Nia ask that? Unless...

“You... You were kind of talking in your sleep a little,” the elemental stated after a moment of pause, his voice low, quiet.

“I see,” the slender, weary man stated flatly, a sigh escaping his lips. He moved his gaze about the room, his red eyes briefly focusing on the windows lining the outer walls, bright sunlight spilling through the black curtains... Too bright... “What did I say?” he inquired softly, his voice flat, toneless. Fool... he thought, clenching his fists tightly. Yet another reason I should never sleep, I suppose... Not only do I apparently drool, but I talk in my sleep as well. How dignified.

“I don’t know. Just the name a few times. You sounded kind of sad, so I was just curious. Didn’t mean to bring up a touchy subject or anything,” Nia remarked slowly, his voice taking on a tint of an apologetic tone. He then took in another deep breath of smoke, drawing that nicotine into his lungs.

“...It’s alright. Coelia was Malba’s mother,” Ikenna stated, his red gaze still focused on the bright sunlight spilling into the black, moody room. It... He really hated sunlight... He much preferred the cool, shadowy murkiness of late nights. The sunlight... The sunlight was simply far too bright.

“Was?” the silver haired elemental inquired, a frown on his lips.

“Died. Nine hundred and sixteen years ago,” the redhead commented, finally pulling his focus away from the blindingly bright light shining through the windows, turning his attention back to Nia, meeting his dark gaze. “The day I started drinking,” he added wryly, a bitter smile forming on his lips. I... I was such a fool... And I suppose I still am... God how he wished for just a moment of dreamless sleep...

“...Sorry I brought it up,” the sprite stated with an apologetic smile, his light voice taking on a tint of self-reproach.

“Bartenders are supposed to be nosy, it’s fine,” Ikenna quipped in response, his voice smooth, level. “Don’t worry about it, Nia.”

“Surprisingly, I’m usually not that nosy,” the silver haired man remarked with a smirk. “Somehow you just kind of intrigue me, Councilman Nuiwa,” he added with a shake of his head, sending loose locks of hair swishing about his face, framing his thin, pale features.

Ikenna raised an eyebrow at this, a questioning look appearing on his weary face. Intriguing? Why would the elemental find him intriguing? “What could you possibly find intriguing about a cold, foolish lush?” the redhead questioned, his silky voice taking on a slight tint of cynical humor. “And would you please stop calling me that? That’s even worse than sir,” he went on to state, rolling his eyes. Councilman Nuiwa... God I hate that title... He was pretty damn sure that Nia knew full well that he detested being called that, too. He’s just doing it to be an annoying ass... the slender man thought irritably, though a hint of a smile remained on his lips. Foolish sprite...

“I don’t know. I think it’s because you’re not what I expected you to be when you first came barging into the bar a couple of months ago, like you owned the damn place,” the silver haired elemental commented after a moment of thoughtful silence, his light, pleasant voice again taking on an amused pitch. “It took me a minute to recognize you, but when I finally did, I about had a heart attack,” he admitted with a laugh, moving to stub his cigarette out in a petite black ashtray situated on a nearby circular end table.

“And what did you expect me to be?” the Councilman asked with a hint of curiosity, his blood-red eyes moving to meet Nia’s black gaze. He was fairly certain that he already knew the answer, though for some reason he was interested in what the man’s response would be.

“Well. You are the soulfire-vampire, Ikenna. You don’t have the greatest reputation,” the elemental responded frankly, a small smirk on his lips. “I just assumed the rumors were true,” he confessed with a shrug, again shaking his head, sending his waist-length silver hair swishing about a bit. His long, iridescent locks shining in the bright sunlight, almost glittering, opalescent and so... So very bright. Though unlike the harsh light shining through the windows, this... This wasn’t an entirely unpleasant sight. Bright, but... Not overpowering. Not...

Ikenna blinked, dragging his attention away from the man’s hair, again meeting Nia’s black eyes with his own blood-red gaze. “You assumed the ‘rumors’ were true? And whatever makes you think they aren’t true now?” the redhead inquired flatly, raising a slim eyebrow. Rumors? I’d say a good portion of those ‘rumors’ he’s heard about me are true, he thought, continuing to watch the elemental, taking in his black eyes and the smile playing on his slender lips. Well... All true, except for the rumors those damn tabloids are always starting... he amended, feeling a wave of disgust at the thought. “Well? What makes you think they are merely rumors now?”

Nia laughed at the question, his smile widening. “Why I don’t believe the rumors... Hm... Because you drool and talk in your sleep. That’s why,” the sprite stated teasingly, winking an eye at the slender, red haired man.

“Fool,” Ikenna grumbled irritably, closing his weary eyes, moving to rub at his temples once more with thin, lithe fingers. What a fool...

“Heh. Look, why don’t you go wash your face or something and try to wake up a little more, and I’ll fix you something for that headache,” Nia suggested after a moment of silence, moving to stand from his sitting position on the egg shaped chair. The tall, lean sprite then stretched his shoulders, his black gaze moving towards the clear door located at the opposite end of the long room, nearest the large TV. “Kitchen’s in there. I’ll fix something that’ll kill that hangover of yours, promise,” he then stated with a grin, again winking a black eye at the redhead.

Ikenna cast a suspicious look to the man, a frown forming on his lips. “Would this ‘something’ happen to include any of your special products?” he questioned, raising an eyebrow as he met the sprite’s amused gaze.

“Possibly,” Nia responded cheerfully with a nod of his head, his grin widening. “It’ll help. Trust me,” he added, his tone taking on a more serious tint. “I won’t poison you.”

“Hm. So you say...” the redhead responded with a wry smile, his tone dry. “Fine, but if I drop dead, I’m holding you responsible,” he then stated, wincing as a sharp ache coursed through his skull, hot pain erupting behind his eyes, in his temples, in... Well. Pretty much his whole head –no, make that whole body-- felt as if it were about to explode. Or possibly implode. Ikenna wasn’t entirely sure which. Ngh. Is it possible to explode and implode at the same time? ...Probably not... he thought with a pained sigh, closing his eyes for a moment.

“I’d say you can use my shower and borrow a change of clothes, but I really doubt anything of mine would fit you,” the silver haired elemental then commented thoughtfully, casting a glance over the redhead’s slender, small frame. “Plus, I probably don’t have anything depressing enough for your taste,” he added teasingly, his gaze focusing on the man’s rumpled black tunic and black pants, his red waistband and black boots, trimmed with red... Ikenna cast a glance down at his clothes and slender body, a frown on his lips. “Again I say, I’m not that thin. And exactly what is wrong with my clothes? What do you mean, depressing?” he inquired irritably, his gaze moving back to Nia. What had the elemental meant by that? Depressing? What’s wrong with red and black? He... He liked red and black.

“...Heh... Nothing. Not a thing,” was Nia’s response, obviously forcing back a laugh, his black eyes sparkling with amusement. “It completely suits you,” he then stated, placing a hand on his lean hip, his voice light, teasing. “Completely.”

“...And what does that mean?” Ikenna retorted, a red eyebrow twitching at the silver haired sprite’s teasing smirk and amused eyes.

Nia couldn’t quite hold back a laugh at this, his lips twitching and his face holding a look of entertainment, obviously thoroughly enjoying the irritated expression playing on Ikenna’s pale, weary face. “Don’t get mad, Councilman, sir. It’ll make your headache worse,” he finally commented, his laughter dying, though his amusement certainly not lessening.

“Idiot,” Ikenna muttered softly, faintly shaking his head, though he couldn’t quite fight the small smile threatening to form on his lips. He finally gave in to his traitorous mouth and let the smile form, casting a hint of an amused look at the silver haired elemental. He really is an annoying ass. Though it’s... It’s not such a bad trait... Not really... he thought, his smile weary, but... Entirely genuine.

“Wow, a legitimate, real smile? Without that whole bitter, angstful look? Heh. That’s better. You look better when you don’t have that ‘my puppy just got ran over’ look on your face. You’ve got a nice smile. Somehow I bet you don’t let many people see it though, right?” the sprite inquired lightly, pulling his hand away from his hip, instead moving to cross his arms about his chest as he continued to meet the redhead’s gaze.

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