Past Ghosts

[Continuation of MisMatched Pair]

For the last few moments, Van's lips would purse as he blowed a melody through them just as they emerged onto the green once again. Time churned quickly before they reached the fences of premises Van seemed to enter freely, rather silently. He stood once he caught sight of a woman just a few feet away, gesturing for Blue to wait as he slowly approached her. Unaware, the fair maiden with her chestnut brown hair that flowed to her mid back continued to level a bucket of water from the Well before Van stood solemnly with a muffled sound that announced his presence. She paused for a moment, turning to look over her shoulder, confused. Blue eyes registering as they stared open wide. "ello Emma." Van began. Her thin, labor marked fingers loosened from the rope and folded back to her chest as she timidly struggled to confirm that it was him. Her feet carried her to a spring and arms throwing around the Barbarian Prince in embrace, whereas he placed a hand over the back of her shoulder, lowering his head.

Blue observed the interaction with genuine curiosity before blinking at the odd behavior of the woman. Blue had almost stepped in to stop her as she noticed that the woman had lunged herself at Van before she recalled Van's gentle chide of not being quick to judge. It was good that she remembered as the woman had no ill-intentions and Blue was silent as she waited in the spot Van left her at, being only an audience to the scene that played before her. Blue wondered what they were doing but she would not interrupt their moment.

The moment would last for a good five moments, mostly Emma's being shaken as she silently wept onto her acquaintance's chest before while he thought of the next few words to say. Emma Rain, his childhood friend and a long time companion Van had knew through his hardship. Also his supposed betrothed, until Furiyen's existence came into play and his absence for three years obligated either of them to break the promise. Emma had ended up marrying another man, one Van too recognized as friend, though naturally find it unsettling that he was the one to gain the bounty of a promise that was made twenty five years ago. But then again, he would be arrogant to have it otherwise. Emma had feared to age or die - without a companion her life. Ironically, Van would gain news of his death, though never return as his supposed responsibilities kept him at bay. He looked over his shoulder at Blue, noting that she had taken their time and decided that to move on. "'eard he died. Sarry." Van spoke, before he stepped back to watch Emma sniff and wipe the tears away from her eyes nodding before she took note of Blue. In that instant, she put on a smile. "Friend?" She asked. "Roigh. Meet Blue. Blue, dis bi Emma. We'll bi stayin ova fer a couple o' days."

Blue looked to Van as he remembered that she was there, merely staring at them silently and allowing them their moment before they pulled away from one another and the other woman collected herself. Blue glanced to Van momentarily as he introduced the brunette before looking to Emma. Blue merely sized the woman up, scrutinizing her. It was habit to calculate strangers. So this was the person he spoke of and this was the place they were going to reside at for a couple of days as Blue's eyes deviated from the brunette after absorbing any information she could from her, the way she held herself, her mannerisms of speech, etc. This part of the country appeared... primitive. But if it would allow them a roof over their heads and perhaps a meal, it was more than adequate.

Emma didn't seem to mind Blue's inspective nature, rather uttered the name Blue with a soft grin before she turned to lift a sheet off of a tray and presented a set of apples with hints of water, the fruits being washed. "Picked directly from the trees and as sweet as they can." She winked. Van would come over to reach for the apple before she slapped his hand away. "Wha?!" "You're not a guest. Plus, you never spoke my last name!"

Blue's attention was drawn back to Emma as the woman presented a set of apples to them. Or to her as she watched as Emma chided Van for attempting to take that which was not offered to him. Blue blinked and lowered her eyes to the tantalizing apples before reaching out to take one. "Thank you," she stated softly, wiping some of the droplets of water off of the fruit before sinking her teeth into it and taking a small bite, curious as to the flavor since it appeared to be purely organic. The small blush that blossomed across her cheeks spoke of her opinion on it and Blue stared at the delicious fruit before noting that the other two were watching. Blue stared at them before feeling awkward and pushing the bitten apple into Van's hands. "You can have it," she announced and turned away.

"Great!" Van bursted with obvious satisfaction, taking the fruit for granted before he would gape for the thing. His jaws would slam hard, supposedly for a grand bite until a hand came and snatched it away from him. Eyes opened and stared timidly at the persistent Emma as she gently took the apple in hand before she coaxed Blue to reclaim hers. "Please." She gestured. "I promise you'll enjoy dinner. Just patiently eat these for now. Have as many as you want."

Blue glanced to Emma as she persisted that Blue eat the fruit that was being offered. Blue stared at the woman before glancing to the apple and reluctantly taking it. "Alright," Blue responded. "I'll eat this one but I don't have a large appetite. You should offer the apples to someone who does so that they don't go to waste," Blue stated before resuming to eating the initial apple she had been given. It would be enough to quench her hunger until dinner time while she remained oblivious to Van's predicament.

"Oh. I will when I find him." Emma said, shifting from side to side as Van had crept up from behind and launched several outstretched arms to snatch for one only to miserably fail,even as she stepped away, taking one apple and a bite from it. "Van. Do kindly show her around." She spoke casually, as Van stared after her....

Blue watched Van's peculiar behavior while Emma stepped away and insisted that Van show her around the abode that they were going to be residing in for a couple of days. Blue took another bite of her apple before glancing to Van curiously, quirking a brow as she chewed and savored the sweet flavor before swallowing. "What's wrong?" She asked since he did not appear content at the moment.

"Nawthin." Van said, sighing as his upper body lowered to an extent of a misery Van could not emphasize any better. "Absolutely nawthin."

Blue blinked before frowning. "Liar," she stated since his body language obviously betrayed his words. She did not understand why people persisted to lie. Either or, Blue turned and began to walk away in order to explore the new area and abode. She needed something to pass the time.

"Ya do realize A was jestin'!" He yelled from the distance before he followed her. "'ere. A'll show ya aroun'. Work gins in da morrow..." Nightfall would eventually come when Van had concluded the types of activities that would be involved within the ranch. "Aight." Van said, stroking the horse's head "Let's git goin." The two would eventually come up to the entrance of Emma robust, Van freely turning the knob before stepping inside into the light, revealing a table Van almost knew he'd never see served to him ever again. Beyond it did Emma turn and smile towards them, wiping her hands with a napkin. "I was about to call you." She said, grinning before she frowned and kicked a chair from beneath Van's hips, causing him to fall from the floor. "Ehm!" She snapped, glaring. "Guest?!" "gah!" Van stood at that instant, pulling Blue to a seat at one sight to a table before he would pull his own before she he would his rear at the floor again. "Serve." Emma followed suit. Resentfully, the man would curse as he filled Blue's plate food, including a fat piece of turkey before he would fall again. "The mistress of the house." He would curse louder, before he would glare at Emma after having serving her as she, with a smile of satisfaction took her own seat. "Oh -" "WHAT?!" "Drinks."

Blue was a good student, listening and jotting down mental notes as Van explained to her the activities that they would be participating in while they resided here, earning their share. Eventually, they found themselves back to Emma's home where Blue could only be a victim of their childish quarreling as she was made to sit by Van and watched as Emma forced him to literally be their servant, merely because Blue was considered the guest. Had Van lived here? Was this his home? Why was he not a guest as Blue watched Van get led around by Emma. It made Blue feel awkward to be catered to as it was not like Van was obligated to do so. "Emma, I can get my own drink," Blue stated, moving to take a stand.

"That is so sweet!" Emma smiled brightly, tilting her head cheerfully as she clapped her hand. "Too bad VAN doesn't share your manners." She said, immune to the beastly roar that resonated from Van's lungs as he marched to the counter and poured Blue, her and now for himself a cup of the crimson contents. Finally, Emma nodded with satisfaction and Van now sat in peace. "Strawberry juice at its finest."

Blue blinked at Emma's enthusiasm before watching as Van returned with their beverages. Blue sighed gently and took her seat once more since her drink had already been served to her, glancing to the two people. Humans... so... odd at times. Blue lowered her eyes to the hearty meal that had been made for them. Well since Emma had taken the time and effort to make them a nice dinner, may as well follow her rules. Blue would grab her eating utensils, if any, and then quietly indulge upon the tantalizing, home-made meal. She wondered if it was any good as Van's home-made dinners as it tasted delicious so far.

Van would occasionally ravage through his meals if it weren't for a few glares that disciplined his appetites as he chewed on the turkey's meat. He glanced at Blue, thinking of the awkwardness she might feel and decided to explain a few things. "Emma'n Ay bi chil'hood frien's. She taught me everythin' ders ta noe 'bout cookin..Well, forced me ta noe." Van said, pausing through for a mouthful salad, savoring the mix of vinegar, lemon and salt that had his cheeks redden. "So in a way, A'm a bit tew acquainted ta nawt bi a gues'. According to her!" She pointed out, glaring resentfully.

Blue ate at a more moderate pace, as there was no need to hurry and the apple had helped to keep her from devouring it like Van was doing, only controlled by Emma's glares that demanded him to practice self-control. Blue looked to Van as he began to explain to her his connection and relationship with Emma, nodding as that was understandable and made sense. "I see." She was not sure how Van could handle her consist chiding. If it was up to her, Blue would have set Emma in her place long ago but Emma was Van's friend and Emma was directing her hostility toward Van so Blue was docile as she ate contently, setting her fork and knife down once she was sated. "Thank you for the meal, Emma. It was delicious," Blue complimented. "I'll take my plates to the sink if you show me where the kitchen is."

"Naw..!" Van spoke with intervention as he layed back and poked with the simple strand of a wooden that was his tooth pick, pecking out the traces of left over before he quickly made a stand and stepped over to Blue to reach for her plate. "Migh' as well finish what A start'ed. Ya could 'elp in washin da dishes tho." He said, ignoring a look shot towards him from Emma's face. "Migh' as well let'er. She'd feel lef' out." He said, though, the statement was directed to her this time.

Blue looked toward Van as he pronounced his displeasure and then approached her to retrieve her plate. She frowned as she looked up at the man but was pleased to hear she could at least help with the dishes. She took note of Emma's expression and this made her frown again. Emma's commands were keeping Van and Blue at a distance, or at least Blue felt it this way. And she did not like it. "I want to help with the dishes," Blue said firmly, glancing toward Emma before looking back to Van. She was going with Van, whether Emma approved or not.

Emma's brows raised and her head tilted as her expression softened. "Alright. Just don't let him work you too hard." She said, her head lowering to rest against her crossed arms before the plate she never touched. Van took note of that as he picked it up quietly, before preserving the thing with a sheet and placing it over the counter.

"I won't," Blue responded before observing Van quietly, waiting for him to gather Emma's plate. Blue would follow him, oblivious to Emma's unusual behavior simply because she had only known the woman for a couple of hours. Perhaps Emma just did not have an appetite and that was not unusual or not something Blue would question like Van might. Blue would then enter the kitchen after grabbing her own plate and turn on the sink so that she could prepare to help wash the dirty dishes.

Van would quietly help with soaking the dishes in white foams of bubbly soap before he conveyed them for Blue to rinse and double check, covering his mouth occasionally for a burp or two , suggesting that he had eaten at a pace faster then what Emma had liked to suppress. Meanwhile, the woman slept.

Blue glanced to Van while she rinsed the dishes off and dried them with a cloth before placing them away. "You're quiet," she stated, lowering her eyes back to another foamy plate that had been given to her as she rinsed off the soap and dried it off. The silence that loomed over them was unusual, aside from his occasional burping. "Is something on your mind?" She asked as they finished, drying her hands off and raising her eyes up to him.

Van sighed, rubbing the back of his head as he weighed his options to that question. He could stay silent the rest of the night rather then lie, but he wouldn't want to disturb Blue or have her feel awkward any more then she already might have. "Alotta thin's, ta bi precise." He answered simply, gently approaching Emma before he adjusted her to the point where he would lift her from her seat and onto his He gestured for Blue to follow, finding the door to her private chambers open before. He laid her down over the bed, before he gestured for their leave, leaning against the door as he gently closed it behind him.

Blue blinked and pondered whether to pursue the question any further or leave it at that. She would follow as Van carried the sleeping Emma to her bed, gazing at the fair woman before they took their leave. The young woman was curious as she tried to refrain from prodding at Van at what exactly was bothering him. If he had wanted to tell her, he would have the first time she had asked him. Perhaps he did not wish to discuss it. "Where are we to rest?" She decided to ask instead as Blue gazed at him quietly.

Van smiled meekly at Blue's sudden change of subject, understanding the reasons behind such a shift. He would appreciate whatever understanding she'd have to contribute, and for that, he passively reached for her head and affectionately patted it before he walked past her and gestured to follow. "A'll tell ya all 'bout it. Sewn." Van spoke in a soft promise as he opened the door at the end of the corridor upstairs. The shift of the wooden passage unveiled a descent bed enough for two, and the fitting facilities old man lacked at his abode. Van would disappear for a moment to bring up their luggage, including Furiyen whom both hadn't looked at throughout the entire trip. Though the blade seemed to be asleep. Van would walk to lean his back against the wall, before sliding to a seat next to the bed. Perhaps - being used to this form of sleeping.

Blue's eyes closed contently as Van patted her head before she would follow him as he lead them toward the room which they would reside that. She would hold him to his promise. She entered the room and moved to take a seat on the bed while Van disappeared momentarily to bring up their luggage, finally taking note of Furiyen who appeared to have fallen asleep. Blue sometimes forgot Van even possessed such a weapon even though it certainly was unique before she watched Van take a seat at the wall nearest to the bed. "You like sleeping on the floor, huh?" She asked as she moved to tuck herself beneath the bed sheets and lay her head back down on the pillow. Tomorrow would soon come and filled with activities. It would be best to get some rest before then.

"Naw. Jus' a bad habbit A picked frem gramps. Ya make ye'rself tew comfortable and ya might start livin' lazy." Van said, leaning his head back to the point where he rested his full weight against the core of his skull.

Blue nodded, yawning. "You'll have to tell me more about yourself one day," she murmured before she would allow her eyes to close and eventually doze of. The hours would pass until it wasn't more than an hour before dawn. And the bed in their chamber would be revealed to be empty, the sheets pushed aside to hint that the occupant had abandoned it for an uncertain period of time. Blue would not return by the time Van would wake and her activities were left for only her to know as she wandered the premises.

Having acknowledged that notion, Van gently bring himself to a stand. Even if she were absent, whatever was the case, it would never mean anything near chaotic as it was back in Nede - or atl east he believed so. Reassured by that notion, Van would slowly and gently seek out Blue, suppressing hints of his wake as much as he could as he had hoped to be able to observe her without being spotted first. While doing so, he made sure that his stealthy manner wasn't so obvious.

The animals of the barn shifted in apprehension as an aura disturbed them, making them nervous. Blue sat the darkest corner, a hand pressed to her contorted expression as memories came to haunt her. "Tell me what God is like. "How God is like? Hmm, well... He is kind and just." Liar.. "You can consider him a friend, a sibling, or a lover." Liar. "He is there when you need him and he listens to you." Blue clenched her eyes shut. But this was her mother speaking, her mother wasn't a liar. She couldn't be a liar. "God is wonderful..." Blue lowered her hand and brought the blade of her dagger to the palm where she would run the blade across, blood oozing from the fresh wound. "God cries because I can't." Blue murmured to herself, confused. Her mother told her God was wonderful. Was this true? Blue turned her palm around so that it faced the ground, to see if her blood would drip but the wound was already beginning to heal. "Does he bleed and feel pain because I can't?" She asked to no one in particular, bringing her damaged hand back to inspect it as she watched flesh repair itself. The cut had served its purpose, feeling the endorphins travel through her circulatory system and relax her. The memories had stopped, for now, as Blue curled her fingers around the dagger. She knew Van had told her not to cut herself again but she could feel herself getting worse, getting edgy. Mother had spoke highly about God. But all Blue wanted to do was make him bleed and she did not know entirely why yet.

Why ever so, however, wouldn't be Blue's next question as she picked up the silent approach of a presence that decided to declare itself and the possibility that he had witnessed the self inflection, but he did not offer much emphasis in regards to that. Brushing his hand against the mare in assurance as he walked, Van would end up taking a seat next to her, his crimson eyes giving off that calm radiance as he moved into the darkness before completing the endeavor. He would be silent, before he spoke. "Take ye'r time." Van suggested softly. "Ye can always tell me whats on ye'r head tew ya know."

Blue's gaze rose as she noticed a presence approaching, her eyes narrowing momentarily as she wondered who it was before relaxing as she saw that it was Van. She gazed at him as he came to take a seat beside her, his presence soothing as it calmed her. She stared at him, curious as to why he had come before he spoke. Blue blinked before looking back to the dagger in her hand. "Just God," she stated simply. "I'm mad at him and I don't know why. Like there still something missing in my memories that could hold the answer but it's still beyond my reach." She sighed softly. "I suppose I should just appreciate that I have a majority of my memories back."

"Well. When'eva a man declares somethin' personal with da One'up stairs, it bi usually cuz of an ungranted wish or simply sumthin' ye'd hope fer Him ta inta'vene." Van said, scratching the back of his scalp.

Blue would glance toward him. "So do you believe in God?" She asked curiously, staring at him intently.

Van's hands would lift and fold over his knees as he lowered his head. "A've picked up da notion that it bi stupid ta blame 'ope, a'least, A believe so." He declared, carefully, trying to express his thoughts as best as he could. "Wheneva A drew sumthin in ma head, A found dat destin'y had sumthin bigga fer me. Wheneva thin''s turned fer da worst, A jus' thanked that it could've neva been eva more, and dat sumthin's greater is waitin' fer me." He paused, heaving a small sigh. "Or sumthin did come in its place - maybe A neva realized it."

Blue blinked as she listened to him before lowering her eyes again. "Hmm, I see." She stated softly before she moved to tuck the dagger away and then lean against him momentarily while peering up at him. "Life is complicating, eh?" She asked, though she did not expect an answer as she soon rose and brushed herself off. "Well, some questions never get an answer so I suppose there is no need to fret over it. If the answer comes, it comes. If not, it doesn't." She turned to him. "What matters is the present and I do believe we have work to do."

Van would smile in that regards, bending forward, intending to make display of an enthusiastic stand before the jump backfired on him as he laid down back and covered his face when something seemed to bother his eyes enough to crease his face in anguish. Blue would be assured that he had never hit anything, nor did it seem to be anything minor as a drop of a blood stained the grass.

Blue's attention was draw back to him as she noticed his discomfort, turning to look at him as he covered his face. "Van? Are you alright?" There was no denying that scent of blood as her eyes immediately lowered to the scarlet stain on the grass before looking back to him, coming to kneel beside him. "You're hurt," she stated, reaching out to try to remove his hand. "Let me take a look." She did not know what had caused the injury, she had seen nothing collide with his cranium but the fact of the matter was that he was wounded and bleeding.

Or was he? Van would soften his grip over the face enough to allow Blue to remove them as he heaved, cheeks highlighted with streaks of blood pouring from his eyes instead of tears. The flow had stopped there and Van's face would break in the sweat of one who was relieved of a great pain that was now fading, breathing to reclaim his composure. His eyes shifted to see Blue's reaction.

The sight was unusual. Was this normal for him? Of course, it did not appear normal to have tears of blood and that was certainly blood from the scent as she studied him momentarily before reaching out to wipe away his crimson tears. "Is this... normal?" She asked. She was not sure how to treat this or deal with it. He had been in pain only a moment before. Were those tears of pain or were they literally caused by the pain that could be in his eyes?

"'appens occasionaly, normally after a bad dream." Van said, squinting hard to regain sight through the crimson blur as Blue helped to wipe the streaks away, trying not to sound resentful. "Or somethin's up Furiyen's mind."

"I see," she stated faintly, removing her hand after she had wiped off as much as she could. "Perhaps you should speak with him." She stated, staring at him intently for a moment as her eyes seemed to darken before she would look away. Control... She just needed control as she inhaled deeply, trying to calm the excitement that made her hands quiver. This was Van that was bleeding, not prey. She looked back to him once she felt like she could and touched his cheek. "Just don't push yourself, okay? I can start on the chores if you want to speak with Fury."

Van would reach for an iron handle nailed to the wooden wall and lift himself to a stand, lifting his fist to wipe away the crimson tears, his legs almost giving out beneath him before he adjusted him and gestured to Blue with assurance. "Doubt A'll bi rewarded. Lets jus' get ta work."

Blue gazed intently at him, her fingers twitching. She was not some beast to be ruled by her urges. Besides, Van had told her to behave. "Well alright," she stated. If he collapsed, it would be his own folly so she should not fret over him. It was his choice as she rose her fingers to her lips and licked the tips of them momentarily. Copper taste to them. That would satisfy her for now. It wasn't more than an hour later that Blue was staring at an udder with a blank expression. She could do this. She inhaled deeply and reached out. Only moments later was Blue's lips twitching, wet when she had angled one of the udders wrong and ended up squirting herself in the face with warm milk. "I don't like cows..."

Van would toss his head back and laugh while keeping his hands to his waist, seeming to adore every inconvenience that would occur in Blue's regards. He suppressed it when he noted her reaction, kneeling beside her to take her hands and adjust them, still fighting to control

Blue glowered at him, wiping her face off before Van came to adust her hands and show her once more how to do it. The organ was hard to get a good grip on but she tried anyways. She didn't want to set them back because she was a novice at being a farm hand so she hoped she learned quickly, handling the udders so that they squirted the milk into the bucket beneath them. "It's not nice to laugh at people," she stated, glancing to him as he kneeled beside her.

"Sam'tames it bi accepted be'ween friends, lass." Van spoke, continuing to help with girl's predicament to make sure she got the gist of it before he took a seat next to her. "Tho, come ta think of i'. A've neva seen ye laughin."

"Hmm... I don't laugh, I guess," she responded softly as the bucket began to be filled steadily as Blue worked the udders of the cow that was being cooperative. "There aren't many things I find humorous. And even if I do, I only respond with a smile or a smirk," she stated softly. "There really is not a lot to laugh about, at least not through my perspective. But you are easily amused and so laughing comes natural to you."

"Eh. A suppose dat's somethin' ye'd havta ask Leo 'bout when meet'em again. He seems like a sage ta me." He said, watching Blue's progress. "Or maybe nature'll jus' feed yer instincts 'an day. If so, A can hardly wait."

"You can consider yourself lucky then. Just don't try to steal a laugh like you stole something else from me or I will do more than throw you across a room," she threatened before she stopped once the bucket was half way full. "And maybe I'll ask him next time I see him but probably not either. It's not something that bothers my conscious," she said as she withdrew the bucket from under the farm animal and looked to Van. "I should take this back to the house so that Emma can figure out what to do with it. What other chores do we have to do before we call it a day?"

"Har! We ju's started!" Van swung his arm, exposing a muscle in a gesture that they were hardly done. Their activities ranged from groom the horses, gathering eggs, feeding the animals, gather water from the well and even getting vegetables - in which of course - whatever Van fancied, he'd take eat from before actually fill the basket, something Emma noticed from a window, giggling.

"You sure Emma won't beat you senseless for eating her vegetables before she allows it?" She asked as they picked out the tomatoes, potatoes, corn, and any other vegetables that Emma may be growing in her fields. The manual labor was certainly quite a task but not once did Blue complain as sweat appeared on her forehead before she reached an arm up to wipe it away. The day was passing by and she could only be relieved once the sun began to set, cooling the temperature of the air.

"Noy." Van replied simply, reaching for Blue's basket before he lifted and now shouldered the burden of what was already too much for one man. Though he didn't seem to mind. He grinned. "It bi customary fer da man ta carry out da res' of a 'oman's heavy work. Ye've done great. " He winked.

"Customary but not necessary," she responded, crossing her arms. "You should let me carry my own load next time. I am more than capable of carrying them," she stated with a small sigh. "Well it's almost dark. Should we stop now and head back in? I am hungry and we haven't eaten since lunch...well... I haven't eaten since lunch. You've taken the liberty to feast on any vegetable you saw fit."

"Consider'em ta bi appetizers den, eh?" Van remarked cheerfully with a care free face, turning with the burdens ready to carry the load off towards the house before he noted Emma standing right in font of him with a twitchy brow, apparently having overheard. "Appetizers, Van?" At that, Van broke in sweat. Emma was good in giving Van the look men knew well to fear, but then her expression softened. "i'm sorry, but I haven't prepared anything in the kitchen." She spoke, looking beyond Van's side at Blue. "Dinner will be just an hour later then usual." At that did Van note that chest nut haired maiden was dressed in something that called for occasion. "we'll be having a feast at the towns folk." She said, approaching Blue, stopping midway with obvious excitement. "And I will be singing! Please, do attend!"

Blue blinked as she listened to Van and she took note of Emma's presence before Van ever did until the man turned around to face the irritated woman who had overheard his comment about the appetizers he had indugled upon before dinner time. Blue watched the interaction between them, canting her head before she listened to the announcements. "I see," she stated simply as Emma apologized for the dinner being delayed before she approached her and beseeched her to attend the event that was going to be held that involved Emma singing. "If Van goes, I'll go," Blue responded.

Van smiled meekly beyond the both woman's range of sight before he flicked with a gesture of his head that he'd agree. "Its settled then." Emma spoke in acknowledgment before she stepped aside and waved as continued on, apparently aiming to precede them. "I'm going to help with the feast. A couple of hours would be adequate."

Blue would watch as Emma would depart towards town, canting her head slightly before glancing back to Van. "Emma certainly appears excited at the prospect of being able to sing in town today," Blue noted. "Should we prepare to go into town then? Or is it too soon? She does appear to be going early to help with the feast."

Van would stare after Emma's stride for as long as she would take to disappear into the woods, even as he answered. "Migh' as well take a shower an' a break. Town's nawt far." He spoke without much emphasis, before he shouldered his burdens paced away.

Blue stared at Van and his peculiar behavior when it came to this other woman. Blue glanced in the direction Emma had set off in and frowned momentarily before she would turn to follow Van. "Alright," she stated as the two moved back into the house. Van had still to tell her exactly what kind of relationship he had with the woman. For childhood friends, Emma certainly drew out a more serious and contemplative side of him that Blue rarely saw. "You want to take a shower first or I?" She asked, assuming that there was only one shower in the home as she moved to take a seat in a chair.

Van would indulge her ignorance, pointing out the existence of a shower in Emma's room. Van silently headed for the other accompanied by the thoughts he promised Blue would know. Eventually, the woman would emerge to see Van having finished before, not too long ago as his hair was drenched. Upper body exposed along with the scars embedded upon them. His head low, as his towel hung from over his shoulder, smiling meekly as he noticed Blue made her exit.

Blue blinked, staring at Van as her wet hair clung to her forehead before she pushed it aside. "You didn't tell me there were two showers," Blue stated. Her attire was the opposite of Van. Her upper torso wasn't exposed, having doned on a black button-up shirt, but her bottom torso was from her exposed legs. Thankfully, she did have underwear. "Oh and you still owe me a bra," Blue decided to remind him then and there since she had come across the notion when she had tried to dress only to realize she lacked a part of her undergarments. And just to emphasize, she pointed to her breasts where the signs of lacking a bra was evident. But Blue had no shame, may as well rub it in his face after his act of perversion had been revealed. "Don't forget. Maybe you should buy me one while we're in town."

Van, however, not being his usual self simply responded with a simple 'Aye' of acknowledgment. An answer she wouldn't expect, well, the one of it, at least.

Blue canted her head and stared at him for a moment before she would turn so that she could finish getting dressed. She would pull on a pair of leather pants Old Man had given her and towel dried her hair, combing it into a more orderly fashion. Once done, Blue moved to step aside, leaning against the wall not far from the door as she stared out into the distance and waited for Van to decide when it was appropriate to head into town.

Silence took hold of the moment, before Van eventually lifted his head and gave Blue a stare, wondering how much time he had allowed himself to drift off. Van was well aware of the magnitude of prolonging the idea of secrecy. And with that in mind, he simply sighed, patting the bad in a gesture, inviting her to sit next to him.

Blue looked to Van as he made a motion, blinking but would oblige to his silent request and move to sit beside him. Blue glanced to him, curious of what he desired of her but she was patient as she sat there silently and waited. She didn't have to ask what he wanted. She knew he would tell her eventually.

"Emma'n Ay." Van began, as he leaned over to reach for a drawer to pull it open, seemingly aware of the possesions retained within. From it, he withdrew a book of sorts, sealed with a lock ornate with a brass keyhole. "We were swee'hear's in da pas', back in da tame of da village. Pre'iest woman born in da lot, mos' beau'ful maiden grown. An' A was da lucky scoundril ta get'er har''" That, in the meanwhile, Van's hand continued to venture through drawer before he retrieved a key. The tool inserted into the hole, snapping something to unlatch the bindings of the book. It was an ablum. Van began to flip through the colorful pages, green sceneries, some elderly folks, before a younger Van appeared in the midst - and Emma too, both captured in different events, revealed with every slow flip of a page. "A had blue eyes, ye've seen'em 'nce." Van remarked. "An' well, A was inlove. Until came a day when A recieved a letter given an erran' with enough payment to buy me's a house for us both, where we'd git git married and choose ta move into a more simpla' life. Destination was a cave, deep inside a mountain where A stumbled upon Furiyen and was forced ta realize a destiny A neva planned for. Days, nights, weeks and months, An' A was presumed dead till A returned ta da village. Out'of all da scorns and dark stares A've had sent me way, she was da only beacon dat shun and welcomed me home. She never really knew that a came ta say gewd bai." Van shook his head as he paused at one picture, scratching his scalp. "An' A'll tell ya, der's nothin' more uncomfortable den leavin' som'an ye love based on a reason ye neva knew." Van admitted. "But A knew if had stayed der, A'd only expose her to bad thin's. A made a promise - finish what A had to do in three months, an' return to marry. She waited fer three years - eventually fearin the prospec' of age and got married ta anotha man.. . ."

Blue would blink as he began and knew what he was about to reveal to her. So she behaved, was silent and would allow him to tell his story about Emma and him. Initially, she would just come to know more about the man that had become her companion and had experienced hardships with her. She was to find out that Emma and Van had been more than friends, had been on the verge of marriage before an unexpected duty befell Van that forced him to stay away. Where the two had expected only a couple months apart, it turned out to be years and soon Emma was faced with the prospect of age and did what she thought best for herself. "I see," she stated lightly. "So what then?" Blue asked, encouraging Van to continue with his story as she sensed that that wasn't the end of it. Where was Emma's husband now? And how did Van take the news once he found out?

'So. . ." Van knew he had to be patient with Blue's original sense of curiosity. "Eighteen years of devotion, loyalty, love an' promises, all destroyed and ruined. A heard her husban' passed away, six months ago. So she lives on'er own now. 's'pretty much that you can say we're sorta faced with a crude dilemma. Ye can' simply expect us ta meet'n forget eighteen yea's. "

Blue would consider his words and nods. "I see. But it doesn't appear like she's as troubled by it as you are. I mean, I saw how much she missed you the initial meeting but then after that..." She paused and contemplated. "It is either as if it never happened or that you two are just simply friends. But of course I don't know Emma that well to decide from first impressions." Blue looked to Van. "But as far as I can see, she seems fine." Blue gave small shrug and looked to the cieling. "So... being near Emma hurts Van?"

"Memories of what could've bin and da reality of da now. Its a hauntin' shadow, a blade bein' prodded thru da chest." he answered, most empathicly.

"It must hurt then," Blue responded calmly and glanced down to one of her hands, staring at the palm. "I've heard before that love hurts," she stated and continued to stare. Her expression grew distant for a moment, memories of long past flashing before her eyes. But it had nothing to do with her mother, as instead, she saw a man with a head as white as snow. Blue would slowly stand. "If being near Emma hurts Van, then perhaps it is best not to linger here for too long?"

Hienkel would not be aware of the woman's internal turmoil, but he did know that she had shared her own measure of concern with the issue. And so, his right hand reached for her left, taking hold of the wrist and tightening his grip in an assuring hold. "We'll bi leavin soon enuff, lass." He spoke softly, before his hold loosened. "A may bi bothered, but despair and A don' mingle with each other tew often."

Blue would look back to Van as he took hold of her wrist, staring at him momentarily before nodding slowly. "Alright. Well perhaps we should start heading to town if you're ready. Or do you want to sit here a while longer?" Blue asked, once more taking a seat beside the man since he hadn't stood up yet. She had found about his predicament with Emma. Was he in inner turmoil because he wanted to be with Emma? Blue could only wonder. Would Emma want Van back? These were questions that would be left unanswered. She could only hope that Van wouldn't abandon her. Selfish desires, yes, but Emma had had her chance and Van was Blue's friend now.

"naw. Can't tarry on fer tew lon'." Van reasoned, nodding at the prospect of leaving to town. Van would return back to the same black outfit he wore moons ago, when he had first met his companion. And for some reason, he decided that it would be appropriate if he took Furiyen along with him, shrugging as the relic decided to morph onto a more traditional look of a sword.Van would wrap the sword in velvet, tying it across his back like a samurai before they both made their exit. "Ye'll enjoy Emma singing. Der's more ta her, den looks."

"I never really listened to music or singing," she stated. "The ones I did listen to back in the city one would call depressing and self-destructive." Blue gave a lazy shrug of her shoulders. "No offense to Emma but she doesn't seem like the screaming type that would say blasphemous things of the Almighty and of her fellow man." Blue would place her hands behind her head as she walked with Van to town. Blue had nothing to worry about. Van was her friend and Emma had hurt him dearly. Why would he return to her?

Van would be certain that Blue was in for a surprise, not that Emma sang the genre she was accustomed to. Back in the village, she was dubbed the Harp of Adell, whom, during history was conceived to be the Goddess of Love, until the world embraced communism. The air was deliciously cool as they entered town, offering that nostalgic small measure of peace Van had accustomed himself to whenever he thought about meadows, crops and country sides. He was sure to buy Blue the accessories they left back in Nede, giving her the time to pick what she wanted. He stood outside one particular shop he assumed she found interest in, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall.

Blue followed Van into town, that nostalgic sensation not reaching her as it did him since she was use to the life of a city, where it was noisy and chaotic in the most part. Her eyes surveyed the town, absorbing information as they went along though there were times she stared at people as if they were prey. Her fingers twitched but she behaved as she remained with Van until they stopped at a particular store where she would go inside and find the accessories she needed before she would inform Van that she had found the ones she wanted so that he may purchase it for her. "Next time, just ask if you want to see my bras so we can avoid losing them in the future," she stated as they purchased the products at the counter and had them given to them in a bag.

Van would suppress a twitchy transformation of his face when Blue provided such explicit statement right in front of the counter, as the woman stared at him with a doubtful expression. "Don' ask." He remarked dryly, before he impassively lifted the bag of her accessories and advanced to an exit, sighing. "Ba da way, Blew. Back in da station, A made a quick check of a ban' account A had were A normally ask may assets ta kept incase A've eva gone boun'y huntin." Van noted, looking over his shoulder. "As it turns out, der's enuff cash in dat end fer us ta buy a ca'h."

"A what?" She asked as they walked out of the store, unaware of the odd look they had recieved from the woman behind the counter when Blue had shamelessly brought up Van's moment of perversion. Blue turned her head to look up at him. "What's a ca?" She asked, since there still were times where Blue had difficulty understanding what Van was saying due to his thick accent.

"A Ca'h lass, Ca'h!" Van insisted, before Furiyen's voice reached them in a telepathic manner. "A car." Van frowned. "Dats wha A said! Ca'h!"

Blue merely stared at him, dumbfounded on what Van was trying to say until Furiyen stepped in. "Oh. A car," she stated slightly. "What do we need a car for? We can travel without one," she stated and glanced up at Van. "You sure you want to spend your financial resources on one?"

"Thinkin' 'bout i'. Der's a always decen' deal fer 'ans in dis part of da town, an' since we bi travellin, wai naw' make thin's easier? A was also considerin a bake." Van remarked, before Furiyen would add. ~Bike, motor cycle.~ "A said dat tew!"

Blue stared at him but appreciated Furiyen's clarification, even though Van insisted he had said that. Of course he had, he just said it in a way that was not intelligble to her. "Well it is your money so you do with it how you like. I suppose a car or a motorcycle would help in traveling. I never necessarily traveled far, not unless my job insisted that I do so and then they provided means of transportation."

"Well. Consida' thin's and lemme know. A like ta think that we share ar resources, since we're in dis togetha'." Van stated sincerely, before he took the liberty of gently taking hold of her wrist, pulling her along a stride. "Cam'on. Don' wanta miss da show. "

Blue blinked. Her opinion mattered? But wasn't that his money? Hadn't he worked for it? Her eyes lowered momentarily as he took hold of her wrist before he tugged her along and guided her to where the presentation would be. She stared at him quietly, contemplating silently. If her opinion, the least she could do was think about it like he wanted as her expression softened while she followed him to a building.

Van would audibly compliment the favor of them being the last to arrive at the counter, having hoped that they wouldn't lag behind a line. The population of this settlement did not promise much crowd anyway, at least, until he noted that the tickets were sold out. "Oh, blimey." Van cursed, smacking his forehead at the sign before he noted a smiling attendant at the counter whom shook her head and told them they were reserved. With a relief, Van received the ticket with gratitude as she slid them under the compartment.The two would find themselves conveniently walking down a isle that split a dense crowd of seated folks, their own chairs being in the first rows. Van was hesitant, but he took a seat none the less, asking Blue to follow suit. "Shud star' in a few." He spoke in a low voice.

Blue blinked, watching Van's behavior as it wasn't like him to cause harm to himself as he smacked his forehead at the sign that said the tickets were sold out. It didn't disappoint her like it had him but there was nothing to fret about as it appeared Emma had reserved tickets for them and they soon found themselves at the front row. Not particularly seats she enjoyed, considering that being in the front drew attention but they didn't have a choice as she took a seat beside Van. "M'kay," she responded and rose her eyes up to the stage.

It would be a few moments before, like thunder, a clap would resonate when the curtains lifted. Revealing a set of orchestra Van knew Blue would not have seen before. Emma was none of the occupants seated behind their respective instruments, but rather the fair maiden with her hair loose to the side. She smiled as silence fell, and brighter when she noted Van's particular presence. The aged maestro would tap and waved his arms in an announcing gesture, the players moving their hands in unison before a soft gentle melody began to play, one which Van seemed to recognize all too well, inclining his head. "Black, Black, Black is the Color of my True Love's hair. His lips are like some rosey fair. . ."

Blue watched as the curtains of the stage were lifted, staring at the orchestra that appeared and then the main attention of it all that came to stand near the front center of the stage. Blue waited patiently until the orchestra began to play a melody that resonated in the air, soon to be accompanied and overshadowed by the lovely voice of the fair maiden on stage. Blue was silent, staring at Emma as the woman sang for the audience, or perhaps more to one person. Blue frowned as she listened to the words of the song and couldn't help but find some relation to it and Van. She wondered if Van noticed, or if he even cared as they sat there and listened.

"I love - the ground where on he stands." Van did appear indeed to have noticed the meaning behind the words, giving the impression of nostalgia, bitterly. His eyes hidden beneath a shade of thought, half listening in earnest.

Blue was silent though there was a dark, haunted expression in her eyes once the show was over. She did not like the song and not because it was not her type of genre. She would watch as the orchestra wrapped up, as the fair maiden would take her bow before Blue would stand. "It's over," she said, a little bitterly as she moved to go into the aisle where people were already filling it so that they could also take their leave.

For a moment, Emma would stare over at Blue's sudden reaction before she was met by an impassive - almost confused stare from Van she had only seen once in her life.A look that had her realize that she was pulling string. She sit there and stare back at him, in the same wonder and confusion before he would register Blue's movement. "Blew?" Van too make his stand, pushing himself between the crowd, hoping to catch up.

Blue had made progress through the crowd, forcing her way through it and out the door. Emma still loved Van. Emma wanted Van. Emma wanted to take Van away from her. The corner of Blue's eye twitched and she pressed a hand to her head as painful flashes of memories burned in front of her mind's eye, a man of white hair. God had taken Farfarello away. Would God make it so that Van was taken away from her to? Blue's expression strained as she felt a throb at her temple while she disappeared around a corner.

Where did she go? Van would have almost taken the liberty of disappearig into the woman's room, if one hadn't emerged, suggesting her presence there was far from possible. Van would've made his exit, if it weren't for Emma being noticed by the corner of his right eye. "Emma." Van spoke, as he approached her with a such a stride that would've intimidated a woman. But Emma knew Van too well. "Dat son's a recollection of somethin' we pulled apart 'ears ago." He spoke with a frown. "Wha' re ye tryin ta pull ova fer me." "Nothing." She replied, shaking her head stoically, before Van would snap. "BULLOCKS!" Van said, before the memory of Blue's absence intervened between his train of thought. Van turned, peering sideways. She was nowhere to be seen!

It could only be for so long before Blue's self-control would snap. She had been a good girl. She had behaved. Hadn't killed a single soul in weeks. That was an accomplishment for one who use to find glee in blood lust and violence. But of course, then there was her obsession with god. Her over zealous devotion to make him suffer. She would have forgotten, if everywhere she turned it did not scream his name. Priests, nuns, happy families, the images of happiness and life that God represented. Even she was made in God's image, the very body that god loved. Blue forged ahead, holding herself as her nails dug into the flesh of her arms, hoping that the pain would gain some semblance of peace in her mind. Emma. Emma was a hardworking woman, beautiful, with a voice like the angels. And angels were servants of God as Blue sneered. She had seen the effect the song had on Van. That angel was sent by God to take Van away. Blue had a sudden urge to kill Emma, to rip her hair clean off her scalp and carve her a new face. But then what of Van? What would he think? He would be mad at her. Mad at her for killing the beautiful angel. The child of God. Blue winced as the throbbing in her head increased, glancing around until she stumbled upon a church. She frowned and moved to step in through the front doors, walking down the aisle and glaring at the cross that hung at the very far wall. She ignored the worried look the minister gave her as she approached the alter, and ignored his question. She hated Him. Ignoring the horrified expression the minister gave her, Blue proceeded to take out a dagger and press it to her forearm. She would make Him suffer.

"Jus'- Go 'ome!" Van waved Emma off, with a violent dismissal gesture as he sprinted outside, his head breaking in sweat as he felt a calamity was about to transpire. Van would run back and fourth across every square inch of the vicinity, knowing that Blue could have not gone far, but where?! HIs search continued in circles until he ended up to a stand where it began, noting that Emma had disappeared. It was then the church began to set ablaze.

Blue watched the crimson and golden leafs fall from the ceiling as the fire ascended, starting to eat away at the structure that held the building up. It was easy, with all the material that fire could use to feed on. A body with black clothing and white collar was not far from her, the person's face mutilated beyond recognition and his fingers chopped off. Perhaps a remnant of her assassin years to prevent identification of the corpse. "Why?" Blue asked, to no one in particular as blood dripped down her arms and various other parts of her body where she had cut herself. Her voice was riddled with anguish. "Why God? Why did you take Farfarello away?" Blue paused but got no answer. "Silent? Why are you silent? Why won't you answer me?!" Blue frowned, felt the frustration and animosity boil in her chest. She hated the silence; the loneliness. The fact that she felt forsaken. All the negative emotions and her unstable state of mind began to writhe to the point of being unable to contain. "JUST TELL ME WHY?!" The unrestrained animosity erupted from her with lack of remorse, a telekinetic blast that sent a violent tremor through the small town and threatened to topple over buildings while the church began to collapse upon itself.

Van would storm through the church, just in time to witness the horror Blue incurred onto the house, grimacing at the remains of the minister and widening his eyes over what she had said to herself, ears perking to her outbursts. Farafarello? The man blinked at the mentioning of the name. Before he felt the turmoil Blue's rage had given birth to, steadying himself to a stand. Van cursed as he noticed the Church itself was under the effect, cursing further when he realized the roof beginning to detach! "Look oewt!" Van yelled, sprinting to leap in hope to divert Blue's figure away from the collapsing ceiling.

Blue did not notice the collapsing ceiling. Or she did not care. She was in inner turmoil, feeling as if she had been betrayed and that once more God was taking away the only semblance of peace, the only small fragment of happiness that she had found. God did not love them. He did but he also hated them as well. He gave them everything only to take it away. And he was going to take Van away, just like he had with Farfarello. And she couldn't do anything about it because she was here and God was there. People spent their entire lives trying to reach him only to fail. Why? Because he hated them. Blue watched with depressed detachment as the fire roared and glanced back as she heard someone call out to her, noticing Van rushing at her. Why was he here?

Van would hurl himself to snatch her off her position, rolling along the floor just in time to miss the falling rubble, slamming into the altar. Van would braced himself along the steps just in time to note that he had moved them from one lethal possibility to another. The ornate glass that would allow passage to sunlight into the church obliterated and fell directly towards them. Van would roll on top of Blue, exposing his back towards the lethal onslaught, refusing to falter before. None would of the shards would produce much damage, all the crackling and twinkles fell silent, until one large measure of glass, apparently the last, plummeted like a spear, piercing the Barbarian Prince's back. Van suppressed his mouth from gaping, staring at Blue beneath him as he shivered, struggling to maintain his balance. "Ye alright, blew..?"

Blue closed her eyes, grunting from the collision that sent them both falling and rolling on the floor. She tried to regain her orientation while she sensed Van move ontop of her and heard the twinkling of the shards of colorful glass that fell on top of him and around them. She blinked slowly before she noticed the sudden tension of his body, staring at him and realizing with dismay that he had gotten hurt by the glass of the church. "Aye," she responded before reaching up to touch his shoulders. "You're hurt, though," she stated, frowning. This had to be God's doing.

"Doesn' matta." Van shook his head violently, trying to suspend himself with one arm, while reaching to touch the unforgiving blade - only to falter, returning his hand to where it was. "Damn it."

Blue watched as he reached for an object behind his back only to falter. She would reach for him, moving her arms around him as she leaned up and pressed her face against his neck. "Relax," she urged, feeling the large hard of glass that protruded from his back. She frowned, gripping it, ignoring the fact the edges of the glass cut into her hand. She knew this was going to hurt him so she did it as quickly as she could, jerking the shard out of his back and then tossing it away before she pressed her hand against the wound to apply pressure. "We have to get you somewhere where I can sow the wound up," she stated faintly.

"Noe need." Van replied, allowing himself to fall back, face clearly broken in sweat, almost shimmering with the droplets.

Blue would sit up, staring at him and reaching out to wipe away the sweat from his forehead. "Perhaps... your regenerative properties are more advanced than normal humans but you are still hurt nevertheless and your recovery can be sped up if we tend to your wounds as quickly as possible. Not only that, we can lessen the risk of infection," Blue stated, trying to think clearly. Van's sudden appearance and turmoil seemed to have ceased her chaotic rampage, for now.

Van's eyes shifted towards the doors, thankful that the rubble had blocked the entrance along with Blue's deed. They couldn't afford to deal with outsiders. "Why, Blew...? Wha' is it this time..?" He said, seemingly ignoring her statement as he offered her quizzical, rather worn out stare.

Blue stared at him before speaking. "Emma is an angel of God. She has the voice of one and she was calling out to you. The angel was sent by God to take you away from me, just like he took Farfarello away," Blue's voice strained momentarily but she shook her head and once more gathered her composure. "I... wanted to kill Emma. I did. I thought of what I wanted to do with her, rip her hair out, carve her face, slit her throat so that she could suffocate on her own blood. But... I didn't. I guess I redirected my anger to God himself. I know you like Emma... And love is not so easily forgotten. I am mad at God because he is taking you away. God hates me. He gives me a fragment of happiness so he could take it away in the end." Blue's voice droned out and her expression grew desolate. "I can't kill Emma because you still have an attachment toward her. I can't stop what has happened before to happen again. I suppose it should not be surprising. I lost Farfarello. I lost Echo. And I will lose you. You would think I would grow accustomed to this by now." Blue glanced away to stare at something in the distance. "So I did the only thing I knew how. Hurt God. Hurt him like he hurts me." Blue had allowed herself to hope and pain was her reward. She felt foolish for allowing such liability.

From this, did the Barbarian Prince realize that he still had more to know about Blue's dilemma. She was tested far more then any individual could ever hope for.Van would ignore the sharp sting of pain as he shifted himself sideways to kneel, his arms gently lifting over her shoulders before pulling her to a whisper's range. "Blew. A'm - still - 'ere." The man uttered in his thick accent in a smooth tone. "A'm goin no where.Ye unda'stan'?"

Blue blinked and looked to him as she was pulled toward him. Was he mad at her? She wouldn't be surprised. He had gotten hurt trying to save her from the shard, which she still believed was God's attempt to smite her. She stared at him as he spoke to her before she sighed gently. "This won't last forever. It never does. Hoping will only make it painful when the day comes where you get taken away," she stated faintly and gently leaned against him. "One day you will be gone. I'm just trying to prepare myself. Love...friendships... It's only a liability if you are not prepared," she murmured.

"Shaddap." Van chastised softly, leaning in closer before he tiringly allowed his face to rest onto her shoulder, trying to tighten his grip over the embrace. "We're in dis togetha, and A believe in change, cuz A've seen it in ya. Ye've inspired me ta live me life again, and fer dat, A'm grateful. Nawthin las' foreva', bu' it doesn' mean we can' make da bes of thin's." And with that, did he withdraw his head, maintaining one hand over her shoulder while the other held her cheek. "Ya no, da 'nly thin that death canno' take away from ya is ye'r past, Blew." The barbarian prince smiled. "An' when either of us hit da soil beneath, A'd like ta think that Ay..Uh.." At that, Van paused, struggling with words.

Blue went silent as he told her to, listening to him as he would rest his head onto her shoulder. She was trying to remain detached from the situation, to return to the apathy but found it difficult as Van continued. She inspired him to live life again? But he had always appeared that he was ready to face any challenges with a grin, she hadn't known his life had been desolate before her. But there were still a lot of things she did not know about him. "That you?" She asked lightly. "Spent the time we had wisely?" She suggested.

"Ahh..Somethin - like - zha'." Van quietly remarked, inclining his head as he mentally cursed himself for faultering before he shifted his wieght to lean against the alter, extending his arm in gesture for Blue to side with him. "A inten' ta stay'n make thin's easier fer ya. Make ya happy..A'll - fight fer it. Like a knigh' or sumthin."

Blue would move to sit beside him as he asked, gazing at him quietly as she appeared docile once more. The chaos in her head calmed for now. "You'll fight to make me happy? Misfortune will only befall you. God has it out for me and if you get in his way, he'll smite you too. You'll be another one of God's victims," she stated. "But... thank you." She said sincerely.

"Eh..A don' think we'll bi goin' back ova ta Emma's any tame soon." Van declared, deciding to change the subject, "Migh' as well stick aroun' till mornin. A'll git us outta dis rubble by da mornin'"

Blue was no longer looking at him, but focusing on the image of the remaining fire that was still eating away at what remained standing of the church. Her expression strained as she concentrated, her hand outstretched as she made a motion at the fire which began to withdraw and then dissipate slowly. They didn't need to be burned alive now. But she stiffened, her eyes narrowing when she saw a movement in the distance. "Devil's spawn!" Someone spat out, pushing a fallen piece of wood off of them as they stumbled out of the rubble before pointing an accusing finger at Blue. Blue recognized her as being a nun, from the black dress she wore that hid even her ankles and hair. Blue frowned and stared at the battered woman who continued to point at her menacingly. "You'll go to hell!" "Everyone is going to hell," Blue responded before she turned her attention away to try to ignore the woman. She was no threat to them but the nun continued, as if she was determined to use her remaining breath to curse Blue. "God will smite ye! Demon! Abomination!" The bitter nun coughed. Blue did not look at the nun any longer but her hand clenched and quivered in an effort to restrain herself. God had already smited her as flashes of memories played before her mind's eye. Abomination... What a fitting title but Blue remained sitting, staring at nothing in particular. She wasn't going to confront the nun but neither was she going to help her, one of God's servants.

Van would submit to himself that the Nun had rights behind her outbursts, though he did not like her choice of words. The Barbarian Prince knew from that moment that every deed Blue found customary to her past won't be taken away by simply chastising her. He began to realize the weight he shouldered. As the nun's outbursts weakened, Van reached for Blue's wrists, tightening his fingers around them in a consoling gesture while he quietly weighed his options when he realized there a witness.

Blue twitched as Van grabbed her. She almost impulsively snatched her wrists away before recalling that it was Van as she settled down but did not look at him. The majority of the time she did not care what other people thought but the nun's words were obviously effecting her as she stared vacantly at the nun who had stopped a couple of yards away from them. Hell...Heaven... Demon. Abomination. Blue's form resonated with barely restrained animosity toward the woman as her expression darkened and her jaw tensed. She wanted to kill her. It was then that a twisted smile crossed her face. "Do you believe in God?" Blue questioned, which of course the nun affirm proudly, oblivious to the malice intentions behind the question. "Then you'll go to heaven," Blue said calmly. The air began to ripple as Blue's attention remained fixated on the nun. She could solve their problems here and now with their unwanted witness.

Van knew that if he had maintained any longer at his disposal, Blue would have had her own plans for the verbal assailant. Van too had measured the option of killing until he decided that it would only help to entice things and worsen it for Blue's long records of deeds. Van's gaze lingered over to the handle of Furiyen, the sword accidentally cast aside during the building's onslaught. He calmed when his senses perked to Blue's malice, rising to a stand in front of her, offering her his back to disrupt her focus as he silently went to reach for the blade.

Blue blinked, frowning as Van got in her way. The nun tensed, watching Van suspiciously before she spat a couple more blasphemous maledictions at both of them and began to roam away from them, in hopes to finding an exit and tell of Blue's heinous deed. Blue growled beneath her breath as that nun did not know what hell was. "Delusional hag," Blue muttered. The nun would one day see that God was not a deity to be worshiped when God turned his back on her too. That or die. The nun was lucky Van got in her way or Blue would have made certain that the church of God was further desecrated and defiled with the nun's blood for accusing her of being undevoted to God. Blue had. She honestly had. Until he took everything she held dear away from her.

The notion of Blue waging war against a force she cannot see, appreciate or understand troubled Van's mind. Beyond that incredible malice and hatred was the heart of an abandoned child that few would find the light to see. Van lifted his weapon onto his shoulder in such a fashion that suggested that he was going to carry out Blue's deed, approaching the 'delusional hag' as his crimson eyes snatched every focus she had dispersed.The nun's head would throb for a moment as the noise of the chaos around died to the point where she would be able to listen to her heart beat, her focus diverted onto the blade as the metal began to animate, the eye opening to lock the aged woman in a cold stare. Blue would see the nun's eyes raise to roll into her head as she collapsed, apparently still live. Van's head inclined, hand raising as he idly lowered the Furiyen to the floor as he shielded his eyes from something Blue would not recognize until she noted blood drops once again dripping to the floor.

And it was perhaps the fact that Van could see beyond the hatred and the malice, the illogical reasoning and her warped idea that she was a victim, that allowed Blue to have a meaningful and fruitful relationship with him that she hadn't had since Farfarello. Where most people only saw the darkness, Van saw the light within her. Blue watched Van curiously though she could not deny that she was slightly disappointed to see that he had allowed the nun to live. But that disappointment was overshadowed with a twisted mixture of concern and fascination as she smelled before she even saw the blood. Blue stood and approached Van, reaching to remove his hands from his eyes. "You're bleeding," she stated the obvious.

"A erased a bit of'er memories." Van responded, allowing Blue to remove his hands to unveil the squinting eyes that flickered as they struggled to open, only to release more of the crimson flow. Van would incline his head, somewhat drained from the phenomena.

Blue gazed at him with an odd expression in her eyes before she leaned in toward him, raising on her feet in order to run her tongue along his cheek firmly, gathering the crimson liquid that fell from his eyes before she drew away slightly. She licked her lips and canted her head. "Your blood tastes good," she complimented, a small chill of delight running down her spine. Perhaps not the best situation to present blood to her when she was still trying to get over her recent bloodlust. Her form shivered as she held onto his arm and stared at him intently. "I can't go outside," she finally said after a moment. She didn't trust herself in public right now.

Van did not know how to react or even consider if he really shared Blue's notion, quietly, Van would wipe the blood aside with the back of his hand before he nodded, answering to that which he could understand. The arm she held onto extending to hold her. "Suppose we'd spend da nigh' ere." He said.

Blue would nod slowly and press her head against him as she took a quivering breath. An uncontrolled tremor was running through her body but it was not fear or any negative emotion. It was adrenaline and excitement that came with the bloodlust that threatened to burst through the surface and break the binds she had upon it. She idly nuzzled her head against his chest and heard the faint, tantalizing rhythm of his heart. Blue issued what could possibly be a purr as she wrapped her arms around Van's waist and pressed close to him. "You're warm," she murmured.

Van's brow arched, as he idly maintained the hand behind her back when while the other hung loosely at his side, staring down at her as she displayed this odd form of affection.He never knew what to make of it. "Aye." He replied passively.

It was fascinating to her. He was warm because he was still alive. While she knew somewhere beneath all the piles of rubble, the minister's body was cold that signified that he was well dead. Blue knew she could take away Van's warmth as her fingernails gently dug into his back. But she had come to enjoy his warmth recently, with the few times she had fallen asleep against him, whether it be from seeking comfort after a nightmare or simply drawn to him. The warmth was soothing and enjoyable in its own way, like the security a fire brought as it dispelled the darkness and drove away the cold. One of her hands reached beneath his shirt and rested idly on his lower back, fingers pressing against his flesh. . It was all she could do to resist the inclination to scratch and draw blood, though not with ill-intentions. The scent of blood in the air was intoxicating as Blue sighed gently before raising dazed eyes up to him. "You'll sleep with me?" She asked.

Van would ponder Blue's state of mind, only to find himself entangled within an intricate web of mystery and confusion, even as she subtly touched his flesh. "As lon' as ya don' plan ta behead me in da end."

Blue considered his words before canting her head with a whimsical smile. "Have I yet? I won't." She said honestly. Though he hadn't said that she couldn't scratch or bite or draw blood. She kept this in mind. "You'll stay with me," she stated, closing her eyes and once more resting her head against him. She would not allow that angel, Emma, to take Van away as Blue held him a little tighter.

'Roigh."While Van appreciated the affection of a woman, he absolutely felt that something was going to get out of hand, but decided to take her word for it "A know A've gawts me own unusual means of sleepin, but A don' think a'll eva do it standin.'

Blue blinked. "Then sit," she stated and would force him to do so, making him fall right down onto his rear end before she came to sit beside him and lean against his side. Blue held one of his arms with her own, holding it to her chest as she continued to nuzzle him. He reaked of blood from the wound on his back, which was unclear whether or not it was still as bad or was already healing. All she knew that she was drawn to it and it was eliciting unusual behavior from her as she would suddenly bite Van's arm.

Thats it. Van just had to ask the question. "Blew. . .? What're ye doin'?

"Biting," Blue stated the obvious before she would bite him again, though at the shoulder this time as a low growl rumbled in her throat.

"A can bloody see dat." Van said, his shoulder twitching from the embrace of her teeth. "An' if this bi anythin' close ta sex, A don' think A find dis appealin."

Blue would give a nonchalant shrug and bite him again, at the neck this time. "You didn't say I couldn't bite," she whispered against his neck, nibbling at his neck a little roughly. "And I haven't draw blood yet," she decided to point out, snuggling against his side. Though where he had gotten the idea of sex, she wouldn't know. She had never had any intentions of that kind of affection. What she wanted to do was hurt him.

"Dats because A don' wancha ta draw blood or botha woundin' me." Van replied in sarcasm, though he woud lie if that recent contact over the nape of his neck did not trigger his head into a slight frenzy. "A'm no chew toy eitha'.

"Then I won't draw blood or wound you," she reassured and lapped at the area she had bitten to sooth the red flesh. Whether it would leave a mark or not was still to be seen. Blue growled playfully, pressing harder against him in a way that if he didn't resist, she would end up making him lay down as she bit his neck again though made certain not to do it so hard that it would leave a bruise or a mark. "And I'm not a cherrypie like you always tell me when you find something I did humorous, what's your point? You're just as eatable as I am."

"Ah, fer feck's sake, its a term o' endearmen'. Metaphor for lovely or sumthin." Whatever she was doing, Van had found this rather - ironicly and wierdly enjoyable himself, but he felt obligated to reason. "Blew. A don' think a'll bi able ta sleep with ye toyin with me." He yelped as he fell.

Blue gave another nonchalant shrug as she moved on top of him, nibbling at his collar bone now. "Then we can stay up and play?" She asked but she would eventually reconcile to simply laying on top of him, peering up at him quietly. "I miss the park," she finally said and her mood dampened. Her healthy thrill was gone. What was she suppose to replace it with if she could not kill. She hadn't had any other way to vent and the result was this fallen church and the victims that had burned in the fire after the concert had triggered her animosity. "I miss having fun. You won't let me." She believed that he honestly did not know the extent of her exertion of effort not to march out this church and toy with the public outside. Her fingers twitched and she resorted to holding his shirt as restlessness hummed in her form. Inner turmoil once more ensued as she turned her face away and simply rested her head on top of his chest, listening to the rhythm of his heart. He was alive. Was she too? Or was she simply a leech trying to draw off his warmth, his energy, because she lacked it.

"A'll - fine sumthin fer us ta dew tommorow, afta we get da hell outta dis town." Van replied, sighing in relief that he managed to settle this event with a little more diplomacy then he thought he'd have to contribute. His hands quietly wrapped around her back in a gently form of acknowledgment.

She made a small sound of acknowledgment though she did not sound very convinced. She didn't think she would find any sleep tonight and not because of nightmares. But as she continued to listen to the cadence of his heart, the rhythm soon lulled her to sleep. Blue awoke the next morning as streams of sunlight poured in through the broken ceiling and fallen walls. She blinked slowly, gathering her orientation. She felt warm. She looked up to see Van's face, recalling then that she had fallen asleep on top of him. She frowned. Her behavior last night was unusual and inappropriate. Van had a wound on his back and she had made him lay down on it. Blue sighed and slowly sat up, listening as she heard a commotion outside. Perhaps the village had now gathered a team to search the rubble for victims and find out the cause of the fire. Blue smirked. If anything, she had destroyed one of the houses of God and had kept Van. That brought a twisted sense of victory. Blue one. God zero.

A small exhale of breath escaped her lips as she sat on top of a building, watching from a distance as the town gathered together to clean what remained of the holy building, the church, and make efforts to rebuild it. Blue frowned in disdain. She loathed humans. And she loathed the Almighty. She diverted her eyes away as a memory came to remind her that she was suppose to behave while Van went to say goodbye to Emma. They had both agreed it was best if Blue did not come with him after the recent events that had transpired. For now, Blue quietly enjoyed the soft wind that was blowing passed. Where they would head to next was as uncertain as the path of the breeze.

"Hm. Hm. Hm, Hm. ha." Blue would hear the chanting hums of a soft elderly laughter that would direct her to shift her head over her shoulder to the presence that seemed to materialize out of no where. "Hm hm Hm hm.." It smiled beneath its hood.

Blue became alert at the sound that appeared as mysteriously as the presence that it had derived from as her eyes shifted in his direction. Immediately, recognition flashed upon her countenance though she seemed not all to happy to see him. "What do you want Hictor?" She asked, staring at him. She had recalled the last time she had met him. It had been in Nede where he had attempted to unlock her memories which led to the catastrophe that had followed. She knew it had not been for her benefit.

"Oh, but dear. What I want has always been there for me. Knowledge coincides with power and as such, I cannot ask for more." Hictor explained with a sincere gesture, leaning against his staff before pointing a finger at Blue. "But the question is - the true amidst all of these riddles - what do YOU want?"

Blue's eyes narrowed momentarily before she relaxed and finally drew her eyes away to gaze into the distance, stating that she saw no threat from Hictor to even bother keeping her eyes upon him. That or she held no interest to what he was saying. But at the inquiry, he was first met with silence as the young woman contemplated upon the question. What did she want? "Why do you even ask?" She responded instead with a question, drawing her eyes toward him. She still did not know why Hictor had an interest with her. She knew there was an underlying reason that he would not reveal to her but she hadn't deciphered it yet.

"Ahh...Why do you interest me?" Hictor began to pace back and fourth with enthusiasm, the smile plastered like a scar as he rubbed the bottom of his chin. "Why have you always interested me? Why Fiona..?" It was then he had produced another form of laughter, leaning against staff, his wieght swaying. "Because you are so much like your father child, in ways which he would dearly now regret."

Blue observed the unusual individual as the initial question was thrown aside and only produced a new one. Blue quirked a brow as she watched Hictor until he began to laugh and then brought an unexpected subject. "My father?" Blue asked, her interest obviously caught as she stared at him. "What do you know of him?" Blue had never known her father. None of the memories she had managed to retrieve thanks to Hictor held any memory of a man that could possibly be her father. And her mother had never spoken of him. Why? Blue had always assumed because perhaps her father had been pre-arranged by the scientists, and that her conception had not been a product of affection which was why her mother had failed to speak of the man.

"Your father was a terrifying beast.One whom's contempt to humanity drove him to spread so much devastation." His hands lifted to cover the sides of his head. "Everyone thought that the world was beyond redemption - especially with - Arkin. Yes - but something even I at the time had lost sight of during the time. Sometime, somewhere, where he suddenly - disappeared and the breaking of the world ultimately stopped. Defeat? No. Your father was much too powerful."

Blue stared at Hictor, absorbing the information that he was providing her. Her father had been powerful. And he had hated humanity, like she did. Blue stared at him, thinking quietly to herself. "Mother..." She paused momentarily, spreading the memories she had of the woman out so that she could look at each one more clearly within her head. Blue recalled she had one time asked her mother about her father. And her mother had responded. "He is gone." Blue glanced at Hictor. "Mother said father was gone. I assume dead. I never got to actually know the man or meet him."

"Ahh, but one of those days. ONE - of those days, I like to think that you will." Hictor grinned, almost seemingly thrilled by the idea as he rubbed his hands together. The upper half of his visage concealed, all the way, even beneath the sunlight. "You have only but to look."

Blue blinked and her eyes narrowed. "Are you implying that my father is alive?" She prodded now, moving to take a stand. Hictor had always been an unusual and mysterious individual in Blue's opinion. But he was not an immediate threat and he had his uses, such as his bountiful knowledge.

"But of course." Hictor spoke softly, his enthusiasm declining, returning to the subtle posture of the intelligent being Blue always knew him as. "Even the Elders have been taking their time into uncovering his whereabouts. . .Even now, their greatest hunters - those far more endowed then the individuals you've ever encountered work to find him. They won't hesitate to kill him, if need be."

"They are going to kill him?" Blue frowned at the thought but then again, she had no attachment to her birth parent. "Why? Wouldn't it be to their best interest to try to capture and enslave him instead? Or is it... how does it go... if they can't have him, no one will?" Blue crossed her arms. She had seen this behavior first hand, when the Elders had tried to eliminate her at the first signs of disloyalty or possibilities of becoming a threat in the future. "I assume you don't know where he is, either." She stated calmly. Even if she had no attachment to the man who was indeed her father, she still had the inclination to meet him. Perhaps an offspring tendency to know their parents.

"I would be inclined to lie and say no, child." Hictor replied, raising his index finger before swaying it in dismissal. "I do not know what phenomena will your meeting bring to the world, and thus, I cannot be responsible for it." Hictor began to realize the inconvenience such a statement made for Blue. "An informant, yes, but not always willing to become the catalyst. I am affraid - my child - you are on your own."

"I see. No disappointment but that is the reason why the Elders frown upon you." She gave a lazy shrug. "They'll eventually get rid of you, one day." Blue turned away then. "I have nothing to lose whether I meet my father or not. Is that all you wanted to reveal to me, Hictor? Seeing as I know by now you don't reveal yourself unless it was of some importance. Or are you still intent on knowing what it is that I want?"

"Perhaps." Hictor spoke quietly, caressing the orb of his staff with a careful stroke of his fingers. "Though it would seem you've accustomed yourself to this man's guidance. A friend, certainly you've established him to be, yes but - do you not fear betrayal?"

Blue was silent for a moment. "There are the possibilities. But he has proven me wrong, time and time again. What good would it do if I worry about it all the time. Yes, the fear is there. But I trust him. Trust him to prove me wrong each time the fear appears." Blue glanced to him. "Is that all?" Blue did not see why Van would betray her, anyways.

Hictor had nothing else to say as clearly emphasized by the sudden disappearance Blue had grown accustomed to accept. The breeze blew by as time churned and the sun began to dim, before Van's figure began to emerge in the distance, hands in his pockets as he waved at Blue from afar with a smile, noting her seated at the building.

Blue caught sight of Van as he gestured toward her and she would move to stand before she would jump off of the edifice, landing gracefully on the ground below with a couple of awes from the children that had witnessed the display acrobatic display. Blue then proceeded to close the distance between Van and her. Her father was alive. Where he was, she didn't know. Now she realized she should have at least tried to pry out her father's appearance from Hictor and sighed as she regretted failing to do so. That would make it even harder to find her birth parent. She looked to Van as she approached him. No matter. If she met her father, she met him. If not, then there was no need to fret. "You said your farewells?"

Van would raise a hand to his forehead, before shrugging at the kids when Blue approached him, grinning softly. "Aye. A said me farewells. Now A've gawt ta think 'bout where'll we head next,"

"Does it matter?" Blue asked. Traveling was something she was familiar with. Even when she use to work for The Leaders, she had been traveling a lot and she tended to cause some sort of trouble along the way. "We should perhaps just go to the nearest town and perhaps see if we could settle down there for a while." She suggested.

Settle down - or find answers? That was the questioned Van pondered as he reached for the girl's right shoulder with an arm-side companion embrace as he walked, his thoughts eventually carrying him away to the point where his hand loosely fell to his side, just as he approached Furiyen at the vicinity of the alley he left in current secrecy, lifting the being over his shoulder. Back at Nede - was as close as he had ever felt going close to his destiny - and by 'close' he surely acknowledged as more confused. He gave Blue a quiet stare, obviously thoughtful. Van never knew where to go until he was invited by what he was supposedly called for. Even if this tarried things - what harm could this unregarded invisible purpose produce? At that notion, did he comfortably smile before finally speaking again. "A'igh'. So, have ye been thinkin' 'bout ar extra fun's?"

"Our extra funds?" She asked with a small tilt of her head as she stared at him. It was clear she had already forgotten about what she was suppose to have been thinking about when he had brought up the suggestion of a vehicle so that they wouldn't have to travel around on foot or on a bus anymore.

Van sighed patiently, rubbing the side of his forehead claiming her quizzical response as a no though he did remind her gently about their conversation about the subject. "Ah well, suppose we'll have all da time we need ta think." He said.

Blue blinked and nodded slowly. "Well I don't think there are an decent cars in this small town. Perhaps we should go to a larger one and hope we can find a suitable vehicle if you honestly don't like to walk. It would be quicker to travel with a vehicle of sorts." She gave a small shrug. "So are we ready to head out yet?"

"Aye!" Van replied with enthusiasm. "Da anlysride available at da momen's is a bus ta Nede, and A don' think we'll bi wantin ourselves der. So, we're gonna have a gewd walk fer days. We can hit Edgar's Dam ba midday if we don' stall, at tha poin' der'll be a forked route. We'll decide frem der."

Blue stared at him and at his enthusiasm. Was he always this giddy? She sighed and would nod. "Aye." She responded before she turned and began to make her way to the path out of town. "Walking is good exercise anyways unless you need to get to an area quickly." She stated lightly and it wouldn't be long before they were on their way, assuming that Van was following.

That he was. "A've bin thinkin' alot lately. How's - school soun' for ya, eh?" Van suggested, observing her reaction.

Blue gave him an odd look. "School?" Blue didn't think she had ever gone to school before but that did not mean she wasn't educated. "Never gone to one. Why do you ask?" She stated though she already had an idea of where this would go.

"A donno. Seems like ye'r da smart sorta lass, with all ye'r remarks 'bout readin' dis an' dat from a book'n all. Der's sumthin' ya oughta dedicate ye'r life tew dats good fer ya. Why not som'ore readin'? Or lessons?" The barbarian prince shrugged, raising his head towards the heavens. "May gramps used ta beat me into a readin', can' say A hate'em for it now. "

Blue listened to him and pondered on the notion of going to school. She wasn't sure whether or not she wanted to go. Aside from that, was she in the right mindset to be around other young people? If she hadn't gone to school before, wouldn't they put her in the beginning with all the toddlers? Blue's eye twitched at that idea. She wasn't good with children. "Maybe." She responded simply as they walked.

"Well. A can't say ye've gawts anay afficial cray'dentials ta join anay." Van seemed rather attached to the idea of Blue's educfation. His fingers snapped after having rubbing the bottom of his chin. "When we reach ar' town, les lewk aroun' fer bewk shops, aye? If ya ain' enterin' school, ya can always school ye'rself thru otha thin's. Read whatcha want, learn whatcha want. Dats what we're gonna dew with ar fun's."

Blue stared at him, wondering why he was so worried about her education to where he would use their funds on books. She stared ahead. She wasn't much of a reader. In fact, her reading skills were still below average for one her age. She only read when it came to missions and information about a target. But she did not read for enjoyment. "I suppose so..." She stated. But she wasn't going to tell Van that or he would more than likely have a fit to know that her reading skills were inadequate. "If that's what you want to use the funds on."

"Well. Wha' do you wan' blue?" Van asked, arching his eye brow. The question sincere. "A mean - maybe der's sumthin' ye've always wan'ed...?'

Blue was silent as she stared ahead, contemplating on his question. "... I'm not certain." She responded honestly. An education... It was honestly not an idea that had ever crossed her mind. She had never needed it before. With the skills and knowledge she had now, she could get by. What she had done for a living was kill people and participate in combat. That didn't need a rocket scientist. And most of the time, she was partnered with someone who could compliment her. She was the brute strength and the mindless slaughter. Her partner was usually the mastermind and intelligence.

Van reached for her shoulder with an assuring grip, almost as if he intended to encourage her past her uncertainties. A kind gesture that he thought appropriate for Blue. "Bah. We'll find dat out. an' o' those days." With that, Blue and Van would proceed.

She had been consumed within her own thoughts that the simple touch startled her. And Van would soon find himself slammed into the ground after she had grabbed his hand and thrown him over her shoulder. Blue blinked afterward then moved to stare down at him, placing her hands upon her knees. "Sorry. Impulse." Blue explained before she offered him her hand. But then something seemed to have caught her attention as she drew her eyes away into the distance. She could see hints of the dam but that wasn't what had drawn her eyes away.

Van would only follow Blue's gaze after he realized it during their coming upon the clearing, the ancient dam hailing at the summit in a distance away. But that wasn't what Blue particularly noticed. Van would stare the back of a man, admirably tall with short silver hair, his coat grey coat rattling against the winds. Blue and Van would have assumed he knew they were there, even as they stopped to stare at him. His head would eventually move, as slow as a tree branch lazily waving against the gales, looking across his shoulder. Eyes fixing on softly upon Blue, before a hint of a smirk crossed him as he spoke in a low voice above a whisper. "Exhalted One."

Blue stared at the presence. She wondered why she hadn't noticed him earlier as Blue waited for the man to turn to acknowledge them or if he would ignore them. If so, they could always move on. Why did they have to stop for this man, anyways? Blue blinked when the man did eventually turn to look at them, or her, and she quirked a brow at the title. "Exhalted One?" She questioned, placing a hand on her hips as she canted her head in confusion.

"Yes." The strange one answered, turning fully now his seeming-late thirties face fixated on her especially, ignoring Van's presence for the moment. "Exhalted One, Reborn and Messiah. You - have many names in Avernus. Fiona Diedre, incarnate of the Enkindler." Van seemed to grow uncomfortable by the moment, taking a step forward which earned a little more then just the man's attention. A glare - blazing with hatred. "Abomination. . ."

Blue continued to stare at the white-haired man, perplexed but curious at the titles he was calling her. Messiah? Blue's lips twitched. It sounded religious. This man had to be mistaken. She was far from holy. But what she was surprised about was how he reacted to Van. Van? An abomination? Blue had always been referred in such a way. Evil. Demon. Abomination. "I think you are mistaken. He's more of the type of the Exhalted One and I the Abomination." She stated as she pointed at herself.

"Your captors have defiled your mind, Exhalted One." The priestly figure presented with confidence. The titles had made the Barbarian Prince rather wary. It was odd enough that he knew her actual name. "We have long waited for you to severe your ties with your tyrannous leaders. And now that most of the binds have been broken, we now await your arrival at Avernus." What was this place he continued to mention? Van had been to many parts - he never heard of any Avernus. "There, you will be released from that accursed chamber." The priest remarked, his glare now shifting to her. Van understood at once. Her 'flesh'. "Today, you will be released from such tyrannous bonds.You must claim your true destiny." Van would glare this time, pretty much assuming the possibility of a clash, though not in anyway the priest had announced it. Within the blink of an eye, a rain of shimmering of blades emerged from a space that was rather distant from the priest, suggesting some form of magic. Van would swing a defiant blade in several directions, deflecting the projectiles. Found cut him across the cheek as it sailed by while the other impaled itself into his right forearm, forcing him steps back with his gritting in frustration. Insane - but not to be underestimated.

Avernus? She hadn't heard of such a place either. Blue blinked. This man was certainly someone that needed to be questioned. He knew her name. Her true identity. That in itself was unnerving and dangerous. Names had power. As her continued, he revealed more and more of how much he knew of her. He knew that she had worked for The Leaders? How much did he know of her? But his words continued to confuse her. Free her from her bonds? What bonds? She soon realized what he meant as the flicker of light that came from blades that came down. Blue watched as Van deflected the blades but not all of them. The scent of blood was obvious and this immediately angered her. But when she stepped forth to attack, she found herself hindered. In the distance, the priest had planted relics on key points around the clearing they were in so that the clearing was in the middle of the circle. The moment she had tried to use her powers activated them and it felt like something within her twisted in agony, causing her to double over as she fell to her knees. Blue stared at the ground as she lost control of her body, unable to lift herself as glowing symbols appeared on her flesh. Shackles? Blue closed her eyes as she tried to force her body to move but it wouldn't even flinch as a presence inside of her writhed in agitation. "Van," Blue spoke in earnest. This was a dilemma. If she couldn't move or even tap her powers, she couldn't help.

Van noted that dilemma, his eyes narrowing his placed a firm grip around the bayonet and tossed it aside. "'s ok, lass." Van grunted in assurance, eyes fixing upon the priest who simply stood there unarmed, almost in a provoking manner as he stood there with a shady smirk. Van wouldn't delay at his disposal however, launching himself upon the figure before launching a swift arch that cut across the immobile humanoid which Van expected to at least side step. He felt the blade having cleaved through flesh - but there was no blood. Instead, his figure dissipated into threads of light that hovered like torn rags. Light illuminated just as Van turned before he registered a Bayonet being left from the ground and stabbed through his arm, having automatically respond with the same gesture in and instinct. Another into his back, in a rather fatal area. "hmm.." The light dimmed, revealing the seemingly teleporting priest as he twisted the blade. His hand firmly clasping the astonished bleeding Van by the shoulder as he looked down upon from behind. "I thought I caught you through the heart." The priest seemed to sneer in disgust. "oh yes..Your heart is at the right. . ." Who was this hypocrite?! Van would sense a rear stab onto the back, experiencing the same phenomena again. Though this time, having understood the mechanism of his transport. Before the priest could join with another blade, Van slammed the earth with a commanding force from which black flames rose and incinerated the blades to molten wrecks. The threads of light would hurl themselves out of the pool of black flames, wrapping once again open way for the priest to 'illuminate' into existence. Hands in pocket, a smirk stating that he was impressed. Despite the blades having crumbled to bits, Van was well wounded. He pressed his weight against his sword, offering the priest a glare while he breathed erratically. "Coward." He said, standing unharmed within the midst of the pool that calmed itself.

Blue looked to Van from her immobile positions, frowning. She did not enjoy feeling vulnerable and helpless so she was quite irritated at the moment even if she only expressed it in merely frowning. All she could do was watch as Van engaged in combat with the priest that had come for her and who seemed prepared to take her by force. Blue struggled, her muscles flexing but she didn't have the strength to break the restraints that held her down. Blasted magic! Blue stared as Van was further harmed and she was all but certain his heart had been struck as she felt her own heart sink. She did not want Van to die. But it was revealed that his heart was in an uncommon location, the right side of his chest. Relief washed over her but there was no time to relax with that madman still intent on disposing of Van. Blue clenched her eyes and yelled. "Stop it! Van has nothing to do with this!" White tangible energy manifested around her, curling and twisting as Blue opened her eyes to reveal menacing sapphire eyes. The priest may have shackled her and her powers but the entity inside of her was agitated and manifesting its own powers into the air which the magic he restrained her with was having difficulty holding back. It was slipping through and threatening to break the binds as time passed. And if the entity was responding to Blue's distress, than more than likely it would see the priest as a threat just as Blue did now.

Van began to break in sweat as he recognized the sudden surge of power that came from Blue's way. Whatever manifested to break Blue's restraints could also risk turning her to the overdrive state of power she unleashed upon Nede, one which Van knew he could not be sure that he'd easily restrain it. "Blew." Van called over to her gently as his arms began to shimmer before they were set ablaze, transforming into the demonic form Van had acquired had once prized. His form began to shimmer slightly in lavender, hair rattling against howling winds. "Save ye'r strength." The priest began to sneered in disgust, reaching for his cloak to extract another Bayonet as he watched.

Blue looked to Van as he drew her attention. There were not many situations that moved her like this and caused her untapped powers to manifest. Those were few and far between. The notion of Van's life threatened did not sit well with her and she tried to relax while she watched Van begin to change. Blue stared, recalling the gauntlet he had acquired back in Nede in one of The Leader's bases. The power that emitted from Van was usual and Blue merely remained there and watched, the white streaks in the air around her calming and slowly beginning to dissipate.

When engaged battle, Van would do little with words and gestures. Instead, the barbarian prince would slash atmosphere seemingly for a misguided purpose before his form flickered out of existence. The priest would narrow his eyes in a defense stance, looking past the space which Van had disappeared from. A clawed hand came out with its host as Van now emerged out of thin air, his baseless leap across the air causing the priest to sail with him as his head was grabbed. He found himself pinned against the tree with Van's summoned superhuman strength, clearly impressed behind his smirk, oblivious to the pain that resulted from the pressure Van summoned that was eventually crushing his skull. "This - does not matter." he spoke, just before a sickening squash of bone resonated. Blue would hear the body drop to a thud. Van's eyes would widen as the voice mysteriously continued in the atmosphere, despite the destroyed host. "For it - can be reforged. Just like - the Exhalted One." With that, the voice disappeared along with the magics that eminated from the relics the priest had left. One thing would sound perk Van's ears though, monontous beeps that resonated from the priest's belt. He tugged away the cloak, just in time to witness the number one on the digital screen reduce to zero. Van would be toppled back by an explosion - one that occured at the dam. When he came to it, Van would noted the charistrophic tidal waves that instantenously began to advance, washing the forests apart. "Blew!' Van yelled as he brought himself to a stand in obvious call to retreat. "RUN!"

Blue felt the magic of the relics release her and immediately relaxed, moving to stand after she had witnessed Van crush the head of the vessel the priest had used but it appeared that would not be adequate in terminating the priest permanently as his voice remained in the ether. Blue frowned. She had wanted to ask that priest more questions. How did he know so much about her? And what was Avernus? But there was no time to relax or ponder as Blue stumbled when an explosion shook the earth and made her lose her balance. That was right before a loud roar thundered through the land and she rose widened eyes to the enormous tidal wave that was charging in toward them. Run? There was no time! Blue calculated her distance from Van as she looked to him. There was no time to reach him, either. Her muscles tense as she wanted to but self-perservation caused her to merely turn around to watch the wall of water that advanced upon them. She faced it head on and erected a barrier around herself as the water crashed against it with a tremendous force that caused her heels to dig into the earth. Van. What had happened to Van?! All Blue could see was water. Water that quickly overwhelmed her. She had not the strength to hold her barrier against such brute force. Her barrier collapsed and she felt the water strike her with a force that knocked the air out of her. She lost her orientation as the water twisted and tossed her around. When she felt her body get slammed against a solid object, most likely a tree, water filled her lungs and she lost grasp of the conscious world. Was this how she was going to die? Darkness.

And within such darkness, having lost sense of time did she suddenly begin to see the hazel 'visions' of another presence that seemed to have been there, though in a rather more remote location. Like her and Van, however, he too was exposed to the catastrophic waves that massed upon the lands. Majesticly however, the waves cleaved around the presence, proceding along side of him. Blue would be surprised to see her own form drifting unconciously along the right side before an immediate hand reached out for her...The vision would end there.

It was dark after the vision had left her. Had it been a dream? If she were dead, she couldn't have dreams. Could she? "Fiona..." ...A voice? "Fiona. It's time to wake up. Open your eyes to the world, child." Blue's brows furrowed before her eyes slowly fluttered open after the gentle coaxing. She felt oddly warm and there was light. Day time? No... there were stars in the sky. She slowly turned her head as her vision cleared and focused upon the fire that danced not far from her. She stared at it for a long while. She was silent but her mind was racing with questions. Van. She sat up abruptly though her body immediately protested as the world spinned and nausia washed over her as she pressed a hand to her head and waited for the sensation to subside.

"Hmm." The tone hummed in concern, the voice resonating beyond the flickering flames. "How are you holding?"

Blue became alert as her eyes narrowed and she glanced toward the source of the voice. It was not Van's voice. And if it was not Van, that person would not be trusted. "I'm fine," she stated after the nausia had passed. Where was she? And who was he? More importantly, where was Van as Blue slowly scanned her proximity but saw no sight of him.

"Good." The man acknowledged, bringing himself to a seat before the fire place, the flickering flames illuminating his figure to recognition. Leo, the blind healer they met at the falls. "The waters must have been ruthless." The healer would gently push a wooden board along the grass, baring some fruits over its surface. "Eat. You've been asleep for two days."

Leo too - would be silent for a moment as he took a tiny branch and poked the hearth to adjust the wood. "It was a catastrophic assault. Very few are endowed to withstand such an onslaught. Those exposed could have been carried anywhere." He said, before setting down the wooden tool. "Many died."

Her grip on the apple tightened. "I see." She did not want to believe Van was dead. But it had been two days now, she could only hope that he was alive. But how would that matter if she never saw him again? That was almost as bad as him being dead. Blue stared at the apple and felt the anguish slowly setting in. It was an odd sensation, as if there was a void in her chest. It was... uncomfortable. She took another bite of the apple and slowly chewed the substance in her mouth. She didn't want to believe it. Was she lucky that she survived? Or was fate cruel to allow her to live now with this new void in her life? She didn't feel so lucky when it was put that way.

"Fortunately, I found you in the midst of the chaos." Leo pointed out, though felt the lack of response to such a notion. The blind one lowered his head with a meek smile having traced itself upon his lips. "In the midst of such times where the odds seem to discomfort us, it is then that we turn to hope. Have faith. "

Blue frowned at the word. Faith. That word usually had a religious reference to it as Blue glared down at the apple. "Faith in what?" She questioned.

Blue was silent for a moment before she responded. "I suppose." Blue finished her apple and placed the core away. If Van was alive, where was she to start? She did not even know and this did not brighten her mood.

"If he is as keen about the idea of finding about your whereabouts as you are, then I would suggest that you find your stay at a particular settlement until he does." Leo would smile inspite of Blue's quizical stare, lifting to his mouth. "Two bad habbits. Reading people's thoughts, and an occasional puff now and then." The ancient was about to indulge the second notion, when he realized that he had nothing to burn. "Well, maybe not tonight."

Blue looked to him and her eyes narrowed at his confession. Reading people's mind was a bad habit, eh? Well she would make sure he did not see the thoughts that ventured on the surface of her mind again as she brought up her mental shields. She could read people thoughts also. But she didn't like to, and she certainly didn't like others peeking into her head either. It was intrusion. "Too bad. I want a cigarette right about now. Or some whiskey." She muttered, raising a knee up so she could place her arm upon it and then rest her chin upon her arm. "Is there a town nearby?"

"A rather central one as well. The merridean, well known to supply the finest bounties. " Leo announced. "Normally, I would proceed regardless of nightfall. I have long lost my dependence over the light. Though, there are hints of hostile movements within the woods. I prefer maintain as much of a low profile as I can." he said, pointing out the obvious. His head turned as cool air whispered through the mouth of the forests. "Hmm, it seems that winter approaches. Time moves fast."

Blue listened and pondered whether she should set off to that town now or not. The evening shouldn't hinder her and she wasn't afraid of the obstacles that may lay ahead of her if she didn't decide to wait until morning. She shivered involuntarily as she felt the cool air pass by. "Or not fast enough." She didn't know when she would see Van. Or if she would ever see Van again. She sighed before glancing to him. "May you show me where this town is in the morning?" She asked.

Leo would shift himself, before lying down with hands gently folding over his abdomen, his form horizontal before the flames as he smiled brightly. “It IS my destination.” Leo replied in a manner of fact tone.

"Mm," Blue murmured. She assumed that was good enough. She would simply follow him as she moved from her position to lean her back against a tree. She stared at the dancing fire as it provided warmth and illumination, driving the darkness away. She wasn't certain whether or not she would get any sleep tonight. Aside from the fact that she had already slept for two days straight, she had a lot on her mind tonight. But she would try anyways as she would raise her legs to her chest to wrap her arms around them and rest her head upon her knees before she would close her eyes.

She was more exhausted than she thought as it wasn't long before she dozed off, soothed by the comfort and company of the fire. But she would find no solace in her dreams. She was reminded on why she hated sleeping as past ghosts came to haunt her. A dark figure approached her. "It's your fault. You let him die." "No. I wanted to save him." "You didn't try to protect him." "I couldn't. He was too far. I wouldn't have reached him in time." "Yet you didn't try. Instead, you are alive now to die another day. But him..." "Shut up." "You didn't care." "Shut up." "It's your fault." "No..." "It's your fault that he's gone now." Blue writhed inwardly. "Murder." "Shut up!" "This is what you deserve. You were born alone and you will die alone." "No!" Blue's inner self covered her ears in an attempt to block out the voice but it was a futile effort as multiple voices manifested to echo words of malice toward her. "Your fault. Your fault. YOUR FAULT!" Blue felt the pressure building inside of her, emotions she hadn't felt before twisting savagely in a violent maelstorm. Loneliness. Depression. Guilt. Pain. "Van!" Blue cried out in a plea to be spared of this inner torment. But he was no longer around. But her plea was answered by another... Blue awoke and yet she didn't. Her eyes opened but she felt detached from the world around her, as if she was watching from the background. She was standing now and walking away from Leo and the fire. Negative energy was surging from her, a black aura manifesting around her, twisting savagely around her form. The only visible color from her were the ruby eyes that gleamed menacingly as she advanced forward. Animosity boiled within her chest while her aura reached out with its tendrils, tainting any living object that was unfortunate enough to be within their reach as the grass blackened beneath her and the bark of the trees rotted, their leaves falling as if they had their life energy stripped away. There were humans in the distance. A town. And that was her destination.

And as time churned slowly did the ancient wake with a startling rise to a seat, palm covering a face disturbed with sweat and aches. What was this malicious feeling? “Fiona?” He spoke softly in a low voice above a whisper, only to realize at that instant that she wasn’t there. This karma – his bros furrowed deeply as he seemed to register it with hinting expressions of recollection. Leo would rise and proceed with a fast paced progress along the path he sensed decayed. Mobile as he was in the past and knowledgabl of the paths, it would not take long for him to register where this path would lead to. Had he reserved any measure of sight at all, he would be well aware of how much closer he was to Fiona then he had presumed, the malicious light finding its reflection over his unscathed youthful visage. His sprint would come to a firm pause, a soft scratching against the marred earth announcing his presence. “Fiona!” He called out. “Command it! Cease this pointless carnage.”

Her presence would pause as she sensed another approaching, turning her head slowly as menacing crimson eyes glared at him with intense animosity. "Perish," she commanded and the malicious aura around her would suddenly expand and advance toward him. Its tendrils multiplied and reached out for him to try to simply touch him. That's all that they needed, even just a small brush could cause catastrophic results to the body. At the moment, she loathed the world. She loathed everyone and everything. They could all die.

Leo’s eyes furrowed in response towards the malice that began to expand itself. What was this feeling? Like a flaming snake, one of the tendrils would fasten itself around Leo’s arms . Leo’s figure would twist in agonizing expression the pain – like electricity coursed through him, but he kept his teeth clenched. His brows would furrow as an invisible blast of telepathy propelled the negative energy just in time for Leo to pull away. His arms marked with scorching crimson. Leo would defy promises he had made tonight. This had to be stopped. The tendrils would encroach and eventually swarm to envelop his entire being, almost to the point where one would believe he was done for. It was at that fatal moment that a white flash erupted, shattering the blue ink cacoon, igniting a pillar that roused like an explosion into the skies. Hisses and echoes filled the night. When the light died out, Leo and Blue would be seen in its wake, both on their knees. The ancient’s hands clasping the sides of her head while the girl sought to resist – or whatever controlled her. His hands would be propelled by her physical resistance before determination brought him to summon more of his strength, bowing his head low as his hands tightened. A shockwave boomed through the meadow. . .

In those precious moments as Leo held onto her head, flashes of her memories would pass between them. They were disorganize, jumping between time intervals of her life. Some had Van it, others had people she had crossed during her life. Then the torture she endured as a child. Then a woman who looked like an older version of herself. The woman looked to Leo and smiled warmly. She wasn't smiling at him, though. He became a person in the background as the sound of crying became evident. "Fiona. Fiona, don't cry." The woman consoled a small child in her arms. The child lowered her hands from her wet face as she stared up at the woman. "I'm scared." "There's nothing to be scared of. I'm here now." The child sniffed then smiled meekly. "I love you." The woman stated warmly which the child would respond to brightly. "I love you too, Mommy!" Outwardly, the ominous aura disappated and was replaced by a white glow that emitted a soothing and calming warmth. Blue's expression softened and her eyes returned to their blue color as the negative energy was extracted. Meanwhile, the soothing memory faded away until Leo would see with his mind's eye a white entity that towered over him. It drove the darkness that represented that negative energy away with its bright illumantion. Its form was tangible and began to take shape into what could be called a bird as it gazed down at him. "Thank you." Blue collapsed as the glow withdrew into her body.

Leo’s hands would instinctively move to steady her, though with the shockwave and the rocketing events the blind one fought to maintain himself in order to not need some balancing himself. It was not the malice of the aura, his fight to break from its influence and force his hand; not the promises he had broken or forbidden powers he had unleashed to mark his resolve, not the conflict or the discovery of Fiona’s predicament – that seemed to have drained his spirit here, even as the celestial bird illuminated its thanks with its majesty. There, within the shards of tattered memories, struck him a truth that left him in a silence was near foreboding. His hands shivered as he traced Blue’s body with a shuddering breath, hands taking hold of the sides of her face as he searched to behold something. His lips began to move silently, before his throat ceased – his voice fading into a squeak as something strangled it at that moment, his retreating to the left and torment twisted it in grief. Something fell on Fiona’s face, striking cold and subtly as it did. . . A tear.

Fiona awoke as the rays of the sun fell upon her face, drawing her from her slumber. She stared at the sky momentarily before realizing that it was morning. She knew she had had a nightmare but she could not recall what it was now. Not surprising. She slowly rose to a seated position and rubbed her eyes before running her fingers through her hair with a small yawn. She wondered what time it was as she glanced around slowly for Leo, unaware of the havoc she had caused the night before.

"Ah. I Ah. . . “ Leo’s voice resonated from beneath the graceful shade of a tree that he had leaned against throughout the rest of the night, one arm placed over a raised knee. “So you woke up. After last night’s incident, I expected you’d take a little longer. All good, I hope?"

"Last night's incident?" She asked, obviously oblivious of what he was referring to as she stared at him. "What happened last night?" She asked as she slowly rose to a stand in order to begin stretching her body out. She felt a slightly stiff but nothing that a morning stretch couldn't remedy.

"Endowed as you are and troubled by dreams, it seems that you've managed to manifest - if not revive something of great malice." Leo spoke plainly, seeing it less fitting to conceal anything regarding what happened yesterday. He felt that she were to become aware of it. "Look - what do you see beyond my fist?"

Blue listened to him and quirked a brow. She would then look where he was telling her to and saw the decay. She blinked. Had she been sleep walking, she wondered. "Oops?" She questioned, as if she should honestly feel any guilt. "Did I kill anyone?" She asked. She didn't care for the destruction of the woods but Van would be upset at her if she ended up taking a life. But not like it would have been her fault, she hadn't been aware of what she had been doing.

“Me.” Leo replied, before hinting his sarcasm by baring his left arm. The scorching mark still there, or at least he had hoped. He still felt it – it had to be there. “Well, almost. I wouldn’t look forward to clashing with it again, however. And the next time this happens, it won’t be just the lives of others at stake.”

Blue would lower her eyes to his arm as he presented it to her before she noticed the unappealing burn. She wondered how she had done that. But apparantly, she had. "I see," she stated. She felt no remorse. He wasn't dead, now was he? "I wasn't aware at the time," she stated honestly. "But at least you aren't dead," she shrugged lazily. "Are you well enough to travel?"

“I don’t know.” Leo would answer, this time in a rather more sincere tone then sarcastic, though his answer defied the appearance of his well being as he didn’t seem to have much trouble to make a rather energetic stand. He paced past Blue and simply stood there, his head lowering without a word as he seemed to listen to something. It would take time before Blue would register a caravan on its way, the occupants – baring weapons and grim looks – not so civil looking.

Blue would study Leo quietly. The wound had not appeared that bad. It would certainly take time to heal but he was not paralyzed or severely injured. She looked once more to the destruction she had presumably caused the night before. Perhaps she had acted out subconsciously during her nightmare and had ended up accidentally lashing out at Leo. Not like she felt any guilt. Leo was just but another person to her. Insignificant. She then looked away from the sight as she soon noticed a vehicle coming towards them. She immediately registered the weapon's and noted to remain cautious.

The caravan would pull to a slow and eventual stop, the horse snorting a breath which waved a tiny bit of Leo’s hair. They were two. A moehawk and baldy. The moehawk smirked at blue before his face twitched and broke in sweat when Leo spoke abruptly.“No. She’s not for sale.” Leo answered. “What?!” He questioned. “Well, my name is Leo. I’m a medicine.” “Huh?!” “And yes, he still holds it against you for shaving him bald.” Now the next sudden what came from the specified person. “No I’m not a weirdo.” And thus, the significant exchange of words began, all which had flattened the men’s confidence to the point where they found themselves speechless for a moment before their expressions began to mold and change rather flexibly. One dagger was thrown, Leo side stepped, continuing to announce their thoughts before them. By the time ten minutes had past, luxuries, weapons, few books and coins would find themselves mounted upon each other behind Leo’s back before the moehawk stood with his ears plugged with his palms. “THAT’S IT! I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!” He whined, flailing his arms with anger as he seemed on the brink of leaping onto leo’s form. He found himself falling with a fist on the horse’s rear however, escalating into exciting the beast, setting him on fourth onto a gallop. A chaarge which Leo had gently shoved Blue from when it transpired. Leo would turn and wince as he heard something crash. . .

Blue blinked and immediately knew that Leo was using his telepathy to both confuse and unnerve the bandits that had approached them. She would simply stand back and watch as Leo interacted with them, revealing their thoughts and most inner secrets. Blue stared as the men became aggravated to the point that it made them careless and Blue watched as the caravan charged away after Leo had gently pushed her out of the way. "What was all of that about?" She asked and glanced to the unusual medicine man.

“Hm? Oh, the looters? They just didn’t like me reading their minds, that’s all.” Leo shrugged, pacing away sluggishly just in time to miss a wheel that rolled its way towards him before falling flat on its side. He crouched to pick up his medicine cabinet before he returned to step over it. “Merridean’s straight ahead.”

Blue stared at the medicine man but shrugged. That had been obvious. She wouldn't have liked her mind to be read either. She didn't have any belongings with her to carry, unfortunately lost within the flood that had overtaken the forest. So she waited for Leo to grab his cabinet before they would set off. "So are you just a wandering medicine man?" She would ask curiously after they had begun walking. "Just happening to reach a disease-struck village in the nick of time when all seemed lost?" She glanced toward him. It was simply a suggestion, something she had read in a book once before.

Leo ‘s head would swing back in a non-shameful wide mouthed yawn that twisted his serene face all together, fitting for a youthful face. Would almost spring a doubt to Van’s claims of him being ancient. “Sometimes, that can be the case.” He replied. “Though, my mission is to inspire hope. Change perspectives to the better. If I am noticed and acknowledged for what I do, the world could turn out to be a better place.”

Blue would watch as the man yawned. He certainly appeared like a laid back man. She listened to him and frowned. "One person can't make the world a better place," she stated. "There will always be corruption and evil lurking in the dark sewers of human civilization. All humans are violent and dark at heart. Just some of those intentions and basic instincts are repressed." She stated. She obviously wasn't an optimistic or positive thinker.

“Humanity is given the power of choice and their instincts are there to often help them decide whether such choices were right or wrong.” Leo didn’t seem keen on giving up on his idea, however. “Which brings us back to the most basic, however resentful, philosophy – Good cannot exist without evil. If one reigns supreme for all eternity, purpose would cease to exist. We are all slaves, whether to our whims, those or that we devote our lives to, even to ourselves. The idea is see which best suits. And our significance lies in the animate side of things, love, hate, color and poetry.”

Blue stared at him before sighing and looking ahead. She already knew evil could not exist without good. But the matter of the fact was, the world would never be a good place. Humans ensured that. But she would agree there were a few, just a few humans that were possibly sincerely good. "If you say so," she stated though she obviously was not convinced. For now, her only goal was to get to the nearest town and hope that maybe she could find any information about Van's whereabouts or his well-being.

It was a long journey, but thoughtful moments and brief conversations had altogether dismissed the notion of time. The buildings would give off the same atmosphere of Nede, if the crowd hadn’t retained a busier feel. Though, the latter was changed when the medicine man came into view. Leo had to pause and gesture for Blue to wait patiently as he obviously seemed rather engaged with the crowd, trying to shorten the confrontation however. He managed to lessen the density by gesturing that he was tired, inspiring a few enthusiastic lads and lasses to clear the way for him. With that, the two found themselves at a quiet inn, shutting out a crowd from behind when Leo closed the door. “Well. We’re here.”

Blue was rather silent along the way. If any brief conversation had been exchanged between them, her responses would have been brief and to the point. She wasn't a talkative lass and she had no intentions of knowing the medicine man anymore than she already did. She was grateful, possibly, that he had saved her life during the flood but other than that, she owed him no debt. She would perhaps repay him one day for saving her if she ever came across him again. And soon, they were in town and at an inn as they seperated from the crowd outside. "Thank you," she stated her dull appreciation. "I think I can handle myself from here on out." How she would start on finding Van's whereabouts she didn't know. But first she needed to get settled in. If Van was indeed alive, perhaps he would be in the area and maybe consider visiting this town. But she herself didn't have the funds to travel the world in search for him.

"Do you, now?" Leo asked, though the tone hinted his doubts regarding her statement. His mind expanded to search for the receptionist, near, though not present in the hall – for now. “Well, I would suggest you visit the Old Owls Tavern in Sanctuary, Henry is well known to possess information. Shouldn’t be too far. Ask any passerby for directions. I’ll be staying here for a couple of hours. Feel free to drop by.”

Blue stared at Leo. She did not know why he was concerned whether she knew what to do from here on out or not. But she did not question it as he gave her advice on who to speak to before she would head out of the inn, walking down the street. He told her to visit a tavern. And so once she got directions, she headed to the Old Owls Tavern. Perhaps this Henry fellow could tell her of any job openings or careers she could set her eyes on. She first needed money in order to meet her needs such as food and shelter so a job was priority. It wasn't long before she arrived at the building and stepped in as she looked around.

"Lo, stranger." said a voice. The tavern had reserved the presence of all but one individual - the keeper himself. He looked like the welcoming sort. "What can I get for you?"

Blue looked to the person who had acknowledged her before she would approach. "I am looking for someone by the name of Henry. I was referred to him by someone." She stated.

"Well, look no furthur." The man was bald, cheery. A yellowish mustache. Not too handsom, not too bad. Just smooth and welcoming. "How can I help you?"

"I was wondering if you knew if there were any businesses around that are hiring? Or if you could recommend me to one. What's the most needed occupation in this town?" She asked. She hoped it wasn't doctor or nurses. She was not qualified. "I heard that there were bounties in this town. Is that true?" She asked. Hopefully there were still some left that she could use to start off with. Usually bounties had rewards that she could get in a month where most people got in a year.

"You know whats the difference between Merridean and Nede?" Henry grinned, acknowledging Blue's quizical look when he extracted a half finished bottle of vodka, sliding a glass her way before pouring one for his own leisure. "Nede's got multi-cultural markets. Merridean's got bounties. Sanctuary's atmosphere stinks with posters of'em." The guy lifted his glass in a friendly gesture. "If you're good with tables, I could use the extra hand, but I'd have to check my scheduel." Henry would down his shot in a gulp.

Blue stared at the man before he offered her a glass of vodka. It was obvious by the expression in her eyes that she was more than grateful to take the drink. She couldn't recall the last time she had had liquor so it was well-appreciated as she downed her own beverage as well. She exhaled heavily afterwards in satisfaction before wiping her mouth and then examining the occupants of the bar. "I don't know about that. Most of these men look like they wouldn't have a second thought trying to cope a feel in if they find me attractive. And I'm not one who'll politely tell them to stop. Customer first was not really a concept I mastered."

“Huh…You know, that’s a lil convenient.” Henry’s brows raised, crossing his arms as he leaned himself against the bar. “I could use a bouncer. The last one drank himself dead. I could hold my own, but I can’t be at two places at once. Found a bottle missing during one event. Stayed clear from others.”

Blue listened to him and canted her head. "A bouncer, eh? I suppose I could do that," she stated. She would need an activity to do other than bounties. "I may be interested." She stated. It was a job though she was honestly more interested in bounty hunting than working as a bouncer. But being a bounty hunter won't get her money soon and she would need one that could at least every other week until she could see if she could handle the bounty hunting business.

“Great. You’re hired.” Henry winked, sliding her another glass that collided with the other, causing the empty shot glass to drop beneath the bar. Though there was no shattering sound. Must’ve been a basket there or something. “So you got a name?”

Blue blinked as he decided to hire her on the spot. She hadn't even said she wanted the job, other than she was interested but she may as well take the chance. "People call me Blue," she responded calmly and happily took the new glass. Hell, if working at this tavern meant free drinks, it was more than worth it.

"Oh. B-ffffffttt!" Henry choked on his own shot, spraying the contents of the drink behind his counter. He asked her to watch the counter, sliding his bottle and its remnants towards Blue’s possession. Henry would disappear at an exit after he hastily asked her to watch the counter. It wasn’t long before he returned with a fistful of paper. Desperation was obvious, but he did best to dismiss that notion. Returning to the counter from behind, sliding the poster. “Might wanna change that…”

Blue stared at him as he sprayed the contents of teh liquor upon the counter. She wondered what had elicted that kind of reaction as she watched as he hurried off only to return with a poster. "Hm?" She asked curiously as he slid a poster over towards her. She leaned over to look at it as she wondered why it was of such great important and what she had to change.

The poster read “Wanted. Little Blue Red Riding Hood, Dead or Alive.” And a handsome reward for it too.

"Oh," she stated, not surprised by the poster. That was inconvenient. "So you want me to change my name?" She asked curiously as she looked to him with a quirk of a brow. If he knew who she was, was he still willing to hire her?

Henry would pull the poster from beneath her and rip it to shreds. “Might as well be good for the both of us.” The man remarked, lifting something that was obviously a trash bin from the sound of it.

"Hmm," she murmured. She thought about it for a moment. Did she want another alias? She was somewhat attached to her current one but then again, if it would cause her trouble... "Deirdre," she stated. Very few knew her real name so she assumed she may as well start using a part of it. "Is that acceptable?" She asked.

"Diedre. . .I'd pick a not too significant name, if I'd wanna keep a low profile." Henry shrugged. "But alright. Diedre it is." The man reached with a sincere hand. "The name's Henry - Henry Owls."

Blue stared at him passively. "Unless you want to make up an alias for me, I really don't know what other name to go by. Fiona?" She asked though she wasn't sure if she was comfortable in using her first name at all. She sighed before she reached out to shake his hands. "I know." She stated.

"Nah, too lovable. We'll go with - Rose." Henry pointed out, gesturing with his index finger. "Name's a bit pretty, but we've been having alot of Roses lately. Rose Samfield."

"Rose?" She asked with a quirk of a brow. But then again, he knew this town better than she did. Or she assumed he did anyways. He was starting a business here. "Alright. Rose." Not her preference but if it would keep her inconspicuous she may as well go with it for now. "As long as you don't start calling me sweetypie," she stated. It was a new start, at least.

“So, Rose.” Henry would shift himself back to the sink, returning to his duties. “What brings you here?"

"Circumstance," she stated simply, as vague was it was. "I am looking for someone who I got seperated from. I'm hoping if I stay in this town near where we got seperated, that he might consider visiting it in search for me." She explained further.

“Friend’s got a name?” Henry’s brow arched.

"Van. Van Hienkel," she responded softly.

Henry went quiet for a minute, his pausing at a rather notable moment at the mentioning of the name before he looked over his shoulder. “You might wanna consider yourself lucky that you even had the chance to partner with the guy. That man is a ghost.” Henry remarked, before slowly resuming his work. “But – you can be sure that he’ll make it to the Merridean one day. Days, weeks, years – you never know.”

"Years..." She said dryly. It was obvious that she did not want to wait that long if she could help it. "But what if he is dead? Wouldn't my waiting that long be for nothing?" She asked. She didn't want to wait for someone who was already dead. The problem was that she didnt know if he was alive or not.

“If his body was found, the whole of Merridean would be in a frenzy. News travels fast to these parts, missy.” Henry insisted, obviously against such a notion. “You don’t earn the name ‘Barbarian Prince’ least you’ve survived when you should have died many times.”

"Hmm," she murmured. So he knew who Van was, or the title that Van had earned. "If you say so," she stated though she didn't sound very convinced. All she could do was hope that Van had survived the flood. And if not... Her thoughts trailed off into uncertainty. She sighed. She would wait. However long it took.

[Thread Closed. RP continues here - The Merridean ]