Little Friends

[Danielle Otis]

A woman clothed in silk strode through the graveyard, dusk sliding across the land. It was slightly chilled, despite being summer, and the woman kept the cloth close to her. Danielle Otis clutched loosely at the cloak around her with one hand, as her other rested on her heavily pregnant belly. Despite this she walked with confidence; a straight back, chin up. Even her cat ears perked up as she walked. Her hair was beginning to get quite long, bangs nearly covering her eyes that glowed in the setting sun. Her expression was emotionless.

Slowly she came to a stop; a small grave, engraved with the name Stacy Thompson. Danielle's old best friend. Her heart still sunk ever so slightly when her mind wandered to her long gone friend. But another part of her was at ease now. In her darkest moments she would come here and speak to the grave, knowing her friend was listening and protecting her from harm.

Surely she was also protecting the children inside her now as well.

She slid down, sitting on her knees. Her hands slipped to her knees, fingertips gently caressing the ground. Danielle then closed her eyes; recited a prayer, silently, before opening. Now she would speak.

"I'm afraid of raising them on my own," she whispered, the side of her mouth twitching. She was finally losing hope in believing Dosise, her lover, would ever wake up from his coma.
"There are too many people out there who could hurt me...who might want to hurt me."

She sighed, running a hand through her lengthy dark chocolate hair.

"Just give me a sign... or a friend."
She was so lonely nowadays. No more Dosise. No more Dax. It was taxing on her, keeping her thoughts to herself all day. She didn't really have too many friends.
Her hands drifted to her stomach, and she felt a slight kick. Her face lit up ever so slightly.

She would not be alone forever; even if she had to parent them alone, she would still have her children.

[Deleted]

The young man felt old as he slowly made his way down the stoned path that lead into the graveyard. His can clicked with every other step and it also seemed to signal the painful sensations to stream throughout his wounded body. His stomach and chest was still bandaged and changed and cleansed regularly, even after all this time. Sic had done a wonderful job of keeping him alive, and the others kill his brother, no, the illusion of his brother, the curse and death that seeped into his brother's body, ensured that he would live again.

Enoch smiled as he stopped for a moment and sighed as the dusk had nearly fallen completely over the land and the colors of the sunset had almost completely faded. It was symbolic of his own life, he assumed, no longer would he be able to be the same man and it made him chuckled, although chuckling also hurt him. He had always hoped that one day Enoch would be able to live again, but like this it was almost another curse. His body would never be able to do what it once could. He was a shadow, like the night is to the day, of his former self. He would be a guild Master, teacher, and watcher but nothing else. The injuries from Roland, the injuries he had brought on by himself, were to severe. It was a fact that was hard to get used to. Knowing you where once one of the best and now unable to do any of it. But he would find a way. The man continued on down the path as he made his way further into the graveyard.

Eventually he made it to where he wished to be. He saw Danielle in the near distance before him. Before, he would have been able to sneak up to her and surprise her like he would have wanted, but now, with his inability of stealth and sloppy footwork due to his injuries, it would be surprising if she wasn't already aware of someone approaching. He hoped to someday get to the point in which he wasn't so noisy, as going from these two extremes seemed horrendous, but it was hard to believe at this point. He kept his pace as he slowly neared her, waiting for that moment when she would certainly turn around.

[Danielle Otis]

Absentmindedly, Danielle rubbed at her stomach with her thumbs, tiny circles to reassure both herself and her young ones that everything would be okay. Slowly she tried to lighten her mood up; after all, it would be soon. Soon that her beautiful children would come into this world. Despite all the horrors and sadness around her, she could not help being happy for that.

Who knew that Danielle, of all people, would be excited to have a child. Let alone multiple.

Slowly, she heard someone else in the graveyard. She paid no attention, stuck in her own silence. The girl realized she should be heading home soon, getting some sleep. Tomorrow she would have to visit the clinic to see how she was doing.

The footsteps got louder, and she realized they were rather sloppy. An old soldier, visiting the grave of an old friend? She smiled slightly of the thought. Or an older person coming to see their long lost love.

Curiosity getting the best of her, she turned her head to see the person out of the corner of her eyes. A brief glimpse, before looking at Stacy's tombstone once more.

Then her eyes went wide.

Danielle jumped up as fast as her swollen belly would let her, eyebrows raised as she spun to look at him. Bewildered. It couldn't have been him; truly, was it Dosise? The man she was almost sure she was never going to see alive again. Tears began to well up in her eyes, taking one small, hesitant step forward.

"Dosise...?" she muttered arms shaking. "Is it truly you?"
The tears began to fall; both out of pure happiness, if this was truly him. And out of sorrow, and relief, of the past few months.

[Deleted]

He was never one for emotion, it was always a relatively rare sight or thought for him to display sadness. Love, was easy with Dani, hatred, easy with others, anger of course, surprise hardly, but sadness... it was rare indeed. With that, however, when he saw her stand and shake with her plump figure, tasked with bearing, and tears falling gently over that beautiful face that he had only dreamed about... tears welled in his own eyes and threatened to fall.

He continued to walk to her, his feet clumsier now that he was attempting to quicken his pace ever so slightly from the anticipation. He had to say something, but what?
"I'm sorry for my absence." He stated and mentally assaulted himself. I'm sorry for my absence?! Who in hell says that?! But it was the only words he could think of. What do you say to someone in this situation? He was clearly out of his realm here.

He neared, wanting to embrace her yet fearful to because of the children, he saw her as a lover he wished to feel the comfort of again, a friend to embrace, but also a delicate and fine woman who was bearing. Fragile beings inside her.

[Danielle Otis]

Sorry for my absence? Danielle nearly begun laughing at the statement. It was just like him to say something like that. She watched as he drew near with clumsy feet. The woman wiped at her silent tears with the sleeves of her shirt, ushering them to stay away.

Once he was close enough, Danielle gently embrace him. Relief washed over her as she realized it truly was not an illusion. It was him.

"I thought... I didn't know if..." Tears began to fall down her face once more and she buried herself into his chest as gently as she possibly could. Shifting so that her swollen belly would not press so much into the man.

"Gods I missed you," Danielle murmured, then let out a sigh. "I love you so much."

[Deleted]

He embraced her, and closed his eyes as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her in close. It had seemed so long, he had nearly forgot the feeling of things like this once again. "I didn't know either..." He said quietly, yet happily. Happy that he knew he wasn't, happy that he knew he was alive and well. Or at least alive and moving... well was debatable.

He rested his head on hers and kissed the top of her head as he tried to think of what to say. Really, he didn't want to say anything, the silence was enough, it was what felt right. Although it was so peaceful and put him at ease, there were words he needed to say. "I love you too, Danielle... more than I have loved anything in this world." He did smirk to himself, thinking of how little he truly had loved in this world. "More than anything I've hated in this world." He added, seeing more of a compliment in that.

[Danielle Otis]

She chuckled slightly, pulling back and going on her toes, planting a soft kiss on his lips. She missed this; the way he went about his words, holding him. Kissing him. It felt odd... but good.

Truly Stacy had heard her prayers.

Danielle pulled away from the kiss, a slight curious expression on her face.
"I never knew you had a brother. Quite a surprise, him showing up... he seemed rather odd."

Of course Danielle had been away from the guild for some time, only seeing them occasionally when she would visit Dosise. But she would never see his self-proclaimed brother. In all, no one at the guild really told her anything. She heard whispers, but they were soon shut off when she came near. A pregnant woman was not usually good at sneaking.

Danielle supposed that they did not want to put stress on her where it was not needed. But she would have liked to have been a little informed.
She was relieved though; not only was her lover truly back, but perhaps he could shed some light on the situation.

"No one told me much while you were in that coma," she added.

[Deleted]

Their lips met and it truly was a fine experience and warm awakening from the coldness of his coma and slumber. His nightmarish sleep. He, of course, kissed her back and even when she had ceased he held his eyes closed for a moment longer as he continued to feel it.

He opened his eyes, and tried to find the words to that piece of history. History he had thought was just that, but evidently been much more than that. "I had a brother once." He explained. "But whatever that was... that was nothing as I remember him to be. There are things in this world, as I am sure you are beginning to realize, that are truly dark and malevolent."

He smiled softly however, after dwelling on those things, and looked down to his love. "But it did help me see what it is I truly desire. Dani, I'll tell you everything now. My past, my secrets, my hopes and desires. Anything and everything. I want their to be nothing between us." He hadn't kept secrets from her, but there was much he never told her simply because she never asked. Starting today, however, that would all change.

[Danielle Otis]

Danielle had never thought Xavier a bad man towards her. He was a criminal of course, but she never thought he would do anything to hurt him. And him not telling her about his past unless she asked... she was never bothered by it. Not even now, even when it might have helped him.

But even so, a soft smile glowed on her face.
"I'd like that," she whispered, pulling him into a tight hug.

It felt like an eternity, holding him like that. In a good way. She was still a bit in shock, seeing him after all that time.

"I've kept the house in check," she laughed; as if he would care about that.
"And from what I know, the babies are fine."

She furrowed her eyebrows a bit, pulling back again and looking up.
"I never got to tell you. You went on that mission before I could. I'm... we're having three."

Her eyebrows were no longer furrowed as she smiled wider. It was as if she had just found out she was having three kids again; that overjoyed feeling. Happy to share that news with him. She was not exactly sure how he would take it. But somehow she did not think Dosise would mind.

[Deleted]

The wounds given to him by Roland screamed at him as she hugged him, but the smile on his face remained unchanged. If he wouldn't have been in pain, it would have grown as he looked down, down to her roundness, to the babies. "..." he opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn't think of the words yet again.

Almost in such a way as though he seemed to have been forced to the ground painfully, he fell to his knees as he placed a hand on Dani's stomach. "Three..." He smiled slightly, a tear falling from his eye. "That is wonderful news." His smile grew steadily as he continued to stare and imagine them all inside of her. He chuckled slightly. "We won't get any practice at doing this then I suppose. Chaos from the beginning, for all of them." He joked as he thought of how he was going to do this. Never a father, and now a father of three. "Guess that is what would only be fair." He chuckled again as he tried to stand but couldn't. He managed to get one foot planted as he continued to kneel. He looked at Dani, his smile still wide, joy in his eyes. "I wonder how long until that house of ours stays that way... with what we have coming." He imagined the chaotic three running about, causing mayhem.

[Danielle Otis]

Danielle's smile grew wider and wider as she saw the excitement fill Dosise. Tears welled up in her eyes and she laughed, wiping them away before placing one of her hands onto one of his.

She could already picture their future; in a world of evil and hatred, her light. Their home, messy and homey. Both Xavier and herself trying to calm the children. Taking them off the chandelier, trying to teach them not to go into the secret passages.

She could not imagine it any other way.

"Oh Gods, if they're anything like you they'll burn the house down by the time they can walk!" she joked, laughing again.

Then she stopped laughing, face still a half-smile but her eyebrows slowly furrowing. A slightly painful, squeezing feeling around her lower back and below her belly. For a moment she was silent, before she took a breath in. Paused.

Of all days...

"You might be becoming a father faster than you'd think," she stated, touching her stomach with both hands.
"I think they're coming now."

The wildspoken, yelling, wild woman that Danielle was now spoke more matter-of-factly and curiously about the subject.

[Deleted]

Enoch laughed as well. "Quite humorous..." he narrowed his eyes as he continued to laugh, "but please don't wish that upon us." With all his kidding, his joking died down as her face changed as well.

His eyes could not be force to remain as they were. They widened and gaped. He could hardly stand by his own strength! How was he to lead her to the infirmary, to the doctors? He couldn't deliver one baby let alone three!

"Ah-huh," he uttered painfully as he forced himself to stand. "Okay um, hold still, no I mean come with me I'll help you." he placed a hand on her back and tried to lead her. "Gently now... slowly... or maybe quickly. Are you comfortable? Does it hurt? Are you hungry, I mean you ate before you came here, or I mean... uh we'll be fine, we can make it." he reassured, although it seemed as though it was only he who was freaking out.

[Danielle Otis]

Danielle was dragged along gently, and she raised an eyebrow at his reaction. She almost begun laughing, trying to interrupt him each time to let him know that she was fine.

"Everything will be alright, we're not that far off. And it just started. Really, calm yourself love!"
She gave off a quick chuckle, placing one of her hands on his cheek as they walked.

Truly this was an amusing situation; for the first time, the rolls were reversed. Danielle did not expect to be so calm. And she certainly did not expect her lover to be acting like this.

[Deleted]

There was no better way to describe it. The roles had seemed to have reversed. Today, at this moment, he had none of his composure of a Guild Master or Master Assassin, no Lord charisma or previous Knight collectiveness, he was none of that.

"Yes, no you are right. We'll be fine. I mean you'll be fine." He agreed as he nodded. Feeling the reassuring touch on his cheek. But then he realized that he was a wanted criminal. He had attempted to murder Roland... there was no way he was getting into the city like this. His heart sunk, his face turned white.

He tried to think of how he was getting in. Sneaking was hardly an option and so was escorting Danielle in. He had to talk to her about it, because soon they would need a solution. "Danielle... I'm a wanted man still... how am I going to get you to the infirmary?" He asked, his voice sounded tense, but he tried to keep it calm.

[Danielle Otis]

Danielle smiled wider, amused at how he was acting, until she saw his face turn a bit white. She frowned, determined to ask what was wrong, when he answered without her needing to ask.

Her heart drooped slightly, realizing he was right. He was still a wanted man. She had forgotten about that. Her eyebrows furrowed as she thought, biting at her lip. They did not have enough energy or magic between the two of us to really get him in there. Sneaking, turning him into a different looking person. They couldn't do it.

However something clicked in Danielle's head, and she looked back up at her lover.

"That... that friend of yours, Stacy's cousin. He could make you look like someone else, just for a while. Right?" she sounded very eager, her hand on her belly. She did not want Xavier to miss this. He couldn't.
Because after this, she doubted she would want any more.

[Deleted]

He thought over this suggestion, as he also ran other ideas through is head. There truly were few. Dante was their only chance, and although Enoch never thought him to be one to know much about magic that delved into these areas, he did no a great deal about magic. It was worth their time.

He nodded, "It is our only option it would seem." He began to try and remember if he knew the way, it took some time, but he did. It was not often that he ever forgot a home, a route, or a building whether it be friend's or foe's. "I wonder if he still lives in the same place." He stated, mostly to himself, but praying for some sort of reassurance.

[Danielle Otis]

"Oh I'm sure he does," Danielle stated, though unsure herself. But she was in a better state of mind than Dosise; and truth be told, she was just happy to be walking with him side by side once more. Despite the stress and the pressure on her abdomen, Danielle had a smile remaining on her face.

"Last time I was there I had to step on books to get anywhere. If he's there I guarantee you won't be able to see the floor."
She remembered vividly the first and last time she had been to Stacy's cousins house; when she had to request him to bring Xavier back.

Danielle had lost him twice now. And it felt as though this might be the last time.

Soon they were approaching his house, with its dull fence and flourishing front yard. With a quick knock at the door, thumping could be heard around the house. Suddenly the door swung open. There stood Dante, looking as if he had just woken up with his hair sticking up at one end, and clothes a wrinkled mess. But he had not gone to bed yet; no, he was still wearing normal day clothes. His house was still covered in books; perhaps a bit less so now, as if he had attempted to clean.

The sorcerer stared blankly for a moment, before furrowing his eyebrows as he stared at Dosise.

"I thought you died," he stated absent-mindedly, folding his arms. Before anyone could say anything he shrugged, "Well good to see you're well, the both of you. Odd to stop by at this hour."

He looked over at Danielle, who seemed to have a contraction. Her face squinted slightly and the hold on her stomach tightened a bit. Then she went back to normal. Dante stared at her stomach for a moment before stating, "Please don't tell me you're making me help you give birth. Anything but that."

Danielle went red, smiling a bit as she turned to look up at Dosise.

[Deleted]

The house looked as he remembered it, although seeming to be years older than what it was, it was no surprise given the information that Dante spent all his time in books or with magic rather than the upkeep of his home. It didn't look bad, of course, but it was obvious he didn't spend any spare time on it. Dante seemed to reflect that same characteristic. His physical appearance was rather rough, but Enoch was fully aware of the quality within the man.

"I nearly was," he stated as he thought of the injuries he had suffered. Suffered was perhaps the wrong words, they had been justly dealt he supposed. With the contractions, his face darted down to her to make sure she was well, and his eyes widened until after she seemed fine. He was not prepared for this at all. Xavier was about to ask for his appearance change when he realized that Dante had given him a wonderful idea. If the babies could be delivered here, that would solve all their problems. It would be an odd request, and odder still if he would and could do it, but he saw no harm in asking.

"Can you deliver children?" He asked.

[Danielle Otis]

Dante nodded, scratching at the scruff on his chin. Of course Dosise almost died. He always did. Though by the looks of him it looked like it really had taken a toll on him.

Danielle raised an eyebrow at Dosise's suggestion. At first she was skeptical. But then thought it was brilliant. They wouldn't have any worries! That is, if he could do it.

Dante just stared at the two, and then the belly, before flushing a very bright red.

"Well I mean, I've never done it before. I can do it, I've seen it done, but I'VE never done it," Dante stumbled with his words, running his hands through his hair before over his face.

"Why is it me you always come to," he seemed to whimper, before nodding vigorously and walking into the house, stumbling over books. He began running around the room, jumping onto a chair to reach a book on top of a hanging ornament, picking up a book below others on the ground, all the while talking.

"Come in come in, I just need to find a few spells is all. Hope you don't mind helping Dosise. Not with the magic part that is," he stated, looking over at the two before flushing red again, and grabbing a few blankets and cushions from the book-covered chair.

what have I gotten myself into.

[Deleted]

"You live too close I suppose, and Stacy told me to keep you busy and entertained." He said with a chuckle as he guided Dani into the home. "At least I think she would have if I would have asked her." He smirked and gave the inside of the house another look around.

"You would think he would have them labeled and organized or something." he said softly to Dani as he looked at all the books. "How are you holding up?"

He paused for a moment at the thought of helping, but then realized that it would be no bloodier than what he had experienced before, and challenging, how difficult could watching a baby be born really be anyhow? He, unknown to him of course, was in for a wonderfully stressful realization. "Just tell me what needs to be done and I'll do it."