Dinner Celebration...(Private)

[Aerin Vaettir]

Elle looked at Namari before her own plate, deciding not to speak on Namari’s remark. The problem was Aerin was hurt bad, or at least in her eyes. He had three large gashes down his arm and had a large bite in his side, and was bleeding badly when she arrived. It could have been worse. The giant cat thing Aerin said he had summoned had also made a mess of his office, which she noticed that Aerin had the claw marks fixed that had decorated his floors for a little while. But she also knew deep down there was no way for her to stop her brother from doing these things. She sort of understood now how Aerin felt whenever she’d take a man home for the night after meeting him at the pub or something. Except Elle had no interest in such things now, because she had Meryl.

“Well, I learned long ago that certain herbs from the underworld can speed up healing in my potions. They can make some nasty poisons as well, so if I need a powerful one I can use some roots from there. I also found one flower that can act as a potent aphrodisiac,” Aerin said, responding to Walter’s question. “As for the creatures, they’re mostly out of curiosity I suppose. I actually have one summon that I made a deal with. I trade some of my hair for some of her scales, and her scales are actually what made that paralyzing agent you used when you ran into Walter in the woods Elle.”

Elle blinked, remembering the potion she used to stop the bandits from doing any further damage with Walter. Aerin made it with scales from some creature from hell? She didn’t know if she was more scared of him dealing with intelligent beings or unintelligent beings.

“What does she use your hair for?” she asked.

“I don’t know. She said she liked the color,” Aerin replied, shrugging. “But I tread as carefully as one can when doing these sorts of things. Sometimes things go a bit awry.”

“Perhaps you should cease your summoning altogether,” Vlad spoke. “Nothing good can come of it.”

“I’ll do as I please,” Aerin replied mildly.

“Oh certainly, do as you please, with no regard for others,” Vlad said, looking a bit heated. Elle frowned.

“Uncle Vlad…” she began, but was cut off with a wave of the hand.

“Nothing from you Elle. You’re just as bad, what with your whoring around and all. So you have a boyfriend? How long will this one last do you think?” he snapped, Elle physically recoiling from his words, looking wide eyed.

“Elle, you’re taste in men leaves much to be desired. You fool around with men who amount to nothing, and you find one you call a boyfriend and lover and they turn out to be nothing as well. Be sure this Meryl character isn’t another Erik, and we don’t have another situation like your coming of age ceremony.” Elle flinched before looking down, red faced and looking deeply hurt.

“Meryl isn’t like Erik…” she said softly.

“No, I don’t suppose he’s the type of person to deflower you after weeks of begging and then announce it to the entire city in front of you and your parents during your ceremony. You’d have to be a virgin again for that,” Vlad said sarcastically, crossing his arms and successfully bringing forth tears to Elle’s eyes.

“Vladimir, enough,” Aerin said sharply, placing both hands on the table, looking angry.

“Why? Why should we allow such behavior? You yourself do not approve of her actions!” Vlad snapped. “Why should I watch my niece lay herself out for other men, pandering to their whims and acting like a whore for the world to indulge in? It’s disgusting, really, and shames the family name…”

Suddenly, Vlad’s chair was thrust forward, slamming the elf’s stomach into the table, before it flew back, Vlad in it, striking the wall and cracking the back of his head against the solid wood. Vlad gave a sharp cry in pain, holding his head. Elle gasped, turning to see Aerin’s hand up, having used his magic to strike against the older male elf.

[Namari Lovelle]

Walter nodded, pleased with the answer. He had a few friends that bargained with beings; some were quite tricky. But Aerin was not a dumb man; surely he would watch out for these things.

The three guests from the castle nearly all sighed as Vlad spoke once more, but they continued to eat; truly there was no use. There would be fighting til the end of the night with these two. Namari was relieved once more when Elle tried to calm the situation.

The three guests immediately stopped eating, however, as Vlad continued.

Simon looked rather uncomfortable about the whole thing, whereas Namari had a shocked look on her face as she looked at Vlad. Walter on the other hand, clenched his jaw tight with furrowed eyebrows, his temper rising.

He was astonished, and appalled, at what Vladimir was saying.

Namari felt the strong urge to slap Vlad come back; and this time she almost felt justified in doing it. Not only was it rude to speak to his niece like that; but to talk about such a personal matter!

The Queen too was beginning to fill with rage. And it seemed like neither Walter nor Namari were the only ones, as Aerin ordered Vlad to step down.
Within the breath that Vlad had spoken last Namari opened her own mouth, about to give Vlad a piece of her mind. Even if it was none of her business, she did not care.

But the Queen did not get the chance.

Suddenly Vlad's chair was flung forward- then back.
Both Walter and his squire shot up from their seats, not realizing quite what had happened yet. Simon had quickly took hold of his bow, an arrow half out of the quiver, when Walter put a hand partway up to halt him, noticing it had been Aerin.

He couldn't help but admit to himself he was glad Aerin had shut the man up. But now this was a very unstable situation. From out of the corner of his eye, Walter watched Atropos.

Simon stood still, arrow still halfway out, ready to shoot if necessary.

Namari nearly jumped up herself- but remained seated, not knowing what to do.
"Aerin I think you need to calm down," She muttered; her voice was not demanding, but more pleading.

[Aerin Vaettir]

Vladimir sat, holding his head, looking stunned for a moment before his gaze fell on his nephew and he realized what had happened. His face twisted in rage, he standing up from the chair. Elle swallowed dryly a moment, wiping tears from her eyes. Atropos, meanwhile, leaned against the corner of the room, simply watching with an amused look, a small smile, eyes glittering as he waited to see what would happen next.

Aerin slowly lowered his hand, hearing Namari telling him to be calm. Be calm? The man had been slandering his sister’s name, bashing her ruthlessly for no reason! Aerin couldn’t stand for that. Wouldn’t.

“You…you dare strike against me? Your family!?” Vlad nearly shouted, glaring angrily at Aerin. Aerin stood, fingertips resting on the table.

“Family? You’re no such thing to me,” he replied, sounding calm even though he looked angry. “You’re just a disgusting predator and nothing more.”

Vlad twitched, looking shocked before he growled and stepped around the table, approaching Aerin in a hostile manner.

“You unbelievable little brat! You’ll not speak to me in such a way!” He said, seizing Aerin by the shirt. Elle jumped to her feet.

“Stop!” she cried, watching as Vlad raised a hand, meaning to backhand Aerin harshly across the face.

[Namari Lovelle]

Namari winced as the situation grew more and more out of hand. She could not expect Aerin to calm down of course; that was his sister that Vlad had been talking about. But she still did not want things to grow more violent then they already were.

Her thoughts drifted back to what Aerin had said earlier. He had mentioned an off-hand joke about killing. And she knew he had been joking.
At least, at the time.

Walter however was amused now that Aerin had given Vlad a piece of his mind; well, sort of. Amused, in more than one way.satisfied that Vlad had shut up about Elle. And impressed at how Aerin handled the situation.
Some could call what Aerin did an inappropriate response.

Walter did not.

Simon was about to panic, not knowing what to do. His eyes continued to jump between Aerin, Vlad, Atropos, and Walter. Waiting to receive an order.

He received one finally, as Walter moved his hand up partially as Vlad moved towards Aerin. With this, Simon removed the arrow and placed it against his bow. But he did not lift the bow, nor pull back on the arrow. He awaited another order.

Namari too jumped to her feet with Elle, eyes wide as she reached for her sword; which she did not have with her. She cursed silently to herself. But Walter quickly moved past the female elves, reaching the two males just in time to grip onto Vlad's wrist.

"That's enough!" he commanded, "Both of you stop or I'll have to get invovled.
He did not want to take away Aerin's revenge for harming his sister, and whatever had happened in the past. But his job demanded it.

Had Aerin been able to see, Walter would have shot him an appologetic smile

[Aerin Vaettir]

Vlad looked at Walter in angry surprise as his hand was caught, keeping him from striking his nephew. There was a tense, silent moment, before Vlad gave a sound of disgust and shoved Aerin back a foot, before tugging his arm free. Aerin slowly let out a shaky sigh, having not realized that he had been holding his breath. Elle did the same, placing a hand on her chest, feeling her heart pounding. These two men were stressful. Entirely too stressful.

“Utterly ridiculous…” Vlad muttered, straightening his jacket before shooting a hateful glare at Aerin. He turned, running a hand through his hair. “Well, no matter. It seems I’ll have to make good on a promise I made years ago after all.” He began to walk out, side stepping Walter.

Aerin froze, feeling cold inside all of a sudden. Make good on a promise? Not the promise to him, right? Oh no…no…no...

A brief look of utter panic crossed his face, as if he were an animal caught in a trap. He even reached up to cover his mouth a moment. Within seconds his face went from scared, to sad, to cold, before he lifted a hand, tightened in a claw like pose, and set his magic to work. Vlad, having been halfway down the hallway, was suddenly slammed into the wall to the left. He gave a sharp cry as his body, still pressed to the wall, lifted off the floor a few inches, then his arms and legs seemed to get twisted slowly into a painful lock. The elf’s cries were cut short as his throat closed suddenly, and he flailed, trying to free himself of the magic, while being strangled.

“Aerin, what are you doing?!” Elle cried, shocked and panicked. She stepped up to her brother, pulling on his arm to make him stop, but he wouldn’t budge. “Stop! Aerin, stop! You’re going to kill him!” Instead of stopping Aerin gave another push, Vlad slamming against the wall once more, his face turning from red to an alarming shade of purple.

[Namari Lovelle]

Namari visibly went more calm, grasping her forehead and sighing. Relief filled her, the violence over. She thanked whatever Gods had been watching them that night, and prayed that this would never happen again. Though the Queen was not too sure, giving Aerin a sympathetic look before rubbing at the inners of her eyes.

Walter on the other hand stiffened, clenching his teeth at the disrespect Vlad had shown to everyone.
Sure he had a right to be pissed from being attacked. Even if he did sort of deserve it. But Walter had not exactly done anything to him.
The demon could not believe that it had already ended. From his encounters with any raging mages, nothing was over until someone was dead.

Simon seemed to be one of the only guests to notice Aerin's sudden emotions that danced on his face. Now even the squire boy, uninvolved in many ways, was now both interested and intrigued.
Even if they were all bloody crazy,

Suddenly Walter noticed hand move up out of the corner of his eye. He nearly cursed like a sailor as he looked at Aerin. The Knight clenched his fists together tight. Namari placed her hands over her mouth, unable to do anything about the situation.

Should Walter order Simon to shoot? But he did not want to kill Aerin, or even badly injur. But he could not let him kill his uncle. Walter's face twisted into a hurt expression, not knowing what to do. He did not know any truly affective magic resistance spells. Nor could he use his dark magic on either of them; his magic was purely destructive!

Vlad's face began to turn a purple colour, and Walter began panicking even more; he looked down at his clenched hands. Realizing there was really only one thing he could do, he clenched his jaw and appologized to Aerin silently.

Only using enough strength to both surprise Aerin and perhaps knock him to the ground, Walter hesitated no longer, and punched the elf straight in the gut.

[Aerin Vaettir]

Elle tried again to pull Aerin’s arm away, even though a part of her knew that he didn’t really need to use his hands to use his magic. She hoped to distract him, pull his attention away from Vlad, but it didn’t seem to work.

“Aerin!” Elle nearly screamed, looking back to watch as Vlad’s struggles were becoming weaker. Any moment now their uncle would be passing out, on death’s doorway.

Aerin, feeling incredibly angry, sad, and scared, ignored his sister. It pained him on many levels that he didn’t think Elle would understand that he was doing this, but he had to do it. He had to stop Vlad, had to keep him from leaving, had to stop him, had to stop him…

The a hard blow came hammering into Aerin’s stomach, and for a moment his mind went blank, his breath rushing out of him as pain rolled through him, stunning him and severing the magic. Vlad dropped heavily to the floor, gasping for breath. Aerin clutched at Walter for a second, bent over in pain, before also falling to the floor. He might have only fallen to his knees if his leg would allow such a thing. He curled up a bit, trying for a moment to get his breath back and thought he wouldn’t be able too, until he sucked in a gasp.

Elle looked helplessly between her brother and uncle, torn as to who she should go to first, before she bit her lip and walked over to Vlad. She supposed she’d let Namari tend to Aerin, if the queen was willing to even stick around after this. Vlad sat up, gasping, face turning back to red, his eyes wide in total shock. Before Elle could speaking a sound surprised her; that of hysterical laughter. She turned, watching as Atropos held his belly, laughing so hard he himself was doubled over like Aerin had been.

“What in the hell do you find so funny?!” Vlad snapped, his voice growling, sounding just like he was strangled. “You call yourself a servant? Who lets his master be attacked and does nothing!?”

“The kind that allows the attacker’s friends to strike the man for him!” Atropos said in total glee, laughing again.

Aerin shifted, moving to sit up, and Atropos grinned, brushing past Simon and stepping over Aerin. He dropped, pushing a knee into Aerin’s chest and forcing the younger male elf back down. Aerin reached up to strike against him, but Atropos took hold of Aerin’s head with both hands.

“No, no, my lovely lad. Enough,” he said, and with that sent a pulse of magic energy into Aerin’s head, making the man cry out sharply in pain before falling still, unconscious. Atropos giggled, bending to actually kiss Aerin on the forehead. “How you entertain me, young Vaettir boy.” He stood and strolled over to Vlad, who was rubbing at his throat.

[Namari Lovelle]

Walter was both relieved that his punch had stopped the man, and upset that he could not have done anything else. Truly, any hopes of being civil with Aerin, or to perhaps become friendly with one another, was probably gone.

Perhaps not, but that was how Walter had seen it.

This was made especially apparent when Atropos spoke.
'The king that allows the attacker's friends to strike the man for him.'
He felt rather ashamed after that statement. But what else could he do?

The Knight looked to the side, looking at Namari with a slightly guilty expression.

And although Atropos seemed a cruel fellow, at least he had knocked Aerin out. The Knight did not doubt that he would have tried to get up and attack Vlad again. Even with such a hard hit to the stomach.

Once Atropos left Aerin's side Namari quickly staggered over to Aerins, dropping silently to her knees as she brushed some hair out of his face, and placed a hand on his chest.
"Walter can you check for any magical damage," she muttered. The Knight nodded, getting onto one knee and placing a hand onto the elf's forehead, searching for anything that might leave a permanent damage.

Namari hoped that there was nothing; she was thankful that Walter had only punched Aerin, as well. And that magic damage was the only thing they might have to worry about.

Simon, arrow still on his bow, slowly approached the Queen and her Knight. Nearly shaking.
He never had to deal with an incident such as this. Worst was a brawl between squires. And that never had magic.

The Queen squeezed one of Aerin's hands gently, looking over at the other group.
And to think she had been excited about this event.

[Aerin Vaettir]

Vlad stood up onto his feet with the help of Elle, pushing away Atropos’s offered hand. The man servant simply stood by with his grin. Elle looked at Vlad a moment before looking back to Aerin, Namari kneeling down by him. How could this have gone so wrong so fast?

“That boy is a menace,” Vlad snarled, coughing roughly. Elle turned to her uncle, looking unsure.

“But…this is Aerin. He’d never intentionally hurt someone unless he felt threatened,” she said softly.

“He tried to kill me!” Vlad said, voice rising, though it seemed to pain him to do so.

“I know,” Elle replied, looking back to her twin. “Which is why it bothers me so much…” Why would Aerin try to kill Vlad? And it wasn’t like this was really the first time. Aerin attacked the man with a fire poker as well, years ago, before the accident and Aerin could actually run at the man. Vlad had the scar to prove that.

Vlad looked at Elle a long time before he cursed softly to himself, turning to storm out of the room without a word to Namari, Walter, or Simon. Elle blinked before she turned to watch her uncle go.

Atropos looked back to Walter as the knight began to search for any damage inflicted to Aerin.

“No need for worry, pretty queen. He’ll sleep, and when he wakes his mind may be as messy as this situation, but he’ll be normal soon,” he said, tittering. Elle glared at Atropos as he turned and followed his master out.

“He could have used any number of spells to knock Aerin out, and he chose one to hurt him and scramble his brain temporarily,” she said, walking over to bend over Walter and her brother. “Oh, Aerin. Why did you do this? I wish you’d just let me into that head of yours.” She sighed.

[Namari Lovelle]

Namari truly had no words for the situation; Elle was right, this was not the kind of person Aerin was. What could have possibly happened between him and Vlad?
She really had no idea. Not even a flicker of a light.

"Atropos is sadistic," Walter muttered in reply to Elle, before looking up. "But it looks like Aerin will be okay. I don't think that spell had any truly damaging effects." Though he could not admit that he wasn't entirely sure himself.
And after just a moment, he spoke again, "Sorry that I hit him."
He did not think Elle would be too upset at his actions; after all he did just save her uncle. However he did not think he would be so lucky with Aerin.

It was silent for a moment, before a voice unheard spoke out.

"Whenever a kid in the neighborhood tried to hit me or whatever, my dog Checkers would get this crazy look in his eye," Simon muttered, looking to the group.
"And he would try to attack whoever did it, unless I fought back. But Checkers isn't that type of dog. He's only ever done that if I've been threatened. I mean, the dog wouldn't even kill a bug."

"Oh shut it Simon," Walter muttered; but even his voice was unable to hide the fact that that sort of got him thinking.

Simon's cheeks puffed, and he placed his arrow back in its quiver.
"All I'm saying is that that man-" he pointed to Aerin, "Had the same look in his eyes that Checkers gets. He's protecting something. Maybe his sister, maybe his pet, maybe himself. But it's something."

Namari gripped Aerin's hand tighter, biting at her lip.

She did not exactly care about why Aerin had done it at this point. She just cared about what would happen now. To Aerin, to Elle. To her friendship with Aerin.

The Queen squeezed a little harder for a second, letting a sigh escape her lips.

[Aerin Vaettir]

Elle looked at Walter as he apologized for striking Aerin. She supposed a part of her had been a little angry that someone dared hit her brother, but at the same time she wasn’t exactly sure how else anyone could have stopped Aerin. The last Time Aerin had truly struck out at others with his magic in this fashion was at their coming of age party, and no one had really been able to stop Aerin until he had accomplished what he wanted, which was simply to make a point.

“It’s okay. I understand. I’m sure Aerin will too,” she said to Walter, gently touching the knight on the shoulder. Aerin was the more logical of the twins, so if she could understand, he most certainly would.

She paused, looking to Simon as the squire began to speak, which was the most she heard him talk since his arrival. He explained a bit about his dog, before getting to his point. Aerin was protecting something. Elle furrowed her brow. That was possible. When Aerin threw his fit when they were fifteen, it was to protect his sister’s dignity, as well as his own. Hell, Aerin took the blow from the carriage to protect her. So what was it that he needed to protect now? What did it have to do with Vlad? And what did it have to do with what happened so many years ago?

“He only attacked when Vlad said he’d have to make good on a promise,” Elle said softly. “Maybe if I can find out what that promise is…” She straightened, looking around.

“I don’t suppose we should leave him on the floor. His bedroom is upstairs,” Elle said, sighing. He had a cot in his office but Elle found the thing uncomfortable, and she wanted her brother to rest as much as possible. Besides, he’d be less likely to try to find Vlad if he had to go downstairs. She looked to Namari, noting her expression, before looking down.

“I don’t suppose you all could over look Aerin’s attempted murder…?” she asked, realizing that what Aerin did was also technically wrong and a crime as well.

[Namari Lovelle]

He looked at Elle's hand as it touched his shoulder, gaining some bit of peace. Shoulders that were tense, let themselves relax a bit more.
Though he did not truly believe her words, he decided to remain in bliss.

Simon placed his bow back on his back, satisfied that his words had been taken seriously.

Walter was about to follow Elle's orders, reaching to pick Aerin up to bring upstairs, when all three of them looked back at Elle.

Attempted murder. Right.

Simon looked down with furrowed eyebrows, realizing that it was true. His lips were pursed, staring angrily at the ground.
Even with his analogy, it was true that Aerin had tried to kill a man. It was different if a dog tried to do it.

Namari just stared down at Aerin, rubbing his hand with her thumb. No, she would not let Aerin go to jail. She couldn't.
She looked at Walter.

"...Vlad did try to attack him. And we don't send people to jail for fighting if it's consensual. And even though Aerin did disobey my order, it's my decision if I want to take him in for that. And I don't."

Walter sighed, running a hand through his hair. The wound on his shoulder stretched and he flinched for a moment.
"But if it happens again, with Aerin initiating the fight again... all I'm saying is that it can slip by this time. But I don't think it can a second time. Not unless it's a real fight, if there is a next time."

Namari was relieved, shoulders slinking. Of course she knew all of that; perhaps her head had gotten the best of her once Elle said attempted murder.

But it didn't change the fact that it wasn't over yet; not until Namari knew that Vlad and Aerin's hatred for one another was over. Or one of them was dead.

[Aerin Vaettir]

Elle relaxed when Walter spoke, glad that Aerin wouldn’t have to wake up in the dungeon or something. She gave Walter a tired smile.

“Thank you,” she said, reaching out to squeeze his hand, before she stood, looking at Aerin. Ah, how she hated him like this, out cold and yet carrying an expression of pain. It reminded her a bit of when he was healing from the accident. Except then it was much, much worse.

Elle wasn’t sure what to do now. Aerin was out, so no chance of talking to him now, and Vlad had stormed off. She wanted to find her uncle and see what she could get out of him, and she’d be the only one who could. But who would stay with Aerin? She couldn’t leave him behind, but she wasn’t sure if she should ask Namari to stay either. Namari was still the queen, with important things to do and all. She had a little time to figure things out, since Vlad would need to cool down.

“Well, Walter, do you think you could take Aerin upstairs?” Elle asked. She looked at the table, full of food that was hardly touched.

“I suppose I’ll start to clean up. I want to talk to Vlad after he cools down, but before he thinks of a way to dismiss whatever I have to ask. But Atropos said Aerin might be a bit messed up when he wakes, so I can’t leave him alone just yet,” she sighed, mostly talking to herself. Sometimes if she voiced her problems to herself, the answer came clearer. She walked over to the table, lifting up platters and bowls to take back to the kitchen. Oh, what a mess…

[Namari Lovelle]

Walter gave a quick nod to Elle, before picking up Aerin. He winced, his shoulder hurting again, but was thankful that that was the only wound he had to deal with, and that things had not gotten worse. He straightened up, beginning to walk to the stairs.

Simon watched the elf begin to clean up the table. Disappointed at the wasted meal, he ignored his thoughts and went over, beginning to help her clean. After all, Walter was helping with the elven man.

"I'll stay, Elle," Namari finally said, her first words in what felt like forever. She stood up, facing the woman. The Queen gave a small smile.
"You need to figure out what happened after all."

"But my Queen, is that not wise-" Simon began, eyebrows raised before he noticed Walter shaking his head, right about to head up the stairs.
"It's fine Simon," he murmured. Typically he too would say that it was unwise. But Aerin could not be left alone like this.
"When you're finished with that, head to the castle and tell them the Queen has made special sleeping arrangements elsewhere. Tell no one about what happened, and head back to your room. I'll be staying here to keep an eye on things."

Although Namari knew why Walter needed to stay, she did not want to. Yes, he needed to protect her. But she also knew he had to stay to keep an eye on Aerin.
And despite what happened, she felt it unnecessary. Call it her own blissfulness.

She looked back to Elle, waiting for her permission to stay as Walter headed up the stairs.

[Aerin Vaettir]

Elle favored Simon with a smile as he began to assist her. She caught his disappointment, and decided maybe she’d make a basket lunch for him to take with him. It was the least she could do. Besides, the poor boy went through enough without having a clue as to what was really going on.

“If you want to take some home, Simon, you can,” she said to him, carrying the dishes to the kitchen and setting them on a counter. She came back and turned to Namari when the other female elf spoke, looking surprised, then relieved. Namari truly was a good friend to Aerin, and Elle was very glad the two met.

“Are you sure?” she asked, stepping up to Namari. She looked at Walter as the knight took her twin upstairs, before looking back to Namari.

Upstairs was entirely open, the hole leading to the stairs surrounded on three sides with a decorative railing, so no one would simply tumble through to the first floor. There was a large bed set in the middle of one wall, a nightstand on one side, a basin on the other. In the middle of the large room was a plush looking couch, an equally comfortable looking lounging chair, a small table in between them. There was a wardrobe nestled in one corner, making it look smaller than what it was, and along one wall were shelves packed with books. On a shelf above the bed was another nest for Lenore to sleep at night, this one as colorful and shiny as the one downstairs. There was also a desk in here, though it wasn’t nearly as large or as used as the one in Aerin’s office.

[Namari Lovelle]

(( ridiculously short reply, sorry!!! ))

Simon's face lit up as he grinned, nodding at the elven lady. Despite what all had happened, at least he would get to eat.

Walter stepped into the open room, whistling as he was impressed. It was truly a very lovely house; though, this room did not look very used. Still, the Knight shimmied over to the bed, carefully placing Aerin down and under the covers.
He stared at the elf, still a little shameful, "My apologies."

He gently patted the man on the shoulder before beginning to walk down the stairs.

"Of course I'm sure," Namari smiled, shaking her head.
"Aerin's my friend, I'm not going to leave him alone at a time like this. And I would like to find out what went on between them just as much as you."

[Aerin Vaettir]

Elle smiled at Namari and leaned forward to give her a hug. “Thank you, you have no idea how much that means to me.” She stepped back before continuing to help Simon clean up. Once all the dishes were taken into the kitchen, she portioned out each dish into enough for two full grown men, wrapped or poured each into their respective containers, and slipped it into a basket. With that little chore done she turned and handed it off to Simon.

“Here you go. At least it won’t go to waste entirely,” she said, before looking outside a window into the night. How late was it now anyways? It seemed like the wind picked up, but she’d be looking for Vlad. Odds were he went to the inn, and if not, she was a master hunter. Tracking him would be easy. She sighed and turned, before pausing as she heard a fluttering sound. Lenore flew into the shop from the open front window and flew back to the dining room. Elle smiled, watching as the raven shifted into her human form.

“Welcome back,” she said.

“Aerin?” Lenore asked in her natural, growling voice. Elle gestured upstairs, and Lenore turned and padded up them to her master, worry stitched across her face. Elle turned to Namari.

“Alright, I’m off. I’ll be back to tell you if I learned anything useful,” she said, before walking into the kitchen to exit the back door.

[Namari Lovelle]

Simon nearly dropped the food, his eyes going wide. The bird turned into a human.
Great.

Walter was now downstairs, and both him and himself waved Elle off. The three stood still for a moment, before Walter turned to Simon.
"Right. You head back to the castle, and remember not to tell anyone. I'll beat you if I found out you slipped."
Simon puffed out his chest angrily, "I won't!"

With that, Simon gathered the bundle in his arms, bowed to Namari, and headed out the door as well, back to the castle.

Namari slipped into Aerin's seat at the table, resting her forehead in her hand and giving off a loud sigh.
Walter patted her on the back, removing the spell he had put on her earlier, before slipping into the seat beside her.

"Everything will be alright," he reassured. The Queen stayed silent for a moment, before sighing again.
"I hope so."

All she knew was that she really wanted a drink at that very moment. And she hoped that Elle would return with information.

But for now, they would wait.

[Aerin Vaettir]

Aerin stirred, rolling onto his side as he struggled to wake, to break the surface of this dark forest of a feeling he felt like he was lost in. Finally his eyes opened, though he saw nothing. His head swam in a most unpleasant way, and he felt dizzy. Ugh, what happened? What was he doing? His head ached terribly, and thoughts came in jagged fragments, which disturbed him on some level and he didn’t understand why.

Vlad…

The elf sat up suddenly, which only made his world feel like it was tilting to and fro. He winced, gripping his head. Where was Vlad? Who was Vlad? Vlad, his uncle, Vlad the monster, Vlad...the one who needed to die. But why?

And where was he? Aerin felt himself in a large bed, and was utterly confused as to where that could be. Who owned large beds that he knew? He didn’t know. Oh wait, didn’t he own one?

Aerin pushed the covers back and swung his legs over to the side, a sharp, deep ache striking him, though he couldn’t quite comprehend what it was. He let out a soft groan, and attempted to stand, and then the sharp pain became a wave, one that blocked out what little thought he had. He gave a cry and fell to the floor, before remembering what that pain was. His leg, his bad leg. That’s right. He couldn’t simply walk normal, he had a bad leg. Of course. He gave a little laugh at himself, though he wasn’t sure why it was funny. Damn it, what did that man do to him? What man? Atropos? Yes, him…

Aerin sat up, head swimming, and tried to collect his thoughts, above all else, collect his thoughts.

[Namari Lovelle]

Walter was leaning back on the dinning room chair, feet on the table as he tried to stay awake. His own thoughts swimming in his head about many things. The glass of wine he had taken the liberty of pouring for himself swished in his hand, as he occasionally put it to his lips.

The Queen rested silently on her arm, sleeping her troubles away as she had passed out many hours ago. her hair nearly covered her face, and she looked quite relaxed. The opposite of how she looked when she had first sat down.

The demon look another gulp, mind wandering back to the events of the night. About the creepy man, Atropos, whom placed Aerin under a spell. About the elven man, Vlad, telling Aerin he would fulfill his promise. About Elle, grasping his hand.

His eyebrows furrowed. Why would he think of that? Well, she was pretty. And nice to him. Could kick ass pretty well too. Walter thought he might fall in love with her!

Trying not to wake the Queen he chuckled to himself, placing his feet on the ground. He shook his head, placing the glass down and rubbing at his eyes. His mind often wondered to wonderful women when he was either drunk, or tired. And Walter was both.

No more alcohol Walt, he thought to himself. Though he had to admit, the thought of him and Elle in even a flirtatious way was hilarious to him. And the fact that THAT was what he was thinking about after such a day was even MORE funny.

Suddenly he heard a bang, and jumped right out of his seat. Namari too went wide eyed, jolting up. They stayed frozen for a moment, before Namari jumped up as well, rushing to the stairs. Walter soon followed, letting dark magic flow to his hands. He stumbled slightly as he followed the Queen up the stairs, not even thinking to go first.

"Aerin!" Namari called out as they reached the top and she spotted him, rushing to his side. "Are you alright?" She placed her hand on his shoulder, giving it a small squeeze.

Walter hesitantly approached, dispersing his magic and rubbing at the back of his head. He just hoped Aerin didn't try to attack him now that he was awake.