Dinner Celebration...(Private)

[Aerin Vaettir]

Aerin blinked, and turned his head towards the stairs as he heard someone pounding up them. Stairs, he was upstairs. He was home! Of course! They must have put him to bed in his actual bedroom. Things started to settle into place, though it was fuzzy and hard to make them click. He heard a female voice, felt someone touch him.

“Elle?” he questioned, though the voice didn’t sound right. “No…” He shifted, nearly slipping to fall again, but caught himself, using his hands to keep himself propped up somewhat.

“Namari,” he said finally, nodding his head, though it made matters worse. Yes, that was who was here. Namari. Dear Namari. Did he hear two footsteps? Was Elle here? Oh, who knew anymore? Who cares?

Aerin reached up to grip his head. Thoughts were scattered every which way, like petals in a breeze.

“I can’t…I can’t focus. Can’t think,” he mumbled, trying to fish for something. Something important. Suddenly he laughed again, not sure why, but he did. “Ah…it hurts…” he said softly, gripping his head with both hands now.

[Namari Lovelle]

"You need to sit down," she softly spoke, "You'll catch your wits in a moment."

She carefully placed her hand on his chest and pushed him back, and brushed some hair out of his eye.
"How's your head? Your chest?" she asked, sitting beside him now.

Walter moved a bit forward, arms folded together as he tried to stand straight. It had not been exactly wise of the man to get drunk while on duty, but he needed to stay awake somehow.

"Elle's gone out," Walter spoke, "But she said that she would be back at some point."

[Aerin Vaettir]

Aerin sat back willingly as Namari pushed on his chest, and he let his hands fall to his sides, feeling her move hair from his eyes. He reflected a moment on how she touched him, how that sort of thrilled him, which only brought on a cascade of thoughts that hurt his head, unable to decipher them properly.

“My head…” Aerin said softly, shutting his eyes. Agh, his head. He couldn’t even answer the question! He paused, hearing Walter speak, and he smirked.

“Walter…” he said softly, before laughing. “You hit me. You have quite the…the swing on you.” He groaned, gripping his head again. “I’d rather more hits from you than this…” Suddenly a thought occurred to him and he seized desperately.

“Walter, there’s a…a bottle in my office. Small, black, on…on the shelf. It could help…” he said, finding it difficult to describe it. Lenore, having been roosting on the bed, blinked before giving a caw and fluttering first onto Walter’s shoulder, then down the stairs. She knew what potion Aerin wanted, and would show Walter.

[Namari Lovelle]

Namari raised both eyebrows before she smiled softly at Aerin's remark, rather amused about his sense of humor. After all, she'd probably be cursing and swearing at Walter after something like that.

And although Walter was relieved that Aerin was okay with it, he still had a sense of doubt.
"Yeah sorry about that mate," he said, smirking with a slight chuckle.

As Walter was told how he could find a bottle, he furrowed his eyebrows. It was not the greatest description. He was about to open his mouth to perhaps get Aerin to explain more, when a caw was heard, and Lenore landed on his shoulder. First he raised an eyebrow, before she jumped off and flew downstairs.

He followed, assuming she would show him. After all, she was a rather smart bird.

Namari stared at the stairs a moment, before turning back to Aerin.
"Aerin..." she began, biting her lip.
"I think... you don't need to tell me about what happened in the past. But... if Vlad's going to do something, I think we aut to be prepared..."

[Aerin Vaettir]

Aerin listened to Walter clomp down the stairs, going after Lenore, before tilting his head slightly as Namari spoke. Once she finished his mind went blank for a brief second, perfectly empty, before utter panic exploded. He sat up again too quickly, though it wasn’t quite as bad as last time.

“Vlad!” he said, actually moving to try to stand. Vlad, he needed to stop him. Needed to find and stop him before…

“Where is he? Where did he go? Elle…Elle can’t be near him,” Aerin said quickly, reaching up with one hand to grip his head, the other to find the side of the bed in an attempt to stand up.

And then suddenly, his whole line of thought was fragmented, and it scattered. His sense of panic eased down, and he paused. What was he doing again? He gave another laugh, this one sounding slightly frustrated. “I forgot what I was doing…” He sat back on the floor, propped against the bed. What was he doing? “Ah, I’m hopeless. My head, my heart…all hopeless.”

Lenore fluttered downstairs and landed before the door to the office. She scratched at the door, cawing, and waited for it to be opened. Sure she could shift into her human form, but what many didn’t understand was that being in human form, which wasn’t her natural form, ate up a lot of energy. Plus she preferred her raven form anyways.

Once Walter opened the door for her she hopped it, then flew up to Aerin’s desk, carefully climbing onto a pile of books to better see the shelf of potions, and began to scan them, trying to find the one Aerin wanted.

[Namari Lovelle]

Namari jumped up with Aerin, trying to settle him back down. As he slowly slunk to the ground her face went soft again, sitting down on the floor with him. To be Aerin at that moment, he must have been utterly frustrated.

"You're not hopeless," Namari said softly, gently gripping one of his hands.
"It's not your fault. You'll get settled down again, and then we can talk about whats happening. Everything's going to be fine Aerin."

Though a pit grew in her stomach; he could not be near Elle. And she had not been back yet. What if something had happened to her...?
Namari tried her best to stay calm for Aerin's sake, as she gave his hand a quick squeeze.

Walter followed the raven in, slwoly looking around. He was glad that The bird was with him, so that he might actually have a chance at finding this damn vial.
He moved over to the potions, scanning them from back to front. He picked up a few of the black ones, and put them in front of the bird, to see if any of those were it.

They probably looked nothing similar to a person whom did potions. Walter, however, did not see any differences.

[Aerin Vaettir]

Aerin’s thoughts scattered again, and he tried to collect them. Damn that man…whoever…that did this. He hated this. He felt Namari take his hand and his thoughts shifted and zeroed in again on what he had been thinking. Well, sort of. He lifted her hand, stroking it gently.

“Ah, but I am hopeless. If I wasn’t I wouldn’t have fallen in love with a woman I couldn’t have,” he said, before pausing. Something in his mind was raising a lot of red flags, but what? Weren’t there more pressing matters at hand anyway? Oh well, he’d get to those thoughts when he could. Right now he had something to hold onto, and it was better than nothing.

“But I did,” Aerin said with a one of resignation, his fingers gently exploring Namari’s palm. “I fell for you. Rather hard, but I did…” Why did he have this feeling he was doing something he should not be doing? Hm, well he’d find out when he head cleared.

Lenore paused, seeing Walter was helping her out in selecting the black vials and bottles. She watched him set them out, not moving, until the one Aerin wanted was presented. She leaned forward, tapping the vial gently twice, before launching into the air and flying through the doorway and up the stairs again. Walter had the needed vial now, she figured he could figure out what to do from here.

[Namari Lovelle]

Walter smiled with satisfaction, picking up the vial and looking it over, before beginning to head upstairs once more.

She watched as he lifted her hand, not making any movement to remove it from him. She prayed that Walter would find the bottle soon, for Aerin's sake. She wanted him out of this state.

She wanted to know what would happen to Elle.

And then, he said it. Those words that she never thought she would here. Her eyes went a bit wide, and her heart began beating fast.
A crush... I... I thought it was just a crush.

Her heart beat faster and faster, face going red as Aerin's fingers explored her palm.

Why was she feeling like this? She felt just as she did when... well, when others had admitted their love for her. But that couldn't be right. She was with Steele.
She must have just been feeling like this because Steele and her had been distant as of late.

Something at the back of her mind, however, told her that that was not true.

She opened her mouth to say something, when she heard Walter coming up the stairs. Her eyes went more wide.
"I think Lenore and I found the damn thing," Walter called, reaching the top of the stairs just in time to see Namari taking her hand back from Aerin's.

Namari felt guilty just yanking her hand from his, but she did not want Walter involved.

"Yes thank you for grabbing it Walter," she quickly said, standing up and walking over to her knight. He handed her the vial with a confused look on his face, and she took it, ignoring his reaction.
She made her way back to Aerin, slipping the vial into his hands.

[Aerin Vaettir]

Aerin felt Namari pull her hand from his and heard Walter enter the room. Lenore flew over onto the bed above Aerin, and the elf remembered what Walter was to do. Oh, right. The vial. Right. He felt Namari leave his side, then a moment later felt the vial slip into his hand. Before he lost sight of what he was to do he popped the cork and swallowed the contents, grimacing at the taste. The vial rolled from his hands and he shut his eyes, waiting.

Slowly his thoughts began to piece themselves back together, the dizzy, fuzzy feeling in his head receding. He felt enormous relief that he could think clearly again. He reached up to rub at his aching temples, mentally backing up to go over all that happened.

Alright, he and Vlad fought. He tried killing the man, then Walter hit him, then Atropos knocked him out. Vlad was gone, so was Elle. That sent a jolt of fear through him. Elle must have followed Vlad, but why? Never mind why, she did, that’s what matters. Okay, be calm. He woke up, and…and…

Aerin opened his eyes, remembering his broken thought and spoken words. Oh…no…

He had told Namari that he loved her. He told her. That explained the red flags. His face flushed a moment. How could this happen? This was neither the right time nor place to do this, but he did! Aerin heaved a sigh. Oh well, damage was done, but he did have other things to worry about currently.

He perked, hearing the door downstairs open and close, and a sudden wave of relief flowed over him when he heard Elle’s voice.

“I’m back!” she called, her footsteps hurrying up the steps. She looked around, spotting Aerin on the floor. “Aerin! Are you okay? I tried to talk to Vlad but he wouldn’t say a thing to me.” She walked over to him, Aerin using the bed to stand up. Once on his feet Aerin grabbed his sister and pulled her into a hug. Elle blinked, surprised, before hugging him back.

“Hey…I’m not mad if that’s what you’re worried about,” she said softly.

“No. But you’re okay,” Aerin replied, and Elle realized he was shaking. She gently pulled back.

“Aerin, what is going on? Why did you attack Vlad?”

[Namari Lovelle]

Namari was relieved when she heard Elle walk through the door, standing up and out of the way. Secretly she was glad that she had to step away from Aerin; she was afraid that he could hear how fast her heart was pumping.

Namari walked over beside Walter as Elle spoke, both disappointed that she was unable to get anything out of Vlad. But perhaps she could get something out of Aerin.

"What was that about?" Walter muttered softly, looking at the queen.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh spare me, I saw you pull your hand away."
"It's none of your business Walter."
"But-"
"Please."

The demon stayed silent for a moment, before sighing, turning his attention to the two elves.
Still muttering he said, "Alright. But be careful Namari. I don't think this is the sort of stuff you should get involved in."

One of her ears flicked, and she went a bit red.

After a moment of silence on Aerin's part, Namari spoke up. "It's fine if you don't want to say now Aerin," it wasn't exactly, but Namari knew Aerin wouldn't say anything. Not yet. Not even after all of that.
"But... you will have to tell us eventually."

She stayed silent for a moment more before clearing her throat, "Now then. I suppose you two might want to be left alone now, and Walter and I wouldn't mind leaving."
Walter especially, whom from a mixture of staying up, and alcohol, was growing rather tired.

[Aerin Vaettir]

Aerin reached up to rub at his temples, sighing as Namari spoke up. Oh what a mess. Everything was an utter mess. Vlad had been pushed over the edge, and Aerin had no idea when he’d strike. But Namari was right, he’d have to explain eventually. And Namari…why ever did his fragmented mind spill his love for her? He noted her tug her hand away so quickly, and he feared he might have just ruined any friendship he could have with the queen. He wanted to be her friend still, at the very least. That was why he kept his feelings to himself.

“I know, I know…” he said softly, running a hand through his hair. He felt so tired. “I’ll…look, I’ll explain everything tomorrow, alright?” He reached out to touch Elle on the shoulder. “Just, can we give this a little time? It’s been a rather long day for everyone.”

Elle looked thoughtful before sighing. “Alright. Tomorrow morning, I expect an answer from you.” She’d get an explanation one way or another. Aerin nodded.

“Yes, but in the mean time, everyone just stay away from Vlad, alright? If you speak to him, do not do so alone,” he said softly. He turned, facing Walter and Namari. He couldn’t see her, but he still couldn’t help but lower his head a bit, turned slightly away. If he could see, he’d be entirely too afraid to look Namari in the eyes.

“You two go on home. And thank you for your help,” he said softly.

[Namari Lovelle]

Namari stared at the face of Aerin a bit, wishing for some reason to go to him. But she didn't, giving both a polite smile before nodding.
"I'll see you both sometime soon then."

With her red cheeks Namari was down the stairs. Walter watched her, giving Elle and Aerin a short bow before trekking after her, his boots thumping against the stairs loudly. After a few moments both were out the door, and on their way back to the castle.

"Namari-" Walter began. Typically he would start off with m'lady, or my Queen. But at that moment he was her friend. But he was quickly interrupted.

"I already told you Walter I don't want you involved."

He stepped in front of her and she placed a hand on her hip, eyebrows furrowed.
"Do you like him in that way?" he asked firmly. Namari's eyes went wide.

"Excuse me, how is it any business of yours if I do or do not like him?!"
"It's business to me because I'm your friend, and it is my job to make sure you don't fuck up your life."
"Oh so if I was with him I'd fuck up my life?"
"I'm not saying that-"
"Then what ARE you saying?!"

Walter sighed, folding his arms in front of him.
"I'm saying that you haven't had much luck with romance. I'm saying that I want you to be happy."

Namari remained silent, staring at Walter, before he sighed, running his hands through his hair.
He stepped aside and Namari walked on. The knight was quick in pursuit.

In the future he would think it odd how he cared so much about this, and not the conflict with Vladimir just earlier that day.