The eyes which pierce break the lock on the hidden door of your soul.

A door to guard shadows and secrets, deeply away.

Secrets best left untold, as some would say.

Shadows best not seen by the light of day.

Revealing the end of an age, potential of forever.

Torture is there to hold, pain to release.

Will these secrets and shadows thicken to coal?

For the dark truth, will hold sway.

Away.

Never at bay.

Shall this lock break? Shall the pain of the watcher be released?

Shadow failed and darkened, even is the coal to be victim?

Break, combine, and shatter.

Make many as one, and lay out the soul to be alone.

To forever be imprisoned, watching their freedom.

To rend asunder an atom is not so unlike splitting one’s soul to coal.

Take that reaction, inverse to the condensed density.

A diamond in the night it is not.

The unveiling of your dark secret had to be held.

And that coal’s density became a powder.

A powder of shadow, carried away…

And the shadow winds to lay…

Forever the veil of terrors you have caused!

Images of naught, burnt into the very walls of your being!

A shadow burned and dusted into the dark walls of your spirit.

Lurking and watching, waiting to be…

Waiting for a me.

I, not can they be.

Neither you.

Never they.

Those eyes which pierce.

In those dark shadowy secrets...

In that powder-destroyed soul of the one.

Those eyes should never have been.

Piercing the shadow, they see all, never blinking.

Ever drying.

Never crying.

Make ye not dark secrets to lock away.

Bare the dark to light, and set not to curse.

Fear holding back the dark.

Lest ye lose your soul.

Or another soul be lost to guard it.

~Eyes Which Pierce

~Feldyn Goldchord, the Endless Bard

* * *

She was still screaming when Masque reached the hidden door in the side of the cliff-face. It almost appeared to be planks boarding up a cave entrance.

The door flew open as Masque approached; an old man with fully white hair and a well trimmed short, white beard stood before him. He held a wooden staff in two hands, and thin brown robes. “Has the Order resorted to torturing children?” the old man asked calmly, standing firm. Without slowing, Masque kept approaching the priest that blocked the doorway. “She is dying! Where is the girl?” The old priest didn’t flinch. “She needs healing, now!” Masque snapped, but the priest wouldn’t listen. “It won’t work-” the old man began; Masque moved the small distance between them almost instantaneously - and knocked the old priest flat with a headbutt.

“Girl!” Masque called loudly, entering the doorway. No longer did his weave mist and wisp around his body. No longer did his eyes glow and shine. He now appeared but a large man, in skintight black clothes covering every inch of skin. “GIRL!” He was beginning to despair. So loud was her screaming, Masque feared it would drown out all sound until nothing was left.

Not knowing his way around inside this dwelling, built into the mountainside, he just stood there, and was about to call out again when the girl rounded the corner from the end of the hallway to the right.

Her thick brown hair was wet, and Masque could smell the scents and chemicals from bathing soaps. Her eyes were wide and startled, legs and feet bare, wearing only a black t-shirt with the word ‘FREAK’ written across the front.

She had thrown on panties and a shirt, hurrying from her shower at the sounds of these most horrible, bloodcurdling screams. Her gaze froze on the large man, who almost appeared to be one giant shadow, save for his brilliant ice blue eyes. “Please!” was all he said, voice so pleading her heart skipped, and her eyes fell to the source of the screams. The tiny thing looked like something from a horror movie, yet, even that maimed and disfigured… “Oh my God, Gigi!” the girl breathed, all other thoughts leaving her.

Beginning to run to the large man, she stopped and turned instead. “Follow me. Hurry!” It’s been like thirty minutes! What happened out there?! How did Gigi survive so long?! Did the others… The girl didn’t have much time for contemplation, or other actions. She was assuming this man was sent from the Order to kill them, and had stumbled across the child. He must be risking his mission to try and save her. Or it was simply a convenient ruse for him to get close to them. Did this mean all the others really were… She couldn’t think that way now! They could deal with everything else after she saved Gigi! They. Wait, where was dad?

They ran down a small flight of stairs and a few rooms down to their right. “The bed,” she directed the man, and hurried across the room to a glass-doored cabinet. the injuries were absolutely hideous! What had been behind that seal?! Out of all the items on the many shelves, she knew she had to use it. Anything else was too risky. It didn’t matter how rare it was; this was Gigi, for heaven’s sake! She could make more later!

Returning to the child’s side, vial of clear liquid in hand, she grabbed the needle and syringe sitting on the stainless steel tray on the table next to the bed. Popping the cork off the thin vial, the girl quickly filled the syringe. Discarding the vial with the remaining liquid on the table uncorked, she reached for Gigi’s little arm. When she picked up her arm, her skin sloughed off in one sleeve, bloody arm falling back to the bed.

If Masque could have vomited, he would have. Was the substance that the young woman was using truly powerful enough to fix this level of damage? And his eyes widened in shock when he noticed the mark. the child's soul clearly displayed the mark of Christ. Had it been there this whole time? She was too young! An innocent! However, the mark could not be denied. This child was not innocent, was aware f her sin, and believed upon the Lord Jesus, Christ.

The young woman stabbed the needle into the tiny blondes destroyed left eye; far and deep into her brain, injecting all of the fluid.

Gigi, in less than two seconds, quit screaming. Masque looked upon her now calm form, she seemed to be in a deep, painless sleep. “Will she survive?” he asked the pretty girl, who sat slumped on a nearby chair. The tone of true worry in Masque’s voice intrigued her, the confusion mixed with it went unnoticed. “Yes. The stuff I used will restore everything. Will even grow all of her teeth back, if still baby, and cause her adult teeth to grow faster.” Then, with a thoughtful frown, “Might cause her entire body to mature faster, actually.” She didn’t sound like she was positive of the side effects.

“Thank you,” Masque said, and meant it. When turning to leave, the girl didn’t stop him nor object. After reached the stairs, the priest, however, did. Back-stepping to miss a down-swinging staff from the stairwell, Masque snarled. He didn’t want to hurt the old man! Coming into the hallway, the priest turned to face him. Plain wooden staff in two hands, his stance was wide and tall as the two locked gazes. “Who are you?” the old priest asked, calm and stern. “You are not human, nor do you seem to be from the Order.”

“Step aside,” was the only reply. Reaching into a fold in his robe that appeared solid, the old priest nimbly, and blindingly fast, pulled and threw a dagger at the large man in black.

Catching the blade, Masque growled, “I have no quarrel with you, priest, and I must rest.” The look of complete shock on the old man’s face said things were probably not going to stay as calm as they already were. “You burn,” the priest observed. Masque didn’t need an explanation. The muted pain he could hide, but he could not conceal the smoke that seeped from between his fingers.

“In the name of Jesus Christ, what is your name, demon?” the priest almost growled, composure regained. Now Masque was angry. Not only did this man think he was something as lowly as a possessor, but he dare use his master’s name to try and compel him? About to reply, he instead decided action may be better than words.

Faster than the priest could react, the large man in black was suddenly upon him, and forcing him backwards, off his feet, and slamming him hard (but not too hard) into the far wall. Holding the old man to the wall by his throat with one hand, Masque leaned in close, snarling in the priest’s face. “You dare use the Lords name to try to compel me? We are on the same side, you and I!”

“Dad!” the girl yelled from behind the large man in black, taking his attention for but a moment. That moment was all the old man needed. “Koh-luhn!” the priest cried in one utterance, and Masque was hit by an unseen force that knocked him violently off his feet, and past the girl, who had stepped back through the doorway of her infirmary.

Shoulder-rolling, Masque stopped his momentum in a kneel. “Teri’kre!” the priest commanded, and Masque felt like he was being pushed from all sides. He could barely move! But he could still move against it some. This priest was more than he appeared! “I’m… not… your… enemy!” Masque forced out through clenched teeth. “I think he might be telling the truth,” the girl said, stepping back into the hallway.

The old man approached Masque quickly, “Time to end this,” he mumbled, and touched the end to Masque’s forehead. As soon as it connected, Masque screamed.

Hate. Hurt. Alone… A child abandoned. The pain of a woman, finding her man as he beds another. A betrayer’s burning guilt. Fear, agony, the loss of the murdered. Victims. Forsaken. The abandoned.

Taken, unable to resist, Masque screamed.

PAIN! FEAR! SADNESS! SUFFERING!

The paralysis effect ended, or was released, and Masque stumbled into the nearby wall. He gasped for breath he didn’t need. His knees trembled.

The old priest stood, eyes wide, expression shocked. “What? How? You are not… Why are you okay?”

“Do I seem okay to you, priest?” Masque rumbled in his deep, dry voice. “I am not a priest,” the old man stated absentmindedly. “But more importantly; you are not a possessed man, are you?” He punctuated the last by holding the staff out, and Masque flinched despite himself, but recovered quickly. “What type of cursed object is that?”

“Why should I answer?”

“Why should I not I rip out your throat?"

“Enough of this!” the girl shouted, and both men stood glaring at one another. “Are they alive?” she asked. Masque, a bit perplexed, turned his head enough to look at her. “You saved Gigi, and say you're not our enemy.” She walked out between the two, ignoring the protests of the old man. Standing before the powerfully built, black-garbed man ('He looks like a ninja on steroids…'), he was at least six foot, though seemed much larger.

“There were others,” she clarified, and he nodded. “A police officer, a very tall young man, one with glasses, a blonde, and an Asian girl,” Masque described. Dread began to fill the girl’s heart. So, they were out there… Then he added, “And a half-elf.” That last caused a look of confusion from her and the old man. “They live,” Masque said flatly. The girl didn’t smile.

“Was there another… a very young girl, not much older than Gigi?” she asked hesitantly. Masque knew of whom she spoke. He was not sure what proper etiquette was regarding this type of thing, so decided on the blunt truth. “She is dead. She was... assaulted. Succumbing to blood loss and strangulation.” The girl didn’t blink. “The ones responsible are dead; killed by the tall boy, the blonde, and the lycanthropeire.” He left out that he had allowed her to die.

“Where are they?” the girl asked, ignoring the mention of the monster. “Heading this way,” Masque answered, unsure why he answered such. She sighed heavily and turned, walking past the priest and down a side hallway. “Where are you going?” the white haired man snapped at her, reluctant to take his eyes off of the powerfully built ninja. “You heard him. Let your old brain process for a bit. I need to go get things ready.” Turning to look around the corner at them both, eyes full of tears, “I think we are all going to have a lot to talk about.”

* * *

With one severely gimped member, one with a twisted ankle, and one unconscious, Feldyn and the others marched through mostly untraveled thick woods. He had not expected Caleb to remain unconscious, and had to have assistance from the other two men several times. Feldyn was very worried moving Caleb had done him more harm than good. In truth, what they were doing was moronic. The wise decision would have been to get Caleb help. The others could have then organized a search party or found the proper authorities to hunt down Gigi. Yet here they were, marching blindly through a dense evergreen rain-forest near pitch blackness, in the general direction the large man had whisked Gigi.

They didn’t talk much at all, nor did the others assault him with questions as he had expected. Instead they seemed focused and determined on the task at hand.

After what felt like hours, they arrived at a tiny clearing. It was narrow, the width of a single-lane road. To the right, the path ended in the side of a cliff, and what appeared to be a wooden door, overgrown with vines and moss. “Here,” Feldyn wheezed, adjusting the large young man he was once again carrying over his shoulders, “is where they stopped.” At least he was hoping this was where.

Before anyone else could say a word, the door opened. An old man stood in the doorway. He held a staff in one hand, the dim candlelight from inside illuminating him well enough for their night-adjusted eyes to see him fairly clearly. “Who are you?” Stryker demanded, shining his small flashlight in the mans face, while supporting a barely conscious Ally with one arm.

The brown-robed, bearded, old man ignored the question.“Been expecting you all for some time,” was all he gave, then turned to head further inside. “Come now, hurry it up. Need to get this over with.” His voice, despite the harsh words, sounded kind. “Doesn’t seem to have experienced too hideous a trauma, aye?” Feldyn was starting to feel some hope, “Looks like it may be good news after all!” With earnest new vigor, the half-elf briskly carried the comatose oaf after the old man.

The others were mostly feeling pretty grim, as they didn’t share in his positive feelings. None of them had ever before experienced the kind of shit they had on this day. Who the hell ever had?! Following and limping her way after Feldyn, the twintailed little firecracker was about at the limit of her silence. So when they stopped suddenly, not far into the candlelit building, and she ran into the elf’s back, Paze couldn’t stay silent any longer.

“Oh! Well, this is a plot twist, ain’t it, m’lady?” Feldyn asked someone in front of him, and Pazely began bitching at him to keep walking while punching him in the butt cheek. Dammit, this hallway is too narrow to go around! For half a moment, Pazely considered biting him, then worried he might like it. She was right behind him, but couldn’t see! Who was he talking to?! Damn little freaking hallways!! And why were there no lights in here but candles!!

Feldyn beamed at John’s granddaughter, who had stopped him, hands on hips, frowning from a stairwell. Walking up to examine Caleb, she flipped him off. “I know you’re not a dance instructor, but more importantly, is everyone else okay?” She appeared unconcerned over the huge teenager with nothing more then a glance and touching him a little. Trying to look past Feldyn, she leaned down and looked Pazely right in the eyes from under the half-elf’s arm. “What the hell?!” Pazely screamed in her face. Sometimes things were just too random! Why in the world was Miss Reba here?!

After a mild start, she ignored the little Asian, who was huffling behind the supposed half-elf. Reba turned towards the stairs. “Follow me,” she told them, and decended. “Was that Miss Reba’s voice?” Bryan asked. Stryker, on the other hand… “After everything that’s happened tonight, I wouldn’t be surprised if Santa and the Easter Bunny are waiting with anal probes.”

“Yuck!” Pazely squarked, Feldyn hurrying after the pretty young woman. Not sure of Stryker’s reference, though knowing the fictional characters he mentioned, he got the point. Even if probing one’s anus seemed a bit of a random thing to say. At the bottom stairs, in a much wider -normal sized- hallway, Feldyn followed after Reba.

Walking into the same room that Masque had carried Gigi into earlier, Feldyn brought Caleb over to a bed on the far wall and laid him down. Then he heard Stryker start repeatedly saying Ally’s name with more and more urgency. Apparently, the girl he lost consciousness. And from the reaction of the dance teacher, her heart had stopped.

His world seemed to have no sound while they put Ally in the bed by the door. Reality went into slow motion as Reba cut Ally’s shirt off. The lighting felt gray; Reba yelling to Stryker to grab various items and containers, in an odd, hollow, echoing voice. Feldyn couldn’t feel. He… Ally can’t just die like this. He wasn't supposed to care. He couldn't care! Yet he did. The Lord knew he did!

Then, something took his attention. He wasn’t sure what, but his eyes drifted to the back corner. In the shadows, a curtain was drawn, completely concealing what appeared to be another small bed of some type of other. The chaos around Ally seemed faded to the back of his mind. Pazely and Bryan walked over by him to let Reba work. Feldyn didn’t notice them. For next to that bed in the darkest of shadows, stood a stainless steel table with a torn and bloodied pair of panties… The ones Gigi had been wearing.

'If that child truly died… For me… For us…' Time moved even slower as he looked back to where Ally lie, oblivious to Pazely talking to him. Reba filled a syringe, and injected the girl’s arm. Then quickly filled it again and injected the same arm. Then she grabbed a very large needle and syringe, filling it with a green fluid, and stabbed Ally in the heart. Feldyn didn’t hear the cries of relief when Ally gasped and started to cough.

For as soon as he saw that she lived, his dread came to a head, propelling him to the shadows in the back; pulling away the curtain so violently that he tore part of it down. Prepared for the worst, for the pain, the guilt, for his mind to finally snap- his eyes fell upon the sleeping, undamaged form of Gigi, laying on her back, mouth wide, breathing silently, blanket pulled up to her belly.

Covered his mouth with a hand, Feldyn began to softly cry. 'My God, she’s okay! She’s okay! Praise you Jesus, she is okay!' Eyes closed, one hand on the rail of the gurney, he hung his head and wept silently as possible. He was soon joined by Pazely, Bryan, and Stryker at Gigi’s bedside. Pazely cried as hard as Feldyn, though less quiet.

“How?” Stryker asked, turning to Reba, who was smiling softly near an alive, but unconscious, Ally. “I mean, shit, I’m glad, more than glad, but... well, how?” Stryker struggled for words. Reba noticed his own eyes were more than a little moist. “It’s complicated. But she’s going to be fine,” Reba answered him, voice sounding exhausted. “So will Ally, and Caleb," she added, and could feel the remaining tensions leave the room.

“What is wrong with him?” Feldyn asked, and Pazely turned to see him talking to the old dude that looked kinda like a priest with monk vibes, that had come in the room at some point. He had thick short white hair, and a white neatly trimmed beard, and was seated in a chair next to - “CALEB!” Pazely screeched, scaring the living crap out of the old guy. “Do you have no manners at all?” he scolded, on the verge of shouting. “Apparently not,” the tween snipped. “Please forgive her, sir,” Stryker said, not sounding too happy himself. “We’ve had a… bad night.” That was an understatement.

The white-haired youthful old man looked over his shoulder at Stryker, who had a chunk of scalp missing, was covered in dirt and his fair share of blood, though much less than one would expect given the head wound. He stood with a sigh, extending a hand to the officer, “Where are my manners, it’s been a while since I have had to interact with other people.” Stryker took his surprisingly strong hand in a firm shake, expecting an introduction, but not getting one. “Stryker,” the cop finally introduced, ending the shake, flushing a bit after realizing he just introduced himself by his nickname. The older man smiled, “John,” was all he gave, as he sat back down by Caleb, where Feldyn and Bryan were now standing, not paying much attention to the interaction.

“He is only sleeping,” John reassured them. “Then why won’t he wake?” Feldyn asked, more himself, eyes lost deep in thought. “I do not know,” John admitted. “But perhaps... he simply does not want to.”

Reba stabbed a needle into Pazely’s ankle, who gave an ear splitting screech. No one had noticed Reba kneel next to the girl, and when she grabbed Pazely leg in a death grip, to keep her from dodging as she injected her, gave the child a start. The scream was pure drama, and everyone knew it.

“Is anyone ever gonna even attempt to explain what’s been goin’ on here?” Stryker drawled deeply, as if the speech center in his brain was going home for the day. Giant demon dogs and listening to Pazely, had that effect. “Yeah,” the noisy girl sniffled in agreement, oblivious to the glares leveled her way. “I know something weird is happening,” she continued, “and I know I feel all fucked up.” That got her smacked by Reba, but she didn’t seem to mind. “I feel like I might go crazy if someone won’t please explain this shit!”

"First," Reba said, moving to put her medical supplies away, “let’s get you cleaned up, rested, and fed.” Before Pazely could protest, Reba continued, “We'll all get the chance to explain things, but should we at least wait until Caleb and Ally wake up?”

Pazely seemed to accept that. Mostly. “Just one thing,” she sniffled, turned, and punched Feldyn in the balls.

* * *

There was water… and a lot of sadness. Or… perhaps it was fear? The water seemed to engulf everything. Caleb didn’t know where or why, just that she was drowning.

… She?

Thrashing in a daze, at once and yet after forever, she was floating.

There were two men.

Faces… not… there…

Danger! That was all Caleb could think, just danger! So much water, ink black as the world around them, feeling as if to pull her down into the deepest of depth, yet somehow she remained afloat.

Darkness. Nothing.

Then the two men again. Faceless men. Caleb didn’t know why, but she began to cry. The second man faced away as the first turned towards her. And the man who was still facing away began to get farther from her. Reaching for him, she couldn’t run, yet some part of her knew they must leave. Leave him here in this void of nothingness.

The darkness engulfed, and with her last breath, Caleb screamed in a delicate, soft voice, so nostalgic, yet so alien. And so full of pain.

“I won’t leave you!!!”

Caleb awoke, sitting straight up with a gasp so intense, he grasped his own throat and chest. Startled, the old man sitting next to him on a chair authentically mirrored his reaction.

The old man, having recovered from his start, cleared his throat softly, “I see you have awakened.” Caleb all but ignored him, trying to take in the dark room. After a moment, he turned to look into the older man’s confident blue eyes. "Did... my friend, Ally, she was with me in the woods." John smiled softly, “she is quite fine. They all are. You were the last to awaken.” He stood and crossed the small distance behind him to a nightstand, where he got an old-fashioned candlestick holder with a ring on the side to carry it.

Caleb was now sitting on the side of his bed, bare feet on the floor. All? “Where-” he had to stop and cradle his head as it felt heavy. The dream he woke from still echoing in his mind. Can a memory echo? Err, dream. Can a dream echo? “The mountains, as the crow flies- not far from your dance studio. Much farther on foot, if you were to hike it,” the old man answered. Shaking his head to clear the crashing waves, “My friends,” Caleb started again, then took a deep breath to steady himself before continuing, “where are they at?”

John nodded, as if confirming his understanding to no one, “They have their own rooms. Aside from the little one, and her,” ending the last with a motion to the ground near the foot of the bed Caleb rested on. Curled up in a ball, under a blanket, was a small figure. The mass of black here that could not be concealed, gave away who it was. Caleb smiled. Then, was royally confused. Then terrified. But… somehow he seemed good. Random intense emotional swing notwithstanding.

“You were attacked by a lycanthropeire. A demonic animal spirit, more or less,” John explained, guessing at Caleb's concern. “I am not sure of the details, but you were all saved with minimal injury, due mostly to the little one, it would seem.” That confused the teen even more. “I’m sorry, sir, but the only other person I knew for sure was there when we were attacked by the... lycanther-whatever,” Caleb was reluctant to say monster or demon, as if that would confirm his crazy, “was Ally. I see Pazely must have helped, but who else was there? Ally is okay though? Are you sure? How long have I been here?”

John was patting the air, as the boys started asking his rapid questions. “Calm down. Yes, Ally is fine. Everyone is.” John stopped then, frowning in thought. "...Stryker, Bryan, Feldyn, and Pazely, there. And the little one... Gigi; was the only one to suffer. If he had not of brought her here, she would not have survived.”

Gigi?

His entire body froze when he noticed the curtained off bed in the far corner, and the destroyed pair of pantsu still on a table near it. Gasping, he stumbled towards the gurney. “Easy, I told you, all were okay,” John urged as the teen almost faceplanted in his haste. "She is sleeping, that is all!"

Ripping the curtain back more successfully than Feldyn had before him, regardless of the old man's words, his unbelieving terror urged him not to look. Not to accept it. Yet look he did look. At a slumbering Gigi, toothless mouth agape in a silent snore. She seemed content. And healthy.

“Perfectly fine,” John was starting to lose some of his patience. He sighed, trying to empathize, “but why should you believe someone whose name you do not even know?” Standing beside Caleb, John had to smile a little himself. Did she really fight that creature? Her and… him. The self-proclaimed Christian demon.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The tall boy offered his hand, “Caleb Kurserieth.” What an odd last name… almost... familiar. Taking the teenagers hand in his, “John.” He smiled, then added, “Just John.” The teen accepted this and went back to staring at the deeply sleeping little girl.

Gigi opened her eyes.

John was surprised, not expecting her to wake so soon, while Caleb just smiled at the little girl. She stretched with a big, loud yawn. Then began to blink at his smiling face with a look of utter confusion. “Well, good morning, blondie,” Caleb beamed and reached out and ruffled her hair. It was so fluffy! Gigi continued to blink, though she was now smiling a little. Caleb's smile stuttered, and he blushed when the naked child peeled her blanket back and began inspecting her body.

“Why the heck do you go to her before me?” Pazely mumble-whined surprisingly quiet from behind him. Her hair was unbound, and in the dim light she seemed to be hidden in a shadow, as it hung about her body; only face, feet, and small hands victim to the visibility of the light. Rubbing her eyes with one fist, Pazely gave his ankle a good, weak kick as she stepped to the opposite side of him from John.

“Ew, gross. Why are you naked?” she whined, making a gagging face, as Gigi was getting into quite the awkward angles, determined to find God only knows what. Then, looking to John, “And ewww, why do you seem so freaked out?” Paze squeaked. Caleb, grateful for any reason to not look at Geeg himself, turned his gaze from Pazely to the old man. Who had turned fully around, apparently to avoid looking at the naked child. “PEDO PRIEST,” Pazely screeched loud enough to induce a migraine. Then added with another stabbing shout, “HENTAI! LOLICON!” John did not appear happy at her unwarranted shrieks. “Like he has any idea what that means,” Caleb sighed at her. John was about to tell them that he was fluent in quite a few languages, as well as popular media and terminology, when Gigi interrupted.

“You’re dead too?” she smiled peacefully at Pazely and Caleb. Then, eyes and a frown focused on John, “Who’s that? Moses?” Pazely exploded in laughter as John huffled. “M-m-moses?” he stammered. Gigi then stood and punched the cackling Pazely in the face, good and solid, making a thwunk sound and causing the girl to stumble. “The fuck, Gigi?!” Caleb snapped, surprised. “We’re all dead, so I can finally hit her!” The tiny blonde announced with a triumphant, satisfied grin. “Right, Moses?” she asked the adult for confirmation, and Pazely dove atop her in the gurney with a roar. Caleb was laughing now at the entire thing. Paze was making hissing and spitting sounds as she politely kicked the crap out of the cackling little kid.

John just could not figure out these children. “You are not dead,” he informed, as she wiggled and squirmed trying to escape from her older friend. “I’m not?” She asked, and Pazely twisted one of the her nipples and she let out a startled scream. “See? Not dead!” Paze smirked, before getting bitchslapped by a pouty-faced Gigi, free hand covering the offended body part.

“Why do you think we’re all dead?” Caleb asked in a voice totally different than the current mood. The girls quit catfighting -they were tangled up horribly in Pazely’s hair at the moment anyway- to look up at him, confused. “Why are you even here, Geeg? What happened?” Both girls dropped their eyes and seemed to wilt. “Was it because of that…” Caleb trailed off. He hesitated again to say ‘monster’.

Next to him, John was more than a little curious. He had already heard the tale. Yet, with Gigi now awake… would it differ? “Oh yeah,” Pazely started, “you like, got knocked out as soon as we got there.” She gave a humorless little laugh. Caleb winced a little at the blunt statement, but didn’t say anything. “Well, uh, we were fighting the dog demon thing and, uh, losing…” Pazely’s head had dropped so she was looking at her lap.

Another pause, and Caleb was growing horribly curious. No one said a word, as Pazely messed with her tangled hair, seemingly lost in thought. She suddenly giggled, awkward and a bit crazy sounding. “Ally totally screamed when she thought it ate me, but I was all cool even when it was chasing me!” The fuck is she talking about? “I wouldn’t scream seeing it eat-” stopping, her head seemed to dip even lower.

Caleb was totally lost. Even more so as she began to cry. “I’m sorry, Gigi,” she whimpered. “I’m so sorry.” She was sobbing now. Caleb looked to John, hoping the adult had an answer. “You’re welcome,” Gigi told her with a haughty -and rather cold- expression, and Paze laughed amidst her sobs. Then, to Caleb’s shock, Gigi snuggled against the older girl, who crushed her in a huge hug. Just what had happened while he was unconscious?! “This little girl is the one that saved all of you,” John explained, trying not to tear up over the touching display of affection. Again, Caleb was (retarded) lost. Wait… what- who said that?

“The Jesus ninja helped!” Gigi chirped up at John, from where she was almost completely hidden in Pazely’s hair.

The Jesus ninja thing took all of their attention. The fuck is a Jesus ninja? Was she referring to the dipshit that looked like a hippy? Caleb wasn’t sure, but the stereotypical Jesus caricature was quite easily changed into the stereotypical hippy appearance. A rainbow here, a bloodshot eye there. Love, peace, and chicken grease! Cheese and marijuana for all! An adult could confuse the two, so why not a child?

It was actually rather pathetic that anyone would confuse the two…

“He is a demon,” John grumbled. “Then he is a good demon!” Gigi scolded him. “I was gonna die!” Gigi didn’t blink as she stared into his eyes. “No one would help me! I screamed to Jesus in my brain, and the ninja appeared!” She leaned forward now, out of Pazely’s hair, her eyes pleading, “And when,” her voice broke into a quivering vowel of fear, as she tried to think, “i-i-i-it killded me, Gigi hurt so bad!” Tears streamed so thick from those super serious eyes that John felt he would drown. “But he helped me! Didn’t he? Isn’t Gigi alive? You said Gig was alive!”

“Yes,” John answered her, shaken that he needed to contain tears of his own. “Yes, you and everyone, are all quite fine.” What was with this little girl? Her eyes… they made him feel a sadness. Guilt. They also made him feel something else... Was it... dread?

“I think that’s enough for now,” John said, clearing his throat. “Tomorrow is close, and I have a feeling it's going to be a long day. Since we are satisfied everyone is alive and well, shall we retire back to our beds?”

Gigi started wailing.

Looking horrified, John stammered, trying to figure out what he had said wrong. Gigi’s wails were met by Pazely’s shrieks as the little girl was yanking her hair, trying to get out. Caleb leaned in, grabbing both girls to hold them still as he untangled the sobbing blonde. Pazely’s hair was so thick; he wanted to run his hands through it so badly… No time for such thoughts as he freed the naked child.

Naked. Great.

Awkwardly he grabbed her blanket, trying to lift her with it, and partially succeeded, covering her bottom half. He began to walk around with her, much like a parent carrying a crying baby in the night, calming them back to sleep.

Only Gigi was not a baby. In fact, John was all but positive she was far too old to be acting the way she was. The child was closer to being a young lady. Caleb had a slight blush in his cheeks, and John's also flushed. In anger.

Gigi turned her head, and looked him dead in the eyes. John's heart skipped, his thoughts shuffled in a panic, feeling like she knew them. That his deepest darkest secrets clear to her eyes. And she was judging him. Warning him.

“It’s her teeth,” Caleb said to John after spinning to face him, breaking Gigi's eye contact. “Ohhhhh!” Pazely exclaimed in understanding. Loudly. At John’s puzzled expression, Caleb explained: “Her parents are uptight about sugar, but she is allowed to get candy after the tooth fairy gives her quarters.” Caleb shrugged. “She doesn’t have the teeth she lost to get the quarters.” John did not understand. He had not heard the child speak a single word. Did the boy figure out her dramatic overreaction simply by listening to her tears?

“Well..." John started, chin in hand, "maybe if we all go back to bed, there is a chance the tooth fairy will still show up.” Gigi gave him a suspicious squint. He winked at her. "I swear on my own teeth, if he does not show, I'll go find him myself." The little girl rolled her eyes, but failed to conceal her smile.

The three kids were sure they would not be able to fall back asleep. All three did not even remain awake long enough for John to return with the warm milk.

* * *

Officer Stricksent rounded the corner, almost running into Feldyn. His uniform was clean and unwrinkled, injuries gone thanks to Reba, police radio back on his hip, mic secured to his shoulder. “Sorry, I just got back from town,” he grumbled, rubbing the back of his head in a frustrated fidget. “Get so turned around in this damn place…”

Feldyn led to officer back to the infirmary he had walked past, entering the room at the same time there was a scream from the back corner where Gigi's bed was. The two were at her bedside in an instant. She was sitting up, mouth open almost as wide as her eyes when she looked up at them. Her face was a mask of unbelieving shock. And… was that happiness?

“Well, ain’t we noisy this morning,” Feldyn grinned at the over excited child, who looked like she had just won some great prize. “Holy crap,” Officer Stricksent commented when he saw her pillow. Apparently, her expression was fitting. For under the child’s pillow was a mountain of coins!

Caleb was awake now too, untangling himself from Pazely (and her hair), as the two had opted to sleep on the floor, and she had rolled too close in the night. Ally and Reba both hurried into the room, neither girl was wearing pants, both just in oversized t-shirts. They got the atmosphere quickly enough and relaxed. “What in the world are you screaming about-” Reba started as she approached the Gigi, ending her statement with, “holy crap!” as she saw the coins. “That’s what I’m sayin’!” Stryker agreed. He was grinning.

On his feet, Caleb was still wearing the same dirty clothes from yesterday. He loathed sleeping wearing a shirt, or clothes at all, really. But, well, with Pazely so close, he wasn't comfortable with much -if any- nudity. “That’s a lot of loot,” he yawn, drawing the attention of everyone in the room, save the still sleeping Asian. Then his eyes noticed Ally, not a scratch on her, and he smiled with relief. Mistaking his eyes and smile, Ally felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe he remembered after all?

Reba grabbed a plain white t-shirt from a nearby drawer and walked over to Gigi. “Loot?” the little girl asked Caleb. “Yeah. You beat that boss, right? Gotta get some loot for that,” he explained. Geeg frowned, “But it didn’t die.” Then Bryan (who no one had noticed enter) sighed, “They don’t have to die. Think about it. Boss battles where they escape after you win; you still get loot. Then more when you fight them again.” Gigi frowned deeper, “I don’t wanna fight it again,” she whispered.

Well, that was a mood changer. But before anyone could properly fall into an emo, Gigi perked back up. “Can I get candy?!” she squealed in joy. “If you quit shouting, I do not see why not,” John grumbled, as he too entered the room. Despite his gruffness, Caleb knew the man was trying not to smile. It was his idea, after all. Pulling the shirt over the child's head (that was like a robe for her), Reba investigated the pile of coins. How did she not wake with all of this being put under her pillow? “There’s hundreds here!” Reba turned to glare at John. There were quarters, half, and silver dollars. He looked a bit sheepish. “Was it the loot fairy?” Gigi asked her dance instructor and Feldyn laughed, a sound filled with joy and calm. He had been on this world long enough to learn of their myths, and the changing of tooth to loot was quite clever!

Caleb felt dizzy. None of this felt... right. Should he really be accepting this situation so easily? It felt like there were.... for lack of a better term, plot holes. Why was everyone awake at the same time? If Gigi's scream made them come running, why had no one hurried to check when Pazely was being so loud in the night? Had it actually even been night? Was it still? Why had he accepted John's words with so little question? “What is going on?” Caleb abruptly asked, joy in his voice gone. When they looked to him, confused, he waved his hand. “Sorry, I mean… nothing makes any sense. Nothing has, but for some reason… I dunno…” he trailed off. Did he or did he not care? Had all that really happened yesterday? Was this really happening right now? He felt cold. And nauseous.

“Perhaps,” Feldyn began, looking over the room in his plain white t-shirt (Reba sure had a lot of clothes of varying sizes) and drawstring sweats, "it is finally time to explain.” Despite his happy tone, he was not looking forward to the conversation. Trying to convince Caleb and his friends of the truth the first time had not gone well. Now there were even more involved.

John agreed, retrieving a folding chair to sit in. “Here? Right now?” Stryker was confused at the urgency. “Dad likes to get things done and out of the way,” Reba told him, going a bit pale. Fear of telling her tale or not, she desperately wanted to flee and get some pants; Ally’s own shirt was millimeters from showing butt cheek.

Pazely made some mewling noises as she finally began waking. Reba couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Pazely had so much hair, there was more of it than blanket! And she wasn’t exactly wearing much either, just the small shirt and booty shorts Reba had provided her last night… Leh sigh. There were so many males in this room, and so much female skin. Yet… there really wasn't any creeper. Or really all that awkward. It was as casual as being around dancers. Well, she guessed most here were. Sorta. Maybe. Kinda. She may be more nervous than she thought. “Guess I’ll set up chairs,” she announced, and walked out of the room to retrieve more chairs and clothing. Stryker and Bryan followed after her to help.

After watching Reba leave, wishing her shirt would pull up a bit more, “Okay, so, this whatever, everything, is going to be explained now?” Caleb asked, hoping he didn’t look too (CRAM YOUR COCK IN HER!) anxious. What the hell was that? He shook his head to clear it. Damn OCD. The unwanted (LICK HER CUNT) thoughts (ignore it, Caleb!) were (SHIT) making it hard (pussy) to focus, Caleb!

The boy stumbled, and Feldyn reached out and caught his arm. Looking at Feldyn, “Who the fuck are you?” he snarled, then began blinking rapidly, and frowned, obviously puzzled by his own outburst.

Well, that seemed a little out of character. Feldyn smiled kindly. The moodiness is probably a side effect of the memory loss phenomena. Or his injuries from the previous night. “Feldyn Goldchord,” the half-elf introduced, releasing Caleb's arm. “Though we have already met.” He extended his hand, and Caleb took it in a firm shake, expression unsure.

What’s with those fucking ears?

You need to focus on Christ!

“What’s with those fucking ears?” Caleb asked in a drunken type of slur, before finishing the handshake. His friends were horrified, and several rebukes were voiced. Ignoring the continued rudeness, Feldyn smiled, “Ah, these?” he tucked fine golden strands of hair behind a long, thin, ear that ended in a point. “They come with the blood. I’m a half-breed. Half elf, half human.” He shrugged. “Inherited the fair traits, as well as these ears, from my elven blood. Inherited things like the need to shave my face, and varying parts of my body, from the human side."

“Half-elf?” Caleb still sounded confused, but the belligerent tone was gone. “Uh. Well, after the rest of this weird shi- er, uh, stuff, guess I can just wait for the story.” Shaking his head 'The fuck is going on with me?' he asked the nothingness, and got no answer.

As the chairs were being set out, Geeg, who had been playing with her coins, asked, “Where’s the ninja?”

“‘Tis a good question,” Feldyn backed her. John was glaring straight ahead furiously, Reba staring at him hard. “No,” he said, firm and resolute. “Don't act like-” she started, then was startled when he stood from his chair with such dramatic suddenness it fell. “No!” John shouted this time, his same brown robes he was in the previous night flowing around him, staff nowhere to be seen. “I won’t share this room with that infernal creature! Is it not bad enough we allowed him to live? Should we also break bread with that man?!” John yelled. Ally had moved over to Gigi and lifted the frightened girl into her arms. “That DEMON?!” The older man spoke the question with such fury, spittle flew. His eyes never left Reba.

Caleb was stupefied. Gigi was crying. Pazely was blinking. “Wait, that ninja dude is here?” Paze mumbled from the floor where she sat. “WHAT THE HELL, OLD GUY!?” she screamed, not in the least affected by the pissy, grumpy, old fuckface!

John didn’t seem to hear her in his furious huffing. However, he, and everyone else, heard the voice of Gigi. “Jesus sent him.” They all turned to look at her. “You are a child-” John started, but Gigi interrupted, “He saved me!” she lectured the old man. The level of intensity from the kid gave her the floor. “He saved everyone! He could have killed you, Moses!” Ally and Reba both raised an eyebrow at the Moses comment. “He could have killed everyone!” Tears were streaming from her emotionless eyes. “But Jesus sent him!” she shouted now at the adult. “He told you he was a Christian, but you don’t believe him!” Reba and John looked like they had been slapped. How in the world did she know what they had talked about? She wasn’t even conscious when that took place! “MAYBE YOU AREN’T THE CHRISTIAN!” she screamed her accusation loud enough that Pazely nodded her approval, and Ally set her down.

John may as well have been hit in the face with a cannonball, the impact those words had on him. She wasn’t the first to dispute his claims of Christianity. And there was a time when such an accusation would have been correct. Though he would have denied it.

John hung his head, wrestling with feelings of shame. “Old people are wimps!” Geeg continued, voice quieter now. “They hurt people, and make everyone cry, and they act like dumb little kids! What about the real wittle kids?!” she slurred, like the -front- toothless child she was. “I think that’s enough, Gigi,” Reba said to her, calm and stern.

“Release him.” Everyone turned to John, who still stood looking at the floor. “Dad?” Reba asked, sounding a bit confused. “Release that man and bring him among us. He too... is a part of this. We should... hear his words as well.” Then, in a weak voice, John said, “I’m sorry Gigi. Forgive an old man.”

“I shall retrieve him,” the half-elf volunteered with a smile. “I’ll go too,” Ally included. The look she threw at Feldyn let him know that contesting it would be pointless. He sighed and nodded. She had been so very quiet this morning. That was about to change, and he really didn’t need to be bitched at by a teenager. Regardless, he did owe her at least some courtesy. He had made quite a mess of -some- things.

“Go down, past the bedrooms, take a right, then the second left,” Reba directed. “There’s an old wooden door with iron bands at the end. It’s unlocked. He’s down there.” Feldyn nodded, as Ally walked past him out of the room.

After a few moments, they reached the door Reba mentioned and Ally broke the silence. “Do you even know what you’re doing?” she made sure to sound bitchy. “If I didn’t,” he began, and grabbed the large iron ring that served as the door handle, “I would be pretty foolish now, wouldn’t I?” He didn’t need to explain himself to her.

“You sure didn’t know what you were doing with the ritual.” Feldyn, door open, looked into the dark stairwell beyond the door. The steps were stone, and the damp air felt like a cellar. Or a dungeon. Ally didn’t relent, “What does that make you, if not a fool?” she posed, arms crossed. “A moron? Or just a failure?” she continued. “The ritual ‘twas not even real,” he mumbled, and she either did not hear him or did not care.

“Everything that’s gone wrong, you swore would never happen! You want us to keep trusting you? You want me to trust you?” her voice cracked ever so slightly. “All that blood is on your hands! You killed my cousin! Jessie is dead because of you!” That was the last straw. Feldyn turned and charged her, slamming the slender blonde against the wall. She let out a yelp of surprise, as he put his face inches from hers.

“Her death is not my fault!” he hissed in a barely controlled rage. “I did everything right! Every BLOODY thing!” He felt Lance’s tiny claws dig into his right shoulder. 'My God, what am I doing?!' Releasing her shoulders, he stepped back. “Ally, I am so sorry! Are ye alright?” His voice was filled with horror at his actions.

Determined to not look as terrified as she felt, with more anger than she expected to be able to summon, she clenched her fists and stepped away from the wall. “Then whose fault is it? You did all of that fucking shit in order to stop a tragedy!” Feldyn winced. How could he explain his error without revealing also his deception? “You were wrong! You were wrong! Now she's dead! She was raped and murdered, because you were wrong!” Her entire body was trembling. Meeting her eyes, Feldyn didn’t blink. And in a flat, very un-singsong voice, “You opened the door.”

Ally slapped him hard across the mouth. Very hard. With blood trickling from his lip, Feldyn's thoughts focused. His rage once more abated. And in that one moment, his loathing redirected itself inwards.

Why was he letting her get to him so? She was just a child herself! He was the adult, yet here he was, resisting the impulse to punch -punch!- this young girl in the face! Apparently, he had not completely defeated his own inner rage. Or had that odd drink reawakened his old self he believed dead, after his coming to Christ? Regardless, Ally had reason to be angry. To hate him. To be furious. Her words were justified. His own words, and actions, were not. Once again, his choices had cost lives. And the suffering of children. Once again, he had failed to learn from his mistakes.

It was his turn for agony deep within his soul. Memories. Her face swollen and beaten… Blood everywhere. Her stuffed bunny, lying on the ground, painted with her blood... “I’m-” he began and had to clear his throat. “I’m sorry,” he said, and truly meant it. He wanted to say more, but for some reason, couldn’t think of the words to express himself. That didn’t happen to him easily.

Ally scoffed at him in such a way that he once again felt the need to respond like a child. Shaking her head, she laughed, which caught him off guard. And then she began to cry. It quickly built to sobs so hard, she sat on the ground, before moving to hands and knees, in struggle to halt her sobs, body tensing to keep them silent.

It was bad enough this MORON had to see her this way! No one saw her this way. Not even… Regardless, it was too late to hide it now. She could break down later, in private, for now she had to suck it up! To quit thinking about Jessie! To ignore the guilt she felt, because of...

Waiting until she regained some control, Feldyn remained quiet. Ally’s shirt had pulled up to the small of her back, revealing black lingerie. Feeling it was a bit inappropriate, given the situation, he tried to not pay attention. Lingerie is always appropriate, but staring at Ally’s as she wept seemed a bit crude, if not rude, given the context.

“You think, at least, he’ll remember?” Ally asked softly, breaking him from his thoughts. “Probably not,” Feldyn answered without hesitation. In truth, he had no idea why any of them had lost their memories, but Caleb would not be remaining on Earth; instilling hope in her would be cruel. Ally sat on her butt now, wiping her eyes.

After another minute, she stood back up, and Feldyn gave her a minute to find something to blow her nose. She resisted at first, but he knew better. You couldn't cry like that and simply not blow your nose after. The second door, after the first corner, was some type of small storage closet, with a roll of paper towels. Good enough.

Feldyn gave her a faint smile when she returned, and with a nod that she was ready, lead the way down the staircase.

Reaching the bottom, he immediately knew it was not a cellar, but a dungeon. “I can’t see anything,” Ally complained. He had forgotten her human eyes had nowhere near his low light vision. Looking around, he saw a switch near the base of the stairs, and flipped it on.

“What the hell?” Ally said softly. There were two light fixtures, apparently jury-rigged; a long orange cord went from the light switch to the ceiling, then along the ceiling to the two old, metal, single bulb light fixtures. The room wasn’t much bigger than the room the others waited in. Cracked stone walls and floor. A featureless wooden table sat in the middle of the room, with no chairs. Along the left was a row of four cells, thick bars making up the doors.

As the young teen marveled at her first dungeon, Feldyn walked into the room, looking in each cell until he reached the last one. In the middle stood the large man in black. His wisps of netherweave once again flowing and rolling about his form. His eyes actually shone in the dim light, and seemed to emit a light blue mist themselves.

His garbing appeared skintight, covering everything, even his eyelids. Ally wondered if he painted the skin there or something, because nothing could fit that good. Then there was that strange, foggy material floating around him at the same time.

Masque met her studying gaze without blinking or moving, causing her to flush. She stepped behind Feldyn to hide from his eyes, then stormed off after realizing what she had done. The half-elf ignored her, so transfixed was he with the demon before him. Who was he? What was he? Feldyn was not well versed in demonology, thought form his understanding, all were the enemies of God. This man could not be a full denizen of the Hells. If he was truly Saved, there had to have been a loophole. Could he be...

“Greetings friend!” Feldyn hailed with a toothy grin. “Apologize for the accommodations, but seems our host was a bit concerned about your…” he feigned searching for the right word “uniqueness.” Feldyn took a key from his pocket (The hell did he get that? Ally wondered from the bottom of the stairs where she waited), and proceeded to unlock the oversized iron lock. He noticed the bars were runed. “Are they not concerned with your uniqueness, half-breed?” Masque asked, voice flat and cold, inciting an involuntary shiver from Ally.

Turning the lock and pausing, eyes looking to the heavens as if pondering some great question, “Now how would you know I was a half-breed?” With an exaggerated sigh and shrug, “Yes. They do seem quite fine with it.” Masque knew the half-elf had to have some idea what he himself was. For no elves still resided on this planet, and Masque’s own existence shouldn't be a myth on Aethra. Opening the cell door, and pocketing the key, the half-elf extended a hand. “Feldyn Goldchord,” he introduced in an infuriatingly happy voice.

Masque didn’t flinch.

Feldyn felt awkward.

“I have not smelled elven blood in quite some time,” Masque droned. “Not since Babel.” The half-elf’s heart skipped. 'Babel?' Feldyn thought, more than a little shaken. He’s been around since the Sealing? Who the hell is he? Trying to appear calm, his mind raced. That is not possible. If he were truly as old as he claims, he would be a greater demon, the lycanthropeire would have fallen like a dead sapling before him! He must be trying to test me. Feldyn smiled. “I pray you will indulge our curiosity.” With that, Feldyn turned his back to him. "Well, shall we?” he asked, and walked to the stairs, passing a frowning Ally.

She didn’t understand what they were talking about, but why won’t that guy come out of his cell? She glanced back towards the cell, and started violently, the large ninja was standing a couple of feet from her. “Masque,” was all he said, and Feldyn paused in his ascent long enough to nod. Masque walked past the stunned blonde, eyes no longer shining, wispy cloth no longer present, and followed the elf up the stairs. Ally stood frozen for many moments, then turned and hurried after the two odd individuals. Could things even get any weirder?

Not a word was shared between the three as they made their way back to the others waiting in the infirmary. Upon their return, the scene was a bit more calm and organized. Chairs were set around one of the end tables, which had been moved to the center of the room. On it rested a plate of food (crackers, cheeses, and fruits, Feldyn saw) and a pitcher of orange liquid.

Pazely was now wearing a huge pink t-shirt that would not have fit anyone there. Her hair was inside the shirt, a means of keeping the ridiculous mass in check. She still had no pants on, but it did not matter. Where she sat next to Caleb, leaning over out of her chair to hang on him, the shirt still covered a good amount. Reba was now wearing yoga pants, Gigi sitting between her legs on the same chair.

Caleb wasn’t sure if John was scowling at the way Feldyn was looking at Reba, or the large (Holy crap, now I see the ninja thing) man that followed him into the room.

Before any could say a word, and before John could protest her actions, Gigi squealed and jumped from between Reba’s legs, zooming over to Masque. John prayed they were not being deceived as the child stopped a foot from the demon, looking straight up at him. Though, Masque, was the one having the most trouble staying composed. This many mortals near him at once was unsettling. Let alone... her. This bright, shiny innocent, whose soul now bore the Mark of Christ. Despite himself, he felt a brief pang of sadness, at the loss of an innocence so young.

Gigi’s large eyes met his own, unblinking. What was this expression? What could she want from him? “Thank you!” she yelled, and wrapped his leg in a hug as she giggled loudly.

She didn’t fear him? Masque felt… strange. Warm. He didn’t like it. Grumbling lightly, he patted her on the head. She quit giggling, and looked up at him from her hug. Then, with a serious expression, she hopped back, left hand extended. “I is Gigi Handlund!” Then giggling, “I mean, I am Gigi! Gigi Marie Handlund!” hand held out farther. “Nice ta meetcha.”

Masque really didn’t like all these feelings.

“Masque,” he stated flatly, taking her hand (more like allowing her to grab his fingers) in a weak grip, surprised as she tried to squeeze as hard as she could. Feldyn pouted (So my hand wasn’t good enough…) as he made his way towards the food. Of course he didn’t really mind. In fact… seeing the interactions between Gigi and Masque, the bard felt he could truly come to care for these people.

And that scared the hell out of him.

What else is there to do after such a realization but eat! Feldyn suppressed his epiphany and began eating crackers and cheese, feeling they were the two best foods he had ever tasted. Until the (Oh, holy yes!) freshly squeezed orange juice!

Bryan and Stryker looked at Feldyn in horror. The former repairing Paze’s hair barrettes, Stryker with a small plate (Of course Feldyn was eating from the serving plate…) of food. Both cringed at the half-elf standing right in front of where they sat, for Feldyn had his eyes tightly closed and was wiggling around, mouth full of food, large glass in hand, smiling and seeming to be having some type of creepy physical pleasure going on. “Right when I was starting to think this guy wasn’t actually a dipshit.” Stryker whispered to Bryan, getting a light chuckle from the teen.

Fortunately, Feldyn had good ears and realized how he was acting. Whoops! Got a bit carried away there! “Good orange juice!” he explained to them, and held his cup in toast gesture, before moving off to the seat next to Caleb. It was slightly offset from the circle. The head seat. The storyteller’s seat. The bard’s seat.

“Just Masque?” A squinty Gigi had asked the big man, while Feldyn was doing his lusty food dance.. Masque wasn’t quite sure what to say, but that fierce gaze warranted some type of response. All he could think of… “I have been called something more.” Gigi’s eyes widened in curiosity. Even Ally came out of her trance, realizing she had been standing there next to the chill-inducing ninja, just staring at Caleb, lost in thought. She needed to hold it together! First, by trying not to be unnerved at being near this… person.

Continuing, “John did brand me as the Forever Shadowed,” Masque said, his voice seeming to carry a shrug with it. Gigi looked puzzled, and pointed a finger at the old man behind her, “Moses?” she asked, not blinking or taking her gaze from the demon. “The Revalator," Masque clarified, also not blinking.

At that, Ally decided to finally take a seat, moving to the one next to Pazely. Shit had gotten weirder…

Not sure who that was, Geeg shrugged and moved off to go sit on Caleb’s lap this time, shoving Pazely’s face away with her palm. 'Masque the Forever Shadowed,' John thought, 'as branded on him by John the Revelator… Do you speak the truth, shadowed one? And did I truly see eyes that should be incapable of such, glisten with an extra moisture at the thanks from that child?'

At his seat now, Feldyn had was assessing the groups mood, and atmosphere. Masque walked to the back corner, where Gigi’s gurney had been. Stryker and Bryan seemed to be lost in their own little worlds. Reba was… Well, Reba wasn't doing much more than looking cute, focus drifting between individuals. John appeared to be contemplating some great truth. Pazely and Gigi were pulling each other’s hair, Caleb and Ally trying to get them to settle down. This was going to be complicated.

“Okay,” the bard began in his singsong voice, making sure to be just loud enough, but not too loud. “everyone here, and ready? I believe we should begin, for I’m sure we all have quite a lot of questions!” They seemed to agree, as every one of them stopped what they were doing, and gave him their full attention.

It was time for some answers.