Digression History: Chapter 3

Digression
Conflict Continuum
Conflicted
Conflicts
Conflicted Rules
CC High Council


Caiden rolled over in his bed giving a loud yawn as he did. Slowly he opened his eyes blinking rapidly as he tried to adjust his vision to the morning sunlight spilling through his windows. Taking a deep breath he reached a hand out to the table beside his bed and picked up the small mirror he kept there then brought it to his face so he could inspect his eyes. With a small groan he was disappointed to find that like every other morning he had done this that they were still the electrifying bright blue that had come with the awakening of his mutation and for a split second he had to fight the urge to throw the mirror across the room in frustration. He still hoped that one day he would awake to find that they had returned to their natural brown and he would be able to go back to the life he missed so much. Finally he dropped the mirror onto the bed beside him and sat up, sighing heavily as he did before clambering out from under the sheets and stretching his tired muscles. He figured it was time to leave his room today. He had been hiding away for several days now, keeping his door locked and living off the food he had stored in his drawers. But his supplies were running low and he knew Rafe would begin to wonder why he had been staying away from him. It wasn’t that he was staying away from the siren..it was the others he didn’t want to face. Every day creatures would come and go from the apartment and every one of them looked at Caiden with a look of hatred which he couldn’t help but return. Rafe was the only creature he could bear to be around for any length of time due to his generosity and protection, but the teenager couldn’t help but find him a bit odd at times. Moving to the large wardrobe Caiden quickly rummaged through it in search of something to wear. On the rail was a line of fine shirts and trousers, clothes given to him by Rafe but he never chose to wear these. Instead he selected his favourite old t-shirt and aged jeans along with his hooded sweater and boots then moved to his bathroom to get washed and dressed. Once ready, Caiden grabbed his cassette player and turned the volume up to full before shoving it in his pocket and popping the headphones over his ears. Humming along to the loud music he made his way from his room to the kitchen to get something to eat. The apartment seemed quiet so he figured no one else was awake. Grabbing a few eggs from the refrigerator he got to work scrambling them, his heading bopping to the beat of the music as he worked.

---

It was long before the sun had risen that Talia had awoken. She lay thinking of the argument the night before and couldn’t help but bite her lip guiltily. If I had just kept my mouth shut.. She thought sadly. She hoped Dash would come to find her today for she knew it would break her heart if he chose not to. Sitting up she glanced round the bare room and sighed. She figured she would just have to spend the day here with Rafe and try to occupy herself. Maybe I’ll try to get to know Rafe a little more..ask him about how he knows Dash and the others. Finally she slowly climbed from the bed then dressed herself in her clothes from the day before, not having anything fresh to wear. She decided that because she was amongst other creatures and no humans that she would stay in her natural form so she could be more relaxed. Feeling hungry she moved to the door and unlocked it. She would need to find Quinn to show here were she could eat, not feeling it appropriate to go and start eating Rafe’s food. Stepping out into the corridor she glanced round then headed off in the hopes of finding her friend.

Having not slept in several days, Quinn was sprawled out on Rafe's couch, completely dead to the world. He could have been attacked and would have slept through it. His body was in the process of recharging, and since it had been so long, it was taking advantage of the safety that Rafe provided. It wasn't hard for anyone else to tell that Quinn was exhausted. He hadn't shifted a single time since he took up residence on the couch, nor had he uttered a single sound. He knew that once he woke up he would be hungry, but that hadn't stopped him from sleeping like the dead. And even now, stretched out across the cushions, his head pillowed on his arms, he appeared more at peace and relaxed than possibly anyone had ever seen him.

"My my... What a lucky morning. Two wonders," Rafe commented softly, not wanting to bother the two creatures currently going about their business in his home. Well, three, he supposed, if he counted Ean. He lingered a moment leaning in the doorway that led from the living room to the balcony, simply admiring the sight. He smiled at Quinn's relaxed expression, then at the young boy bouncing around his kitchen. He would let the Deiciden sleep, he clearly needed it, and so after another fond smile at the sleeping god killer, he made his way to the kitchen. He waited until his movements caught Caiden's eyes, then made a motion with his hands to ask him to remove his headphones, only speaking once he had done so. "I see you have joined the world of the living," he commented, his voice quiet and gentle, his smile fond and everything about him showed that Caiden had his attention, that he would listen, and actually cared for the answer to a question no one had asked. "That is good to see," he added, his voice dripping with sincerity. Unlike his other followers, Rafe did not touch Caiden, rather keeping a respectful few feet between them. In fact, at this moment his island bar of his kitchen stood between them, as if the barrier was a sign of his respect for Caiden's personal space. The boy wasn't fully comfortable with creatures yet, and he took it as his duty to help him become that comfortable.

Caiden quickly grabbed his headphones and pulled them down from his ears when he spotted Rafe standing across from him. "Oh hey..morning." He said a little awkwardly. "Yeah sorry..I just wanted to be alone for a while. It sounded like things were busy here anyway. I would have just got in the way and caused problems." He continued before glancing down at the eggs he had been mixing. "I'm making eggs for breakfast, you want some?" He asked holding the bowl out to show the siren.

"Mm, yes please, with bacon," Rafe replied with a little nod and a slight raise of his eyebrows. In a smooth few steps, he took a seat at the stool at the island, on the opposite side from the cooking human. "Caiden you are welcome to stay in your room as long as you like, but you are just as welcome to join me, or others, any time you feel comfortable. I can't see you being 'in the way'," he quoted the few words back and offered a small smile. "Would you like me to let you know when guests leave in the future? I don't want you to feel you have to stay in your room just because you don't know when they are here and when they are not." He didn't really want Caiden to stay inside all the time at all, but he wasn't about to suggest, let alone press, that the boy go out and stretch his legs. Although, the idea struck him as amusing and his smile widened almost imperceptibly. He wondered, as he watched the human cook, just what Caiden could do, should he put his mind to it, or simply lost control.
 
Moving to the fridge, Caiden pulled the packet of bacon from it then put it in the stove to cook before moving back to finish the eggs. When Rafe asked him if he would like to be notified when the other creatures had left the apartment he nodded and gave an appreciative smile. "Yeah that could work." He replied. "Thanks." Once the food was ready he plated it up, along with some toast he had prepared as well. He placed Rafe's breakfast in front of him and then set his own down as well before turning to fetch the teapot and carry it over to the table. Once everything was ready he slid into his chair then quickly began to eat his food. "I heard a lot of noise late last night and I thought I heard someone crying..what happened?" He asked looking up at Rafe.

"A new friend had an unfortunate disagreement yesterday with some old friends of mine, one of whom she seems to have a rather permanent relationship with," Rafe replied mildly as he picked up his tea, eyelids lowered in an almost thoughtful expression. Almost. "Whether she accept it or not." He shook his head a little and gave Caiden a small smile. "Do not let it concern you. I have a feeling all will be well again in time. People often only need time to come around to things they might not at first be willing to accept." He sometimes made it a point to turn general life lessons in to Caiden-lessons. Eighteen years might be a lot for some types of creatures, but not for humans, and Caiden was still so very young compared to most of his acquaintances. It was really quite... endearing. He closed his eyes and sipped his tea with a surprising amount of poise. Well, it would be for anyone who didn't know Rafe, and how effortlessly such things came to him. He set the cup aside and turned his attention to Caiden again, not forgetting about his breakfast but, as usual, more interested in conversation. He pointed vaguely to his own ears. "What was it you were listening to?"

"Oh my music? Its one of the cassettes I found when I used to go hunting through old ruins. Here.." Caiden replied then quickly removed his cassette player and headphones and offered them to Rafe. "I don't know who sings it..theres no writing on the tape but it has a really good beat which I like." He smiled, feeling curious about how the other man would react to the music. "I was maybe thinking about going out and trying to find some more..tapes I mean. I've been listening to the same ones over and over for so long.." He had suddenly relaxed considerably as the topic turned to his music, something he loved very much.

Rafe took the offered item and placed the headphones over his ears. He listened, looking thoughtful for a long moment before giving a little smile. He removed the headphones and handed the whole music player back to Jake. "You are a boy of an era long past," the siren commented, but his smile didn't last, instead replaced by a thoughtful expression. He tapped his chin and hummed. "I have some records, I am not sure you know what that is- It is something that holds much older music than that-" He pointed at Jake's cassette player. "If you should ever wish to listen to them. I prefer simply to play music myself, but that is not for everyone. I can understand if you only wanted to listen." He offered Caiden a smile and finally picked up his fork to spear a bit of egg. Oh how he would love to play and sing for Caiden, but somehow the idea of playing and singing with Caiden intrigued him more. He had never done that before. He wondered, observing the young human while chewing his little morsel of egg, what would happen if they ever tried.

"When I was young I always dreamed of playing an instrument. I begged my dad constantly to go out and get me a guitar or something like that but he always refused saying it would be a waste of time and wouldn't benefit me in any way, so now I don't have any other choice but to listen." Caiden replied as he pulled his cassette player back towards him in an almost protective manner once Rafe had finished with it. He grabbed a piece of toast and took a large bite out of it allowing for a few moments of silence. "But i'm young I could still learn I guess.." He finally continued on and for the first time his smile was bright and relaxed as he looked at Rafe. But at the sound of a soft knock at the door, his smile suddenly slipped and he froze, his grip tightening considerably on his fork.

Talia stood, arms hanging by her sides after knocking the door to Rafe's apartment. She had walked up and down several corridors and finally was admitting defeat. "I'll just ask nicely if I can have some breakfast.." She muttered as she kept her black eyes focused on the door. "I just hope he's awake."

Rafe looked up at the knock, only mildly surprised. Almost immediately he reached across the counter to rest a gentle hand on Caiden's tense wrist. "It's alright. You're safe," he said, the promise unsaid, but there. He offered an encouraging smile, but nodded his head back toward the bedroom. "If you must go, you may, I will let you know when they leave, but you do not have to go." He stressed the last part slightly, patted the wrist with gentle fingers, then stood to answer the door. It was odd, actually answering the door, he was so used to simply letting whoever showed up enter. It was for Caiden's benefit though, and he didn't want his precious human to feel backed in to a corner if he didn't have that moment to escape to a safe area. He placed a hand on the french door handle and pulled the door open, smiling charmingly at the stunning creature standing on the other side. He let his eyes roll over her appreciatively, but not in a sexual way. More how one might admire a tapestry. "My, don't you look stunning this morning," he greeted, keeping his voice low, then stepped back to let her in. "We were just enjoying breakfast. Would you care to join us?"

"Oh so Quinn's here then." Talia replied assuming when he said we were having breakfast that he meant himself and the other man. She stepped into the apartment with a smile. "I was hoping you'd ask me for breakfast, i'm so hungry." She chuckled then moved towards the kitchen. She stopped in the doorway with wide eyes when she spotted Caiden who was quickly pushing his cassette player back into his pocket before looking up at her. They both seemed to stare at each other for several moments before Talia broke it and looked over her shoulder towards Rafe. "Why is there a human here?" She whispered, not feeling as welcoming as she usually would after the raid on her apartment the night before.

Caiden couldn't help but narrow his eyes at Talia as mistrust quickly flooded through his body. What is that thing? he thought as his eyes travelled over her white hair and red skin with white markings until they locked with her solid black eyes that stared back. When she turned her attention to Rafe he slowly looked down at his plate, wondering if he should grab it and make a quick escape to his room. Deciding to wait and see what happened he picked up a piece of bacon and took a small bite as he silently hoped that he could rely on his powers if he needed to defend himself.

Rafe had closed the door and followed Talia in and was hovering near her side when she saw Caiden for the first time. He didn't hesitate when she asked him a question. "Because," he answered in a tone that begged no argument. "He's important to me." He didn't wait for a response really. Instead, he simply let himself smile again, his serious moment broken and placed a hand on her lower back, motioning to the stools at the bar. "Caiden, this is Talia, my friend I mentioned was here last night. Talia-" He motioned his free hand to the human. "This is Caiden. Neither of you needs to fear, we're all friends here. I ensure that." A slightly odd choice of words for most, but it was accurate here. The last person to try and start a fight in his home had left a permanent mark on his carpet. The whole thing had to be replaced. He didn't care to repeat the experience, but he cared even less to have anyone upsetting his perfect world. No, they were friends, they needed to be.

"Caiden frowned up at Rafe. Friends..no way. He thought then couldn't help but glare slightly at Talia who was sliding onto the stool Rafe had led her to. Finally turning his attention from her he lifted the teapot with a shaking hand and proceeded to pour himself a cup but in his angered state the liquid did not flow into the cup but instead began to swirl and move around his hands. "Not now.." He muttered in frustration as he tried to direct the hot tea into his cup but with not much luck and ended up just having to sit with it moving around him.

Talia raised an eyebrow then glanced at Rafe. "I can see now why he's important..but he's human right? How is this possible? No human is known to have any kind of power.." She watched as the boy tried his hardest to rid himself of the liquid and couldn't help but smile lightly in amusement. It was obvious whatever was going on the human didn't have a grasp on it.

"Caiden's story is his own to tell," Rafe answered simply with a polite nod to the boy, though he did not observe him as closely as Talia. He was more used to the accidental magic, after all, but more than that he didn't want Caiden to feel self conscious. "If he wishes to share it, that is his own choice." He glanced up to see the tea still hovering and took mercy, reaching over to rest his hand very lightly on Caiden's wrist again, so he would know he could pull away if he wanted. "You're too defensive," he said gently. "Relax, ask the tea in to the cup, and picture the path. It's going to listen to you, but it has to know what you want it to do."

Caiden took a deep breath and tried to focus on the things that Rafe had just said. As he relaxed a little the water began to move down towards the cup. His eyes widened in surprise but with that sudden flash of amazement he lost control and the rest of the liquid splashed down over the counter. "I was so close! Did you see that?" He asked momentarily forgetting that he was staying silent around Talia. "I've never been able to control it!" He grinned at Rafethen seemed to suddenly remember the messand jumped up to grab a towel add Talia watched in awe. "Did you do this to him?" She asked Rafe curiously, knowing Caiden probably wouldn't tell her.

"No," Rafe answered simply and chuckled was he watched Caiden, his expression something between pride for Caiden and dreamy at the idea, as if to say 'but wouldn't that be lovely?'. He turned his smile on Talia and it was pinning, as if he were the sun, or the stars, and his happiness was palpable and yet calm at the same time. "I have no such abilities, Talia. The best I could ever do is make someone think they could move the world." He chuckled again and went back to watching Caiden clean his small mess. "I'm very proud of you," he told the young human, his smile showing the honesty of the words. "And impressed." Well, that was rare, it would mean something for it to happen, let alone for him to admit it. Still, he didn't seem perturbed to do so.

"This is definitely one of the most curious riddles I have ever faced. No human can have powers but yet this one does and it was not done by your hand. How intriguing.." Talia replied with a smile then shrugged. "I'm sure I'll get to the bottom of it one way or another. It seems you're quite fond of him though Rafe, like he's like a son or something. Is that how it is?"

Caiden had beamed at Rafes compliments as he carried on cleaning. But with Talias input he suddenly tensed as reality seemed to hit him again. "No..I have a father." He said quietly feeling ashamed now of himself that he had been enjoying the use of his powers so much. "Rafe is just helping me until I can go home..I just need to get rid of these disgusting unnatural powers first." He sighed then lifted his breakfast plate and carried it to the sink to clean.

"There is nothing disgusting about you," Rafe chastised, his voice almost a hiss as he narrowed his eyes at Caiden. He shook his head at the boy. Really, if anything was disgusting it was his human beginnings. No, he had become something beautiful and Rafe valued that. He let it go for the moment however, instead looking at Talia. "Caiden wants to go back to what he still considers home, but I hope in time he can see here as that as well-" He glanced at the human, his expression hurt, but he shoved it away to turn back to the shapeshifter. "In regards to our relationship... I suppose it would be more appropriate to consider me his... godfather." His gentle smile twitched into more of a smirk for a moment, then fell back into the calm, friendly smile that was nearly always in place. "I'm here to help him along any time he needs me, and I am very happy to do so, but I have no real authority over him, except that which he gives to me." He turned his fond smile to Caiden once more, even if he wasn't looking. "I just wish he would stop thinking he has to get 'rid' of something about himself, when he should simply embrace his uniqueness." He wrinkled his nose, an expression that would have went well with a stuck out tongue, but that would have been uncouth, so he did not do it, instead relaxing his face again and chuckling to show he was teasing the boy, slightly.

The noise from the kitchen had finally woken Quinn, who sat up and looked around. He rolled from the couch and came up in a slightly defensive posture, but he relaxed when he remembered where he was. Walking slowly towards the voices, Quinn stayed just out of the kitchen and watched everyone, rubbing his stomach slightly in hunger and apprehension.

"Embrace my uniqueness?" Caiden almost snapped as he turned to look at Rafe. "I don't want to embrace it. I don't want to be like you!' He continued angrily and for a few moments he just glared at the other man before sighing and looking away. "Sorry..I didn't mean to be rude..I appreciate everything you're doing for me, honestly I do but this isn't me. I'm not meant to be this person. I have people back home waiting for me. My mom, dad..my girlfriend. I want to go back to them. But I can't when I'm like this. They wouldn't understand." He glanced towards Quinn when he appeared and frowned. someone else come to stare.

"You were born this way, Caiden," Rafe said, his voice purposely slow as he rose from his stool. "To me, that means you are who you are supposed to be, no matter the circumstances that brought it about." His eyes, nearly glowing with and orange-red amber color met Caiden's electric blue ones and they were not angry, but perhaps a touch disappointed. "Perhaps you should take a while longer to think about who you want to be like: those who accept you for who you are, or those who want you to be 'who you are supposed to be', which, really, is such an arbitrary term- Don't you think?" His last words were left rhetorical as he looked behind him at the entranceway to the kitchen area and smiled to find Quinn there. "Ah, good morning sunshine..." he said softly, setting aside his Caiden troubles for just the moment to instead walk slowly over to the Deiciden and cup his cheek. "I hope you slept well," he admitted and leaned forward to press a small, gentle kiss to Quinn's forehead before stepping back to motion him in to the kitchen. "Join us- I'm sure Talia is happy to see you was well- Yes? Talia?" He looked over at the shapeshifter again, gently guiding Quinn over to a stool before he stepped over to Caiden to talk to him while the other two said good morning pleasantries. "Caiden..." he addressed him quietly, making sure to keep his voice too low for the others to hear, or tried to, and his face gentle for the little human, to show he wasn't mad. Yet. "If you are uncomfortable and wish to leave, I understand," he assured him. "I won't consider it a reflection of this conversation."

Quinn almost couldn't help leaning into the touch from Rafe, closing his eyes as he enjoyed the kiss. Small things that would be completely unnoticeable to anyone else. He moved along with Rafe back into the kitchen and took a seat, looking over at Talia with a small bob of his head. But his eyes were searching for the food first. Self preservation was winning over common courtesy that he was never taught. Having willfully ignored the other presence in the room, mostly so he wouldn't have to deal with thinking about the human's statement about his family, Quinn now glanced up at him and blinked once, his face blank of all expression, before looking at the plates of food almost whistfully.

Caiden shook his head. "No..I want to stay." He said with a deep breath then looked at Rafe with an apologetic expression. "I didn't mean to be rude to you..it just gets tough sometimes trying to adjust. I hate thinking that this is the way its going to be.." He shrugged lightly then sighed. "But i'll try..I promise." He suddenly looked up at Rafe as a thought struck him. "Do..do you think it would help if I said goodbye to my parents? Maybe it would help me let go of the past and move forward..What do you think?."

Talia smiled brightly at Quinn and waved her hand in welcome to him. "Morning. I was beginning to wonder where you had disappeared off to." She said with a chuckle then noticed his gaze fall to the food. "You want me to get us some breakfast?" She asked him.

"I am not one for giving up anything," Rafe admitted mildly, letting one ear follow the other conversation in the room even when his eyes didn't move from Caiden, nor did he raise his quiet voice. He didn't want an audience, not when Caiden was doing so well with strangers for once. "But it may help if you had something you wanted just as much, if not more, than what you had, first. It is hard to look at the past when you are so focused on the future. We could start with some music lessons? And we can look for whatever else you think you may like. Once you have that, I think it will be easier for you to let go and say goodbye. That is how it goes for everyone." Everyone who joined him gave up things, friends, family, other loved ones, homes, land, possessions. He expected nothing less, even if he never asked for it. He would never do such a thing, but they were not the same. Of course, Caiden was not a follower, was he? He was something else, and the look Rafe was giving him reflected that: a fond kind of smile but something deep in his eyes curious. Caiden was special, why else would he want him around? He supposed that was why he kept Caiden around, however. He wasn't sure what the boy would do, since he did not feel the loyalty and desire to serve the others did, and Rafe wasn't sure what he did, or would do, day to day. It was a mild distraction from the monotony of daily life, which was most of the time, when he had to wait to get his way. Patience was a virtue he had little of, and it was easier with a distraction.

"You would give me music lessons?" Caiden asked quickly then finally gave a small smile and nodded. "I'd really like that. Maybe I could be like the musicians on my tapes..we could even start a band." He chuckled lightly then scratched his arm. "I promise I'll try to think more positively. I'll even try to get on with your friends..well most of them." One creature he knew he would never get along with was the shade. She was vicious and often teased him that Rafe wouldn't always be around to protect him. He shuddered lightly at the thought before looking back at the siren. " Im sure there's other things I could do. I've got plenty of talents.."

Quinn gave a small nod to Talia, but he was mostly watching the interaction between Caiden and Rafe without trying to make it obvious. His attention was split with the food. As very few had seen him sleep, equally few had seen him hungry. There was one thing Quinn was certain of, and that was that if he had a plate of anything in front of him, table manners would momentarily be forgotten. Taking a moment to look over at Talia, Quinn watched her. "I was on the couch," he explained quietly. "I did not want to disturb anyone."

"I am glad to hear the happier tone," Rafe told Caiden with a fatherly smile and a quiet chuckle. "While you discover those other things, yes, I can, and will, if you want, give you music lessons. We can start today if you like." He motioned back towards the hallway. "I have a feeling we will have another guest arriving very soon, so if you would prefer to go to your room and choose what type of music you would like to learn I won't fault you for not wanting to be involved in that conversation that is no doubt going to take place." He gave Caiden an understanding smile before looking at the other two in the kitchen. At the expression on Quinn's face, he leaned over and gently pushed his own plate, long since cooled but still mostly filled with food, toward the Deiciden. In just that span of a few inches, once it stopped in front of Quinn, the food once again was lazily rolling off steam as it had when it first landed there. Rafe made no note of the change. "You're never a disturbance, Quinn," he put in to their conversation, a subtle sign he wanted the group to talk together once more. That want was further demonstrated by his turning to Talia. "Miss Talia, did you sleep well? Where did you finally end up, if I may ask?"

Caiden nodded when Rafe spoke of excusing himself before the next guest arrived. He figured whoever it was they would be discussing some sort of business and he usually didn't want to get involved in this. He also felt meeting two of Rafes friends this morning was enough for now. "I'll go to my room and let you get on with your business. Let me know when everyone has left." He said then pulled his headphones up over his ears and pressing play to start his music back up. Walking from the kitchen he didn't look at Quinn or Talia as he passed and just continued onto his room where he swiftly closed and locked the door behind himself. Talia watched him leave then looked at Rafe when he addressed her. "Quinn was kind enough to let me have his room for the night. I slept okay I guess..kept waking from bad dreams though.." she said with a tired smile.

Forgetting that he might have been being talked to, the moment the plate was shoved his way, Quinn picked up the fork and started eating, filling his mouth completely. He hadn't even bothered checking to make sure the fork was clean. It didn't matter at this point. A perfectly content look came across his face as he ate, forgoing conversation in favor of this singularly consuming activity. His eyes did travel from Rafe to Caiden, watching the boy leave, to Talia, but the entire time the fork was traveling as well.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Did you not feel safe?" Rafe inquired gently, glancing at Quinn just to check on him before he turned concerned eyes on Talia. "Or was something else on your mind?" His tone was slightly more conversational as he slipped away from the island again and went about getting things to make pancakes for his newest guest, all the while casting polite glances at her to show he was still listening.

"Last night kept playing on my mind." Talia replied as she glanced at Quinn shoveling the food into his mouth before looking back ay Rafe. "I kept having bad dreams that Dash never came to find me or when he did find me something wouldn't let us be together or that he found someone else which I know is impossible but its still horrible to see. Holding hands with her..kissing her." Her hands had balled into very tight fists when she was speaking and thinking of Dash being with someone else. "Its made me realise that I don't care if he doesn't know anything about me..he'll get to know about it. We have all the time in the world. But I love him and I want to be with him and no one is going to get in my way. He's mine and and i'm not willing to share." She joked as she relaxed slightly and smiled at Rafe. "I have it all planned out. Once he comes to find me and we've straightened everything out i'll tell him we should find a home thats both of ours and close to Benny and Fox of course..it'll be the start of our new life together. It'll be perfect. Then we'll eventually get married and have children.." She sighed as a dreamy look glazed over her eyes as she imagined her future with Dash. "It'll be so wonderful."

Rafe chuckled, listening to Talia as she ranted on. It felt almost too easy to befriend her, he was used to the challenge by now even if he didn't like it. No, he supposed he could grow used to Talia being around more, if she was always so passionate, and especially if it meant having Dashiell back. "It sounds like a lovely future you have dreamed up, despite your unpleasant sleep," he told her, flipping the pancakes easily in a skillet that, while not sitting on the stove, was browning the fluffy breakfast perfectly. Instead, Rafe had simply leaned back against the counter to watch Talia talk (she was quite animated, even if she didn't notice) and was sliding the golden pancakes onto a plate until he had a little stack of five. "You know, Talia, when Dashiell agrees to start this new life with you-" He purposefully didn't use 'if'. "I would be most pleased if the two of you were to come live here, in Haven, with Quinn, Caiden, myself- everyone." He set the empty pan aside on the cold stove. "It's safer here," he said, his tone almost soothing her as he picked up the plate and set it in front of her. "And of course, Fox and Benny would be welcome as well. I would love to have you all come live here. Not, of course, in the building. I wouldn't force you to do that, but it would bring me peace of mind to have my friends close." He gave her a charming smile, one that he was sure might not effect her entirely, but was known to leave even Quinn in quivers with cheeks flushed. "Syrup? Jam? Juice?" he offered, slipping once more in to a conversational tone, marginally more relaxed than his half-asking tone from the moment before.

Quinn's eyes went from the plate of food to the pan holding the pancakes to Rafe and finally to Talia as they spoke. He finished off the plate that had been put in front of him and set the fork aside, watching as the pancakes, sending up aromatic steam, were set in front of Talia. He shifted slightly in his seat and turned his eyes to Rafe just in time to catch that smile, which sent his eyes away again. His stomach made an almost angry gurgling noise, and he flushed red suddenly, shrinking in on himself as his body started attempting to process the influx of food.

"You want us to come live here?" Talia asked in a shocked tone. "I guess you're right about the safety part..I saw it first hand last night what can happen when the cops find out where you are. I would love to live here if it meant I had peace and could relax..but I really should discuss it with Dash. Its his future as well after all and i'm not going to make any decisions for him. As for Benny and Fox..she loves her bar. I don't think she would willingly leave it really. She and Benny are happy there together." She smiled at Rafe then thanked him as he set the pancakes down in front of her. Glancing at Quinn she noticed him watching her pancakes and she quickly grabbed the plate pulling it closer to her with a playful grin. "Hey get your own." She chuckled then looked back at Rafe. "Syrup and juice please." She replied to his last question.

Rafe reached out and stroked his fingers gently across Quinn's cheek, as if to soothe him, before turning away again. He got the syrup and a glass of apple juice for Talia before he went about making more pancakes, more this time than last for Quinn. He had to physically bite his tongue not to make a comment about Fox and Benny being together. If she wanted her own guard dog, she could borrow his. Let her have her fling. He would have her again, this was merely an exercise in patience, as most of his life seemed to be. "Haven could use a bar of its own," he said thoughtfully, wanting to bring Talia around to his way of thinking, while not completely caring if he did. An individual thinker was always more amusing than a mindless individual. "If she should ever want to relocate that is, but I respect the want to put down roots, build a life- You are always welcome, no matter where you go, Talia," he pointed out, giving her a gentle smile as he went getting the pan ready again, once more leaning back against the counter. "I do hope you and Dash, Fox and Benny, will all visit often." At first. then you'll learn to love it here. I promise.

Recoiling slightly from Talia's sudden teasing statement, Quinn was about to slide from his seat and do just that, but Rafe's hand stopped him. His eyes met the Siren's for a split second before he turned and went about getting stuff for Talia and starting more pancakes. The Siren would have paid attention, would know that Quinn didn't eat often, but when he did, it was in copious amounts. He was still silent, though, not having anything to contribute to the conversation other than the occasional growl from his stomach.

"Well thanks." Talia beamed at Rafe before digging into her pancakes once she had poured syrup over them. "I can speak to Benny and Fox but unless they're forced out I don't think they'll ever leave that bar. The boys are all there, Adder, Rain and Lynx. They mean everything to Fox, they're like family to her. Not to mention she and Benny are making a home together there. Perfect couple they are. Maybe they'll have a joint wedding with Dash and I." She chuckled lightly. "Nothings going to split them up. They're meant to be." She smiled happily at Rafe then took a few more bites. "So what about you? How come I haven't seen a Mrs Rafe yet?" She raised an eyebrow and gave a curious grin.

Rafe's whole body stilled and eyes alight with fire met Talia's. "Because the would-have-been Mrs. Rafe ran off with another man," he responded, the words flat but unhurried. He had, after all, had a long time to think about that particular occurrence. He killed the fire in his eyes, but let the deep sadness linger, not wanting to hide it- what would be the point?- and slid the pancake he had been making on to the short stack he had completed before handing it all over to Quinn. He filled the pan again but set it on the stove so he could lean against the counter again, arms crossed over his chest and expression mostly blank. Nothing had made him more angry and Fox's blatant refusal to love him, especially after she had agreed to do so. But he accepted it, in time, that she had just needed a final tryst. Fear of commitment was fairly common in any type of creature after all. But her tryst had went on long enough. Bernard may have to love her, but she did not feel the one track love the blood mage was forced to. She did not need to be with him, and Talia's romantic blathering did nothing for his mood on the subject. "But I suppose one could say I have many Mrs., and even Mr., Rafe's," the siren told her, his tone marginally more gentle than his eyes, which still seemed lost in a sad memory. Reducing Talia to ash simply because of a temper flare was not going to help him get his dogs back, and he wasn't unwilling to talk to her-naivety was nothing to be ashamed of really- so he let his mouth go on. "I have hundreds of companions, each one unique, and each one loved dearly." He moved one hand to motion to Quinn. "Quinn is one," he said as an example.

Quinn had busied himself with the pancakes set in front of him and looked up when his name was said, his cheeks full of pancake he quickly swallowed, blinking at Rafe for a moment before deciding he wasn't actually being addressed. Going back to cutting the pancakes, he ate these a little slower than the first plate of food, partly because they were harder to get down and partly because he was starting to get full. Not that his body would show it at all. Unlike most humans and creatures who became a bit distended when they ate too much, his body adjusted itself.

Talia had shrunk back slightly from Rafe when he turned his fiery gaze on her and she immediately regretted asking him that question. When he seemed to soften she frowned at his obvious sadness and contemplated standing and moving to him for comfort. "I'm sorry that happened to you and I didn't mean to upset you." She said then finally got to her feet and moved to him then with a moments nervous thinking reached out and placed a comforting hand on his arm. "But its good you have so many friends. Especially Quinn, hes a good friend to have." She looked over at Quinn with a grin then finally stepped back from Rafe as she turned her attention back to him. "Okay! Lets just forget about all of that and get on with the day shall we? What do you have planned for today?" She asked deciding it was a good idea to make a swift change of subject.

Rafe's skin was unnaturally warm to the touch, and he smiled appreciatively at Talia's attempt to cheer him up. She would not, could not, understand how deeply the betrayal affected him, so he could forgive her ignorance. "I had planned to spend the morning with you, until Dash came for you," he explained, turning the pancake he had cooking still. He noted Quinn's pace though and, smile gentle, set the finished pancake with the rest of the Deiciden's then set everything aside, no longer needing to continue cooking. "It's my duty as your host, and friend, to make sure your visit is safe and enjoyable," he added to Talia, turning his gentle smile on her now. "After that I will walk through Haven to make sure it is still at peace. It is, after all, my responsibility to take care of them, and thus my responsibility to settle quarrels, punish trouble makers, give gifts-." He made a rolling motion with his hand as he listen things, as if recalling a to-do list. "I care about them, they are important to me, so I want to make sure they are living well."

Finishing the last bits of pancake while Rafe told Talia of his plans for the day, Quinn sat up again, his complexion darker than Talia had ever seen as his energy levels spiked again. He had been going days without sleep or food, and it seemed that it did take a visible toll on his body. Giving a small stretch, he slipped from his chair and looked over at Talia, waiting for her decision. "I will accompany you wherever you wish to go," he told her quietly, glancing at Rafe to make sure that what he suggested was acceptable.

"Wow it sounds like everyone that lives here is very lucky." Talia replied still smiling. "And free gifts? Makes me want to live here even more." She chuckled lightly at her joke then looked between Rafe and Quinn. "Well we'll stay here obviously until Dash comes..don't want to be moving around constantly so he can't find me. So we'll just need to think of something fun to do in the apartment."

"I usually play music when I am here," Rafe replied to Talia as he absently reached out and took Quinn's hand, letting his fingertips tease the smaller palm. "Or sing, but I do not think either of those appropriate while you are here." He chuckled and tilted his head a little. "If Caiden would be agreeable, however, you could join us for a music lesson. Or we could simply play chess, or talk, if you're apposed."

Quinn moved a little closer to Rafe, unconsciously seeking warmth from the Siren as he spoke to Talia. He glanced back at Rafe for a moment, blinking a few times. He was sure that Rafe wouldn't ask him to leave, but he might want to speak to Talia without the Deiciden present. So instead of saying anything, Quinn just waited to hear what Talia decided she wanted to do.

"I'm not very good at chess and talking could lead to more uncomfortable subjects," Talia replied remembering the Mrs. Rafe incident and knew she didn't want anymore of those. "Get the boy out and teach him some music. I love music and it might be fun. Should I go get him for you?" she asked with a smile as she straightened up and made to move to Caiden's room.

"I do not think that would be wise," Rafe commented, his tone calm but just firm enough to make her stop. "Caiden is... very new to us. I don't like to make him feel pressured to socialize. I will ask him if he wishes to have a lesson now, with the two of you as well, and we will go from there." He offered her a little smile, brushed the back of his free hand's fingers against Quinn's cheek, then let go of the Deiciden and walked down the hallway, toward his own room. His plush quarters really were quite large, surprisingly so, even for a suite, but he didn't stop amongst the fine paintings that adorned his walls, or large bed with plush bedding, or thick rug that one left footprints in walking across it. Instead, he went to the door opposite the one he had entered, and closed behind him, and gave the barest of taps before cautiously opening the door. Odds are, Caiden would be listening to music, and he did not wish to startle him, but usually he didn't hear the knock. "Caiden?" he asked as he leaned in to look for the human. "I've come to ask about our lesson..."

Caiden had been sitting on his bed gazing at several old photographs as his cassette player lay abandoned beside him. When he heard the soft knock at his door he quickly shoved the photographs under his pillow then straightened up as Rafe peered into the room. "What about it?" He asked in response. "Have your friends left already? That was a quick visit.."

Rafe shook his head, not entering the room further. The room, amazingly, was large, though not as large as where Rafe slept. It was the actual master bedroom, complete with a door that led to the en-suite bathroom. Rafe's, after one had knowledge of this room, could clearly see the siren had taken residence in a sitting room or study, which explained why it was the largest 'bedroom' in the apartment. "No, they are still here. Talia must wait for our other friend to arrive and I don't wish her walking about the city for obvious reasons. She has shown an interest in our lessons and I've come to ask if you would be alright with her, and Quinn, sitting with us while I taught you. If at any time you became uncomfortable, of course, I would understand your need to return to your room." For once, Rafe was not smiling. His expression was something more akin to genuine interest. Caiden was intriguing to him in a way other creatures were not. He was not as accepting of abilities shown in front of him, or his own for that matter, and trying to get him used to them often felt like having to pull very hard on a leash with a very stubborn dog that you knew you could hurt if you wanted to, but you didn't want to. And so, he had to be more vigilant with this one than with his other interests, because this one was made of much fragiler material.

Caiden looked thoughtful for a few moments then nodded with a shrug. "As long as they don't laugh at me." He said then stood up and made a move to pull his boots back on but then decided against it and just left them lying on the floor. "Do you know..I was maybe thinking about changing this room a little.." In a conversational tone to Rafe as he moved to stand next to him. "Do you think that would be okay? Just so it felt more like mine.." He motioned for Rafe to lead the way from the room to where their lessons would take place.

"I want you to do whatever would make you most comfortable," Rafe replied as she shut Caiden's door and turned to patiently return to the kitchen. "I am here to help you Caiden, it's all I wanted to do. If you want to change your room, you may feel free to do so. You could ask for things, or we could take a walk later to find them for you. I will need to go out anyway, but I think it would be best if you and I made a separate excursion. I would not want to force you to endure the meetings I will need to."

---

It had only been a minute or two since Rafe had left Talia and Quinn alone in the kitchen when the door to the coat closet opened. Out stepped a very tense, and slightly ruffled looking Dash. He had awoken to feel a heavy pressure in his chest, and was more than a little disoriented to be on his brother's couch. Then the world hit him and the weight on his chest seemed to break into a thousand fist sized stone hurled at him in half dozens. His mate was gone, she was upset, and he was not there to comfort her. He had glanced at the floor to make sure the couch was casting a shadow then rolled off in to it like rolling off a cliff, letting the plunge propel him into a world of darkness and, with a guide he would never be able to explain, he hunted down Talia, finding her here but the place was too well lit for him to come out anywhere else, even at such an early hour. He looked back in the closet as if it fascinated him that it existed, quietly closed that door behind him, then turned his eyes to Quinn and Talia. Seeing his girlfriend- or, who he hoped was still his girlfriend- his eyes widened a little and then darted away, as if he thought meeting her eyes might upset her. "Talia, I- I'm sorry, I'm sorry if you don't want to see me but I had to come find you. I was worried and-and I know you can take care of yourself but it was really for myself-" He flinched slightly. "That sounded incredibly selfish, I'm sorry. I just meant- I-" His words faded as he caught sight of the magnificent home around him. He gave it a half awed look before again turning his gaze back to Talia, clearly confused but still concerned. "Where is this?" he asked, in regards to the apartment.

Talia had been leaning against the counter top, tearing small chunks from her pancakes and dipping them into the syrup whilst she talked happily with Quinn. "I hope you slept okay away from your own bed. I feel bad that you had to give it up.." She said to him then paused when she heard the door behind her open, curious as to who it could be. Glancing over her shoulder she gasped loudly when she saw Dash emerge and she quickly spun round to face him. She listened to him speak then suddenly launched herself forwards towards him, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly as she pressed her lips against his. "I'm so glad you're here. I don't want us to ever be apart like that again, okay?" She leaned back so she could focus her black eyes on his and smiled softly up at him. When he asked where they were she shifted to hold his hand, entwining their fingers together as she looked around the room. "This is Haven. A safe place for creatures to come and stay. Theres no threat from humans here. You remember the friend of Quinn's that I told you about...well he's sort of in charge here. He looks after everyone and keeps everything in order." She said slowly. "He said we could stay if we wanted."

"That's very kind of him..." Dash said, his voice as dazed as his expression. He couldn't stop blushing, both from the way Talia looked (which he couldn't fault her for, if there really were no humans around) and her kiss, and her words. Well, the first part. He let it slide over his aching heart like cool water, surprised when the world seemed to come in to better focus. He hadn't noticed anything wrong with his vision before. When she spoke of Haven, he was glad to see he could pay better attention, without the distraction in his chest. "Does that mean I'll be meeting him then?" he asked, still taking in their surroundings, giving Emory a polite nod of greeting, but glancing repeatedly back at Talia with his hand holding hers firmly, as if he needed to make sure she was really there.

"Yeah I don't think i'm ready to join in any business meetings just yet." Caiden replied jokingly as he smiled at Rafe and stepped round him. "I'm just going to grab some water then we can get started. What instrument will you be teaching me to play? I really don't mind." He said as he faced Rafe, walking backwards as he did. "Anything is better th..." His words suddenly stopped as he turned round in the doorway of the kitchen and was met with the sight of the stranger beside Talia. He glanced back at Rafe. "Someone else here.." He said quietly before stepping into the kitchen but didn't move away from the door.

"Yeah you'll meet him very soon. He's just gone to fetch the only human that lives here. This human has strange powers..I saw them myself. Very odd.." Talia replied to Dash then looked up as Caiden appeared in the doorway and seemed to freeze when his eyes fell on Dash. "Thats him." She whispered before smiling lightly at the boy, a small twinge of nervousness rising in her stomach at the thought of how Dash would react to seeing Rafe.

Dash's eyes landed on Caiden as he was processing what Talia had said about strange powers. He wondered what she meant by that and it showed on his face, causing his expression, which might have been hesitant, to fall neutral. He was neither ready to attack the human, nor ready to greet him eagerly, but he did offer a polite nod, the motion slow as he kept his eyes on him. At least, until the other man stepped in to the room and his whole body stilled.

Rafe, who had been smiling at Caiden's open attitude, stepped in to the kitchen to see what had started the boy, and who this new someone was. When his eyes fell on Dash, they widened, and his smile became heavier. He looked ready to cry. Almost. "Dashiell," he greeted, his voice quiet, as if he couldn't believe the blood mage was there, but knew it couldn't be anyone else at the same time. He took another step forward and Dash's body made a kind of twitch that said he was going to back up, but never actually did it. Rafe stopped, his face softening. "It's good to see you again..."

Dash couldn't speak, he was looking at Rafe with very calculating eyes. No, he was supposed to be dead. It couldn't be him. Then all of Talia's hints came back to him and his eyes narrowed a fraction more. He looked at Talia. "You knew." It wasn't a question, and it was oddly not accusing. Contrary to what people might have expected of him, Dash did not look furious at his old master. He was not exuberant, but it was as if something was battling inside him. Rafe latched on to that indecision with deep claws.

"I asked her not to tell you," he said gently in Talia's defense. Sunny eyes focused on him, weighing his words. "I did not want you to feel as if I was stalking you, or something equally unsettling. My proximity is mere coincidence."

"I don't believe you."

Rafe was a little floored by the flat statement. Again, there was no anger however, so he pressed on, as delicately as he could. "I wouldn't expect you to. You can ask Talia, however. She'll tell you just as I'm telling you now-"

"She doesn't know you like I do."

"It's rude to interrupt." The words were a fraction sharper and, oddly, Dash took a breath, his eyes never leaving Rafe, and seemed to resign himself to say nothing. Rafe nodded in approval. "I have met Talia twice. She stayed in this tower last night, and as you can see no harm has come to her. I would appreciate it if you would trust me at least enough to realize I mean her no harm." It was best to apply to Dash's protective side than to his own safety. If he knew anything about his dogs, it was that their mates would mean more than their own lives, which they never valued much anyway. He was rewarded with Dash relaxing a fraction. "I'm glad you came..." he admitted honestly.

"I have no doubt you are," Dash replied, once a moment had passed and he was sure Rafe had stopped talking. That was all he said however, and continued to stare at the siren even as Emory stepped over to his side. Dash's eye flickered to him, then to Rafe again as the siren brushed a soothing hand against Emory's cheek which the Deiciden leaned in imperceptibly, as if to brush some hair from his face, and offered a little smile before his ember eyes landed on Dash again. The blood mage had his narrowed in disbelief back. "You're still doing it," he accused, still devoid of anger but starting to lean that way.

"I have always loved my followers," Rafe replied, looking a little annoyed and a little hurt. "You used to know that."

"I still do."

The words hit Rafe in the chest and his heart soared with victory, grounded only by the fact that Dash had not completely come back yet. At least he remembered, and had not attacked yet. It was a good sign. "Past and present," Rafe added, and saw Dash's eyelids flutter uncertainly, his face relaxing a little as he considered the statement. Rafe wanted to hold his breath in anticipation, but knew it wouldn't help him. It would seem like he was bracing himself. Instead, he decided to give Dash the moment to think about it as he motioned with his free hand not on Quinn to Caiden. "This is Caiden, and while not a follower, he is very dear to me." He looked at the human as his hand motioned to Dash who was still thinking this over. "Caiden, this is Dashiell, or, Dash. He was with me near the beginning of... well, all I have accomplished." 'Rule' sounded like an offensive word at the moment. "He is very important to me, even after all these years..." He looked back at Dash, hoping he hear the honesty in the words at the same time he felt Quinn tense slightly under his fingers, sure he wouldn't have noticed if his hand wasn't still in contact. He shifted his hand to thread his fingers in to Emory's hair to try and soothe him.

Talia's eyes darted from Dash to Rafe and she listened nervously as they exchanged words. "Dash..I was unaware it was Rafe at first when Quinn brought me to him. I admit when I did find out I was nervous, knowing that you two had history but then I got to know him and he's been nothing but a gentleman to me. He made the shade remove her mark from me and then allowed me to stay here last night after the argument." She finally said once the room fell silent. She squeezed his hand lightly as she studied his face trying to determine what he was feeling. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you." She whispered before looking at Rafe. "Maybe we should all sit down..try to relax a little. Caiden can even join us if he wants." She added glancing at Caiden who didn't look at her but just kept his eyes locked on Dash.

"Of course, that's a good idea, Talia," Rafe agreed with a little nod and gently put his hands on Caiden and Quinn to guide them out of the kitchen area to the living room. "Let's all sit and have a chat," he said as he exited the room to make everyone comfortable elsewhere.

Only once they were gone did Dash move again, shaking his head at the doorway Rafe had left through before looking at Talia again. "That's the problem," he explained, keeping his voice low. "He doesn't attack you as long as you like him, Talia." He looked up and sideways, as if fighting with something, but then sighed and looked at her again, ready to admit it. "It was never my problem with him. It's Fox's. She, and Benny, can never know we were here." He sighed, as if resigning himself, then brought her hand he still held up to his lips to brush the barest of kisses against the back. "I'm just glad you're safe. Nothing else can scare me." He gave her a little smile and leaned forward to rest his forehead against hers. "Let's go meet your new friend," he finished, letting her know, his bias, if any, was not going to make him demand she not be friends with Rafe. He told the truth: he never knew Rafe to lie, and as long as you liked him, he was a very pleasant man. Besides, his own life with the siren had been rather... perfect. He kept his thoughts, good and bad, to himself however, and instead led Talia out of the kitchen the way Rafe had gone.

Talia smiled, clinging to Dash as he led the way after Rafe. "I'll always be safe, I promise. You don't ever have to worry about that." She told him after she had finally settled down on the couch and had pulled Dash to sit down next to her. "We'll just sit here a little while and then when you wish to leave we'll excuse ourselves and Benny and Fox need never know we were here if that is what you wish." She told him quietly then leaned over and gently kissed his cheek. "Everything will be fine."

"God I hope so," Dash muttered as he lay his arm along the back of the couch, behind Talia, and looked up as Rafe turned to address them.

The siren had taken up his usual comfortable looking white chair and maneuvered Quinn to sit on the arm of it, not wanting him far away, but let Caiden do as he pleased. He really never wanted to pressure the poor human, he was pressured enough to die from other humans. Ah, but the matter at hand. He smiled at Dash and Talia, noting the couple-y way they regarded each other. "It's good to see you finally found your mate," he told Dash and motioned to Talia. "I know you looked for a long time."

"So long I stopped looking," Dash answered honestly. He still didn't seem completely open to talking to Rafe, but he wasn't about to be outright rude. He couldn't see it of course, but he was pretty sure the burn mark was still scarred on his back.

Rafe nodded understandingly. "So, it was love at first sight though?" he asked, looking between them.

Dash nodded. "When I finally actually got to see her," he replied, looking at the stunning red creature beside him. He couldn't help but smile.

"I suppose now you understand what your brother was feeling." Dash nodded again, but then frowned and looked at Rafe. The siren caught on to his suspicions immediately and held up his hands as if to placate him. "I do not bear that grudge anymore," he explained quickly, but kept his voice smooth and soothing.

"I don't believe you," Dash told him again, his voice hard but his body still remained relaxed. It was such an odd combination, to see him act as if there was no threat in the room, and yet that there was at the same time. Perhaps it was only because he knew exactly what the threat was, it was easier to relax if you could keep your eye on it.

"No... I suppose you wouldn't," Rafe agreed with an understanding smirk, as if Dash had done something that hadn't disappointed him, that he had lived up to the siren's expectations of him. "It is not a grudge, though, Dashiell. You three hurt me, I had every right to be angry." There was a hesitation, but then Dash nodded, agreeing but uncertain where this was going. Rafe smiled at him, that same kind of smile that made so many people drop their guard. "I'm glad to see you understand. No, I have found ways to keep myself entertained-" He leaned back in his chair and reached behind Quinn to stroke trailing lines of warmth up and down the Deiciden's back, making him stiffen slightly. Rafe made no notice of it.

"Half women strike your fancy now?" Dash asked, his tone oddly conversational with those words, as if it meant more than the question of the moment, and lacked any attack on Emory. No, he had eyes for nothing but Rafe but that did not stop him from noticing the way Emory's arm tightened, as if readying his bow, out of the corner of his eye.

Rafe only smiled back. "Gender holds no place in my heart," he replied easily. "Someone, male, female, or other, can be beautiful and wonderful. I see no reason to differentiate based on a feature I make no use of." He was pleased to see Dash's eyebrows raise a fraction. He had surprised him.

Caiden had settled into the chair at the end of the couch then proceeded to look between Dash and Rafe as they spoke. Seems they have a lot of history and I don't understand any of it. he thought then glanced at Talia who smiled lightly back at him and gave a small shrug to show she was just as confused as he was. Shes odd looking..but seems nice enough. I wonder what she is? He continued thinking as he finally averted his gaze and spotted a small piece of thread dangling from his jumper. He peeled it off then began to quietly entertain himself by gently blowing it from hand to hand, watching as it floated down to settle in each palm. With the last breath, his eyes widened in shock when the air that should have been the light breath from his lips suddenly intensified and blew across the room like a great wind, knocking over picture frames and candlesticks until it hit the opposite wall and stopped. "I-I'm sorry!" He said quickly looking at Rafe as Talia had to press her free hand that wasn't gripping Dash's to her mouth to stifle the laughter that was threatening to escape.

Rafe turned wide eyes slowly over to Caiden, looking for a moment like he was going to chastise him, but when he opened his mouth to speak, it was a gentle tone. "Oh my, Caiden... well done." His expression relaxed in to a kind of grin and he reached up to fix his own hair that had gotten ruffled, but it was a lazy action. "Though I think it would be better if you had done so on purpose. Next time, might I suggest 'I meant to do that'?" He raised a suggestive eyebrow and then chuckled.

A hand nudged Caiden's shoulder a little and Dash was leaning back to look around Talia to give the human a calculating look. "How come you don't have control of your powers?" he asked, less accusing than curious. "You're.. what? Twenty maybe? That's a lot of time to get a grip on that."

Caiden gave an embarrassed smile at Rafe then jumped suddenly when he felt the nudge on his shoulder. He turned his head quickly but relaxed when he saw that it was Dash. "I'm eighteen.." He corrected quietly. "And I only developed these powers about two years ago. I haven't really wanted to get a grip on them, I would rather they have went away."

"See thats your problem kid.." Talia chipped in looking at Caiden. "Your powers are out of control because you refuse to acknowledge them and learn how to control them. Which is a pretty reckless thing to do if you ask me. You're not only putting yourself in danger but eveyone around you..so maybe you should start trying to get a grip on them. Its not like you can go home or anything if you continue to ignore them. Your family would probably kill you if they knew what you could do, face it you're one of us now." She smiled brightly at him but this quickly faded when she noticed how hurt Caiden appeared when she spoke of his family killing him. "I-I didn't mean to upset you kid..its just the truth."

Rafe had narrowed his eyes at Talia, but after a moment he was aware of the way Dash was stiffening, so he felt the need to speak. "Thank you, Talia," he said, but the words weren't accompanied by a tone of actual appreciation. "I have already let Caiden know that about his control and he is working on it, but it will take time. Time I am willing to give him. If he learns to control them, and keep them to himself, and he still wants to return at that time, he may. His family doesn't know of his change. Caiden left them before that." He frowned sympathetically at the human. "Which, sadly, was the right choice. Harm would have befallen you if you had stayed without the necessary control. Besides," he looked at Talia again. "This way, i am hoping when, or if, he goes back, it will be with a greater understanding of our kind, and therefore a seed in amongst the humans that will hopefully grow in our favor. I do not wish to keep fighting a war any more than anyone else." In fact, I have been fighting it longer than you have been alive. I have the right to rest. Rafe smiled at the shape shifter and was rewarded with Dash relaxing again, glad he wasn't going to have to defend his girlfriend.

"You'll get the hang of it," the blood mage told Caiden, once again looking at him around the back of Talia's head. He remembered when he was younger, he used to damage small animals in ways that traumatized many people, and his parents, and his brother, had to teach him control, more of self than of his abilities. Of course, his lack of control came more from passion than fear, but he supposed it was the same in the end. The memory was ironic, now that he thought about it, that he had had more variety in his life than his brother had, and now he had a woman who could be anything of that variety. He smiled wryly in his mind at the thought. Yes, the universe had tugged a very strict leash on him. "I'll help too, if you want," he offered, figuring the answer to be no, but being there was more important than actually helping sometimes, he supposed.. "I know how abilities can kind of run away with you."

"Yeah! We could help you!" Talia exclaimed excitedly as she grinned at Caiden. "When Dash and I get a home of our own you could come and stay with us and we could help you get a grip of your powers. Wouldn't that be fun?" She asked then looked towards Rafe. "Don't worry we'll try not to steal him away from you." She chuckled before settling back down against Dash.

Caiden's eyes widened as he listened to Dash and Talia then glanced at Rafe, too stunned to reply at first. "Well..I-I'm not sure." He finally said then looked back at Rafe as if to get his opinion on the matter.

Rafe gave him the smallest of nods, as if to encourage him. "I have no qualms with you visiting them," he told the human, but then looked at Talia and Dash. He gave the woman a smile, but it was a little tight. "I doubt you could, steal him away, Miss Talia," he replied, his voice soft like cotton blossoms and he curled his fingers, safely concealed behind Quinn's back, causing his slightly bared claws to brush against the Deiciden's back. He felt, more than saw, Quinn quiver at the contact. He took a deep, silent breath and forced himself to relax. His claws retracted once more and he laid his warm hand flat on Quinn's back, soothing him again. "But of course, Caiden can decide where he goes, and when. I trust him that much." He offered the human a genuinely kind smile, one that he knew would at least make's Quinn's heart flutter, if he noticed it. "It could be good for you, after all. They might not look it, but Talia is surely older than she looks. I know Dash is." He chuckled as the blood mage turned his face away, in mild defiance. "Does this mean you have decided to accept my offer, Miss Talia? To live here, in Haven?"

Talia looked up when Rafe addressed her then gave a small shrug as she glanced at Dash. "I haven't had a chance to speak with Dash yet about it and I want him to be comfortable with it as well." She answered back then fully turned her attention to Dash. "Rafe has been kind enough to suggest that we could stay here in Haven. He said we could have our own apartment and we'd never have to worry about the police finding us. I wanted to see how you felt about it first though before I agreed. Do you think we could make a home here for a family?" She asked and kept her black eyes focused on him to see how he would react.

The reaction was immediate. Dash furrowed his brow a little to match a small frown. He was clearly confused. "What family?" he asked, sounding as if he was trying to remember. He supposed maybe she meant Fox and Benny? But, they could make their own home right? He got that she didn't mean a 'house', since plenty of those were clearly made already, but somewhere someone really lived, but he couldn't think of what family she was talking about. They didn't really know anyone else. Then his eyes widened and he understood. 'We could have our own apartment'. He brought his free hand up and pointed to her, then himself, and back, indicating the pair of them. "Our.. family?" he asked, as if unsure and he was blushing a little. Somewhat because of the very idea, but a little more in fear that he had gotten that assumption wrong and was looking like an idiot now. "Like.. as in... having our own children?" He worried his lip for just a second, staring back in to her eyes before he glanced at Rafe, and reality hit him behind the eyes. "I can't leave Benny," he told Talia quietly as he returned his attention to her. "I won't come here without him, and he won't come here."

"I mean a future family of course..this isn't me saying I want children now." Talia replied quickly looking embarrassed as she noticed the blush on Dash's cheeks. When he mentioned Benny she gave a small nod in understanding, knowing that the brothers would never want to be seperated and she didn't ever want to come between them. Turning to look at Rafe she gave an apologetic smile. "It was a really kind offer but i'm afraid we'll have to decline for now. I'll still come and visit though." She didn't want to say we for she didn't know how willing Dash would be to return here now that he knew it was Rafe's home. "Do you want to go now?" She whispered to Dash. "We do need to find somewhere to live now that my apartment is gone."

Throughout the exchange, Quinn was growing increasingly more uncomfortable with the talk coming from the pair and moving as close to Rafe as his seat would allow. The hand on his back, even though it wasn't the most comfortable at times, did create a sense of steadiness in the Deiciden. He blinked and glanced over at Rafe just in time to see that smile, and his eyes snapped back to Talia and Dash, but not before his cheeks darkened slightly. He was already appearing much healthier than he had in days, his paleness leaving a little, and the color in his face created an almost feminine quality.

Dash nodded to Talia. "Yes, but let's find Benny and Fox first. I don't want them worrying for long." He removed his arm from the couch and took Talia's hand, leading her with him as he stood. He looked at Rafe. "I'll come with her when she visits." He paused, hesitating from something other than uncertainty, and added, "Don't try to recruit her," he warned.

"Of course not," Rafe agreed with a formal nod of his head, showing nothing of the way he grasped on to Dash's lack of 'or me' at the end, then he stood with them and took a step forward. "Visit as often as you like," he told Talia with a warm smile and opened his arms. When Dash did nothing to stop him in the moment of pause, the siren gave Talia a polite hug of farewell, briefly enveloping her in warmth, similar to that of a comfortable bed on a chilly morning. So hard to part with. He let go when the moment ended however, and gave her a smile that was a bit more of a farewell before he looked at Dash. He opened his arms to the boy and waited for the response. Dash stared him down for a long moment before he stepped forward, the motion slow but deliberate, and hugged Rafe's middle as the siren's arms went around his shoulders. Again he was pleased, feeling Dash squeeze just a fraction more desperately than a polite hug would have. He let the boy decide when it was over, and stepped back.

Dash gave him a curt nod, took Talia's hand again, and looked at Quinn. "We'll let you know where we wound up, next visit," he promised, then gave his girlfriend the gentlest of tugs to lead her back to the closet and, once inside the dark room, he Stepped with her to find his brother. He didn't want the other couple to come looking for them.

"That went well..." Rafe said, staring at the closed closet door with a smile that had become a bit of a smirk. He suppressed his chuckle, however, and turned to Quinn to reach out and stroke his hair, as if he derived pleasure from the action, and then looked at Caiden when he was only halfway done with the gesture. "I'm sorry they will not be joining us for your lesson," he told the human. "But I suppose there is less reason to be nervous now, yes?" He let loose his soft chuckle. Oh yes, things were going perfectly to plan, better than expected actually, judging by Dash's reactions to him. He didn't just feel one step closer to success. He felt a hundred.

Caiden gave a small nod but couldn't help but feel a strange kind of disappointment when Talia and Dash left. They had been nice to him and for the first time ever he felt like he had been relaxing around Rafe's friends. "I hope they really come back." He commented quietly.

"Who comes back?" Elvira asked from where she suddenly appeared behind Caiden and couldn't help but grin when the boy jumped to his feet and moved quickly to Rafe's side wanting to be as far away from the shade as he could be. "It doesn't matter..i've been doing a lot of work recently. I think you'll be happy." She said looking at Rafe.

Quinn was a little distracted with Rafe so close by, but he felt it when Elvira entered, and his crossbow was already out and pointed at the Shade before he even stood from where he was. Even when he saw who had entered, he didn't lower the bow. A small glimmer of an arrow began to form as he glared at the thing from next to Rafe. This creature almost caused him and Talia, and by extension Dash, to get injured or killed, and he had enough of all of this. The expression of contentment from a moment ago was long gone, Quinn's eyes narrowed as he glared openly at the creature. "You almost got the lot of us killed," he said quietly, the first he had spoken in a while.

"Ah, Elvira. Welcome back, my treasure" Rafe greeted with a bright smile after looking at each of the people next to him. It made him shiver pleasantly, inside of course, as he'd never show it, to see them come close to him for safety. He turned to Caiden and put one hand on his shoulder and the other on his cheek, leaning down a little to look in his eyes. "It's alright. Go back to your room. I will come get you shortly. There is a guitar in my room. You may play with it in the mean time if you wish. Get a feel for it." He offered a small, encouraging smile, gave him a brief, fatherly kiss to the forehead, and then used his hand on Caiden's shoulder to gently steer him around, facing him toward his room before he let go to address the other two. Seeing Quinn still had his weapon out, he frowned and reached out with one hand, laying an uncomfortably warm hand on the creature's neck, but not enough to burn. "Put it away Quinn," he ordered, his tone for once serious and devoid of the smile. "We both know the police are no match for you or Dashiell. You were in no real danger. Besides-" He looked at Elvira, his hand cooling down to a more lingering warmth on Quinn's neck, like fluttering kisses on cool skin, and he was smirking. "I asked Elvira to.. encourage them to come here. You're doing well so far, from what I have seen," he complimented the shade and finally slid his hand off Quinn to step over to Elvira. Without hesitation he lightly gripped her hip with one hand while the other came up to brush her hair back. "Tell me..." he murmured, a smirk still playing with his lips and his eyes practically smoldering like fresh embers. "Just how well are you doing?"

Caiden nodded to Rafe then walked off towards his room, feeling a little embarassed by the small kiss that had been planted on his forehead by the othe man. "See you later Caiden!" Elvira called teasingly to him as the door shut quickly behind him then she turned her attention to Rafe as he approached her. "Well last night the underground market was raided only hours after the shifters apartment and right about now the police will be heading straight for Fox's bar. So your friends will soon find they have nowhere safe to turn but here. Oh and the little human that tried to kill me and cause us trouble has been dealt with. I kindly informed his father what he had really been up to, so i'm sure he'll no longer be a problem for us." She smirked up at Rafe, sure that he would be proud of her work.

"Well, well," Rafe purred, shifting his hand from her face to trail his warm fingertips along her arm, leaving lingering lines of heat before he reached the end and laced his fingers with her, bringing her hand up as he turned her in to a kind of slow dance move. "You have exceeded even my expectations," he admitted as he led her around the living room area in a little half dance. "I am very impressed. Although, I am a little surprised you would give the boy over to his father when I gave him to you." He hummed thoughtfully, but didn't seem annoyed. On the contrary, he dipped her and his serious expression once more became a smirk as ember eyes looked fearlessly in to her blood colored ones. "No matter. He means so little. No, what I care about more-" He righted her and pulled her body flush against his own, radiating a consuming heat in to her and knowing full well she would be fine where others would break in to a furious sweat. "Is how do you intend to ensure that they will come here, to me, rather than wandering off helplessly?" He raised an eyebrow at her, very interested in the answer.

"Well thats where I was hoping your good manners and hospitality towards the shifter would be rewarded. Surely the brothers will wish to stick together and when things look so bad that they don't know where to turn little Talia should hopefully suggest the safety of Haven and if I need to set a few more police on their tail to encourage them in this direction I will. You needn't worry that they will not come here. They will, I am certain of that." Elvira replied with a triumphant look in her eyes. "Once they get here..what is your plan?" She asked curiously looking up into Rafe's face as they remained close to each other.

"To foray and take Decamp, of course," Rafe replied easily, referring to the city Fox and Benny currently resided in. "With them by my side again, I can not fail." He smiled charmingly and stopped their dance, releasing her hand so he could have both arms wrapped loosely around her waist. "Of course, we'll need to do away with all those pesky humans that would seek to stop us. Or, well, try." He chuckled and leaned his head forward a bit to bring his lips close to her ear. "You'll help get rid of the little nuisance, won't you, my dear?" he murmured quietly.

"Gladly." Elvira replied with a grin. "Just tell me what you wish me to do and i'll do it. Do you wish me to do anything further today or am I permitted to sit down for a while. Even shades need to rest a while when they've been using their powers alot." She continued with a chuckle.

"Of course, of course, my dear," Rafe replied, nodding understandingly as he finally released her, taking a step back. "You have more than earned it. Why don't you go to your rooms and relax a while, or anywhere in Haven. I have work to attend to in any case and I'm sure they can find their way here on their own-" He looked over his shoulder at Quinn. "You may stay here with Ean, if you wish. He has told me the two of you have been getting along fairly well." He offered a little smile, then turned and kissed Elvira's head, a lingering, long moment kiss as if he was trying to remember everything about it while his lips were in contact, and then he leaned back again to smile at her. He motioned to the door. "Go then, I will come see to you shortly." There was the briefest flash of a grin on his lips and in his eyes, but if he had not been directly looking in to hers, he was sure she would have missed it. "Enjoy the rest."

His look had changed from a glare to a jealous narrowing of the eyes until finally Quinn looked at Rafe and tried to straighten his expression. He had folded his crossbow and put it away, trying to keep the look of annoyance from his face at Rafe's closeness to Elvira. He took a deep breath and gave a small nod at Rafe's comment, swallowing and turning his gaze to the floor. "Of course," he said quietly, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Elvira smiled then moved towards the door but paused beside Quinn as she passed him. "I'll let you take over for a while. I don't want to be taking all the credit I guess.." She said with a smirk then carried on walking to the door. With a final farewell she opened the door and exited it, heading to her own private rooms on the floor below.


Digression
Conflicted Rules, Conflicted, Conflicts