Earoluim folded is paper over, reading back of it. HIs eyes darted across the words on the page rapidly, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up slightly as he felt someone watching him. He peeped his eyes over his paper toward Aaily, winking at her with a small grin under his mask as he went back to reading his paper.

Chuckling quietly to herself, Aailyah continued working, bored out of her mind.

Earoluim chuckled lightly and folded up his paper and setting it down on the table.

The door opened to the bar and an extremely short man? boy? walked in. He straightened his jacket on his frame, looking around the place with innocent eyes. Spotting a woman at work, he walked over, a quick smile on his face. "Excuse me, ma'am. I was wondering if I could ask you something." His voice was like that of a teenager's, but his demeanor had something decidedly older.

Aailyah looked up at this young man and smiled a smile that managed to be seductive without trying. "What can I help you with, love?" she asked, wondering how old this person was and what he was doing here.

Zanariel returned the smile in full. He had to be the only person on the planet who wasn't seducible. "I'm looking for a ring," he said, taking out one of the copies he had made of the image of his ring. "It was lost somewhere in the city, and it's real important I get it back." He handed the picture over and gave her a hopeful smile.

The nymph glanced at the picture before turning to a box marked 'lost items' that she had seen under the counter earlier. Aailyah shifted through the contents before looking back up at Zanariel, "It's not here. Sorry, love. Do you remember where you had it last?"

"Not really," Zan replied with a shrug. He smiled at her anyway. "I'm sure it'll turn up. Would you mind hanging that up, so maybe if one of your customers sees it, they can let you know. My contact information is on the back." Zanariel pulled himself up to a barstool, kneeling on it so he was leaning on his hands on the bar. His smile never disappeared.

"Sure thing." Aailyah said, taking the picture and pinning it up on a small board with other notices. "If it shows up I'll get someone to let you know."

"Thanks," came Zanariel's cheery response. He plunked down on the barstool and looked around. "What is this place?" he asked curiously.  He had never been in a bar before, and had no clue what the point was.

Aailyah looked at him, somewhat puzzled, "It's...a bar." She didn't know what he was fishing for. Who didn't know what a bar was?

"Ooooh," Zan said. "I see. So it's a tavern. Only with paper napkins girls write their numbers on and little umbrellas you stick in drinks." He smiled at her again. Zanariel sounded like someone which had only heard about bars from television. "Oo, can I have one of those little umbrella drinks?" He pulled out a bunch of gold and silver coins from his pocket, sorting through them.

"Yeah, like a tavern." Aaliyah didn't sound at all phased by this strange young man, but internally her mind was racing, trying to figure out who or what he could be and why those coins looked so old. She quickly mixed up a fruity drink and stuck a little paper umbrella in it. Setting it in front of him she told him the price.

---

Dash actually appeared to think about that, averting his eyes but seemingly unperturbed by her proximity. At least he has stopped pouting. Finally, he looked back at Talia. He was frowning. "I'm not sure what you'd want," he replied honestly. "Did you have something specific in mind?" His head jerked to his bother when he heard the amused snort of laughter, his face showing confusion as Benny pulled his lips in and lowered his eyes, refusing to admit why he thought that was so funny.

Talia shot a glare at Benny, wishing she had something to throw at him. "Never mind Dash, it doesn't matter." she said as she looked back at the younger brother, her glare replaced with a smile. She straightened up and pulled a few blades of grass from the ground before holding her hand out and watching as the light breeze carried them off.

Fox pressed her lips against Benny's ear and whispered softly. "Your brother is a very blind man." Sighing she pressed her forehead against his neck and inhaled deeply. His scent wafted over her, surrounding her with security. Smiling she looked over at Talia and Dash and shook her head. They were funny, someone who clearly likes the other, and the one completely blind about it all! It amazed her...but then again she was in the exact same situation. Fox sat up as the thought struck her. They're both blooming idiots!

"You have no idea..." Benny purred back but jumped a bit when she sat up, looking at her curiously.

Dash let the two long time friends talk as he stood with Talia. He was frowning, not sure about her change of mood. Finally, mentally shrugging it off, he reached out and grabbed her shoulder gently. "Tag." Oh no. "You're it!" He let go and bolted around the lake, knowing if Talia didn't take up the game, his brother would.

It took a few seconds for Talia to register what Dash was doing but she smiled suddenly and stood up, allowing him to run ahead. "Silly boy thinking he can outrun a shapeshifter..." she said with a chuckle to Benny and Fox before turning. In a blink of an eye she changed into a majestic cheetah and after a few more moments watching him, took off running after Dash, gaining on him in seconds.

Fox's body stiffened the moment Talia shifted. "Stupid girl, nowhere is safe..." She mumbled. Placing the owl on her shoulder she stood and looked around. Closing her eyes she listened for a few moments trying to see if there was anything out there. For now she was getting nothing. Hopefully it stayed that way.

When Talia was only steps behind Dash she transformed once again in a peregrine falcon and quickly over took him. Once there was enough space between them she changed back into her human form and turned to look at Dash, grinning triumphantly as she held a hand out expecting him to run straight into it.

There was a gravel noise as sneakers skidded across dry dirt and Dash's grinning face was the last thing she saw as the noise stopped, and he vanished into her shadow. Having gotten in front of him, her shadow had been cast toward him and, behind her, at another dead tree, there was laughter as he stepped out of the darkness, leaning a shoulder against it as he regarded her, arms over his chest. "Nice try, but you're not the only one with tricks." He saluted, turned, and took off again, maybe not faster than her quickest form, but still able to easily outpace a human. He loved the warm wind pressing gently across his face as he sprinted. It felt like freedom. Of course, less so when there were police behind him, not wonderful friends.

"Ah, like cat and mouse, I'd think," Benny told Fox as he stood with her. Standing on the side with the empty shoulder, he draped his arms loosely around her waist. "Let them play... It's good for them I think. Maybe you and I should play sometime.... Wrestle, perhaps?" He smirked at her before chuckling.

Talia's grin quickly disappeared when Dash vanished and she glanced round wildly in search if him. When she heard his voice behind her she spun around quickly just in time to see him take off again. She grinned again as she kicked off her high heeled boots then began running again this time deciding to give it ago in just her human form. She continued laughing as she stretched her hand out, ready to make a grab for him.

"Only if I get to cheat." Fox grinned as she gently placed her pointer finger against his forehead. Kissing his cheek she placed the still sleeping owl on the boulder near by before turning and wrapping her arms around Benny's waist and hugging him close.

"I will give you every advantage, you know that," Benny replied with a smile, enveloping her entirely in his arms now that the dratted bird was gone. He kissed her hair gently before looking at this brother and Talia. "Ah, to be young again," he said with dramatic sadness.

Dash turned to look over his shoulder to see how close Talia had gotten, if at all, and laughed again to see her almost within arm's reach. His eyes widened suddenly as there was a thud. His food had struck a rock. A very large rock, we must point out, and he pitched himself forward. His shoulder struck the ground first and he skidded a good foot or so before he managed to tuck into a backflip roll, stretch his hands and tumble back into a hunched position, looking at Talia in shock. He'd been caught.

Benny just watched his brother, who was obviously making it easy on the other woman. He just chuckled. Dash must like Talia after all. Of course, they were friends. Dash had to like her.

Talia only just managed to skid to a halt and knew if she had been going any faster she would have surely collided with him. Still grinning she suddenly pounced on him and wrapped an arm round his neck. "Tag!" she said as she poked his cheek gently then fell back to sit on the ground, laughing as she did. She hadn't had this much fun in a long time. "That was quite a tumble you just took. Are you alright?" she asked breathlessly.

"Yeeeeah, I think I'm alright," Dash assured her with a roll of his shoulder. He sighed satisfactory when it popped. "There, all better. No worries." He stood and dusted himself off before grinning at Talia. "You're pretty fun, you know that Talia. It's nice to be chased by someone who isn't carrying a gun for once." He looked over at his brother, calling back to him. "Or 5 liters!"

"Speak for yourself!" Benny called back and chuckled, looking down at the woman in his arms. Fox really was quite pretty, and he had been taken with her forever. He had thought the infatuation would die after all this time, and yet every time he caught sight of her, his heart still missed a beat.

Fox felt his eyes on her, so she looked up at him and smiled. "What are you thinking about?" She rarely asked this question, if he wanted her to know he would usually tell her, but his eyes seemed to be deep in the moment and she was curious. And she wasn't going to intrude on him to find out at the moment, so she asked him the simplest of questions.

"Well i'm glad you think i'm pretty fun..." Talia replied with a chuckle as she clambered to her own feet straightening her skirt as she did. "You're not half bad yourself Dash." she said then gave him a playful shove as she started to laugh again.

Dash rubbed where she had pushed his arm, giving her a hurt pout, but he couldn't hold it. He grinned. "Flattered," he replied. He looked back at Fox and Benny. Some days he wished he could choose someone like that. He wished he could have a best friend, but no one had caught his attention like Fox caught his dear brother's. It had been the moment he first saw her, Bernard had told him. It was like opening his eyes for the first time, and it just felt right. He wanted that, some days. He wanted to feel the rightness. "... So what's your apartment like?" he asked, turning his attention back to Talia. He wanted to distract his mind from the current thoughts.

"How every time I look at you, I feel us connect again," Benny answered honestly. He had no secrets from her. Well, besides the extent of the carnage he had caused. He leaned his forehead against hers, holding her eyes. "I'd never look away if I didn't have to."

Gasping softly at his words, Fox averted her gaze and spoke in a shaking voice. "You can't say those things to me Benny. It's not fair." sighing softly she looked back as him. She hated saying these things but she knew she could never fully have him, and that was her ultimate heart ache.

"I'm sorry... I don't know what I was thinking," Benny apologized softly, and although the words were honest he was smiling. He just loved the way he could feel himself become loyal to her every moment spent looking at her. The way the world seemed to melt away and she was all that existed. He was like a dog, always a dog, waiting for his best friend to come home, and every time he looked at Fox, it felt like she had come home, and he fully intended to keep it that way. Always. He'd fight to his last ounce of blood for her, either to keep her with him, or because she had ordered him to, though she never had. He was just a guard dog now, sworn to protect her with every ounce of his being by his own personal choice, and even if, and his heart ached painfully at the idea, she decided to she didn't want him anymore, he would still be loyal to her. He tilted his chin up, closing his eyes and pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead. Yes, he was loyal. Always.

Fox shoved him playfully and shook her head slightly. Fox looked around at the boulder, ready to pick up the owl and head home but when she turned towards the boulder, the owl was gone. "Awe...He's gone." Sighing heavily she leaned against the boulder and frowned deeply. "I've never had a pet before."

"My apartment? Its alright I suppose.." Talia replied with a shrug. "2 bedrooms, a bathroom, living room and kitchen. I keep the place pretty secure too, sliding bolt locks, deadbolts, no one can get in if I don't want them to." she said with a smile. "Thats basically it...unless theres anything else you wish to know."

"Two bedroom?" Dash seemed surprised. "I figured you just had a one bedroom, since you lived alone." Wait, had he just agreed to go stay with her, while thinking she only had one bed? "And I'd just sleep on the couch." Ah, there it was. He was quiet a moment, thinking about it, then tilted his head a little. "You know, only bolts and locks are strong. Not the wood around them." He was giving her a serious look, but then he smirked. If he didn't think about the bodies afterwards, he gained a little amusement thinking how many walls and doors he broke through like breaking bread. "I am looking forward to seeing it though. To be honest, I've been curious about it from time to time." He had thought about her apartment? He had thought about her? He looked over at his brother and Fox again, nodding his chin to them. "Just like I was with theirs." He tilted his head to the other side, wrinkling his nose curiously. "Or anyone's really, from time to time." And there it was again. He had to keep ruining what might have been sweet sentiments by explaining. The worst part? He seemed oblivious ever time he did it.

"Oh really?" Benny stepped up to Fox again, now that he was sure the bird was gone. "Well maybe we could find you a fish. I'm sure the some of the ones in the lake here glow in the dark." He chuckled, then his eyes became very serious. "I'd prefer no birds though."

Talia wanted to reach out and shake Dash for making her heart skip a beat twice in a row and then quickly shatter it just as quickly. She sighed lightly as she looked at him, wondering if he would ever want to feel the way she felt for him or if she would ever have the courage to tell him how she felt. "So basically you're saying that all those bolts and locks are useless...well that makes a girl who lives all on her own feel really safe." she said jokingly as she smiled though it was weaker than all those before.

"Fine, no bird, and no lake fish either. Yuck!" Fox giggled softly as she leaned her head back against his chest and closed her eyes. "I wish Dash could find peace. I mean, I've no idea how peaceful your life is but, your calmer and happier it seems since we've been...uh best friends." Looking at the ground she rolled her eyes. "He needs some comfort that I can't give him."

Benny sighed through his nose as his arms wrapped around her waist and he held her close, leaning down to rest his chin on her shoulder and press a little kiss to her neck. "Dash just hasn't.. found his One yet. It is something that can't be rushed," he told her softly. "Try not to let it worry you... He has always been this way, he just used to have me to distract him from it. Having us be apart.. it's forcing his self to look for his One. He'll find peace. Don't worry."

"Don't worry, you'll be safe with me," Dash assured her absently. It really was such a passing comment because, at least to him, it was such a basic truth he didn't see any reason to be uncertain. He just continued to look out over the lake. "I can't believe there are actually living things int here still," he mentioned to her. For once, he wasn't going to ruin his sweet moment. Although, that was probably because he hadn't really thought about what he said.

Talia's smile brightened and a small blush tinged her cheeks. "It'll be nice to have someone there to keep me safe..." she replied as she dared to move a little closer to him then carefully looped her arm round his as she looked out over the lake, trying to appear casual. "Its so peaceful..." she said wondering how he would react to her arm being around his.

"Yeah... I think it's why Fox loves it out here so much," Dash replied quietly, admiring the reflective, rippling surface with her. He didn't seem bothered by her arm or her proximity. In fact, he didn't even seem to acknowledge it. Talia wasn't a threat after all. "Fae's aren't meant for busy streets and such, after all, no matter how well she seems to have adjusted." He glanced at his brother and his friend for a moment before he looked back at the lake. He enjoyed the silence for a moment longer before he took a deep breath and looked at Talia curiously, bending his arm like a proper gentleman now that he seemed to realize that was the thing to do. "What brought you to the city?" he asked, seeming to honestly want to know her answer.

"Wanna walk the lake with me?" Fox slid one of her hands down into Benny's and intertwined there fingers together. Looking up into his eyes she smiled softly, knowing he would say yes. He very rarely denied her, which may or may not be a bad thing.

"Truthfully I was kind of running away from an old life..." Talia replied as she thought about his question. "I spent a large part of my life moving around, mixing with the wrong crowds and getting into trouble...lots of trouble. But one day I just decided enough was enough and I made a run for it and ended up here. I straightened up, got myself a go...got myself a job.." she had been about to say a good job but couldn't bring herself to say that about what she did. "..and I work really hard on staying out of trouble, though sometimes the trouble finds me." she chuckled slightly as she clung to his arm, looking up into his face as she finished speaking.

Dash was looking at her oddly, but after a moment, he seemed to decide it was better just to let it go. He nodded. "I know the feeling," he replied, then gave her a smile. "I'm glad you haven't been caught yet," he added honestly. "I doubt my days would be as fun without being able to wonder whether or not you are going to pop up." He chuckled and looked back at the lake. Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes. It was good to have a break.

Benny smiled at his best friend and gave her a small kiss on the cheek. "Of course," he replied and let go of her so he could step to her side then took her hand back, re-lacing their fingers. "Shall we, my lady?" he asked, something he actually used to say when they first met. The saying had fit better, that long ago. Nonetheless, he made a motion with his hand for them to begin walking.

"One time around, and then we should probably head back, don't you think?" Looking up at the sky, Fox frowned as it began to darken. She noticed a few very dark clouds off in the distance and wondered if it was going to rain. She hoped her little owl friend was okay and would make through if there was a storm. As they began walking around the lake, Fox looked over at Benny and frowned. "We were the cause of this, you know..." It wasn't a question, but a fact.

"Don't worry i'll be popping in with you for a long time..." Talia replied with a grin as she returned her gaze to the lake. "You won't get rid of me that easily. So...will you be returning to my apartment with me?" she asked unable to stop herself leaning her head gently against his shoulder as she enjoyed the scenery.

"I suppose if you want me to," Dash answered, still seemingly unbothered by her attention. He frowned though. "I'll have to go out again though, for a little bit. This whole thing with Aleia... It's wasted some time. I have to find work." He looked down at Talia, seemingly concerned for her. "I'll come back though, promise." He thought back to Aleia and again hoped she wasn't wrecking havoc on some poor unsuspecting section of the city. He still couldn't think of what else he could have done about her though.

Benny shook his head. "No Fox.. that is like blaming the sword or the map... We.. helped, unfortunately. We enabled, whether willingly or unwillingly, but we were not the cause." His face was hard and serious as he looked ahead of them, still walking a leisurely pace. "Rafe was the cause."

A shiver ran down her spine at the sound of his name. Fox inhaled deeply, refusing to close her eyes because she knew the moment she did, his face would be the first thing to appear. Sighing gently she nodded her head, calming down slightly before she spoke. "I guess your right. I never really thought of it like that."

"You better come back." Talia replied jokingly then her expression turned serious as she looked at him. "You'll be careful when you go looking for work alright? I don't want to have to come and rescue you from anything." she allowed herself to smile again to show she was joking. "I could come with you if you like.."

"I'd rather you stay home. Safe," Dash replied, leaning a bit to bump his forehead lightly against hers. He chuckled and looked back at the lake. "I'll be fine, though I may need some bandages when I get back. And of course, that shower I was sincerely hoping for..." He sighed, dreaming of it and closed his eyes again. "I can't remember when I was clean last..."

"You should, because it's true." Benny lifted Fox's hand to his lips and kissed the back gently. "You.. are a good person Fox. An honestly good person. You should never doubt that, not even for a second. People do stupid, stupid things during war.. but that's a different time. You do what you must to survive."