"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.

Zan carefully counted out the proper coins and handed them over. It was too much for the drink, but he seemed not to notice as he took a sip. "Mmm...this is really good. What is it called?" He played with the tiny umbrella, twirling it in his fingers.

"It's a Roy Rogers." Aaliyah said with a laugh as she watched this young creature play with the paper umbrella. "What's your name, love?"

Zan moved back to his knees, his feet swinging back and forth as he twisted the stool. "I am called Zanariel, but most just call me servant or slave." The way he said it made it sound as if it didn't bother him in the slightest. He took another sip of his drink, watching with fascination as the bubbles inside formed and rose to the top.

That finally got Aaliyah's smile to falter. "Slave?" She looked at Zanariel, her brow creased, "Hey, are you ok, kid?" she asked, leaning towards him on the bar, "If you...if you need anything, you can let me know."

His own smile fading slightly, Zan looked up at her. "I'm a slave demon. It is sort of what we do." He blinked and looked back at his drink. "If I can find that ring, though, I might be able to at least choose my next owner."

"A demon, huh?" Aaliyah said, rubbing the back of her neck, "That's not exactly something you want to tell just anybody. You're lucky I'm not somebody who would turn you in." The nymph looked Zan up and down, "You know, if you hang around here, maybe we can find you some help when the owner of this place gets back."

"I would love to stay," Zan said, his smile returning in full. He continued sipping hid drink as a thought occurred to him and he looked back at her. "What sort of payment will I be making for your help?" he asked curiously.

"If it were up to me, I'd say not to worry about it." Aaliyah said, "But it's up to Fox, she owns this place. If she's gonna help you, she'll decide if she wants payment. Until she gets here though, all you need to pay for is the drinks and food you want."

"Will mistress Fox be interested in manual labor or more carnal favors?" Zan asked with the same tone as a person asking if someone prefers vanilla or chocolate. His face showed no hint that what he said might have been construed as inappropriate. Zanariel was really just trying to prepare himself.

The glass Aaliyah was cleaning nearly slipped from her hand. And she'd thought she was casual about sex...in demeanor at least. "I...I'm pretty sure she'd accept some help around here...or even just a couple of those coins, depending on what kind of help you need."

Zan continued on his drink, thinking with a vague expression. If he managed to ring the ring, he would be his own master. But if someone put it on...that hope would be gone. He looked up at Aaliyah. "What sort of work needs doing?"

"I'm really not sure." Aaliyah said, "I'm new here, just started today, so I don't know what it's like around the place just yet. Let's wait for Fox to get back, then we'll see."

"When will she return?" Zan asked. He looked at her, innocent curiosity in his eyes. Unless someone put on his ring, he would wait here. But if someone decided to wear his ring, he would be instantly transported to them.

"I'm not sure." Aaliyah replied, "I would think she'd be back by the time things get busy around here."

"I do hope that is soon," Zan said as he finished his drink and started digging the ice cubes from the glass, sticking them in his mouth. The noise of his crunching the cubes wasn't as loud as one would normally expect, and he seemed to enjoy that as much as the actual drink.

Who says demons are evil? Aaliyah thought to herself as she watched Zan. This guy was pretty cute, and he seemed completely harmless. She almost thought she might become a bit fond of him.

One of the ice cubes slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor. Zan stared at it for a moment before he too slipped to the floor and picked it up. The ice cube sat in his palm for a moment as he debated what to do, finally shoving it in his jacket pocket so he could climb back up to the bar stool. Zan had no idea of what seemed proper in this time and place, and he gave Aaliyah another smile as he went back to killing time until Fox arrived.

Aailyah looked curiously at Zan and laughed, "Here," she said, holding her hand out, palm up, "Give me the ice and I'll throw it in the sink."

He pulled the ice cube out of his pocket and deposited it into her hand. Zanariel watched her curiously. He had a question in his eye, but seemed almost afraid to ask it. Instead he fished another ice cube out of his glass and ate it.

Aaliyah tossed the ice into the sink behind the bar as she watched Zan's curious expression, "Something you want to ask?"

Zan quickly shook his head and went back to his ice cubes before he changed his mind and looked up. "Can I have another?" he asked, as if he was afraid she would say no. His earlier blunder aside, usually he never asked for things.

Laughing and shaking her head, Aaliyah began mixing another drink for him, "Of course you can. As long as you've got the money, you can have whatever you want." she winked at him, her tone playful.

Again Zan counted out coins, placing too many on the bar and sliding them over. He took the drink and stuck his little umbrella in it, sucking down the carbonated beverage. "Thank you," he said quietly, a happy little smile on his face.

Aaliyah slid a few of the coins back toward him with a smile, "This is all I need." she said, taking the proper amount from the bar.

"Oh," came his perplexed response. Zanariel picked the coins back up and slid them into his pocket. He watched her as she went about her chores. "What are you?" he asked, having noted her unusual allure but not being affected by it.

"The ancient Greeks called me an Anthousai." Aaliyah said with a smile, her fingers subconsciously going to the red lotus in her hair, "I'm a flower Nymph."

"Okeanis Nymphe." Zan nodded his head, remembering something. "Your kind rarely ventures out into cities." He knew that nymphs preferred their natural habitats. Hers would be fields or forests

"Well, I grew up near here." Aaliyah explained, "A family of humans raised me, so I've never really known anything else."

"That must have been strange," Zan said, his eyes becoming distant. He had never had a human owner, but something told him he wouldn't like the experience.

Aaliyah shrugged, "I've never known anything different. I didn't even know I wasn't human myself until just a few years ago. It sure explained a lot when we figured it out." she laughed.

"How did they react?" Zan's curiosity was peaked and he looked at her, trying to see past the unnatural allure that was part of her person. He fiddled with the umbrella, folding and unfolding it again.

"They were surprised, but they didn't seem to have any problem with it, I was still their daughter." Aaliyah shrugged, growing up, she'd always known she was adopted. Figuring out she was a nymph was just another mystery to her origins that she would probably never solve.

"I heard not all humans are like that," Zan said with a sage nod. He took a sip of his drink and made a face as if he was thinking hard. "But I do not believe I've ever met a human to make that comparison."

"No, in fact most humans would have turned me in." Aaliyah said, "I was lucky. That's why I suggested that you not spread around the fact that you're a demon."

Despite his youthful look, Zan had seen the atrocities first hand. The war that was just a memory for most was still present in his mind. He had killed at his owner's command, and many had been human. None of these thoughts crossed his face, though. "Most people can't easily accept that I am a demon. We're supposed to be uncontrolled killers or worse. As far as that goes, I don't really have those urges."

"That's good to hear." Aaliyah said with a playful smile as she wiped down the bar where a customer had just left.

Zan couldn't tell if she was being friendly or just humoring him. He sat on the stool, swinging his legs back and forth, sipping his drink. Zan knew that he needed to keep searching before someone put the ring on, but he was so comfortable here.

Aailyah watched the young looking demon as she worked, "So, what's that ring to you that it's so important?" she asked

Zan fidgeted in his seat, his face pulling tight as he contemplated what to say. "I really shouldn't be saying what it is. If you find it and decide to use it..." His face paled and he slid from his stool, drink forgotten.  "I really should go look for it."

Aailyah looked quizzically at Zan, but shrugged, "Alright," she said, "Good luck to you, love."

Zan left the bar, his eyes traveling as he tried to locate the ring through his senses. But it was never so easy. He knew that if he didn't find it, he was in trouble. In a sudden flash of light, Zan disappeared from the street.

---

"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."

Fox stared up into Benny's eyes, surprise and unshed tears glistened in her eyes. Stopping in her tracks she turned and wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him close. "Thank you. I needed that." Closing her eyes, she stood there in the security of his arms and appreciated the moment.

"Well if you ever wish to bathe again in the future my shower will always be available to you..." Talia chuckled slightly. "Hot water, plenty of shampoo, soap and warm fuzzy towels, they are all available in my apartment. I'll also make sure I have plenty of bandages, though I can't think what for Dash, I thought you were just going to find work?"

Dash gave her a look in return. "... Do you know what I do?" he asked, though his tone was rhetorical. He grinned though. "And stop trying to seduce me with your shower," he muttered to her, leaning close so he held eye contact. He looked at her pretty eyes for a moment, taking in every line of her irises, before finally he stood right again, his gaze softening. "Are you going to patch me up after I'm all clean then? Be my nurse then?" he chuckled.

Benny hugged Fox's body against him, breathing in her wonderful scent. "You are always welcome to hear the truth from me Fox." He squeezed her a little more. "Always." He loosened his grip and kissed her on the forehead before resting his own against it, looking into her eyes with a grin. "Ready to keep walking then?"

"Of course." Returning her hand to his, Fox continued there stroll around the lake. She wished it was still as beautiful as it once was. It's been forever since she's seen the beauty of how it used to be. "I wish we had thought to have the lake painted or something back when it was gorgeous. It would be a nice memory."

"If that's what you want..." Talia said with a wink before giggling slightly. "I'll take care of you, you don't need to worry about that." she gently poked his nose playfully then finally pulled her arm free from his twirling slightly on the spot to face him. "Maybe we should go back to Benny and Fox..." she said with a light smile, her eyes sparkling as she held her hand out to him.

"If we can find them," Dash replied with a frown that might have been a little bit of a pout as he took Talia's hand. He looked around for a minute and spotted his brother headed around the lake with Fox. "We could just Step over to them," he offered. They were quite a ways ahead. He looked back at Talia. "Or we could take a stroll of our own. Maybe it's better to have more time outside."

"One never thinks something so big would become so ruined at the time," Benny pointed out. "Maybe it'll get better again some day... We could probably haul some nymphs in or something, to fix it, now that I think of it... Of course... getting them out of hiding, with those damn police.. it wouldn't be easy, and it would probably cost a bundle..."

"You and I both know money is not an issue." When they had been in service with Rafe he had paid them all generously and after while Fox had started hiding it. No one but Fox knew of its exact location. Sometimes she wondered if even she could remember where it was placed. Glancing over at Dash and Talia she smiled softly. They would make a great couple, if only Dash wasn't so blind, but then again Fox had thought Benny wasn't blind and look at the two of them. Shrugging slightly she kicked a rock into the lake and watched as it disappeared. And not because it sank but because the lake was so filled with filth and garbage that the water was practically black. "Yuck..."

"Alright, lets take a stroll of our own." Talia replied feeling overjoyed that he wished to continue to spend time alone with her. She had worried that he had wanted to return to Benny to spend some time with his brother, but if Dash was suggesting a stroll with only the two of them, Talia wasn't going to refuse. "So you asked me what brought me to the city so now its my turn. What brought you to the city?" she asked looking up into his face as she began walking still clutching his hand in hers.

"Fox," Dash answered bluntly as they walked along. "We... Well it's kind of a long story and I'm not sure it's my place to tell you." He frowned, furrowing his brow, then looked at her with apologetic eyes. "I guess the most I can tell you is that we wound up here because of her. If Bernard and myself had wound up here on our own, we wouldn't have stayed this long. We would have been long gone by now. Fox is, as this case may be, the reason we wound up here, and she's definitely the reason we stayed. Of course.. more for my brother than myself. I stayed because he stayed." He looked up at his brother ahead of them around the lake. "He and I have always had each other. I don't know what I would do on my own, and I like to think he wouldn't know either."

"I suppose we could ask Dash to find some nymphs then, if he can. It's his job after all. I'd trust to hire him than anyone else..." Benny suggested. He wrinkled his nose at the rock she kicked. "The sooner the better..."

"Agreed, we also need to start fighting back. We get tons of creatures in the club, more so than humans, and a lot of them seem to want to join ranks and fight back. Im sure ours numbers are as strong as the humans. But I'm afraid if we start to fight, Rafe will find us." Crossing her arms over her chest she shivered slightly. Fox hated bringing up Rafe but, they needed to start moving forward with their lives, everyone did. The only reason they had stayed in this city is because Fox got tired of hiding. This is where she was born, and this is where she had broke free from Rafes chains. This is where she wanted to revive her life.

"I wish I had someone like that..like an older sister." Talia said after Dash had finished speaking before smiling at him. "I'm glad you did stay, I would be very lonely if you weren't here."

"Oh I'm sure you would have found some other poor, innocent soul to harass," Dash said with certainty, then grinned at her and chuckled. "You make it sound like I'm oh so important. I'm sure you get along just fine without me when I'm not around."

Benny was frowning deeply. "You sound like you are speaking of starting a war of your own," he said evenly. He had never led an army. He had been the army. "One way or another, we will have to deal with Rafe... but if you want to start sooner, maybe we should work on.. a smaller goal? Like.. just taking the city back? Not restoring power to our kind instead of the humans..."

"I'm sorry it's coming out like that. No, I do not want to start a war. That will never be my intentions. Taking back the city is a good start." Fox pulled Benny to a stop and looked up into his eyes. "I'm sorry if I'm worrying you with this talk. I don't mean too. I just know your the only person who will listen, and stay calm about what I have to say." Chewing on her bottom lip she frowned slightly.

"Sadly no other poor innocent souls would put up with my harassment like you do." Talia replied with a chuckle before blushing slightly as she thought about what she was going to say next. "I want you to know you are important to me Dash. I'm happiest when your around."

"Well that's good," Dash replied with a smile. "It's good when you are happy." He squeezed her hand gently before lifting it to kiss the back briefly. "When you aren't happy... well... chaos...." His smile said he was trying really hard not to laugh at that, but his eyes were looking at her in a goodnatured way. "Sometimes I wonder if your grandmother had an affair with Loki or something."

"It's ok Fox," Benny assured Fox with a gentle smile. "No need to worry. Even if you go crazy I'll still love you. I'll always be here for you, you know that." He tugged her close and gave her a firm hug, kissing her hair before he let go and continued walking, carefully encouraging her to come along. "We'll work on a plan to take over the city tonight, ok?" The way he chuckled he realized how funny it was to speak so casually about what could be perceived as a major coup.

Fox smiled softly. "That means Dash gets to come back with us for a little while, right? We can just step into the club, or apartment." They were almost back around to the where they started at this point and Fox thought it was about time to be headed back. They had things to do, and she needed to talk to that new bar tender she just hired out of the blue.

Talia couldn't help but laugh. "Loki? What makes you say that?" she said in an innocent tone as she turned her head to watch him with a mischievous smile. Finally she was beginning to relax with him and she couldn't have been happier with how relaxed he seemed to be with her.

"Because you're kinda nuts," Dash said simply in a 'isn't it obvious?' but joking tone. He grinned at her and chuckled though as they mosied along. "In a good way of course," he added and gave her a little nudge shoulder to shoulder.

Benny nodded to Fox. "Yeah, I suppose it does mean that, unless you wanted to talk to him and send him off right now for the nymphs. I guess it's entirely up to you..." He listened for her response but let his mind wander a little. He wanted to get away to spend time with Dash, but it always fought with his love of spending time with Fox. He missed his brother though. The desires battled in his head quietly as he conversed with Fox.

"Well as long as its in a good way." Talia replied with a smirk and a retaliating shoulder nudge. She continued to smile at him and even allowed herself to reach up and gently brush a few loose strands of hair from his face. "Dash..." she finally said again and paused to take a small breath to steady her nerves. "What do you actually think of me when you look at me? Do you ever look at me and see more than just a friend?" she asked and her heart rate quickened with nerves.

"No no, lets have him come along. I'd like his input." Looking up at Benny, Fox smiled softly. "You haven't had any time alone with him yet." Turning to her best friend she stood up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek lightly. "Just let me know when your ready to leave." Turning she looked around for the other couple and called out and waved her friend over. "Talia!"

Dash's brow furrowed slightly, as if thinking seriously, opened his mouth to answer, but then looked up when he heard Fox's shout, looking at the other woman as if she had forgotten she was over there. He frowned, looked at Talia, and said instead, "I think Fox wants your attention."

"Hey Dash!" Benny greeted him as he jogged over, only after giving Fox a sincere thank you kiss on the cheek. "Fox said we can play for a bit before we have to go inside!" Both brothers chuckled and, after Dash gave Talia a bright smile and a wave, he took off, Benny in quick pursuit. It was so wonderful to actually be free with his brother again, even if it was only for a short time.

Talia had watched Dash as he thought about his answer, holding her breath in anticipation. Her eyes widened as he looked ready to answer but Fox's voice broke the silence first. A small groan of frustration escaped her throat as Dash seemed to now sidestep her question but she managed to return his smile and wave as he and Benny rushed off. So close... she thought miserably as she wandered towards Fox, her shoulders slumped in defeat. "You couldn't have given us one more minute..." was all she said as she flopped down on the grass, pouting slightly.

Fox swatted at Benny before he ran off and smiled. When Talia came over to join her she frowned slightly. "No I couldn't. I know Dash better than you do. You need to give him time. Don't push it. I realize you think you've liked him for a long time, but I've loved Benny for almost a century now. So just be patient." She spoke in a soft voice but it came out a bit snappy none the less. She had been waiting patiently for Benny to realize that Fox cared deeply for him, and she would wait as long as it took without pushing him. Even if it killed her. 

Talia sighed and looked up at Fox before giving a small nod. "You're right..." she said then stood up, brushing off the dust from her skirt. "So do you still want to try your powers on me?" she asked trying to move the topic off of Dash. "I'm still willing to be your test subject."

"Yeah sure, if that's okay." Fox climbed up onto the near by boulder and sat indian style. Closing her eyes for few moments she tried to relax her body and mind. "Just dont think of Dash in bed or anything like that, please."

"I'll try my best..." Talia replied unable to stop herself from laughing. Finally she took a deep breath and concentrated on thinking of something. She settled on the memory of the first time she had danced and the hypnotic effect it had caused on the people watching. Something simple for the first try... she thought to herself.

Closing her eyes, Fox worked on finding Talia's mind. The moment they were connected her eyes flew open and they appeared to be swirling white globes. She saw Talia dancing in a hypnotizing way, causing men to draw near her, and woman to stare. What she was seeing was relatively normal until one of the men watching stood, he was hooded so she couldnt quite see his face. He walked towards 'Fox', now he was the only thing she could see. His hood fell back revealing his face. Rafe! Gasping out loud she tried to pull back from Talia's mind. "No...Let go." Rafe smiled mischievously at Fox before his hand shot out and stroked her cheek. Even though it was a vision she could feel his fingertips along her cheeks, sending tingles through her body. "Foxy...you feel delightful. Imagine what it would be like for us to be together again." Fox's eyes instantly turned red with anger and hatred, her head jerking away from his touch. "Never...Never again will you touch me!" This time Rafe was the one who grew angry and slapped her across the face. "I do not tolerate disobedience!" And with that he was gone and she was thrown out of the vision. Falling backwards off the boulder, Fox lay on the ground for several long moments before coming too. Sitting up she looked around, her vision blurry. Her right cheek hurt badly, she began rubbing at it, knowing a bruise was already starting to appear.  

"Fox!" Talia cried as the other woman fell backwards off the boulder. She hurried forward and knelt beside Fox and her eyes widened at the sight of the bruise that was forming on her cheek. "What happened?" she gasped as she placed a gentle arm around her shoulders trying to comfort her. "I was only thinking about dancing..."

"It wasn't you." Benny took up the place on Fox's other side, his face grave as his brother took care of Talia, taking the woman's shoulders in order to pull her away. The elder was looking at Fox's eyes, trying to make sure she was alright as he cradled her in his arms. "It's alright Fox... He's not really here, no matter.. how... real... it seemed..." He was distracted when he noticed the bruise forming on her cheek. He reached out to touch her hand gently where it was covering the discoloration. "Oh Fox..."

Dash wrapped an arm around Talia's shoulders, holding her close to his body as they stood nearby. He shifted his concerned eyes, watching his brother and Fox, to Talia instead, hugging her so he could rub her back. "It's not your fault of course... These things just happen some time." He assured her, and gave her a weak smile. What was bringing up these visions that were starting to plague Fox? His brother seemed to share his fears as they exchanged looks.

"It hurts, Benny. It really hurts." Burying her face in his neck Fox sobbed gently as she clung to him. "Whats happening to me..." Grabbing a hold of his shirt and tried pulling him closer, if that were even possible. She didnt understand what was going on. Why was Rafe appearing in her mind and talking to her? He hadn't really loved her...had he? A shiver ran down her spine at the thought of him coming after her. She couldn't allow him to get anywhere near them. They were finally happy and living a some what normal life.

"I was just trying to help I swear, I didn't want her to get hurt." Talia replied quickly as she allowed herself to be steered away by Dash. "I was only thinking about dancing, I wasn't thinking about anything that could hurt her. I don't understand..." she said in a confused tone as she clung to Dash, her eyes full of concern as she watched Fox. Talia knew nothing of Rafe or the connection the brothers and Fox held with him.

"It's ok Talia. I'm sure it's not your fault," Dash assured her as she rubbed the young woman's back. He was looking at Fox though with a frown. It had to be the war again. It was always the war. Always Rafe.

"I'm so sorry Fox.. but I don't know," Benny apologized softly, meaning every word as he held her close, intent on not letting go. "But I think we honestly need to find out. It can't be healthy for these visions to keep happening like this, especially after so many years." He glanced at Talia with just his eyes before giving Fox his full attention again. He didn't want to give away more about their past than he had to. "No more practicing on your own."

"Agreed." Breathing normally now that Benny had calmed her down, Fox stood, kissed Benny's cheek and walked over to Talia and pulled her into her arms. "Im sorry I frightened you, I didn't intend for that to happen." Running a hand up and down her friends back she frowned. "We wont do that again...Im sorry..."

Talia hugged Fox tightly for a few moments then finally pulled back so she could look into her face. "What happened Fox? What did you see?" she asked softly with an expression of great concern. "And please don't tell me nothing, I can see the bruise on your cheek."

Fox cringed slightly and pulled away a bit. "It isn't nothing, but I also don't feel comfortable talking about it. It's also not only my story to tell, so just let it go at...It was my past coming back to smack me in the face." Shrugging her shoulders, she slid back over to Benny and pressed herself against him. Inhaling deeply she allowed for his masculine scent and comfort of his body calm her nerves.

"I'm going to take Fox home for a rest," Benny told Dash as he held Fox, rubbing soothing circles on her back. "Come by later. We have something we wanted to discuss with you." After Dash nodded, knowing better than to question further, Benny gently picked Fox up into his arms and took a step back, falling through the shadow of the boulder Fox had been sitting on as if it was a hole in the floor, heading back to the club.

Dash turned to Talia but didn't hug her again. She had let go, so he figured she didn't want the comfort anymore. She had calmed down some at least. "We can check on them later. For now... did you want to show me your apartment?" He could really use the change of subject, knowing his brother would handle the damage for now, just like he always did.

"Oh...yeah, my apartment." Talia said as she was snapped back to reality after getting lost in her thoughts of what had really happened with Fox. She turned to Dash and smiled, holding her hand out as she did. "You want to do your fancy shadow trick?" she asked with a playful tilt of her head.

"I'd love to," Dash replied as he took her hand, lacing their fingers together. He was frowning though. "But I don't know where you live." He chuckled, smiling awkwardly. "I have to know where I'm going... I can get us back to the city though. I don't mind walking if you don't." His smile was a bit more charming then and he tugged her to the shadow his brother had taken. "If you're ready?"

"I'm always ready." Talia replied and couldn't help but grin. "You know where the old abandoned library is? Take us there..my place is only a few streets away." she told him, then waited for him to do his thing.

"Well, alright then miss bossy," Dash replied with a pout, but of course he grinned, ruining any effect it might have had. He tugged her hand to make her step forward, let go, and caught her wrapped up in his arms. "To the library then." He chuckled and took the step back he needed into the shadow of a tree and, like his brother, fell though an icy hole. When the rush passed he stepped back, letting go of her, to show they were on the steps to what was once a fine library with columns along the front and shallow but wide steps leading up to it. He held out a hand. "You'll need to lead from here then."

Talia placed her hand in his and laced their fingers together just as he had done earlier. "This way." she said then tugged his hand to follow her as she began walking. Most of the buildings they passed were boarded up or run down with graffiti covering most of the walls. "Its not the nicest place to look at but then where is in this city?" she asked with a small shrug and a smile. "I like to try and think what this place would have looked like when it was a beautiful thriving city. Like that place..." she said pointing towards a small boarded up shop they were passing. "...that would have been a little flower shop with the most incredible smelling flowers sitting in baskets in front of the window." Talia blushed suddenly and gave a small chuckle. "I probably sound crazy..."

Dash, however, was squinting at the broken little building, trying to imagine. Whatever he decided, he seemed to let it go and looked at Talia, shaking his head. "No, you don't sound crazy. It's nice to imagine. If it was a flower shop, I'd probably buy you flowers from there some day, if I hadn't already. The way you seem to think about it, you'd probably like some." His last sentence half trailed off as he looked around at the various buildings, dark, cold, and lonely. He frowned. How depressing. "Is your apartment near here then?" he asked, absently changing the subject.

"Oh yes...its just up here." Talia replied with a smile, hoping he hadn't noticed the pink tinge that had crept over her cheeks when he spoke of buying her flowers. She led the way to a building that was only five or six stories high and motioned to it with a wave of her arm. "Home sweet home." she said then walked up the stone steps to the front door which she pulled open and stepped inside waiting for Dash to join her. Once he had she pulled him towards a flight of stairs and began climbing them until they came to the fourth floor. "Here we are..." she said as she pulled a set of keys from her bag and unlocked the door to her apartment. "Come in..." she said and finally released her grip on his hand as she moved inside. It was a small apartment with a living room and kitchen area in one. There were three doors that led off this room, two bedrooms and the bathroom.

Dash looked around the apartment, his expression neither negative nor positive, simply curious. After a long moment of simply taking it in, he stepped forward to the middle of the living room area, frowned, then looked bat at her. "If the area is abandoned, why here?" he asked, confused but not condescending. "Why not a whole house? Why the fourth floor? Why not the first? Why two rooms instead of just the one you need? Or three, or four?" He looked almost lost standing there, his wide, confused eyes returning to scanning the apartment.

"Wow thats a lot of questions in one go..." Talia stated as she smiled at Dash. She moved to the front door and pushed it shut before bolting and chaining all the locks. "This place never used to be totally abandoned, there was a few other people lived here but they up and left in search of a more...friendlier atmosphere. But I like it here so I stayed. I kinda feel safe here you know, though i'm all alone." She looked thoughtful for a few seconds as she tried to remember the list of questions he had given. "I'm one little person Dash what am I going to do with a house?" she said continuing on with her answers. "Theres no reason to why I chose the fourth floor, its just where I ended up. And the reason for two bedrooms...a girls gotta have a place to store her clothes." she chuckled lightly as she tidied a few things off the couch and fluffed up the cushions slightly. "But honestly, I just hoped I would have someone one day who would want to stay with me, and here you are. I finally have a guest." She straightened up and looked back at Dash. "Make yourself comfortable, my home is your home."

Dash shifted on his feet a little, averting his eyes. "I.. kinda would prefer to have that shower first," he muttered. "If I sit down now, the stain is never coming out." He blushed a little, giving her the cutest shy smile and pointed to the bathroom. "So.. I'll just go do that, and I'll be out soon, if that's alright?" His mind was already doubting his ability to full get clean, but getting even one layer off would be an improvement. He'd removed layers of blood from himself for years, why didn't the street filth obey as easily? He paused his mind and thought about that. Oh, right, he had been able to tell the blood to move. He couldn't do that with dirt and grime.

"Oh of course, the shower." Talia replied then moved to the door of the bathroom and pushed it open and stepped inside, switching the light on as she did. "Ok theres plenty of towels on the rail." she said pointing to a collection of pink fluffy towels that were stacked neatly waiting to be used. "Here's your soap and shampoo." she placed it on a small shelf in the shower then turned the handle for the water to come on, testing the temperature with her hand until she felt it was just right. "Your all set." she smiled at Dash then stepped out from the bathroom. "I'll try and find you some clean clothes. I have a large assortment of male and female clothing...you know being a shapeshifter means I need different disguises." she chuckled slightly then gave him a gentle push towards the bathroom. "Go on take as long as you need."

"Thanks Talia." Dash kissed the top of her head before he stepped inside quickly, ready to scrub himself raw if he had to. The more that came off in the shower, the more he was kind of horrified at his state. Still, as it began to run clear, he felt better and better. It was nearly an hour before the water shut off, there was some rustling, and he stepped back out. His skin was fair with a light pink hue from scrubbing it clean. His white blond hair fell around his head haphazardly and the ludicrous pink towel was draped lazily around his narrow waist. He didn't seem to have any shame as he stood there and looked for Talia. "Did you find anything?" he asked. No that he really cared. He could just wash his own. The towel was fine until then.

Talia had been lounging on the couch, an old book propped open on her knees. She looked up when she heard the bathroom door open and had to fight back a giggle whilst at the same time blushing bashfully at seeing Dash in just the towel. "Pink is totally your colour Dash." she said with a grin before standing. "I found a few things but i'm not sure if they'll fit. Come on i'll show you..." she led the way to the second bedroom which she had quickly freshened up and cleaned whilst he was in the shower. On the bed was a selection of clothes for him to try on.

Dash had smirked and made a muscular pose in his towel at her color comment, showing off his lithe body and waggling his eyebrows suggestively. "Why thank you," he said seductively, almost laughing at his own joke but as she headed into the second room he became curious and followed after. He picked up a pair of grey wool trousers first, looking them over. After a moment he draped them over an arm and looked at the shirts. He seemed to remember Talia though and looked at her, raising an eyebrow curiously. "Are you gonna watch?" he asked, his tone not accusing. It was more like he was honestly asking.

"Fine, if you don't want me to." Talia replied with a pout then sighed dramatically before chuckling and walking to the door. "I'll wait out here." she said then closed the door after herself and moved back to sit on the couch.

It was only a couple of minutes before Dash emerged again. The grey trousers fit snugly to his body, matched by a black T. He was toweling off his hair still, but when he saw Talia he smiled and lowered the towel. "Thanks," he told her honestly and came over to sit by her on the couch. "It's really kind of you to do all this for me and I really appreciate it. I owe you one." He chuckled. "Or many."

"Don't be silly. I'm happy to help." Talia replied as she turned towards him on the couch, smiling as she did. "Its just nice to have someone to do it for because its usually just me here." She fell quiet now as they sat close together, unsure of what to do next. "So do you still wish to spend the night?" she asked when nothing else came to mind.

"Sure," Dash replied with an easy grin, leaning back so he could rest his arms along the back of the couch. "If it's not too much trouble." Little frown, but luckily it didn't last. He sat back up and went to the bathroom to retrieve his dirty clothes, coming back to the couch to clean out the pockets. He made sure to lean forward and keep his knees out of the way. He didn't want what he was sure was quiet a bit of dirty to cover him again. Not so soon after his shower. He seemed to have trouble sitting still. "Would I be staying on the couch then?" he asked as he sorted out his old clothing, glancing at Talia to show he was listening to her and jerking his head vaguely toward the second room. "Not a whole lot of room in there amongst your wardrobes." He chuckled, teasing her about her, to him, massive amounts of clothing.

"Hey when your a shapeshifter you have to have that many clothes..." Talia replied shoving him playfully. Well thats my excuse and i'm sticking to it... she thought and had to stop herself from chuckling. "Ok your choices are the broken bed in the spare room...though theres so many springs coming through the mattress its probably not the safest place to sleep. Then you've got the couch here.." she said and patted the back of the couch. "...or you could always share my bed." she said jokingly with a smile. She couldn't imagine him wanting to share her bed and hoped he would see the funny side of her joke.

"Oh a bed sounds amazing..." Dash said dreamily, closing his eyes as a pleased smile spread over his face. He nodded, opening his eyes to continue going through his pockets. "Alright, I'll share your bed. Though I have a better chance of finding your panties in the other bedroom." He winked at her then laughed, reaching into one of his pants pockets to pull out a wad of small items such as his trademark white handkerchief that always smelled of flowers, a lighter, a rubber band, and a few other things. He squinted thoughtfully as he sifted through it.

"Wait..you want to share my bed?" Talia asked her eyes widening slightly. She placed a hand under his chin and gently directed his face to look at her instead of the trinkets from his pockets. She was studying his face for any signs that he might be joking before suddenly smiling herself and releasing his chin. "Let me show you the master bedroom." she said then hopped up from the couch.

Ignoring how utterly confused she had just made him, Dash stood and followed her, laying his items on the floor before following her to her own bedroom. He wasn't entirely sure why it was a big deal. For most of his life he had shared a room with Benny. Then he went off with Fox and Dash actually wasn't used to sleeping alone. Well, he was, but he was always a social person so he preferred having people around. Having Talia around on a regular basis was actually starting to sound like a good idea. Then again, he knew he couldn't always stay here, not with the police on his ass all the time.

"You should feel honoured, your the first person i've allowed in here." Talia said with a grin as she pushed her bedroom door open. "..well your the first person i've allowed in my apartment." she gave an embarassed shrug then stepped into the room. There was a large bed, a dressing table with a large mirror that had all her bits of makeup and jewellery littering the surface and a small chest that she kept her valuble items in. "I'll be nice and let you choose which side you want to sleep on." she said as she stepped aside to let him in.

Dash gave the room a once over, but instead of going to the bed to pick a side, he went to the make up. He was looking at it with a blank expression, but his eyes were thoughtful, his face reflected in the mirror. Why did she wear these things if she could have any beautiful face she wanted. Then it occurred to him. He looked up at her reflection in the mirror, then back at Talia herself. "What do you really look like?"

Talia froze when she heard what Dash had asked then slowly turned to look at him. No one had ever asked her what her true form really was, preferring to have her look instead like their idea of the perfect woman. "I can show you." she finally said after taking a deep breath. "But you mustn't laugh or run away okay?" she spoke in a serious tone before she began to shift. Her long softly curled brown hair shortened and became pure white and poker straight only reaching her shoulders. Her skin turned blood red and took on a scaled appearance with enchantment like white markings whilst her eyes turned jet black with a thin white pupil and her nails grew and sharpened like talons. She bit her lip again and kept her eyes on the floor as she awaited the disgusted gasp from Dash.

As she changed, Dash felt his pulse slowly speeding up. An action he could have forced control on, but he hadn't felt it since the war and he chalked it up to fear of the unknown, ignoring that he didn't exactly feel afraid. When she had finally finished, he realized there was a loud rushing in his ears, caused by his heart pounding hard in his chest. He licked his lips, his eyes wide and trying to ignore what his body was doing. He didn't like not understanding. "You're beautiful," he breathed, startling himself. He shut his eyes and shook his head quickly. What the hell was that about?? Maybe if he just didn't look at her, he could speak properly. His body definitely seemed to prefer her in this form, even if his brain hated that it couldn't think full sentences. Once he had kept his eyes shut long enough to calm himself, he responded in an almost strained voice. "C-could you... change back? Or something? I can't really look at you." He still had his eyes shut, but he was smiling awkwardly. He had never seen someone that made him feel the need to grip furniture, as he was now with the dressing table, to keep standing.

If Talias skin hadn't already been red, it quickly would have been with the sudden blush that came over her when she heard Dash say she was beautiful. She had never been called that when she was in this form. She took a concerned step towards him as he closed his eyes and gripped the dressing table but stopped when he asked her to change. "Oh...of course, sorry!" she said in a flustered voice as she concentrated on shifting back to her normal human form. With a quick glance in the mirror, she fixed her long curled hair and checked that her eyes were back to the hazel colour before gently placing a hand on his arm. "There. Was it that bad?" she said jokingly as she gave a bashful smile.

Dash hesitently opened an eye to see the old Talia, then opened them both, laughing a little and nodding. "Y-yeah," he said through his chuckles. He was baffled himself by the... arousal? That's what it seemed to be... that Talia had caused. He waved his hand though, shaking his head again. "Don't worry about it though. I usually see you like this, so I'm ok. No need to be sorry. I asked for it after all!" He laughed again and looked into her familiar hazel eyes with a smile. He reached up and cupped her face. "It's such a shame you hide all the time. Painting red roses black in a way." He chuckled again, so softly, before turning away to walk to the bed. After a quick, and intensely thoughtful look, he chose the side that would put his left side on the edge of the bed and laid down with a satisfied sigh. "Ahhhh.... yes, this will do nicely," he said, stretching out along 'his side' crossing his ankles and putting his hands behind his head. "You are one lucky girl Talia."

"Well I work hard to maintain my luxury lifestyle." Talia replied with a chuckle as she moved to the other side of the bed and sat down, her legs curled up underneath her, gazing down at Dash with a smile. She decided it was best not to tell him that she often woke in the morning in her true form after shifting back to it her sleep, scared that he might decide that it was best for him to leave. "But my lifes not all that perfect you know..." she said with a shrug before flopping down to lie beside him.

"Oh really?" Dash said with interest, turning his head to look at her and raising an eyebrow. "Seems like you have everything you need. Health, food, a place to stay. How is that not perfect?" He smiled, closed his eyes and laid his head back again. This bed was so comfortable to him, though anyone else might think it was lumpy or cheap. It felt like heaven to him. So soft, so safe, he could almost... just fall asleep... He was so tired...

"Because i'm alone." Talia replied simply. "It doesn't matter, rest a little. I think we both could use an afternoon nap." she said in a gentle tone as she turned on her side so she was facing him. She closed her eyes after giving a small yawn then slowly fell into a light sleep. As her body relaxed and she fell deeper into sleep, Talia's body began shifting again until she lay curled up in her natural form.

Dash didn't really catch any of the last thing Talia said, having nodded off. He had been running for so long, he forgot how good it felt to be safe, even if it was for only one night. He hadn't really felt safe since he and Benny shared a room. Benny. His brother. He gasped softly and sat up in the bed. "Benny! I needed to go see them." He looked over at Talia and gasped again, this time jerking back from the gorgeous creature in bed with him. In bed with him. He fell clumsily off the bed with a bit of flailing, the thought ringing in his head, and now another ringing from where his head had struck the floor. "Ow...." he groaned, closing his eyes and holding his head as he tried to sit up on the floor. "I have to go see Benny and Fox..."

Talia sat up with a start staring round wildly for the source of the thudding noise from Dash hitting the floor. "What are you doing down there?" she gasped when she spotted him and crawled across the bed and down onto the floor beside him. "Are you alright?" she asked in a concerned tone as she reached a hand out to help him up but froze when she saw her red scaley skin. "Oh...is it really that hard seeing me like this?"

"Kinda," Dash replied having glanced at her and immediately looking away again. Why was his heart beating so fast? Where his abilities messed up like Fox's? He would have to talk to Benny about this. He pushed himself up from the floor. "Talia, I have to go. Benny wanted me to stop by this afternoon to talk. I'll be back in a little bit. So.. see ya." He wasn't good with goodbyes. He was usually just gone before anyone noticed. He shifted his eyes, then walked out of her room, out of the apartment, closing the door behind him. He found a dark enough slat of shadow in the stairwell and worked his way to the club, forcing himself to calm down as he hurried along. Why did seeing her like that cause him to breath like he had run for miles? It made his head hurt to be this confused and he really didn't like it at all.

"Wait..." Talia cried but he was already gone. With a frown she stood up and glanced at her reflection in the mirror then sighed quickly shifting back into her human form and left the room. Moving back to the couch she made to sit down but paused when she saw the small pile of Dash's trinkets on the floor. He must have forgot about these... she thought as she moved to kneel beside them. She began gathering them up to put them somewhere safe but stopped when she spotted a beautiful little ornate ring which she picked up to inspect further. With a smile she slowly slipped it on her finger to see what it would look like on.

A flash of light went off in front of her as a short male who looked rather young appeared. Zanariel blinked a few times as he stood there before he looked up. His new mistress. Tears sprung to his eyes as he realized he was too late, and he went down on one knee, his head bowed. "My mistress," he said quietly.

Talia let out a small yelp and shielded her face with her arm as the bright light erupted before her. Slowly she opened her eyes and they widened in shock at the sight of the person before her and when he said My mistress her mouth dropped open in surprise. Scrambling to her feet she took a few steps back from him. "Is this a joke? Wh..who are you?!" she asked quickly.

"I am Zanariel," he said quietly, not looking up at her. "I am your loyal and obedient servant until death release me."

"What? I never asked for a loyal and obedient servant!" Talia cried still in shock. "You must have the wrong apartment..." she said unable to think of any other reason as to why he was there. "And stand up kid, I don't want anyone bowing to me."

The moment Talia said it, Zan stood up. "I wish there was a mistake. However mistress is wearing the ring. There is no mistake. Putting it on summoned me here, and now I live to serve you." He finally looked up at her, his eyes wide. "What is you command?"

Talia lifted her hand to look at the ring, frown heavily at it. Oh no... she thought as she slumped back down onto the sofa before looking back at Zan. "I don't want to command you. You shouldn't have to be a slave..here sit down." she said patting the space beside her.

Zanariel immediately went over to take the seat she indicated. Although he seemed content to do as she said, inwardly he was screaming. His single hope had been destroyed in so many tiny pieces, and had he been different, he would have cried right then. But he didn't want her to think he was upset at who had become his new owner, so he sat there awaiting her command.

"So..." Talia said awkwardly as she turned to Zanariel. "...you been doing this job long?" she asked as she clasped her hands on her lap, fidgeting nervously. Maybe if I just give this kid his ring back he'll leave... she thought as she smiled weakly at Zan.

"I am a Slave Demon," Zan said with a nod. "So, I have been doing this since I was first created. We serve our masters and mistresses until they die or give our ring to another as a gift." He didn't want to tell her that she could not free him now except by dying, but he knew he had to.

Talia could think of no one that would willingly want a slave demon and could only imagine that anyone who would want one would be an evil creature. Am I going to have this little guy following me around for the rest of my life? she thought with a frown. "What if I just gave you the ring? What would happen?" she asked.

"I cannot touch the ring unless my owner dies. If I do...." Zan shuddered slightly. "Early on a few of my fellows attempted to steal their rings to go free, but it destroyed them to do so." He looked up at Talia, his eyes wide. "If you do not want me, you can give the ring freely to another, unfortunately that person cannot be me."

"But its horrible that you have to be a slave, you shouldn't have to do what other people tell you." Talia replied still frowning. There must be a way to help him. She turned and looked at Zan, a determined expression on her face. "Okay! Here's what we're going to do. You're going to stay here with me whilst we figure out a way of getting me off the hook with the ring but also that you don't have to have another master. You can have your own room but you won't be my slave. You'll be a friend thats really helpful. How does that sound?" she asked with a smile.

"If that is your command, mistress," Zan said as he inclined his head. He stood, ready to go wherever she ordered, inwardly seething. Though Talia didn't mean it, she had deeply offended Zanariel, who had spent his entire life in this role and was well accustomed to it. It was all he had ever known. And now someone wanted to take that from him. "If it helps, mistress, you can recall me into the ring, then you will not need to waste space for someone you find so repulsive." He gave another bow, seemingly unaffected by his own assumption.

"What? I don't find you repulsive. What gave you that idea?" Talia replied in a shocked tone as she slid forward to sit on the edge of her seat. "Never mind. Just don't think I find you repulsive or anything like that okay. Because I don't." She watched him for a few moments as curiosity began to creep over her as to what all he could do exactly. "So Zan...tell me about your abilities. What exactly can you do for me if I command it?"

Zan gave her a huge smile. "I can instantly teleport you anywhere, test foods for poison, I'm immune to damage from any physical means. I cook, clean, repair things, and am fluent in most types of languages so I can learn to do anything you need me to. Like I said before, I can become travel size and go into the ring, or I can stay like this for your pleasure." He gave her another childishly excited smile, his eyes practically glowing.

Talia looked thoughtful for a few seconds then smiled. "Okay. I'll give it a go. Start with something simple. Please can you get me a big bunch of red roses." she asked in a tone of excitment.

Zan bowed and vanished, completely disappearing without a trace. A minute went by before he reappeared with an armful of long stem red roses, no less than thirty, and lay them on the couch next to her. When he stepped back, Talia could see the marks from where the thorns had dug into him, but they were rapidly fading until they seemed to never have existed. "Would you like me to fetch a vase as well, mistress?"

"They're beautiful Zan." Talia replied as she picked one of them up and sniffed it gently, smiling at its sweet scent. "A vase would be perfect, thank you." she said looking up at him happily.

Once more Zan vanished only to reappear with a crystal vase filled halfway with water. He set it on the table and started to carefully arrange the flowers inside, creating a lovely rose bouquet. He smiled up at Talia and inclined his head to her. "Will there be anything else, mistress?"

"I can't think of anything just now. But thank you for these they're beautiful. I absolutely love flowers." Talia said to Zan as she delicately touched the petals of the roses. "So you don't mind doing any of this?" she asked curiously. "I mean if I were to keep you, you wouldn't mind?"

---

Once they were back in Fox's flat she stumbled away from Benny and headed into the bedroom. Kicking off her boots and shedding all her clothing but her panties and bra, she crawled into bed and hid under the covers. Thinking to herself for a few moments she realized she felt dirty...Really dirty. Sighing she climbed back out of bed and straight into the bathroom. Taking off the rest of her clothing she stepped into the shower with closing the door and stood under the water. Staring out into space she closed her eyes and leaned against the wall.

"Fox?" Benny called over the sound of running water. He leaned in the doorway to the bathroom, not getting closer but his face full of concern. "Do you want to talk about it? You'll feel better. You always do."

Done with her shower, Fox turned off the water and stepped out. Reaching for her towel she began drying herself off, not caring if Benny saw. "What do you want me to say? My thoughts and visions are no longer safe from that sadistic asshole?" Finally dry she turned towards Benny and frowned before moving around him. They both hadn't been able to fit in the doorway without touching so her bare skin brushed against him, causing her to tremble as she walked towards their room.

Benny's eyes shut and he took a minute to gather himself before he turned to follow her into the bedroom again. "Your powers are fluctuating Fox.. they might just be memories playing with your visions. I know it's awful but we can't fear Rafe is going to pop up every time you see him in your head-" He stopped himself, realizing how cruel that had sounded, even with the best of intentions backing it. "I believe something is wrong though, and not just with your abilities. You don't often see Rafe..." He stepped forward carefully, not sure if he should physically comfort her or not at the moment. "I'll be on my guard. I promise you Fox, nothing is going to happen to you as long as I'm around."

Fox turned and looked into Benny's eyes before she hurried over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Not caring if she was naked or not, she clung to him, needing to feel his comfort. Looking up into his eyes was again, she inhaled deeply as an extreme wave of emotion washed over her. Leaning forward she watched him carefully before pressing her lips to his. At the first contact she gasped, as if she had been shocked but she was just surprised but the instant feeling of love she felt the moment there lips touched. Realizing what she did, she quickly pulled away and pressed her fingers to her lips. "I'm sorry..."

"There's no need to be sorry..." Benny breathed. His heart was thudding in his chest again and he was forcing his eyes to stray no lower than her collar bone. A primal part of his brain was screaming in frustration at that though. "Fox, I told you a lot time ago..." He moved forward slowly so that they were practically touching against and lifted a hand to cup her face. His gold eyes rippled with something like affection, fondness, maybe love, and the corners of his mouth quirked up. Yes, love. "You can touch me."

"Yes, but it's also been a long time since I've touched you like that." Fox's voice shook with uncertainty as she looked up into his eyes. Her eyes flicked back down to his lips causing her heart to skip a beat. The kiss may have been brief but it was magical. Benny was the last person she kissed before today, which said a lot since that had been decades ago. Forcing herself to look back up into his eyes she tried to focus, but with her standing there naked and what seemed like sexual tension building inside her, it was growing hard for her to be a good little girl.

"Too long?" Benny suggested, his hand shifting to stroke her cheek with the backs of his fingers. His eyes were darting to her lips as well, his head leaning down without him noticing, only registering that he was falling into her eyes, and then the world was dark, and still, as his eyes closed and his lips captured hers in a slow, agonizingly gentle kiss and he would have groaned if not for sheer force of will. When he broke it, an indeterminable amount of time later that was really only a moment, he looked into her eyes again. "You never had to stop you know..." he whispered, his lips brushing against hers with every sound.

Melting into him, Fox wrapped her arms around his neck and held on for dear life, not wanting to wake up from this amazing moment that just had to be a dream. "You never said anything, never mentioned that you still cared so...So I just thought my feelings were one sided." Swallowing back the lump in her throat she met his eyes, wearily, not wanting to ruin this extremely emotional moment between them.

"Fox..." Benny's hands found their way to her lower back, the touch of her bare skin under his hands lighting fire through him, just as it always did when he wasn't forcing himself to think of other things, to stay distracted from his number one distraction. He buried his face into her neck, inhaling her scent that always made him think of lazy summer days in open flowering meadows. She smelled like happiness. She always had. "I would not have stayed with you if I didn't care. I've never felt for anyone the way I have about you. Since the moment I first laid eyes on you... I thought my heart would burst out my chest to get to you..."

Fox buried her face against his shoulder as a few tears fell down her cheeks. "All this time...we could have been..." She stopped at her own words and smiled slightly. They hadn't wasted any time at all, they'd always been together. They may not have been sexual together or anything, but they had always been there together. Hugging him tightly she cried harder as she was engulfed in emotion.

Benny continued to hold her, letting her cry as long as she wanted. He would have rubbed her back to comfort her but couldn't trust himself to move his hands across her skin. "You always had me Fox," he told her gently. "Just like you always will. I will always be here for you. "He squeezed her gently. "I just thought you were happy with what we fell into, and if you are happy.. I am happy."

Swiping away the wetness on her cheeks, she smiled softly. "I was happy for a while...But then after a few hundred years...It became very difficult to be around the man...that I love, and not able to show him how I love him." Fox rose her head to look into his eyes and kissed him softly, this time without holding back. Threading her fingers through the air at the base of Benny's neck she smiled against his lips. "So...uh, where does this leave us?"

"Well." Benny bent his knees a little and very carefully grasped the back of her thighs to lift her entire body and wrap her legs around his waist. One arm shifted to support her, keeping his hands in appropriate places, the other hand returning to rest on her back. "Where do you want it to leave us?" he asked, looking at her with shining golden eyes. His mouth wasn't smiling, it was thoughtful, but his eyes showed his joy. They always did. He stepped over to the bed, prepared to lay her down so at least she could cover herself with the blankets.

Instead of answering him, Fox pressed her lips to Benny's and kissed him passionately. In this position her heart beat kicked up a notch, causing her to breath heavily. She wasnt sure if he was meaning to set her nerves on fire but he sure was succeeding. Pulling away just enough to smile against his lips she nibbled on his bottom lip. Looking into his eyes she inhaled deeply as the strongest feeling of love washed over her.

Well, he had only been going to lay her down but with that sort of attention... Her back met the mattress, and another, warmer, pressure lay gently on top of her as Benny's lips met hers again, kissing her with a longing that had built for far too long, but he couldn't think about that. His mind wasn't working so much anymore. He moved his lips across her jawline and down her neck, enjoying the way each little, lingering kiss sent electricity through him. How long had he wanted to touch her? It was like diving in a cool lake you found in the middle of a dessert. He hadn't realized how grating the lack of contact had been.

"Benny...That's enough." Realizing what she was saying Fox smiled and pulled him back up to eye level. Kissing his lips lovingly she smiled and hugged him close. "Dont want you to get your fill of me right from the start, now do we?" Giggling softly she pulled him down onto the bed next to her and rolled so that she could lay her head on his chest and close her eyes.

Benny couldn't help the sigh that escaped him. Might as well go back to the way they had been all this time. "You are going to drive me mad, Foxy Damei," he said absently and kissed her hair, wrapping one arm around her and putting his other hand behind his head to prop it up. She probably already had. Why else would he go against a man set on ruling the world, just to keep her safe?

"I'm sorry, believe me I want that...this...whatever. I just want to make sure its something we both want and will never regret it. Understand?" Propping her head up on her hand, Fox looked into Benny's eyes and blushed softly. "Its hard for me to sit here and not go ahead with what I want. It has been hard for years..." Placing her free hand on his chest she laid there with her body snug against his, completely happy with how they were together.

"I understand," Benny replied, stroking his fingers up and down her spine lazily. He tried to ignore the frustration that sent his blood rushing through his veins. He showed no outward signs of it though. He didn't want to upset her after all. "This is how it's always been, what's more time like this?" He seemed to be shrugging it off, so nonchalant. In truth, it was a little irritating, not that he'd tell her that. She wanted to put off something they had both just admitted they wanted for years. He sighed mentally. Oh well. Go on without it, as he always had, for her. It made him simmer inside, but yeah, he'd put it off.

"Benny..." Nuzzling his neck lovingly, Fox inhaled deeply as she hiked her leg up to drape it over Benny's. Clearing her throat she looked up into Benny's eyes and smiled softly. "Im trying to control myself here. I want you...I want you more than anything. But I dont want to end up pushing you away afterwards, you know? I mean...Maybe Im terrible at making love, what then? I just wasted your time..." Fox was very unsure of herself in this department, sure she'd had sex, but that was several hundreds of years ago.

Benny sighed out loud at that. "Fox, I don't care if you are the worst person on the planet at pleasuring me sexually, I wanted to do it for you." Ok, his frustration was showing in his voice. He averted his eyes to the ceiling, trying to calm down. When he thought it was safe to speak again, he continued. "If you aren't comfortable, we won't. That is exactly why we haven't all this time, and why, now, we will continue not to do so. Don't feel pressured, ok? We don't have to do anything, and we're not going to because you said no. We'll just.. wait a few hundred more years and maybe try again then." He chuckled at the joke, but it was weak and didn't last before he was frowning again, still staring at the ceiling.

Rolling her eyes, Fox climbed on top of Benny, straddling him. "Benny, shut up..." Leaning down she captured his lips with hers and kissed him lovingly. Running her fingers through his hair she smiled down at him. "I dont want to wait, I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't disappoint you. That would devastate me if I disappointed you." Pressing her forehead against his she frowned slightly. "I love you, Benny. I want to make you happy. And you are definitely not pressuring me."

Benny's arms wrapped around her and he rolled so he was on top again, laying between her legs, but still not kissing her, simply keeping their foreheads in contact. "Fox.. You can't honestly know if I'd be disappointed unless we do something about this," he told her seriously, his gold eyes holding hers steadily. "So you can live forever wondering, or you can try. Even if you were awful, I would love you no less." He smiled at her gently. "After all, I loved you without it, I would continue to do so. Now, if you have teeth down there and you bite it off, I would have to reassess how much I love you, yes, but.. I really don't think that's a possibility." He chuckled, but cut himself off. "It's.. not, is it?"

Fox burst out into laughter at his question. Placing a hand on either side of his face she looked him straight into the eyes and smiled. "No, Benny, I do not have...teeth down there." Giggling she shook her head. "And your right, I should have never been afraid of disappointing you when I've never tried." Wrapping her legs around his waist, Fox smiled seconds before kissing him deeply. Wrapping her arms around his neck she pulled him closer as her eyes drifted closed as she kissed him passionately. Her entire being was filled with love and compassion as she put herself out there for him to love how he wanted.

Benny kissed her back, groaning into her mouth as his heart felt like it was going to leap straight out of his chest in relief. His hands came to rest on her bare hips, his lips leaving a trail of small sweet kisses along her jaw and down her neck, taking his time and forcing himself to slow down, to enjoy this. Fingers hesitantly worked their way up her sides, across her ribs, his lips reclaiming hers in a slow, sensual kiss, his pulse quickening as he got so close.

And broke the kiss with a gasp, nearly jumping out of his skin at a knock at the door. "Who the hell...?" Then it clicked, and his expression went from a scowl at the interruption, to completely crestfallen. He looked apologetically into Fox's eyes. "Dash. I told him to come by to talk." He really hadn't anticipated what was happening to happen. He was definitely regretting the decision to have Dash come by this afternoon now.

Meanwhile, outside the door to their apartment, that separated home from work, Dash shifted impatiently. You only had to Step in on Fox naked once before your brother made you start knocking. He wished they'd answer, quickly. He had to speak to them! And they to him, apparently. That's also why he was here. He hoped they weren't in the shower together or something. He knocked again. Oh, please answer!

Shoving Benny off of her, Fox giggled softly. "We have to let him in." Traipsing over to the doorway she hollered out of the bedroom. "Come on in, Dash!" Looking over at Benny she gave him a seductive look and a good once over. He may still be clothed but damn was he yummy! Smiling happily she moved over to her closet and pulled a lovely eye catching blue sundress the fit snugly against her body. Walking back over to Benny she kissed his lips and whispered into his ear. "Maybe later you can explore underneath this..." Standing she twirled around, allowing the dress to rise a little ways up her thighs. Grinning over her shoulder at Benny, she walked out of the bedroom in search of Dash.

Benny groaned so painfully it was almost a growl and he collapsed back onto the bed. "Tease!" he shouted after her. He wasn't mad, but he was definitely going to need a minute before he joined them.

The front door opened and a very rattled looking Dash stepped in, closing the door behind him. He glanced at Fox. "You look nice," he said absently before shuffling over to the couch and collapsing there, his elbows rested on his knees and his head lowered. It was a moment before he looked up again, his face distracted. "Benny said you wanted to talk to me?" He looked around, even more confused now. "Where is he?"

"Why thank you," Twirling around she stopped suddenly. Fox saw the distraction and confusion in Dash and walked over to him and sat down beside him. "He'll be with us...when he can." Biting back a smile she turned to Dash and frowned slightly. "What's wrong Dash? And don't tell me, 'oh its nothing,' because I know you a hell of a lot better than that." Taking his hand in hers she smiled lovingly, as if a mother was consoling her child after just skinning their knee.

"I wouldn't dream of it," Dash assured her, but again it was distracted. Frowning, the thought how to ask, but then decided describing was probably best. "I think something is wrong with me. My heart keeps beating really hard in my chest, and my pulse is twice as quick and my breathing gets hard as if I've run a marathon." His frowned deepened, thinking on it, then looked into her eyes, desperate for an explanation. "I've never felt like that before."

"That doesn't just happen for no reason," Benny put in, catching Dash's attention instantly. He stood in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, and he seemed rumpled but calmed down. Frowning, the elder brother took the last seat on the couch, behind Fox, and wrapped his arms around her waist loosely, resting his chin on her shoulder after giving it a small kiss. "Did you meet someone new?"

"No!" Dash let go of Fox's hands with a frustrated sigh. "I just went home with Talia to see her apartment. I saw how she really looked, then I got sick. I don't understand it!"

Benny couldn't help snickering, burying his face against Fox's shoulder, must to the chagrin of his younger brother. He would let her handle this. He wasn't going to make it seriously. His baby brother was smitten, finally. It had to be one of the cutest things he'd ever seen. He had hoped this would happen, but he had kind of hoped Dash would understand.

Fox swatted Benny's shoulder and told him to hush before she turned back to Dash and smiled warmly. "Well honey. I believe that means your...in love. That's exactly what happened to Benny and myself." Knowing Benny wasn't going to be much help she went on. "Did her true form trigger this...unease?" She sat there listening intently, knowing almost instantly what his response would be.

"I.. guess?" Dash's face was contorting as he tried to recall the incidents. "I mean... I was looking at her when it happened. I.. I..." His face went from overly thoughtful, to shocked, to crestfallen. He buried his face in his hands. "Oh god." His words were muffled. "I'm in love with Talia?" Yes, it was a question. He honestly couldn't believe it. He had known her for... how long? Long enough to realize this at least. As he thought about it though, he hadn't given Talia much thought. He hadn't given anyone besides Fox and Benny much thought, and they were his family. He hadn't even realized that Talia existed as anything special. "How could this have happened..." At least Benny had stopped laughing, but still hadn't looked up. He still had the urge to tease him and he wanted to be sensitive in this pressing moment. Best to stay silent.

Sliding closer to Dash, Fox wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him close. Kissing his head she smiled softly. "You can't really plan these things, Dash. They really just happen, obviously, since you had no clue it was even happening." Running a hand up and down his back she frowned slightly. She just hoped nothing would cause him pain, Talia included. "Do you not...do you not want to love someone?"

"What?" Dash's head shot up and he blinked at Fox. "Of course! I mean, if it ever happened. It's not like I was avoiding it! I just.. didn't think about it, that's all. It didn't really seem relevant, running from Rafe and then the police and all." He sighed, burying his face again. "How can I be in love with her now? I've known Talia.. a long time. How is now any different? And if it's JUST how she looks, that's rather shallow. Am I shallow???" His head shot up again. "I just love her for how she looks??"

"Calm down Dash, you are going to have an aneurism," Benny told his brother, frowning with concern. The younger man honestly looked like he was going to have a panic attack. "It doesn't matter really one way or another if you love her. Do you want to act on it? That's what matters now."

Dash groaned, burying his face one more time. "I'm supposed to share a bed with her tonight," he admitted dejectedly.

Benny's eyebrows rose. "Wow, you move quick little brother-"

"I didn't mean like that!" Dash snapped without looking up. "What if.. What if I like.. touch her... in my sleep? I don't want her to get the wrong idea." He dropped his hands limply between his knees and stared at nothing, his expression miserable. "I don't want to lead her on." He sighed, closing his eyes. "I so wasn't ready for this."

"I'll say," Benny agreed with his brother bluntly, his expression deadpan.

"Dash, honey, I hate to tell you but its probably too late there." Sighing, Fox ran a hand through her hair. "You really just need to talk to her about this. Its not my place to say." Sitting back against the couch she looked over her shoulder at Benny and frowned slightly. "Be nice..." Tapping her fingers on her knee for a moment she looked back at Benny. "Most people aren't ready for something so...sudden as this. You and Benny both were the same way. Its just, extremely sudden for your kind."

Benny nodded in agreement. "We just know things Dash. Mother and Father had the same bond. You can choose to fight it, or deny it, but you won't find anyone else who makes you feel that way, it's a fact."

Dash groaned, lowering his head even more. "Outstanding..." After a moment, he shifted so he could lean back into the corner of the couch and look at them both. "I can't just rush into something like that though. I mean.. just because I'm attracted to her doesn't mean we'd even work as a couple. What if all she does is annoy me? Or I annoy her? What if all we do is.. is that and that's the extent of our romantic relationship? What if other than.. that... nothing changes? That's not what I wanted from a relationship."

Again, his older brother nodded. "Dash, you are always going to worry things like that, and as I said, you can choose to ignore it. But there's no harm in asking her out, is there? Try giving it a go. If it doesn't work out, then she'll move on and you'll... well you'll cope, and I'll help. It's not as bad as it seems. It's just your nature asserting its knowledge. Knowing something doesn't mean you have to act on it though."

---

Just outside the city, an angry blue demoness was leaving large gashes in a concrete barrier as she walked. Aleia tried to calm the demon, but it was too much for her to control. The demon didn't trust people for a reason, and Al now had the job of handling the backlash of what had happened. To make things worse, now that they were outside the city, the demon wanted nothing more than to go back and feast again.