Second floor day 2

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Bar room

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"All I'm saying is, I don't see why you choose to work for a woman who'd just barge in here, screaming at you, because she didn't get enough beauty sleep." Rhett remarked as he sipped on his newly refilled Mudslide.

"Hehe Fern is special to me..if you don't understand..perhaps you need a new boss." Graham replied as Blaze came in and sat down he had a bunch of papers.

Rhett shrugged. "A boss is a boss, to me. Didn't even have one until Lil saved my sorry hide from becoming one with the pavement." He gave Graham a crooked grin. "What? Do you owe Miss Banshee something?"

"Pfft haven't heard that nickname...Hmmm it balances out I think...like it should...but what is it like to have a boss whom doesn't care about you nor you him?" Graham asked.

"Suits me fine. I'm more of a brawler than a consultant." Rhett remarked. "Too much being nice to people I'd rather slice up for my tastes... But I owe Lil, I guess."

"So your only working for Luki because of Lilly? Aren't there other ways of paying her back?" Graham asked.

"Eye for an eye..." Rhett chuckled and gestured to his eye patch with a crooked grin. "So to speak. She saved my life, I'm her bodyguard. Problem is, she doesn't need much guarding, so my debt's as full as the day I started."

"Sounds hard....Hmmm you don't seem in much of a hurry to pay off what you owe." Blaze said looking over some papers.

"Guess not, huh?" Rhett drank a bit more of his mudslide. "It's not like my job's that hard, though. Doesn't matter too much to me, either way~"

"Is Miss Lilly a human..or alien?" Graham asked curiously.

Rhett blinked at Graham. "...Honestly? I'm only operating under the assumption she's female."

Graham looked shocked for a momment. "O..Oh...wait does that mean you wouldn't know if she was a girl or boy if she was flat chested?"

"She already doesn't have much up there." Blaze said from his papers.

Rhett raised an amused eyebrow at Graham. "Figure doesn't always mean anything. I've met some curvy men before. Come to think of it... Do even have proof that your Miss Fern is a 'Miss'?" He smirked crookedly. "From what I heard your boss can be quite the trickster when she wants to be~"

Graham burst out laughing. "haha I have known MISS Fern for most my live..haha She is in fact a miss....even if she doesn't always act like it."

"Owww~ have you been a pervy kitten Graham?" Blaze asked glancing up.

"I have done anything 'Pervy', I didn't intend for it." Graham replied.

Rhett blinked before laughing himself. "You were accidently pervy, then? Do tell~"

"He had a bad habit of climbing through windows when he gets bored." Blaze said hiding his grin behind his notes.

"Ah~ So you're the one Lil was steaming about, earlier." Rhett gave Graham a crooked grin. "Kudos~ Was my aforementioned assumption correct?"

"Barely." Graham replied before adding. "But I got out of there quickly."

"Pfffft...Kitty needs snipped?" Blaze asked.

Rhett burst out laughing. "Haheh S-so cruel~ I love it~"

"Ahhhh...I..I got you this job you can't!" Graham his ear gave a nervous twitch and stayed against his head.

"I don't know...Miss Fern would probably allow me~" Blaze replied.

Rhett continued laughing. "F-from what I can t-tell...Haheh, you're job is the only thing secure for you~"

"Oh dear he didn't get you drunk did he?" Lilly asked as she came in.

"Not yet!" Graham hummed.

"Lil, this cat gets in so much trouble! It's hilarious~"

"Where do think 'Curiousity killed the cat' comes from?" Lilly replied seting down. "Same as yesterday."

"Alright." Graham replied his tail flicked.

"Hm, I believe that particular saying is a bit older than he is, Lil." Rhett responded.

"Maybe a smiched." Lilly replied as Graham gave her the sunrise.

"I'm actully rather young." Graham said.

"Really? The white hair's misleading." Rhett teased.

"Ehh I've had white hair since I was a wee lil baby." Graham said patting his hair.

"So you're a persian, then? Or just white?"

"-_- just white." Graham replied.

"Did he sound kinda irish to you a moment ago...Graham..hmm doesn't sound Irish." Lilly said.

"I think it had more to do with the phrase than the voice, wee lass~" Rhett replied.

"Hehehe Perhaps your right." Lilly replied taking a sip of her sunrise.

"Seriously, though," Rhett turned to Graham, "how do you manage to not walk around with a black eye or something all day? Haheh..."

"He's actually really good at talking people out of things...and he's fast." Blaze answered for Graham.

"I imagine he'd have to be." Rhett laughed.

"And I'm lovable!" Graham added.

"Lovable my A**" Lilly laughed.

Rhett smirked crookedly at Lilly's wording. "Not sure I wanted to know that about you, Lil..."

Lilly blushed as she punched him in the arm. "Right wording's really important around you."

Rhett raised an eyebrow at her. "Shouldn't you know that by now?"

"I'm alittle tippsy leave me alone if I forget one or two things." Lilly replied.

"After one drink? Who knew little Lil was a lightweight~"

"This is a bid a** shot glass!" Lilly replied.

"She also swears more when she's tippsy." Blaze said.

"It only seems like more if there's an authority figure in the room." Rhett snickered. "And since the two of you are fairly high up with the new boss..."

"Ahh I dont have to be no kiss A** if I dont wantta." Lilly stated.

"wow she's got a bit of a temper.." Blaze mumured.

"Yeah, that's not new, either." Rhett gave Blaze a crooked smirk.

Lilly punched him again. "Oh I'm sorry I might bruise your pretty lil skin."

"...I don't think vampires can bruise, Lil."

"Good then I can keep hitting you." Lilly said with a smile as she took another sip.

"...It appears my arguement had a fatal flaw." Rhett remarked as he finished his drink.

"Indeed." Graham agreed looking at Lilly.

"And on that note," Rhett looked mournfully into his glass, "my drink has officially joined the dearly departed~"

"Oh no! Well he left a twin behind so here you go." Graham replied setting a full glass infront of him.

"Ah~" Rhett took a sip of his drink and raised it as if in a toast. "You, sir Cat, are a master of the drink."

"Thank you."Graham bowed.

"Uhh mmm soo booorrreeeddd...Graham drink." Darryl mubbled as he came in.

"Red wine?"

"Yes of course." Darryl replied.

"Is drinking a good idea for someone of your temperment?" Rhett asked Darryl.

"Graham only gives me have a glass...and besides my temperment isn't bad." Darryl replied.

"You're just luckly Blaine was there earlier." Blaze said very quietly.

"Ooh~ Is that the opening line to some delectible gossip I hear?" Rhett gave Blaze a crooked grin.

"Fraid not." Blaze replied.

Rhett pouted. "Is keeping co-workers out of the loop standard procedure?"

"It just isn't that interesting....although earlier I did her a certain cat yell rape after a a certain high ranking werewolf went into the room...what was that about Graham?" Blaze asked as Graham choked on some water he was drinking.

"High-ranking werewolf? Hopefully not the one we were discussing earlier..." Rhett's one eye zeroed on Graham.

"Umm well he tackled me....and covered my mouth." Graham said.

"Brhahaha Mark raped you?!" Lilly asked.

"No I just yelled that to make him uncomfortable!" Graham stated.

"Ah. Well, it seems like a sound plan, I'll give you that much." Rhett took a sip of his mudslide, mildly disappointed that they were talking about Mark, but still entertained by the notion.

"Aww Not too interesting....now if he ACTAULLY did try and rape you...that would be interesting!" Lilly giggled.

"Actually, it occurs to me that Mark seems to be a rather strong man...We probably wouldn't see Graham up on his feet and serving people so soon after~"

"O///O You had to talk about..didn't you Blaze?" Graham asked clearly embarrassed.

"Would have been more interesting if it was Fern who made you scream." Darryl hummed as Blaze snickered.

"My thoughts exactly~" Rhett agreed with Darryl.

"Hehehe owwwwww~ Or if it was Desmond." Darryl seemed very amused by this thought.

"Hahahaha Now that would be something!" Blaze laughed.

"You mean the red-eyed one who refuses to wear a shirt?" Rhett laughed.

Darryl and Blaze looked at each other. "Yep that's Desmond."

Rhett grinned crookedly. "Ah~ Thought that was how he introduced himself to that lady about an hour ago..."

"Hmm You probably won't see the young lady for another few hours." Graham mused.

"Pffft What's so special bout a B*****d like him?" Lilly asked giggling.

"Hell if I know, Lil." Rhett rolled his eye at her. "It's not like I swing that way."

"Hmmm I wouldn't P*** at him." Lilly said finishing off her sunrise.

"Well that's a new one." Graham snickered.

"Only because you just met her~" Rhett snickered along with Graham.

"Ah!" Lilly punched his arm again. "I'm a beautiful perfect young lady!"

"Whom cusses and punchs..yep you sure are a young lady." Graham snickered as he started making her another glass.

"Well, isn't that the definition of a lady?" Rhett teased.

"HUh!! You..You're awful! I'm sweet and fragile!!" Lilly declared as she punched him.

"...Fragile, eh?" Rhett snickered as he rubbed his shoulder.

"Man, last I checked fragile flowers didn't hit people." Graham snickered handing Lilly the drink she was reaching for.

"Every flower has it's day." Lilly said as she started rubbing Rhett's shoulder for him. "It'll be fine."

"I know~" Rhett said smugly. "Thanks for the massage, though~"

"O.O....You..You tricked me!!" Lilly punched his arm hard. "Humph massage it yourself!"

"Aw~ But you do it so well..." Rhett gave her a crooked grin, knowing he wouldn't be able to keep a straight face long enough to pout.

"Do you like pain?!" Lilly asked giving him a glare.

"Nope~ Just enjoy p****ing you off~" Rhett said. "Only when you're drunk, though. You're scarier when you're sober..."

"=____= Fine carry me I'm tired." Lilly getting up.

"...Since when was that in my job description?" Rhett asked as he stood and scooped her up to carry her.

"Hehehe Thank you." Lilly said not answering his question.

"Where to, Lil?"

"My bed room. *yawn*"

Rhett headed towards Lilly's room, nodding to Graham and the two present Grecos as he passed.

---

Rhett snickered to himself as he walked into the bar room.

"~Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream! Make him/her/ the cutest I've ever seen!! Oh Mr. Sandman.." Graham, Darryl and a drunk Vampire sang linking arms. The Vampire was singing in a deep tone wich clashed with Darryl's high feminine tone.

Rhett turned to Blaze. "...Wasn't aware we had a karaoke bar~ You wouldn't happen to have any earplugs, though, would you?"

The trio stopped. "Oh do want to join?!" Graham asked happily.

"Ah...No. I think I'll stick to drinking, thank you."

"Alright." Graham handed him a drink. "Hmm what song should we do next..."

"Oh me angainst the world!!" Darryl declared.

"Uhh NO!! I say House of the rising sun!!" The drunk Vampire declared as Blaze shook his head.

"...You do know what that song's about, right?" Rhett asked his fellow vampire after taking a sip of his drink.

"Uh doesn't matter as long as it has a beat...I know. ~Now everybodys dead, so tell our tears are dry we're drink, throw up, pass out, then go drinking once again!!.." The Vampire began.

"No, no, no you have to start from the start!" Graham stated.

"I take it this is normal, as well?" Rhett asked Blaze.

"It usually only happens on Sundays...pffft it's our church." Blaze replied as the finished a song. "Amen..pfffffft"

"Right... Easter Sunday started a few minutes ago, didn't it? Well Amen, then." Rhett drank more of his mudslide.

"HAPPY EASTER!!" Graham & Darryl cheered.

"...Bring on the sundresses, painted eggs, and people in bunny costumes." Rhett said, taking another gulp of his drink.

The Grecos and Graham looked at eachother before bursting out laughing. "Cou..could you..picture Miss Fern..hahaha in a sundress?!" He asked between laughs.

"...It doesn't seem to be an unpleasant image. Am I missing something?" Rhett blinked his one eye.

"No it isn't anything unpleasant it's just a matter of...never going to happen." Graham chuckled.

"Owwwww~ so that's how you feel about Lady Fern!" Darryl cooed.

Rhett gave Darryl a look. "Care to elaborate?"

"Well Graham has known her since he was what twelve? So it's no surprise he'd get a crush on her! <3" Darryl hummed

"Wh...What are you talking about?!! That's sick! She's like a sister! >:O" Graham stated.

"Well, you were more certain of her being female than Lil... Makes me wonder how good a look you got~" Rhett teased with a crooked smirk.

">///////>...........It...Isn't like that....I promise..." Graham said slowly sinking into deppression.

"Oh~ Then how is it?"

">:] like I said she is like a sister to me!!" Graham replied.

"...A sister you only met twelve years into your life and saw naked?"

"ACK!! IT ISN'T LIKE THAT!! IT...It only happened once!! IT WON'T HAPPEN EVER AGAIN!!" Graham said tearing.

"What is she really that bad looking?" Blaze asked.

"ACK! NO SH-SHE LOOKS FINE!!" Graham replied.

"She looks fiiine~ huh?" Rhett snickered back at Graham.

"I didn't say it like that." Graham replied when a smirk came across his face and he looked back up. "But if you really want to know....She is above everyone in this room's expectations and could make you drop dead with a single word."

"O.O Wow that's a new side of Graham." Darryl stated as Graham hummed and went to cleaning the counter.

Rhett shrugged. "Least we know what he thinks about, now~ Guess it wasn't just a glance..." He grinned at Darryl.

"I guess so..hehehe." Darryl glanced over at Graham.

"A glance is all you need....it truly is amazing what your mind can do with just a glance...or a second." Graham stated.

"Ah~ So your mind was what concocted that." Rhett took a sip. "Seems even more telling, wouldn't you agree?" He asked Darryl, Blaze and the other vampire.

All three nodded. "Dirty, dirty, kitty." Blaze snickered.

"Perhapes..that is what I suggested...but I could've been lying this whole time...then again why would I draw so much attention to something like that." Graham said before getting the other Vampire another glass. "What fun we're having! <3"

Rhett laughed. "You're too good at this~ But at least I came close to tripping you up, this time."

"What's up?" Blaine asked as he walked in.

"Your just in time for fun!!" Graham song.

"And since you just walked in, you get to be our neutral third party~" Rhett grinned crookedly at Blaine. "The game is that we're trying to figure out how much of what was said is true. So my first question is: What's the most certain way of telling a person's gender?"

"Seeing them naked of course." Blaine replied as Darryl got a nervous look.

"So if a man were to see two supposed-to-be-women naked and said that one was 'barely' female while the other was described as 'definately' female, what would that mean?" Rhett cocked his head in an almost innocent manner.

"He would have had to see both the females naked..." Blaine replied eyeing Rhett as if to ask what was going on.

"Alright, more specifically, the man claims to have only seen the two women naked in passing, yet was still able to make such a distinction. What does that say about the man?" Rhett clarified.

"He's perv who kept staring. -____-" Blaine replied.

"Ah~ But he insists that he only saw them once each and only for a moment. And when he elaborated on the appearance of the one that he said was 'definately female', he later went on to say that it's amazing what the mind can come up with a mere glance~ What does that say about the man?" Rhett smirked crookedly, having fun.

"Graham...who did you see naked?" Blaine asked turning to Graham.

Oh Sh** he found out already! Graham thought before answering. "You know I'm no peeking tom!"

"But if he is, we know he has a preference for blondes~" Rhett laughed.

"...Blondes?..who's the blondes?" Blaine asked, as Graham looked slightly scared.

"According to our expert here," Rhett gestured to Graham, "as far as females go, Lil only barely qualifies, but the boss-lady on the other hand... How did you phrase it, again?" He grinned crookedly at the werecat as he took a sip of his drink. "'Is above everyone in this room's expectations and could make you drop dead with a single word', right?"

Blaine went from a playful look, to shocked, then p***ed. "You're disgusting...Gray ham.....Does Lady Fern know that you were watching her?"

"Ack! It isn't like that...and if it was anyone else you'd agree...and yes she does because I apolgized as soon as I saw her." Graham turned to Rhett with a smile. "I only said that to mess with you and the other people here."

"Ah~ But you were blushing so brightly beforehand~" Rhett smirked at Graham before turning to Blaine. "'If it was anyone else', eh? You certainly think highly of the boss-lady, then~"

"Uhh..Of course I do...she's a strong person and a great boss." Blaine stated before giving Graham a death glare.

"Hehahaha That's not completely true!! You also have a bi..hehe well it's soooo easy to tell..that I won't even bother to finish the statement." Darryl stated.

"So I was detecting a tinge of something else, eh~" Rhett snickered to Darryl.

"What?! That isn't the case...*Sigh* I simply hate creeps." Blaine said grabbing Graham and dragging him.

"0.0 Ack! Where are you taking me?!"

Blaine smirked. "To the lion's den."

"'Lion's den'?" Rhett echoed curiously.

"Oooooowww!~ Mark's gonna kill you~" Darryl hummed.

"Boss-lady's brother?" Rhett blinked and stood up. "Mind if I tag along to watch~"

"Sorry they can't have any witnesses." Darryl mused as they left.

Rhett sat down and continued drinking. "Shame..."

"I gotta go...Blaze take over making drinks for the good men." Darryl chirped.

"Alright." Blaze replied stepping behind the counter.

---

Rhett sat back and enjoyed his drink as he waited for news of Graham's punishment or aquittal.

"Hmmm I can hear Graham...He's talking to Lady Fern." Graham stated.

"Awww he got saved~..:'(" Darryl pouted.

"I wonder why he was spared..." Rhett pondered.

"Sorry for my leave. Is there any....Blaze get the h*** away from my drinks." Graham gave Blaze a slight glare as the demon went back to his seat and Graham went back to his usual place behind the counter.

"Territorial, aren't you?" Rhett chuckled.

"It's my bar...so that makes it my castle!" Graham stated with pride.

"I thought it was 'a man's home is his castle'..or something like that." Darryl thought aloud.

"I suppose he's at home at his bar..." Rhett replied to Darryl before turning to Graham. "So, how'd it go~"

"It went well...alls-well-that-ends-well, and all that!" Graham cheered.

"Oh, come on~ Give us some details!" Rhett grinned crookedly at Graham.

"It is rather boring...I'd rather keep things interesting." Graham replied as Desmond came in.

Rhett turned to Desmond. "Well you missed out on all the excitement~"

"Did I now? I happen to have a guest Nova sent with me." Desmond stated before turning to Graham. "Where is Miss Fern?"

"Sorry she just retired for the night...would you like me to get her?"

"That's alright I'll talk to her in the morning..a woman needs her rest." A woman with white/silver hair that was somewhat covered by a black hat stated. She looked to be in her early twentys about 5'4 and had a knee length black dress on.

"A guest of Nova's? A patient one, what's more~" Rhett chuckled. "How refreshing~"

"Is it really that rare?" The woman chuckled as she asked.

"Patience isn't something the aristocrat types are known for~"

"Hehehe yes Nova does seem to hate waiting." The woman chuckled then glanced around the room. "A bar? Rather odd that the higher ranking would be here."

"Don't worry, we make sure to have at least four of us have a clear head." Graham replied his ears and tail were slightly fluffed.

"I doubt you'd ever count as a 'clear head'." Rhett smirked crookedly at Graham's agitation.

The woman smirked as she turned to Graham. "Have we met?"

"No."

"That was rather quick response?" She pressed.

"I..just think I'd rememeber meeting some that looks like you." Graham replied.

"He's right~ You are a rather striking woman." Rhett grinned crookedly.

"Thank you...but I'm sure I'm no more striking then Fern is." The woman said. The fact that she addressed Fern with just the name seemed to surprise most the people in the room.

"You and Miss Fern are striking in diffrent ways." Desmond stated.

Rhett shrugged. "I've no opinion on the matter~ I only got a good look at the boss-lady once, and I'm fairly certain she wasn't at her best~"

"Hehe oh? Did she have bed hair?" The woman asked with a slight grin.

"Actually, yeah! She came in here shrieking about how we were all too loud and interrupting her nap~" Rhett grinned back.

"Hehe sound like the poor thing needed her beauty sleep! Oh I'm Celest by the way." Celest said reaching out her hand for Rhett.

"Nice to meet you, Celest. I have to go..I'll be back." Graham said leaving. It almost looked like was angry for a bit.

"Indeed she did~" Rhett snickered. He shook Celest's hand. "Rhett."

"Pleasure." Celest replied.

"Soo..what is your specialty...Miss Celest?" Darryl asked crossing it's legs as it sit at the bar.

"Oh.. Well, memory manipulation...And..hmm let's say you had a nightmare of a fire breathing dragon that spit acid..I could make it come to live using your memories." Celest replied.

"Ah~ A psychic type~ You've been aptly named." Rhett complimented.

"Thank you....Did I hurt the kitten's feelings?" Celest asked putting on a fake pout.

Rhett let out a fake sigh. "I'm afraid so. And so soon too~" He grinned crookedly at her. "I've been trying to accomplish that for hours~"

"Hahaha upsetting Graham isn't that easy...perhaps he really does have something to take care of." Desmond stated with a grin.

"That so? Guess I'll have to try harder...Although..he does seem rather familiar." Celest tapped her cheek in thought.

"You and me both~" Rhett snickered. "He does?"

"Oh I remember now! It was sooo long ago I tried to play a game with him. D*** cat is sneaky." Celest said gazing at the door.

"A Game?" Desmond and Darryl echoed.

"What kind of game?" Rhett smirked.

"Simple game...throw a few people into a room filled with gas, lets say four people, have three gasmask and a weapon..then have the gasmask disappear one by one." Celest stated with a slight grin.

"A-and Graham was...in one of these games?" Desmond asked.

"Yes." Celest replied blankly.

"Sounds brutal~" Rhett grinned.

"I only made it slightly brutal...they did the rest." Celest grinned.

"A..and what did Graham..do in that Game?" Darryl asked.

"He killed all the others besides some kid...I still dont know how he broke out."

Rhett frowned slightly. "But he spared the kid?"

"Yes...I found it rather odd..he even defended the kid from the other people." Celest said before adding. "I've seen families kill each other...so why wouldn't he kill a stranger?"

"Pft. Some people have it stuck in their heads that kids are pure and whatnot." Rhett rolled his eye. "They forget that they're just people. No such thing as an innocent."

"No...that wasn't it....I just couldn't kill something so adorable!<3" Graham stated walking back in.

What the H*** is up with this guy?...how can act so happy? Celest wondered before speaking. "Is that so? what about after it got that nasty lil wound...it wasn't so adorable then..now was it?"

Rhett kept his full attention on the werecat's reaction.

"Hmph..hehehahahaha! No I guess not...but I still beat you at your own game...what better way to break then escaping with another person?...Must have been pretty angrying." Graham was smiling and looking Celest dead in the eyes.

Celest looked shocked and angry for a moment before regaining her refined look. "True...but I'm sure there's more to it then that."

"Well, you said it yourself," Rhett started as he finished his drink, "he's a sneaky kitty~"

Graham refilled Rhett's drink before looking over at Darryl. "What the H***'s wrong with you...Don't look at me like I went through something bad..It was nothing but a minor annoyance."

"Uhh r-right." Darryl replied as Celest shot Graham a look of wonder and annoyance.

"'Minor annoyance', eh?" Rhett smirked as he sipped his fresh drink.

"You seemed pretty freaked out at first for it being a minor annoyance!" Celest laughed.

"Hehehaha Of course! At first most new things freak people out." Graham replied.

"So I take it you were as much of a furry ball of sunshine then as you are now?" Rhett asked.

"I suppose...I would hope so at least." Graham replied.

Rhett raised an eyebrow. "Well, that seems vague."

"I don't really think about the past anymore...I stopped thinking of the past along time ago." Graham said.

"Then what do you think of?"

"The future...and present...and of rainbows and sunshine!" Graham hummed.

"Can't you take anything seriously?" Celest asked.

"Aside from his bar?" Rhett hummed. "I'm afraid not even his boss is spared~"

"I don't like being serious....it just isn't me..it doesn't suit me." Graham said with a smile.

"I suppose..." Rhett said.

"Uh? Oh Miss Haniko is outside..I'll take care of her." Blaze hummed as he got up and headed out.

"Princess? What's she doing up at this hour? Shouldn't kids be sleeping in or something?" Rhett took another sip.

"I've already slept." Haniko said stopping Blaze from shutting the door.

Rhett raised an eyebrow. "Your point?"

Haniko pulled a picture out of a pocket on her dress and walked to Celest. "Have you seen this?"

"Hmm I think I saw her a few years back...it was already half dead so I didn't bother to pay much attention to it." Celest replied

"You shouldn't be here, princess. Too young to drink." Rhett remarked.

Haniko shot Rhett a glare. "Like I'd want my head fogged like that." She turned her attention back to Celest. "Where did you see him?"

"District 10 I think."

"District 10 is practically a government swarm." Said a voice from the doorway. "Halfway between the mess in 12 and the shady business in 8, that place has had more serviellance vehicles and patrol units pass through it weekly than there are hairs on Vic's head." Fern stepped into the room with a satin yellow button-up, dark skinny jeans, and black Mary Jane heels and turned her gaze to Graham and the Grecos. "Speaking of serviellance, we still have an entire forest to set up traps and tracking devices in."

Blaze tapped on the papers in front of him. "Just tweaking a few things....we'll get started on it before the day ends."

"Glad to hear it." Fern said before turning to Haniko. "Now what's this about District 10?"

"It's where Yuki was last seen....probably where he got picked up by the gov." Haniko replied.

"Most likely, if he's strong enough to attract attention." Fern replied before smiling at Celest. "Hello. I don't believe we've met. I'm Fern."

"Celest. It's a pleasure to meet another one of Nova's dogs." Celest replied with a smile.

"Dogs?.." Darryl echoed.

Fern's lips twitched for a moment. "Werewolf, actually~"

Rhett smirked crookedly at the scene and turned to murmu to Graham: "I guess a bit of beauty sleep does make a difference, eh?"

"She's not even fully rested." Graham replied keeping his eyes fixed on Fern and Celest.

"I see~ A vampire and werewolf....both doing Nova's dirty work." Celest hummed. "Though..I do have a question...how many pieces do you think there is to this game of chess?"

"Does it matter?" Fern replied. "From what I understand, Nova has influence over both sides of the board."

"Ahh. But that isn't entirely true..you see this has too many players to be a chess game anymore it is more a game of...Chinese checkers at this point." Celest giggled.

"That seems to imply a drastic change in the rules." Fern said.

Celest got a crooked smile. "Of course! Soo.....are you still trying to play chess?"

Fern smiled back at Celest. "Actually, I've never been one for board games. Graham and I have a preference for cards, instead." She turned to the werecat. "Isn't that right, kitty?"

"Indeed." Graham replied with a slight smile.

"Hehehe this should be interesting then." Celest hummed before adding. "But I guess that is to be expected from Nova's Joker."

"Well, that's a new one~" Fern smirked.

"You're good at getting nicknames Miss Fern." Haniko said looking over Celest.

"Apparently." Fern mused to Haniko before addressing Celest again. "Are you here to discuss business, then?"

"I came to inform you that one of your new recurits were a spy for one of the other players...but it appears that he already betrayed you." Celest replied.

"Which one?" Fern asked. "There were two that left together."

"The alien one.....but don't worry, the government just drank the posion for you." Celest chuckled. "Listen to me! Hehe I'm sounding more like that witch by the day!"

Fern chuckled. "I know what you mean~" She turned to Haniko. "Haniko, dear. Is there something you were planning to do, today?"

Haniko frowned slightly. "I can't decide between exploring the grounds or the underground chambers again."

"Well, I was going to ask Vic to sword-spar with you..." Fern glanced at said drunken, passed-out vampire. "Hm...Why don't you and Darryl survey the lake and try to brainstorm some ideas on how to use it to our advantage? Take Blaine with you, and try to avoid the locals, alright?"

"Alright. Good day, milady." Haniko bowed before leaving with Darryl.

Fern turned to Celest once Haniko left the room. "You look a little too important to come all this way just to inform me about a spy. Surely you have other people to handle such a task."

Celest smiled. "Is it wrong of me to want to see the lengendary Fern?! ;D"

"So this is a social visit?" Fern smiled as she took a seat. "That doesn't happen often~"

"Well..to be honest I'm hoping to learn more about Nova by seeing who she socializes with....so far I've only noticed that we all have a hatred for the government." Celest stated tapping her hat in thought.

"Of course~ A common goal is the most effective way to build a strong business relationship." Fern nodded. "And I'm afraid we don't socialize much. I'm more of an entertainer than a gal pal to Nova."

"Hahaha I don't beleive Nova's one for gal pals!" Celest laughed before going to her some what serious look. "Nova also isn't one to have just an entertainer...you must play another role in this."

"Really, now? I for one can't think of what that might be. The woman's a mystery to me." Fern smirked. "But you, I've heard of you~ Powerful, influential, off-and-on allies with Nova. More on than off, as of recent it seems, but from what I understand during your off days the two of you are rivals for territory, contracts and alliances, yes?"

"That is correct...not the wisest choice..Nova is not someone you want on your bad side...*sigh* But I never seem to be on her good side either."

Fern giggled. "I can imagine." She tapped a finger on the counter.

Graham seemed overjoyed as he came over with a bottle. "Look, my lady! I found a new brandy!"

"Hmm brandy sounds good right about now." Celest hummed.

"Ooh~ What kind of brandy?" Fern asked.

"Hmm." Graham sniffed it. "I beleive it is apple."

"Good selection~" Fern turned to Celest. "Would you like some?"

"Yes please." Celest replied as Graham filled two glasses for them.

"So how long are you planning to stay?" Fern asked as she took a sip.

"Long enough to get a good feel of the people Nova finds interesting." Celest replied sipping her brandy.

"Has anyone given you a tour, yet?"

"Desmond gave me one." Celest hummed. "This brandy is a bit stronger then most...but it tastes really good."

"Oh, Desmond did, huh?" Fern said, glancing at Desmond with a raised eyebrow before taking another drink of the brandy. "Graham doesn't believe in weaker drinks~ I pity those with low alcohol tolerances that step into this bar."

Celest glanced at Vic. "And those who don't know when they've had enough. Desmond was quite a polite tour guide."

"True." Fern smirked. "Oh, I'd never doubt how polite Desmond can be."

"Hehe He seems like quite the ladies' man." Celest snickered.

"Haha I wouldn't say that..." Desmond chuckled.

"But most people would, eh?" Rhett snickered.

Desmond shrugged. "I don't know why."

"Sure you don't~" Celest snickered.

"The man's powers of persuasion are a force to reckon with~" Fern giggled.

"Hmmm I don't know Mr. Scribbles over there I think is cuter." Celest smirked.

Blaze's head shot up. "What?!"

Fern started laughing. "I said Desmond was persuasive, not that he's always successful in it~ That would be Blaze. He's the mind behind most of the strategies and blueprints of the Greco four."

"I see~" Celest giggled.

"I...I simply do my job." Blaze stated blushing slightly.

"And he does it well." Fern nodded as she sipped some more.

"So it would appear~" Celest hummed taking another sip.

"Thank you." Blaze replied with a very slight smile as he went back to his papers.

"I think you embarrassed him a little~" Fern whispered to Celest, starting to get a little buzzed.

"Hehehe maybe a lil." Celest replied as Graham topped off their glasses.

"It's amusing~ I don't think in all the years I've known the Grecos I've ever seen Blaze embarrassed..." Fern mused as she sipped her drink.

"YES! I WIN!" Celest cheered.

Fern giggled. "Was there some sort of race I didn't know about? :P"

"Hmmm I don't know...probably somewhere..~" Celest mused.

Rhett snickered as he turned to Graham. "'Bout how drunk would you say they are, now?"

"Well they've gone through about two glass without relizing it...I'd say they're rather drunk." Graham seeming pleased as Blaine came in.

"Ah~ Then this should be fun~" Rhett grinned crookedly at Blaine. "Come to watch the show?"

"What show....Um...Miss Fern...are you okay?" Blaine looked rather worried for the drunken duo.

"Yep~" Fern giggled before looking at her glass. "Gra~aam~ I think Celest and I need refills!"

Graham quickly refilled their glasses.

"Sooooo~ who'd ya say is the cutest here?" Celest mused.

“Oh, that’s easy.” Fern rolled her eyes. “Have you ever seen Blaine bend over? He might not have his backside bared for all the world to see, but that view has got to be at least ten times better than Desmond’s abs~ And with those eyes, he doesn’t look too bad, coming or going~”

"Hmmm I see what you mean." Celest looking at Blaine then to Desmond.

"Wha-what! Umm per-perhapes you've had too much to drink..umm I'll take your glasses." Blaine his face nearly glowing red.

Desmond shot Blaine a death glare as Blaze started snickering.

"Awww. Why?" Fern pouted.

"Yeah, why?" Rhett pouted too. "It just got interesting~"

"Umm well you're..saying odd things." Blaine said giving Rhett a look as if to ask who's side he was on.

"Awwwwwww come on let her have her fun...besides I don't think she has said anything odd." Graham said adding a pout of his own.

"Nothing odd at all~ She's just expressing her preferences, and it seems her preference is you!" Rhett grinned crookedly at Blaine before turning to Fern. "Isn't that right boss-lady? You want green-eyes as your mate, eh?"

Fern took a sip of her drink and gave a thoughtful hum before addressing Rhett. “Nah~ I’m a businesswoman first and an entertainer second. There’s not much room for anything else, I think…” She frowned a little. “Besides, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him loosen up… If anything, he’s even tenser when I’m in the room. Sometimes he won’t even look me in the eye! I think I make him uncomfortable…”

"That's not it at all!!" Blaine said before slapping a hand over his mouth and taking a step back. "I....mean..You don't make me uncomfortable." He said slowly uncovering his mouth as he glanced down.

Graham simply patted him on the shoulder and whispered something to him.

Fern blinked innocently at Blaine in surprise as Rhett started laughing. "Hehah! Then what is it, eh?"

"I....You are a great boss and friend My Lady." Blaine said looking up with a smile.

"Aw, thank you, Blaine~ You're a great friend and employee." Fern smiled at Blaine, completely forgetting what they were talking about before while Rhett let out a groan of disappointment.

"Aren't you supposed to be with Darryl and the princess?" Desmond asked Blaine with slight annoyance in the tone.

"They're eating." Blaine replied giving Fern a smile.

"I suppose scouting out the lake went well?" Rhett asked in a bored tone.

"I have a few ideas for it.." Blaine said hand Blaze some papers.

"You know~ Blaze isn't bad looking either.." Celest mused.

"I guess the Grecos are just blessed with good genetics~" Fern shrugged.

"Graham is rather pleasent to the eyes too." Celest giggled as Graham started to choke.

"But the poor kitty gets into so much trouble~" Fern giggled along. "He's been my best friend for over a decade, though. The headaches are worth it~" She paused. "...Sometimes."

"We both know that is worth it all the time!" Graham laughed.

"Hmm....What kinda drunk is Gra'am?" Celest asked.

"He isn't. e_____e" Fern said. "Either that or he drinks an entire bottle of gin first thing in the morning and finds a way to maintain his blood-alcohol level without me noticing every day."

"Hehehe soo~ you've never seen him drunk?" Celest asked swooshing her brandy around in her cup as if it was wine.

"I don't get drunk Ma'am." Graham stated as he laced a glass by Blaze.

"I've seen him drink twice his weight in mojitos all at once before we were even of legal age to drink. He wasn't even buzzed." Fern sipped her brandy.

"e________e Are ya sure 'es a werecat?" Celest eyed Graham.

"...I can't really imagine what else he'd be. :/ As far as I know, there's no species out there where such alcohol tolerance is the norm." Fern blinked, giving Graham a curious look.

"Okay...you caught me...the planet I'm from doesn't have water we have wines and alcohols...when I was two was sent to this planet so I'd have a better life." Graham with a straight face as Blaine started to snicker.

"Well, I suppose that would explain the disproportionate fangs." Fern replied with an equally straight face.

"Drunk or not, she knows you well~" Rhett mused to Graham.

"IT'S NOT MY FAULT THEY HAVEN'T CAME IN YET!!" Graham whined as he started feeling his fangs as if to see if they've grown.

"HAHA BABY TEEETH! XD" Celest cheered causing the three Grecos to start laughing.

Fern snickered. "Don't worry about it, kitty~ When biting people becomes part of your job description, then it'll be an issue."

"Not good at fighting kitty?" Celest teased.

"He's pretty good at kicking..mainly because of the speed he can put behind it..and he's great at dodging." Desmond answered.

"It's all he ever needed~" Fern shrugged. "Fighting is really more Mark's job..."

"Yes but everyone needs to be able to defend themselves...other wise they don't have the right to live." Celest stated taking a sip of her brandy.

"Hmmm I suppose you would think that." Graham muttered. "I assure you..I know how to fight when the time comes..you should know that."

Fern frowned. "I never said he couldn't defend himself. He just doesn't use brute force to do so."

"Hmm okay....This is a big a** building....I know Nova has power...but just how high up there is she?!" Celest looking around the room.

"Rumor is over half the government works for her and most don't even know about it." Fern said dramatically before going into a wild fit of giggles. "Of course, there isn't even a single file that mentions her name in the military's possession, I'll bet~"

Celest giggled with her. "Perhaps not her REAL name..but perhaps one of her fake ones!" She laughed.

Fern continued giggling before a thought crossed her mind. "Oh! If you're staying for a while, did you chose a room, yet?"

"Desmond showed me what ones were in use...I'll choose one when I get tired. ^-^" Celest replied.

"Fair enough~ =^_^="

Rhett pouted. "Now they're boring."

"Oh you shut up! We can talk aboot whatever we want ay." Celest called her cheeks blushed as relized her posture.

"...At least the speech impediment is funny." Rhett shrugged and continued drinking.

"Ay! I dont ave a speech imped-inpa..YOU KNOW!!" Celest protested before splashing some brandy at him. "Teehehe ya need ta lighten up with some Branda!"

Rhett wiped the brandy off his face. "I think I've had enough to drink for now, thank you." He stood and headed for the door, smirking at Graham as he left. Don't think our little game is over, yet~

"Perhapes you've had enough Miss Celest...you just made my toy..er guest leave." Graham said taking the empty glass away from Celest.

"Any chance that was the same guest that got Blaine and Mark all riled up?" Fern asked.

"Hehehe...He's my new friend." Graham snickered.

"Hm. If you're sure you can handle him yourself, then fine." Fern shrugged and took another sip. "But at least I know who to shoot if Mark ever walks in with a new fur coat."

"Ack! He wouldn't! He loves me too much!" Graham stated.

"BRAHAHAHA!! LOVES YOU?!....That is truly odd..hmph..and funny." Celest snickered.

"Yeah, that's debatable, kitty. >____>"

"Really? I don't think so...Hehe cause we're a fam..er..hehehe you'll understand some day." Graham said.

Fern raised an eyebrow at Graham. "If you say so, kitty~ But you know as well as I do he doesn't always think things through when provoked." She snickered at a sudden thought. "As intimidating and observant as he can be, he's still my little brother; acting like he's five again whenever he gets tired and calling things he's uncomfortable talking about weird names~" Fern smiled to herself as she took another sip.

"He can be rather...cute sometimes." Graham said clearly thinking back to something.

"You're...an odd bunch...get so close to one an other..even though your changes of dying are rather high." Celest mumured.

"Not as high as you'd think~ We wouldn't have come this far if we were easy to take down." Fern smirked.

"True...and it always helps to have so many people on your side....but still getting close to people is probably unwise." Celest getting up. "Now if you excuse me, I've had a long day and wish to retire."

"Of course~" Fern nodded to her.

Celest bowed (which nearly caused her to fall on her face) before leaving.

Graham waited a bit before speaking. "What do you think of Miss Celest?"

"I think she asks a surprising amount of questions about Nova for a woman who's been rivals with her for so long~ And..." Fern gave Graham a serious look, "I know she makes you nervous. Keep your eyes open, kitty."

"Yes Ma'am....Perhaps...she intends to take Nova down." Graham said as his eyes narrowed.

"She does have a unsettling feel to her." Blaine said patting Graham's shoulder.

"Honestly? I'm too buzzed to tell for myself~ =^_^= But, obviously kitty has some prior experience with this one, and if both of you think something's wrong, then that's what I'm going with for now~" Fern giggled as she set down her glass. "Uh...I'm not sure if I want to start sobering up yet or not. :/"

"You don't have to yet!" Graham hummed refilling her glass.

"e____e You have been waiting for this day since the first time you got her drunk." Blaine said with a sigh as he reached to take the glass away.

"What did happen that day, anyways?" Fern asked. "I still can't remember a thing~"

"Oh you don't have to worry! That was all in the past!" Graham cooed.

Fern blinked curiously at Graham and let Blaine take her glass.

"Let's just say you were rather entertaining...and if Nova truly wants a show she should just show up sometime when you're drunk." Desmond snickered.

Fern blinked. "...That's a good thing, right?"

Desmond thought for a moment. "Just fine." He said gently patting Fern's hair which caused Blaine to scoff.

Feeling her hair being patted, Fern leaned into Desmond a little. "Good~ =^_^="

Blaine looked from Desmond to Fern then back to Desmond. "Honestly...do you have such bad luck with females that you have to wait til they're drunk, before you can even try to touch their hair?"

"Hehe what's wrong Blaine...do you need your binkie?" Desmond chuckled with a sly smirk.

"Binkie?" Fern blinked, not sure what that word meant.

Blaine smiled and looked kindly at Fern. "Madam can you please move to the chair next to you?"

"Hmm? You can't play with your dirt in here Blay-blay." Desmond smirked.

"Okay~" Fern shifted to the other seat.

As soon as Fern was out of the way Blaine's fist made contact with Desmond's jaw. "I thought you'd like a little nap...*sigh* but I guess you weren't sleepy."

"D*** IT BLAINE!" Desmond exclaimed placing a hand on his jaw. "Perhaps we should take this outside."

"No...I'm done with you, but you can leave." Blaine said with a slight smile.

Fern blinked, not sure what just happened until it registered that Desmond was holding his jaw. "!!! Desmond, are you ok?"

"I'm quite alright, My Lady." Desmond replied with a smile

"Perhaps you two can get back to work...instead of leaving it all to me." Blaze spoke up as he stood and shot both his brothers a cold stare.

Fern smiled at Desmond before blinking at Blaze. "What do you mean? Graham and I always make sure that everyone works on whatever best suits their abilities~" She turned to Graham. "Right, kitty?"

Graham nodded with a smile.

Blaze held up his papers. "Graham, Desmond..." He now smirked. "Show time."

Fern recognized the papers. "Oh! Good luck~ =^_^="

Blaine sighed relieved as they left. "Perhaps you should sleep off the brandy."

Fern stretched her arms above her head. "Why? I'm not sleepy~"

"<__< Yeah, but you're pretty drunk." Blaine said.

"So?" Fern pouted as she clung to his arm. "Can't sleep if I'm not sleepy~"

Blaine blushed slightly at her grabbing his arm. "Well...it would get boring to stay in here...Have you really gotten a chance to look at the grounds?"

"Um... I think I've missed a few places. :/ Both in and out of the house..." Fern responded.

"It's not like you'll rememeber it...but you could finish looking around." Blaine looking her over as if measuring her blood-acohol level.

"Okay~" Fern nuzzled her cheek against Blaine's shoulder. "I overheard someone say we have a pool~ Is that true?" She blinked innocently at him.

"Yes...I do believe there's a pool out back." Blaine replied leading her out of the bar.

"How nice~ =^_^=" Fern said. "...Too bad I'll never use it. :/"

"*sigh* You really should make time to enjoy yourself!" Blaine said look a little worried about her. "....Not everything should have to do with work."

"I enjoy myself." Fern pouted. "I like talking to Graham and working with guns. Building things is something I've done since I was Haniko's age! I just.... >_______> _{I don't swim.}"

"Why not? It's fun!" Blaine gave her a cheerful smile.

"I can't wear a swimsuit! D: People will see my leg!" Fern appeared almost horrified at the idea.

Blaine thought for a moment. "I've seen some bathing suits that have really long skirts....I think I could make one.."

"Really?" Fern blinked at Blaine before clinging to him again. "Thank you~"

"Y-You're welcome. >///>" Blaine replied as he lead her down the stairs.

"Are you feeling alright?" Fern gave Blaine a worried look. "You're all red again."

"I-I'm fine." Blaine replied with a reassuring smile.

"...If you say so~" Fern smiled back. "Hey, what happened to Desmond earlier? It looked like his jaw was hurting. :/"

"Oh..Umm most likely he had it coming to him..whatever it was that happened."Blaine replied his smile took on a more smug look.

---

"Here we are!" Graham cheered as he opened the door.

"Graaaaa'aaaammmm!! We want drinks!" A guy and someone that could be a boy or girl whined.

"Bringing home strays?" Rhett asked with a crooked smirk. "Does the boss-lady know?"

"Celest is the one who brought him. I'm simply helping him relax...Oh and Todd is not a stray." Graham replied stepping behind the counter as he let go of Todd's hand. "Now Mudslide, cocktail, and red wine correct?"

"Yep." Vic & Darryl hummed.

"How hospitable of you~" Rhett mused.

Todd's tail flicked in annoyance at being called a stray, _{"There's too many people in here...} He mumbled under his breath as he stayed near the door.

Graham quickly gave everyone their glasses before turning to Todd. "Come, make yourself comfy while I get your drink!"

Todd hesitated slightly and looking around at everyone briefly before walking over to where Graham was and sat down.

"Here you are." Graham smiled as he placed the glass in front of Todd.

Todd eyed the liquid in the glass suspiciously, "What is it?"

"Alcohol..... Do you have a favorite?" Graham asked.

"Actually I've never had any before." Todd said still looking at the alcohol in the glass.

"Oh, well then you'll love this. It has a sweeter taste then most alcohols!" Graham said smiling. 'But... It is still rather strong. Lets see what the kitten has to say...'

"I'm not very fond of sweets... But I'll try anything once." Todd said sniffing the contents of the glass before taking a sip of it.

It was a pleasant taste not too sweet, but not too sour either.

"Hmm... Tastes pretty good actually." Todd said as he drank a little more of it.

"Glad you like it." Graham replied.

Todd was only halfway done with the glass when he started to feel a bit weird and his cheeks felt hot.

"Are you alright kitten?" Graham asked smiling.

Todd looked over at Graham with tears in his eyes, "NO! I'M NOT ALRIGHT!" He said as he tried to set the glass down but knocked it over. "OH NO! Look what I've done!" He wailed.

Graham jumped at Todd's sudden mood swing before going to clean the broken glass. "I-It's quite alright, Todd. It happens I'll have it clean in a minute! ^-^"

"Looks like the stray's a lightweight..." Rhett murmured.

"I-It's not my fault! I've never had any alcohol before... And stop calling me a stray!" Todd said sniffling as he suddenly hugged Graham. "I'm so sorry I broke the glass Kitty!"

"O.O I-it's okay!" Graham replied looking worried. "_{D-did I break him?"}

"BRAHAHA!! Graham hasn't had a sad drunk before!" Darryl laughed.

Todd began sobbing as he held on to Graham, "I... I d-don't want to g-go back! P-Please d-don't let them t-take me b-back!" He wailed.

"Huh... Hey... You're safe here, alright?" Graham said. 'Who is he worried about?...'

"N-No! They're after me! They're always looking... W-Wait... Y-You'll keep me safe right Kitty?" Todd asked still crying as he looked up at Graham.

"O-Of course! But way do you think they are after you?" Graham replied patting Todd's head.

"B-Because I e-escaped... OH! But what if they come after you too Kitty?" Todd asked beginning to cry again.

"If anyone tries to come for either of us they'll be dead in a matter of minutes." Graham replied calmly.

"Y-You sure?" Todd asked looking up at Graham as he held onto the front of his shirt.

"Completely!" Graham replied.

"Th-That's good." Todd said with a nod, but he suddenly burst into tears again.

"Ack! Uhh... Wh-why are you Crying now?! Did you step on glass?! Do you have something in your eye?!" Graham asked picking Todd up away from the glass.

"N-No... I just realized... I'm all alone!" Todd wailed as he clung to Graham and buried his face in his chest.

"You-your not alone there are plenty of people here!!" Graham said clearly not used to this.

"B-But I have no family, and I don't know everyone here... I b-barely know you." Todd said still crying in Graham's chest.

'That's not stopping you from crying into me.....' Graham thought not sure what to say. "Oh! I-It won't take that long to get to know people! Besides I didn't have family until I met Fern and Mark.^-^"

"You don't have family? That's so sad!" Todd said seeming to cry harder into Graham's chest.

"HUH?! I-I do have family! Like I said Fern and Mark..." Graham was cut off by Mark.

"You're doing it again Graham~ =____=" Mark sang as he walked in.

"But you don't have blood family." Todd said.

"Ummm well....*sigh* That doesn't really matter...Non-blood relatives can be better then actual blood relatives!" Graham replied.

"G-r-a-h-a-m..... Enough." Mark sighed.

"You're talking nonsense again, kitty." Fern chided as she stood in the doorway before turning to Darryl. "If you're spending time here, I'm assuming you're done weaponizing the lake?"

Darryl turned pale. "SH** I still have two... Or three things to do!" It called running out of the room.

"It's not nonsense >:(!!" Graham protested.

Todd turned his head to look at Mark and Fern as he sniffled, "Wh-who are they?"

Graham got a devilish grin. "My F.A.M.I.L.Y! Miss Fern, and Sir pfft Mark."

"At least say it without laughing kitten." Mark murmured.

"Kitty, I'm kind of sleepy..." Todd said yawning as he nuzzled Graham's chest.

"Graham, who is this?" Fern gestured to Todd.

"He's the new stray your cat dragged in." Rhett answered.

"He's not a stray..." Graham growled before turning to Fern. "I think I broke him. :'( His name's Todd!"

Todd nuzzled Graham's chest as he fell asleep from his drunkenness and snored softly.

"o__e You... broke him?" Fern asked. "He just looks drunk and tired to me. Nothing new where you're concerned."

"No-no it was different this time! He was crying and upset!" Graham stated.

"Kitty's so warm." Todd said in his sleep.

"Doesn't seem so upset now~" Rhett grinned crookedly.

"Uhh.... Are you sure he isn't broken?" Graham looked at Todd worried.

"I love the warm Kitty." Todd said still asleep as he held Graham a little tighter and his tail flicked happily.

"O.o.... I BROKE HIM!!"

Fern giggled. "All these years of getting people drunk, and this is the one that freaks you out?"

"Out of all the people I've gotten drunk only Mark has gotten depressed!!"

Todd's ear twitched slightly, "I want to stay with Kitty forever."

Rhett snickered at Todd's statement.

Fern gave Mark a look. "When did you get drunk? We've been busy this past year and you're barely 22."

"*sigh* It was late... He said it was tea." Mark said glaring at Graham.

"D-did you hear that?! He trusts me! =3.....=_____= but the witch found him first..." Graham started drifting into thought as he held Todd.

"You should know better than to trust any liquid in Graham's possession to be non-alchoholic." Fern told Mark before raising an eyebrow at Graham. "'Witch'?"

"Lil miss mind twister, a.k.a B**** or our new guest.... The list kinda goes on. :/" Graham replied.

"Careful what you say in public, kitty." Fern responded.

"Speaking of what he says in public," Rhett started as he turned to Fern, "why don't you wear sundresses? Or at least something more feminine. The heels are a nice touch and all, but they're no more practical in combat than a skirt would be, so I don't really see the point."

"He's right. I found one that'd fit you too!" Lilly snickered coming in with a sundress in hand.

"... No thank you." Fern eyed the hemline of the dress's skirt warily before turning to Graham. "_{What have you been telling them?!}"

"_{Nothing... I just said wearing a sundress wasn't something you would do.... I mean... Sundresses aren't that practical for a business woman.}" Graham replied calmly.

"_{Actually the context it was said in seemed to imply that you weren't exactly prone to acting feminine, Miss Boss-lady~}" Rhett corrected in a similar hushed tone. "But Lil's been informed of the situation and is here to help! Lil?"

"Right! Right this way Boss-lady. I have a lot of dresses in different colors and designs." Lilly smiled taking Fern's hand.

Fern gave Graham a bone-chilling glare and Mark a pleading look.

Mark scooped Fern up out of Lilly's hand. ".... I'm hungry... Can you make me that one snack you used to make me, sis?"

"Sure, little brother." Fern smiled back at Lilly. "Maybe another time, Lilly?"

"Soft Kitty." Todd said in his sleep as his hand grabbed Graham's tail gently.

"Okay.."Lilly replied blinking not quite sure what happened.

"Ahh! Th-that feels weird...! Wait miss, I'll go with you!" Graham said walking after Mark. (still holding Todd.) "Vic... You're not drunk yet so you're in charge."

Todd smiled in his sleep as he continued to hold Graham's tail.

---

Luki stepped in and looked around the room, before spotting Lilly & Rhett. "You didn't get yourselves drunk did you?"

Rhett grimaced a little. "Of course not, sir."

"Hehehe maybe a little bossy!" Lilly giggled with slightly flushed cheecks.

"=___= *sigh* isn't it early?" Luki asked.

"Hmmmm NOPE!"

"She's been enjoying this room ever since we got here~" Rhett mused. "It seems the boss-lady's little pet is quite popular so long as he stays in one place."

"Pet? Oh the cat." Luki thought for a moment before smile. "Are you enjoying the new place?"

"It's got vodka and Sunrises...YOU BET!" Lilly giggled.

"And the people are quite entertaining." Rhett added.

"I'd have to agree with that." Luki chuckled as his eyes drifted to Darryl and Vic who where playing tug-a-war with a wine glass.

"So, what's our assignment, today?" Rhett asked.

"Simple. Get to know your co-workers better." Luki smiled. But what he meant was: "Find out their dirty secerts."

"I was hoping you'd say that~" Rhett glanced at Darryl and Vic before slipping a recorder he'd been using in a napkin near Luki. "I've already gotten a head-start."

"Good." Luki smiled. He waited intell Blaze had his back turned before he took the recorder.

"Have you had a chance to talk to Celest yet?" Lilly asked.

"Yes, that's one reason I wasn't able to talk to you earlier." Luki replied.

"And what were the other ones?" Rhett asked, not even bothering to be formal.

Luki smirked. "Family buisness."

"Princess's little game of hide and seek got cut short, then?" Rhett smirked.

"Sadly I couldn't let her play any longer...so now she's trying to play capture the flag." Luki chuckled but he's eyes showed that he was slightly annoyed.

"Haheh, she doesn't give up..." Rhett grinned crookedly, not affected at all by his employer's annoyance.

"Hmmm what flag?" Lilly asked.

"A small troublsome one."

"I see. That one." Lilly giggled a bit.

"Not looking forward to a family reunion, sir?" Rhett asked.

"No, it's just that I doubt he's looking forward to it." Luki gave a fake pout.

Rhett snickered.

"Not to change the subject but who do you think is the most interesting?" Luki mused.

"Hmm. I'd have to say boss lady." Lilly snickered

"Her interactions and reactions can be rather amusing..." Rhett smirked crookedly. "But the cat can make the entertaining side of most anyone come out."

Lilly eyes widened before she got a crooked smile of her own. "Hey boss, maybe you should come here tonight~"

"Yeah, why don't you?" Rhett grinned at Luki. "_{These people are rather welcoming when sober, but they're ridiculously trusting when drunk~}"

"Hmm perhapes, it might be interesting." Luki replied.

"I gauruntee it will be~" Rhett promised.

"Alright then. I'll be here tonight." Luki agreed.

"Wonderful~ Right, Lil?"

"Indeed." Lilly smiled.

"Can I get you refills or anything?" Blaze asked coming over.

"No thank you." Luki replied. Lilly simply raised her glass.

"I wouldn't mind a refill." Rhett said.

Blaze smiled as he refilled their drinks.

"Brother! Vic took my wine!" Darryl whined.

"I don't know..you seem to be whining enough." Blaze muttered as he went back over to Darryl and Vic.

Rhett took a sip. "It almost seems like I'm the only one here not in a family business~"

"Not true. I'm not and I dont think Vic is." Lilly stated.

"Your cousin was involved, and we only just met Vic." Rhett pointed out.

"I don't have family....and I'm glad seeing how everyone else acts!" Vic laughed.

"Now that I can agree with." Rhett sipped his mudslide.

"Ehhh. It has it's ups and downs." Lilly said with a shrug.

"What're the ups?"

"Usually it gives you someone you can depend on no matter what. And they're someone you'll always regonize."

Rhett's one eye stared blankly at Lilly. Obviously he did not consider it an up.

">.< Stop being cynical!" Lilly said whacking Rhett's head.

"Since when am I cynical?" Rhett winced as her hand landed.

"Since when were you not!" Lilly replied.

"Well, I thought I was a fairly fun guy..."

"You can be...but then you start drifting into the cynical side of things..." Lilly replied with a pout.

Rhett shrugged and turned to Luki. "Anything else you needed, sir?"

Luki had his back turned cearly trying not to laugh. "Pfft..no, no. Just wanted to make sure you two were adapting well." He replied before turning back around.

"Well, things seem to be going pretty good so far." Rhett said.

"Good. I beleive Fredric has arived so I should go greet him." Luki said heading out.

"....Which one's Fredric, again?" Rhett asked Lilly once Luki left.

"He's the one that just kinda..appears there...umm the spy one.." Lilly was trying to think of the easiest way of recognizing him.

"Oh." Rhett sipped his drink. "The quiet one who's only not boring if he pops out of nowhere and scares somebody."

"Yep, that's the one." Lilly snickered.

"Hm." Rhett continued to drink his mudslide.

"Your boss really does have an air about him." Darryl giggled.

"So does yours." Rhett replied. "Just a...different one."

"True~..BUT MINE LOOKS GOOD IN A DRESS!" Darryl giggled.

"Speaking of which~" Rhett smirked. "Would you be interested in helping us get her into one?"

"I-would-LOVE TO!" Darryl replied happily.

"Perfect~" Rhett grinned crookedly. "You know her better than we do, so we need your help with some ideas. Right, Lil?"

"Right." Lilly agreed.

"Hmm well..I know she likes long dress...I know! We could give her one of those dress that could be long or short...make it seem like the long version but rig it so the long part breaks or comes off!" Darryl stated.

"That...seems kinda hard..if not impossible." Lilly replied.

"And it would only be part of the solution..." Rhett sipped his drink. "From what I understand, the only cosmetics your boss uses are perfumes. I wonder how she'd look with a little more color~"

"Hmmm...We could try to get her drunk first." Darryl giggled.

"Please...not again." Blaze muttered.

"I take it you didn't enjoy the show?" Rhett asked Blaze.

"She's...clingy when drunk." Blaze replied.

"Then I suppose to hold her still, we'd need someone who doesn't mind being clinged to~" Rhett mused.

"Oh no." Blaze said seeing Darryl's reaction.

"Me or Desmond!" Darryl cheered.

"Hey, Lil? Do you think your color palette would work for the boss-lady?" Rhett grinned.

"Some of it...but my cousin's should work for the rest." Lilly replied.

"And if we get her drunk, we wouldn't have to worry about rigging the dress's length to change." Rhett said. "All we need now is to plan out her new wardrobe, figure out how to get her drunk, and execute the plan~"

"Simple...clear vodka...and this scent remover. ;)" Darryl giggled.

"Correction: Now all we need is the wardrobe~"

"I've got some supplies that should work..." Lilly giggled.

"And I wouldn't mind helping." Celest added as she walked over.

"Perfect~ The boss-lady could use a more feminine touch..."

"Hey! My clothes are plenty feminine!" Lilly pouted.

"I'm sure your clothes are..." Rhett smirked.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lilly asked eyeing Rhett.

"Absolutely nothing, Lil. I'm just speaking gibberish, here." Rhett rolled his eye.

Lilly yanked Rhett's ear. "Behave yourself!"

"Nah~" Rhett grinned, ignoring the pain in his earlobe.

"If you value your ear, you'll behave." Lilly whispered.

"Are two siblings or something?" Celest asked looking them over.

"We're not even remotely related."

"Wow! You must be close." Celest mused.

Rhett shrugged. "We've known each other for a while."

"Yeah..it's only been a few years." Lilly shrugged,

"Hmm Odd." Celest muttered. "So when are we going to get her drunk?"

Rhett turned to Darryl and Blaze. "You two know her best out of us; when do you think would be opportune?"

"Hmmm. She does that odd nightwalking thing sometimes....Oh but in the day time she's usually in that odd room she's turned into her office, and Graham brings her one brandy then its just Water." Darryl replied.

"So now we need a way to keep the spoilsports from interfering..."

"Right Mark....Hmmm He slept yesterday so he'll probably try not to sleep for another three days." Darryl stated.

"An unhealthy habit we'll have to find a way to work around."

"We could always have big sister yell at him." Lilly hummed.

"What do you have in mind, Lil?"

"I'm sure big sis doesn't want him stating up all day & night." Lilly chuckled.

"It doesn't even have to be big sis herself." Celest chuckled.

Rhett raised an eyebrow at Celest. "Meaning?"

"Meaning, I can create a copy of her...the hard part is copying her voice and body language." Celest replied.

Rhett grimaced slightly. "So now we need a mimic..."

"Well if he doesn't listen then I can still keep him busy with mimics...besides mimics are fun." Celest chuckled.

"I take it you know some mimics that would be willing to help?"

"Know them? Hehe." Celest smiled at the floor next to her, where a smoky whisp slowly formed into what looked like Fern. "I can make them."

Rhett grinned crookedly. "Perfect~ Now we just have to wait for the right moment..."

"Right." Celest, Darryl, and Lilly agreed as Celest made the mimic vanish.

Rhett smirked as he sipped his mudslide.

"We have to do something with her hair!" Celest declared.

"Oh yes, it's just not right for it to be so straight, long and her not spice it up a little." Lilly agreed.

"I kind of like it long..." Rhett paused. "But it could use a little more dimension. Her hair is such a deeper shade of blond than Lil's, it's a shame for her to keep it so flat."

"I was thinking of waving it." Celest replied.

"My hair's fine!" Lilly said punching Rhett before sliding off her stool. "Ouch!"

"Good idea." Rhett told Celest as he rolled his jaw a little from Lilly's punch.

Lilly grabbed his leg. "Help me up!!"

Rhett rolled his eye as he pulled Lilly up by her arm.

"Oh you're soooo sweet! <3" Lilly giggled she hugged him before sitting down.

"You're soooo wasted~" Rhett snickered.

"Non ahh!" Lilly replied before plopping down on his lap instead. "More booze~!"

"You know, Lil, there's a nice, empty chair right next to me that you can have all to yourself."

"Ohhh~! But you're comfy!" Lilly argued as she wrapped one arm around his shoulders and the other held her sunrise.

Rhett's eyebrow twitched. "Beg to differ."

"Wat wrooong Rhe-tttttt?!" Lilly gigled nearly falling off.

"She wasted bad~" Darryl giggled.

"What's wrong is that I'm supposed to be your bodyguard, not an armchair." Rhett frowned.

"Well~...If I'm this close to you, it'd be impossible for anyone to hurt me!" Lilly giggled getting closer to him.

"Except that you're now in my personal space. Something I don't really approve of..."

"Awww fine!" Lilly plopped back into her seat.

"Much appreciated, Lil."

"I thought guys like cute girls on their lap~" Lilly pouted.

"We do." Rhett agreed.

"YOU EVIL SHREW!!!" Lilly punched Rhett in the arm repeatedly.

"Wow...that was nice." Celest snickered as Darryl watched.

Rhett caught Lilly's last punch. "Calm down, Lil. It's not that you're not cute...I'm just not into twelve-year-olds~"

"I'm twenty-three you B****rd!!" Lilly growled then burst into tears.

Rhett's eye widened. "Sh*t, Lil, I know that. I was just joking around..."

"I'm going to steam off!" Lilly got up and marched off.

"Whooo...She's had a little to much." Darryl giggled.

"No duh..." Rhett took another sip of his mudslide.

"Don't worry she'll probably apologize once she remembers."

"Nah." Rhett shrugged. "She only ever remembers the plotting. Which is just as well. If she ever remembered the things I say to her when she's drunk..."

"You mean she gets scarier?" Darryl asked.

"If you call a drunk Lil scary... But she'll mostly remember the gist of the conversations as a dream and think the plans we made were all her idea." Rhett smirked. "Mark my words: When she sobers up, she'll come crashing in here to tell everyone about 'her new plan'."

"Wow this'll be fun!" Celest & Darryl laughed.

Rhett smirked and took another sip of his mudslide.

"RHETT!" Lilly came in with a towl around her. "Where's the steam room?"

"Just keep walking around and when you start sweating, you're there."

"Oh. Okay." Lilly turned to walk out. "WAIT!" She ran over and grabbed his arm. "You're showing me where it's at!"

"...There's nothing I can say to get out of this, is there?" Rhett groaned.

"Nope!" Lilly replied marching him out.

"I wonder what looks worse~" Rhett mused. "You walking around naked, dragging a man around with you, or me walking around with a naked woman who doesn't appear to have reached puberty, yet..."

Lilly spun around and stomped on his foot. "I'VE HIT PUBERTY SMART-A**!! How old did I turn today? TWENTY-F*CKIN-THREE!! Now come on."

"I'm not saying you didn't Lil, I'm just saying it doesn't look good for either of our reputations..." Rhett waved to the others as he left the room with Lilly.

"Like I give a D*** and I doubt anyone else gives a f***!!" Lilly laughed.

"I guarantee if you were sober, you'd be wearing more than a towel."

"EEEHH!! I dont F***in careeeee~!!!! WHHOOOOOO!!" Lilly seemed to being having the time of her life just walking down the hall.

"Here you go, Lil." Rhett gestured to the steam room door.

"Oh, thank you sweetie!" Lilly winked before heading into the room.

Rhett's eyebrow twitched. "'Sweetie'?"

"Awww she must really like you!" Celest teased.

"Celest got some dress...but we're trying to decide what one would look best on Miss Fern." Darryl hummed.

"Well, what are our options?" Rhett ignored Celest's comment.

"We've got a white dress with red flowers on it..." Celest began but Darryl interrupted with a "blah!" "...Darryl doesn't really like that one though, one that's white with blue stripes, a blue one, there's also one Darryl recommended that is yellow but gets slightly orange as it reaches the bottom of the dress."

"What are the styles? We're looking for something feminine, yes? Perhaps shorter than she usually wears?"

"Oh, they're plenty feminine and short." Darryl giggled.

"Well, I'm not really an expert on dresses...." Rhett grimaced.

"Well Blaze is holding on to them...so we should probably get back..just in case Blaine comes and tries to get Blaze to wear one of the dresses."Darryl sighed.

Rhett snickered. "Now, why would he do that?"

"He's tried before.....and Blaze didn't even fight it!" Darryl shook it's head.

"...See, this is why dealing with families make no sense to me."

"Blaze just doesn't care....You see he was really focused on some blueprints when Blaine and Desmond carefully put the dress on him...I think he noticed..but didn't care." Darryl said thinking back.

"Yeesh. He's kind of single-minded about his job, huh?" Rhett asked.

"Yep." Darryl agreed opening the bar door.

"So, what do we have for hair and cosmetics?"

"Here and here." Celest stated motioning to two chests.

Rhett blinked. "Will we need that much?"

"No, but it gives us options." Celest replied.

"We may need to keep her drunk for a while to explore those options..."

"Probably..." Celest agreed.

"No problem~ Once she's drunk she loves drinking!" Darryl giggled.

Rhett grinned crookedly. "Perfect~"

"So we wait?" Celest chuckled.

"So we wait." Rhett nodded.

---

Vic came in after a short leave." Hey ya guys do know about Kittys leave...and I can't find Mark...so if your goin to get Fern drunk you might want to start now."

"Ah~ Perfect!" Rhett gave a crooked grin. "Let's get started, then!"

"I'll start with giving her a drink...see how well that goes, and if she drinks it, then I'll give her more intells she's drunk of her rocker!" Darryl laughed as he grabbed a glass and started to leave.

Blaze looked up from the bar he was clean to Darryl and shook his head. "Don't get shot."

"Where do you suppose the boss lady is, this time of day?" Rhett asked.

"Her study probably....I doubt she'll sleep a wink Intel Graham and Mark are by her side." Darryl stated as he shut the door.

"Hmmm so the loyalty goes both ways with those three." Clest mused.

"How interesting..." Rhett agreed.

---

"Damn! Even though I got raid of the scent she still figured it out!" Darryl groaned.

"Did she figure out the goal, though?" Rhett raised an eyebrow.

"I'm standing here aren't I?" Darryl replied.

"Then we haven't completely failed." Celest hummed.

"Is there anything she finds....irresistable?"

"Hehehehe....Cherried Brandie!" Darryl declared.

"Er...Do you mean cherry brandy, or brandied cherries?" Rhett asked.

"Ummm, is there a difference?" Darryl asked confused.

"Brandied cherries." Blaze corrected blankly.

"Perfect~ So who's serving this time?" Rhett grinned crookedly.

"Hmm I'll try this time~" Celest smirked as she got the brandied cherries and a glass of wine for herself from Blaze and headed out.

---

"So~" Rhett grinned crookedly at Celest. "How'd it go?"

"Oh she's drunk. But the walking flamethrower and mud puddle came." Celest stated.

"Any chance they'll let us play dress up with Werewolf Barbie?" Rhett asked Darryl.

"The 'Flamethrower' would be fine with it but Blaine's a differ- I can get Blaine to leave."

"Then feel free to~" Rhett gestured to the door.

"YAY!!" Darryl cheered skipping out.

---

"Okay I froze Blaine and Miss Fern is drunk with Desmond lets go!!" Darryl said throwing open the door.

Lilly and Celest where instantly on their feet and out the door.

"You froze one of our co-conspirators?" Rhett chuckled as he followed the women.

---

"Sorry but Blaze, here, already offered to show me the rooms~" Celet said as Rhett and Blaine came in. She had her arms wrapped around Blaze's arm.

Rhett chuckled, already amused.

"Sorry." Blaine apologized to Desmond but he didn't really seem to care either way.

"Really? what a shame...he's such a dull conversationalist. I hope he'll entertains you like I could." Desmond smiling.

"I think I'll be very entertained with Blaze. " Celest replied snuggling Blaze's arm.

"You're touching again." Blaze said look at his arm that Celest was now tightly wrapped around.

"He's not one for physical contact, eh?" Rhett snickered to Blaine.

"He only lets people he knows well touch him." Blaine explained.

"Then I suppose both Celest and Desmond are batting zero." Rhett snickered.

"What are you two talking about?" Celest asked looking at them curiously.

"Taking score~" Rhett grinned crookedly.

"=___= I'm winning." Celest stated.

"We'll see." Rhett mused.

"Come on Blaze lets go have some fun!" Celest giggled trying to lead Blaze away but Blaze just stopped walking.

"Sorry can't. There are people here now, so I can't leave my station." Blaze stated moving his arm out of hers as he headed back behind the bar.

"Pfffft." Blaine covered his mouth in an attempt to keep from laughing.

"I'd like a drink to enjoy with the show... One mudslide, good sir~"

Blaze nodded as he got the drink for him.

"My offer still stands ma'am." Desmond bowed to Celest.

" I think I'll find it myself. =___= " Celest stated bitterly before leaving.

"Seems like a tie, thus far." Rhett chimed in.

"Agreed." Blaine replied.

"There wasn't a competition to begin with." Blaze sighed.

"You're just saying that because you weren't a competitor~" Rhett said.

Blaze looked slightly confused before turning to Desmond"Sorry, your pathetic at get a woman with some power, Desmond."

"Hush I just need to give it alittle time." Desmond muttered.

"How long do you suppose she'll be staying?" Rhett asked blandly.

"Until she gets a good amount of dirt on Nova, but who knows how long that'll take." Blaine stated.

Rhett hummed, the gears in his mind turning furiously. "I wonder if I have a shot..."

"What?!" Desmond turned towards him looking somewhat shocked. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it's never been a priority of mine, I admit, but I didn't do too badly back when I had both eyes." Rhett smirked as he sipped his mudslide. "And Lil once mentioned that some women prefer the 'rugged, battle-scarred look', I think she said..."

"Hmmm Celest does seem like the type that would like the 'rugged, battle-scarred look'." Blaine nodded wish seemed to displease Desmond.

"Maybe I should give it a try, then~" Rhett grinned. "She is a very attractive lady..."

"But won't that make Lilly jealous?" Desmond said with fake concern.

"Hardly. I don't give a d*** if he wants to go for her, he can." Lilly stated boredly coming in with Darryl.

Rhett raised an eyebrow. "What would that even have to do with Lil?"

"I think Desmond figured you and Lilly where an item." Darryl giggled as Lilly spun around giving Desmond a death glare.

"Pft!" Rhett burst out laughing for a good minute before settling down enough to talk. "W-wha--Haheh--what on earth would give you such an idea? Hahaheh."

"Yes what?" Lilly asked in a tone that said "answer right and I might not kill you."

"I'm sorry, I just noticed how close the two of you seem to be...I couldn't help but wonder." Desmond replied.

Rhett abruptly stopped laughing and sighed. "_{Why do people keep saying that...?}"

"You didn't give me the answer I wanted~" Lilly song seeming to tower over Desmond...despite her height.

"Umm Now that I think about it I should get going." Desmond said getting up.

Rhett came up from behind him and pulled him back down into his seat. "Now why would you think that? Sit. Relax~"

"And here, I'll make your next drink~" Lilly said heading towards the bar.

"Sorry can't let you kill him." Blaze stated.

"Who said we'd be kind enough to kill him?" Rhett asked.

"Can't allow torture either." Blaze sighed almost as if he was disappointed. 

"D*mn. Best you go put on a mask, then, Lil." Rhett just could not resist.

Lilly turned towards him and pulled a vile out of her pocket. "=___= drink this....."

"Little girl, you should know better than to offer your treats to strangers~"

Lilly smiled as she stomped Rhett's foot. "Ooops I'm dis a cwumsy widdle girl. <:P"

Rhett winced. "How nice of you to admit it~ So," he turned his attention back to Desmond, "up to having another player in this little game?"

"Hmmm If you survive, Lilly. Maybe."

"I've been surviving her for years~ So I hope you don't mind the competition." Rhett grinned crookedly.

"The more the merrier...." Desmond replied.

"Then the clock starts counting down tomorrow~ Or whenever she gets back from her room."

"Very well. May the best man win." Desmond hummed.

"I will~" Rhett assured.

"Hehahaha I was just thinking the same thing about myself." Desmond chuckled.

Rhett sat down and leaned back in his chair. "Then this should be interesting~"

"Indeed." Blaine snickered.

"All done with your business, Lil?" Rhett asked, referencing when she left the sniper room at the mention of her cousin.

"Yes..." Lilly replied before gulping down her drink.

Rhett's grin lessened a little. "Well, since there's a little bit of sport going on and you obviously need a distraction, why don't you set the rules and referee for us?" He was not sure how such a competition could be refereed, but he was sure Lilly could find a way.

Lilly smirked. "Okay first of your only allowed use your natural charm, no potions no abilities just you. No making sure another player will be unable to see her." She now turned to Desmond." In other words no having Darryl freeze Rhett. No you have to learn Celest schedule, you can't just wait by her bed room intel she shows up....and I'll thinking of more rules in a bit."

"Sound fair, so far?" Rhett asked Desmond.

"Of caurse~!" Desmond replied.

"Alright then." Rhett turned back to Lilly and mentally prepared himself for the downright unnatural words about to come out of his mouth. "Lil? Since you happen to be a woman yourself, is there any advice you'd like to give or a particular point system you intend to use?"

"Advice.... well first off don't be overly polite and flattering...it's annoying and she'll know you're faking. And TRY to be genuine." Lilly stated.

"'Genuine'?" Rhett echoed with obvious distaste in his voice.

"Yes genuine! Try not to die~ Rhett." Lilly giggled.

Rhett grimaced. "Anyways, about the point system... And what if she manages to convince Blaze before either of us convince her?"

"I'll keep Blaze buisy, and for point system...Girls talk I'll just talk to her and get her to tell me who she likes." Lilly replied with a smirk.

"Well, that's about everything I can think of." Rhett leaned back in his chair and addressed Desmond. "Anything in particular you want to know?"

"No, I think I'm good for now." Desmond replied.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Celest came in looking rather bored. "Sigh...well this is the only place for a person to have fun by themselves it seems."

"That is the unfortunate thing." Rhett agreed. "Luckily, they have quality booze."

"That's true, but Kitty does the best so far...I wander why~" Celest snickered to herself before setting down.

"Graham has taught me how to make a few drinks, I could make you one of you'd like~" Desmond offered.

"Oh? Do you know how to do those fancy presentations where you set the shot glasses on fire?" Rhett grinned crookedly. "Those seem like they'd be your specialty~"

"Hmm I haven't tried before~" Desmond began but was cut of by Celest.

"There's no need for that, a simple martini is fine."

"And I'd like a refill, if you don't mind~" Rhett held up the glass that once contained his mudslide.

Desmond happily got Celest her drink, before refilling Rhett's mudslide.

"That's my job. =____=" Blaze muttered.

"So take a break~ You've been doing wonderfully." Rhett told Blaze as he signaled Lilly.

Blaze seemed unsure at first but after a while he sat down.

Rhett hummed to himself as he sipped his drink. "I can't help but wonder, Celest, if you brought any of your own people with you?"

Celest smirked into her glass before taking a sip and placing the glass down. "What would make you say that?"

"Well, you're easily one of the three most powerful people here, and even Nova has an escort from time to time, in addition to her messenger, of course."

"Hehahaha well I couldn't take much with Nova would freak if I did."

"So you're traveling light?" Rhett sipped his mudslide. "That seems a little inconvenient..."

"It is. =__= But it's better then p*ssing off Nova." Celest replied.

"I'd imagine~" Desmond chuckled.

"Her royal *ssh*le has too many people jumping through hoops, if you ask me." Rhett allowed himself to be honest. Hopefully it would not get him killed...

"Agreed." Blaine replied narrowing his eyes.

"Pffft hahaha!! I like that no one else has the guts to say it though! Thankfully I'm not jumping through too many, Nova and I have had several 'fights'. So she'll never trust me, not that I care much." Celest snickered.

"Well, the more people have to lose, the more afraid they are, I suppose." Rhett shrugged. "And I don't see what it matters if she trusts you or not, if both of your needs are met. That's the point of a business relationship." He took another sip of his mudslide.

"True~." Blaze leaned in close. "But if your trying to take her down~ you might want to talk to less people, and I suggested going to district 17 it has all the answers." With that he stood up and went over to Darryl to talk.

Rhett raised an eyebrow at Blaze before shrugging the information off. His connection to Nova was solely his debt to Lilly: He had no use for such advice.

"You should really treat her with more respected." Lilly sighed

"Oh...and why is that? Because Luki likes her?" Celest mused.

"Not just that!! but she's helped Fern,Luki, & you, and all you have to do in return is help her when she asks of you!" Lilly stated.

"Very honorable of you, Lil." Rhett said the word "honorable" much like he did the word "genuine", earlier: Like it left a bad taste in his mouth.

"To bad honor doesn't matter much in these times." Celest sighed.

"Oh but I most disagree with you there~ It doesn't matter what is going on, honor is still important without it people wouldn't have much drive."Desmond stated.

Rhett just sat back and let Desmond do the talking this time. It is not like he had much to say on the subject, anyways.

Celest started laughing. "Wow. How noble of you~"

Rhett raised an eyebrow at the laughter.

"I'm afraid I don't understand~ Don't you have similar views?" Desmond asked.

"Hmmm perhaps, but then again, to much honor tends to get people killed~" Celest replied.

Rhett snickered.

Desmond smiled. "I suppose that's true."

"Awww I didn't upset you did flamie~?" Celest asked with a fake pout as Blaine started snickering.

"I imagine he's learned to cater to many personalities~" Rhett mused.

"Of course not." Desmond replied before shoting Rhett a glare.

"Ohhh~ A glare like that tends to mean he's right~" Celest snickered getting a grin.

"Hmm I hear kitty~ So see ya." Blaine waved as he headed towards the door.

"What?" Rhett's one eye blinked innocently at Desmond. "Did you perceive some unforeseen double entendre in my words? Such a naughty mind to jump to conclusions. For shame~"

Desmond just looked Rhett over with a hint of annoyance as Celest laughed.

Rhett snickered at Desmond's look.

Celest continued to laugh for a bit. "Oh I'm sorry Flamethrower, but you're really not my type~"

Rhett listened intently.

"Oh but who says I'm wooing you?" Desmond asked with plenty charm.

"Please, It's obvious that I'm driving you nuts~ but you're not going to get near my bedroom anytime soon, Flamie." Celest chuckled as she patted him on the head.

Rhett nearly choked on his mudslide as he tried to hold in a snicker.

"You okay Rhett?" Lilly asked patting his back lightly.

Desmond refilled her glass before getting out from behind. "You say that now my dear, but I fairly good at persuading people~" Desmond stated as he walked passed Celest and out the door.

"Yay I get my bar back!" Blaze cheered going behind the bar.

"Fine, Lil." Rhett coughed lightly before turning to Blaze. "Isn't it the cat's bar? And since he's back, now..."

"TT~TT I can have fun until he comes in~" Blaine said as he started cleaning up the glass that was scattered across the bar.

"I suppose he of all people wouldn't object to fun."

"true." Blaze hummed. "Come to think of it I only remember one day where he didn't want to work the bar or have fun.

"Oh~ And what day would that be?"

"Hmm it was awhile ago...I'm not really sure what was wrong with him, he just recently got back from a mission with Mark too." Blaze replied as the door opened.

"Lilly, Sir Luki requests you come to his room."Arthur stated.

"Oh. Very well." Lilly quickly stood up and headed for the door. "You can stay here if you'd like, Rhett."

"Then you know where to find me, Lil~"

Lilly nodded as she left.

"So, you don't know what could cause the cat to become a sudden wet blanket, eh?" Rhett rephrased.

"I don't know anything that could get his spirit down....except maybe running out of alcohol~" Blaze replied. 

"As if he'd ever run out~"

"True. I think that's an impossibility." Blaze replied.

"More like he'd never let it happen." Rhett chuckled.

"I'm actually surprised it taking him so long to get here."

"I suppose something important happened." Rhett shrugged.

"I'm afraid I'll be closing the bar down for right now then." Blaze stated.

"What for?"

"Well if something interesting is happening I don't want to miss anything." Blaze replied.

"Fair enough, I guess." Rhett shrugged. "Maybe I'll go bug Lil... If the boss isn't around."

Blaze snickered. "Have fun~"

"Maybe." Rhett grinned crookedly as he got up and walked out the door.

---

Recreation Room

---

Rhett walked into the room casually, his eye scanning for anything of interest.

He could hear the sound of pool balls hitting into each other. "Four in left top pocket." Desmond said going around the pool table.

"Oh boy....trying to be a show off again?" Blaine mused resting his chin on his pool stick.

"I can't imagine why. Everyone here has a Y-chromosome." Rhett said. "Unless he's been overcompensating all this time?"

"He's like a male dog...even though we're not questioning him he still need to prove his dominance. :/" Blaine stated as Desmond made his pocket.

"Hahaha I forgot my sense of humor." Desmond smirked. "Seven in mid right pocket."

"Is it always this quiet when the cat's away?"

"Not really it's just that we're still settling in for one, for two there are a lot of new people running around that I don't want to deal with." Desmond replied as he hit the white ball into the corner. "_Sh** *sigh* Your go."

"Graham does help to keep things lively though...." Blaine added as he moved up. "Striped five in bottom right."

"Anyone in particular?" Rhett asked Desmond.

"Oh just some black haired kid with a stuffed squid." Desmond replied.

"I don't believe I've met that one, yet..." Rhett mused. "Anyways, I'm actually rather confused about you."

"Oh, how so?" Desmond asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, I hear you're quite successful with ladies," Rhett started, "but from what I saw from your interactions with Lil, Celest, and the boss-lady..."

"Lilly is too flat, Fern I'm leaving for my widdle Blaine,Blaine, but Celest is one that I might look into~" Desmond smirked.

"=____= Don't put it like that..." Blaine glared.

"Hm. Seems like she'd rather have gray-eyes look into her, though."

"Oh? Why do you say that?" Desmond asked.

"You were there when her and the boss-lady had that little girl-talk~ Wasn't it revealing enough?" Rhett asked.

"Yes but they were drunk....besides when you actually talk to him...he isn't the most interesting talker."

"And you think that will give you the advantage? I suppose the two of you would get along better, then... But a one-night stand usually has more to do with physical attraction." Rhett pointed out.

"Hmmppptt Blaze? One-night stand? Never going to happen." Blaine snickered.

"Blaze is more attracted to flowers then he is to women." Desmond added.

"But Celest is attracted to him. And I'm sure she's devious enough to do something about it."

"Well Blaine won so, I'll see to it." Desmond smirked as he went out out.

"Want to place bets?" Rhett asked Blaine with a crooked grin. "Or should we just go watch for the h*ll of it?"

"For the H*ll of it..although I doubt either of them are going to get lucky." Blaine replied.

"We'll just have to find out~ To the bar, then!" Rhett smirked as he headed out the door.

---

Steam Room

---

---

Private Dining Room

---

---

Sniper Room?

---

Fern was in her sniper room. Mark had brought in her guns, gunsmithing supplies, and the cage that morning and she was cleaning and inspecting her guns. I'll have to take a shower after this. It won't do me any good to walk around smelling like metal and gunpowder...

"Ahhh my Lady you smell so deadly, I love it!" Graham cooed as he came in with a brandy for her.

"Yeah, yeah. Just keep a bottle of perfume by the door for me, would you?" Fern said, not looking up from one of her pistols.

"Of course Ma'am." Graham replied pulling one out of his jacket. "And before you ask...I always keep one on me for a emergency."

"Clever, clever, kitty." Fern said under her breath as she dismantled a scope.

Graham smiled as he set the perfume by the door. "Anything else Ma'am...I'm in a hugging mood if you need one! =D"

Fern paused and gave Graham a confused and slightly exasperated look. "Graham, since when have I ever asked for or offered a hug?" (Remember, she has no memory of her drunken escapades~ XP)

"I was hoping you'd just agree for once..." Graham pouted.

"Sorry, kitty." Fern giggled. "But I've got a war to plan."

"*snickers* What me running onto the battlefeild flinging my arms to hug people isn't a good battle plan?" Graham asked with a grin.

"On the contrary: It's a fantastic plan~" Fern said, standing up and poking the werecat on the nose. "...If you're trying to get yourself killed. You came close enough, last time. Try to keep your nose clean and your head on straight this time around~"

Graham's face turned serious. "Of course my Lady." He shot the cage an almost glare. "But someone had to grab your precious cage."

"What are you talking about? Mark brought the--" Fern paused. "...No. He was carrying me. But..."

"Umm Desmond brought it...That's right." Graham replied but Fern know Graham well enough to tell he wasn't telling the whole truth.

"But you tried." Fern finished in a calm, blank tone.

Graham looked down his tone was bittersweet. "I really can't hide anything from you...can I?"

"But you did. For three years." Fern replied. "Why? It's just a souvenier. Something to remind me of better times." She blinked rapidly trying to process this new information. It was worth Boyd's life. John's, Hesper's, even Ed's. But it wouldn't have been worth yours. "Why did you even try?"

Graham smiled and placed his hand on her head. "I knew it was important to you, Fern."

"But it wasn't that important." Fern hissed, turning her head away from Graham's hand.

"Fern...*sigh* It's in the past..and besides I wouldn't change it..."

"You're quick, but you aren't much of a fighter... They almost caught you, Graham." Fern's eyes flashed as she faced Graham again. "Promise me. Next time you don't go back for anyone or anything."

"I..I cant because if you, Mark, or any of the Greco's are in trouble I'd go back for you." Graham replied sadly.

"Mark and the Grecos are plenty strong enough, especially together, but your place is not on a battlefield. Promise me, Graham!"

"*sigh* I promise that I won't go back for anything or anyone....._{other than you}." Graham replied.

Fern slammed the gun she was working on--thankfully unloaded--on the table. "I might not have a werewolf's footspeed, but I still have my ears, Graham."

"And I still have a heart, Fern." Graham replied before looking Fern in the eyes. "Wouldn't you do the same...or at least send Mark?"

"For you? Of course! But I don't have a back-up plan for you." Fern gave Graham about the most genuine smile she could give sober. "You're irreplacable."

"Hmm Hahaha You're the most irreplacable!" Graham replied as Mark came in.

Mark looked nervously between the two. "Why are you both smiling?"

"Now you're just being a silly kitty~" Fern said to Graham. "I told you that there's no back-up plan for losing you. But I've had a back-up plan for if I die for years, now~"

Mark and Graham's faces where about the same it was almost fear. "Wh..What?! And what would that plan be?"

"It's nothing to worry about~ I have it all thought out~" Fern said reassuringly. "Should I meet my demise before my goals are reached, you two take over. After all, it’s already your job to keep everyone in top shape" she gestured to Mark "and your job to keep them all on our side," she gestured to Graham. "You are both more than capable of keeping the people’s trust and ensuring my plans are completed.” She paused. "…And if worse comes to worst, you can always use my death as another bit of leverage. I’m well liked enough. Using me as a martyrdom of sorts should help spur on enough rage towards the government. I have all the details set in place and everything~ Even before the Blood Games were shut down~"

"Do you realize what it feels like to hear that?!" Mark asked annoyed.

"We...understand...But we have powerful allies so doubt you'll meet your demise anytime soon!" Graham replied patting Mark's shoulder.

Fern furrowed her eyebrows at Mark. "What do you mean?"

Mark looked away. "It's...*sigh* nevermind. Graham does have a point, we are safest now then we've ever been."

"True..." Fern took a sip of the brandy that Graham brought.

Graham looked out the window. "Although....if you do die....Nova doesn't really seem to care much for Mark and I.....I guess we'd just have to find another power-player for as long as we need."

"But that's exactly what my plan is for! Whether or not you chose to take on the government, we can't afford to lose Nova's favor." Fern smiled softly. "Five years ago, I decided to put on a show. One that was big enough to catch the government's attention. Now we're too recognizable to hide without using Nova's connections to keep us safe. If her interest in us wanes, that's it." She turned to Mark and Graham with stern eyes. "If we split, we'd run the risk of being overpowered or killed at every turn, if we stay together, we'd draw too much attention. Even the Grecos as a group of four would be too much of a risk to not disband. If Nova decides we aren't worth it, everything we've built for the past ten years will fall apart." She turned back to the guns on her table. "And I don't start things without finishing them. I ensured a long time ago that if I'm not around, you two will be more than enough to keep her entertained~"

"I pray the day will never came...but we will go beyond our best to make Nova happy." Graham said with a smile as Mark nodded in agreement.

Fern smiled back at them. "I know you will~ I can always count on you two."

"Hmmm I don't like....how much one person can help build..or destroy what we have made." Mark thought quietly to himself.

Fern froze. "...It's not preferable, no. But we have a chance. This gives us at least some influence over our own futures."

"Yes..some..at least it's more then the government's lap-dogs have." Mark replied.

"Precisely, little brother~" Fern said. "And that's all the advantage we need to survive."

"I wander what its like to not have to struggle to survive?" Graham mused.

"Everybody struggles in one way or another, Graham." Fern replied as she dismantled an old rifle. "Some struggle to survive, some struggle to live..."

Graham smiled. "I suppose you're right..OH! I haven't seen you in soooo long!!" He cooed as he ran over to the table. "This the gun that allowed us to meet!! Oh how I love you, you pretty little gun!"

Fern giggled. "It still has the bite mark, see?" She showed where Graham's canine left an indent on the barrel.

Graham tail swooshed happily (more like a dog's) as he saw it. "Haha yep! Man, my canines were tiny back then!"

"They're not much bigger now, kitty~"

"Ahh!..Yes they are.." Graham said depressed.

"Nice try, kitty." Fern stuck her tongue out at Graham. "You might be able to use those claws of yours as bottle-openers, but you still have kitten-fangs~"

Graham picked up a hand mirror and smiled to where his canine showed. "Ack! They...they're kitten canines...I need milk!"

Fern giggled. "I'm surprised you didn't notice before! With all the smiling you do, most everybody in the building probably knows~"

Grahams eyes widened and his mouth fell open. "Everyone knows?! I'll have to stop smiling...at least until my teeth grow big."

"Hey Graham...I see some kittens out the window." Mark said with a smirk.

"WHAT?! I want to see!" Graham said running over to the window with a big smile as Mark laughed.

"That was mean, little brother~" Fern giggled. "I don't think Graham could keep from smiling for a single day, let alone long enough for his teeth to grow~"

Graham's ears lowered and he let out a shoft whimper, then a big smile filled his face again. "Well someone's got to smile here!! I'm just smiling for all of us!"

"And you just wouldn't be you if you stopped." Fern said, taking a sip of her brandy.

"True...but I wouldn't mind seeing you two smile more!" Graham replied.

Feeling like being a bit of a smart-aleck, Fern put down her half-empty glass and turned to Graham, pulling back the corners of her mouth to make an almost painful looking grin. "Better~?"

"Ah! No more like this." Graham took Fern's hands and moved them forward slightly so she had a almost normal smile as Mark burst out laughing.

Fern rolled her eyes and sat back with a smirk. "Such a silly kitty~"

"hmm but you still like me! Oh...I left the bar unattended!" Graham exclaimed as he left.

Fern calmed down a little and cleared her throat before turning to Mark. "Did you come here for a reason, or were you just checking up on me?"

Mark snickered as he watched Graham leave. "No, no just came to see if you needed anything."

"Well, things have been rather quiet since the move~" Fern continued inspecting her guns. "It seems that Luki's men are a good influence on ours."

"Hmm yes....Oh Nova left at some point in the night, She said she'll be visting us again soon." Mark informed.

Fern's face went blank. "Of course she will. Mark, how do you suppose Luki gained her favor?"

Mark was about to answer when his eyes widen slightly. "I..I don't know...We are the only ones that did anything like the Blood Games."

"Aspen called him 'Maestro'..." Fern murmured under her breath. "If I am the 'ringleader', then the Games were my 'circus', yes?"

"Yes....Hmm Does that mean..he taught Nova how to use her abilities... maybe?" Mark wondered.

"Possibly..." Fern paused. "Have Vic ask around. There has to be somebody that knows."

"Alright." Mark replied heading out. Maybe I could ask Aspen..she knows just about everything Nova does.

"And Mark?" Fern stopped him at the doorway. "I know you trust that ghost, and she might not lie to you, but she can't lie to Nova."

"Right." Mark truned around. "Do you ever feel like Nova is waiting for us to trip up?"

Fern mentally grimaced. "Now why would she do something like that?"

"*sigh* Fern, you can tell me you haven't felt that way at all....she has us being watched all the time...And we both know how much she loves a show."

Fern smiled at Mark. "Yes, well. There's an old rule in show business, as much as people are willing to pay for a well-oiled performance, most will think it's worth more if one of the performers break their neck in the process."

"Geuss we just have to go on with the show." Mark grinned as he turned and left.

'Fingers crossed it won't be our last...' Fern thought as she finished off her brandy.

---

There was a knock on the door.

Fern was working on her guns with her hair in a ponytail, her bangs pinned back from her face, and her heels kicked off (basically how she'd never let most people see her) and said, "Come in," assuming it was either Mark or Graham.

"Turns out our..." Blaine started as he walked in and froze noticing her (new) look.

Fern looked up at Blaine and froze for a moment at the realization of who it was (or wasn't) before snapping out of it. "Is something wrong?"

Blaine cleared his throat. "Dean..has turned on us along with Chris. Also we my be gaining two members, thanks to Haniko." He explained but his eyes were focused on the floor.

Fern smirked coldly to herself. "Two members lost, two members gained, eh? Do you think Dean and Chris would be able to trace us?"

"It's possible....but according to Darryl, Dean used him to open the gate so when I destroyed it...It could've trapped them in Hell." Blaine replied now looking her in the eyes his face slightly pink.

"It's a risk we'll have to take, I suppose..." Fern noticed Blaine's expression and cocked her head to the side. "Are you ok? You look a little flushed."

"Umm ye..yes I just..um used a lot of energy..that's all." Blaine said looking at the floor again. "Umm should I bring in our new 'guests'?"

"Actually, I'd rather you take me to them than the other way around." Fern put down her guns and cleaning supplies and stood from her table.

"Uhh right...I'll be out side the door when you're ready." Blaine said as Mark came in.

"Any news, Mark?" Fern said as she slipped on her heels.

"Just that Haniko and Darryl are showing two new people around...what's wrong with Blaine?" Mark replied looking back at where Blaine had been. He had some of Ferns favorite food on a plate.

"Blaine already told me." Fern started unpinning her hair and shook it out from her ponytail. "...And he says he spent too much energy?" She shrugged, then took a look at the plate. "Ooh~ Cherry cheesecake~" Fern sighed. "Unfortunately, I have something to take care of, first..."

"All right I'll just eat it then." Mark said with a smirk.

"NO!! You won't..I love cheese cake way more then you!" Graham said as he climbed through the window.

"...Why exactly are you coming in through my window?" Fern raised an eyebrow at Graham as she combed out her hair.

"I got bored and when I climbed through a random window I got slapped by Lilly....how was I supposed to know she claimed that room?" Graham replied.

"Here's a thought," Fern started spritzing on some perfume that was apple-cider scented, "don't climb through random windows. It could've someone's bathroom, for all you know." She gave both of them a blank look. "I seem to recall the last time you snuck into a window without knowing what was on the other side..."

Graham's face got red as he looked away. "_Tiny..."

"WHAT WAS THAT PERV?!" Mark said with a glare that could kill.

"...That's really more than I need to know about my own brother." Fern said as she opened the door to let Blaine in.

Blaine looked very confused before shaking his head. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, I am~ Lead the way, Blaine." Fern turned back to Graham and Mark. "Share the cheesecake, keep the noise down, and don't make a mess."

Mark already had the cheesecake sticking out of his mouth. He gave a nod and took the cheesecake out. "Creeps don't deserve cheesecake."

"It's not like he did it on purpose..." Fern turned from Mark to Graham. "You didn't, right?"

"OF COURSE NOT!! Like I'd want to see hi--" Graham about to finish when Mark slapped a hand over Graham's mouth, then slowly uncovered his mouth. "RAPE!"

Mark recovered his mouth quick and looked up at Fern. "Can I kill him now?"

"I'd rather you just find a muzzle, actually..." Fern paused. "But not for all the time. Talking is part of his job, after all."

Mark nodded and sat on a couch to finish eating, keeping one arm over Graham's mouth though.

"If we leave now you might be able to get away." Blaine whispered.

"I think I could use some time away..." Fern whispered back with a tired smile.

Blaine lead her down the hall.

---

"Will this do, Haniko?" Fern asked as she held the door open.

"This should do fine....What's with this cage?" Haniko asked looking over the cage.

"...It's a memory, Haniko." Fern traced a finger over one of the bars.

"A memory....My mother told me of a town that she saw..but it turned out to just be a memory...but this is different, right?" Haniko asked as she reached for the cage.

Fern smiled. "Yes, I suppose it is. This is a memory of someone who changed, Haniko. At the most basic and core-shattering level that person can change."

"I don't think I understand..." Haniko said as she touched the cage.

"I had three full-blood brothers." Fern said, allowing Haniko to touch the cage. "My oldest little brother and I never got along well, I'm afraid, but the other two stayed close whenever they could when we were little... Mark always thought he could take on the world for all of us, and Boyd never really liked new places or people." She looked at Haniko. "Especially after our mother died."

"H..How'd your mother die?...if you dont mind me asking." Haniko asked slightly squeezing Fern's hand.

Fern smiled softly. "Of course I don't mind." She squeezed Haniko's hand back gently. "My mother was a woman. Never a wife. Not much of a mother. Didn't consider herself to be a werewolf, either, I believe. She did, however, fancy herself to be an actress." Fern sat down on the lounge, motioning for Haniko to do the same. "A seductress, to be more exact. Unfortunately, her methods were...volitile, should we say? As seduction can tend to be. There was a human, Haniko. A hunter. From a human village. But like many of my mother's conquests, a man, nonetheless." She gave Haniko a soft look. "Like most men, he fell for her. Unlike any non-human man, he would not let her leave."

Haniko was listening to every word as she sat down. "....So he selfishly killed her...so no one else could have her?"

"Yes. But he wasn't alone. Humans are rarely strong without numbers, Haniko, dear." Fern eyed the cage. "The entire village ran us out, prepared to destroy us along with her should we move too slow." She rolled up her left pant leg to a few inches above her knee. "I almost did."

Haniko eyes widened. "How did you escape?!"

"Mark." Fern smiled at Haniko. "I don't think he left my side for years afterwards. Mark also never forgave Boyd. And since he turned us in to the government... I don't suppose I can, either."

"Uh...Is Boyd with the government then?" Haniko looking over at Mark then back to Fern.

"I'm afraid that cage is what's left of him, Haniko, dear." Fern motioned to the cage. "He came back, thinking that if we got away, he'd be able to pull the same stunt twice. By that time, Haniko, Boyd wasn't my brother. He lost that right."

"Why keep the cage then?...Doesn't it remind you of the traitor?" Haniko asked looking angrily at the cage.

"Of course it does, Haniko, dear. But my alternative is only remembering who he was when he would come to Mark and I when thunder roared. This," Fern walked up to the cage again, "reminds me why I did what I had to; and reminds other people why he was foolish to even try what he did."

"Does that mean you might regret killing him if you didn't have the cage?" Haniko asked.

"He would have betrayed as sooner or later...there's no reason for us to wonder if we did the right thing or not." Mark stated from against the wall.

Fern nodded to Mark. "Is there anything else you wanted to know, Haniko?"

"No..I don't think so, besides we came here for a reason not for questions." Haniko said looking at the papers.

"Agreed." Fern said as she laid out the papers on her table.

"Hmmm...this looks..rather dangerous..the success rate is low." Haniko said as she looked at one of the papers.

"And any reversal procedures were fatal..." Fern mused. "Seems like these records are only any use to the government's historical archives."

"Hmm I'm sorry...Maybe they have more successful files down there still." Haniko said.

"What on earth are you sorry for, dear? At the very least, you found out more about what created Dean and his brother." Fern eyed the papers again. "It would seem that they were quite tolerant of pain..."

"..Which makes them less able to know their limits..Right?" Haniko smiled a bit.

"Clever, clever~" Fern smiled back at her. "You really are a bright girl, aren't you?"

"I try to be....Why do so many people just do what's easiest?" Haniko shook her head.

"They don't want to make an effort." Fern shrugged, then looked Haniko in the eyes. "Haniko, I came to find you for a reason earlier."

"What reason is that?" Haniko asked looking nervous.

"Your father knows you're here. He's agreed to let you take some time before seeing him, though." Fern said. "And I've made it clear that you are now my subordinate."

"I understand..thank you." Haniko replied with a slight bow. "What do you think of my father?"

"Regardless of what I think of him, he is Nova's ally and therefore valuable." Fern paused. "However...I've been giving out fake smiles and purposeful flattery long enough to recognize them on other people."

"Hmm My father hasn't truely liked any one since my Mother died....I don't think he truely cares when his subordinates die." Haniko stated with a bittersweet smile.

"I believe he mentioned something about not knowing why anyone would want to live in this world. When I asked about his motives, yes?" Fern raised an eyebrow in Mark's direction for confirmation.

Mark nodded.

"Yes, that does seem like my father." Haniko replied. "But he isn't going to cause the death of his ally or subordinates on intentionally."

"That's a relief, I suppose." Fern sat back down next to Haniko. "Do you know anything about soul binding?"

"Yes. Can I be any help?" Haniko asked.

"Maybe, dear. Do you know what soul bending is?"

"I've heard the idea...but if possible it would probably take years to figure out." Haniko replied.

"Do you know if there's any way of detecting traces of such a procedure?" Fern asked. "Or any way or knowing if someone has been soul-bended?"

"As a Soul Vampire yes." Haniko replied.

"Do you know if anyone you've met since coming here has been soul-bound or soul-bended?" Fern asked.

"Well Aspen but besides that....I think Lilly might have been." Haniko replied.

"Lilly? I suppose that's one way of keeping your second-in-command in line..." Fern murmured.

"I don't think she even knows it." Haniko replied snickering.

"So it can be done without their knowledge, too..." Fern mused.

"Yes...it is a bit harder, but still possible." Haniko replied before adding. "It's easier if you already have trust from the person you're binding to you."

Fern blinked. "Lilly trusts Luki, then?"

"He saved her life before...he went crazy...So she trusts him at least a little." Haniko replied.

"Or who he used to be. It seems she would know more than anyone how he's changed." Fern sent a subtle glance in Mark's direction.

Mark glanced backwith a slight smirk.

"I think she believes he will turn back into the Knight in shining armer that he once seemed to be." Haniko mused.

"Seems a bit romanticized..." Fern mused. "And what do you believe?"

"He lost most of my respect when he went mad....although..for a mad man he has managed to get plenty of followers." Haniko replied blankly.

"...You'd be surprised, dear." Fern stood up. "I believe it's past midnight, now. Perhaps you should get some rest."

"Oh my...how time flies." Haniko jumped up. "Good night."

"Good night, Haniko." Fern replied.

Blaine held the door for Haniko before leaving behind her.

Mark waited a bit before speaking. "She doesn't seem that worried about how we might see her father."

"I'd be more concerned with how she sees him. And how his second-in-command does." Fern turned to Mark. "This makes him potentially dangerous."

"I already found him on the dangerous side...She said he wouldn't go out of his way to harm his allies...but does that mean he wouldn't go out of his way to help either?" Mark asked.

"Without a doubt. But what he said when we discussed motives still haunts me." Fern looked blankly at the slats of the window. "Almost seems like our immunity as allies has a time limit..."

"So it would seem....Does he honestly beleive he is helping them by..killing them?" Mark shook his head.

"Haniko did say he went mad..."

"Hopefully he will extend the time, since we have Haniko." Mark thought aloud.

"Hopefully." Fern sighed. "But if he believes he is doing a great service to the world, I don't know why he would spare his child."

"I don't really know...what he truly believes." Mark replied.

"Then we'll just have to watch our steps until we know for certain." Fern said.

Mark nodded in agreement.

Fern smiled tiredly at Mark. "Have you even really slept since we moved, little brother?"

Mark thought for a moment. "Ha. Guess not."

"That's not healthy at all." Fern grimaced a little. "Have you even chosen your room, yet?"

"The one across from yours." Mark replied before adding. "Missing a little sleep won't kill me."

Fern frowned at Mark. "It won't help your reflexes or state of mind, either. You need sleep, little brother."

Mark looked down at gave the floor a light kick. "Okay~" He said turning to leave. "If you need me just whisle."

"I always do~" Fern giggled lightly at her brother.

---

There was a knock on the door. "F-Fern...ar-are you in here?" Haniko's voice came.

"Is that you, Haniko? Come on in, dear." Fern answered with a strained smile.

Haniko came in slowly and shut the door. "Are..you alright?"

"My pride's a little bruised, but I'll be fine. Now what did you want to see me for?" Fern asked.

"D-do you think there's...something wrong with me?" Haniko asked as tears filled her eyes.

Fern was immediately kneeling in front of Haniko, placing her hands on Haniko's shoulders. "No, of course not! What happened, dear?"

"E-Everyone..leaves me.." Haniko said as she hugged Fern.

Fern furrowed her brow in confusion as she hugged Haniko back. "Who's leaving?"

"F-f-first it was mamma, then Yuki...an-and Dean..next you will.." Haniko stated between sobs.

"I have no intentions of leaving. Let alone without you." Fern soothed.

Haniko cried for a few minutes before calming down. "....I want to kidnap Yuki...there's a boy that just left for the facility if I go with him no one would suspect me."

"Are you sure, dear?" Fern rubbed Haniko's back as she calmed down.

"I'm sure, Yuki believes just about everything I say, and would do anything for me...and if I'm found out I doubt they'd hurt me." Haniko said up at Fern.

"If the debutante's lapdog is there, you'll be safe." Fern admitted through gritted teeth. "He takes orders and makes arrests, but he's tame."

"I'll be careful." Haniko stated as she gave Fern a quick hug. "I'll be back with Yuki before you know it!" She said rushing to the door.

"Good luck, Haniko!" Fern smiled.

"Thanks!"Haniko gave Fern a smile as she shut the door.

"Graham, no!" Mark's voice broke out as Graham ran in with a smile and something in his hand.

"My Lady, my lady! I found a new necklace!!" Graham announced happily.

"Uh-huh. And where did you find it?" Fern raised an eyebrow at him.

"In Miss Celest's suitcase..." Mark growled.

"I doubt she'll notice...Hehehahaha...ahhh she's trying to put jewlry on a pig!" Graham snicker didn't seem to suit his usual playful mood.

"Sounds like a risk to me, kitty." Fern said. "You might want to put it back."

"Hmmm *sigh* very well~" Graham said with a slight pout as he looked down at the collar in his hand.

"Since you're here, though." Fern narrowed her eyes at Graham. "We need to talk about those recordings."

Graham looked up with a slight smile. "Yes? What about them?"

"First of all, why do you always seem so anxious to get me drunk?"

"For one...YOU ALWAYS GET SO CLOSE TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT FAMILY IS!!<3 XD For two you're so fun when you're drunk! And three it's fun!" Graham stated with a spin.

Fern snarled. "Is this the only copy of the recordings?"

"I...might have another." Graham replied.

"e___e Hand it over." Mark demanded.

"Where is it, Graham?"

"<.< In my room...I think." Graham replied.

Fern handed the recording to Mark. "Sniff it out. Destroy them both." She told him.

Graham got teary eyes and started sniffling as Mark left the room. "B-but they're so beautiful! A-and they're important to me."

"Shove it Graham. It got him out of the room, didn't it?" Fern snarled. "I just killed two birds with one stone. Now to start with, what's your history with Celest?"

Graham looked down slightly. "Oh..that...*sigh* She gets a kick out of seeing people kill each other...She made me hallucinate by using my memeries of the town...next thing I new instead of being in my bed I was in a strange building with someone trying to kill me...all of this just for her amusement of course!"

Fern winced. "...Why didn't you ever mention it?"

"I thought it was in the past....Can I ask you something?" Graham was looking her straight in the eyes now.

"Of course." Fern replied.

"What makes you want to continue the blood games?"

"Graham..." Fern brushed her bangs out of her face. "You know I never meant for anyone but humans to get hurt. Things picked up pace, we made allies and connections. Everyone was happy." She smiled bitterly. "All of us. Then the Games burned out and they all walked out. All we have now is Nova. She's been patient with us for three years, Graham, and if she leaves too..."

Graham gave a bittersweet smile. "..We've got nothing."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Fern asked again. "When people first started bringing in trespassers and debtors and zombies? If it was so close why didn't you tell me to stop?"

"...Like you said..everyone was happy. If I was able to escape something like it...then I figured they could too. *sigh* But I did do a few things...Like how some of the younger people kapt escaping..." Graham replied looking down as he said the last part.

"And you were clever enough to not get caught." Fern smiled weakly, placing a hand on Graham's shoulder. "Clever, clever, kitty."

Graham quickly pulled Fern into a hug. "And you're very caring! ^-^"

Fern blinked in confusion and did not know how to respond. "...If you say so, kitty."

Graham sniffed the air as he released her. "I...SMELL FISH!! =3"

"Sounds like a nice treat... For later." Fern crossed her arms. "There's still one more thing I'd like to know about."

Graham was already creeping towards the door but quickly turned around. "And what would that be?"

Fern's face stained red with a panicked expression. "Why the h*ll didn't you cut me off before I started talking about--Ack!" She dropped her face into her hands. "And he was even in the room..."

"Oh you mean Blaine's cute lil tushy! ;D Hmmm well I didn't know you'd say that..and besides I thought Mark would run in at any moment." Graham replied.

Fern gave Graham a half-hearted glare, her face still bright red. "...What do you think he meant when he said I don't make him nervous? Blaine always acts like he's anxious about something whenever we're talking."

"You'll understand sooner or later..but I don't think you'd understand right now." Graham snickered.

"You keep saying stuff like that. e_____e Just go eat your fish."

"Sorry my lady~ Oh! Is there anything you want from the kitchen?" Graham asked now in the doorway.

"I'm not hungry, right now." Fern waved her hand dismissively.

"Okay. well tata for now then!"Graham said as he left

---

Fern gave an approving hum as she looked over a new blueprint she was working on. Oh, how she loved building her own guns~

"Knock, knock Ma'am!!" Darryl's voice came from the other side of the door.

"Come on in, Darryl." Fern called from where she was leaning against her work table.

Darryl came in with a glass of clear 'water' and a small plate with snacks on it. "Brought you some snacks!...ohhhh~ making a gun?!"

"Yep. The tricky part will be the inside of the barrel. It must be very precise, since the adjustments will be off... So I'll need Desmond's help with the metal-working." Fern said with a smirk.

"He'll delight in that..Oh...where'd kitty go?" Darryl asked as he sat the plate and glass down.

"Taking the new cat on a field trip." Fern absently took a sip before giving Darryl a teasing look. "Since when were you old enough to serve alcohol~?"

Darryl paused why-why is she smilling....it's not a psycho smile, so I don't think she'll kill me yet. "Ummm...wait...How young am I? meh it-it's not like I'm drinking it..er, besides I only serve drinks that Graham tells me to!"

"I suppose he would tell you to." Fern rolled her eyes before finishing off the drink. "And don't get such a panicked look. It's not like it's a bottle of vodka surrounded by the troops. I can drink with dignity from time to time." She teased before turning back to the blueprints.

"Hehehe you're right." Darryl snickered as he left.

---

"Might I came in Miss Fern?" Celest hummed.

At the sound of an only vaguely familiar voice, Fern quickly stood from the table, unpinned and untied her hair, and was reaching for her perfume with her heels still scattered across the floor before she realized who it was. "...Of course." She gave an amiable smile and her body took a more relaxed stance.

Celest came in carry the glass of wine and the brandied cherries with her usually smile, before it turned to a slightly worried look. "Oh is this a bad time? I was hoping we could have a drink and discuss a few things~."

"It's not a bad time. I just...I try to look presentable." Fern said. "Only Graham and Mark ever see me like this... You understand."

"Of course. Everyone needs to let their hair down now-and-then." Celest hummed as she set the brandied cherries down on the table by Fern. "Kitty said you like brandied cherries, was he right?"

"I love cherries, no matter what the situation~" Fern answered with a laugh. "Although, kitty would make sure to only mention the alcoholic type..."

"Hehe he does seem to have the habit of getting people tipsy....I do have a more serious question though~" Celest began dropping her smile into a more serious smirk.

"Ask away." Fern pushed her bangs out of her face.

Celest took a seat acrossed from Fern. "Who do you believe is closest to Nova?"

"Emotionally? I don't believe such a creature exists. But in most any other sense... I hear that little pest that she uses for a spy is connected to a family heirloom." Fern murmured. "And that the soul itself has been passed through generations."

Celest leaned forward a bit obviously intrigued. "Hmm~ I know that ghostie was tied to the necklace but I didn't know she was an heirloom....My question was a actually about the necklace~"

"I hear binding requires a part of the body once belonging to the soul. I assume the pest's bones are carved into the beads. Aside from that, everyone's very hush on the subject and I can't find out a thing." Fern pouted slightly and finally reached for the cherries.

Celest chuckled bitterly as she leaned back. "Yes I do suppose such a personal matter would be hushed...*sigh*...wait...that little soul sucker girl, she's with you correct?!"

"She's Luki's daughter, but my employee." Fern said, keeping herself alert.

"Hmmm~ how perfact." Celest hummed. "How close do you think she'd be able to get to Nova?"

"I'm not even certain how close Luki is to Nova." Fern shrugged.

"Hmm how disappointing...." Celest sighed.

"It would be interesting to get that necklace from her..."

"..especially if it was another soul sucker that took it~" Celest added as her lips formed a sinister smile.

Fern sighed as she ate another cherry. "And as much as I hate to admit it, the ghost's an asset to whoever she's bound to."

"She's the perfect spy! Can't be captured, can't die, and has to do whatever it's master says~ AWW how perfect! The only problem is getting the necklace in the first place."

"Which is a big problem..."

"Hmmm....unless she has a weak spot for kids....Which I highly doubt." Celest shudder at a memory.

"I can't imagine her having a soft spot for anything." Fern agreed, taking some more cherries. "Aren't you going to have some, too?"

"No thank you....I-I'm allergic.." Celest said embarrassed." Oh~ but maybe we can appeal to Nova's violent side."

"You'll have to elaborate. We have many fighters here." Fern said.

"We just need your little soul sucker to slay someone some what important."Celest pouted at this. "But who...."

"A better question would be, 'someone important to who?'." Fern narrowed her eyes at Celest.

"Hehehe Don't look at me like that, to the government clearly."Celest replied.

"Debutante's father runs an entire facility. And her lapdog is one of their strongest fighters. He seems to prize his trainees above all..." Fern brainstormed. Who could Haniko kill that would cause a stir...

"Ahhh~ but wont big brudder be mad if his lil pup comes here....OOOOPS!! You wheren't supposted to know that!" A young Boys voice came from just behind Fern.

Fern whipped around and was on her feet, aiming one of her previously hidden pistols in the direction the voice came from.

"Over here doll!~" The voice chirped from the other side of the room.

"Don't think you can shot a ghost." Celest stated in a serious tone.

"ANOTHER D*MN GHOST?! IS THE AFTERLIFE TOO CROWDED OR WHAT?" Fern snarled.

"Relax I'm not a wolf goldilocks." A purple haired boy with green eyes stated as he sat on the fainting coach. 

"You've been talking to the pest, haven't you." Fern snarled. "And for your information, I'm a wolf!"

The ghost smirked. "Course I 'ave...She fun....BUT that isn't why I came...Lil princess went to get princie BUT princies tryin to get adopted by YOUR big brother so~" He waited to get her reaction.

"I only have one brother, and he's five years younger than me." Fern spat.

"Oh right~ sooo I geuss you don't care about Jace's pup!" The ghost cheered.

"He's of no relation to me. ...But Haniko's aim is to protect her brother, so I can't really....GAH! Open that d*mn wine bottle!" Fern turned to Celest.

"Already done. :P" Celest replied hand her a glass of wine.

"=__________= Yes but don't you think Lord fluffy will try to get his 'pup' back?"

"Yes, I'm aware." Fern took a gulp of the wine.

"And what will you do about Lord Fluffy A**?" The ghost asked.

"Absolutely nothing~" Fern hummed.

"O.O Oh..." The ghost replied puzzled.

"O.O......=___= What do you mean 'nothing~'?" Celest asked uneasily hoping it was the alcohol speaking.

"I mean what I said." Fern poured herself another glass. "I shall do precisely nothing. I won't even give orders. I simply don't have to for this."

"That's because we all know our orders when it cames to him." Blaine & Desmond stated as they came in their eyes giving off a slight glow.

Fern smirked. "The lapdog belongs to my little brother, Graham wouldn't dream of letting little ones near such bloodshed, and Vic and the Grecos know to take care of any tagalongs." She waved a hand dismissively. "There's nothing for me to do, so I intend to do just that."

"Wait...have you been drinking? =____=" Blaine asked smelling the alcohol.

"Oh I hope so~" Desmond whispered with a chuckle.

"I've been eating cherries. >___>"

Blaine walked over to the table/desk. "........Brandied Cherries. >:("

"So? They're delicious!" Fern stuck her tongue out at Blaine.

"How many did you start with there are only two!" Blaine stated quickly picking up the bowl so she couldn't get to it. This seemed like a good chance for Celest to leave, so she did.

"Pft. Do you think I counted them all? Give it baaack~" Fern reached for the bowl, standing on her toes to try and reach above him since she was not wearing her heels.

Blaine looked from Fern to the bowl a few times before deciding it would be best to eat the cherries himself. "_{Cagh! ughh I hate alcohol."}

Fern's eyes widened when she heard Blaine's muttering. Then she started giggling. "Somewhere, somehow, Gra~am just started bawling his eyes out."

"Hehaha you're probably right!" Blaine laughed.

"That cat has a radar for that sorta thing." Desmond grimaced. 

Fern quickly finished her second glass of wine and set it down behind her as if Blaine would not notice. "So, what are you here for?"

"We finished most the defense for the grounds, we were going to show you...but perhaps it can wait until tomorrow." Desmond hummed as Blaine reached around Fern to get the wine glass.

Fern swatted Blaine's hand away lightly and muttered: "Aren't I the boss, here?"

"When you're sober, you'll thank me." Blaine hummed moving to get a better advantage at the glass.

Fern leaned against Blaine, effectively pushing him away from the glass. "But when I'm sober, I won't remember to thank you~"

"That may be true but I don't mind >///>." Blaine replied still trying to reach it without disturbing her leaning on him.

Desmond happily refilled the glass for her, as he shot a smirk to Blaine.

"But it's not fair to you! And I don't like not remembering..." Fern pouted as she leaned more on Blaine.

"I-I really don't mind! >////<" Blaine stated.

"BLAAAAAIIIIINNNNNNEEEE!!!! I-I-I did it again!!! Help me get Blaze out!!"Darryl called before throwing opening the doors.

"Did what?" Fern blinked at Darryl, still leaning heavily on Blaine.

Blaine narrowed his eyes at Darryl. "Were you training, and you happened to got carried away and so you froze him to the ground, again?"

Darryl simply nodded with teary eyes.

"Blaze is stuck?" Fern asked as she blinked innocently.

Darryl nodded with teary eyes again.

"Why cant- oh yeah Desmond uses a bit too much fire." Blaine sighed and looked from Fern to Desmond. 'I really don't want to leave her with the Ba***rd.' Blaine thought fearing his brothers perverted nature.

Desmond smirked. "Well go on Blaine, Blaine. You can't keep him frozen forever~"

"Somebody's got to unfreeze him!" Fern agreed, looking up at Blaine from where she was leaning against him with large, innocent eyes.

"*sigh* I guess I'll go, but I'll be back in a few minutes!" Blaine said shooting each of his sibling's a glare of death before turning back to Fern.

"Get back soon~" Fern gave him a quick squeeze before letting go.

Blaine & Darryl quickly leave the room.

"Hmph....why don't you ever hug me any more." Desmond pouted jokingly.

"Why don't I ever get drunk anymore..." Fern responded as she returned to the previously unattended wine glass.

"Because you get mad at us." Desmond hummed as he filled her glass.

"Why do I do that? :/" Fern asked.

"Because you worry too much." Demond replied as he gently tapped Fern's nose.

"DESMOND, NO MOLESTING!!" Darryl said as it came in behind the girls.

"It was just a tap on the nose~" Fern giggled as she noticed the four newcomers.

"Hmph yeah, but I know where he was going with it! >:O" Darryl stated as Desmond smiled at it sweetly.

"Oh Miss Fern, we brought something we thought you might like." Lilly said as Celest slowly got out the dresses.

"But my birthday isn't for another...oh..." Fern blinked at Desmond. "Is it three months or two?"

"It's Easter, though~" Rhett grinned crookedly at her. "We thought you'd like to dress up a little!"

"Two, my Dear." Desmond replied.

"Yes it's Easter! And besides we'll dress up too~!" Celest said happily.

"'We' being those two." Rhett gestured to Celest and Lily. "The rest of us don't really have the figure for those dresses~"

Fern blinked. "Oh, I haven't worn a new dress in ages..."

Darryl turned to the girls and shook its head before approaching them and pulling out the Yellow dress. "How about this one?"

"Yellow! That's my favorite color! :D"

"You going to stick around for this~?" Rhett asked Desmond.

"I'll be back when your done. ^-^" Desmond hummed as he left.

"If you ladies need your privacy, Lil and I will gladly wait outside with him~" Rhett told Celest and Darryl.

"Shouldn't Darryl go with you and Lilly stay?" Celest asked curiously.

"I said 'ladies', didn't I?"

"Pft!" Fern snickered. "Nice~"

Lilly goes from smiling to death glare as she stomps Rhett's foot.

"Pffft hahaha nice!" Darryl laughed nearly falling over.

Rhett jumped back in surprise. "Yeesh. So are you coming or not, grumpy?"

"Fine....." Lilly growled heading out of the room.

"Have fun~" Rhett grinned crookedly as he shut the door behind him.

"Those two are funny~" Fern giggled.

"Yes they are! Now let get you dressed!" Darryl said happily going and getting the yellow dress.

Celest: Helping to undress Fern* Ummm.....these are guns right?

Fern stood in front of the two in her underwear, which seemed to have a lot more coverage than it should... There was a bra-bridge holster, two side holsters, one small of the back holster, and two ankle holsters. "Hm...I guess I'll have to switch the ankle ones for thigh ones since I'm going to be wearing a dress..." It was a complete mystery how she managed to hide all that without looking insanely bulky in obvious places.

Darryl & Celest just stood there blinking for a few seconds before helping her take them off and replace them.

"Thank you~ XP" Fern cooed.

"No problem." Darryl hummed.

"It was...interesting. Now it's time for makeup though!" Celest stated.

Rhett knocked on the door. "Boss-lady clothed, yet?"

"Yep we're all dressed!" Darryl replied.

"Everything went smoothly, then?" Rhett asked as he walked into the room.

"Yep~ They even helped me with the holsters!" Fern smiled sweetly.

"...Holsters? Where is there room for holsters in that dress?"

"Don't ask!" Celest and Darryl replied in unison, both of them where wearing sun dresses too.

"...I get the feeling we missed something..." Rhett mused to Desmond and Lily.

"Yep." Lilly replied looking over Fern.

"Hmm is it really a surprise?" Desmond said before noticing Darryl. "WH-what are you wearing?! You never wear dresses!"

"I didn't want Fern to feel uncomfortable." Darryl giggled at it's brother's reaction.

"I don't think I've ever worn a skirt this short..." Fern said, staring down at her dress from where she was sitting and repeatedly smoothing it out.

Rhett blinked when he finally got his first good look at Fern in the dress. "...So that's why she doesn't wear short skirts..."

"I know you won't remember me say this but....It looks very good on you." Darryl whispered to her as SHE hugged her.

"Hmmm I see why." Lilly whispered to Rhett. "But she doesn't look too bad."

"You're simply stunning Dear Fern!" Desmond cooed.

"Thank you, Desmond~ =^_^="

"But you aren't done, yet~" Rhett grinned crookedly. "We still have plans for that gorgeous hair of yours and quite a pallet of make-up to experiment with!"

"I've layed out the makeup that I believe will go best with you & your dress." Lilly stated with a small smile as she gestured to some makeup on the desk.

"And I think I have an idea for your hair~!" Celest added as she walked behind Fern.

"Oh? What are you going to do?" Fern asked Celest.

"An Over-the-shoulder wave would look nice." Celest replied with a nod

"Ohh~ that means I have to let go." Darryl sighed letting go of Fern.

Rhett snapped his fingers. "Oh, d*mn. That reminds me: I completely forgot about jewelery..."

"I thought you might." Blaze said coming in with a small box. "There isn't much but what is here is quite nice."

"As much as I appreciate that, if you're here, then don't we have to worry about green-eyes intruding?" Rhett grimaced.

"No I locked him in the basement....and his legs are still frozen togather." Blaze replied, before putting the box down. "I'll be going now."

"Nah~ Stay and enjoy the fun! Vic's already missing out on this." Rhett said as Fern was leaning her head in whatever direction Celest instructed complacently.

The door slowly creaked open as a voices hisses. "What the H*** are you doing to my sister?"

"At the moment?" Rhett responded without turning to face Mark. "Her hair."

"Hi, little brother~ :D"

"=___= You got her drunk, you froze Blaine, you put her in a sun dress....Why should I not be mad with you six?" Mark growled as Blaine walked past him to get the wine glass away from Fern.

"Fern seems happy though." Darryl pointed out.

"Is something wrong?" Fern blinked at Mark and Blaine as the glass was taken from her.

"To be exact, Darryl froze Blaine, it and Celest got her drunk and dressed, the rest of us just gathered supplies and pitched in ideas." Rhett corrected with a crooked grin. "And it's seven, by the by. One of us is unfortunately absent."

"=___= And none of you tried to stop it?" Mark asked calmly now.

"Look who you're asking, Mark. Besides Blaze I doubt any of them would step in." Blaine stated.

"Hey I didn't know the plan~ and by the time I found out Fern was having a blast~ so I just couldn't bring myself to ruin her happy moment." Desmond cooed.

Fern giggled at Desmond's cooing.

"Aside from red-eyes, we've been planning it for hours! So if you don't mind, you're kind of interrupting her Easter make-over." Rhett waved a hand in Mark and Blaine's direction as if to shoo them away.

"Don't.. shoo me, punk." Mark turned away from Rhett as he walked to Fern. "Sorry but play times over sis~" He smiled as reached out a hand to help her out of the seat.

"Fern you're the boss, do you want to finish the make over first?" Celest asked.

Fern blinked confused for a moment. "...Oh, yeah! I'm the boss! >:D I want to see what happens~ After all," she smoothed the skirt of her dress out again, "yellow's my favorite color~"

"You heard the boss-lady~" Rhett smirked. "We get to see what happens~ Best to let the girls do the work."

Mark smiled. "If that's what you want." Mark stepped back and moved to standing beside her before shooting Rhett a quick glare.

Lilly gave Rhett a "good job" smirk before happily going to work with the makeup.

Fern sat very still for the make-up to be applied.

Rhett gave Mark a proud grin.

Blaine patted Mark's shoulder as he stood beside him waiting for to be over...and oddly enough..he wasn't looking at Fern.

"Something wrong, green-eyes~?" Rhett asked with an amused tone.

"Besides being ticked with Darryl I'm fine. Why?" Blaine replied turning towards Rhett.

"You seem to be avoiding the view," Rhett whispered as he gestured to Fern, "and I figured you of all people would be enjoying it. As it seems, though, red-eyes appears much more interested than you are~"

"Heh yeah but I'll be the one alive when she sobers up." Blaine replied slightly glancing at Fern before looking back at the window with a nearly glowing red face.

"Blaine the red face demon~ had a very glowing shiny face~" Lilly sang quietly.

"You sure? I heard she got drunk on your watch." Rhett chuckled at Lilly's lyrics.

Blaine's eyetwitched. "No~ Darryl tricked me like a little slug faced liar she is!"

"THAT'S SOOO MEAN OF YOU BLAINIE!!!! >:O" Darryl whined.

"None of you should be mean to each other." Fern chastised all four Grecos at once, since in her drunken state she was unsure who was being mean to who.

Blaze just stood there blinking as he wonder why he was being lectured too.

"I believe Blaine was the one misbehaving, My Dear." Desmond stated smiling at Blaine, causing Darryl to smile happily and stick it's tongue out at Blaine.

"Wh-...*sigh* she misbehaved though." Blaine muttered as he looked down.

"But Darryl's been here with me the entire time!" Fern gave Blaine a confused look. "Darryl chose my dress!"

"It was after she ran in claiming she froze Blaze......." Blaine replied as he looked up slightly. "Darryl choose a good dress at least."

"I don't think I've ever worn one this short, though..." Fern crossed her legs as she mentioned the length. "Am I done, yet? Can I see it~?"

"Yep all done!" Lilly said before standing back, as she and Celest grabbed a mirror and showed Fern her reflection.

"Wavey~ XP" Fern curled her hair around her fingers as she watched her reflection before turning to the other occupants of the room. "How do I look? =^_^="

"Stunning~" Desmond replied smiling.

"Beautiful!!" Darryl cheered.

"Very nice~" Celest replied.

"It compliments your figure and facial structure wonderfully." 

"Perfect!"Lilly cooed.

"It looks nice..." Mark murmured.

"Wow...Very nice.. O/////////O"

"Perfect for springtime~" Rhett grinned as Fern giggled at all the compliments.

"I doubt Aspen could insult this." Mark snickered to himself.

"I wouldn't test that if I were you." Fern said sourly.

"Now what? Do we have a showcasing tour, take pictures, or just let her sober up since her brother's here?" Rhett whispered to Lilly.

Lilly smirked as she turned to Fern. "Hey Fern, do you want to see what other people think of your new look?"

"NO!" Mark & Blaine said at once.

Fern blinked and gave the two a wide-eyed look. "What? Why not?"

"Ehh..well..when you sober.." Blaine began "you'll be mad." Mark finished.

"I will?" Fern blinked.

"Show of hands, who wants to give Fern's make-over a little tour~?" Rhett asked as he raised his own hand leisurely.

"Yes, now let's get you out of here." Mark said picking her up bridal style but by the time he turned around everyone but Blaine had their hands up.

"Guess who's been out-voted?" Rhett smirked.

"Doesn't matter I'm higher ranking." Mark smirked walking towards the door. "Plus Fern isn't in the right stated of mind due to the alcohol."

"Where are we going? Aren't the others coming?" Fern asked Mark.

"You're going to get some sleep, after I get that makeup off you, alright?" Mark said smiling warmly to her.

"Ok...But can I sleep with my hair like this? I like how it curls~" Fern wrapped a lock around her finger, again.

"Sure if that's what you want." Mark replied as Blaine opened the door for them.

"I think I'd like that~"

"...I believe we were just downgraded to secondary citizens." Rhett mused to Lilly. "Nobody appreciates democracy, anymore~"

"I know! Isn't it awful?" Lilly pouted.

"Hehehe Anyone else got pictures?" Celest asked tapping a small camera in her hand.

"No fair~ I guess you'll just have to make copies." Rhett grinned crookedly at Celest.

"But of course! *sigh* It's a shame the party-poopers had to ruin it."

"Don't they have wonderful timing?" Rhett agreed a bit sourly.

"It's annoying *sigh* If Darryl only went down there to check on Blaine he could've froze Mark too~" Lilly sighed.

"Even if I had checked I can't freeze Mark!" Darryl pouted.

"Why not?" Rhett raised an eyebrow at Darryl.

"He's our superior! I'm going to be in enough trouble for just freezing Blaine!" Darryl replied before getting closer to Rhett to whisper. "Plus we're kinda like a big family, Fern, Mark, Graham, Vic and my brothers and I...We can't hurt each other....Oooops I shouldn't have told you that though."

"Shouldn't have told me? That's a pretty big secret to keep." Rhett whispered back.

"It really is, you see...Nova doesn't like Family cause family is a weakness...so us being as close as we are, is kinda a huge black mark on our score board with Nova." Darryl whispered before stepping back, clearly looking like it might have said way to much.

"Don't worry. I don't report to Nova." Rhett smirked at Darryl.

Darryl smiled happily before looking around to make sure it's brothers had in fact left. "You better not or you'll become my next training dummy!" Darryl giggled.

Rhett raised his hands in mock surrender and chuckled. "Hey, I'm only here for Lil, and she worked with family, too."

"You did?!" Darryl asked happily.

"Yeah...here's a tip...Don't!" Lilly replied before turning and leaving.

"Ooooops....I said something wrong." Darryl said looking apologetic .

"Nah. Somebody else did something wrong. Her cousin got herself blown up the other day." Rhett shrugged.

"Oh...I don't know her cousin died resently....It most be hard for her right now." Darryl sad, the look on it's face was almost like she was the one with the blown up cousin.

"Meh. She's fine as long as no one mentions it." Rhett said.

"Are you sure she's not just putting on a show." Darryl asked.

"Even if she is that could be her way of handling it." Celest said as she left the room leave them alone.

"How she handles it is her business. So long as she's not crying." Rhett said the last word with distaste.

"What do you mean? Crying is good for you." Darryl stated confused.

"So long as she's not doing it in front of me, then..." Rhett mumbled.

"Aren't you two close....isn't that why she can cry in front of you?"

Rhett grimaced. "Who said we were close?"

"=___= It's obvious, just seeing you two together makes it clear." Darryl stated.

"Try glasses, one of these days." Rhett suggested.

"I think you're the one that needs glasses!" Darryl giggled sticking it's tongue out before running out.

Rhett scowled at Darryl's back as it left the room.

"EEEP!! Er ummm...sorry I didn't realize you where standing there Mr. Luki." Darryl voice came from behind the door.

Rhett's eye widened and he quickly stepped outside. "Something wrong?"

Luki was helping Darryl up off the floor. "No, Darryl here, simply ran into me....But is there something wrong with Miss Fern?"

"She's just sleeping off her intoxication."

"Ah, so she was drunk." Luki nodded at the explanation. "Where's Lilly, I need to talk to her?"

Rhett shrugged. "Somewhere... Want me to take a message?"

"No, that is alright. I'll just tell her later." Luki responded.

"Oh! You might want to check her room, then!" Darryl said before going off.

"You know where her room is?"

"Yes, I was the one who decided on it." Luki replied.

"Then I guess you can find it." Rhett walked past Luki.

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hide out 2nd floor part 3 Archive

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