Digression History: Chapter 5

Digression
Conflict Continuum
Conflicted
Conflicts
Conflicted Rules
CC High Council


Once the trio was gone, Rafe turned his smile to those left behind, his eyes giving brief flashes when he looked at the two humans, but he kept his opinions to himself. "Now," he said, his voice pleasant. "What may I do for the rest of you?" It wasn't a dismissal. He seemed honestly interested in what he could do for them as he took his seat once more, since no one else seemed inclined to leave just yet. He absently took Elvira's hand in both of his and idly played with her fingers, more as if needing the contact, reasserting his ownership as a child might play with it's favorite toy, than to give her direct affection. Still, his fingers left trails of heat, invisible to the naked eye, that would have burned a normal human or creature, but he was certain Elvira would be fine, and so he let the heat lick at her skin, enticing her attention to the siren with the action that bordered at the top of distracting, just below mesmerizing.

"There's nothing else you need to do, you've done enough." Talia replied politely as she hooked her arm round Dash's. "We just need to sort out the living arrangements for everyone." Even with a four bedroom house there wouldn't be enough room for everyone if they were all to share one house. Benny and Fox will share a room, Dash will most likely want a room of his own if he doesn't feel comfortable sharing yet, a room for myself then one for Jake and of course not forgetting Kyra, Kyrian and Brandon..This might take some thought. She thought as she furrowed her brow slightly.

"Well if it helps little Jake is more than welcome to live with me." Elvira added with a smirk as she allowed Rafe to take her hand, finding the heat from his fingertips somewhat calming. "Or maybe Caiden here would like a room mate?" She raised an eyebrow as she glanced at Caiden who had settled on the arm of Rafe's chair. Maybe then I could get rid of two problems at one time. She thought happy at the idea of getting rid of both Jake and Caiden. "Of course its really up to you Rafe. Wouldn't want you to feel overcrowded in here."

"Don't I get a say in any of this?" Jake asked from where he stood behind Talia and Dash, glaring lightly at Elvira.

"No..not really." Elvira responded with a shrug of her shoulders. "Now its pretty obvious you are all not going to fit in the one building..someone is going to have to volunteer to leave the group and it just makes sense that it be you Jake. It will allow you and Caiden to become friends. So unless anyone else can think of any other ideas.."

"If Caiden would like a room mate, he may choose that himself, and, if that choice is our young Jake here, then Jake may choose whether or not to accept the invitation," Rafe cut in to the squabbling, not raising his voice but somehow it was argument killing nonetheless. "I would think if they do choose to share an apartment or other residence together, however, they would choose to do so elsewhere, and not on the other side of my bedroom." He looked at the two boys pointedly before taking a small, steadying breath and put his calm smile back in place. "Privacy is at stake for both of us, don't you think?"

"I can share a room with you if it comes to that," Dash put in, looking at Talia with an expression that was both uncertain about her reaction and perhaps uncertain at his own willingness to do that. "And, you don't mind of course-"

"I don't think any lady would mind that," Brandon put in with a grin and chuckled at Dash's glare. "So four rooms: Benny and Fox of course, then you and Talia, Kyra and Kyrian, and one for Jake, if he decides to stay with you guys. It's all settled." He smiled and it was boyish, naive, and yet something dark lurked just under the surface which made Rafe smile and duck his head slightly to hide the action.

"Of course I don't mind Dash." Talia replied giving his arm a reassuring squeeze before looking at Brandon. "Wait..you didn't include yourself in the rooms..where are you staying?" She asked curiously. "You're not leaving me already are you? I mean us shifters should stick together don't you think?" She grinned at him.

"I want to stay with my friends. I don't want to stay here." Jake said as he watched Caiden with a frown and mistrust in his eyes. Anyone who was associated in any way with the shade lost his trust.

Caiden glared back at Jake taking his untrusting gaze as a reaction to him and his powers. He narrowed his eyes lightly. "Don't worry I would have said no anyway even if you had wanted to. I have no need for a room mate and I never will." He said then folded his arms in a defiant manner as Elvira glanced between the two boys grinning lightly. seems the humans might not be friends.

The uncertainty of the situation kept Kyra quiet for quite some time. She instead clung to her son and watched Rafe. She couldn't help it. He drew the eye. Finally, talking about where they were staying, Kyra stepped forward again and looked over at Jake. "Jake, you are more than welcome to stay with Kyrian and myself." She looked towards Brandon again and refrained from saying anything more, just wondering what the man was up to.

Quinn continued sitting in the background, trying to desperately not draw attention to himself. He did shoot Elvira a look, though, when Rafe took her hand. Dragging his attention away again, he leveled his eyes at the group, putting forth a calm face and keeping himself from stiffening too much.

"I would not think it wise for the three of you to live alone in Haven," Rafe warned, but his warm little smile didn't falter. "At least for the time being. I suggest you choose someone else to live with you. You seem to know Brandon, he would be a suitable choice-" He motioned with his free hand to the male shape shifter.

"Yeah I'd totally be willing," Brandon answered with a nod before looking at Talia and wrinkling his nose in a playful way. "But don't worry, you won't be getting rid of me so easily, Miss Talia." He chuckled before letting his eyes slide over to Elvira, who he gave an appreciative once over before grinning at her, keeping his thoughts to himself.

"Talia, you and Brandon are more than welcome to 'stretch your wings' as it were anywhere, and any time, you should like," Rafe put in with a kind smile at the female shifter. "It must be terribly frustrating not being able to do so. I don't think I could stand it..." he finished, letting his eyes slide over to Kyra. He pursed his lips as if blowing a kiss but made a piping noise, like a bird's trill, and it made fireworks blossom behind everyone's eyes, making their blood pressure shift, breath hitch, cheeks flush just one shade, for just that split second, as if when one receives their first kiss. He chuckled and looked back at Talia. "I think your restraint is most admirable-" He paused and looked at Dash, who had been quite happy to simply sit there and listen. "As is yours, Dashiell... It must be practically infuriating not to be able to flex your abilities."

"I haven't been abstinent with them," Dash half protested as he looked back at Rafe, giving his head a jerk to fight off the noise he could swear he still felt bouncing around in his skull like teasing fingertips. God damn that was distracting, and Rafe never used it enough on him for him to ever grow accustomed to it. Benny had though... It was one of the reasons he hated Rafe more than his younger brother. "But yes... it has been... drier, than it was with you..."

"Do you ever miss it?" Rafe asked with a curious frown, but Dash wasn't stupid. He knew it wasn't as innocent as it looked on the surface. "You used to be so vibrant.. You practically look..."

"Whipped?"

"Yes, thank you Brandon, I wouldn't use such a crude word, but yes, you look quite like that now."

Dash gave a one armed shrug. "I found Talia without war, I can live without it."

"You get used to being in just the one form I guess..though its always nice to be able to shift back to the real me." Talia replied with a small shrug after she had recovered from Rafe's distraction. "Which I suppose I can do now because I don't have to worry about being seen here, right?" She glanced at Dash for a moment and smiled before looking back at Rafe suddenly in her true form. A noticeable gasp could be heard coming from both Jake and Caiden and she couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "Guess its there first time seeing a shifters true self." She commented as she tucked a strand of her white hair behind her ear. "I could stay like this permanently now..no more needing to hide." This thought seemed to brighten her mood and her large black eyes seemed to sparkle with happiness. "Dash..you know you don't have to conceal your powers either if you don't want to."

Elvira sat looking around her now with a bored expression. This wasn't how she expected this to go at all. Everyone is being so nice to each other.. She thought with a role of her eyes. As she looked at each person in turn she paused when her eyes came to rest on Brandon and she noticed him giving her a once over before grinning at her. "Something wrong?" She asked as she slowly got to her feet and took a step towards him, an unimpressed expression on her face.

"I don't think so," Brandon smirked back at Elvira and promptly looked away from her as if to dismiss her. He seemed amused by something he wasn't prepared to say just yet.

Dash turned his attention away from watching Brandon bait the shade, not wanting to be part of the attack to come. Instead, he turned to address Talia. His heart still sped up to see her, but he was fairly certain he could at least speak now. At least she had decent clothes covering her this time. "Without a war, Talia, there isn't much need for a soldier," he replied with a little frown. Then it seemed to dawn on him and he turned narrowed eyes on Rafe. "You weren't thinking like old times though, were you." It was not a question.

Rafe gave a silent sigh and leaned back in his chair to regard Dash, glancing now and again at Elvira to make sure she didn't leave a Brandon sized stain on his carpet. "No, I suppose I wasn't. But we can discuss it later. I want all of you to get settled in to Haven first, see the city. You are under no obligation to do anything for me."

"That's hardly what I'm concerned about. 'Obligation' and 'what you want' always somehow wound up being the same thing."

"You always had the choice to leave."

"And we did, and you hunted us like dogs."

"You used to like that term."

".. Not anymore."

"Than I shall not use it." Rafe gave Dash a gentle smile, hoping to calm him down and Dash relaxed a fraction, leaning back in his own place on the couch and pulling Talia a little closer to himself. Good, the years had not made him ignorant. Dash would come around much easier than he had thought.

"I wouldn't do that.." Jake whispered in warning to Brandon, unsure that the other man was aware just what Elvira could do. "She can have quite a temper.." He continued then quickly returned back to his safe spot beside Talia and Dash with a small yelp when Elvira shot an angry glance in his direction before returning her attention to Brandon.

"So you often just stare and grin at people do you?" Elvira asked with a raised eyebrow. "A little strange wouldn't you admit?" She placed a hand on her hip as she watched him then suddenly smirked. "But I guess I cannot speak of manners when I have not shown mine. My name is Elvira and you are?" She asked stretching her hand out to him to shake, but of course only wanting to make contact with him.

"Don't worry i'll keep you safe." Talia whispered with a small grin to Dash before looking up at Brandon and Elvira. She rolled her eyes and gave a small sigh. Why did the shade have to be here. Everything would be so perfect without her.

Caiden had watched Elvira with a frown then suddenly stepped forward. "Do you want me to show them to where they'll be staying?" He asked Rafe in the hopes of distracting everyone including the shade. "I'm sure you are all quite tired and require rest."

"That's very kind of you Caiden but I believe... Benny, will be returning to retrieve you?" Rafe smiled at Caiden but looked at Dash to address the question at him. When he received a stoic nod, he smiled. "I wouldn't want him to be unable to find you, so why don't I make some tea while we wait, hm?" He didn't wait for a response as he instead stood and walked to the kitchen, pausing only to give Elvira a kiss to the hair as he went, certain she wouldn't harm him, all the while keeping his eyes on Brandon as he did so, and then went to make the tea.

"Brandon," the male shifter replied, returning his knowing smile to Elvira but making absolutely no move to touch her. He watched Rafe kiss her with that same knowing look, then his grin widened just enough to show teeth. He jerked his head a little toward the door. "Let's go for a walk, you and me." He turned away but put a finger beside his nose, then used it to point at Talia with a wink. "I'll sniff you out later, promise," he said and then walked out of the room, doing his best not to laugh out loud at Elvira's attempts to intimidate him. He had words for her.

"Go with him Elvira," Rafe called from the kitchen. "See that he doesn't terrorize the neighborhood." The last thing he wanted was someone he didn't know very well walking through his city, especially unattended. Well, actually, he didn't mind that at all. What he would mind is if they were killed in some brawl when he wanted something very important he could use them for.

Elvira sneered at Brandon when he suggested going for a walk then looked at Rafe with a surprised expression when he told her to go with him. "Alright..but if I come back alone..it wasn't my fault." She couldn't help but smirk at her joke then sauntered out of the apartment after Brandon, leaving Talia sitting with her mouth hanging open in surprise. "Not many would have the courage to ask me to go on a stroll with them.." She commented once she had caught up to him. "Are you trying to show you're not afraid of me?" She raised an eyebrow at him as she questioned him.

"Not at all," Brandon replied calmly as he walked with her out of the building. He made it a point not to lead, instead staying exactly even with her as they stepped out on to the street and turned to walk down the sidewalk in a random direction. His pace was slow, unhurried. Where did he have to go anyway? "I'm quite terrified of you." He smirked at her this time. "But I don't think that should have any bearing on my actions, besides not grabbing you and snogging you against a wall." He chuckled and faced forward again. "It's been too long is all. I missed you, Elvira." And with a small roll of his shoulders, as if working out a slight stiffness, a ripple overcame him. His hair lengthened, his skin paled to almost pure white, and his eyes, when they turned to her again, were not the same as hers, not that soul pinning glowing red, but their irises seemed like glass showing a blood filled center of his eyes. For the first time since Rafe sent him out years ago on a recon mission to learn if it was the real Fox and Benny in their neighbor city, to see if their lord had been so lucky, he stood in his natural form, still calmly walking with a shade he had had too many arguments with, too many talks, too many walks, too many late nights, early mornings, days on end, to call an enemy. "Nobody ever gives me nightmares quite like you do."

At the mention of snogging her, Elvira's eyes flashed dangerously and she gritted her teeth as her fists clenched dangerously by her sides. She turned to confront him but her words caught in her throat as she watched him transform before her. "You!" She finally breathed then suddenly grabbed the front of his shirt and shoved him roughly against the wall of a passing building. "You're supposed to be dead." She growled as she glared at him before finally letting go of him and turning back to the path with a childish huffing sound. "Great..now I have to start putting up with you again. And there I was thinking that my life was going to get easier.." She pouted slightly then couldn't help but glanced back at him curiously. "Do I really give you nightmares?"

"Of the worst kind," Brandeis purred with a grin, being honest but also clearly enjoying those nightmares she gave him. He chuckled, happy he could still rile her up and fell in to step with her again as he straightened his t shirt. "So you would like me better as a corpse then? At least I finally know how to win you over." He laughed at that, and the sound was warm and happy, as quiet as, but not as controlled, as Rafe's. "What have I been missing then? What made your life soooo great without me here?" He couldn't stop grinning. Somehow, the danger of infuriating Elvira without getting attacked, like poking a tiger you weren't completely certain you could outrun, was always the greatest rush. Cocaine and morphine had not come close to this.

"It was just the pleasant silence that always followed me, not having this irritating little chattering voice following me around everywhere that made everything so perfect.." Elvira replied with a smirk as she glanced sideways at Brandeis. "Just a pity that chattering voice has now suddenly reappeared." She sighed dramatically as she carried on walking. "As for what I have been up to..Rafe entrusted me with bringing the three companions to him, which I was doing brilliantly until you came along. I mean..why did you have to bring that other silly little shifter and those humans? Growing weak are we?"

Brandeis gasped and put a hand on his chest, his dark eyelashes fluttering. "You always had such a way with words," he breathed, his tone either hurt by what she said, or flustered by it, he didn't explain, instead dropping his hand again. "I didn't want to bring the humans, I would just have soon have left them there to rot but Talia has a weak heart... and Dash is bound to her or some romantic nonsense like that. You never would have brought him without her, and she would never have left them there to die. Look on the bright side," he added with a grin, his serious explanation slipping in to trademark relaxation. "We don't just know his Achilles heel, we know exactly how to cut it now." He chuckled, the sound surprisingly dark, but a moment later it ended. "Admit it, you miss The Hunt," he changed the subject, referring to a game he, at least, had always enjoyed. Spending long boring days when Rafe had nothing for them to do, as an animal, truly stretching himself, as Elvira hunted him down. He could remember more than once being cornered in an unfinished renovation, staring up at her, eyes wide, arm or leg bleeding, taking in that terrifying smile of victory, some weapon pointed at his face, even if it was her own nails, feeling the adrenaline course through him, and laughing, either in delirium or true joy. He never really knew, and he never really cared. She killed boredom as well as anything else.

"Ah yes..the hunt." Elvira replied as she grinned over at Brandeis. "Maybe we could get the other shifter to join us, make it more of a challenge. Or maybe Caiden would like to join in too.." She said then suddenly remembered that Brandeis hadn't ever met Caiden. "Caiden is Rafe's new pet so to speak. He's human but he's developed the abilities of a creature. Call him a mutant if you will. He's a very annoying boy but I'm working on getting rid of him." She said in a conversational tone. "Now where exactly are we going?" She asked not really enjoying just walking around aimlessly.

"Ah I wondered who that boy was..." Brandeis said thoughtfully. He had learned the name, location, and look of the child but he didn't know why Rafe would have any interest in a human. Now it made sense. At Elvira's question, however, he had to be quiet a moment. He hadn't had a destination in mind, and he didn't know what to do now that he wasn't deceiving the people next to him. He hummed thoughtfully. "I'm not sure," he said finally. He turned and stepped in front of her to make her stop walking. "'Where' doesn't appear to interest me. What would you like to do?" he asked instead, for once being serious. At least, for the moment.

Elvira frowned. "You brought me out here and now you expect me to decide what we do? Was this all just a trick to get me away from your police friend and her child?" She asked in a frustrated tone. "You played a cop very well..too well to make me believe you weren't enjoying it. Did you enjoy it?"

Brendeis lowered his head and grinned, but it had a hard edge to it. He gave a small, soundless laugh and closed the distance between them in one smooth step, his eyes staring harshly in to hers. When he spoke, it was with a voice full of frost. "Only a pig... would enjoy wallowing in the mud." He stared at her a long moment, before finally his dark expression broke like cloud cover into another charming grin. "Unless you want me to be dirty?" He chuckled and raised a suggestive eyebrow at her. "Because I can do that. I'm very... flexible. I can be anything you want me to be."

"Why must I have to put up with you?" Elvira sighed in exasperation but there was a small hint of a smirk on her lips. "Now I suggest you take a step back unless you wish for me to go back and tell Rafe that you've gone for good this time.." she folded her arms lightly over her chest as she watched him. But before he could answer she just simply stepped around him and carried on walking. "So what do you plan on doing now that you're back? Apart from annoying me of course.."

"Getting back to work," Brendan answered, unaffected by her attitude as he once again fell in to step beside her, hands clasped behind his back. "So with luck you won't have to put up with me for long. Whole domestic thing never set well with me anyway. Much as I love our time together, I love it to be short."

"Mm..me too. Though one benefit of spending more time with you is definitely the thought that I could cause even worse nightmares for you." Elvira replied and couldn't help but smirk at him. "The idea that you can't even escape my darkness when you sleep is very rewarding for me. Now tell me..what exactly are these nightmares made up of?"

Brandon closed his eyes as they walked, head tilted back slightly. "The last one I recall..." he said quietly. "You forced me in to the shape of a pig, restrained me, and then slowly cut strips off of me, making sure I didn't die immediately, and made me watch as you cooked and ate my bacon...." His eyes slid open and he was frowning as if scared, then he screwed up his face, and, sure enough, a moment later, he shivered. "So many nights I couldn't sleep because I couldn't get you off my mind. I'd wake up in a cold sweat sometimes and stare around at the darkness for nearly an hour, wondering how you found me." He frowned a moment longer, but then grinned, visibly pushing off his discomfort as he looked at her with those dark red eyes again. "But you never actually did."

"Why would I look for someone who was meant to be gone?" Elvira asked with a raised brow before shrugging. "Plus even if I knew you were still alive i'm sure Rafe wouldn't allow me to find you and he wouldn't take to kindly to me harming one of his own now would he?" She glanced momentarily as they walked before frowning. "Maybe we should think about returning. As I said I do not enjoy wandering aimlessly.."

"And sitting right next to Rafe gives you purpose?" Brandeis countered with a raised eyebrow and mild look. It was a rhetorical question, however, as he went on. "Our wandering isn't aimless, my dear Elvira! It's deepening our friendship." He fluttered innocent, long black eyelashes at her, but he grinned and jerked his head back the way they came. "But very well, we can head back-" He turned on the spot and his skin shifted like a rippling robe until Brandon was standing by her again, back to her, and he looked over his shoulder, grin still firmly in place, and his hands fisted, wrists crossed, at his tailbone. "But only if you hold my hand," he said seductively. He lost some of the little amount of trust Kyra had for him by knowing he was a shifter, but there was no need for her to ever know who he truly was, and nobody in that room was going to believe the two of them returning amicably.

Elvira sneered and took a breath to snap a reply at Brandeis when he spoke of holding her hand but she stopped suddenly and a wicked smirk slowly spread across her face. "Alright..if you wish to hold my hand then take it.." She spoke in a slow menacing voice as she moved in front of him and held her hand out towards him. She tilted her head slightly as she continued to smirk at him, knowing he would probably think twice about actually taking it.

She wasn't wrong. Brandon uncrossed his wrists and held up his hands as if in defeat. "Nevermind then," he said simply, turned, and started back toward Rafe's apartment, hands in his pockets and whistling. He might have to listen to Elvira, since she was more of a favorite to Rafe than he was, but he wasn't and idiot. Given the option he wouldn't throw himself under her boot, and he would never upset Rafe. He didn't want to be another scorch mark on the pavement. No, he'd much rather go on living, thank you very much. Doing things that were... well, probably not whatever Elvira would do to him if he took her hand, let alone did half the things he joked about doing. Yes, given the option, he was not so stupid to touch her.

"Aw..you hurt my feelings." Elvira teased with a pout before chuckling and moving after him. "Am I really that frightening? Maybe I should change my ways.." She smirked lightly at her joke before suddenly glancing at Brandon curiously. "Are you aware of what Rafe has planned? I mean do you really believe he has worked so hard to get the three companions here just so he knows where they are?"

"Not for a moment. He wants them like he wants everyone else," Brandon replied smoothly. "But it isn't our duty to question him, is it?" He raised an eyebrow at her, as if asking her to challenge that, but a moment later he was looking forward again, seeming to make it a rhetorical question. He smirked. "When have we ever needed to?" He tilted his head back, closing his eyes as if in ecstasy as he stretched his arms over his head. "I had so many of them terrified..." he purred. "Sure, it was only that final moment, but the look in their eyes... the realization, the terror in their ignorant eyes as their pathetic little lives were snuffed out-" He shivered. "Picking them off... One. By. One." He put his arms down and lifted his head, looking at her with a bit calmer smile now. "I guess I take more pleasure in foreplay than you do. You always need such immediate gratification-" His grin widened teasingly. "You must be horrible in the sack."

Elvira rolled her eyes. "Have you always been so rude?" She replied. "And I am not questioning Rafe..I am merely curious is all. I've been doing all this work and I would just like to know what he hopes the end result will be." She shrugged lightly. "But I suppose when hes ready to talk he will do so." She paused outside Rafe's building and turned to smirk at Brandon. "Now what way are you going to act this when you get back up there? Will you be terrified of me?"

"I think a look of tense contemplation should work," Brandon replied thoughtfully. He rolled the hand he had been using to stroke his bare chin, bringing the fingers around to the outside as if in dismissal. "Just ask him," he added to their previous conversation. "He hasn't lied to us yet that I know of." He shrugged, then took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment. His shoulders tensed and he slowly opened his eyes again, making sure to no longer look at Elvira directly, never enough to catch her eye, and his jaw was set. "Show time," he said easily and led the way inside, making sure to keep a few feet between them as they boarded the elevator and took it up to Rafe's apartment.

---

Fox watched Ean closely as they followed him. Sighing softly she shook her head. "Should we have left the Jake, Kyra and Kyrian behind?" She wasnt sure they should have. Especially with Elvira around. Laying her head against Benny's shoulders as they walked. "What are you thinking?"

"I'm sure they're safe with Dash there," Benny replied quietly and wrapped an arm around Fox's shoulders to hold her close. "Not to mention Talia and Brandon. Besides, we both know Rafe isn't going to hurt people you consider friends. Like it or not, that.. thing, isn't going to do anything to deliberately upset you."

"He wouldn't hurt them anyway," Ean put in where he was a few feet ahead. He didn't look back at them but his thoughtful expression was clear in his tone. "I assure you, everyone is quite safe for now. Let's just focus on finding you a new home-"

"House," Benny interjected.

Ean plowed on as if he hadn't heard the correction. "And get you settled for the time being. Questions and concerns may be addressed later. Rafe did say he wanted to hear from all of you, did he not? If you want it on your own terms, then I will be happy to let him know you wish to see him in your new home-"

"House."

"Rather than coming to his, if that would make you more comfortable."

Fox watched the exchange and then spoke as if it didnt happen. "You're probably right. Did you get the feeling he didnt like us... touching or being that close? As if he were jealous. Or... still has some kind of claim on me." Fox's white eyebrows drew together in thought and confusion. She was unsettled by Rafe and his actions but then again, she always had been. That clearly hadn't changed. Wrapping her arm around Benny's waist she walked along beside him. "I can't let this stress me out. I just cant."

"Once Rafe's, always Rafe's," Benny sighed as he wrapped his arm around Fox's shoulders in return and focused on remembering the buildings they were passing. It took some time for them to arrive in the section of the city Ean had mentioned, and when they did, Benny had to raise his eyebrows. A long street, on a road that sloped semi-steeply downward, lined with townhouses on either side lay before them. They were all newly painted, though the colors were muted- mostly likely to keep them from being too obnoxious. They looked uninhabited but well maintained. It had been so long since he had seen weeded sidewalks and unbroken glass, he was a bit stunned.

"Take your pick," was all Ean said as he looked at them and motioned to the houses, his calm little smile once more in place.

Fox's eyes widened at the sight before them. Taking a few deep breaths to calm herself. "Oh my goodness..." She couldn't believe it. It was a picture perfect scene before them. As if they were a couple going to look for their first house. Clearing her throat, her cheeks grew warm and red from embarrassment. She was getting emotional which wasn't really like her. "I like blue..." Giggling softly she glanced up at Benny. She wanted them to pick together. "Do... do they have furniture?"

"The basics," Ean answered and turned away again, leading them to a dark cobalt colored home that was only a few houses away. "Beds, couple of dressers, maybe a table and chairs for dining. I think a few might have a couch...."

"Where can we buy the other stuff?" Benny asked after he had pressed a brief kiss to Fox's hair and gave her a small smile, amused by her pink cheeks.

"Buy? Oh- well, you won't need to," Ean replied thoughtfully. He turned the knob and stepped inside without so much as a knock. Inside were hardwood floors and off white walls and a scrubbed fireplace to the far wall. It was clean, if bare. "Oh.. this one is a non-couch one. Well, in any case-" He sighed and turned to them again. "About furniture, you'll put in a request- you can send it with me- and the furniture will be brought to you. Everything salvageable was put in storage in the warf district. You'll have someone escort you, and you can pick out anything and everything you would like."

Benny gave him an odd look. "You just.. give it to people who ask for it?"

Ean nodded. "Within reason. There is a warehouse for everything, one for furniture, pictures or just frames, lamps, bedding, anything you may need."

"... Why is it like that?"

"Less fighting of course."

"... Oh."

Fox glanced around the room they were in and smiled softly. It was almost as big as their old apartment. Patting Benny's chest she carefully moved away to wander around. It was cute, of course it was bare but as Ean said, that could be fixed. Chewing on her bottom lip she found a set of stairs that led to the upstairs level. Taking them slowly she was surprised to find several bedroom's up there. The first thing that popped in her mind was... Children... As odd as it was, being back where Rafe could watch them, Fox actually felt as if her and Benny could have a normal life. Returning downstairs she stopped at the bottom step where she could clearly see Benny, wrapping her arms around herself she waited until she caught his attention and nodded her head excitedly. "I love it..."

Benny smiled at her, more because it was her than that they would be staying here. No, nothing would make him happy about that. "I guess we don't need to keep looking then," he turned to Ean, his smile somewhat diminished. "Can we-"

"Get furniture today? Certainly. I hadn't expected it to be such a short excursion," Ean replied with his same calm little smile. "But it is all well. Come, I will show you the warf district. Mark the door, I know you can-" His smile at Benny became knowing but he stopped when the blood mage's eyes began to narrow. Ean looked at Fox instead. "We'll get you anything you need there, and there will be plenty to help us move it here. You could be well settled in by midnight." He gave a polite little bow of his head and then stepped past them to lead the way down the street, but waited on the sidewalk for them.

Benny sighed, still unable to figure the little boy out, but when he looked over at Fox, he couldn't help but give a little smile again. "Our own home... a real house," he whispered, in awe of it. Rafe or no, that was a gift- Actually, he should have expected that. Rafe was always one for gifts. He mentally shook that thought off and held his arm out, offering to wrap Fox in it again and when she joined him, he kissed her hair. "Living like a family," he added, his voice still quite. It was like he was in awe of it. How long had it been since he had been able to live with his brother? He chuckled as joy, unwanted, bubbled in his heart. Yes, they could make do here, for now at least, as long as Rafe stayed the hell away from them with his honey words and silk touches. That thought firmly at the fore of his mind, he led the way after Ean, closing the door behind them to what was not to be their new home. House. New house...

"Benny we can keep looking if you want. The first one we see doesn't have to be 'the one'." Fox looked up into his eyes as they walked along. "There could be something better out there." Placing her hand on his chest she watched him carefully. Glancing over at Ean she frowned slightly. "Love... be honest. I'm okay with looking some more." She sent the words to his mind and retreated quickly, not wanting to invade his privacy.

At her hand on his chest, Benny looked away from the door frame he had his hand on, giving her a politely interested look. When she finished, he smiled. "We've lived in a box for over a decade. Fox, this house is more than enough, for all of us, and I'm sure not all of us will stay here. Not to mention, if Dash and Talia want their own house-" He motioned with his hand not around her to the houses all around them, especially the ones on either side of their chosen house. He stepped away from the door soon after that, leading her after Ean. "We can always move if we come to hate it."

Fox kissed his cheek as they walked along and smiled. "Alright. I just want you to be happy with the choice as well." Bumping her hip against his playfully she smiled. "How about you get first say in the furniture?" Giggling slightly she glanced around and sighed. "I've never felt this free before. Which is weird because... I'm not sure we are. But there's no police to worry about. I don't have to stress about you getting hauled away and beaten..." Laying her head against him as they walked she smiled happily.

"I'm not so sure about that..." Benny replied as he watched a creature with four arms and dark brown fur lumber along on the other side of the street holding industrial painting supplies and smoking a cigarette. It glared their way but otherwise did nothing. Benny frowned but continued following Ean.

"In time they will get to know you," Ean told them, having been listening but politely quiet. "None of you should be in any danger, given a little time. They are... alert, but not hostile. I'm sure you can understand that." He gave them a brief little frown, but then looked forward again, continuing his lead.

Fox eyed the creature as the past by and frowned. "That'll take some getting used to. We haven't really seen creatures in their true forms for quite a while. Except in the market... And I didn't go there very often." Averting her eyes so she didn't stare, Fox followed behind Ean. "So... you don't have a lot of crime or... murders or anything?"

"Not in Haven, no," Ean replied easily. "Of course, sometimes people will need to fight- we're not all placid- but they must take it outside city limits-" He waved a hand so his arm and fingers extended directly out from his body as if to motion to an area they couldn't see past the buildings. "And most other problems are dealt with by Rafe. If they happen before he can handle them preemptively, he will handle them, or send someone to handle it, reactively. 'Murder', in the sense that I'm sure you refer to it, does not happen here."

Fox nodded her head as they passed by a few more creatures. Sliding her hand into Benny's, they walked along behind Ean. Clearing her throat she glanced away from a disturbingly disgusting creature, that was well known for cruelty. "And how are they kept out of houses that are occupied?"

"As I said... Rafe deals with such problems preemptively," Ean answered cryptically, giving her a look to match. "As long as you don't go snooping in other people's homes, they should stay out of yours. If you have a problem- well, I'm sure you'll be able to handle it-" He glanced at Benny. "But Rafe will also take action and I assure you, it won't happen again." He gave a brief nod and looked forward again. They had walked a few blocks by now and at the end of the street was one large warehouse, but as soon as they reached the end of the street, spread out to either side of them, was a long line of warehouses, and all around them bustled various creatures, pointing to things, entering or exiting the buildings, or carrying things around. Behind the storage buildings lay a bay, grey and dark, but with no foul odor that most water sources carried now, nor the layer of floating rubbish. Ean turned to his companions. "This is the warf district," he introduced. "Anything and everything you should ever need can be found here, including food-" He pointed to the far end to their left. "The market is that way."

Fox glanced around at everything and sighed heavily. To get the things they needed back in Decamp they'd had to scavenge for it. They'd gone into abondoned buildings and taken what they'd needed. This was completely different. Frowning deeply she glanced in the direction Ean indicated for the market. "How do you purchase things in the market? Money, trade?" She was trying to figure out how they were going to get along. She'd grabbed the money from the safe so they were good there. She wondered if they'd be able to get instruments. "Any chance there's musical instruments? "

Ean smiled, amused by her question. "As if Rafe would let them be removed or destroyed," he pointed out, then nodded. "Of course there are instruments. Rafe has asked that they all be taken to the music hall downtown. I can show you when you wish. As for how you purchase things...." He paused, thinking that over, then frowned. "I'm not entirely sure. I've never had to purchase anything here. Anything necessary will be taken care of, but anything unnecessary, such as sweets or jewelry, I believe you'll need to trade or barter. We have no currency in Haven that I am aware of, but again, I have not been want for anything since my arrival."

"Even food?" Fox frowned deeply. Sure there had been a time where she hadn't wanted for anything either but that was a long time ago. Since they'd left Rafe they'd had to buy or barter anything they'd ever wanted. Food was...rare in the beginning and even then they'd had to trade and such to get it. Looking up at Benny, her face shown with the awe of it all.

Benny returned her gaze steadily, his feelings kept forcefully in check. "Rafe always did need to have comforts," he pointed out blandly. "I guess it would be silly to assume that had changed, despite how many years we've been apart. He's not exactly.. flexible with his wants."

"...Yes," Ean put in carefully, watching the two of them stare at each other and uncertain if he was interrupting something. Still, he wanted to answer their questions. "Food is a necessity of life, so it is provided. Rafe has many nymphs and elementals in Haven who are happy to take care of his gardens. They get their own territory, and the people of Haven are well fed. It is their contribution. Everyone in Haven contributes to the community, except.. perhaps... Rafe's favorites, but we serve a different purpose."

Fox's spine stiffened at his last words. They sounded all to familiar. Sighing softly she shook her head. "Let's just get the things we need at the moment and then go and get the others." Clearing her throat she tried remembering what all had been in the house as far as furniture, of course it wasn't hard to remember how bare it had been. "Table and chairs, couches, and at least two dressers. The rooms still had beds, luckily."

Ean nodded and led the way. Creatures surprisingly parted the way for him to pass through, giving Fox and Benny suspicious looks, but the look Benny gave some in return were enough for them to pale and scatter. It took a few hours and quite a few warehouses, but in the end a few hulking creatures and a large truck were off to their new house to deliver the items they had chosen. It had taken some discussion, but it was getting very late so it had been decided to get the bare essentials and work on decorating and personalizing a different day. Each room would be ready for occupants now at least, and the kitchen stocked with food and cooking utensils. That would do for now. The three walked back to the house mostly in silence and by the time they got there the 'movers' as Benny thought of them were leaving. Once inside, with the door shut, he kissed Fox and promised to be back in just a few minutes before grabbing Ean and vanishing with him back to Rafe's apartment. He was done leaving his brother there.

---

Rafe stepped back in to the living room only a couple of moments after the door closed behind Elvira and Brandon. Seeing Talia's expression, he chuckled. "What an unattractive expression, Talia," he said softly as he carried a tray of tea cups and a pot of tea to the coffee table, but the words were not meant unkindly. He was more teasing her. "You shouldn't be surprised. Killing is in her nature after all," he commented, but something about his tone said he was engaging a conversation, and sure enough, once he had poured all the teas and politely distributed them with little smiles (even smaller for the humans he gave tea to, and juice for little Kyrian) he took his seat and leaned back comfortably with his tea, and regarded her with that same calm, pleasant expression, listening for her reply.

Talia abruptly closed her mouth ,looking embarrassed when Rafe teased her. As he spoke of Elvira her expression quickly turned to a frown. "I don't know why you allow her here. She's dangerous and certainly has no place here amongst us or anyone for that matter. How can you be sure that one day she won't decide she's had enough of you and its time for a new person in charge round here?" She raised an eyebrow at her question as Caiden and Jake both glanced quickly between her and Rafe now.

"That wouldn't happen," Rafe replied without missing a beat and took a calm sip of his tea before setting the cup back on his saucer and resting it demurely on his lap with graceful hands. His eyes, burning but comforting like dying embers, met Talia's solid black ones. "She is dangerous, yes, to be sure, but is that not all the more reason to make her feel wanted? To make her calm? I would much rather have her where I can keep an eye on her-" Both to keep tabs on her, as well as protect that beautiful flower... "Than shun her, make her feel ostracized by society, and push her away where no one knows where she is. A threat is somewhat less of a threat if you can see it, and therefore brace yourself, or dodge away from it, do you not agree? More than that, 'the enemy of my enemy, is my friend'. Elvira is invaluable in helping the world progress. I'm sorry she gave you a bit of trouble but-" He looked at the group of them as he raised his cup again. "None of you died, so perhaps she is not as dangerous as you fear?" He gave Talia another small smile, as if to comfort her, and continued to sip his tea.

"I'm pretty sure she wants me dead for what I did to her.." Jake muttered into his cup as he took a small sip. "But i'd do it again..and next time, i'll make sure not to miss." It was only when the words had left his mouth that he realised he had said it aloud. He glanced up looking embarrassed and a little nervous. "Thanks for the tea.." He said quickly hoping Rafe wouldn't have noticed his earlier words.

"You're welcome, Jake," Rafe said softly, and something about the way he was looking at the human said he had not missed a single word. "And next time," he said, confirming his look. "See that you don't." He gave a boy a gentle smile, just for him, leaving the meaning perhaps not quite certain, and looked at Talia and Dash again. "So, how long since you found her?" he asked Dash conversationally as he set aside his saucer on the table next to his chair and simply held the cup so he could reach up and rub Caiden's back as he sipped his beverage, all the while keeping his eyes on Dash. He never did go long without company, so the less people in the room, the worse off he was.

Dash frowned, trying to think about it. "Only about a week?" he guessed and looked at Talia for confirmation. Gods she was beautiful. He forced the blush he felt just beneath the surface of his cheeks away at the thoughts that sprung to mind when he looked at her. It really had only been a week hadn't it? They were only just getting to know each other, and they had years to get to... that. Patience.. patience...

"Yeah about a week..you grew curious as to what I really looked like and when I showed you, that was it. You realised I was the one." Talia replied as she grinned at Dash. "It was the first time anyone had ever called my true form beautiful." Her smile grew softer and she gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "So now thats that. He's stuck with me forever now. I'm never going to leave his side." She chuckled lightly as she looked back at Rafe.

Dash smiled fondly at Talia's words and squeezed her hand back, but it was Rafe who spoke. "That's awful." The words were quiet, serious, and again Rafe was looking at her but this time he was frowning. "How could anyone think you were anything less than beautiful?" He ignored the way Dash's head snapped around to give him a look that was a fraction from a snarl. "You are anyone and anything. You are, and that alone is beautiful. I hope you continue to feel comfortable enough here in Haven to continue to be yourself, Talia, because she seems like a wonderful young lady."

Talia was thankful that her skin was red because after Rafe's words she felt her cheeks would be blazing hot. "T-thank you.." She said in an small embarrassed voice. "I don't think i'll have any worries about not being able to be myself here." She wasn't sure what else to say to his words so she just smiled politely at him as she gripped Dash's hand.

"I think I will excuse myself," Quinn said quietly from the corner he had stationed himself in. He glanced towards Talia and Dash, his eyes indecipherable as he started towards the door. Quinn almost froze when he realized he had never checked with Rafe. Turning to the Siren, he gave a nod. "If that is alright?" he asked, blinking a few times.

Kyra was kneeling near her son, watching the interaction. But Kyrian only had eyes for Rafe, his bright blue eyes almost glowing in a stark contrast to the redness that seemed to flow from the siren. The boy stood, juice in hand, and rested his innocent eyes on the man. Kyra, doing her part, put a hand on her son's shoulder to keep him where he was, and she too looked at Rafe. A little uncertainty and some not so hidden maternal aggression appeared on her face as she waited for a chance to leave.

Rafe set his tea aside calmly and stood from his chair, taking smooth, poised steps over to Quinn who he immediately wrapped in his arms, his taller, firmer body hiding nearly all of the Deiciden from view of those behind him. "Next time," he said, his voice too quiet for others to hear, just seeming to be affectionate with his forehead leaned down against Quinn's. "Ask before you leave me," he warned, and he didn't have to emphasize it. He tilted his chin up and pressed a gentle, lingering kiss to Quinn's forehead, then finally slid his arms away. "Do be careful," he bid him farewell with a smile as kind as any other, then turned away to return to his chair. He slowed, then stopped, in front of Kyrian however, just a couple of feet from the boy. On the couch, Dash shifted as if tensing when Rafe knelt in front of the small boy, still smiling, but his quietly burning eyes analytical. "Well hello there..." he greeted, his voice smooth and warm, setting off stars behind everyones' eyes. "And what might you be?"

Glancing towards Quinn as he rabbited away, Kyra's eyes snapped back to Rafe, not trusting him so near her son. But Kyrain, ever innocent and trusting, looked at the siren with wide eyes. Never one to talk, he simply held up the juice and put a hand over it. With concentration that set his eyes to glowing, he pulled the water completely from the container, leaving behind a fine, amber colored powder as the water swirled slowly towards his hand. The sound of the door shutting behind Quinn as he left caused his concentration to vanish, sending the water splashing to the floor, dampening the front of his shoes and pants. When Kyrian appeared shaken by it, Kyra wrapped her arms around the boy, smiling encouragingly. "You are getting better," she whispered to him before looking at Rafe. "His father was a water mage," she said quietly. "And so is he."

"A water mage..." Rafe said slowly, consideringly, while, without even looking at it, the water on the carpet began to his and vanish as it rolled off the rug as steam. At least it was only water. Small miracles. He stood, keeping his motions slow and smooth. At nearly six and a half feet tall he was a rather impressive man, though height was far from his most impressive feature. He continued to stare at Kyrian with eyes that glowed like lava past burned earth, a few moments dragging by before, finally, he smiled. "A talent I will never know the pleasure of," he said finally, his voice soft. He looked over at Caiden. "Perhaps young Kyrian here would be a more.. interesting potential new friend for you?" he asked, almost offering. Kyrian was a bit young to be Caiden's 'friend', but they could practice at least one thing together. If it came naturally, if shakily, to little Kyrian, he would at least be some use to his darling Caiden.

Caiden had watched the small boy move the water then glanced down into his own cup. He focused on the liquid inside and tried his hardest to replicate what Kaiden had done but it only seemed to slosh slightly and made no move to rise up. He frowned, as he glared down at the cup in frustration then suddenly looked up when he heard Rafe addressing him. "Oh..uh..sure." He said sounding lightly distracted before he slowly moved over to them. He smiled awkwardly down at Kyrian, not really sure how to interact with a child. "We could be friends if you want.." He looked up at Kyra and smiled at her too then suddenly felt the overwhelming urge to hug her. Here she was, the protective mother over this child and it made him miss his own mother dearly. At this moment he wished for nothing more than to be back home.

Looking over at Caiden, Kyra frowned a little. But Kyrian needed friends if he was going to be able to live around here. The boy craved such things. In his quiet way, he had a gift with befriending people. "Kyrian?" she asked quietly, causing the boy to look up. "Would you like that? To be friends with him?" Large blue eyes turned to look at Caiden and he gave a hesitant nod. "You can," Kyra said suddenly to Kyrian, and he left his mother to move past Rafe, towards Caiden, just standing in front of the boy for a moment before he reached up and held out a hand to the older male. Kyra stayed where she was knelt and watched him, a small mixture of worry and pride in her eyes.

Caiden watched the small boy approach him then as he outstretched his small hand towards him. With a quick glance at Kyra he turned back to Kyrian and gave a friendly smile before slowly reaching out and grasping his hand round the boys. "Kyrian is it?" He said softly as he knelt so he was level with him. "I'm Caiden. Maybe you can show me how you did that thing with the water..i'm not very good at controlling it myself."

Kyrian let out a little noise and looked up at Caiden. "What are you?" he asked in his quiet, unassuming voice, staring up at the older boy with some confusion. Kyra heard the question and had to bite her lip to keep from interfering. She did look up at Rafe, wondering if he caught the question. It amused her that all the time spent around people and no one had bothered to teach her son basic manners. But then, no one spent too much time talking to him. Standing slowly, she watched Kyrian and Caiden carefully, keeping her expression as neutral as possible.

Caiden couldn't help but chuckle at the small boy's question. "Its complicated..I was born human, raised as a human but when I was sixteen I started developing these powers. Fire, water, air and earth.." He counted each thing off on his fingers. "The name I think most associated with me is mutant. I'm one of a kind..rare and unique. Aren't I lucky?" His tone was sarcastic but he was still smiling at the small boy.

"Very lucky," Rafe finally interrupted, his voice gentle as he put a hand on Caiden's shoulder and gave him a fatherly smile. "I'm sure Ms Kyra and young mister Kyrian will be with us for a while-" He gave Kyra a smile that seemed very pointed, before looking at Caiden again. "So you may play later. For now, where do all of you plan to stay?" He looked at Jake and Kyra. "With Mister Brandon?"

"That was the plan," Kyra said, looking around for wherever Brandon had run off to, as if she half expected him to pop out of one of the walls. When she looked back at Rafe, she didn't exactly smile at him, but her face relaxed a bit as far as her anxious appearance. Kyrian let out a small laugh at being called mister and gave Rafe a completely unexpected and delighted smile. "Are you going to be my friend too?" he asked. Kyra snapped her attention to her son. "Kyrian, I don't think Mr. Rafe is going to have time to play, sweetie." The boy nodded and looked up at Rafe again, his eyes showing the obvious disappointment that he wasn't going to be able to spend time with the siren.

"Rafe, please," he corrected Kyra gently with a smile before turning the gentle expression to Kyrian. "I'm sure we will come to like each other very much, Kyrian, and you are welcome to visit any time. I have no doubt you will make many friends here in Haven, as you seem like a bright young man. See to it you put that mind to use while you are here." It sounded encouraging, but he noted the way Dash shifted again on the couch. Ah, so the boy hadn't forgotten how this works. If Kyrian wasn't clever, he wasn't going to make it here in Haven. Nor would his mother, but Rafe cared less about that. Still, she made an awfully convenient nanny for what would be a nice addition to his collection.

"So what do people do here in Haven?" Dash interrupted, immediately drawing Rafe's gaze. He did his damnest to meet it and not to shiver, and was proud when Rafe gave him a smile that was a little tighter than normal.

"Any number of things," Rafe replied smoothly, as if Dash's minor defiance had not irked him. He returned to his chair with a few graceful steps and sat with a fluidity that made the whole move look practically seamless. He picked up his tea cup, holding the handle properly with one hand while the other cupped the bottom. "They play games of their own making, or old favorites. They'll exercise if it interests them. Talk amongst themselves. Whatever keeps them occupied. Occasionally I will have them run errands, but it is very infrequent." He lifted his cup that was now steaming once more and took a small sip.

"... Do they not have jobs?" Dash asked, biting off the question he really wanted- no, needed- to know. Asking what kinds of 'errands' Rafe sent them on would get him neither a straight answer nor any comfort. Perhaps he could ask later, when they were alone. At the same time, he hoped that type of later never came.

"Not, perhaps, in the sense you are thinking of," Rafe replied once he lowered his cup again. He leaned back in his chair, once again cradling his cup. "They all work to repair the city in whatever way they can. If someone who is not good at, say, painting, but is very good at construction were expected to fix his own home in its entirety, it would look quite ugly, just as someone who could paint but not repair would live in a weak home. No, we contribute what we can so that everyone may enjoy the best and there is less envy for our fellow creatures. Less envy leads to less jealousy, which, of course, leads to a happier population." Rafe visibly saw Dash swallow his next question and smiled approvingly as he took another sip of his tea. Yes, it was not important to mention what happened to those that didn't contribute to their little utopia.

"I don't think i'm good at either of those things..building or decorating. And don't even get me started on cooking." Talia joked as she grinned at Rafe. "Dash has had first hand experience of how wrong that can go." She chuckled lightly. "I'm not really sure what I could bring to the community.." She looked thoughtful before smiling again. "I can dance, Ballet, tap..the list goes on..But I don't suppose thats any use, is it? " She asked with a raised eyebrow before chuckling again.

Kyra looked up at Rafe and crossed her arms. She refused to be intimidated by this creature. She didn't care if he was the right hand of Satan himself, she would be strong if only for Kyrian. "Are there any other children around here? Ones for Kyrian to play with? He's...never actually been with anyone his own age." That was a confession that made Kyra extremely sad. She had been unable to provide her child with people to spend time around. Kyrian on the other hand looked up at Rafe with wide, adoring eyes and held up one hand, the same one he had shaken with Caiden, to Rafe and waited to see if the Siren would take his hand as well. Kyra knew what he was doing, and although she didn't all together approve, it was Kyrian's way of familiarizing himself with people.

"Age is relative, but yes, there are some young creatures that I think Kyrian could associate with, if he so chooses," Rafe replied in a kind of dean-like tone, as if Kyrian were interviewing for a private school, not moving to a new city. He set his tea aside and rather than taking Kyrian's hands, he leaned forward and held out his hands, offering to pick the young boy up to his lap as he looked at Talia to answer her question. "Entertainment is always in demand, I'm sure there are people who would enjoy a show, but I dare guess it is not the type of people Dash would like to see you dance for. Dance, i feel, is a good exercise of balance and self awareness. Perhaps we could speak further about you teaching a class? I would appreciate such a thing as some of Haven's citizens are... lacking equilibrium." He chuckled and it bubbled warmly.

Without hesitation, Kyrian moved forward and half climbed, half allowed Rafe to pick him up, and settled himself on the Siren's lap, looking up at him silently. Kyra took a hesitant step forward, one hand moving in spasmodic gestures in front of her chin, as if she wanted to cover her mouth in disapproval but didn't want to offend anyone. Instead she settled for standing there and keeping an eye on her son while paying attention to every aspect of the conversation.

"You would let me teach a class?!" Talia exclaimed then turned to grin at Dash excitedly. "Did you hear that? I've always dreamt of teaching dance to others andnow its rreally happening!" She almost bounced with excitement as she leaned over and kissed him. "Thank you so much!" She said as she looked back at Rafe. "I owe you big time for this so if you ever need help with anything just let me know."

"What's she so excited for?" Elvira asked with a frown as she reentered the apartment not caring to look to see if Brandon was still with her. She moved to the couch and sat down next to Caiden who didn't seem at all pleased and wished he had stayed with Kyrian. He visibly tensed and he wondered how quickly he could move and make his escape from her.

"Talia will begin teaching a dance class soon," Rafe answered lightly as he bounced Kyrian on his knee, making sure to hold him so he wouldn't lose his balance. He had a smile on his face that an uncle might for a nephew. He did pause his actions to look at Elvira and Brandon as he went on however. "I take it your walk went well?" he asked.

"As well as can be expected," Brandon answered, giving Elvira a glance but mostly kept his attention on Rafe. "Haven is very... clean." He frowned, as if surprised.

Rafe nodded, smiling at him. "Of course it is. Everyone has worked very hard so we have a lovely home. Just as I expect all of you to work hard as well-" He shifted his gaze to each person in the room in turn, stopping on Talia as he leaned back again, hugging Kyrian in his arms as he rubbed little circles on his upper back. "Which is why I'm glad to hear you say that Talia-"

"She didn't mean it," Dash interrupted, finally recovering from the kiss. Well, slightly, if the light blush still on his cheeks was anything to go by. He was staring Rafe down with wide eyes, however, seeing the flash of a threat in the otherwise gentle eyes. "Don't- Rafe... I'm serious...."

"If you truly wish it..." Rafe agreed, lowering his eyes to Kyrian instead as he continued his soothing circles. He let the sentence hang, looking up again to meet Dash's eyes. He smiled in a way that made Dash swallow. "We will speak again later?" he asked, his smile widening slightly when Dash nodded. "Good."

"She didn't mean what?" Talia asked in confusion as she glanced between Dash and Rafe. "Dash? Don't what? Can someone explain..I think I've missed something." She continued to look confused before shrugging lightly, She knew it was probably unlikely that either man was going to explain. She glanced round the room and her eyes settled on the uncomfortable form if Caiden who was slowly trying to slide away from Elvira. A thought suddenly struck her and she smiled. "Caiden why don't you come and stay with one of us? I'm sure Rafe wouldn't mind.."

Caidens eyes widened and he stopped in his efforts to escape from the shade. "I..uh..I don't know.." he said a little nervously before glancing briefly at Rafe. Maybe he would prefer him to go and have his home back to himself.

Kyrian was too busy smiling up at Rafe to really pay attention to what was going on around him. But Kyra saw it all. And she didn't have a hard time figuring out what was being meant, even if she didn't understand the exact implications. Looking over at Rafe, she blinked a few times, trying to figure out the dynamics of this group. Clearly she was on a lower tier than everyone else, being human, and while that didn't bother her, she hoped that it wasn't something that her son suffered for. But from the looks of things, Rafe didn't mind having Kyrian around in the least.

"We can discuss it," Rafe assured Caiden with a little nod. He glanced at Kyra and, seeing her discomfort, he smiled and it held a heart melting warmth. He looked at the little boy on his lap. "Alright, go back to your mother, ok?" he said very softly and picked the boy up, putting him on his own feet so he could go back to Kyra.

"We'll talk about it later," Dash muttered softly to Talia. It really was no one else's business just what he had agreed to with Rafe, if what he assumed he agreed to was correct. He sighed and tilted his chin up to kiss her forehead. "I promise," he told her, looking in to her eyes, then rubbed her shoulder as he went back to sitting quietly. Where was his brother? Where was Fox? Did it really take so long to find a house and choose it? He picked one nearly every day in Decamp. True, they weren't forever, but they weren't completely trashed (usually). He frowned, looking out Rafe's massive window wall, wondering what was taking so long.

Talia watched Dash a moment longer then relaxed back into the chair, unable to stop herself smiling lightly when he kissed her forehead. If he says we'll talk later then I believe him. She stifled a small yawn then laid her head on his shoulder, feeling tired. "So are we sharing a home with Benny and Fox or are we getting a home of our own?" She asked him curiously.

Dash didn't have a chance to answer as the door to the apartment opened.

"I suppose it is something someone would have to get used to," Ean was saying as he stepped inside, Benny right behind him. He barely paused to offer everyone a small smile before he strode across the room and sat on the arm of Rafe's chair, automatically offering his hand which obviously pleased Rafe, if the smile and taking of the hand was any indication.

"Welcome back," Rafe greeted and kissed Ean's hand before looking at Benny with that trademark charming smile. "I trust you find an appropriate place?" He received a tight nod and gave a slower, more polite one in return. "Good, I am glad to hear that." He glanced out the window and his smile faltered slightly at the setting sun. "Ah, but it is getting late. I assume you are here for your brother and friends?" Another nod. "Yes, well, that is good then." He let go of Ean's hand to stand up, opening his arms to the group again. "Who is staying with you then, and who will need other accommodations?"

"We're going," Dash answered and carefully removed himself from Talia to stand from their chair before helping her up. He looked at Rafe with a frown. "We'll talk later." It wasn't a question, but Rafe nodded anyway. Dash put a hand on Talia's back and gave her an uncertain smile. "Ready to go?"

Talia nodded with a smile as Jake swiftly got to his feet. "So i'm staying with you guys then?" He asked as his eyes moved between Kyra and Brandon. "Do we need to go pick a house or what?" He looked over at Rafe, unsure of what they were meant to do. Benny and the others had got accommodation but there had been no mention of them.

"You could stay here or-" Rafe began but Benny was quick to interrupt.

"You'll stay with us for now," he answered, ignoring the disapproving look Rafe gave him. "It's late, we'll find you something tomorrow if you decide you don't want to stay with us." He held his hand out for Jake to take, holding the other out for Kyra. "You can follow me?" he asked Dash.

His brother nodded in reply. "Just go slow."

"How could I go fast if I'm carrying three people?"

Dash smiled, amused by that, and wrapped his arm around Talia's waist, holding his hand out to Brandon and raising an almost challenging smile.

Brandon sighed loudly. "Dash, I told you, we can't keep doing this. Your girlfriend will be furious," he said dramatically with a prominent pout. When Dash rolled his eyes however, Brandon just grinned and took the younger blood mage's hand, but he looked at Talia. "I'm sorry, you had to find out some time-Ow!" He flinched when, in one sharp move, Dash had removed his hand, swatted the back of the male shifter's head, and put his hand back out for Brandon to take, which he did, rubbing the back of his head with his free hand. "Not so rough..." he pouted silkily, making Dash sigh.

"If everyone's ready then?" Benny interrupted the small tussel, looking at their group with a raised eyebrow. He just wanted to get back to Fox, and get to bed, and sleep very lightly. He still wasn't entirely convinced they were safe here after all. Who knew who would come up missing tonight.

"Farewell, my friends, old and new," Rafe bid them farewell and dropped his hands. Ean was quick to stand and wrap his arms around Rafe's middle though, to which the siren smiled and rubbed the young boy's back. "Please visit very soon."

Kyrian waved at Rafe even as Kyra picked him up and moved over to Benny. She gave Rafe a small, albeit warmer than her usual, smile and nodded at Benny that she was ready to go, taking his hand and keeping tight hold of her son.

Talia watched Dash and Brandon with an amused expression as Jake stepped forward and took Benny's hand. "I'm sorry Brandon but Dash is mine now." She said with a grin then turned and looked at Benny. "Yes we're ready."

Caiden had stood up when everyone else had. "Well it was nice meeting you all. I'm going to excuse myself now..its late and i'm tired." He smiled at each person in turn then looked at Rafe. "Goodnight. I'll see you at breakfast." With that said he turned and hurried to his own room, locking the door tight like he always did. Elvira simply stood behind Rafe, waiting for the others to leave. She would go also, but only when Rafe instructed it.

Benny gave Rafe a civil nod as he took Jake's hand, looking quickly away from the kind smile he got in return. Dash's look to the siren was a bit more calculating, as if almost confused, but in the end he turned and followed his brother as he exited using the darkness of the coat closet where Dash had first entered the apartment.

"Elvira..." Rafe purred once everyone was gone, all hint of his smile gone now. "You're free to go, and I trust you won't go hunting down rats while they sleep." The very idea that there were humans in his city made it feel unclean somehow, and while he might not hate them directly, these were humans that had taken part in an institution designed to snuff out his people, no matter how unwillingly. The knowledge left a bad taste in his mouth. He used a hand on Ean's back to gently urge the boy back toward his bedroom. "They can leave such wretched stains," he finished and, with a smooth step over to Elvira, he pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, and was gone, following Ean back to his bedroom. He lay awake for a long time that night, despite his body's encouragement that the sun had long since set and thus he should be sleeping. He let his thoughts wander as he idly stroked up and down Ean's arm where the boy was comfortably curled against his side, head on his shoulder. Fox, Bernard, Dashiell... All in his city once more... It would only be a matter of time now before they would succumb to their old life. He smiled, wondering how few days it would take before Fox remembered how much better it was with him, now that there was no way she could ignore his perfection, no distance between them to haze her memory. All too soon they would adjust to their life here in Haven, and he could continue on with life, and soon, he would have the world. Yes, he thought as he turned to hide his smile in Ean's snowy hair. Soon.


Digression
Conflicted Rules, Conflicted, Conflicts