Equiped with multiple refridgerators, stovetops, and pristine countertops, as well as a large pantry, the kitchen in itself is a cook's paradise. There are often fresh batches of cookies and other sweets set wrapped on the countertops due to Elyria's massive sweet tooth.

There's also a small, well aged wooden table that sits out of the way in a corner, with three chairs. The table is often strewn over with papers, and two of the chairs are piled high with books. This is where Elyria likes to eat and work, finding it too lonely and troublesome to go to the dining hall when it's just her.

---

"Let me clear off a chair in here," Elyria said, moving over to the table and beginning to clear the books from one of the chairs.

"Need some help?" Gabriel asked, stepping up right behind Elyria. He kept his happy smile on his face.

Elyria blushed slightly, "If you want to help..." She said, moving them to the other side of the table.

"Name what you need help with! And I'll help ya" Gabriel grinned, smirking lightly at Elyria's blush.

"Well... for now, just moving some of this stuff..." Elyria replied, ducking her head shyly.

Gabriel nodded and leaned over, grabbing some of the stuff and looking around for a spot to put it.

"There're plenty of countertops..." Elyria said with a small laugh.

Gabriel grinned. "Yea, I guess that would do eh?" he laughed lightly and placed some of the stuff on the countertop. He turned back to Elyria. 

Elyria moved over to the stove and and put a pot of water on to boil for tea.

Gabriel sat down on one of the chairs and leaned back. He looked around the kitchen. Then he glanced at Elyria. 

"Hungry?" Elyria asked, "I've got some snacks sitting out..." She waved her arms about the kitchen as she pulled two mugs from one of the cabinets.

"Sure, anything is fine. I'm not picky" Gabriel answered, his voice soft.

Elyria approached the table with the pot of tea and mugs, setting them down carefully near a bowl of sugar. She then grabbed a wrapped plate of cookies and brought them over, "By the way, do you take cream in your tea?" She asked.

"Yes I do" Gabriel said, looking at Elyria softly. He finally took his eyes off her and looked at the table, smirking to himself.

Elyria set everything down on the table and sat, "Help yourself..." She murmured.

"Thanks" Gabriel said again and started to make his tea the way he liked it. After he made it, he leaned back and relaxed, sipping the tea.

"No need for thanks... I enjoy the company." Elyria smiled.

Gabriel shrugged. "I like being polite" he said softly, a white light seeming to glow around him.

"Well, you certainly are polite..." Elyria agreed, taking a sip of her own tea.

"I'm trying.. my evil side doesn't help though so if I seem a little over bearing or something, it's because my evil side is trying to break through" Gabriel explained, looking down at the table.

"Evil side?" Elyria asked, "What do you mean?"

Gabriel sighed slightly. He glanced at Elyria and half smiled. "You're looking at the angel side of me.. I have an evil side, much like a devil... the opposite personality. He doesn't like when I meet new people, and make friends" he admitted, sighing.

"Oh, I see..." Elyria nodded in mild understanding, "So I'm guessing that he doesn't like me right now either then?"

"Not really.. but I do" Gabriel said softly, smiling.

Elyria smiled softly and set down her empty mug, refilling it with steaming water, "Oh?"

Gabriel nodded. "Yea, You're the first person I've met in this town" he smiled. "Which isn't right actually, considering..." he trailed off, taking a sip of his tea.

"Well, you may not be the first person I've met, but so far I've spent the longest time with you..." Elyria said softly.

Gabriel smiled. "And it's been a pleasure" he smirked widely.

"It has," Elyria agreed.

"So, when did you arrive in the town?" Gabriel asked, running his finger around the top of the tea mug in front of him.

"I haven't been here for very long," Elyria said, "About a week, though for the most of that time I've been here..."

"Do you like it?" Gabriel kept quizzing.

"It's nice... but sometimes quite lonely..." She replied.

Gabriel smiled widely. He stared at the table top, thinking to himself.

"What's the smile for?" Elyria asked.

"Oh.. uhh... no-nothing..." Gabriel grinned, looking at Elyria. "I was just thinking of.. well.. how would you like some company... all the time?" he said, blushing lightly and looking down.

"Company... all the time?" Elyria asked.

"Dammit, I shouldn't have said anything,.. I'm sorry..." Gabriel said, sighing and looking down.

"Were you asking to stay here?" Elyria asked, a light blush creeping over her cheeks.

Gabriel blushed abit more. "Yea.. but I was being stupid..." he shook his head.

"Why?" Elyria cocked her head to the side slightly, "I think it would be nice if there was more than just me here..."

"Well.. I was going to rent an apartment downtown... but after seeing this place..." Gabriel looked down at the table some more.

"There're plenty of rooms..." Elyria said, drumming her fingers silently on the table.

Gabriel looked at Elyria fast, a smile playing on his lips. "You.. you mean it?"

"Yes," Elyria nodded slowly.

Gabriel jumped up and went over to the other side of the table. He dragged Elyria up fast and hugged her tightly.

Elyria felt her face grow hot, though out of reflex she hugged him back, blinking in surprise.

Gabriel laughed lightly, blushing lightly as he let her go. "Sorry" he said, frowning slightly. "I do things I shouldn't sometimes" he smirked.

"It just surprised me is all..." Elyria replied, willing her blush away.

"Sorry" Gabriel smirked widely.

"No need for sorries..." Elyria replied.

Gabriel smiled and sat back down in his chair. "So, what now?"

"Um... well, if you want we can look at some of the rooms until you find something that you like..."

Gabriel nodded. "Uhh, sure" he smiled softly.

"Most of the rooms are up on the second floor, though a few are on the third." Elyria said.

"Wow, so many" Gabriel said, standing up once more.

"Sadly, there are quite a few." Elyria agreed.

"That's alright... room is good, I guess..." Gabriel smiled reassuringly.

"I suppose," Elyria nodded in agreement.

"I don't really know, I never really had a house" Gabriel admitted, rubbing the back of his head.

"Well... this is technically my first home..." Elyria replied.

"And it's a beautiful house" Gabriel said, grinning.

"Thank you." Elyria smiled, leading the way up to the Guestrooms.

---

Elyria entered the kitchen and made her way over to the table. She quickly piled the dishes on her arm and moved over to the large sink, setting them inside before finishing clearing off the table and washing it off.

Gabriel appeared in the doorway and smiled. "Hey.. sorry, I took a little longer then I wanted.." he smirked lightly.

"That's okay," Elyria replied, "it hasn't been very long after all."

Gabriel nodded. "Ok, so, what can I do?" he asked, coming into the kitchen fully.

"Umm, well, the dishes need done, that's about it... And there aren't very many as it is... And I'll head into the pantry and see what there is for tomorrow's breakfast... Any requests?"

"Something edible" Gabriel laughed lightly. "Dishes it is" he marched over to the sink and turned on the water.

"Something edible it is then," Elyria laughed lightly, turning and heading into the pantry.

Gabriel grinned and leaned over the sink, piling the dishes properly in the sink, and starting to wash them.

Elyria slipped back out of the pantry several minutes later with a box of dry pancake mix, a jar of peanut butter, and a small container of cinnimon. these she set on the counter near the stove before pulling out a mixing bowl, as well as other necessities from the surrounding cupboards.

Well, isn't this nice... A voice inside Gabriel's head hissed. "SHUT UP!" Gabriel yelled out suddenly. He glanced at Elyria and smirked softly, blushing a little. "Sorry" he said.

Elyria blinked in surprise at his small outburst, "It's fine..." She said after a moment, shaking her head.

Gabriel shrugged. "It's like I said earlier... I think... My evil side.. trying to come out.." he smiled sheepishly.

"I see," Elyria replied with a curt nod, "If you're almost done I'll start drying..."

Gabriel nodded. "Yep, two more dishes to do!" he said, looking down into the sink and washing the remaining dishes quickly.

Elyria pulled out a small dish towel, quickly drying and putting the clean dishes away. She stretched, stifling a small yawn.

"Tired?" Gabriel asked, smiling. "You should go rest..." he smirked widely while trying to fight back his evil inner self.

"Soon, I'm gonna head into the music room for a while," Elyria replied.

Gabriel nodded. "I think I might join you, if that's ok... but in a moment... I need to go... do something..." he muttered.

"That's fine," Elyria replied with a small smile.

Gabriel smiled and went back to his room. (Gabriel's Room)

Elyria nodded and slipped out of the kitchen and intoTheMusicroom

---

Elyria slipped down to the kitchen just before dawn, having awoken and been unable to sleep longer. She yawned, making her way over to the counter and starting on the pancake mix that she'd set out the previous night.

As soon as she'd finished with the batter- a delectable blend of the mix, peanut butter, cinnimon, eggs, and water- Elyria turned on the stove and started to make them.

Gabriel yawned as he entered the room, a weird evillish smile on his face. "Good morning" he said, trying to sound chipper, but an evil tone in his voice.

"Morning," Elyria said without glancing over her shoulder as she poured more batter into the pan, "Sleep well?"

Gabriel nodded. "For the most part.. yes.." he smiled, forcing the evilness about him to disappear.

"Breakfast is almost ready, if you'd care to set the table." Elyria said.

Gabriel nodded. "Sure thing boss" he smirked playfully and went to the cupboard holding the plates and such. He smiled as he opened the cupboard and pulled out a plate. As he reached for another one, his evil side resurfaced and he dropped the plate, smiling as he did.

Elyria gave a startled jump as the plate shattered over the floor and turned away from the stove, "What happened, are you okay?"

Gabriel grinned evilly. "I'm perfectly fine" he slurred, his eyes glinting a demonic look. He glanced down at the shattered plate, then at Elyria, then at the plate he was starting to pick up. "Wouldn't that just be so horrible if I accidentally did that again?" he smirked evilly.

Elyria sighed with a light shrug, "I'm guessing that you're not the same Gabriel I met last night..." She murmured, gazing at him.

Gabriel left the plate sitting on in the cupboard and wandered over to Elyria, stopping right in front of her. He stared her in the eyes. "What makes you think that?" he asked, slurring slightly.

"You have a different manner of speaking... a different set to your face." Elyria responded simply, gazing back at him.

Gabriel leaned on the counter top, putting his face closer to Elyria's face. "Gabe did a good job choosing this time.. you're a pretty little thing" he smirked evilly.

"So, do you have your own name?" Elyria asked, ignoring his comment, she reached over and turned the switch to the burner off.

"As a matter of fact, I do... Gabe knows me as Damion.. his evil twin.. though I live in him." he smiled widely.

"Oh?" Elyria said simply, moving over to the table and clearing off more space. She quickly grabbed several plates and set them down on the table.

Damion was about the say something when his hand came up and smacked the side of his head. His eyes fluttered shut fast, and when they opened, they had their soft look in them once more. Gabriel shook his head and looked at Elyria. "I hope he didn't bother you too much... please forgive me.. I don't have him under control yet" he said apologetically. He looked at the smashed plate on the floor. "Damion..." he muttered, kneeling to clean up the mess.

"It's fine," Elyria shook her head, "Just surprised me a bit is all," She went over to help him.

Gabriel sighed deeply. "No, it's not fine.. I really should control him..." he looked at Elyria. "It's hard to though.. you no doubt saw how hard headed he is" he muttered.

"Hard headed?" Elyria shrugged, "I guess..." She said simply, "Though... I'd think he wouldn't be so hard to control if you gave him some time of his own..."

"What do you mean some time of his own? You mean let him out, and let him cause trouble?" Gabriel said, sitting back on his heels and looking at Elyria quizzically.

"Something like that... without the trouble..." Elyria replied with a small shrug, "Bad idea I guess... just forget I mentioned it..."

"No no.. it might work.. but how would he stay out of trouble?" Gabriel asked thoughtfully. You should let me out.. I won't cause trouble a voice in Gabriel's head slurred. "Not yet Damion..." gabriel responded out loud.

"I'm not sure on the trouble part because frankly I really don't know him... Any other favorite pasttimes besides?" Elyria asked.

"He loves fire" Gabriel grinned, rolling his eyes. Darn right I do! Now let me out to make some fireDamion said inside Gabriel's head.

Elyria giggled softly, "He's a pyro, hm?" She said thoughtfully, "I don't know where he'd be able to have his fun though where it wouldn't be troublesome later..."

"Yes, he's a pyro... precisely why my dad refused to keep me in his house any longer" Gabriel sighed deeply. Oh, wasn't that fun burning down his favorite little cottage Gabe? We should do that again! Damion laughed evilly inside Gabriel's head.

"Well, guess we'll have to think on it a bit more later... Breakfast is getting cold." Elyria said.

Gabriel nodded. "Yes, and I'm hungry" he said, smiling and standing up. He held a hand to Elyria to help her up.

"Me too," Elyria nodded, taking his hand and hoisting herself up as well.

Gabriel sat down at the table and looked at the pancakes. "mmm, they loook goooood" he said, grinning as he slurred out the words. Oh grow up Gabe Damion's voice said inside him.

"I hope they're good," Elyria said, "Most people find them odd since they're not like regular pancakes..."

"They certainly look and smell delicious" Gabriel said, smiling softly as he flopped some pancakes on his plate.

"I'm glad," Elyria smiled, pulling some onto her own plate and digging in hungrily.

Gabriel also started eating hungrily. He stopped fast and his grin widened. "They are delectable!" he said in a happy voice. "The best pancakes I've ever tasted!" he exclaimed, taking more bites. Calm down big guy, they're only pancakes! Damion said inside Gabriel's head.

"I wouldn't go that far..." Elyria said with a small laugh, "But... I'm glad you like them."

"They're delicious!" Gabriel repeated happily, munching on the pancakes.

Elyria smiled as she finished her own pancakes and stretched in her seat, "Well, that was filling."

Gabriel nodded. "It certainly was.. but believe you me.. they were the best i'd ever had!" he smiled.

"Thanks, they are my own recipe after all," Elyria stood and gathered the dishes, moving over to the sink.

Gabriel amiled. "Well, I think I'm going to really love living here with you" he said, smiling and standing to bring his plate over to the sink.

"Yeah... it'll be fun cooking for more than myself." Elyria agreed, washing their dishes.

Gabriel nodded and grabbed the towel to start drying the dishes. "I dare say.. we make a pretty good team" he chuckled lightly.

"Hehe, indeed." Elyria agreed, starting on the pan, "I'll give you a better tour of the place later when there's time..."

"Sure" Gabriel smiled softly. Can I come out yet?? Damion asked rather impatiently inside Gabriel's head. "Not yet" he said out loud.

"It'll be fun," Elyria said as she wiped out the sink and shut the water off, "Though I daresay there'll be quite a bit of walking involved if you don't mind..."

Gabriel shrugged. "If I get tired, I'll use my wings" he smirked playfully.

Elyria chuckled softly, "Well, that always works I suppose." She said, drying her hands on a small rag.

Gabriel nodded. Let me out.. I'll behave. I wanna talk to the pretty girl now! Damion exclaimed inside Gabriel's head. "Fine..." he looked at Elyria. "Warning, Damion's coming out.." he smirked before closing his eyes. When his eyes opened, they held Damion's evil mischievious look. Damion smiled evilly and widely at Elyria.

"Hello again," Elyria said simply, turning to look at him.

"Why hello there" Damion answered, smiling maliciously.

"Thirsty?" Elyria asked as she moved over to one of the refridgerators that lined the kitchen.

Damion smirked and moved over right behind Elyria. "Sure.." No trouble Gabriel warned, his voice somehow escaping Damion's head so it was heard out loud.

"Take your pick," Elyria waved her hand towards the open refridgerator.

Damion frowned at Gabriel's voice and stepped back. "I changed my mind.. I'm not thirsty" he said in a monotone voice.

Elyria shrugged, "Okay then..." She said, pulling out a small can of juice.

Damion grinned evilly once more suddenly and stepped closer to Elyria once more. He put his hand out, threatening to hit the juice can out of her hand and onto the floor.

Elyria tucked the can against her and easily whirled around him, "I wouldn't try that," She murmured.

Damion stared at Elyria. "How the... how did you do that so fast?" he exclaimed, not liking the fact that he wasn't able to do a mean trick.

Elyria shrugged and winked, "What, you thought I was some helpless little girl?" Elyria countered with a small laugh.

Damion rolled his eyes. Gabriel laughed inside Damion's head. HA! She got you there! he exclaimed.

Elyria sat back down at the table, popped the tab on her juice, and opened one of the various books that still sat on the table.

"So, what... that's it??" Damion asked, leaning against the table boredly.

"What's it?" Elyria said simply, "You've not done much talking or anything useful, I find myself to be quite bored at the moment."

"geez... and I thought it was going to be fun bothering her... I'm sick of her Gabe.. I'm leaving" Damion said, standing straight and heading toward the door. Gabriel forced himself back out, and stopped. He turned and went back to Elyria. "Sorry... he's an idiot.."

"It's fine," Elyria shook her head, "He doesn't bother me as much as he'd like... I bet that frustrates him." She chuckled to herself and closed the book that she'd opened, setting it back down on the table.

Gabriel sat down beside her. "Yes, it bugs him alot.. but he can't do anything about it" he smiled softly.

Elyria took a drink of her juice, "So what do you wanna do today?" She asked.

Gabriel leaned back in the chair. "How bout that tour of the place?" he asked, smiling.

"Sure." Elyria nodded with a smile, "Where do you want to start?"

"Well.. which is the closest room?" Gabriel answered, smiling.

"Closest room's the pantry..." Elyria snickered in amusement, "But the dining hall is right next door..."

Gabriel laughed, rolling his eyes slightly. "Funny, funny" he said, smirking and lightly punching Elyria's shoulder playfully.

Elyria shook her head, "Anyway, there's a smaller door just on the other side of that refridgerator, there." She pointed as she made her way over to it, "Some distant time in the past it was used as a passage for servants into the dining hall..."

"Really?" Gabriel asked, standing also and going over to the smaller door. He looked at it with interest.

"Mmhm," Elyria nodded, "Note that it's not anywhere near as grand as the other doors, and it's completely hidden in the dining hall."

Gabriel nodded. "I noticed that... interesting..." he said, almost as if he were a detective.

Elyria chuckled softly and pushed the door open, "Shall we?" She said, waving her hand towards the entrance.

Gabriel nodded once more, smirking widely. "Ladies first my dear" he said, pointing his hand toward the door.

Elyria nodded and ducked inside, making her way through the shallow tunnel that led to TheDininghall.

Gabriel followed close behind.

---

Gabriel sat at the table, lounging back in a chair and reading a book he had found on the counter.

Elyria stumbled into the kitchen with a small yawn and brushed her fair hair out of her eyes. She moved over to the sink without seeing Gabriel and poured herself a glass of water.

Gabriel chuckled lightly. "Good morning!" he said cheerfully.

"Why say morning if it isn't morning?" Elyria murmured, seating herself at the table, setting her glass before her.

"It was a joke" Gabriel muttered.

"A joke?" Elyria repeated, a small smile quirking her lips, "Ah... So... any noise from our unwanted visitors?"

"Yea, sorry.. I was being dumb." Gabriel smirked. "No, no noise at all"

"You weren't being dumb..." Elyria shook her head.

"sorry" Gabriel said again.

"No need for apologies... How's that man doing now anyway?" Elyria asked.

Gabriel smiled softly at Elyria. "He's asleep"

"Ah, that's good... has he said anything else about those people outside?" Elyria asked.

Gabriel shook his head. "Only that they won't stop attacking until they get us..." he sighed deeply. "I wonder what they want with me.. I'm not all that magical... a bit of a healing touch, wings, and a demon inside me.. that's all" he muttered.

Elyria glanced down at the table with a sigh, "It's fairly obvious why they want me..."

Gabriel nodded. "You're power??" he asked calmly.

"My horn." Elyria replied, "Or even my very freedom."

"I won't let them get you.. I promise" Gabriel said suddenly.

"You won't?" Elyria murmured softly, her tone carrying a hint of hope as she set her head on the table, cradling it in her arms and nearly knocking over her glass of water at the same time, "They're the type of people that have made it impossible for me to live in any one place for a long period of time..."

Gabriel got up and pulled a chair over right beside Elyria. He leaned against her slightly, putting an arm over her as if trying to hug her. "I won't let ANYTHING happen to you.. That's my job" he smirked slightly.

Elyria looked up at him with a small smile, "I can't help but to believe you..." She murmured softly, "I just wish that this kind of thing would stop happening..."

Gabriel continued smiling. "Well, whenever it happens, I'll be here to protect you" He said, smiling softly.

"I'm glad... but please at least promise that you won't let yourself get hurt..." Elyria replied.

Gabriel nodded. "I promise you"

"Good." Elyria replied, "Because I wouldn't ever forgive you if you went and got yourself hurt or killed..."

"I never will" Gabriel said softly.

"Anyway..." Elyria said, "What say you to lunch... or dinner... or whatever meal it's supposed to be?"

"Lunch" Gabriel smirked. "And I would love some"

Elyria nodded and stood, "What would you like?"

"Anything.. remember, I'm not picky" Gabriel chuckled. "And, if you need help, I'll gladly help you"

"I know you aren't picky... but I chose breakfast..." Elyria replied, "Go ahead, find something you like..."

"Soup..." Gabriel shrugged.

"Any particular type of soup?" Elyria asked.

Gabriel shook his head. "Just soup"

"Okay then..." Elyria replied, "I should have what I need to make the soup out here..."

Gabriel nodded. "Ok, put me to work!" he grinned.

"Peeling potatoes." Elyria replied, "My least favorite job as it is..."

Gabriel smirked. "Sure" he said. "Where are they?"

"Err... in the cupboard below and to the left of the sink." Elyria replied.

"Uhh, ok!" Gabriel grinned and turned to face the cupboards.

Elyria moved over to one of the refridgerators and pulled out several more bags of vegetables. "Figure I'd like to make something homemade." She said with a mild grin.

"Homemade soup.. sounds delicious!" Gabriel said, pulling some potatoes out of a bag he found in the cupboard.

"I'm hoping so." Elyria nodded with a smile.

"My mother used to make homemade soups..." Gabriel smiled, peeling a potato with precision.

"Oh?" Elyria asked, rummaging around in another cupboard and drawing for a large pot, "That's nice."

"Sorry.. I don't want to ramble about my family.. they're somewhat boring." Gabriel muttered.

"No, it's fine," Elyria said with a smile, "I don't mind hearing about them..."

Gabriel shook his head, then looked at Elyria. "What about you?? What was your family like? If you don't mind me asking..."

"I don't really... know." Elyria replied simply.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Gabriel asked curiously. "You never met them?? Don't remember them??"

"I don't remember." Elyria shook her head, "Don't remember much of anything..."

"aww.. that's too bad" Gabriel said softly.

"I just know that my family lived here once... a long time ago." Elyria replied.

Gabriel nodded. "So, it's a place that's been passed down through your family"

"Yes." Elyria nodded, "That much, at least, I know."

"You're lucky" Gabriel muttered.

"Lucky? How so?" Elyria asked.

"You have a beautiful castle to live in.. I got a town full of... mortals and demons." Gabriel rolled his eyes slightly and sighed. "Yippee" he said sarcastically.

"A beautiful castle?" Elyria laughed and shook her head, "It's more lonely than beautiful."

"Beautiful none the less!" Gabriel said, a wide charming smile forming on his face.

Elyria shrugged, "How're those potatoes coming along?"

Gabriel looked down and realized he was on the last one. "Well.. I guess I peel fast when I talk" he smirked widely.

"Haha, that's good." Elyria smiled, "Just rinse and cut them when you're done."

Gabriel laughed and finished peeling the potato. He put all the potatoes on the counter and started rinsing them all off.

Elyria poured in several bags of frozen vegetables and moved off to the side to start peeling and cutting the carrots.

Gabriel finished rinsing the potatoes and stopped, looking around. "hmmm" he said, thinking out loud.

"What is it?" Elyria asked.

"Where's the knife??" he asked, picking up the peeler he had used and tossed it into the sink.

"They're on the counter near the stove." Elyria replied, "I keep them up there for convenience.

Gabriel looked near the stove. Sure enough, there were the knives. He smiled and went over, grabbing the small paring knife.

Elyria grabbed a knife also, quickly and expertly cutting the carrots into bite size pieces before moving back to the fridge for a package of meat, "You're not vegetarian, are you?" She asked to be sure.

"Nope!" Gabriel answered proudly, slicing up a potato.

"Good." Elyria said with a sigh of relief, moving over to the sink with her load.

Gabriel quickly sliced up potatoes, smiling while he did.

"Just waiting on your potatoes now." Elyria said with a smile, cutting up the meat and putting it in the pot.

Gabriel finished cutting the potatoes right as Elyria said this. "Good timing" he smirked widely as he passed the cut up potatoes to her.

Elyria laughed softly and added them to the pot before filling the rest of it with water for the broth, "I guess so." She said, her smile not faltering.

Gabriel leaned on the counter and watched Elyria.

Elyria hefted the pot over to the stove and turned it on, "Now... we wait." She said.

Gabriel smiled satifyingly and sat in one of the chairs.

Elyria sat as well, drumming her fingers on the table softly, "So, what do you want to do until it's done?"

Gabriel was playing with a pure gold ring on his finger. He looked at Elyria. "Whatever you would like to do" he answered softly.

Elyria shrugged, "I don't-" Before she could finish her sentence there was a great crashing noise from somewhere nearby.

Gabriel blinked and jumped slightly at the noise. "What on earth was that???"

"I don't know..." Elyria leapt out of her seat, "But if I had to guess... I'd say that those guys are done waiting..."

"That's not good.. at all" Gabriel said, standing also.

"No..." Elyria said, looking around, "It isn't..."

She turned the flame down on the stew and moved towards where she'd heard the sound- which had originated behind the pantry door.

Gabriel followed, putting a hand on the scythe hidden on his back. He looked over Elyria's shoulder.

"They're... they're inside!" Elyria whispered incredulously, "But why would they be so loud and alert us so that we were ready for them?"

Gabriel turned, keeping a watch behind them. "They may be distracting us..."

"That's what I'm thinking." Elyria nodded.

"One of us should go check around... the other stay here and make sure they don't get in" Gabriel muttered. "If you want, I can go look.. unless it's safer if you do"

"I don't know... it doesn't matter to me." Elyria replied, "If you really want to go, you can, I'll just work on blocking this door off if I can..."

Gabriel shook his head. "No no, you go, I'll stay and keep them out" he pulled his scythe out in front of him and held it up to the door, using it as a brace in case they tried to break through.

"Okay," Elyria nodded, "Be careful then, I'll be back as soon as I've checked through everything."

Gabriel nodded and leaned his back against the door. "If need be, I'll unleash Damion.. I bet he's dying to get out" he chuckled lightly.

Elyria nodded and slipped out of the kitchen silently, cautious.

Gabriel took a deep breath and sighed deeply. He looked around the now empty kitchen, his back still against the door.

The small servants door that led into the dining hall slid open slowly on the otherside of the kitchen and several figures slipped inside as the single bulb that provided light for the kitchen shattered.

"what the...? Who's there?" Gabriel exclaimed, stepping away from the door. He held up a hand and a small fire ball of energy lit up a small portion of the room.

They stayed quiet, outside the range of his pitiful source of light, surrounding him, waiting for an opportune moment to strike.

Gabriel took another step forward, looking around the kitchen as he did. He made the ball of fire energy abit bigger, trying to see.

The metal of a weapon glinted in the expanding light, and they all moved forward quickly attacking him.

Gabriel's eyes widened, then his wings came out and he jumped into the air, trying to stay just out of reach. "Crap.." he muttered. He grabbed the scythe from behind him and held it out threateningly.

The haft of a spear just barely brushed against his leg as they swung blindly up at him- aiming for his source of light.

Gabriel moved his leg fast, a small drop of blood coming to the surface of his skin. He growled slightly, then closed his eyes. When he opened them, Damion surfaced. He landed on the ground, folding his now black wings on his back gently. "You want me? come and get me" he hissed, standing ready.

They took the time to surround him again, weapons raised, though really he and they were nothing more than sillhouettes in the darkness.

Damion swung the scythe at one of the silhouettes. "What do you want with me?" he growled angrily.

"There's quite a price on the head of the mayor's son." One of them said with a harsh laugh as they attacked him.

Damion put the scythe up, blocking the attack. "Oh really" Well, I hate to burst your bubbles, but ol' Gabe ain't going with you losers!" he made a move to slash at them.

"There's no choice in the matter, one way or another, we're gonna get you." Laughter surrounded him, and his scythe was met by a scymitar.

Damion smirked. "Says you" he muttered. He took another swing at the man with the scythe.

The man ducked the blow and rolled forward, thrusting his scimitar up towards Damion's shoulder.

Damion dind't get his scythe up in time, and took the full blow to the shoulder. He fell backwards roughly and grabbed at his shoulder in pain.

His scythe was kicked away and three tackled him, pinning him to the floor, while the one with the scimitar stood over him, the blade pressed to his throat. "You lose, boy."

"You think so huh!" Damion hissed. He kicked his legs hard, knocking one of the men backwards.

The man staggered and fell heavily before scrambling to his feet once more, "Yeah, I do. The others should be about done with the girl and the traitor by now."

Damion kept smirking. "Gabe won't like it if you harm the girl.." he muttered before closing his eyes. He clenched his fists. "You better let me go.. before something bad happens" he hissed as a blue light seemed to shine around him.

The men backed away, though held their weapons at the ready, "What the hell are you doing?"

"You guys don't know about auras? well, that's a shame" Damion said, standing up, the blue light moving with him. He held up his hand, a small blue ball of energy forming and getting bigger.

"So what? Like a little light show is going to bother us?" They sneered, more trying to convince themselves of that fact than anything.

"A little light show.. hmm, I guess you could call it that" Damion chuckled, bouncing the ball of energy in his hands.

The one with the scimitar tapped his foot impatiently, "Do whatever it is you're going to do already." He muttered darkly.

Damion smirked and leaned forward toward the man with the scimitar. "And if I don't?" he asked, making the blue energy ball grow abit bigger.

"Then we'll be the ones to finish it." He turned to the others, "Attack him you cowards!" The men ran forward- in the growing light it was easily seen that there were five of them plus the man with the scimitar.

The ball of energy grew bigger, encasing Damion's whole body. It acted as a shield against the men. "Some light show huh!" he asked, smirking widely.

The men attacked faster in annoyance, irritated by the strange ball of energy that surrounded him, "You can't keep that up forever." The man with the scimitar said darkly.

"You're right, I can't.. but you men can't attack forever either" Damion responded. Another small ball of energy started growing in his hand. Damion grinned. "You have good reflexes?" he randomly asked the man with the scimitar. 

The man frowned, "Like hell I'd tell you how my 'reflexes' are." He said after a moment.

Damion laughed lightly. "Then I guess I'll just have to see for myself!" he muttered, pitching the small blue ball at the man with the scimitar. The energy ball whirred through the shield around Damion, heading straight for the man.

The man thrust his scimitar forward to block the energy ball, while at the same time bracing himself for the impact and to dodge should the need arise.

While distracting the man with the energy ball, the shield around Damion disappeared and he moved quickly to grab up his scythe which lay a little ways away. He picked it up, and held it in front of him defensively.

The man sighed in exasperation, "This is irksome, don't you know when to quit?" He flung the energy ball away.

Damion chuckled. "Oh, I'll go as long as you lovely chaps are still here" he joked.

"Boss, trouble in the other room!" One of the men that had apparently attacked Elyria shoved the door open, he was quite frightened.

"Having trouble with Gabe's new girlfriend?" Damion chuckled. He put his hands behind his head and watched, thoroughly amused.

"Incompitent fools, how many men does it take to subdue one girl?" The man with the scimitar glowered angrily.

"Good question, I was just wondering that myself" Damion smirked widely.

"Sir, they're... all the others are dead!" The man replied, "And I'm leaving!" He scurried back out the door and fled.

"HAHA!" Damion laughed loudly. "You're men are dead.. from trying to control a girl!" he teased. "Now come on.. why don't you guys just.. give up! You're obviously not going to win!"

The man with the scimitar frowned calculatingly, "You're right, we'll leave for now, but you'd best be prepared for when I return." He muttered, and he and his companions headed out the same door that the man had a moment ago.

Damion smirked one last time. When the men had completely disappeared, he dropped to his knees and closed his eyes. A moment later Gabriel stood up and stretched. "Good work Damion" he muttered before sighing and looking around. He shook his head slightly at the mess that had been made in the kitchen, then went off in search of Elyria.

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Thepantry
Elyria's Castle