Chapter 7
Chasing Sorrow

Xanth walked along a cobblestone path that led to the maze garden. He didn't see his beloved Mawlly in her quarters, so he assume she would be by the fountain within the garden. As he drew closer, he could hear her giggling and smiled to himself. She must've been with Lilly and Emma. He turned the corner and spotted a Semfera Mawile with an Oddish and Zubat. Just as he thought, the three girls were chatting away, as usual.

"Mind if I join this little party, ladies?" Xanth walked toward them, flashing that famous smile of his.

"Oh, Xanth! You're back!" Mawlly hurried over to him, hugging him and giving him a kiss. "How was your mission, sweetie?"

"Yeah, you went with Aezel, right?" asked Lilly the Oddish, walking up to him. The shy Zubat followed closely, holding the Oddish's hand.

The Jolteon sighed and said, "Yeah... That Gyarados is something else. One minute, he's making fun of me, the next he's trying to kill me." The girls gasped and began to chatter all at once. Of course, Aezel wasn't trying to kill him, but Xanth thought his tale would sound better that way. He certainly got the girls' attention.

"Oh my goodness! I've heard stories about him, but I never knew he'd try to murder his partners! Horrid!" the Mawile shook her head in disbelief.

"Hey, it's no big deal. I'm alive and well. No need to get all worked up over it," the Jolteon said, shrugging.

"What happened?" Lilly asked. Xanth began to tell them about the incident in the forest, (excluding the fact about killing his first human) to the old mansion. He added some exaggerations in his tale, but the girls were enjoying it, so what did it matter?

After he was done telling his story, Emma said, "Wow, Xanth. You're so brave."

"Thanks, Emma, but I don't think I've been more scared in my life," the Jolteon chuckled.

"Oh you poor thing," Mawlly sighed, hugging him tightly. "What if you've gotten hurt? I wouldn't be able to forgive that brute if he had harmed you!"

"Like I said, I'm fine. Just as long as I have you to return to, I think I can handle any mission," Xanth said, kissing her. He whispered into her ear, "How about we spend tonight alone? Just you and me."

Mawlly pulled back, looking apologetic. "I'm sorry Xanth. I promised the girls I'd sleep over at the Old Wicker's place. Since everyone's been talking about ghosts and ghouls lately, we all decided to spend the night there to see if we can catch anything paranormal."

The Jolteon blinked at her and then smiled, shaking his head. "No, it's fine."

"Say, you wanna join us?" she asked and the other two nodded for him to say yes.

"Ah, sorry, love. I've had enough ghosts for one day. You just go ahead and have fun," he replied, giving her a quick kiss.

After saying goodbye, the three girls left him. He sighed as he kicked a small rock out of his path. He was feeling rather needy and his mate wasn't going to satisfy him that night. He would just have to be patient. As he walked along the path back to the main courtyard, he noticed an attractive Vulpix in an emerald top and matching skirt, tending to her long, gorgeous hair. She had jewelry decorating her ears and thin neck, expensive-looking bracelets on her wrists, and a ruby ring on her right middle finger. She hadn't noticed the Jolteon until he was right in front of her, and even then she didn't bother to spare him a glance.

"Hey there," he greeted, flashing his charming smile. She ignored him, which caught him off-guard. He tried again, "You're a new face. You recently joined the Haven?"

"As if," the Vulpix scoffed, sounding annoyed. "I'm only here because of my brother."

"Oh," Xanth stared at her for a moment. He was going to leave her be, but there was something familiar about her, yet he could put his finger on it. He tried to remember the last time he'd been with a Vulpix, but nothing came to mind. He asked, "Have we met before?"

She finally looked up at him, and at first she looked like she was going to snap at him. However, once she saw his face, her dark brown eyes lit up with interest and she smiled sweetly at him. Her attitude changed rather quickly and her tone was more inviting. "No, I don't think we have, but I wouldn't mind getting to know you."

Xanth smiled back at her and said, "You and me both."

The Vulpix stood up and approached him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She gazed seductively into his eyes and softly said, "Why don't we go someplace more private, hm?"

"You know, I'd really love to, but I'm kinda in a committed relationship right now," Xanth said, placing his hands on her curvy hips. She lowered her gaze, looking a little crestfallen.

"That's a shame," she murmured as she pulled away from him. "You sure she's the right one for you, silver-eyes?"

The Jolteon chuckled. "What, are we giving each other pet names already?"

She gazed up at him, smiling. "Well, you didn't give me a name to call you, silver-eyes."

"It's Xanth," he said.

"Hmm, I like 'silver-eyes' better," she responded. "I'm Velvet Luna."

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Velvet Luna," Xanth said, taking her petite hand and kissing her knuckles.

"You never answered my question, silver-eyes," Velvet said, smiling at him as he let her hand go. "Is she the right one for you?"

"I'd like to think so," Xanth replied.

"I could prove you wrong," Velvet said as she reached up to pull his upper body down to her level in for a passionate kiss. Xanth was taken aback and he pulled away from her face.

"Whoa! A little too forward there!" he took a step back, eyes wide on surprise.

"Hm, you're a faithful type," she giggled, her gaze lowered in a seductive manner. "I'll be sure to see you around, silver-eyes." She turned her back on him and walked away.

Xanth watched her leave. He shook his head and began to walk along the path that led to the main hall of the Haven. As much as he loved flirting with the females, he's never met such a headstrong vixen.

'It wouldn't be so bad if I saw her again,' he mused.

OOO

Aezel visited the medical wing to see Runa and Drasena. The two girls were in the same room, and they seemed to be doing well.

"Aezel!" Runa smiled, waving at him. He brought Drasena a vase full of white flowers. He placed them on the side table next to the Dragonair.

"These are from Rysk. He said to get well soon," said the red Gyarados as he took a seat between them. He looked at Drasena and added, "I don't understand what you see in that dumb mutt."

"He's loving, sweet, and thoughtful," Dresena simply replied.

"I still disapprove," Aezel huffed.

"Aww, is our little brother trying to be protective of his big sisters?" the Dragonair teased, reaching over to pat him on the shoulder. "You are so adorable."

Aezel flushed a bit as he denied being protective. The two got into a mini argument while Runa chuckled at them. Bickering like siblings, as always. After that, Runa said, "It's good of you to stop by, Aezel. Did Sirenna talk to you?"

Aezel looked back at Runa and sighed, giving a nod. "Yeah. She said I'm suspended from further missions, until I get checked out by Juno..."

"Juno? So he's coming back here?" Runa asked.

"Either I go to the snowy peaks to see him, or he makes the effort to come down to Sentinel Haven. Either way, I'm not allowed on another mission 'til then," the Gyarados was visibly upset.

"Oh, we all know he isn't going to leave that lab of his up in Misty Crystal Peaks. I'm sure Sirenna will have one of us go with you. Don't worry, Aezel. You'll be back on missions soon," Drasena assured him.

"Or she'd stick me with some mutt like Rysk," Aezel sighed.

"You really have issues with canines, don't you?" Drasena cocked a brow.

"Untrustworthy things, I'd say. They act all loyal, and the minute you look away, they get sneaky. And when you catch them in the act, they give their dumb looks of innocence and most would forgive them right there and then. Sirenna knows I dislike mutts, yet she surprised me when she said my partner for the last mission was a Jolteon," Aezel crossed his arms. "A Jolteon! Not only a mutt, but an electric type to top it! Honestly, what was she thinking?"

Both girls couldn't help but to laugh as Aezel continued to gripe about his dislike for canines and their related kin. After his short venting, Runa patted him on the back. "Was Xanth so bad to work with? After all, he did call us to rescue you two."

"Rescue? It seemed you were the one who needed the rescuing, Runa," Aezel said.

Runa chuckled and nodded, "Why, yes. It did end up that way. Thank you, Aezel. If you hadn't arrived when you did, I don't think I would be alive today."

Aezel lowered his gaze to the floor. "I nearly killed both you and Drasena without even realizing it..."

The Dragonair frowned and lightly smacked him on the head. "Stupid, Aezel. You just got emotional at seeing one of your sisters get hurt. You didn't even come close to killing either of us." Even with that said, he wasn't convinced. He truly believed he had come to harm the girls without knowing it.

He stayed with them a moment longer, the girls changing the subject to ease his troubled mind. The day was growing late and he finally said his farewell to them and left the room. Once he was gone, Runa looked over at Drasena and sighed.

"I'm so worried for him," she said.

"I know, Runa. I am, too. After all, we grew up together. Can't help but to worry," the Dragonair responded with the same concern.

"Ever since Magnum left the Haven-" Runa began to say, when Drasena gave her a harsh glare with a matching hiss. "Sorry..."

"Don't ever mention that bastard's name around here, Runa! I don't care what his reasons were, he had no right to do that to Aezel!" Drasena snapped, letting a growl escape her throat.

"I know. I'm sorry," Runa closed her eyes, feeling an ache in her chest. She regretted mentioning that name around Drasena. Whenever Magnum became the topic, Drasena would always become so furious. Runa couldn't blame her, though. Still, even knowing what happened ten years ago, Runa was sure she could forgive Magnum, if he ever returned.