Team 7

"Keep walking" he said and pushed her forward. She stumbled and fell. "Stand up" he ordered "screw you," she answered. "Are you so eager to embrace death that you court it?" he said. Angrily dragging her to her feet when she remained on the ground. He was dragging her towards a storm drain. "Inside" he pushed her into it when she hesitated on entering the dark. Then he turned and gently helped his sister down. Nuala followed along behind them quietly.

When he turned to help his sister Aeryn used a rock she had picked up to score the wall next to her. "Do not bother to mark your path my lady you will not be returning this way" he said Aeryn glared at him, it was obvious to her that he meant to kill her. He touched the stone she had marked and her scratch vanished. "Nor will I allow you to lead your friends to us" said Nuada "If any dare follow us I will kill them, now walk I tire of your insults," he said. "Then don't do things that invite them" said Aeryn. She turned and walked away from him. When they had gone forward for a little ways they came to a crossroads.

"Halt" he ordered and Aeryn numbly stopped. He wanted them to cross a nasty slimy piece of rock. Aeryn refused. Worried not only about how gross it would be through her open toed shoes but also the treacherous footing involved. "Continue walking," he ordered, "no way am I walking in that" she responded. he eyed the path "yes you will" he said and pushed her forward she deliberately sat on a rock instead crossed her legs and glared.

"I'm going no further with you," she stated. He walked over to her and gazed down. "Your friends will not follow us down here do you intend to stay in the dark dear lady?" he teased her "Even the rats are preferable to your company" she responded. "You prefer the company of those who tried to kill you?" he said in disbelief. She raised an eyebrow and stared at him "and you didn't?" she retorted. he swore when she remained seated.

"I don't care what you prefer my lady, Now stand" he grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. He pushed her forward "I am not stepping in that" she said "very well" he said he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. She squeaked in protest then clung to him when he jumped across the small space.

He landed in part of the small mud puddle and then set her on her feet on dry ground. Nuala jumped over it easily. "You should choose better footwear" he stated, "I wasn't planning on hiking anywhere," said Aeryn. She was also attempting to memorize their path though it seemed futile. The quiet menace in the prince's tone made his threats credible in her eyes. Though she still seethed she kept it to herself.

he never used the point of that spear to push her but the shaft still left a bruise. She planned on spinning it into a ravine if only to keep him from hitting her or poking her with that damn spear. She wished she were fast enough to take it away from him and poke him with it. He saw her glance fall on it too many times and sheathed it, guessing her intentions.

They entered an area under what looked like an abandoned building. She wondered just how far they had walked because she knew there was no buildings anywhere near the center. They walked into the building's basement and climbed a set of stairs "you must forgive the sparseness of the accommodations I usually do not have guests" he said

Aeryn looked around the room in one corner was a pile of blankets. The area was obviously used for sleeping. She wondered why a prince was living like he was homeless. He grabbed Aeryn's arm and steered her into what used to be an office. He shoved her inside and closed the door behind her.

She heard the snick of the lock and knew she was going to be in here for a while. The room was empty except for a pile of torn up cardboard. She sighed her feet hurt and she had to sit down. She paced over to the side with the cardboard and sat down Indian style on the rug. She leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes.

"Gee what a great birthday" she murmured to herself. Nuala had seated herself on the windowsill of the small room, awaiting her brother's return. He glared at her for a second. "I am going to retrieve some clothes for you both I've locked her in she stays there is that understood?" he said "yes" said Nuala contritely "I do not mean her harm sister I wish you still trusted me enough to believe that" said Nuada "you have already caused her enough harm brother leave the girl be" said Nuala "I cannot she belongs with her people" he said

"You cannot force her to accept us brother she must want it on her own" said Nuala he looked away from her "watch her sister you may speak with her if you like but no more" he said. He walked out the door and out of the building. He had several of these building scattered around the human city. In one of them he had even set aside some changes of clothing for both himself and his sister. It was to this one he now headed. He was going to get some proper clothes on the healer. She was too old to dress herself as a schoolgirl. He was actually quite embarrassed by the amount of skin her top showed.

It was unseemly for her to be garbed in such a short skirt and those shoes of hers were unfit for walking at all. He would need to stop by the market before returning; he hadn't been to that hide out for a while. So he also needed to get them some food what he usually ate was unfit fare for his sister and the healer.

"Aeryn?" said Nuala "yes" said Aeryn "are you unhurt?" said Nuala "yes, is he gone?" said Aeryn "yes but he won't be for long" said Nuala "can you open the door?" said Aeryn "sadly no it requires a key and he took that with him" said Nuala "is there a phone out there?" said Aeryn "what is a phone?" said Nuala "its oh never mind that would take too long" said Aeryn "is there anything you can use to break the doorknob off with?" said Aeryn."Ah no there is nothing," said Nuala

"Stand away from the door for a second" said Aeryn she concentrated and the door shook on its hinges but didn't fall over. She sighed it must have too much wood in it for her to affect.

Nuala looked around the place was depressingly empty. "Its ok thanks for looking Nuala" said Aeryn she sounded sad to Nuala. "Is he going to kill me?" said Aeryn. "I do not know" said Nuala "Nuala thank you for staying with me at least I won't be spending this birthday alone" said Aeryn "I did not know it was your birthday" said Nuala "that's because I never celebrate it" said Aeryn "why not?" said Nuala "because something bad always happens on it" said Aeryn. She looked at her surroundings and smiled ruefully, guess the tradition held.

Nuala lowered her head she looked away from the door sadly. She could hear the fear in the child's voice and it saddened her.

Nuada had retrieved the clothes and other could sense his sisters saddness about something. Then he had stopped to buy some food in the troll market. He had been just about to leave when the scarf seller beaconed to him. "Buy a scarf for the young lass in your life good sir?" said the seller. Nuada had been about to turn away but for some reason he stopped and asked the price on one of the beautiful green ones.

"For you my lord ten drachas" said the seller. Nuada frowned the price was almost too high. He bought it for her anyways perhaps a present would ease her pain somewhat. Nuala heard the door open downstairs and she knew Nuada was back "he's back" she whispered through the door.

Nuada had been standing outside the door for a few minutes. Listening to what his sister was talking to the girl about. She was telling Nuala about a birthday party that apparently had only one guest, the birthday girl. The child acted brave but inside she was as lonely as he had once been. He had spent many a birthday alone and it grieved him that she was his captive instead of his guest.

He walked through the door. He was carrying a canvas bag in one hand. "Sister I require your aid with this" said Nuada. he pulled a basin from the bag. She noticed he also had scissors and a dress. "Can you fill this with water, please" he said Nuala nodded she could see what her brother had in mind. So she did as he asked Aeryn was sure to protest this big time. Nuala came back with the basin and Nuada unlocked the door and held it open for her.

Aeryn was sitting on the floor her head resting on her up turned knees. She saw Nuala carrying a bowl of water and Nuada was carrying luggage. Aeryn eyed them both apprehensively what was he up to? "My lady its time you were stripped of this human glamour you seem fit to wear" said Nuada "what do you mean?" said Aeryn "I have brought you a change of clothes, a mirror and some scissors, we will not harm you but I will insist you cooperate" said Nuada.

He dipped a rag in the bowl Nuala was holding and squeezed some of the water out. "Now hold still" he said. Aeryn moved away from him. He kept approaching her until she was backed into a corner then he closed on her. She threw a punch at him he caught it and shoved her back against the wall. He grabbed her chin and forced it towards him. "Get your hands off of me," she muttered angrily. "When I am done and not until" he responded

She responded by trying to knee him. He pined her to the wall with his body. He didn't want to hurt her just keep her still. He wiped the rag over her face. Removing her face make up with each wipe. She set her jaw and glared fire at him the whole time he washed her face. She couldn't move at all damn he was strong. She couldn't even hit him at this angle.

His face was close to hers, so close she could see the different flecks of color in his eyes. Smell his breath and note his teeth were a bit sharp. He put the cloth back into the bowl and motioned for Nuala to bring him the mirror. He held it up for her. She avoided looking at it until he grabbed her chin again.

. "Remove them," he said. she looked confused for a second "your eye coverings" he said. she hesitated but she knew if she didn't he most definitely would. And she didn't relish the idea of his fingers poking her in the eye She reached up with shaking hands and gently touched her eye. A small plastic disk stuck to her finger, with the inside tinted blue.

He plucked the disk from her finger, he would discard them later. "the other one" he ordered. she did the same maneuver with the other eye. He took that from her hand and picked up the scissors "ut uh, let your sister do that I'm not looking like a boy" said Aeryn.

He smiled at her "very well" he said he handed the scissors to Nuala. "Get all the black stuff her hair looks like it was dipped in oil" he said. He stepped back from her and Aeryn sighed. She hated that he had made her feel powerless and also that her body had started to respond to the contact of his. She rubbed her shoulder where he had used his shoulder to pin her to the wall. He turned and walked towards the door.

Aeryn sneered at his retreating back. Nuala took the scissors from him and eyed Aeryn's hair. " I am sorry for this," said Nuala .She parted her hair in the middle and using the comb began to systematically remove her dyed tips. Aeryn tried to keep from cringing when the scissors touched her hair. She remembered what this particular Bo ho haircut had cost and it hadn't been cheap. When she got rescued she would be forced to dye her whole head just to repair what they were doing to her appearance. Her stylist was going to have a cow.

She didn't even want to look up. Knowing the mirror was still sitting nearby. She didn't want to see what she looked like; she hated her appearance without her makeup. She could see his booted feet lounging against the doorframe. "All done" said Nuala softly. "Do you wish to see?" said Nuala "no" said Aeryn shaking her head in denial. Aeryn looked at the floor and stifled the urge to cry. She bit her bottom lip until it bled to keep the tears in check, she would not give him that. "The clothes are in the bag help her change," he said.

He walked out of the room to give them some privacy. Nuala pulled the gown from the bag. It was a lovely blue iridescent type fabric. it had a pair of matching mary jane style slippers. "He's kidding right?" said Aeryn. Nuala shook her head no "just humor him it's almost over," said Nuala. Aeryn sighed and began undoing her top. "I'm keeping my own undergarments," said Aeryn

Nuala nodded and helped her put her head through the top petticoat. Aeryn didn't like this not one bit. Nuala helped her put on the whole ensemble. Which she was glad of because Aeryn wouldn't have been able to figure it out on her own. Nuala smoothed out the bottom of her skirt and pronounced her done. "She is ready brother," said Nuala.

Aeryn looked at the floor and twisted her hands in her skirt. Even with all those layers on she still felt like she was standing there in her undergarments. He had effectively stripped her of all her natural defenses she felt absurdly like a declawed cat facing a mountain lion.

She felt rather than saw him approach "look at me my lady" he said gently she glared up angrily at him. He held a scarf in his hands he draped it over her shoulders. "Happy birthday my lady" he said softly his hands lingered on her shoulders for a second before he reached up to touch her face.

"Beautiful" he whispered his hand reached up to caress her hair away from her face. She stepped back shocked by his change of attitude. "Are you through?" she asked. "Yes my dear healer I am satisfied, I have prepared our evening meal you may join us if you like" he said gently "no thank you I'm not hungry" said Aeryn.

Her hand was unconsciously resting on the scarf. "Very well my lady it is there should you wish to join us," he said calmly then he and Nuala left the room. He left the door unlocked hoping she would change her mind.

She turned her back to him and went to the other side of the room. Nuada watched her go with a frown on his face. It was obvious she felt self conscious in her appearance. She was beautiful he just wished she could see that. Aeryn wanted to cry but she wouldn't give that to him so instead she seethed. Choosing to glare at him until he left the room.

It was obvious his goal was too embarrass her and humiliate her. He was succeeding and she hated him all the more for it. He pulled the door closed to give her a moment. He had wounded her pride he knew and wanted her to have the moment to recover She sat on the floor as best she could in all those layers. She pulled the scarf from her neck and stared at it. It was the same one she had wanted to buy from the troll market.

How had he known and why did he even buy it? The man was so damned confusing. Did he hate her or was he trying to recruit her? She could have sworn he was making a pass at her earlier. Just what was with this guy's attitude?

She was trying to keep from crying he could tell that much. A few tears did slip through the cracks but not until she nodded off to sleep. As Nuala ate the small meal her brother had laid out her glance kept falling on the empty plate that should have been Aeryn's.

"You may take her a plate later she is just being stubborn" said Nuada "was it necessary to do that brother?" said Nuala "do you think I did it to be cruel?" he asked "she does" said Nuala. he sighed and set his fork down. "I'm not trying to embarrass or belittle the child I just wish to see her true face not some human version of our glamour," said Nuada.

"She is very lovely without it," said Nuala "yes she is" said Nuada. Nuala took a bite of her food and smiled around it. "You like her brother admit it" said Nuala he sighed "I do but I haven't the time to pursue such interests at the moment" said Nuada "you've had centuries to do so yet here you are still alone brother, you hide your heart behind duty my brother" said Nuala. Nuada set his fork down "duty is all that I have left" he said softly "no brother it is not nor should it be" said Nuala. She reached her hands across the table and touched his.

"Why does she hate me so sister?" he said his voice sounded hurt by the knowledge. "Her mother was in the auction house the night you obtained the first crown piece" said Nuala "how then does she know me?" said Nuada "her mother captured your image and some footage of what happened," said Nuala