Duke:

"Wherever have you been, dear boy?" the falcon snarked as I stepped into the rec room.

With a shrug, I replied, "Out."

"I thought you had a job tonight, don't tell me you forgot?" the tan feathered avian scoffed.

Without so much as a second in delay, I slipped the trinket out from my coat vest pocket. Holding it up for he and the others to see, the five point emerald glistened in the light. Then I tucked it away again as I said, "Best no one holds onto this for very long, at least not without this."

With that I held up a tear cut diamond that matched the green gem in size and clarity.

"You went after both?" he questioned in disbelief.

"Well, when doin' research I found that the two are connected. I figured it would be best to keep them both out of the wrong hands," I mentioned while making sure they were securely in my breast pocket again.

"Is that what took you so long?" a brown feathered drake asked from the table he was sitting at.

The duck was pouring over notes and scribbling others out. He glanced at me to inquire further, "You're not hurt or anything, are you?"

I gave a bit of a laugh and replied, "Me? Nah, I'm jus' fine, Trent."

"Then why are you so late?" the falcon raised a brow, "Were you avoiding being caught after the job?"
"I'm not you, so no," I jabbed back in a smooth tone, "I was jus' havin' some fun on a Friday night."

He was already glaring at me, but I ignored it. What I couldn't avoid was the volley of questioning that followed, "So you went on this job to gain all the glory, and then you go off to celebrate, is that it? You tell us not to take unnecessary risks, and you go for both of the enchanted gems at once?"

"They were in the same display room, Falcone. I had some extra time allotted from the turned off cameras, so I grabbed the diamond while I was already there," I explained, "As for afterwards, it's none of your business what I do while I'm out."

"You need to be careful with that little charade of yours, Duke. If the public finds out that their prized star is one of the most notorious jewel thieves on the planet, there won't be a place you can hide your face," Falcone hissed.

"I know how to handle myself out in public, that's why I don't have to hide away all the time. I've been able to balance them so far, haven't I?" I retorted.

Taking a quick breath, I then added, "Besides, it was a good thing I was out tonight."

"Is that so?" Trent questioned with a raised brow, "Did something else happen?"

"Sorta," I admitted with a look to him that said, "I'll tell ya later."

"What's that then?" Falcone demanded anyway with contempt rising in his tone, "Is it something we should be aware of, oh brave and bold leader?"

"Not exactly," I shrugged casually, "Other than what we already know about the Order of the Light, they're getting' pretty insistent on things."

"Did they see you during the job?" Trent asked.

"Of course not!" I retorted with a prick in my pride at the suggestion.

"That's a relief at least," he sighed while jotting down more notes.

"However, if they are more active, perhaps I should have gone with you tonight?" Falcone questioned.

"It wasn't a two person job, and you were supposed to be taking care of things here," I replied firmly, "Gettin' supplies with Avarin an' the others remember?"

"I told them I would prefer to be on standby in case there was trouble with you, they didn't seem to argue," Falcone shrugged.

"Ya went against an order, Falcone; an' they knew it wasn't worth arguin' with ya!" I snapped, "I need ya to do your part when I tell ya for this gang to thrive!"

"The gang?! Really now? When you're off alone on a job so you can take all the glory for yourself?" he barked with growing irritation, "You tell us to use a buddy system, but go off on your own?"

"I would have taken a lookout if I felt I needed it, but the job was easier for me to slip in an' out alone; an' last time I took ya on a job like that, ya-"

"That was years ago, Duke! I have not been caught like that since!" Falcone snapped with his own anger boiling over now.

"No, but you're still not careful enough! I couldn't afford the risk tonight, an' you can't go anywhere without settin' off an alarm!" I pushed back, "I have to think of the group's safety!"

His feathers stood on end it seemed, with fury igniting in his eyes, "I would be a much better leader than you, dear boy! I would bring us to heights you won't let us climb to!"

"Ya couldn't even gather supplies for the group! Ya stayed here fumin' 'cause I wouldn't let ya go on this job that we couldn't afford to slip away!" I shouted, "I know the balance between a calculated risk an' bein' reckless, an' I think of the group before myself! Aster saw that, an' that's why I'm the leader now! I suggest ya learn to deal with that at some point!"

I was about to turn and leave, when he snarled under his breath, "You're a coward!"

I spun back around on my heel, "A coward doesn't risk his own safety before others, Falcone. The longer this goes on, the more I think ya would have left me in that manor!"

He gave a surprisingly calm laugh, "Oh, of course not old chum! All I'm saying, is that you are being too cautious, risking your good name and career for the sake of the group without letting us prove our own metals."

"I bring plenty o' jobs for the group to take on. This one, was not one of 'em. Now let it go!" I warned.

"Not until you start letting us go for bigger, grander jobs. You've changed so much of what we were, I'm starting to think you're shifting gears on us," he retorted, "We go after these so called dangerous items to keep out of the wrong hands, and yet all we do is tuck them away!"

"What of it?"

"Dear boy, we're considered the wrong hands, aren't we? The Brotherhood of the Blade, the most notorious gang of thieves the world has ever seen? At least...until you took the lead, am I right?"

"We've gone after plenty of gems an' treasures for clients," Trent pointed out.

"Perhaps to keep things running," Falcone conceded, "However, since Duke's taken charge, over the years we've relied on those jobs less and less. Haven't we?"

"The other jobs have become more important," I reminded him, "What would happen if the Order got a hold of those gems tonight? Or that paintin' we traded into the right hands?"

"So you admit that your priorities have changed, and have thus shifted how we function?" Falcone goaded.

I wasn't sure how to answer this. Over the last few years, since the aforementioned night, we had been taking on more personal jobs over those of clients. When I found out there was an item of interest that was dangerous, I made it a priority. However, I always made sure there was room for a gem or two. For a moment I wondered if the others did have similar concerns?

Looking to Trent didn't give me much of an answer to work with. In fact, he gave a shrug while working away at his papers, "We do need to figure out what do with the inventory we've gained over the last few years."

"I'll try to figure that out soon," I replied, "In the meantime, I'll see what I can do about the next client jobs to gain some revenue."

"We're not through here, Duke," Falcone hissed.

"Falcone, until you can do the jobs I give ya, I'm not goin' to give ya others! Avarin an' Irving went for the supplies? So they would be-"

"I am not going to be an errand boy! I am going to bring this group to the glory it deserves!"

"You're not the leader!" I replied sharply.

"Not yet, but soon enough!" he assured.

"That's funny, 'cause I'm still standin' here, an' in pretty good health at that," I remarked, "Nor do I plan to retire while I'm in my prime!"

"There are other ways, dear boy," he mused with his arms folded over his broad chest and a smirk twisting his pointed beak.

"Ya won't stop until I humor ya will ya?" I questioned.

"It's just a simple challenge," he assured, "I decided what we're after. Then we pick a night to go after it. Whoever retrieves the item in question becomes the leader. It's how it was decided a long time ago, and how it should have been handled with you."

"So savin' your neck wasn't proof enough?" I half laughed.

"You still gave up that painting," he reminded me.

Taking a deep breath and releasing it, I said, "I don't need to prove anythin' to ya, Falcone."

"I think you do, and to our gang," he pushed back, "Unless you think you can't handle it, and your day job all at once?"

My eyes narrowed as I looked at the falcon. Years ago, I would have called this bird my best friend. Yet since I'd become the hand picked leader of the Brotherhood, he'd become more and more impossible to be around. His ego had been bruised that night, and it hadn't healed even now. As much as I didn't want to entertain this, I knew it would worsen if I didn't humor his request.

"Alright," I gave in after taking a breath, "What are we after then?"

"I'll look around to see what I can find," he snickered, "until then; enjoy being the leader, and keeping us on the quiet side in the meantime."

I rolled my eyes at that last bit and headed out of the rec room. I'd decided I was done with this for the night. Fortunately, Trent picked up on this, and followed me out so I could still talk with him. Handing over the two gems to him, I began to explain what else had happened this night.

"So, the Flashblade family? They have magic in their lineage now?" Trent raised a brow.

"I've heard that name before," I mentioned, "but either way, I think we need to keep an eye on her."

"You think the Order would try and do something?" he asked.

"They did attempt tonight," I pointed out, "I think her instincts were tryin' to warn her, but she's new to all of this. They can be rather convincin' too."

"So then, you plan to check up on this songbird?"

"Ya make it sound like it won't be fun for me," I replied while lacing my fingers behind my head as we walked, "Besides, she's an up an' comin' singer. Why wouldn't a fellow star want to get to know her?"

"I know you better than that, L'Orange; so much that I've already noticed the mending your sleeve needs that you neglected to inform me of," Trent shot back with his own amused tone.

With a smile curving my beak, I replied, "I'm jus' sayin' others won't question it when I have that as an excuse. It helps. Either way, yeah, I plan to check in on her when I can to make sure those self righteous jerks don't try an' brainwash her or somethin'."

"Did she pull at your heart there?" he parried past my defenses, causing me to laugh a bit.

"I don't know about all that, but...I'd be lyin' if I said her bein' worried about me didn't feel kinda nice for once," I admitted.

"We worry about you," Trent chuckled, "but I think I get the idea?"

"So, about the oddities I'm storing?" Trent prompted.

"I'll figure it out," I insisted, "but for now, I'm goin' to get some needed sleep."

"Fair enough, I suppose," he replied with a pat on my shoulder.

Over the next few weeks I would continue to lead my gang as Aster before me had. I made sure there was a variety in our jobs. During the day I would cater to the public with appearances, autographs, and filming schedules. At night I would tend to the Brotherhood. Falcone seemed content in his search for something grand enough to challenge me with. Though I wasn't going to bring it up until he did. For I had other things to worry about. In fact, balancing between the two lifestyles, I realized I was beginning to wonder what my real performance was, on the screen, or in my life? Who was I trying to be anymore? The public knew and adored me for my performances on film. My gang looked to me for guidance and glory. Yet what Falcone had brought up began to eat at me in a way.

I was deep in these thoughts when I found myself wandering the streets one night. I'd just finished another solo job when I was passing by a dance hosted by a few of the big socialites in Anaheim. I'd recently dropped Heart's name as an idea for part of the entertainment for them to hire. From what I could hear, they'd taken my advice, and I found myself going in to give a listen. She was singing her heart out, with enough passion in her voice to carry through the room. Lyrics of fairy-tales, connecting to one another, and love itself echoed in the rafters.

It cheered me up to see her living the life she'd dreamed of. Yet what really made something in my chest skip a moment, was when she spotted me through the crowd. A bright smile curved her beak as she gave a subtle wave. Though she was not the only one to spot me, as fans soon swarmed around me. A few ladies requested a dance, that normally I would have obliged to. However, on this night, I really just wanted to sit back and listen. At least that's what I told myself. So that's what I did as I barely evaded the crowd and leaned back against a back wall with my arms folded over my chest.

When her concert was over, I debated over whether I should head out or not. Surely she'd be safe with such a crowd around, no one would try anything here? Her brothers were probably somewhere among them as well. Besides, I was risking enough with the gems still tucked away in my stealth-suit front pocket, worn beneath my casual dress clothes at the moment. I'd brought my quick change device to cover them up.

Too late, I heard her calling out to me through the dancers. Another band was having their turn, calming the room down with their own pleasant melodies.

"Duke!" she attempted again, this time causing me to look through the gathering of ducks and other birds, I realized.

A smile crossed my beak as I said to her, "Evenin' Heart."

"I didn't know you'd be here, but I guess I should have figured a star like you would be at a party like this?" she said a bit sheepishly.

"Well, I heard ya were singin', an' had to give a listen," I told her.

I could see her blushing through her white feathers. She found her voice again, and said, "Thank you for mentioning me to my client tonight."

"No problem, sweetheart," I assured her.

Why did I already feel better being around her? All those rambling thoughts in my head seemed to wash away, at least for the moment, as we talked.

"Are your brothers here?" I asked.

She shook her head, "They had a game tonight. They did get to come to the last few gigs I did though."

"Are ya with anyone tonight?"

"Not tonight. Grin is taking care of the dojo he's in charge of now, Mallory's busy prepping for a military exam, and Tanya's at the lab working hard on developing some new tech.," she told me.

"So what you're tellin' me, is that ya need someone to escort ya home again?" I offered, ignoring in vain how hopeful I was.

"You don't have to do that again!" she protested, "Really. I'm sure you have things to take care of!"

"Heart, it's not a problem, an' there's no rush either," I assured while making note of her teal and white dancing dress, "Ya look very nice, by the way."

I wondered if she would ever stop blushing from that remark. It didn't help any that I stood up and offered a hand to her, asking, "Would ya like to dance?"

"Duke, I'm sure you have a number of fans begging for this sort of attention," she recoiled while glancing at my hand still.

"Come on Heart, you're all dressed up for this. Unless there's someone else you'd prefer to dance with?" I paused to think about aloud.

She shook her head rather quickly at that, "That's not it!...I just...!"

She was wringing her hands together as she stood before me quite nervously. I tilted my head curiously at this. Before I could venture further, a frustratingly familiar voice caught my attention, "Why if it isn't Duke L'Orange?"

I looked to see a young woman, a few years older than Heart, but a few years younger than I, stepping up to us. Her lavender locks were allowed to cascade down her back and bare shoulders. Her short skirted crimson gown clung to her curved frame, and her boots went up to her knees.

"Been a while, hasn't it, DeCoy?" I commented dryly.

"It's McDrake," she retorted sharply.

"Coulda fooled me," I shrugged while trying to turn my attention back to a very confused Heart.

"I'm surprised you're here?" the tan feathered, lilac haired duck continued anyway, "Don't you have stunts to practice for so you don't give that manager of yours a heart attack?"

"I heard there was good music to be heard tonight, an' thought I'd give a listen," I said while glancing at Heart still.

"Well now, who's this little wisp of a duck?" she taunted in a sugary tone.

"Pardon me?" Heart raised a brow.

"Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Vonda McDrake," the taller duck replied with a hand gesturing to herself, "Duke and I are, well...rather close, or at least we used to be?"

"I wouldn't say that," I commented.

"And who exactly are you?" Vonda questioned the girl standing beside me.

"I'm Heart, Heart Flashblade," she replied with a bit of discomfort showing in her voice.

"Oh, you're the little songbird from the stage. Interesting stuff, I have to say. All those songs about love? Pretty interesting. Tell me, have you ever even been in a relationship before, or do you just make all that stuff up?" Vonda bit quickly and harshly.

"I don't really know what you're getting at? I just like singing about it, it makes others happy?" Heart shrugged.

"So, you do make it up? Tell me, does it feel exciting to be around all these stars like this?"

"Knock it off, Vonda," I said sharply.

"I'm just asking her some questions. If she wants to make it big, she has to get advice from all sorts of stars, doesn't she? Look at my success after all."

"I'm sorry...but I feel like I've offended you somehow?" Heart chimed in.

"Offended?" Vonda laughed, "Offended by a little duckling like you? That would imply there was something worth being offended by."

"Careful, you'll bruise your image," I warned in a soured tone.

"I'm just saying there's nothing for me to be offended by." she assured sweetly.

Vonda then strolled over to me, looking up into my eyes as she battered her long lashes, "Why don't you come dance with me? I'm sure I could keep you entertained? Perhaps recapture the magic we once had?"

"No, thanks," I answered firmly, barely holding a polite tone with her by this point.

"Don't tell me you're replacing me with her now? This little songbird can't compare to-"

"Heart's my friend, an' a far better one than you ever were," I replied.

Her lilac eyes narrowed into a glare. However, I was already stepping back from her and offering a hand to the white feathered duck still standing near me. Heart hesitated at first, looking rather upset by the tension building, as well as the harsh remarks said in regards to her.

"Come on, sweetheart," I pushed gently, ignoring the other duck as I addressed my friend, "Ya don't need to listen to this."

"Careful girl, despite how many women fawn over him, this drake is quite the heart-breaker. Isn't that right, L'Orange?" she tried to taunt anyway, "No one's been able to catch you, so why would this nobody- I mean, budding star...have a shot?"

"Ya know, DeCoy," I said clearly, but kept my tone calm and smooth, "You're riskin' a lot considerin' how much I know about your true facade, aren't ya? While it's not really my business, I will not have ya insultin' her. A new starling or not, she's far more genuine than you've ever been, I can swear by that!"

Only that last part had a slight bite to it. With Vonda finally left speechless, I turned to Heart and swept her hand up in mine. Then I lead her away before she could protest much further. Only when we were half way through the large dance room, did Heart finally pull her hand away, questioning in growing alarm, "Why did you do that?! I don't want to cause you any trouble!"

"She's not goin' to do anythin', Heart. Vonda's got her own image to keep up, rather than tryin' to ruin yours or mine. She plays the sweet, humble starling to the public, but is just as cut-throat as any other actress I've worked with," I assured her, "but she would hate for that side of her to get out."

"Worked with?" Heart seemed to be trying to recall.

I shrugged, "It was for some romance drama I did back when I was starting out. She was the lead, an' she did seem genuine at first...but I quickly saw her true colors when we dated for a very short time."

"I...I see...?" Heart said.

Hearing her uneasy tone, and following her gaze, I would see as she looked over to the woman we'd just walked off from, before glancing down at herself. I couldn't help but tilt my head a bit curiously when noticing this. Then that curiosity tugged at me a little more when she seemed to be scanning the room, looking over other stars in their dresses, "Somethin' wrong?"

She quickly shook her head, looking a tad embarrassed as she tried to say, "N-No!"

I caught on quickly and forced myself not to laugh, even softly. For I realized now how Heart was comparing herself to the others in their glistening jewels and formal attire. This admittedly tugged at my chest a little, to see her so shy among them, and yet she'd just sung in front of everyone there. And them dancing to her songs was proof that she was starting to make her own mark.

"Don't let her get to ya, Heart," I said while glancing at Vonda, "Jealousy wears more colors than green."

"She doesn't have anything to be jealous about," Heart tried to shrug off her mocking words.

"That doesn't matter to stars like her. Men an' women alike with enough fame under their belts can get threatened by new faces stealing their attention. Didn't ya see how the audience hung on every word of those songs? Experienced on the subject or not, ya certainly sold it as though ya were. The emotion was felt, an' that struck a cord," I said while looking over the crowd still dancing around us, "Ya got them energized."

"You really think my singing did all of that?" she asked in surprise.

"See for yourself, Miss Flashblade," I encouraged while gesturing to a few couples dancing together nearby, ones I'd noted holding one another as Heart had been singing.

"Now then," I prompted while catching her attention again, "About that dance?"

She looked to me rather surprised with those blue eyes of hers, "That dance?"

"Before she interrupted, I was askin' ya for a dance, wasn't I?" I reminded her, "You're all dolled up tonight, watchin' others dance to your songs, an' ya have no wish to dance yourself?"

She rang her hands together nervously as she attempted to answer, "It's just...I don't want to get others jealous over spending time with you..."

"Why worry so much? Am I not allowed to have a friend to spend time with?" I asked with a light chuckle as I observed how shy she suddenly was again.

"No! I mean, of course you are...I just...-!"

I was already grasping her hand and pulling her onto the dance floor with me. At first she tried to protest, but quickly fell in step with me as I assured, "Come on, sweetheart. You deserve a dance too."

Standing near the center of the dance floor, I carefully slipped a hand to her side while my other held her hand firmly in it's grasp. With this, I took the lead as we began to dance to the faster paced song playing at the moment. This band, with the lead a rocker I'd seen rising in popularity, a young lion, who seemed to do covers of popular animated films, ranging from older to current. It was a good transition from the music she'd been singing to. Complimenting it rather nicely. They were currently playing a song from a more modern film, "True to Your Heart", which was almost fitting given the moment, I thought at least.

I smiled when I caught her doing just the same, at last letting go of her reservations and going with the music. As she spun under my fingertips, the skirts of her dancing dress twirling with her frame, I couldn't help but admire the girl I was dancing with a bit. The gown she wore was by no means something to turn down, and fit her quite well in style and shades I thought. With her white feathers to go with the soft blues to teal fabrics, glitter catching the light, she reminded me of morning glories and moon flowers, I couldn't decide which would fit better.

As I spun her away from me, I would hear her laugh softly from excitement. I found myself just as swept up in the moment as I spun her back into me, and caught her other hand in mine once again. It was now that I realized the song had transitioned into a favorite of mine, "Bella Notte." The pace grew a bit slower, and so our movements carried a gentler grace to them as we seemed to both go with it for now.

For that pocket of time, I found my worries slipping away. I didn't worry about who or what I was. Nor did I think of who was watching me. Fans, my fellow thieves, or anyone else. I just focused on the young lady smiling up at me, noticing that she was starting to blush. It seemed she'd noticed the tone of song we were dancing to now as well, but seemed to lend herself to it.

Heart:

I should have been more concerned about others watching, who may be frustrated to see me so close to him. I didn't want to cause any more trouble for the drake I called such a good friend in this short time knowing him. Yet...I didn't want to pull away either. So I continued to follow his lead into this slower song. Only now did I realize how happy I'd been to see him show up. When I'd spotted him among the crowd, a certain comfort had made my heart skip a beat. Now...here in his arms, something felt natural about it, despite how long I'd known him or not.

Why was I so nervous of the very sort of things I sang about? Finding someone you just connect with, and wanting to be around them? When he'd asked me to dance, I'd wanted to say yes, and yet he'd had to coax me out?...Or maybe, he'd seen my real answer I was afraid to say. Either way, there I was with him, and enjoying every moment of it. Having him there to talk to, dance with, and just spend time with. My anxieties just melted away with every step. As he spun me slowly beneath his fingers, and caught my hand again, I allowed him to pull me a bit closer than before. The music swelled, drawing us nearer and nearer, before something in us both paused as we caught ourselves just in time. Or perhaps too soon...?

Now standing a bit awkwardly, I found myself stepping back from him. I knew my feathers were bright red from the blushing occurring under them. Whether I could see them or not, for some reason I could feel several sets of eyes burning into me from what we'd nearly shared. Duke looked a little lost as I pulled away, shaking his head as though coming out of a slight trance.

"Guess I got swept up in the moment," he chuckled softly, "I'm sorry, Heart."

"I-It's okay..." I tried to find my composure, looking away from him briefly to try and do this.

I hoped he couldn't hear my heart pounding so loudly as I looked up at him again. If he did, he didn't bring attention to it. Instead he offered a hand, and said, "Shall I escort ya home? Or did ya have somethin' else to do first?"

"You don't have to do that, Duke. I can get a ride," I tried to insist.

"I would feel better knowin' ya got home safe," he parried back, "Especially if your brothers aren't around at the moment."

With a bit of a sigh, I found that I couldn't help but give in and accept. Escaping the glares I was certain I was receiving, I allowed Duke to lead us through the crowd. Finding my coat, he slipped it on rather swift and smoothly, and then we headed out.

"I'm sorry if I pushed too far, Heart," Duke then said after we'd been walking quietly for a bit, "Last thing I would want to do is overstep things, or even worse, hurt ya."

"You startled me more than anything," I admitted, "then again, the music was really convincing...I sort of got swept up in it too."

"It was nice to dance like that again, an' not for a movie or somethin'," he replied cheerfully, "An' with a good friend instead of a co-star."

Looking up at him, I began to wonder over things a bit, "Duke...why did you really come to the party tonight? Your manager told me you were busy with something when I bumped into him there. He said you probably wouldn't show up?"

"I found some free time," he shrugged casually.

"You could have gotten some rest?" I mentioned while noting the fatigue he'd ignored from before coming back.

"Then who would have escorted ya home?" he parried back.

"Why are you so insistent on that, Duke?" I asked.

"You're my friend, Heart. Why wouldn't I want ya safe?"

"I feel there's more to it though...something you're not telling me? I could get a ride to avoid getting jumped again. Unless you think something would happen?" I pushed.

Duke:

So far, my public identity had aided in my endeavors to look after her, allowing me to simply say I was in the area when I found out she was singing. Sometimes I would see her brothers or friends with her, and could bow out with her in safe hands it seemed. However, there were a few nights, like this one, where I would catch her alone. When I did, I just did what I had that first night. She never seemed to question how I always showed up out of nowhere, using the thieve's highway to get between jobs and checking on her, or strolling from studios to the clubs she sang at. Instead, she always greeted me with a smile on her face. As she had at the party this very night. Though this wasn't an unusual occurrence with those that saw me; fans cheered my name, and ladies would flirt with me here and there; but there was something genuine behind those eyes of hers that tugged at me a bit.

However, Heart was indeed to pick up on things the more time I spent with her, I realized.

"So there haven't been any other surges?" I asked her.

She shook her head, "Not yet. Then again, I don't know if anyone's been hurt in the audience. That first night I knew you were injured, and I wanted to help..."

"I guess that makes sense," I replied thoughtfully.

"Is that what you're so worried about?" she asked, "My magic, or something happening to me because of it?"

I tried to think on how to answer her. I wanted to be honest with what could possibly hurt her, but didn't want her to be afraid for what she had either.

"You seem tired?" she then mentioned to me, and rather abruptly.

I looked to her a little startled, and laughed, "What makes ya say that?"

"You just seem to have a lot on your mind. Every time I've seen you, you look caught between things," she explained, before pausing and then asking, "Maybe it's none of my business...but I feel there's something you're not telling me?"

Still I wasn't sure how to answer. Had she seen me slipping something into my pocket she shouldn't have at some point? Was I growing careless around her when I needed to be at my most cautious? If she found out who I really was...?

"What do ya mean by that Heart?" I asked carefully.

"Since you helped me that first night, I've always seen you at night. I guess you could be working on your stunts as you mentioned to me before...but I can't help but feel that's not it? Does it have to do with my magic? Are you really worried about it?"

With slight relief in my breath, I said, "Somethin' like that, I guess. I don't want ya getting' hurt 'cause of it."

Heart tilted her head and inquired, "It's that guy, from the Order? You seemed to be worried that he was talking to me before?"

"Ya do pick up on quite a bit don't ya?"

I then asked, "What did ya tell your brothers by the way?"

"I did tell them about you saving my life, and my magic. They weren't sure what to make of it, but they didn't doubt me either. Nosedive joked that it answers where all his scrapes went when we were kids," she laughed.

"As for the Order...I didn't know what to tell them. Wildwing has looked up to them since he was a kid. He believes that they help people, and that they're super heroes...but I believe you both in a way."

"Yeah?" I asked in a bit of surprise.

"That guy...he gave off a weird vibe, as my friend Grin would say. He mentioned me not having control over something like that could be dangerous. I don't know...I can't shake the feeling that had I gone with him..."

"Don't," it slipped out before I could stop it.

She looked up at me with bewildered, blue eyes, "Don't?"

"Those guys, don't go near them alone," it was coming out before I could shut my beak, "They don't understand what ya have, nor would they be tryin' to help ya with it. If anythin', they'd be tryin' to take it from ya somehow...or..."

I wondered why I was warning her like this? Taking another breath, I told her more calmly, "I don't want them hurtin' ya somehow, okay? Ya have somethin' special, an' don't let them, or anyone else for that matter, tell ya otherwise, okay?"

"Is...is that why you've been checking on me? Is that why you came by tonight?"

"Sorta," I admitted.

"I guess I should have figured something was up," she replied a bit disheartened.

"That doesn't mean I didn't want to spend time with ya, Heart," I mentioned quickly, catching her and myself by surprise, "That's not why I danced with ya tonight, either. Maybe it's part of why I checked in, but it's not entirely why I stick around either."

I gave a sigh and tried to explain what I could, "It's nice havin' someone to be around that doesn't want my attention 'cause I'm a star. Ya always ask if I'm doin' alright, or jus' cheer me up by singin' your heart out on the stage...With or without magic, you cared when I was hurt, which is more than I can say for some in my line of work."

I realized I meant this for both of my careers, and nearly scoffed in spite of myself. Though catching her eyes filled with concern caused me to pause. Then I said to her with some cheer returning to my tone, "Maybe that's why I wanted to make sure you were safe. I don't know how many understand what you're goin' through with ya findin' your voice like that, or the dangers it sadly comes with. I want to help if I can...if ya want me to, of course?"

Heart:

Taking this in, I still felt there was something else he was trying very hard behind the mask I realized he was wearing. Yet at the same time, in my very core, I knew...

"I trust you, Duke. If there's a way you can help me understand this, then I'll listen. If it means I get to spend my time with a dear friend, then why would I complain?"

The genuine smile that curved his beak made my heart skip a beat again. With a bit of a sigh, he said, "That means more to me than I can say, sweetheart."

We then continued walking along towards home, taking our time, I realized. At some point he'd laced his fingers with mine, holding my hand securely in his. It's warmth spread through me somehow, but I tried my best to hide this, along with my pounding heart beat. For now...it was enough to be just a little closer to him, to begin understanding him and the world he seemed to know so much more about. One he was sharing with me with every brief encounter I had with him.

When we reached my home, I was once again reluctant to pull away from him. It worsened when he looked me over and said, "Ya do look beautiful tonight, Heart."

"Th-Thank you," I managed to answer just as softly.

Then, while looking over him, I would catch the slight fatigue in his eyes. As I did, I pushed gently, "Please get some rest. I'll be careful not to be caught alone. I don't want you getting hurt somehow looking after me, or otherwise."

Duke gave a chuckle, "Well, you're nicer about that than my manager is."

This didn't ease the worry in my chest at all. He seemed to notice this in my expression, and insisted while still laughing, "Don't ya worry, Heart. I'll be careful, an' I'll get some rest."

He then gave a polite, but still playful, bow with his hand over his heart. With this, he swept up my hand once again, and asked, "May I?"

I gave a nod as he brushed my fingers with a breath of a kiss that made my heart flutter.

"Until next time?" he then inquired.

I nodded again, too flustered to find my voice at the moment it seemed. Once I was inside the door and safe, he then slipped away into that moonlit night.