The slender ivory finger stroked the silver rams head softly. "So intricately designed," the soft and quiet voice said. "I wish I had such a gift…"
Carl looked up from his work. "Oh yes," he watched Anya touching the sculpted head on the crossbow. "It's a very artistic touch"
He was startled as he heard her laugh. "No," she smiled "I meant the crossbow itself."
He smiled sheepishly, "Oh," a red blush sprang in his pale cheeks "Well I designed it…"
"Anyone can sculpt a head, but designing new versions of weapons…" she sighed "That's different story…"
"I used to help polish the silver," she gestured towards a collection of silver daggers and dirks and various weapons that had been brought in by Halo. "When Katrina hunted the Wolves of Night. She found out I wanted to learn how to wield a weapon, after that we had lessons every night. 'Tis quite fun, really!" she grinned.
Carl smiled and continued to work.
Van Helsing strutted into the equipment room, ready to hear of his new assignment. For some reason, he was feeling quite confident and well rested this morning. For some reason he couldn't remember why. "No dreams!" he let it slip from lips unbelieving. He'd had dreams as far back as he could remember! So what had stopped them?
The laughter rang through the room, sweet but hearty. He lifted his head to see the source, just in time to catch the glance from the bright green eyes. And he realized.
He remembered the laughter last night, walking back to the abbey, and going to sleep laughing to himself. Sure he had spent the rest of the night alone, but waiting for sleep hadn't been as horrid, on the contrary rather fun looking back on the evening.
He walked to the table Carl, Halo and Anya were at. Carl was trying to show off his inventions, and the girls were laughing their heads off at his antics.
"Don't hurt yourself," he said passing Carl. Carl glared at him, to the endless amusement of the girls.
"Ahem…" everyone turned at the voice of the Cardinal Jinette. "I believe your assignments are in order. You can follow me…"
"All of us?" Carl asked, a little weakly.
"All of you."
Carl, Anya, Halo and Gabriel followed the Cardinal into the dark room, behind the hidden door.