Qedus and Prompto returned from their little photo adventure. It had been awhile since they spent any time alone but it was always fun. Prompto climbed up on the steel stand they had by the fence for watching for Daemons. He reached out pulling Qedus up beside him, He smiled brightly as he ran his fingers down his pants leg.

"It's been to long since me and you did something together." Said Prompto as he fumbled with his camera.

"It's been like a week…remember you came with me on a hunt." Said Qedus as she smiled.

"Yeah it was fun…so how are you holding up?" Asked Prompto, "Do you need me to do anything for you?" He asked as he sucked in his lips nervously.

Qedus could tell something was off, Prompto always acted nervous around her. This time it was at a all time high, Maybe he didn't know how to handle the situation at hand. "You don't have to beat around the bush with me…either way I'm a mess…I'm trying to stay calm for Lark."

"Qedus I'd do anything for you…just tell me what you need and I'm there." Said Prompto his voice lower than before.

"I know you will Prompto…you…Gladiolus.. Ignis…Noct you all are amazing…I am thankful I have you all in my life." said Qedus.

"Well…thank you I'm always here…we all are." Prompto said with a sad smile as he scratched at his pants legs again.

"There is something you can do..." Said Qedus, Tears welling up in her eyes.

"What is it?" Asked Prompto turning to face her more.

"Hold me…" she said the tears now trickling down her cheeks. Prompto seemed taken back by her request but he obliged placing his camera aside and holding out his arms. Qedus slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, She could feel his breathe against her neck as she closed in around him. His hands wrapped around her waist tightly as he held her. He reached up patting her back as she buried her eyes into his shoulder. The hug lasted for several minutes but he never pulled away.

When she finally did pull away, Prompto held her face to his for a second but then let her go. His cheeks were flushed and he seemed a little shaky. As they moved away Qedus turned to see Gladiolus watching them, He seemed upset as he cleared his throat. "We were wondering where you two were…I see you two are just fine." Said Gladiolus.

"Yeah…how long have you been there?" Asked Prompto.

"Does it matter?" Asked Gladiolus.

"I'll be back in a few minutes I guess just counts on how long Qedus needs me." Said Prompto, He began to speak again only to be interrupted by Gladiolus snapping at Qedus.

"You need him now?" Snarled Gladiolus. Dirt flew up as Qedus hopped down from the stand, She got up in Gladiolus's face.

"My brother just died! Do you really think it's the time to be jealous over someone who isn't even yours!" She said stabbing her finger into his chest, Gladiolus's anger immedately disappeared.

"I'm still covered in my brothers blood! Gladiolus! Maybe you should mind your damn business and focus on Noctis instead of me!" She growled tears falling from her eyes again.

"I'm sorry Qedus…I just-"

Before he could finish Qedus screamed at him, "Go to hell!" She shoved past him.

"Wait Qedus! Wait up!" Yelled Prompto following her.

Instead of going to sleep like she knew she should. She found herself at the Vesperpool washing off in the lake. She watched as each trace of blood wiped off her fingers. Her eyes felt puffy from the crying she was doing, Her stress level was at a all time high and Lark not answering his phone was making it worse.

She leaned over dipping her long black hair into the water soaking it as she washed through it. The water wasn't doing much because the smell of her deceased brother still lingered on her skin. With rage she started scrubbing her hair as hard as she could as she sobbed.

"Qedus" a familiar voice spoke to her softly and comforting. Her eyes wandered over as she pulled her wet hair back, Her hair was wet and full of tangles, Frustration was starting to overwhelm her. Her eyes locked onto a unkempt Ignis, His hair was ruffled and his shirt was unbuttoned half way.

"What are you doing here?" She asked agitated.

"I could ask you the same thing, Qedus I understand your upset but it's dangerous at night. You should be in bed resting your mind and body." He said.

"I can't...the smell… the blood I just want it off." Sobbed Qedus.

"I see…you need soap not just water, I can discuss driving the Regalia back to Lestallum for the rest of the night despite better judgement. Maybe the closest Motel or Hotel…somewhere that can accommodate you better in our situation." Said Ignis as he held out a hand.

Qedus took his hand as he helped her off the ground. Her thoughts raced as she looked around each noise setting her off. Ignis stopped her pulling her to look directly at him, "You need to remain calm, The way your acting now is only going to worsen what's happening."

Qedus looked over his shoulder to see Gladiolus, Prompto and Noctis waiting for her. "Okay…lets go…"

When it was time to make a choice, Qedus chose against going back to Lestallum. Despite her home being there, It was also where Leenox died and being anywhere near there would push her further over the edge. They had found a motel not to far from Meldacio, She got her very own room while the boys were next door.

She stood in the shower washing with the soap that was provided. It had a lavender smell to it and was a tiny oval shape. She washed through her hair twice with shampoo and conditioner making sure every ounce of blood was gone. The warm water felt good against her skin after all the blood and sweat was removed.

A knock at the bathroom door made her snap out of her deep thinking. "Yes?"

"Are you alright?" Asked Ignis through the door.

"Yes I'm fine…coming out." Said Qedus turning off the shower. She put on a black night gown that was above her knees and comfortable. As she started to leave her reflection caught her attention, She stopped looking at herself in the mirror. They are right she thought, People who knew her mother told her that she looked exactly like her.

She shook her head as she grasped the sink then reached up clawing at her eyes rubbing them trying to keep awake, She took several deep breathes as she collected herself. There was no need to think about her parents at this moment. This would only further her breakdown. "You can do this...you can handle this…you have to…for Lark…" She tried to reassure herself.

She opened the door to see Ignis sitting on the bed, He held something in his hand and he cleared his throat. "This is definitely not the time to ask this…but I need to know…is there something your hiding from us?" He asked his eyes staring deep into hers.

"What?" She asked taken back, What was he getting at.

"You never talk about where you were born. We have asked about your parents any another family members and you remain quiet. You try to dodge or change the subject at all costs." Said Ignis.

Qedus got closer crossing her arms, Did he know? It wouldn't be surprising for Ignis to be able to figure it out. She said her thoughts racing as her eyes darted back and forth between her belongings on the bed.

"Did you go through my things!"

"No I wouldn't never violate your privacy." Said Ignis. He stood up opening his hands to show a pair of goggles. "When we first met you, You wore these goggles you never once took them off. Until one day Gladiolus teased you…and you took them off the next day…showing us your aqua blue eyes."

"Get to the point Ignis!" She yelled now growing impatient. She lurched the goggles from Ignis's hands as she glared.

"So your eyes do they always change color? Said Ignis.

Everything felt heavy, She couldn't even speak. Turning heel she walked back into the bathroom, Only to stop as she stepped on something. Reaching down she scraped it off her foot, It was her contact. "Oh shit…" She turned now looking at her reflection gasping, Her left eye the fake light blue and her right a light green with a prominent spiral pupil.