I do not own these characters.
Quick Update. I was inspired by the Royal Wedding. How beautiful was Kates dress?
Next chapter shall be a continuation of this one.
Thank you graciously for reading. =)
Everything could not have worked out to our advantage any more than it did. Harnessing the power of our chains was not needed in the end as Oz was able to free himself from the abyss. This turn around was shocking, but it lead to a much greater mystery.
Alice.
What a cute little girl she was. I treated her as I would a sister, and enjoyed playing with her hair and advising her on subjects of interest. She was almost the sibling I never had, similar to Xerks-nii in that respect.
We were a group of 5 now, and our objective was to help in understanding Alice's memories. This was the clue we had needed all along.
Xerks-nii was obsessed. I began to fear for him slightly. It first began when Alice had first appeared, I could not rid the image on his face from my mind. He was cruel to her at first, losing that composure that I knew. I questioned him liberally on the matter but he did not wish to discuss such a thing with me, and avoided me when he could.
The only thing I could do was place Eques in his shadow. This gave me a great sense of comfort, as I was quite frightened at his habit of disappearing quite often. He had taken to following her and Oz when he could. I simply could not understand what haunted him so much.
I was dressed for bed, he was not. Nevertheless, it was a habit for us to discuss things with each other before we both slept. This had been a habit since my youth.
"Do you think they shall be ok?" I questioned him.
The light from the fire was the only source in the room, and shone a red glow over his features. It was stormy outside, I never quite liked the rain.
"Are you frightened for Oz Milady?" He said, looking up at me with a smile behind entwined fingers.
I blushed.
"Stop talking about such things!" I shot back. " I simply have a bad feeling in my stomach. I do not like it"
"Calm yourself Milady. They are capable of taking care of themselves" He assured me.
He took out a small candy box from his pocket, and shook it gently. I watched while he carefully peeled the brightly coloured wrapper off and popped it into his small mouth. What a strong jaw he had.
"Something wrong?" he asked, crushing the small sweet between his teeth.
Had I been staring. I was stuck for an excuse.
"I…Uh…"
Suddenly their was a heavy wrap upon the door, breaking into the silence of the room. I was not due any visitors. I stood up .
"I will go down. Your not dressed to entertain a quest" Break said simply, resting a large hand upon my shoulder, and leaving me alone in the room.
Several moments passed and he still did not come back. I remained standing however as I was worried. In my history the only guests one would entertain in a storm meant trouble.
The door opened suddenly, and who entered was not Break, but Vincent Nightray, followed by Raven carrying Oz, and then Alice
"Ah Mistress Rainsworth, You look lovelier than I last recall" Vincent spoke gently, taking my hand and placing a kiss upon it. A sign of affection.
I blushed deeply, I was dressed in a nightdress, how common of me.
I loud Ahem broke my thoughts however, Break shut the door behind him.
"What is the problem?" He said flatly.
" Their was a problem with an illegal Contractor. A lot has happened. I believe they should rest before I tell you" indicating to Oz and Alice.
"Certainly. I'm sure that you can explain to Break. I will go fetch some towels, otherwise you will catch your death." I smiled gently.
"Your generosity equals your beauty Miss Rainsworth" He smiled back. I blushed deeply, and mumbled something about towels.
"So what happened then Nightray?" Break said loudly before I left the room.
I got Oz and Alice settled into my bedroom, having them tell me about the days events, I then lit the fire for them. Lifted another bundle of the dry towels and walked back into the living room.
Vincent had settled himself into the lounge chair with his servant. Gilbert sat upon another, and Break remained stood at the door, although he was waiting for someone's departure.
"Ah Miss Rainsworth. Please forgive me for bothering you at Night. But as I have just been explaining, to Break here, Gil threw a fit about not going back to the Nightray household" I handed him a towel as he explained.
"Oh no I really don't…" I began but was interrupted by the sight of Gilbert. He seemed so lonely and cold. Almost as if he did not want Vincent staying any longer. It seemed like Vincent had the same idea as he began to speak.
"Well then. Shall we go Echo?" He spoke to the Mouse-like girl he had been drying off with the towel.
She replied with an inaudible yes.
"Oh no. Please feel free to stay longer if you wish" I spoke.
He seemed like nice company to keep and I simply did not feel right sending him into the rain once again.
"Ah no I still have much work to do. And I am not quite like Gil…..I do not seem to be very welcome" He trailed off, sending a glance behind him to Break who had taken the opportunity to open the door.
"Shall I see you to the door….Vincent?" Break smirked rather rudely.
Vincent rose, once again taking and kissing my hand.
"I look forward to our next meeting" he smiled, looking up at me with those hypnotising eyes of his.
Break coughed loudly in the background.
"The door is this way, young master"
I shot a questioning glare at him, trying to send him a mental signal of my displeasure, but he merely mouthed back "Later" without holding my glance.
Since they left I took the opportunity to comfort Gil who seemed rather upset at the events that took place. I helped to dry his lovely Raven coloured hair, and send him straight to bed to warm up.
"Should you not head to bed also Sharon? We have kept you up longer than you need have been." He asked, I could see the concern in his golden eyes.
How sweet.
"No it is fine Gilbert. I wish to stay up until Break arrives back. Sleep well" I smiled back. Although it was hard as I was very sleepy.
"Goodnight then" He replied, turning his back and leaving me all alone with the fire.