Hello everyone. Today this story is officially 2 years old! I honestly did not think it would take this long to write...

Thanks for reading everyone and sticking with it and I hope you will continue to read all the way through to the end.

Enjoy :)

The lead up to the morning of the ball was filled with much rushing and hurrying of the servants doing their best to complete their mission of readying the Manor for the arrival of hundreds of guests. The Manor would be at the mercy of the scrutiny of these guests come from far and wide. The Kamelots had a reputation of keeping an immaculate household and throwing the best parties amongst all the noble families.

Lavi watched the garden staff hang lanterns and streamers from the trees. In the dark they bare trees would be lit up, bright and ethereal transforming the grounds into a delightful fairy land. She shared a stone bench with Allen and a grumpy looking Road. In front of the three stood Tyki casually with his hands buried deep in his pocket. From this seat Lavi could see clearly the blush on Allen's cheeks as Tyki goaded him into demonstrating some of his circus skills.

What she could not see however was the watchful gaze of the older Bookman from the seat by the small square window or the sneer that twisted Sheril Kamelot's expression as he looked on from the parlour.

"You'll burn a hole through the glass if you keep staring like that, dear." Tricia Kamelot looked up briefly from her paper. It was one of the good days today, her eyes were not clouded in pain and she could read the small print without the usual accompanying headache.

Sheril continued to look out fixedly on the small party on the bench. "Come here Tricia, I'd like you to see this."

"What is it? Have the servants made a mistake with the decorations?" Tricia asked as she struggled to lift herself from the chair. Her eyes were fine today, but the legs refused to work the way they should. Tricia's hand slipped on the smooth wood of the chair arm and she made a sharp intake of breath as she fell back into the seat.

Noticing his wife's difficulty's Sheril strode over and offered her his hand. Gently he lifted Tricia out of the chair and supported her before safely depositing her into the window seat. Sheril's brow creased as he watched Tricia work out to catch her breath.

"Don't worry about me. What did you want me to see dear?" Tricia asked with a strained smile.

"Do you see anything strange?" Sheril leaned against the window pane and again trained his focus on Lavi.

Allen and Tyki had switched places, Allen was no on his feet and Tyki had sat himself between the two girls. Lavi's hands were knotted in her lap, and although she like the others was watching Allen, the girl kept glancing sideways at Tyki and constantly readjusted her skirts.

"Lavi is uncomfortable sitting close to Tyki. Hardly surprising, most young women do not know what to do with themselves around him." Tricia commented on the scene. "There is nothing particularly strange about that."

"Look more closely."

The three spectators cheered loudly as Allen completed a series of cartwheels around the bench. Road was agog with amazement when the clown walked on his hands. She promptly got to her feet to attempt cartwheels of her own. Comically Allen ran after the girl to stop her and spare her dignity. Even the garden staff had stopped what they were doing to see the show. Tricia smiled indulgently at the youths.

"Watch them." Sheril tapped the cool glass sharply. Tricia followed his instructions, and the longer she watched the more her expression became a fixed one. At some point during the distraction cause by Allen Walker the older two of the party had joined hands and as Tricia watched Tyki surreptitiously touched that hand to his lips, and lingered there. Lavi muttered something to the man that made him laugh and Lavi placed her free hand over their combined fist.

"What do you make of that? It's been getting worse since the day I said I would be leaving. My bags are barely packed and it already begins. Tomorrow I go negotiate safe passage for his bride and this is how he repays me? Honestly, beginning an illicit affair on the eve of his wedding engagement is deplorable even by Tyki's standards."

Tricia examined her husband; his face was set grimly, his body taut with some unknown tension. "You are speaking to the wrong person about fidelity my love. I do sometimes wonder what it is that is so important about having a wife if it does not even bind a husband."

"Without a wife a man cannot do his duty unto God." Sheril said without hesitation. He turned to face his wife directly. "To bring forth lawful offspring and build a home. Have we not done that? We have two beautiful children who have made up proud and will continue to do so. For that I love you Tricia, and my brother will know the same love and happiness when he is married."

"And is it that happiness that drives a husband to find another woman's bed? I have overlooked it for so long Sheril but Lavi is young, why does she have to pay for the actions of her mother?" Tricia pleaded with her husband for Lavi's sake. It was not without reason she had placed Tyki onto Lavi's path, whether Tyki would have found his own way there on his own or not.

"Shush shush," Sheril hushed the woman, gently stroking her hair and kissing her lightly on the forehead. "A man can be happily married for as long as we have and still commit sins of desire that is the fault inherent in all men. You should be glad I do not litter this home with bastards. The girl is only a small matter darling, you should not worry long about her. Think of the security of the daughter who is yours. Would you place that fox over our Road?"

"No." Turning back to the glass, Tricia sighed in defeat. "What was the Earl thinking sending Tyki back here knowing that Lavi is here also. He should know better considering the circumstances that caused Tyki to leave in the first place."

Sheril backed away from the window, and patted down his waistcoat. "Well, you see dear, the Earl doesn't know just yet."

The woman clutched her heart. "What do you mean? He will want to know that the Bookman are here. Do you know if Tyki has told him?"

"I'll tell him personally as soon as there is something to tell." Sheril said, mostly to himself and stroked his wife's hair as she held her head in her hands. "Tyki would not write to the Earl about Bookman, it's his wish to keep them safe if he can."

The party outside was breaking up. The girls were headed back to the Manor after saying their goodbyes. Tyki patted Road on the head, his eyes never leaving Lavi. The red headed girl curtsied once and turned away reaching a hand out to Road who only ignored it and walked on alone. It hurt Tricia to see her daughter treat anyone is such a hateful way, though she was comforted somewhat to see Tyki step forward and whisper something encouraging into Lavi's ear and push her along.

Tired, Tricia leaned on her husband's arm for support; it had been enough for one day. Fatigued so soon in the day, Tricia did not feel she would have the strength to endure the party that evening. "What about Lavi? Won't you leave her be? You can get what you want without tormenting her too."

"I'm not done with her yet."

The bed or the chair?

Probably not the most challenging of choices Bookman had ever had to make, but when day in, day out you are faced with the same four walls there was a limit to how many important choices you could make. Not that this was not an important choice mind you. From the chair, Bookman would be free to see what is going on beyond the walls. However, the chair was too far from the bed, where he would ultimately end up again.

Decisions, decisions.

"Good you're here! You can help me decide if I should stay in this chair or go back to bed. I'm comfortable here but –"

Lavi cut him before he could begin extolling the virtues of sitting down compared to laying down. "I don't know what you're talking about, but we're going out. Miranda found me a wheelchair so we can get you some fresh air."

Bookman pulled a face at the heavy metal contraption his grandchild had just rolled in with pride. However you looked at it, the question was still the same; Bed or chair, albeit a metal chair on wheels?

"Don't give me that look Jiji. You're going to go mad if you just stay in here all the time. Tell me do the bricks have names yet?" Lavi marched Bookman out of his seat and into the chair.

"No they won't tell me." Lavi blanched. Bookman rolled his eyes.

"Jiji doesn't make jokes!" She wrapped an extra blanket around the man and felt his forehead, searching for a fever. "You seem alright…"

"Oh come on, let's go if we are going to go." Bookman snapped at Lavi. "And what about you're little cover story? Won't it seem odd if Lady Lovely," Bookman scoffed, "is seen pushing about the stable boy's grandfather?"

Lavi pushed the chair through the door, thankful that it was just wide enough to give them clearance. The chair was heavy and clunky around the turns and twice she almost tipped Bookman out of it before she had even made it to the corridor.

"I'm just a bored house guest keeping a sickly old man company." She knocked him sharply on the head when Bookman sniggered at her choice of words. "Stop complaining or I really will tip you out and leave you. Maybe the floorboards will be more conversational than the bricks."

Once Lavi had managed to gather some momentum the wheelchair rolled more easily and smoothly across the floor. Lavi showed Bookman the library, the gallery of portraits and the main ballroom. She took a winding route around the Manor, not even stopping to negotiate a way around the stairs that clearly not built with the invalid in mind. Whenever the pair met a stairway, without hesitation Lavi would tell her grandfather to hold on tight and then drag him up chair and all.

"This is hardly ladylike." Drawled Bookman after the second flight of stairs they had ascended in this manner.

"I don't care." Lavi wiped the sweat from her brow and tied her hair back more securely. "There's something I want to show you."

"I've seen this all before."

"I know but I don't think you've seen this." Lavi said in a low undertone that she was sure Bookman would hear. "I don't remember any of this but everyone says we've been here before."

Bookman felt his insides freeze. "Stop! Take me back. I don't need to see anymore."

"Oh be quiet we're almost there. Just one more set of stairs."

"TAKE ME BACK! RIGHT NOW!"

Bookman shook from side to side, wildly rocking the chair that now threatened to fall over and spill out the old man. Lavi scrambled to the front, desperately trying to grab a hold of her grandfather. His arms swung out attempting to escape, his hands found her hair and without thinking he pulled. Lavi held back the cry of pain.

"Jiji stop that… You'll hurt yourself… There's no fire… It's just the garden, just the garden. Stop fighting me!" Somehow Lavi managed to hit Bookman across the face bringing him coldly back to his senses. He stared at her glassy-eyed and breathing heavily. Lavi sat down on the steps, now that he had calmed down and was not a danger to himself.

"I wish I could remember like that." She said wearily. "So clearly and with such emotion. Maybe then I could miss her too." Bookman watched her silently, his granddaughter has ceased looking at him. She spoke now as if from far away. "I like the garden because it reminds me of home; I thought you would like it too to remind you of her. I was wrong, I'll take you back."

With a sigh Lavi rose to her feet and fixed her hair from the bushy fox tail it had become.

Suddenly Bookman hissed, "Cover your face! Someone's coming,"

Footsteps pounded the floor hurriedly, from the sound of it the person was just about to turn the corner.

"I haven't seen Lavi since the night you all came into town. Where is he?" Tyki asked Allen as they walked up to the Manor for lunch. "I would have thought you would need the extra help today what with all the guests who will be arriving soon."

"He's taken some time off or something. Lavi isn't in the habit of leaving explanations before he disappears." Allen explained his friend's absence. "And Skinn will have to manage alone tonight. The yard has been set up for the carriages since yesterday."

"Don't you think it a bit odd, that he can just leave and come back so easily?"

"Never mind him. I want to know what you did to get Lovely talking to you again. I thought that it was the end for you two." The white haired boy's vision blurred as Tyki roughly ruffled his hair.

"What happens between a man and a woman is not for a boy to know." Tyki tapped his nose knowingly. "But I will tell you one thing for free. A man should never give up in his chase. If I did that I would still find myself on the other side of a closed door."

"It's alright to be cocky on this side of the fight." Allen snickered, "I seem to recall someone so twitchy from nerves he could barely light his own cigarette."

Tyki choked on a cough. "Perseverance my boy, it's called perseverance."

"Riiiight, of course it is." Allen said sarcastically. "Anyway I need to get ready. It takes a while to wash out the horse." He waved a hand and left Tyki as he walked down a different corridor. Tyki waved once and continued on his way.

The first thing Tyki did when he reached his rooms was to remove his jacket, tossing into an empty chair and threw himself down face first into the sofa. Hard as it was to let Lovely leave he knew he had to, at least he was able to see her and if stolen touches were all he could have than he would take it all.

Sighing Tyki pushed the woman from his mind, it was useless to think about Lovely when he was still so far away from getting her out of the Manor. Instead he turned his thoughts to Lavi, the missing stable boy. So preoccupied he had been with Lovely that he had forgotten about the boy. Tyki hoped he had not scared him away with all the talk of their past, it did not seem like Lavi had remembered much about his mother. It was understandable she had only been little at the time.

Tyki's eyes shot open. He had only been little at the time. He.

Lately, Tyki had been having difficulties remembering Lavi. Sometimes his memories tried to tell him that Lavi was not the stable boy he knew now, but had once been a little girl of five. Tyki shook the idea from his head, it simply was not possible, he had met Lavi and the boy had the right scars. What were the chances another boy called Lavi would appear at the Manor bearing the same scars around his eye? Moreover, old Bookman had already confirmed it.

These silly notions were due to his anxiety over Lovely, that particular had taken over a huge portion of his being. Had to be.

Still Lovely hid her eye under her fringe. No he had seen her up close, she was flawless. Just thinking about that made Tyki's temperature rise. Quickly he sat up and dragged a hand backwards through his hair.

A delicate tap on the door brought Tyki half way to his senses, only half way as he held the hope that it could be Lovely at his door now. He opened the door hurriedly, and almost shut it just as fast if not for the gold edged envelope in the dark haired maid's hand.

Quick witted Livia tucked the envelope away behind her back, hiding it from Tyki. "Won't you invite me inside." She said huskily, pushing her ample chest outwards. Tyki gave her a cursory glance even through his annoyance. Another time he would not have hesitated to take what was on offer.

"Haven't I made it clear enough for you already?" Tyki was bored of this game and made to shut the door but Livia had grabbed the door frame. He did not like the woman but he was not about to break her hand over it. "Just give me the letter and go before you embarrass yourself."

"Invite me in." Livia repeated, smile still in place.

Reluctantly Tyki stepped aside to let the over confident maid in. Livia swanned in making sure to brush past Tyki as much she could before standing in the middle of room looking around in wonder. "Has she been in here?"

Tyki ignored the question, holding out his hand expectantly he spoke brusquely to the maid. "Hand it over and get out."

The maid's face fell, "Lord Mikk, I heard you knew how to handle a woman. I did not think you would be such a bore." She held the envelope up to the light in an attempt to discern its content. "It could be important. Don't you want it?"

Tyki folded his arm across his chest. It was clear Livia had already read the letter; the wax was seal was too thick and the girl was far too flippant with such an extravagantly enveloped letter.

"It's a very pretty letter, all gold and the lettering is so loopy. Must be from a woman." Livia pouted thoughtfully, emphasising her full lips. "Our Lady Lovely looks likes she might know how to write some clever words. Do you think it could be from her?"

"Did Sheril give the letter to you open or did you open it afterwards?" Tyki walked forwards, his face set grimly. Livia took a step back, placing the envelope behind her back again to keep it safe. "Listen to me sweetheart, you are a maid and Lovely is a woman. Leagues of difference there that you cannot hope to compete with. I suggest you either stay content with the crumbs Sheril throws you or find somewhere else to work. There are places women like you can go to earn a living on their backs."

The paper scrunched loudly. Tyki grinned smugly knowing that he had gotten a rise out of the woman. Her lips twisted into a snarl, though she maintained enough self-control to reply haughtily, "How do you think your perfect woman earns her living here? It's no secret that Lord Kamelot keeps her company most nights. Who knows what gutter he lifted her out from so that she could enjoy a life of luxury. All earned on her back as you would put it."

Tyki clenched and unclenched his fist. Livia took her chance to continue. "Of course you already know all that, but that doesn't stop you from chasing the skirt of your brother's mistress. She must have been so pleased when she found out there were two of you. Nothing new for you of course, mistress wife what's the difference? I'm sure you won't be feeling guilty when you're meeting another man's wife." Livia thrust the letter at Tyki roughly.

At a loss Tyki smoothed out the paper to read the signature confused, and then let out a low chuckle. "You shouldn't believe all that Sheril tells. Honestly," He waved the letter at her in disbelief.

"Your perfect Lovely is busy right now too making friends of her own. I didn't think she would be low enough to trouble old men on their death beds."

"What did you say?" The words did not make sense to his ears. "Where is she?"

"Why should I tell you?" Livia rolled her eyes and stalked past. Tyki snatched her wrist and pulled the maid back. "Let go!"

"You think Sheril has all authority in this house?" He whispered dangerously. "You saw who I correspond with. One word and you could find yourself in quite a bit of trouble."

Livia swallowed hard. "She was rolling the old Bookman around the Manor in a wheelchair last I saw."

"A wheelchair? Tyki did not stop to wait for an answer from the bewildered maid, as quick as he could he fled the room. He knew exactly where she would be.

Taking every short cut he knew Tyki speed walked through the Manor. There was only one place Lovely could possibly want to take Bookman. Tyki laughed to himself when he reached a stairway. What a woman Lovely was to have managed the stairs with a heavy wheelchair in tow. Tucking the letter into a trouser pocket Tyki took the stair two at a time to each his goal in double time startling the servants as they primped and readied the Manor for the ball this evening.

Tyki broke into a run when he heard what sounded like a struggle further up the last corridor. He rounded the corner in a mad dash and slid to a halt on the polished wooden floor. The two people sat at the foot of the stairs leading to the Roof Garden stared at him bemused. Awkwardly Tyki straightened out his clothes and bowed inclined his head towards the old man in the wheel chair.

"Er… I thought someone was in trouble… There was shouting…" Tyki trailed off, fully taking in the state of the two people. Bookman's blanket was in disarray and Lovely stood with her hands in her hair which was strewn all about her head like straw. She offered him a weak smile and without warning kicked the wheelchair.

"You stupid old Jiji! See how you embarrass me!"

"ME! I just asked you if I should sit in my chair or my bed. How was I to know you were going to take me traipsing about this blooming building?" The old man shouted back at her.

"I should have left you downstairs!"

"I wish you had!"

"You grateful –" Lovely rolled up her sleeves and advanced on the man in the wheelchair threateningly.

"Lovely, you can't just go and beat up someone else's grandfather." Tyki ran forward to stop her doing any serious harm to Bookman. He patted her hair back down into shape and forced the woman to look at him, putting himself between Lovely and Bookman. Taking his chances he kissed her quickly and as expected the woman calmed down considerably. Lovely froze then relaxed in his hold.

"Well this is an unsurprising development." Bookman commented drily. Lovely stiffened at the comment and hastily stepped back.

"Don't do that here and definitely not in front of…" Lovely pushed Tyki away lightly, though too his delight she did not push him too far away. "Lord Mikk will you help me take Bookman back to the infirmary? Going stairs is going to be harder than coming up."

"I'm starting to like the way you say 'lord', remind me for later." Tyki whispered in a silken undertone. The rake swiftly avoided the heeled foot that was about to stomp him by turning to face the old man directly. "But you've come this far now Lovely, would be a shame if you gave up here."

"But –!" Bookman spluttered his objections to no avail as Tyki grabbed the back of the chair and heaved.

"Never say no to a woman if you know what's good for you Bookman." Tyki winked down at Lovely who had grabbed the bar at the bottom of the chair to assist. "Especially not the pretty ones that aren't afraid to attack frail old men. Scary."

The pair eased Bookman up the stairs, while the old man complained all the way. The complaints soon stopped however, when the group burst into the afternoon sun. Bookman was speechless.

"It's getting colder now and the flowers are well past bloom so it's not much to look at right now. Tricia makes it her own responsibility to keep the garden in shape." Tyki told Bookman.

Lovely knelt down to wrap the blanket more securely around Bookman, "A garden isn't all about pretty colours Lord Mikk. There is a more lasting beauty that can be found in all seasons after the flowers are gone." She said in a matter of fact tone.

Looking around Tyki could see what she meant. Most of the colour had vanished from the garden, all that remained was a green and brown skeleton; though it could not be called ugly. Whether it was Lillia 's choice or Tricia's there was an abundance of evergreen plants that waxed a deeper green, some bearing berries of rich reds and purples and others contrasting strikingly against the twisted bare branches of plants that had died back. Then there was the clematis rail, the only plant to still bear flowers like tiny flakes.

Lovely placed a hand on Bookman's shoulder and the old man held it, his eyes shimmering in the sunlight. "It's amazing the way it is. Don't you think so?"

Lovely rolled Bookman cautiously over the roof tiles to the clematis rail. Over her shoulder Lovely mouthed for Tyki to wait for her. He nodded his acquiescence and went in the opposite direction. He stopped far enough way to give the pair some privacy, but close enough so he could still see them. Lovely looked every part the doting granddaughter, though he could not understand how she had come to associate with the old Bookman. Lovely had knelt down beside Bookman and was talking to him quietly. Bookman had buried his head in hands; despite Lovely gentle smile Tyki suspected the old man was grieving.

Tyki could not quite shake the feeling that he was missing something important here.

Dragging his eyes away from them, Tyki looked out over the grounds and reread the letter he had received. He would have to leave soon to get ready for the ball and to meet this person. What could she have to say that required her to see him privately before the ball? At any rate Tyki was not ready to leave the roof yet.

"What's that?" Tyki jumped, he had not heard Lovely coming up behind him. In a hurry he shoved the letter back into his pocket.

"Nothing, I just need to see someone about a matter this evening." He said not quite meeting her eye.

"This evening?" Lovely sidled in beside him. She stared intently at his side profile. "You are going to be there for the ball aren't you?"

Tyki placed his hand over hers on the rail, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Of course I won't. I'll be there so make sure you save a dance for me."

"Tyki," Lovely slid her hand away. "I wish you wouldn't do that, not when there's an audience. The servants all saw this morning, they're probably already talking. And it was a bit embarrassing doing that in front of Bookman. It's not proper."

"The servants have been talking about us since the first night I saw you and every day since. Pay them no mind." Servants talked about every piece of gossip they could get their hands on, that was not a new story. Tyki moved closer and embraced Lovely from behind, whispering lowly into her ear. "I said I wouldn't share you Lovely, but I think I'll go mad if I couldn't hold you. Don't worry about Bookman, he's not looking. I think you've upset him quite a bit bringing him up here. You should know better than to go and bully other people's grandparents. What would Lavi think?"

Lovely laughed lightly. She melt into Tyki heat and leaned on to him, cocking her head to the side to allow Tyki better access to her neck, bringing a hand up to cup him face. "You mean your boyfriend the stable boy? I'm sure he won't mind me looking after his grandfather for a while. It's nice to be able to take care of someone; Makes me feel free."

"And how do I make you feel?" Tyki nuzzled her neck, and guided her by the chin his lips.

"Incredible." Whispered Lovely as she closed the distance and kissed him softly. Up and down, slowly Tyki caressed her along her sides, enjoying the shudder that ran through her body. The touch and the memory of what she felt like beneath him heated his blood making him deepen the contact. Tyki's hands roamed the flat of her stomach, and slowly, torturously so they travelled upwards.

"Not here." Lovely caught Tyki's hands in hers, halting them. "We've still got tonight to get through. Don't make it harder for me than it has to be."

Crestfallen Tyki let go of the woman. The air colder now than it had been only moments ago. Finding it difficult to look at Lovely when she looked at him so pitiably, Tyki focused instead on Bookman, who it seemed had fallen asleep in his seat. Lavi would be grateful for the attention the woman was lavishing on his grandfather.

Suddenly a memory awoke in Tyki, a memory of sitting on a window seat in the corridor outside of a ball. A memory of a conversation about a displaced woman and her grandfather. A question burned on the tip of his tongue. Dare he ask?

He watched with faraway eyes as Lovely approached the old man and delicately roused him from sleep. The woman looked up and smiled benignly at him, one pure green eye sparkling in the afternoon sun.

"We should go back now." Tyki found himself saying instead of the words he wanted to speak. "I can help you back down to the infirmary, if you like."

Lovely squeezed his arm gratefully and murmured a quiet "Thank you."

The journey back to the infirmary was a quiet one. Tyki's brain was in turmoil, unable to justify the theory that floated about his mind. He had seen Lovely, really and truly seen her in all her glory it was not possible that it could be any other way. A niggling voice at the back of his head reminded him that he had not actually known the woman for all that long. Was a love drunk fool the best judge of another's character. Things in this world were never black and white.

The corridors rolled by one after the other, clearer now as the servants had all made themselves scarce and soon they arrived at their destination. Wordlessly Tyki followed Lovely into the infirmary. He had meant to leave her at the entrance, but the questions nagged at him still. Feeling treasonous Tyki even found himself staring at Lovely's fringe. He must have startled the redhead with the intensity of his gaze as she hung her head low, keeping her attention on Bookman.

In the infirmary, Lovely stopped at the doorway into Bookman's private room. She glanced up Tyki, and it seemed to him that she was more timid than usual and hesitant.

"The door isn't a great fit for the chair." She said rather bashfully. "Would you mind helping Bookman into his room and I can put the chair away for Miranda."

"Of course." Tyki lifted Bookman out of the chair and into his bed. The man stirred and fixed Tyki in a cold, exhausted stare.

"Don't you think you brothers have caused that poor girl enough pain in her life? Send her away from here. Somewhere far far away where she could live happily never having to hear the names Kamelot or Mikk again." Bookman warned Tyki.

Tyki bent down low over Bookman. "Who is she to you?"

"A fool. A wonderful fool." Bookman put his back to Tyki and promptly fell asleep.

A few moments passed and Tyki still stood over the sleeping old man. Bookman was never one to give straight answers, and it did not help that the old man had never liked him to begin with. The faint sound of clanging metal on stone filtered into his ears, breaking his chain of thoughts and reminding him that Lovely was still outside the room.

The banging became louder as Tyki neared the back room where Miranda's office was located. Curious and a little bit worried Tyki pushed the door open. Lovely was on the floor examining the wheel chair.

"The mechanism is stuck, it's supposed to fold if I pull here." Lovely tried the lever again. "But. It's not. Working." She grunted in a clipped manner, exerting all the strength she could.

"Let me try." Tyki rolled up his sleeve ready for action. Lovely stepped aside to let him have at the metal contraption.

"All yours."

Trying the lever, Tyki found it definitely was stuck quite solidly, the spring had been loosened, but there was a jam putting a halt to the complete action. A piece of the leather from the backboard of the chair had become caught in the mechanism. Like pulling a zipper over cloth it was not possible for the lever to free itself with the leather between the metal.

Tyki could not access the jam from the exterior of the chair; carefully he reached down behind the metal casing and tugged at the leather. The metal groaned as the spring began to tighten, desperate to achieve its natural state of slackness.

"Almost got it." The leather came free.

What happened next, happened almost too fast to register. The wheelchair squealed one last time and began to close in on itself. Tyki's arm still trapped inside.

Tyki stopped breathing. The backboard folded sandwiching Tyki's arm, and unable to fight the pressure of it, Tyki could not pull himself out without ripping his skin on the jagged metal frame. The other danger being that if he did not find a way out, the combined pressure of the backboard and the folding motion would break his arm.

He looked up to see Lovely, the panic in her eyes mirroring his own. He watched her in slow motion leap forward and wrench the chair open again, lodging a knee between the folding pieces to keep it from shutting and devouring Tyki. With the short reprieve from danger, Tyki twisted his arm out and into safety.

"Are you alright?" Lovely kicked the now folded chair aside, letting all fall with a resounding crash and rushed to Tyki's side. "Let me see it."

"No its fine, I'm fine." Tyki pulled down his sleeves quickly to cover the reddening lines. It stung a little bit, nothing to worry about really.

"Are you sure?" Lovely reached for the injured arm. "Let me have a look."

"No!" Tyki grunted perhaps a little too loudly, stopping Lovely in her tracks. He used that instant to wrench his arm back from her grip. At this moment Tyki found it too difficult to deal with Lovely, he was unsure of so many things. Her touch sparked something in him and right now, if he addressed carelessly there would be repercussions.

"Tyki…"

"I'm telling you its fine." He turned his back on her, hands hanging limply at his side.

"No, I…"

"I'm going to be late. I'll see you later."

"Are you… Are you angry with me Tyki?"

Tyki spun on the spot in disbelief. How had she come to that conclusion? Lovely was only a few steps behind him, but she would not meet his eyes. Speaking mostly to the ground to and her hands twisting around each other, Lovely was uneasy, so unlike her usual confident manner.

"You've barely said a word since we've come down. Are you angry I said no?"

"Oh Lovely," Tyki felt his heart sink at the sight as he lifted her chin to look upon her directly. Her expression a twisted sheet of anxiety and hurt, wrenched at his gut and a black fire exploded in him. Damn Sheril and the damage he had done to this poor woman. "Why would you even think I could be angry about a thing like that?"

"Because since I told you to stop you've been looking at me strangely."

"I'm sorry I did not mean to. It's… It's nothing."

Lovely searched his face earnestly. "Tell me what is bothering you."

"I… Seeing you with Bookman… You were so…" Tyki trailed off, unsure how to voice the tumultuous cloud of conflicting ideas that stormed his mind. "When we first met you said–"

"Wait. Can you hear that?" Lovely cut him off.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Lovely hurriedly pulled and tugged at Tyki's sleeve. The pair exchanged glances, only then did he notice the prickling trail of blood seeping from a long gash on his arm to the stone tiles below.

We're just over the halfway point now.

I'll be happy once everyone knows who everyone else is soon, I'm getting a headache just trying to make I'm using the right name each time... Lovely or Lavi?

(: !Thanks for reading! :)+