Utena mms softly, turning on her side, burying her nose in a pillow. Still exhausted she somehow managed to drag herself up here, collapse in the warm bed, fall into an utterly dreamless sleep, blankets half-pulled over her, bunched around her waist. In a corner of the room, a shadow melts and flows into a solid form. Revi appears, and walks slowly, cautiously forward, her shape shifting to one ever so slightly stockier. One more familiar with this room. A bare hand moves forward to caress Utena's face as Revi looks down at her lost child. "Utena......" she whispers in a voice not her own. Drawing the hand down a bit, it's twin joins it in rubbing Utena's shoulders. Utena shivers a little, leaning slightly into the touch. Especially with all the terror, the strain of her last two days, she -needs- that comforting touch, the familiar feelings; her lips part, though her eyes are still heavy, not wanting to open. "... Xel..?" she whispers weakly, her head tilting up slightly, longing in her voice. It's simply human to long for the comforting arms one's become atccustomed to.. The hands float over your body as Xel nods. "It's me...." Floating, those hands push the covers fully off you, and begin a soft journey up your legs, touching them lightly. He lays on the bed next to you, pressing his naked body agaist your side as he contines to roam his hands over you, feeling your every curve. In a flash, you are completely nude, with pale moonlight glistening off your body. Utena bites her lip, just a momentary shudder of her breath before she lies back. Chill touches her, from the cool air on her bare, tired skin; she doesn't resist at all, her arms reaching to wrap around his neck. Everything in her, if tired, is receptive and hungry, needing a strong hand, a powerful touch to soothe and wash away her fear and horror. She cuddles sideways against the warm form with a soft low sound from deep in her throat. Xel lowers his lips to kiss your throat as it rumbles, making his way up your jawline to drink passionately from your lips. He reaches one hand up to trace over your arms, just barely touching you. The other hovers less then a millimeter over your thigh, floating around your legs, getting close to your womanhood, but never touching it. Utena whimpers softly, her lips molten while you kiss her; a tight fit, pursing, opening, a little play of tongue- her eyes squeeze tightly closed while she lets out a small sob of agony, why won't you just... it shows in her face, in the small helpless shifts of her body as she tries to lift herself up to meet your hand. "... where have you been," she breathes lowly, agonized... Instead of answering, Xel rolls his body over, on top of yours, never breaking the kiss. His hands come up to rub your shoudlers as his taut, muscular body presses against you. He doesn't enter you, but rather lays it over your sex, letting the shaft press against you. Slowly, he begins to rock back and forth, never entering, but just running himself along your moistening slit. Utena lets out a small shocked gasp, her face effusing with a warmth even visible in the pale moonlight that floods into the room from the window on the right... her body rocking, the bed dipping slightly below our combined weight. Her eyes languidly drift open... but as her hands raise, to carress your neck, to twine in the hair at the back of your head and trail her nails down your back.. she suddenly realizes... oh GOD, there's someone else in the bed... looks over with a gasp. ".. w.. wait.." Sudden embarrassment surging through her, hardening her bared, exposed body. Xel places his hands by your head, pushing his upper body away from you to look you in the eyes. Grinding his pelvis into yours, he speaks softly but passionately. "Don't worry.... He will not awaken.... He will sleep deeply throughout the night." Lowering himself again, he leans his head down, and takes one of your nipples into his mouth, flicking his tongue against the coral pebble. Utena sobs a little, but moans with a pleasure almost painful while the tip of your tongue tickles and sends a tingle through her breasts; she arcs up to push herself deeper into your mouth, her hands lifting to trail along your arms, tracing back to your shoulders and digging in.. not hard enough to break the skin, but hard enough... she radiates desperation, need, so painful and yet somehow she feels shamed of it, as if after all that's happened she shouldn't want to drown herself in her lover's arms... and her eyes keep flickering to the boy, very, very aware of his sleeping presence in the bed... "... we shouldn't.." she hisses between gasps of shivering joy. Xel slides down your body, pausing for a moment to gently bite and suckle on your nipple as the crown of his manhood presses deliciously against the center of yourself. He pauses there, not pressing forward as he kisses and nibbles from one breast to the other, his hands holding your hips still. "Do not worry, Utena-chan...." he says between kisses. "He will not awaken.... I've seen to it." Turning his head back, he proceeds to kiss and nibble and taste every inch of your breats, while still keeping himself at your enterance. Although you reassure her, you can still feel the faintest kernel of her skepticism.. but truly, that's buried deep in her as your taste of her devours her rational mind and melts her thoughts into sheer ecstatic groans; she tries to push herself onto you, though you hold her down; her hands slither around the curves of your rear and try to push you into her... anything. Just to fall into that, to be pierced and broken like she yearns for... "... please... please.." She isn't proud enough to stop from begging, sweat beading on her brow. "... please..." Almost impossibly, Xel streches up and yet does not enter you. Kissing the small beads of sweat away, he gazes deep into your eyes, and asks, "What? What do you want, Utena?" making you say it. He lowers himself onto you, his feet stroking your calves, his thighs tensing as if fighting the urge to thrust into you. The heat of his body tantilizes you, teasing you by being so close, yet refusing to meld into you. Utena's breath is broken and shuddering; her lips move, flushed with blood. She whispers harshly, aching, "I want you in me, please.. please... " She sobs as her firm breasts shake, just a little, erect little buttons shivering in the icy, velvet black air. ".. please, Xel... please..." Utter agony in the curve of her neck, her muscles so tense, she's so cool and silken under your weight... "kiss me, take me, rape me.." Xel thrusts into you fully, impaling you. Rolling over, he pushes you into a sitting posistion, pinching your nipples as he rocks back and forth inside of you. His hands trail down to your ass, pulling you onto him harder and deeper. Sitting up, he wraps his arms around your waist, holding you on him as he begins biting lovingly at your shoulder. Raising a hand to your head, he grasps your hair and pulls it gently back, exposing your neck, As he kisses and tastes your throat, his hand slowly, sensously slides along your spine, and rests at the top of your ass. Utena gives out a fluttering grunt of a noise as you pull her and shift her around and jam hard into her; her face goes slack, peaceful, as if this could ease every trouble in her mind- and in truth, the sensations alone are so strong, there's no ROOM to think of anything else; she quivers and gyrates against you, over you, as you hold her up and tight, shivering as your moving hands make her back arch upward, her arms wrapped tight around your neck and her mouth clinging to yours as if glued there. She looks.. feels... radiates happiness, gratitude, moist and tight as she pulls you harder and harder into herself, consuming you to the very utmost in her flesh. '... more.." she groans, "... harder.. As he pulls you up off of him, leaving only the crown in, he begins kissing you deeper and harder. His hands massage the twin globes of your ass firmly, his pinkies occasionally teasing your netherlips. He moves his head down again, kissing all over your face and throat, tasteing you, loving you, before letting gravity take over, and letting you sink deeply onto him again. He groans as your tightness envelops him once more... "How does it feel..." he starts... Utena is almost delirious, laughing softly, weakly... her head lolling around on her shoulders, chest so warm, she's full of heat and light... "feels good.." she breathes out, her hips automatically slipping into a flawless rhythm as she sheathes you in her, her own lips coming to land on your neck, at the join of your shoulder to your neck, her tongue slipping over the delicate spot there. "... finish me...*please*..." Xel slides one hand around to your front, finding your button, and he begins to stroke it as he saws in and out of you, nibbling on your shoulder as he builds to climax. "How does it feel...?" he starts again, passion taking him as he thrusts into you with abandon, his fingers playing with your sex as he rocks in and out. Utena matches your heat and abandon point for point; she submits utterly to you with her body thrashing in the agony of building release... she sobs, the friction becoming painful.. but she doesn't mind a little pain in the middle of deep pleasure... breath harder and harder, more and more gutteral as she croaks, "good.. so good... so... GOOD!" Suddenly the word drowns into a cry as she doubles backward (so it would seem) over herself, breasts and chest quivering as if her heart's about to stop, mouth open in an 'o' of ragged release and her hair spilling down around her head... she screams out in a cry that resonates through the entire room, groaning as if you're pushing the life out of her while she smiles... sinking back into the pillows finally, spent and throbbing around you. Xel tenses, and as your back arches, and you press your sex against his, he climaxes deep inside you, his mouth buried between your breasts. Without breaking the connection, he lays you down, and remains inside of you as you come back to earth. "Do you feel better, Utena-chan?" Utena smiles languidly, her body covered in sweat and gleaming in the moonlight beyond; she nods, slowly, and with deep sighs. "... yeah... god, I feel good." Xel smiles and nods, kissing you deeply. "Go to sleep now, lover, and I'll be back when I can...." He stands up, and melts back into the shadows, leaving you naked, sated, and sweaty. From the darkness, Revi grins over her triumph, however petty, over Xelloss. Utena moans a little, sadly, her lovely face turning into a sad little pout.. she brushes her hand over her brow and sighs.. but unfortunately, she's quite used to this now... so she just turns, hugs her pillow closely against her warm body, and lets herself start falling back into sleep... dimly remembering at the last moment to at least pull a sheet over herself to cover.. in the morning, she doesn't exactly want to be hanging to the wind... she yawns, and sighs, murmuring, "... love you too, Xel..." Then she's gone, and there's just the quiet silence of two people breathing in the room, the shift of blankets and sheets from time to time. And shadows that laugh and watch on. * Alis_Landale This young girl looks to likely be within her late teenaged years, not looking to have reached her twenties just yet. She stands somewhere around just over the halfway mark over five feet; perhaps five feet and eight inches or so - a touch short compared to the majority of people around her. Her face is delicately featured with the small bones and fine features that suggest noble blood in her veins, though her appearance would contrast with this greatly. Her shining, bright blue eyes sparkle within her pretty face, framed nicely by her rich brown hair; baby-fine bangs spilling over her forehead to accent her eyes, the remainder of her hair pulled back and behind her ears, before spilling down in a wave of color to come to an end just past her shoulders. She is currently garbed in a rather nice dress of a mild and even blue color, looking well made even if it doesn't cross into the point of extravagance. It is of a mild cut and design, suggesting no overly feminine aspects or even a pronounced bosom; looking as if it designed simply for functionality rather than enhancing one's physical appearance. The sleeves are long, yet tapered close to her slim arms so as not to billow in the least before coming to an end at her wrists. Her upper body is cloaked in mystery as the androgynous cut of the dress leaves her curves vague and undefined, continuing down and curving inward just slightly at her waist before the skirt opens up, flowing down around her legs with just a touch of feminine billowing of cloth, as if blending the usual aspect of a woman's dress and the functionality of practical and easy movement; descending down to the floor, nearly hiding her small, blue slipper-covered feet from view. In a page-pose to you, Alis_Landale knocks lightly on the doors to the library. "...Utena....? You page, "You hear a soft little, "Yes?" from behind the door- which is just slightly open." to Alis_Landale. In a page-pose to you, Alis_Landale doesn't glance in yet, simply asking through the crack, "May I join you...?". You page, "Another soft answer. "Sure... c'mon in."" to Alis_Landale. Alis_Landale has arrived. Utena is sitting comfortably on one of the couches, wrapped up in a thick blanket with a thicker book across her lap.. which, by the looks of it, was a bestseller of, oh, 1000 years ago. Alis slips in through the door, stepping in near silence that is only broken by the rustling of the unaccustomed to skirts. She glances around in wonder at the assortment of books briefly, then focuses down on you; not being able to help but smile softly at the sight as she bows politely, then moves over to a more comfortable speaking distance near the couch. "...did I disturb you?" Utena shakes her head, rubbing at her eyes a little as she closes the dusty book with a (thump) that sends a small puff of dust into the air... "No, I'm okay." she answers with a letting out of her breath. "I was just looking through some old texts..." As she gestures you can see now a large stack of similar thick hide-bound books stacked up in front of her on the floor before the couch. Alis glances down to the books curiously, raising an eyebrow as she tries to discern some pattern in the old titles. "...is something wrong? As in, is there some problem you need to research an answer for?" The titles seem to be.. well, many of them are faded, but they have ominous titles like 'Ye Conpemdivm of Daemonrie" and the like. Utena sighs, and grins a little. "I don't know what these books are going to tell me I don't already know about what's happened. I did find some interesting stuff about the last Mazoku-Dragon war, but...." She pushes the heavy tome from her lap and the blanket from around her body, and sets both aside with a brief brush of her fingers through her hair. One would think Alis would grow more used to the sight of the girl's hand brushing through her hair by now, yet she once again falls into a somewhat entranced state as she watches the soft motions of the shimmering locks when stirred by the slim fingers. "....Mazoku-Dragon war? Utena sighs a little, nodding. She rests her hands on the edge of the couch and says softly, "Because that's just how the universe is, the Mazoku are balanced by this race called Dragons, or Ryuzoku. Whenever the Mazoku or the Ryuzoku get too strong, there's some massive battle that cleans everything out... the last one was very, very nasty." Alis normarily would shrug this off as mad raving, but after what she had seen in the girl's head last night, she gives this the respect of truth that it deserves. Her hands clasp somewhat nervously before her as she looks down at you in concern. "But you are Mazoku... there isn't another war impending, is there....??" Utena groans. "Oh, dear Gods in heaven I HOPE not." She grins toward you feebly. "The last thing Xel and I want to see is another Kouma War." She stands up, stretching a little, even if it's not needed.. it's just the way her soul wants to respond to the world. "The last one caused a god to die..." Utena looks over to you and deliberately shifts the topic around, smiling softly. "The dress looks good on you. Better than it did on me. You want to keep it?" Alis looks away quickly as the stretching; politely averting her eyes to the floor with a brief nod. "Yes... if you do not mind. It feels strange to wear something like this, but after so long in that rough tunic...." Utena laughs, and nods. "I know. But..." she drifts over and rests her cool hand on your shoulder a moment, "At least you got to WEAR something.." The young woman giggles a little. "C'mon, you're probably hungry, right? Why don't we go check on things downstairs and I'll see about getting some food together." Utena ohs! and remembers something, as well. "Humor me a second. Close your eyes and hold out your hands." Alis nods once again quickly; her eyes remaining downcast and face turned down so as to better hide the involuntarily flush of pleasure felt at the kind words and touch to her shoulder. She does look up a moment at your request, frowning uncertainly before closing her eyes as asked; hands rising up slightly and uncertainly. ".....?" You hear something like a metal chain rattling against metal- surely, a heartwrenching sound for anyone who was once a slave and who still fears the cold bite of steel... Utena whispers softly, "Don't open your eyes until I say. It's important." And you feel something slim, long and cold being laid across your upturned palms. It's a heavy, slim smooth object, weighted. Another faint rattle of chain. Alis bites down sharply on her lip from the very first clank of that chain; a shiver running through her body as she stands tense and quite obviously afraid; showing her trust in you by not so much as twitching an eyelid and remaining as she is, jumping nervously once again as the metal is felt in her hands, her fingers twitching as she suppresses the urge to drop the cold metal. Utena smiles a little, a moment of dark pleasure from the anxious radiance of your struggle with your fear... but despising that sensation she pushes it back as hard as she can, and reaches out her cool fingers to close over yours; you feel her gently closing your fingers around the object she placed in your hands, her own hands resting still above yours. After a moment she says gently, "You can open your eyes now." without removing her hands. Alis hesitates in opening her eyes, her mind thrown into confusion and another rush of pleasure as she feels your hands over her own, worsening her blush as she fights to regain rationality in her mind. She seems to regain control quickly enough, her eyes opening to stare at you just a brief moment, then looking down at her held hands anxiously. There's a threefoot-plus silver sword in a plain silver scabbard resting in your hands, under your fingers which are blanketed by Utena's hands. The hilt is of a beautiful, sinuous flowing series of shaped silver strings that form an ethereal curved handguard; beautiful, as well as functional enough to protect the swordbearer's hand from harm from fingertip to wrist. The rattle you heard earlier you can now see is of the metal clip that attaches a black carrying-strap to the weapon's scabbard. The sword feels comfortable and wellbalanced, and somehow.. comforting. Utena smiles a little at you, over it, as she watches your expression carefully, explaining. "I saw you reaching for a weapon instinctively at one point, but you obviously had none. I think it's time to change that." The irony of the situation again is overwhelming to her but she continues, "This sword is more than 300 years old. It belonged to one of the first female swordsmen in this world, a woman of exceptional bravery and cleverness name named Ada... Utena says, "It's said this sword was designed by her, herself, for a woman's hand and arm." Now Utena pulls her hands back from yours. "I'm giving it to you just like it was given to me once." Alis's face goes -pale- as she listens to your words, as if the simply magnificence of the blade at first glance wasn't enough to impress her. Her wide eyes stare down at it in near-reverence, fingers clutching over it more protectively as your hands pull away, as if afraid of dropping it or even jostling it in the least. "...Utena... no! I can't accept something like this.... especially not if it was given to you as a gift!! This is too splendid a piece to just give away like this! You should keep it for yourself!!" Utena closes her eyes, her head bowing for a moment as she raises her arm gently to her side, epaulet-tassels shivering along her shoulder, and makes the slightest twist of her wrist. If you try to gaze directly at the effect it hurts your eyes, makes them feel as if they're being wrenched and twisted inside out.. but then there's a glittering gold-hilted sword in her hand, set with a thick emerald in the handguard, the blade itself whip-slim and long and airy, looking sharp enough to cut the air around it... She grins to you. "I don't need that sword any more." Alis moves her eyes up to track your hand at it's movement, quickly jerking her gaze away as soon as the pain is felt from the summoning of the blade; blinking them rapidly as if trying to shake off the memory of that very disturbing sensation. As the blade is brought into existance, however, she looks up again warily; staring at it in open-admiration and appreciation for it's craftsmanship. "....that, too, is a splendid blade... how did you come into possession of these?" Utena smiles, and again there's a wryness to her face as she draws the blade toward herself, raising it to vertical parallel before her face; she presses her lips momentarily to the blade and sighs. "This is the sword that was given to me by the one who was once my God." Utena says, "The sword that you have was given to me by Xelloss when I lost my original weapon, before Dios gave me this blade." Alis doesn't even find it odd the attentions given to the blade, watching in what she thinks to be a respectful silence until you finish speaking; still holding the weapon given in her hands firmly before her. "...I see why you treasure it so, then. Xelloss is your fiancee I am guessing, though... would he approve of you giving away a gift from him like this....?" Utena laughs, her eyes alight with a little twinkle of humor. "I don't care what he thinks about it, it's mine to do with as I want. And I know Ada would be pleased to see her sword continuing to be used for its purpose- to defend a young woman struggling in the world." Utena sends her own weapon away, somehow, and you really don't want to think about it; it's there in her hand one moment, and then gone the next, as if it hadn't been there to begin with, no flash or sound, just disappeared. She smiles. "I want you to have it. It feels right to me. So don't say no, okay?" Alis absently bites on her lip again, though this time there is no fear or sadness in the gesture. Unshed tears shimmer in her eyes as she stares down at the gift once again, absently marvelling at how it shimmers through her teary eyed vision. "....I can't refuse then... Utena. I accept it, but if you ever end up needing it again... please don't hesitate to ask for it back. It really is a fine piece that I could never take fully from you...." Utena reaches out idly and touches the tips of her fingers to the outmost point of your chin, lifting your eyes a little. "I'm giving it to you. It never belonged to me. That sword.." She nods her eyes toward it, ".. belongs to no one but itself. It's a fated sword." The regal girl's azure eyes become tender. "The only thing I want of you is that you do the same, pass it on some day to a girl in need once you no longer need it. That sword belongs to all women, not just to me or you." Alis looks up hesitantly as her chin is lifted, staring at you in a wondering surprise as the tears finally slip free and stream down her flush-stained cheeks; fingers clenching reflexively around the held weapon as she stares unavoidingly at your eyes. "...I understand what you are saying.... I can feel that this weapon is more than just a tool. I will do as you ask... and I thank you for giving me this chance. I won't forget this...." Utena leans forward, her hands resting on your shoulders, and kisses your cheek, tasting one of those small salty tears, lifting it away on the tip of her tongue and savoring it a moment before swallowing quietly, smiling. "No, I don't think you will," she nods. "Now, put the sword on and don't think of it any more than you'd think of any other tool,any other part of your body. And let's go get you some food..." She draws back, her 'glow' all the brighter for your knowledge that it shines through a strangling darkness within... giggling a little, she gestures with a hand toward the door. Alis could never put to words just how incredible complete she feels at this moment, her very thoughts swimming incoherantly at the swiftness that this rapture overtook her with; standing there motionless for a few moments before nodding absently and strapping the sword at her waist with expert motions, not even needing her sight to do this before finishing and extending her hand to you. "Yes... let's go.... Utena." . o O (...this feels like heaven....) Utena slips her hand around yours, her cool fingers melted with your warm ones, a curious sort of completeness that you're not the only one to feel; she feels it as well; she looks content as she drifts into the hall with you at her side. If she gave it any real thought, she'd understand, but she doesn't want to question as her contentments come so rare and far between it seems. She looks to you. "So what are you hungry for?" Alis doesn't shrug her shoulders as she might have done when faced with an uncertainty before, not taking even the slightest chance of shaking your hand free as she glides along next to you; watching the hall before her as she replies, "It matters very little to me. Let's find something you would enjoy and we can just share it, if that's okay." Utena laughs a little. "Okay. I'll see if there's any ham left." She walks easily along, the tassels along her shoulders bobbing gently. Utena does finally let go of your hand as she walks through the kitchen and hrms, opening up a couple of cupboards. "Honestly, I wish Akio would go shopping more often.." She grumbles softly under her breath, fishing out a battered metal container and removing the lid, then ah!ing under her breath. The tin bears a mysterious word "OREO" on it; her face lights up. "We still have some!" Into the container goes her hand and she produces a thick brown cookie, handing it to you. "Chocolate chip. It's worth more than gold, I swear... eat this. You'll like it." She looks wistfully into the bin. "I've only got three left... damn." Leaning on her tiptoes she replaces the canister at the very BACK of a shelf over her head and closes the door.. hmmm... Utena mutters something about 'asking Skuld for more ice cream' as she turns toward the cold room door, reaching out her hand to rest along the handle, pulling it open. She... freezes. Not literally, though it IS a cold room. Alis takes the offered food carefully, staring at it's odd shape and texture for a moment until the cold room is opened; staring up at -that- in newfound surprise. "...hmm...?? What's that? It feels like a winter, even over here...." Utena doesn't answer. She just stands there as a chill from the magic spell in that room drifts around her ankles, caressing her bare legs and causing them to rise in small prickles of gooseflesh; if you move closer, it'll do the same to you. She stammers a moment, her eyes very wide, very round, and very afraid. Alis frowns as you continue to remain silent and still, one hand automatically dropping down to the hilt of the newly acquired sword as she moves quickly over to your side. "What is it, Utena? What's wrong?" Utena tries to shut the door before you can see, snapping out of her trance. But she isn't quite fast enough, and you can see a hint of that pink that draws your eyes so spread out around a heap of pale flesh along the floor in the cold room... Alis' eyes are narrowed in wariness as she peers through the door before it closes, abruptly losing that ready look and stance to be replaced with one of utter shock. She quickly looks to you again, as if making certain you hadn't changed, then back at the closed door. "....Utena....? Was that....?" Utena says softly, weakly, "... probably." She stumbles back from the door, her hand slipping off the handle, and she bumps against the counter behind her, just staring there a moment. "... I've seen myself, like that, before.." she whispers blankly. ".. you'd think I'd be used to it..." Alis stares at you in complete confusion, holding back on opening the door again in consideration of your sensibilites; instead, she moves over to you as you move back, placing a hand at your shoulder in nearly the same tactic you used on her the night before; a firm grip to focus onto through your confused thoughts. "...this has happened before....?! That was.. your corpse....!!" Utena bows her head. Give her credit- she's taking it well. With a grim nod she moves forward again, brushing past you and away from your touch as her eyes harden and she reaches out to pull the door open again, throw it wide open. Alis lowers her hand as you move away, not at all hurt by your quick movement away considering the circumstances. She simply turns to follow behind you as the door is thrown wide, standing at your side quietly and looking within. Utena steps in slowly, and her eyes are as cold and distant as the chill that wafts out of the walls; she kneels down, her bare lower legs and knees stick to the floor and she doesn't even notice as she quietly reaches out and draws... herself.. into her arms, smoothing her hand over the forehead, brushing back a clump of dirt from the pale brow, the skin turned from the soft cream of her body to a faintly glimmering blue. She doesn't say anything- what exactly would you say? I'm sorry? I wish it hadn't been this way? Her voice is careful and distant as she murmurs, "He preserved it... that's good.. it won't decay..." Alis follows behind you, though she remains respectfully distant to give you your space at this time; staring in some confusion at the scene that will likely disturb her for the rest of her days. "......" Well, at least she wasn't gashed up or hacked into pieces or anything.. it's disturbing how -clean- she is, except for the lingering little bits of dirt and grime that remain as a silent testament to the end of this one's days... Utena reaches out with a hand and closes her old eyes, which were open and a lifeless dull shade staring into nothing... "... Alis..." she whispers, "... please get me a blanket." Alis nods quickly and turns to move away as rapidly as is proper, disappearing from sight as she takes the long route; dashing up the stairs by the sound of it, towards her room. The door of the cold room is open, Chichiri, and Alis just fled the room, on Utena's request for a blanket. A cold white fog seems to have filled the kitchen, roiling along the floor in waves, and Utena is visible hunched over inside the room, clutching quietly ... well, herself.. in her arms. She's not crying, she's not hysterical, she's very calm, if immobile. Chichiri quietly opens the door to the kitchen. Pushing the door back gently and taking a look inside as he brushes his kasa off his head to hang at his neck. He stops as a cold chill from the room overtakes him and he stares in horror as he realizes it's coming from the open door to the cold room. As he spots Utena the staff falls from his hand, the metal rings clinking together as they come to a rest beneath the fog covered floor. He immediately rushes over to Utena's side and kneels down next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Utena-san...?" Knowing what she must have finally found. Utena looks up at you quietly, smiling a little when you touch her. Her eyes shine, but no tears fall; she's disturbingly cold, a chill radiating from her as if she were the source of the everpresent ice that frosts the walls, floor and ceiling of the cold room; kneeled in her cramped position her bare legs look as if they're frozen in place. She holds herself closely across her lap, and sighs a little as she turns to place a small sad kiss over each closed eyelid. "I'm all right. I've... I have seen this before. It's just... not something.." Her voice cracks a little. "That you get used to." Chichiri meets Utena's gaze. The saddness which over takes his face filters easily through the mask and he speaks in a quiet, gentle tone. "No, it's not no da." But knowing that in this case it's very, very different. It's not just another dead body she's seen. He looks her over, his concern increasing each second as he realizes that she must be half frozen. "You can't stay in here no da." He brings an arm around Utena, then tries to slowly pick her up, to carry her out of the room. Utena shakes her head perversely. "Not yet. I will, honest. In a minute.." She glances down tenderly at her empty shell. "Sometimes I wonder why I keep trying to come back, Chichiri... this happens to me so much. Maybe I should just stay the way I am and learn to live with it..." Alis makes her return now, the blanket from her bed carried bundled in one hand, the other hand over the silver sheathed weapon at her side to stifle it's rattling as she hurries back into the room; stopping quick at seeing Chichiri, but then moving forward once again with a clearly discomforted expression on her face as she kneels next to him, offering Utena the blanket silently. "......" The flaring, polychromatic light of the ring on her finger fades slightly, the colors becoming a little whiter and less vibrant. "being a Mazoku is hell, but it's better than leaving a trail of corpses behind... and you can't kill something that's already dead very easily." She looks up and smiles a little at Alis, "Thank you." Then she gently lays the blanket on the frosted stone floor, folds her fallen body into it, covering her entirely. She was nude, not that anyone really noticed or was paying attention to that, but Utena just... couldn't leave her lying there like the slabs of meat that hang from hooks on the wall. This and that are very different. She swallows a little and rises easily, redness along the front of her legs from her knees to where her falf-high socks begin. Chichiri stops as Utena shakes her head, then nods and kneels down next to her again. Glancing over to Alis as she kneels next to him, then turning his sad gaze back to Utena as she speaks. He shakes his head slowly. "Utena-san, please don't say that no da." He stands as Utena does and removes his kesa, drapping the soft blue cloak over Utena's shoulders. "You could try to live with it, but you wouldn't be happy this way no da. I don't want to see you suffer no da, Utena-san." Utena pulls the cloak around her shoulders, even though she doesn't technically need it... she can't really feel much of anything right now, truth be told. But then, ghosts don't feel pain, do they? She walks quietly out of the room, with dangerous grace, and waits for the two of you to leave, her hand resting lightly on the handle. "Maybe we should eat outside, not here, Alis," she murmurs. "I don't think I want to eat anything here." Alis also stands as the other two do; clasping her hands before her quietly as she keeps her gaze on the ground, feeling quite odd considering the circumstances, and the odd man in the room and closer than she's willingly allowed any man in years. She only moves to follow Utena out as the girl slips past, nodding once to her opinion and taking up a position behind her. "......." Utena nods to the monk as well. "I wouldn't be happy. But maybe it's better. I don't know. Xel doesn't seem to feel any different either way." And she reaches out seeking Alis' hand with hers in a quiet gesture both to comfort and be comforted from that curious familiar resonance between the two of them. Chichiri quietly nods, and follows Alis and Utena out of the room. He knew that Utena was going to have to see the secret which he and Akio hid inside of the cold room, only a few nights ago, but didn't think it would be like this. Utena says, "Let's... let's go somewhere else. Okay?" She hurries through the house, through the dining room and toward the front door, though it can't be said she's running; she knows better. She tries to tell herself that, anyway, that it's for your benefits that she's moving so quickly to put distance between that shock and this house... Utena pauses a little, slows a bit once she bursts through the oak grove to the main highway, her pace shifts to a less urgent one as she exhales and looks back at the house. "I love that house," she whispers. "I just don't want to be in it right now." Then her voice raises, as she visibly wrestles herself into a hard control. "Besides, I feel like something other than soup, and I don't want to cook." She looks once to each of you. "Right?" n.n; Alis smiles in response to the question, forcing the warm expression onto her disturbed face as she squeezes Utena's hand reassuringly. "Of course... it's always nice to get out of the house and dine somewhere new, Utena. This is just an impromptu outing for us all!" Utena pauses a little, slows a bit once she bursts through the oak grove to the main highway, her pace shifts to a less urgent one as she exhales and looks back at the house. "I love that house," she whispers. "I just don't want to be in it right now." Then her voice raises, as she visibly wrestles herself into a hard control. "Besides, I feel like something other than soup, and I don't want to cook." She looks once to each of you. "Right?" n.n; Alis smiles in response to the question, forcing the warm expression onto her disturbed face as she squeezes Utena's hand reassuringly. "Of course... it's always nice to get out of the house and dine somewhere new, Utena. This is just an impromptu outing for us all!" You page, "Chichi, Alis and I are on the way, slowly, toward Darra. n.n We just found Utena's corpse, we need to get the hell out of the house n.n" to Hawkeye. Chichiri slows in his pace as Utena does. He forces a smile, a rather convincing one at that. After all, it's what he does best. And gives a nod. "Hai no da. Maybe I'll cook for us again no da." Though beneath the mask he has the advantage of wearing whatever face he wants. And it remains as before. A trio wanders in from the northern alley, a young woman with staggeringly pink hair in a strange militaresque uniform shivering into a long blue cloak.. a cheerful looking monk, and another young woman with brown hair whose hand the pink-haired girl holds.. Alex walks along the road slowly, stopping for a moment to glance around as he sighs a bit, closing his eyes and rubbing the back of his neck thoughtfully. o O (That's really strange....I wonder where Luna ran off to? She was with me last night.) He frowns slightly in worry, eyes opening again and glancing over at Miyu, Hawkeye and Lanea. o O (I hope I didn't hurt her feelings by refusing her.) Lanea is leaning against Miyu weakly, looking to Hawkeye with a bright grin on her face before calling out, "It's Lanea, if you want to know. How are you doing, since the last time I saw you? Knock out any other helpless girls?" She has yet to see Alex, thankfully for them both. Miyu blinks, "Is this the boy who abandonded you in the woods?" Alis' hand clenches a touch more tightly over Utena's at the large concentration of people; keeping her eyes carefully straight ahead of her as the trio walks on it's way. "......" Alex blinks as Lanea talks to Hawkeye, he glances over towards him and frowns just abit, his mind running over those words. o O (Knocking out girls and abandoning them in the woods?) He shakes his head slowly, o O (What's happened to people? I'm beginning to understand why Luna was so jaded when I first met her.) Utena murmurs under her breath, "It's okay, Alis... you're with me.." You head into the Dark Horse. Dark Horse Tavern and Inn Tam-chan remains seated at a table. She sits there shining a bunch of Kunai, before she looks over to the people who walked in. Daito turns his head to look at the people, but then turns back and closes its eyes. Utena gently removes the cloak from her shoulders and hands it back to Chichiri with a small smile, before releasing Alis's hand and approaching a table to draw a chair out for her to sit in. She looks like a noble, or a refugee from a strange military outfit with the clothing she wears; her hair's too long though, and her expression is a forced cheer. Daito looks up then stands slowly, and decides to move on out of the building. Alis again flashes Utena a smile, this one not as hard to fake in response to the young girl's kindness; slipping into the chair with barely a whisper of sound, her legs turned to one side so that she can sit comfortably without removing the sheated weapon from about her waist. "Thank you, my lord, for your assistance." Yes, Utena is female, but Alis sounded without confusion or even hesitation at adressing her with the term. Chichiri takes the kesa and nods to Utena, replacing it over his shoulder. Then walks over to the table and pulls out a chair, waiting for the others to sit before he does himself. His expression as always, is set in a cheerful smile, though beneath his mask it's quite the opposite. Tam-chan smiles slightly as she watches her dog leave, then lays her head down on the table gently, thinking. Utena quirks a small grin, which contains a hint of truth and sincerity in it, a little humor rising in her at the comment. "It's only proper that the lady be seated before the gentlemen." she replies, before then seating herself and picking up a menu... a momentary thought flickering through her as she glances beside herself to her friend. "Alis, I don't want you to take this the wrong way but... can you read?" Alis flushes quite brightly at the question, her shame more than easily read upon her face as she turns to glance to the side; anything to keep from looking at Utena now. "......" Oh, yes. Her father would be -so- proud of how 'far' she's come. Utena doesn't seem very chastising, though she clicks her tongue in slight irritation. The easiest way to oppress someone is to deny them even books... "It's not a problem, Alis. I'll teach you if you want." She scans the menu, herself, with practiced ease. "I had to learn it too... it's not that hard, honest." She reaches over and tries to lift Alis's chin to meet her eyes again. "Really. In the meantime, just tell me what you want and I can order it for you.." She glances to her other side, "Chichiri, are you going to want something?" Chichiri snaps out of his thoughts as Utena says his name and looks down at his hands, folded neatly on the table without a menu in them. The quick look which passes over his face shows that he's not very hungry. "I think I'll just have some tea no da." Alis can't help but to smile wanly as her head is turned to meet Utena's eyes, the corner of her smile twitching as she forces the expression to remain in place. "...I'll have whatever you two have. It's easier that way." Utena nods, understanding. Notice she hasn't given any thought of any kind to food of her own. She's not even making a pretense of that, just turning to other essentials. "You've got to have more than just soup, Alis... Look, I'm not going to order you around, but I -suggest- you get some solid food in you. You're probably hungrier than you think you are- I was." With that said she puts down the menu, looking over Alis a moment as if judging her taste in food from some fold of her clothing or some such, and decides that she needs vegetables and probably some meat as well- this is what she orders, as well as tea for herself and Chichiri, before returning to the table. "Chichiri, you haven't had any other encounters with that thief, right?" Alis looks up interestedly as the attention is taken away from herself, watching Chichiri politely as Utena questions him; interested for information of the outside world after all this time. Besides, that man intrigues her somewhat, with his dual-edged personality. The waitresses are quick and the food arrives not long after. After all, they ARE across the street from the notoriously bulk-dining Lina Inverse's personal shop... they'd better be right on the ball. Before Alis is set a plate with some cooked vegetables, corn, beans, a thick slice of bread, and a breast of chicken. Hot, fragrant tea appears before Chichiri and Utena; the waitress scuffles off swiftly, to leave the diners to their meal. Chichiri smiles, knowing that Utena must have been told about his encounter with the magic thief by Akio. Inwardly sighing at how she was able to catch him off guard. And then smiling inwardly at how quickly Tasuki responded. Even though it's another life, still feeling the close friendship he once had towards the bandit and knowing he does as well. "No, thankfully not no da." He smiles as the tea arrives and places his hands around the cup, feeling the warmth. Though his expression changes a moment as a thought passes, "Although..." Utena leans forward a little, listening. "Although?" Her ears perk a little. Alis looks down to the plate as it's set before her, dividing her attention between the conversation with Utena and Chichiri to regard the food carefully; torn between starting in on it and listening to what she has no understanding of. The decision obviously wasn't a difficult one afterall, for she quickly starts in on the chicken; not totally messy and crude, but with her fingertips, which is something that a demure young lady would never do so calmly and with such familiarity. Chichiri looks back up, then smiles. He didn't mean for that to come out, only a passing remembrance of an earlier occurance. He debates shrugging the comment off, and saying that it was nothing. But is sure Utena won't leave it at that. Many of his friends, Aerith especially, being the same way. "I don't know no da. Today, I was sitting in the parlor, when a woman came in no da." He shakes his head, "She didn't do anything which would cause one to worry. I thought she just may have been another person who spends their time around the house no da. I only got a passing glance at her really, but on her forehead..." he pauses as he recalls, "there was a mark, similar to that of the woman who I encountered the night before no da." He stops as he thinks about the very brief meeting with this new person. Then wonders if she really meant it when she said, 'see ya.' Hawkeye comes in from the village square. Utena does have that curious sort of guided missile quality to her gaze, and you judge correctly; she wouldn't let go of something left hanging like that. Naturally, the next question from her lips as she adds a touch of honey to her tea is a simple, "What kind of mark?" In the next moment, she quietly passes a fork to Alis, with a little sideways smile and no other comment, trying not to humiliate the girl for eating with her hands in public. She sips at her tea, listening carefully as Chichiri explains, and asks, "What did the woman look like?" Alis blinks at the fork, quickly grinning in slight embarassment as she places the chicken back upon the plate and takes the utensil with a girlish look of secret thanks and once again starts in on her food; this time with all the grace and manners of a true lady, not even seeming like the same girl that just started wolfing on the food with her bare hands. Chichiri looks down at his tea, watching the steam rise from his cup, then continues, "Well, she looked to be about Tasuki-kun's age no da. Seventeen...eighteen no da. Blond hair, and a mark on her forehead. A dark mark, resembling the shape of a moon, only upside down no da. With, something else decorating it..." he shakes his head as his memory escapes him. "She was dressed in a white jacket no da. Like a sort of doctor no da." Then takes a quiet sip of his tea. Hawk slowly enters the room, glances around briefly, and immediately walks for Utena's table. He doesn't have the look of one with a pressing purpose, or dark motive...but that still doesn't rule out the fact he could be an assassin. His eyes are on Utena, he's most definately heading for her, and...that guy's smile is too broad. Utena closes her eyes a moment, trying to assemble this picture in her head. She concludes with a low, "Gah." as she utterly fails to construct what she feels is a valid image, and shrugs. "Someone made a move on Akio, of all people... I don't know what the hell they were thinking, going after the Beast himself..." and she settles back in her chair.. seemingly unaware of Hawk's approach until she turns around slightly, her arm over the back of her hair, and gazes directly at the man calmly. Oop. This IS Xelloss' significant other, you know... anyone who can keep up with the Trickster Priest must have a few tricks of her own. She hms. "Okay, are you an assassin or just a guy who likes to sneak up and smile at people?" Her smile is too charming and guileless at the moment to lend any real sting to her words, though. Alis seems to be concentrating on the food before her with the ravenous attentions of a starving person. The hand she had folded in her lap slowly moves for the sheathed weapon at her side at Hawk's approach, though; despite not seeing the man. Utena's words are the only cue she needs after sensing someone's approach. She continues eating, however; not about to draw the blade unless trouble presents itself and not wanting to embarass Utena in the least. Hawk pauses in his tracks but a few paces away from the table, and folds his hands behind his back. His smile broadens...and he takes on an all-too-familiar n.n expression. "Utena, I presume?" Chichiri places his tea down and quietly looks over to the man who approaches. Just observing quietly for the moment. Looking between him and Utena. Utena nods, with a hint of dry humor. "Or a reasonable impersonation." Only the people at her table could know the actual depth of that comment. Utena gazes Hawk over once or twice, and replies, "I don't know you though," with a charming tactlessness. "Remind me if we've met?" Hawk nods similarly. "Imitations are annoying these days, aren't they? A female version of a certain priest holds the title as most annoying at the moment I believe." A brief grin. "Xelloss couldn't help but describe the elegant features of his personal flame, so I couldn't help but stop by to say 'hi'. So...hi." Utena blanches a moment- that comment hit her hard, and her smile slips at the edges as she quickly turns to stir her tea with a wood spoon, turning her head away so that the redness crawling under her cheeks can't be seen. "... Hi." she replies with a sort of nod, and hides her expression behind her tea cup as best she can. Alis can barely hide the smirk that twitches the corners of her mouth at Utena's reaction to the man behind her, continuing to rapidly make the food on her plate disappear with gusto; though the one hand never leaves the assuring cold of the blade's hilt at her side. Utena . o O ( Revi-s... Revi was here? The... she was HERE? Dammit, this isn't good. ) Chichiri's expression doens't change. He just turns back to his tea and takes another sip of the warm liquid. Inhaling the scent which calms him. Alis' tentative smirk slips just a tad at Utena's slight discomfort; it's general presence picked up by her and setting her to wondering why she seems troubled, yet blushes. "......" Utena brushes her fingers along the back of her head, through the shimmer of her pastel-colored tresses. "Uhm. That's not a good topic for me, sir." She says finally to the man still looming behind her. "Can we pick another?" Hawk doesn't flinch; tact for tact is a personal favorite of his. He does let the smile slip down a bit to a more 'acceptable' smile. "So much for the grand introduction. I can't say she's a personal favorite of mine, either...but that's another story. Let's leave that certain someone out of the conversation for the moment...there's more pressing matters." He spins briefly in place, snatching a boquet of roses and a heart-shaped box seemingly out of thin air...which he extends. "Candygram." Utena blinks, her eyes widening in surprise as she reaches for the offerings with her small, delicate hands. "... You know I'm engaged, right?" she says as she examines both bouquet and box with eyes both surprised and alarmed and also careful and cautious. "I mean, if you've spoken to Xel about me." Roses, oh lord. She puts her nose to one, and breathes in deeply, losing herself in the scent for a moment. They're so omnipresent a symbol in her life she almost never heeds them any more, but the randomness of this offering causes her to notice for once. Hawk raises a finger. "Now, now, my dear...of course I know that. They're not on my behalf." And surprisingly enough, that's the plain and simple truth. "Come on. You're a smart girl, I'm sure you can figure it out." Utena giggles a little, as she thinks she does now, a change of expression sweeping through her, one that softens her eyes, her smile, and her demeanor. "Sneaky bastard," she grins softly, hugging the bouquet. Any doubts about the solidity of her feelings would probably be put to rest by the look on her face as she lays the objects down then on the table before her. Then she winks. "I'll be sure to tell him what he did. So... are you actually stalking me, or is this just real good timing?" Hawk just grins. "The latter, you know that. The candies are sure to be something even a fancy gal like yourself can appreciate, too. Enjoy." Xel is going to be -soooo- envious when he finds out what he rigged in that innocent-looking box. Utena raises an eyebrow and sagely murmurs, "Uh-oh." She nibbles on her lower lip a moment, and takes the box in hand, rising from the table. "Excuse me a minute." she says to Chichiri and Alis.. just in case, you never know. No reason to take them out with her. She walks toward the 'messenger', being sure to get him in the line of fire if it's a prank- or worse- and then opens the box carefully, wincing one large eye closed partially. o.- And...it's deja vu. There's an exactly identical box inside, only smaller. Utena o.O ... Utena shakes her head. "Oh, dear. It's one of THOSE." She opens said smaller box. And won't be surprised if there's another box exactly the same, and then another and another... She glances up toward Hawk. "Is there actually anything IN this?" A reasonable enough question to ask, given the source. Or the claimed source, in either case. Hawk nods. ^_^; "...Eventually, yes." Utena peels through layers of cute red boxes, and a suspicion begins to enter her mind as the boxes get smaller and smaller and the pile of castoff covers about her feet gets larger and larger... "Oh, no. No, you didn't..." she murmurs, her fingers beginning to shake. Hawk shakes his head. "Not yet. I'm not willing to spend -that- much on a friend, okay?" He grins nervously. Finally...the tenth box...inside are little leering Xelloss-heads. Chocolate-covered cherries, in fact. With the added touch of making little squeaks when chomped on. Utena exhales. "I was going to say, if there's a diamond in here..." She grins equally sheepishly, and then LAUGHS and LAUGHS when she picks one up and nibbles and it makes the little 'eek!!' sound. Alis pushes her plate away to look back at Utena as she starts laughing, blinking once in confusion before smiling gratefully at Hawkeye; glad something came along to bring cheer into the poor girl's life this evening. "....." Chichiri sweatdrops slightly at the squeak coming from the food. ^_^; But is happy to hear Utena laughing as well. Utena looks up at Hawk, brushing at her eyes with her hand. "You got it pretty close. But actually, they'd be rude shapes if he actually sent them." Then she smiles, apparently deciding that she likes you enough not to kill you, and turns back to sit down on her chair again, a redness in her face that makes her look like an actual person, and definitely a great deal better in mood. Hawk scowls, then brightens after a moment. "Well, you have to give me credit. I'm not his little councilor for nothing, I hope. I've got to admit, he's pretty lucky if he's got a dame that knows him down to the presents he'd send." Utena folds her hands serenely before giggling, "And how do I know that... it's a SECRET!" She shakes her head, brightly. "Thanks, honest. I really, really needed that today." Utena glances to the others at the table. "I know you guys are trying your best, honest to God. But there's really nothing like a Xel-present. Especially candy that squeaks for mercy. n.n" Chichiri has no comment for that. ^_^; So he just sits there and smiles. Alis laughs softly at the statement, nodding once in the simple truth of it's oddity as she looks down at the sword at her waist thoughtfully; saying nothing at all. "......" Utena hands Alis one, fishing it gently out of the box. If anyone BESIDES her REALLY needs the cheering up, it's poor Alis. "Try it. Honest, it's just candy. It won't hurt you or anything. And it's chocolate." Hawk bows elegantly at the waist. "Well, at any rate...most messangers would vanish into the night right now, but I think I'd rather sit down." Rising from said bow, he performs a stylish backflip which lands him quite neatly in a chair at a table across the aisle from yours. Alis looks up to take the offered candy quickly, holding it in the palm of her hand and staring at it curiously for a few moments; her attention distracted temporarily at Hawk's sudden movement to the side, looking up to watch him as if looking for a reason for his antics. None besides laziness. He's currently lounging back in his chair, arms behind his head; mission accomplished. Utena giggles a bit more into her hand, much more used to this random goofiness than her companions. It doesn't mean she drops her guard wholly, but she's really curious about this guy now. Noticing his languid lack of movement, she looks back to Alis. "Go on, before it melts. It's a fruit surrounded by sweet syrup and a soft candy shell. And it's really kind of satisfying in a sick way to have a life like ours and to hear something go eek in your presence. Honest." Alis smiles uncertainly and brings the candy to her mouth, biting down on it hesitatingly and startling abruptly as it protests; despite knowing it would be happening ahead of time. "...I can't eat something that screams at me....." Utena tsks a little. "I know, I had that reaction too. I guess it's just that I've become sick and jaded enough to think it's funny and that I deserve to be above at least ONE thing in the food chain, even if it's a silly little candy." She pops another into her mouth and can't help but smile. Hawk . o O ( Hrm. Maybe if they had bleeding noses it would've been funnier...oh well. ) Alis nods once to Utena's explanation, but it doesn't stop her from lowering the candy and placing it upon her nearly cleaned plate without a word of explanation. She keeps her smile in place, though, for Utena's sake; looking to Chichiri to make certain the man hasn't fallen asleep or anything. Chichiri hasn't fallen asleep. Though, since his mask always keeps the perpetually happy expression, even when he is asleep it's rather hard to tell. But the brief nod he gives shows that he's still awake. He then stands and gives a slight bow, to excuse himself for the evening. Just glad to see Utena's mood has improved before he goes. Utena blinks to Chichiri. "Be careful, okay?" Her eyes are clear, but concerned. If there was some weird thing out there going after him once, it might go after him -and others- again. Utena blinks to Chichiri. "Be careful, okay?" Her eyes are clear, but concerned. If there was some weird thing out there going after him once, it might go after him -and others- again. Chichiri smiles and nods. "Hai, I will no da. I'll be by to check on you again no da." With that he turns, taking the brim of his kasa and pulling it onto his head, then silently leaves the tavern. Alis watches the man depart without comment; she likes him vaguely, given, but she's not about to trust him that easily. Once he departs, she glances to Utena once again, still smiling faintly as she says, "You didn't eat anything, aside from that candy.... aren't you hungry?". Utena blinks a little, vaguely bothered by his exit, and she gazes at her hands for a moment. "Damn. Now I feel guilty," she murmurs, leaning back in her chair. Inwardly, she's kicking herself. She let the Mazoku show a little more than she meant to... though, wait. Think about that. She really DOES feel that way from time to time, that's not something she can blame on Revi's curse. She shakes her head toward Alis. "I'm not really hungry," she replies. "In my condition..." a momentary pause, "One doesn't need much in the way of food." Alis doesn't press the matter; not wanting to girl to speak so freely in front of an apparent stranger. She frowns in thought, staring at the plate before her as if it would tell her what she wishes to know, finally asking, "Do you want to go home, then, or do you want to get yourself some more tea and relax here awhile?". Utena says, "Which would you rather?" Utena replies gently. "It's the lady's priviledge." Hawk knows a little more than is apparent, of course...but the last thing he needs is to give Xel a bad image by blandly stating so. Of course, seeing as how he stated a connection with Revi earlier, one could assume he be a little learned in the matter. Alis closes her eyes as the brief wave of nostalgia washes over her at Utena's words; not even questioning the feeling by now, but simply accepting it. "If you think it's okay, then returning home might be good. It's getting late, and I'd hate to be out here when the thieves and bandits start roaming the roads." Hawk chortles quietly to himself. "Man. That was a low blow." Utena says, "I have tea at home if I want it, after all..." She gazes across the table to Hawk for a moment or two, as her fingers idly play over the petals of one of the roses in the bouquet. "Tell me something," she comments apparently carelessly, "What exactly was..." And then she breaks off in midsentence as Alis expresses her wishes, and nods, gathering her roses and the box of squeaky candy. "Then that's what we'll do, m'lady." She turns her gaze toward Hawk apologetically. "I guess we'll talk later- or.." the wry smile returns to her features, "Xel will find you, I bet, before too long." Hm. Is that a threat, a warning, a promise, or just a statement? o.o She adjusts her weights so that she has an arm free and then offers it politely to Alis, without selfconsciousness or unease in the gesture- rather, as if she were so born to it it's beneath her thought. Hawk shakes his head, tipping his head down slightly lower. "I'm sure he will. You think I'd expect to get away with stealing the show?" He opens his eyes long enough to wink at the two girls, before letting them slide closed again. Alis takes the offered arm without a second thought or hesitation, linking hers through it as she rises to her feet gracefully; standing easily at Utena's side and watching the man she speaks to without much emotion present on her face, aside from the easy contentment that looks to be her base emotion right now; something finally just -feeling- right in her mind as she stands here. "....." Utena shakes her head a little, and retorts with a pointedly imitative wave of her finger, "Stealing the show is okay. Stealing the bride is not." She turns then back to Alis and it's as if she shifts modes effortlessly from amused, blunt-tongued girl-of-the-world to gentle and courtly prince without thought, with no vacillation between modes. Or as if the force of the girl's need of her to be a noble and courtly figure actually CHANGES Utena to be that thing, as if she's malleable to adapt to whomever she's dealing with on their own level. She ponders a moment and then passes the bouquet to the girl, in an attempt to make her smile. "For m'lady." She giggles faintly... waves to Hawk, and leads the other girl, arm in arm, out the door.. Utena escorts a young lady out of the inn, carefully holding her arm as a young prince might accompany his noble lady- except that they're both girls. Abliss remains standing off to the side, hidden beneath a tree, almost invisible. She stares out towards the center of the village with cold, dead eyes, making no attempts at any other movement. Alis holds a bouquet of flowers in her free hand; the other arm linked with Utena's as she moves from the inn with the girl, her face oddly at ease and emotionless, though her eyes hold a simple joy as she walks alongside her companion. "......" Utena continue on quietly, toward the sanctuary... keeping half an eye out for bandit types, though in all honesty she has nearly no concer; that shows in her face, too. Not arrogance but a simple self-assurance that very little can actually hurt her or the one whom she's escorting because she won't allow it to be. Alis adds no words to this moment, feeling for once like she doesn't have to speak to make her presence known; walking down the road arm in arm with her nobleman suitor and feeling oddly at peace and secure in her simple company; a soft smile playing at her lips as she carefully balances the bouquet. Nonetheless, you can feel a slight... warmth, as you cross into the sanctuary grounds, a warmth that makes you aware that you didn't realize you were cold. Surely no cheap thieves and hoods would dare mess with this place. As Utena leads you inside she gazes around the trees in silence, her expression shifting a little. Inside, she knows, is something she doesn't want to face, but there's nothing for it but to accept as she always does and move on. And anyway, that's not the foremost concern in her mind; she gazes sideways to you and sighs. "Sorry if I upset you earlier with the candy thing... I slipped a little." Alis looks over at you, still smiling without falter at your words and finally speaking for the first time since leaving the inn. "It's okay... really. I almost understand where you were coming from when you said that... and I also understand some of how your mind might work considering the circumstances. I didn't take offense to it at all... I just... couldn't eat it, really. I'm sorry if I embarassed you in front of that man." Utena shakes her head. "You didn't embarrass me." She releases your arm and fetches a vase for the roses, it was only natural to give them to the lady. "I probably embarrassed myself a lot worse." She nibbles her lip a moment... "Geez, it's dark in here, isn't it? I didn't notice." It's cheating, but she gently moves over to a candleabra on the top of a dresser and brushes her hand over it, so that three small points of light rise and fill the room with a soft, subtle glow. Alis holds her position as you move away, her freed arm moving so that she can clutch the bouquet with both hands; laughing softly in the darkness at your observation, then falling silent as the candles spring to soft life, watching their flickering shortly before her eyes move again to the pink hair; as if wanting to watch it in this new lighting to see a new aspect of it. "Let's just forget about it... that would be best. We should find something for these flowers... I assume they will die soon if left as they are." Utena nods, her lips pursing. "They'll die anyway... cut flowers tend to do that." She takes the roses from you gently, and steps out of the room. "Just a moment, I'll take care of them and bring them back to you." There's a five minute pause or so before she returns with a green crystal vase in which the flowers are set, with water. She sets the vase on the windowsill next to the bed, the candle and moonlight tracing the roses with a misty silver and gold glow; highlights along the petals that curiously are also reflected in her flowing wavelets of hair as she sits down on a chair near the bed. "Are you going to be okay?" she asks. Alis doesn't respond at first, her attention caught by the reflections on the flowers until the corner of her awareness realizes that it's the reflections from your hair that caught her attention; her eyes forgetting the flowers as she nods, moving over to seat herself lightly at the edge of the bed so as not to have to talk down to you. As she moves and seats herself, it still doesn't tear her gaze from the hair; it's beauty magnified past anything she had ever seen previously and wanting to forever burn that image into her mind. "....yes... I should be fine. With as good care as you're giving me, I can hardly be anything but...." Utena smiles a little, not realizing quite how she effects you as she sits back in the chair, crossing her arms over her chest, and gazing out through the window to the moon for long moments. "I think I'm going to go stretch out," she says quietly, "If you're all right, anyway..." Alis raises an eyebrow slowly, pulled from her gazing at your hair to look to you curiously. "You're tired, then? I hadn't realized I was keeping you from going to bed. I should ask if you're the one that will be okay...." Utena sighs. "It's not so much tired as... I mean, I don't... I don't get tired. I don't think." She adds in an uncertain tone. "I still want to sleep, but..." She sighs, her head hanging. "I think it's due to my mind wanting to think that I need it." Alis doesn't quite understand this, to judge by her troubled gaze, but still nods slowly so as not to seem overly clueless. She leans down to extend her hands to her feet, slowly taking her time in removing one slipper as her mind ponders over what was said. "Then you will sleep.... it's best not to resist your natural inclinations. It will upset your mental balance and possibly start a chain reaction that will tamper with your very personality. I don't want to see you change from who you are.... also... sleeping is a good way to pass time thoughtlessly. It might be easier that way..." Utena scratches her head a little, but nods. "Actually..." she blinks. "That makes a hell of a lot of sense." And then she smiles and her shoulders unkink a little. "That's the best advice I've heard yet, anyway. I should know better than to talk myself into thinking I'm something I'm not." With this, she suddenly... feels tired. o.o It's that simple. She stretches her arms above her head a bit and lets out a ferocious yawn. Alis smiles brightly, removing her other slipper before sitting up again to rest her elbows on her legs; hands up to support her chin in a girl-like manner as she watches you stretch. "See? You should be sleeping right now. Will I see you in the morning....?" Utena laughs. "Unless someone steals me away in the night, yes." She leans sideways to extinguish the candles, breathing on them in short puffs, one by one, until only moonlight floods the room. "Sleep well, m'lady." her voice sounds softly in the darkness. "Have good dreams." Utena starts to step through the doorway and to depart the room. Alis turns to watch you depart, hands clenched tightly as the door opens and you move through; looking down in disappointment in the darkness before calling out softly, "The bed here is big enough... couldn't you sleep in here tonight...? I'm worried about what happened... either of us might have nightmares about it tonight... company might help the night pass easier...." Utena pauses. You can see her silhouette dimly through the doorway, a figure of darkness against darkness. Her voice drifts back languid and thoughtful. "Is milady requesting that as her priviledge?" Of course, she couldn't refuse that request. But, she also fears what she might do if her control slips a little with something close to her... then again, Kaoru likes to sleep in her bed sometimes too... gah. Alis lets a smile slip in the darkness at the question, it charming her more than any other verbal response might have, though she answers with a plain, "Alis is requesting this from Utena as a favor from a dear friend...."; keeping her eyes down at her lap as she speaks, beginning to feel rather foolish at being so open and asking for once. Utena's form disappears completely into the dark as she shuts the door behind her... and for a few moments it's impossible to tell whether she's on your side of the door or another, until you hear the footsteps returning toward the bed, and a little laugh. "Okay, if you're sure you're okay with it." Alis lets out a sigh of relief as you speak from within the room, having feared you walking out once the door closed. She looks up and towards the sound despite the darkness, smiling in vain as she speaks in a barely heard voice. "I'm certainly okay with it... I asked, didn't I? I just didn't want you to be imposed upon or offended or anything...." There's a faint sound of fabric sliding; from what you can see in the moonlight that manages to pierce the shadows Utena is sliding out of her heavy jacket. "I'm not offended," she says, admitting, "Maybe I'm a little nervous, because... well, it'll be okay." She pads to the bed and slips into it along one edge, resting over the top of the covers with her hands behind her head, while you're underneath them. Alis moves her head to regard your shillouette next to her as you lie down upon the bed, staring in silence for a few short moments before she realizes you're making yourself comfortable as you are. "Don't you want to use the covers...? I assure you that I am not going to take offense. I slept in much closer quarters for a long time with a lot more people than just another. Please... don't hesitate just because of me." Utena turns her head to the side, smiling. "I'm fine. Don't worry about it." She gives off a yawn, and adjusts the pillow below her head, resting on her back gazing at the ceiling, her eyes becoming increasingly heavier as she surrenders more and more of herself toward sleep. Alis can only nod in response to that; the offer was made, and it's pointless to argue with one. Perhaps she's just uncomfortable in this room. Either way, she stares up at the ceiling; her hand off the side of the bed and brushing fingers over the sheathed weapon as if it's mere touch comforted her. She made no move to disrobe herself, likely not realizing that it's bad form to sleep in a dress, nor likely to even care if she did. Manners aren't her strong suit, at this point. "Good night, then, Utena. Please sleep well." Utena is still quite clothed herself, of course- she only removed her jacket out of a desire not to wake up with sore shoulders from the thick epaulets jamming into her neck. n.n As she drifts further, she rolls onto her side, her back to you, and shivers a little. Alis had made no move to sleep, either; knowing she will be up for awhile in thought. As you shiver, she easily catches the motion and looks once again over to you. "...Utena... please don't be like this. You are very kind and considerate of me, and I am thankful for it, above all else. I truly do not mind if you lie beneath the blankets, though. You are likely cold, and I know I would sleep restlessly if I knew you were uncomfortable out of consideration for my feelings." Ah, the comedy of crosspurposes... Utena was shivering, yes, but not from cold. From fear as she felt herself slipping under and felt a moment where she was not in absolute rigid control of her mind and spirit... now she's awake again, steadfastly refusing to risk that collapse of her control. "... I should just leave," she murmurs. "It's not comfortable for either of us like this." Alis turns over on her side now to face you fully, staring intently at your barely outlined form as if the intensity of her gaze will help her to convey to you her feelings. "It doesn't matter... if you leave, I am going to follow you. I meant what I said.. I don't want to be alone tonight. I'm not afraid of anything you might do... rather, I'm taking comfort in the simple fact that you are right there, at least trying for my sake. That alone is worth more comfort and security than a thousand swords...." Utena blinks... slowly rolling over in the bed to face you, her eyes shivering. "... you don't... it DOES matter. I don't know if I can be in control. I don't want to hurt you." Alis returns your gaze, her face set into a sincere look of acceptance; eyes glittering softly in her determination and conviction. "I'm willing to take that chance... in the few days since you accepted me here, I've grown more closely to you than any other person alive, save for my dear departed brother.... I didn't even find you repulsive when I found out what you were last night... I just don't care. You can be the most tyrannical and cruel of existances in this world, and I still would not feel any different. I owe you everything, and I'm not about to give up on you. There isn't a think you could do to me that would hurt me, except pushing me away like this. It hurts seeing you afraid to be close to me...." Utena twitches. That gets to her... you can see the impact of the words sinking home. Yet, she sighs, and pushes away from the bed without explanation, reaching for her jacket... "I can't sleep in this thing.." finally she says, looking back at you. "I'm going to my bed. If you're really set on following me, there's more room in that one anyway." Alis nods wordlessly, not hesitating for even the briefest of moments as she slides from beneath the covers of this bed to stand upon the floor, walking around the bed to your side and pausing near you and simply waiting to follow. "......." Utena lets out a low breath as she crashes face first into her own bed, clearly more at ease in her familiar setting with the scent of her and her lover in her pillows and blankets, snuggling up with one of the pillows and pulling up a satin coverlet over herself. z.z The bed's probably big enough for a family of three, though, so there's plenty of space for you to stretch out without even touching her. Alis watches you take your place upon the bed before she even approaches it, moving forward quietly and sliding under a cover, turning to her side and shifting over closely to you before curling comfortably; hands moving beneath her head comfortably as she closes her eyes, showing no shame in being this close to the girl, but not close enough to so much as brush her with a hair. She neither looks to her nor speaks once she is comfortably, simply lying in a silence that tells nothing. Utena murmurs a little something into her pillow, then mrfs as she inhales a little of her hair, coughs... n.n; "g'night, Alis..." she yawns wearily. "I'm gonna try and let myself sleep..." There's reluctance in her voice, though... but she's hoping the subconscious awareness of your presence near her will keep her in line if she can't control her own mind once she's asleep. Alis nods but once; a faint and barely perceptible gesture in response to your words, not even seeming to consider that it can't be seen to one with their eyes closed. She neither moves closer nor scoots away, remaining just how she is in her silence; allowing you to retire without a word of complaint. She's just happy to even be here with you, and knows she has no room to argue a thing. Xelloss *pops* into the room. On seeing that the lights are down and the room is still, he doesn't cheerfully shout HELLO! like he would normally do, but looks for the figure he presumes to be his fiancee in the bed and cuddles up behind her. n.n *glomp* Alas, he's a little punchy, and therefore could just possibly grab the wrong girl... n.n Alis' eyes -snap- open as she is suddenly snuggled up to from behind; going tense and quite still for a moment before her mind kicks her body into reacting, snapping one hand from beneath her head as her arm slams backwards, elbow going for whatever she can manage to slam into from her position, not to mention a rather bloodchilling shout of pure rage and fury. Xelloss eeps. Eyes popping wide open. O.O Not to mention taking a hard elbow to the head- ouch, that hurts... ;_;- and he manages to blur backward in a streak of smudgy purple light before you hurt him any more, evil woman... ;_; "Utena-chan!" he cries, "I didn't MEAN it, it was a joke and I thought you KNEW and..." *blink*. Now he can see the two figures in the bed. "oh, my.... this is terribly embarrassing..." he comments. Utena sits bolt upright at the shout. o.O "What IS it...?" she whips her head around, and stares trying to get a fix on the situation.. until she spots her sniffling fiancee cowering in the corner of the room. Suddenly it all makes sense and she sighs... quickly turning to comfort Alis. "It's okay, he thought you were me, I guess..." Xelloss nods, nods, "Just so, just so, I think I'll just be goooooing now..." he starts slipping toward the doorway, grinning like a fool. n.n;; Xelloss flees before the scary woman in Utena's bed (hey....!) can hurt him again. ;_; Xelloss has left. Alis sits upright as soon as the presence behind her is gone, glaring at him for a few moments until her mind calms enough to grasp logic; finally sighing and sliding from the covers to the floor in her now slightly rumpled gown; staring at the door Xelloss had just fled through helplessly. "....I'm sorry... you should call him back. I'm going back to my room... I didn't even know he was home, or I would have stayed there to begin with." Utena exhales and puts her hand on your shoulder. "He'll live, so don't feel bad, okay? Just pretend that didn't happen..." (I know I will... x.x) "c'mon. It's late, I'm dead tired, you're dead tired... let's just rest, okay?" Her voice is calming, reasonable.. and very weary. Alis clenches her hands into small fists as she tries to force down that instinctive urge to flee the room from embarassment and a shaking fear; your voice helping her to finally calm down and nod, turning back to the bed and dropping onto it's edge wearily. "...yes... let's try to sleep.... but I don't think it's right I cause him to flee his own room...." Utena giggles a little, sinking back into the bed. "He's been on the couch before. He'll survive a night." She pulls her blanket up around her shoulders and, despite everything, is soon fast asleep. Alis bows her head as she curls up against the head of the bed, frowning in her confused thoughts and it's this way she falls asleep nearly an hour later; exhaustion forcing her body down into the slumber her mind refused.