Lass's Tear

I glance at Liv "A Great many things, in truth what is more valuable knowledge or one life?" I smile again, I dislike the secrets I have kept from my companions but they were needed, and initially I didn't have a choice. "after all, you said she was stripped of rank and her connections would likely be stripped with them."

"Oh, connections in the outside world are hard won, and we don't lay loose of them so easily; that's why her departure was such a shock to us. It disrupted a long term operation involving the Walker. No, she has simply lost her autonomy. As for information, I don't collect for the sake of itself. It's an unwise practice that leads to one being noticed when one would rather go unseen." She smiled. "I do know that one of my benefactors would love to get her hands on you though; that may be worth the cost of my lost flower."

I snort derisively. "Riiiight. Not happening. And I demanded nothing about her return. But I do demand the right to speak with the girl, to see her."

"That would be easy enough... only..." She smiled winningly, her fingers tapping rapidly on the twisted wood.

I raise a brow. "Out with it." I say impatiently. "Even a bard tires of needless words."

"You are a threat to our sovereignty." Belladonna tilted her head, "I would feel it reasonable to secure that you will never take action against us. Your friend has already shown his disdain for us, and it would be regretful if things got out of hand."

I nod. "I give you my word on my name, we will do no harm unless we are forced to do so."

"That will suffice for today, queen."

She beckoned one of her attendants, and he stepped forward quickly. "Take them to novice quarters. They are not to leave until I approve." She turned back, her smile dimming a might. "Security, you understand. Taxus will escort you."

The young man smiled and stepped forward. "After you, lady... gentleman." He indicated that they were to walk before him as he shepherded them from the hall.

Lily is sitting quietly when we enter the room. The shock in her head is bright as a star. With a glare at our 'escort', I take a seat beside her. "Hey."

She turned away, putting her back to Liv. "You shouldn't be here."

I lean forward. "Kit, remember what I said about families? We tend to each other. Only next time, do me a favor; talk to somebody when you're angry, don't run off to a place like this. I motion to the surroundings with distaste.

"No one stays, they all must go; family dies, and loves grow cold.
Live, survive, to walk alone; All I have is all I hold."

Lily pulled her knees to her chest and hugged them, still not turning.

With an annoyed chuff of breath, I wrap my arms about her, holding her close. "Fill me the cup, and let it brim, for I drink to he who stands beside me. And when the cup holds naught at all, I shall still have this man to tide me. For he I have shed blood, and for I his blood has flowed. Though parted him from I, we will never flinch, nor ever stand alone."
She pulls away, but I hold her fast. "Lily. I've shed blood for you, and I'll do it again if need be. If all you have is all you hold, then you hold my fealty. You are kith to me. And I'll not see you hurt nor harmed. Tell me what you need of us."

Lily shrugged, trying to loose herself of Liv before giving up and sitting quietly with her arms around her. "I don't need anything," she finally mumbled. "You don't belong here."

I smirk. "Lily Lass, I'm a bard and a half breed to boot. I choose where I belong, and I make a place for myself. I belong at your side." Finally, she looks me in the eye. I hold her gaze. "Yes, I really mean it. I'm a bard. I speak truth."

"You don't understand," Lily manages to successfully pull away from Liv. "I DON'T BELONG." She stood and paced to the far corner before turning back to face them both. "Leave."

"Nope." I state, "Not until you make sense. None of us belong. Lost in time, lost in place, mixed up, mixed breed waifs and wanderers vagabonds, the whole lot of us. Not a one of us belong. Except to one another. So you can quit acting like a teenager."

Lily hissed ever so softly. "I don't belong to anyone, not even the belladonna, not even you." She crossed her arms. "Leave. I don't need to be claimed by anyone." The last word came out a growl.

"No. You don't need to." My voice is soft in the half-light. "But maybe you want to."

"Lily" I say softly, walking around so I am in her line of site "Liv is trying to ask you to come home." The voice is low "yes, we sometimes disagree, and yes when i pull a prank it sometimes goes a little too far" This is the closes to admitting I put the dye tablet in the shower as she is going to get "But we aren't abandoning you, since you came around we haven't, and don't intend to, at least Liv and I don't." then sighing "I am asking the same, come home, please."

"We wouldn't be down here if we weren't in earnest." I say softly. "Now, if this is where you want to be, that's your choice. But you have a place amongst us. The apartment will keep your room for you. Please....come on back."
I let the silence hold sway for a moment. "Besides the fact that I like you, I do need you around; you're the only one who can get through to Koiu. Something's up with her head again. She started acting up when she realized you were gone, and when we told her to wait until we could search together she....went a little mad. I can't reach her, and neither can Djhutey. I'll understand if this is where you want to be. But will you come along and give me a hand with her before you set off? She's in a bad way."

"And what about Sori?" Lily glares defiantly at Liv. "Why isn't she helping her lover?" There's more venom then she intended in the words, but she crosses her arms anyway, unapologeticly.

"You know you're the only one who can get inside heads. I bow to you on that point. I'm an empath, I'm no psychic. And Sori knows about as much about the mind as about nuclear physics....actually, knowing her, probably less. We need you, Lily. "

" and I am barely in my own head, lets not think what havoc there would be if I tried, much less if I were met with success." I try for some humor even if it is at my own expense I shrug not used to the whole 'be delicate' aspect of this.

"Damn you." Lily glares at Liv and Liam before sitting down heavily on the bed, angrily swiping a forearm across her eyes. "All of you."