The Forgotten Zodiac

"We...well...I was worried." Werr said quietly. "Are you sure you're okay? You should probably rest...a-anyways, I decided that we'll try and save one last council member. If we can't do that...we either have to go straight to the king, or we could save Cynyr, then go there. I...wanted to ask what you thought."

"I'm fine." he said softly. He shrugged a little, his tail still and motionless between his legs. His ears were tilted back against his head, covering his single little patch of white fur. "I'll go anywhere you want me to go." he said, holding a hand down towards the boy to help him up. His skin was warm to the touch, as always. Fire mage and whatnot. His hands still looked a little raw from touching Cici earlier, but he seemed fine enough.

On the outside.

Werr took Welk's hand, silently debating which direction to take. "The longer we wait...the less likely it is that we'll be able to save Cynyr. We'll save him, while there's still time. The kingdom...it'll be okay until we get back. It has to be." He smiled a bit, sensing that something was wrong with Welk. He said nothing, though, as he had so many other times today. Even with the seal being gone, it was just easier to keep his mouth shut sometimes. "Come on, let's get back to the others. They'll be waiting..."

Luen stood up, watching Werr speak to Welk and looking between the two, then moved around behind Welk and 'accidentally' bumped the boy forward against Werr. Welk put his arms around Werr in shock, not wanting to fall over.

Luen smiled and moved away, his paws making little noise across the ground.

Welk slowly relaxed, feeling some of his tension seep away, then rested his head on Werr's shoulder, closing his eyes exhaustedly. He didn't even know he started crying until he felt the tears sliding down his face.

Werr blinked in surprise, putting his hand on the back of Welk's head. "It's okay..." He said quietly. "It's okay. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. We're going to go get Cynyr soon, too. As soon as possible. We'll save him, Welk...if that voice meant anything, it meant that Cynyr is still alive. And we're going to save him."

Welk sobbed quietly for a moment, then just rested against Werr, keeping his arms wrapped around the boy. Now that he knew Cynyr really was his brother, actually did share his blood, it just made his death feel ten times worse. He listened to the boy speak, then nodded and said "R-right. I know... You're right. We'll get him back, I know it! And...he'll be okay." He nodded, trying to convince himself more than Werr, then pulled back and took cat form, saying "Come on. You look tired. Let's head back."

"Alright," Werr nodded, climbing onto Welk's back and settling there. Personally, Werr still didn't know if he liked Cynyr much, but he didn't care. He was going to save the bad-tempered half-cat. For Welk's sake.

Of course, the others were waiting. Nate had gathered some food for lunch, as it was getting to be noon. Which was a bit odd, Werr felt as though it should be getting to evening. He ignored his thoughts. Cici would tell them if they were in an illusion or anything. He was just tired. He didn't need a light fairy staff to tell him that.

"There you three are," Nate looked up as they approached. "Things have been uneventful, I should hope?"

Welk looked down.

Luen took human form and said "Well...not quite. We didn't encounter any enemies and Welk spoke to his mother. He found out some...interesting things." He tilted his head questioningly at Welk, but the half-cat shook his head instantly. Luen sighed and said "I...suppose we'll speak about it later, then."

Welk moved easily around him, letting Werr off and heading over to a couch, where he climbed on and stretched out in cat form. Depression was new to him. He was usually so happy and spunky, with boundless energy to play or fight. He was handling his sadness well, but it was definitely affecting him. He had never been so quiet before in all of his life. It was unnerving, to say the least. He pressed back against the couch, leaving plenty of space in front of himself. For a cat the size of a lion, he didn't take up much space when he wanted to.

Werr climbed into a different seat, a little uncomfortable due to his pain. He didn't know if Seria could sense it or not, but still, he refused to complain. He was starting to feel a little pain in his leg and shoulder, but most of all, his arm. He was okay, though, appearance-wise. There was no blood or bruise, he just looked tired. Werr allowed himself to drop into sleep. Finally, a sleep undisturbed by nightmares...

Warmth settled against him while he slept, curling up against his side. A soft exhale, a flicker of heat, then nothing but the slight pressure against him.

Seria smiled over at them, noting the way Welk had taken human form and had gotten up into the large chair with Werr, sliding in against the boy's side, under one arm. He dozed off seconds within changing his position from couch to chair, able to sleep once he felt safe. Seria watched Welk fall asleep, then sighed and leaned against Nate, who was sitting at the bar. Zephyr was sitting on the bar top, drinking some wine like Nate was, only his was in the smallest cup the innkeeper had managed to find. Even then he was having to stand on his back legs and lean over the edge of the glass to get a drink, but he didn't mine. It was his first time trying liquid such as this, and he found he enjoyed it.

Forin was picking at food at the table. He didn't feel like eating right now, though Diana was scarfing things down happily. She had been hungry, of course. Lily was snoozing on the other couch, little Spy curled up on her stomach. It was a far more peaceful afternoon than the morning had gone, and it passed slowly.

Luen walked over and silently took the seat on Diana's other side, glancing at Forin over the girl's head. "Hello." he said, smiling slightly. He frowned a little at Diana and said "Diana, don't eat so fast. You don't want to choke. It's okay to eat slowly; the food will still be there." He sounded a like an admonishing older brother, which he had been, at some point in his life. The habits had never really left him. Plus, he had been the oldest sibling to a little girl, so those habits easily came back to him around Diana. He did remember that she wasn't his sister, though, so it wasn't like he was just going to boss her around, not that he would ever do that anyways. He was too shy.

Luen patted Diana's shoulder gently, smiling at her, then looked over to Forin and asked "You okay?"

"Physically, I'm perfectly fine." Forin said, glancing up at Luen but looking down at the table again. "Mentally, I fear I may be...losing it." By it, he half-meant his war with his true self, but he didn't elaborate on that much. He continued, "I no longer feel remorse or guilt over the wound I caused Werr. I did at first, but that has been wiped from my mind. Reflecting on the injuries I caused you...I don't feel anything there, either. I've lost my grasp on my own feelings, and now I no longer feel them at all. There's only anger left, and I struggle now to hold it back..."

Luen looked down for a moment, thinking quietly, then suddenly got up and took one of Diana's hands, taking her (and her food) over to Seria. "Sit here with Seria for a moment, okay Diana? I'll be back in a little while." Then he moved over to Forin and took the creature of Tartarus by his hand, leading him out the door despite obvious protests. "Just come with me." he said, smiling at him. "Trust me."

Forin struggled, obviously. To leave Diana with someone he didn't completely trust? Diana looked happy, though, quickly striking up a conversation with the fluffy spy. Forin fought to watch for a few moments before Luen managed to drag him out the door. He wasn't smiling as he allowed Luen to lead him along. "This is foolish," He snapped unhappily. "What if something happens to us while we're away? The others won't know where to look, you said nothing to any of them. Jag wasn't the only one who wanted you dead, and then there's me...this is stupid, where are you taking me?"

((Forin's protests make me laugh. xD))

"Nothing's going to happen to us." Luen said, leading Forin out of the town. "You'll be fine." He led Forin to some wide, open fields near the edge of the forest, glancing around at the wide, open space. He nodded, then took wolf form and moved around behind Forin. He nudged the creature of Tartarus, making him walk, then pushed him again, making him go faster. "Just run." Luen said, picking up into a trot. He nipped once at Forin's arm, his tail slowly starting to wag. "Come on!" he said, his emerald eyes shinning up at the summoned creature, then ran forward, letting out a happy woof.

((:T))

"What? Run where?" Forin growled, but he ran after Luen regardless. He was surprisingly quick; of course, he was normally standing in front of Diana or leading her along, so he hadn't ever really displayed any agility. But he caught up with Luen easily, not having any clue what the ice mage had in mind.

"You'll see!" Luen said, jumping in and nipping at Forin's leg once. "Come on, lighten up! Just run and let yourself relax! I've always loved running whenever I felt upset. I've not had a chance to do it lately. It feels good!" He was in one of the most playful moods Forin had ever seen him in. The wolfling put on speed, racing over the grass, then suddenly doubled back and leapt for the summoned creature, making as if to tackle him.

Forin hit the ground, sliding under the wolfling with ease. He was quick to roll back onto his feet, drawing a short knife from his sleeve and throwing it at Luen. It missed; a warning shot, truthfully. Forin was quick to draw another, holding it protectively in front of him. He looked furious.

He really wasn't used to playing.

Luen yelped and dodged the shot, then tilted his head slightly to the side and moved over to him. "Hey." he said gently, taking human form. "It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you." He carefully put one hand over Forin's, gently lowering the knife. "I was just playing." he said quietly, touching Forin's shoulder softly. "I wasn't going to hurt you and I wasn't attacking you. Here." He made Forin let go of the knife with one hand, sliding his scared hand into it instead. He started running again, this time pulling Forin along with him instead of letting him be alone. He smiled reassuringly at the creature of Tartarus, wind ruffling his white hair and fluffy ears.