The Forgotten Zodiac

He gave a small, vocal whimper, the strange tattoo-symbols slowing in their takeover of his body. After a moment, they were reduced to mere crawls, creeping millimeter by millimeter. The marks showing on his skin were so strange; they appeared almost organized in how they formed, not just a blob of black under his skin or a random pattering of spots. There were perfectly measured stripes and lines, curling and twisting into symbols and designs that, under any other circumstance, would've been quite amazing.

Allie pulled Luen's head out of the water, lowering herself into it and resting his head on her lap. She stroked his hair back and murmured softly about how he would be okay.

But honestly, she wasn't sure if her efforts had worked at all.

"That was great," Isslia giggled, sliding off of Welk's back. "You're getting better and better, Sooth. I'm so proud of you."

"Why thank you," Sooth said, pulling off a rather ungraceful landing. But he avoided hitting anyone or anything, so it was good enough. "And thank you for the help."

"Anytime. Come on, Welk, let's go get some lunch." Isslia giggled. "And then we should probably check in on Werr and Lexi, yeah?"

((Sooon, Cynyr...sooooooooon))

((8I))

"Yep!" the half-cat chimed, bouncing along happily by Sooth's side. He shifted forms when Isslia climbed off, instead taking her hand gently and kissing her cheek. His purring was, as usual, quite audiable, and several Amnairians smiled at him as the trio headed past.

((Just think of it. Zex dropping down from the ceiling, Welk stepping in front of Isslia to protect her, but BAM. Cynyr steps in and does the deed. o3o

030))

Isslia beamed happily as they walked, nearly swinging Welk's hand as she skipped along next to him. Inside, they found the remains of a meal being cleaned up, and Isslia got to work making them both some nice soup.

"Hey, Lexi...d'you wanna go get some lunch?" Werr asked, sitting up. He was very tired of lying around; Airlia had insisted that he should take it easy, but he wasn't sure if going and getting some lunch would be pushing it. Most definitely not, actually.

((p3p Eep.))

The girl was quietly drawing nearby, looking tired still from the earlier incident, and she lifted her head and turned her deep chocolate eyes on him. "I guess," she said, folding her book and stretching a bit before standing.

"Let's go, then." Werr stood and headed into the hallway. But he paused before closing the door behind them. "Hey...hey Lexi? You know...I still love you. You know that, right? I was such a fool recently, I...I never, ever should have pushed you away, and I'll never do it again...I just, I..."

Lexi blinked once, looking down at the ground. She was pale, despite her normally white skin, with dark circles under her eyes. She slowly lifted her gaze, her expression hurt. "...And what if he dies again?" she said, in what she clearly meant to be a stronger voice, but it only came out as a quivering whisper. There was no question to who she was talking about. "I mean...I know, it's hard to lose someone you love so dearly. I understand that completely. But...I thought you loved me deeply too..."

Werr narrowed his gaze. "That won't happen," He said softly. "I...I won't lose myself like that again. I was a fool among fools...I couldn't see the light that was standing right in front of me. I was so blind...and there's absolutely nothing I can say to make up for what I did. 'I'm sorry' is such a weak statement when faced with this..." He sighed and shook his head. "But I...I also know that I don't deserve you. I wouldn't be blaming you now if you had left for real, long before. I was such a jerk, a-and...you...you're still here. So, Lexi...if I ever, ever start acting stupid like that again...feel free to punch me in the face. And then leave. Leave and never return because if I lose myself like that again, I...I don't want you to see..."

Lexi had lowered her head again, her face hidden behind her long, curly black hair. He knew she was crying even before she lifted her head up again. Without a word, she walked forward and pressed close to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him suddenly, tears streaming down her cheeks. And the tension that had developed between them just seemed to break into thousands of shards of glass, scattered like dust to the wind. She melted against him instead of remaining tense, her lips moving passionately against his, holding him close like she had never held him before.

Werr wrapped his arms around her, so tightly he was afraid he might be hurting her. But the truth was that he didn't want her to go anywhere. Even though he didn't deserve such a beautiful, kind girl...

Werr suddenly pulled away. Slowly, he knelt in front of her. "L-Lexanna...Jura, I..." He rummaged around in his pocket, pulling out a single silver ring with a beautiful gem setting. "I don't want you to leave me. Please...please, marry me. Would you...?"

She put a hand over her mouth, eyes wide and sparkling with tears, then she was nodding frantically, gasping the word "Yes!" as she pressed even closer, burying her face against his neck, her arms wrapped tightly around him. She pulled back slightly, letting him take her slender hand and, with trembling fingers, slide the ring on.

And then she kissed him again, crying softly into his ear, "Werr, Werr, I love you...I love you so much..."

"I love you too..." Werr murmured, doing his best to be strong for his now-fiance. "C'mon. Let's go get something to eat." He took her by the hand and led her to the kitchen, still beaming.

He was surprised to find Welk and Isslia already there. "Oh, thank goodness," Isslia smiled. "I was wondering what we'd do with the rest of this soup. Would you like some, Werr, Lexi?" She blinked, realizing that Lexi had been crying. "Is...everything okay?"

Lexi just beamed at her and said "Yes. Yes, everything's perfect." And she wordlessly held up her hand, the ring flashing on her skin.

Welk blinked, his mouth open in shock and a bit of soup falling out before he realized the comical look he had create and swallowed, saying "You did it, Werr! You actually did it! HA! Hey, we should have our weddings on the same day, what do you think of that? I guess that means Cynyr will have to be both of us' best man." He purred loudly, overturning his chair in his haste to tacklehug his dear friend.

Werr laughed and patted Welk on the back. "Yeah, that'd be nice. Our fiances have to agree to that, though," He chortled. "We'll do the planning later. For now, let's just eat lunch," He chuckled, hugging Welk before pulling away and starting to serve himself soup. "So how's it going for you two?"

"Pretty good," Isslia beamed. "Welk has yet to get me a ring, though. I'm just afraid someone might get the wrong idea, though. That Corban guy is kind of a creep..."

"Hey, if he shows his face anywhere around you, he won't HAVE a face," Welk answered, walking close to her and nuzzling the top of her head. "And I haven't had time to find a forge yet, or you would already have a new ring. ...Wish I wouldn't have lost the old one, but...guess I couldn't help that." He chuckled cattishly, his crimson eyes bright.

"Yeah, it's okay. I understand." Isslia smiled, patting his cheek.

After Werr and Lexi settled down to eat, it wasn't long before they were standing up again. "I should get back to bed," Werr smiled a bit as he stretched. "I don't really want to, but Airlia insisted that I should spend as much time as possible resting."

"We can walk with you," Isslia stood, smiling. "We've nothing better to do, really."

"That'd be nice, thanks."

Welk chattered on and on as they walked, discussing everything and anything. Both girls, of course, agreed to have their weddings on the same day, and would let Werr and Welk ask if Nate and Cynyr wanted to be their best men. Welk enjoyed himself and amused them with the idea of giving Nate a nametag that read 'Froggy', and they all had a calm laugh at the idea of Cynyr in a suit.

Their walking and cheery chatter came to a screeching halt when someone stepped out in front of them. His right arm was gone, ripped off of his own accord. He was a mess and a half that never should have been brought back. But here he was, holding a knife in his one good hand.

"Zex," Werr growled through gritted teeth. "Don't you have somewhere to be? Say, a cell?"

"Silence. Hand over the girls."

"As if!" Werr pulled Lexi behind him, taking a step back. Zex just stared unblinkingly at them, with those sad - but very serious - eyes.

((When do I bring Cynyr in?))

"I'd sooner die!" Welk snarled, his long tail lashing from side to side as he shifted forms, lunging forward towards Zex with flames arching beside him, his golden wings springing from his shoulders and sweeping wide.

((Anytime you'd like.))

Zex stepped to the side. His right arm would have been snagged by Welk's claws -- if it had still been there. But it was not, and Welk passed him harmlessly, while he was able to sweep his knife forward and catch the half-cat's right wing, tearing it open and causing an explosion of feathers. He left that blade lodged in Welk's wing, drawing another from his bag. He threw it at Welk, and it landed in his upper thigh.

Werr fell back with a cry of pain, blood gushing from his leg and shoulder. Zex blinked and looked from Welk to Werr, slightly alarmed. But he dropped the surprised expression easily. "I don't want to kill anyone...d-do you think I want this? That I'm doing this willingly...? You don't understand..."

"Stop!" Isslia wailed. "Then stop fighting! Even if it's just for a second...wh-what don't we understand?"

"Everything, anything, you can't understand!" Zex snarled. He sighed and steadied his breathing, shaking his head slightly. "I don't...want to hurt anyone..."