Trouble Brews In the Family

Trouble Brews In the Family
Date of Scene:	04 December 2012
Location:	Fluorgis - Shard Seekers HQ
Synopsis:	After the situation with Shiki's shower incident, Reize called the Shard Seekers to a meeting. Should Priel be a member of the Shard Seekers?
Cast of Characters:	Ivo Galvan, Reize Seatlan, Lily, Faruja Senra, Priel Aylin, Skoll Ulfang, Riku, Shiki Misaki, Zia

---

Reize Seatlan has posed:
"NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO /AND/ /NO/!"

It was about an hour after the incident involving Shiki and Priel and the news was brought forth that Ivo was the one responsible.

So.

Shard Seeker meeting was happening. It is during the mid-afternoon that the meeting was about. The center table was used for dining and conversation, but the leader, Reize Seatlan, was standing.

He was angry. No, not deep deep anger. But it's that indignant, kiddish anger that can easily be brushed off. But boy, is he pretty indignantly angry. It shows by the antenna hair pointing around like an arrow. In a way, it is pretty entertaining to watch.

"She took the funds for us to be a clan and you are letting her join?! I refuse this! I will not have it!" That swirly steam rises above his head as he points accusingly at the person who he is declaring his indignancies at.

Shiki Misaki has posed:
Shiki 'Violet Beauregarde' Misaki is also in attendance.

We say this because Priel snuck some rather unpleasant flan...slime...jelly stuff into her shower, which, in addition to making her smell really bad, also made her blue. Not blue as in the emotion, but blue like her skin is now blue.

Little patches of her are regular, but for the most part, she looks like a Hypello.

"And she wants to eat me!"

Mr. Mew hands is spraying perfume onto her, standing on the table, although the bottles jump as she slams her fist down on the table. "This is a very important consideration! I have trust issues about sharing a home with someone who wants to dismember me! You should consider the possibility of opening the fridge and finding my foot in there!"

Zia has posed:
On any other day, Zia might not have bothered peeking her head out of the dormitories. The gargress is a strange creature, and apparently quite unlike most her kind. In fact, her being up at mid-afternoon is surprising, although the girl does look a bit sleep-weary. Maybe it's Reize's voice that had dragged her out of bed, rubbing at one eye. She'd have to be heading back to Manhattan soon, and this is just one more thing to keep her from a proper rest before the journey.

The gargoyle, who isn't officially part of the Shard Seekers, lurks a bit back, leaning on the wall and trying to make herself look like part of the architecture. She has no idea why one girl is blue, or why Reize is ranting, but her ears tip down, head tilting. "All is nae well it seems." Her wings shift to cape over her shoulders, tail twitching near her ankles. Nope, for right now, she's staying out of it. For all she knows, she'll be shooed off elsewhere soon enough - she is just a guest afterall.

Priel Aylin has posed:
While Reize and Shiki were busy vehemently denying her entry into this group, Priel simply stood off to one side, arms crossed, tail waving idly, and a wildly entertained smile on her face. Oh this was comedy gold! Look at them go! She hadn't seen them be this passionate about anything else in the time she's seen them. It was amazing to say the least.

"Oh yes, my love. I just want to gobble you up~" She added eventually, winking at Shiki. "Perhaps slather you in barbequeue sauce and fry you up beforehand? Oh yes, you would taste delicious~" Nope. She was not helping her own case in the slightest. In fact, she even began to laugh, turning her head away as her shoulders quaked with mirth.

Well then.

Shiki Misaki has posed:
Shiki Misaki just grimaces and points directly at Priel, shaking her arm a bit. She looks like a particularly angry pointing monkey.

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
Skoll isn't here down at the Shard Seekers HQ anywhere near often enough to have a clue as to what is going on. But with that shrill voice (Reize's, not Shiki's), it's no surprise that the wolfish youth comes to peek his head in. Those yellow eyes let his gaze wander around the room, catching Zia sneaking into the room. It looks like she'd been woken up by this little mess. He on the other hand, had been working on shining his chains - by the looks of his hands being a bit blackened and rubbing them off with a grayish cloth.

The werewolf then halts besides Reize and gives Priel a bit of a foul look. He doesn't know her, but if Reize was right... "Stealing from a child like Reize is something only those without honor do. If your accusations are true, I too would deny her entry into this group." The 'cool' youth notes, before looking over towards Shiki and giving her the weirdest look. "Hey..." He nudges his head into Shiki's direction, and then points at himself to indicate one of the spots she is /not/ blue in. "You missed a spot."

Riku has posed:
"It's about as well as it usually gets."

Riku taps the doorjam with the back of his hand, sliding around it to lean against the wall. His eyes are closed and his head tilted slightly down. A black staff is clasped in one hand, then transferred to lean against the wall while the journal he usually carries around is in the other. He keeps it next to his chest, propping it up there and gently tapping his fingers against the leather binding.

The smile on his face is strained at the edges as he continues. "This is usually the part where the arguments get worse before they all realize they have things in common and band together regardless. It's rather touching, if you aren't the one thumping the compassion beehive with a baseball bat like Priel here."

Ivo Galvan has posed:
With a contented sigh, Ivo leans back in the outdoor bath in the garden out back, listening to the rippling of the water and the breeze through the bamboo fence, crossing his arms behind his head to gaze up at the blue morning sky. It was not so long ago he almost got his eyebrows singed off by a rogue fire mage in these very waters (it's complicated). But his tumultuous life as an adventurer and provocateur can wait for a few minutes, at least, while he enjoys the fruits of their hard work fixing the plumbing a couple months back. For now, all is well in Fluorgis.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of--

'IVOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!'

Blinking, the knight-very-errant glances in the direction of the shout, which has emanated from the headquarters, his sight of it blocked off by the fence save for its roof.

'GAAAALVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!'

His expression is momentarily blank and absent -- before the corners of his lips quirk upwards, eyes revealing a single sparkle.

"...Heh."

* * *

"Good morning, everyone," Ivo says blithely as he steps into Reize's Very Serious Meeting Time, still toweling off his hair, his shirt lackadaisically open to allow his skin to continue drying and cloak nowhere to be seen. The boy's cheeks are already all puffed up, but it's the sight of Shiki that wins the competition for most entertaining. "I see Mr. Mew is working hard as always." The two of them have been getting along fairly well. It's not clear how or why, exactly.

Regardless, not only does Ivo seem unpreturbed, he seems glad to see all his friends here. Gaze idly sweeping the room, his eyes settle briefly on Zia, whom he does not recognize. Doubtless another Shard Seeker guest, he smiles broadly at her and raises a hand in silent greeting. He doesn't seem concerned at all. Maybe that will reassure her that this is just a lover's spat.

Seating himself next to Faruja on one side, who he offers a friendly pat on the shoulder, and Priel on the other, who is really contributing here. "Now, now," Ivo begins with gravitas, "I understand you have serious concerns-- pfft--" He has to bite his lower lip at Priel's last comment, and when Shiki starts pointing with that ridiculous expression, he almost can't take it. Deep breaths, Ivo, deep breaths. He clears his throat, and this time, successfully speaks gently.

"It's true that Priel has undermined us in the past, and sometimes carries her jokes too far." Sound like anyone else we know? "But she's just like us, Reize: someone who has lost her world to darkness, who seeks the shard for its return. She's exactly the kind of person our group was founded to support, and who has the strength to support us. For the sake of our shared purpose, can't we give her a second chance?" He pauses then, and glances toward Priel. "It /is/ a /second/ chance, right?" he then asks, quieter.

Is he actually taking this seriously?

"Shiki," he continues mildly, "have you ever /seen/ Priel eat anyone? She has a way of toying with people's minds for her own amusement. It's a terrible habit." He knows all about it. "Reize... pranks aside... I think that Priel has had a change of heart from before."

He gives the redhead beside him a light pat on the back.

"Haven't you, Priel."

Priel Aylin has posed:
Skoll was given a nonchalant shrug at his jab regarding honor. What was that? Priel certainly didn't have it. "Oh come now. I hardly stole anything. It was payment for my services~" A wink follows that statement, given to Skoll as she smiles a wide, fanged grin. "And my services certainly don't come cheap, you know~?"

Riku's statement elicited a nice laugh from Priel, who tossed her head back a bit. "Ahahahaha! Oh yes, destroy it with a baseball bat! I DO love the sound of that now." And while she said that, Shiki was blown as raspberry as the redhead stuck her tongue out as the currently blue girl.

And then came Ivo. "Hah? I wonder about that..." The demihuman replied casually and cryptically. Her tail rose up at this point and she took hold of it, idly toying with the tip as she listened to Ivo's words.

"Pffft....Ehehehehehe~" The knight errant was given no clear answer regarding the whole business about 'having a change of heart'. All he got was an entertained giggle as she looked away to try and compose herself again.

This was going swimmingly, wasn't it?

Faruja Senra has posed:
A blue-skinned Shiki, and an angry Reize might otherwise have given Faruja quite a bit to be amused about. And indeed, prior to learning the cause of all of this, he couldn't help but laugh a little at the pair's expense. Quietly. Then, a name was dropped. It took all of his self discipline not to simply stalk over and punch Ivo in the face.

Instead, right now, Faruja is sitting down at the table, one leg crossed. In one hand, he rotates his spear as the butt of the weapon sits on the floor. Every now and then, he picks it up and lets it hit the floor. Tap. Spin spin. Tap. Dressed in full armor, he constantly glares at Ivo with the patented Templar Stare(tm) as the man walks in. Then there's a hand on his shoulder.

Behind him, his tail reaches out, as if seeking to strangle the nobleman. It crawls up the man's shoulder, dangerously close to wrapping about said noble neck.

"I agree. She is a blasphemer, rude, impious, dangerous, a threat to Lady Misaki, and possible the most ill-mannered /KNAVE/ I have ever met in my entire life. Ser Galvan...WHAT IN THE LORD'S NAME POSSESSED YOU TO INVITE HER?"

The dragon-girl in question isn't even looked at, the Templar's contempt complete. At least until Priel speaks.

Faruja stands up fast enough to shunt the chair behind him. "Clamp tight thy mouth, wench! My patience runs thin!"

At least Priel's saved Ivo from an impromptu strangling. Slowly, he frowns, however as Ivo speaks and actually addresses their concerns. With an irritated sigh, he collects his chair, sitting down once more.

Lily has posed:
Only one person at the meeting's been quiet so far. Lily.

Lily, who has looked around at people certainly, but mostly had her attention focused entirely on Priel.

The girl in white's cheeks are PUFFED UP beyond all measure with indignation and she's GLARING LASERS at Priel.

Clearly though she's simply not sure what to say. Or do!

Reize Seatlan has posed:
Reize is taking the moment to calm down, especially once Skoll comes in.

It is the moment that Ivo does show his face that the leader of the Shard Seekers make sure that his eyes fall onto the master strategist. It's not a pleasant look that is coming from the leader. Nope. It is a very indignant look of anger that is pinpointed at the brotherly figure. It is so focused that the antenna hair is pointing at him like an arrow.

"You! There better be a good explanation for this, Ivo!" And when Priel makes a devouring remark to get Shiki's wrath, Reize snaps towards Priel, "You're not helping your case!" And then, his eyes glare towards Ivo, who offers his gentle explanation. His older friend does present a good case. She is someone who lost her home. The Shard Seekers were founded to support those types of people. His eyes fall shut as he consider those words. Reize's expression changes, slowly faltering to a more understanding look. Perhaps Ivo's right...

At least, until he says 'second chance'.

"Try more than that!" He snaps at Ivo. He tightens his fists. Truth be told, Priel has probably been the first person that he had been the most wary of from the start. He's angry. "How do you know that this isn't some ruse to gain our trust and then betray us!" Her lack of response fuels Reize's distrust of her. "She doesn't even show any sincerity in this change of heart either! I do not trust her at all!" This is said from the person who trusts even the most shady-looking people.

Zia has posed:
The sight of yet another shirtless Shard Seeker draws a tilt of the head from the gargress. Maybe it's just their way, but she's certainly not used to it, that's for certain. Zia stares for a moment, and then catches that smile and greeting, which she responds to with a shy sort of nod of her head, averting her eyes. Nope, wasn't staring, not at all.

It's right about then that Riku's comments draw her attention, one ear flicking in his direction a moment before her eyes do. Normally, she might at least /try/ to smile, but there's just a few too many humans here, and she's not the most comfortable around their ilk - Reize's companions or no. "Do ye know if it's normal fer them te be goin 'round half naked? Ah'm startin te wonder if ah'm over dressed." She rubs at the back of her neck sheepishly, then turns her attention back to those around the table.

She can't help but look to those she knows more-so: Reize, Faruja, Skoll. None of them seem particularly fond of the somewhat mouthy demi-human, but this isn't her call either way. "Looks te me like the only touchin will be wi' fists." Guest she might be, but Zia doesn't know these people well enough to know what might come of all the raised voices. They do draw her ears down, tucking them against her head, though. "Guess sleepin is outa the question now." She sighs, plucking a small trinket out from under her clothes, toying with it, but keeping it otherwise out of sight.

Shiki Misaki has posed:
Mr. Mew sprays Shiki in the area designated by Skoll. It's not exactly what he was getting at, but Shiki appreciates the effort nonetheless. Subsequently, he turns to listen respectfully to Ivo, although he makes a statement of looking pointedly at everyone voicing negative opinions of Priel, one after another, before notably changing his stance and looking at Ivo... and just Ivo. The implication is there.

"No, but I do remember when she chased me half-way to Fluorgis with her scales on saying /stuff like that/," Shiki replies, crossing her arms. "Ivo, are you for real? /She's/ not even taking this seriously. I mean usually I know you're a sensible guy, but this is just a total joke!"

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
"A payment is agreed upon by both parties - not 'taken'." Skoll replies to Priel, slowly folding his arms to his chest while giving her a bit of a dirty look. It's obvious to him that this woman is... well... let's just say that he agrees whole-heartedly with the church-mouse-turned-house-mouse. Then, with concern, he looks at Ivo who decides to chip in and blather about how she is one who lost her world. "There are plenty of those who lost their worlds, who may be best without it - and without it returned to them. Ivo." Still...

The wolfish youth glances at Reize. "Still, it's up to our 'brave leader' to make the decision." He then adds and moves away from the youth and passes Lily - moving a hand to her hair and patting her for a moment and showing her a smile; telling her things would be okay. He then moves over to Zia... and offers her a hand. To lead her away from that wall, is his plan, and to appologize; "Sorry your sleep had to be disturbed by this, Lady Zia." He offers to her, before turning back to the group; "Perhaps she is a Compulsive Liar?"

Riku has posed:
"Half--? Oh." Riku takes a moment to ponder this, then responds. "That must be Ivo then. He does that." he shrugs one shoulder, not really seeming to be rattled by the harsh words of Faruja or the general aura of tension in the Totally Serious Meeting Room. " I wonder if his eyebrows have grown back yet.." he thinks to himself that he has at least recovered enough ego to railroad Fearless Leader into this difficult position, relying on his ability to manipulate him to get his way.

This makes Riku think less of the man. It made him feel... tired to be correct in his assumptions about the way things really seemed to work in this group. He had not really interacted with the group the last few days, but he listened. That was the advantage of sitting quietly and out of the way.

Riku taps his fingers on the journal again, frowning faintly as the meeting continues.

Ivo Galvan has posed:
Ivo crosses his arms and furrows his brow slightly. Everyone has their complaints. No one likes or trusts Priel. Poor Lily is mad. Even Faruja seems to have gotten angry at /him/ for the first time-- oh, whoa, that tail is like a living thing. The swordsman's composure is broken by something other than amusement as he stares wide-eyed at the rat tail almost making its way up to his throat, sweatdropping as it at last retreats. Even Reize is furious. Well, he feels his friends are threatened. Riku may think that Ivo's manipulating Reize here, but in reality, their so-called strategist is running out of options fast.

It's Skoll's words that cause Ivo to issue the wolfman a sharp glance. Skoll's not wrong. That's something Ivo himself believes, deep down. But it hits a little too close to home. Still, he's the last person who can afford to get agitated here.

He takes a deep breath.

Why is he doing this, exactly? Because it promises to be hilarious? Yes. Because Priel is a good-looking woman? Yes. Because the challenge of getting her into the Shard Seekers is inherently interesting? Sure. But--

"I may be one of those people, Skoll."

Maybe Priel doesn't even know why he really wants her here.

"Sometimes I think," he slowly confesses, "I would be better off without my world. I'm tempted to allow the past to sink into the darkness." After his encounter with Facilier, he somehow feels as though he needs to say this. "Yet I seek the shards regardless; I even came up with the idea. Why?" His gaze turns to Reize. "To bring us together, when we might otherwise have gone separate ways." For a moment, his expression softens, becoming inscrutible. "To be honest, Reize, if I find my world shard, I'm not sure what I'll do, what I want to do. I still haven't decided. So... you all trust me, and that means a lot to me. But I don't entirely trust myself."

He didn't expect to be saying this, but perhaps, just now, he's finally realizing what his most heartfelt sentiments about this are. And perhaps Priel ought to hear it, too.

"That's why... I want us to accept Priel." His gaze shifts to the baffled Shiki, and he unleashes his ultimate tactic: just telling the honest truth. "I think she's a lot like me. I know I'm asking a lot from all of you. But I believe in the bond we have here, that it can endure the risk of trusting too much. That's why I don't think Priel can hurt us. That's why..."

Ivo's smile is almost sad.

"...that's why I'm still here."

If he actually thought his cowardice would hurt these kids...

"Heh, don't know why I said all that," he mutters to himself, smile twisting. "...Must have been that damn dream."

Shiki Misaki has posed:
A portion of Shiki's brain registers the fact that she's never seen Faruja so angry.
That same part actually takes comfort in that.

Her body language is very obvious- she feels immensely threatened by Priel, and is crossing her arms in the defensive way, sitting back and closer to Reize as if the atmosphere was a physical thing that could veil her from Priel.

All of this makes her very difficult to convince otherwise.

"Except," Shiki says, slowly. "You haven't done anything to make us distrust you. Yeah, you're kinda weird sometimes, but a lot of us have /meaningful/ reasons why Priel has personally, significantly hurt us. She's threatened our beliefs, our livelihood, and our lives."

Lily has posed:
Lily's face blows up a bit MORE at Prile's latest words, but then... then there's a hand on her shoulder. She glances up over her shoulder at Skoll, blinking a few times... and all of that anger just... deflates. Ivo's words are reaching her, and for the moment...

The girl remembers what it was like being trapped in the darkness with nowhere to go, lost and alone. "O-oh...."

Pooof. There goes all of that hostility. At least unbtil anyone reminds her of the other awful things Prilel's done, probably.

Priel Aylin has posed:
"......" Silence was all Priel could offer, hearing Ivo's speech. A lot of what he was saying actually struck home with her. Not that she would ever admit it, but regardless.

"Ergh! You idiot!" She shouted, cuttting through the building tension with a hot knife as she slapped Ivo on the back. "I don't think these fools needed to hear all of that! Ahahahahaha!" A laugh is given to cover up whatever sort of feelings she may have.

"Clearly what you need is a drink! Do I have to drag you out to the tavern later, hmm~?" Afterward, the dragon girl crossed her arms back and leaned back in her seat, regarding everyone present with a rather impassive gaze. "...Truth be told, I really could not care less about whether or not you accept me or not. It would be convenient if anything, but my livelihood hardly rides on it."

With that, Priel rose up from her seat, brushing a hand through her hair as she proceeded to make her way over to the door. Seemingly, she intends to leave.

Shiki Misaki has posed:
"You burned your bridges with us before we even started to cross them, Priel," Shiki snaps as she turns to leave. "/I/ think Priel is hurting us right now, Ivo. I think unless she does something serious, then this isn't going to happen."

"You're asking us to just take her after everything she's done us wrong, with nothing she's done right. She hasn't done anything to disprove anything we feel bad about her. Nothing to convince us she's not the bad person we think she is."

"This group is a group of friends. I'm not going to be friends with someone I don't trust not to kill me in my sleep."

Faruja Senra has posed:
A nod to Skoll. "Indeed, apologies M'Lady Zia that your well deserved slumber is interrupted by...by /her/." For once, the rat doesn't have words for what to call the dragon-kin.

He pauses, however, sighing. "...No. No, Ser Ulfang, to lose one's world and home is something I would not wish upon my worst enemy." Wince. It seems painful for him to actually say that somewhat in Priel's defense. The rat looks slightly ill for it.

A single red eye turns to Riku. Hmm. The young boy gets a thoughtful look from the Templar. "...Perhaps you've some insight, Ser Riku?"

One ear perks. "...Somehow, I doubt she is clever enough, Ser Ulfang."

Faruja anger slowly dissipates. He gazes at Ivo for a long time, clearly sizing the man up, gaze piercing and searching. There's heartfelt honesty in there as the man bares his soul. The rat's jaw clenches. A long, slow, exhausted sigh escapes him. Ears, tail, and finally his head drops. Whap! Muzzle meet table.

"Damn you Ivo Galvan. Damn you and your silver tongue, and your compassionate heart." Is that respect in his voice? There's definitely lingering rage just under the surface.

Priel turns to leave. Faruja frowns. "...Wait." Sigh. Oh, Faram help him. "Why? Why are you here? Whatever your flaws...mountainous as they are...may be, you are not a fool. You've some reason in coming here. Is this truly the only outfit you could find work in? Nay. I do not believe that." He draws himself up, crossing his legs.

"While I do not trust you, nor like you, Priel, and you have done our group much harm with your barbs and 'pranks', we yet have a goal. Speak. As much as I agree with Lady Misaki, your presence here is...Ugh." A glance to Ivo.

"It seems I am as optimistic of a fool as you are, Ser Galvan. Or perhaps curious beyond all good sense. Your presence here is /something/ at least. Tell us what you are hiding beneath insults and arrogance. Otherwise, leave, and do not return." Whap! His spear slams the ground.

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
Skoll glances to Ivo upon hearing his response, and continues on to listen while his tail nervously twitches. He is one who is certain that his world would do no harm in being returned - but unlike Ivo's world... his had no chance to /be/ returned. The werewolf squints his eyes for a little and hears out Faruja as well. As much as he and the mouse didn't see eye to eye on that whole religion thing... at least some of it all makes sense...

Skoll then suddenly comments; "Care shall gnaw thy heart if thou canst not tell all thy mind to another." This single proverb is aimed directly at Priel.

Reize Seatlan has posed:
Reize turns towards Skoll for one moment. In his chat and with another person similar, Reize is recalling a chat that they had long ago. It rings into the back of his mind as he considers those words before him.

~ "Some of the worlds that were lost, were not lost because of heartless. Some are completely destroyed. And others have been within the darkness for such a long time... that which is recovered - may never be the same again." ~

His head lowers slightly, the expression becoming somber. His pendant fingers clutch along his pendant, the boy's eyes squint.

~ "What if I told you I don't believe the worlds should be restored?" ~

It is true that there are those who feel that the worlds should not be restored. And yet, there the Shard Seekers are. Their purpose is to find those worlds and restore them.

And then, Ivo's confession comes. The boy starts to fall silent, "So, you too." A glance is awarded towards Skoll, and then his eyes fall shut, the boy thinks over his words and ivo's confession as it comes. His eyes shift over to the older man when he explains.

"..."

There is a very serious look on Reize's face.

And then Priel's comment stirs and then Ivo's own look. As Priel begins to leave, Reize shakes his head and slowly turns.

Suddenly, the pendant resonates. It starts off as a faint glimmer. However, it starts to brighten up considerably. It is not one wish that it is reacting. But more. It shows as it becomes a bit brighter. This is visible by everyone in the room at this point.

As Reize holds onto the pendant, Reize is clutching onto that light. The look on the leader's face is rather solemn.

"Wait."

The boy turns towards Priel, "...I will agree with Shiki on some level." He glances back towards Ivo, "However, just as Faruja is, ....I will offer a hand out, for Ivo's sake."

And yours. Reize isn't sure what. However, his pendant can feel something. Deep down, Reize is becoming slowly in tune with that strange gem.

Riku has posed:
Ah.. and there it is. Riku sighs very faintly to himself, having been counting off numbers in his head once Ivo began speaking. It's not as if he isn't pretty sure Ivo is telling the truth. It's just that it was /perfectly timed/ in a way that he has to silently applaud. He mulls over the words in his mind, continuing to frown as he thinks over the implications.

Riku eventually shakes his head slightly, jarring himself loose from his thoughts. You could never let the past simply sink away into shadow. It followed you. It followed you wherever you went--and he wasn't the one to say to Ivo that it would eat him if he didn't turn to face it. He didn't think he would listen.

What did it matter, anyways? He had no opinion one way or another about Priel other than she was a jerk. If the Shard Seekers in their boundless wisdom of the ages about banding together in order to get into even bigger amounts of trouble chose to accept her just as they had accepted him and other guests to their complex, then he guesses that was their choice to make.

Perhaps... it won't even have been the mistake it was with him. Should he intervene here? He thinks about it for a moment, then idly blocks the door with the black staff. His voice is bland and casual, almost cold. "So I see forgiveness isn't high on the list of Vows for all Shard Seekers equally. Although.. you surprise me, Faruja." Riku offers a flicker of a smile in the templar's direction before he continues in that flat voice. "I'll keep that in mind. You know, running away doesn't get anyone anywhere, but I suppose there is always different kinds of that, now isn't there."

Zia has posed:
The gargoyle's eyes wander over to Skoll as he speaks, but she dismisses his apology with a shake of her head. There's no need for him to apologize to her. When Faruja does the same, a faint hint of color comes to her cheeks and the girl shakes her head. "It's fine." The Shard Seekers had been more than kind enough to her for allowing her to stay while she worked out a way back to Manhattan, and even now, with the chaos going on there, the fact that she's able to stash her things away here is a blessing.

Still, even if she isn't one of those here to make a decision, the gargoyle still listens. She isn't the sort to usually trust lightly, and amusingly enough, it is Shiki's comment about 'killing me in my sleep' that sends a shiver up the gargress's spine. She tucks that trinket back down beneath her clothes, tail twitching with discomfort. There is a part of her that wonders if it is time for her to move on from this place.

One ear twitches, and she seems about to excuse herself when that pendant of Reize's reacts. It may not be her wish that it comes to either way, but she can't help but be stopped in her tracks to watch. She casts a look at Riku, seeing how things somehow are going the way he had predicted. Nope, she has nothing to say.

Faruja Senra has posed:
A fuzzy brow rises in Riku's direction. A small smirk is offered in return. "You are a very...unique young man, Riku." As for surprise. He shakes his head mournfully. "...Blame my own relative youth and foolishness." A hand reaches into the robes covering his armor. A rather full hip flask is drained to the last drop in a matter of seconds.

"And the alcohol."

Shiki Misaki has posed:
Shiki Misaki's heart is pounding in her chest.

She's clamping down on her feelings, although it's more like trying to use two hands to stop a fire hydrant; everything just forks off into a dozen smaller streams. A desperate part of her that urges for positivity and acceptance; the compassion that accepted Neku is appeased by the turn of the conversation. One part almost seems to shudder at the idea of Shibuya's return, a baseless fear that its restoration in whatever capacity will brand the blood-red countdown on the back of her hand once again. Another part says 'but it's our /home/'.

She hears Riku, his jab at her lack of forgiveness twisting like a sliver in her heart. It brings back echoes of her fit of rage against Neku, when Rhyme was erased. Something desperately answers back 'but, but', the terror of the night in the desert settling over the back of her brain like a spider.

But she wants to kill me, she thinks, the grim certainty of the assumption tangling her up in a web.

As she sees the pendant shine, and Reize speak, terror prickles through her. /No/, she thinks. Nononononono.

"You can't be serious," she says to Reize, throat suddenly dry.

Ivo Galvan has posed:
Ivo's eyes slowly close. Why did he say all that? What was he thinking? Sure, it was probably the most persuasive thing he could have said at that juncture. But he didn't plan on admitting any of that. The words just issued forth. Priel laughs and pats his back, and he smiles slightly; he appreciates the gesture, honestly. But he can't work up the ability to play it all off like it was nothing. That encounter with Facilier has shaken him, though he's told no one about it.

~ ...I want them to accept her. ~

He realizes that now. He's always liked Priel, even though he knows they're not quite the same, that he could never be as independent as her, and that perhaps she is not quite so kind. Even though he knows he can't trust her himself. No, that's exactly why.

~ If they can accept someone like her, even now... ~

He can't trust her -- or himself.

~ ...maybe they'll accept all of me. ~

It's more than liking or disliking. Emotion wells up in Ivo, a surge of feeling unfamiliar to him. He can't remember the last time he felt this strongly about anything. Wasn't it when he saw Reize step in between Lily and Priel before, when he saw the youth's kind heart and leadership for the first time? Regardless, he's out of options, now. No more strategies. All he can do is hope--

"Faruja...?"

--and trust in his friends.

"...Skoll..."

And the light begins to shine. Ivo flinches back slightly from Reize's pendant, but he does not shield his eyes. This time, he is drawn to that radiance, compelled to gaze into it. For some reason, its glow is comforting, even familiar, as though it speaks to him directly. And even as Reize steps in toward Priel, Ivo doesn't seem to hear, staring at the pendant.

"...is that..."

His words are almost inaudible.

"...my wish...?"

Lily has posed:
Lily's just not really sure what's going on. Or what to say. She looks between Priel, Reize, and Ivo confusedly, lips pressing together thinly.

... then, quite decisively, the girl walks over Shiki's way... and HUGS her soundly.

There's a similar gleam to the pendant's coming from her forehead, but far more subdued and less noticeable.

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
Skoll nods his head quietly to Zia, he knows that she is very uncomfortable about humans, so he wants to stand near her, so she may know she is safe. "She wouldn't." Skoll then whispers to her, while standing at her side - regarding the comment he'd seen Zia's body react to. His hand moves to her shoulder, and he squeezes it very lightly. He is staring ahead of himself, like some mighty protector. It's the light that Reize produces that makes him so certain of this. The light... it had never guided them wrongly before. But more-so... Light is something Skoll wished for right now. Light - away from the darkness.

His head then turns to Ivo and he nods, "It is your wish. And for it, you must take responsibility. You know that, right? You've let in what comes down to an alien Alpha into a pack that hinges on its safety and trust. If things go wrong..." He squints his eyes, and then looks to Zia at his side. He wished for her to come into this group as well - to join them. But would she be safe, now that Priel was being let into this group? He knows nothing about her! Can he /truly/ trust that light?

Priel Aylin has posed:
With multiple requests to not go, Priel found herself pausing in the doorway. ".....Well, Sir Rat." She started, turning around slowly to face everyone again. "You're right. I could find another group to work in." His and Shiki's openly expressed disgust with the very idea of her being there does not seemed to rouse any sort of offense from the girl.

Either she had a really thick skin, or she was good at hiding it. "........" Did she really want to tell these gathered fools her feelings? ...No, not particularly. So when Reize's pendant shines, Priel blinks a couple times, wondering just what that sort of thing was supposed to mean.

But even now, Reize was asking for her reasoning for being here. Should she open her heart? Should she really?

Accessing Social Links.....

BZZZZT, not high enough!

And so, a wide grin appeared on the dragon girl's face as she sauntered her way over to Reize, getting waaaaay too close and wrapping her arms around his neck. "Well, Reize...you see...the truth is...."

As she spoke, one of her hands came up and started stroking his ahoge...it was just hair, yet, somehow, it looked wrong. "You see, I was just so.....so....taken with your utter bravery and will..."

Fluttering her eyes alurringly, Priel's tail came up and the tip began to stroke Reize's cheek. "...Even after I had taken my payment...I couldn't stop thinking about you, you know~? I just....I just want to be near you is all~"

She continued to stroke Reize's ahoge with her hand while giving the other's present an innocent smile, yet even then it seemed wrong still.

Reize Seatlan has posed:
Suddenly...

There is a glow radiating from Ivo. And then, that glow radiates from Reize's pendant. The crystal resonates with a bright glow as that sparkle swoops over from Ivo and becomes absorbed into the crystal.

> A wish has been fulfilled... The pendant's light grows stronger.

Ther are cherry blossoms forming in the background as Reize stares over towards Ivo. It is cast like star-crossed lovers, faced with not knowing each other's feelings. It is heart felt, it is grand. It is...wait what?

However, what interrupts this moment of peace is a voice in the back of his mind.

~ "It is your light they look for in the darkness." ~

It takes Reize a few moments to contemplate over the matter. As his pendant is becoming more reactive, the danger will likely grow. Should he really continue to remain as leader of the Shard Seekers and risk endangering his friends?

Reize clutches his pendant.

Reize is a leader, first and foremost. However, he is also the most attune. He looks towards Shiki with a faint smile, "...We may not be able to trust her, but.." He sucks in a breath, slowly starting to become re-invigored.

"Knight's Vow #47: Mistrust breed nothing good. ...We don't trust her, but.. sometimes, we have to press forward with good faith! Knight's Vow #18: It's better to be deceived than to deceive. Many of us will follow in that good faith! Knight's Vow #19: Not all right choices are the smart ones! Even if this will lead us into disaster, then let it be! We will overcome it! And---"

And then, Priel comes...

Reize has half a mind to take a step back from Priel, gazing at her warily, "Ooi, what are you doing...?!" Reize is a boy who is stalwart in his strength and resolve. He is a great leader who is trong minded.

> Priel has found Reize's weak spot!

As the ahoge is suddenly stroke...

*DOIIIINNNGG!!!*

However, in the end, Reize is still a human. He is a human boy that is undergoing puberty and discovering the wonders of girls. He is a teenager, which the control is not honed. It is the weakness of man. And Priel manages to exploit it.

The antenna hair becomes as stiff as a lightning rod, practically paralyzing his entire body. The tail strokes against his cheeks, but nothing else seemed to matter..

*_*

The antenna hair is his true weak spot.

"Ahn~"

Priel's technique was super effective!

Shiki Misaki has posed:
"Oh, /spare me/!"

Lily begins to hug Shiki, but she doesn't even get the chance. Shiki breaks away from the smaller girl and takes a decisive stride against the room, and clamps her blue-stained hand on Priel's shoulders to whip her around.

"I've had enough," she says, her hat casting a shadow over her eyes. "Of you screwing around with us, Aylin."

She tenses the muscles in her arm- in her entire body- to stop herself from shaking.

"And I'm tired of you screwing with us." Me. "Don't even start with something like that!"

"I'm not going to believe this. I'm not going to give you the chance. Every single thing you do just makes me gag. And if you're going to start saying things like /that/, I'm not going to just stand around any more."

Mr. Mew, standing next to her, shakes his head. His stance expresses the message 'you're going to regret this'. Nevertheless... he hands Shiki a pin. Ice Risers.

"You haven't given me any reason not to do anything but hate and fear you. And I /do/. I /hate/ you. I'm /terrified/ of you."

"And I'm going to give you /one chance/ to prove there's a decent, tolerable grain of a person somewhere in there. Give me something /real/. Because if you don't, there's nothing I can /do/ to stop the majority vote giving you a place in this house, but I can sure as shooting /put you on ice/ the second I feel like you're threatening my neck."

Riku has posed:
Riku was counting off in his head again, this time for Priel. He seems to be somewhat tuned into these things for once instead of flailing about with his own concerns. Maybe it was because they didn't much matter anymore. In a quiet albeit very cynical frame of mind, all things are possible.

The light of the pendant though. He doesn't want to admit it, but it makes his shoulders hunch and twitch slightly as the light burns a green hole into his muddled perception of how the room is set up.

Riku turns his face away as the light he can assume is Ivo starts to shine in that painful way at the same time. It was probably time to make his exit before anybody noticed his discomfort. "God Reize." Riku mutters softly. "The vows again? You are such a doof." he shakes his head, listening to Shiki explode and stomp.

"Ivo." he says softly but firmly. "Can I talk to you for a moment? Let Reize handle this situation himself." he jerks his head towards another of the rooms, smirking faintly. "I think he needs the practice."

Zia has posed:
"Wish?" The gargoyle whispers the word, sounding more than a little puzzled. She has no experience with the magic of Reize's pendant. She has no idea about Skoll's wish for her to join them, but right now, she's got enough on her own plate to worry about before trying to make sense of this rag-tag group and if she has a place in it or not.

Still, Skoll's presence and the hand on her shoulder is enough to reassure her for the moment. For all the darkness she knows is in the werewolf, he had earned that measure of her trust. "Ah'm alright, lad." She states softly.

That might have been the end of it, if she hadn't caught that sight of Priel... fondling Reize's hair. Blink. Stare. "Wha in the name o' Merlin?" Things definitely had gotten... interesting. As if this were some private moment, Zia looks pointedly anywhere but at the leader of the Shard Seekers. Yes, that spot on the wall looks good. Very interesting.

Of course, then there's yelling on the part of Shiki, and she can't help but look back and stare, like someone watching a train-wreck. With a quick glance to Skoll, she blinks. "Is it always like this?" She asks him, pondering if this would be a good time to skedaddle. She needs to get back to Manhattan anyways.

Faruja Senra has posed:
Poor Ivo's words earn him a glare from the Templar. Grrr! Grr! Yes, you're still off his 'buy a round for' list this week, buster.

The pendant gets the rat's attention, rage poofing quite swiftly for pragmatic interest. Crossing is legs, he stares at it silently. A moment later, one ear tilts. "...Curious."

Then, suddenly, there's a Priel stroking the boy's ahoge. Faruja stands up. Stalking around the table, he reaches back, one gauntleted fist prepared to quite simply punch the lights out of the one he very nearly gave a second chance to. But Shiki beats him to it. He pauses, staring at the girl for a long moment. Slowly, slowly his body relaxes.

Smile. The look he gives her is something far too akin to brotherly pride. Crossing his arms, he leans against the wall, resisting the urge to clap. Instead, he's draining his emergency hip flask. Faram knows this is an emergency. A glance to Riku and Ivo. "...Do leave something left of him, Ser Riku. I think I shall need to 'speak' with him next."

Lily has posed:
As usual, there's simply too many people around for Lily to focus and think, but one thing does stand out.

Priel's getting UNCOMFORTABLY close to Reize and... and...

What.. what the heck is she doing to him? "Uh--um..." Is Reize happy? Hurt? What's going on here. She just stares perplexedly, puzzled by the whole matter at hand. "...Reeeeeize!" At last she claps her hands, as if hoping this will snap Reize out of his... strangeface!

Ivo Galvan has posed:
Ivo gazes across the table at Reize, the air between them seeming to sparkle, illusory flowers blooming. "Reize..." The boy has heard Ivo's silent, heartfelt wish. Once again, their connection is affirmed. Something beyond friends. Something--

"Ah..."

Ivo looks up as Priel turns around. Could their mutual sincerity have touched her heart as well? Could this trust and friendship be the true power of the Shard Seekers? Will Aylin at last reveal her true feelings?

"..."

Ivo bites his lower lip.

His expression is otherwise very calm. His posture does not tense up. But his eyes are glittering with mirth and an undisguisable delight. Oh, Priel, it's going to be good to have you. He glances toward Lily, who is obviously confused by this development. "Uh oh," he says, as though thinking aloud. "She's found every man's weak point." But Ivo, not every man has hair like that. "Girls who learn that technique are unstoppable," he casually asides to Lily, as though it were a word to the wise.

Oh, good, he's helping again.

You know you've made the right decision when Faruja has started chugging from his hip flask. Unfortunately, Shiki is not so much scandalized as much as she's lost it, and Mr. Mew must obey. Still, somehow, Ivo feels as though his work his done here. Whatever happens, his wish has been granted. Somehow, he knows that, deep in his heart.

So when Riku calls to him, the knight-errant arches an brow in curiosity but does not protest. Riku's right. Reize and Priel can handle this. He's confident Shiki won't have to live in fear-- of her life, at least. Of pranks, maybe. Okay, probably. Definitely.

Rising from his seat silently, a slight smile on his face, Ivo withdraws for the moment, stepping over toward Riku. "What's up?" he murmurs. "I figured you'd want to keep enjoying the show." Not that he's judging. That's exactly what /he/ wanted.

Priel Aylin has posed:
Reize's reaction to her little show was exactly was she figured it would be. Seeing that stupid antenna of hair almost have a mind of it's own, Priel always wanted to try that at least once.

But she didn't get much more time to revel in her exploits before her shoulder was grabbed and she was forcibly turned around to come face to face with Shiki.

"Well hello there~" the girl greeted playfully, reaching over to stroke Shiki's cheek despite her threats and complaints. Her hand then left Shiki's cheek, instead going down to the her waist and pulling her close in almost a hug.

"You want to know why I make your life so much trouble every time we meet? Well, I suppose I can spare you that much information..." Smiling delightedly at Shiki's anger, Priel moved over to the other's ear, whispering "...Because I love you~"

Whether or not Priel was serious, it was hard to tell, but she didn't waste anymore time, instead dancing backwards away from Shiki before she really did try to use that pin for real. It looked like the rat also would have wanted a piece of her too, so better put some distance between them!

Shiki Misaki has posed:
Shiki Misaki slaps Priel.

She just hauls off and hits Priel Aylin in the face as hard as she possibly can.

Bam.

Reize Seatlan has posed:
Reize is in bliss. That moment of bliss is something to behold. The eyes are lit, that feeling.... It was a strange one. While Lily has attempted to snap him out of it, it was only time and the sound of Shiki practically getting physical with Priel that gets his attention.

There it is. It is Shiki and Priel that is fighting. As Reize moves in, there is something holding him back. In fact, Reize can feel a tug at his shoulder before he turns to look back.

It's a miniature Ivo with devil horns and a pitchfork, who has a bag of popcorn in hand. A smile reveals, "Nah, look at it. Closer. Closer. Just a bit closer. And just take it easy--.. Look at them go, you see that slap? Wham." Then, on the other shoulder, it is his father, who looks a bit lazy, but an eye sharply whacks Devil-Ivo with a wooden sword and casts a glance towards Reize.

"Knight's Vow #17: Act honestly, answer boldly."

And Reize steps between the two possibly may be on the receiving end of tht slap, "And we are not going to fight in the headquarters!" Reize's tone takes a snapping one, directed at everyone in general. The boy turns towards Shiki and then towards Priel.

"If you two plan to fight it out, then do it at Traverse Town's Colosseum. However, the Shard Seeker headquarters, let alone Fluorgis, is off-limits! We already had caused an incident thef first time that we came together." He exhales a sigh.

Priel Aylin has posed:
"Ahahahahahahaha!" And Priel just laughs, despite the stinging red mark forming on her cheek now. Was she a masochist? Maybe. Maybe not. But still, despite being attacked, this did nothing more than amuse her.

"Yes, yes! Do you feel better now, hmm~?" Rubbing her cheek, she grinned even as Reize stepped in to break up the conflict...as one sided as it was anyway. It did not look like Priel was going to retaliate in any way.

"Oh, but Reize, who's fighting here? Certainly not me~"

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
Skoll just turns his head away the moment Priel starts going at it with... Reize's hair. Really, he has no answer to the question asked of him. In fact, he just repeat Zia; "What in the name of Merlin's Beard?" The werewolf then steps in front of Zia to block the sight, and tries to get himself situated so that his other hand can be used to 'block Lily's sight'. This isn't something for young girls, or ladies like Zia to see! The werewolf then shakes his head. "No... not like this." He answers her, before trying to nudge Lily's and Zia's shoulders to try and get them to leave this place. He knows what is coming... and a fight between two female wolves over getting the mate is never pretty.

Shiki Misaki has posed:
And subsequently, it all goes horribly wrong.

Reize gets in the middle of them, and Shiki is frozen as he makes an announcement. She stands there for a moment, the emotions percolating through her head.

And down, deeper. Something inside her twists, abominably. The knife, perhaps.

Shiki's expression changes- her face twists, becoming a terrible mask. Half a dozen negative emotions are reflected in that face- grief, regret, a feeling of betrayal and more. Priel stands there, revelling in some sick kind of victory.

She looks at Priel and Reize. The boy will have never seen her this upset, ever before.

"How disgusting," Shiki says, and walks out of the room.


She doesn't come back at all.

Zia has posed:
And now everything has resorted to violence. The gargoyle just lets out a breath and shakes her head. Chaos. She had never been part of a larger 'clan', but certainly some in-fighting is bound to happen when too many people get together in one place. She gives Skoll's back a skeptical look, and then edges out towards the dormitory. "Yeah, ah think ah'll go fer now." Oh, she's regretting even coming out, but sometimes curiousity is a bad thing. She could care less about who is flirting with whom. Her entire world is in danger. Let them fight it out while she goes to deal with that. SIGH.

Faruja Senra has posed:
As Shiki reals ack for a slap, Faruja feels as though he could hug Shiki. Yup, he did the right thing by letting her handle it. Then Reize steps up.

And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, is why he's the leader. The boy steps up, and puts the good of the group up front. As much as he'd love to see Shiki beat the ever-living hell out of Priel, Faruja finds himself agreeing.

And then Shiki stalks out. Sigh. He turns to Priel. "...Harm any of my companions here, and you will die by my claws, Priel. Reize, Lady Zia, Ser Ulfang, good day." With that, he too heads off, in Shiki's last direction; presumably to stop her from doing anything too foolish.

Riku has posed:
Riku chuckles faintly. "Don't worry, Faruja. You'll get your shots in. Alcohol or otherwise." he leans away from the wall, keeping the journal clutched to his chest as he moves into another room entirely. When he's reasonably sure (for any amount of reasonable) that he's out of visual range of the others and having only barked his shins once or twice while manuevering himself about the room, he takes the journal and flips it around to present it to Ivo.

"You can go back in a minute. I want you to do me a favor and hold onto this for awhile." Riku says in a lower register. "If my friends ever come looking for me again, Sora.. or.." he pauses, then makes himself say it. "Kairi. I want them to have it." Riku smirks. "I'd give it to Reize, but you know how that goes."

"I'll want it back. Eventually." The teenager continues brusquely, waving away whatever painful expression crossed his face for a moment. "And I'll understand if I can't ask this of you. You and I.." he smirks. "Never got on the right foot, did we." He hears the sound of a struggle and chuckles. "I see the 'fun' has escalated."

Reize Seatlan has posed:
Reize has no choice. He cannot let a fight happen here. Between the two of them, Reize look back towards Shiki and Priel. The dragongirl herself is afforded a glare, "You're instigating this!" He is already getting annoyed with her. Reize doesn't regret his choice. However, he can only hope that the choice that he is making is the right one. It's not the smartest, but he has to follow it.

He has to put good faith in.

However, it is when Shiki gives him that look of betrayal that sinks in. The boy says, "Shiki, wait!" And she is gone. And the young boy is running his hand over towards his face. "...Nngghh..."

Reize isn't certain what to do rightnow. All what he does look over at Ivo.

He is putting good faith in Ivo. And he is putting faith in Priel. Reize shakes his head, "...I will have to wait until she cools off to speak to her..." For now, he will have to ask Mercade a question back at the Twilight Detective Agency.

Is he really cut out for being the leader of the Shard Seekers?

Priel Aylin has posed:
"Hmhmhm~" Humming happily and innocently, Priel puts her arms behind herself, ignoring Faruja's threats and Reize's clear annoyance. "Well then, I believe I will go and settle in now. Bye~"

Turning tail, perhaps literally now, Priel made her way out as well, leaving the remaining others to wonder just was sort of mess Ivo got them into now.

Ah yes, this was going to be the start of a beautiful family....nah. Of course not.

Ivo Galvan has posed:
The sound of a slap echoes behind him, and under other circumstances Ivo would regret revealing such drama before a guest, but the knight-errant doesn't turn away from Riku. His eyes have widened, slightly but perceptively, as he looks down at the journal, then up at Riku, then down again.

He didn't anticipate this.

So he's silent for a while, until Riku finishes talking. There's no suspicion in his eyes, just surprise. But even that subsides at Riku's off-handed comment about Reize, which causes the corner of Ivo's mouth to quirk up momentarily, and the look in his eyes ends up as-- well, rather ambiguous. But soft.

"...Yeah, of course."

He doesn't know what's going on with Riku, and he doesn't deceive himself into thinking this somehow makes them best friends. But when it counted, Riku protected Reize with his life, and Ivo instinctively helped him. Ivo's never forgotten that, whatever darkness lurks beneath Riku's surface.

"You can rely on me."

Besides, maybe they're not so different when it comes to that.

Taking the journal from Riku, he smiles slightly. "I'll renew my search for your friends. If I meet them, I'll pass this onto them. If not... it'll be awaiting you, when you want it." At Riku's remark about their relationships, Ivo just grins slightly. "Well..."

He turns around, to watch Shiki go.

"...we all have our differences."

Reize looks at him, uncertain. And this time, still smiling from his exchange with Riku, Ivo gives Reize a thumbs-up. Managing the emotions of teenage girls is not a role Ivo envies, and the reconciliation of Shiki and Priel is far from a sure thing. But more than the fun this promises -- assuming there's less violence -- Ivo honestly believes that they can grow together, that even Priel can belong. After all, his wish was granted.

"You're doing great, Chief."

Older brother figure endorsed.

"But," he adds, "you might have to explain to Lily what just happened. She looks a little confused." And with that choice advice, his gaze shifts to watch Priel go. Is he contemplating their strange affinity? Wondering how all of them will come to harmonize?

No, he's looking at her butt.

A beautiful family indeed.