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[b]NOEM[/b]
"Of course I am free." he blurted out immediately, a nervous smile on his lips. "Why else would I be out of prison?" He was not out [i]legally[/i], but Noem did not see it as a complete lie to say that he was free now. 

He hoped his voice sounded more confident than he felt but Noem had a sinking feeling that she saw right through him. If there was one thing he learned while working alongside Bellona and her protectors, who were all mothers (except for Lavelle, who basically acted like a mom to her brother anyways), was that mothers had a frightening ability to detect when their children were full of shit. They could sniff out any lie and Diomira treated him better than his birth mother ever did. Therefore, he had a feeling she would definitely know something was wrong.

But perhaps he could use that to his advantage? Even if she knew he was lying...sweet Diomira surely would not let someone she saw as her own child[i] die[/i] if there was a chance for him to live, right?

Well, his birth mother had done exactly that, but she was garbage compared to Diomira. Diomira is kind and probably the only one who tried to visit him in prison. She cared for him and treated him like he was a welcomed member of her family. So maybe, just maybe, he could convince her to help him instead. Noem felt guilty for even thinking of attempting to manipulate her in any way but...he had come so far. He had to keep moving forward. 

He made himself look more unsure as he stared at her outstretched hand. "You...um, you are very kind to offer, Diomira." he spoke softly, the tension in his shoulders feeling lighter. Diomira alone seemed to have the ability to put him at ease; he would truly miss her after he left. "But I feel ashamed...I cannot show my face to the queen. I failed her and am a disgrace...I'm going to sneak out and never come back. I truly want to go with you, I do! I hate that everything I've worked for is gone now. But I have to leave; I cannot risk being seen by his majesty. You understand, right? He is very angry with me and it is truly only the mercy of Oz that I am alive. What if he changes his mind and I am sentenced an execution again? I don't want to die..!"

He started off calmly, but the more he spoke the more frantic he began to feel. There was enough truth mixed within his lies to express his genuine fear over being executed. Speaking the words out loud returned the anxiety to Noem once again, and with Diomira here in front of him, it felt harder to control his tears. 

He ignored her hand completely, going straight for a hug. 

"Diomira...I'm afraid, please don't make me go." he pleaded, embracing her in the first hug he ever initiated between them. A part of him knew that this would be the easiest way to convince her to leave him be...but Noem also wanted this last chance to say goodbye to Diomira. He had wanted to seem childish and appeal to her motherly side, but he hardly needed to act the part since he felt so horrible and she naturally seemed to bring out his vulnerability. He felt embarrassed over how truly easy it was for him to fall apart in front of her.

"I'm very happy I got to see you one last time...you're like a mother to me." he admitted, and silently in complete denial that he was crying into Diomira's shoulder, "So please, let me go. If you bring me back I'll die. D-don't kill me..!"
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