[center][b][u]SHAY[/u][/b][/center]

Shay's attention was brought to Ravenia as she hurried over to her, taking her in to her warm hands and kissing her forehead affectionately. The loving embrace was the cherry on top of all of her friends' presence and support during her whole ordeal. She would normally push away such fuss and attention being spent on her, especially in the middle of such a crisis for their city, but she selfishly welcomed it all; she had never gone through such mental and physical pain as she was enduring at this moment. This was something they should try to work on later, perfecting Tobias' antidote to get rid of the nasty side effects, even if it simply rendered the healer entirely unconscious. 

Shay, slow to speak, gave Ravenia a smile of gratitude but could not get words out before she had to rush off. Her brow furrowed with concern as the realty of the threat from the Dead outside their walls came back to her focus. It frustrated her to such an intense level on how incapacitated she was and helpless to defend their city. But her frustration quickly melted away and her focus abruptly changed as she saw Marcus hurry through the door way. 

At first Shay stared at Marcus with such a look of shock it could be considered rude. Never had she seen him leave his gates, especially during a time of crisis. But Marcus was a smart man and resourceful. He knew how to handle his post. He simply chose to stay up with the gates at most times. His passion for protecting their city and his discipline and endurance to man the gates intently was a striking truth to the integrity of his character. Shay never once spoke to him on how he should handle the gates differently. When she began training she stopped coming to see him. And when she stopped her visits to his position their relationship came to a pause as Marcus rarely left his gates. Shay never held it against him. Her respect for how serious he held his position led her to patiently understanding him, despite what others may say. 

Shay smiled, though haphazardly as her body was still being slightly shaken with waves of pain. "Marcus" she said softly as he came to her side. "Yeah, I'm fine" she said to him. "It's just a scratch" she said glancing to her ankle. Shay then reached out her hand to hold his, the hand that was not made of metal. If he extended to meet her embrace she would place her hand with his, her fingers clasping between his, their palms touching warmly together. His hands would feel rough, large, and strong, which was to her a comforting feeling.

At Isam's suggestion, Shay bit her lip thoughtfully. She had been selfish long enough, embracing the attention and care from her friends she loved so much while the city still needed protecting. To go home to continue her rest, which was not as close to the main gates as the hospital was, seemed to over stay the selfish attitude and was too much. "Shay shook her head slightly, although the motion seemed to cause a wave of pain to ripple between her temples and across her brow. "No...no I couldn't..." she said. "I need to be close....in case...in case they need help." She would find the strength she needed no matter what if all hell were to break loose on their city. 

When Sun chimed in Shay looked to him, her face relaxing slightly just by listening to his sweet voice speak. It wasn't that she didn't trust Isam or value his opinion better, but Isam's valuable suggestion was pushed a little further at Sun's encouragement and with a last moment of hesitation, Shay inhaled deeply, exhaling with a barely audible shutter. She remembered Sun's offer to fly her at some point, something he knew she wanted. She still wanted to fly the jets but she had already waited so long that flying by Sun's sprites was going to be the next best option. It was all for her brother but who knows, she might like free flying better than flying a machine. 

Sun's excited enthusiasm for his idea, riding on Isam's first idea, made Shay smile. How could she resist him now? His exuberance could not be deflated and she could definitely not be the one to pin him down. "Ok" she grinned, glancing down "OK, yeah that sounds like a great idea. Thank you...Isam" she said, turning to look at him warmly. "That was very kind....to help me be more comfortable." She hoped her discomfort was not as obvious on her face as it felt within her body. 

Shay turned to look at Marcus "Will you come with us?" she asked eagerly. "Just to...just to get me home. You don't have to...stay" her pauses were different this time, less from the pain and more from the same feeling that was causing a soft pink glow to shine on her cheeks. Her tears from before had washed away most of the dirt on her cheeks, revealing her skin, which was warm and a pinker hue than normal. 

[center][b][u]KAIDEN[/u][/b][/center]

Kaiden helped the crowd begin to tear down from the speech and begin the prep for dinner and festivities. Tonight would be a fun filled night of celebration, as Cypher so aptly named it. Kaiden wasted no time helping the group. He had a lithe frame but was muscular enough to lend a helping hand. He was looking for Cypher amidst the crowd. He knew he would not be around the food as he had seen his mother shoo him away many times until he was forbidden to return unless they needed someone to fetch a seasoning. Adie was serious about her cooking and with her fellow cooks wanted to ensure the food they had was not wasted through poor cooking and would taste delicious. 
So Kaiden continued his search on the grounds as tables and chairs were being set up for dining. 

Two younger kids were fighting with stick swords, racing each other through the area, dodging between moving chairs and sliding under the tables set. Kaiden took a quick step to the side to avoid hitting one of the little kid's in the head with the end of the chair he was moving. He looked up from the kid with a grin, remembering his days of youthful carefree ignorance, and saw Cypher across the way helping out with another table. Kaiden smiled and quickly made his way over. Cypher was in conversation with another man so Kaiden waited patiently at his side, arms held behind him. A loud screech shook the night sky as Akasha announced her return. Kaiden looked up with a smile and raised his arm for her to land on him. His forearm had a heavy leather wrap around it for her to grip on. 

[i]You were out longer than I expected![/i] Kaiden told her. 

He wasn't upset, merely curious. Although Kaiden had raised Akasha from basically her birth he made it very clear to her that they were equals, friends in combat for life. He was not her master. She stayed and listened to him out of a mutual found respect and love for each other. 

Akasha landed swiftly on his arm, ruffling her feathers as she settled in to her perch and began to relax. Her long flight had left her tired. 

[I] I saw the city, Kaiden.[/i] Akasha told him. [i] What Cypher has been saying is true.[/i]

Kaiden frowned, bringing his arm in closer to him so his face was only inches from her beak. [i] Akasha, I told you not to go looking for that city; it's too dangerous. What if you got exhausted and couldn't return safely back?[/i] The concern and panic was evident in his communication with her. 

Akasha chirped softly. [i]I saw some lights ahead. They didn't see very far so I followed them. I didn't get too close to the city, I promise. But I saw the gates. There are massive gates. So big. So tall. I want to fly closer for a better look.[/i] She was eager.

Kaiden exhaled deeply, moving his arm further out again. He didn't want anyone to see his concern, especially Cypher. [i]Just wait. Cypher will have a plan for us. One that will not include risking your safety.[/i]

Kaiden looked back to Cypher and seeing their conversation had come to an end her cleared his throat to engage him. "Cypher?" he asked a bit soft at first. When he would look to him, a grin would come across his face almost involuntarily, out of reaction to meeting Cypher's eyes. "How can I help?" he asked simply. Cypher knew of his powers and he wanted to make it clear of his support and willingness to help him finish this quest. Kaiden and Adie were enjoying their new family, security in numbers, a stronger home. But what's home when you're constantly on the go or under threat, even attack? They needed a safe haven. They deserved peace and rest. They needed Paradise Land!