[hr][hr][center][h2]Unrelenting Pursuit[/h2][/center]
[center][i][@Themerlinhawk][@lovely complex][@Viciousmarrow][/i][/center]
[center]Christian Highfell, Reena, Bunny[/center]
[center]Day 1, Early Afternoon[/center]
[hr][center]Ahoy! Long collaboration ahead.[/center][hr]
[hider=What brings you here?]As the young girl waited for a response, she debated getting off Chronos’ back. Perhaps being on a large wolf growling was intimidating? Resting her head on the wolf, Rini whispered, [color=tomato]”We’re safe, okay?[/color] The wolf’s face relaxed a bit but he wasn’t going to let his guard down. When she saw a handsomely fit man cautiously approach, she stood up on her saddle and excitingly waved at the man, [color=tomato]”HELLOOOOOOOOOO~”[/color] Chronos was a bigger wolf for his kind, most don’t pass 6ft but he was blessed with being 6’5 tall. The size contrast between Rini and her companion were undeniable. She didn’t even reach 5 ft and knew she was never going to. Her genetics were against her but it wasn’t that bad being small. People underestimated her and because of her size, people were more likely to miss her if they tried to shoot her down. 

As this macho man walked to the gate, she jumped down with ease having done it many times before. Leering at the new individual with his beady eyes, Chronos sat down and kept a close watch on this man and his master. Patting her wolf’s leg with one hand, Rini gleefully waved at the man once more with the other, [color=tomato]”Good morning, Mister! I was directed here by Ms. Mona Veseere. She’s like many, many distance that way!”[/color] She gestured southwest from where she was standing. It was obvious Little Red was never taught proper terms to describe distance, areas, or military tactics. 

[color=tomato]”I’d tell you the footsteps but I wasn’t walking. It’s been three days since then.”[/color] She informed with an adorable, dimpled-cheek smile. After he took in what she said, Rini bubbly continued, [color=tomato]”I was wondering if I could see this…”[/color] She patted her body and dug into a pocket she had made into this elegant dress stolen from some rich lady awhile ago. Pulling out a piece of paper, the pale girl read the words off the paper, [color=tomato]”Christian Highfell, the Lord of Storms.”[/color] She brought her candy apple eyes back up to meet with his, [color=tomato]”The big guy of the Tower of Stars.”[/color] Shoving the piece of paper back into the handmade pocket (that didn’t even look nice mind you), the young girl finally pulled down her hoodie, [color=tomato]”I’ve been alone for a long time… Well not alone, I have Chronos! But you get what I mean. I heard you accept new people? I know I don’t look like I can fight but I can show you, if you’d let me.”[/color]

Christian smiled at the small girl. It was a rather odd sight; such a young girl with such a large companion and among other things traveling on her own and seeking the Tower no less. Cocking his head at her he raised an eyebrow when she pulled out the paper. This was such a strange occurrence. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever met someone so young seeking to join the Tower before. Then again maybe I’m jumping to a conclusion I shouldn’t be about your age. If I am I apologize but I’ve been told it is not nice to ask a lady’s age no matter how she may appear”

Christian eyed Chronos and turned his head as his features rippled so a single bronze dragon eye took the place of his normal eye as he inspected the massive wolf. It was an impressive specimen to say the least. “I like your companion” Shard smiled as he continued to appraise the Direwolf. “I think I’ve seen some of the most skilled rangers and warriors fail to ever tame a beast like this and yet here you are.” 

Turning back to Rini; Shard extended his hand to the young girl. “I’m Christian Highfell, Lord of Storms, Master of the Tower of Stars. You may call me Shard; everyone else does so feel free to do the same.” The Bronze Dragon in human form smiled down at the woman trapped in a young girl’s body an all too poetic meeting. “Now then what brings you to my home; darling Knight to be?”

[color=tomato]”I wouldn’t be able to tell you my age, Mr. Shard, even if you asked.”[/color] Little Red shrugged, speaking the honest to god truth. When you’re constantly traveling, it’s easy to lose track of time. The kind man looked down at her with a welcoming smile, the sun blared in her sensitive eyes causing her to put her hoodie back on. While she did so, Rini thanked him for his compliment, [color=tomato]”Easier to train animals when their babies, Mr. Shard. Let’s see, I’ve had Chronos for…errrrr... I’m really bad with time. He was a pup left to die when I found him. Now he’s big and strong!”[/color] The lost of time and the limited knowledge the woman had on anything ‘society’ related was undeniable, as she tilted her body back and forth on her heels, observing her surroundings. 

Her ears perked up when he asked about her true intentions. [color=tomato]”Before I tell you my main reason, I’d like to show you something first. I personally do not trust every person that approaches me and I wouldn’t want you to fully trust me either until you know what you’re working with…”[/color]  Backing away from him, Rini pranced to her direwolf and went to the objects hanging on his saddle. After she untied a rope that held a giant, tin canister, Rini grabbed ahold of it. The tin was half her size and the struggle was real. The odd traveler wasn’t the strongest person in world. Slowly, cautiously, she brought it to the ground and took the lid off it, [color=tomato]”This water is for him”[/color] Her hand gestured toward her companion, [color=tomato]”I’ll just refill it later.”[/color]

And with that the woman began demonstrating to the leader, who watched her intently, [color=tomato]”My father was Nereus Romulus. People use to love him for all his work in my old town’s hospital, but somehow, they found out who our ancestors were.”[/color] Rini’s hand with the gauntlet on hovered over the opening of the canister. Squeezing her hand tightly, her blood began to drip out of an aperture (on the gauntlet) by her wrist, [color=tomato]”People don’t like my blood. I don’t blame them.”[/color] Standing up straight and looking at him, the White Rose didn’t move a muscle. Instead the contaminated water in the tin levitated in the air and made a fairly decent size sphere. 

[color=tomato]”This will be a small demonstration of what I can do, Mr. Shard. This doesn’t include some… practices… I need better understanding of.”[/color] The practice Rini was referring to was her ability to use living beings as her puppets. Something she hardly attempted to do. When she did try, it usually was on simpleminded animals around her camp (for the night).

And with that, the acidic sphere began multiplying into smaller orbs and surrounded them as if they were being ambushed by bandits. [color=tomato]”Oh! But before I do anything...”[/color] Ripping off the maiden’s dress and throwing it to the side, Rini uncovered her [url=http://violetky.deviantart.com/art/Commission-Outfit-June-04-458560417] traveling wear[/url], which was far more suitable for fighting. Random and misleading, two words that could easily describe this strange woman. 

[color=tomato]”Yepp! This is better.”[/color] Rini cheered. 

The next moments happened in a blur. Pulling out two throwing knives, she simultaneously threw them to her left and to her right making a couple of orbs burst open. The diluted blood that dropped onto any vegetation on the ground caused it to catch on fire and disintegrate, showing him that her blood was indeed not safe to get in contact with. Letting the orbs move around as if they were attacking her or avoiding her, she pulled out her two Sliverphial daggers and began slicing away at the acidic balls of doom. Rini was agile, dexterous, flexible, and could even put in fairly high flips and decently low dodges. Every time she hit a target, it would multiple creating a harder obstacle for her to deal with. Her style of fighting was like unpolished ninjutsu meets street fighting. The way the woman held her daggers showed she had great respect and understanding of the blades she wielded. Her moves were silent and her strikes unveiled precision and wit rather than force and strength. The last orbs morphed together creating an acidic small-sized water monster that resembled a dragon (having no knowledge that Shard was a dragon himself). The literal water dragon seemed a lot bigger juxtaposed to her tiny self. 

Keep in mind, along with fighting these created targets, she has to mentally control the orbs’ actions. Something Rini has practiced for awhile in order to improve as a fighter. They call this multitasking! Allowing the beast to disarm her, the woman fell to the floor. It was as if she had lost control over the monster, as it approached the delicate flower that laid before it. Of course, this was all just an act. Out of nowhere, a blood shard katana appeared in her gauntlet hand, having streamed out of the black metal and leather glove’s aperture to create the blade.  As the contaminated dragon hovered over her, Rini thrusted the weapon into it’s chest. The Beast exploded making it rain her acidic, thinned by water, blood. This combustion was nowhere near the Shard. Her skin was immune to the dangerous liquid but her clothes, other than her magical hoodie and her gauntlet, began to deteriorate. Quickly, Little Red ran out of the dripping watery blood. This was her favorite outfit!

Panting, out of breath, and with blood on her face, Rini gave a bow, [color=tomato]”I’m an outcast for a reason.”[/color] Turning her head to look behind her, she looked at the bloody mess she created. Sticking out her tongue, her candy apple gaze met with the Shard’s, [color=tomato]”Sooooooooooooo… there’s a chance the last of my family works for you! But... I’m not necessarily sure who she is.”[/color] The woman’s display showed she had great potential, but heaps of work ahead of her.[/hider]

[hider=Abiteth is my reason]It had certainly been an entertaining display. The temptation to interfere had been strong but he closed his left hand which he’d had held in his right hand behind his back. The spark of lightning he cupped in his hands vanished. The only indication of the preparation of magic being extinguished was a slight twitch of his head to the right as he dispersed the charge. “Incredibly impressive. That is a kind of magic I think I’ve seen maybe once in my life”

[i]The lycanthrope ripped the body of the bandit open and ripped out the blood using it as a shield from a storm of arrows that rained on it. With a howl the man changed into its hybrid form and tore through the crystallized blood shield. Its claws gutted three of the men at once before it ripped out another's throat. Christian could only watch in wonder as it grabbed a man with what appeared to by telekinesis. That was until Shard had the frightening realization that the man was being suspended by his own blood. The Lycan ripped the blood out of the man in one horrific wrench.[/i]

A grim grin tugged at the edges of Shard lips. “I think I’m going to need more information to locate your family member, we have quite a few knights living here and several of them I have less information than you’d expect.” It was an absolute lie of course. The for the most part his Knights had their main file that Archive maintained and then they had their actual file that he maintained personally. There were few secrets he didn’t know.

Tracing on the dirt with the blood katana, Rini spelled the name: Abiteth. As she did so, the woman shrugged, [color=tomato]”All I know is what mommy’s journal says. The way the Madame at the tavern described one of her loyal customers sounded like her. A woman that goes by the name, Lethal.”[/color] She paused to see if his face would change at the sound of the name. Did this man truly know someone by this name or was she lied to? 

With a sigh, Rini continued, [color=tomato] “Mommy attempted to kill my sister... I don’t think she did it herself. Physically hurting people was not in her nature, you know? But I do assume Abiteth’s face being ruined.”[/color] She quoted her mother’s diary from memory, [color=tomato]”‘A little girl capable of devouring a man twice her size with no strain at all. I was terrified, yet oddly ashamed… I had to run. I couldn’t bare looking at the pretty face I ruined.’”[/color] Letting her katana shatter from existence, the woman walked closer to the Shard. Standing in front of him, arm’s length apart, Rini added, [color=tomato]”For the rest of my ma's life, she was burdened with nightmares. I’d like to think my sister has similar traits to my mom but maybe more resistance to sunlight because of her father. Though… I could be totally wrong. Honestly, I’m just following clues. I’ve read my mom’s journal so much by now that it is ingrained in my noggin’!”[/color] Tilting her head, Little Red observed the man and wondered if she was revealing new information to him. He was hard to read. 

The Demon woman living in the basement; that’s who she is after? The thought bounced off the inside of his skull as he too in Rini. In addition to that this girl is her sister. What a strange thought, then again Lethal was rather dysfunctional so it shouldn’t have been that much of a surprise that the younger sister was a bit out of her mind too. Then again all of the Knights were a bit bent from one thing or another. Wrinkling his nose Shard considered what to tell Rini. The most obvious course of action was to simply send her to go find Lethal and leave it at that. Then again the two were clearly a bit volatile so perhaps that wasn’t the greatest plan in the world. It wouldn’t do to have to separate the two sisters if something went sideways.

“May I ask why it is you are looking for Lethal? I know who she is and where she is so you are in the right place. You’ll just have to forgive my caution as according to Sentinel you are dead. The problem is that, you very easily could be an imposter and I can’t have you trying to murder one of my Knights if your intentions are less than pure.”

Now to see if the girl had any proof that she was who she said she was. Apparently she had her mother’s journal. Urthar had spent months in Kevin’s Watch and The Shadowmarch trying to determine who Lethal’s parents were and now this girl had walked right through his front door claiming knowledge about Shard’s eccentric mechanic.

A frown fell on Little Red, he didn’t believe her, [color=tomato][i]’I suppose he has the right… I am in his territory.’[/i][/color] Holding her pointer finger up for him to give her a couple of seconds, the woman went to the dress on the ground and used it to clean the blood off her face. Dropping the dress and leaving it behind, she marched to her direwolf’s saddle and unhook her father’s [url=http://jordangrimmer.deviantart.com/art/Victorian-Doctor-s-Bag-338698351] medicine bag[/url]. The item seemed like an old fashioned Victorian bag but her father had explained to her how this bag had a magical enchantment on it and could store an abundance of things. Rini dropped the bag by his feet and kneeled on the ground before him. Her guard was completely down so if he did attack her, he could. She wouldn’t fight back. 

Opening the bag, she took out two things. A tiny locked red journal and a massive black grimoire. Starting with the red journal, she took her flower necklace and used it as a key to unlock it. In between the pages a picture of a no blemish faced Abiteth (3 years old and not smiling) was looking straight at the viewer with her piercing eyes sitting on the lap of an older woman that looked more like Rini than Lethal. It was apparent Lethal got her father’s bone structure even if she had silver hair and red eyes. Their mother looked pale, tiredly afraid, and held a fake smile to cover her fragility. Taking the photo, Rini handed it to Shard and then closed the journal, placing it back in the bag. 

Going to the Grimoire now with her father’s findings (research on his blood, medical epiphanies, formulas, and his thoughts), which also held important documents, she pulled out Abiteth’s paper birth certificate but not her own. Her family took a lot of precautions because they were never certain if something bad could happen to their electronic documents. They needed many, many copies of their work (which can explain Lethal’s meticulous nature). Rini’s paper birth certificate was lost in the fire. After her mother tripped trying to save the Grimoire, a few papers flew out. The house crumbled on top of her mother but her father was able to get the giant book and his daughter. The last thing her mother was able to say was, [i]”Take care of my daughters.”[/i]

The birth certificate revealed that Abiteth was 776 years old. There was more information on it but it was in a language Little Red didn’t understand, probably Abyssal (Lethal’s father’s native tongue). 

[color=tomato]”I know this is a long shot… And I don’t necessarily understand the demon race, but she could be alive, right? Abiteth may be the only person I have left and Lethal seems to fit the description… I’m a wanderer with no end game, Mr. Shard. I was born different and sadly, people don’t like something they can’t understand.”[/color] Sighing, she picked up her father’s Grimoire and hugged it, [color=tomato]”There’s so much I have yet to learn... Mommy died [i]in flames[/i] with regret. Daddy fled and let his regret be his own demise.”[/color] Still knelt on the ground, Reena looked up at the leader pleadingly, [color=tomato]”I don’t want to have regret, Mr. Shard. I’m lucky enough to even be alive. I want to do my parents both a favor and fulfill their dying wishes. Aren’t there new technologies that can see if my genes match Lethal’s? I’m not afraid of needles!”[/color] Confusion fell on her face, as the woman murmured, [color=tomato]”Then again… daddy had special technology that didn’t melt when my blood touched it…”[/color]

The files on Sentinel’s records did show that Reena’s death was by fire.  Though Rini was vague about the incident, she wasn’t lying. 

Taking the Birth Certificate, Shard turned the paper over and then looked up. “Archive, authenticate.” The Archive scanned the paper and pinged in his ear. [i]”It’s the real thing”.[/i] Nodding Shard handed it back and nodded at the other two books. “I assume those are the journals?” With a turn he gestured back towards the rest of the Tower. “Come on let's get out of the entry way there is quite a bit to the Tower and I don’t know where Lethal is right this second.”[/hider]

[hider=Walking down memory lane]This was really becoming a regular occurrence for the Tower. New Knights came through all the time which was great for his growing family but the other trend was towards strange pasts. It was amazing who his name seemed to attract. 

[i]The man moved with the grace of steel over oil water as he felled another three stygians. The man was fully armored but he still moved like a leaf floating through the air. Christian watched as his Master of Blade cut down another dozen Stygians, his armor tearing at their existence as he moved.[/i]

The memories came back easily enough even though they were easily a thousand years old. As the day of his wedding had approached it had been easy to look backward.

[i]The alley had been turned into a kill corridor. Shard’s claws dug into the rooftop as he watched the barest hint of an Angel’s Landing defender poke her head from around a corner. The woman was beautiful in a rugged manner that bespoke Daggerfall heritage. Her head rocked backwards as the top left side of her face was blown away by a bullet. Turning his head Shard looked up at the cathedral spire a mile away. With a grim look the man in the belfree racked the bolt on his sniper. With blind eyes he turned them on the Shard and nodded.[/i]

As he lead the girl further even more came back to him. Seeing the smiling and respectful faces greet him as he passed his Knights brought back more of the faces he had used to build this home. Never once offering them the solitude he’d offered those he’d taken in since the Tower had been finished.

[i]The giant ripped the horse in half and used its upper torso to crush a stygian into paste on the stones of the pavement. An artillery shell hit the titanic form and it shrugged it off. With a roar like thunder the mighty form took off at a run. The men and women manning the Angel’s Landing gun implacement were slaughtered without thought. Bodies tent and torn by a massive axe and the bare feet of Shard’s Juggernaut.[/i]

Another step. Another memory.

[i]The woman’s fist shatter her opponent's jaw. The high priestess of Nefriltilus the Moonless Night collapsed from the force that had torn her jaw apart. With a swift kick the Woman in black silk robes snapped the priestess neck. Plunging her hand into her chest Shard’s Mistress of Shadows ripped out the Priestess magic and consumed it[/i]

Finally Shard gestured to an elevator. “This way, let’s go to my office and see if maybe we can have Sentinel locate your sister.”

Another golem with the name Sentinel had taken Chronos to a personal stable, away from other animals. A stable that accommodated such a big beast. At first, Chronos was not willingly but Rini had assured him that everything was going to be alright. After she put the books away, the woman hugged her direwolf’s head and teasingly laughed, [color=tomato]”You have all my things so I’ll have to come back~”[/color]

With that, she waved at Chronos and began following the Master of Stars. Never taking her eyes off his face, she watched him greet everyone but his eyes were distant. As if he was thinking of far off memories like it were yesterday. This man was quite popular. Unfortunately, Rini had no knowledge of his great feats. She could tell he had a lot of power residing in him and his tired eyes showed years of experience. Turning her attention away from him, Little Red observed her surroundings. She couldn’t help but overlook the people staring at her (she was definitely… small and baby faced) and find all the golems in the area. [color=tomato][i]’So weird[/i][/color] Sentinel had so many family members. The uninformed girl wondered about how Sentinel was made and why all the other golems like him were named Sentinel too. Her knowledge in the technology world was very limited, even when her father tried to explain some of his machinery it flew over her head. Her strength was with nature.

[i]Sitting in a wheelchair, Rini twirled an Anemone flower in her hand. She wore a red, crescent sun hat and a [url=http://gloimg.rosegal.com/rosegal/2015/201510/goods-img/1445881462996-P-3318891.jpg] black lace dress[/url] as her mother wore a [url=http://thumb101.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/225247/225247,1306610186,7/stock-photo-sexy-goddess-a-portrait-of-a-sexy-brunette-wearing-a-black-retro-dress-and-a-rosy-designer-hat-79174795.jpg] long fitting black dress[/url] with a pink sunhat. They had just recently attended a funeral of her mother’s good friend, Lucille. Lucy was a misunderstood older woman, who made the best baking goods Rini has ever tasted but was seen as a traitorous harlot, who let any man have her way with her: including married men. As dusk was approaching, Rini sat in silence, her mother pushing the wheelchair on the cement. Their house wasn’t too far off so Abigail told her husband to not send a carriage. Sadly, Nereus had to work at the hospital so he couldn’t attend the funeral. During these peaceful moments, her mother had shared a piece of her heart with the young girl: [color=lightcoral]“Lucy came from a very abusive upbringing… she was left to die in the woods until Jenna, the brothel keeper, saved her. Her circumstances were sad but she had a good life… This day has made me think of my first daughter. I am such a terrible woman. I couldn’t see passed… her father… so I too abandoned my child. I do hope to see her one day and apologize for everything I put her through and everything I failed to do. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to meet your big sister?”[/color][/i][/hider]

[hider=The Shard's Office]Before the White Rose could even realize where she was, she and Shard had entered an elevator and made their way to his office. Time was weird. Sitting down on a chair, Rini waited patiently for him to do whatever he needed to do. Playing with her fingers, the woman stared at the older man anxiously, as she thought, [color=tomato][i]’I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long…[/i][/color]

Shard sat down across from the smaller woman. Tapping his desk he brought up a list of Knights present in the Tower and their locations. “So can I ask you if she knows that you even exist?” Shard narrowed his eyes as he checked Lethal’s location and frowned slightly. It might still be dangerous for the two siblings to be in the same room. After all Rini was showing up out the blue and frankly she wasn’t a Knight yet.

With a sheepish blush, Rini shook her head ‘No’. In all honesty, she had no idea if this was even guaranteed to be her sister, but… this man didn’t decline. There was hope at the end of the dark tunnel!   

“So I think with the wedding coming up maybe it is best to put you and your sisters reunion off until after the wedding.” Shard steepled his fingers and looked at her over the top of them. It was best for her to make Knight before they introduced the two siblings. This could be quite a shock to Lethal. Shard clandestinely eyed the images of Lethal in her Demon form. Still. “Why don’t we have one of the Knights take you on as an aspirant and then when you make Knight we can have the two of you officially introduced.” Shard eyed her carefully. The plan wasn’t exactly a great idea, but it was better than having the two of them have it out in the basement of the Tower. “Is that alright?”

[color=tomato]”I’d like that, Mr. Shard! Making myself part of the community here first would show my sister I am a fighter! Maybe she’ll respect me even. I don’t know how she is nowadays but ma said that as a little girl, Abiteth was uh… standoffish.”[/color] Suddenly, a excitable shock expression fell on the woman’s face, [color=tomato]”A WEDDING?!!?! I’ve been to funerals before but never a wedding! Whose wedding is it?? I bet the bride is absolutely beautiful!”[/color] Bouncing in her seat, she waited for Christian to reply to her. 

Suddenly, three rhythmic knocks rapped against the door to Christian’s office. An immensely anxious Bunny stood outside, twiddling her fingers. While Megelis had said that everything would be fine, she felt the need to come and confess her actions to the Master of Stars, considering Izual was in surgery right now. The Paladin felt terrible and believed she needed to be punished in some way to atone for her crime. [color=yellowgreen]”S-Sir, this is Paladin Bunny. Requesting to enter to talk about a serious issue.”[/color] she called out, trepidation laced in her words.

Stopping himself before he could answer Rini’s question Shard tilted his head and gave the door a pensive look. Bunny with a serious issue? She sounded afraid? That was unusual.

It was so odd to hear Bunny sound out of sorts. Shard liked the Paladin; she was very similar to Ralrisk and as a result he’d grown quite fond of her. 

 “Come in, Paladin.” Standing up Shard forced the air in the room out of the single window behind him. It snapped the curtains away from the window. The Shutters on the window snapped open as well. The window was large enough for him to comfortably stand in allowing him plenty of room to work with the deck of storms and the weather over Angel’s landing.

 Other than the chair Rini was sitting in the office was devoid of any other furniture beyond Shard’s desk and chair. The only thing that broke the monotony of the room was a single weapon rack that featured part of Shards collection.  The room itself had been tailored specifically and was different than the other rooms in the Tower as it was large enough to accommodate a sudden transformation into his dragon form. The room itself was also completely circular which prevented an assailant from hiding in it. It also had the added effect of allowing Christian to swipe the entire room with his tail if the need arose.

At Shard’s behest, Bunny took a deep breath and strode into the room. She saluted him before jumping into it. [color=yellowgreen]”I have to tell you about-”[/color] The green haired woman paused when her gray eyes spotted the tiny white haired girl sitting across from the Lord of Storms. After a moment of consideration, Bunny decided it couldn’t be too embarrassing to admit her crime in front of a little girl. [color=yellowgreen]”Uh… I have to tell you about something I did today, Sir… I shot one of our newer Knights, Izual. Maybe you remember him. He is currently in surgery, something about his irises being damaged. Master Megelis told me not to worry about it, but I feel like I should be disciplined in some way, Sir. I understand the seriousness of my actions and I’m willing to make good for what I’ve done.”[/color] she explained her situation honestly and seriously. 

Keeping her lips shut, Rini observed the new person and listened to her talk. Her green hair was fascinating and the tall woman spoke quite eloquently, like a soldier.

Shard turned his head and raised an eyebrow slowly. “Why…” With a heavy sigh he settled down into his chair again. “Senechal, chair.” The chair constructed itself from the floor of the office. “Sit down and then explain why you shot Izual?” Shard rested his head on his hand and raised a single eyebrow at her. This should be good. “This better be a really great reason.” A smile was creeping up Shard’s face as he looked at Bunny. There had to be a good story here and it probably had to do with the fact that Bunny was a helpless romantic. 

With a gulp, Bunny sat herself down, folding her hands across one another on her lap. Her eyes darted to the child again, wondering if it were okay to talk about her endeavors with Izual in front of the girl. [color=yellowgreen]”Um… Izual and I have been... “[/color] She hesitated for a moment to try and think of the correct word to use in the situation. [color=yellowgreen]“Well, we have been ‘intimate’ with one another, Sir. This has been going for about a month. Today, I suppose I expected too much from him. I simply wanted him to take me out and treat me like a woman should be, but instead… He just… left. So, this leads me to shooting him, Sir.”[/color]

[color=tomato]”That’s just silly.”[/color] Little Red couldn’t hold her tongue, she hadn’t been raised around people ever since her father died. When was it right to talk, when was it not? She didn’t know nor did she care about being socially acceptable. Meeting her candy apple eyes with Bunny’s gray eyes, Rini questioned, [color=tomato]”Does- Does he even like you?”[/color]

At the little girl’s harsh question, Bunny’s mouth went agape, but no words came out. A look of sadness crossed over her visage and suddenly, her head went down in shame. [color=yellowgreen]”...I don’t even know…”[/color] she whispered, just barely audible. The Paladin seemed to be on the verge of tears. It hadn’t ever occurred to her that Izual wasn’t the least bit interested in her romantically.

Flicking his eyes to Rini, Shard looked back to Bunny as she hung her head. “Have you asked him?” This was probably the strangest thing he’d done in a while but that being said. Looking at Rini for a long moment Shard turned back to Bunny. “Can I ask you something Bunny? While I understand shooting Izual for not taking you to breakfast. I’d like to know why you are invested in him?” The Stormlord went back to resting his head on his hands as he looked at Bunny.

[color=yellowgreen]”...I hadn’t ever really thought about it, Sir. He kept coming to me every few days, and I don’t know… I don’t know why I’ve given him everything, to be honest, Sir. No other guy had ever really expressed any interest in me…”[/color] Coming out of her mouth, that sounded pathetic even to her. Running a hand through her hair, a crimson blush rushed onto her cheeks. She was really struggling not to break down in front of Christian and this little girl right now. 

Not able to read the situation and see that this woman was most likely in an unrequited love, Little Red murmured, [color=tomato]”That’s depressing...”[/color] Grabbing a piece of her hair, Rini began twirling it, never letting her stare leave the other woman’s, [color=tomato]”I think communication is key. My parents were terrible at it and now they’re dead!”[/color] Nodding in agreement with herself, no remorse or sadness on her face, she waited for the Bunny’s reaction. 

The Paladin gave the tiny girl a questioning glare before turning back to Christian, completely ignoring her comments. Whoever she was, she didn’t seem to have a filter. [color=yellowgreen]”Is this your niece or cousin, Sir? She seems awfully young to be in the Tower.”[/color] Bunny spoke, trying to steer the conversation away from her love life and the little girl’s apparently depressing background.

“Hardly, apparently she is Lethal’s sister. She wants to become a Knight; her looks are deceiving like many things here. She’s actually significantly older.” Shard finally pursed his lips for a moment. “Rini give us a minute would you I think I might have an idea.” 

Once Rini had stepped out of his office Shard looked back at Bunny and have her a wane smile. This was hardly his area of expertise but there was certainly something worth saying to her. “I know that I’m hardly the right person to be saying this to you but my understanding is that most people do not find their partner in the first try.” Shard gave her a another smile as he folded his hands and looked over his shoulder out at the sky his window had framed. It was an incredibly nice day outside.

“You should ask Izual how he actually feels about you Bunny. He may not actually understand what it is you want. I’m uniquely unqualified to understand this situation. Dragon’s can’t mate with more than one individual and I was lucky and careful when I selected my mate.” Shard frowned and placed his hands on his chin again as he looked at Bunny. “I know that I sound like a hypocrite for trying to help you when I don’t even understand the situation and can’t. That being said. I think that you should be careful who you choose as a mate.” The wane smile returned as he stood up and walked over to the window and turned back. “Come here for a moment”

Though curious about how… different Lethal’s sister was compared to the mechanic, Bunny listened intently and hung on to every word Christian said. Of course, he was right. She had definitely jumped the gun with Izual, and perhaps the two of them just weren’t meant to be. The next time she saw the Hellspawn, she’d inquire about his feelings. Maybe… just maybe, they could make something work between them. She did have questions about what would happen if Christian did try to mate with someone else, but the woman kept that to herself. Collecting herself, she obeyed her superior and strode over to the Master of Star’s position. [color=yellowgreen]”Yes, Sir?”[/color] she asked him, wondering what he had in store to show her.

Christian took her shoulders and positioned her in front of the window. “There is an entire world out there. With lots of people. Lots of men. Lots of Women. Perhaps even an aberration with empathy.” He smiled at the inside joke; he’d long since given up giving Urthar a hard time about such things. “Don’t limit yourself to thinking you’ve found exactly what you want when you have the opportunity to see a whole world and decide what you want.” Shard let her stand and think for a moment while he settled back into the chair.

Breathing deeply and letting the view hit her, Bunny lost herself in Christian’s words. The world was an infinite vessel for opportunity, yet... Doubt clouded her mind. Life was so short for some, and she wasn’t entirely sure what her lifespan would be. She could die in her next mission. Die without ever finding her soul mate. Izual had given her hope, but now she was stuck in purgatory. Sighing, the hopeless romantic shuffled back to her seat. [color=yellowgreen]”Thank you, Sir, for your advice. I’ll keep your words in mind.”[/color] she stated in not exactly the happiest of tones. [color=yellowgreen]”Er… If you don’t mind me asking, Sir, but what do you have in store for Lethal’s… uh… sister? She seems like a wildcard. Very… blunt.”[/color] Bunny asked, suddenly interested in the tiny woman outside the door. The Paladin was unsure of the lady’s capabilities, but if she possessed any of Lethal’s latent horror, then Bunny wanted to see what talents she had.

“Well. You wanted punishment. She wants to be a Aspirant Knight. Congratulations. Make her a Knight, Paladin bunny.” Shard’s grin was massive as he said the words [i]Paladin Bunny[/i]. The  woman’s name always brought a huge smile to his face. Her file was a slim one but he’d taken a look and even sent Crow to examine parts of the past he could nail down about her but in the end Shard was incredibly happy with his new generation of Knights. She was just one example of what he had wanted. “She’ll be a handful but I think you’ll manage. Just don’t shoot her in the head. Oh and next time a man stands you up?” Shard looked up from a file he had opened on his screen. “Use a rubber round and shoot him in the groin. It will prevent him from opening his mouth about it and it will prevent him from being a foolish mate. I can tell you there are probably several fine Knights around here that would be more than interested in you.”

With a nod to the door “Do you want to bring her in and tell her the news?”

Poking her head in, Rini cheered, [color=tomato]”I heard everything!”[/color] Marching in, she looked up at Bunny and grinned, [color=tomato]”Guess this makes you like… my pseudo-sister![/color] The entire time Shard and Bunny were talking, Rini had left the door cracked open and eavesdropped. 

Bunny was just about to reply and fetch the little lady, but she popped in before she could do anything. A grin cracked onto Bunny’s face. Something about her was… refreshing, even if she was a bit of a mess. [color=yellowgreen]”Not so much a sister. More of a mother-”[/color]

[color=tomato]”Blek! You’re too young to be my mom. I’m probably older~.”[/color] Rini grimaced. With an attention span of a squirrel, the subject was changed near immediately, as the snowy haired woman climbed Shard’s desk and offered her hand (for an official handshake). Now at eye level with him, her voice became more ‘soldier-like’, similar to how Bunny’s tone had been the entire time she was present, [color=tomato]”Nice doing business with you, Mr. Shard.”[/color] 

“A pleasure doing buisness with you Rini.” With that Shard took the young girl's hand and winked at Bunny over her shoulder. “Alright you two, I think that is enough for now. I have a wedding to get ready for to a very beautiful woman”

Snickering, Bunny came up from behind Rini and grabbed her from behind, carrying her away from Christian. [color=yellowgreen]”It looks like I’ve got a lot of work to do, Sir. Anyway, thanks for everything. I’ll make sure [i]this one[/i] gets whipped into shape.”[/color] With the girl under her arm, Bunny walked out of the office, a grin plastered on her face.[/hider]