Faolan didn't hesitate to return the grip that Lucien was giving his hand. Normally, out in the open like this, he wouldn't condone or reciprocate such action, but he needed comfort and he was glad that Lucien was able to give it. He wanted nothing more than to crush the Nephilim to him in a hug, kiss his face, his lips, his neck...but he held back, satisfying himself with the touch of his lover's hand. A small smile even tugged at the corner's of his mouth, but did not unfold completely. This was too heavy for happiness. [color=a36209]"I'm glad you agree..."[/color] he said, not pulling his hand away until Lucien was ready to let it go, [color=a36209]"I don't want to put this on you but...I'm not sure if my...disposition is good for questioning."[/color] The Irishman let his gaze fall to the ground. Although it did seem that Illyana was more comfortable with him than he had anticipated, he wasn't sure how she would react to him delving into her personal life. [color=a36209]"But,"[/color] he added, making eye contact with Lucien, [color=a36209]"I'll sit next to you and ask things if I think of them. We need to know everything about what happened, and the truth this time."[/color] ---------------------- Once the bus was stopped and the dizziness had faded from behind Illyana's eyes, she managed to force herself into a sitting position on the bench. She slip along it, pushing her back against the wall and let her legs hang down freely. She blinked hard, and eventually the pounding headache subsided into a dull discomfort. She was used to this part. She noticed Aurel nearby and that Faolan and Lucien had left, but didn't say anything and didn't meet the teenager's gaze. She knew that questions were coming and that the adults knew that she had lied. She felt...ashamed for it. Even though, at the time she'd had a very good reason for not revealing the truth to them, she was not proud of what she had done. She would have to tell them the truth and just hope that they would still want to help her after they learned it... At Aurel's words, she raised her water-filled eyes to him and her bottom lip began to quiver. It was strange that she wanted to cry now when he was trying to comfort her, but she knew that it was because she was not used to this kindness from adults, and from strangers no less. It made her feel even worse for her fibs, but she knew that Aurel didn't know what she was thinking and that he didn't intend for her to feel bad. In the same way that she felt a protective aura radiating from Faolan, and the choir of angels sang to her every time Lucien was near, she could sense a softness in Aurel, a kindness and a naivete from him that made her trust him. She wondered, not for the first time, what kind of feeling she gave to others and if it was just as pleasant... After he spoke, she nodded and wiped her cheek with her sleeve, sniffling a little as she felt her sinuses opening up. After a moment of silence she took to compose herself, she looked up and responded, [color=598527]"I know...thank you, Aurel. I do trust them, and you too...it's just..."[/color] she tore her eyes away and looked at the window, imagining that she could look out into the clear sky beyond. [color=598527]"It's hard sometimes."[/color] Was all she could manage. She knew if she said anything else, she might start crying.