[b]The Things We Do For Love[/b]
~[@13org] (FYR & ADA), [@Restalaan] (DIT & YNG), [@Stern Algorithm]~

[u]Kira's[/u] outburst somehow defused the tense situation, like an explosion halting an encroaching wildfire. Everyone listened intently on the Beelzebub's words, even Nero who paid little attention to the pain of his slapped cheek. Rayya slowly lowered her hold on [u]Ditzy[/u] as [u]Kira[/u] continued and when others spoke their pieces, the Kikimora was silent and had completely released her captive. Her will swayed from continuing any further, even allowing [u]Ada[/u] to pat her on the head.

Moments after [u]Kira[/u] and [u]Ozzy[/u] left, a cadre of the town's guards consisting of mixed races arrived alongside a worried Bart. "[color=f26522]What's going on here? Are you guys okay?[/color]" The guild leader asked with concern.

"Dude, let me tell you..."

A stressed Neil gave a summary of the events to Bart and the Boreal Port guards. Rayya made no attempts to resist or escape and allowed a pair of guards to apprehend her and take her away. The situation was now resolved and the guild members, and Margaret, convened for a debriefing.

"[color=royalblue]Woooo, boy! That was a doozy![/color]" Haley whined, leaning her body onto [u]Freyr's[/u]. "[color=royalblue]That was more drama than I expected for a kidnapping. That took a lot out of me even if I didn't do much.[/color]"

"[color=lavender]Indeed, that was exhausting.[/color]" Talia sighed. "[color=lavender]I wish we could spend the rest of the day in the festival to recuperate. Alas, Kira and Ozzy have already gone and I feel it wouldn't be right for us to partake in the festivities without them.[/color]"

"...Then, should we head back and wait for them at the guild?" Neil asked. He did not seem to be happy at that suggestion, though, since he still had business in Boreal Port.

Before anyone could respond, a familiar figure approached. A contemplative Nero spoke to the group. "[color=navajowhite]Hey everyone. Uhh, I guess I should thank you all for rescuing me from Rayya. If you must know, Rayya was someone I saved from a band of marauders when she had business down south. She had been chasing me ever since.[/color]" He had a wistful smile as he recalled. "[color=navajowhite]That said, Rayya's hardly the only monster who has fallen for me. She just had been the most proactive since she drank that Doppelganger potion, a drink that splits you into multiple people. It... releases inhibitions so that's probably why she was brave enough to attempt a kidnapping.[/color]"

"[color=navajowhite]And I think you ought to know too. I said I was a Black Wolf, right? The oaths and everything?[/color]" Nero continued. "[color=navajowhite]It's a long story that I'm not gonna get into detail. Just know that I basically grew up with the Black Wolves. Ever since I took that oath, they had been my brothers, my family. Training, fighting, that had been my whole life up to the point where they betrayed me and several others.[/color]" He paused to collect his thoughts before resuming. "[color=navajowhite]Everything we've built, shattered so easily... Well, hopefully you now understand why it's difficult for me to let this go.[/color]"

"[color=navajowhite]But... I suppose I should reconsider that like what you all said.[/color]" Nero finished. "[color=navajowhite]I doubt I should reform the Black Wolves into what they were before. Best they burn alongside Varjo and the Order.[/color]"

[hr]
~[@ShwiggityShwah], [@Rezod92]~

(I'll let you do your own thing.)