[NEXUS] WATCHTOWER 14: Now a Family Business.

[Morty]

[Wenomir and KR's Room]

Wenomir learned a thing or two while watching the rampant showing off on the stage in MaGLoG. It was a simple matter of repetition. I'm glad you think so, he says and returns the kiss, wrapping his other arm around KR as well. If you want more of this, just ask.

[Gullara]

[Adir and Sakura's Room]

"You shouldn't have went in the first place." The dryad says. He should remember how she felt about him going so close to when Laela was due to be born. She was upset, she was angry. Some of those feelings are creeping back now. Though she's trying to not let them show, he can no doubt feel it through his earring. "Was it really so important?" She doesn't think so.

[Murkus]

Adir and Sakura's Room

Damn it all, Adir was hoping they could just kiss and make up. The stag frowns, clearly feeling bad about the whole affair. "Yeah." He glances to the side, sensing her mounting anger. "These things killed my brothers. I mean, I didn't know them very well, but I couldn't just leave Dad when he asked..."

[Gullara]

[Adir and Sakura's Room]

"I know. I know that, but did it have to be you?" Sakura steps away from him and turns her back. She sighs and rubs her eyes. "Couldn't someone else have done it? I was worried sick. I- I was scared you were-" Dead. She can't say it, even now that she knows he's safe right there behind her.

[Murkus]

Adir and Sakura's Room

"Sakura, c'mon. Put yourself in my shoes. Wouldn't you do anything for Sarget, if he asked?" The stag attempts to grip Sakura's shoulders, as if to reaffirm he's still there. "And I'm not dead, you see? I'm here. I'm okay."

[Devixer]

[Front Door]

One morning, a man approaches the entrance to Watchtower. He looks to be in his thirties, but worn out by hard work. His clothes are rather crude - something you'd expect a poor peasant to wear. His face is rather rough and his skin is wind-beaten. His hair is black and he's wearing a wide-brimmed hat. Clearly intimidated, he walks slowly to the front gate and knocks.

Boris heads over to the gate and opens it, seeing the man. He puts a hand on one of his holstered pistols, and says, "Welcome to Watchtower. Do you have business here?"

[Morty]

[Front Door]

The man takes off his hat and grips it nervously. Y-yes, m'lord. I need help. Our village suffers terribly at the hands of Fae, m'lord.

[Devixer]

[Front Door]

Boris takes his hand off the pistol and relaxes a little. "What kind of Fae are you talking about?" He knows very little about that kid of creature, but he figures he can at least try to help.

[horngeek]

[Front Door]

And Cathy's there as well!
"And what are they doing?"

[Morty]

[Front Door]

The peasant is clearly intimidated by two Watch members talking to him. It's a Lady Midday, your graces. The maiden dancing in the midday sun. She's kidnapping folk from the village, she is. She's always been there, but it's like she's gone possessed lately.

[horngeek]

[Arena]

Wenomir shrugs.
We put down other troublemakers. Recently we've had a hand in releasing slaves and putting down some demons who had been corrupting people.

Susanna nodd. "All right. So, just look out for something like that?"

[Devixer]

[Front Door]

Boris crosses his arms for a few moments. "And do you know what this Lady Midday does with those it captures?"

[Morty]

Susanna nodd. "All right. So, just look out for something like that?"

Wenomir nods as well. Pretty much, yes. You can handle this sort of thing yourself or notify the rest of us.

[Front Door]

Boris crosses his arms for a few moments. "And do you know what this Lady Midday does with those it captures?"

The peasant shakes his head. No, m'lord. She takes them to Perun knows where, but we don't know what she does with them.

[horngeek]

Susanna nods. "Okay, then. Thanks!"

----

Cathy grimaces. "How long has she been doing this? Anddid anything odd happen before that?"

[Gullara]

Adir and Sakura's Room

"Sakura, c'mon. Put yourself in my shoes. Wouldn't you do anything for Sarget, if he asked?" The stag attempts to grip Sakura's shoulders, as if to reaffirm he's still there. "And I'm not dead, you see? I'm here. I'm okay."

"It's not the same thing." Sakura says stubbornly. She wipes an errant tear away before turning to face Adir again. "Maybe it is... but you put yourself in my shoes. I felt so helpless. There was nothing I could do but hope you'd come home safe."

[Devixer]

[Front Gate]

Boris falls into silence, already thinking about how to create a plan for this particular scenario.

[Morty]

[Arena]

No problem. Good luck in your service, Wenomir says.

[Front Door]

It's been... maybe three weeks. And nothing odd has happened, I don't think. We don't know what caused this, the peasant says.

[Devixer]

[Front Gate]

"About how often does the creature take one of your villagers? Or is it random?" Boris asks.

[Murkus]

Adir and Sakura's Room

"I know. I know. And... there's not much I can do other say I'm sorry and try my best to make up for it." Adir says, firmly as he can. He looks at her earnestly, frowning. He didn't think a lame line like that would make her forgive him, but it's a start.

[Gullara]

[Adir and Sakura's Room]

"Stop that." Any composure Sakura had is gone in an instant, and it's unclear whether a sob or laughter escapes her. She steps forward and tries to wrap her arms around him and bury her face against his chest. "Do you know how hard it is to be mad at you when you feel so bad?"

[Murkus]

Adir and Sakura's Room

Adir blinks at first, thinking he made the dryad angry, but is instead greeted with a hug. The stag raises a hand slowly and strokes Sakura's hair, a smile growing on his face. "I've got some idea," He says quietly, leaning down to kiss her head. "You can still be mad, though. I have that effect on people."

[Gullara]

[Adir and Sakura's Room]

Sakura laughs again. "Believe me, I know." She says good naturedly. She grows silent again and takes a nice, slow breath. "I love you... but you kinda stink." He hasn't gotten a chance to shower since he's got back now has he?

[Murkus]

Adir and Sakura's Room

"Oh, c'mon." Adir grins, running his hands down her back. "Two months and you go all civilized on me." He sighs melodramatically.

"Well, if you're not diggin' the man-stink..." He grins, pecks Sakura on the lips again, and turns toward the door. "I have missed the hot water, after all." He arches a brow rakishly. "Wanna join me?"

[Morty]

[Front Gate]

"About how often does the creature take one of your villagers? Or is it random?" Boris asks.

It seems to do it whenever it pleases, m'lord, the as-of-yet unnamed peasant says uncertainly.

[Gullara]

[Adir and Sakura's Room => Showers]

Sakura giggles and falls into step behind him. "Okay, but just hurry." She pushes him a little to herd him along, greatly amused. She looks toward Laela before they leave the room. She'll be fine sleeping for a little bit.

[Murkus]

Showers

Hopefully the showers are within earshot, in case she wakes up and needs something. Adir steals one more look at the child before he's shoved off down the hall. "So bossy. I think you're getting into the 'mom' thing a bit too soon."

Once they're there, Adir drops his pants, pulls off his tunic again and slips brusquely into the shower stall. For once, seeing Sakura naked takes a close second on his list of priorities.

There's more scar tissue to see without his clothes - a jagged pair of gashes along one side, most prominently. Beyond that, there's only a few flesh wounds that are immediately apparent, and a large bruise over his heart. Though physically, there is some good news - mostly, he's got a little muscle tone back. The Nexus had made him soft there, too.

The hot water hits him, and he flinches briefly before putting his face right under the showerhead. He shakes his head. "Sakura, don't let me go anywhere without hot water ever again..."

[Gullara]

[Showers]

"Even if I have to tie you up." Sakura jokes as she slips into the shower soon after him. She starts to slip her arms around him. That is, until she sees the gashes. "Oh Adir..." She gingerly touches next to one of the scars.

[Murkus]

Showers

Adir waves off her concerns, much as those wounds were paining him not an hour ago. Mia certainly knew what she was doing. "Damn, I was hoping you'd think they look cool." He traces the gashes himself. "Got really lucky with these. Any deeper and I might not have made it back at all."

[Gullara]

[Showers]

"I'm just glad you're okay now." She runs her hands up to his chest, being careful with the bruise, and looks up into his eyes. He's here and safe now, she doesn't have to worry anymore. "I have to say, I like the muscles." The dryad smiles wryly.

[Murkus]

Showers

Adir grins like a fool, rolling his shoulders a little bit. "I thought you would. Should I keep up with the whole 'exercise' thing then?" Adir says 'exercise' with little enthusiasm. He likes being lazy.

The stag looks down, trying to see how well Sakura's figure survived the pregnancy. However she looks, though, he says sincerely, "You're certainly fine as ever..."