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Chapter 1 has a link to FF.net.", "count": "6", "submission_left_submission_id": "1169221", "submission_left_file_name": "1625091_MrDumbass_chapter_3.doc", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/1625/1625091_MrDumbass_chapter_3.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/1625/1625091_MrDumbass_chapter_3.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/1625/1625091_MrDumbass_chapter_3.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "137", "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "137", "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "137", "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "137", "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "120", "submission_right_submission_id": "1185563", "submission_right_file_name": "1650538_MrDumbass_chapter_5.doc", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/1650/1650538_MrDumbass_chapter_5.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/1650/1650538_MrDumbass_chapter_5.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/1650/1650538_MrDumbass_chapter_5.jpg", "submission_right_thumb_huge_x": "137", "submission_right_thumb_huge_y": "137", "submission_right_thumb_large_x": "137", "submission_right_thumb_large_y": "137", "submission_right_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_right_thumb_medium_y": "120" } ], "description": "So, the plan begins - but it gets FUBAR'd. Now what will our villains do...?\n\n~~~~\n\nSorry this took so long. Having trouble remembering to do shit lately.\n\nSoon I'll slow down the schedule to once every two weeks, then probably longer. I need to build up a bit of backlog.", "description_bbcode_parsed": "So, the plan begins - but it gets FUBAR'd.  Now what will our villains do...?

~~~~

Sorry this took so long.  Having trouble remembering to do shit lately.

Soon I'll slow down the schedule to once every two weeks, then probably longer.  I need to build up a bit of backlog.", "writing": "\tHeathcliff came back later that evening, pleased to see that his booth had been properly packed away. As he walked into the wagon, though, was shocked to find not only two additional Angels, but the Wind Guardian Meeros, all in the wagon, busy conversing with Buwaro, Kieri, Rhea, and Jake. They were all having tea and cookies as they chatted. \"I'm going to need a bigger wagon,\" he grumbled, though he wore a smile as he spoke.\n\n\t\"Oh, hello, Heathcliff!\" Meeros chirped. {This man is Heathcliff Sinclair,} he told Kazai and Zahariah. {He's a friend of mine, and he's been helping out Buwaro and Kieri. This is actually his wagon we're in.}\n\n\t{I see,} Kazai said, he and his friend standing and bowing to Heathcliff. {Thank you for your hospitality.}\n\n\tThe middle-aged man sighed. {It's fine,} he said in Angelic, {you don't need to bow to me. But you're welcome.}\n\n\tEveryone but Meeros stared at Heathcliff in shock. Buwaro actually dropped his cookie. \"You – you understand – you can speak – but how?!\" he asked, a bit jealous of the man speaking Angelic words Buwaro didn't even know, much less understand.\n\n\tHeathcliff chuckled and shrugged, unaffected by the boy's indignation. \"I've been around.\"\n\n\tBuwaro growled in frustration. \"Everyone here knows Angelic better than I do!\" he yelled, throwing his hands in the air.\n\n\t\"I don't,\" Rhea said. \"You can sing in Angelic, and get the syllables right.\"\n\n\t\"And Kazai and Zahariah don't speak Lingo with any real fluency,\" Kieri reminded him gently.\n\n\tBuwaro looked like he was about to respond, before he put a claw to his chin and thought about that. \"...huh. Okay, fair. Still frustrating,\" he finally grumbled. Heathcliff chuckled again, rolling his eyes.\n\n@@@@\n\n\tWhile Rhea and Jake were out partying from the news of Miranda's new daughter, Florina Sinclair, Buwaro spent the evening practicing Angelic with Kieri. Zahariah knew a few basic Lingo words, and used them to practice with Buwaro. Kazai began to feel left out, and asked his boyfriend if he had any pointers on Lingo. Soon, all three of them were learning a language from Kieri, much to her surprise. She'd have never expected she'd be such a good teacher.\n\n\tIt probably helped that she had a much better teacher-to-student ratio than her own school, but it was still a huge boost in confidence.\n\n\tThey practiced long into the night, and even into the morning, using caffeine from their tea to stay awake. Heathcliff offered them energy potions to help them stay active for the day, though he joked it would \"come out of their paychecks.\"\n\n\tBuwaro had taken him seriously, offering an apology of the highest caliber he knew in Angelic. The entire wagon had gone pale, as he hadn't realized that he had, in fact, said a minor blasphemy – Kieri quickly explained that such an apology was not said except to a high priest of one of the Gods, or in a prayer to the Gods themselves. He'd apologized again to them all, this time with a less powerful form, embarrassed as he could be.\n\n\tThankfully, both Kazai and Zahariah had let it go after a quick explanation.\n\n\tThe morning began with Jake and Rhea quite hung over, the two unable to hear anything without wincing. Kieri and Buwaro decided to let them be, to avoid causing too much trouble. As they began to work the stand, this time with Kazai and Zahariah nearby, Buwaro and Kieri spoke to each other in Angelic for the young man's practice.\n\n\tAfter a while, though, Buwaro fell silent, looking as if he'd just thought of something. \"Kieri?\" he asked. \"What would be the Angelic words for my title thing?\"\n\n\tKieri blinked, then remembered what he'd said the day before to the Earth Angel that had attacked them. After she told him her closest estimate for a translation, he murmured the words a few times, thinking about them as he tried to memorize the sequence.\n\n\t{Learning Angelic?} a familiar voice asked. Both turned to see Kinako and Sahne, along with her son Tirol and a Water Demon they'd seen wandering around. Kinako had been the one to speak. \"I came by to apologize personally,\" she said with a deep bow to the lovebirds.\n\n\t\"It's alright,\" Kieri said quietly. \"It's been a stressful...month. Or two, I guess.\"\n\n\t{What's wrong, Kieri?} Kazai asked. {Who are these two?}\n\n\t{We...had an argument a couple days ago,} Kieri replied, trying to keep the peace. {Kinako, my brother Kazai, and his friend Zahariah Sanjulo. Kazai, this is Kinako, her son Tirol, and her friends Sahne and...?} She paused at the Water Demon.\n\n\t{L-Lakritz,} he replied, surprised. \"And here you thought those two were just 'bloodthirsty ruffians,'\" he teased Kinako. The woman blushed a bit from embarrassment.\n\n\t\"I resemble that remark,\" Kazai grumbled. Everyone began to laugh. \"What?\" he asked, confused.\n\n\t\"Resent,\" Sahne chuckled. {You said 'resemble,' not resent. And that's actually a joke people use at times.} Kazai groaned and facepalmed, while Zahariah rubbed his friend's head in sympathy.\n\n\tSahne sighed as the Angels and Buwaro began to talk to each other, the words somewhat awkward due to Kazai being unused to Demons, and Kinako being concerned about the two young men with Kieri and Buwaro. \"Should we?\" she asked Lakritz quietly.\n\n\tHer partner looked at her in confusion, then surprise, before grimacing. \"Maybe,\" he replied, just as lowly. \"I think they should know, but I don't know if it's good to tell them just, outright, you know?\"\n\n\t\"I guess,\" Sahne replied, \"but how else are they gonna know?\"\n\n\tLakritz nodded, and was about to speak when a pair of Jakkai approached the table, asking about wares. They stepped aside, waiting to speak with Buwaro and Kieri. A moment later, though, Heathcliff came back with Miranda and Flo, and the proud parents quickly worked out some deals, while Meeros came by and told Buwaro and Kieri to go enjoy the festival, much to Heathcliff's dismay.\n\n\tIt all happened so fast that the two Demons weren't able to tell their new friends what would happen soon. Sahne looked to Lakritz meaningfully, who merely nodded. He went looking for them, hoping they could warn the two lovebirds, while Sahne walked with Kinako and Tirol, praying she wouldn't have to protect them today.\n\n\tPreferably any other day, either, but she wasn't about to ask for two miracles.\n\n@@@@\n\n\tThe pair in question were wandering the town, enjoying the sights. However, Buwaro's mind kept drifting back to the cloudy day. \"Something's wrong,\" he said quietly. \"I haven't been up here long enough to see this season thing before, but it seems off to me.\"\n\n\t\"I agree,\" Kieri replied, suddenly glad she'd taken her sword with her today. \"We should be on guard.\"\n\n\t\"Yeah,\" the young man murmured.\n\n\tThe carnival was bustling, though people tended to part the way for Buwaro and Kieri. Mostly for the obvious Duke they'd heard rumors about, but the presence of what was, by all accounts, an actual Angel was a little intimidating too. Murmurs sounded around them at times, and Buwaro eventually heard a louder few.\n\n\t\"Is she really an Angel?\"\n\n\t\"Looks like it. But why's she with the Duke?\"\n\n\t\"Did he somehow corrupt her?\"\n\n\t\"Gaia save us all...\"\n\n\tBuwaro grimaced, feeling more than a bit self-conscious. He had just put on a brave face when he felt something tug his tail gently, and he jumped.\n\n\tHe glanced back to see a Jakkai child, who had backed away clumsily and fallen to his butt. Buwaro sighed, kneeling and facing the boy with a soft smile. \"Hello there,\" he said. \"That was my tail.\"\n\n\tThe boy looked away. \"Sorry,\" he mumbled lamely. \"But I didn't think it was real...\"\n\n\tThe father rushed in at that moment, standing before the Demon as if protecting his son with his own body. \"P-please have mercy,\" he managed. \"He's just a child, he didn't mean any harm.\"\n\n\tBuwaro blinked, straightening and feeling nervous. Was this how everyone was going to react now? If that was the case, he didn't like it.\n\n\t'So why not start to change it?' he thought. \"I wasn't going to hurt him,\" he said quietly. \"I didn't even mean to scare him, actually. I'm not like most Demons. Heck, I don't think most Demons are what you think they are.\" All eyes turned to him. \"I mean, yeah, some of us are mean, I've met a few like that. Maybe even most of them are like that. I know one I've met didn't have a lot other than hurting people on her mind.\n\n\t\"But it's not like we don't have people we care about. Friends and family we'd protect. I mean, what's this man doing for his son, right now?\" he asked rhetorically, gesturing to the two Jakkai. Murmurs sounded in the crowd as it started to dawn on some people. \"It's like that.\n\n\t\"We have people we care about, and we'd fight and even...even die to defend them.\" He grimaced at the stammer, but decided to press on. \"Honestly, I think that's the reason the 'Great War' has gone way too far, on both ends – someone gets killed, that person has friends. They kill the guy who hurt their friend, who had friends too. It's a viscous cycle. Uh, vicious,\" he corrected himself. \"But yeah, I've been calling it the Stupid War for about three weeks now.\"\n\n\t\"Then, you've kept fighting all this time? Because of those you've lost?\" the father asked, surprised.\n\n\t\"Well, honestly, I wasn't even aware the Stupid War existed until like two months ago,\" Buwaro admitted, \"but yeah, I think that's honestly why we keep fighting – because we've lost someone close to us, on both sides.\n\n\t\"And it gets worse, it's like they think the same way about their 'enemy' that you do about us – that we're just killers and can-bulls, or whatever the word is. That we're not even capable of thinking, just doing, like evil animals or something stupid like that. Not just Angels to Demons, but the other way around, too.\" He grimaced as he thought about his own experiences with that. \"I met an Angel who thought that at first. He nearly killed Sno – Kieri, here, just because she was my friend. I barely got him to stop, and I'm not really proud of how I did it.\"\n\n\tSilence had settled over the crowd. \"I know people think of Demons poorly. Maybe they're right to sometimes, but you're right to think of some Medians, even some Angels, poorly too. Not everyone's a bad person, not everyone's a good person, but there are some of each everywhere, and some that aren't really either. There's bad Angels, I'm sure, just as I'm sure there are kind and gentle Demons.\"\n\n\t\"Besides you?\" Kieri asked, half-teasing.\n\n\tBuwaro smiled. \"Besides me, yeah. I sure hope so,\" he admitted ruefully.\n\n\t\"Either way, I can't speak for all Demons,\" he continued to the crowd. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself – if the old man was right, this would work too. If his Title gave his words such weight, then maybe they'd work for words that weren't threats. \"But on my honor as a Duke – as the Shadow that Dances With Light – I swear that I mean no harm to Medians, or Medius, or Angels or Heaven, or Demons or Hell. If they mean me harm, I will fight back – but otherwise, I don't have a dog in that fight. Whatever that means.\n\n\t\"Moreover, I swear that I will stop the Stupid War, without blood if possible. If I have to fight, if I have to kill, I swear to only fight those who harm me, or my friends, or innocents, and to kill only when I don't have a choice. Children, people who won't fight – I won't hurt them, and I swear to protect them if they need it.\"\n\n\tThe words seemed to echo through the clearing, carrying a weight that Buwaro knew was his to bear alone. And yet, he felt no burden – rather, it felt affirming, like he was simply putting to words what he really wanted to do, deep down.\n\n\tAnd then he saw Kieri's face, and the fear she had for him – as if worried that he was in danger now. He could tell that she felt the weight too – perhaps everyone had. She hugged him tightly, and he hugged her back, comforting her. The murmurs picked up again, though Buwaro could tell they were more positive now.\n\n\t\"A Duke that wants to defend?\"\n\n\t\"He seems like he means it.\"\n\n\t\"They say a Duke swearing on his name can't go against their word.\"\n\n\t\"I don't think they can't, but I think it's like a magical oath.\"\n\n\tThen, a loud voice rang out, her anger and challenge palpable. \"You really think you can fool us?\" All eyes turned to see a Jakkai, red of eye and glasses and with a flower in her headband. \"I know plenty about your kind, Demon. I know what you monsters can do!\" she yelled.\n\n\t\"That so?\" Buwaro challenged, his voice normal of volume. He slowly let go of Kieri and walked towards her. He spread his arms wide as he moved. \"Fine. Hit me.\"\n\n\tSilence. \"What?\" she asked, confused.\n\n\t\"Hit me as hard as you can,\" Buwaro replied, \"as much as you want. I want to be known as a good person. I refuse to allow someone to hate me if I think I can do something about it.\"\n\n\t\"B-Buwaro!\" Kieri gawked.\n\n\t\"You really don't get it, do you?\" the Jakkai snarled as Buwaro came just outside of his own arm's reach of her. \"I've seen the damage your kind does firsthand.\"\n\n\t\"And I haven't seen the damage Angels do firsthand, but I was adopted by an Angel who had, because he didn't want to hurt an unborn child,\" Buwaro snapped. \"That's my point – what's yours?\" She backed up a step as he stepped into her space, towering over her. \"You are part of the problem I'm trying to stop, just as much as any other killer in the Stupid War.\n\n\t\"I don't mind the soldiers – I was adopted by Darius Elexion. He was a soldier too, not that he wanted to be one. But as long as they're trying to do the right thing, and they think about what they're actually doing, that's fine with me. It's fine if they're fighting to defend themselves, and their homes.\n\n\t\"My problem is with the ones like you. You spread fear and hate, when that's exactly what's causing the Stupid War to go on forever.\" He leaned down and glared at her, now nose to nose. \"I hope for my sake you don't need protecting later,\" he growled, \"because I really don't want to save your butt. I'm gonna anyway, but I really don't want to. I mean, you'll probably find some way to blame me for you being in danger in the first place.\"\n\n\tHe then straightened and turned to leave, leaving the Jakkai woman standing there, stunned. \"That's not likely,\" the Jakkai managed as he joined his hand with Kieri's again. \"I wouldn't want help from a Hellspawn anyway.\"\n\n\tBuwaro whirled angrily, ready to retort, when he saw something behind her. No, someone – a Jakkai with large cuts in his ears, cuts that looked to be sewn up. And then he saw something shiny in his hands – shiny and sharp. Thinking quickly in his panic, he rushed toward the lady to try and defend her, and she leaped back to avoid him, crashing into the cloaked Jakkai behind her.\n\n\tA dagger clattered away from the assailant's hand, much to the crowd's screaming shock. As the Jakkai lady got off of her would-be assailant, the crowd's panicking turned into outright flight for most of the bystanders. Only a few lingered, unsure if there was something they could do or not, while the assassin stood and grabbed his dagger. He lunged for his target – the Jakkai woman who'd yelled at Buwaro, his red-and-green eyes full of anger as he rushed her.\n\n\tJust as he reached her, a blast of fire hit his entire body. The Jakkai lady staggered back in shock, stumbling a few yards away as Buwaro finished up with his fiery breath. \"What was that you said about not wanting my help?\" the Duke snapped. \"Because too bad, you're getting it. I expect a 'thank you' later.\"\n\n\tThe Jakkai wanted to protest, but the assassin had already leaped at Buwaro with a snarl of rage. The boy hadn't quite expected that, but he swiped his claws and slammed his whole palm into the leaping Jakkai, who grabbed a hold of the hand and stabbed deep into the Fire Demon's arm, the dagger coming out the other side of his sleeve.\n\n\tBuwaro howled in agony, stumbling from the killer's attack and throwing him off in his flailing. The attacking Jakkai rolled to an upright position, crouched and ready to move before he realized his dagger was still stuck in the boy.\n\n\tThen, just as he noticed the shadow that had passed over him, something else went through his head. Something physical, hard, and very, very sharp.\n\n@@@@\n\n\tKieri's blade sank all the way into the dirt from the force of her stab. She let the blade go and clatter to the ground, the assassin's head lolling with it, followed by the rest of his body. Meanwhile, she rushed to Buwaro, helping him to sit down and then slowly pulling out the blade as he whimpered in burning pain. Once it was free, she poured all the healing magic she could into the wound, nervous but resolute on halting his bleeding.\n\n\tThe Jakkai lady that had been the target stared at the two lovebirds, then hesitantly approached, watching the Angel girl care for the dazed Demon. \"Um...thank you,\" she said finally, her voice surprisingly meek. \"You risked a lot to save me from that guy, didn't you?\" Buwaro stared at her, but didn't answer, his eyes unfocused. It was as if he'd heard her speak, but not the content of her words. \"Um, you okay?\" she asked, now concerned.\n\n\tAt that moment, he passed out. \"Buwaro!\" Kieri gasped, catching his head. For a moment, she panicked, before she remembered the wagon and all the strong people there. \"Miss, please come with us – it will be best if we can protect both of you.\"\n\n\t\"Alright,\" she said, helping to haul the unconscious Demon along. \"Oh, right, your sword is – \" she began.\n\n\t\"I can come back for it with better numbers,\" Kieri interrupted, her tone almost clipped. \"Now come on.\" The woman merely nodded, glancing back at the assassin as they left the scene in a hurry.\n\n\tShe wasn't sure, but she felt like there was a lot she was missing in this story.\n\n@@@@\n\n\tBy the time they got back to the wagon, Rhea and Jake had regained their senses thanks to a hangover-cure potion Miranda had. Seeing everyone there, Kieri quickly explained what had happened – downplaying the Jakkai woman's anger a bit to get to the main problem.\n\n\tMeeros, however, wasn't fooled by Kieri's words, and shook his head in dismay. \"So you actually went loo-loo on them?\" he asked the Jakkai lady. \"I expect that from Siara, but come on, Melli, I know you're better than that.\"\n\n\tKieri stared at the Jakkai lady in shock, who looked away, admonished. \"I honestly thought a Duke was bad news.\"\n\n\t\"So did I, at first,\" Meeros shrugged, \"but at least I gave him a fair shake. He shook my hand and introduced himself.\"\n\n\tMelli grimaced as Kieri finished explaining what had happened to Kazai and Zahariah. {So I'm going to want to get my sword,} she told them, {but I'm not sure I feel safe right now without some form of backup.}\n\n\t{Of course,} Kazai nodded. {It's probably fine, but Gaia knows if there's another assassin lurking about.}\n\n\t{Exactly,} Kieri replied. \"I'm going after my sword,\" she told the group. \"Be right back.\"\n\n\tA few minutes after the three Angels left, Buwaro began to wake up with a woozy whine, his eyes still unfocused. Miranda gave him a dose of healing potion. As he gulped it down, Heathcliff jokingly muttered, \"I'm not running a charity here, jeez.\"\n\n\tBuwaro groaned again, shaking his head and finally getting his vision back on track. \"Hey guys,\" he said weakly. \"Wow, that hurt.\" He slid himself up against the wagon and leaned against it.\n\n\t\"The fearsome Duke of Hell,\" Jake joked lightly.\n\n\t\"Yeah, you try not passing out from a dagger going all the way through your arm,\" Buwaro grunted. \"It was a curvy one, too – all kinds of little ends and twists in it.\"\n\n\t\"Oh, I'm not sayin' it didn't hurt,\" Jake said. \"It's just, legends say you guys can fight Guardians and win, and a knife stab makes you pass out?\"\n\n\t\"Snowy only just taught me how to fight,\" the young Demon grumbled.\n\n\t\"Hey,\" Melli piped up meekly.\n\n\t\"Hey,\" Buwaro replied, before remembering who she was, and that she was angry at them. \"...what are you doing here?\" he asked with a weak glare. \"I'd have thought you'd avoid me or something.\"\n\n\t\"Melli's here to apologize,\" Meeros replied, \"and to stay safe for a while.\"\n\n\tBuwaro glanced at Meeros, then turned his attention back to Melli. \"How do you know Meeros?\" he asked, before it clicked. \"...wait, Melli as in the Guardian?\" he asked, eyes widening slightly.\n\n\t\"Took you long enough,\" Rhea laughed. The whole group chuckled.\n\n\t\"Aw, shush,\" Buwaro muttered, closing his eyes again. \"I'm gonna try and rest this off,\" he murmured. \"Still feeling out of it. Wake me when Snowy gets back.\"\n\n\t\"Will do,\" Rhea replied.\n\n@@@@\n\n\tAt that moment, Kieri saw the clearing up ahead. However, something looked off about the scene. She didn't remember pulling the sword out of the Jakkai's head. She shook her head, assuming someone had done it for her.\n\n\tThen again, there was no one else in the clearing, and the only ones approaching it was a squad of town guards. Another squad had basically blocked off the streets from civilian access, while a third seemed to be questioning a bunch of half-panicked people.\n\n\tAnd then Kieri saw the assassin move, staggering to his hands and feet. He began to rush at the discarded dagger. The yelps of shock were enough to confirm it.\n\n\tThe killer Jakkai was alive.\n\n\tShe dove as he grabbed his dagger, but he was already leaping into the alleys and across the rooftops. {Get my sword, Kazai,} she ordered, {We'll meet up with you in a bit. Zahariah, watch for me – I'm going to try and freeze this guy.}\n\n\t{Roger,} the boys responded, Kazai breaking off from the wing.\n\n\tKieri's focus was fully on the Jakkai as she prepared her spell, focusing her power and releasing a huge blast to freeze him solid. He dodged, albeit barely, and slipped down into an alley, and Kieri turned to follow him. He seemed to be gone, to her surprise. {We'll take to the ground,} she told her wingmate.\n\n\tKieri and Zahariah landed just outside what looked like a small tavern, waiting for Kazai with spells in hand in case their killer came out. The lights were out in the building, and a sign on the door read \"Closed,\" but Kieri thought she smelled rot within – perhaps the assassin's previous victims?\n\n\t{Kieri, I have it,} Kazai said as he landed beside her, passing her the blade.\n\n\tIt was at that moment a huge shockwave ripped through the wall, sending the three of them to scatter as they were hit by it. A moment later, a black-and-white Earth Demon – albeit a small one – stormed out, red eyes full of anger, and a Moon Pendant on his chest, loosely hanging from a leather holster.\n\n\tKieri's eyes widened as she made the connection for an Earth Demon with an Angelic Pendant – and then he clipped it into place, and swelled to monstrous proportions. That clinched it for her, and she made a decision. {Kazai, Zahariah, let me handle this,} she shouted to them as they returned to formation in front of her.\n\n\t{Are you sure?} Zahariah asked, shocked. Kazai was too stunned to speak.\n\n\t{Yes. Zahariah, go back to the wagon, get all our friends, including the Guardians. We'll need all of them. Kazai, help me hold him down if I need it. Ice to freeze him only, got it?}\n\n\tKazai frowned. {Alright,} he said finally, taking wing again, and Zahariah retreated.\n\n\tThe Earth Demon growled. {You made a mistake, Angel,} he said menacingly.\n\n\t\"I don't think I did, Iratu,\" she replied, hefting her blade defensively.\n\n\tHis eyes widened, and with a roar, he slammed the ground with one paw, creating another shockwave. Kieri managed to dodge this one, knowing what was coming. \"How the hell do you know my name?!\" he roared, though his voice was more fearful than angry now. \"Hell, how do you even know Lingo?! You assholes don't even care enough to learn it!\"\n\n\t\"I know your brother,\" Kieri responded. \"Buwaro is a friend of mine. I don't think he'd be happy to know we're fighting!\"\n\n\t\"Buwaro?!\" Iratu yelped. The rage returned. \"What did you do to my brother?!\" he roared, slamming the ground again – this time, a huge spire of earth shot up at her, and she barely dodged it by taking flight.\n\n\t\"You want to know?\" she asked, hovering. \"Fine. I stole his heart, and he stole mine. I taught him basic Angelic, I taught him to read Lingo, I taught him to sing, I became his friend, and then his girlfriend, and then his lover!\"\n\n\tKieri paused as she realized what she'd just admitted, blushing brightly. {I didn't mean to say that last one,} she murmured.\n\n\tIratu stared at her, jaw dropped. \"You what.\"\n\n\tKieri hesitantly landed, putting her sword away and slowly walking forward. \"I have never meant him harm. He found me in a position of weakness, and he was kind to me. He helped me regain my strength. He fought a Seraph when he thought I'd died – and he won.\" Iratu flinched at that, though he didn't seem to believe her. \"He has been kind and accepting, even when I haven't. The only thing that's changed since we've met, is his status.\" She grimaced. \"Are you familiar with the rumors going around town?\"\n\n\t\"What rumors?\" Iratu asked. \"What, the ones about the Duke of Hell? We haven't even seen one rise in about a hundred years. Why are – \" He paused, staring at her blankly as he got what she was saying. \"Very funny,\" he growled. \"I know Buwaro, and he's nowhere near that strong.\"\n\n\t\"I'm not joking,\" she replied seriously. \"It happened during the fight with the Seraph, back in Weyville.\"\n\n\tIratu winced. \"Really,\" he said quietly, looking worried.\n\n\t\"Really,\" she replied.\n\n\t\"Then he's a traitor,\" someone else said, and a bolt of lightning fried her body, sending her nerves into agony she hadn't felt since Denevol. As she collapsed, she wondered if she would die this time.\n\n\tFor once, she didn't hope she would die. At least that was progress.\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "\tHeathcliff came back later that evening, pleased to see that his booth had been properly packed away.  As he walked into the wagon, though, was shocked to find not only two additional Angels, but the Wind Guardian Meeros, all in the wagon, busy conversing with Buwaro, Kieri, Rhea, and Jake.  They were all having tea and cookies as they chatted.  "I'm going to need a bigger wagon," he grumbled, though he wore a smile as he spoke.

\t"Oh, hello, Heathcliff!" Meeros chirped.  {This man is Heathcliff Sinclair,} he told Kazai and Zahariah.  {He's a friend of mine, and he's been helping out Buwaro and Kieri.  This is actually his wagon we're in.}

\t{I see,} Kazai said, he and his friend standing and bowing to Heathcliff.  {Thank you for your hospitality.}

\tThe middle-aged man sighed.  {It's fine,} he said in Angelic, {you don't need to bow to me.  But you're welcome.}

\tEveryone but Meeros stared at Heathcliff in shock.  Buwaro actually dropped his cookie.  "You – you understand – you can speak – but how?!" he asked, a bit jealous of the man speaking Angelic words Buwaro didn't even know, much less understand.

\tHeathcliff chuckled and shrugged, unaffected by the boy's indignation.  "I've been around."

\tBuwaro growled in frustration.  "Everyone here knows Angelic better than I do!" he yelled, throwing his hands in the air.

\t"I don't," Rhea said.  "You can sing in Angelic, and get the syllables right."

\t"And Kazai and Zahariah don't speak Lingo with any real fluency," Kieri reminded him gently.

\tBuwaro looked like he was about to respond, before he put a claw to his chin and thought about that.  "...huh.  Okay, fair.  Still frustrating," he finally grumbled.  Heathcliff chuckled again, rolling his eyes.

@@@@

\tWhile Rhea and Jake were out partying from the news of Miranda's new daughter, Florina Sinclair, Buwaro spent the evening practicing Angelic with Kieri.  Zahariah knew a few basic Lingo words, and used them to practice with Buwaro.  Kazai began to feel left out, and asked his boyfriend if he had any pointers on Lingo.  Soon, all three of them were learning a language from Kieri, much to her surprise.  She'd have never expected she'd be such a good teacher.

\tIt probably helped that she had a much better teacher-to-student ratio than her own school, but it was still a huge boost in confidence.

\tThey practiced long into the night, and even into the morning, using caffeine from their tea to stay awake.  Heathcliff offered them energy potions to help them stay active for the day, though he joked it would "come out of their paychecks."

\tBuwaro had taken him seriously, offering an apology of the highest caliber he knew in Angelic.  The entire wagon had gone pale, as he hadn't realized that he had, in fact, said a minor blasphemy – Kieri quickly explained that such an apology was not said except to a high priest of one of the Gods, or in a prayer to the Gods themselves.  He'd apologized again to them all, this time with a less powerful form, embarrassed as he could be.

\tThankfully, both Kazai and Zahariah had let it go after a quick explanation.

\tThe morning began with Jake and Rhea quite hung over, the two unable to hear anything without wincing.  Kieri and Buwaro decided to let them be, to avoid causing too much trouble.  As they began to work the stand, this time with Kazai and Zahariah nearby, Buwaro and Kieri spoke to each other in Angelic for the young man's practice.

\tAfter a while, though, Buwaro fell silent, looking as if he'd just thought of something.  "Kieri?" he asked.  "What would be the Angelic words for my title thing?"

\tKieri blinked, then remembered what he'd said the day before to the Earth Angel that had attacked them.  After she told him her closest estimate for a translation, he murmured the words a few times, thinking about them as he tried to memorize the sequence.

\t{Learning Angelic?} a familiar voice asked.  Both turned to see Kinako and Sahne, along with her son Tirol and a Water Demon they'd seen wandering around.  Kinako had been the one to speak.  "I came by to apologize personally," she said with a deep bow to the lovebirds.

\t"It's alright," Kieri said quietly.  "It's been a stressful...month.  Or two, I guess."

\t{What's wrong, Kieri?} Kazai asked.  {Who are these two?}

\t{We...had an argument a couple days ago,} Kieri replied, trying to keep the peace.  {Kinako, my brother Kazai, and his friend Zahariah Sanjulo.  Kazai, this is Kinako, her son Tirol, and her friends Sahne and...?}  She paused at the Water Demon.

\t{L-Lakritz,} he replied, surprised.  "And here you thought those two were just 'bloodthirsty ruffians,'" he teased Kinako.  The woman blushed a bit from embarrassment.

\t"I resemble that remark," Kazai grumbled.  Everyone began to laugh.  "What?" he asked, confused.

\t"Resent," Sahne chuckled.  {You said 'resemble,' not resent.  And that's actually a joke people use at times.}  Kazai groaned and facepalmed, while Zahariah rubbed his friend's head in sympathy.

\tSahne sighed as the Angels and Buwaro began to talk to each other, the words somewhat awkward due to Kazai being unused to Demons, and Kinako being concerned about the two young men with Kieri and Buwaro.  "Should we?" she asked Lakritz quietly.

\tHer partner looked at her in confusion, then surprise, before grimacing.  "Maybe," he replied, just as lowly.  "I think they should know, but I don't know if it's good to tell them just, outright, you know?"

\t"I guess," Sahne replied, "but how else are they gonna know?"

\tLakritz nodded, and was about to speak when a pair of Jakkai approached the table, asking about wares.  They stepped aside, waiting to speak with Buwaro and Kieri.  A moment later, though, Heathcliff came back with Miranda and Flo, and the proud parents quickly worked out some deals, while Meeros came by and told Buwaro and Kieri to go enjoy the festival, much to Heathcliff's dismay.

\tIt all happened so fast that the two Demons weren't able to tell their new friends what would happen soon.  Sahne looked to Lakritz meaningfully, who merely nodded.  He went looking for them, hoping they could warn the two lovebirds, while Sahne walked with Kinako and Tirol, praying she wouldn't have to protect them today.

\tPreferably any other day, either, but she wasn't about to ask for two miracles.

@@@@

\tThe pair in question were wandering the town, enjoying the sights.  However, Buwaro's mind kept drifting back to the cloudy day.  "Something's wrong," he said quietly.  "I haven't been up here long enough to see this season thing before, but it seems off to me."

\t"I agree," Kieri replied, suddenly glad she'd taken her sword with her today.  "We should be on guard."

\t"Yeah," the young man murmured.

\tThe carnival was bustling, though people tended to part the way for Buwaro and Kieri.  Mostly for the obvious Duke they'd heard rumors about, but the presence of what was, by all accounts, an actual Angel was a little intimidating too.  Murmurs sounded around them at times, and Buwaro eventually heard a louder few.

\t"Is she really an Angel?"

\t"Looks like it.  But why's she with the Duke?"

\t"Did he somehow corrupt her?"

\t"Gaia save us all..."

\tBuwaro grimaced, feeling more than a bit self-conscious.  He had just put on a brave face when he felt something tug his tail gently, and he jumped.

\tHe glanced back to see a Jakkai child, who had backed away clumsily and fallen to his butt.  Buwaro sighed, kneeling and facing the boy with a soft smile.  "Hello there," he said.  "That was my tail."

\tThe boy looked away.  "Sorry," he mumbled lamely.  "But I didn't think it was real..."

\tThe father rushed in at that moment, standing before the Demon as if protecting his son with his own body.  "P-please have mercy," he managed.  "He's just a child, he didn't mean any harm."

\tBuwaro blinked, straightening and feeling nervous.  Was this how everyone was going to react now?  If that was the case, he didn't like it.

\t'So why not start to change it?' he thought.  "I wasn't going to hurt him," he said quietly.  "I didn't even mean to scare him, actually.  I'm not like most Demons.  Heck, I don't think most Demons are what you think they are."  All eyes turned to him.  "I mean, yeah, some of us are mean, I've met a few like that.  Maybe even most of them are like that.  I know one I've met didn't have a lot other than hurting people on her mind.

\t"But it's not like we don't have people we care about.  Friends and family we'd protect.  I mean, what's this man doing for his son, right now?" he asked rhetorically, gesturing to the two Jakkai.  Murmurs sounded in the crowd as it started to dawn on some people.  "It's like that.

\t"We have people we care about, and we'd fight and even...even die to defend them."  He grimaced at the stammer, but decided to press on.  "Honestly, I think that's the reason the 'Great War' has gone way too far, on both ends – someone gets killed, that person has friends.  They kill the guy who hurt their friend, who had friends too.  It's a viscous cycle.  Uh, vicious," he corrected himself.  "But yeah, I've been calling it the Stupid War for about three weeks now."

\t"Then, you've kept fighting all this time?  Because of those you've lost?" the father asked, surprised.

\t"Well, honestly, I wasn't even aware the Stupid War existed until like two months ago," Buwaro admitted, "but yeah, I think that's honestly why we keep fighting – because we've lost someone close to us, on both sides.

\t"And it gets worse, it's like they think the same way about their 'enemy' that you do about us – that we're just killers and can-bulls, or whatever the word is.  That we're not even capable of thinking, just doing, like evil animals or something stupid like that.  Not just Angels to Demons, but the other way around, too."  He grimaced as he thought about his own experiences with that.  "I met an Angel who thought that at first.  He nearly killed Sno – Kieri, here, just because she was my friend.  I barely got him to stop, and I'm not really proud of how I did it."

\tSilence had settled over the crowd.  "I know people think of Demons poorly.  Maybe they're right to sometimes, but you're right to think of some Medians, even some Angels, poorly too.  Not everyone's a bad person, not everyone's a good person, but there are some of each everywhere, and some that aren't really either.  There's bad Angels, I'm sure, just as I'm sure there are kind and gentle Demons."

\t"Besides you?" Kieri asked, half-teasing.

\tBuwaro smiled.  "Besides me, yeah.  I sure hope so," he admitted ruefully.

\t"Either way, I can't speak for all Demons," he continued to the crowd.  He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself – if the old man was right, this would work too.  If his Title gave his words such weight, then maybe they'd work for words that weren't threats.  "But on my honor as a Duke – as the Shadow that Dances With Light – I swear that I mean no harm to Medians, or Medius, or Angels or Heaven, or Demons or Hell.  If they mean me harm, I will fight back – but otherwise, I don't have a dog in that fight.  Whatever that means.

\t"Moreover, I swear that I will stop the Stupid War, without blood if possible.  If I have to fight, if I have to kill, I swear to only fight those who harm me, or my friends, or innocents, and to kill only when I don't have a choice.  Children, people who won't fight – I won't hurt them, and I swear to protect them if they need it."

\tThe words seemed to echo through the clearing, carrying a weight that Buwaro knew was his to bear alone.  And yet, he felt no burden – rather, it felt affirming, like he was simply putting to words what he really wanted to do, deep down.

\tAnd then he saw Kieri's face, and the fear she had for him – as if worried that he was in danger now.  He could tell that she felt the weight too – perhaps everyone had.  She hugged him tightly, and he hugged her back, comforting her.  The murmurs picked up again, though Buwaro could tell they were more positive now.

\t"A Duke that wants to defend?"

\t"He seems like he means it."

\t"They say a Duke swearing on his name can't go against their word."

\t"I don't think they can't, but I think it's like a magical oath."

\tThen, a loud voice rang out, her anger and challenge palpable.  "You really think you can fool us?"  All eyes turned to see a Jakkai, red of eye and glasses and with a flower in her headband.  "I know plenty about your kind, Demon.  I know what you monsters can do!" she yelled.

\t"That so?" Buwaro challenged, his voice normal of volume.  He slowly let go of Kieri and walked towards her.  He spread his arms wide as he moved.  "Fine.  Hit me."

\tSilence.  "What?" she asked, confused.

\t"Hit me as hard as you can," Buwaro replied, "as much as you want.  I want to be known as a good person.  I refuse to allow someone to hate me if I think I can do something about it."

\t"B-Buwaro!" Kieri gawked.

\t"You really don't get it, do you?" the Jakkai snarled as Buwaro came just outside of his own arm's reach of her.  "I've seen the damage your kind does firsthand."

\t"And I haven't seen the damage Angels do firsthand, but I was adopted by an Angel who had, because he didn't want to hurt an unborn child," Buwaro snapped.  "That's my point – what's yours?"  She backed up a step as he stepped into her space, towering over her.  "You are part of the problem I'm trying to stop, just as much as any other killer in the Stupid War.

\t"I don't mind the soldiers – I was adopted by Darius Elexion.  He was a soldier too, not that he wanted to be one.  But as long as they're trying to do the right thing, and they think about what they're actually doing, that's fine with me.  It's fine if they're fighting to defend themselves, and their homes.

\t"My problem is with the ones like you.  You spread fear and hate, when that's exactly what's causing the Stupid War to go on forever."  He leaned down and glared at her, now nose to nose.  "I hope for my sake you don't need protecting later," he growled, "because I really don't want to save your butt.  I'm gonna anyway, but I really don't want to.  I mean, you'll probably find some way to blame me for you being in danger in the first place."

\tHe then straightened and turned to leave, leaving the Jakkai woman standing there, stunned.  "That's not likely," the Jakkai managed as he joined his hand with Kieri's again.  "I wouldn't want help from a Hellspawn anyway."

\tBuwaro whirled angrily, ready to retort, when he saw something behind her.  No, someone – a Jakkai with large cuts in his ears, cuts that looked to be sewn up.  And then he saw something shiny in his hands – shiny and sharp.  Thinking quickly in his panic, he rushed toward the lady to try and defend her, and she leaped back to avoid him, crashing into the cloaked Jakkai behind her.

\tA dagger clattered away from the assailant's hand, much to the crowd's screaming shock.  As the Jakkai lady got off of her would-be assailant, the crowd's panicking turned into outright flight for most of the bystanders.  Only a few lingered, unsure if there was something they could do or not, while the assassin stood and grabbed his dagger.  He lunged for his target – the Jakkai woman who'd yelled at Buwaro, his red-and-green eyes full of anger as he rushed her.

\tJust as he reached her, a blast of fire hit his entire body.  The Jakkai lady staggered back in shock, stumbling a few yards away as Buwaro finished up with his fiery breath.  "What was that you said about not wanting my help?" the Duke snapped.  "Because too bad, you're getting it.  I expect a 'thank you' later."

\tThe Jakkai wanted to protest, but the assassin had already leaped at Buwaro with a snarl of rage.  The boy hadn't quite expected that, but he swiped his claws and slammed his whole palm into the leaping Jakkai, who grabbed a hold of the hand and stabbed deep into the Fire Demon's arm, the dagger coming out the other side of his sleeve.

\tBuwaro howled in agony, stumbling from the killer's attack and throwing him off in his flailing.  The attacking Jakkai rolled to an upright position, crouched and ready to move before he realized his dagger was still stuck in the boy.

\tThen, just as he noticed the shadow that had passed over him, something else went through his head.  Something physical, hard, and very, very sharp.

@@@@

\tKieri's blade sank all the way into the dirt from the force of her stab.  She let the blade go and clatter to the ground, the assassin's head lolling with it, followed by the rest of his body.  Meanwhile, she rushed to Buwaro, helping him to sit down and then slowly pulling out the blade as he whimpered in burning pain.  Once it was free, she poured all the healing magic she could into the wound, nervous but resolute on halting his bleeding.

\tThe Jakkai lady that had been the target stared at the two lovebirds, then hesitantly approached, watching the Angel girl care for the dazed Demon.  "Um...thank you," she said finally, her voice surprisingly meek.  "You risked a lot to save me from that guy, didn't you?"  Buwaro stared at her, but didn't answer, his eyes unfocused.  It was as if he'd heard her speak, but not the content of her words.  "Um, you okay?" she asked, now concerned.

\tAt that moment, he passed out.  "Buwaro!" Kieri gasped, catching his head.  For a moment, she panicked, before she remembered the wagon and all the strong people there.  "Miss, please come with us – it will be best if we can protect both of you."

\t"Alright," she said, helping to haul the unconscious Demon along.  "Oh, right, your sword is – " she began.

\t"I can come back for it with better numbers," Kieri interrupted, her tone almost clipped.  "Now come on."  The woman merely nodded, glancing back at the assassin as they left the scene in a hurry.

\tShe wasn't sure, but she felt like there was a lot she was missing in this story.

@@@@

\tBy the time they got back to the wagon, Rhea and Jake had regained their senses thanks to a hangover-cure potion Miranda had.  Seeing everyone there, Kieri quickly explained what had happened – downplaying the Jakkai woman's anger a bit to get to the main problem.

\tMeeros, however, wasn't fooled by Kieri's words, and shook his head in dismay.  "So you actually went loo-loo on them?" he asked the Jakkai lady.  "I expect that from Siara, but come on, Melli, I know you're better than that."

\tKieri stared at the Jakkai lady in shock, who looked away, admonished.  "I honestly thought a Duke was bad news."

\t"So did I, at first," Meeros shrugged, "but at least I gave him a fair shake.  He shook my hand and introduced himself."

\tMelli grimaced as Kieri finished explaining what had happened to Kazai and Zahariah.  {So I'm going to want to get my sword,} she told them, {but I'm not sure I feel safe right now without some form of backup.}

\t{Of course,} Kazai nodded.  {It's probably fine, but Gaia knows if there's another assassin lurking about.}

\t{Exactly,} Kieri replied.  "I'm going after my sword," she told the group.  "Be right back."

\tA few minutes after the three Angels left, Buwaro began to wake up with a woozy whine, his eyes still unfocused.  Miranda gave him a dose of healing potion.  As he gulped it down, Heathcliff jokingly muttered, "I'm not running a charity here, jeez."

\tBuwaro groaned again, shaking his head and finally getting his vision back on track.  "Hey guys," he said weakly.  "Wow, that hurt."  He slid himself up against the wagon and leaned against it.

\t"The fearsome Duke of Hell," Jake joked lightly.

\t"Yeah, you try not passing out from a dagger going all the way through your arm," Buwaro grunted.  "It was a curvy one, too – all kinds of little ends and twists in it."

\t"Oh, I'm not sayin' it didn't hurt," Jake said.  "It's just, legends say you guys can fight Guardians and win, and a knife stab makes you pass out?"

\t"Snowy only just taught me how to fight," the young Demon grumbled.

\t"Hey," Melli piped up meekly.

\t"Hey," Buwaro replied, before remembering who she was, and that she was angry at them.  "...what are you doing here?" he asked with a weak glare.  "I'd have thought you'd avoid me or something."

\t"Melli's here to apologize," Meeros replied, "and to stay safe for a while."

\tBuwaro glanced at Meeros, then turned his attention back to Melli.  "How do you know Meeros?" he asked, before it clicked.  "...wait, Melli as in the Guardian?" he asked, eyes widening slightly.

\t"Took you long enough," Rhea laughed.  The whole group chuckled.

\t"Aw, shush," Buwaro muttered, closing his eyes again.  "I'm gonna try and rest this off," he murmured.  "Still feeling out of it.  Wake me when Snowy gets back."

\t"Will do," Rhea replied.

@@@@

\tAt that moment, Kieri saw the clearing up ahead.  However, something looked off about the scene.  She didn't remember pulling the sword out of the Jakkai's head.  She shook her head, assuming someone had done it for her.

\tThen again, there was no one else in the clearing, and the only ones approaching it was a squad of town guards.  Another squad had basically blocked off the streets from civilian access, while a third seemed to be questioning a bunch of half-panicked people.

\tAnd then Kieri saw the assassin move, staggering to his hands and feet.  He began to rush at the discarded dagger.  The yelps of shock were enough to confirm it.

\tThe killer Jakkai was alive.

\tShe dove as he grabbed his dagger, but he was already leaping into the alleys and across the rooftops.  {Get my sword, Kazai,} she ordered, {We'll meet up with you in a bit.  Zahariah, watch for me – I'm going to try and freeze this guy.}

\t{Roger,} the boys responded, Kazai breaking off from the wing.

\tKieri's focus was fully on the Jakkai as she prepared her spell, focusing her power and releasing a huge blast to freeze him solid.  He dodged, albeit barely, and slipped down into an alley, and Kieri turned to follow him.  He seemed to be gone, to her surprise.  {We'll take to the ground,} she told her wingmate.

\tKieri and Zahariah landed just outside what looked like a small tavern, waiting for Kazai with spells in hand in case their killer came out.  The lights were out in the building, and a sign on the door read "Closed," but Kieri thought she smelled rot within – perhaps the assassin's previous victims?

\t{Kieri, I have it,} Kazai said as he landed beside her, passing her the blade.

\tIt was at that moment a huge shockwave ripped through the wall, sending the three of them to scatter as they were hit by it.  A moment later, a black-and-white Earth Demon – albeit a small one – stormed out, red eyes full of anger, and a Moon Pendant on his chest, loosely hanging from a leather holster.

\tKieri's eyes widened as she made the connection for an Earth Demon with an Angelic Pendant – and then he clipped it into place, and swelled to monstrous proportions.  That clinched it for her, and she made a decision.  {Kazai, Zahariah, let me handle this,} she shouted to them as they returned to formation in front of her.

\t{Are you sure?} Zahariah asked, shocked.  Kazai was too stunned to speak.

\t{Yes.  Zahariah, go back to the wagon, get all our friends, including the Guardians.  We'll need all of them.  Kazai, help me hold him down if I need it.  Ice to freeze him only, got it?}

\tKazai frowned.  {Alright,} he said finally, taking wing again, and Zahariah retreated.

\tThe Earth Demon growled.  {You made a mistake, Angel,} he said menacingly.

\t"I don't think I did, Iratu," she replied, hefting her blade defensively.

\tHis eyes widened, and with a roar, he slammed the ground with one paw, creating another shockwave.  Kieri managed to dodge this one, knowing what was coming.  "How the hell do you know my name?!" he roared, though his voice was more fearful than angry now.  "Hell, how do you even know Lingo?!  You assholes don't even care enough to learn it!"

\t"I know your brother," Kieri responded.  "Buwaro is a friend of mine.  I don't think he'd be happy to know we're fighting!"

\t"Buwaro?!" Iratu yelped.  The rage returned.  "What did you do to my brother?!" he roared, slamming the ground again – this time, a huge spire of earth shot up at her, and she barely dodged it by taking flight.

\t"You want to know?" she asked, hovering.  "Fine.  I stole his heart, and he stole mine.  I taught him basic Angelic, I taught him to read Lingo, I taught him to sing, I became his friend, and then his girlfriend, and then his lover!"

\tKieri paused as she realized what she'd just admitted, blushing brightly.  {I didn't mean to say that last one,} she murmured.

\tIratu stared at her, jaw dropped.  "You what."

\tKieri hesitantly landed, putting her sword away and slowly walking forward.  "I have never meant him harm.  He found me in a position of weakness, and he was kind to me.  He helped me regain my strength.  He fought a Seraph when he thought I'd died – and he won."  Iratu flinched at that, though he didn't seem to believe her.  "He has been kind and accepting, even when I haven't.  The only thing that's changed since we've met, is his status."  She grimaced.  "Are you familiar with the rumors going around town?"

\t"What rumors?" Iratu asked.  "What, the ones about the Duke of Hell?  We haven't even seen one rise in about a hundred years.  Why are – "  He paused, staring at her blankly as he got what she was saying.  "Very funny," he growled.  "I know Buwaro, and he's nowhere near that strong."

\t"I'm not joking," she replied seriously.  "It happened during the fight with the Seraph, back in Weyville."

\tIratu winced.  "Really," he said quietly, looking worried.

\t"Really," she replied.

\t"Then he's a traitor," someone else said, and a bolt of lightning fried her body, sending her nerves into agony she hadn't felt since Denevol.  As she collapsed, she wondered if she would die this time.

\tFor once, she didn't hope she would die.  At least that was progress.

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