Time: very late night
Location: AmKelosh
Note: Nick has just tried to kill Calian again, but has found that she is immune to fire as well as sunlight. He's not fast or strong enough to engage in a sword battle with her, so there's no hope of him helping his friends in Hana'Var. It's his first experience in running across an obstacle he couldn't destroy before. He's already decided to leave the Kelosh empire before his fight with Calian, but now he has decided to do so without doing Kayos that one last favor.

Lark Sandstone ~making her way about the halls, she was lost in thought. after talking with Jules the other night he got her thinking. Her right hand moved across her brow. "great thanks Jules." she looked to the doorway of where Nick's chamber was. she had no intention of running into him this eve. He was still away. she frowned at her actions and thought to leave head back to her room

Nick Corwin has gathered a few of his things. He left the Amazons behind. He no longer cares if Kayos has Gavin killed or not. Hana'Var can take care of itself. Nick can't seem to take care of himself. He steps out of his room, ready to head out and go get his stingray. It'll be stealing from Kelosh, but what does he care? His mother can pay his debts for him.

Lark Sandstone is surprised when the door to Nick's room whips out, and she takes in Nick's form. Her eyes widen, she stands there in a lose for words at the moment. She stoo there looking wide eyed and gasping out of embarrassment and surprise. Normally no one got this much of a jump on her but... `Nick ~ she whispered having to contain herself from yelling

Nick Corwin stops and looks at Lark, his expression isn't harsh. He's kinda had that beat out of him, and Lark had a large part to do with that. He lets out a sad little sigh and almost hangs his head. It's tilts downward, but not in his normal fashion. It seems like a defeated thing now, not a ploy to intimidate. He swallows hard and then starts on his way again, a pack slung over his shoulder. His dog is right at his side, and it doesn't growl at Lark like he normally does. Cerebus looks up with a slight whimper sound and then starts on it's way right along side Nick.

Lark Sandstone says, Nick?" she frowned a bit confused by the fact that Nick looked the way that he did. then at the fact that it didn't make sense to her. She turned watching him. He did n't smirk or looked at her the way he always id. This was different. He looked troubled and rather lowly. She turned thinking to follow. Her thoughts reflected back to Jules. and things they spoke of. Quickly she ran to catch up to Nick. Closing in behind him as she followed N

Nick Corwin hasn't smirked at Lark in about a year, he's been waiting for her to notice, but she never stopped smirking at him to do so. He can hear and feel Lark close the gap between them. The physical one anyway. The other is most likely impossible to close. Been there, tried that, failed. The dog, Cerabus, pauses to look back at Lark before moving again to catch up with Nick. Nick doesn't slow, or stop. She's only going to gloat, he knows it. She was right, he was wrong. She'll get a real kick out of rubbing it in his face, but he can't handle that right now. He heads out the doors and down the stairs toward the lawn.

Lark Sandstone dropped from the window. She drops to the ground, her knees bent to absorb most of the pressure upon landing. Her eyes narrowed upon the area about her, Nick would just get out of the stairwell, she darted across the lawn to block him off...

Nick Corwin isn't expecting Lark to show up in front of him, not after she started after him. He notices when she stops following, but thinks she just didn't feel like gloating tonight or something. It's really late and most are asleep, or going to sleep. He continues on his way with his pack and his dog. He can't leave the dog.

Lark Sandstone stood waiting by Nick's stingray. she smirked a bit as she looked it over. she knew for some strange reason he was coming in here for this. She recalled the conversation with him before about his car, and Vivian that modal woman. she narrowed her gaze. Her thoughts strayed from good to bad. she then snapped out of her little daze realizing the feeling. she shook it clear. Before cleaning against the side of the stingray.

Nick Corwin walks across one of the many quads of the compound and heading for the garage building. It's a separate building all by itself that houses many vehicles He walks in and makes a bee line toward his car, slowing as he smells Lark in the air. She smells like the sea and leather. Both smells he likes and a good combination. but he's not really prepared for Lark. He stops and hangs his head, his eyes closed. He takes a deep breath trying to ready himself. The dog barks once and Nick looks at him with a weak smile, before lifting his head and continuing toward his car. He doesn't stop when Lark comes in view, he already knew she was there. He walks up to the passenger side and tosses the bag in the open window. Kayosia is a warm climate and the weather hasn't changed that cold here like it has at Hana'Var. It was cold today and is right now, but was warm last time Nick drove.

Lark Sandstone could not miss the look this time. this was not Nick. this was a beaten down form that she had never in the time she knew him had she seen this side. Of had he let himself be seen. she stood for a moment, swallowing rather hard before gathering her thoughts to speak to him. She noted the bag he tossed in the back..."Going somewhere.?" she thought it a good question to ask for the time being. Her eyes remained focused upon his form namely darting back to his face

Nick Corwin nods once, but doesn't answer verbally. He doesn't trust his voice not to be shaky right now. He starts to make his way around to the driver side of the car. He opens the door and the dog leaps into the car, jumping over to the passenger side. Cerabus sticks his head out the window and barks once at Lark. It's not the mean or protective bark he gave her at the beach. Nick pauses to look at Lark before he gets in. "What do you want?" His voice comes out loud and clear in it's normal bass. He's a bit surprised. He'd thought for sure it'd turn weak like the rest of him.

Lark Sandstone says, I uh....where are you going?" she turned, she was leaning against the car, but was knocked to the side when he let the dog in. HER eyes locked with his.. or tried to..."Nick what is wrong? this is not like you?" she was surprised at how calmly she spoke. Usually they would be fighting in a merely two words. But this time something was different. something was wrong.

Nick Corwin was pretty much in this same state the last few times Lark has seen him. He'd almost gotten out of it, but couldn't. "You were right. . . I'm useless. I'll just be getting out of the way now." His expression is starting to harden over, as is his apple jade green eyes. He is very much in danger of locking his emotions away again. But then the reason he locked them away to begin with is he wasn't strong enough to handle them. He starts to climb into the car. He puts one foot in the car and starts to dip down. His left hand is on top of the open door.

Lark Sandstone says, Nick...wait..." her hand extended quickly, thinking of something to say to make him stop. Her amethyst eyes locked with him. She looked to the area bout them, then back to Nick..."I never said you were useless. I never once thought it...You may have thought I did.. but I never. I was..." she swallows hard yet again this time more so..."Jealous ." was all that escaped her lips. She looked down then back, knowing this alone would not stop him.

Nick Corwin does stop at her request, the urgent tone she uses compels him to do so before he can even think that it's Lark and he should run before she tries to tear him apart. He stands back up, his right foot comes out a bit, but rests on the bottom of the doorframe by the seat. His left hand remains on the top of the open door and his right hand and forearm goes to rest on the roof of the car. The dog lays across the middle so that it's head and front feet are in the drivers seat. It seems to be getting a better look at what's going on. The dog is huge, much bigger than most dogs. It's a chocolate lab. Nick isn't sure what Lark has, or had to be jealous about. He just looks at her rather blankly and says nothing.

Lark Sandstone stood there for a time thinking how to top that. She fidgeted then looked back at him..."I have been jealous of you I would say since I came to Kayosia. I really don't know why...just that I seemed to do everything wrong.. and when I messed up more you were their to fix it or just yell at him or scold. then when I became a daughter to Kayos you started to treat me..." she paused for a moment, a light went off in her head. she finally realized something. something she had been blinded to al this time. she stepped towards Nick ...."I have been a spoiled brat and I am sorry for that." she apologize to him. surprising herself and for sure him.

Nick Corwin doesn't really make any change during most her conversation. It starts off sounding like the same woe is me story Lark likes to give to justify feeling lower than others view her. She doesn't realize it's always telling others how low they're supposed to see her that ends up making them see her that way. Nick's tried to tell her that before. Nick's tried to tell her a lot of things. He is surprised when she changes her tune and apologizes. Maybe she's changing too. Maybe he's becoming her and she's becoming him? That's a depressing thought. He nods once to accept her apology, but his expression totters on confused and puzzled as he seems to be thinking it all over.

Lark Sandstone says, I know that I have been a handful, and I well...if it was not for Jules' insight or that fact we spoke for as long as we did about all this. I would not be confronting you now. Thought I believe many times I think you just run away from me. and I probably deserved it." she started to sway a bit where she stood. " I mean well I guess you realize these things too late?" she looked at him and then to the car. noting his runn9ng off again

Nick Corwin is running. He doesn't want to face any of it right now. Lark and Kayos were right. He thought he could prove them wrong and prove he hadn't gone soft, that he was still a good assassin. He was wrong. He feels like he couldn't kill a bug with a rolled up newspaper right now. The thought to kill Jules flashes in his mind, but then that would have Kelosh hunt him down and kill him in return. . no way to come back from that one. Jules is an Overlord. They are second only to Kayos. Nick has no rank at all now. Nick has nothing, but Cerabus. And he doesn't really want him around.

Lark Sandstone ~looking at him, her hand extended towards his hand, fighting the urge not to do it. Not to go against what she vowed not to. She gasped his hand and held it, thinking it would be the friend thing to do. she thought he would pull free. Part o her didn't want him too. strange she thought, why the change...of heart she smiled a bit to him as if this would solve all for them both

Nick Corwin looks at Lark like she's just lost her mind, though his expression isn't harsh, it more of complete confusion. He looks down at his hand as she takes it, but doesn't stop her. He then looks up and frowns, confused by her smile. Is she trying to charm him? She's not singing. And they've already found out her charm doesn't work on him. Or it didn't back when his emotions were still very well guarded, maybe it would now? The thought doesn't please him. He still says nothing. He's going back into that state he was in before of hardly ever saying anything.

Lark Sandstone says, Nick please don't make this hard for me...I want to tell you this while your are here in this state. " her other hand moved to clamp over top of his as she held it there.. "I have said it a few times and I felt that you never truly believed me. But now I wish you to fully understand..." her gaze locked upon his. Her left hand slowly moved to his chin..."I have cared for you for some time.. I fell in love with you somewhere along the way and gotten lost. I don't know if you believe me or care. But I need you to know that its true. the feelings.. No trick, no need. I just want to get it free."

Nick Corwin starts to get a bad feeling when she says something about telling him while he's in this state. Why does she need him down to talk to him? Does she just want to kick him while he's down? Wouldn't be the first time. A look almost like panic comes over him when she puts her hand on top of his as well. For some reason he feels like she's trying to trap him. When she reaches for his chin, he takes a step back from her. He doesn't believe her now, and won't believe her later when he thinks back on everything she's ever said or done to him. No matter how many times he tried to be her friend, she always ran him into the ground. . or tried. He's not sure why she isn't acting like herself now. Maybe a Moon Knight put a spell on her?

Lark Sandstone had notice this action in him. Like the last time. she stepped towards him again. Not backing away. she knew he would just try to get her to just leave him now... "Nick please believe me... " hen she meant by state she meant he was almost listening to her and not reacting to what he thought of her then, but sees her now. She did not stop. there was one way to prove this and she thought he would throw her through the garage if she tried. But at this stage of the game she thought why not. she looked at him, moving forward..."Nick wait please." she stepped towards him, placing everything just out there. Either for him to acknowledge or reject. she bowed her head in thought before acting.

Nick is caught off guard, completely. Lark has done a total 180. He doesn't know who this person is before him, but he's not sure it's Lark. He's known Lark a long time and has never seen this side of her. As she comes toward him, he steps back. He's not sure if she means to shut the car door at that time, or if she just bumped it, forgetting it was open, either way the door shuts. Cerberus stands up and lets out a single bark. Nick stays out of reach of Lark. At least she's not singing, which means she's not trying to put him under a spell, but he's not so sure she isn't under one herself. His arms go out wide, instead of in front of him. He doesn't lift them to block, he just stays out of her reach. Memories of them in the dungeon and her tormenting him are still fresh in his mind, but then again he remembers everything. Photographic memory.

Lark Sandstone says, ~looking at him stepping away. She tilted her head to the side. Her hand extended towards him stopped, fingers curl into a soft fist, she lets it drop. Seeing him recoil from her. This was not what she anted. Was she no bad. Was she just as Nick had said she was a killer, callus and cold. She stopped and studied his face for a moment. He seemed distant from her and yet she understood why. She had not given him any reason to trust her. Why would he. She had been cold and heartless at times. She should just let him go. Leave and never look back on it. Just as he was doing. Thoughts raced in her head. Taking a deep breath, she stepped to him, and hugged him, holding it a second before releasing, she turned away and stepped quickly across the garage , she paused and turned speaking over her shoulder..."See ya around.." With that she left the garage. Her hand pressed against her stomach. an ill feeling washing over her.

Nick starts to study Lark now, he has been all along, but now he calls attention to it in his head. Something about her seems genuine. But it's so different than anything she's ever shown him before. If she's had this in her all along, then why didn't she show it back when she seemed to want to change his opinion of her? It just doesn't make sense. She's always been a good fighter, it was the person category Nick always thought she was lacking in. He's not really sure how to react when she hugs him. None but Slayers, GhostS, and Arepharis have ever hugged him before. Comfort is nice. He could really use some heaping spoonfuls right now. He thinks to return it, but she pushes away from him before he can act. He watches her confused as she starts to walk away. Does she give up that easily? Maybe she doesn't realize he's not a machine anymore and needs as much time to process new information as any other living creature would? He's not done processing yet. He thinks to say something, but doesn't know what to say.

Lark Sandstone says, ~she paused at the doorway looking back at him. From the distance if he could see, her eyes moisten her face redden. "I hope you find what your searching for nick...I really do." she then offered him a smile. Before looking back at the doorway

Nick says, "You won't see me around, Lark. I'm leaving. I'm never coming back to Kelosh again." He doesn't just mean AmKelosh, he means anything that belongs to Kelosh at all. "And I'm no longer searching. You were right all along, having emotions make you weak. I'm locking them back up again. Life was better when I was an assassin." He steps forward again and reaches out to open the car door. His tone grows colder as he speaks. Part of him really wants someone to step up and remind him why emotions are good, but there doesn't seem to be anyone willing to do that for him. He needs his sisters, but they'd only turn on him. They're more loyal to Kayos than to himself.

Lark Sandstone says, ~ she looked at Nick.~ "perhaps you and me both. Are more alike then i had thought. " her left hand tapped against the doorframe. Her eyes stared at the floor. she did not want him to go. But who was she. no one he cared for. She was no one that any cared for then having her sword on their side. Kayos was her adoptive father, true enough, but...her own father was more , more then this shell of her former self. She was different back then . And had been closed off for so long after her father's death. she sighed looking at Nick...."Being closed off for so long makes you think your not worthy of anything but the pain." Was she opening up now...why now....The threat of Nick fading from her life was that it? she swallowed hard and studied him as he moved to get in the car.

Nick pauses at the door and looks up at Lark again. He'd always tried telling her they were a lot alike, but she always seemed to want to kill him for the comment. She did shoot him once over it. When he thinks on it later he'll realize it's not the coldness he needs, but team mates. Life was good as a Slayer or as a member of GhostS. He doesn't want to go back to being a Slayer, even though he's sure that's what the armor fragment in his head wants. He'll try to find GhostS members and get them to remind him what it's like to have friends around. He's not sure what Lark means about the pain. There was never any pain or uncertainty before for Nick. There is now. "Well, I think that's the difference between us. You didn't let people in. I didn't have the ability to do so anyway. I never had heart enough to be in pain."

Lark Sandstone says, ` she turned looking at him...."then why are you leaving? if you felt nothing...no pain then stay..." her tone cheered a bit at her words. which surprised her. Why did it matter now..."if i told you to stay would you...is that what it is...You want people to need you around in order for you to validate your reasons? what tell me?" she had turned completely to face him. Walking slowly back to where she once stood

Nick tries to smile weakly at her cheered tone. He takes it for a joke. In the past he wouldn't have left, he wouldn't have cared at all. But this is the present and he does care. The only other time he's ever felt worthless or useless was when Priscilla chose Derek over him. That was the event that compelled him to lock his emotions away to begin with. He doesn't handle this feeling very well. "I. . ." He stops and looks away from her an down. He frowns a bit. Would it matter if people here needed him? His family might say they do, but would it just be pity? He can't keep his loved ones safe or kill people anymore. Those are the two most important things to him. "I need to be a part of something." He looks up again a little more determination set with his sad expression. "I need teamwork. Unity. I need to know the people around me have my back as much as I have theirs."

Lark Sandstone says, ~ she looked at him her own voice betraying her. she stood looking directly at him...."I need you..." before she could stop herself she looked almost panicked. Her eyes widdened and her hands tensed, as well as her form. Her eyes locked upon his form as if to judge what he said how he looked at her. to figure if she should indeed run now.

Nick gives a little shrug. He doesn't believe her. He always looks at the facts and clues present. She has never given any evidence that she wanted anything other than his painful death. "Pity doesn't become you, Lark." He opens the door of the car and gets ready to get in. His expression has gone hard again. He thinks she's making fun of him, just trying to torment him some more. Nothing seems to bring her greater pleasure than his pain. Maybe there is some truth in her words and she finds her little game fun or entertaining. He doesn't need it though. He needs friends and companions.

Lark Sandstone says, Nick...."her anger gets a hold of her. why would he never listen to her. Why did he always do this. make her the bad one here. She moved rather quickly towards the car. Her steps evenly placed, her speed increased so he could not shut the door nor drive away. "that is not true..." her tone was soft, no matter how annoyed she was.

Nick . o O ( <Lark> *lights matches and throws them into a forest. She does this for a long time.* <Kayos> *comes in to clear out all the ash from the burnt trees, even while Lark is still lighting matches and tossing them at anything green.* <Lark> No, what are you doing? I love that forest! )

Lark Sandstone says, (cruel you are to ,me lol)

Nick pauses and looks up at Lark a little strangely. "You think pity does become you? Well I guess all people in power pity those that aren't?" Cerberus sits back down in the passenger side of the car and pants. He seems to be watching and listening though.

Lark Sandstone says, what are you talking about. I pity no one.... " she bowed her head, her frustration getting the better of herself. Her right hand moved to run through her hair in that same manner. Looking much like the way that Nick and matt let their fingers run through their own locks. she looked at him. Her eyes serious, deathly serious now as she watched him...."I don't pity you Nick. and I never would."

Nick says, "Don't patronize me, Lark. You've never liked, not since the first day we've met. You've done nothing since but to find way to prove how much you despise me." He frowns at Lark, getting a little angry himself. He can't think of a single time Lark was ever nice to him at all, not even when he'd try to be nice to her. Her tormenting him in the dungeon is still fresh n his mind. There was defiantly a negative feeling coming from her then, and he's pretty sure pity was wrapped up in it somehow, just not the kind you'd give to a lost puppy. It was the kind you'd give to a hated enemy.

Lark Sandstone says, ~looking at him, listening to him., she stood her form frozen in stone the way his words hit her. her bowed her here..."perhaps she was that way to him. then she was cross and frustrated with him. But she knew she had gone after him before in the dessert... she thought what about that. She helped save him. "I came then and I would come again nick. i know your reasons for not trusting a word i say. heck i don't trust myself at times. But what better person to teach me then you. You have not failed too greatly on me, unless you walk away from me entirely."

Nick has no idea what she means by the cam then and would again comment. He assumes it is about yanking him from his penthouse. They could have just called, but Kayos wanted to make a point. And when Kayos makes a point he typical runs his target through with that point. His eyes narrow a little and he thinks to get into a verbal disagreement with her, but then he's never really liked using words to get his own point across. The rest of her words are what saves her nose from his fist however. They seem to confuse him a little. He even glances at the dog as if asking if Cerberus heard what he heard. Cerberus barks once. Nick looks back at Lark. She's wanting his help now? She's never wanted his help before. He's not sure how long that'd last. "I just ignored orders from Kayos. . ."

Lark Sandstone says, and? " she looked at him, the look telling her he understood less of what she said. Her words failing her .. she frowned and staggered there moving from side to side. She turned in a complete circle , then snapped about to face him. "In time kayos will understand that it was a mistake to treat you in this manner. You'll see...please just wait it out.. You don't have to run off do you?" she looked at him her eyes darken, as if to try and charm him, but she didn't even try. she stood before him looking down at his face.

Nick laughs, but something about it is genuine. Like the type of laugh an adult gives when a child states something she doesn't fully understand in her sweet innocence. "Kayos treats everyone the same. Well, his children and Arepharis anyway. I only get what I deserve. The only reason it seems more to you lately, is because I'm not doing as good as job as I used to. You and he sat around talking about it and making fun of me for having gone soft. Disobeying his most recent orders will only get me in the hospital again.

Lark Sandstone says, ~ she was surprised at how he spoke of her. right in front of her face. "I never..." she watched him for a moment more. "Kayos will listen to me.." she was not all that sure, but she wanted to try. She thought what could he possibly do to her. Watching his face though she thought to just let him go. she could Go back to the way things were before she was so lost in thought every time Nick's name was mentioned.

Nick gives another little half shrug. Kayos might listen to her. He's been known to be swayed by the gentle words or pleading of his children, but he doesn't know why Lark would try. "I thought you liked it when I got hurt?" He looks down, not making eye contact. There is a large part of him that would like to stay. This is his life, these are the people he knows. What he needs right now more than anything else is comfort. Everyone he knows that can give that to him is a part of Kelosh.

Lark Sandstone says, Liked it when you got hurt...do you think me to be my sister?" Her eyes narrowed, her hands tensed against her side. "I am not no matter what Telis people think...or you if that is indeed how you feel..."

Nick says, "it was your smiles or happy words at seeing such things that caused me to believe that." He looks up to give her another funny look. She's always acted and spoke in ways that made it clear how she felt. He has no reason to think or guess that she's never acted or said anything that was true to herself. "And neither I, nor anyone I know has ever met your sister, so I can't compare you to her. I know nothing of her."

Lark Sandstone says, I�m sorry I should not have said that. " she had forgotten who knew the whole story of her family. Looking at Nick. why did she waste her time trying to convince him. she explained how she felt and that was surely not enough to keep him here. She nodded to herself. As if to finally realize that there was not a drop of emotion in nick for her. She let a rather very sad sigh escape before nodding.

Nick isn't happy. She said she wanted him to stay and tried to convince him to stay, only to turn around and yell at him as if trying to make him leave. She is a strange creature. "Why? Because saying it shows how much you really need me around? I told you I don't need your pity. You don't have to pretend to like me, or need me. I have nothing to give you that you can gain from anyway. You're already a strong warrior, and killing is all I know."

Lark Sandstone says, ~looking at him, she missed something...her tone picked up trying to but in here and there while he spoke, she was not liking her words turned on her..."I meant that I wanted you to stay. why do you have trouble with people actually wanting you about?"

Nick says, "I don't believe you do. You've never shown any sign of it before. Why the change of heart all of the sudden? Have a thing for guys that are down?" He thinks that makes a little sense now that he says it. Sirens tend to like men they can dominate, and Nick is already down. Maybe she's thinking it won't be hard to dominate him? "My trouble right now, is no body does want me around, I serve no purpose here anymore. I'm just in the way. It's time to count my losses and try to find a place I can belong."

Lark Sandstone says, ~ she stood there looking at him for some time. She nodded and the gathered herself. "I guess i can not change that then..." with that she turned... her voice carried on behind herself to him as she walked away...."stay in touch." she then moved through the garage. Her movements were slow she did not rush on any account. Her gaze was on the ground studying the trail of pebbles at her feet as she walked. she did not see a few if not a mile down the road a group of dark figures scurried across the grounds coming from the doorway that led to her own chamber. She had seen to it that a separate entrance way be made for herself. to avoid people if she needed. She made her way in that direction.

Nick shakes his head a little. "I've already told you I won't. It will be centuries before I ever step foot back on Kelosh soil again, maybe longer." He sighs and thinks it over a little. Maybe she really does want him to stay, but doesn't know who to match words with actions? Or maybe it was all most ploy. At any rate if she mentions it to anyone else, then he won't make it out of Kayosia. He plans on jumping a ship and heading into space. It'll be several months before he can get out of Kelosh's main eye. But then he is highly trained to blend and create new identities. He gets into the car and shuts the door. The radio comes on pretty loud first thing and with a wince he rolls up the soundproof windows, so that only the drum of the bass vibrating within can be heard. Cerberus whines and tries to cover his ears, but Nick is no longer in a giving mood. Lark is just too damn confusing. He likes to have more of a clue on what's going on.