| Dylina nuzzled against Ren's chest as she slowly woke from her sleep. Her body felt somewhat tired, but the feeling of his body under hers took her mind off that fact. She gazed up at him, admiring his peaceful face before she slipped out of bed, keeping an eye on him so she didn't accidently wake him. She pulled the covers over him before Dylina finally relaxed, looking at herself in the mirror again before she fetched a change in clothes from her cabinent. "I need to take a bath," muttered Dylina to herserlf. She closed the door behind her quietly as she exited her room and descended down the stairs. Meg was waiting for her in the living room. Dylina smiled and hugged her friend as Meg winked at her. "Good afternoon sleepyhead. So what did you two do hmmm?" Dylina raised an eyebrow at her friend. "Nothing. What gave you that idea?" "You two looked awfully cozy together in bed..." Her face turned to a bright shade of red. "Speak not if it again. I merely passed out." Meg grinned at her friend, poking her in the stomache. "You look like a mess." Dylina nodded. "I need to take a bath... I just don't know if I want to go back to the lake." "I'll accompany you. Besides, you can turn into a wolf like me now." Dylina sighed, her memories of the night before becoming strong in her mind again. She followed Meg, nervously checking around her as they left the village. Her friend, on the other hand, seemed a lot more relaxed, skipping the path the two always took to the lake. Dylina would panic, however, at even the slightest rustle of a bush, so Meg took her hand while she held her change in the other. Eventually they reached the edge of the lake. Meg smiled at her friend while she set her change of clothes on the ground. Dylina did the same before she removed the sash from her dress and let it fall to the ground. She slowly took a step into the water. The water caused her to shiver vigorously as she walked in hesistantly. Meg pushed her from behind as she fell into the water. Dylina sat up in the water, only to be tackled and pushed under once again. She struggled to hold her breath while struggling with her friend until she eventually reversed the positions, pinning her underwater. Eventually she let go of her friend before she swam to the center of the lake, her friend trailing behind. Dylina eventually stopped at the center of the lake as she took a look around again. Meg eventually caught up to her, grinning mischeviously at her as her friend shook her head, water droplets flying in the air and hitting her in the face. "Cheerful as always...." Dylina glaced underwater for a moment. " Shall we go into the grotto? We should at least go one more time. One more time so we could forget what happened." Worry filled Meg's voice. "Everything?" "No, of course not." She smiled softly at Dylina as Meg started to lead the way. "Then let's go." --------------------------------------------- Dylina held hands with Meg as she returned with her friend to the village. That lake still relaxs me, despite what happened not too long ago. She smiled to herserlf while the two walked up to her house. Her friend put her head against her shoulder as Dylina gave Meg a friendly squeeze. The two entered her house as she called out in house. "Father, I'm home!" "Okay dear." She followed the voice to the living room as she smiled at her father. Then Dylina noticed Ren, awake and sipping on some tea as she growled under her breath. She walked up to him, crossing her arms and staring down at him with fire in her eyes. "You should be in bed!" Ren shrugged. " I can't stay cooped up in that bed forever." "You have a few bruised ribs. You still need to stay in bed." "He's right, Dylina. " slipped in her father before he took a sip from his tea. "He doesn't need to stay in bed forever. He'll be alright." "Okay then. I just think that he should at least stay in bed for a day or two more." Dylina took a seat at the table, Meg sitting next to her. She wanted to protest even futher, but she didn't want to argue with her father. She poured herself and her friend a cup of tea, watching Ren and her father carefully. Her father slowly set down his cup, looking at her in the way that made her feel that she was going to receive a lecture. "Dylina..... I think it's about time for you to get out of the village. Since you won't be married this year, you will have plenty of time to explore. I've asked Ren to be your bodyguard, also, and he has agreed to do it." She choked in shock as she was drinking her tea. The news came to her as a total surprise while her mind raced wildly. Leave? I never thought of it. And I don't need someone to watch over me either! I think I can handle myself with my new power..... I think. It was still rather new to her, but even then she didn't want to admit to the fact that she needed help. "Father... Do I really need to?" "Of course. There is a world outside of the forest that you need to see first hand." "Okay..." sighed Dylina, lowering her head in despair. Meg rubbed her friend's back, smiling. " Would it be alright if I go?" "....I guess.... But then I'll need to find someone else to help Ren." "Good, that'll give Ren enough time to rest." Dylina looked up at Ren while he sipped his tea. "Finish up your tea and let's get you back to bed. The quicker you heal, the quicker our departure is." Ren set his cup down on the table and stood up, walking upstairs without a word of protest. Meg followed him up slowly while Dylina remained with her father, her gaze remaining on him. Silence filled the room once again as she began to slowly tense up. "So... why father?" " I don't know if he'll do it or not, but I think that Margrimm might try something if you remained. I know he's hurt, but when he heals, he'll want revenge. Second, I think you really do need to see what's going on outside of the forest. We may be entering a war for all we know with the humans." " And you trust Ren with my life?" Her father merely shrugged. " He protected you twice before, what's to stop him this time." Dylina crossed her arms. "And Meganlique?" "Her parents are dead. She'll need to do some thinking. I think it would be best if she helped you out with Ren. Trouble seems to always find him." She sighed. "... I won't argue anymore. I'm going to check on Ren again before I start preparing." "You've always been respectful and obeidant. Know that I love you, and that I'll always love you." "Yes father...." She made her way upstairs, muttering to herself before she looked back at him, whispering softly. ".... I love you too." -------------------------------------------------------- Dylina felt someone shaking her softly as her eyes struggled to open up. Meg was laying down next to her, whispering into her ear to wake up. She rolled over to face her friend, burying her face into Meg's neck as protests in the form of mumbling came out of her mouth. Eventually she was dragged out of bed as the cold set around her like a blanket, making her shiver slightly. "Wake up sleepy. This morning is the morning that we depart." |