Hellfire [Caro]

[Oathkeeper Emi]

Strength to weakness in a half second.
--

"I'm fine,[/color]" she said, and smiled a little to reinforce the fact that she was fine. It wasn't a lie. Being hurt was better than being dead, and the fear had worn off the moment he went back to normal.

She examined his ruined coat, trying to figured out if it was fixable or not. It didn't look like it was, but she set it aside anyway. She couldn't help but chuckle when she turned back around. "How do we always end up like this? You're all banged up and I'm fixing you again...[/color]" she told him, and planted her hands on her hips. "You know, you really should be more careful. I don't like seeing you...h-hurt.[/color]"

And suddenly, here came the tears. She fiddled with a button on her dress and cried for a few moments before abruptly taking a few quick steps towards him and throwing her arms around his neck. "Don't ever scare me like that again![/color]" she sobbed. "I really t-thought you were g-going to die.[/color]"

I really thought I was going to kill you. That's what she thought but didn't say, and that's the reason she was so upset. This strength she had received was good but she didn't think she was meant to use it against him. But what she didn't know is that she could use it to help him, too.

She didn't let go of him for a long time.

[Ain_Soph_Aur]

This day will be engraved in my memory.
--

Today was not a good day. Yet, he had to live and find meaning in the life he had left. Was continuing on his quest meaningless or was it leading somewhere filled with happiness. He did not know.

Ain listened carefully to Caroline without blinking. He had to admit that he was accident prone ever since he met her, but no matter how much injuries he sustained over the time he has known her- it was worth it to hear her voice. Even getting first aid from Caroline didn't seem half-bad, but he wasn't going to say so out-loud. His eyes opened more widely when suddenly he saw the facade of a smile fade away and tears quickly replace it. The result tears showed him that she really cared about him, but he did not understand why anyone would care about him.

The concern in her voice stopped him in his tracks as Caroline's arms wrapped around his neck in a sweet embrace. Though he didn't understand why, tears started rolling down his cheeks after only now feeling at ease. The incident had did a number on him, though he didn't want to show it to Caroline. Wasn't he expected to act like a man and take it like one, too?

Today felt different. He was sad, he had killed people and hurt his friend. Still his friend was with him and he was no longer alone. His arms pulled around Caroline from shoulder to shoulder and held her tight. "I'm not going anywhere, Caro." he stated quietly as he stayed in that position. "Don't cry."

[Oathkeeper Emi]

Caitlin, Bass Down Low is not appropriate Caroline posting music.
--

"But I can't help it,[/color]" she choked. This was perfect. Maybe she needed to actually hold him to reassure him that this was reality and he hadn't killed her back there. Then again, this could be heaven for all she knew; it was good enough to be.

After a few minutes, she noticed something was different. She couldn't exactly explain why. Maybe he was holding himself differently, maybe it was something in her heart... whatever it was, it made her pull away from him, rub the tears from her eyes and then proceed to stare at him with her mouth wide open.

"Did... did I do that?[/color]" she asked quietly, through her fingers because she had covered her mouth with her hands. She didn't know how but apparently she had healed all, or at least most of, his wounds. It made her feel a little better but she couldn't help but be in awe of her own power... no, wait, what had that voice said? Her strength was not her own.

Thank you, she thought, knowing that the voice in her heart would hear.

Something still nagged at her despite that. She chewed her lip, wondering if she should mention it. Was it rude? She didn't know, but decided to wait for a while to see if he gave her some kind of cue that it was okay to talk about what happened.

[Ain_Soph_Aur]

Let's talk.
-

At first his injuries stung from Caroline pressing into him to hug him, but after a little while he forgot about the pain. Under normal circumstances that would be impossible. As he held her, he did not know if he was holding her to keep her calm or if she was holding him to keep himself calm- it could have been either one. The warmth of Caroline's body against his seemed to give him peace, such peace that he was no longer troubled by the actions of the day. He didn't notice right away that his body felt invigorated until Caroline finally pulled away from him and he caught a glimpse of his once burned chest.

The burns were gone like he wasn't burned at all. He had to look at his burned clothing once to be sure that he wasn't dreaming before his eyes looked to Caroline without blinking. Her expression told him that she didn't exactly know what happened either.

"You healed me with a strange magic, didn't you?" he stated quietly as he sat up and looked his body over. His arm was still cut and slightly bleeding but he felt a whole lot better then before. "I don't know how, but thank you."

Ain stood tall in front of Caroline as the kitchen light flickered a little causing momentary darkness to fill the room. As the light came back, his dark eyes simply stared at her without showing any emotion. Despite him being bare-chested, he didn't let it bother him as what did bother him far outweighed such matters.

"We should talk about what happened at the church and whether you will be safe on this ship with me any longer." he stated quite seriously, it wasn't entirely obvious that he was worried about Caroline as he spoke. "I-I killed people today..."

[Oathkeeper Emi]

Screw the details.
--

Caroline picked at the lace on her dress. "I wouldn't call it magic,[/color]" she murmured, with a nervous laugh. "That seems kind of sacrilegious, actually.[/color]"

The lights went out, and then came back on. When she could see again, she had to actually look up to meet his eyes. He was staring at her, but it didn't unnerve her like it used to. She was used to his flat personality, and honestly, she was just glad to see his brown eyes again, and not the red ones.

"Safe to stay on the ship? Are you suggesting I leave, again?[/color]" she exclaimed. She reached over and took his arm into her hands, gently. Without looking up or caring about the blood, she covered his wound with her hand. When she took it away, his arm was completely healed. She looked up at him. "That wasn't you back there,[/color]" she told him, tears welling up in her eyes. "That was...whatever was making you sick. You don't get it at all. What am I going to have to do to make you understand? I'm not leaving you. Ever. I'm only feel safe when I'm with you.[/color]"

[Ain_Soph_Aur]

Damn, I feel strange. I'm probably still sick...
-

Ain just stood there wondering what she meant by sacrilegious, his eyes didn't blink as he thought about it. There was much more he could have asked her including the armor she wore during the incident and more about the sword. His head shifted slightly to the side as he thought about Caroline and how she put off a slightly different aura then before. It wasn't clear if he was imagining things but it may have been that it wasn't just him that changed this day. The questions about it escaped his lips and were never uttered this day.

As Caroline healed his arm, the wound felt incredibly warm like before - he did not know if it was the magic flowing through his arm or if the touch was what caused it. Before he could figure it out however, the conversation turned serious yet again. He couldn't believe that he wasn't being blamed for the deaths of those people or even hurting Caroline but he felt relieved regardless. Then came the words that shook him up a bit, words that told him that she would always be by his side no matter how hard it got. The fact that Caroline only felt safe with himself...

"Caro--" he stated as his face flushed slightly in embarrassment. Something he had not felt before. Such a feeling that took him back a step, but why now of all times. He did not know what was different but his head was more clear then before. "I withdraw my statement."

Taking a step back, he looked away. It took him a minute before he opened his mouth again. "Do you really mean it when you say that you will always stay with me?" he finally asked seriously as he turned his head to look at Caroline again, bringing his left hand up to his temple. For some reason he had to know if she was serious but asking what he did felt a bit embarrassing.

[Oathkeeper Emi]

What was that for!?
--

"Of course I mean it. I wouldn't lie to you,[/color]" Caroline said. She pouted for a moment, crossing her arms over her chest. "As if that weren't enough, where else could I go? I can't go home and you know that I couldn't make it on my own. You're all I have left.[/color]"

She couldn't help herself. She tried to hide the fact she was crying again by hugging him again. This time though, she was only able to embrace him for a few seconds before she recoiled abruptly away from him and pressed her hand to her cheek. It felt like someone had slapped her across the face.

Caroline, do not let earthly desires distract you.

It was that voice again. Caroline's cheeks burned, and she was sure Ain noticed she was incredibly embarrassed. So, it was distraction time.

"You should probably go on to bed,[/color]" she said, turning around to hide herself and also pick up his coat and other articles of clothing. "I'll take care of these... somehow.[/color]"

[Ain_Soph_Aur]

I can't believe I lost it...
--

Ain blinked slightly when Caroline recoiled back like she was hit following the brief hug. Though he didn't understand what was going on with her lately, he wasn't one to press her for information if she didn't want to tell him about it herself. He trusted Caroline with his life, but lately he had the feeling that maybe himself couldn't be trusted. Still, it felt good to have her stay with him and as long as he could keep it together he would protect Caroline. His body straightened itself out, and he did a few stretches to get the kinks out after the healing he had received. Despite everything that happened, he was in top condition with no trace of the sickness that had plagued him earlier.

What had happened to him? He still didn't know. However, deep down he had a new feeling that he was no longer human, or he was never human to begin with. The harder he thought, the more he saw a giant dragon flying through the sky and the echo of it's savage yet beautiful roar.

He shuddered slightly.

Taking a few steps forward, he walked a bit past Caroline to the doorway of the kitchen and stopped. His eyes were straight ahead at the common room that was lightly lit and calm in front of him. "I will be clear." he started in his normal unemotional tone. "You're the only person I care about in the many worlds and If you want to stay with me I will protect you."

His eyes remained unblinking as he continued to stare straight ahead. His own body like a rock, unmoving. Looking down on himself, he was still quite dirty from running around and... battle. "I'm going to have a shower and head to bed." he continued before turning his head back to look at Caroline. "Good night, Caro."

Walking off from the kitchen, he passed through the common area. Sliding his fingers across the sofa as he did and made his way into the bathroom past the bookshelf. Once inside he closed the door behind him and turned on the taps to let the water flow into the sink. His eyes stared blankly at the mirror within. Splashing himself lightly with the water, he just wanted to forget most of the things that happened today- yet he would NEVER forget certain things. Turning off the taps, he was ready to jump in the shower when he finally noticed that his treasured necklace was GONE.

His eyes opened wide as he patted his chest and felt the back of his neck in a futile hope that he could grasp it. After a moment he sighed sadly...

[Oathkeeper Emi]

Just for a second.
--

Caroline had to admit, she was touched by Ain's words. She smiled softly at him. "I appreciate that very much,[/color]" she said. She didn't say it, but she thought As it happens, you're the only person I care about too. That thought kind of shocked her. What about her family...her parents, sister, aunt and uncle? Her face fell. They didn't care to help me when I need it. Only Ain did. It's apparent who is more important to me, I think.

And then: Oh, darn it. I wanted a bath, too. I guess I'll just wait. In the mean time...

She turned the kitchen light off and went to her room. She closed the door behind her and put Ain's ruined clothes aside, to be dealt with in the morning after breakfast. She was ready to get back in the swing of things. And she was glad to be home... that's what this ship was to her now, her home. She started unpacking her satchel, putting things back where they belong. At the bottom of her bag, she came across something unfamiliar. She fished it out and tried to remember where it came from. It was Ain's necklace that he had torn off in his rage. She had picked it up for safe keeping, and he would probably want it back. He was in the shower now, though, so she decided to wait and put it on her dresser.

She put on her nightgown, unpinned her hair and brushed the tangles out of it until it fell in soft waves around her face. Her attention, however, kept going back to the necklace on the dresser. She picked it up, and fastened it around her neck on top of the delicate silver chain already there. Looking at herself in the mirror, she liked the necklace. She didn't know what it was, of course, but she could see why Ain liked wearing it.

She took it off and carried it to his room.

[Ain_Soph_Aur]

A shower to wash away my invisible tears.
-

The water flow slowed to a stop and dripped softly down to the floor of the ship's shower. Though it was cool inside the ship, Ain didn't care and stepped out of the shower through the curtain without even letting the chill slow his pace. His body now clean and fit as a whistle, though a tiny bit bruised- more mentally then physically. It might have been the fatigue of constant travel catching up to him at long last but he knew better then that, this was the sudden realization that he had nothing and effected nothing for his entire life up to this point. With a quick wrap of a towel around his waist, he neglected top dry off even a little for the time being and walked over to the sink where the mirror was.

With everything he had lost in his entire life. He could not believe he would lose the last thing that tied his memories of his home and family.

Ain stared dead ahead at the mirror that had been fogged by the shower and wiped away a small portion to see himself through with his hand. His heart beated as he thought about everything almost all at once and was deeply saddened by his choices. It wasn't like him to give such emotional thoughts but in the most simple of ways he felt relieved to finally let it all out. It took him almost 20 minutes to finally regain his earlier composure, he could not allow anyone especially Caroline to see him like this- he was suppose to be strong for her.

His remained on the spot for a while longer as the water dripped down his shoulders and puddled slightly at his feet.

Before every thought felt so distant, like his body wasn't his own. Now things were a bit clearer and closer then he was able to imagine. Now that he was more open to such feelings, he just didn't know where to go from here. Would Caroline come with him no matter what he decided in the end? His head shook as he thought about Caroline and smiled lightly.

"Mother. Did you know that such kind people existed in the worlds, or did you distrust them as I did?" he stated quietly as he took his time in front of the mirror.

--

About 10 minutes later, Ain emerged from the bathroom still a bit wet with the towel he had been using around his shoulders and walked through the common room back towards his bedroom. His eyes widened as he saw Caroline walking out out of her room towards his, and wondered what she was doing.
"Caro, did you need anything?" he stated as he walked up behind her and kept walking around her on his way to his room. He did not stop though as he opened his door and started inside. "I'm sure it can wait until tomorrow."

[Oathkeeper Emi]

"I found this and thought you might want it back," Caroline said. She turned to follow his path down the hall, and held out the necklace for him to see. She dangled it from a single finger, and it swung back and forth almost teasingly. "You, um, dropped it back in Paris and I kept it just for safekeeping."

She didn't go into more detail about what had really happened. She didn't want to upset him further about the incident.

[Ain_Soph_Aur]

What now!?
-

His attention remained away from Caroline as she spoke. At that moment he wasn't feeling like his old self and didn't want to offend Caroline by any actions he might take right now. He only wanted to swiftly get to bed without seeing anyone but that clearly wasn't possible as she was right behind him.

Ain looked back at Caroline with his normal unemotional expression. His lips flat and his eyebrows raised he glanced first at Caroline herself. A rare sight to see her under dressed with her hair down and she was wearing a... nightgown. Up until now he just didn't care when he saw her like this but today for only a moment he saw her as cute. One second after however his eyes fell on the thing dangling from her finger, it was his necklace.

"How--" Ain started, his eyes opened widely as he intensely stared at Caroline. "How dare you touch my mother's necklace like it's a toy!"

At this moment he wasn't even thinking rationally. Even if Caroline did it for his sake or any other reasons. He was angry to see anyone hold it but himself. The swinging of it on her finger only served to reinforce what he felt.
Without waiting any longer, he reached in quick and snatched the necklace from Caroline. His grip on the necklace tighter then it had ever been, he stared at her coldly. "You had this the entire time?!" he yelled sharply at her. "I can't believe this..."

[Oathkeeper Emi]

Caroline jumped and flinched. Ain snatched the necklace from her hands, and she stood there. Shocked. A little bit frightened. It took her a few minutes to regain her voice. "I...I just now found it in my bag," she stuttered, drawing her arms into her chest. "It's not as if I've stolen it, Ain. I think you should calm down."

Perhaps now would be a good time to further explain what had happened and how the necklace came to be in her possession. He was already upset, anyway....more upset than she'd ever seen him. That necklace was obviously dear to him; hadn't he mentioned it belonged to his mother

"You ripped it off back in Paris and threw it on the ground like you hated it," she told him. "I picked it up and put it in my bag before you...a-attacked me."

[Ain_Soph_Aur]

I don't want to be alone.
-

"Hated it?" he repeated as a question to himself, but the answer was already known. There was no way he could hate the only thing left of his family and though his memory was vague of the time he had went berserk- he could not see himself simply tossing it away. "I would never--" he stopped talking abruptly as he tried his best to recall.

Ain took a step back from Caroline when she mentioned that he had attacked her, the guilt he felt was heavy in his heart. His other hand covered his face for a moment, the state of the day was too much for him. Simply, he wanted to just let it go and move on but for some reason he was still angry and confused by what she was telling him. "Please just leave me alone for a while, Caroline." he started bluntly as he pulled into his room and slammed the door behind him. "I want to be... alone."

Once on the other-side he collapsed against the door and remembered why he wanted to travel alone in the first place. The reason was simple. He did not trust anyone, but times had changed and he grown accustomed to trusting Caroline. Maybe he was looking for a reason to distrust her was a thought that ate at him. As he pulled the necklace in-front of his face to view, he lowered his head and closed his eyes. He knew very well that he had overreacted...

[Oathkeeper Emi]

Caroline was shocked. She flinched at every other harsh word that came out of his mouth and looked at the floor. Tears stung her eyes and spilled over, running down her cheeks unchecked. Why was he acting like this to her? Everything had been so good only a little while ago...what had happened? It was so unlike him to be this emotional. It unsettled her because she was used to his calm, unaffected demeanor.

When he finally asked to be left alone, she looked up quickly only to be greeted with a door slammed in her face. She jumped at the loud sound it made, and then stood completely still. Her crying steadily got harder until she finally turned and ran. She ran into the bathroom, slammed the door with two hands and locked it. Leaning against it, she took a few minutes to catch her breath and then turned and turned the taps for the bathtub, skipping the shower completely. Maybe a nice bubble bath would calm her down and give her time to think.

She stepped into the water and then sunk deep into the bubbles, down until all that was a visible was her nose and eyes and hair... and then she went completely under water. Having to hold her breath calmed her down and when she resurfaced with a gasp she was able to lean back , close her eyes and think.

He would come out, they would both apologize and things would be good again. Even though she was scared about what was making him sick and yell at her, she knew things could only get better.