Katt followed in hand with Toby rather quietly. Her mouth opened then closed..trying to say something but simply ended up closing again. There was a strange loss for words that baffled her as they moved. And it remained even as they left the portal.

"You know..I meant what I said.. About the rings.. And who knows.." He shrugged softly. "I'm not really..thinking..or trying to hide stuff as much as I used to.. That thought thing..might not be a big deal.. It could go both ways too..and I can understand you better or something.. " He plowed right through the inn, weaving around tables and chairs and took the back door instead, if only because it was closer. The alley smelled like garbage and blood..which was different..

She followed and nearly pulled him back in at the smell that assaulted her. "MrmmphhhFfff phew!" Her nose wrinkled up as she pitched forward, nudging him to walk a little faster. The rings. Did he really mean that. "R-Really? Or are you just saying that because of the other day and you worry?"

"Well..both.." He sped up without too much protest, casually looking around the alley to see if whatever had died in there was still around. It sure smelled like it.. "It puts stuff into perspective.. Not using the rings..just seems like a big waste.." He shrugged.

She chuckled quietly and pressed her free hand up to her nose. Urg it made her feel a little woozy! "We can activate them and try them out. And if you don't like it I can just um..I'll figure something out?"

"Yeah..and if I don't like it..I can just..wear it on the chain with the vial or something.. You told me I could do that.. Or.." He held his breath until they reached the street, and his vision had already gone spotty. He sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead with his hand. Doing that was bad..still.. "Would it still work if I had it with me..?"

Katt giggled when he started to turn red. That was way too funny! It died a little as did the smile when she thought about him not wearing the ring. That sorta made her feel..sad. "No it wouldn't. But I rather break the enchantment on it then..I mean unless you don't wanna wear it that's fine too." She finished the last a bit quickly as if it worried her he might get upset over her being pushy.

"I didn't know it could be broken.." ::He shrugged softly. "I dunno.. We'd just..have to try it and see.. " He held his hand over his mouth and noise, breathing deeply until he started to feel lightheaded. That was much better.. He was sort of glad he didn't live at the inn anymore..

She watched him and really started to giggle. Reaching out her free arm she took hold of the arm that was connected to the hand her other hand clung to. Hugging his arm she grinned up to him. "You aren't going to faint on me are you?"

Toby shook his head slowly. "I'll try not to.. " He snickered. "It'd suck if I really did.. But..holding my breath for a while..I can't do it yet.. I'll be okay.. Probably just have to walk it off.. " He curved his hand around his neck and held on, scratching at the scars.

She smiled up to him and nodded. After a few more steps she seemed to slow considerably. Slowly her hold on his arm was released and she turned her head to the side. "(vsw) Well that was sooner then expected.."

"Huh..?" He blinked, looking back at her..wherever she was looking off to. It seemed really, really familiar. He grunted. "You don't have to talk in people's heads this time, I know what's going on..so just..don't.."

They were casually walking. One towering over the other and garbed in heavy white armor trimmed in gold. The other, more dainty of the two, was dressed in a flowing hooded robes that hinted faintly to female curves. Oda's hair was bound back from his hard etched face, his eyes focused on the two as they approached. The closer they got the more she seemed to grow stiff. Eventually she stopped, her hand softly tugging on Toby's. "(vsw) Hhhh.."

Toby blinked. He should..just expect that they'd show up fast.. The tinier one..didn't look like Aren.. Unless he really, really changed all of a sudden. The thought made him snort..he hid his grin behind his hand. He glanced down at the tugs he felt, then up to Katt's face..back over to the pair. Oda..was probably going to be mad at her.. No wonder she seemed scared..

She swallowed heavily and released Toby's hand once the two had stopped. She'd bow at the waist deeply, her crimson hair spilling over her shoulders. "Y-Your ladyship. I wasn't expecting y-"

"Shhh. It is fine child." The voice that came from the hood was gentle like the finest wind. Warm like a mother's voice speaking to their child as if to calm their greatest fear. "My husband has spoke much of change in you. I find myself quite curious to meet the lad who has changed you so." Oda only grunted but seemed to go still when the hooded figure turned head towards him. The female figure turned back to them and stepped forward. "Please rise." And as Katt did as the gentle voice requested. The figure then turned attention onto Toby. "And you lad. You must be Toby." A slender and pale hand rising up from the wide sleeves to offer to Toby.

Oda took a few steps forward as if he didn't quite agree with any sort of ..connection.

"What the hell..?" He'd..never seen Katt do that before.. He didn't think.. Maybe he was just forgetting.. His eyes rose to the little hooded figure. It *was* a girl.. He didn't know what he was supposed to do.. He kneaded the back of his neck sharply, a clearly uncertain look coming onto his face. He glanced to Oda, then back to the hand extended in his direction. He wasn't..supposed to shake it..right..? He just nodded several times. "Yeah..that's..me.. " His smile almost looked pained.

The delicate hand curled in and there was a musical laughter offered. "Such a reserved young man. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Lilian, Oda's wife." The hand retreated to lower the hood and display the beautiful mane of white. But obviously not an altian. Her eyes were a brilliant gold, gentle and yet strong. Oda grunted at the lack of formalities in the greeting. Once the hood was lowered that slender hand waved Oda off though by the smile on the woman's lips it was more playful then dismissing. "Do not mind my husband. Battle has made him a grouch."

Oda shot a stare over to Katt and she all but went rigid, a few steps taken towards Toby before she dared peek towards Oda. He was staring at her hard and she could quite literally feel his heavy glare on her.

He snickered, briefly waving with the hand on his neck before it settled back into place. She was..a lot better than Aren, he figured.. It felt kind of funny..meeting his mom.. "Yeah.. Grouch..that's a good word to use.. " He blinked at the shuffling next to him..switching the hand at his neck so he could reach for one of Katt's. His eyes rose to Oda. "Don't be mad at her..

For a period Toby was simply ignored and Oda kept his eyes locked on Katt. Slowly he nodded and glanced over to Toby. "I am angry with her if not only coming to me sooner." Oda turned to his wife and they exchanged glances. Depending on how well Toby was paying attention he'd probably see Lilian fiddling with a semi-familiar ring on her finger.

Though different in appearance it played the role needed. Soon Lilian was frowning and she looked over to Katt. "Things continue to be hard for you, don't they child. But they are progressing and growing better by the looks of things." Her eyes swept over to Toby and there was a kind smile presented for him. "I must say you are not what I pictured. Quite a dashing fella you've found for yourself."

Katt's eyes shot down, cheeks gone red. Dashing. Hehehe. She almost giggled but Oda's hard stare on her again caused her shoulders to slump. "Can I be..'fixed'?"

Lilian turned back to Oda who released a heavy breath. "Yes. Again, you should of came to me sooner. Could of saved yourself a lot of grief."

Amen to that..Katt thought to herself.

Toby frowned uncertainly again, scratching at his neck until it hurt. At least it was keeping him from being too annoyed. Dashing was a new word.. He sort of wondered what Lilian *had* been expecting.. He grunted as the conversation progressed, actually nudged Katt with his arm..pointing at the two in front of them. "For once..I agree with him.. And that's just weird.."

Lilian instantly laughed and Katt sort of blinked over to Toby with a look that simply screamed 'who's side you on?!' Course..at the moment it seemed to be Oda's! She slowly moved away as Oda motioned to her. Lilian moved to stand closer to Toby to observe the ongoings.

"How long has it been?" Oda asked heavily.

"Uh..a month or so?" Katt answered and flinched when Oda's hand rose up swiftly towards her head. It stopped just at her brow and his hand, which seemed like it was ready to swallow her head up, positioned so that his thumb was against her forehead and his other fingers idled at her cheek.

Toby blinked and he turned to face them..both of his hands tightening. He went rigid seeing Oda's hand move, then swallowed..shuffling back the step he had taken forward. They were a lot more alike than he thought.. He wasn't sure he liked that.. He looked quickly away from all three of them. It didn't matter..she was getting fixed.. That was..all that counted..

"Toby. Rest assure that she is in good hands. He may have a firm hand but my husband is a good man." Lilian offered the soft words in attempt to ease him. Golden eyes blinked and she quickly turned attention. Oda had grunted and seemed to be attempting to stand his grounds against some force. "Husband of mine? What is wrong?"

There was another grunt from Oda and Katt's head rocked slowly back as if from the force of Oda's hand. "Kathryn? Focus.."

But she wasn't. She was just..staring at the sky, expression void of anything.

"I..yeah.." He squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head. "Sure.." Focus..? He blinked..looked from one to the other, then finally Katt. "Why..focus.. What's he supposed to be doing anyway..?"

"He is trying to repair the damage to her spiritual force. Her lifeline if you will. What she did was call upon her very own life in order to draw up strength. It is a dangerous act and could of very well killed her. It still could." Lilian spoke, distracted by what was going on. Oda seemed to be having trouble and it left her concerned.

Katt's eyes grew wide suddenly even though the rest of her expression remained blank. Pupiless greens flicked several times then turned gold. Still pupiless but very..very gold. Yoki split from her like wildfire but it was something else along with it. The ground shuddered and Oda was all but tossed back away from her as the wind around her picked up. No cololrs mind you but wind. Sharp enough to sound against the armor Oda wore.

"Still could.. You could've left that part out, you know.." He stared, fighting against taking a step back. He had to lean and tilt his head..to make sure he was seeing her eyes properly. He glanced to Lilian, then back. They were the same.. Focus.. He still didn't know what that meant. He turned his head sharply, feeling tiny pebbles ping off of him from the ground. He held a hand in front of his eyes that, like apparently everyone else's, had flickered and changed. He staggered forward and the sudden wave of nausea..clutching his stomach with his other hand. He'd already picked the direction he'd wanted to go..he forced his legs to keep going..forward. "This isn't how it's supposed to go, is it..!"

"No it's not. There is something wrong." Lilian answered and attempted to grab Toby to stop him from venturing even further. "Stay back, Lad."

Oda was trying to advance again but ended up staggering and falling to a knee, his hand pressing against his forehead. She was screaming. Not vocally but rather in his head. Eventually Katt's lips parted in an echoing scream as if she were in some terrible pain. Lilian flinched to it and shook her head at Oda who was flagging them with his other hand to stay back.

"I c-can't..I have to.." Toby lashed his arm out wildly behind him. He didn't..really want to hit Lilian, and he hoped he didn't.. He couldn't be sick now.. He gagged, yelling through clenched teeth..shook his head as sharply as he could without pitching completely over. They weren't that far away.. He reached out, as if to touch Katt's shoulder. Was the wind still there..would he be thrown back.. He'd just get the hell up..try again.

"Toby! Don't!" Oda barked as he looked up. The larger male was in terrible pain and could barely keep an eye open to look over. Sure enough the wind not only nipped but attempted to throw Toby away but not before there was a very brief touch to her shoulder. Reacting her body leaned back and she cried out louder. Even still. Toby had gotten closer then Oda could of.

"DON'T DO THIS!!" Toby's voice echoed up to the sky and it burned on its way out of his throat. His stomach caved, he coughed when he met the ground..rolling over. He shoved a fist up against his mouth, trying to swallow his stomach back down. He had to get up..he had to try again. He shook as he shoved to his hands and knees, finally his feet..where he swayed and swung around. "(s)Don't do this.." One step forward. He'd touched her..he could do it again. "(vsw)Don't do this.." He extended his hand shakily again.

Lilian quickly moved as the air billowed out in loud noise. Reaching forward she attempted to assist her husband up while the other of them watched Toby again..attempt to get his way towards Katt. Aside from the biting winds, once he reached a point he would find he would be able to reach her. However, she didn't seem to hear him over her own screams.

He'd felt wind like it a few times..during really bad storms.. He hunched over, shoving forward. He didn't want to be thrown again. He wasn't sure how many times he was able to get back up..or how long it would take. "(s)Katt.. " He had to ignore what he heard, and all the pain in head. Something was wrong..? He didn't know if it was the yoki.. That would have been..the only difference.. If she didn't have it, it might've gone fine.. He tried to touch her face with first one, then both hands..taking up Oda's place in front of her. "(s)Wake up.. You've got to wake up..!" Like she was in a dream. Would he be able to see what was going on..if the rings worked..? Maybe something could've spilled over..he could've talked that way.. She might hear him..

Katt inhaled on her scream sharply and her eyes drew as wide as they could go. The yoki..it was gone. The last of it rushed from her madly and all though her eyes dimmed back down to their green shade she was still staring wide-eyed up at the sky and that wind didn't seem to be letting lose.

Oda had managed to his feet, hand lowering down to his side. "There is going to be nothing left if she doesn't stop." This more to his wife then to anyone else. "She's there but I just can't reach her."

"What the-.." He growled, almost sagged forward in relief as his stomach unclenched..let his mind focus on something other than trying not to throw up. He could ask questions later..when she was fine. She was going to be fine.. "(s)Katt, come on.." She looked like she'd seen something terrible.. What was going on in her head..? "(s)You..you're always telling me not to leave..right..? And to come back to you when I do.. It's..your turn.. " If he kept talking, he wouldn't panic.. His hands shook as he brushed them over her face, freeing it of red hair that looked too much like blood now for his liking. Even if it was pretty.. "(s)I'm.. I'm waiting for you..right here.. And I'm not gonna leave until I can take you with me, so come on!"

Katt's eyes slowly relaxed and eventually settled into a half-opened state. A rushed breath escaped her as she slumped, pitching forward as if she was about ready to meet ground. As quickly as it had sprung up, the wind died in a whoosh.

Who was more surprised at witnessing this? Both Oda and Lilian stared in shock. Oda was quickly moving away from his wife and cutting the distance towards them.

"(vsw)Yes.. Yes..! Okay.. Ah.." :He leaned to catch her, trying to not fall over himself from relief. He was..really tired of falling over.. He locked his legs..fixing one arm tightly around her back, his other hand still at her face..tilting it back so he could see. Oda's giant, white form was hard to miss. "What the hell happened?!"

At first it would seem as if Katt was..well...dead. Her half-closed eyes just..stared blankly forward. La la..noone home. Oda frowned when he was close enough and he shook his head sharply back and forth. "I do not know. Suddenly she was releasing every ounce of energy she possessed. Almost." Oda reached forward again, attempting to place his hand like before. "Hold her." It was a request more then a demand as he tried to continue the task before it was too late.

Lilian slowly approached from the other side and reached a calming hand to rest on Toby's shoulder. As if she knew that he was locking himself up and she was to assist him from collapsing over. "Whatever you did to bring her down, it is a good thing you did. Even I can feel her spiritual force waning.."

"(s)Releasing..energy.. Why..? Why would she even want to fight this shit off, it was supposed to help her.." He flinched at the foreign touch to his shoulder, but didn't shy away from it..for reasons even beyond the fact that doing that would screw up whatever Oda was trying.. "(vsw)I don't.. I just..talked to her.. She talks to me and does this..when I need it.."

"Talk?" Yeah see Oda not believing that? "She's not fighting it. She had no control over it. It started to spill on it's own as soon as I attempted to steady her life force. It was chaotic at best. I felt nothing but fear and panic from her the moment it started to unleash." Oda started to fall silent, concentrating on what he was doing.

"Since it was unsteady to begin with her lifeforce might of weakened to the point she couldn't help but release her Altian strength. But that..was not all. I am not sure what happened but I assure you, we will not leave until she is well." Toby was given a warm, gentle squeeze to his shoulder by that delicate hand that held more strength then it seemed.

Katt sipped in a few breaths, painfully attempting to breath after all that screaming. Slowly her eyes closed more, mere slits compared to before. "(vsw)...Tthh.."

"Chaotic.." That was..one way to describe it.. He could only assume it was the yoki.. He nodded quickly to the explanation, even more so at the reassuring words that made his already locked knees shake. He wasn't going to fall, he wasn't.. He held onto Katt tighter, like she was the only thing keeping him upright..leaning into the strong hand trying to help too. He slid his palm across the side of her face again, fingers contouring over her features. "(s)I see.. Okay.." He gulped.

Lilian felt him lean into her hand and she smiled warmly. "She will be alright, Toby. Don't give up on her." Her golden eyes turned onto her husband who had a very passive expression.

Oda suddenly grunt and lean heavy into both of his heels. Eventually he stepped back, hand lowering and shaking a few times until it laid rest at his hip. "What have you two been doing?" The question heavy as he directed attention on Toby.

"(vsw)I'm.." He blinked, resting his forehead against Katt's once Oda's hand had moved. More than falling over, he was *not* going to cry.. His eyes were just..going to stay wet, and nothing else was going to happen.. He huffed a sigh, tucking her head protectively under his chin after a moment. How was he supposed to answer this..he didn't think either of them knew.. "(s)She was trying to fix herself.. Blood helps..she said..'cause it keeps her strong and everything.. It's the one thing I can actively do to help her.. What happened now..was probably because of that.."

"That is not what I mean." Oda's voice all but boomed out. "Her condition shouldn't be this bad. What happened to push her to make such a brash choice and what kept her unable to-"

"Oda!" Lilian's voice struck the air firmly and Oda stiffened almost instantly. "Can you not see the poor lad is distraught."

"But-" Oda attempted to counter her but she gave him a firm look.

Lilian squeezed Toby's shoulder soft and her voice lowered to that gentle state again. "She is lucky to have you Toby. You did a splendid job. Now you should take her home and-"

"Lilian.." Oda attempted for her attention and she looked up to him. There was silence between the two of them.

He flinched, but stared up at Oda..frowning. "I told you not to be mad at her. I'm doing that enough for both of us, so stop it. She wouldn't..have done it if she didn't have a choice.. Things go after us.. I couldn't do much..something almost killed her, and me.. You'd do the same damn thing for your wife, right?"

Lilian chortled. "He has spirit. And he doesn't hold back what he wants to say. No wonder why he crawls under your skin."

Oda stared at his wife but turned the stare down to Toby soon after. "As I am assuming you would do for her. So that is what happened? Something came after you two. It does make sense." Toby was observed heavily before Oda shook his head. "You take better care of her then I had thought you would. Now. Take her home and make her rest. Nothing too strenuous for the next day or two. She will be fine she just needs to recover her strength."

Katt, for the better part of things, seemed to be sleeping quietly where she was. There was still a very small struggle to breath if only because her throat and lungs both hurt.

"Yeah." He brushed his palm over the back of Katt's head. "(s)Yeah, I would." He nodded slowly, licking his lips. Nothing strenuous..for the next two days..? Would they manage that.. The last two days hadn't been bad.. Maybe they'd..get lucky.. The corners of his mouth jerked up into a dry smirk. "(vsw)Thank you..you guys.. " He glanced up to Oda in specific..but offered a quick smile to Lilian too. "(vsw)Thanks.."

Oda gave a stiff nod but was still watching Toby rather closely. Maybe partly expecting him to fall over.

"Oh. I almost forgot." The angelic being pulled a satchel from over her shoulder and settled it onto Katt's best she could. "That is for her. Blessed be, children." She smiled oh so warmly to Toby.

"(s)A bag.." He blinked. "(s)She asked you for a bag..?" He didn't want to look in it.. He nodded, just standing. Would he be able to carry her.. Maybe not all the way back to the condo, but..there had to be somewhere..at least to break into.. "(s)Yeah, uh..you too..?"

"No she didn't request it but she will appreciate it." Oda was waved to and Lilian started to walk with or without him. Of course Oda quickly moved to follow her.

"Blessed be, Toby. Take care of her and yourself." Gruff farewell as there ever would be.

"(s)Yeah.." He wavered, started looking around..his head turning back to look over his shoulder. How far away was the inn..? They could just..sit outside..or something.. He huffed a sigh, pressing a kiss to Katt's hair as he thought.

Chicken noodle soup. That was what she woke up to and she found herself more then thrilled to consume it. So much so that on her first attempt she burnt her tongue.

He seemed genuinely concerned about her condition. He had been showing more and more concern about her in late then he had...in a long..long time. She still found it a bit hard to believe that he..That he really cared so deeply about her. That he harbored these feelings for her. She was still waiting for it to come full circle and things return to how they had been before..

Why couldn't she allow herself to believe? To trust and enjoy what she now had? It was what she had wanted for so long..

They started to talk, like they always did. But it started to deep. Sort of. It started with the lake of Unity. The mirror lake that she told him he would of liked. He suggested drawing it. But how do you draw something so splendid in appearance? Something that was almost ethereal to the eye?

To show him through a memory. That she could do. She suggested it nervously and yet wasn't sure she even wanted to speak out such an idea considering how he was when it came to such things. He seemed all for it. To see what she knew.. Remembered..

So she decided to carefully tread that ground. His mind had been left with the impression of one of the places she had grown to love. A large, waterfall filled valley with a single monstrous tree blooming from the center. Housed in it's center was a building, spirituality steps leading to the porch of the front. An inn, she would explain, owned by Chanel who was the bardess she was just a bit more then slightly familiar with.

He seemed to accept the image well enough. 'Lots of..water..' was all he said towards it. She had enjoyed her days there, soaking in the sun and just watching the very image he was offered from her mind's eyes. For hours at a time during the way. Just staring...

The image was eventually replaced by the lake she had spoken to him about. Majestically silvery waters reflecting the moonlight in such a beautiful display. Water that seemed to go on forever..Truly a vision to feast upon. She missed watching the calm, quiet waters.

Soon it was his turn and she found herself with visions of people she would never be able to meet. His parents. He first displayed his father. Rusty hair almost matched the sunset sky with a face that was a great deal more stern than Toby's. Hazel eyes were more yellow than brown or green his face looked like it would break if he smiled. Katt could almost see where Toby got his messy hair from..

Toddler Toby, the mental image was most adorable. Toddling after his father..Falling..crying. Smack. The mental image of his father smacking a younger Toby confused and angered her at the same time. She didn't understand..why? Why hit him for crying..?

His father..sort of scared her. It wasn't like he was someone she would fear. Maybe it was because she worried, to some degree, what he might of thought of her. Course the same could be said about his mother, whom was shown to her soon after.

A beautiful petite woman took place of the previous image. Her hair was long and bushy, bunched together in fat curls of the deepest black. She smiled serenely, eyes an alarming shade of aqua blue green. Gentle and warm in her appearance.

The vision made her..want to cry for some reason. Happiness that he had such a person in his life when he was younger? Maybe she was ..jealous..a little. This woman was breath taking and kind. His mother.

Sad and scared. What a mixture.

His parents though. What was it like to have parents? Really...

She hadn't really thought on it too long, yet. Instead a vision of them at younger ages, talking. Him sleeping..snoring against her shoulder. It was a cute vision in her mind's eye. One that he seemed to find amusement in as well.

Funny how that single image drove up so many emotions. Emotions that had his lips crushing against hers. Apologizing to her mentally that he was sorry for not being able to stop.

To stop from kissing her?

How..silly he was..

Early morning, June 19th..

He rose from his lean..smoothed Katt's temple where he'd left a kiss and tugged the covers up to her shoulders. His mouth still ached.. He rubbed it roughly with the side of his hand as he stepped back, turned for the bathroom door.

It had been hard..not doing it.. He felt like he was just going to fall over and not get up. He leaned heavily into the sink when he got there, his head hanging until the muscles in his neck stretched. His chest had tightened to the point that he couldn't breathe right. He opted..to just not, clamping his mouth shut as he flipped on both faucests..cupped water in his palms and splashed it on his face and neck. He finally sighed when his lungs burned and his head started swimming.

He should change.. Or at least put on a shirt.. His scars didn't really bother him, but he could at least try and cover them up.. He needed to get the scarf cleaned..to hide the ones on his neck.

He turned off the water, moving lazily out of the bathroom and to his own closet. He scratched at the front of his throat as he pushed the button..making the doors swing open. The light inside was whiter than the ones in the room. It made everything look bright and clean..the fuzzy rug on the ground almost glowed.

He stepped down into the hidden room, his free hand on the button and zipper of his shorts when a piece of paper he knew hadn't been in here last time caught his eye. He blinked, moving toward it..drawing it up when he got there.

He recognized the faces instantly, starting to frown. He flicked a quick look at the open closet door..then back down.

She drew them..for him.. It was like they were looking right at him, ready to climb out of the piece of paper. He tried to think about what their next expressions would be like.. Would his mother laugh.. Would his father roll his eyes..

He traced their features, touching the paper so lightly it tickled his fingertips. He didn't want to smudge them, or ruin them..

He shuffled back until he was in the middle of the rug, sat down indian-style with the picture in front of him on the ground. He wiped his eyes, sniffed..folded his hands before his mouth, his elbows on his knees.

He couldn't look away from them no matter how hard he tried. He didn't even know why he wanted to try..

"I can't believe she drew you for me.." He chuckled, but it sounded choked. His brow knitted until it ached. He swept his face dry angrily, sniffing again. "I'm trying not to..Dad..really.. But.." He licked his lips, shook his head. He covered his eyes with his hands, the first sob making his entire body convulse.

"I miss you guys.."