After a bit of time, Brian had made it home. After turning in the head of the criminal for the bounty, he went home and bathed and collapsed in bed. These late nights were killing him at times, but in truth he enjoyed it to an extent. There was something to it, and he couldn't truly explain it. When he awoke he dressed once more and decided to head to the Inn.


Walking down the road, he nodded politely to those he passed and took a moment to play tag with some children around a fountain. He really was a different person when on and off the job, it came with the territory. Making a quick stop by his office, he spoke with his secretary and was told of some contacts he needed to make over some negotiations and a few appointments. He nodded absently in reply to her, yet his thoughts were to the previous night. The Kitsune.. He knew it was telling him something, he believed it had to be something to deal with the new Fox-girl that arrived in town. It was still a puzzle that needed to be worked out. In truth he just hoped she didn't decide to run head lonmg into Ayreg or Talomar before he could have another word with her. Saying his goodbyes, he left the office and made for the Inn.


Moments later and a few blocks down the way he arrived, and made his way inside. Most of the usuals were about, Grem at the bar sipping and observing. The gentleman who was fliting with Emma the night before, Brian believed his name was Kaz. His eyes then rested upon Emma who was in conversation with quite the grabby man. "Well she's still alive. That's a good thing." he said as he made his way towards the bar area. Making careful note of her conversation and knowing full well her fox ears were of great hearing, he poked a suggestion here and there and waited.


Noting the man with the grabby mitts really wanted her to make a run for Ayreg and seemed to like Talomar irked Brian. It was obvious someone was trying to use Emma, and in truth he didn't like it. But why did it affect him so. Shaking his head, he listened and waited for the man to leave. Brian didn't want to play all his cards in one hand, and it irked him yet again to see Emma be so open about her plans. He was afraid that would make her a walking target and would make things difficult for him as well, that is if she chose to accept his help.


Finally the man left. Brian had determined he was fond of Talomar since they talked of Scholarly subjects, and it seemd he really wanted Ayreg gone becuase for some reason Ayreg may be a threat to Talomar. Granted Brian didn't know Talomar from anyone else on a personal level, but Briallyn had told him a good bit. An Brian could see a power play right off the bat and Mr. Grabby Mitts fit the bill. Once the man was gone Brian spoke with Emma once more and suddently had a summons and left quickly.

Once his business was conducted he went back to the Inn, and noted Emma was gone. Leaving the Inn, he walked about the town and searched. In the back of his mind was the Kitsune and in truth it bothered him. After a good deal of walking he came to an area he didn't recognize. With no idea how he even came this far, he ventured forward and through some brushes and there she was.. A long bow in hand, and a look of determination on her face. It was time for he and she to talk and set into motion whatever was to come from this. Whatever it was, he had an idea it wasn't going to be a cake walk.

Brian watched her for a bit, and he had to admit he was impressed. There was something about Emma, that reminded him very much of his sister Jewel, and his cousin Thyme when they were younger. He thought of striding right through the brush and speaking with her, but he didn't want to throw her off. For now he wanted to observe her and see where this would go.

Closing his eyes, Brian left his senses take over. Feeling what was around them, listening to their surroundings as he knelt in his place. The slight breeze that came through the area, carried a sense of uneasiness. Opening his eyes he looked to her once more and saw that Emma looked to be stuggling with something. She had the aura of trouble about her, and Brian knew that feeling all to well. Once a long time ago he gave into the hate and darkness body and soul when he gave it to the Gauntlet. He had hurt many people back then and it took a great deal of effort from his family and friends to see him back. He could feel a similar struggle eminating from Emma. This however was something he could only show her. The true fight against whatever she was harboring would have to come from Emma herself.

Watching Emma leap into the air and let fly was amazing. The girl had incredible talent and easily had the ability to be the hunter her mother was. She just needed the right direction to move towards, and Brian hoped he could at least assist in that. She still was naive when it came to people, and it definitely seems she was sheltered from something as well. It made Brian think as a parent, something he hadn't done in many years. Would he do the same in Renna's shoes? Closing his eyes once more as he concentrated on what was around them both, he opened his eyes almost immediately.

A surprised look on his face, as he looked around the brush once more and then into the clearing where Emma was. Yet he saw nothing.. Closing his eyes once more he saw it again, the Red Kitsune.. It moved with such a fierceness as it darted to and from, it's eyes of ember and it's tail aflame. What stunned him even more, was the fact that the angier it seemed to get the more tails he could see. They faded in and out, but he felt them. Anguish and anger, confusion and lack of direction. He could feel them, and now could see them in his mind's eye. Then he was snapped back to reailty as the wind came from his back.

Knowing full well Emma had enhanced senses, Brian expected to be given away. So he calmly opened his eyes, and looked to her and what he saw wasn't truly a surprise, but it was a sight to behold. Emma with an arrow notched at him, with such a look on her face he didn't think it was possible this early. Staying as still as he was, he waited to see if she really knew where he was, and in moment's he had his answer. Her eyes met his dead on and he knew he was the prey.. Brian smiled.. Rising from where he was, he walked foward slowly with his arms held up. "Emma, it's me Brian. It's time you and I had a talk. It's time we took some direction." Brian approached her slowly and still noted the look on her face, and the tense feelings from her. In truth he really expected her to let fly. "Emma we need to talk of your mother and Ayreg." With that said, Brian waited to see if Emma would answer.

He smiled pleasantly to her, as he moved foward to her once more. His arms down now and he was in a more casual stance. "I said, we need to speak of them. We need to find why your mother did what she did and why you feel compelled to run head long in what could possibly be in her foot steps. I said I wanted to help you and I was serious. But you and I need to go about this the smart way, and the way you have been going at it thus far has not been smart."

Walking along side Emma, Brian watched her closely. She was every bit the predator as she was the prey in all this. She had a fine line to walk and for some reason Brian felt compelled to make sure she did it carefully. "There is a great deal involved in this I feel, and I think you need to do some searching before you head straight along for Ayreg and Talomar. So will you let me help you."

That being said, Brian bowed to Emma respectfully. In truth he didn't know why, but he was compelled to do so.

Brian watched Emma closely as they walked. He could see that she was indeed torn by something, and by the size of it it was fairly large. "You're Mother wrote that?' he said as he listend to what she had read. Watching Emma distraught really did bother him, he really was fond of the girl and wanted to see her at least live a happier life than her mother did.

Brian nodded as he put an arm around Emma and let her cry. "It's okay to cry, and you need to do it. Just remember this, your mother knew exactly what she was doing. If she didn't she would have never asked of me what she did. She is gone but she will never be forgotten so long as you remember her fondly. As to Ayreg and Talomar we can deal with that when the time comes and if the time comes. For now you need to live, and live to the best of what you want. She didn't want this life for you. In truth I do not think you want it as well. "

Moving his arm from her, he turned to face her and smiled warmly. Whatever came of your mother situation she faced it as only she could. I know how she feels as my siblings and myself have put our littles one's lives ahead of ourselves for quite the time. For now you need to what Emma wants to do. If it is train fine, do it. If it is to explore and find out who you are and what your goal is, then explore away. You have friends as well. Talk to them as well. Just don't paint yourself as such a large target and don't get carried away with your mouth. We don't want your mouth writing a promisary note your butt can't cash in.

He watched her once more, and felt she was in conflict again. His thoughts were vaildated when he looked to her eyes. "This isn't going to be as easy as I first thought." he said as he watched her closely.

Brian listened and Emma as she walked over and took a seat. He also watched her closely, and could feel the confusion she was dealing with. Folding his arms behind his back, he walked towards Emma and paced a bit for a moment and then took a knee next to her. "Why do i wish to help you?" Brian said, as he repeated her question. His blue eyes looked to hers as he smiled pleasantly and answered. "Well, it's a few reasons. First off I like to help others. It's a lot of what I do, and because when I first came to this realm I had a great deal of help from total strangers who in time became my family. Part of that also stems from the fact your mother came to me for aid and I could not assist her in time. Truth be told I feel bad for that, and I also know how it is to lose one's parents as I was adopted after my parents died, and then I lost my adopted parents as they were killed in front of me." Brian stood and looked to sky a moment, and walked around as he spoke.

"I also feel a sort of kinship with you. I know what it is like to ride that fence between what can be right and what can be wrong. I have walked it, leapt over it and came crashing back through. Saint and Sinner, an all that if you will.. But between you and I, it's more Sinner than anything. You also remind me of two of my relatives who are no longer with us. My cousins Thyme and Jitter. They were headstrong and naive at times, and they had such potential it wasn't funny. They were young and had such drive and passion. I feel some of that in you. I do not want you to take a path that will lead you away from your potential. I won't force my views on you, whatever path you choose, be it dark or light. I just want to see you fulfill whatever you wish to do and be a better person in your own eyes for it. I see the ways some of these men looked at you, and heard they way they talked to you and in truth it felt like they wanted to use for to en extent and you have way too much potential to be anyone's pawn. "


"I know I am rambling and please forgive it, I will give you my last reason and I trust you.. I trust you not to share this with anyone. Somewhere, in the realms I have a daughter. She would be only a few years older than you, maybe 2 or three at best. She was taken away by her Mother to live in their Kingdom. You remind me a bit of what I would have liked to see in her, your determination and ferocity and your dedication to your mother. Incredible qualities that would make any parent proud. You just remind me of what she might be at times. Not that I am the parental type or anything, far from it all to tell the truth. I just know that you will have a rough time of this if you go it alone, and i speak from experience as much of my adventures were spent alone. I want to be able to offer assistance whenever you need it. I sound like a senile old man.. Trust me after fifty years or this I feel it at times too. But truth be told, you don't have to do this alone. I will be there to assist should you require it and if you step over the line.. Well we can talk of that another time. So that's it. If I have scared the hell outta you for sounding senile as hell I understand completely and will understand if you dont want my assistance. Also.. Please dont tell anyone I talked like this.."
A smile and wink offered with that last sentence.

Pausing as Emma stood and replied, Brian watched her carefully and listened intently. He smiled as she spoke, and looked to him. She looked as if she had finally set a course and had direction. But also in that same look Brian could feel a bit of turmoil. Either what she was already harboring to an extent or what might be coming down the road in the near future. "I also see now that maybe you can honour my Mother's wish, even though you cannot deliver it to her now" he had heard her say as she approached him. His eyes widened as she rested her head against his chest. An arm raised slowly in order to gently push her away, in truth Brian didn't like to be sentimental and close at the same time... He was strange like that at times. But he hesitation kicked in and instead of putting more space between them, he held her with one arm and gently patted her shoulder. His way of reassuring her, somehow it would be alright. The his eyes widened once more as he heard her speak again.

"If I ever, ever start to turn remotely... evil, Brian please promise me like my Mom you will"...

I want you to kill me if that ever happens..

The look on his face softened as he heard those words.. To hear this.. This child speak that way... It moved him.. This was the first time in many years, he felt remotely like a father might. His eyes closed as he held her closely, as he could truly look into her eyes as they were filled with tears. If he had this girl for a daughter, would be truly want to fight as he once did.. Then and there Brian understood what his sister Jewell felt.. He didn't want a hard road for Emma, but if that is what fate had in store for her, then fate would have to make some extra room for one more as he would be along for the ride. The kiss on his cheek opened his eyes. He held her closely and spoke to her.

"I.. I promise.. not to kill you, however.. I promise to help you, when you need it. If for some reason you think you might turn, together we will try to find a way to deal with it. We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts. If the time comes where we have no other options, I will honour your wish. I promise."

"That's what friends do for one another."

Gently he leaned a bit and kissed the top of her head, and continued to hold her. His hand patting her back gently as they stood there. He felt something he hadn't in a long time and had a feeling more was to come for them. He wondered how Briallyn would handle everything once he explained and he would also have to have a talk with Jewell and apologize properly. But all that could wait for another time. He was needed here and intended to make sure Emma had whatever she needed before taking her next step.

A warm smile, as Brian bowed respectfully in return. " understand completely. I too have some jobs lined up and I would like to get them out of the way as quickly as possibly. I will see you then. Take care of yourself, Emma."

That being said, Brian turned and went to recover his horse and head back to town.