His gaze slid to her for a moment before looking over at Emerson, who looked furious. "I... I... Aidan, can we talk in private?" Emerson tilted his head slowly, remaining silent. "What was your goal?" he asked after a moment, his voice deadly quiet. "To take over the clan again? To get rid of Ellis?" "I'm..." Paul faltered before shaking his head. "I'm sick, Aidan. I'm sick and I wanted to have a place to go to live out my final months. You left when you first saw me... I knew you wouldn't let me stay. I just... I knew that Ellis would be able to last outside longer than I would. I was going to tell you the truth, but you said Ellis forgot and I couldn't... I couldn't bring myself to telling you about me and Chloe."
Blaise went silent, gently taking Ellis' hand and looking over at him, her gaze expressing some concern.
He looked down at her, frowning and tired. Emerson pursed his lips before exhaling slowly. "Right. Right. If you'll excuse me, everyone, I need to go talk to someone. Ellis, your exile has been lifted, effective immediately. Paul, go back to the woods and die. Everyone else, resume your normal duties."
She squeezed his hand. "Want to come to my room?" she asked hopefully, tilting her head. "We don't have to do anything. Just.. lay down or sit."
He looked down at her, nodding in relief. "Yes please," he said quietly, turning and leaving. Lucy hesitated before approaching Paul, her brows furrowed. "What... what kind of sick?" Paul looked down at her with a frown, raising one eyebrow. "Who are you?" Aisling pursed her lips before leaving, going to sleep on one of the rooftops. Emerson made his way to the kitchens, looking almost desperately for Rory.
She nodded, heading inside with a slightly frown. Jaz watched them, his wary gaze set on Paul. He seemed protective. Rory was minding her own business, sliding the vegetables into a bowl.
He followed her, frowning deeply. She tilted her head, giving him a tentative smile. "I'm Lucy," she said. "You said you were sick? Maybe I could help." He eyed her suspiciously. "I don't need the help of some... janitor." He frowned, approaching her quietly. "...Rory?"
They eventually made it to her room and she opened the door for him. It was an average room that she had to herself. A rather large map hung on one of the walls. She had made it herself. Jaz squinted, stepping forward and resting a hand on Lucy's shoulder. "If you're going to be an *squee!* when she's offering help then you might as well get moving back to the woods." She turned, brightening when she saw him. "You're back!"
He looked around thoughtfully, his face tired and worn. "I like your map." * * * Lucy took his hand reassuringly, squeezing it. "It's alright, Jaz," she said gently before turning back to Paul. "I'm not a janitor," she replied primly. "But I think I could help you. Or, at least... I could set you up somewhere in the city where you won't be uncomfortable." He paused, squinting at her. "What did you have in mind?" * * * His expression was one of loss and weariness, but he gave her a small smile. "Yeah. I'm back."
She gave him a small smile as she sat on the bed at patted the spot beside her. "Thank you." *** "Should we even be helping him?" he muttered, folding his arms. "Considering everything that happened.." *** She frowned slightly, coming over to him and taking his hands. "Arr you okay?"
He sat next to her, frowning. * * * "He's still a person," she told him gently. "We'd feel badly if we just left him." She turned to Paul before sighing. "Come on. We can find you a place." * * * He looked up at her. "I don't know."
She watched him thoughtfully before opening her arms to him, her head tilted. *** He huffed slightly, but didn't object. He would follow her anyways. *** She seemed concerned. "Do you want to talk?"
He slipped his arms around her waist, kissing her deeply. * * * She looked over at him, taking his hand affectionately. "Don't worry." * * * "I just... Can I be honest with you? I do want to talk, but right now, I'd really just like to hug you."
She was surprised, but kissed him back, her hand reaching up to brush his jaw. *** He relented a bit, his gaze softening. "Fine." *** She nodded slowly before stepping forward and wrapping her arms around him.
"I love you, Blaise," he told her quietly, pulling away after a moment. "I love you." * * * She gave him a grin before starting on their way. A couple of hours later, Aisling sat up suddenly, waking up and gasping for breath. Tears were in her eyes and she placed her hand to her chest, trying to calm herself, shaking so badly that she couldn't keep her hands against her skin. The night air was cool and crisp and she groaned, struggling to breathe. * * * He kissed the top of her head, closing his eyes.
She watching him affectionately. "I love you too, Ellis." *** Dion was walking in the night, using only his walking stick and the moonlight as he started back to the base. *** She held him close, not questioning or speaking yet.
"I don't know what I'd do without you," he told her. "There's just so much going on..." * * * Aisling had gotten used to the panic attacks, but that didn't make them any easier. Her breaths in were sharp and whiplike as she tried to catch her breath, holding her hands to her throat. * * * He kissed her forehead gently before speaking. "Paul was lying."
"I know," she said, brushing his hair back gently. "It's okay." *** He frowned, tapping the stick to the ground idly as he neared the building. *** She looked up at him. "Lying?"
He leaned into her touch, closing his eyes. "I didn't kill anyone." * * * She closed her eyes as the trembling set in. She laid back down, curling into a fetal position, sobbing into her hands. * * * "Lying," he confirmed. "Ellis didn't kill anyone."
