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Shattered Soul (kuro_bara x Alenaeon)

Beth tried to stare everywhere at once as they approached the citadel. She didn't recognize the material the building was made of but it appeared to be absorbing light, it thrilled the scientist in her and frightened her at the same time. "You have a god for an adopted son?" She said turning to look at him with an eyebrow raised. "How big IS your family?" She asked turning to look around the room and the creature that came and went. "Wait if this is one of his homes, won't he be a bit irked at you just showing up unannounced." Beth was not overly familiar with how family bonds worked, her foster homes had not been overly conducive to a typical family environment though looking around she doubted his was either.
 
Remwald was tempted to laugh at that. "Oh, quite the opposite. He was always close to me, and enjoys it when I come back to visit." Remwald had been counting using his fingers in his free hand while he talked to her. Five. "As for how big my" Four. "family is, it's quite large." Three. "I haven't tried to make a family tree." Two. "It would be far too large for even me to handle." One. "Besides, here he is." Zero.

An ominous dark mist filled the room, and suddenly a deep voice that sounded like it was coming from the ceiling spoke. "Librod! You have offended me for the final time! Prepare to meet your demise!" Remwald pretended to cower and whimper, although he was obviously playing. Now that the show was done, Ka appeared in the doorway of the room, the mist being pulled into his form solidifying it. He looked like a teenage boy with a scar across his cheek. He was presently wearing jeans and a t-shirt in his present form. He grinned at the both of them, and bowed to Elizabeth. "Hey there. Nice to see he's found someone. Damn punk needs to visit more often though!" He blew her a kiss, which took the form of a dramatic floating set of lips made out of shadow that hit her on the cheek.
 
Beth wasn't sure what she was expecting but a young man in jeans and a shirt certainly was not it. She also didn't expect Remwald's playful attitude with him, it made her feel kind of warm and fuzzy seeing him joke in a fatherly manner with someone. The boy was quite obviously a trickster and his little display made her laugh and broke a tension she hadn't realized was there. "Oh we are just...friends." She said glancing at Rem, he had used those words though he had added that he did indeed have feelings for her. She smiled at the youth, he reminded of her of the many teens she ran into in foster homes through out London but it was very clear he also harbored a substantial amount of power.

She felt completely out of her depth with these two. A lich and god, she was definitely out classed. Beth was nothing more then a scholar. It made her feel a little out of place but she kept the smile plastered on her face. "Its very nice to meet you." She added politely. "Oh and thank you for having me." She added with a little grin.
 
Ka winks at her. "I'm sure, you are his 'friend'. And I'm just a kid who's a really, really good magician." He nods with an extremely wide grin on his face. "I think we both know what there really is." He turns his head to face Remwald. "Now, now young man! After oh, three hundred and fourteen years you should know by now that there is a very firm rule about seducing young ladies in my home!" He said, trying to keep as stern and serious a face as he could muster although it broke halfway through his statement. He leaned against the wall and watched the two, he had noted the weapons missing, but didn't mention it. "So when's the wedding dad?"

Remwald, again was glad that he lacked the ability to blush. He did laugh a bit at the jokes, and his posture relaxed, leading to him sitting on the bed. He rolled his eyes first and said "Oh, understood. I'll do my best." When he mentioned the wedding, Remwald looked away. He chuckled somewhat, although he knew the question was meant on multiple levels. "Uhm, I don't know?" He said, trying to not imply that it wasn't a possibility, but he also didn't want to cement the idea of one in.
 
Beth looked from the son to the father her eyes narrowing just slightly. Ka was teasing his father quite mercilessly and if she didn't know better Remwald was both slightly embarrassed but enjoying himself. He relaxed slightly and sat on the bed laughing at his sons teasing. At the mention of a wedding her eyebrows practically shot into her hair line and she expected Rem to immediately laugh the joke off. Instead he looked some what thoughtful and gave a suitably ambiguous answer. It was his reaction to Ka's comment that finally pushed home his true feelings and with it all the jealousy she had felt moments ago vanished. If the idea of a wedding didn't completely abhor him, what fear did she have of his feelings wandering.

Smiling she walked over to the bed and dropped onto it beside him. Placing her elbow on one knee, she leaned forward and rested her chin on the heel of her hand. She gave Ka a playful grin. "You will have to come you know." She joked. "Dressed properly." She added in a mocking motherly tone and an over-exaggerated stern look. "I'd say invite the whole family but..." She cast a teasing look a Rem. His whole family would probably raise some eyebrows all around.
 
Remwald nodded. "Yes, it would be nice to see you act your age for once!" He smiled at her, the pose was, well, certainly interesting. He was tempted to lean into her and kiss her on the cheek, but fought back the desire. His eyes bounced between Ka and Elizabeth. He laughed. "Oh, if only. I've seen something close... once. I'm afraid we'd probably need our own plane to facilitate that by this point." He laid back on the bed, listening to the present conversation.

Ka feigned shock and gave her a look like he was wounded. "I don't know if I could handle it." He flicked his wrist and she seemed to be wearing a black wedding dress, with a bit of lace edges. Of course, it was an illusion, but he still felt a good tease would help. "Oh, well look. You are both dressed up for the occasion, we just need a ring and since I'm a god, I can act as my own priest. Lets get this on the way!"
 
The relaxed atmosphere felt nice after the last couple of days of chaos. She knew they would need to return and deal with the problem of his Grand Daughter and the Ghost Stones eventually but even a few moments of laughter were great. Out of the corner of her eye she caught Rem staring at her, he was leaning forward slightly and after a slight shake of his head he leaned back onto the bed. She couldn't help but smile having a good sense of what he was thinking.

She jumped to her feet when Ka changed her clothing not really realizing it was an illusion. Spinning around the dress flaring out around her she laughed delighted. "As beautiful as it is, I don't think today is the day for a wedding." On impulse she walked over and hugged the youthful looking god. "You have great taste though." She teased him plucking at the gown. "Maybe I will let you plan my wedding some day." Beth said with a musical laugh.
 
Remwald eyed her curiously at the sight of the illusion. Well, she certainly looked quite beautiful but he kept his mouth shut. He looked at the ceiling and around them. He remembered why he left this place, it always felt so dry to him. So unloving, so uncaring. Even Ka couldn't change that aspect.

Ka smiled but didn't hug back. He released the illusion and laughed. "Oh, I'm sure. I'm sure. I don't know if I should though, there are goddesses who might get jealous at the opportunity to plan the wedding of the century!" He bowed and disappeared, reappearing a few feet away. "Unfortunately, you two should probably head home soon."
 
Beth sighed with resignation. Ka was right they had to face her reality eventually. The visit to this plane had certainly been enlightening though she hadn't gotten the opportunity to discover any useful offensive skill. She walked over to Rem and smiled at his adopted son. "It was certainly an exciting visit. Maybe we will meet again some time." She said with a warm smile. Despite the bleak surroundings it was the interaction between father and son that appealed to her and she wouldn't mind being a part of more of that. First she was determined to remove Dirigible and their corrupted ways from her London.
 
Remwald nodded, he wanted to hug her again but he didn't want to push things to a place they didn't need to be. He stood up and held her hand, he was expecting to make a portal home, so he started to go through the motions but he was rudely interrupted as Ka mentally pushed them out of his plane, back into the alley that was their entry point.

Remwald looked around, thankfully it was night time by now, so sneaking back into the home would have been relatively easy. Remwald walked towards the front door of the apartment complex, as soon as he got into the door. He turned around and looked her straight in the eye. "Now Elizabeth." He sighed. "We could just take out the present problems and then move on, each to their own or we can well... address our feelings. Not necessarily acting on them, but talking on it would definitely help."
 
Beth stumbled slightly as they reappeared in the alleyway, this method had been much faster then Rem's and she suspect Ka did it so his father wouldn't waste any more mana. She turned to look at Remwald as they walked towards the apartment. When she first saw him in this form it had terrified her but it was a part of who and what he was. She no longer saw him as a monster he was just Rem. His words brought her to a full stop a few steps behind him and he turned to look into her eyes. She listened to what he said and realized her decision was already made she only needed to make hi see it. Striding forward she slid her hands over his shoulders and kissed him. It was a peculiar feeling kissing a skeleton and it was relatively chaste but forward enough he couldn't possibly miss the point. "Now it has been addressed." She said blushing deeply. Clearing her throat she practically scampered past him into the building not wanting to see what his reaction was to this bold behavior.
 
Remwald slowly followed her. He was certainly surprised, while he half expected it, it was still quite pleasant to actually experience it. He re-assumed his human form, taking him a few seconds but when he was finished he slowly walked up to her apartment. He was certainly curious but he had no intention of pressing it any further. She would do as she pleased, it reminded him of Alice, except less and more fragile in a way. It was nice to finally not have to worry about a relationship moving on far too fast.

He waited outside the door for a moment, before turning the handle slowly and stepping into the room. He looked around it, and if she was in there, he grinned at her before heading over to the kitchen. He was in a good mood, so he was going to make her a good meal. He grabbed a pan, and a pot. He poured some water into the pot, and pulled out two steaks that he had gotten from the market. He started to cook the steak and boil the water.
 
Beth was already inside the apartment and in the kitchen when he entered the apartment. She moved aside and as he grinned at her. She couldn't help the slow blush that crawled up her neck. She was never so bold when it came to men, she felt like she should blame the shadow but knew it was more than that. Beth cared about him, how could she not when they were literally apart of one another. Leaning against the table she watched him start the supper. "Is there anything I can do to help?" She asked hesitantly. "I have to confess...I never really had a chance to learn to cook."

Most women learned the skill through their family, usually their mother or father. Beth never had the opportunity. There were a great many simple skills that most ladies took for granted that they had, that Beth did not possess. She never learned to put on make up or do her own hair until very recently and she had only managed to teach herself the basics. Along with cooking she never learned to bake though she had an interest. Sewing she knew enough about because she often had to mend her own clothes and that of the younger children when she was in foster homes. She watched him quietly, she sincerely wanted to learn, being the scholar she was new knowledge and skills were always exciting.
 
Remwald nodded and thought to himself for a few moments as he let the steak cook. "Can you peel the potatoes and think of something to drink? I'll watch the steak to make sure that it's properly cooked. When the potatoes are peeled and the water is boiling, put them in and watch them for a bit." He watched the steak cook for a few minutes before he flipped it, while he was waiting he went through her spices and seasonings, realizing that was what he had forgotten. "How do you like your steak?" He asked with a hint of curiosity.

After the potatoes were boiled and mashed, given a hint of butter and salt and the steaks cooked to each person's liking, with Remwald's being a bit bloody, the table was set. Remwald pulled out Elizabeth's chair and waited for her to sit down, then went over and took his own. Before eating any of his food, he looked up her and frowned slightly. "I am truly sorry for all the trouble I have caused you over these past few days, and sadly I doubt it's over. But back to the important matters, what do you know of Dirigible's organizational structure? Do they have a public headquarters or anything like that? And are there any old, old graveyards that people tend to not watch?"
 
Beth did as he instructed peeling the potatoes and adding to the water. She let him choose how to cook her steak, it wasn't something she was used to eating and she trusted his judgement and talent with cooking. She set a carafe of wine on the table along with two glasses. She gave him a bright smile when he pulled her chair out for her. She listened as he apologized and asked his questions. After tasting his amazing food she looked at him with a thoughtful frown. "Remwald. You don't need to apologize to me. I made my choice and maybe things were manipulated to get us to this point but I don't regret any of it."

She sat back and sipped her wine thinking about the rest of his questions. She didn't actually know a whole lot about Dirigible even though she worked for them. A lot of the research at the university was funded by them and many of the scientists were paid by them. To her knowledge there was a headquarters located in Upper London basically in its own compound. As for graveyards...due to limitations on space there were not many graveyards any more within London. There were some outside the city. She pondered it for a long time. "Dirigible is a very secretive organization, very little is known about how they work even by the employees." She looked across the table at him. "As for graveyards, I can think of only one within the city. It is very old, the stones are barely there any more."
 
Remwald nodded, his frown turning back into a smile as he realized that things could be turning up for the better. "Is this graveyard normally observed? I'll need to be unobserved as I work my magic, and I don't believe you ever decided what you wanted to learn, well, now would be a good time to learn if you were interested in the undead arm of it." He idly picked at his food and sipped at his wine, the meat was pleasant. One of the few, few things he was allowed to taste but it still felt hollow.

He let his eyes drift around the room for a bit, but ultimately they ended up back at her. Oh, yes, her. She was still quite interesting, she still made his metaphorical heart skip a beat, and as he kept looking, he started to eat a bit more, mostly imitating her but he was still eating. "As for Dirigible, how... interesting, they have not even hidden behind a false identity. I shall look into it, preferably with you by my side." He finishes about half of his food and looks at her with a teasing grin ."Hm, whats your opinion on children?"
 
Beth finished off her wine and leaned back in the chair again. "Oh yes, no one will see you there. It's in an abandoned part of the city." She explained. She considered his words about learning necromancy, she wasn't sure it was something that interested her but at the same time by learning about it she would learn more about him. Finally she smiled back at him. "I would love to learn, as long as its from you." Her grin turned teasing.

His question about children caught her off guard. Talk of children was always a hard topic for her. She had always wanted some of her own but the older she got the more she realized how cruel the world was and the idea of bringing a child into it scared the life out of her. On the other hand, part of her desire for money was so that she could help the children in London that were struggling as she had. Even though Rem was teasing her she couldn't help the small wince at the question. "I...I want to help the children that suffering in London." She said slowly, finally she looked into his eyes. "I have never met a man that has made me want my own children." The look she gave him clearly indicated that there was more to the sentence, she wanted to say until now. Especially after seeing the way he had interacted with Ka.
 
Remwald nodded as he glanced out the window, watching the city go about it's business. Oh, the joy he could have by teasing the local population, but he remembered, he was better then that and he had Elizabeth to look out for, so he wouldn't. He thought of the graveyard, hiding a large amount of 'migrant workers' would be a bit difficult, but that was a logistical problem for later. His fingers drummed on the table as he had lost his interest in the food, mostly because it didn't taste or do anything for him. "Of course it will be from me! I find it the closest related your science, at least in experimenting with new creations and whatnot."

Of course, he had only been partially teasing. He frowned slightly, disheartened at the news. Her look implied more to that statement, perhaps she did not. Perhaps she had a reason behind that. He nodded solemnly, "But of course, I understand." He massaged the top of his hand with his other one as he looked at her. "I am sorry for the awkwardness, I hope I did not offend."

Standing up, he grabbed his plate and glass, taking them over to her sink, putting them in. He slowly walked back to the table and sat down, his expression as neutral as he could make it. "Well now I'm not sure where to direct the conversation given the amount of potentially... touchy... subjects."
 
Beth could tell he was a little let down by her words and she felt a little pang of guilt. He had only been teasing gently but she had sort of snapped at the question and inadvertently grown a little cool. To make up for it she reached across the table and put one of her hands over his. "You haven't offended me, I am sorry I jumped at you." She said softly, idly running her fingers over the tops of his knuckles. "I will do my best to answer anything you think to ask of me..." She looked away for a moment and her emotions gave away the inner turmoil she was wrestling with before she spoke again. "I should have clarified what I meant..."

She looked up at him her cheeks tinged a little pink. "I really do want to help the children here in London and I cannot in good conscious bear my own children when I know there are so many already here that need homes, shelter and love." She cleared her throat gently. "But...I have also never met someone who has given me faith that perhaps having me own wouldn't be such a bad thing." This time her eyes darted to away to stare at a spot on the floor while she blushed furiously. This was an new and unique insight into Elizabeth's personality one that no one really got to see.
 
He nodded at her words, and did his best to keep his hand still after she placed hers on it. "I... Understand, but I must disagree. The problem is that when you take care of those children, the people who have them simply have more children as there is more excess so they believe the children will be taken care of. It is an uphill battle that cannot be won permanently. The joy of raising your own child is unbelievable, and I say this as someone with many, many adopted children." His mood had improved, and that was evident by his tone and body language, but he was still slightly down.

He was tempted to ask her a question, but he realized it should be serious. He was walking on nails, he could goad some information out of her. "Tell me about your past?" He stood up and walked over to her, and took her hand as she spoke. He waited for her to finish her response to his question before he leaned down and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips, testing his luck.
 
The expression on his face when he talked of raising children made her heart flutter but her mood took a definite turn for the worst when he asked about her past. Her expression turned mulish and she looked away though after a moment he came and stood before her. "I...would rather not speak about my past." She muttered softly, though she had just promised to answer what he asked. Looking up at him she knew he of all people wouldn't judge based on her past. "My past is rather dull and typically tragic for people here." Beth said slowly. "My parents passed away in an accident when I was young, just like so many did. I ended up being handed around to homes, there is a certain atmosphere among foster homes..." She trailed off looking uncomfortable and finally shrugged. "I am sorry it really wasn't exciting and was very depressing." As she stopped speaking he leaned down and kissed her.

Beth's eyes widened in surprise but she was very thankful for the affection. Somewhere through her life she began to fear that sharing her history and her life with another person would push them away and eventually she forgot what it was like to have a little bit of tenderness from another person. Feeling a bit embolden by his kiss she leaned into it, blushing slightly.
 
He held it for a few moments as he was motivated by her, but pulled away and rested his hand against her back. His eyes were filled with a bit of sympathy, and just a hint of pity and jealousy. "Do you mind if I take a seat then start my story?" He winks, "You could sit on my lap if you wanted." Remwald apparently was emboldened by the kiss as well.
 
Beth could feel her blush creep even further up her neck but as he settled into a chair she slid into his lap. His emotions confused her, sympathy and pity she expected but the jealousy confused her. She knew there were others out there with much worse then hers and she had glossed over some of the more gritty details. She just wasn't ready to share those yet so she distracted herself with the enjoyment of being close to him and listening to his story.
 
Remwald held her hands after she got into his lap, not really sure where to put them other then there. He thought for a moment, so much history yet he didn't want to be here all night. "I didn't have a childhood. I was simply 'born' and then I was conscious. My first memories were in well, the lich form that you saw on my arrival. I had a nagging voice inside of my head telling me to do all these cruel things and then there were three men who held me captive and used me as a slave. I killed them, and moved on. I explored the world around me, learning of hatred and pain. From the voice inside of my head and the locals I came across, fearful of undeads they were. I had no clue what I was or how I worked, merely that I had something important inside of the gem." He took a breath and resumed.

"I befriended a blacksmith, or so I thought. I helped him handle a rival who was particularly successful. He rewarded me with a pair of cursed gauntlets, that attempted to devour my soul and succeeded in connecting themselves to me permanently, well, at least for that time. I traveled the world, looking for a purpose. I met a few people who I looked up to and aspired to be like. I joined the Preservers, and from there discovered I was a lich after talking to an individual who became the god of the dead for the plane. During that time is about when I had adopted Ka or yes, it was shortly before. I helped raise him even though I had killed his parents, awkward thing that. From the Preservers, I did a bit of independent studying and started to learn necromancy, and that is all you have earned for now."
 
Beth listened attentively and felt a sharp pang of guilt for being so obstinate and closed mouth on her story. His history was a sad tale, full of many emotions hers was in comparison pathetically average. She found herself holding her breath as he spoke and when he stopped talking her eyes widened in surprise. "What do you mean that is all I've earned?" She asked her eyes narrowing suspiciously at him. After a moment she gave him a wry grin, disturbingly similar to the one the Shadow had used. "Why Rem...I do believe you are flirting with me." She murmured. He was in essence asking for more from her and she felt a strong desire to comply. They were both adults and they had both essentially excepted the others feelings. It was hard not to with the other person constantly in your head.

She purposely shifted on his lap and pressed her body closer to his. Elizabeth couldn't begin to explain why she was acting so bold, perhaps they were feeding off one another's desire, perhaps it was seeing his reaction to her Shadow and wanting to be in that position or maybe she was finally starting to accept her own desires instead of ignoring them or fighting them. Tilting her head up slightly feathered a light kiss along his jaw line. When she reached his ear she whispered softly. "What do I need to do to earn more?"
 
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