Familiar face (Vega and Libelle)

[Libelle "Onyx" Ryoko - Council]

Libelle wasn’t often one to go into the town, yet she found as the years had gone on her girls worked hard for her. The least she could do is go get things from the market when they were in between deliveries. Today was that day for her, she was often up with the sun habit really. She liked the warmth, she grew up in Australia where the heat seemed to never weaver. So she often could be found basking in it if she wasn’t cooking or working. Yet today would be different from normal as she put on her most respectable outfit. After all she didn’t plan to run the town half naked like she did in her brothel. She found herself walking the streets in the early morning sun just as others came from their homes to start their days. She paused in the middle of the street for a moment turning her gaze to the warm sun as he beat down on her tanned flesh. Taking a deep breath she got to work on her list of items she needed.

She had an Aura around her one that would make anyone run from her. It was just a curse part of being a drake. She had gotten used to it though, She used it to her advantage. As she walked from store to store she would smile at the people and they seemed more than willing to part with goods at a less than posted price. It made her chuckle to herself as she walked the streets how so many people feared her. Yet if they got past that aura they would see how utterly truly broken she was. Belle had gotten lost in that thought for a moment before shaking her head back and forth quickly no, she wasn’t going to think about Roderick. She hoped he earned everything he deserved. Letting out a frustrated sigh she took her goods and carried them back to the Brothel.

Once there she got to work opening the place. She made breakfast for those who stayed the evening, at a cost of course. She was busy making meals and pouring drinks she hadn’t noticed the day go smoothly. She undid the corset of her dress which caused her breast to fall slightly from where they had been held as she yanked down the sleeves so that she could breath better. Her eyes moved around the Dragon Lady; she knew most of the people there. After all, once some men got a taste they couldn’t stay away. The thought brought a slow smile to her face as she thought on that before she looked to the door open.

Someone new. Someone who didn’t look the type to hang around in a brothel not with how good looking he was. She moved to the bar and picked up a mug. “Come for a drink? Or a lady?” She called out to him with a coo in her gentlest of voices she could project his way. Wondering if he was scared to be in a brothel. “First time?” she asked as she poured a mug of ale. “If so first drink is on the house.” she smiled towards him slowly.

[Vega]

All four walls were closing in on him. The more silence filled in around him. The longer he stared out that window. The louder his thoughts became. The smaller the room felt, the bigger the urge to retaliate right here and now grew. He was hotheaded. Stubborn and already angry. So it didn't take long for him to be utterly lost in the darkness of his thoughts. Then he heard her. Felt the warmth of her hand and the way the bed dipped with her in it. He closed his eyes and deeply relaxed. Letting his body loosen and just be completely at peace. But why? 

He felt safe with her. 

It was like the moment she agreed to stay she reached into the darkness he was trapped in and plucked him free. He hadn't let go like this since his wife. He thought he'd lost this level of calm and after completely tearing himself down in grief. He did what he thought was best. Work. Work until his body screamed at him to rest. Work until he found his father. Work until he reunited his parents. Never stop until everyone in his family had a better life and love story than him. He could stop when he died. 

But then he met Libelle and now here he was at a full stop. Contemplating everything he thought he knew. He could feel her gas enter his system again. He was already exhausted but his anger was keeping him up. Forcing him to stare out that damn window and think of what beautiful ways he could make those men scream. And so, he growled at his thoughts. He knew he would regret this because of the pain but he needed to do it. So he grabbed her and forced her to lay in front of him as he scooched and laid where she just was to give her space. And when he was done he buried his face in his pillow and groaned in it from pain. 

But she blocked the window now. So it was worth it. He took a second to rerelax. Breathing deeply with his eyes closed and trying to shake off her gas. When his eyes opened he let out one final deep breath in relief to see her and not that window. He stared at her for a while. Longer than maybe he should. Longer than anyone would be comfortable. His eyes slowly began to glaze over because of her sleep gas. But still, he was desperately trying to fight. He didn't want to fall asleep angry. 

The drowsier he became the clearer his mind saw her. Saw his wife. It's too bad one could easily tell him he was just delusional... Again. But his heart was telling him it was her. And her touch was sending sparks through his soul. 

THIS HAD TO BE HER!!!

He snarled audibly and looked away from her at last. Frustrated by himself. She did nothing wrong. Her hand was on his ribs trying to soothe him which made his next move a bit easier because she could easily hurt him if she truly wanted him to stop. He was running out of time too. He couldn't keep fighting her gas and slowly but surely it was winning. 

Today was not a day in which he won. 

With a faint growl, he grabbed her thigh nearest him. Pulling her close with it and laying it over his hip. Not leaving any space between them or anything to the imagination with the thin layers they both wore.  Keeping his fingers imprinted in her thigh. While his free hand snaked into her hair and tugged at it as he pulled her close. 

Again he kissed her. But not like the first time when he was delusional. Though some could argue. And not like a few minutes ago when she was just trying to get her gas into his system. No, no, this was a kiss from a husband to a wife because in his tired state with all the surrounding evidence his heart knew she was Belle. He let her hair go before his lips fell from hers as he, at last, fell into a heavy sleep he couldn't fight anymore. But he still held her thigh to keep her close. She could slip away though. The entire time he made sure she could stop him if she wanted.

He woke up a few hours later and slipped out of bed. Quietly moving around the room as Libelle slept. He was still in a towel so he changed into a pair of breeches. They had also been sleeping on top of the duvet so he gently peeled it back from under her and covered them both with it as he rejoined her in bed. Taking her in his arms and slowly drifted back to sleep. 

It's too bad he didn't remember that beautiful kiss. Just thought it was all a dream. 

[Libelle "Onyx" Ryoko - Council]

Feeling the angry gypsy let his tense body relax under her touch was strangely comforting. She kept her hands moving and her body pressed to his letting the gas out to hopefully find the peace he needed to rest and heal. She was expecting him to fall asleep pretty quickly so as he let out a growl, confusion crossed her face. Then she was no longer behind him but in front of her. Her hazel eyes were large as she stared at him for a moment. She could see the pain cross his face as he did all these quick movements. Something she would scold him for the next day.

His gaze was gone though in the pillow and she watched him relax again. She stayed still watching his actions not sure what to really expect since she had never seen him this way before. He was always so put together. Yet that softer gaze looked back to her and she herself relaxed not realizing she had been so tense moments ago. Worried about him, she moved slightly closer to place her hand against him again to trail her warm fingers along his flesh slowly. She watched him fight the gas knowing it was useless but didn’t speak up on that.

As she watched his face,  it was all so confusing she had never seen someone go through such a range of emotions so quickly. The loving stare, the confusion, the frustration. She wondered if she made the wrong choice by crawling into bed with him. Maybe he really needed to be alone. She was thinking of how maybe she could send up….

Her thoughts were taken over as he took hold of her thigh pulling her in, over his hip and she felt the shiver up her spine from his fingers imprinting their outline on her thigh. Then came the hand in her hair which caused an audible moan from her as her body reacted to the harshness of his touches in ways she had never reacted before. What was happening, then his lips came and she felt that spark, that electricity shooting through her body. She hadn’t felt that since Daniel. Her body pressed to his as she kissed him back. Deeper wanting more and yet she felt his lips fall away. 

“Wait.” she spoke softly but knew that her gas had taken over and she stared at him as he slept. There is no way that he was Daniel. She blinked a few times telling herself over and over again that it was just a trick of her mind. She shifted to lay there lost now in her own thoughts of the past before sleep took over her. Not waking up when he moved around the room and tucked her under the blankets holding her to him as they slept. 

When the light came through the window she groaned as she rolled into him to avoid the light wanting to sleep longer in his warm arms. “Jeovani.” she mumbled into his chest. “That kiss was…” she felt blush come over her face once again. “It was…” she wasn’t sure how to put into words what it was to her.

[Vega]

Libelle spoke but Jeo was peacefully asleep. Hearing bits and pieces of her already incomplete sentence. Kiss? He didn't remember the last kiss. Only there first which he was still sorry about and then again when she was trying to administer her gas into his system. Was she still upset about that first one? Trying to set more ground rules between them because she was worried about what he might do the closer they got? Or was she offended about how scared he reacted when she was just trying to share her gas with him? His tired mind spun around and around. He shifted and whined in his sleep because of them. 

Until at last, his peaceful rest was too disturbed. He woke up and took a deep breath as the pain in his ribs registered. He'd broken a few bones before. Ribs included. But never this many. And never this severe so the pain was new. Harder to manage than usual. She was buried under his chin. Nestled against his neck and chest. He kept her there for a moment enjoying the closeness. But eventually leaned back to see her face. "...k..." He stopped himself as his mouth closed and he studied her face. She didn't seem angry so now he was even more confused. "...kiss?" He forwarded his brow as his eyes bounced between hers. 

He groaned in pain before she could answer. Accidently gripping her in response. Realizing then his hand was still on her thigh that was still wrapped over his hip. And the moment he clasped it flickers of last night flashed into his memory. His assertiveness and aggressive behavior. Her moan. The spark that ran through them both as their lips met. "Oh." He let her go. Clearing his throat as his nose and ears reddened. "That kiss..." He looked away. 

"I promised I wouldn't kiss you without your permission again. So for that, I'm sorry. We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." He assumed she was going to warn or threaten him once again. 

[Libelle "Onyx" Ryoko - Council]

 As they lay there tangled together, her ear pressed to listen to his heart beat which itself was erratic because of the pain he was in. She felt bad and in that moment wished she could heal him with a touch and yet all she could do was make his pain a little more manageable. So when he shifted to look at her, she looked at him completely confused wondering why he would risk hurting himself more by moving. When confusion crossed his face she shifted slightly more to question him but the pain that rattled him made her growl at his tight grip.

Her eyes shifted to their drake form and back before he looked back at her. The man that was there last night certainly wasn’t there at that moment as he seemed to be apologetic in kissing her, touching her, lighting something inside of her. She gave him a confused look. Before shifting out of the bed and off of him at that moment. Looking for her dress that was somewhere on the ground. 

“Heal up. The room is yours. I will have the other girls service you since you don’t want to talk.” She got the dress over her and moved to tighten the corset part. “You know Jeovani.” She turned her face full of anger and hurt all at once. “I never expected to be used by you. You are never allowed to put your hands on me again. Do you understand me!” She screamed at him at that moment. Fully hurt by the rejection of him not wanting to kiss her. She was angry because she hadn’t felt that spark since Daniel and he made her feel alive again.

She was angry with herself. “How dare you make me think you are not here for a common whore, then treat me like one.” She moved to the door and pulled it up. “Breakfast will be up shortly.” With that she was out the door with it slamming behind her with tears wanting to fall down her face but she didn’t let them. She swallowed hard and made her way down the stairs where she got to work on making breakfast for the Inn.

She reached into the pocket of her apron that she left in the kitchen the night before she had taken it off and left her ring in it. The ring that she often had hidden around her neck, but the day before the leather broke so she slid it in her pocket. She pulled it from the pocket as she stared at it for a long moment. “Where are you?” she whispered to the ring as she slid it on for a moment. “How dare you.” she said to the ring before taking it off and sliding it in her pocket again.

[Vega]

Jeovani blinked taken aback by Libelle's sudden outburst. He took a breath to interject and explain but when he moved to try and reach toward her the pain from his injuries shut him right up. He winced and grasped his side. Breathing through the pain. But also trying to fight through it to keep Libelle here. The pain won in the end. And he was left helplessly lying there. He banged his head back against the headrest and let out a slew of curse words in Spanish under his breath. He couldn't even chase her when he tried. It only made the pain worse. And in his trying and stubbornness he passed out from the pain. 

He awoke when the sun peeking through his window hit his face. It'd been so long since the last time pain like this was too much for him. He could hear all the Vikings and Valkyrie taunting and laughing at him because he wasn't pain resistant like them. His mother was the fiercest Valkyrie known to man. Could fell any demon, god, or beast with her bare hands. And yet here he was laid out because of a few broken ribs. Even his father who traveled the world. Ate with kings and queens. Fought with the Drakes. And left nothing behind but a dusty wake was tougher than this. 

Hours passed before he showed his face. Fully dressed he paced himself down the steps. Clutching his side. It was clear the ladies knew something happened based on how they suddenly avoided him. But he kept his focus on the door. It wasn't until Libelle behind the bar came into his view that his focus shifted. He wanted to approach but with the silent warnings coming from all her ladies who placed themselves between her and him he dared not. Huffing and slowly making his way to and out of the door. He needed to tell his employer he would be out for some time. 

Again hours passed more than earlier and it was already well into the night. Jeo honestly struggled making it around. It was clear when he finally made it back to the Dragon Lady from the heavy breaths he took and the sweat that covered him he wasn't okay.  He didn't bother anyone since everyone was working. He just bought a bottle for himself and made his way to his room.

Another hour gone before he was seen again. Fresh from bathing and maybe a bit tipsy from the bottle he bought. Helping to ease his pain. He still paced himself coming down the stairs. Up until now, Libelle's ladies had done a great job at keeping the two apart. But with them working now it would be much harder and so they found themselves close more than once as Libelle worked around. Even in his slightly less sober state, however, he was still respectful of her wishes and left her alone. 

She seemed to be making her rounds when he got up to order drinks for the table at which he sat. Filled with men he had befriended through his job in town. He was just going to pass her by until he noticed everything around them freeze and all at once The Wind blew. It pushed them together. Pressing her back to the wall and pulling him to her. He put his hands up just in time to catch himself but groaned at the pain. His hands landed on either side of her head. The Wind danced around them. Keeping them in this break in time for the moment. 

They were close together but it couldn't be helped. Oh, what Gypsy tricks he could play with her mind at this moment. They crossed his mind as he admired her. But it wouldn't be right. He sighed the thoughts away but still leaned in close to her ear. "I never meant to make you feel as though I used you. I'm sorry. I'd do anything for you to know I speak the truth. Even if that meant getting the Ruby of the Sea." his lips brush against her ear just as softly as his words do. He's tempted to give her a nip but again sighs away the thought as he pulls back. Slowly, to not scare her or hurt himself he reaches into his pocket. "I heard some of your girls call you Onyx a while ago." he pulled out a unique crystal and brought it up to her lips. Running the cool stone across them like it was a piece of ice. His way of touching her without breaking the rule she set for him. 

He stepped back as he picked up on The Wind slowing down and the world coming back. Placing the dragon shaped Onyx on her serving tray.  He gave her a slightly drunken smile before putting up his hands just as everything came back to life. To them, they had that moment in The Wind.  To the rest of the world, it looked as though he was for a split second trying to corner her. And so, her ladies came to her rescue quickly. "I was just going to get some drinks" he hissed as they pushed him and irritated his ribs. 

He left her alone the rest of the night. Getting on the piano to play and sing with the workers and patrons the more he drank. The lovely sounds draw more people in. And so people began to ask Libelle "How much for the exotic man on the piano?" or" What jewel is he named after?" Questions Vega was oblivious to. At last, the night began to settle and only a few stragglers were left but the brothel was still open to any last minute men. Jeovani sat with Ruby who had just finished with a client and had gotten into a bit of a gambling match laughing each time the other lost. But their laughter particularly Jeo's was cut short when a group of men entered. 

It was them. The men that had jumped him. His features tightened as the leader approached and tossed a sack of coins on the table for Ruby. But Jeo stopped her from getting up and going with him.  He didn't trust any of these men and there was no telling what they knew or would try to do to any lady here if they were hunters. He and the man got into a staring contest before Jeo at last moved. Tossing an even heavier bag of coins on the table to outbid the man for Ruby. If he wasn't completely wasted he would've likely found some other way to do this but he was absolutely drunk. Thank The Wind he was a functional drunk. Jeovani rolled his eyes as he watched these men come together to try and outbid him. 

And so, he reached and popped one of two necklaces off his neck and slammed it on the table. This one held a very rare and valuable jewel on it he had gotten from a dragon's cave as a child. "You're not going to win this one carbon." he rose and checked to be sure his other necklace was still secure because that one held his wedding ring. He held his hand out hesitantly for Ruby who also hesitated to take it. He signaled some of the men he worked with and they knew that meant to get these guys out of there. Hoping Libelle would pick up on everything that was happening. 

And so, as they escorted the men out Vega escorted Ruby to his room. Pausing for just a second when passing Libelle hoping she would look at him. But when she didn't he sighed and retired to his room with Ruby. 

[Libelle "Onyx" Ryoko - Council]

✧ Familiar Face ✧

Throwing herself into work was what was needed, the emotions that were rolling off of her in waves causing those that worked for her to place space between themselves and her before opening came. She wasn’t looking forward to having to pretend to be seductive and happy all night long. Yet business was business and she would have to wear the mask to keep the customers happy. After all they were the place people came to forget the world outside of their doors. Yet the source of her pain was in the brothel. She paid him no mind when he managed to make his way out the doors, she was rather sure he wouldn’t return after everything that had just happened between them.

He proved her wrong. After hours had passed and Libelle had been thrown into the swing of being the best hostess of those wanting to escape their lives for the night. Yet when he came back in she watched Ruby take care of giving him the bottle he requested while she was at a table turning down a table of men while pushing one of the other gems that work for her on to them. Finding herself behind the bar once again she glanced at Ruby who glanced back at her. She only signed, “No, I don’t want to talk about it.” she got out before Ruby could ask. “He won’t stick around anyways. We are just a port like all the others that rent rooms or women.” She said with a scoff before moving to serve drinks once again.

When Jeovani returned down stairs she watched him for a moment wanting to help his pain with her gas again, then she remembered how angry she was at him. She tried to avoid looking at him. Each time she passed him she acted as if he wasn’t there as she served drinks and took over when one of the ladies had to run up stairs. With each less barrier between them, the more annoyed she got. Why was he torturing her with his presence? As she sat down the last of the mugs for the table that was full of men gambling the money way. A shift in the air came in the air, the hair raised on the back of her neck as everything slowed down in the room.

The wind, the stupid wind pushing them together, the ends of her hair twirling in small circles as they stared at each other. She wanted to curse him out, tell him to stop the wind from messing with them. Yet as she opened her mouth she felt the cold onyx stone upon her lips. The chill that ran down her spine, raising the hair on the back of her neck as her body had a primal reaction. She just kept her eyes cold as she stared at him wanting to curse him out, and yet couldn’t manage to get a word past her lips, she knew she could over power him easily, or use her gas but again she couldn’t bring herself to do such things to him. She let her brain allow his words to sink in but not allowing them to sway her heart. How could she trust him? How could she trust anyone? She wasn’t even the person she wasn’t meant to be. She had her whole life planned for her and then the waves of the ocean took it all from her. If Daniel could see her, he would have regretted marrying her.

Especially because her body had started to crave this man in front of her, she had never felt these feelings other than Daniel, everyone else was just money. Yet Jeovani was a force that was tearing her heart and brain apart, how could she forget Daniel though? Feeling the cold wind of space replaced the warmth that his sun kissed body. Her eyes drifted from him to the onyx shaped stone that was on her tray. Her eyes stayed on him as her back stayed pressed to the wall as he drifted away from her and the world started moving again. “Just get back to work.” she said to her girls before taking the onyx dragon stone in her hand and moved back towards the bar, placing the stone in her pocket.

She was sure the rest of her night couldn’t get any more annoying until a drunk Jeovani decided to show off his flair, causing the patrons of the Dragon Lady to ask her such annoying questions, making her have to focus on the person she was actively trying to avoid at that moment. “He has no Jewel name, he rents a room when he is here for business, he is just annoying when he is drunk and likes to show off.” She growled towards the people who asked these questions as she would shoot glares towards hiss back using her unsettling aura to make people leave her alone for the most part.

When the end of the night came she walked around collecting empty dishes and sending the drunk people out of the bar part of the brothel on their way home. She moved through the kitchen doors to place the dishes in their cleaning bin. She got to work to start cleaning the dishes as all her girls other than Ruby had been paid for the night. She was going to have to take care of the grunt work that night. She hummed to herself and allowed herself to think of the words that Jeovani had whispered in her ear. Feeling her heart aching in wanting to believe him, wanting to take his words at face value. Has she been too harsh? Had she gotten things wrong? She placed the last dish to dry and dried her hands. Moving to walk back into the bar from the kitchen and she paused as she watched Jeovani and Ruby making their way up the stairs.

Confusion crossed her face before her face fell and she felt an intense pain radiate through her chest as a tear formed in the corner of her eyes. She turned her back to them before the tears could fall against her will. She looked to the people left in the Dragon Lady. “We are closed, please leave.” She moved towards the door and once the last of them left she closed the door and locked it. She made her way up the steps and moved into her room, closing the door and locking it, something she had never done till that night. She picked the onyx dragon shaped stone from her pocket staring at it. “Truly I am an idiot.” she muttered as she opened the drawer and placed it there before taking her necklace off and placed it there on the nightstand before pushing the drawer closed. She crawled into the bed where his scent clung to it from the night before.

She trailed her fingers along the pillow he had used and she rolled her back to that side staring out the window just waiting for sleep to take her broken hearted mind to sleep, tears rolled from her eyes freely unable to stop them in that moment.

[Vega]

The awkward ambience that squeezed its way through the thick air that sat on their shoulders was just as palpable as the air itself. His heart ached. And that alone sobered him right up. He gave Ruby the bed and sat. Or struggled to sit in the chair across from her. Ruby was waiting on him. Testing him to see if he would really go through with the night with her. Just to tell Libelle he wasn't worth shite! 

Except he couldn't even look at her. 

His head hung. And his labored breath grew shallow. "I'm sorry. If you're expecting more of me but I just... I.. Can't." he rose his head to look at the woman he had paid for. Expecting to be met with anger or disappointment. Instead what he saw was confusion. Shock. And ultimately understanding. She just stared at him for a moment in silence before she closed her eyes. Huffed and cursed under her breath. She rubbed the bridge of her nose complaining about how she felt like she would regret this. She glared at him as she rose from the bed and warned him not to make her regret this.

Vega simply blinked at first. But when he realised she wouldn't explain until he gave her his word he rose slowly. "I promise." she studied his eyes and nothing else. And for that reason, he didn't let his gaze waver. And so, another huff and this time a string of curses slip passed her lips under her breath. She headed for the door. And with a wave of her hand promised to clear the air about this AND ONLY THIS situation. 

"I'm not a fool to know you saved me from those hunters. But whatever the hell you did to Libelle before that is your mess to clean."

She left promptly after. Having only been in his room for maybe two or three minutes. A record for anyone who believed they did something until Ruby got the chance to explain. Aimlessly he stood there. Knowing he should try and sleep. Wait until Libelle and Ruby had their heart to heart. But he couldn't stand by. He tried. In fact, he stayed in his room and fought himself for an hour because he noticed how annoyed Libelle was by his presence. 

Belle would be so disappointed.

That thought sobered him even further. He clutched the necklace his ring was on as it rested against his chest. She would be disappointed that this is what became of him. An injured drunk playing games with the hearts of other women. Well, one woman at least. But that didn't make things any better. As quietly as he could he crept from his room. Tiptoeing across the creaking floor to Libelle's room. He knew better than to knock. And so, instead, he slipped what he had for her under her door. A folded note which read...

"Something for when you wake."

Something he would pretend to have no knowledge of in the morning. Which came sooner than he'd have liked. But at least The Wind had come back to his side a little and his ribs hurt less today. He struggled down the steps less. But still winced at how all the ladies treated him now. Like he was just another pig. Just another man who played games with women's hearts and feelings. It was clear Ruby, who conveniently hadn't come downstairs yet, hadn't spoken to anyone about last night. So Vega sighed. Manning up and taking it. He let them scorn him. Or curse him out under their breath as he passed. Chastise him as he made his way to the front door. It was no different from how the rest of the world treated him for being a Gypsy. 

But he had to admit this hurt more. 

Hours passed no one saw Jeovani. Not at the brothel. Not in town. Not at the docks. Everyone assumed The Wind took him away. That was what he wanted, however. After the events of the morning and the things the ladies said to him he didn't think he could handle much more of that today. So he left town and walked until he found a field. Someplace he could just be alone and try and reconnect with The Wind completely. 

It didn't work.

He still wanted vengeance. But more than that he wanted those hunters' heads on spikes. "Fuck!" why did he ever agree to become a gypsy? A constant inner war waged inside his heart. Mind. Spirit. Soul. Every inch of him was fighting itself all because of these hunters. He launched his hat into the air in anger and frustration.Vikings didn't have these problems. He cursed again as he hurt his ribs and out of temporary spite, The Wind kept his hat.

He laughed, dryly. But nothing was funny. 

When he, at last, returned to The Dragon Lady it was at the climax of the night. And with how packed it was he wondered if there was some holiday he didn't know of being celebrated. And with how many hours he was gone would he still have a room?  He put the hood on the cloak he'd bought in town up and snuck in with a crowd. Avoiding all the ladies as they were all extremely busy and making his way to his room.

He was relieved to still have one seeing as he had nowhere else to go. Until he reconciled with The Wind. He had paid in advance for it anyway. He was also relieved no one saw him and took a deep breath once he was alone again. Locking his door. Staying confined to these four walls. His anger. Regrets. Pain and overthinking. Refusing to open the door if anyone came knocking.

[Libelle "Onyx" Ryoko - Council]

✧ Familiar Face ✧

Libelle didn’t answer her door when Ruby came to knock upon her door, she locked herself away all night and until the late afternoon. When she finally pulled herself out of bed she was still just as emotionally an mentally spent as she was when she first laid down. She picked up the note that said ‘Something for when you wake.’ She placed it in her bedside drawer and forced herself to get a bath and put on a smile for the rest of the day. She had to make it through the night not showing an inch of weakness.

After a long soak in the bath and several reheats with her hands, she forced herself to dress just in time for the night time opening. When Ruby finally came to talk to her again, Libelle shut her down. “I don’t want to hear it, Rubs. Just get to work.” She was colder than she meant to be. She was hurt for once to a point that if she could stay in her room all night she would. Libelle got to work serving drinks and lining the girls up with their clients for the night when a letter was set in front of her.

“What is this?” she asked the messenger but only a shrug came as they left. She looked at the writing, the name of the ship that was written on it was so familiar. When the alarm bells went off in her head she ripped open the letter.

‘Belle,

This letter has reached you to inform you that Daniel Lodbrok has been declared officially dead at sea. As the ship has yet to return.

We are sorry for your loss

Commissioner Gabrial’

Her heart sunk with each line she read, the letter was three years old from the worn date in the corner. She swallowed the well of tears that came to the edge of her eyes as she searched the room. She moved towards Ruby, she was in a fog, as if she couldn’t hear a single sound in the room. “Rubs, take over. My husband is dead.” She knew the statement would only confuse Ruby but she didn’t feel she could explain better than that in that moment as she moved through the brothel in a fog.

She found her room and entered it as she left the door ajar. She crumbled beside the bed and pulled the ring that was hidden in her corset and held it tightly in her fist as she started sobbing openly over the letter. She felt as if a part of her died at that moment. She had almost no hope in Daniel's return, yet she felt so much guilt also as if she was dishonoring him as feelings had grown for another. Yet having any future ripped away after the night before was too much for the drake to bear. She felt her body trembling as she sobbed, not holding back an ounce of the pain that was there.

She took the chain from around her neck, unlatching it as she took the ring off of it, slipping it back onto her ring finger as she held her hand to her chest, hugging herself. “I’m cursed.” she whispered to herself, this is what it was like being a Drake, no real connection could be had. Everyone would be in danger, her walls needed to go back up.

[Vega]

At last asleep where the World seems to attack you a little less. It took far too long to get here. And even still The Wind woke him. The jarring feeling it gave him had him up and fully awake. Aware of his surroundings from years of sleeping on the run. But the Brothel was silent. Only filled with the usual nightly sounds after they closed their doors. Except for the faint sobs that crept through the cracks of his closed door. The Wind had been pulling him in that direction but he was trying to get a gauge on things before barging in on something or someone possibly still working. 

Cautiously he followed The Wind. For the Waker wasn't sure if it was punishing him for fighting it. 

All suspicion and caution flew to the wayside when he saw Libelle's door open and found her on the floor. The Wind demanding he go to her. Quietly he approached. Closing her door as he entered. He said not a word as he knelt behind her. Wrapping his arms around hers and giving her a warm embrace. He remained silent. Asked no questions. Made no sounds. Just hugged her to show his support in her sadness. The Wind creating a cocoon around them. Bringing in the nurturing, enigmatic, warm air from Nowhere. After staying like this for however long she needed he eventually picked up her. She had to be tired by now.

Still, he stayed silent as he carried her bridal style to her bed. The Wind healing his ribs. At least for the moment to remove the pain. Leaving the letter he hadn't even noticed, to begin with behind on the floor. He laid down with her. Keeping her close and resting her head on his chest. Taking experience from his many younger cousins who sometimes just needed this. He ran his hand through her hair and down her back. Gently humming an old gypsy lullaby. Eventually undoing her corset to help make her more comfortable. 

And so, it wasn't until she seemed to cry herself to sleep that he let sleep take him too. 

The Wind stayed with them all night. With its soothing warmth. And Jeo simply watched Belle as she slept once the sun came up. Wondering what happened but too afraid to ask making it hard for him to know how to help her more. They were on their sides facing each other. His arm draped over her waist. As she stirred The Wind grew harsher. Jeovani gave her a sad smile as she woke. Because only he knew of the two of them what was coming next.

The Wind whipped through their hair and began to separate them. But his eyes never left hers. Even as his smile faded. And as The Wind became unbearable he fought it for just one second so he could pull her in close. But the closer he got the harder it became to see him. Like he was vanishing into thin air. "I'm sorry. I wish I could've been of more help in making you feel better." leaning in he kissed her forehead. And then he was gone. Leaving behind nothing a whisper of "I promise I'll come back for you." and speckles of dust in the sunlight where he once lay. 

Six months crept on slowly. Until one day a caravan blew into town. The busy streets. Masks and lanterns threw the gypsies off at first. But being who they were they caught on quickly to there being a festival in town. And with the rumor of Gyspies sometimes setting up a carnival where they made camp. They were quickly welcomed for that sole reason. The furtone tellers lured some in. While the provocative dancing lured the rest. The storytellers wove some great tails. As the puppeteers wove theirs. Hot air balloon rose up and down rolled the silks revealing the gypsy hidden inside. Jeo took the streets in his devilish disguise. With a dark cloak and handmade mask that hugged the features of his face better than any street merchant's could, he blended right in. 

He took in the sights of people. Acting as though this were some Mardi Gras. Enjoyed the different foods. The lively music. Watched as women received a floating lantern from a man. And as some men mourn the woman's rejection. "Looks like you need a lantern!" a merchant caught Vega's attention as he bopped by. "Or have you sent it floating away already?" Vega approached and eyed the man's wares. All lanterns. How surprising. He chuckled "Your first guess was the correct one, amigo." The man smiled at Jeovani's smile. Proudly picking a lantern for him. "You're new round here. Cause no one here has an accent like that." the man's chuckle forces one out of Jeo. "Just a general bit of advice don't cast your lantern to a Gypsy or lady from the Dragon lady."

Vega had just paid the man and taken his lantern. "Why?" it was clear the merchant assumed he was a sailor docked with his crew. Or he wouldn't have said a thing. "The lanterns here represent your hope for a future with someone. Like Pandora opening her box a second time to let that li'le ball of light out to see the light o' day. Can't have that with those promiscuous Gypsies. As for the jewels at the Dragon Lady. Many have tried. All have failed. It's said the Dragon Lady herself stands on the balcony and sends every lantern sent up crashing to the ground."

"Ah!" Vega said nothing but chuckled. Because if only this old man knew. Tucking the lantern away he contained to bop along. Dancing to the music and playing street games with the kids. He wandered around the whole town aimlessly. Getting lost on purpose since when last he was here he couldn't do this without issue. A hard crunch underfoot stopped him in his tracks at last. Glancing under his boot to see a pitiful lantern surrounded by others.

Like a battlefield loitered with the fallen.

He glanced up naturally. Catching the very moment Libelle whacked another lantern back down to the ground with ease. This seemed like a game to her but he would not be surprised if she was also annoyed. Vega took joy that she hadn't seen him yet. Distracted by the begging men vying for her attention. He tilted his head a smirked. Taking out his lantern. The hot air from the candle inside is what made the lantern fly. For others. 

But Jeovani had The Wind. 

And The Wind liked Libelle. 

He whispered to the candle like telling it a secret. And up the lantern floated with no fire within. It snuck up on Libelle while she was focused on another. But the candle innocently flickered to life and danced once she was looking at it. And then The Wind blew in an old gypsy tune pulling her attention down to the owner of the lantern.

Staring up at her he smiled and bowed. Removing his mask as he straightened back up. He let her take in that it was him. "I told you I'd come back for you," he spoke through The Wind so only she could hear. 

But when she blinked he was gone again. Like a dream. But his lantern was left behind with yet another "Message for when wake." attached to it. Things he kept sending her during his six months away. "I'll visit tomorrow. When you're not busy defending your girls". The Wind spoke for Vega again. 

Confirming he wasn't a dream. 

[Libelle "Onyx" Ryoko - Council]

✧ Familiar Face ✧

Libelle didn’t even notice when Vega walked in as she felt her heart breaking into pieces as the realization of what she always knew that her husband was taken by the sea. She hated the pain she was allowing herself to feel in that moment. She had closed off her heart for so long, yet Vega had started opening what she closed off allowing her to feel the full amount of pain when his death was confirmed that evening. When the arms wrapped around her she didn’t fight him like she normally would have. She wanted to be held and comforted in that moment by someone. He just happened to be the one the wind brought to her so she caved into the warmth he brought around her.

The warmth from Nowhere caused her open sobs to come to a slow stop as he embraced her. Her brain went to Daniel and their night on the ship when he held her close like this warming each other after a cold night. She sniffled as she mumbled unalignable to Vega in that moment. “Daniel.” She eventually fell asleep in Vega arms clinging to the memory of Daniel. She was using him that night, that she had no doubt and she wouldn’t feel bad about it either in the end because it was what she needed.

As the morning sun peeked in, breaking her cycle of sleep she watched as Jeovani started to disappear from in front of her as if he was a mirage in her arms. “Then stay?” She wanted his comfort, she wanted someone to help her forget Daniel but he faded, he didn’t stay. The whisper that he would be back to her made her grimace. “Don’t bother.” As she moved picking up the letter with Daniel’s death note. She pulled her ring from around her neck and placed it in a box and slid it under the bed. “Just like every other man you left, Vega left. You all just leave.” That was the day the Dragon Lady became mean towards anyone that showed her an ounce of affection.

In the six months that had passed many had come to see the Dragon Lady in a new light. She would lock herself away leaving the running of the brothel in Ruby hands for the most part. Only parting from her bed to run someone out, out work the bar when Ruby had a client. Most men would take her mood as a challenge till her Drake aura would kick up causing them to run the other way. Her Gems didn’t know what to do to help, Yet Libelle never lashed out at them; her aura just made them want to not stand by her side. Ruby was the only exception. Ruby saw past the worst in Libelle. Whether it be from them knowing the worst in each other already or being platonic soulmates one couldn’t tell.

When the carnival came into town she grew to hate the colorful people and vultures that were selling the hope of love. The men would waste the coin they could use to pay for a night with a girl on a cheap paper lantern to try and earn their affections and convince them to run away with them. Each lantern was given to Libelle and each night she would send them crashing to the streets below while ripping them apart. “Fools.” So went on for a week this nightly routine of her shredding the lanterns and tossing them away to the streets below calling to those who bought them to use their money in better ways, like actually paying for the girls time instead of suggesting such love could exist.

On the 9th night of her tossing the lanterns she was getting bored with this night's events and just wished that the carnival would leave. As she tossed down a lantern half heartedly she found herself turning and pressing her back to the railing of her balcony. She moved to pick up a piece of iron and tossed it in her mouth as she chewed slowly. When her gaze caught the lantern that was floating without light. She cocked a brow and blinked a few times only to realize that it wasn’t going away.

When the message came through she looked back down towards the gypsy she had watched disappear from her bed after a night of comfort. She rolled her eyes at his words and reached over taking the lantern that floated there and just as the others she tore it apart and threw it to the ground. “Don’t bother.” she muttered to the wind knowing that it didn’t matter he would still come the next day. As the night came she laid there awake, not sure how she would handle this whole Vega being back. “Not like it matters, he will just disappear again. Like everyone else.”

Reaching under her bed she pulled out the box and pulled out the letter and the ring that was on the necklace. It felt like the weight of the world was in that ring. She stared at it before tossing it onto the table and tossing the box and the letter across the room. “Should pawn the damn thing, or eat it.” she mumbled to herself as her eyes locked with the rising sun. She stood from her bed and made her way down the stairs to pick up the mess from the night before and get the brothel ready for the next round of customers the next night. Making breakfast for those who were there in the rooms with the girls.

As she finished making the breakfast she took the trays up to the rooms and left a knock upon the doors. She returned downstairs shoving a handful of gems in her mouth and chewing them up before making him a plate. She tossed it on the bar when it was done. She felt the breeze before he actually showed up, her gaze moved over to him and her aura was in full force trying to hold him at bay. “Why bother coming back you prick?” she asked her tone harsher than he would have ever heard it before. The wind licked her face trying to make her calm down with its warmth but she was stubborn at that moment. “There is nothing here for you to come back to.” She growled at him as she pushed the plate to the end of the bar. “Eat and leave.”

[Vega]

Blown away before he could ever see his lantern hit the ground with the rest. He left so many things undone here when The Wind stole him. And this was his life. He came and went. And while many believed it was as he pleased it rarely ever was. He had barely been in the storehouse of his old employment a second when a dark liquid saturated his scalp and licked down his face. "I deserved that." he spoke to old man Calico Jack whose hand still held the upside mug above his head. "the rum must've been dregs if you're not afraid to waste it on a lowlife like me"

Calico clicked his tongue and crossed his arms above his chest. "Ay be mad at ya lad but that's no reason to be self-deprecating." Jeo couldn't stay long. But Calico Jack had come to know this about. And so he let the gypsy go. He was far too old to fight The Wind just to lose. He wasn't even interested in such an idea. Vega would be back when the time was right. 

But for tonight he needed to guard his caravan. They'd be leaving tomorrow. That much they knew. But when was up to The Wind. With them, he cleaned up the carnival. Ate. Danced with his little cousins and other children. Kept a tiny Artemis from ripping a man apart with her bare hands. And then when all but the ones who'd help him laid down to rest. He watched them all night. With his cousin and her wolf pack. The gypsies weren't safe here. They weren't really safe anywhere but since the day the hunters attacked him here this place became one of high alert for them. 

When the sun rose it was his turn to set. But he didn't get that chance of rest he hoped. A commotion called just as he crawled to the humble cot in his tiny tent. And back up on his feet, he was again. Huffing as the sun beat down on the top of his head. A crowd had gathered and were making a fuss. Some demanding the gypsies bring the carnival back out. While others demanded they leave since the carnival was gone. Vega huffed again. The fatigue clearly at the back of his gaze. Mama tried to keep him back and let some of the others handle this but in the end, she knew. 

It would just make him heavy if he stood by and did nothing. 

"Out rides may now be gone but we are still the same." he put his hat on his head as he broke through his people to face the crowd. His jaw flexed and his eye twitched lightly when he spotted the hunters as some of the leaders and instigators in the crowd. He never did get his revenge. But he would. Now wasn't the time though. He had to keep his caravan safe. And so, with an alluringly charming smile. And a cooled smooth voice he extended a hospitable offer. "We have food and drink, enough to share. And storytellers with tails to tell for the ages. Music is never lacking and our fire pits are always lit...." a dark mysterious spark glistened in his eyes.

"You are always welcome. If you dare come in."

For all six months, he wrote to her. His little "messages for when you wake." always giving her a way to respond. She never did. And so he questioned himself. And The Wind. But he never stopped. A crunch came from underfoot from a lantern. And he knew he'd arrived at The Dragon Lady. The Wind blew the message he'd attached to his lantern into his hand. His heart sank. 

Was she getting them all these months and tearing them up? 

Did she hate him that much?

Could she forgive him?

Would she understand?

In the end, was he truly nothing but a dirty lowlife? A gypsy with no worth? So undeserving of love?

His overthinking wasn't something he could control. His thoughts sat on his shoulders and whispered in his ears. He could feel her aura now. Which was something he could never feel before. Except rather than push him away it made his thoughts heavier. He braced out of habit when the food was forced his way. He was used to getting stuff thrown at him. From her, he would just take it.

Jeovani stared at the bar and not the food for a long while.

Silence. 

Until he closed his eyes. He ignored The Wind. He built his confidence back up. If she didn't want him it would at least be after he spoke. He would keep his dignity. "I came for you, not the food." his opaque brown eyes locked with hers. He pushed his brow forward and straightened his back. He wouldn't let her and this strange new feeling coming off her bury him with his own self hate.

"I'm a Windwaker whose woes are those I'm forced to leave behind. I can't control when The Wind will steal me. Or where it'll have me fall from the sky. But I have to trust it'll keep me safe."

There was a lot he wanted to say. A lot of things he his anger and hurt wanted to say. But he bit his tongue. "I will eat so the food doesn't waste. And leave for tonight." he took off his coin pouch and slid it down to her to pay for the food. Keeping the coins safely away from her skin. But also they weren't gold. He paid in silver which of course meant more coins.

But even now he was mindful of her.

He ate quickly and rose as he fixed himself. He stood in his spot for a moment as he clearly processed what he wanted to do next. He let out a huffing growl because he was sure she would try and hurt him somehow but he did it anyway. He came close. Not giving her time to retreat. As he stood directly across her with only the bar between them. Quickly he took her hand gently but still firm because he didn't want her to run. Interlocking his fingers with hers. He leaned over the bar and used her hand in his to tug her closer. "I will be back. You want to scare me away? You'll have to do better. Gyspy men don't scare so easily." 

She was showing him a new side of her. So he answered in kind.  A side he had used earlier today with the crowd trying to prosecute his family. A devilish smile spread across his face. As that mysteriously dark glint in his gaze sparked in the dim light. He let her hand go and straightened back up. 

"I guess I'll see you later... Dragonfly. I look forward to how you'll try and scare me away." and again he was gone with The Wind. Leaving the message for when she wakes that was attached to the lantern in her hand he just held.

[Libelle "Onyx" Ryoko - Council]

✧ Familiar Face ✧

Libelle gaze was hard and almost black as she stared at him, her aura trying to push him back in waves. It was the only way she could keep her heart safe. She scoffed at his words about him coming for her. “No one comes here without reason. So what is it that you want from me? If you came for me? My body for a night? To just hold me and leave like last time?” She crossed her arms a clear body signaling that she wanted the space from him.

She knew he was at the whim of the wind and yet at that moment she didn’t care. “I am so glad you have something to give you comfort and keep you safe. If only I had something that cared for me in such a way.” She felt the growl in the back of her throat as she scowled at him. She only moved closer to pick up the bag of coin and toss it behind the counter for Ruby to count when she came down.

If he knew her, he would know she only made food for those she needed to, or if she cared about them. She made the plate because some part of her deep inside of her heart wanted to see him. It was the only way her jaded mind would let her show. “Good I would rather not toss good food out.” She didn’t look at him too much because she was sure she would break if she did.

As he came across from her, she felt every inch of his warmth dancing there, it was like she was feeling the sun for the first time in a long time, since he had been gone. As his warm hands took hold of her she didn’t pull away like she should have. Her fingers locked with his but she didn’t tighten her fingers with his keeping a limpness in them. As he tugged her closer she gave a warning growl towards him as her eyes locked to his. Her eyes would be harder than he had ever seen them.

She looked hollow on the inside if he chose to stare hard enough into her gaze. “I could scare you if I truly wanted too.” She muttered out knowing she didn’t have to speak loud. She could use her gas if she wanted to to send him running the other direction. His charming side made her only want to lash out at him. “Maybe you are just a rat I am choosing to toy with instead.” She yanked her hands back and crossed her arms once again as she rolled her eyes at his sparkling gaze.

“Don’t bother coming back unless you have what I seek the most in this world.” She scoffed as she watched the brothel come to life as he left as if the wind had paused time once again. She reached in her pocket pulling out the onyx stone he had given her before he had left before she had learned that Daniel was gone. She ran her finger gently over it before tucking it back into her pocket. She picked up the closest bottle of alcohol.

She went to Ruby’s room and informed her she would be in charge that night, without answering her questions she wandered to her room locking it for the night to come. She picked up the ring from where she left it and slid it on her finger for the first time since opening the brothel. She looked at the lovely stone on her finger as she picked up the letter once again reading over it. She sat it on the table before lowering to the bed. Raising the bottle she started to chug the contents. She just wanted to be somewhere else, she wanted to forget for a moment who she was, why she was so unloved by everyone. She was the reason everyone turned evil or ran away. What other option was there? She got good and drunk passing out till the night time crept up. She groaned rolling over in the bed, she stared at the ceiling for a long moment. Before raising her hand once more to look at the stone.

“How dare you.” She spoke to the ring thinking of Daniel and just how angry she was that he was gone. “Promises are meaningless.” She said as she slid the ring off her finger and threw it across the room. Laying there she realized she never heard it hit the ground. In her groggy drunk brain she slowly sat up and searched for it, she didn’t want to lose it in the end. It was the last link to him she had.