The night passed and the next day Jack was the first to wake, and he found himself savoring the feeling of her body pressed up against his. Luna was still asleep and he pushed one of her curls away from her face, drawing a stir from the woman.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ajtTeNK69
“Mmm?” She mumbled lightly, her eyes blinking heavily as she looked up at him tiredly.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLBhluHlr8
Her eyes widened slightly, like she was remembering the previous night and he pulled her back against his body in response, her breasts pressing against his side. She relaxed her stiff position against him after a moment, and he blew out a long breath.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNhCbh3OIU
“I’m sorry,” He said and she looked at with confusion in her eyes.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1J5kcYz0JF
“What for?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9drKvMfc7H
He didn’t continue, merely blowing out another breath and squeezing her once before he released her, sitting up against the headboard. She leaned on her arm and stared up at him, clearly waiting for him to speak.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmuCYFU2uD
He sighed, but quickly smiled down at her.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvm2Pz1pzK
“Hungry?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JYvuuiJGq
She laughed lightly, “Sure.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1MUELAyN4
They stayed like that for a few minutes but eventually got up and quickly realized that they needed to shower. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLAxNq7OPG
He laughed and picked her up, swooping her into his arms and gaining a yelp from her in surprise.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUpypT2ICJ
“Jack!”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83LVYpGyXu
He laughed again and pulled the door to the bathroom open and set her down inside the shower with him. It was almost cramped with both of them inside, but he didn’t really care and threw on the water, groaning when cold water crashed against his back. It took a few minutes, but the water began to warm up, but they were both distracted as Jack had busied himself with her lips.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToy3UgLfKU
copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9feH2EORt
He pulled back, “Why do you taste so sweet? Don’t get me wrong, it’s amazing, but why?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡurnU0NN3wq
She shook her head, “I don’t know. It doesn’t feel any different than before.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEtxzsXg1U
It’s called the kiss of death for a reason, Williams. It’s naturally sweet and grants peaceful death, like I’ve already said. It is supposed to be almost addicting, for the longer the kiss, the quicker the kisser dies. It is another way to drain someone of their life force. By the way, I need to talk to you both for that matter.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡKF3ZTL2xzU
Luna looked at him blankly when he faded out for a moment.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13mpXmcLpJ
“Is he talking to you?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡccnGJX8Ge9
Jack smiled sheepishly, “Yeah. He says he needs to talk to us about something.”57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84KCOr3zx6
copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYOFYHq1fZ
It is in regard to food. She will have no real need of it anymore. Her hunger will be spiked by something else, specifically death. She has gained a piece of my essence and she will be bound by some of my own bonds. Feeding, is one of them.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg3hF1ESN3
As a part of my domain, I gain power by the deaths that I collect.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZfZFZXNGb
Like the grim reaper?copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi9MX8to9J
Yes. And since I gain power from deaths, she will gain power from them as well. Any other food sources would just be needless and gratuitous. You are both also going to be more energized by the night as another consequence of being under my hold. Last night the exception due to the stress both of you had been put under. For her, her return, and for you, my settling into your body as my host.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4ZrmFt0xg
Jack regaled Luna with the god’s words and she nodded.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48gj8Vj5JZ
“That explains why I have this weird craving for something. I didn’t know what it was. I assumed it was food.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGhqsfyWDH
Jack nodded, slightly unnerved by how she would have to dine from now on.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1MFt9kX9S
Wait, how do we accommodate her?copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡde1tx9pRe8
She will be able to get some from the dying soldiers in the infirmary, but the main feeding will have to come from the missions you two get sent on. My sister will need time to recover anyhow, so Luna can do it herself for the time being.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvP8Vhote2
Luna doesn’t know how to fight. It’s probably why she was killed.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT4Yzx8Uui
No, she was killed because her body was left weak from a collection of errors on both her and my sister’s parts. Her body was too weak from the lack of food and the stress my sister’s shifting forces her to undergo. My sister was left weak because she was constantly healing her host body and hadn’t had opportunity to sustain herself recently.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIwNc4XBVb
What does Sverila sustain herself on?copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMGzVCQj65
My sister feeds off of death to a certain degree, but she also feeds off of the moon’s light and primarily in the past she fed off of the humans sacrificed in her honor. Alas, not many are willing to do that anymore for their God, let alone for her.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡliYqgyXoss
Jack nodded and relayed the information back to Luna, who he had shielded from the shower’s spray unintentionally. He squeezed his way past her so she could wash up and she got her hair wet and began to scrub clean with the soap on the shower shelf. She bent over and accidentally ground her backside into his front drawing a groan from him. He grabbed her hips and rubbed her further against him.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡHebd2nhZZc
“Jack…” She moaned softly, “We need to get washed up. You wanted to get something to eat, remember?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJYSiUu9dB
He groaned in irritation, “Can’t we just put that off for a little while?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡezTdZaLXze
She laughed, “I’m pretty sure we can’t as by the light that came in through the window, I’m guessing it’s past lunch. Someone will miss us soon if we’re not careful.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgtBtvYLvX
She stood up straight and finished rinsing her hair while he stared at the water trailing down her back.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGHWzZQ484
He never wanted to be water more.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnEyAEJmCj
You’ve wanted to be water before?copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2z4D3zCO4
He could hear the god groan in his head.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMLhIkgzop
I’ve picked poorly in hosts it seems. Surely the good doctor would not have been so idiotic.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4NjDoYmLA
Jack narrowed his eyes at the showerhead, which Luna noticed as she turned around to face him.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmDfqhiZT7
“What’s wrong?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uTQLCb2cA
He relaxed and smirked at her.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡsREgaiE9Ep
“He is questioning whether he wants me as a host. Somehow I think he has missed the opportunity to reverse the situation.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkLnAbETby
Indeed, I have. Pity.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g3U7PxiSK
Why did you pick me anyway? Because it was convenient? Because you knew she cared about me?copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkBxAMPfVu
A combination of sorts. I found it convenient both due to your ‘handler’ situation, her feelings for you, and of course, you’re proximity at the time. But I would not have picked you if I did not find you suitable to my other specifications as well. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFPp3pBIiN
Other specifications? What other specifications?copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj3kda9Lt1
The god sighed and Jack flinched with how the god’s cold snapped at him. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlm6TXSJcO
“Here, I’ll finish up. Go get dressed, I’ll be out in a few minutes.” Jack smiled at her and she smiled back at himcopyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRt2hwsSfK
“Sure, don’t take too long. I’m sure I’m under watch.” copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw3JQhTZ2m
She stepped out of the shower and closed the door. He could spot her hazy silhouette towel off as she left the bathroom. He finished up quickly after that, dropping the turn of conversation with the god in favor of getting toweled off so he could go search for food. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xInEClxlx
He exited the bathroom and spotted Luna pulling on her stockings and fumbling with her bra. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyoPBFm3yB
It’s too big for her. Tell her I’ll fix that situation for her tonight.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡNd7RXX9QXc
She jumped when he spoke up, alerting her to his presence. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZKWnoyIVT
“Anryien says he’ll take care of your clothes tonight.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhsE63ks6S
She turned around and smiled softly at him.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U6bM39VT6
“Okay.” copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ776R3tgBbc
She walked over to the closet and pulled out another dress, one he had barely seen her in. It was a black dress that tied at the waist with an open collar that revealed a red button up below it, ending in pleats at her knees. It fit her better than anything else did, well beside the dress from yesterday, but it was supposed to be loose, or so he’d thought. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrtX6A0q27
He was hit again by that wave of angry feeling that pointed out what an asshole he was. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡi71oiOsrKm
Nevermind that, get dressed. You’re staring into empty space.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRtEJw708j
She had moved onto putting her shoes on, having not noticed his zoned out expression. He quickly finished drying off and put on his clothes while Luna skimmed a book that she kept in the bedside table. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDLGARgBhj
“What are you reading?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAqKZIyraj
“The Golden Bough, it’s interesting, just a bit long.” Luna stated, showing him the book from off her lap. It was large, longer than he would have guessed her to read (and if he was honest, himself and everyone else on this base). But then again, he didn’t really know what she did in her off time. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIahnUOvUW
Ask.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7AANbr3MJ
“Hey, Luna? I was wondering what you do when you’re not here?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvkNgjvPLG
She looked up at him, startled at the question.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zpjQMdEh8
Maybe I shouldn’t have asked.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6gcG3n87a
“I work in the infirmary primarily, or I spend time with Beatrice and some of the other men who’ve been in the infirmary and have gotten better.” copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuGchWwNMi
“What did you do before this?” His question made her frown, her brows furrowing. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡtURSdIFrnX
“Do you mean before the war?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ3QbKUzT1
He nodded and she appeared to force her frown to go away. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLwqYNnvBa
“I… don’t remember anything I did before I got here. I remember walking on the road to get into the base with the heart in my hand and the broken idol in my other. Sverila growing accustomed to my mind. Everything before then is like a bright white hole in my memory.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡN54FYinDKL
He frowned, turning around to pull on his jacket and sitting down on his cot to tie his shoes. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkKEbVo6vi
She didn’t know anything about where she came from? Didn’t that bother her? Maybe she had set those feelings aside in favor of staying in the present, but still, it couldn’t have been good for her. He had his family to think of when he got out of this, but she didn’t have anything. It made him frustrated that she would just be tossed aside after the war, of course, he had no way of saying that she would, but what else would they do with her?copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f3EG2s4x3
He heard her sit her book back down on the table and walk over to him and he surprised her by picking her up and putting her back down on top of his lap. She laughed and smiled at him. Jack smiled back and kissed her and she responded back softly. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡel8j16BpKl
She pulled away, “Why do you want to know everything?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡakGUZSQnYm
Jack blushed, “I just figured out I didn’t really know that much about you is all.” copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6BJKiMcmk
Luna smiled at him, “There’s not really a lot to know, but I’ll answer all of your questions if I can.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBFpUGww5g
He smiled at her and kissed her once more before pulling away, “So, what’s your favorite food? Don’t tell me, let me guess, apples.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgBybAq1Yp
“No, actually.” She teased, “My favorite food is steak.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEvZnfiasE
He gaped at her, “A woman after my own heart.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJga8aREGX
She laughed and climbed off of his lap as a knock came at the door.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡUydv7o6xq4
“Jack! Open up!”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOIsN6I5gb
Luna opened the door and three men came falling onto the ground in a pile. One of them was Henry, the other two being David and Richard Charleston, a pair of brothers that had been lucky enough to be stationed together. The brothers were some of a few of Jack’s friends, and they had welcomed Luna too, with only the missing Robert Hodges having a problem with her presence. He was never impolite, but it was clear he would much rather she not go out with them. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKU0U2bMGR
David was the first to pop to his feet and beamed at Luna. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBqW6xld5L
“Sorry Miss. Diviny. Thought Jack was going to answer.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2zZun5dtl
Groans came from Richard and Henry, Richard tumbling off Henry onto his back on the floor as they both gained their bearings. Richard was the first to get up and smiled bashfully at Luna. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe6jf1lqN2
“Whoops,” he stated, sliding out of the doorway and giving his brother room to enter as Henry dragged himself out of the door and kicked it closed after a moment. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwDIsKfNXk
“Hey Luna.” Henry greeted, standing up. He glanced at Jack who was being talked to by David and Richard. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡzen9dSwj50
Henry and Luna were silent for a moment, but Henry turned to her after a couple minutes and rubbed the back of his neck as he spoke. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡEueLNtM8Uz
“Are you-are you okay? I’m sorry I didn’t see what was going on. I was being a bad friend. I should’ve tried to put an end to the relationship between Sverila and Jack, but I was… I was afraid of her.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡac5OUyyamv
Luna smiled softly, “It’s fine, Henry. I know, I’ve known for a while. And I never blamed you for anything. If you want I’ll tell you some more about it later, but you don’t need to worry yourself about it. I’d hate it if I came between you and Jack, you’re his best friend and he was just as confused as I was, maybe even more so due to Sverila.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVKS5YKBhQ
Luna patted his shoulder with a smile and stepped to the side to let the men talk to each other. She watched them quietly for a while as Henry drifted into their conversation over the ‘English dame’ that Robert had developed feelings for.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWkQI7kuge
“To think, Robert “ScreatcherCreature” Hodges, is interested in a woman!” David joked and they all laughed. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rr9flIOw4
“Come on, I think it’s time these two ate, since they clearly missed out on Peggy Mae’s delicious lunch!” Richard chortled and Jack laughed and they headed towards the door, Jack guiding her with his hand on the small of her back as they continued to chat merrily about the events around the base. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡk104T53EHl
“I’ll be honest, Diviny. When I heard Ann blew her cap I thought you’d be seriously hurt, Ann isn’t exactly known for going gentle on the people who get on her bad side.” Richard teased and Jack and Luna stilled. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡukhObZWvud
Luna let out a nervous laugh, “My healing has sped up, I assure you.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyEcIUyqJ4
Jack turned to Henry with a raised brow, “You didn’t tell them?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡv35w8ZCbDj
Henry smirked, “I was planning to leave that to you two, well, you, because I planned on pulling Luna away to see Marissa. Marissa finally got back into camp yesterday night, and she’s excited to see ‘Lunacy’ and work with her. She heard that Luna’s the best nurse beside the always reliable Beatrice.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8EOWPOTli
Jack frowned, but relaxed toward the end of his friend’s statement and they continued to the mess hall where barely anyone was. Jack grabbed a tray and handed a bottle of water to Luna. She shook her head when he pulled a second tray for her with a frown. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65RLizGQZp
Henry, who had come to the short line with them, blinked at her, “Aren’t you hungry?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvt01BZDMC
Luna laughed with a blush, “I’m actually good. I think I’d get sick if I ate something. Must be another side effect of the ‘stunt’ I pulled yesterday or so.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjKB7HqWBL
Henry nodded. “You should probably tell Thomas, he’d want to know, I’m sure.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIR6u9FaZF
After Jack had gotten some food they made their way over to the table where the two brothers sat, the elder, Richard, sitting on the opposite side from his younger brother. David grinned at them and patted the seat next to him for Luna. She sat down with a grin at the young man and Jack sat at the head of the table while Henry sat across from Luna. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUb3UcETPr
She sipped her bottle of water and Jack began to eat. Richard frowned at Luna, “Shouldn’t you be eating?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMKhoSZOOB
She laughed, “I’m not hungry, I think it has something to do with the coming back from the dead situation.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3jr9OBPYB
Richard spat out his water...right into his younger brother’s face. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzwGCqShkI
David was aghast and pulled a towel out of the dispenser with an appalled look on his face, wiping his face off. He stilled after a moment as if he suddenly caught onto what she had said.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRvt9Tl8Ia
“Wait, yo-you died?!” he turned to Henry, “Asshat! Was that what you were keeping from us! God, who else knew before us?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjd3LnRmdQ
He turned to Luna, “Doll, I thought we were special!”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIpup2Vhkf
She laughed, “I don’t think anyone outside the infirmary knew. Morgan had a good laugh about it. Well, after he came down from his shock.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ027vwgpRp8
David laughed and Richard turned to Jack, “So how did she die?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29rfccD4zQ
He stilled, paling. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxzl2YnXgH
“I can’t really remember, to be honest. I get flashes of being in a town, in an alley, but after that it gets hazy. I remember getting back to Jack-” Luna stated, getting Jack off the hook for now,copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgKkMgBc80
“With that god’s help, right?” Henry cut in and she nodded. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡka9MqmY3qy
“The god, Anryien, and I talked for a while, and then I died.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡUm5tH8r46H
Richard turned his gaze on Jack, “Where were you when this happened? ``````````copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjYxEKNfWW
Jack frowned and stared down at his food for a moment. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh7p3xM2Bd
Tell them you didn’t see her until she had already died. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvzGZgOqlU
He looked up and then at Luna, “I didn’t really see her until she was already dead.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88e6FSQt8N
Luna looked up at him and then away, nodding to herself as if she expected his answer, or at the very least acknowledged it as a wiser one than the truth. She understood why he would step around the truth like that, his friends would not have remained by his side if they knew the truth, or at least all except for a few. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo4xO85AaG
Overall, she agreed with his answer, deciding that it was best if they kept the truth between his passenger, the doctor, and themselves. They were quiet for a while as Jack ate, and the brothers and Henry kept looking between the two of them alternatingly. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKcnqbDfBZ
“Wait, so the god, this Anryien, brought you back for what? Shits and giggles?” Richard asked, his voice disbelieving. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K7nQMgGfp
Jack bleated out a nervous laugh, “You’re not the only one wondering. I think it must have been something about how Sverila was in Luna. Sverila is his sister.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFOydCGidR
David’s eyes widened, “Is it really a good idea to let him run loose if that’s true? I mean, won’t he come for his sister?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1Bbo2m2hY
As if they could truly capture me.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rI9OyV5fb
Should I remind you that you’re kept in my body, very much captured?copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJRih4VYm9
Regardless, I could always leave. But it would also kill you to do so, so you better not alert anyone else to your problem. I’d hate to have to ‘quit’ you so soon.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlarxztUBL
So soon? So you’re planning to eventually?copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDcBM1aI6q
The god did not answer him and dropped the subject, both of them moving their attention back to the conversation.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB9LTrQPpd
Luna patted David’s arm, “I’m sure it will be fine.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfy9G6Ia0j
Jack finished up and the conversation dissolved into laughter and jokes that forced both Luna and Jack to relax. After a while, Henry stood and walked around the table and held out his hand to Luna. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTX7uJ8Frf
“Come on, I want to introduce you to Marissa. She’s Doc’s sister, she’s also about to start working in the infirmary again since she left a year ago. I figured you’d want to meet her.” Henry smiled at her and Luna smiled back, taking his hand and standing up. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lQf6KHWz7
Jack nodded at the both of them, disregarding the annoyed god in his head. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ymIH2OpcP
What are you? Jealous? Of Henry? Christ, he’s always stayed away from her, why would he become a ‘threat’ now?copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8IGfdqoTR
I am a jealous creature, mortal. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYduekeVgO
Yeah, I figured after hearing about your last bride. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qmp93sYtF
The god’s cold snapped at him, lashing his mind and shocking his system. David and Richard looked up at him, David staring deep into Jack’s eyes. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcNvT3JjrC
“Whoa, man. You’re practically radiating cold, are you okay?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5BozPIOLZ
Jack gave a tight nod and tried to divert the conversation back to lighter topics, but it was difficult for the soldier, with the god’s cutting chill only slowly receding. He made do with the situation and the brothers took to the change merrily, seeming to forget all about the result of his error with his irritated passenger, the one that no one but Luna could know about. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOpZdz2Fxv
Luna gripped Henry’s arm tight, anxious about meeting the younger Thomas twin that the elder had told her so much about when she began working in the infirmary. Silver had always spoken fondly about his younger sister and spoke well of her skill as a nurse, and what Silver did not allude to, Beatrice certainly filled her in on. It surprised Luna that she would actually meet the famous sister; she thought the twins had decided to stay apart for two years while Marissa worked in Scotland on something or another. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkI8QBbzUD
Henry patted her arm reassuringly, “Don’t worry, she’s not intimidating, only overwhelming. She doesn’t ever seem to stop talking, trying to escape a conversation with her is about as difficult as trying to hunt a hummingbird.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5JMujCd7n
Luna let out a laugh and forced herself to relax. Apparently Marissa had been here for some time before Luna had arrived in the spring of this year. Henry informed her about Marissa some more as they walked and told her about some of the eccentricities of the younger Thomas, joking about a few of them. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKcCJpbM5I
They entered the infirmary and Morgan greeted them with a yell from his cot, where he was sitting up while Beatrice checked his bandages. The middle-aged brunette woman looked up from her work and beamed at the two of them. Henry dropped his arm, which Luna released, and walked past Beatrice toward the back of the infirmary where a door led to the doctor’s office and tiny living quarters for the doctor and a shared room for two nurses. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq30zUCLtw
Luna followed him and Beatrice winked at her as she passed, confusing the dark haired woman a bit. But still, she pressed on and followed Henry to the back and through the door to the doctor’s office where Silver was chuckling at something his sister said. He looked up, and his sister turned to look over her shoulder at him. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFC7s7q4ky
She was smartly dressed, but not in a nurses’ uniform, probably still recovering from her travel before she got back to work. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡswiF924kPa
Marissa was a very fair woman, similar to her brother with her white-blonde hair and bright eyes- hers an icy blue. She was tall, like her brother, and pale, like her brother, with strong aristocratic features, like her brother. If they were both the same gender, they would be identical in everything except the shade of blue in their eyes. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37B78a1KVv
Marissa’s hair was braided back into a french bun at the back of her head with a navy cap sitting atop. She stood as she realized that Henry and Luna had entered, revealing her expensive looking black and white coat, which was unbuttoned to show her fine navy colored dress, that was surely as expensive as her coat. Her hands were covered by white gloves and she held out her hand to shake Luna’s. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkaUrD1SHm
Luna smiled at her and the woman’s eyes widened a bit. Luna shook her hand and Marissa began to talk to her, looking briefly at her brother. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡraTKP2MUmB
“My. my, darling are you hypothermic? Your lips are blue! Your hand is also freezing, do you need my coat? I’m sure you must be uncomfortable! Silver! What have you been doing? No- don’t you dare laugh at me Silver Xander Thomas! Grandmother would be rolling in her grave if she knew you let a woman under your care get sick!”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qJGxRQyBM
Silver was full on laughing at his sister and Marissa frowned at him before turning back to Luna. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T6eNyROrz
“Oh, dear. I’m sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Marissa Thomas, Silver’s sister-”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSK4Cz6put
“Younger sister.” Silver interrupted and Marissa narrowed her eyes on him. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zTKfrC60d
“By three minutes.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡT47ZjUybJZ
He frowned at her tone and quickly looked anywhere but at his sister, unease radiating from him in response to her irritated voice. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUSvYv54Vz
Henry choked and let out a stream of laughter, garnering a wounded look from the doctor, who in Luna’s opinion, looked much younger that how he usually did, making him appear his age for once. He was twenty-three, she believed. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW9sHoTjvU
Silver had mentioned something about originally volunteering as a doctor, even when he had been passed up for the draft due to his pacifistic lifestyle. He had said something about how easy it was to do, too, and Morgan had mentioned that it was because the Thomas’ were a prominent wealthy family in the States. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoYEoiyWti
Luna smiled at Marissa when the blonde looked back at her, “I’m Luna Diviny. It’s nice to meet you.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡWecPJbkPgf
Henry took a deep breath to calm himself, “You don’t have to lie, Luna.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOcxgUW9ds
Marissa glared at him and he broke out into more laughter, Silver letting out his own. The blonde woman glared at the two men and Luna smiled at the scene. Marissa patted the chair next to her and Luna sat as they waited for the two men to regain their composure. Which they didn’t, for quite some time. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LQ2qfkYbO
It was probably a relief to laugh well and good for a while for them, Silver was always stressed by the work and Henry tended to take on everyone’s darker emotions as his own. But that was just Luna’s opinion, and regardless, both the men were clearly enjoying themselves. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡh82tXMFiBV
Marissa turned to her and smiled warmly, a glint of happiness in her blue eyes. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0JKyZFv9S
The two women talked for a while, the men joining in after they had calmed. They conversed for an hour or so and Luna came to really like the younger Thomas, her liking of the elder growing as well as she began to see another side to him, a happier side. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdEOg43B3f
Beatrice peeked her brown head in the door, “I’m heading out now, I won’t be back till tomorrow afternoon, so goodnight. I already cleared the room in the back for you, Marissa.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡpknsOlftDR
Marissa smiled at her, “Thanks Beatrice, have a goodnight.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡobR8Wq8BVh
She waved to them and closed the door. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSv8GLcKmf
Silver turned to Luna, “Do you think you could take care of the second shift while Marissa gets unpacked?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLAmepHtSk
Luna nodded and stood, grabbing the apron that she kept in the doctor’s office and with a smile, left the room. She tied the apron and set herself to ordering the medicines and chatting with some of the soldiers who were awake. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhwcpsCx3x
A few minutes later, the door at the front opened, releasing a cold breeze into the infirmary and waking up some of the sleeping patients. A woman stepped into a room, a man stepping in behind her. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxqkF66SRs
Morgan was the first to spot her in full. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QeIds7UV0
“You sure are a sight for sore eyes, ma’am. Luna! You have competition for my affections, doll!”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgiMsIe4gi
Luna let out a laugh and stood up from her kneel, walking over to Morgan with a smile. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5P2qv9wo0
“Morgan, with how you act around Beatrice, I already had competition.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwQdf3FnYB
Morgan chuckled after coming out of a pout before pointing with his good arm at the woman, “We have a guest!”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeRG0joeoF
The woman stepped forward into the room and stuttered in her step as she made eye contact with Luna, the woman blinking her eyes blankly for a moment or two. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0Lm2bSbIg
The woman was pretty with long blonde hair braided away from her face and light green eyes that Luna thought were a bit sad, despite the woman’s blank expression. She was tall for a woman, with only an inch being given to her from her shoes. Her features were strong and sturdy, though her skin showed no strong wear from stress. She bore no deep lines in her face- and Luna could guess that she didn’t smile very often, giving her a melancholic air about her. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHN1U25Aq3
She wore a fine dress shirt and flattering skirt- both more expensive than most of the women’s clothes of the women that Luna had met. Her coat was thrown over a leather bag that the woman held in both of her hands in front of her body, which was stock still as she appeared to come down from whatever daze she had been in. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOh3uinTwL
Luna smiled at the woman in welcome, “I’m Luna and this-”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3LjqNviZd
She pointed at the chuckling patient, “- is Morgan.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaVlcQohqO
Morgan smiled broadly at the woman from his cot with a wave, “Morgan James! Nice to meet ya ma’am!”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCCDF7V31s
The woman smiled and walked further into the room, the man stepping fully out of the shadows of the door. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAwzUWnpem
The man was an older gentlemen, with a large warm smile and a full head of white hair that went onto his jaw in a full santa-like beard. He wore a butler’s uniform- but one more suited for the coming winter and military lifestyle. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNxz9Jpx1P
“Why, hello there!” The man grinned. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnsZ087Wb8
The woman approached Luna and took the dark haired woman’s hand, shaking it and introducing herself. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZJUzDRX35
“Dorothea Blackburn. But just call me Dorothy, Dorothea was my grandmother.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHTRg2BFAD
The man she was accompanied by walked over to Morgan’s cot and shook hands with the wounded soldier. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW0YV163Yh
Luna blinked as she glanced at some of the surrounding soldiers who had begun to murmur when the woman had introduced herself. Odd. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmhVhRy8PC
“I’ve actually come because Marissa invited me to help out. Is she here?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9j71zaCfK
Luna looked back at the blonde woman, “Oh, yes. She’s just with her brother catching up, I just met her a few minutes ago. Are you two friends?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLGgJCiQFg
Dorothy smiled warmly with closed lips, “Her parents were friends with mine. She’s like a cousin.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RDqNVhl47
Luna nodded, “I’ll go get her, I’m sure Morgan wouldn’t mind talking your ears off while I’m gone, right Morgan?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡXighqhRAU7
Morgan grinned, “You’re not wrong, doll.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaS1rCEJsk
Luna smiled and turned her back on the woman and the old man, walking to the back door where she quickly slid inside and knocked on the office door before sticking her head in. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BcE1ZzjlD
They all looked up at her. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjWHAnZrXT
“Marissa, a friend of yours is here, she said to help out.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi4rkv4Zfx
Marissa beamed and stood up, “Oh, yes. I didn’t expect her to get here so fast, though! Silver, come! Henry, you too! I can’t wait to introduce her to you, Henry. You’ll love her!”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡjf8wUavttR
Henry shook his head with a laugh and both men stood and accompanied Marissa out the room, following behind Luna as they came out of the back. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ta4BKrAcp
Silver smiled widely when he caught sight of Dorothy, while Henry froze up like a deer caught in the path of a predator. Marissa walked up to the other blonde woman and embraced her. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLIyd23i2i
“Dorothy! Thank you for coming so fast! How was England? I have missed the city dearly! You must tell me everything about it!”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlyYSt8nWB
Dorothy smiled softly at the talkative woman before turning her eyes on Silver. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4vp969AHm
“Silver, I haven’t seen you since the party at the Wycroft’s estate! It’s been too long.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0b8IJlLMDN
Silver smiled and approached her, grabbing her hand and kissing the back of it with a smile. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t9Er17zp4
“Dorothy, you are not wrong about that. You never told me about how your art show went, and I’m sure I’ve missed quite a lot since it’s been two years.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE8H3iNdSu
Dorothy smiled and turned her gaze on the stock still Henry, blinking her eyes blankly before smiling warmly at him. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTFHBp3nbH
“Henry! I haven’t seen you since grade school!”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡahakWCl3cL
Henry just blinked at her as if he had never met her. He rubbed the back of his neck in a nervous gesture and swallowed. Luna grabbed his arm and pulled him over to the group of standing people. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7npg4tySGr
Henry smiled absently, as if he was struggling to come up with anything to say. Dorothy was still focused on him, but Marissa had begun to prattle into her ear about some party or something- Luna wasn’t quite sure. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfk3XWs0jD
Luna leaned into his ear, “Do you not remember her, Henry? She said her name was Dorothea Blackburn if that helps.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuVSORuaUG
Henry pulled back from her and looked at her with wide eyes as realization dawned. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡV23lj8OS0u
He blinked a few times again before turning back to look at Dorothy, who hadn’t taken her eyes from him. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoKFrIBTIU
“Dorothy,” he stated and Marissa quieted and the twins both turned to look at him as well. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqpsidkMof
Dorothy for her part quirked her head to the side, waiting for him to continue. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjiwFCFtuG
The door at the front opened and Jack came walking in, frowning at Henry when he spotted his friend at a loss for words, he glanced at Luna for help figuring out the situation and she left Henry’s side to walk over to Jack’s. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP4Juvr5pa
Jack’s eyes trailed over the back of Dorothy, the old man, and Marissa, easily recognizing Silver as the doctor was facing toward him. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WAppTDKG1
Luna stood by his side and explained the situation to him quietly. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9lhG0Tluo
“Dorothy,” Henry stated flatly again, still at a loss. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2te6cICEO2
“Dorothy?” Jack frowned and the woman in question turned to glance at him over her shoulder. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOZpepiR9Y
“Williams? Of course you’d be here if Henry was.” Dorothy stated objectively as she glanced at him briefly. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡS98erOelaJ
“Blackburn, I thought for sure you would have gotten married to someone as pretentious as yourself.” Jack replied with a narrowed gaze. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdcYjpGW3u
Dorothy merely rose a brow in response, disregarding him after a moment. She turned to Marissa. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRjYgynzpx
“Anyway, I’ve come to help like you asked. Terry was just dropping me off before he went back stateside to see his grandchildren.” copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiGGw7vLsF
Marissa smiled, “Of course, right this way. You’ll be rooming with me in the back.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡucSHac6R99
Marissa escorted Dorothy and Terry past the struggling Henry and through the back door, leaving Henry gaping, an irritated Jack, and an amused Silver. Silver turned and followed the pair to the back after a moment.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡm81F7idvRD
Luna looked up at Jack curiously, wanting to know where his aggression toward the blonde came from. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pWJ6sRBej
After a moment, Jack relaxed and Henry regained his bearings as well, walking over to the two of them. Jack patted Henry on the shoulder before glancing at Luna with a soft gaze. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIwapHnvyx
“Are you working for the third shift?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUGGANYOjQ
Luna shook her head, “I’m working until Marissa gets unpacked. I’ll meet you back when I’m done.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmgn5mQWX4
Jack nodded and the two men left the infirmary. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfMNpcuMI2
Morgan scoffed, “Wonder what their problems were.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡknX04xN3l6
Barrett and some of the other men nodded. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNt9ayv1vt
Oliver blew out a low whistle, “Didn’t know the doc was rich. He and his sister must be if their friends with the Blackburn heiress.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MISA844VN
Luna frowned at them, “Heiress?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fa4ffC3iY
Barrett nodded, “Yeah, Dorothy Blackburn is the princess of the Blackburn family. Her family made most of their money in the gold rush, railroads, and steel industry. They have several universities that share their name, too. One of the richest families in the States, if not the world.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡacLDlWcRXH
Another man nodded, “Yeah, but most of them died off over the past five years- isn’t she the only one still alive? Her siblings are all gone, along with her father, grandparents, and most recently her mother, right? Wasn’t that in the papers for weeks?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3u3V4b096
Oliver nodded, “Right before the war broke out, she must have been an older teenager then. She can’t be more than twenty three now, by the looks of her at least.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgmYlBeXEw
Morgan whistled, “Sure is a pretty thing, though. Williams is right, it’s a wonder that she isn’t married, especially with her fortune.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOIIr4EDVC
Luna shook her head, “If she’s as rich as you say, she probably doesn’t want to get married for a while at least. She’d probably be taken advantage of, if she did.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgGQkCUvC3
The men nodded, admitting that she was right. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqkYpFADDe
Luna focused on caring for the most recent arrivals, who had come back to the base in the middle of last night. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz3ThuXW8T
One of them, Andrew, was so cooked up on drugs that he couldn’t stop giggling in hysterical bursts of laughter, drawing glares from the soldiers beside him that were trying to sleep. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuafkuRf0u
Luna smiled at him and he burst out again. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDVDClicYW
“Somebody knock him out, we gotta have something for that, right?” Jackson mumbled, his voice thick with exhaustion. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9vu2NZ0K7
“What even happened to him? I mean, I want what he’s on.” Oliver drawled and Luna sighed, lifting up Andrew’s blanket and checking out his wound. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjC4zWzrbz
She cringed and Morgan sat up by the door, “That bad?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡVudR7Pcp2b
Luna nodded and swallowed, “I think he has an infection in his leg, it looks like it’s spreading.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡltkRXnFWop
Andrew was giggling quieter now, starting to come down from his high. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iJGmiDVKO
He looked at her by his side, “Hey, Luuunnnnaaaacccccyyy! You cold? You can come cuddle with me!”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGiIxqyKPA
Luna smiled and shook her head. She placed her hand on his forehead and he released a sigh, and she kept her hand on his head until he nodded off. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb3f31DJY1
He had a fever.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82jSJGbmCV
Luna sighed and stood, “I’ll be right back.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8BtR9UpTJ
The ones that were awake nodded and Luna walked to the back and brought the doctor back out. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OV34Z4HI2
They went back to Andrew’s bedside and Silver kneeled down and peeked beneath the blanket, before removing it. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡJR52KPJVbl
“ Dear God,” Silver breathed and Morgan hopped off his cot and approached as well, cringing when he spotted the inflamed wound. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmtsQkCKKv
“God is right! I didn’t even know- ehhhhh.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKkqOpqS79
Morgan gagged when the doctor stripped the bandages from the limb and Luna frowned at him. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQ01TKQCG2
“Back in bed!” Luna snapped and he quickly trotted back to bed with his tail between his legs, garnering laughter from Oliver and Barrett. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxps0gMC1x
“It can’t be that ba-” Oliver began. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8whsX5RnYY
“It is.” Silver breathed and the rest of them settled down. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUPxWIiMlY
Luna sighed and whispered to Silver. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjwfLwvy8x
“What can we do?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g3nJ0sBor
“The infection has already spread too far. It wouldn’t even do any good to amputate.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVlpth8L4t
Luna frowned and Silver nodded. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUNh9zNF7V
“We just need to make him comfortable.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡddcgAVh3xG
Luna nodded and stood up, pulling a ramshackle chair to the cot where she sat down and kept her hand to Andrew’s forehead, garnering a soft sigh.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7BRw59ERe
Everyone in the infirmary quieted down after that and nodded off except for the staff. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8B8VTiuGYC
Marissa came out an hour later with an apron on with plain clothes beneath. The blonde came to Luna and patted her shoulder. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbQOsrKKvh
“Silver told me. I’ll take it from here, you’re not even supposed to be working till we figure out your new condition. Silver told me about that too.” Marissa sighed, and Luna stood, giving the other nurse room to sit. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0o2RV70AY
Luna nodded absently and walked over to the freezer and prepared an ice pack for the other nurse to keep to the patient’s forehead. Marissa accepted the pack and shooed her out quietly and Luna stripped off the apron and quickly left to go back to her room, her mind absent. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIAnEtG99E
She came into the room to see Jack just coming out of the bathroom. He frowned when he spotted the look on her face. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMPCBi3l2y
“Something bad going on?” copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsy2uqYCry
She nodded, “Andrew has a really bad infection. We don’t think he’s going to make it, it’s spread too far. “copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFgb3VEJ4O
He nodded and approached her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to his chest. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQBdscvvyy
She sighed softly and gripped his shirt tightly. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b0Cev3d8u
Jack released a slow breath. He had never seen her upset about any of the men, but then again he probably didn’t notice. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJa2UdXzW1
Luna pulled back after a moment and began to pull off her clothes, dropping them in her hamper and her shoes in her half of the closet. When she was left in her shift she turned back to look at him with a soft smile before heading into the bathroom.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡokRZyjb4PJ
He was left alone in the room and walked over to sit on the bed, laying back to stare up at the ceiling.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTVDwa8zng
The shower flicked on in the other room and his eyes fell closed.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ480ebUs8tp
A moment passed and he felt himself relax.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSK2Rim3mb
When he opened his eyes again, he was not in his room.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ4ICASLag
A scream rang out, piercing the air and startling him fully awake.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ep2tAWVJq
Luna! I have to get to her! What is she doing to her?!copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTi4VanhdK
Jack yelled out in frustration.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZJyIl8B6j
“Anryien! Where are you?! You can’t let Sverila hurt her! You fucking promised!”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8yga1Q7Xz
His skin was slick with sweat and his limbs were quaking with adrenaline as he tried to shake off the shackles that kept him against the wall.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡxitQnp0KHd
His breathing came out harsh and laboured and he glanced over at Henry.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡvadeIWARxG
His hair was as filthy as Jack’s and he was a bit older. His clothes stuck to him like wet rags, his green eyes blinking hazily.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡboPJF0Lv7J
He was drugged. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F1zwoYw9F
All of a sudden Luna’s screaming cut off and a new screech was heard. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEPYTyUtps
A murmuring of voices followed from down the hall outside his prison before Luna broke out once more into screams.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBR0kw0628
No, no, no. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7NQGjfFQp
He fucking promised to make sure she was safe. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB4azXIuq8
Minutes passed, maybe hours, her screams never stopped till the cell was ensconced in darkness from the passing of dusk. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBKOB4kCan
Another screech was heard and she went silent once more.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0uyQbS6RI
His shaking never stopped and he was strung tight with anxiety.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbkAmUx5pY
Where was she? How could he get to her? Where was Anryien? What was going on? copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmzYab2vNd
Spectres made of shadows manifested in front of the pair of shackled friends and Jack itched to fight them but thought better of it. With a touch they were suddenly in a different room, a cavernous room filled with lingering moonlight dancing in the air, hailing down upon their heads. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡSydn64zYbq
They were re-shackled to the floor just off a large dais in the center of the room, Henry collapsing onto his side as the last of the drugs were wiped from his system. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHC1hYWO3l
Jack kept silent, his jaws clenched as three figures entered the room, the first with a pair bundles wrapped up in her arms. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhHmfSyiol
“Hush, child.” Sverila cooed to the first and just over her shoulder he could spot Anryien carry a slack Luna in his cut obsidian arms. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhTJE0OeYZ
She was deathly pale, sweat sticking to her features, those very features contorted in pain as Anryien placed her gently upon the floor directly across from Jack and Henry on the other side of the dais. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGGgIYfEMi
Her clothes were not her own but a short thin red dress of some sort of skin. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzzHWOAu6Y
“Luna?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCfKmUKa8J
She did not stir and for a moment he thought he saw Anryien look at him with pity.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNqR38PiMB
Cradles were made manifest from shadows on either side of her form and Sverila placed a bundle in each.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMbau7Z4C6
“Please…’” Anryien implored softly of his sister.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tJid5cYfl
Sverila looked at him with disdain.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp88gcg5v3
“You are not the brother I once knew. She has made you weak.” copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6QTgk0gpD
She sighed and with a flick of her wrist Jack was pushed down face first into the stone floors, his bones creaking with the stress impressed upon them. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡms75LlbYjq
A cry broke out and Sverila shrugged it off, “Hush!”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2Qra7Erd9
Anryien approached the first cradle and rocked it gently, whispering into the shadows with a small piece of his domains. The babe was quieted. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVflOwGPM5
“Now,” Sverila said, “You know what it is that I require of you.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9yAfjVqhf
“I will have your word that you will not harm her or the children.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBhI3rQHT3
She sneered, “You think I would be so low as to hurt a child? Nonetheless you have my word.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoZ6JNCqCp
Jack began to shake once more, his skin breaking out into more sweat and he closed his eyes.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6z4GPoCgG
Jack shot up in bed to see Luna sitting above him, her legs on either side of his as she tried to shake him awake.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8h9QlBH2u
“Jack?”57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCHcdZphgE
He seized her hands and drew her tight against his chest.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTSK0CxC2a
“Luna,” He muttered, “I think I saw something. Something I wasn’t meant to see.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ygCDXr1zI
She ran a hand through his hair to comfort him, her other hand playing along his shoulder. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrQZAHkbon
“Whatever it was, we’ll figure it out, Jack.” She comforted and Jack ran shaky hands over her naked back. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9hxTh9qUc
Naked. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWKSznP0pp
The realization knocked him back to his senses and he forced himself to relax. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7Qz6qgrCE
What did you see, mortal?copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhN6PHoZ8i
I saw something bad- your sister-copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJfWCOksPJ
What did she do? What will she do?copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyQI7X9opL
Jack played the vision through in his head over and over again for the god, who was silent for the whole of it. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e3RlSyJRG
This could be bad.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23qhZ26jvW
For once they weren’t arguing. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3muU5CRe0g
Yes.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03v3UQWtzO
We will solve this. I will teach you how to use your newfound gift and we will prepare for whatever my sister has planned. First though, we must discover if she is yet cognizant.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BRzTRC0b7
“Luna?” Jack asked and she glanced up at him from his chest. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeur8A40P4
“Is Sverila coming to?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡhP8MT3CPwc
Her brows scrunched up and her eyes went glazed for a few moments.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaa2IeWZ0cJ
copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGOvgInTIz
“I can hear her, “ She began, her eyes still glazed, “I don’t know what she’s saying. She’s quiet. I don’t know.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FNv6W6aXV
She shook her head and her eyes regained their natural appearance.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeKo1EsDuZ
“She… is better at blocking me out than I am for her.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8GFEWn1P6
Jack nodded and he felt the god begin to rise up. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡARLomSls3j
We will need to shift tonight. I will take on the pain because you must remain aware, mortal. We are going on a… field trip.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡojy9HzNadh
Okay.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93pPI4M66C
He stilled his hands on her back and felt the god rise higher. He receded back and gratefully felt nothing as their consciousnesses shifted, their body shifting slowly as well.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGtX5QPrjT
Luna kept her head pressed against his chest and only looked up as Anryien took to his own form- a lesser form than his true self, but it would do for the night.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHciQTSE45
She sat up, to lean back on her heels between his legs on the mattress as he sat up and took in the room. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd9m3RqQXw
“Anryien?” She whispered softly and he nodded as he scoured the small room with his eyes. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9dW7jMXK6
He sent her a wry grin, “It is a very different thing to see with one’s own eyes.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvN2OEVGjZ
Her lips fell open silently and he moved to place his legs off the bed and on the cool cement floors. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfdVBhN17K
She stared up at him as he began to stand and pace the room a bit, adjusting to his first actual shift. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzUKv14iZO
He looked back at her after a few moments and she blushed at having been caught staring.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPkcR9QNQ9
“Hmmm… I suppose I should check to see what I look like.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCo0xZik1p
She smiled softly and nodded, standing up to show him the bathroom, opening the room and flitting in to show him the mirror.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yY0ju2nM1
He took in his features for a few moments. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbQxnHGeuw
Much like his sister he gave off cold shadows that obscured much of his form, but he could easily spot the harder edges of his frame. He was the same height as his host- a foot taller than Luna. His face was made up of carved obsidian angles and curves, but his facade was cracked with silver markings- similar to that of a tattoo. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh9MiHMA1N
His features took after the mortal’s in terms of shape, but his eyes held that same silver plated glow that his sister’s did when she shifted. His clothes were kept similar to the mortal’s with a pair of pants and a shirt, but they were made in the patchwork skins that were familiar to him, well-worn and comfortable. The only thing he was shocked to see was peeking over his shoulders at him in the mirror. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7mY7Gt94g
He ran his hand over his shoulder and latched onto the handle of his welcome surprise. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgr1OPIu3d
“My blades…”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qvadNR0oT
He glanced at Luna, “I have not seen these in some time. I thought I had lost them…”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo1an9RQjV
He re-sheathed the first short sword and kept his eyes trained on her.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uczv0oevr
You gonna tell her? copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxSXH5Kz59
Anryien grabbed hold of her hand and ran his own over it. Her skin seemed to leech off the darkness he emitted and he smiled at her. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUyu4VDWMX
She blushed back when he pulled her close and bent over to kiss her.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTr4tW5RaA
He pulled back after a moment, “We will continue later… I have something to show you. Well… somewhere, I suppose.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC7azPgkpm
He smirked down at her, “But you will probably need clothes to go out, yes?”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSg2nlY1hK
She glanced down at herself, then up at him, then back down at herself again before her jaw dropped into an ‘o’. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9Epd7miYx
She laughed, “Yes, I will probably need clothes.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡTha1rJRI4h
Anryien encompassed her in a wave of shadows, pulling back after a moment to reveal her form once more. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z9kBxFzzX
He nodded down at her in approval.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx6ZXk7kD6
She glanced at the mirror and he followed her gaze for a moment as she took herself in. copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwn1yPLqxQ
Her hair was braided back into pleats, gold clips framing her face while her dress was a thin gold slip that fell two inches above her knees, her arms bare of the golden silk, her right upper arm wearing a golden snake circlet.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBpRW1oCAY
He took her hand once more.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVwFVtZ2OC
“I hope we are not going anywhere anyone will see us. Or anywhere cold.”copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F9wHIlt8S
“We are not.” He replied back with a grin.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPuJHqK62l
And then he enfolded her in shadow and they were gone from the base as the lights briefly flickered at their exit.copyright protection53ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BhAhc4hfS
ns54.163.20.57da2