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Is it too early to post? Nah, it's fine. Read up.
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Arianna quietly thanked the escort as they reached two doors. One could tell it was the master bedroom just by the doors, and it made Arianna a little uncomfortable. She understood why she needed the escort, but was the master bedroom really necessary? She would have been grateful just for a cot with a warm blanket and fluffy pillow. After the escort walked off, Arianna turned the knob on one of the doors and slipped inside. A window adorned with old curtains on the far right wall cast shadows upon the too big room, but made the room feel less open as she looked it over. She could tell it had taken a little damage from the Void Gate opening, but it had been patched up as best as it could. Arianna wondered if this building had been a hotel before the Void Gate had opened, because of the style of the room and the carpet beneath her muddy boots. She removed them, feeling guilty for dragging her dirt into the room. From the looks of it, this was probably the best room in the building. It probably should have been made into a room for a group of people, but guessed that they hadn’t needed it. As she walked throughout the room, Arianna wondered where Iktomi stayed at night. Did he sleep on that mocking throne of spider’s silk? A soft sigh escaped her lips. As tired as she was, her mind was racing far too fast to sleep.

Arianna set her satchel down next to the queen sized bed, then pulled her rapier from her belt loop and leant it up against the nightstand next to it too. She took to pacing slowly across the floor, looking over the room as she thought. She felt relieved and happy that she had finally found Iktomi. She had missed his smile and arrogance. Iktomi was living successfully in Sovereign, which was a big change from his oppressed home in Argos. His happiness in Sovereign was bittersweet to Arianna. On one hand, he had finally found something he thought was worth living for, but on the other hand, he had never thought once to share it with her. He had just disappeared, laying in wait for her to find him herself. She hoped he regretted never sending a letter or trying to invite her to Sovereign. Perhaps their meeting after all these years could have been more pleasant than this had.

Deep down, Arianna felt doubt and worry beginning to take hold. Yes, Iktomi could control himself and his Kage didn’t mind being oppressed like that, but she worried about his business here. What if she had only scratched the surface when he explained how he had to force people out of their homes? This group of his was something to be concerned about, too. The woman that had escorted her here seemed nice, and the escort to her room was pleasant as well, but what about the others? She was staying in this building, surrounded by strangers. A year ago she wouldn’t have minded it, but now she did. It was crazy how fast she went from being comfortable with things as small as that. It was a feeling she took for granted. Arianna took a deep breath and brushed her fingers through her hair. Iktomi would never hurt her. She was worrying for no reason. Like he said, if he had any ill intentions towards her he would have killed her as soon as she stepped through the door. She had nothing to worry about while she was in this building. She was safe, for once.

[b][i]”Arianna,”[/b][/i] Castiel chimed in, [b][i]”I wouldn’t consider yourself safe, just protected. From what I’ve been able to hear, no one here would disobey Iktomi. There are more onikages than kamikages, but there is no need to worry. We’re only in real danger if my name is mentioned.”[/b][/i] 

Arianna sighed in response, plopping down on the bed and staring at the ceiling. Her exhaustion was starting to take its toll on her, and the bed felt so warm… [i]”I will not release your full name, cas. I promise. If Iktomi grows curious, though, I will have to oblige. I know I may be considered a guest, but I understand that if I anger him I could be thrown out into the streets again... or worse. It isn’t my fault you were a big name in the battle between Kamikage and Onikage.”[/i] Arianna only heard a small chuckle from Castiel. [b][i]”I wouldn’t say I was a big name. I just was well known for fighting alongside the big names.”[/b][/i] Arianna rolled her eyes and yawned, curling up on her side and playing with a loose string in the blankets.

There was one other option about how she could live a better life than being on the streets, and Arianna had thought about it for quite some time. There had been rumors of a Golden Mercenary uprising spreading throughout Sovereign. She’d heard it from small groups of humans slipping through town, and even from some of the military men while she had been stealing their supplies. Sure, joining the Golden Mercenaries meant that she would be among the top enemies of the military, but the rumors she heard were that they were trying to break through the wall. Arianna wanted to see her family desperately. She’d wanted them since the day the Void Gate had opened. The only way she saw herself reuniting with them was signing up to help the Golden Mercenaries. It was a risky move, but in the end it would definitely pay off if they managed to take the wall down. Her thoughts wandered back to Iktomi. Would he join with her? Had he made an enemy of the Golden Mercenaries? He was bound to have a few powerful groups as enemies, which made her worry as well. Staying here with Iktomi meant that she was on his side for now. Would leaving mean that she was against him? Arianna bit her lip nervously, closing her eyes. She didn’t want to be on Iktomi’s bad side, and she certainly didn’t want to lose him when she had just gotten him back.

[b][i]”If you’ll let me say something personal, I’d like to point out that while Iktomi was void of emotion with his men around, he was fully empathetic around you. I believe that he doesn’t want to lose you again, just like you don’t want to lose him.”[/b][/i] Castiel remarked, needing rest just as much as Arianna did. Arianna smiled softly. “You always know what to say, Cas. I’ll sleep now. I don’t think there’s much I can do to stop myself from it.” She murmured as she yawned. She sat up and crawled under the covers, pulling them up to her shoulders. After a year of sleeping on hard surfaces, Arianna felt like she was floating in a cloud. “Goodnight,” she whispered to Castiel.

Castiel smiled softly, [b][i]”Goodnight, Arianna.”[/b][/i]