"Huh?" Rex said, jolted back to reality. "Y-Yeah. It's just... The Voice. I hate it."

KatherinWinter said
"I wouldn't encouraged that." Zack told him seriously. "Some of our beast aren't found of high pitched sounds. But its up to you. Marlix and one of the girls, Lyra. I think might be late. Marlix is trying to calm the girl. She sees to have a problem with water. Apparently even from this distance and inside."

"As you wish, Young Master, but you must agree that it is an effective method." Val looked away with a slight smirk as he made the light comment. "That is quite an unfortunate fear, however. I only hope that it doesn't carry over to water in glasses as well, or things may end up rather complicated around here. Nevertheless, we shall have to make sure that her bedroom faces away from the lake. I will take hers and Marlix's late arrival into account as well, thank you for the notice."

"Nico, as soon as everyone has been seated, I would appreciate it if you would help the others in serving the food. Young Master, please feel free to have a seat when you are ready. We shall be serving the meal shortly."

Allie sympathetically rested her hand on his shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze. "I'm really sorry you have to go through this, Rex. But don't worry. You may hear bad things from the voice, but you'll hear good things from me," she smiled.

Rex turned his head away, cheeks pink with a blush. He increased his pace, nervous. "C-C-C-C'mon," he murmured. "We should go to supper." He wasn't used to such talk, let alone from a beautiful girl. Oh, you puss, the Voice teased.

Shut up! Rex mentally snapped. The only women I've dealt with were in books. And look what happened to Romeo!

Chicken, the Voice laughed.

"Alright." Allie had to almost jog to keep up with Rex's increased pace, though she did linger behind a bit so she could give him some room. She sensed his flusterment and figured it would probably be better to let him be for a few.

Ruko looked from Marlix to the girl he was trying to console. He had heard the bell, and he had seen Zack leave already, but he wasn't sure if he should go as well. Marlix could probably handle this problem on his own, but he would still feel kind of bad for just leaving.

Lyra breathed out slowly, "when I was very young I nearly drowned in a riverboat incident...I have had a fear of open water since..." She breathed in softly and curtseyed to the two of them who remained, "When I saw your Lake I nearly died of fright...that coupled with being lost in a very new place...and no offence to you because you have been so very kind to me...but when I first arrived I was quite wary of you all...I feel more relaxed now...I just I thought..." She couldn't say it, how could she admit to these kind young men that she had been so terrified of the possibility of their being monsters or murderers of some kind. "If you would be so kind as to guide me...perhaps I would feel safer walking with one of you..." she looked between the two boys, her eyes now glowing blue and purple again as they always had but had been turned gray due to being filled with terror, she reached up and took off the hat her mother had insisted made her dress, and let her long solid white hair flow out over her shoulder, "See even more relaxed..." She looked less shaken now but she still had that glow of suspicion in those galaxy colored eyes.

Marlix let out a sigh, motioning his brother to go on ahead, as he offered his arm to her "I will taking you to the dining room. There is a route that does not come across the windows to the lake we can take." He explained, staying calm and relatively stone faced

Rex made his way into the kitchen, sniffing the air deeply. Food always motivated him, especially if it was one of his favorite dishes.

Allie closed her eyes, taking in the mouth-watering scent. "It all smells so delicious," she smiled. "I've never had a meal this large before. I can't wait to eat!" As she stopped bouncing on her toes, she realized how silly she must have looked, a young lady getting excited about food. Ah, who cares! Who doesn't love food?

Lyra politely laced her arm into his, "Thank you..." She looked down a bit, "You aren't anything at all how the people in town say..." She turned a bit red, she just admitted that she'd been listening to idle gossip, "I'm very sorry...I used to be...A lady in town..." She sighed and looked up at him due to her being rather short to start with, "Please...don't look so stone faced...I...I meant nothing by it...Please forgive me?" Lyra felt dreadful.

Ruko nodded to his brother and left the room, satisfied that he seemed to know what to do. Lunch would probably be starting soon, so he made his way down the hallway toward the dining room. He wasn't sure what to think about the incident he had just witnessed, but Marlix would be able to handle it. He was pretty level-headed when it was important, as far as he could tell. Or maybe he was just too easily flustered himself...

Shrugging to himself, the brunette eventually reached the dining room and took a seat at the table to wait for the others. It seemed that not everyone was there just yet, so perhaps he wasn't too late.

Marlix looked at her, confused "I apologize if I look... distant. This is just my neutral expression" He assured "And you have not offended me at all. I am surprisingly hard to offend. I do however, apologize for my.... awkward first impression" He shrugged, looking ahead as he led her to the dining room

Lyra who had not been with the group when Marlix had been thoroughly embarrassed, looked rather confused, "Whatever do you mean? You were exceedingly kind to me...you made no ill impression..." She smiled a bright smile because she was so happy to have not offended the kind young man, "In fact you are the kindest of anyone I've met lately..."

"You were not there? Thank god. It was truly embarrassing" he awkwardly cleared his throat as they approached the room "Here we are" He voiced, opening the door and dislodging their arms. "If you need, I will take you to the rooms after dinner."

Zack took his seat at the table. He leaned his painting against the wall behind him. He would have Val find a place to hang it later. He was proud of the work. It would help them all remembered the less than perfect way things had started. He hoped things could stay on a positive note. But he had a feeling he would be finishing the other painting before long. He wondered who would be first to appear on the beast painting.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please take your seats if you have not done so already. I believe that we are missing a few people still, but I'm certain that they should be here shortly. In the meantime, we might as well get started, since I'm sure that our guests are probably hungry after their busy morning." Val clapped his hands as a group of servants entered the dining room and with various dishes to be served. "Young Madams and Masters, Lunch is served. We have a wonderful broccoli cheddar soup with freshly baked herb bread and a Greek style salad. Would anyone like something specific to drink, or will everyone be having water today?"

Rex made his way to the table, and sat down. "I hope my brothers have not been barbarians to you ladies," he joked.

Lyra smiled and shook her head, "Perhaps it was fate I didn't see then." When they arrived he offered to take her to her room after lunch, Lyra blushed before tip toeing to kiss his cheek, "You are truly very kind..." Lyra breathed out, "I am Lady Lyra Renal..." She waited expecting to see the usual look of distaste on his face that came with the voicing of her name.

Marlix was a bit surprised at the kiss, but it didn't really show on his face, save for the raising of his eyebrows. "Your welcome, Lady Renal" He greeted, having never heard the name "I am the eldest brother, Marlix. Please take a seat" He offered "And i'd simply like some water, thank you" he voiced to Val.