Tobias would nod, agreeing in silent about the phasing out, an interesting skill to have when one didnt want to be cornered, certainly. "im sorry Julius, truely" Tobias said, hearing that she even stopped talking to him, though Tobias tensed when Julius mentioned them stringing her up, he took slow, steady breaths, remembering that all to well, he'd been stabbed trying to get to her, right in the heart, dead for a full two minutes as the wound healed itself, and his heart went to pumping again, once again his body taking over and adapting to the situation, causing him to heal.. the first time he'd actually manifested anything close to a new power, and the last for the moment.. but he remembered coming around, and seeing Ravenia. "anyway" wanting a change of topic as much as Tank did, hearing him talk about Ravenia, Tobias ran his hand through his hair. "i'll talk to her, see if i can get her to open up to me" Tobias said.

Smirking now at the sarcastic laugh. "yes, i know you two have issues with each other, its why you both want to beat the hell out of each other whenever you see each other" nodding. "he certainly isnt afraid to go out and find things, most of my next to impossible requests come from him" before turning around now, having been messing on his table. "what? certainly she wouldnt do that, no matter her state of mind" seeing the sneer on Tank's face, that had to match the look of loathing that covered his own.



"VROOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!" Nicolas said as he drove like a mad man across the red waste, careful to not hit tooo many hills and bumps, didnt need to tear another axle or lose anything in the goods department.. his bobble head was just bouncing away as he drove along. "you.. are a bad man!" pointing to the bobblehead, smirking as he looked ahead again. "oh, undead!" shifting into a higher gear, the engine grinding as the tires digging in harder as he sped right for it, drawing his blade he sped up right beside it. "five says i can knee cap it" the bobblehead bouncing its agreement "deal" and he altered slowly til he sped right past, sticking the blade out, and slicing right through the thigh of the undead, it dropped, its head bouncing off the side of the buggy, which just sent it spinning around before it dropped. "ah damn, i missed" Nic said. "alright you win" sliding the blade back into its holder. "oh dont brag, no one likes a bragger" rolling his eyes at the bobblehead he continued on his journey with another "VROOOOM!!!!" once again as he turned the wheel sharp, shooting up a spray of dirt, dust and well all that made up the waste.

three days later (Current time now, previous post was him days before hand)

the massive, rebuilt walls appeared on the horizon as he came crusing down, having slowed slightly, but not nearly enough to be safe, but safe was not his style.. his arm had gotten infected, damn Raiders if he was back there, he'd kick that bastard again for that. "well, here we are, lets ring the bell" the bell being, his horn.. no one had a horn like Nuckin Futs Nic as he reached down and hit the button, and a blaring Klaxon alarm sounded quickly.. one short burst, then two long to let the gate know he was a coming.. if they didnt open the doors soon enough or not, well wouldnt be his fault now would it.

Ravenia Rose

|End Point|
The High Tops

One thing that Ravenia never admitted was that when she was a raven her train of thinking was totally different. It was very simple and almost erratic. Her sharp eyes processed things differently but at the back of her mind, her brain also processed as normal. It almost seemed to keep her raven-form on task. 'Fly. Right. Other bird.' 'No, no. It's time to go the the High Tops to the west.' She mentally corrected her ownself and began to drift on the air waves to the closest High Tops structure. She could see 4 guards with their own weapons patrolling around, their eyes ever on the Waste. As she glided slowly towards High Tops west a sudden flash caught her sharp eyes. 'Bright. Flash. Danger!' Ravenia beat her wings hard and made a quick swoop to High Tops west. She flapped twice, catching herself before she got too close and felt the familiar pull to transform herself back into her human form.

As Ravenia gently touched down, she said nothing as she strolled quickly over to the closest guard and snatched his binoculars from him. She swung towards the newest High Top that they were constructing and quickly landed on the sight of someone with a sniper on someone flying, Ramera. Before Ravenia could call to have the signal of an enemy inside the walls she heard the familiar sound of Nic's ride coming back into town. "Signal that Nic's arriving." Ravenia said as she handed the binoculars back to the man. She allowed him the time to shoot off a green flair, signaling a friendly coming in, before she shot off her own. A black smoke flair streaked across the sky, towards the end it faded into a purple. An indicator that it was a signal sent directly from Ravenia. It also meant that there was an enemy inside the wall.

The four men all took up their arms and turned to scan the area for any other possible threats. While they did that, Ravenia sunk down into the shadows of one of the men. She never knew how exactly she knew how to get from point a to point b, but she always got there. She reemerged from the shadow that the enemy had been casting. Ravenia immediately realized that the enemy was a girl, but she held no pity. She already had the blades she carried on her thighs ready. "Get that fucking sniper off of my girl. If you pull that trigger I will show you a horrible death." Ravenia snarled, crouching in the shadows she had just appeared from.

Julius Iron-Root

|End Point|
Medical Center

Julius smiled slightly at the doctor, his way of saying thank you for listening to him. "It's hard getting her to hear me out these days. She's stubborn. You know how she is. I really think that if you just tried again, she'd listen. Hell, just grab her and kiss her!" The large man said and let out a laugh at the thought of Tobias just laying one on his sister. It would definitely throw her for one. "Yeah, he does that shit for you cause he's nuts. We all know this. Why Rave ever dated him, I'll never know. Well, I guess he wasn't so crazy back then." Julius said with a slight shrug as he watched out the window still "You know, doc, I don't know what she'll do these days. She's next to impossible to read. Well, at least to me. She might succumb to his advances, I really don't know. Speaking of which, a green flair was just signaled. I think Nic is back." Julius said as he pulled the blinds all the way up for Tobias to see the signal.

Just about the time he did that, a second signal shot across the sky. It was smokey black that faded to purple. Indicating that it came directly from Ravenia. "Shit! Enemy in the walls! She's out there somewhere, Tobias, let's go!" Tank said as he suddenly dashed out the door. He nearly ripped the front doors off of the walls when he threw them open. "Enemy in the walls! Off the walls, out of line of sight! You, go to the market place and put every one on lock down." Tank ordered. He shot off his own black smoke flair to indicate that they received the signal and they were working on this. "I need Warriors and Blessed Ones to the walls now and on patrols through the city! Once Nic is in these gates get them closed!" Tank yelled out, directed, pointing at the two guards now manning the manual gate system.

"Shit." Marcus could easily recognize both of the flares that had went up into the air. The first one, the green, was for incoming friendlies, most likey Nic, if Marcus had to take a guess. The other one was Ravenia's personal flare. There was someone in the city. Someone had gotten past him and into the city with malicious intent. He needed to step up his game. It couldn't have been that kid. She didn't have a stealthy bone in her, but at the same time, Marcus could only narrow it down to her. He gritted his teeth and closed the gates as soon as their guest drove through, putting the gate on lockdown to ensure that nobody was going to be leaving now.

His metal arm began to shift and turn, Marcis letting out a groan as the fingers of the hand twisted into the shape of a gun barrel. His arm was raised high into the air, shooting out his own black flare to let Ravenia know the gate was sealed.



She had been focusing on how cool Ramera was when Ravenia had appeared from her shadow. Something registered in her mind that there was someone behind her, but she chose to ignore the feeling. Noboy would have silently made their way up the building without her knowing. However, people could come out from her shadow without her knowing. That was entirely possible.

Ravenia was not happy, CYnthia could deduce that much. She nearly hopped off of the building when she first heard her spoke, her rifle almost flying up in the air as she was startled. Quickly, she rolled onto her back and pulled out a knife. However, one look at Ravenia caused Cynthia to put the knife back underneath her coat. Her expression went from tense, to surprised, to completely lax all within the span of a few short seconds. She chuckled to herself in a nasally voice, obviously not her normal one. "Heh. Cool."

She didn't even fully process the fact that looking at one of the strongest warriors in PL through a sniper scope, while also being a person that technically didn't exist within said town was not a good image. It took her a second to realize the villainy of the situation. Slowly, she set her rifle to the side and raised her hands up into the air, still laying on her back and looking up at The Mother.

"Oh."

"Ooooooooh~."

"I'm totally not a killer, I swear. I just caught a ride about a week ago, been sellin' my stuff to your market, and have been looking at the cool warriors." She explained herself in her normal voice. Her hand slowly moved to flip the little piece of paper on her beaning, revealing her other eye. "See? Eyes tell the truth, I was just looking around."

Tobias nodded back, both as a your welcome to the listening part and for what he said. "i know what you mean, she hasnt talked to me.. well since she told me to move out" why he was staying in the hospital store room. "i'll try again Julius" though he was sure it was going to end up the same thing. "oh, just kiss her, yea thats going to go over so well" hearing the big man laugh at his own comment. " you wont hear any different from me on that, he is" hearing that he didnt know why Rave dated him before. "i figured as much, that he wasnt really like that before, whatever made you two hate each other" standing there. "i would like to think that she wouldnt, no matter what she's going through would give into his advances, she should remember he left her and this place when he had enough of following rules" but in the back of his mind, a part of him was thinking on what Julius said, but he was brought out of it by the window, he looked out, seeing the flare. "just means friendly is coming, doesnt.." then the second flare, that made him tense, and he burst out right behind Tank.

"im heading to the wall!" he said to Tank as he took off running, hearing the man giving off orders. "inside, out of sight" Tobias yelled to those he ran past. "Enemy inside the gate, go, to the safe areas!" before he found the nearest wire lines leading up to the top of the wall..grabbing on, he began scaling up, hand over hand til he reached the top, he stood there, looking around, outside and inside, searching for anything as he began patrolling.



seeing the Green Flare, Nic smirked as he drove right through the gate, before seeing the personal flare of Rave's, and black was not good. "shit" he said turning the wheel hard, sliding the ass end around as he cut his ride's power off before he lept out. throwing things around in the back, he grabbed his rifle case, taking the whole thing he began sprinting up stairs, leading to a nice perch for.. anyone really .. but it was going to be his at this moment.. once inside, he assembled his sniper rifle with a quickness before he was laid down on his stomach, clip in and round loaded as he began looking through his scope, tracking back the flare from its point of origin, before he began searching around for Rave's location. "come on Rave, where are you" knowing about the shadow thing of hers, she could be anywhere really, but he didnt think she'd be that far from where she set off the Flare. "there's Doc" seeing Tobias on the wall. "Mech Man" meaning Marcus.. then he caught movement, and he found her. "gotcha" he said, seeing hands in the air, he aimed down, right where the body should be laying, and he waited for anything that he saw as a threat. "come on, make my day.. i lost to Bobbles today, i need to redeem myself" wanting them to make a move. wetting his lips, setting his tongue just right he let a high piercing whistle. a signal for Rave if she heard it.. something from the old days, that if anyone that knew Nic would know that one meant he had sights and was ready to terminate.

Ravenia Rose

|End Point|
The Front Gates

Ravenia had a dark look on her face as the woman held her hands up after setting her rifle to the side. "I couldn't give a shit about your eyes, I ought to carve them out for pointing that gun at my people." The woman snarled fiercely as she quickly stood over Cynthia and snatched up her rifle. Shouldering the gun, she crouched over the woman's form, one knife close to her throat as she leaned down in the woman's face. Hearing the loud whistle that signaled Nic had them in his sights, she held her free hand up and held up two fingers. Signalling to him that there was no immediate threat at this time.

"Don't move. Ravenia hissed, suddenly the two sunk into the shadows. The whole time before they were swallowed by the darkness, Ravenia's green eyes flashed dangerously. The duo reemerged a short time later, in the same exact stance they had previously been in, but this time Cynthia was now laying on the red dirt by the front gates. Three guards came running over, their owns weapons aimed directly on the intruder. When she felt like the threat was contained, she stood up suddenly, waves of hostility rolling off of her.

"What the fuck is this?! Can anyone tell me why there was an intruder within my walls? Not to mention in the newest edition to the High Tops! Also, she's apparently been in and out of the market selling her shit! Where are her check in papers? She has gone unnoticed for one week! She's had a sniper on us! I want a perimeter sweep and every outsider to have their papers checked, stat!" Mother rampaged as she stomped over to the guard station, snatching some of the papers off of the desk. She crumpled them up in her hand and waved them around, hoping to get her point across. She was shaking visibly she was so angry. Unable to contain herself she flipped one of the tables by the guard stand and slammed the papers on the other. Placing her hands on the table, she studied the wood, and gulped down air, trying to regain her composure.

"Somebody fucking handle her or I'll kill her."

Julius Iron-Root

|End Point|
The Front Gates

Tank was still directing people when he heard Nic's high pitched whistle. He knew that call all too well. He may have hated the bastard, but he knew the old signals. He rushed to his side and crouched down beside the man. "What do you got? Is she okay?" He asked, wishing he could be the one to be looking through the scope. However, before anything else could be said, Ravenia suddenly appeared with the intruder beneath her. One of her deadly blades was close to the woman's throat. He was about to go over to his sister's aide but was shocked in place by her sudden rampage. He had only ever seen her a few other times like this. Julius was completely stunned by her display of emotions.

These days she kept her anger and rage to herself. Generally, she only wore a calm facade, but this obvious breach had caused her to have a melt down. "Rave... Calm down..." Julius said as he walked over to his sister. He placed a large hand on the smaller woman's shoulder but she slapped his touch away.

"Don't touch me." She hissed.

Julius studied her face for a moment or two before he looked up on the wall to Tobias than over to Marcus and Nic, in turn. This was not like her. He nodded his head at his sister and turned towards the woman who still had three guns pointed on her. He held a large hand out to her.

"Get up. You've got some explaining to do." Tank would walk her over to the Refugee Camp before Ravenia had the chance to uphold her threat. He didn't know who posed more of a threat at this time.

With the quick removal of the rifle from her hands, Cynthia reached out to take it back before being stopped by a blade to her throat. The cool metal threatened to cut her strangely smooth skin, just waiting for that subtle movement to start drawing blood. A whistle his her ears loud and clear. Ravenia's counter signal made it clear that the whistle was to let Ravenia know of something. She didn't dare speak up again to The Mother. She didn't move as they sank into the shadow, the cold empty feeling washing over her briefly before they returned to the world of the light.

They were in front of the gate. She knew that much just by looking around. That Marcus, the gate guard, he was there. Some others were there too. A big guy, a smaller guy, both of which Cynthia believed to have a direct connection to Ravenia, and at least three gate guards with guns aimed at her.

She was another goddamned tick on his mark, reminding him further how he always somehow failed to do his job correctly.

Marcus let Ravenia fire off to her leisure, standing tall next to the gate guards at full attention before even muttering anything.

"My problem. I'll handle her." He said to her, stepping slowly and carefully over to the jacketed girl who was just now rising from the ground, her dark green jacket now a dirty brown from the red dust below them. He looked to Ravenia and bowed to her. "It will never happen again."

It was the most that he had spoken at one time in months. He wondered why she didn't instantly launch her finger at him and banish him for another blunder that only he could take the fall for. He needed her to know that he never made the same mistake twice, and while he did not give her the entirety of the information, he was sure that he was going to do something about that girl.

"I swear! I swear! I'm not here to kill anyone! I'm just a girl trying to make a living buying and selling shit. If you're going to expel me from the city forever, the please, just give me my rifle back and let me be on my way." Cynthia pleaded in the face of danger, still not taking any steps closer to or further away from Ravenia. That little tinge from Marcus' face told her that she wasn't going to get off that easy. Those little micro-expressions of his told her all she needed to know about what she would be in for.

And none of it seemed fun.

Tobias stood on the wall, searching and looking for anything that pointed to Ravenia or to the intruder. running his hands through his hair, he then turned around, seeing Ravenia down on the ground, the glint of her blade on the throat of someone. grabbing the wire he scaled down quickly, before he took off running, getting close enough to hear Ravenia's rampage, her anger clear and present as she lost that already fractured control over her emotions. "hold on now, we are jumping to conclusions here, if what she said is true, then clearly she hasnt hurt anyone, i would know" trying to calm everything down. "Ravenia" hearing her words about handling the young girl or she would. Nic came down from the vantage point and stood there, suprised that Ravenia sounded.. well like him back before, when he was kicked out.. he had a sort of rampage like that.

leaning his own rifle against something he grabbed the one up, and pulled the bolt back. "no bullet in the chamber Rave, much as i hate to say it, and you know me. i dont think this kid was meaning any harm, more then likely using the scope to see, i do it all the time" Nic said, standing there as Marcus and Julius collected the girl. Tobias moved around and moved up to Ravenia. "Ravenia, this isnt what we do, we dont threaten like that, this is a safe haven for all, and you heard what Nic said, there was no bullet in the chamber" Nic nodded. "nothing but air" Tobias looked to Julius and Marcus "take her to the hospital instead, i want to check her out, you can do your questioning there, its less frightening.. i dont have anyone right now, so no one will be in danger"

Nic stood there, suprised the Doc had the balls to come right out and counter Rave like that, suggesting the hospital instead. "i'll take care of her gun til you say otherwise Rave, and while they can find out what's doing.. me and you can toss back the four bottles of potato Vodka i found.. unless you've grown soft on me, and cant hold your liquor anymore" Tobias turned and glared at Nic. "im sure she doesnt want to drink Nicolas" really, he was hoping she didnt want to drink with him, who knew where that would lead.

Ravenia Rose

|End Point|
The Front Gates

Ravenia nodded to Marcus. She didn't blame him. He wasn't the only one who protected PL. If she blaced anybody it would be herself, truthfully. She scrubbed her hands over her face as she tried to calm the rage that was literally boiling inside of her.
However, it all came spilling back out when Tobias and Nic interjected. What was this, The Ex boyfriends club or something? A look of pure anger crossed her face as she looked from Nic to Tobias. "This isn't what we do? It makes it okay because it didn't have a bullet. Have you two lost your ever loving minds?! We have let people into these gates only to be betrayed. And what if there had been a bullet? She had those sights right on fucking Ramera! God forbid, if I lost another one of my girls!" Ravenia snarled as she looked from one man the the next. Her voice cracked at the thought of losing another one of her friends.

Suddenly, there was a complete change in her demeanor. The rage and anger was gone and was replaced with the dark calmness.

"Yes, go ahead Tobias. Treat the woman who had her gun pointed on your ex lover. Nic, if I find you drinking while on shift, you will regret it." Ravenia said with a calculated look on her face.

"I want perimeter checks. Make sure everyone's paper work is up to date. Get all of the High Tops looked through. I want a tally from now on how many people come in and out of these gates." Ravenia said as she directed some of the nearby warriors and Blessed ones. Without another word to the other men, she turned and headed off towards the direction of her home.

Julius Iron-Root

|End Point|
The Front Gates

Tank bit his tongue as Ravenia tore in to Tobias and Nic. Those were definitely not the right things to say at this point. When Ravenia stalked off, he nodded to Tobias. "You need to fix that. Now. Go talk to her, Tobias. We'll watch the girl in the hospital." The large man said as he looked off into the direction of his sister. He looked to Marcus and the unknown woman and jammed his hands in his pockets. He looked to Nic and just scoffed.

"Please tell me where you think hiding out in our High Tops with a rifle was a good idea?" Julius sighed, almost begging for the girl to have an actually good answer.

Ramera swept her gaze back and forth, but any dust had long settled. She noted that there were a few more wandering dead as she drew further from Paradise, but that wasn't all that unusual. She slowed as she became satisfied with the fact that nothing had tailed the caravan, tilting her wings to the left as she brought forth a white shining ball in her palm, throwing it straight down beneath her, signalling a lack of any activity. Her eyes caught a mixture of coloured flares that had shot up across Paradise in the distance. Her mind brought forth their meanings all at once. An intruder, and a friendly returning to Paradise. She couldn't tell if any other flares had been shot up, and her judgement may have been wrong, reading the colours from dissipated smoke at this distance couldn't always be one hundred percent accurate all the time, even for her. She brought her wings together above her head, and with a renewed strength began pushing flying quickly back to Paradise.

As she neared Paradise she noticed a figure in the distance, making its way to the far side of the wall. One of the dead perhaps? She drew herself higher as she prepared for a dive to end the shambler's life. It wasn't until she'd begun diving towards the creature that she heard a voice yelling from down below, "HELLO UP THERE!" her mind pieced things together not a moment too soon as she directed herself down into the red sand below, and with surprising subtlety she stuck the landing. She looked up at the boy as he conversed with a guard who'd popped his head over the edge. "I'll take him to the Gatekeeper," she called up to the guard, approaching the boy.

Tobias opened his mouth to speak, but she really didnt give him a chance to speak anything as he stood there, watching as everything came pouring out, and well all of it was directed at him and Nic, Tobias didnt mean that the stranger shouldnt be questioned, he just meant that Paradise Lands was seen as a safe haven to those outside, to those that searched and made their way to them, it didnt set right to him, to twist that and become hard, and threatening to new people.. they wernt Slavers or Raiders, they were better then that, at least in his eyes.

when suddenly, her face grew stoic and calm, emotionless Tobias shook his head "thats not what i meant Ravena and you know it" the ex-lover part hit hard, but he pushed that aside as she laid into Nic, not that it was going to do any good, Nic would drink or not drink whenever he wanted, everyone knew that, and telling him not to just poured fuel to the fire. Tobias looked to Julius, then to the young woman, looking her over, from what he could see, she needed a good bath, but she held herself alright and didnt seem to be in any sort of pain, she was probably fine.

"Ravena" Tobias called out, when she turned and walked off, in the direction of her home. hearing Julius, Tobias nodded, and he sprinted to catch up. "Ravena" moving and taking her arm to stop her retreat. "you know i didnt mean it how you just made it sound in front of everyone" sighing he walked around in front of her, staring at her. "you need to talk about everything your holding inside, its not good for you to keep all that bottled up, you wont talk to Julius and he's worried about you so talk to me, you know you can talk to me about anything, we did talk about any and everything, before" meaning before she'd closed up, and pushed him away from her, to the point she kicked him out of her home, forcing him to sleep in the hospital now



Checking the Rifle out, he nodded.. for something that survived everything it was well cared for, he'd admit that. he pretty much ignored anything that Ravena was saying to Doc, shouldnt have opened his mouth on that one, but he was trying to be the Concicous to a place that didnt need one, to a world that didnt care if you had one or not, it will if able chew you up, and shit you back out. when, however she turned onto him, Nic looked at her, brow arched. "mhm, gotcha" Nic said sarcasticly, and then she, and not before long Doc was leaving. "well" Nic said, holding the rifle, he looked at the girl before he rested her rifle over his shoulder and he carried his case back to the dune Buggie of his, laying the case back inside with his other stuff and grabbing up the box of goodies he'd collected for Doc, as well as some things he could trade and bater with, he hefted those up, and followed Julius. "me and you still got business Tank, after all this im going to kick your ass" Nic said matter of factly as they walked toward the hospital.

hearing Tank's question, Nic had to speak up "yea, straight up, hiding in the tops was so far from a good idea, that if you exploded, we wouldnt see it for three days" Nic said. "i will admit, you got a nice Rifle, whats your furthest kill with it?" he asked, making conversation, cause well thats why he was called Nucking Futs Nic. "never mind, your being questioned by Guppy here" walking past Julius, shouldering him as he did. "meet ya at the Hospital, you lot walk to slow for me"

when they arrived at the hospital, Nic was kicked back in Tobias's chair, a bottle in his hand as he turned it up, drinking from it. "damn, thats good stuff" smacking his lips. shouldnt have been told not to drink, she pretty much dared him. the box for the Doc sat on the counter, full of what he'd asked for. Nic was looking through Tobias's notes, just being nosy.

Marcus just stood there. It was all that he could do at the moment while Ravenia took the time to vent out her problems and get everything off of her chest. She was stressed out beyond belief, he knew that much. The entire sniper incident didn't help her blood pressure either. He could only watch as the girl was escorted away by Tank and Tobias.

Slowly, he took a step forward, then another until he was walking with Ravenia and Tobias, looking at Ravenia almost expectantly. "Don't stop." He suggested. "Vent your frustrations." He could handle being yelled at for a while, and if that's what Ravenia needed to calm down, then that was what he was going to do. He always did make for a good listener. He was there for Shay when she first arrived, not to mention many others, and he was also there for any friend that needed an ear to talk to. He couldn't stray too far from the gates, but with more people on watch than before, he could afford to take a few steps away for The Mother's sake.

---

"Where else was I going to hide?" Cynthia asked in response to their questions. "Hiding in the buildings meant that I could run around and lead you on a chase for a while before having to escape." She laughed to herself briefly before continuing, subconsciously walking in step with tobias as she thought and talked. "I could run forever, like energy isn't really a problem for me and it's never been. my furthest kill with my darling had been two thousand, three hundred and twenty four yards." Once again, she chuckled in her fake and nasally laugh. "I counted it."

Ravenia Rose

|End Point|
Ravenia's Home

Ravenia raked her hands through her long curly mane. She grumbled at it. The length was hot. She was getting tired of it, maybe she should cut it. Her thoughts were cut off when Tobias caught up to her. She had intended to keep walking, to ignore him, but he made it quite difficult when he stood in front of her. The young woman huffed out and annoy sigh and glared at her ex. She opened her mouth to say something but stopped when Marcus appeared too. When he too pushed for her to vent out her frustrations, his rarely heard voice gravely from misuse, she let out a frustrated growl and pushed between the two men. "Come." She called over her shoulder as she walked towards her house. Once she reached the front door, she pushed it open and left it open for the two men she assumed were following her.

The house was still tidy since Tobias had left. In fact, the few things he had left behind, were still in their place. It looked like she hadn't touched anything at all since he had been forced to move out. She slid her raven-feather cape off and slung it onto the back of the chair that Marcus always used to sit in. The halter-top she wore today clearly showed the red, brutal, angry scars that were left on her from the whipping she received from the Three-Day War. Throwing herself down into the seat that was positioned before the big bay window that over looked her rose garden, Ravenia pulled her knees up to her chest and rest her chin on her knees. She waited for the men to get settled before she said anything.

"I don't know how to express the absolute anger and rage I feel on a daily basis. I have nightmares every single night of losing the last few people I care for as more than just what a Mother should."

Julius Iron-Root

|End Point|
The Medical Center

Julius just ignored Nic. He wasn't bothered by his hollow threats anymore. Nic had no powers and couldn't hold a candle to what Tank could do. He could literally rip the man in half and throw him miles apart. He could crush his head and not even break a sweat. The only reason he hadn't murdered the man years earlier was because his sister had at one time cared for the man. Also, he probably would have got in trouble too.

However, he did feel a twinge of hostility towards the girl about the joke she made. "You think this is some sort of joke?!" He growled as he looked down at the girl. "Ravenia, could have carved your heart out. She could have left you in that darkness and you would have never seen the light of day again. My sister voluntarily allowed a mad man to string her up and whip her bloody to protect her people, one thing she does not take lightly is the safety of our people. None of us do. This is not a game, girl." Julius snapped, his anger showing through. He did not get angry often but for some reason the girl just made his blood boil. He massaged his temple and motioned for the girl to keep walking.

This was not going to be a good day.

Had it been anyone else, Marcus would not have left the wall to go with them. However, it was a direct order by The Mother herself, and he was not going to tell her no. Reluctantly, he looked back at his wall with a look of longing. As long as he was gone, there wouldn't be anyone to open the gates, but he supposed that it didn't matter since they were on lock down anyway. However, that also meant that a large number of traps that he had set outside of the gates would also be unusable. Still, he followed, Ravenia, walking through the door that was left over for him and Tobias, and ensured that it was still open for Tobias to walk through as well.

There had been one or two times that Marcus had been inside the house that was occupied by Ravenia, and at one point Tobias as well, but he had never felt more stilled tension inside one area as much as he had here and now. It seemed almost untouched, despite the fact that Ravenia did live there. He supposed that it was just a testament to how busy she kept herself since then.

He settled into the house. Of course, by settling, he simply stood near Ravenia and looked down at her as she curled herself up. He said little to her until she had finished speaking, and nodded silently as she explained her problems. He knew the feeling well, though most likely not to the extent that she felt it. He lived in fear, fear that he would be unable to do his job correctly once again, and lose what people that were close to him that remained. He didn't have anyone that close, anymore, though. After Shay, and then Sun, there hadn't be anyone that had a closeness with Marcus that those two had. Of course, he cared for Ravenia and was a close friend of his, but he had still lost too many people because of things that were out of his control.

"How can we reassure you?" He asked her simply, glancing over at Tobias as well, if he were in the room at that point. Tobias would have to do most of speaking, and Marcus was sorry about that, but there were heavy limitations for not using his voice for so long. He had already used it so much within the past few hours, and he wasn't sure how long it would going to hold up. "Symbiosis. You lead, protect. what do we do for you?"

---

"But she didn't." Cynthia was quick to respond to Tank, her smile ever prevalent as she walked alongside him. "She could've this, she could have that, she did this, so on and so forth. That's not right now. Right now, she's talking with the gate guard and the other guy, and right now, you're taking me to the hospital because she told you to. Right now, I am alive, and it's going to be that way until it isn't." She knew the importance of situation awareness, she really did. Sometimes she would talk a little less than normal, but the never ending monologues would always continue within the confines of her mind.

Tobias stared at her, seeing the look of annoyance in her eyes, but in his was a look of Defiance, he wasnt going to just leave, and if he had to track her all over Paradise, he would. when he saw her muscles tense in her jaw, knowing she was about to tell him off or something, Marcus arrived, and cut her off. stepping to the side, Tobias followed her and Marcus, walking inside, he looked around.. the few books he'd left resting here and there, something she'd complained about constantly, he wasnt a slob by any means but he wasnt tidy either, books on this and that were scattered all over the back room of the hospital where he was staying now. that he saw she had his things in the same place they'd been when he'd left.. well it struck at the ol heartstrings. running his hand through his longer, more wildish hair he listened to what she said.

"the first step is admitting there is something Ravenia, which you just did" to what Marcus said, Tobias nodded, moving forward he knelt in front of the chair she'd sat in. "your not the only one that has rage and anger inside Ravenia and your damn sure not the only one that is carrying a weight on their shoulders, though i will admit your weight is more then mine or Marcus's or anyone elses but" taking a change he reached and took her hand. "you dont have to endure any of this alone. im here for you in whatever way you need, Tank as well, and everyone of us is here for you, and asking for help or just wanting to talk is not a sign of weakness" giving her hand a squeeze, staring at her with pleading eyes to open up some.

Ravenia Rose

|End Point|
Ravenia's Home

Ravenia's bright green eyes studied Marcus's face as his voice rasped out. She nodded her head and twisted her hair up in a high bun on top of her head. She always did this when she was trying to think. "You know Marcus. I don't know if there's anything anybody can do to help me. I feel like I'm slowly going mad with anger. Thank you for speaking too. I'm sure your throat must be hurting. Please help yourself to some tea in the kitchen." She said and nodded towards her kitchen where she knew he could muster up something to drink. One of her favorite beverages was definitely tea.

She was thrown off by Tobias crouching down in front of her. She sat up straight as she spoke to her about admitting there was something wrong with her. A part of her, the angry part, twinged at the thought that there was something wrong with her. However, the part that was asking for help told her she was being stupid. There was something wrong with her. It was painfully evident these days. Instead of pushing Tobias away from her, she studied his face too for a moment or two. She chewed on the inside of her cheek, the familiar pain filled her mouth.

Ravenia sucked in a small breath when he reached out and grabbed her hand. This had been the first type of intimacy they had shown one another in a long time, but it was in the look in his eyes that hit her hardest. She moved slowly, almost like she wasn't trying to spook Tobias, as she slowly placed her feet on the floor, slid her arms around his neck, and pulled him into a tight embrace. Ravenia buried her face in the crook of his neck and breathed in his scent. "I miss you. I need you. I'm sorry." She whispered only loud enough where he could here. Being respectful of Marcus too, she released her ex-boyfriend and sat back. The look she returned said just how badly she missed and needed him.

Julius Iron-Root

|End Point|
The Medical Center

"My suggestion is not to anger the leader of the town you wish to sale your fare within; perhaps, even live within one day." Julius said, not really caring to argue with the woman he was escorting to the medical center. He could tell. She wasn't all there. That was the life of many wanderers though. Sometimes they came into the Lands a little half-cocked.

The two guards that stood at the doors of the medical center opened the doors to Julius and Cynthia. The large man nodded down to the two mean and continued to escort the woman to one of the rooms where she could be inspected by a doctor but not be of any danger to the public. He opened the door to one of the rooms that was secluded for these particular situations. Julius ushered the woman in and nodded for her to take a seat on the bed as he sat on one of the accommodating stools, leaning back against the wall, and crossing his arms over his chest.

The room they were in was fairly bare, only providing the basics to accommodate the person currently in the room. A bare bed, a loan sink, a counter absent of medical supplies, and two empty cabinets. The seeing physicians always brought their own supplies into this room whenever someone was in.

"Get comfy. We've got to wait for a doc or nurse to come see you. Landers get priority."

Nodding and half-bowing gratefully, Marcus stepped out of the living room and to the kitchen to prepare himself and the others some tea. It was true that his throat did hurt from to much talking, and it was starting to give way, so he was glad that she excused him. They deserved it just as much as he did, if not more because of the problems that Tobias and Ravenia had exclusively. He let them speak by themselves, if they even spoke at all. He could not hear them from the nearby kitchen, prepping the tea and pouring a little extra for himself after taking a sip from his own cup. He had prepared white tea for them all, and after taking a sip from his cup, could not help but take another and refill it once more before anyone noticed. Careful movements were reserved for his human hand, even though his mechanical one was just as good and precise.

With all of the cups and the kettle on the tray, he set out to move back into the living room, where he witnissed Ravenia and Tobias sharing a caring embrace. He was careful to not make any sounds, and stepped back into the kitchin to wait a few minutes before walking back into the living room, hoping that he had given them the space that they needed. Ravenia was a close friend to Marcus, as was Tobias, but the Gate Keeper knew that he wasn't helping the good doctor like he was helping the Mother. He wasn't really good with the whole couples thing, and he had no idea if he could help with their situation, but he was going to be there and help.

There was still the problem of trying to help her ease her mind. She had connections with the city and the people in it. She felt like she had to be the one to help guard and keep them all safe from the dangers of the outside world, but the reality of the situation was that people like him and Tobias took up their jobs to help in the same way. Tobias, helping people and their medical problems and ensuring that the people of the Paradise Lands were all healthy. Marcus, who commanded the walls and acted as an icon for safety and security with his silent and watching demeanor. There were also the Harpies; the first line of defense for PL. They watched and guarded the city as vigilantly as the Mother herself, and were almost always the first respondents after Ravenia herself. They were all there to help Ravenia in keeping the people of their city safe, and while she did think that all of the weight was on her shoulders, he needed to convey to Tobias that they needed to step up and expand upon their jobs to show her that she wasn't alone in their endeavors.

The tray of tea in his arms, he looked to Tobias and Ravenia, extending his arms ever so slightly to offer the drinks to them.

---

She followed Tank, listening to him as he expressed that she should not anger Ravenia if she wished to live within the confines of the city. It gave her hope, that maybe this larger fellow saw that she could be an asset of some sort, and would maybe be allowed to live within the city if she played nice. Of course, she would have to go on her own, but that time was not the present.

She looked at the two guards with a jovial and carefree smile. She was not going to let this ruin her good mood that she put up for herself, and she was not going to let the blankness of the room she was now in bring her down. Of course, she sat where she was directed and had herself seated as far back as she could to let her legs dangle from the end of the bed. She was getting comfy, her rear moving about to dig further into the worn cushioning of the bed until she reached a comfortable position.

"I'm Cynthia." She spoke suddenly. "I don't think I got your name, possible Neighbor."

Tobias listened to her talk to Marcus, who even though talking was not something easily done for the Gate Keeper, he was doing it now for her. "its good Tea, home grown in her garden outside" Tobias said to Marcus, watching her go before he looked back at Ravenia, watching her do battle with her thoughts, which were probably all over the place, though mental health was something he was new to studying, he was more or less using his knowledge about Ravenia to know what she was doing. he smiled to himself when she chewed the inside of her cheek, something she'd never break the habit of, he shook his head, holding her hand.

When she herself reached out, moving slowly she stood, he followed expecting well, a number of things but when she slid her arms around his neck, and he wrapped his around her waist, pulling her close he sighed, releasing the tension he held. "i miss you too, and whatever you need, i am here" rubbing her back. "and i know, its okay" hugging her tightly, burying his face against her neck, doing the same as she was, and inhaling her scent. he pulled back gently, staring back at her with the same look that she wore as he stared at her, before looking to Marcus. "thank you Marcus" taking a cup for himself, and one for Ravenia, he held it out for her to take, before he took a sip from his cup.



"yo Julius" walking into the room now where the girl was being seated. Nic walked in holding a magazine. "the doc's got this stash of porn in the back, he's written all in it" holding it up for Julius and the chick to see inside. the pages of the naked women sure enough there were medical terms and sketches. "i think he was using it as a Medical log or something to keep his skills sharp.. pisses me off, he ruined some good fun here" closing the magazine and tossed it to the cabinet. "well, im offically bored now" pulling one of his blades free from his back, and he began cleaning his nails with it. "oh wait, manners" moving back up to the front, where the supplies the Doc had asked for, and came back with a bottle. "catch chick" tossing a bottle at her. "thats grade A stuff there, so take ya a swig.. " smirking as he looked to Tank. "so, you think Rav is needing a booty call?" he asked, knowing just what buttons to push to screw with the big man. "i mean, you remember how we use to be im sure, loud and.. " he wiggled his brows "passionate" which was just a kind way of saying wild. "im thinking, some good ol stress release could be good for both of us.. since she's not with the Doc anymore" leaning against the wall. he was truely like a child, as he began cutting into the doorframe with his knife, making a stick-man. "Landers gets Priority? since when? i thought Doc had Priority at all times in Medical matters?" scratching his head with the tip of his blade, before sliding it back in its sheath as he crossed his arms over his chest, and waited for whoever to show up.