As the chaos of the battle stills, the champions who are left can hear the still crackling flames of the collapsed cafe, along with the barely audible whispers of the populous and the more prominent sirens that continue their approach. No one attempts to stop the ones that flee, rather snapping pictures with their phones and gossiping amongst themselves.

Liam swears audibly as he turns from the crater in the ground, turning his attention towards the origin of the approaching wails as he staggers backwards.

"As much as I hate to admit it... We can't stick around. I'm heading back to Matt's place," He stated, looking back to Clarice for a moment before turning and taking off down the street towards the downtown area of the city.

---

"I-" The boy stammered, blushing heavily at first due to her accusations but calming once she had left his sight. With a heavy sigh, he found himself a seat despite the clutter, settling into place as he lifted a hand to his head with a wince. In truth, his mind was clouded and strained, a growing headache now plauging his thoughts as he attempted to settle down.

"Thank you, but- I don't know. I mean a drink would be nice," He stammered, his hand finally coming to rest atop his thigh with a slight groan, "But with what all has happened... I just-" He fell silent for a moment, before looking up to Sam with a slightly saddened smile, "Thank you either way."

A small strangled caw rang out as a crow fell to the ground, a knife in its throat. Alex pulled his hand back and the knife returned to his hand as though pulled by an invisible string. Stupid birds. Killing them probably wasn't going to solve anything. In fact Alex was positive it wouldn't. But he didn't really care. He was confused and his entire world had gone to shit so he needed a little venting. Alex's eyes constantly scanned around as he more or less wandered through the city, simply killing birds and wondering just what had happened to make the whole world go crazy.

"Jeez, I'm so drained..." Claire murmured as they entered Leon's room. She made a beeline for the dining table and took a seat on a chair. Well, more like crashed into the chair, casting her eyes to the heavens and sighing before crossing her arms on the table and planting her head in her arms with a rather ungraceful sounding "Ugghh!" uttered from her mouth.

She lifted her head and a cerulean eye peeked out from the messy pile of lavender-sliver hair, blinking and zeroing in on Leon. She remained quiet and stared at him, forming thoughts in her head. Food or fresh clothes first? Claire knew she looked like a wreck right now, but then again in her defense, they were out there fighting....rogue champions.

Claire turned her head and glanced at the wardrobe and then back at Leon, deciding to at least get cleaned up and shower before she took a brief nap.
"I'll just grab some gym clothes and shower real quick, if you don't mind." She stood up and checked out the drawer, opening the first row. Claire blinked as she came upon the gym clothes she was searching for...but they seemed a little...feminine? She casted her eyes to Leon and held up the black gym shorts in question. Well, he did have somewhat of a lanky form....but....

...maybe he just likes the way they fit? It'd be a little short and tight on his crotch wouldn't it? No! Don't picture it Claire! Stop it! Claire thought, her cheeks flushing, feeling embarassed at her own overactive imagination. Oh my god, what if he has a fetish for this kind of thing? What the heck Leo!!! Other than being grave digger incarnate, why couldn't you be a typical reclusive young man!?

Jeez, calm down Claire, I'm sure there's a logical explanation for this...I'm sure he's a just a... Claire narrowed her eyes at the shorts before casting a glare at Leon.

...harmless pervert?

"I'll take these Leo. I'll be right back." Claire said, picking out a matching black shirt and heading into the bathroom before she decided to remark upon the clothes.

~~~

After a few moments of staring at her reflection in the mirror and frowning at a few marks on her body, Claire found herself in a tub full of relaxing steamy hot water instead of the shower she said she'd take. Claire just couldn't help it, the water just felt so nice! She sighed contentedly and felt her muscles release the tension she had been feeling all day. Claire closed her eyes and rested her head back against the tub. She was in bliss, so much that she started to doze off and eventually the effects of her power started to freeze the water into a block of ice that encased her body. After some time, the steam that had collected on the walls and ceilings of the bathroom condensated into droplets of water and turned into icicles that hanged from the ceiling or draped the walls. As Claire napped peacefully, she (unintentionally) turned Leon's bathroom into an icy paradise of her own.

~~

Little did Claire know, a certain Cryophoenix had been awake for some time. Before, Anivia had chosen to keep herself hidden from Claire and opted to observe her avatar's surroundings and even subconsciously influenced Claire's decisions during the clash earlier. However, perhaps it would be soon that she'd fully unveil herself to the innocent young woman and partake in a more active role in her battles.

Yet, her decision to bond with the Grave Digger's persona had nothing to do with Anivia's subliminal suggestions.
"So this is the lair in which the Grave Digger resides...Perhaps you can keep him close while I keep an eye on him for you." Anivia whispered from within the deep recesses of her consciousness.

@Cubix

Artemis stared at the women she had bandaged and tied to the chair via rope at her feet and plastic zipties holding the unknown woman's hands in front of her, a mere few feet from Artemis in her own living room. Off-handedly she supposed that this would look very bad were someone to visit. Fortunately Artemis knew very few people offline and even fewer of them well enough to warrant a surprise visit. Aretmis scribbled something down on her note book, took a small drink of water and continued waiting for the women to awake. She wanted answers from this women and she was very determined to get them!