[IC] Fateful Convergence

[Vocalia]

""She"?" Eryn tilted her head, wondering if she had either misheard him and, if he was, indeed, talking about a woman, if this person's vocabulary was as foul as he said it was. As she was taken back to the hotel, he suddenly suggested that they hang out after the con tomorrow, which promptly made her blush again. "I-I, umm... I-I'd love to..." she replied timidly. Truth to be told, she would gladly take what opportunity she had at being able to get to know Sean more, especially with his impressionable personality and the secrets they both shared.

[Daxam]

"Yeah, 'she,'" Sean says with a chuckle. "She's my other roommate's girlfriend, although, to tell you the truth, I'm not sure what he sees in her, considering his last girlfriend. But, to each their own, I guess." Hearing Eryn agree to hanging out outside of the con, he grins and says, "Awesome. I can't wait." Soon, they step into the elevator and he asks, "Which floor are you going to?"

[Vocalia]

"Just the third floor. The upper levels are for the luxury suites, if I'm not mistaken," Eryn replied, then looked at Sean as the elevator began its slow ascend and asked, "What about you? Which floor are you staying at for the weekend? Umm... I don't want to sound impolite and, if I do, I'm really sorry, but could it be that you have booked one of the more expensive rooms in this hotel?"

[Daxam]

Sean chuckles and sheepishly rubs the back of his head, saying, "Uh, yeah, I did. I have a room on the top floor." Soon, the elevator doors open on the third floor. Before Eryn can step out, he places his foot in front of the doors to keep them open and says, "Well...I guess this is good night, then." Although he didn't know why, some part of him wanted to make this final moment last as long as humanly possible. After a few moments of silence, he says, "I'll, uh, meet you in the lobby in the morning, right?"

[Vocalia]

Nodding quietly as she stepped out of the elevator, Eryn turned to Sean with a gentle smile, slightly sad that they had to part for the night. "I'll try not to keep you waiting tomorrow. Hopefully we can have fun all day tomorrow and avoid any troubles," she replied and nodded her head. "I hope you have a good night rest, Sean, and I'll see you tomorrow morning. Also... Thank you, Sean, for making this a memorable day for me. I really can't thank you enough."

[Daxam]

Sean smiles, happier than he's been in a long time, and says, "Don't mention it. I should thank you for making this a great day for me." Slowly, he backs into the elevator and, as the doors close, he says, "Good night, Eryn." Soon, he's on the top floor, sitting on the couch in his suite. Sighing, he looks around the large, empty room, noting the costume he had laid out for the next day, as well as some of his other possessions. "I've never felt more alone than I do right now," he mutters, laying down on the couch. As he closes his eyes, he asks, "What would you say, Anna?"

[Vocalia]

Just as Eryn stepped behind the door of her shared suite, her phone began to rang and she scrambled to get it from her bag before finally seeing who was at the other end. Smiling softly, she picked up the call just as she started taking off her shoes. "Hello, mom!" she greeted happily as she sat down on one of the single beds. "The first day was quite fun. I've found some new stuff and I made a new friend!" Giggling as she heard the response of her caller, she replied, "Oh, his name is Sean. He's twenty five and is staying at the same hotel, just up on the upper floor." A moment of silence was followed by "Well, I do think he's quite a gentleman, if not a bit well-off. He's been very polite and considerate towards me, mom. No, he's not some sort of creeper!" and an exasperated sigh. "I'll be fine, mom. I'll stay away from the shady corners and stay on the main route of the convention. I'm twenty one! I'm already an adult," she softly groaned, but then broke into a smile again after a brief moment of silent listening.

"I understand and I really appreciate the fact that you're concerned for me. Take care and please tell dad not to overcook the turkey this time," she said to her and listened to her reply, her smile bursting into a small grin. "I love you too, mom. Good night," she said before finally ending the call and looking up at the ceiling. "Well... I should get ready for bed. I don't want to be late."

[Daxam]

~Four months later~

Nigel slowly opens his eyes to the sound of birds chirping outside of the window, through which the morning light was streaming in. Sitting up, he runs his hand through his silver hair and looks outside, smiling. "Looks like it's going to be a beautiful day," he mutters to himself. Looking to his side, his smile widens a bit, seeing Arlia's still-sleeping form. Leaning forward, he gently captures her lips with his own before whispering, "Time to wake up, love. You wouldn't want to miss this gorgeous day."

[Vocalia]

"Mmh..." Arlia sleepily stirred with a soft yawn as her green eyes fluttered and her lips curled into a smile. "Is it morning already, love?" she drowsily asked and sat up, her auburn hair clumped into a bed head, before looking at the ray of sunlight on the wall. "My, I've slept quite soundly, didn't I?" she chuckled softly. It had been six months since she was rescued from the Medici mansion and she had been hiding in the Howeland residence ever since, trying to keep a low profile and only going out in full disguise out of fear of her enemies tracking her down and endangering her kind hosts. Gently caressing Nigel's cheek with one hand, she tilted her head and asked, "What should we do today? There is so much we could do right now and I can't help but feel excited."

[Daxam]

Nigel chuckles and clasps his hands behind Arlia's back, resting his forehead against hers as he mutters, "Well, I'm not sure. Although, if given enough time, I could probably come up with something--" A knock on his door interrupts him and he sighs. "I guess we'll start with breakfast," he says with a chuckle. Pecking Arlia's lips, he climbs out of bed and stretches. Looking back at his girlfriend, he smiles and says, "I think I'll let you have the bathroom first today, my dear."

[Vocalia]

"Thank you, Nigel. I won't take long," Arlia replied as she stretched her arms and warmed up her body, waiting for Nigel to leave the bedroom they now shared before making her way to the bathroom with her clothes. She did wonder who was knocking on the door, but she thought that it was just Sarah trying to wake them up. Over the past four months, she had tried her best to bond with the female Howeland and treated her like her own sister dotingly, but she still held Eryn close to her heart. Still, due to her situation, she had kept herself from getting in touch with her twin sister, which saddened her greatly.

[Daxam]

Nigel smiles at Arlia, then walks over to the door. Opening it, he sees Sarah standing there with a smile on her face. "Good morning, sleepyhead," she cheerfully says. Nigel chuckles and asks, "How can you be so cheerful in the morning?" Sarah shrugs and, as she walks away, Nigel following her into the kitchen, says, "I guess I take after Mum in that regard. How's Arlia?" Nigel sits down at the table and says, "She's doing alright. I think she's a little upset that she can't talk to her sister, though." Sarah frowns and says, "Oh, dear. I wish we could do something to help her..." Nigel smiles and says, "We just have to be there for her, that's all. She'll be fine."

[Vocalia]

Arlia went on her separate ways with Nigel on his way to the kitchen. Seeing the two of them talked and chatted, she couldn't help but feel a bit envious of the siblings, but she was also happy that Nigel, at the very least, had a slice of normal, happy life he was willing to share with her. A soft hum escaped her lips as she made her way into the bathroom, taking no time to get herself cleaned and tidied up while the siblings were preparing breakfast in the kitchen.

[Daxam]

Sarah stands up and walks into the kitchen, saying, "So, what should we have for breakfast?" Nigel thinks for a few moments before replying, "I'm not sure. I think I'm in the mood for some...Italian sausage and fried eggs with toast." Sarah replies, "Alright, I'll get that started." After a few minutes, Nigel stands up and walks toward the bathroom. Knocking gently on the door, he says, "Arlia, dear, Sarah's making breakfast. Is there anything in particular you want before she finishes up?"

[Vocalia]

"No, dear. I don't have any particular cravings today, thankfully," Arlia replied with a hint of jest and amusement, the noise of drizzling water fading moments later and followed by the sounds of feet splashing against water. "Otherwise, my taste in cuisine would drive you both bankrupt and I don't want that to happen, after all~!" Giggling softly from behind the door, Arlia began to dry herself and put on her clothes, a set of dark red shirt and dark blue jeans, before walking out of the bathroom looking chipper and wide awake.

[Daxam]

Nigel waits for a few moments outside of the door and smiles as Arlia steps out. Wrapping his arms around her, he kisses her forehead and says, "You look beautiful today, as always." Chuckling, he disappears into the bedroom, only to return with an armful of clothes. "I'm going to get dressed and meet you and Sarah in the dining room. See you in a few minutes."

[Vocalia]

"See you, love," Arlia lovingly replied, then headed into the kitchen by following the scent of cooking breakfast, leading her straight to Sarah. "Buongiorno, Sarah," she greeted with one hand gently tapping her shoulder. "Did you rest well last night? Oh, and what are you making? It smells delicious," she asked, then looked at the frying pan and its contents with child-like curiosity.

[Daxam]

"Good morning, Arlia," Sarah says with a happy smile. "I slept alright last night," she adds, hoping that the fact she was lying wasn't obvious. For some reason, over the past couple of weeks, she's been having nightmares, which involved some accident befalling her. Shaking the thoughts away, she says, "I'm just making some fried eggs and Italian sausage. Is there anything else that you wanted me to cook?"

[Vocalia]

"Not in particular, no," Arlia replied, but noticed that she was a bit sluggish and her voice seemed somewhat forced, having been taught to spot lies and hidden secrets since she was young. "Well, I certainly hope that you have a good rest last night," she said and gently rubbed her back to cheer her up. "If there's anything that concerns you, you can talk to me. I know we haven't known each other for very long, but I trust you with my own life. I can only hope that, at the very least, you find me to be a good enough friend to trust me too..." Arlia spoke as if she had never had a genuine friend in a long time, which was precisely the case, and stayed by her side in case she needed help.

[Daxam]

Sarah, sincerely touched by Arlia's concern for her, says, "Thank you, Arlia. I'll tell you that I think of you like the sister I've never had, so of course I'd tell you if something was wrong. But, honestly, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern." Then, smiling, she says, "Anyway, I hope you're hungry. I'm making a large breakfast, today."