Truths Exposed [For FP-luff! Ended]

[Tigeress]

She was swaying back and forth a little on her feet, trying to appear less hurt than she was, for Igal's sake and Silvanus'. She didn't want the focus to be on her injury, as Silvanus was much closer to bleednig to death, and none of her wounds seemed even close to as life-threatening. She went to say something to the bleeding male next to her, but reconsidered after noticing that Igal was, indeed, returning to himself. Now was the question- who to tend to first?

She didn't know if Igal wanted her near him now, not knowing what she'd done with Silvanus. He probably saw her as tainted by his adoptive father, and she didn't blame him. It was funny, even as she stood bleeding from multiple gouges to the face and chest, she could only think of the best way to comfort everyone Else. Perhaps she was still putting all the guilt onto herself for all of this, and rightly so. Sighing to herself, she glanced once more at Silvanus to see if he would make the first move before trying to think of a way to calmly address Igal. Perhaps start off with something simple.

"Igal? Are you... alright?" Her voice was low and soft, slow and careful. She could tell he had come back to himself, but there was no telling what might set him off again. Somehow she had an idea that they should perhaps bandage themselves, surely being comforted by two bloodied figures of people he cared about would be enough to traumatize him before long. "Silvanus, we should try and clean up a bit, bandage what we can until we can seek medical aid later..." She whispered, not sure if Igal could hear or not, or if he was even past the shock enough to consciously think of what was going on.

She didn't want to move yet, not until she was certain that Igal wouldn't bolt, or go crazed again, and that Silvanus' wounds weren't going to slowly kill him as they watched. She just needed to stop the bleeding, a nap would be nice as well, and she would be fine. She touched her stomach absent-mindedly, wondering if the bruised or broken ribs were the only damage. It seemed everything was fine, but she'd have to get it checked out later. "I... I think they're okay..." She said softly, glancing around at no one in particular. They still needed to have that talk, but from the looks of things, either she'd be going home and trying again at a later date, or she'd be staying over and waiting for everything to calm down before getting into the details.

[FlyingPanther]

Silvanus didn't pay attention to Astyana's worried glances at his neck. Yes, he really did have to bind it up soon, and while Igal was now no longer in his beastial rage, he couldn't help but stay still. Something was going to happen now...the shock was wearing off all of them, and now action had to take place other then the 'little' spat. Things had to be said and done, things had to now be cleared up, though it would be harder now that this event had taken place. It was not the time, even in his bleeding state...to leave just yet. Besides...thanks to his minor ability, he wasn't feeling even a touch of pain.

Igal on the other hand...was in worlds or hurt and confusion. He was certainly not confused about what had happened, but more...what to do next. He continued to look at Astyana, pain so evident in his eyes...it was painful for Silvanus to watch. He had never seen such a look in his eyes before...not in all his years, not even when they had talks about his parents...or how he felt about the abandonment. Silvanus had never seen him so emotional in all his life, and he was feeling his guilt far more then he would ever feel the pain in his neck. That could at least heal, the guilt of what he had done to Igal...by being unable to say the word No...would never heal. And yet, Igal only had eyes for Astyana in this moment, he didn't even look at Silvanus.

Silvanus knew that this subconsciously ment there was now a block between them, and he knew he deserved it. Astyana may have seduced him in her mind, but Igal and him both knew that it had ultimately been Silvanus' choice to have sex with her, despite Silvanus' knowledge of Igal's undying love and devotion to his friend. He wondered if Igal would even speak to him again after this...If the bite was somehow a parting goodbye.

Igal didn't snap from outside the toughts of his mind until Astyana had made a comment about the children. Igal's eyes then wandered to the bulge. In a way...it was as beautiful as Astyana. Tears streamed from his eyes, they were not his. They were in no way his children...and yet, his devotion to Astyana was such...that they were precious to him...even if the idea of them being Silvanus' filled him with such bitter anger. They were beautiful in that moment. "Oh no....god...what have I done..." he couldn't help repeat...his mind to jumbled with thoughts to say anything much at all. What if he had killed them? What if Astyana would now miscarry? In his anger he had seen them as a burden upon her...but she could tell by the worry in her eyes...that she wanted them...even if they would be an inconvience.

Igal's pain had reached a zenth of inconsolible agony. He began to sob, right there in front of them, unable to control his emotions at all. What had he done? What had he done to Astyana? To her children...or child? He knew she would never trust him again...could never trust him again...after such a fit as he had displayed. He had ruined their friendship. He had failed her. He wanted to be alone...as he knew he was. He knew he was alone...the bodies of the loved ones in front of him a mockery of what he might have once had. He backed up father into the kitchen where he found himself a corner to snuggle up into, and continued his agonized sobs. What had he done?

Silvanus watched as the hybrid sought solitude, and the pain in his eyes was evident. He had never seen Igal cry like this before. What had he done to him? He never could have thought it would be this bad...the level of devotion that he had to Astyana he could never have imagined. No wonder in his mind he had already claimed her for himself...even if it was wrong to do so. He wanted to go to Igal...but knew...that he couldn't. Igal didn't want to see him...maybe didn't even want to see Astyana...he had no clue.

Then his gaze turned to Astyana. "I'll bring some bandages...I hope...they are alright..." Silvanus couldn't say much more...and wasn't sure if there was anything else to say. He stood up, changing quickly into his bipedal form once more as he did...and headed in the direction he knew lay the First Aid Kit and other medical supplies. He would need to check out his wounds as well, he hoped that it was nothing to serious...more for Igal's sake then anything. This plainly was a wound with intent to kill...and there was no way Igal would be getting off the hook for something like that with the law. Hopefully it was something he could just bandage up until healed. He disappeared into the living room where the fireplace lay...and around the corner of a hall leading to the bedrooms.

[Spiderfly]

FP and Tig both receive 1 token each, to be redeemed in Ashwin's Shoppe. This will automatically be added to your recorded totals in the shoppe. Congratulations, and keep up the good RP!

[Tigeress]

She felt Igal's eyes on her, stuck to her, staring in disbelief and probably horror. At her comment about the life she was carring inside her, she watched Igal's eyes drift lower, and for a moment was expecting anger, but she was very surprised to see his eyes soften, shining with a strange emotion she hadn't seen before. Tonight was a night of many firsts, and she was starting to see the being hidden inside Igal's cold and distant shell. His words made her frown with concern, ready to jump in and reassure him at any moment.

However, before she could make a move he had begun to sob, moving to a corner away from them both. The conflict inside Silvanus was similar to the one she now felt, she wanted to help both of them, but she understood that in this moment Igal needed her more, and if he pushed her away, then she would go and help Silvanus. She gave him a look to demonstrate that she was going to go try to calm Igal, and for Silvanus not to worry but to focus on himself. He had enough stress right now, and she wanted to ease some of it.

She had reached a strange sort of calm, the situation becomming clearer in her mind. There was no question, no doubt, only facts and responsibility. She had to calm Igal and fix the hurt she'd created, then she had to calmly sit down with Silvanus and discuss their children. For the first time since she'd left the house after that wonderful night, the guilt was gone. This had gone beyond what anyone could have anticipated, and she had only been doing what she wanted to do. She had been honest with herself and Silvanus when she spoke of her friendship with Igal, and the way she wanted Silvanus. Everything just suddenly meshed together in her mind, there was nobody to blame because there had been nothing done wrong.

She hoped this calm would radiate out toward Igal as she walked slowly closer, her eyes filled with concern as she seated herself carefully a few feet away from the balled up form. "Igal, Igal..." She cooed softly, trying to get his attention, smiling softly in an attempt to cheer him up. Though she was dizzy and almost sick to her stomach with pain earlier, now it was just getting used to it, so it was becomming easier and easier to fake being well. "I'm alright, you didn't hurt me. Just a few scratches that will heal." Though she didn't like lying to her friend, it was what he probably needed to hear. He needed to be told that things weren't as bad as he thought they were.

[FlyingPanther]

Igal remained completely unaware of the going ons between Silvanus and Astyana. She could have told Silvanus that she loved him, and Igal probably wouldn't have noticed at all. There was nothing. Nothing but the darkness of his world, eyes closed tightly trying to prevent more tears from forming and falling down his white coat. The tears stung in the gashes along his face were Silvanus had raked his antlers along it. The physical pain of it, however, was completely drowned out by his own inner mental pain only to be bested by the pain in his heart. It felt like it was being ripped to shreds, and he was having trouble breathing because of it. It might have also been hyperventelation as he cried though.

Never had Igal felt pain of this calibur. Not even from the knowledge of his parents abandoning him did he ever feel pain or like he needed to cry. He felt sorrow for not having a real family, but that had been the extent of it. He had Silvanus and Astyana, and that was all he had needed in life. A person to care for him like a father...and Astyana...his beautiful Astyana...that had never been his. And now, he had lost them both. The two things that had kept him stable. It was like some sort of horrible story that you only saw in tragic plays. He had nothing. They had betrayed him, and he in turn...had betrayed Astyana in his beastial state. Now he huddled in fetal position, his face firmly pressed into the corner of the room, consoling himself in the void he now was in.

It wasn't until Astyana was right next to him, that he even remembered where he was, he was so lost in his darkness. Her calm had done nothing, and would continue to do nothing. While the two deers had seemingly moved on, Igal was still dealing with his unfamiliar and painful emotions. When she called his name, he turned his ratlike head, maw still stained with silvanus' blood, as well as his face marred with a scratch similar to Astyanas. His eyes were bloodshot and swollen, tears contiuing to pore out like some sort of fountain, despite the fact that he had managed to stop making noses. His breath shook with hyperventalation and his attempt to supress it.

His eyes looked like a sorrowful ocean stained with the blood of a once precious life-form. It might have been the death of his trust in his eyes. Igal was beginning to act more like himself, despite the fact that emotions still ran rampent. He could smell the lie in her words like a thick musky oder, and he turned quickly away from her. "I was an idiot not to have seen...maybe I just didn't want to see. But you can't lie to me now Astyana. I will always be skeptic of your words....as you will now be skeptical of my ability to protect you as I once did. You cannot lie to me anymore." he knew the truth of the matter, that there was not just the physical wounds that came from this event. There would be no trust left for anyone now. He knew he had completely damaged their friendship...even if she attempted to be all smiles and happy thoughts.

"He wont be able to care for them. No matter how much he attempts to commit. He can't be taking care of two different sets of children." Igal said to her, knowing that soon enough she would want to talk to Silvanus about the children. He knew that the stag would say that he would help take care of the children...but to what end? Did Silvanus love Astyana? He sobbed...the thought causing more pain...but again he tried to stiffle it. Even if Silvanus did...he had made a real promise to his friend Ophelia, one which he couldn't see the stag reversing...even for one he loved. Silvanus would be streched to thin.

[Tigeress]

She tried to pretend the pain would pass if she could just keep talking, she could talk him down, and talk him out of the terrible agony he was feeling. But she should have known better, it was too hard to lie to herself, let alone him. No, he was right, no more lying. But no more truth either, she didn't want to tell Igal everything today, she didn't want to explain to him that she had finally come to terms with her own actions enough to realize she would not be made out to be the bad guy in this, not by herself or anyone else. And she wouldn't let it happen to Silvanus either, if she could. Though that feat might require a little more persuasive discussing than Igal would be able to handle for months, but perhaps someday he would understand. Not today, though.

She tried to bite back tears when she watched him sob harder and harder, though one or two managed to slip through, her head turning to try and hide it. It seemed her attempts at projecting her calm onto him backfired, his misery had been projected onto her. Though, she understood why, although she was starting to get over the guilt of following her heart... or, perhaps, something lower, she knew that she still felt guilt over what happened with Igal. There was really no better way to handle the situation, if she had of talked to Igal about it beforehand, he would have probably forbidden her to come anywhere near Silvanus, and scared him off on her behalf. That didn't stop the pain she felt, knowing how deeply she'd hurt him.

So what could she say? 'I'm sorry' would never be enough, not for a cut that deep, it would never scar, it would be an open wound left to fester every time he had to listen to them talk of their children, every time they showed the slightest affection for each other, friendly or otherwise. She understood this, and yet she still felt like she should be able to change it. She had enough control to plan out this situation, though, the pregnancy had been a wild card, the one thing to ruin their little secret intimacy. Otherwise, he would have never found out. If she had of kept better control of her emotions... no, the pregnancy had been visible and she couldn't have lied about that.

So then this was fate. Destiny had screwed her over a good one, she could not have the one she desired, and in trying to obtain him she had savagely betrayed the one she trusted most who had loved her all along. "I don't blame you, and you're right. Words won't make this right, but I want you to know that I am sorry for my selfishness, I never wanted to hurt you, which is why I lied, tried to keep it hidden. It was a terrible thing to do to you." She touched her chest, still coming away with fresh blood though the wound was starting to close up slowly. It was true as well that she didn't entirely trust him, but he needed someone, something... and while it may not have been her, she couldn't leave him alone, not like this.

She swayed back on her heels and realized her stubborn nature was going to cost her her consciousness if she didn't stop sitting around trying to fix something that she may never be able to. He probably wanted time to himself, to think, to be away from her. His eyes still held a certain fondness when he looked at her, one that made her squirm with awkward embarassment. How could he look at her like that, knowing now how she really felt? Yet the look was tainted with a certain glaze of spite, and that she understood. "I... should probably clean up before anything gets infected. My carelessnes will be the death of me." Though her comment had come out absent-mindedly, it hit home in a lot of ways, enough to make her blink in surprise as she shifted and stood up slowly. Standing awkwardly for a moment, she finally turned towards the bathroom where Silvanus had gone.

It was cowardly to admit, but somehow she just wanted to be out of that room, away from Igal's accusing eyes and brutally honest words. She was the one who wanted a moment to herself, to take a deep breath and hide for a while. It was all she could do not to quicken her pace and stay calm.

[FlyingPanther]

"The moment you decided to keep this event from me, the moment he said yes to the events that took place, you could never could have kept me safe from hurt. The very idea that you would have continued to keep it a secret hurts in and of itself. But I suppose...I had never been very honest with you about my own feelings for you..." he said, finally turning back so that his head was firmly pressed into the corner of the room. He wanted the edge to envelope him, to hide him from the world and never let him come back. Blood stained the wall were he rubbed against it. "Not that those feelings will amount to anything. Not that my devotion to you counted for anything at all." he whispered barely above a silent breath to himself. She would have really been having to listen to him to actually catch his words, and even then...she might only be able to pick out snips of it. He didn't sob again, instead prefering to look at the blank wall in front of him. He didn't look at Astyana again. Didn't even adress her as she stood to leave. Didn't even watch her as she headed towards Silvanus. It was only when he thought she was out of earshot did his crying and sobbing pick up once more, sounding like the horrible wale of a lost soul.

Silvanus was now in the bathroom, he had retreived the first aid and luckily, there was still some bandaging from when Igal had gotten some so many months ago. He felt weirdly guilty using them, as if suddenly they were no longer free domain in the house. He could hear Igal's wailing...and he sighed heavily. What had he done? He knew he would never be able to forgive himself for this. He had done them both wrong, and there was not much that could be said to make him think differently, if anything at all.

He washed the wounds in the sink, cleaning it out with iodine and water and a rag, luckily the wounds weren't that bad, and hadn't hit anywhere to vital despite how horrible it had looked when he first came into the bathroom. They would heal, hopefully without any scaring...he would just be 'bandage-neck' for a while. He'd blame it on a wild Bander if anyone bothered to ask, it would cover Igal...and leave him to be free to continue on with his life....or whatever was left of it now that Silvanus had ruined it. Again he sighed, his neck now stained a sickly looking yellow from the iodine, then wrapping it up with some white bandages, which stained yellow and red. Just lovely...

[OOC: OMG...I can't believe how short that came out...I'm so sorry ;o;.]

[Tigeress]

The sounds of Igal behind her made her visibly flinch as she rounded the corner into the bathroom, her eyes showing the wearyness she felt inside. She wanted to just collapse, she was so mentally exhausted, and physically as well. She noticed the bandages and relaxed visibly. Apparently the wound wasn't as bad as she had thought. One hand reached out to lightly brush his neck near that area, curiously examining how much blood was seeping through already. "Does it hurt very much?" She asked quietly, her voice shaky and uneven. She didn't want to volunteer any information about her very brief talk with Igal at first, but she didn't want Silvanus to think Igal's wailing had been because of something she'd said to him recently.

"I... tried to speak with Igal, but he's far too upset with me for me to do him any good. I can only assume the same would happen with you." She lowered her eyes in embarassment, hating that she had done this to their relationship. She knew how much he loved Igal, and how much Igal cared for him in return, and it tore her up to know she'd come between that. "I'm very sorry this all turned out so poorly Silvanus, you and Igal are the last people on earth who would ever deserve such pain." She didn't apologise for her actions, because a part of her wanted him to know she was not ashamed of what they'd done nor did she regret it. She only regretted the outcome and her inability to do any good for the situation.

She leaned heavily against the counter, swaying as she did so just a little. "Do you mind helping me? I've little experience with bandaging and I feel a little... shakey." Her voice was breathy and quiet still, though more gentle when she spoke to him. It was nice to just... have a conversation, and not have bitter words spat into her face. She didn't know if Silvanus was upset with her, for what their intimacy had caused, or what his feelings were at all. Now was really not the time to press anything, she had a feeling he needed time to recover and relax before any more serious discussion came into play just as she did.

However, they'd have to do something for Igal soon, they couldn't leave him so broken up and alone. Her attempts had failed miserably, but perhaps once she'd collected herself she might be able to try again and calm him. Or perhaps it would be good for Igal to speak to Silvanus first? The thought made her stomach uneasy, she was far too afraid for Silvanus' safety. She turned her eyes to him then, watching his movements as she inspected his expression closely, her gaze probably enough to make him uncomfortable in its intensity. She just wished she knew what he was thinking, how he was feeling. He seemed so locked up, focussing on a task as hard as he could to block out everything else.

She'd asked enough questions for now though, she'd wait until he volunteered something instead of prodding. Patience was a virtue, and one she knew well.

[No worries hun! It was more than enough to reply to <3]

[FlyingPanther]

Silvanus didn't answer right away, because as if on que, Igal let out another lamenting moan. The stags eyes softened in a sad way before turning to look at Astyana as she brushed a hand along the bandages. "Not at the moment, but I'm sure once an hours time has passed, I'll be feeling it quite a bit." he gave a weary smile before looking in the mirror examining his own handywork...and wondering when he might need to change the bandage. Silvanus sighed a bit at Astyana's words. It was an ill omen if she could not even consol him in the slightest. "I doubt I will ever be able to speak to him again. You should hear how he talks about his father, he met up with him again before reaching adulthood, he swore to me that he would never interact with him again. I can hardly imagine I'm not on the same platform as his father now."

He washed his hands before leaning upon the sink, arms folded, his face showing he was deep in thought. He shook his head at her, "Igal didn't deserve this. However, he was right. I knew he cared about you to the degree he did, and still I went through with it. I deserve every bit of this." he rubbed his eyes tiredly with a hand. The adreniline was wearing off, and he was beginning to get tired. It didn't help that he had lost a fair amount of blood, but still he remained awake. He couldn't rest now. He had dug himself a hole...and he would not rest until he was out of it.

Luckily Astyana had given him something to do. He merely noded at her questioning for help, and started fumbling in the first aid for the things he would need. He looked over at her wounds like a doctor might look at a paitent and pulled out some gauze and tape for ther face wound. He worked on that first, first cleaning the wound, then putting gause over it and medically taping it to her face. Face wounds were harder to bandage then most other wounds. He wasn't sure what to do about the wounds on her chest...he was...understandibly, anxious about going anywhere near places that were potentially sexual with Astyana, though he attempted to have a doctors touch. "Do you know how many you are having? From the looks of things....one seems out of the question." he laughed nervously, and thought of Ophelia. He must have inherited some sort of fertility gene, but certainly not from his mother...she had only two births...and both resulted in one offspring. Silvanus' first birth resulted in 4. And what handfuls all of them seemed to be.

"As you may already know," he frowned slightly, feeling like the bearer of bad news, "I've more recently had children with a good friend of mine. But...I will, as I told her aswell, of course be there for you and the children..."

"I don't think that is a good idea." said Igal, striding into the bathroom, in what looked to be a bipedal form. His lip and eyes spoke volumes of bitterness, but his voice was back to its usual emotionless monotone ways. His eyes were red, and his face was stained with tears, though he stood there as if he had never sobbed in his entire life. Silvanus blushed, finding Igal's timing terrible...not only for the conversation, but for the fact that he was also working on Astyana's breast wound. He immidiately dropped his hands, steping back slightly. Igal looked to Astyana. "Silvanus can't take care of your children. He already has four he has to look after, I can hardly imagine he will have time to take care of these children properly."

"But...They are mine nonetheless. I would be a sore father if..."

"You already ARE a sore father." Igal said boldly, and Silvanus shut up, knowing that speaking was going to be useless. Igal looked to Astyana. "You still have my word that I will protect you and serve you as any friend would. I have no idea if you will still take my friendship and protection as you once did, but it is my sincerest hope you will." He looked at Silvanus, but spoke to Astyana now. "I will help take care of your children in Silvanus' place. This is my offer, take it or leave it." with that he left the bathroom, ratlike tail swiveling in the agitation he felt.

Silvanus watched him leave and move into the living room, finding himself rather amazed. They had tried so hard to have Igal become Bipedal, and the hybrid didn't seem to be able to get it. Now suddenly he had appeared before them fully Bipedal. What had caused the sudden change? There was a new coldness to him to...though...there was a certain pleading in his words, as if the male didn't know what else to do with his life now that the two people who had been the center of it were no longer part of it. As if he was searching to be reunited with them in some way.

[Tigeress]

Her eyes softened as Silvanus spoke, shaking her head at his words in disbelief. "I don't believe that, Silvanus. You didn't abandon him, you're still here for him, you Want to make things better. I believe you can... Igal needs you, maybe it'll take a while for him to see that. I don't think he can hate you over this." Her voice was soft as she gazed at him, worried about how this might affect him later. Would he and Igal remain in the same house? Or worse, would Igal leave him to brood over everything alone?

She was a little frustrated with his remark, though she understood why it pained him so to think that it was 'all his fault' even though it obviously wasn't. "Silvanus.. I think you're forgetting, this isn't just about Igal and how Igal feels. We did what we wanted to do together, and you knew full well that I didn't have feelings for Igal in that way. I refuse to let someone else live my life for me, Silvanus, do you understand that? I shouldn't have my relationships governed by someone who has no right to have that control over me. He's my protector, my friend, not my mate." She sighed heavily at this, rubbing her head where a small headache had started to form. "I hate seeing him hurt like this, it kills me to know I was the one who did it, but at the same time, I hate feeling like I'm not allowed to live my life however I wish. I hate feeling so... trapped. I want to blame myself for everything because it seems like I'm the wicked witch of the west for having done this to him, but... what about what he's done to me, Silvanus? You may not see it, but I do..." At this she had to turn her eyes away from him, she didn't want him to see the emotion brewing there. She had thought, maybe, she and the stag could become closer, and see if a relationship formed, but now? Igal had probably caused too much of a ruckus for Silvanus to even consider it, if he had in the past, it was probably swallowed. He was ruining her life just as much as he thought she'd ruined his.

She could tell he was grateful to have something else to focus on other than his thoughts, and she resigned to silence to allow him to do it. She was tired of fighting for herself, trying to figure out where she went wrong and what exactly was her fault, how to fix it... it was all so draining. She started a bit when he spoke, not expecting him to have done so, but the question made sense as he was perched above the bump of her stomach. She considered it for a moment, no, not two, definately not... "I'm guessing three, possibly four at this stage. Depending on how much bigger I get I might push the number up to five, though I hope no more than that!" She couldn't help but chuckle slightly, they might end up having quite the batch, or perhaps their kids were just going to be bigger than most. She'd heard of mothers bearing triplets of obscene sized who were expected to be quintuplets. At his talk of his other kids, she could recall meeting one... no, hearing of one. "Yes, Syraelia has met one of your other young. I appreciate the offer, Silvanus, that's actually what I had hoped we could talk abou-..." She was cut off by Igal's entrance, shocked at the bipedal form she saw there.

Astyana blushed when she saw Silvanus' blush, though surprisingly she hadn't noticed it before. Usually his touch was electric, but perhaps her emotions were stealing away any remnants of any sort of happiness that ever was or could have been. It was sad to admit, but she really felt quite down more and more so as the night went on. "Igal..." Her voice came out in sharp surprise at his bold comment, the tears that had been hidden before springing to her eyelids again. In that moment she could feel Silvanus' pain as if she were Igal's mother, wanting so badly to make him never say such things ever again.

"I... he..." She didn't really know what to say, and then Igal left as quickly as he'd come. She turned to Silvanus, not caring if the watering of her eyes was still visible. "I... think it would be good for the children to see their father, their real father... I think they might be alarmed if they saw more of Igal then they did of you, as they will not look like him, they will look like us. Also, I... I'd like... we could perhaps feign romance around them? I think they might grow up to be more loving if they thought their parents were that way towards each other... parental issues heavily affect children." Her opinion had degraded into cold facts in her embarassment of even suggesting such a thing. Though, she didn't want to concern him more than she already had, so telling him that she had feelings for him would probably do more harm than good. Not like a fool couldn't tell, but she wanted to let him know she understood he would probably have to pretend. She wanted him to at least think she might have to as well, she hated being so obvious.

She sighed, letting her thoughts rove back to Igal. Had they lost him forever? He was so distant, but being so collected at least had given her the will to confront him again. But what would she say? He didn't need her comfort now, or so it seemed. He didn't seem to need anything from anyone, and the thought was chilling enough that she visibly shivered, folding a little more into herself.