Drake would be reading on healthy relationships and how to make sure yours was one too when he saw Alistar return to the Dorm. With a smile he set the book down “welcome back, How was your morning so far?” he would ask slowly going up to her as his arms would move to gently wrap around her midsection as he pulled her close. “Are you hungry? I can heat up the food I made you or if you would rather I could make something fresh?” he said and his eyes locked onto hers as he smiled just happy he could show his affection he had for her now instead of keeping it bottled up due to her rule. He had held himself back a lot with Alistar for fear of her learning about his true feelings till it felt like the right time to share them. He just smiled while standing there just happy she was back so soon.

—-----------------------------------

With a smile Alistar headed back to the dorm after her short workout turned coffee trip with Liberty. She hadn’t gotten much thinking done but it had still been a treat to see her new friend. Having someone else to talk to about these things was proving to be useful. Not to mention she enjoyed Liberty’s company. Walking into the dorm, she smiled as she saw Drake, of course, reading. Seriously, she needed to find him a new hobby, or maybe a friend or two. She actually felt a small amount of guilt for heading out that morning and leaving him all alone. Another red flag for her.

Hearing his question, she laughed softly and shook her head. ”Not quite. Unless you mean for something else?” She smirked, raising an eyebrow at him. Holding up a second cup she had in her hand, she offered it to him. ”It’s been good. I ran into Liberty while at the gym and ended up at the cafe for coffee. I brought you your favorite drink back.” Hugging him back she extracted herself from his arms and moved to pick up his book. Reading the title, she chuckled and shook her head. Half turning towards him she showed the title to him. ”Planning are we?” she teased.

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Drake would take the mocha and looked grateful for it. “Thank you Alistar.” he said as he took a sip of the mocha. He then smiled “yes, i am. Also if you're hungry for something else I am sure I can accommodate your appetite.” he said snickering at his own words before walking over. He almost felt high from just being able to express these honest emotions towards her. He would stand near her looking at the book “but in all truth I do honestly want to have a good and healthy relationship with you.” he said looking into her eyes yet again the passion showing somewhat in his eyes. “And let me know when you're hungry for real, I will make sure to fix something for you.” he said and just stood there like a puppy happy to see its master truly fitting that part of her nickname for him.

—-----------------------------------------------------------

Grinning she winked at him. ”Oh I know you could.” laughing she looked back at the title of the book before flipping it over and reading the back and listening to him. Blanching slightly when he mentioned having a healthy relationship with her, she couldn’t help it when a light blush replaced her color. ”Friendship Drake. Remember friendship. We’ve both broken my rule lately and I’m blaming this school for it. You know damn well what would happen with Ra if you left here with me. We should probably look into finding you someone else.” why did it hurt so much to say that? It had hurt when she said it to Niels too… well to set him up with Harper. Any hint of actually being hungry left her for a moment and she shook her head. Looking back up at him, she was surprised to see that look on his face. She much preferred the confident one he normally wore. ”So I’m going to be going out exploring today to get some air. What will you do?” she asked trying to change the subject.

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Drake would listen to her talk about Ra and her finding him someone else. Drake’s smile faded and his usual calm expression came onto his face. She talked about going exploring but he didn't care much about his mind honing in on the finding someone else part of what she had said to him. “I refuse.” he told her calmly, looking right at her without any doubt. “I made it clear what I intended to do when I made my wish. I do not plan on leaving this path.” he went on to say as he moved to stand in front of her slowly taking the book from her “So you said you would explore? Am I allowed to come along or did you want more space from me?” he asked her, setting the book down on the table nearby. Drake would look at her for a moment before gently cupping her face “I understand the danger that is Ra, I do not plan to go in blind. I have been reading everything I can on him so I will be prepared. I won't hold you back when the time comes. I want to be beside you in both moments of joy and moments of strife. I want a life with you and I know better than most that life is a very mixed bag of good and bad.” he said slowly taking his hand back before smiling “So like i said before, I refuse to find someone else because i have no need for anyone else.” he told her confidently as he would. “So other than that how was exercising with Liberty? I don't know if I have met her or not.” he said trying to think on that one.

—-------------------------

Frowning when he said he refused she didn’t know what exactly he was refusing. Thankfully he explained, but the explanation only made her frown more. ”I think space would do us both some good.” subconsciously her face turned into his hand as he cupped her cheek. ”I really don’t think you do.” What he said made her heard beat faster but at the same time annoyed her. Sure, she had thought about having someone to spend her life with, but that dream had been killed off a long time ago. Listening to him, she made a clicking sound with her tongue and shook her head. ”If you left with me… one of us would end up watching the other die.” Sighing softly, she looked around and tried to think why she had come back to the dorm. Realizing she was still in her workout clothes, she headed into the bedroom and quickly got changed. ”It was fun. Ended up not doing much and just chatting while drinking coffee.” Looking rather skittish she pointed towards the door. ”Yeah… uh I need some air. So, I’m going to head out now. Have fun today and don’t stay cooped up in this dorm room, ok?” With that she headed to the door and stepped out. He might be enjoying expressing his love and everything freely now, but it was making her a bit claustrophobic. Where did he get all of that confidence that he could take on a god and win?

—---------

Drake would watch her say space would do them both some good and had to keep from letting out a disappointed sigh. She followed it up by saying he didn't know how dangerous Ra was. “Then help me to understand.” he said to her before her next words brought a frown to his face. “Alistar…I believe if we prepare together…if we work together I am sure we could overcome most any obstacles in our path.” he said and a glimmer of hope could be seen just ever so faintly in his eyes as he said that. He wanted her to give him a chance to prove he would go the distance for her. He would train till he coughed up blood, study till his eyes rolled into the back of his head, anything she asked him to as long as it was for the sake of them remaining by one another's side. When she talked about Liberty and their time together she soon sounded oddly skittish which was very out of the normal for her. Alistar told him not to be cooped up in the dorm before she left, leaving him alone and a sad sigh left him as he stood staring at the door for a moment. Drake would a moment later decide to grab his book and leave the dorm no longer looking as sad as he had. “I will show her that I can learn and be ready for what may come. I want to prove to her she can truly rely on me.” he said quietly to himself.

Feeling pretty decent after her morning workout with Liberty, but shitty after dealing with Drake; the unknowing Goddess felt rather hungry after the extra activity she decided to head to the cafeteria. The Cafe had been a brief consideration but there was a chance that she could run into Drake there and after the night before… Well, she was even more confused than she had been the day before. When she had seen the notification for the wishes her mind instantly went to the two men. Niels had been her very first roommate and now someone she had developed an attachment to. Drake… Taking a deep breath as she entered the cafeteria she looked around not seeing anything really of note. Heading to the counter she grabbed a tray and started pulling out different foods to eat.

Her unfocused mind automatically wandered back to Drake and the two wishes she had received the night before. Niels’ wish was beautiful and would hopefully solve a lot of problems. The problem was… she didn’t know if it worked or not. She wouldn’t know until she left here, and who knew if the school would even allow it to work since it affected things outside of its barriers. Feeling a tad frustrated she finished filling her tray and turned to look for a place to sit.

Drake’s wish made it so that regardless of what happened with Niels’ wish. She had the power and ability to defend herself, and her people. There were no ‘what if’, ‘what about’, or ‘maybe~’ questions attached. Plucking a grape from her tray she popped it in her mouth, still trying to find a place to actually sit down.

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Muirghein wasn’t too keen on the event yesterday in terms of the school and how it changed. She was glad to have the ground back as she understood that easier. She guessed Mari would be busy today, that tended to be how it was, and she hadn’t yet thought of what to make Myst do for her, given that she had to constantly be overly nice to Kehaw. That girl was building up a big debt, that’s for sure. She could go find Liberty, that boy was going to do a number on her sadly. She would be alright, but maybe she could help the girls head. Well, maybe things would change for her, who knows. Either way, she could do that later, for now, she was eager to have some spicy food and eat, eat, eat.

"The same." she said to whoever handed her this food every time. Her food was the same, it was a giant breakfast burrito filled with various spicy things, well breakfast had passed, but she hadn’t eaten yet, so…breakfast it was. Jalapeno, pepper jack cheese, spicy sausage, potatoes covered in spices, and filled with plenty of hot sauce. She felt the weight of the plate and nodded. It was the same, and the heat should be sufficient for her tastes. She started to walk away from the counter, but remembered her drink, once she got it, she set off to her usual table.

For some reason, when she was here usually, there was never anyone at this table. It’s why she sat there. Perhaps others were concerned or worried about her and who she was. That, or they didn’t want to deal with ‘the blind girl’ or have to help her. Luckily for them, they never approached so she could show them how much ‘help’ she needed by showing them their souls. Ah, the fun that could be sometimes. Today though, there seemed to be someone sitting at her usual table. It was about thirty steps away from the counter, then seven steps to the right, then four to her left. When she got there, she simply noted the Goddess here and sat down. "Strange. Most avoid my usual table." Since making up with Hui-fang for the most part, she didn’t IMMEDIATELY hate Gods or Goddesses. "I have seen you roaming about on occasion, you are usually not in here at this time." She felt around for her food and made sure of where the ends were before reaching for napkins. "I suppose it’s fine. Must be one of your…all powerful things." she waved her hands around as to say, ‘yeah, you probably aren’t worried since you’re a Goddess and all that’. Then again the girl could also just not know who Muirghein was, which was also another logical reason.

—-----------------

Alistar finally saw a table that looked like it was free of people. Heading over she sat down and dug in. Relishing in the food, she sighed happily closing her eyes. Hearing someone sit down across from her, amber eyes opened and peered at a familiar face. It was one of the women she had met when she first arrived at the school. Staring when the woman told her that most people avoided her usual table. Looking at the table she was a bit confused. ”Didn’t realize the table was already claimed.” she mused taking a drink from her coffee.

Hearing that the other had seen her roaming around on occasionally she grinned. ”Paying attention to me secretly?” she chuckled even though it did bother her a little that someone had noted her habits. ”Yeah I don’t come in here too often. Roommate loves to cook too much. Is their food always this good?” had she been missing out on it so far? Noticing the woman feel around for her food, Alistar tilted her head and took look at how the woman across from her was sitting. Realization hit her and she just nodded but didn’t say anything. Everyone had their own quirks.

Purple brows furrowed when she was told it was her ‘all powerful things’. ”I’ll admit I’m pretty damn good at a lot of things.” a sly smirk crossed her lips, but her eyes still looked confused. ”But I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ve seen you around a few times too. We met when I first came to the school. It was a pretty brief interaction, but I can’t say we’ve talked since then. Sooo, yeah, no I wouldn’t know this is where you normally sit when you eat in the cafeteria.” chuckling softly Alistar was now just amused. She was damn good at noticing patterns and tracking people, but to be accused of knowing stuff automatically? That was a new one even for her. She kinda liked this person already. They had jokes and could surprise her.

Picking up another grape from her tray, she popped it into her mouth and hummed thoughtfully. ”I don’t really remember your name. Sorry, I’m Alistar. Do you eat here often, especially for you to have a usual table.” again her voice sounded amused but not insulting in any way.

----------------------

Muirghein shrugged, "Not really…I just realized people keep their distance, so." she shrugged again and didn’t care if someone was here, she thought it was just a weird shift to her day.

"I pay attention to everyone. It’s impossible to ignore their souls." She couldn’t actually turn it off, not that she would if she could anyway. "You often seem to be in the presence of the same people, or on the move, I felt no need to comment that I saw you." Did the woman really want Muirghein to talk to her everytime she noticed her sound? She highly doubted that. Muirghein nodded and touched her food, ensuring it was what she had asked for, "My roommate is lazy and I can only cook two things. She is the one you met with me before." Muirghein and Myst met Alistar seemingly the moment she came in, looked like she was used to her surroundings and the ‘joke’ was no longer present. "I assume this is quality. I have never eaten before, so I have nothing to compare it to before now." She took a bite and reveled in the magnificent feeling of spice running through her. It was such a pleasant one.

Muirghein looked up and raised her eyebrow confused. "I must not have been clear then….but I wasn’t aware I needed to be clear or it when you first got in about your power….or are you talking about my spot here…" Muirghein remembered saying something along the lines of Alistar having a lot of power…which she assumed the girl knew about. "Very brief, but I remember it and your soul." She hummed for a moment then looked at her, "Muirghein. Death. Hello." She bit into her food again and nodded, "Yes, I like to have a certain routine for places. It’s easier to navigate since I can’t see anything. I can count on this place keeping its shape the same…even in the rooms it moves things back, so I try to do the same for other areas so I can walk without needing help." She continued to eat, this was er bliss time after all.

—---------------------------------

Looking at the woman quizzically, Alistar munched on another grape. ”Why would they keep their distance?” She didn’t notice anything wrong. Raising an eyebrow at the mention of souls, she had to pause and think about that one. Chuckling she leaned forward. ”So you were watching me. Would have been nice to know I had another admirer. Maybe I should expand my group of friends so that you have more entertaining things to watch?” she mused.

Thinking back to the woman she had seen with Muirghein, she frowned. ”The one on the bench or the floaty one that seemed anxious?” There were all kinds of strange creatures around this school. Who knew which one was her roommate. It seemed that the woman hadn’t eaten before she came to the school. ”Probably a good thing, or bad depending on where you come from. You could either have food like this or food like what you say your roommate cooks. You could try the café some time. I know a guy there that could probably hook you up with some decent cakes.” she chuckled thinking of how serious Drake got when baking. You would think it was his life’s mission.

Seeing the confused look on the woman’s face, Alistar chuckled. ”More so about the powers part. I don’t have any powers that would allow me to know this was your usual table. I can however, give you the most euphoric pleasure you’ve ever felt.” she chuckled again taking a drink of her coffee. It was amazing to her that the woman could see her soul. ”So what does a soul look like?” she asked curiously. Whistling softly when the beauty before her reintroduced herself, Alistar had to take a moment. ”Are you more of a ferry for the souls to their destination, or like Anubis and Osiris?” this peeked her curiosity and really made her wonder what and who this woman was. Maybe if she could learn more about death and gods, she would understand better how to kill Ra.

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"I don’t exactly show signs of friendliness. Many also are uncomfortable meeting Death." She said as she searched for napkins. She wasn’t the secretive type, she saw no reason to share with anyone who asked who she was. She shook her head, missing the joke. "You misunderstand. At all times I can see every soul within my vicinity. Normally, this has infinite range and I can see intricate details of someone. Here, I simply see…I would classify as basic things. I can see every soul in this cafeteria for example." She hated her limited soul seeing ability, but there was nothing she could do for the time being.

Muirghein was a little confused by the question, because to her she thought it was clear, but since their interaction was so short lived, she realized Myst liked to mess around with her name. "The one on the bench. The floating one is Varg, her partner." Muirghein shook her head, "There is no concept or need for food where I am….’from’, I’m not sure you would be able to reasonably picture it as it is a different type of plain than one you might have seen before. Usually the divine don’t exist like I do." She said with a casual tone before quickly sitting up and narrowing her eyes. "Will they be spicy cake?" Of course she didn’t know if spicy cake was a thing. Spiced, sure, spicy? Not so much. She was thoroughly obsessed with heat, so a spicy cake appealed to her…at least for now.

She raised an eyebrow and found herself confused once more. Was there just something that she didn’t get here? "You…what do you mean? Do you not have something from the past? Kind of a bad deal then…" for Muirghein, she realized who and what Alistar was, so she assumed the girl knew too. Given the souls present, she wondered why Alistar had no idea how powerful she was, or at least the past selves that were there. "Euphoric pleasure? That’s what you have?" That certainly wasn’t it. She finished a bite of her burrito, before addressing the other question. "I am not sure how to answer. It is a jumble of various….things. I can’t say what I would describe them as except maybe…lines that look different one from another…mixed in with a bunch of….other lines." Muirghein has always been without sight, so she didn’t know ‘color’ or ‘colors’, so despite that she saw them in various colors, she didn’t know they had names, or even knew the names

."They have their own bid. I am a manifestation of the force itself. I have since taken up a sort of omni role as time has evolved, but the force itself is who…and what I am. This body is…something I created eons ago for another purpose, I didn’t expect to be in it once more." She differentiated herself from the other forms of ‘death’ that existed in different universes and such. "I assume you're familiar with them at the very least? Have you not been told more about them?" she asked, referring to Anubis and Osiris. Muirghein was heavily assuming this woman knew way more than she actually did.

—-----------------------

Alistar paused in her eating to lean on the table and really look at the woman she was eating with. ”It may just be me, but I think you’re friendly enough. People just need to have tougher skins. Death is a part of life and rebirth. So why should they be uncomfortable meeting you?” Pausing she wondered why she wasn’t afraid of death? Maybe because she administered it so much in her life that she had inevitably accepted that she would one day die? Shrugging she let the thought go. Hearing more details about what Muirghein could do, Alistar’s eyebrows rose, and she nodded, not that the woman could see it. ”Being aware of them doesn’t sound so bad but seeing or knowing all the extra details… that just seems annoying.”

The floaty one was Myst’s partner? Nodding and thinking about it, Alistar chuckled. Well to each their own but she wasn’t sure she would ever pick a floaty creature as her partner. As Muirghein explained where she was from, Alistar listened and did indeed try to picture the place. Blinking she laughed at her new friends reaction to the idea of spicy cake. ”You know what. I’m not sure I’ve heard of him ever making a spicy cake before but I’m sure if he’s asked he will try his hardest. He enjoys challenges like that. Do you have a favorite kind of spice?” There were after all, different kinds of spice when it came to heat flavor.

Frowning, Alistar wasn’t quite sure what the woman meant by it was a bad deal. ”Like is that all I can do?” she asked curiously and chuckled a bit self-consciously as she looked at her plate. She had never been asked that before. ”Never had someone ask me if that was all before. I’ve got a long-life span for a human, and I can heal to a certain degree, but I generally don’t do that. It wears me out. Anything else I can do would be skills, not powers.” It was unusual for the unknowing goddess to feel insecure, but dang did that do it. Being quiet for a moment she listened to Muir explain what souls looked like to her. ”Sounds like a jumbled mess of yarn to me.” Briefly she wondered what it would be like to see a soul like that.

As the conversation switched over to Osiris and Anubis she hummed in thought. ”True, they always seem to be doing their one specific task and can change forms.” So, this wasn’t Muirghein’s original form? ”Was it one that you had discarded?” When she was asked if she was familiar with the Egyptian death gods she blinked. ”Well, I know of them. I’d never met an actual god until I came to this school. Hell, the only living one I know of is Ra, and he’s an asshole. I’ve heard of the others sure, but never known them to be around like he is. Are you their boss overall since you’re the force of death?” Would Muir be able to tell her how to fully kill Ra?

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"Bluntness can often be mistaken for mean. I don’t really care if I’m either, it’s not really my problem." She was really only ‘nice’ to a very small few. She wasn’t sure she’d call her keeping up with Myst, nice, but Mari got to often see her nice side. She possessed one, but in her line of ‘work’ there was no room for it when dealing with the dead. Muirghein shrugged, "It’s not my fault or my concern that you are embarrassed, ashamed, disgusted with your past behaviors or actions, or your family history. I could really care less about most of it." It was annoying to anyone but Muirghein, and really she wasn’t sure that would ever change. She needed that for when she finally got to meet the souls of the dead.

Muirghein seemed interested now. Food was her new passion, so hearing she could have a cake that might be hot? "Then good. I want that." She shook her head, "No, anything that is hot works. The hotter the better." So far, she hadn’t found a sauce she couldn’t handle. Whoever she was talking about, then hopefully they would be able to deliver.

"Yes." she clarified, wondering what the confusion was. For someone who has all this power behind them, she wondered why everything Alistar mention sounded….basic. That’s when she said it. ‘Long life span for a human.’ Muirghein put her food down and rubbed her head. What? She decided to let hang the conversation of Ra and Osiris hang because this was clearly some confused bid. She’d answer the other stuff later. "A moment….you said….you have a long life span for a human?" Muirghein narrowed her eyes, "You are not human, you know that right?" Muirghein wasn’t aware that people could just not be aware of their power…not like this. "You have a long life span because you are a Goddess. Why are you acting like you don’t know?"

—-------------------------

Nodding Alistar chuckled at Muir’s words. She agreed wholeheartedly with the woman. Bluntness was usually considered mean. It took Alistar just a moment to realize that Muir was talking about the souls and not her specifically. She didn’t regret anything really in her past. Well maybe not being able to stand up to her family and Ra but that wasn’t this woman’s issue.

Grinning the purple haired woman couldn’t help but wonder what look Drake would give her if she asked him to make a hot, cake. ”I’ll ask him about it and see if he can make you one then. You mentioned this being your usual spot. Should I check in with you here with the results, or can we exchange numbers?” She wasn’t going to assume the woman used a phone or would even want her phone number.

Blinking the unknowing goddess tilted her head when Muirghein asked for a moment. Not understanding really what the issue was, she shrugged. ”Yeah, I’ve been alive for 200 years now. My family typically has long life spans, but others in our tribe, or community if you will, don’t. They seem to live the average life span.” she explained wondering why that had been focused on. Hearing Muir’s words she frowned hard and sat up a bit straighter. ”Well, I don’t know what else I would be.” With a soft grunt a strange pain hit the back of her head making it fall forward as Muir told her that she was a Goddess.

When Alistar raised her head, it wasn’t really Alistar anymore. Bright Blue orbs peered at Muirghein curiously. ”Well, hello again death. I don’t believe you’re the one I saw last, but you all have the same kind of presence to you. I am Hathor. A previous life to Alistar.” the woman chuckled seductively and leaned on the table towards Muirghein. ”She doesn’t know what she is, because we don’t want her to. She’s not ready yet. If she knew about us, or rather, herself, she would go off half cocked and meet you, or one of yours, early. Perhaps…” Biting her lip and humming softly the blue eyed goddess of motherhood and rebirth reached out to tap the table lightly in front of death. ”Perhaps you wouldn’t mind helping her? Do you know of a way to help her slowly remember us?” If they could introduce Alistar to the concept of being a god by helping her remember who she had been… it may make her transition that much easier.

----------------------------

Muirghein used her free hand and took out her phone. She set it on the table and clicked in the usual spots. The voice told her exactly what she was clicking as she did, so she knew where she was going. Once she got to her contacts, she slid the phone over to Alistar, "Here. You can put your number here." Every button that was pressed had a sound tied to it, so Muirghein could also memorize whatever Alistar put in as well. Once she was done, Muirghein would put her phone to the side. "I am in here most mornings, so that is something you can do as well." She didn’t care either way, she just expected a spicy cake now.

"What humans do you know, that live to be two-hundred?" she wondered what they were telling this woman back in her tribe. Humans don’t live this long, not unless they had some heavy modifications, and so far not many have made that leap where she existed. Though she was aware they existed in general.

She blinked a few times and raised her head, "Ah, one of you come forward. She could see the soul change, this person in front of her was likely just using Alistars body, but the one she was speaking to was not Alistar. "I can imagine you would think that." Muirghein found herself to be different from the current ‘deaths’ that existed here, but it wasn’t a big deal to her. "Hm, Hathor, Goddess of beauty, fertility, love….you sure have a few titles." The name and realization clued her in, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Muirghein knew of her. "She had quite a few of them." she said to Hathor about being a previous life. Muirghein raised a brow and finished off her food and wiped her hands with the napkin. "Is it not your job to ensure she stays away from me? Do you not have ways to impart that knowledge?" Muirghein wondered why they didn’t bring Alistar in on it.

Muirghein sighed and folded her arms. "I can bring her past memories forward. As you are all within her, I can bring any of your past memories to her. I assume you don’t want it all at once." She crossed her legs, "Is there some reason you simply can’t key her in. Or a reason you couldn’t key her in earlier and mold her into a proper goddess?" Muirghein figured if they told her when she was younger, they could of saved off keeping this secret until she had a big head and ego. At least that’s the only thing she thought was the reason so far.

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When given Muir’s phone, Alistar easily typed in her number and sent herself a text. ”That way I have your number as well. Thanks!” she grinned happily and handed back the phone. Making note that the woman was available most mornings at this location, she wondered if maybe Drake could make something fitting for a pastry?

It was a good question, she didn’t know any humans that lived to be two hundred but at the same time, her family had always had longer lives. Why would she bother questioning something that had always been? Feeling the pain in her head, Alistar lost consciousness and Hathor came forward.

Smiling brightly at Death, Hathor felt nothing but warmth towards the being. There was no reason for her to fear death. Her blue eyes crinkled with joy as this version of death knew who she was and what she represented. ”I do. They are such a chore sometimes.” giggling softly at her own plight the goddess shrugged, resting her chin in her palm. Humming softly in agreement with Muirghein, Hathor nodded. ”Yes, Alistar has. We’ve lived a long time and been through several cycles now.”Looking the white haired woman over curiously, Hathor giggled again. ”Alistar is an assassin. She has no reason to fear you. In fact, by default, I’d say she respects you. You are the very continuation of her work and an end we all must meet one day.” Thinking on the second question that Muirghein asked, she had to admit, it was a bit confusing. ”Think of it as a vase that has been broken several times over. When you put the pieces back together again, it’s never quite the same. Each life we’ve lived has altered our soul, and in each one we tried a new way to defeat Ra. Yet every time he still won.” sighing sadly the goddess of rebirth continued. ”This time… we want to try and combine all of our experiences into one container. She has Sekhmet’s fire, my love and passion, and Bastet’s desire to protect. More as I’m sure you can tell too, but as a peek.”

Pausing, she listened to what Muir could do for Alistar and was pleased to find that she had thought right. ”You assume correctly. All at once would damage her psyche. Small bits or even wiggling them loose and we can do the rest. She’s done a marvelous job of compartmentalizing her emotions, and therefore us. It’s become rather troublesome to get through to her.” More questions… they should have expected this. ”Like I said, if you think of it as us reforging our own souls into one… it’s because we wish to be free. Free of Ra and his desires and control. In our lives… He ruled us. We may have been proper goddesses physically, but we were not our own. We were tools for his whims and entertainment. We do not want that for her. Bastet thought that escaping into the exiled family would give us a chance, but it didn’t. He still found a way to bring us back. You do not need to do anything now, but we would appreciate it if you could help us.” Hathor knew it was a large ask, but they were growing desperate.

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"I can only imagine." Muirghein had one title, ‘Death incarnate’, she needed nothing else. Why would one want multiple titles? Sometimes she wondered if it was to just make the Gods and Goddesses have bigger heads. She didn’t share that bit of course, and just listened to Hathor and nodded. "It’s good when I don’t need to fight." Alistar was an assassin, so it meant she felt or could die at any moment, and she couldn’t let that scare her. That’s how Muirghein took it anyway. "Even the likes of you." Muirghein firmly believed that one day, even the immortal Gods and Goddesses would one day choose to no longer exist, and the last known being in ever would be her. Though that kind of thing was beyond well off. "What has your Ra done then?" She could maybe just look, but there could be things missed in the memories. "Looks like you have been trying for a very long time. Will his demise not make things complicated?" He was likely still the top God even in their realm, only reason they would seek to kill him, right? "Correct." she stated as she could definitely see all the combined experiences as individual pieces.

It looked like Hathor had a plan, a plan that meant showing little bits to Alistar to slowly ease her into realizing what she was. Muirghein thought this would have been alleviated, had they just started out like this. In a way she might have thought a big ego’d kid could be bad, but Muirghein thought most of them were like that anyway, so who cared? Muirghein got an answer to her earlier question as well with what Ra had done. "It seems in most instances he is this way, but in other instances, he seems to vary that control heavily." Looked like the ones here got the short end of it all. "I can help you with those memories. I can make it easier for her to speak with you, or stick close to show her any answers she might have. If she is already an assassin, I doubt a little revenge killing will throw her much, it will probably be everything else." Their goal was to rid themselves and their world of a God? They had a lot to do and get through if they were going to do that.

—----------------------------

Hathor smiled knowingly and nodded in agreement with Muirghein. ”Even us. It’s nice to meet a face we may see again at the end of our days.” The Goddess meant it too. Having seen the death and rebirth cycle so many times… she could only imagine the relief of seeing a familiar face or essence when one chose to actually stop the cycle.

When Muirghein asked what Ra had done, a profound look of pain and sadness etched itself into Hathor’s borrowed face and twisted her soul. ”He has done… so very much. It’s as if he enjoys tormenting us.” her tone went hollow, and she smiled wistfully at Muir. ”I do not wish to take up your entire day regailing you with our stories. So I’ll give you the shortened versions. With Sekhmet, our first life, he sent her to cleanse the humans of their wrong doings. When she was too efficient, he poured wine out over the land to placate her. The story is that he transformed her to me, and that’s true in one sense. When she refused his advances, he killed her and had our soul reborn. Creating me. Like Sekhmet I served him faithfully. I thought that it was a mistake in our previous life, that I had made to make him angry. In the mornings I would give birth to Ra to renew his power, in the afternoons I would lay with him as his wife, and in the evenings, I would travel with him to the underworld to help him. Repeating the cycle over and over. Years flowed and Romans came to our lands. Ra asked me to go to a battlefield and guide the dead to the underworld.” the woman sighed shaking her head. ”He had sent a mercenary group from Rome to murder me. To remove me from my position as his wife. This way he could marry Isis a younger Goddess. Through them, I was born as Bastet.” Looking up at Muir, Hathor smile faintly. ”As Bastet, I was born as the protector of people. A healer and judge of those who would commit any injustice. Ra raised us to be the protector of the Pharaoh. We even fought the evil snake Apep for him. However, because of the past betrayals and wanting to protect our people, we would become the Eye of the Moon. An opposition of Ra. During the transformation from the Eye of Ra to the Eye of the Moon; Ra tried to intervene. He convinced the people to bring back Sekhmet. Saying that Bastet was no longer fit to protect them.

The people that Bastet had protected were the ones who rioted and tried to change her transformation. Ra did not particularly care if the riot worked or not. All he wanted was for it to either succeed, giving him back his Sekhmet, or fail, and stop Bastet from turning against him. The transformation did fail but Bastet did not die. In fear of a prophecy that had been foretold, years before, he banished Bastet's priests. Thinking that they were the ones who influenced Bastet into turning against him. To keep her, or our, power hidden away and from being split; she hid herself away in the life blood of this banished family.” With a sigh she cleared her throat. ”It’s a lot even shortened.” she chuckled to herself.

When asked if his demise would make things complicated Hathor tilted her head and thought about it. ”I do not believe so. All of us served him as a duplicate of his power in some way, shape, or form. As long as we are successful in forging Alistar into the complete being that we want her to be… She will easily be able to take over his role. Obviously, Alistar does not realize what Ra did to us, or her in our past. She only knows what he has tried to do and plans to do with her, in her life.” Humming in agreement again Hathor was glad they had found this version of death. They seemed much more agreeable than others that they had known. ”Thank you. Thank you for being willing to help. We’ll start with dreams and a general feeling of seeking you out. The closer we come to merging with her, the easier it will be.” Knowing that the longer they kept Alistar suppressed the harder it would be on her Hathor receded and allowed Alistar to wake.

Alistar groaned softly and shook her throbbing head. Taking a drink of water, the pain started to fade. ”Sorry about that. Had a wicked migraine hit me out of nowhere. I think I’m going to head back to my room to sleep for a bit. I’ll talk to my guy to see if he can make you that spicy cake. Maybe we can hang out more often, yeah? You’re pretty cool.” Alistar wasn’t sure why, but she just felt a desire to spend more time with the other woman.

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"I will be there." She said with a firm tone. Many have actually tried to get rid of her. She was always quite surprised that so many tried. So many who believed that they could have everlasting life if she didn’t exist anymore. How foolish of them really. She was impossible to get rid of, there was nothing in all of existence in any universe that could get rid of her. Patience….everyone would get their chance eventually.

Muirghein listened intently and folded her arms. She leaned back and hummed She couldn’t help but hum and shake her head at parts. She didn’t want to interrupt Hathor as she recounted her and…well…all of their lives. Muirghein leaned forward with a sigh, "Something I have never understood is the amount of…ridiculousness those at the top tend to put others through. Because they go..unchecked, they like to do whatever suits them. It’s annoying." Muirghein had sent many others who were just fodder to the higher ups of their existence. "Well, I can see why you want him taken care of. I will do my best to ensure you get to exact everything you choose by helping Alistar." Muirghein shrugged, "I have been here since time moved, long story or short makes no difference." she could have sat there and listened the whole time, she had nowhere to be right now. Either way, it helped create a picture for what she would need to do with this story. It should be easy enough to get Alistar to come around too based on this.

Muirghein nodded and hummed, "Considering your care in doing this and not revealing things. I hope she is willing to take on the role. I will do my best to showcase so she gets the idea….but I have seen my fair share of those who are expected to be in a position….do everything to not be there. I do hope it works in your favor." Maybe this would be easier when she had those memories. If she was asked now, it would certainly not go the way Hathor expected. "Alright. I don’t expect to be out of here anytime soon….so I will be here." She nodded to Hathor as it would be clear to her that Alistar was returning.

"No worries, I finished my food and you weren’t dying." Muirghein left everything in the middle out of course. "I will wait for your call then." She could stand to be around a few others, maybe learn more. She waved off Alistar as she decided to head out of here. In the meantime, Muirghein would go figure out the right memories she might need to bring forth. It would be more intuitive if she was inside Alistars head, but for now she could think of it through the evening.

Smirking, Toni rolled her eyes at him. [t]”Positive. I doubt you could take away from her. If anything, you’ll just make her shine brighter.”[e] Hugging him back and rocking, she laughed as he informed her that he would be upset if she didn’t keep her promise. [j]”You and a lot of other people.”[e] Helping him with final prep, both of them were ready to go when someone came in to fetch them. Dipping her head to him, she followed after him to the designated area. How many times now had she stood up on a dais like this? Always a support person and never the main.

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Amber eyes stared at him blankly for a good long minute. Sighing and shaking her head she let the irritation go and got up ruffling his hair. Rubbing the back of her head with a tired expression, the purple haired woman looked up when he asked her if she had taken anything for her headache. ”No. Not yet. I was hoping I could sleep it off.” Seeing what he brought her she held out her hands for the water and medicine. ”Thanks.” she said softly as she tossed the medicine back and drank some of the water. She had heard him when he asked her to go on a date with him. Did she want to though? ”Listen, I’ll go with you because it sounds more fun than sitting around here, but it’s not a date, ok?” Looking at him seriously, she tilted her head waiting for a confirmation before getting up and heading towards the door.

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Drake listened and smiled “ so you will go with me? wonderful! ” he said to her, looking into her eyes showing he was very excited for this. He didn't confirm her words of it not being a date and just followed her to the front door with a smile on his face. Stepping out of the dorm with her, Drake would take her hand and begin leading her to the bowling alley that he had learned about from his phone. “ Have you ever been bowling before? I never got to go to one before silent hill fused with the other world. ” he would tell her interlacing their fingers together in the hand he was holding. Drake just looked at her happily ready to enjoy a new activity with her beside him.

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Holding in the groan at his excitement she couldn’t help but give him a sheepish smile. His excitement was infectious really. Feeling him grab her hand and almost start pulling her towards the bowling alley, she had to laugh at him. His rapid-fire questions finally did it and made her laugh. Why did such small things make him so happy? ”Bowling? I can’t say I remember if I have or not. You seem pretty excited about this though.” Upping her pace she quickly caught up to him to walk beside him. Walking with their hands laced like that felt a bit awkward to her outside of their dorm, but it wouldn’t hurt, would it? Squeezing his hand, she shook her hand from his and pulled out her phone to look where it was. Finding it on the map wasn’t hard and she saw the path they were taking. Grinning, she bumped him with her shoulder. ”How about a race? Winner gets to go first in the bowling game.” Cocking an eyebrow at him, she laughed, and hip checked him playfully before taking off running towards the bowling alley.

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Drake couldnt even try to hide his excitement even if he wanted to “ I am getting to do something new with you. Why shouldn't that be exciting? ” he asked her before feeling the hand squeeze which brought a smile to his face before feeling her take her hand away. Hearing her speak about them having a race after bumping her shoulder into his he didn't even get a chance to respond before she bumped him again but with her hip this time and bolted off towards the bowling alley. Drake took no time in running as well, showing that he was rather quick himself. Soon being only a few steps behind her a small smile was on his face “ seems i'm not the only excited one. ” he said to her as the two quickly neared the bowling alley. With a determined look Drake would push himself to go even faster now and tried to get ahead of Alistar to reach the alley first though he did regret no longer having the view of behind Alistar.

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She could only roll her eyes at his response and chuckle. Running ahead of him to the alley she heard him call out that it didn’t seem like he was the only one excited. Could she tell him that she had felt awkward holding his hand like that? It had made her insides warm, and she didn’t want to examine that feeling too closely. She kept running, only glancing at him out of the corner of her eye when she saw him come neck and neck with her. Knowing it would probably be a thrill for him, she kept pace but ultimately let him win. Grinning as they reached the bowling alley, she swatted his butt when she walked by, and leaned up to kiss his cheek. ”Nice race tiger.” Laughing at him softly she went inside to get her shoes, ball, and find a lane for them.

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Drake was surprised at winning wondering if she had let him only to get a swat on the butt and a kiss on the cheek. He smiled as a slight red blush came over his features. He would slowly move to follow her getting what he needed and joined her in the lane that she ended up choosing. Drake smiled at her before he slowly walked over and began lifting up the balls to see which felt like the right weight for him. “ I am surprised to hear you not remembering doing this before. Was it something you possibly never did or have you done so much that it is just among countless things that weren't worth remembering in detail? ” he asked, remembering the books he read of trying to keep a good flowing conversation going to keep the opposite party engaged in the date. After asking that Drake moved to try this out watching a few other people go first so he knew what he was supposed to do before copying….or attempting to. He had gripped his fingers too tight into the ball and when he went to throw it well he ended up not letting go and it made him do a spin before falling down.

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Tying her shoes, she wiggled her toes in them to make sure they fit correctly. Looking up at his question she shrugged. ”I don’t know. The place seems familiar, and the actions look simple enough. Maybe it was for a mission? I sometimes have to learn random things for those, then I forget them. So who knows.” shrugging she laughed and watched him trying to get his first round in but completely botching it. Covering her mouth so she didn’t laugh out loud, it was kind of obvious from the way her body was shaking. ”Go ahead and try again!”

Hearing her text notification go off she saw the text from Kehaw and grinned. While Drake took his retry, she replied.

EriTanaka

To: Kahkewistahaw

Message: Sure! I’d love to hang out again. Been wondering where you wandered off too. Where should we meet?

Looking back up after firing off her reply she giggled watching Drake, admiring the view of his nice ass.

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Drake would get up a bit red in the face in embarrassment. He would try again and this time actually let go of the ball as it would slowly move and end up in the gutter Leaving DRake to stand there attempting to figure out where he was screwing up with this. He looked back and noticed her staring at him which made him smile as his ball then returned. Taking it he tried again making sure to be as in control of his actions as he could and was able to get about 60% of the pins. “ Alright, those are my two attempts. It's your turn now. ” he said sitting beside her and kissed her cheek before she could get up “ I bet you'll do better than I did. ” he said smiling. Watching her Drake couldn't get over just how much he enjoyed seeing her body in motion.

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Rolling her eyes, she swatted at his leg when he kissed her cheek. ”Uh huh. As long as I don’t fall on my ass, I think I’ll be ok.” Picking up the ball she had chosen and holding it the way she had seen others do it. She stepped up to the line then took two large steps back and moved to toss the ball. With a thunk it landed and wobbled down the lane before hitting two pins on the left side. Fuming at the pins she almost stomped her foot. Coming back to the ball return she couldn’t help the deep red blush of embarrassment. ”Guess we’ll see if I really do better than you did.” Taking her ball and trying again she managed to hit the same pins on the other side, for a total of four pins. ”I guess this just isn’t the game for me.” she laughed, shaking her head and coming to sit beside him again. ”We’re gunna have to play several rounds. I don’t like losing.”

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Drake was actually surprised that she wasn't good at this but at the same time he loved it because it made her feel more human and he really loved that. Watching her come back he smiled “ We will learn it and I know you will improve faster then me. ” he said, rubbing her back gently before giving her lips a quick peck “ I am just happy you came out to do this with me and that you seem to be having a little bit of fun. ” he said softly and got up to take his turn. Unfortunately for Drake he lost all suave he had when he got two gutter balls in a row getting an embarrassed sigh from Drake “ It's more complicated then it seems. ” he said smiling before sitting next to her. He noticed drinks and food getting put out for people “ Should i go get us some while you take your turn? ” he asked, pointing to the counter where the food was. “ Looks like milkshakes are an option. ” he added with a smile.

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Alistar grinned when he rubbed her back and a soft smile lifted the corners of her lips when he kissed her. ”Yeah yeah.” watching him take his turn, she couldn’t help but laugh at him when he got two gutter balls. Feeling like she could do at least a little better than that, the assassin stood. Glancing at the food he mentioned, she nodded. ”Yeah sure. Grab a chocolate one for me please? Some food too if they have anything good.” she wasn’t a picky eater overall.

Stepping up to her turn, she picked up her ball and really tried to concentrate. Wiggling her butt a bit as she stepped back, her arm swung back and she threw the ball halfway down the lane this time. She still managed to hit a pin. Cheering for herself she went back to the ball return and waited. This was one of the worst game things she had ever done but Drake was right. It was fun. She knew with him it didn’t matter who won or lost. They were just having fun. Thinking about it she wondered if she would have that with many other people? Not thinking so much about what she was doing and just having fun; she rolled the second part of her turn and managed to get a spare. Staring at the pins she tilted her head. ”Does that mean I win?” she was a bit confused on how this game worked.

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Drake went to get the food and waiting for their order he watched her wiggle her butt and blushed as he couldn't stop himself from staring while letting his thoughts wander. He would then receive their meals which were two orders of fish and chips and two chocolate shakes. Walking over with the tray he smiled as she got her ball back for the second toss and watched her get all the pins down. Blinking, he looked up and examined the score board. “ From how i read this we play ten rounds, we are on the second one….soI guess we keep going and it tallies up our scores. Also food is here/ ” he said with a shrug, setting their food on a small dining table their lane had. Getting up, Drake would take his turn walking right by her with a smile before taking his ball and getting ready. He would try crouching slightly and weirdly it seemed to help as he got the ball to go right down the middle but had two pins on each side. Drake started trying to figure out what to do. ” I think I screwed that one up. ” he said and tried to go again but missed both pins. With a sigh he walked over and smiled at her “ this isn't easy but a lot of fun. I also like watching you take your turns more than I thought I would. ” he said smiling, giving her a knowing look. His eyes then noticed a booth of some sort of to the side. Raising an eyebrow he watched a few people go in then leave with something after a moment. Drake looked back to Alistar and smiled “ Are you having fun so far? I am. ” he said, just happy and enjoying being out with just it being him and her. Drake took a few bites of his food trying to think of a topic to talk about going through some suggested ones the book mentioned. “ So I don't believe I have asked before but do you have a favorite animal, Alistar? ” he asked her, feeling it would be an easy and simple one to get things going.

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Coming to stand next to him she saw the board and could follow his logic. ”That makes sense.” Stealing some of his fries she nibbled on them while she watched him take his turn. The crouching didn’t just help him with his aim, it helped her with her view. ”It was a good try though.” she replied to his comment about screwing it up. Eating some of her fish she took a moment before wiping off her hands and getting up to take her turn. ”Oh? What do you… ah enjoy the view.” she grinned understanding the look he gave her. Trying her hand at the crouching technique he used, it resulted in a gutter ball. Frustrated, she waited for her ball to return. ”Favorite animal? A cat? Probably any kind of feline. You?” she asked absently. She was too focused on trying again with a blend of their techniques. It only knocked down one pin. ”Fuck! Glad we didn’t wager anything on this game.” that would have been really bad if they had.

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Drake would smile when she got his answer “ cats are nice. I have to say...crows. I really enjoy them. When i was young and silent hill was normal, or as normal as it gets, I would watch and feed the crows that were around.” he said smiling as he got up and stretched before looking back at her and smirked “ why dont we make a wager starting now?” he asked her, his tone getting a tad playful “ could help us improve if something is on the line.” he said to her with the playfulness growing on his features “ If I win I want us to go into that thing.” he told her pointing to the photobooth as he smiled thinking of having photo’s of them together being a nice thing to have. “ I mean if you want to play safe we can do that. I just thought adding a wager now would make it more fun.” he said, giving her a shrug.

—---------------------------------------------

Alistar wrinkled her nose at him when he suggested a wager starting now. She didn’t like the look in his eyes. Had he been fooling her up until this point? ”Really? Crows?” Why did that make her think of a movie? Looking to the box he pointed to, she realized it was a photo booth. A very faint blush stole over her cheeks. He wanted photos of them together? With an exasperated sigh, she realized that he was still thinking of this as a date… There was no use in explaining it to him again though. She knew how stubborn he could be and didn’t feel like dealing with that. ”Fine. You’re on.” What the hell. It was only a photo strip, not her soul.

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Drake smiled and got ready to bowl and looked like he was mimicking the others as he smoothly let the ball go…right into the gutter immediately. A groan left him at this and was only made worse by how slow the ball was actually moving. Sighing he watched it finally go past the pins then after a moment it rose back up from the ball recovery and he would do another throw. This one took out four pins but only just barely. “ Well damn, I made a wager and I'm losing already.” he said, shaking his head before sitting back down. “ Favorite movie?” he asked her, trying to distract from how terrible he had just been at this game.

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Standing for her turn she was munching on one of his fries. Licking the tips of her fingers she kept eye contact with him and smirked. Dusting her hands off she picked up her ball and managed to get the ball down the lane, knocking over a single pin. On her second round, she concentrated really hard, throwing the ball forcefully, which ended with another gutterball. ”Dammit. Maybe we should do the bumper rail things that some people are using.” she pointed down a few lanes where another newb like them had put up the kiddie bumper rails. Turning back to him, she shrugged. ”Never fully watched movies or cared about them until I came here. Can’t say I really have a favorite. You?” She shot back the question at him curiously.

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Drake looked at the bumpers and nodded, moving to set them up for them “ I think that will make us less frustrated so probably for the best.” he said before being asked the same question. “ It’s a movie i saw once. It is called Excalibur.” he said smiling to her before taking a ball and took his position he would move and throw the ball only bouncing off the bumpers once and getting about half the pins “ well, that certainly feels a lot better then it rolling in the gutter.” he said smiling as he sat gave another throw once the ball returned but managed to miss the pins entirely once again. Sighing he ast down eating some more of his food before looking at her. “ What were you like as a child?” he asked her, his expression softening “ if its not something you want to talk about then ill ask what part of me you find the least appealing.” he said smiling as he gave her the choice to answer a whole different question that wasn't so much about her past Drake feeling like maybe that might be a tad bit pushy.

—--------------------------------------------

Finishing off her fish, she sat back and watched him take his turn. Secretly she was glad he had turned on the bumper rails. It would make things so much easier, and he wouldn’t have to listen to her throw a bitch fit. ”Never heard of it. Guess we’ll have to watch it some time.” she knew they probably would now that she had admitted she had never seen it. Staying sitting for a moment she stared at him when he asked her what she was like as a child… but gave her a way out. Looking away a hard look came over her face as she remembered her childhood. Closing her eyes, she forced the memories back; she took a deep breath. ”Yeah, I’d rather not.” standing she went to get the ball and take her turn. ”Do you mean physically or in general?” she clarified taking both of her rolls, scoring only 4 pins total.

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Drake just smiled when she took the out and asked for specifics. He thought about it for a minute “ lets go both. You can say one of each.” he said before getting up after she finished and rolled for him. He got four as well and he smiled “ I think im improving. It didn't hit the bumper till later down the lane.” he said a single chuckle as he came back and sat down ready for what she had to say thinking about what she might end up saying. It wouldn't bother him whatever she said and just would be something for him to think on or possibly even fix or improve. Drake Was really just here to enjoy the moment and get to know more about her and how she felt about him in different ways which was happening meaning so far the date was successful.Now if only she considered it a date like he did.

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Tilting her head, she shrugged. ”A physical thing I find least appealing about you?” she stared at him thinking for a long, hard moment. ”In your other form. The scar. It makes me sad when I think about it.” she touched her cheek where his scar was in his other form. Inhaling deeply, she looked up and had to think about something for general. Bursting out laughing she wiped at a tear and shook her head. ”Those god-awful aprons. Although some of them are very cute.” Standing she moved to take her turn. Sighing as she only managed to hit 3 out of her 2 turns. ”Alright, same questions for you mister. Since you’re playing detective tonight.” she came back to sit next to him, crossing her long legs and resting her elbows on the back of the chair.

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Drake listened to her talk about his scars in his other form and his hand slowly came up touching his cheek where the scar would be “ I see.” he said in a relaxed voice before she brought up his aprons and that made him frown. “ What's wrong with my aprons? They are all very fun and nice fitting.” he said, having a fondness for all of them. Then his questions were turned around on him after she took her turn. He sat there looking in deep thought about the physical aspect of the question. Drake thought for a moment in silence for just a bit more before answering “ for physical it is your elbows. They are a bit boney and pokey when you jab them into me when I say something flirty.” he said smiling before he relaxed and looked into her eyes “ And in general I don't like you trying to push me away while saying to love someone else. You're the one my heart craves Alistar.” He told her smiling before he got up and focused with all he had before rolling the ball and got half the pins on the first roll, then three on the second “ i think that is my best so far.” he said smiling before sitting down looking at her with a pleased smile.

—--------------------------------------------

Laughing at him still when he became defensive of his aprons, she couldn’t stop the tears leaking from her eyes. ”They are terrible Drake. A grown man who survived Silent Hill, wearing bright yellow sunflowers or some kind of frilly design.” She had already started hiding or burning different ones, but he always seemed to have a store for more.

Hearing her elbows were the physical thing about her that he liked the least, she frowned. ”What the hell is wrong with my elbows?” covering them both she wasn’t sure why she suddenly felt self-conscious about them. His words about her pushing him away had her rolling her eyes and internally groaning. ”Just like how I told you this isn’t a date, and you still think it is one?” she countered as he went up to take his turn. It wasn’t long before both of them had taken the rest of their turns and to her dismay… she had lost. Glaring at the board she just knew there was something wrong in the math. ”Welp, it’s getting late. We should probably head back to the dorm.” she played it off as having forgotten about their bet.

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Drake would look at her before taking her hand. “ You made a bargain.” he said smiling and began guiding her to the photobooth. He would get her to sit down first “ It shouldn't take long then we can go back to the dorm, okay?” he said before sitting beside her. He began reading the instructions before tapping the buttons. “ So i guess certain prompts come up and the two of us try to do them together.” he said to her smiling “ Doesn't that sound fun. Alright let's get ready.” he said and the first one was a simple smile prompt for them to do. Drake would smile making sure to keep both him and her in the frame. He liked how the night had gone between them and even with her denying it was a date it sure felt like a date to him.

—---------------------------------

Internally screaming and trying not to run, she couldn’t escape. He had remembered. FUCK. Although… he looked happy to be taking a photo with her. Taking a seat in the booth, she scooted over to make room for him. ”You do know we don’t have to always follow the prompts on the screen, right?” If she was going to be forced to do this, then she was going to have some fun with it. Watching him go through the menus on the screen, she smiled softly for the first photo. For the second though, right before it flashed, she reached up and grabbed his chin. Turning him to face her and kissing him soundly. When she heard the countdown start for the third photo, she turned and grinned holding up a peace sign for the camera while leaning against his chest.

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Drake would look to her when she brought up the fact that they didn't need to do the prompts. “ No i didn't, i never have been in one of these before.” he told her. Then for the second picture before he had a chance to do what the prompt wanted she grabbed his chin and began kissing him. He was a bit surprised but didn't resist the kiss as he began returning it. When she pulled away from the kiss and took her new position he copied her smiling as he looked into the camera. When the last prompt showed up that said anything he pulled her to his lap and hugged her while resting his chin on her shoulder with a smile. The screen said finished and he would let her go getting out quickly excited for the photos. He had a plan to get a locket for one of them so he had it to go along with his other one.

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Leaning back into him, she laughed when he did what he wanted for the fourth and last photo. It took a bit of wiggling to figure out how to get out of the space without just twisting on his lap. They managed though and stood waiting for the strips of their newly minted photos to be printed. Watching both of them drop, she picked them up and handed one to Drake. Looking at hers, she smiled faintly already mentally figuring out where to hide it. Hearing the bell toll for curfew they were both teleported back to their dorm. Landing with a slight bounce, she shook herself to get rid of the weird sensation it always left her with. ”Alright. We had a snack earlier. Does that count as dinner? I’m going to need a moment to get changed into something more comfortable. So no peeking mister.” laughing she winked and gave him a playful smile as she ducked into their room.

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Drake smiled looking at his strip before the two got teleported. He hated the feeling since it was just as disorientating as when he would get sucked into the otherworld back home. Sighing the man looking over when she asked if the food they had earlier counted for dinner and he chuckled “it can count yeah.” he said before she brought up changing and he smirked “ Why not? You never seemed to mind me seeing you change before.” he teased before nodding. “ I'll stay here on the couch and wait for you to finish.” He told her before looking back to the strip in his hand and she would be able to tell he was treating it like some priceless treasure that was fragile. The smile on his face was soft and warm while his eyes seemed full of joy. Seems it had meant a lot more to Drake then even he realized.

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Near running into the bedroom, she completely missed the look on his face. Quickly she pulled out a small box that had been stuck under the nightstand. Opening it, she put the film strip inside. Taking only a moment to look it over and lightly touching some of the other items in it. With a soft sigh she shook her head and returned the box to it’s hiding place. Quickly she changed and made herself comfortable. Throwing open the bedroom door she came back out wearing her pajamas, hair in a messy bun, and barefoot. Stretching, she went into the kitchen and opened the fridge to stare into the abyss. ”You want anything?” she called out to him, pulling out a beer for herself.

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Drake would keep looking at the pictures wondering which one should be cut from the strip to be placed in a locket. He was having a difficult time deciding since once he cut it that would alter the strip forever. When he heard her voice call out to him he was pulled away from his contemplation and smiled “ Could you grab me one of those grape flavored sodas please?” he asked her, smiling as he looked at her pajamas, finding them to be very sexy but then again there wasn't much that Alistar wore that Drake didn't find sexy on her. With a chuckle he would share the thought “ You know i don't think there is one thing i have seen you wear that didn't come off as sexy.” he said as he watched her “ I am curious if you're purposely making sure you always are looking sexy or if it is just something coming natural to you.” he said with a relaxed smile before leaning back into the couch holding onto the strip.

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Alistar stuck out her tongue and pulled a face when he asked for a grape flavored soda. Those things were nasty, and she had no idea why he liked them. Begrudgingly she still pulled one out for him. Turning to look at him, she walked over to him and handed the soda to him cracking open her beer. ”Well yeah. I’m hot as hell. I make anything I wear look good.” scoffing and rolling her eyes at him, she laughed shaking her head. Plopping down on the couch next to him, she faced him, rolling her neck to get it to crack. ”You can just throw that thing away. You don’t need to make it look like it’s important.” she chuckled and motioned to the film strip in his hands.

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Drake smiled, taking his soda only to frown “ It is something important. I plan to put one of these pictures into a locket.” he told her looking back at the strip focusing hard trying to decide which one he would choose. “ And I am glad you seemed to enjoy going to the bowling alley with me.” he said, taking a break from the strip to look at her with a smile. “ I really enjoy doing things with you especially when they are new to me. It’s easier to try out those things with you at my side.” he would tell her before opening his drink and began taking a drink from the grape soda letting out a content sigh “ We should try doing more things we haven't done together so we can learn them together.” he said looking at her wondering what her reaction to the offer would be.

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Alistar shrugged while taking a drink of her beer. ”It is just a picture reel. You already wear a locket. Why get another one? Are you going to replace your old one?” She liked that he wanted to do new things with her but at the same time she felt that annoying warm feeling inside. Huffing softly, she rolled her eyes. ”New things are always fun. As long as I’m free I don’t care what we do. Just remember. They’re not dates.” she looked at him pointedly. ”So what are you going to be doing for the next couple of days? Hanging out around here? Reading some more?” she chuckled figuring he was just going to hang out and do nothing. It seemed rather boring to her.

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Drake shook his head “ I will just get a new locket to add onto the chain.” he said before chuckling “ right, they aren't dates.” he said, nodding just happy she would be willing to join him in doing things. She brought up what he would do for the next couple of days and he thought about it “ I might read but I know you seem bothered I don't go out and interact with others enough so I thought I would get back to trying and making more acquaintances and friends. I should also try getting some time to talk with Charlotte.'' he said nodding “also Jayden, I wouldn't mind having a moment to sit and chat with her either.” he said, setting up a plan in his mind at this point.

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Staring at him for a moment over the rim of her beer, she wasn’t sure if he was playing with her or not. She had obviously heard some of these names before but not often. She didn’t like the twisting sensation in her stomach. She knew exactly what it was and detested that she was feeling it. Clearing her throat she spoke. ”Yeah don’t be surprised if here soon you have a free night. Niels is supposed to be busting us out of our rooms so we can test out to see if my wish worked for him. I just need to convince Harper to help out.”

Shifting uncomfortably she wasn’t sure why she had brought that up right now. Was she trying to see if he would get jealous?

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Drake would look at her and he would look at her with an odd expression. It seemed stiff while trying to look relaxed and with his features it almost looked like he was trying to hide discomfort. “ I see…Will you be with him the entire night?” He asked her for his hand that held the soda tensing up a bit. He didn't want to show it but all he could think about was her in the arms of another man and it made his blood feel like it was boiling. Sure, he had accepted it at first but the more honest he was with his feelings the more he didn't want other men touching the woman he loved. The problem though was she wasn't in a relationship with him at her own admission. She didn't owe him monogamy and he knew that which only had a twisting gut feeling joined in with the boiling blood feel.

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Finishing off her beer she looked at it sadly. Getting up to go to the kitchen again, she threw away her bottle and got a new one. ”Well yeah. It’s a sleepover. If all goes well, Harper will be there and we’ll all pig out on junk food, watch some movies, I don’t know. Pampering shit. Sleep time will be him and Harper snuggling though. My wish was basically so he didn’t have to worry about killing someone or giving them nightmares if he fell asleep next to them. I’m basically going to keep an eye on them and well… stab him if he starts hurting her.” Taking a long drag of her beer it was one of the few times she wished she smoked. Instead she grabbed the remote and turned on the TV and flipping through the channels. ”What? Did you think it was going to be a threesome?” she laughed and then paused as if she were considering and thinking about it. ”Wouldn’t say no to it, but I don’t know Harper quite well enough to know if she’d be down for that.”

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Drake would look at her as she talked about it and nodded until she brought up the threesome feeling his whole body tense up right away. His mind Imagined a scene of her with others in that way and the pain of those thoughts slowly became obvious on the man's face. Looking at her for a moment he thought for a moment if he should say something or not but decided he needed to at least try. “Alistar. If i asked you not to have sex with anyone else would you? ” he asked, looking into her eyes. “I know we aren't dating…no connections as you have said but…. ” he paused, not sure what the right words for what he wanted to say were. After a moment he really only had one thing repeating itself in his mind. “I want to be the only one pleasing you like that. ” he said in a serious tone. He didn't expect her to say yes or to say he could be the only one but he wasn't going to lie to her either. This was how he felt and he wanted, or actually needed, to make sure he voiced it to her. Drake was ready for her to get angry and tell him to fuck off she would do whatever she wanted and leave him alone on the couch. It would still hurt him to have her do that but he was somewhat prepared for its coming.

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Pausing as she lifted her beer to her lips, golden eyes stared at him. Closing her mouth and lowering her hand, she took a moment to listen to him and consider the way he looked… Her face was unreadable as she stayed silent for several long moments. Licking her lips, she drank a bit more of her beer and shook her head. ”I understand you want to be the only person who does that. We need to improve your social skills Drake. My rule of truth has always been to not create attachments. Correct?” she eyed him and waited for him to answer. She didn’t like the strange pushing feeling she felt inside of her. It was like something was shifting around. ”I kill people, infiltrate, lie, steal, cheat, whatever I want to do… for my missions. I don’t have those while I’m in this school. I’m stuck in this place just like everyone else. So, some of my rules have to bend. Yet. I’ve always held to that one. Ask more questions Drake.” she wasn’t going to spell it out for him. With a sad shake of her head, she sat back, leaning away from him and stared like she was disappointed in him.

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Drake nodded at her talking about her rule of truth and not forming attachments but was now looking at the ground when she continued on talking about what she did and that even with all the bending of her rules she kept true to one. Telling him to ask more questions Drake went quiet, his mind slowly filling with painful thoughts. What if this was it? What if he had fallen in love with someone he couldn't love? What if she ended up loving someone else? What did she want him to ask right now? Why was she so disappointed looking? Drake let out the breath he had been holding onto as he interlaced his fingers “Why did you make a wish for niels? ” he asked her bluntly, slowly glancing at her “And did you ever consider making a wish for me? ” he asked on top of his other question. “And…how do you see me? As a whole? What...Do i… ” he stopped realizing he couldn't finish that last question. He wasn't sure if he could handle some of the possible answers to that one.

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Finally, he was starting to think about things. Swirling her beer, she listened to his question and yawned softly. ”Because I formed an attachment to him,” she had planned on stopping there but the rest came tumbling out of her mouth before she could stop it. ”And to cut my ties with him. He’s had his eyes on Harper for a while now. That wish let’s me cut those attachments and get him to move on.” Panicking for a moment, she took a long drink from her beer. Why the hell had she just told him that?

Clearing her throat, she looked at him from the corner of her eyes. A wish for him? Thinking about it she frowned. What was he really asking her? Taking a deep breath, she let out a tired sigh. ”Yes, but I couldn’t figure anything out that would be beneficial for you. You already have your powers figured out. I doubt the school would have brought your past love back to life, and there’s no other women that I know of that I could have wished for them to fall for you… if that would have even worked. I have a feeling it wouldn’t have. You don’t need any special weapons… and I think you would have actually gotten upset with me if I had sealed you off from Silent Hill.” she sounded genuinely upset as she rattled things off. It was obvious she had put quite a bit of thought into it. A number of the things that she had mentioned were ways to divert his attention from her as well. When he asked how she saw him, she shrugged. ”You’re an enigma. I can’t quite seem to figure you out. Every time I think I’ve got one part… you do something that surprises me.” she shook her head finishing off this beer as well.

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Drake listened and felt a weird joy at her saying she was cutting ties with niels. When she began answering the question about her wishing for him Drake found himself staring at her looking surprised at how much thought she had put into it but never came up with one that seemed right. Drake would stare at her still a bit surprised as she said he surprised her and had not yet figured him out. Was he so complex that someone as quick witted and smart as her was struggling to figure him out? Drake looked at Alistar and took in her features and thought about how her voice sounded when she talked about the wish. “I wanted you to have a key to a future. Something that would unlock countless possibilities for you once you made it out of this place. I didn't know what shape it would take and I didn't really care. I didn't need to be tied to it because it wasn't about me, it was about you having what you needed to have a future of your own making. That's what my wish meant. ” he said to her in a relaxed tone before slightly leaning towards her. “I plan to leave here with you. I want to make a home with you. I want a life with you. ” he said with no hesitation in any of those words. “What do you want and why? Is there anything I can do that makes things easier that doesn't involve me just going away from you? ” he asked before pausing for a moment, his heart pounding some before he spoke “What am i to you? ” he asked, his voice almost shaky as that last question obviously held a lot of weight for him.

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Frowning at her now empty bottle, she got up and went to the kitchen. Looking around until she found something stronger. Grinning as she saw the absurdly high proof that was an odd red colored liquid. Cracking the bottle and coming back to sit on the couch, she didn’t even bother to bring a glass, drinking straight from the bottle. It was like something told her to drink to keep the anger at bay. Listening to him, amber eyes watched his handsome face closely. Thinking about what she could have wished for that would have been along the same lines… she couldn’t come up with anything. ”Yeah, but there’s nothing like that, that I could have wished for you.” Her cheeks turned a cherry red when he told her yet again that he planned on leaving here with her, as her eyes widened. Wrinkling her nose and looking away it was obvious that she was embarrassed but playing it off. Clearing her throat, she rolled her eyes at him. Her insides were getting that warm fuzzy feeling again and it wasn’t because of the alcohol, and she didn’t like it. She could hear the purity of the truth in his words. He fully believed them and would not deviate. Taking a long draw from the new liquor, she shuddered as she put it back on her knee.

Frowning, she inhaled and exhaled slowly. Closing her eyes, she spoke softly. ”I don’t know how many times I have to explain it to you Drake. I don’t want anything. I’ve never let myself dream about a future that wouldn’t exist.” rubbing her eye with the heel of her hand, she kept drinking. Strangely this bottle didn’t seem to be emptying as quickly as the others. Letting out a soft grumble, she inhaled again and sat up a bit wobbly and pointed at him. ”You ask such round about questions.” Pursing her lips at his words, she shook her head again. The rims of her eyes changed to a strange teal color. ”What do you mean makes things easier?” she was confused by that question. ”Holy Hathor it’s not like I dream of having your child or living happily in a world without Ra, with you.” She could only glance at him from the corner of her eye as she drank more of the strangely sweet liquid. It was making her feel pretty good.

Shifting she laid her head back against the couch and smiled softly as if she were drifting off in a pleasant thought. ”That was a wonderful dream though.” she laughed softly at herself. Brought from her thoughts, she looked at him again and huffed. Shifting she held out her bottle for him to hold for her. Carefully she repositioned him and crawled into his lap. Making herself comfortable, she took her bottle back as she snuggled into him. ”Annoyance. Irritation. Frustration. Fear. Pain…” her voice trailed for a moment as she took another long drink. Turning her head to face him, she brought a hand up to his head and pulled it down to her. Alcohol was strong on her breath as she kissed him. When she broke the kiss, she continued. ”Warmth on a cold night. Light, hope, comfort, pleasure, safety.” her voice purred as she mentioned pleasure and kissed his jaw. ”Laughter, life…” laughing softly her eyes were growing heavier. Taking a drink from her bottle she looked at it confused but happy. ”This is some good shit.”

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Drake would watch her drink as she spoke looking almost surprised as said she couldn't think of anything similar for him. Drake wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not that there wasn't something similar he was missing. Either way her next words made him think for a moment before he spoke “so you have no desires? ” he asked but he didnt care if she answered or not, noticing that whatever she was drinking was affecting her a lot more than drinks usually seemed to. He was about to say something and try to take the bottle but then she asked her question about making things easier. “To help you sleep earlier, to make you feel less stressed, to help you feel like you can just relax without someone taking advantage of you. That's what I mean when I talk about making things easier for you. ” he said before hearing her talk about not dreaming of them living a happy life and drake’s eyes went wide at the specifics she was talking about his mind going to the night he had been pulled into her dream. That moment of her on a homestead and her following words made his cheeks go red. Taking the bottle as she held it out for him to hold only to have her take it back with her now in his lap and her telling him what he was to her. Listening he frowned hearing a good couple negative ones only to be brought into a kiss suddenly then listened as she continued slowly kissing on his jaw line which he enjoyed. Looking at her and the bottle he slowly took it and tried some before looking at her “I am hope for you? ” he asked softly slowly holding her with one arm “along with safety and life? Can you tell me more about those ones? ” he asked her, nuzzling his face into her neck softly. If she tried taking the bottle he wouldn't fight her but he planned to lighten how much she was going to drink by joining her for a few swigs.

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Hiccuping, she stretched and yawned. ”I’m not allowed to have them.” she pouted childishly as she lay against his chest. Blinking and tilting her head to look up at him, her eyes were unfocused but seemed to be happily taking him in all the same. She hummed when he explained the easier part. ”You always make things easier for me.” she murmured softly.

The purple haired drunk watched him take a drink of her alcohol and made an unhappy sound. ”Don’t drink it all. I don’t remember the last time I drank something so yummy.” she hiccupped again and giggled. Nodding to his question she rolled her eyes at him. ”You gave me something I can fight with! I can pro-tac my-hic-self wif.” rubbing her tongue along the roof of her mouth she frowned a little and took another drink, clearing her throat. Purring happily, she turned her head so he could get to her neck easier. ”I dun no wha you want me to tell ya.” she closed her eyes and paused almost as if she had fallen asleep. Inhaling deeply, she nuzzled him. ”Times like now.” she gestured drawing a large circle in the air and sloshing the drink. ”Here. Now.” shifting she paused again seeming to struggle a little. Her eyes trying to focus as she stared at the wall across from them. ”I dun have to worry. Right here, now. I’m allowed to be happy and enjoy your luff.”

She turned her eyes to look up at him and they were filled with adoration as she touched his cheek. ”But you want me to leave the comfy cocoon. To think about things, I can’t have.” her eyes watered as she blinked, and the tears fell silently down her cheeks. Her face twisting into a devastated look. ”You won’t let me stay here in this moment and enjoy it.” Pulling his arm around her tighter, her eyes screwed shut as more tears made their way down her face. Turning into his chest she buried her face into his collar bone. More hiccups and sniffles could be heard as his shirt would grow increasingly wet from her tears. Yet after several long moments her breathing evened out and a soft snore could be heard. The unknowing goddess had drunk herself into a stupor and promptly passed out.

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Drake would feel the alcohol hit almost immediately which surprised him as he soon returned the bottle to her and just smiled at her, finding a drunk alistar rather cute. When she started talking about the moments, he thought about it and even blushed when she said she enjoyed his love. Drake then felt her poke his cheek as she began complaining to him about how he would ruin moments like this and it made him frown, realizing she was probably right. Having her suddenly start crying was something though he was not prepared for. Feeling her bury her face into his chest as it soon grew wet with tears, she would miss a rare moment of Drake panicking. “W-wait…I'm sorry…I won't ruin these moments anymore….Alistar? ” he asked but after listening he would hear her snoring and sighed just staying there “I won't ruin the moment. ” he said thinking on it.

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Waking up slowly, the unknowing goddess stretched and yawned like a cat. Blinking slowly, she wasn’t sure what to do. She was tired but it was a rough month. It felt like so much had happened, but she didn’t think that was why she was tired. Briefly she contemplated going back to sleep. It was so comfy laying here in the bed. Nearly purring, she nuzzled her pillow and closed her eyes.