Snippet #2488161

Tim had kept Arey in his lap the whole time. He didn't want to let her go. He kept giving her the tea and stroking her hair. He didn't say much, he just wanted to be with her.

Arey managed to force down three cups of that god awful tea. She felt shaky, but more herself. She just clung quietly to Tim for the majority of the break, letting herself bask in his comfort. She made a deal with herself, she could quietly wallow for the rest of the break, then when they came back together, she'd put on her big girl panties and be an adult about this and take charge like they needed her to. Just ten more minute. Ten more minutes and she'd be strong again.

Arin and D drank their tea in comfortable silence before returning to their previous positions. Arin sat and Deirdre sat once more in his lap. There were plans to make, and things to do. Deirdre inhaled and then began. "We want Bal and hopefully some sort of security for everyone once we are done protecting them. In return we offer our protection and conceed to Arey visiting with time restrictions and with someone else. What do we think?" She tried to sound as confident as she had before, to get that back but it wasn't quite the same. Thankfully Arin's presence kept her much calmer and more sure as they tried to regroup.

"That seems to be an agreeable plan." Vivienne said firmly, the matter already settled in her mind. "It will take me a few hours, but I can make the preparations. For my nephew's sake, we should be swift on this matter."

Deirdre looked at Arey and Tim. Tim nodded silently. "The faster the better and first we need to get Arey the sword right?"

Arey was still calming down from the incident from earlier, but as Deirdre reiterated the plan with a bit more grace, Arey managed to nod. They had to focus on the job at hand right now. She wasn't happy about any of this, but she could deal with it. She didn't necessarily like Balthazar, but he had helped Deirdre, been kind and supportive to her oddly enough, and Arey wasn't fond of the idea of anyone being forced into bonds of servitude like Vivienne had described. She didn't really have a choice in the matter regardless, considering they had a pact and all. Yet another deal with a high handed fae who was controlling her life. Was this ever going to stop? She thought tiredly.

"Ok. We'll do that." Arey managed, sounding stressed, but resolved. "What do I have to do to get this sword?"

Vivienne looked pensive as her gaze fell on Arin, looking as if she were warring with herself a bit as she beckoned for him to come closer. "I am the current Guardian of the Sword of Light, also known as Excalibur, and one of the four great Fae artifacts. I was entrusted with this duty long before it was given to Arthur, but after his passing, I was also entrusted with a second to ensure its protection by the former queen of the seelie."

Tim frowned, "Second...sword? As in they? You have two of them or two artifacts? I am confused."

"Artifacts." Vivienne clarified. "I have the sword and the stone. There are four artifacts in total, the other two being the spear and the cauldron." Vivienne said calmly. "The cauldron lied with the Seelie in Faery, and the Spear has been missing for millennia. No one but perhaps its current owner know its true location."

Arin reluctantly asked Deirdre to let him up as he responded to his mother's request.

Deirdre stood and let Arin move. The loss of his presence was hard but she said nothing, sitting in his spot as he moved away.

He approached Vivienne, "So, what's this? You want my help to carry stuff in, or something?"

Vivienne took a deep breath, knowing the next few moments may change her relationship with her son forever, and she did not predict in a positive way. She gestured for him to sit next to her as she ignored his question and continued speaking. "Each of these artifacts possesses their own special gifts. The Sword, as you know, is the only weapon currently in existence that can kill the fae specifically. The stone has two gifts. The first, as it's primary function, it to determine legitimacy. Mortal kings of the past were coronated and crown before the stone, pulling their royal swords from its sheath as a way to prove their claim to rule, and a throne's rightful heir. The fae used it for similar purposes of course, as it was originally created for their use." She continued to explain.

"However, it also has a second gift that is arguably more valuable, which is that it contains and conceals powerful objects or people." Vivienne paused, licking her lips before forcing herself to continue. "When Arin was a baby, his connection to Faery was very strong. Stronger than most half-blooded children should be. Due to his lineage, I should not have been surprised, but it was an issue. I might have cut ties with Faery, but that does not mean house Uisge would not want him, especially if he developed more fae traits than human. Their ability to move about earth is limited, his would not be, and I would not put it past many in my house to try and take him by forceful means."

Arin had sat easily enough. Now, he narrowed his eyes at Vivienne.

"For both of our safety, I had to keep him hidden, and when the stone in my possession took an interest in him as a baby, I did not stop the bonding that occurred. The Sword is in the Stone, and the stone, protected and concealing them both from Fae eyes, is in Arin." Vivienne finished, pausing to give them all time to process.

Deirdre paled as Vivienne talked. Her eyes went to Arin. Fae...baby...Bal was one hundred but a child of eleven. Stone, hiding him....he would be...two hundred and a bit years... Deirdre slowly let the whole concept sink in. Arin was fae, half sure but stronger than others and bonded with a stone. She started to breathe slowly and deeply. He is not a normal human or fae. He has had time to work through things he said. Time...like centuries. He holds the stone and the sword, he is meant to help Arey. She needs him. They have been waiting...oh god...

Arin frowned in confusion, "I'm what? I don't... what?" He had figured Vivienne has some deep secret to reveal and it obviously concerned him, but the Stone? What did that even mean?

"I don't get it. I'm hidden? Excalibur is hidden? Like... in me?"

"Yes." Vivienne said quietly. "In certain regards, you are the Stone which now houses Excalibur. The Sword itself is concealed safely inside you, but you are now a part of the Stone and vice verse. I was baffled by the bond you shared with the artifact as a child, had never seen anything like it honestly. Perhaps it is because of our line, as Guardians of the Sword. I could not really say, but the effect is the same." Vivienne explained.

Arin didn't know how to process what Vivienne was saying. He reverted to humour, "So, wait... you mean Arey's gotta feel me up to grab my sword?"

Tim frowned but chuckled a little. The whole situation seemed absurd. "So like you have a sword in you and no way my girlfriend is touching your sword before she touches mine." Tim eyed Arin.

Arey winced, trying to process what was happening here, but she could tell Arin wasn't dealing with it well. He made jokes like that when he was upset or internalizing she'd come to notice.

Deirdre sat very still and very quiet. Her eyes fell to her lap. Arin was trying to work through what Viv told him, his jokes not really settling in or affecting her. Her mind was working on the idea that Arin was not a man like she thought, not even a half fae in the way he thought. He was more than that.

Arin looked at Tim, "I get it man. I dunno. I'm still trying to figure it out."

"In a manner of speaking I suppose, though I doubt there will be any touching of genetalia." Vivienne remarked dryly.

"So where you hiding it though man? Or is it not that big?" Tim laughed.

"Funny man. Maybe she needs to make it big before she can retrieve it?" Arin smirked.

"Nice. You use that line a lot? 'Hey honey want to pull my sword?' " Tim laughed. He wasn't comfortable with the idea of Arey touching or feeling up Arin but the joking was better than trying to rationalize that Arin was some artifact.

"If it works, it works, right?" Arin laughed.

"Hilarious." Arey said tensely. She didn't want to ruin the light atmosphere they were trying to create, but she was far more worried about ruining the tentative peace that existed within the group. Tonight had already highlighted how easy it was for them to revert to one of those flashback past self absorbing episodes, she didn't want to bring their actual baggage into this as well. Arey wasn't sure if she was comfortable with the idea of touching Arin, and she knew Tim, despite his joking, definitely wouldn't feel any better about it. She also didn't want to hurt Deirdre or Arin. They were just starting out their relationship, and no matter how brief it had been, Arey and Arin had dated. This kind of thing would always be weird.

"Do you use the 'Hey if you stroke it right it gets bigger and you get to rule the world' line?" Tim grunted a little.

"Why not tell the truth?" Arin smiled.

"Nice." Tim shook his head. "Too bad you can't claim to be king though...you are just the holder for it. Like a scabbard."

"You aren't seeing the point, man. I'm not the king. I'm the king-maker! Way more attractive."

Tim nodded, "I salute you sir. That...yeah I got nothing." He laughed and looked at Viv. "Okay seriously? How the hell does Arin house a sword? Come on, is he like a beacon or something? Does he glow when we get close to it?"

"He just does." Vivenne replied with an almost shrug that looked out of place on her. "I've never been able to test the process. Only Arey can pull the sword from within him. It will be an exercise in trial and error." Vivienne replied. Somewhat relieved by the general reaction to this news. She knew she'd likely have words with her son about this later, but for now there was peace.

Deirdre stood. "Sounds like it will take some time. I should go." She looked pale and almost emotionless.

Tim frowned heavily. "You are serious? Arey has to feel him up to find it?" He looked at Arey and then Arin. "Right, cause why is anything ever easy and not awkward or ridiculous?" He put his head down, elbows on his knees.

Arin became a lot more serious when he saw Deirdre's reaction. He was not thinking about the implications, just the jokes. Seeing her reaction brought back the baggage, "No... I doubt it will take long. It's... why would Arey have to find it? Why can't I and then just tell her?"

"If you have not been able to feel it's presence within you for twenty odd years, I doubt you suddenly with now." Vivienne replied calmly. "The Stone itself conceals the sword's power, I would have been surprised if you have felt it." She said in comfort.

Deirdre winced. He had said something similar to her but in a different context but the words still hit her wrong. "No, I'll go. Leave you alone so it isn't weird." She looked down. Arey needs him. I knew it from the beginning.

"It will be weirder if you leave. It will feel like we're doing something wrong." Arin said softly.

Deirdre sat back down. "Nothing is wrong. It is what needs to happen."

Tim looked at Viv, "So, can she just do this or what?" He wasn't impressed but resolved to let it go. Like D he knew that things had to happen, no matter how they felt about them.

Twenty odd years...not centuries but...okay... Deirdre wasn't sure what to think now. Perhaps she really didn't understand things with the fae at all.

"Okay... I don't get it. This isn't some sort of joke... You really mean that Arey has to find the sword in me and it's entirely up to her to find it?" Arin was losing the humour of the situation.

"Yes, and I have no idea how long or how difficult it will be." Vivienne replied.

Arey paled, realizing it had become her responsibility to find the sword and find it quickly. If she couldn't it would be her fault, and everyone was just going to feel more awkward and upset about everything. Why could nothing ever be easy? They'd just managed to settle in this kind of peaceful routine of normalcy. Why now?

Arey stood up carefully, feeling insanely awkward as she walked slowly over toward Arin and Vivienne. She stood next to them, hoping one of them would tell her what she needed to do, because honestly, she had nothing.

Deirdre looked at her hands. More pain for them. This isn't right.

"Alright. Do I get to keep my clothes on or not? Tim might get a nice show. Just trying to find out." Arin was struggling to get the humour back.

Tim glared. He forced himself to watch. He needed to know. It was going to bother him not to see first hand.

"Tough crowd. Okay..." He looked over at Tim, "I'm not playing. This is as much a surprise to me as you. I really don't know how to deal with this."

Tim nodded. 'I get it man, more fucking fae tricks. Why not make it easy when things can get messed up in people's lives right? Not your fault man. I-I just..." He shook his head and watched.

"I don't know." Arey said sounding a little lost. "Just keep them. I'll try to be quick, I promise." She said quietly, not making eye contact.

"Hey, if it means anything Arey, I did like you in the bar. I didn't go for you just because I thought you were Guin. But, you know, I'll try and stand still..." Arin was babbling now. He really didn't know the best way to deal with this. He closed his eyes and raised his arms. "Have at it."

Deirdre clenched her hands together until they were white knuckled. Hearing Arin say he had like Arey was like a stab in her gut. Had she come between something like she feared? Arin had been there for her, had been at her side. Now though, maybe....she shook her head. She wanted to leave, wanted to be alone to figure out how she felt about everything but she didn't want them to have to go through it alone and Arin said it would feel wrong if she wasn't there. Suck it up princess.

"That's supposed to make this less awkward?" Arey asked almost laughing in disbelief. How was knowing that the boy she was about to have to grope, a boy she had kind of really liked not too long ago, had actually genuinely liked her supposed to make her feel like less of a creep?

"Um... Because it's okay? I really don't know. I'm new to this as much as you are. Just... Don't feel bad. It's something that has to be done. We're all friends here, right. We get it?" I hope.

Tim growled. "Just get it over with already." Arin admitting that he liked Arey was like seeing their copies all over each other again. Add to it that she'd rather have D, that he wasn't enough to bring her back and Tim was feeling slightly broken hearted. Did Arey really like him or was she just with him because Arin had pulled back in order to not make things weird? Was he the consolation prize? His eyes were on the pair.

"I know, sorry. I'll try not to screw this up." Arey replied, flinching a little bit at Tim's tone. He really wasn't ok with this, none of them were. The longer this took the more it was going to hurt them all, and the pressure of that was pretty crushing. She just wanted to be able to do something right for a change here.

"No sorry. Tim, seriously, not making a move. You got this. I'm not looking. Seriously, I'm not lacking." Arin tried to reassure everyone in the room.

"Yeah I got it..." Tim didn't sound very sure. "I am sure you have loads of girls, I know you aren't making a move. All good. Hell, you are dating D right?"

"Fuck you Tim, I don't have lots of girls. I have D." Arin now was finally showing a degree of discomfort.

Deirdre's shoulders hunched a little. Are we dating? Are we anything? Do we have to be? I... Her thoughts were a mess. Lots of girls. First with a new person...always a first...how many firsts? How many more after me? She began to spiral. She was too new to the idea of liking someone to understand where she stood. She knew she liked Arin, wanted to be around him and he seemed to feel the same. Her hands unclenched and then re clenched. She watched their movements.

Things were spiraling down fast, and if this continued, people were really going to get hurt. Arey closed her eyes and clenched her fists, taking in a sharp breath to try and calm herself down. They didn't need the Arey who was flinching and nervous and self-conscious about everything right now. That girl was never going to be able to pull a magic sword out of a boy and make sure everyone was okay. That was her job.

Arin shook his head, "Jesus guys." He opened his eyes and put his arms down. He walked past Arey, to Deirdre, pulled her out of her chair and grabbed her by the ass. He gave her a deep, passionate kiss. Trying to quell anyone's doubts. It lingered for a time before he broke it. "Fucking stop being adolescents okay?" He looked at Tim. "Arey isn't looking for me to replace you. It's just a fucking sword. Get over it." He walked back to Arey.

When Arey opened her eyes again, she'd centered herself better, was in that more confident and focused headspace that she got into before a game. Turning on her heel, she marched back over to Tim and yanked him down for a fierce but quick kiss. "I'm not replacing you, and you're not getting away from me that easy. As soon as we're done here, while Vivienne's getting her magic hocus pocus crap ready, I'm dragging you to my room and I'm going to kiss you senseless so that stupid fucking fae bitch can smell me on you." She ground out hoarsely pulling him into a hug.

Deirdre was stunned as Arin pulled her up, pulled her in and kissed her. Her arms went around his neck as she kissed him back. She was breathless when he let her go. She sat back down in the chair.

Tim was almost tight lipped as Arey kissed him. It wasn't the replacing him that bothered him, it was the doubt that he should be there to begin with. He liked her, a lot more than he had told her. He couldn't help the stupid smile that appeared on his face by the end of her rant however. With a sigh he picked her up and hugged her back.

"See, you idiot. She really likes you." Arin told Tim as he walked by.

"Yeah I am an idiot. I know." Tim said over Arey's shoulder.

"Not yet you don't. But you're learning." Arin smirked.

"Go fuck yourself man." Tim smirked back. He let Arey go. "Alright go yank that sucker out of him. You can do it." He kissed Arey once more.

"I would have if I could find that fucking sword." Arin grinned.

Tim shook his head as he let Arey go. "Nice Arin...nice."

"Ok, I'll try to be quick." Arey said again, though a bit more confidently this time as she walked back over to Arin.

Now that the mood was lighter Arin reverted to joking again, "Hey, hey. Not too quick though, right? I have a reputation." He winked.

"Maybe I'm just that good." Arey joked back, cracking a small smile.

Deirdre was the only one who remained silent. She sat in the chair looking less upset but no less worried about what was going to happen. She worried that Arin would be in pain, that Arey would have trouble and feel that she was failing. There was a multitude of worries building. The longer this took the longer Bal sat with the queen.

"Um... Really not doubting how good you are Arey, but... is this going to hurt?" He looked at Vivienne.

"I honestly don't know." Vivienne said quietly, looking apologetic.

That question made Arey feel nervous again, but now for a whole other reason. She didn't want to hurt Arin, and she didn't have a clue what she was doing here.

"Try an arm? A leg? They might house a sword." Tim offered. "Close your eyes, maybe it will call to you? I don't know. Spitballing here."

"Right..." Arey said, steeling her resolve as she carefully reached her hand out to Arin's shoulder. She felt the fabric of his clothes and the faint warmth from his skin underneath, but nothing unusual, nothing magic sword feeling inducing about it. She tried Tim's suggestion, closing her eyes as she ran her hand down his arm, trying to get the sword to call to her...whatever that felt like. She didn't feel anything but slightly embarrassed. "Any suggestions?" Arey asked lightly.

"Well, one. But that's completely inappropriate." Arin chuckled.

"Try giving his head a smack, maybe it will fall out." Tim offered with a grin.

"Man, if useful things fell out of head smacks, you'd be rich." Arin offered back.

"Haha, nice try." Arey said sarcastically, but smiled all the same.

"Stomach? Leg?" Tim shrugged.

"Okay." Arey said, bending down a little to kneel in front of him and run her hands down his legs from the knee cap down. "Not a word." She warned Arin, foreseeing a particularly crude line of jokes just begging to be aired.

"Nope. Nothing." Arin agreed. Except he couldn't resist, "Higher?"

"No...." Deirdre stood and crossed to Arey and Arin. "May I?" She looked at Arin as she stepped in front of Arey. Her hands went to the hem of his shirt.

"Uh..." Arin wasn't sure what Deirdre was planning, "If you have an idea, go for it. Not sure what it is though..."

She stepped in very close, lifting his shirt up and over his head. She dropped the garment to the ground and took him by the upper arms, turning him. Her eyes were on his face. "Try the tattoo Arey." Her voice was soft.

Arin grinned at Deirdre, "That was obvious, wasn't it?"

"Can't get it out of my head so maybe?" Her eyes shone a little. Her hands remained on his arms. "Worth a shot I think."

"Nice to know I'm stuck in your head." He smiled at Deirdre. Then he called over his shoulder, "Try it Arey. Ignore the muscles. I know Tim isn't."

Tim groaned. "Right."

Deirdre kept her eyes on Arin's face. "Take it from her hand Arey. It is a fae based weapon. They seem to enjoy this sort of thing."

Arey stood up straight again, feeling kind of awkward and out of place as Deirdre came up and pulled Arin's shirt off. Ok yeah, bloke had some serious muscle on him. Don't you dare blush! Not cool. Arey growled at herself internally, determined not to make this weird. Because listening to a girl tell you where to touch her boyfriend is super normal...[i] "Worth a try." She agreed, running her fingers tentatively over the tattoo. She felt a bit of a tingle there, and it was more than she had felt touching anywhere else, so Arey figured it was a good sign.

"Do you feel anything?" Arey asked Arin. If she felt something, maybe he would too?

When Arey ran her hand over his tattoo he felt a slight pull. Like something in his core was being tweaked. He felt as though there was a guttural attachment to himself, "Umm... yeah. Kinda." He almost squeaked.

"Umm...ok. I don't really know what I'm doing here, but if it hurts, tell me ok? I'll try to be gentle." Arey said softly, trying to comfort him after she heard his tone of voice.

Arin chuckled, "Sure thing. Firm grip, whole hand, and pull..."

Deirdre shook her head a little and bit back a comment. Her hands rubbed Arin's arms gently.

"I'm serious ok. I don't want to hurt you..." Arey said gently but firmly, though she did crack a small smile.

"I'm actually serious too. I think it's going to hurt... but not... It was weird just having you touch it... Uh... nevermind." Arin actually blushed.

"Words of encouragement every girl wants to hear." Arey quipped.

"I told you lower. Completely different response then." Arin tried to joke back, tensing up.

Deirdre felt Arin's arms tense. She reached up and gently touched his face. Her eyes were soft and full of compassion. She wished he didn't have to do this.

"Ok, just...tell me if you need me to stop." Arey said putting her left hand on his shoulder, both in a bracing and comforting gesture before putting her right hand back on the tattoo a little more firmly. The skin there was warm, warmer than skin should feel, and it looked and felt like her hand was sinking into his shoulder. Super bizarre.

"Do you want me to go?" Deirdre whispered to Arin as Arey began to move behind him.

Arin shook his head no, wincing and tense.

Deirdre grabbed onto his arms once more. She hoped that she could provide some comfort or stability. He didn't want her to go and she wasn't going to leave him. "Look here, at me and breathe." She whispered once more.

This was honestly one of the weirdest things Arey had ever done, and after the last two weeks of her life, that was saying a lot. Her entire arm, almost up to the shoulder was stuck in Arin's back as she tried to feel around carefully for something that felt vaugely sword-like. Mostly she felt like she was feeling through some kind of warm vaguely fluid mass. "You still ok?" Arey asked against his shoulder as she continued feeling around as gently as she could. He felt tense, and she was trying not to jerk around too much.

Arin had clenched his eyes closed. He was trying to quell the strangeness of the feeling. Yet, as she continued to feel and search the discomfort was matched by a different feeling. Arin's eyes shot open and he moaned lightly.

Tim had thought Arin was in pain until he moaned. Tim frowned and let out a small breath through his nose.

Deirdre looked shocked as Arin moaned but she said nothing. She still held onto him though now she felt as if she were intruding on something extremely intimate.

That sound coming out of Arin's throat made Arey's face flush red. That had not exactly been the reaction she was expecting, but she didn't comment. That had to be weird and awkward for him too, and he was the one who had a freaking arm in his back, not her. She felt around a little more purposefully now, trying to find the blasted bugger so they could just get this over with and not embarrass each other too much. When her hand finally found something more solid, she grabbed it without thinking twice. It was a handle, and the moment her hand made contact, an intense kind of shiver made its way up her arm and back down her spine leaving her feeling breathless and trembling as she exhaled a sharp breath.

Arin's legs shuddered. He wasn't sure he was going to be able to keep standing. The feeling of someone pulling his innermost guts out of him persisted. However it was backed by an intense feeling of pleasure. It wasn't like anything he'd felt before. The mix was so intense that he couldn't focus on basic tasks. His legs buckled and he knelt before Deirdre, panting, his arms above his head.

Deirdre gasped as Arin knelt in front of her. She still held his arms above him. "Pull it out Arey...." She brought Arin's arms down and knelt down with him, bracing his head on her shoulder. She draped his arms over her as best as she could manage.

Arey had gone down with him, afraid that she'd somehow hurt him and tried to minimize the damage by following his momentum and not jerking her movements about. She was kneeling behind him, gripping the handle a little more firmly. She tried to tug on it gently, not wanting to hurt Arin more than necessary, but the sword didn't budge. [i]Confident, be confident. It's not going to come out for some tentative wallflower, so man up and just yank on it. Arey growled to herself, gritting her teeth as she committed. She tried twisting it in her hand a little this time as well as she pulled. Come on, I have to get this over with so he can relax again...go make out with Deirdre and feel better.

"Here goes..." She whispered quickly in warning. The handle felt warm in her hand, and after a tense moment, it came loose, and Arey began to gently pull it from his back.

"Nnnggg." It was all Arin could manage as the sword drew forth from his shoulder. It was the oddest, most intense feeling he could imagine. He felt as if someone were ripping his insides out. Yet, behind that he felt as though he were experiencing the most intense orgasm ever. He curled up further, both because he had no choice and because the last remnant of his self awareness didn't want anyone to realize how it was affecting him.

Deirdre remained on her knees as Arin slid down and curled up at her knees. She had a hand over her mouth, her hand shaking a little. Her eyes lifted to see Arey with the sword.

As Arey managed to fully draw the sword from Arin's back, she released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The sword in her hand wasn't exceedingly long, about the length of her arm, maybe a little longer, and it seemed to glow like pure starlight. Arey was both a little awed and intimidated by it, as she could feel the raw power pulsing within it as it welcomed her like a long lost friend. Almost as if it had a mind of its own...

"This thing was inside of you?" Arey squeaked, eyes flying to Arin who was curled up with Deirdre on the ground. It hurt to see him that way. He was usually the cocksure one they could depend on not to be affected like that, and seeing him...so un-Arin like was kind of disturbing. She wanted to help him, but she didn't know how. He had Deirdre with him though, and if anyone could help him feel better, Arey guessed it was her. So she stayed back.

"...Well that was just fucking weird." Kat said from her spot beside Tim. She wasn't really sure what else there was to say.

Tim sat there stunned. He had just watched his girlfriend pull a sword from a man's back. She stood there holding it as if it was a simple thing to take a sword from a human body. Half...half human It didn't make it any odder. Tim nodded slowly at Kat's comment. "Fucked up."

Deirdre pulled her eyes from Arey and the sword. She looked down at Arin who was curled up on the floor. She leaned over him, one hand stroking his hair. Her head hovered near his, her lips on his ear. "It is done... " He was incoherent. His body was curling into a ball and it pained her to see him so incapacitated. Her other hand began to slowly stroke his bare back. There was a light sweat there, the experience taking a great deal out of him. His muscles tensed under her hand. "Arin. Arin...." She whispered his name over and over into his ear, concern in her soft voice. She worried that he would not want her close, that he might push her away as he tried to deal with the effects this ordeal was having on his body.

Arin struggled, trying to understand exactly what he was feeling. It was as though someone had been making intimate contact with him, but finished by ripping a piece out of him. He felt like he was missing a part of himself. Yet that part of himself didn't feel like a person. He fought to recover his sense of self. Something that would remind him of who he was. As he lay on the floor, the tattoo itself was changing. The hand lowered into the water, without the sword, leaving a tattoo of a calm lake surface. Arin shivered. When Deirdre touched him and whispered his name he flashed her a look. It was desperate, like a drowning man. He fumbled and grabbed her, tackling her to the floor and just held her. It took a concerted effort on his part to fight off an animal instinct to do more, but he managed to control himself and simply pulled her in tight, "D! Thank you..."

Deirdre was pained by the look in his eyes and scared that there was nothing she could do to help him. His arms were around her and she was suddenly surrounded by Arin. Her arms moved under his grasp as she tried to cling to him as tightly as he was holding her. "Arin..." She pressed her face into his neck. He was thanking her and she wasn't entirely sure why but he was holding her and he was coherent.

"Did anyone else see that? The tattoo?" Tim's eyes were wide as he stared at Arin's back. He watched as the man all but pinned Deirdre to the floor under him. It seemed almost violent but Tim could see the way Arin was clinging to her. It was need, a need for connection. Tim felt a little like a voyeur on their moment and he looked down. "Maybe we should get some water." His voice was low.

When Arin tackled Deirdre, Arey had practically jumped forward in instinctual concern. He was thanking Deirdre, almost incoherently so. Seeing him that out of control was putting her on edge, but she also had an instinctual kind of trust the Arin wouldn't hurt Deirdre. She hovered close by, but didn't interfere since Deirdre didn't seem distressed, and was helping Arin. Either way, she'd rather focus on them and getting everyone back to being ok than on the slightly frightening, glowing blade in her hand that seemed to be trying to talk to her in some kind of silent language she didn't understand, but felt like she should. Arey really didn't need that extra layer of weirdness right now.

Arin took a few shuddering breaths and gradually became aware of what he was doing. He slowly let Deirdre go and pushed himself up over her. He gave her a sheepish grin, "Uh... Sorry D." He rolled to the side and sat up. He put his arms on his knees and lowered his head, a bit embarrassed by many of his current reactions. He was still trying to come to terms with what happened to him. He'd never felt that unaware of himself or things around him.

"W-why?" Deirdre looked up stunned. He was gone, sitting beside her now as it was nothing. "O-okay..." She sat up slowly beside him. She felt dazed and slightly confused. She was shaking just a little as if taken with a chill. The suddenness of Arin grabbing her followed by the departure left her feeling lost.

Tim looked at Arin, "You okay man? Want some water or something? That was...intense."

Arin didn't look up yet. He spoke in a gravelly, low voice, "I think so... A beer. Or a shot of whiskey. Either or both." There was a slight tremor in his hands and arms. He found himself intensely turned on and it was kind of freaking him out.

"Second that." Arey said humorlessly. She was glad Arin looked a little more himself, but without that to focus on she had to pay attention to the thing in her hands. She didn't really want to hold it. Part of her thought it would be a good idea to lay it out on the table and keep a safe distance, but she couldn't make herself let go of it either.

Tim stood. "You got it. Be right back." He took off to Arin's apartment.

Deirdre looked at Arin. She nudged him very gently with her nose on his shoulder, her hand brushing his forearm. "Is there anything I can do for you?" Her voice was full of concern. He was more himself but not quite himself.

Arin shivered a little as Deirdre touched him. It brought instant goosebumps out all over his arms and he could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He lifted his head and gave her the same kind of smile, "Not here D."

"I'm just gonna...stand over here." Arey said excusing herself to give them some space. She felt like an intruder standing so near while they had their discussion, and she didn't want to do that to them. The sword in her hand pulsed in displeasure at the added distance, but Arey ignored it. She didn't want to read into that, or even how she knew the sword was somehow mad at her.

Deirdre looked crestfallen. She didn't understand. Arin was smiling, looking like he was a little embarrassed perhaps but he told her not here. She let her hand drop away from him. "Sorry." She pulled her legs up under her chin, tucking her skirt about her thighs. Her eyes were on her knees.

Arin caught himself staring at Deirdre's legs as she adjusted her skirt and shook his head. He looked up so he could meet her eyes, "No... nothing to be sorry about. I just..." He lowered his voice, "Not something that you typically talk about in a room full of people." He shrugged. He shifted his hips a bit, trying to get comfortable.

Deirdre looked up at Arin, her eyes meeting his as he talked. "What isn't? I don't..." Arin shifted and it slowly dawned on her. She had seen him move like that before, when they were sitting on her bed. When she was touching his back, when she kissed his neck and wrapped her arms around him. "Oh." The word was breathy. "Oh...I see..."

She looked around, "I ..maybe you should sit on the chair." Deirdre looked behind her at Viv. A blush stained her cheeks. Her hand went back to Arin's arm and she leaned in to place a soft kiss on his temple. "Come sit with me?"

Tim came jogging back. "I got beer. I didn't see whiskey." He looked around. "Alright who wants one?"

Arin closed his eyes and let out a shaky sigh as Deirdre kissed him. He nodded, "Yeah... okay." He started to stand when Tim came in. Arin sat back down and raised a hand. "Toss one here."

The hand that wasn't holding Excalibur shot up quickly as Tim returned, offering beer. Arey didn't really care if it was the gross American stuff or not, she just wanted something that would burn a little on the way down, or take the edge off holding the creepy sword a bit. "Yes please."

Tim let Arey take a beer before handing one to Arin. He pushed one into Deirdre's hand. "Trust me. You need one."

He moved to Arey, "So...." He eyed the blade as he opened his beer. "You gonna open the beer with it or what? Want me to open it for you?" Tim smiled a little at Arey. She seemed almost freaked out. No not almost, she was freaked out.

Arin cracked the beer and took a deep swig. With a bit of a growl he stood, hoping people weren't watching too closely. He strode to the chair and sat. He could feel his sense of self returning.

Deirdre held her beer and watched Arin move away. With a frown she propped herself onto her knees and shuffled towards him to sit beside the chair. She didn't want to intrude now. He seemed to be trying to shake everything off. She was back to unsure and nervous.

Arey chuckled humorlessly at Tim's suggestion of using the sword to open the beer as the sword gave off an indignant air. "I'd rather not make it more pissed with me than it already is." She said with a forced smile. Crazy people. Crazy people talked to inanimate objects..."Yes please." She said quietly when he offered to open the beer for her.

Arin reached down and lifted one of Deirdre's arms, encouraging her back into his lap. He could feel his emotions settling down. The only thing that wasn't going away was his need to have someone close to him. He couldn't think of someone he'd rather have than Deirdre right now. It probably wouldn't help his arousal, but he was okay with that. That he could control.

Deirdre looked shy but smiling a little, slipped back into Arin's lap as he urged her up from the ground. She snuggled back against him and leaned in to whisper to him. "Hey you."

Arin gave her a much happier looking smile, "Hey. Thanks again. You did awesome."

"I didn't do anything but stay near you in case you needed me. I know what it is like to have someone stay close and wanted that for you. I couldn't leave you even if you wanted me to..." She smiled shyly and blushed before hiding her face behind her beer. She still hadn't opened it.

"You called my name. You reminded me who I was. I lost myself there for a bit." He took a swig of his beer. "And, you stayed close. You didn't freak out when I jumped you. You did awesome." He couldn't entirely express how much he needed her there right at that moment.

"I like it when you tackle me..." There was a gentle tease to her voice. "Arin, I didn't know you were lost I just knew that I wanted you here." Deirdre kissed him, uncaring who was around.

Tim stared at Arey, "Pissed off? Who?" He opened her beer and handed it back. "It is pissed off? Like the sword?" He frowned. "Arey, babe you okay?" He was worried something had gotten messed up during the whole process.

"Yup." Arey said simply before taking the open beer he passed her and bringing the bottle to her lips and taking a few long drinks as she closed her eyes.

"It's just seperation anxiety. The sword will settle." Vivienne said quietly from behind Arey. "She seems to have grown attached as of late is all."

"It's a she?" Arey managed to ask, wondering if she should be surprised or not.

"Vaguely. The fae concept of gender is not so fluid as humans'. For today, the sword is a she. Tommorrow? Who is to say." Vivienne replied.

"It's a she?!?" Arin said almost at the same time as Arey. "And you're telling me about separation anxiety." He shivered.

Deirdre frowned. "She? Okay..." Oh good, another woman who wants his attention or needs him. She chuckled humorlessly as she finally opened her beer and took a big drink.

Tim was trying really hard not to laugh. He was covering his mouth, looking away. "Nope can't hold it in. Arin you had a woman in you? Isn't it usually the other way around?"

"If it helps you visually, it was not always a woman for the duration of its stay." Vivienne remarked dryly, eyeing Tim. "The sword, like any other has a dual nature. That is easily reflected in gender."

"Not really, no..." Arey said running a hand over her face.

Arin shook his head, "Open your mind Tim. Don't box yourself in, you might find you enjoy yourself more." He grinned.

Tim shook his head, "Ugh I think not. I rather like my way. To each their own though." He raised his beer to Arin.

Arin chuckled and raised his before taking another swig.

"Can i just...put it somewhere?" Arey asked tentatively, holding it out away from her.

"If you're thinking of putting it back... I'm going to need you to wait a bit." Arin snorted.

"No! I didn't mean like that!" Arey said quickly, in no place or mood to repeat that process either.

Deirdre put a hand on Arin's cheek and shook her head. She took another drink of her beer. Bal was in trouble but all she could think about was locking Arin and herself in a room, curling up with him and blocking the world out. She wanted him to be okay, to connect with him. The day had been an emotionally rough one already and there was more ahead of them.

"You will keep it on your person until it needs to be returned to Arin for safe keeping. You're simply adjusting to the bond you are forming with the sword. Your discomfort is natural." Vivienne said seriously.

"Is she going to be needing it in safekeeping often? Like, should I start getting used to this?" Arin wasn't sure how often he'd want to experience that kind of thing. "What exactly did you sign me up here for, mom?"

"Until we are all confident in her ability to defend herself with the sword, then yes. Otherwise there is nothing stopping any fae from simply slaughtering her to claim it for themselves while she has it in hand." Vivienne said softly to Arin. "I regret your discomfort in the matter, but for the time being, it is necessary."

Deirdre shivered on Arin's lap at the thought of Arey putting the sword back and pulling it out again, over and over again. She wrapped her arm around Arin's neck and hugged him.

Arin grumbled, "Perfect. Looking forward to it." He looked up at Arey and shrugged, "Hope you don't mind... it's a little... intense for me. I doubt it'll get better. Don't feel bad about it. It's not you, it's the Stone that reacts that way."

"I'll try to be quicker next time." Arey said quietly, feeling guilty all over again as she put the bottle back to her lips and practically chugged the rest of her beer.

Deirdre's head went to Arin's shoulder as he spoke. She had a vision of him collapsing in the street as Arey ripped the sword from him to fight some unseen threat. She hugged him tighter, tears stinging her eyes.

"Quick, slow, not sure it'll matter. It's as though I become the Stone. Or that's the best way I can describe it. I lose track of who I am. As long as someone's there to call me back I'll be fine. I can take it. You really don't have to worry about it."

Tim shook his head and looked at Arin. "Wow." He took a drink of his beer. "That is..." He shook his head again.

Arin nodded at Tim, "Wow... yeah. It's certainly different. Good thing I like to try new stuff, I guess." He was trying to put the best spin on it he could. He didn't want any of them, especially Arey and Deirdre, worrying about how it affected him. He just needed someone to call him out. He'd be fine. Or am I trying to just convince myself now?

Arin hugged Deirdre tight. She was already clearly upset. He tried to reassure her by just running his fingers through her hair, as if it were a normal thing to have swords drawn out of you.

Tim inhaled, "So what next? Beer. Sword...we go get Bal?" He sounded hesitant. He wanted to help the guy but the night had already been super intense.

"It should be Arey's decision." Vivienne remarked calmed, eyes landing on Arey in a speculative gaze. "She is your leader. It is time she began taking up that mantle."

Arey pursed her lips in quiet displeasure at that. This was now her responsibility too then? Arin was the natural leader amongst them, not her. Why the stupid sword or god or who the hell ever was in charge up there had decided it was a good idea to put her in charge, Arey didn't think she'd ever know.

"Let's just regroup for a bit. Catch our breaths and try to get back on our feet. You said time was important here for Balthazar's sake, but we won't be much help if we're not ready to face what's coming, so lets just give that a minute." Arey decided as her grip tightened on the sword.

Arin nodded, "I could use some regroup time. But I'm not the main actor on this stage, mainly scenery. So, I'll be ready when you all are."

Deirdre tightened her hug as Arin called himself scenery. "Whenever you are ready Arey." She moved in Arin's lap to get more comfortable. "I can move if you need..." She whispered to him.

Tim finished his beer. "Okay a breather is good." He turned, ready to hug Arey but stopped as his eyes fell on the sword. "I guess I'll just go...sit." Tim backed towards the couch and sat down, elbows on his knees. He looked contemplative, his jaw set and eyes intense.

"Okay, how much time we talking? I could use... a shower, I think. Maybe a light workout." He threw back the rest of his beer. He really wanted time alone with Deirdre but was a little afraid of what he might do. He could stand to distract himself a bit.

Tim stared straight ahead, "Viv you said I needed to be dressed for the queen and we need something to catch her eye. Maybe we should do that? Let Arin shower and Arey have time with the sword?" His voice was level and had a bit of an edge to it.

"One hour. We need to be setting up at the orchard by dusk." Vivienne replied. "Timothy, come with me." Vivienne beckoned with a curled finger. "We will find you the suitable enticing apparel."

Tim stood at Vivienne's beckoning. "Arey...if you need me..." He looked unsure. "I'll come if you need me for anything." He turned to follow Viv.

Deirdre pulled back from Arin, releasing him from her hug. "I guess you want to be alone. I...I will go, I'll be in my room if you want to talk or..." She left it there.

"Nope. Not really. Last thing on my mind right now. I'd like to have you around, but maybe we hit the training room for a light workout? Or take a walk?" He didn't want to give her the impression he didn't want her, but he didn't want to put her in an awkward spot. "Just to give me a few minutes to get my head on straight?"

Deirdre nodded, "Whatever you want Arin. I am just happy to be with you." Her hand was on his cheek now. "Whatever you need, I am here. Let's go to the training room and I will talk, you can workout?" She offered him a slight smile.

He smiled, "Sure, make me put on a show for you, right?" He chuckled. "That sounds like a good idea."

Deirdre smiled and ran a hand down Arin's arm, "Well I won't complain at all about the scenery." She gave him a wink. "Come show off for me." Standing she put a hand out to him.

Arin smirked at her comment then took her hand and followed her out of the room.