The West District

"MAD, MAD, HA!" Ladens words sound as if they should echo over the whole kingdom.
"See, No." "NO YOU." "I know you, you remember."

It was not uncommon for such outbursts, especially in this part of town. Most common were the drunken outbursts, and fights in the numerous taverns.
Laden did frequent these establishments, but where he recieved his money often came into question, yet not often will a barkeep send away a paying customer.
Numerous clientele frenquent such places, but none quite like Laden.

"You" "Yes you, over here"
Those around had no idea who he was speaking to as he stood screaming at the mirror on the wall.

"Simmer down old man." the bartender called out to him, "I'm not in the mood for it, this early in the day."

Ladens eyes looked remarkably clean and clear, for all the beverage he had already consumed, and although he didn't speak, it had more to do with what he watched. Deeply he gazed, his eyes almost buldging into the glass...as his minds eye explored a world only he can see.

Like Alice, he too now was outside the realm of normalcy. Each smear and smudge it's own little world.
Lights, shadow, and glares mix and swirl before him. Like a prism the glass reflects, and holds a mixture of colors with no substance, existance with no form, yet there he was, trapped looking at himself, living in more then just this world.

Dark images manifest in the brightly lit world. Then the voice, calling, crying... it whispers to him "Gregory"

Laden raises his eyes to the ceiling, "NO,NO,NO, OH, DEAR LORD, must I?"
With that he fell to the ground sobbing, as he drug his body across the floor.

It only took a few minutes for Gregory to get Yoru out of the palace and into the West District. They had even avoided all the guards on the way, which was a miracle all on its own. Once they were at safety Gregory dropped Yoru so that she would land butt first on some soft bags. "I don't know if I should congratulate you or scold you right now." Gregory let out a soft sigh then turned to his fellow rebel, "You do realize that was the second prince of Valite don't you? He may be the youngest of the Valite royal brats but he is still dangerously strong." Gregory looked to Yoru, and it was clear he was agitated from the little stunt, but it was unclear if he would be punishing the girl for what she had done.

Yoru, unfortunately for the prince, was not there when he turned around.

She'd given a start and jumped when the smokescreens went off, immediately clamping a hand over her mouth before she felt herself being picked up into someone's arms. And then- and then there was Gregory's voice. FFFFFFFFF- The one thing she was hoping wouldn't happen... had happened. Greg had found her and had to save her even though she wasn't in any trouble at all. The idea of actually working at the palace to thus report back to the Rebel's like the true spy she was was tempting though.. Well, it was like she couldn't bring herself to truly do that. It would feel as if she were betraying both the rebels and the stranger.

What? He'd kind of grown on her and his intentions seemed good enough.

She rubbed her rump slightly though the bags did help with cushioning her butt. "Nghn.. I didn't know but I had a hunch," Yoru murmured softly with a bit of a guilty look.

The child caught in the cookie jar.

"Look, I'm sorry about all of this Greg.. I-I didn't mean to fall in or anything and I certainly didn't mean to meet one of the royal brats, believe you me." She stood up and took him by the shoulders, making him look at her. "I. Am. Sorry." She grinned at him before letting him go and sighing.

Gregory gave a sigh as Yoru apologized, "In any case we should be head back to the western headquarters for a bit. We can rest for a while as we decide the next move for the rebels." Gregory took a quick look around before taking Yoru's hand and ducking into an alley. It wasn't long before they reached the western rebel hideout entrance. Gregory looked around breifly before giving the door two knocks, a pause then third knock. Once a responding knock came form the other side Gregory gave the password. “When the black covers the day we cover the streets. When we cover the streets others cower in fear. When others cower in fear the chase begins and we soon return to the infinite shadows. When the time comes again the shadows will take over.” Gregory waited a couple seconds then knocked once more.

As usual there were the sounds of several deadbolts, sliding sounds and chains jingling as the door was being unlocked. When the door opened there was a hallway that lead to the main part of the western hideout, where many other rebels were at.

{To be continued in West District Rebel Hideout.}

It was a heavy burden he felt he had, and his body and actions seemed to exagerate every bit of it.

Years before Laden remembers reading somewhere about the people weeping and gnashing their teeth. It was from an old book, that few people probably had never heard of, but he remembers someone saying, at one time it was very popular. Now though, that seemed to have more meaning than ever before.

He manages to drag himself to his feet, using the knob on the door, unfortunately at that same time the door flung open sending him hard to the ground. Blood trickled from both of his wrists, and a small bowl sitting on the table fell landing on his head.

Laughter broke out, but a few people there helped the old man up and carried him back across the room and bought him a drink. Was this some unseen force telling him not to continue? Was he being held back? Was it all part of the grand design? Regardless, he pushed his way toward the door, ale in hand.

Thoughts dance around Laden like a mosh pit. He has nearly crossed back to the door, before downing his drink in one gulp, tossing the chalice. Fear felt as if it gripped him by the throat, as he sat down feeling concerned.

"Day meets night in quiet realms, as soon this truth so be undone.""From beneath your fate is stored, a mighty call of lions roar.""When in the time you seek reprieve, you find yourself most decieved.""Now pray for those of days to come, to meet the quiet realm unsung."

Laden realized the bar was quieter then any time he could remember. Looking around everyone is just staring at him, and as he wonders why he is sitting down.

"WHAT?""YA BUNCH A IDJUTS" He stands opens the door turns back at everyone, "BLASTED BUNCH A COCONUTS!" slams the door behind him and heads to parts unknown.

3/4 blind from alcohol, and confussion, Laden gracefully strolled down the street. From a distance it would be impossible to tell he was even drunk.
Gravity can be a cruel mistress, and now the weight of the liquids he had partaken, are pushing there way to escape.
Looking around at all the people darting about, he spots a little spot, and he quickly heads there.
"AAAAAWWHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" he moans as he returns his deposit from the days take.

He leans against the wall knocking a fallen limb over knock, knock, knock it bangs.
Laden thinks he hears more voices, then realizes they aren't the same as he's use to.

Slowly, he moves before suddenly being grabbed, blindfolded, and gagged.

Quickly whisked away voices started shouting, "What should we do?""This could cause a lot of problems!"

Laden managed to move the gag just enough. "[b]YA, GALL DANGED IDJUT!""IF I GET OUTTA DIS SO HELP ME YOOO" With a tug on his gag it slid back in place, as they tightened the knot. He kicked and twisted and pushed his way forward just to land face down on the ground.

Treston, relaxed as much as his training allowed him to. His hurried pace, now a leisurly stroll, allowing him to gain his strenght, and stamina back.
Keeping a watchful eye out, as he always tries to, he double checks to make sure all of his items are intact and secure, without it looking as if he is.
It would do little good to have a match to light a wet fuse, just as it would be if others knew where his items were.
For one they would be easier targets for any theif, or in the case of his weapons, to catch someone off guard.
He doesn't doubt that there are those that know that he carries some, the trick is to mask such items with movements that only highly developed skills should be able to detect.
Many a time, he has had a blade poised and ready to strike, when he felt the need, and by their actions it's quite easy to tell whether they knew or not.
Now, is not the time for fighting, or at least not with that blade anyway. Now is the time for pleasure.

Inside Justin stands, a flock of women laughing and fondling his body, head to head.

"Well, it's bout time you decided to show up." "So, did you escape with your manhood, or is it deflated?"

Treston, eased his way among the girls, "I'd slap you up side your head, but that's such an easy target."
"Besides, I feel like being slapped myslef, now which of you gentle maids would want to put me in my place?"
"My dear, it would be my honor if you would escort me." "Say yes once, and I shall serve you the moon on a silver platter."
"Barkeep, a round of drinks on me!" Which was quickly followed by a massive roar of cheers.

It wasn't long before the men had taken some women into the back rooms.
This is a familiar establishment for Treston, and Justin. An arrangement made between them, and the owner, and one of those little events, Treston would rather the family not know as much about. One very large room with several hanging, dividing curtains. Seldom did the men use them, but once in a while.

Treston, isn't that much of a drinker, more a socializer, as he hates to be caught off guard. Even now, he is poised ready to be attacked, and could care less the moral aspects, of walking out in the middle of the bar right now, if needed.
He is also fasinated by the multitude of reactions, the women have, while Justin has his way with them.

Justin, just likes to hear them beg, beg for more, beg to stop, beg for love.
He had started working his magic with the woman he was with when he turned an looked at Treston, with what looks like a confussed experssion.
"You know,...I...just realized...." "What does..... the Uuuuuuu... stand for?"

Treston paused for a second,"What?"

"U""U""U" ....."You know your middle name?"

"Oh that". "Just U." the prince turns his attentions back with full fury.

"Serious?" "Really?"

"Y...esssss, Jusssstinnnn realllllly." Treston crawls around, throwing the woman where he wished her, and repositioned himself. "Father thought it would be Oh So funny." shaking his head as if to say I can't believe it, he continues "Him and his sense of humor." "BUT....He thought it funny and clever my initials are T.U.V."

Treston didn't hear anything, but when he turned Justin was lying on his back, member at full attention, with tears streaming down his face. Trestons red face just got a darker shade as he shook his head in disbelief.

Treston got his fill, for....., well at least now. Walking around the room he gathers the seemingly sprawled, although they were placed, articles he entered with.
In the next room a small basin with a well hand pump awaits his arrival. He rubs his hind quarters, and begins priming the pump, lifts the handle up and down several times, till water begins flowing. Maybe 20 minutes of grooming before he is dressed, and ready to see what he can take from life.

As he walks back through, several women look up at him."Have fun, well, just take it." He laughs as he enters the tavern floor, and observes the room, and inhabitants.

He already had coins in his hands when he approached the bartender, "This should cover tonights drinks and next months accommodations."
It was a fair price, and far less cost then having a whole building to worry about.

He couldn't understand why, but it seemed as if the mood of the place changed in an instance.
Hair on the back of his neck stood on end, and although he didn't see anything out of the ordinary, there was still that feeling.

Laden is woken abruptly after falling out of his seat. Dazzed, the pain slowly brings him around.
He lies there on the floor for almost 2 minutes before he realizes he can see.
No gag, no restraints, and he stretches out as he yawns. As he sat up his head hit the underside of a table.
With a few rubs, he finally starts coming to his senses, and looks around to find he's right back where he had started....the bar.

Speechless, and slightly upset, he scrambles to try to get back into his chair as he tries to figure events of the past few, and those he wishes weren't coming.

Treston knew something was going on, and it took him a while to spot the little hand gestures.
He presumed it was some sort of rebel communication, made his way along the bar to the wall and sat with his back agianst the wall, observing, trying to determine who, and how many, posturing himself legs spread.

He knew if this was a trap, it still may not be time for them to spring it, and that Justin shouldn't be involved.
He doesn't put anything past them, and would hate to sacrifice him in that way, but one must do as they must.

With a gesture of his own, the bartender brought over his usual. Treston looked over the rim of his glass as he drank, trying to make sense of this code.
With a quick snap of the wrist he downed the glass, slamming it agianst the table. "Barkeep, a round of your finest for everyone, on me!" A devilish grin on his face, as he watched to see who drank, and who didn't.

Laden, after partially nodding off a few times, his head sliding off his palm, "ZZzzz" sat straight up with the last snore.
He had one of those dreams that seem so real you swear your there when you wake.
He thinks he remembers a tunnel, or was it ?, but it vanishes before he can actually remember it.

"GOODNESS, GRACES, AND LITTLE CATFISH IT'S LATE!" Then a little sob as he mumbles under his breath"damn, fool idjuts, don't they know nuthin""waste me time with a gall darn prank" and as quickly screams "I GOT A WORLD TO SAVE" saying it in tears

Stands heads for the door and heads out again.

Treston, thinks he knows at least 3 signals and there meaning, and a couple more of just the motion.
He knew full well that, there were more of them, then he had made, but at least now he has some faces.
He also knows he is a target, being a royal, but also has unknown allies as well.
He debates on starting a bar fight which he would greatly love, but subtlity can be a greater lure, and luring is what he wants.
With a graceful spin, making it look sloppy, as he stood, he removed his coin purse, removed a few coins, and semi staggered toward the bar, coins and purse in hand. Play acts as he drops the coins, and the purse on the counter, while dropping the money into the keeps hand.
He has waited until it had gotten dark enough outside, that the oil lamps would be lit, although few lamps have been placed in this district, if they even had oil in them.
Those distinct paths used during the day, now more something to trip from, as you hit the lush grasses along side them.
Treston secured the coin purse to his side, letting it fall off once, before actually securing it.
Wabbles to the door and flings it wide, allowing him to see a few feet away. As he does a rolling spin going out the door to pull it shut, he tries to determine if anyone has already made moves to follow.
In a quick dart he flings himself through the air at a slight angle, landing in some grasses.
Now he lies in wait.

Treston knew this was a tricky time of the day, light and darkness begin dancing in a myriad, of ways. Eyes can easily be tricked, as perception light provides is reduced. As a feline stalks its prey, so to is Treston. Flat to the ground, facing the door, Seconds to minutes they tick by, eager, nervous, and exited, all rolled together, causes his patients to dwindle.
He knew it wouldn't be long, or guessed. What had slipped his mind, is the fact not all of them had to be inside.

His mind focused on the areas between the windows, when a slow rustling closed in. This was going to be a lesson Treston would remember the rest of his life, no matter the lenght.

Treston, caught off guard froze for a few moments. He had no idea what was out there, and for maybe the first time in his life he feels his own mortality. He wants desperately to run into the light, back to a place he felt more in control. He could never do this, show that he is vulnerable, scared, human. His royal upbringing, and high brow sense of conduct, wouldn't allow it.
He is at an extreme disadvantage, as he forces himself to breath at normal rate. He had been taught to breath at a regular pace while preforming hard, strenuous activities, the easier the breath, the smoother and longer you can preform.
The only lucky thing was his exact location was just an approximation.
Around him sounds seemed to come from everywhere, and unless he pulls himself together quick, all his training will have been for nothing.

Treston knew it was time, time to pull together all his courage, all his skills, all his wit.
His breath almost under control now, wondering why they were not already upon him, as he rolls onto his back.
Glad they weren't, he wonders if it is all his imagination, but begins preparing, by loosing tinderbox, and a liquid vial he kept stashed in his boot.

Eyes wide, he thinks back to any lessons taught that may help.
He remembers those times his mother, and brother, use to play.
He thinks about any little bit of information he can pull together, while listening and searching for trouble.

Practicing in the dark, being pummeled by all the swinging dummies,
small bells attached to simulate noise made while walking.
Hide and seek, sneaking about the palace gardens.
Attack patterns to use to sweep, trip, and strike.

On his back, he knows he has a greater strike radius, being able to kick or hit, up but not out.
From hide an seek, he knows the eye can't destinguish a mound, from a human or object. It also taught him at what speed to move.

He readies himself, and listens for each sound and its distance. The time is now, and the worst is behind him, or at least in his mind.

After Yoru had set Eloise down to rest Gregory snatched her, and the dead body that remained after his fellow rebel's rage had ended. Gregory dropped the body in an area that it would be found until it started to smell from the rotting it was sure to do. "Yoru, this never happened as far as those outside the rebels goes. I will have to see what will happen for now with the main leader's choice after we get you some medical attention." Gregory then wasted no time in getting Yoru to the nearest west district hideout and made sure she got the attention she needed. After giving one last look to Yoru Gregory headed for the west district leader and convinced him to has some rebel guards watch her at all times. There were both male and females to keep an eye on her, which made it clear that Gregory didn't want her doing anything reckless this time. From his talk with the west district leader Gregory went to his room and laid on his bed staring at the ceiling.

Yoru had left the forest and went into the bazaars of town. She looked around for a while with a smile on her lips, expression warm and delighted. A few young boys tried to hit on her but she just ruffled their hair and directed them to girls their age. She wasn't much of a cougar- only a little bit but not much. Young boys were cute.

But not as cute as Gregory. Greg was sexy.

The rebel giggled at this thought and brought herself a biscuit along with a small charm for Gregory to wear. Goodness, she was getting sappy, wasn't she? Marriage and children and the future.. They'd all softened her up.

... And she kinda liked it. Maybe she'd be able to see Greg around town and wave a hello, but the chances were slim.