"If they find us love. If."

Arya's eyes widened for a moment, nodding her head slowly. How is his mind staying on the bright side of things? This is a disaster. We're seconds away from burning at the stake. Despite her doubts, Arya decided to cling onto Klaus's faith instead. Perhaps he knew something that she didn't, or maybe it was just wishful thinking. Regardless the angry villager's voices faded little by little until she couldn't hear their enraged grumbles anymore.

"If I am correct, perhaps, loves, we should avoid talking to others. And maybe change our clothes."

She'd almost forgotten that she'd taken the comfort of Klaus's shoulder, that is until Klaus placed his hand on her head. Embarrassment flooded her cheeks instantly, and she began to regret her instinctive action. I don't even... I shouldn't have done that.

"Cant stress this enough when I say,...I doubt we are in 2014 anymore...."

That's when Arya's eyes felt like they'd become the size of dinner plates. We're not in 2014? How is that possible? How do we travel back in time? And even if so, why are there Ogres and magic? She began panicking, wondering if she'd ever see a shower or McDonald's ever again. She'd become so accustomed to her lifestyle in New York.. she wasn't sure she could adjust to whatever they were in now. She hated this place. It had too many bugs and dangerous creatures..

"So it'll seem that you all are in a tight little ninny aren't'cha all It's actually quite fun watching you lads run around like little rats without cheese in a maze. Ho Ho! Please entertain me more than this water idea. Don't tell me... Is he about to die?! Cause that would be the cherry on top of this amusement. Couldn't even make it through one day on your own. Shame shame, don't we know your name."

She broke physical contact from Klaus once the woman began talking. She'd never met this woman before, so she assumed it was someone the other's had met while she was unconscious. Arya's eyebrows furrowed as she squinted her eyes, attempting to get a better look at the cloaked woman. The dark of night and shade of the trees aided the woman in concealing her identity, because Arya couldn't see a damn thing distinguishing about her.

"It would be a cherry, and less of a hassle to deal with him. But you see, darling, I can't make it out of her without them. So you see, I need them."

She heard Klaus's words, and they were a bit surprising to say the least. Sure Jalen was annoying and a drunk, but she didn't find the chance of him dying to be amusing, and definitely not something to chat about in front of him as if he wasn't even standing there. Just what kind of person are you? She thought, looking to Klaus suspiciously.

“I’m out. This backwater euphemistic drivel can get bent… I need dry clothes.”

Jalen's sudden words didn't catch her by surprise, she'd of responded the same way in his shoes. It must have been enraging to be talked about in such a manner. She almost giggled as he threw his arms up in an outraged fashion, but she figured silence was the best way to handle this situation. She didn't plan on poking an angry lion.

"Gold is the most precious thing in the world, but it cannot beat platinum. Mr. Gold is platinum under neath, isn't he. You would be the most interesting to watch grow in this land, just like your father and mother, but mostly even better"

She's flirting with him, seriously? Get a room. She rolled her eyes, unsure of why she was getting so aggravated by the conversation on display. Then she got splashed with a disgusting mixture of water, mud, and grime. She instantly glared at the woman's back, then to Klaus before rising from her hiding spot.

"We need to head out. It won't be long before they backtrack. Get yourselves together because this is going to be a long night. We can't stop to rest or we risk exposure."

"I agree. I don't want to spend another second longer than we must in this hellhole." She replied to Diana as she climbed out of the water, thankful to be back on dry land. Even though she'd just cleaned up before they were ran out of town, Arya's hair was once again caked with mud, thanks to Klaus's little 'friend'. Despite her quietness, Arya was highly irritated by the fact she was once again covered in filth. I've half a mind to kick both of their asses..

“’Ey Ninny, your black robed girlfriends gone now, you can drop the indifference… It’s mine.” Jalen’s stare locked with Klaus’s before Klaus seem to shake back into himself. Jalen turned back forward and lifting himself out the water.

Instead, Jalen took Arya's spot in bitching Klaus out, which made the blonde smirk a bit. She dusted her wet dress off, getting as much dirt and mud as she could off of the fabric before wringing it out a little. Then Jalen's anger seemed to be thrown in her direction. Annoyed, Arya put one hand on her hip as she allowed him to vent.

“Arya it seems whatever Problems you have, aren’t with me anymore, refrain from lugging them unto me again…” He left the words hanging without speaking towards her.

"Well then you should refrain from pissing me off in the future, and there won't be a problem. That way we can both live in our ideal conditions." She spat back. She wasn't really angry with him, but she was setting her terms down on the table. She gave him her warning, and it wasn't coming out again. She wasn't going to watch him treat the elderly like dirt, or display any other horrible behavior towards the courteous, regardless of age.

“I’m raiding the town. I need provisions or at the very least clothes. Most of the ill-toward company are trawling the forest for us so I’m doubling back. I’m not part of your committee, and I’m not sharing because I want you to follow… the exact opposite in fact.”

Silence proceeded his statement, she waited to see if anyone else was going to say something, but no one spoke up. So she took it upon herself.

"Fine by me. Though you leave the old couple's house alone. If I find out you've stolen from them you'll have more to worry about than reappearing wounds." She warned him. Her tone toward Jalen wasn't harsh or judgmental, but she definitely was serious. Then she got a devilish idea, eyes shifting to Klaus "In fact, you should go with him Klaus. You need clothes as well, don't you? Me and Wynter already have blending attire. I'm sure the two of you can meet back up with us."

She needed to talk to Wynter alone, without the boys present and attempting to eavesdrop..

“’Ey Ninny, your black robed girlfriends gone now, you can drop the indifference… It’s mine.” Jalen’s stare locked with Klaus’s before Klaus seem to shake back into himself. Jalen turned back forward and lifting himself out the water. And Klaus couldn't help but want to laugh, yet instead he held it back to himself. Jalen was pissed and that was that. He sorta had emotions of that of a girl, it was amusing in some ways.

Just as Jalen turned away, a flicker of gold flash in Klaus's eye color. Grunting softly while the others spoke, he stepped back, rubbing his eyes, he could feel them shift as if someone shoved an eye contact into his eyes or something. It was an itching irritating feeling.

He didn't pay too much attention to the conversation, sure he was shaken back into himself, but he couldn't stop thinking. What would happen next? Would they make it? And What was happening to himself? Was he losing his mind? So many questions like these wanted to drive him insane, but something kept pulling him back out of the madness, the madness of where they were, the madness of where his thoughts started to take him and the darkness that each step into this world was leading him.

"Fine by me. Though you leave the old couple's house alone. If I find out you've stolen from them you'll have more to worry about than reappearing wounds." She warned Jalen. Her tone toward Jalen wasn't harsh or judgmental, but she definitely was serious, it made Klaus look up and listen in. Then she got a devilish eyes shifting them to Klaus, and in that instant he knew she had it in for him, and what she was thinking. "In fact, you should go with him Klaus. You need clothes as well, don't you? Me and Wynter already have blending attire. I'm sure the two of you can meet back up with us."

"Love if you want two men to carry things back, Jalen isn't a preferable taste in manly hood, he has the emotions of a woman on estrogen." He couldn't stop himself from speaking his mind, it slipped out of his mouth like water that couldn't be swallowed down. And while he was at it, he couldn't stop himself. Something in his eyes sparked a bit, alright he was slightly angered and the tone in his voice had turned into a sharp cold storm, it was bleak and almost testy.

He walked over to Arya, a smirk in his eyes and they slowly started to change color. The once blueish-green eyes started to get shimmers and pieces of gold caught into them, it was a full change, but it was there. Like someone blew gold dust into his eyes. "Perhaps love, if you want me to go with that of what you call a man,..." He shifted around to the side of her, almost behind her, whispering at her ear side. "You could make a deal with me in return I do this for you. But it has to be something of equal qualities. You could call it a deal with the devil if you like." His tone with her change from a cold storm to someone of that who wouldn't pass up something good. It even brought a smile to his face at the end of his words.

At this point, it was only between the two, it was as if there was no others there. It wasn't like him to pass up a good deal, not now not ever. Even if the deal was with the one he had to marry. A deal is a deal and he saw it till the end. But normally if he was to make deals of equal quality, it was to let someone know of how pissed off he was or how moody he was becoming. The anger he got, the bigger the quality was and less qual it would be.

One must not break a deal with him though. Because just like his father, the deals that were broke, always turned out to be of something that cost ones life. He'd take what he wanted from them by force or by death. He could be your friend, but he also could be something far more worse. Like with all gold, it may seem bright and beautiful, but it has a lot of dark sides that can show ones true self.

“I’m out. This backwater euphemistic drivel can get bent… I need dry clothes.”

Jalen rightfully responded to Klaus's mention of his death. As the dark haired man slung his arms in the air, Diana felt a bit of pity. Everyone treated him like an eyesore. No wonder a guy like him felt the need to act out. Whether it was for attention, or just accepting what everyone assumed him to be, Diana suddenly felt guilty. Even she wrongfully assumed things about Jalen, without even attempting to get to know him. You can't judge a book by it's cover.. I mean look at the Stirlings.. we always looked so happy on the surface. And after seeing how dirty Arya and Jalen got from the mystery woman's splash, Diana was also thankful she'd moved just in time.

“’Ey Ninny, your black robed girlfriends gone now, you can drop the indifference… It’s mine.” “Arya it seems whatever Problems you have, aren’t with me anymore, refrain from lugging them unto me again…”


Not really something worth reclaiming, but to each his own I suppose. She thought with a shake of her head. Then he addressed Arya. Tread lightly Jalen.. I really don't want to stitch the pieces together again.. I'm really tired.. Her head was feeling woozy again, but she kept quiet about it. The last thing anyone needed was to worry about her unnecessarily.

“I’m raiding the town.”

She sighed a bit. You sound like a bloody bandit.. You're really starting to enjoy this lifestyle aren't you? Anyway, she decided not to argue with him, seeing as he'd go off on his own anyhow. Besides... she was starting to see double. She didn't have the energy to argue.

"Fine by me. Though you leave the old couple's house alone. If I find out you've stolen from them you'll have more to worry about than reappearing wounds. In fact, you should go with him Klaus. You need clothes as well, don't you? Me and Wynter already have blending attire. I'm sure the two of you can meet back up with us."

Thankfully, Arya stated everything that she was already thinking. At least the blonde held her temper, for the most part...

“I need provisions or at the very least clothes. Most of the ill-toward company are trawling the forest for us so I’m doubling back. I’m not part of your committee, and I’m not sharing because I want you to follow… the exact opposite in fact.”

"We get it. Get what you need and come back, preferably with a cooperative attitude." She mumbled. Something was off about her, but she was trying to ignore it. She wanted to get everyone to safety first. She felt oddly warm despite being soaked nearly from head to toe.

"Love if you want two men to carry things back, Jalen isn't a preferable taste in manly hood, he has the emotions of a woman on estrogen."

Diana chuckled, before she could catch herself. It was true enough at the moment, but she still felt mean. Something told her there was more than meets the eye about Jalen and his insufferable behavior. She leaned on a tree, wiping her forehead. I'm burning up.. It's so hot.. She thought, with barely enough energy to keep herself standing.

"Perhaps love, if you want me to go with that of what you call a man."

Klaus's tone seemed far too intrigued for her liking, so she voiced her own opinion, "Don't do it Arya.. Whatever it is, it's not worth it. Whatever he wants will hold more weight..." She added with a worried tone, especially since she couldn't hear the rest of what Klaus was telling the blonde, "You might have better luck at a crossroad.. If it comes down to it I'll go fetch Jalen."

Unfortunately, Diana probably wouldn't make it much further than a nearby cave, let alone to town and back. You're a Stirling, get yourself together.. She then pushed herself from the tree, "It's dangerous, but we probably should find a cave.. Me and Jalen still haven't gotten a chance to eat."

---

---

"Fine by me. Though you leave the old couple's house alone. If I find out you've stolen..."

"…come back, preferably with a cooperative attitude." The words from Arya and Dana provoked a mere mumble back as Jalen continued enroute to the village. You’d think we were out of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe with all this US stuff… Jalen punched a nearby tree, his knuckles raw upon retraction. The whole situation felt like one huge spiral, he had known for a while now that they weren’t “in Kansas” so to speak but he hadn’t ventured towards the mythical, his “power” was normal to him, he’d had it in various degrees near enough all his life but it was strong here and with the others he could feel it, that didn’t necessarily mean they were in an alternate plain but then his supposed “mother” had mentioned as much. His jaws clenched as her image floated into his mind.

Brushing past the final outlying foliage Jalen spotted the village, it was quiet, he assumed a lot of the residences had joined the mob or locked themselves away. Opportunity. His sodden clothes weighted his movement and he was by no means stealthy, he squelched to nearest building and hoisted himself up and up again into the first floor window. The haphazard acrobatics and dripping saturation resulted with Jalen collapsed, thudding the floor. He froze in his heap but no alarms seem to be raised and he didn’t hear movement. Sighing deeply he began removing his jacket, top and jeans, the latter two proving difficult and they clung to him rubbing as if a second layer of skin. The drawers around proved fruitless for clothing. Great… Of all the rooms. A GIRLS. The gender of clothing however didn’t stop Jalen from drying himself, disposing of the now wet and dirt smeared dresses in a corner of the room. Clutching the door handle and twisting Jalen made his way into the upper corridor, thinking the master bedroom be opposite.
Jalen passed the stairs as a loud crash echoed from the kitchen below, paralysing Jalen to the spot. Have I been discovered? Are people home? His heart pounded and his eyes winced. The air stilled as he listened out. Seconds passed which felt like minutes and Jalen could have sworn half an hour passed before a head appeared; a cats. Breath slide out of Jalen and he moved into the master bedroom, the chest in there contained a few clothes , none he’d chose buy if given the choice, …but beggers can’t be…

His ears pricked up to creak in the floorboards, as he lifted the stolen trousers around his waist, “Who’s there?!”

Arya noticed that Wynter looked a little pale. She remembered the girl's prior concussion, chewing on the inside of her cheek. Don't push yourself.. You haven't had a moment's rest and how you've managed on that crutch this far amazes me. Even running from the villagers on her injured leg. The dark haired female was a trooper, but she looked feverish. She was trying to protect everyone, but it seemed she was suffering for it. The woman needed rest and food, but she wasn't complaining, in fact she was barely showing her needs at all. I'm oddly jealous of her..

"We get it. Get what you need and come back, preferably with a cooperative attitude."

The comment took her completely by surprise. Kitty has claws. Damn. I never thought I'd see someone like Wynter snap like that. She's been all about teamwork and no conflict. I wonder what he did to her to make her angry, or maybe it's just because she doesn't look so hot right now.. Either way, I kind of like bitchy Wynter.

"Love if you want two men to carry things back, Jalen isn't a preferable taste in manly hood, he has the emotions of a woman on estrogen."

Arya frowned a bit, crossing her arms. Sure she wasn't on the best of terms with Jalen, but she wasn't into the whole bullying factor, "Nothing is wrong with a man knowing how he feels and being confident enough to express it openly. Actually, it's kind of hot." She retorted with a huff of annoyance, glaring at Wynter when she laughed at Klaus's unnecessary jab at Jalen. I revoke my comment, I don't like bitchy Wynter.

She ran a hand through her dirty hair, still pissed about the mystery woman. She had half a mind to chase her down and kick her ass, but she assumed there was probably some weird power to that woman, especially since she knew exactly where they were. She didn't want to be caught underestimating anyone. The ogre opened her eyes about how dangerous this place was. One wrong decision and it could be the end of her

She was about to say something else when Klaus suddenly approached. She raised her guard, keeping her eyes on him. She barely took time to even blink. She didn't trust him, especially since he displayed his most recent behavior. Until she knew his true colors, Klaus was a possible threat in Arya's eyes. Speaking of eyes.. there was something odd about Klaus's. They were almost glittering with traces of gold. She threw it off as a hallucination brought on by her exhaustion, but she definitely wasn't going to forget the occurrence, just in case it ever happened again.

"Perhaps love, if you want me to go with that of what you call a man."

Klaus's words rang in her ears, causing her jaw to clench. Just what is going on between Jalen and Klaus? Alpha wars? She thought to herself, eyes remaining locked on Klaus. She was intimidated by his tone, but she wasn't going to make it obvious if she could help it. Though as he drew further behind her, she whipped around barely giving him time to finish his whisper.

"You could make a deal with me in return I do this for you. But it has to be something of equal qualities. You could call it a deal with the devil if you like."

She noticed the different pitch in his voice, quirking an eyebrow. What exactly does he have in mind? I'd love to wipe that smirk off of his face.. but that wouldn't be very productive in the end. She let out a calming sigh before speaking, tilting her head a little, "What do you want then, Klaus?" She asked, both hands on her hips. She wasn't too excited about making a deal with him, but she couldn't exactly back down. She wasn't the type to give up on a challenge, which was exactly what this was. Klaus was trying to intimidate her, and she wasn't about to let him cut her down without giving him a damn good fight.

It felt like the world around them faded to black. Her eyes didn't even flicker in another direction. The air around the two of them was incredibly thick. It was almost like they were two warriors, having an intense battle without even drawing swords. They were fighting, but there were no raised tones or fists drawn. This was a different kind of fight entirely. A power struggle.

"Don't do it Arya.. Whatever it is, it's not worth it. Whatever he wants will hold more weight...You might have better luck at a crossroad.. If it comes down to it I'll go fetch Jalen."

"Who do you think you are kidding? You won't make ten feet alone, let alone be able to retrieve Jalen." She snapped back at Wynter, acknowledging her for the first time since she'd laughed at Klaus's rude comment about Jalen. Her tone was icy and uncaring toward the other girl. She wasn't sure why she was so angry with the two of them, but ever since that mystery woman showed up, she felt like she was at odds with Klaus. Wynter just hopped on the hate bus when she encouraged his snide comments. Was it...jealousy perhaps? No. No way. She never got jealous. She was a happily single and flirtatious. She couldn't get jealous. It was physically impossible that she was getting jealous over someone like... Klaus. No. Way. He was her betrothed, nothing more. She remembered history class. Most arranged marriages had plenty of infidelity. Marriage was simply a duty in this time period.

"It's dangerous, but we probably should find a cave.. Me and Jalen still haven't gotten a chance to eat."

The comment was ignored by Arya, still awaiting Klaus's response. She couldn't bend for a second. One sign of weakness in her resolve and he'd snap her in two. Wynter was a distraction she couldn't afford in her current clash of willpower against Klaus.

Klaus waited as the two ladies clashed for a mere moment, in a lot of ways this amused him. It was like seeing a fox fighting a cat. Or perhaps the other way around, it was still un-decided of which one was the other. But when he understood that she would take the deal, his smirk had become very twisted and dark, his eyes along with it. The sparkles of gold had become thicker.

"Ill let you owe me, let you owe me a favor in return. And trust me when I say this love, you will and do owe me one. As a matter of fact, you all owe me one. But this is for another time." Him meaning the ogre attack, it didn't come cheap. He could have left them, but instead he didn't. So in ways he saved all their lives. To him that was a great deal. But then again, he didn't really care, it was just another thing to spite everyone.

He started to chuckle and move his way over to Wynter. Sliding his fingers through her hair, he smiled at Arya. "We shall see you two loves later. Oh and Arya." Klaus gave a fake sigh as he walked in the direction of where Jalen went. "We are not home anymore, this is no longer the place we remember. So be careful of your thoughts and actions. This would get worse here, I doubt that we only scratched the surface." He looked to both of them and then walked away.

As he walked away he held in his hand a lock of Arya's hair that he had stolen from her the moment she turned to face him. If he had something of hers it would help him with the villagers. It will allow him to claim that she is dead, that is if Jalen hasn't done anything to provoke the villagers yet...

By the time he reached the village, it was quiet. Not a person to be seen, only the animals who stood there eating hay and grains.

Crash

Klaus, paused looking to the home that noise came from, and minutes later a cat ran out of the crack of the front door. Zooming past Klaus and up over a fence.

"Hm.." Keeping quiet he headed his way inside. Looking around there was no one, but he heard the sound of something creaking open. It came from a bed room. The sound of his heavy weight made the floor boards squeak. Causing him to grimace. "Figures, no one knows how to build a house here."

Rubbing the back of his head he stood tall in the door way of the bed room, looking down at Jalen. What he was wearing threw him off a bit. Raising an eye brow at him and his stance. "So this is where you were, chasing cats and peeping through bed rooms. How classy of you."

He waved his hand and turned around. "Well in anyway, let's grab what we need and get out of here. It wont be long before someone comes."

Taking a bag he shoved what food he could into it, leaving them half of their belongings.

"I would seem, she has gotten away Father." A young man started talking outside and the sounds of the other foot steps were not far behind.

Tsk, shut up boy and go feed the animals."

Do you think the queen will be mad?" Another man said.

"If she were to be, we could do nothing of it now."

That was all he heard before he faced Jalen. Speaking in a low voice. "Any way out? Because I think the front door is kind of occupied."

"What do you want then, Klaus?"

Diana clenched her jaw as Arya fell into Klaus's hands like silly putty. She seemed to bend at his will without even realizing she was doing it. The brunette glared at the two of them, but her eyes shifted to the woods soon after. Now isn't exactly the time to be making deals and bets. We're not in high school anymore. We need to hide before the villagers spot us again. I have a feeling they're not going to give up on their witch hunt so easily. She wouldn't be able to rest if there was a strange sorceress running wild in the nearby forest, so she doubted many of the townsfolk would be able to rest in their current situation. She had been almost completely ignored by the pair, which caused her irritation to grow. Normally it wouldn't have bothered her, but she wasn't feeling all that great. She couldn't survive on her own in this condition. Worst of all, she couldn't walk away from their childish antics, so her nerves were growing pretty thin. She didn't give two shits about their squabble. Actually, she wanted them both to shut the hell up. Her head was throbbing enough without their annoying chatter.

"Who do you think you are kidding? You won't make ten feet alone, let alone be able to retrieve Jalen."

Her tone, had it been used any other time would have been overlooked, but Diana just scoffed. Coming from the train wreck who passed out in the mud and got us put on the run as fugitives. She thought just as bitterly, but kept her words to herself. They weren't constructive, so they were better off kept to herself. She wanted the group to work together in harmony, adding to the indifference and hatred would only fuel the fire. She wasn't sure why Arya had it out for her, but if the blonde disliked her, she'd accept it. There wasn't much she could do to change her mind if she was already hated. She wasn't one to linger on something she couldn't change. The brunette simply frowned a bit leaning on the crutch that the old man had given her as she waited for a decision to be made. Sometime this week, perhaps?

"Ill let you owe me, let you owe me a favor in return. And trust me when I say this love, you will and do owe me one. As a matter of fact, you all owe me one. But this is for another time."

Her eyes widened as he mentioned everyone owing him. She gritted her teeth at his arrogance, but took a deep breath. Calm, he owes us just as much as we owe him. I see the debt as cancelled out. It would have killed all of us if we didn't work together. She reasoned with herself. With a roll of her brown eyes, she was back in control of her anger... more or less.

"We shall see you two loves later. Oh and Arya."

Her eyes darted, scanning Klaus's expression in confusion as he ran his fingers through her hair. It wasn't really embarrassing compared to her fall with Jalen in the bar, but it was still enough to have her mind racing with a thousand questions. Him and Arya were betrothed, whether consentual or not.. Why was he playing around with her hair like that? Then a thought popped in her head. Is he... trying to make her jealous? Maybe that's why she doesn't like me.. but they're not interested.. If anything they'd likely rip each other apart if given the chance to be alone.. The action earned a shiver before Diana turned her head away from Klaus, just enough to remove her hair from his hand's reach. Whatever game you're playing, I'm not just a pawn. I'm a human and expect to be treated as such. Her chocolate eyes stared him down, giving him a calm warning. She wasn't angry, nor did she feel indifferent towards anyone in the group.. but she was going to claim proper, basic. respect if she had to punch it into them.

"We are not home anymore, this is no longer the place we remember. So be careful of your thoughts and actions. This would get worse here, I doubt that we only scratched the surface."

She waited for Klaus to get out of ear shot before making her way in the opposite direction. Her crutch supported her bad leg, but she was still wobbly. She didn't speak to Arya, but instead just assumed the blonde was smart enough to follow her. It was a silent trip for almost a quarter of an hour, but they finally found a suitable cave. When she found a rather generously sized rock to sit on, Diana finally addressed Arya.

"I have a confession, my name is actually Diana, not Wynter. That's just my nickname. I had to know I could trust you guys, and honestly, I'm not sure that I do. Though I know I must if we wish to survive this place." She stated it blatantly, not really as bothered by the fact anymore. It didn't seem to bother Jalen that she'd lied, and since Arya was already cross with her Diana saw no reason in worrying about the other girl's reaction.

---

---

"So this is where you were, chasing cats and peeping through bed rooms. How classy of you."

Klaus… The last person I need stalking me. “Don’t you understand privacy! Turn around!” Jalen exclaimed turning, writhing in anger. Jalen grabbed the lousy shirt and stuffed it into his newly acquired trousers, fitting the sand boots on last.

“Well in anyway,” Klaus spoke away, “Let's grab what we need and get out of here. It won’t be long before someone comes."

“Oh and you predict the future now?” Jalen scoffed, as sound wafted up from below. Klaus was already downstairs stuffing ‘liberated’ provisions into ‘liberated’ bags when commotion began.

"It would seem, she has gotten away Father.” Jalen grabbed his jacket and crept lightly down the stairs, pausing at a creek in the boards.

“Tsk, shut up boy and go feed the animals." It seemed the residents hadn’t noticed and Jalen joined with Klaus in the pantry.

“Has anyone ever told you Klaus, you are quite irritating…” Jalen grit his teeth whilst helping himself to the remainder of food Klaus had left.

“Do you think the queen will be mad?" Another man said.

"If she were to be, we could do nothing of it now." They were nearing the intruding party.

"Any way out?” Klaus asked in a way that it sound very much like an order, “Because I think the front door is kind of occupied."

“Yeah…” Jalen scanned across the room. “The back.” It was evident no door existed and perhaps that puzzled Klaus, Jalen liked to think so as he strode past the kitchen table and pressed his hand to the wall on the opposite side. There were a few words indistinguishably muttered from Jalen whilst black and silver runic circles began appearing. It was seconds before the entire wall panel had disintegrated, crumpled into nothing without sound or trace and Jalen didn’t even turn to look back at Klaus or his expression; he casually just stepped out.

That will cost me… Jalen shrugged, felt good to up one on Klaus. He knew the wall wasn’t gone, it just wasn’t presently residing inside the same plain they were, it would return but until then a scorched runic tattoo would relentlessly etch itself up Jalen’s arm, a little smatter of blood fed into his left sleeve. I suppose its handy I’m right handed… Jalen’s teeth clenched as he (followed swiftly by Klaus) turned off the beaten track in hopes to bypass the rest of the village.

“I’m sure girlfriend number two is around here somewhere so feel free to ditch on me, go ahead.” Jalen nonchalantly offered, lowering himself by a tree and rummaging through his stash. “Ah… dinner time, or breakfast, no let’s go with dinner, sounds like a more substantial meal.”

“Oh… And if you too just heard a scream, you may consider wanting to move towards it.” Jalen said stuffing an apple into his mouth, dismissing the cry.

"I'll let you owe me, let you owe me a favor in return. And trust me when I say this love, you will and do owe me one. As a matter of fact, you all owe me one. But this is for another time."

Arya sighed to herself. She didn't like the sound of 'owing' Klaus anything. Though she didn't have much of a choice. It was the only way to convince him to follow Jalen. Without Klaus following him, it wasn't certain that Jalen would return to the group at all. It was a bit of an... insurance policy, "Fine, whatever. Just you both have to come back." She responded in a mumble, not really ecstatic that she'd been conned into a deal with Klaus

The look on Wynter's face seemed just as shocked as he mentioned all of them owing him. Though she wasn't really concerned with that 'debt'. She never agreed to anything on that so she wasn't worried about it. In her mind she only owed him one favor. That's all he was getting at this point from her.

"We shall see you two loves later. Oh and Arya."

She walked away, but was startled as Klaus approached Winter, but addressed her. She turned on her heel, batting her eyelashes innocently in his direction, "Yes, Klaus?" She asked, feigning a polite tone. She was growing more and more agitated by the moment in all honesty.. she was just pretending for the sake of her sanity.

"We are not home anymore, this is no longer the place we remember. So be careful of your thoughts and actions. This would get worse here, I doubt that we only scratched the surface."

She crossed her arms, laughing to herself under her breath, "I've got it. Don't worry. You guys won't have to babysit me anymore. I'll handle myself. Bye Klaus." She rolled her eyes, "Trust me. I'm so over this 'group' thing.." she mumbled the last part under her breath. The only reason she hadn't tried going off on her own was she'd never truly been on her own in the woods.. She didn't know the first thing about camping or hunting.. She'd die out here. She followed behind Wynter, not speaking a word the entire walk to their destination. She didn't have anything to say to her, and apparently Wynter had nothing to say in return. The silent agreement worked pretty well, because for the most part Arya's anger subsided. Upon entering the cave she felt much brighter about their situation.

She sat down on a rock as well, following Wynter's example. She let out a sigh, laughing a bit, "I wonder if the boys will actually be able to find this place.. it felt like we were walking for days.." But she grew quiet, hearing water not too far away in the distance. Arya got up, walking over to the sound and smiling, "There's a small waterfall in here... it's so...beautiful.." She took a cloth from her old clothes, soaking it and returning to Wynter, dabbing her forehead, "Perhaps it will help with your fever.. you need to cool down.."

"I have a confession, my name is actually Diana, not Wynter. That's just my nickname. I had to know I could trust you guys, and honestly, I'm not sure that I do. Though I know I must if we wish to survive this place."

"Your name is Diana? Why did you-" but her question was answered. Arya remained quiet for a bit, but shrugged her shoulders, "Well I don't care what your name is as long as you don't become a problem it's irrelevant to me."

Then there was a loud hissing noise. Like several snakes all at once..

"What was that?"

Klaus waited looking back behind him to make sure the people haven't walked in. So far they where fighting outside. But the sound of crumbling caught his attention. A curious looking washed over his face as he watched the wall pretty much disappear. It made him wonder why people here would have something that fancy. It was known to only be mostly wealthy people who owned them. Yet, there was something fishy about it all and a very odd smell.

The smell came from Jalen and the air about him, including the wall that was now gone. The smell wasn't bad, but it didn't smell all that great either. He couldn't help but shift his shoulders while rolling his head a little. The smell had a slight tingle feeling to it, like a feather running up and down your skin. It was then that he knew, there was something up with this whole wall get up. Though, until he is sure, he wont say or do anything.

The feeling of it all had it's own toll on Klaus. It started to make him feel a little twisted inside, like a trigger being turned on. The feels that he ha's been having here and there, have always felt in a way for him,...good. It was like a sensation, like a piece of him was missing and trying to edge it's way up inside him. He started to get the feeling of not wanting to leave at all.

Following along side Jalen, he noticed the smell of blood. Glancing over at Jalen, he could help himself. "You must really enjoy being leathered in blood. It has become a new scent for you." Klaus hummed slightly by the smell as if to say, not bad. "It is actually a very tangy yet sweet smell."

“I’m sure girlfriend number two is around here somewhere so feel free to ditch on me, go ahead.” Jalen nonchalantly offered, lowering himself by a tree and rummaging through his stash. “Ah… dinner time, or breakfast, no let’s go with dinner, sounds like a more substantial meal.”

"Hm." He decided to stay, not because he enjoyed Jalen, but because he wasn't in the mood to talk to the girls right now or hear them bicker about what next to do. Klaus was more of a go wit the flow or his own plans type, not so much hearing about the others wanting to do this and that or that and this.

Being lost in his own thoughts when Jalen mentioned a scream, he had missed it. "I am sure knowing them, they could handle it. It's obvious to me that Diana and Arya, don't need my help-.'

He paused for a moment thinking to himself, that maybe leaving them to defeat their own battles would show them that they do need the boys and that Klaus wasn't going to risk his life for ungrateful people. In all honesty he wasn't even thanked or was appreciated. He cracked a slight laugh and leaned against a tree.

"You could help if you like. Last I checked, they didn't need us so much, so let's let them grovel in their own dismay." As he said it, the tents of gold that were in his eyes had become a bit thicker and easier to see. Not fully covering his true eye color, but starting to make it's way. The cut he had on his hand, his true skin that hid under his human skin started to throb, balling his fist up he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned his head against the tree, looking up at the sky, or what little of it that you could see through the cracks of the tree branches and leaves.

"I wonder if the boys will actually be able to find this place.. it felt like we were walking for days.."

"It's probably just where we lived in New York.." she offered to Arya, hoping to calm some of their indifference while the boys were away. She didn't want to be at odds with the people she had to work with.. She just wasn't feeling all that great. Her emotions were sort of on the fritz. She couldn't exactly control the situation all that well. Her fever was getting worse. The walk definitely didn't help her situation. She leaned back onto the cave walls, sighing at the coolness as it touched her swollen cranium. It felt so soothing, one of the first comforting things she'd felt since their arrival in this god forsaken world.

"There's a small waterfall in here... it's so...beautiful.."

"I thought I heard running water.. I passed it off as my imagination." She chuckled a bit, a little surprised as she felt a damp piece of cloth pressed to her head. It was cool and felt rather amazing against her feverish skin, but she had to admit she didn't expect Arya to dote on her. After how she responded earlier, she half expected Arya to let her fend for herself. She was glad that she'd been wrong, once again reminding herself to see the best in others. Though.. I should be the one taking care of them.. She thought to herself, sort of depressed that she was the one currently being 'babysat'.

"Perhaps it will help with your fever.. you need to cool down.."

"Thanks Arya.." she whispered, a bit embarrassed by the situation, "Oh.. and I don't think he meant it like that.. I think Klaus is just worried about us in his own strange way.. I didn't see it right off.. but the walk gave me a lot of time to think more clearly on today's events.." She replied to Arya, a little skeptic about voicing her opinion. Arya had proven herself to be quite hotheaded when she disagreed with someone. Her quick temper definitely was not something Diana could approach in her current state so she tried to tread as carefully as possible.

The dabbing motion was a little uncomfortable at first, but eventually the throbbing in her head felt like a distant sensation. She barely felt it anymore, and her body temperature lowered to a comfortable level. The blonde seemed to mean well, but she definitely had a lot of issues to work out. She was kindhearted underneath all her layers of drama, but it was so aggravating to dig that far. She wondered how the girl got by in the real world. Well she did live in New York.. Rude behavior is typically overlooked there..

"Your name is Diana? Why did you- Well I don't care what your name is as long as you don't become a problem it's irrelevant to me."

She smiled a bit before nodding her head. The hissing noise that alerted Arya also caught her attention and she pulled the blonde next to her on the rock, hushing her as she quietly maneuvered them behind the large stones nearby.

"What was that?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Diana looked to Arya, hoping her facial expression said enough to keep her quiet, because whatever the source of that noise, it was definitely not an average snake. It was too loud and there was multiple hisses. Thankfully their silence paid off, because the source of the sound revealed itself. It was a reptile humanoid with piercing blue eyes. It's hair consisted of several snakes in the place of actual strands and she hand fangs instead of teeth. Her beauty was striking, but she was perhaps the most horrifying thing Diana had ever witnessed. She was almost frozen in place. Then she remembered something.. She'd heard of such a creature. Diana looked to Arya, tapping her shoulder.

Once she caught the blonde's attention she pointed to her eyes, then the humanoid then to the stones they used as shelter. Hopefully Arya was good at charades.. because she definitely didn't want to alert the creature. She just hoped this creature didn't have a strong sense of smell.. It wouldn't take her long to sniff the two of them out if she hunted by scent. It was now that she wished the two arrogant men would return. She'd "owe" them anything they want. She HATED snakes.

---

---

"You must really enjoy being leathered in blood. It has become a new scent for you."

He noticed.

"It is actually a very tangy yet sweet smell."

Pity it’s mine.


The stolen food begged for liberation which Jalen courteously obliged biting into a loaf. It was plain and dry but his stomach gratefully thanked the attention after so long.

"I am sure knowing them, they could handle it. It's obvious to me that Diana and Arya, don't need my help-.'

Jalen choked in part, coughing to a side. Realising Di probably felt as weary as he; a sudden flash of guilt entered him, he paused, it seemed they both had for different reasons. The food no longer look as appetising and the guilt morphed into anger that such feelings had ruined his lunch. Klaus laughed, at what Jalen didn’t care, he was busy crushing the remnants of bread between his hands.

”You could help if you like. Last I checked, they didn't need us so much, so let's let them grovel in their own dismay."

Jalen arched his head up towards Klaus, “Worlds number one boyfriend isn’t all it’s cracked up to be? Huh-…” The man Jalen was so unwillingly accustomed to seemed different, even his eyes…. Jalen watched as the man succumbed to whatever seemed to be lingering inside and buckled against the closest tree.

“Tsk, you know this flagrant use of attitude is going to confuse people, what gives?” Jalen inquired peeved. “You think the girls can handle everything and ANYTHING in this world messed up Disney of a world? Our combined efforts only bested a lone fat ogre; can your imagination not stretch beyond that? We’re all in over our head, THERE, I admitted it!” Jalen panted the last words out, catching his breath in frustration. Goldie isn’t playing ball… Tsk… I hate playing.

“This is such a bother…” Jalen laid out. “…talking about caring, when really there is no feeling at all…” He sighed, calmly collecting himself. “I don’t like you Klaus. I don’t like this ragtag group of survivors. If killing you meant another confrontation with the witch behind this, I definitely might consider it. But I’m not about to put any stock in a crazed hags word. I’m guessing I’m not the only one she’s requested this off… So if you have any invested interest in saving those two… any promises… dates or likewise… you might consider moving toward them, is all I’m saying.” Jal closed his eyes and breathed as the air ruffled through. The pain in his arm had dissipated meaning the house wall had shifted back, it felt a shame that his sleeve was saturated in drying blood, though Jalen reckoned Goldie was having a field day because it.

Arya was relieved that her actions earlier brought comfort to Diana, because now they really needed to be in tip-top shape. She heard the hissing grow closer, her voice knotting up inside of her throat. She'd never seen a snake in person, and she definitely wasn't looking forward to seeing one now. Her blue eyes landed on the source of the sound and she nearly screamed. Thankfully her voice was out on vacation, because the sight before her was absolutely terrifying. She could feel herself start to tremble as she looked to Diana, eyes scanning the other girl. Please tell me you've got a plan.. She thought desperately, but then as she returned her eyes to the beast, something else caught Arya's eye. Diana's crutch. The beast noticed it too and she instantly approached. The reptile woman picked up the wooden crutch, her forked tongue wildly moving as she examined it.. Oh god.. It's going to find us if we don't do something..

Not to mention Diana didn't seem to know what the creature before them was. She had a human upper-body, but after her torso, the rest resembled that of a snake. She had no legs.. she slithered across the ground for transportation but she moved as if she were on water. Arya was almost certain she couldn't outrun the beast, and she wasn't even crippled. Diana wouldn't stand a chance if they attempted to escape now. Arya continued to glance between Diana and the monster, trying to keep track of where both were, not wishing to keep her eyes away from either for too long. The hissing noises Arya heard before definitely belonged to the multiple snakes in the creature's hair. She wondered how such a creature even existed. Though looking at her, something seemed oddly familiar about the humanoid before them.

Diana pointed to the creature then to the stones. What is she..? Arya thought to herself, Maybe she's finally reacting to bumping her head earlier today? It took Arya a moment, but she finally realized what Diana was trying to tell her when she kept repeating the clues in her head. Creature... Stone... Medusa? A gorgon? That thing is a gorgon..? Holy shit, we're screwed.. We can't even look at her properly. Shit.. shit.. shit... This really wasn't the best time to send Klaus and Jalen on a playdate.. She thought to herself, looking around. She had to find a distraction.. She had to find a way.. Though she didn't see anything around them but rocks! She could sacrifice herself.. but she already knew that Diana would refuse to leave her. They'd die together from the dark haired female's stubbornness... and Arya couldn't leave Diana behind...She'd never forgive herself for abandoning a crippled girl. They were in a real pickle and the blonde couldn't think of a way out. If she threw a rock, the Gorgon would fall for it at first, but then it would catch wind of their movements and hunt them down like rats. If they stayed to fight they'd surely make the mistake of eye contact.. it was a double edged sword. They weren't prepared for this battle.. and preparation was practically the only way to defeat a gorgon.

“Worlds number one boyfriend isn’t all it’s cracked up to be? Huh-…” Klaus could feel Jalen watch him lean on to the closest tree.

“Tsk, you know this flagrant use of attitude is going to confuse people, what gives?” Jalen inquired peeved. “You think the girls can handle everything and ANYTHING in this world messed up Disney of a world? Our combined efforts only bested a lone fat ogre; can your imagination not stretch beyond that? We’re all in over our head, THERE, I admitted it!” Jalen panted the last words out, catching his breath in frustration.

“This is such a bother…” Jalen laid out. “…talking about caring, when really there is no feeling at all…” He sighed, calmly collecting himself. “I don’t like you Klaus. I don’t like this ragtag group of survivors. If killing you meant another confrontation with the witch behind this, I definitely might consider it. But I’m not about to put any stock in a crazed hags word. I’m guessing I’m not the only one she’s requested this off… So if you have any invested interest in saving those two… any promises… dates or likewise… you might consider moving toward them, is all I’m saying.”

Klaus didn't bother to say anything as Jalen finally cracked. But there was one thing that caught his mind. Jalen mentioned a Witch. Could he meant the one that wanted Klaus, was she even considered a witch? Anyone could splash water and runoff. That doesn't make them a witch. Something deep inside Klaus felt off about Jalen, he was hiding something, even though Klaus is too, it's not so deep as Jalen's secret. It reeks of darkness. And it seems that's the one thing he can feel here in this wacked up world.

"If they need us, I am sure they will call us. What would be the point in running in there and then everything being alright? A scream is nothing to panic over, they been screaming the whole time we been here. If you're so worried, then be their guest and help them." Klaus waved his hand in the direction of the cave boredly. "And but of course we are in over our heads, it;s the ladies who don't seem to understand this, wanting to do everything on their own, like splitting us up for an example, only a stupid person after an Ogre attack would do that and wonder off in this 'Disney world'."

Running his hand through his hair, he looked down at the ground, mumbling to himself something under his breath. Saving people wasn't his thing. he never did like risking his own life for others, specially ungrateful people. Most of the time if he did risk his life, there was a debt to be payed or a deal that was yet complete or about to be made. Which reminded him...

Irritation was written on his eyebrows as he started to march over to the cave. "She is in debt to me, the only one who is going to kill her before that debt is paid, would be myself..... Bastards." He marched into that cave as if he was kicking down a door that had his ex on the other side of doing another man type of way.

"You know! This is starting to get really annoying having to come and save everyone all the time. I should be getting paid for this, speaking of which! You think I am going to let you die when you are in debt to me. Sorry, love, but it ain't going to happen, you will do your debt in full!" He yelled as he headed a bit deeper inside the cave.

He tsked under his breath when he saw a snake, kicking his to the side like it was some kind of rag doll. "Disgusting things." There was alot more snakes beyond that and the girls right after that. He couldn't see what was beyond them, it was too dark the rest of the way. But it seemed like it could be a person, maybe.

Whatever this thing was, whatever it could be, it had more darkness in it than he had ever felt. The creature was twisted inside, full of hate, hurt and death, so much death. It all add fuel to Klaus's fire, it triggered his own darkness, that has been banging at the chamber doors of his soul. Almost breaking free but no quiet, it was now halfway through it's locked gates. And in that instant, he understood how the creature felt, he could even taste it on his tongue and breathe it in through is nose. For a moment, he wasn't sure which was more dangerous. Him..or it.

"Should I come save you guys or do you have everything all handled? But then, that depends on you." His eye color changed completely as he spoke. Soaked in a bright gold that glowed in the night of the cave, like an animal's eyes. It was now almost part of this world, an incompletely piece that was about to fit in it's rightful spot.

He felt bold, daring, like nothing could hurt him, it was like he had been keeping his own self locked away for all these years. It didn't make sense to him as to why this was happening, but why not endure it for now and see where it takes him. Wasn't like he had anything to lose, he had nothing to begin with.

"So apart from the annoying hissing sounds, I take it that, it's not coming from either of you. So what is that thing? And could I turn it into a stew?" Yeah he was hungry and the sight of the snaked made him think of stew. Sure it wasn't beef or pork, but who knows ,it might not be so bad to eat.

"You know! This is starting to get really annoying having to come and save everyone all the time. I should be getting paid for this, speaking of which! You think I am going to let you die when you are in debt to me. Sorry, love, but it ain't going to happen, you will do your debt in full!"

Diana was about to throw a rock to deter the creature when she heard Klaus's voice. The creature shattered the crutch in it's bare hands and she slithered back into the darkness of the cave. Several snakes followed her into the cave, but the few that lingered behind were kicked by Klaus. She rose, limping over, surprised that Jalen wasn't with him. Did he even go after their dark haired companion at all? She decided to wait, hoping Klaus hadn't abandoned him, "Well it isn't exactly our fault. We needed someone to go after Jalen, and I can barely walk. Putting Arya and Jalen together is like adding gasoline to a fire. Really? I'm sure she plans to pay you back and all, but right now I believe we have a Gorgon on our hands. She fled deep into the cave during your shouting..." Diana was panting softly, but at least her temperature seemed to have gone down. She picked up the biggest piece of the crutch using it to support herself. [/right]

"Disgusting things."

"Snakes are quite useful.." She argued in a low mumble, too soft to hear clearly. Diana was quite fond of snakes actually.. when they weren't out to kill her, of course. She noticed something about Klaus change, something in his aura was extremely dark. It felt almost consuming. She felt herself practically being sucked into an abyss so dark that even a flashlight would be consumed in it's nothingness. She shivered at the sensation she felt, but stood her ground. She reminded herself that she was a Stirling, of her beliefs. She couldn't give up on others.. whether or not she believed in herself, she had to give others someone to believe in.

She looked to Arya, who also came out, shortly after her. She finally shared her secret with Arya, but with all the surprises Klaus was revealing, Diana wasn't so sure she trusted him. She still wasn't sure Jalen should have known her true identity. Something about these men seemed dark.. darker than your average bad boy. She wasn't sure exactly what it was yet, but something wasn't right about them. Arya had a temper, but these two almost seemed inherently horrid. Klaus seemed to care about others more than Jalen, but maybe it was just a ruse? Or for his own benefit? Either way she was grateful for the extra help.. for now. It probably meant they would owe yet another 'debt' to Klaus. She gritted her teeth, but she'd do anything to keep her accomplices alive. So be it, we'll dance with the devil, for now.

"Should I come save you guys or do you have everything all handled? But then, that depends on you."

She noticed the change in his eyes, wondering if his change of personality was due to their growing abilities. What exactly were his parents like? She'd heard the stories of Rumpelstiltskin but she wasn't all that brushed up on the details.. She frowned a bit, "Save is a strong word.. I like assist better. You need this cave just as much as we do." She frowned, one hand on her hip. Then she slowly approached, still a little sore from the ogre attack, "Whether we like it or not, we're a team Klaus. A team doesn't keep score on who owes whom.. Everything a team does is for mutual benefit and this cave is beneficial to all of us last I checked. So unless you've suddenly become immune to sickness due to one of these messed up powers that everyone else seems to be getting, I think you can work with us on this.." She was sick of everyone's shit. She didn't want to work with them just as much as they didn't want to work with her, but they wouldn't survive this way. They'd have to work together without expecting each other to constantly pay the other back for every bit of aid.

"If we keep this up, this time next week we'll all be dead. I'm not Arya, or Jalen. I'm not afraid. I'm not scared to speak up. I'm a Stirling and I'm tired of being pushed around." She was growing into her confidence more and more, and she was finally taking no shit. She took her parent's orders for long enough, she wasn't having anyone else force her to be a child or damsel in distress. She was a strong woman, she wasn't going to be shoved to the sidelines anymore, "NO I don't need you to 'save me again', but I would highly appreciate your help, both of you. Three heads are better than one. Are we clear? If we can show the damn thing her reflection somehow I'm fairly certain we can turn her into stone instead of dying here tonight."

She didn't notice, but during her spout of anger, she started to glow a brilliant white. Her entire body manifested the aura, and kept it. She was a bit touchy about everyone else developing powers, but little did she know, her own were slowly growing as well. She wasn't forgotten. Her powers were merely...different. They grew in a different way, but once they sprouted.. she would become quite useful. Perhaps strong enough to fight off the dark magic that bothered her so much.

---

---

"If they need us, I am sure they will call us. What would be the point in running in there and then everything being alright? A scream is nothing to panic over, they been screaming the whole time we been here. If you're so worried, then be their guest and help them." There was an apathetic gesture towards the rock formation ahead of them.

Tsk… What sort of idealistic world is his head trapped in? His eye brows were set like deep set buckets but his gaze held upwards not really looking at the sky patching itself through the trees but engulfed in thought. He barely heard Klaus.

What is the point of us? Why four? Who or what designed this? … …

“…Bastards." Jalen snapped back to see Klaus storm towards the rocks. Tantrum prince…

He sighed, “At least he went.” resting his head atop his hands.

“Which is more than we can say about you.” A sharp force embedded itself into Jalen’s side, he cried out as he jerked upright clutching where his bite wound was, it was raw and fresh blood broke free. Jalen winced with laboured breaths as he raised his head to meet his rude assassin.

“Tender. Weak.” It was a girl. Jalen couldn’t place the face though. “It’s because of men like you that chivalry died.” Stunned silence was all Jalen could retort before he ducked his head. His whole body shuddered before shaking and the girl peered at him inquisitively albeit annoyed. He wasn’t cold but masking a fit of laughter that had taken hold, it crescendo-d out of him haphazardly with stabs of pain from his injury choking it up while tears formed at the corners of his eyes. “STOP IT!” The girl jammed her hand across and connected with his cheek. The laughter rescinded, leaving a small chuckle to leak out.

Turning his head back toward her, he locked his eyes with hers. He could see her grit her teeth. “Which highschool drama spat you out?” A smirk pasted across Jalen. The girl however wasted no time, a foot forward with the other raised and kicked out in front squarely planted itself in Jalen’s chest and he found himself grounded again, this time restrained by a weighted leg. “Quite…. Quite a kick, I take it the label human doesn’t fit you.” The revelation wiped the glare and angry intent from her face, as she retreated from pinning him. He wobbled and grunted as he forced his way to his feet.
“What are you?” Jalen demanded, noticing how ticked off she still looked at him.

“Not what. Who. The ‘who’ answers the ‘what’, but share that with a degenerate such as yourself? You jest.” It was a cold reply, which felt surprisingly normal and welcoming to Jalen, he couldn’t take it seriously.

“That’s alright, ‘Guess Who’ was never a forté of mine anyway; we can skip it.” He sighed, but coughed through, rubbing at it his side. “What’s the game then… as much as I live for these unexpected socials.”

“No game. You’re an unfit companion. Elimination is all that’s fit for you.” She darted forward again, cape fluttering behind. Jalen bent his knees and pushed his feet to a wider stance. The collision pushed the mysterious attacker backing, and she flipped over landing gracefully back on the balls of her feet, though wary.

The dust cleared, Jalen stood firm, arms intersecting in front of him, “Nice attack.” He complimented, though it came across patronising.

“How?” The question hung, as she ground her jaw tight. A bead a sweat dropped from Jalen, realising that her burning intent towards him actually strengthened him. “You should have bled out already…”

“What…?” Jalen’s eyes widened, he could see her staring directly at where his remaining wound was, So it wasn’t coincidence, she kicked there first… “You set your dog on me!” Jalen pointed out accusingly at her.

A fist returned knocking Jalen a few steps sideways but he ducked the next and side-stepped the following, finally catching the fourth and pushing her back with it. She landed on the ground backwards, cursing as her hood flopped down atop her. “You’re unbelievably dense, you know that… why aren’t you dead…” Tears beneath the obscuring hood dropped onto her knees.

“In earnest? I’m not sure, there’s nothing I did in particular. This damn wound won’t seal but it’s more an inconvenience than a threat... especially with all this negativity floating about, I’m fortified.” Jalen himself lowered in front of her, squatting.

“Negativity…?” The tears stopped and there was silence while she absorbed the information. “Is that why you damn all those around you?”



The question echoed within Jalen, and his balance failed landing him on the ground, his arms braced back. Is she saying that I’m doing it for power or that the power makes me this way… ”It’s... It's actually a... pain,” Jalen confessed solemnly, his mind racked with thought, “Too much and... I... I overload, unbearably…” Jalen’s head rose to hers again, “Are you suggesting... that my attitude and behaviour is... is... is geared this way... purposely?” Jalen hated the thought of being controlled. Me. A puppet. A puppet to a stupid power.

“Puppet to the Queen.” The girl spoke emotionless as if reading facts.

“No!!” Jalen screamed, kneeling over, “I won’t… won’t be.. CONTROLLED!” The girl looked with stunned eyes at Jalen, He was shaking feverishly and tears down streamed from him. All my life… ALL of it… None of it was truly my own… It’s all lie. Who I am… It’s all a lie… Blood started to un-clot from his side and the girl could see his strength flow out and fail.

Her eyes furrowed as she stared at Jalen. They furrowed further just before she spoke. “I bit you.” She lowered her hood and grabbed his wrists. The blurry eyed man lifted his head and in a flash she pulled him closer, her mouth pressed to his. Jalen froze. Pulling away the girl stood, blushing. “You won’t bleed out now. No more puppet or I will return...” She ran off into the woods with the last of her words.

Jalen let his body rock forward, planting his head onto the ground. “Too much…”

Arya sat still in utter disbelief. Klaus came in the nick of time.. but why? She rose slowly, about to voice her thanks, but he ruined the moment with his first set of words. An angry look captured her features and she couldn't calm the irritated twitch of her eye. For a moment, she made the mistake of thinking there was some sort of redeeming quality about the men they traveled with.

"You know! This is starting to get really annoying having to come and save everyone all the time. I should be getting paid for this, speaking of which! You think I am going to let you die when you are in debt to me. Sorry, love, but it ain't going to happen, you will do your debt in full!"

Debt? That's all? I'm such an idiot! You and Jalen are just so despicable! How did we get caught up with guys like you!?She wanted to waltz over there and slap the hell out of him, but right now there was a rogue, overgrown reptile running a muck in the cave. They needed the cave's protection from the elements so it was becoming a growing problem. She seen the creature make quick work of Diana's crutch, she didn't want to imagine just how easy she'd break in the creature's horrid clutches. Setting her emotions aside she just blew some of her bangs out of her face and remained quiet. She had nothing good to say, and she feared if she opened her mouth she'd never stop yelling.

"Well it isn't exactly our fault. We needed someone to go after Jalen, and I can barely walk. Putting Arya and Jalen together is like adding gasoline to a fire. Really? I'm sure she plans to pay you back and all, but right now I believe we have a Gorgon on our hands. She fled deep into the cave during your shouting..."

She frowned to Diana who while sticking up for them, also remained pretty neutral. She wasn't truly siding with anyone but herself. In Arya's eyes, this group was Boys vs. Girls. She didn't trust either one of these men. There was always some sort of catch when it came to receiving aid from Jalen or Klaus. Though Klaus's help was always more costly. She crinkled her nose, still a little tempted to refuse his help. I'm going to owe him the playboy mansion at this rate. She kept glancing over to Diana and eventually caved, taking the girl's arm and supporting her weak side. She couldn't watch the girl use that poor excuse for a stick as support any longer.

"Disgusting things."

"Snakes are quite useful.."

"I'm sorry, that's one thing I have to agree on with Loan shark over there. Snakes are among the scum of the earth." She frowned to the ground, making sure that none crossed her path. She was still in her leather heeled boots, glad that for once she wasn't in an open toed shoe. If she felt a snake run across her skin she'd flip shit. She didn't catch on to Klaus's change like Diana, she did notice something. With every hour that passed, something in Klaus seemed to shift. She wasn't sure what it was, or maybe it was always there.. but she was growing more aware that he wasn't just the "Nice but severely sarcastic" guy she first thought him to be. There was something more to him, more dangerous than her ex boyfriend Lucan could ever hope to become. Something about him sent pure shivers down her spine.

She noticed Diana seemed to be struggling with something, so she just assumed for the sake of things that she should keep the charade and continue to call the dark haired girl, Wynter. She supposed Diana would tell Klaus when she was ready, or maybe she just never will want him to know the truth period. It wasn't her business to tell the girl's secret, however small it was. She highly doubted the name Stirling was relevant in this wacky upside down world they were currently stuck in.

"Should I come save you guys or do you have everything all handled? But then, that depends on you."

Finally Arya could no longer hold her thoughts to herself. She opened her mouth to let out a fiery retort, but was beat to the punch once again. She was growing irritated, but it was then that she noticed just how good of a heart Diana truly had. She wasn't out for her own gain, she was primarily concerned for the group as a whole. Even she was guilty of wishing one of the men would fall and break their neck now and then, but Diana was truly looking out for everyone.

"Save is a strong word.. I like assist better. You need this cave just as much as we do. Whether we like it or not, we're a team Klaus. A team doesn't keep score on who owes whom.. Everything a team does is for mutual benefit and this cave is beneficial to all of us last I checked. So unless you've suddenly become immune to sickness due to one of these messed up powers that everyone else seems to be getting, I think you can work with us on this.."

Arya was a bit moved by her speech, but just kicked at the dirt uncomfortably. She'd never been much of a team player. She wasn't sure how well she'd be able to work with everyone, especially considering the way Klaus was constantly expecting compensation for his efforts. This was all a little overwhelming. She had never even once ventured off into the woods before now, not even for a nature hike. Now she was expected to survive in them?

"If we keep this up, this time next week we'll all be dead. I'm not Arya, or Jalen. I'm not afraid. I'm not scared to speak up. I'm a Stirling and I'm tired of being pushed around. NO I don't need you to 'save me again', but I would highly appreciate your help, both of you. Three heads are better than one. Are we clear? If we can show the damn thing her reflection somehow I'm fairly certain we can turn her into stone instead of dying here tonight."

"I'm not sca- Forget it.." Her frown turned into a smile, and her insulted tone calmed as she stopped herself from furthering the conflict, "Do we have a mirror? Any way we can make her look into water?" She asked, throwing her ideas out there. Arya wasn't exactly an intellectualist. She barely passed in school. She spent more of her time fighting with the boys. Fighting she knew. Hunting, strategy, and survival were all beyond her. Though it was then that she noticed the aura glowing around Diana. She nearly jumped back and dropped the woman entirely, but something about it.. something about the way it made her feel.. She felt safe. It was a warm and inviting feeling. What exactly was the other girl's power? Arya found her mind buzzing with questions but they received so little answers. Who brought them here?

"Same here. You can be pretty useful sometimes.. I guess." Arya mumbled defiantly in Klaus's direction. She didn't really want to make eye contact after everything that had happened. Him carrying her to the old couple's home, her leaning on him while they hid from the villagers, the strange woman he seemed to know, and then not to mention the IOU.. She didn't want to get caught up in any of it. She was going to keep her distance as much as possible. Emotionally and physically she planned to avoid Klaus. It only complicated things the more she decided to believe in him. Though it wasn't easy. Both of their male companions were aesthetically pleasing despite their bad attitudes.

Diana's since of exploding, made Klaus crack a small smile of amusement. Seeing her speak her mind and going all wild and 'tough' was pretty funny. Like seeing a baby animal get all mad at you, but you can't help but to go 'aww' with.

His eyes slowly shifted from her over to Arya. She looked just as mad, but calmed a bit when she said he was useful, despite how he was. ...Useful... It was something he was use to hearing from anyone towards him. It was actually the opposite. With a soft sigh he grabbed ahold of their hands.

"Look just get out of here, before I change my mind. Even if we kill that thing, I doubt very much that those snakes, would leave this cave. We should find elsewhere to be. Besides, that thing left anyways, it's not like it stayed and is causing us problems. We are after all in it's home. If someone was in your home, I doubt that you'd be very welcoming just the same."

The hissing was faint in the distance. But the sound of Jalen yelling broke through the caves echos. "Tsk...Again..." Klaus let go of the girls and started to head out of the cave. "if you ladies want to stay, go ahead, Im not looking for trouble. We just need to hurry up and get....-"

A sharp pain twisted inside his chest. Where he was stabbed by the man who claimed to be his father, started to throb like a plus to a heart. It sent him stumbling to his side in one single heart beat. He had no time to react to the pain or what was happening. He just realized he was now seeing the outside of the cave and part of the sky. His body almost felt like it was being paralyzed.

And no matter what, he could quite grasps his thoughts.

"Hehe heh, did that hurt me boy?...Oh goodness I am truly sorry." The wickedly familiar voice had broken through to him. "But you see, I can't wait any long for you to go through your changes, so what I need you to do is to, take this dagger out of your chest and break free. What I am saying is, stop fighting the madness and just come join, be apart of it. It's truly something, that it is. Trust me when I say this, the madness will be the only thing to save you. It will help you kick into your true powers...it's something very pleasing..." The voice faded away, and just in that second, Klaus rose up gasping for air.

Clutching to his chest as he tried to breathe. "...Diable.."He scooted himself to a near by boulder that the cave had beside it. Leaning against it. He couldn't help but swear cursing words under his breath at the pain. The pain started to grow stronger and stronger, like nails trying to rip his chest open. He couldn't help but bend over on his knees, reaching up inside his shirt. There was blood, dark almost black blood sliding down his chest from where the knife was planted, soaking through his shirt. Once his hand touched the handle of the dagger, his eyes had completely changed. The white a solid black, and his blue green eyes now a solid gold. The veins around his eyes had also turned black and pooping out just slightly.

Taking in a deep breath while hiding himself inside his coat, he growled out in loud pains, pulling out the dagger that was covered in black blood. and throwing it against the boulder, almost passing out onto the ground. His eyes had calmed down and went back to normal, but atleast the pain in his chest was now gone.

The smug look on Klaus's face only fueled her anger, but she kept a firm grasp on her responses. She seemed to have gotten her way, unsure of why a simple speech worked on a guy like him. She didn't want to think too far into it, she was just ultimately grateful that he wasn't going on about debts, deals, and interest rates. Though the moment didn't last long..

"I'm not sca- Forget it.. Do we have a mirror? Any way we can make her look into water? Same here. You can be pretty useful sometimes.. I guess."

She was relieved that the blonde agreed with them. She could tell that Arya was only doing it for the sake of their lives, but any reasoning was good enough for Diana right about now. She was even more surprised as Arya became her bad side's support. Perhaps they were forming a closer bond than she thought. She almost instinctively removed her hand from Klaus's hold, but lingered as he spoke. Her angry eyes and blush softened as his words began to make more sense than his hasty actions and she let a short nod verify that she believed he had a point..

"Look just get out of here, before I change my mind. Even if we kill that thing, I doubt very much that those snakes, would leave this cave. We should find elsewhere to be. Besides, that thing left anyways, it's not like it stayed and is causing us problems. We are after all in it's home. If someone was in your home, I doubt that you'd be very welcoming just the same."

"You're right.. we weren't very considerate. They've probably been living here for years.. They're only protecting their home.." She reasoned, though her eyes shifted wearily to Arya. She didn't seem to like it when someone agreed with Klaus when she did not, and at the moment Arya was her only means of proper support. If she angered her, she'd end up flat on her face. Her thoughts were shattered when Jalen's scream echoed through the forest and into the cave. The brunette whipped around, trying to figure out how far in the distance he was. What did Jalen get himself into now!? Where are you.. Where are you... She thought nervously. Her past blow to the head made things hard to hear and a little hard to remember... but she had to try. He helped her to the village, it was once again her turn to help Jalen.

"Tsk...Again... if you ladies want to stay, go ahead, Im not looking for trouble. We just need to hurry up and get....-"

She started to follow Klaus out of the cave, Arya helping her along until Klaus collapsed before them. It was just a little ways outside of the cave, and he fell against a few large boulders. She removed herself from Arya, limping over despite knowing better. At this rate her leg would be really tender and swollen. She was giving it no time to heal and it would have horrible repercussions. She braced herself for a sting of pain as she lost her footing, landing on her injured leg. Though when she landed on the foot without pain her eyes instantly shifted to the blonde girl. Then it hit her she wasn't in pain for a while now... Arya? For some reason.. That girl didn't even have to touch the afflicted area to heal someone. She had a...odd touch. She just had to remember to not anger the girl else her leg would be aching at full force.

"...Diable.."

Diana couldn't make heads or tails of it, but she decided to just watch. She hadn't seen anything particularly bad happen to Klaus so she couldn't even begin fixing whatever was straining him. Her eyes flashed between his mouth and his chest. Over time blood began accumulating and her eyes widened as a dagger emerged from the blood soaked shirt. Where did that come from..? When was he stabbed? I saw no blood on him prior to this.. She was dumbfounded, but quickly approached and ripped the bottom of her skirt, leaving it around knee lenght on one side. She began quickly wrapping up his wound, considering she had no method of cleaning him up.

"You men really do get yourselves in some truly remarkable situations, do you know that?" She snapped coldly at him, shaking her head as she applied pressure to Klaus's wound. She didn't know what else to do for him. She had no medical equipment whatsoever. She'd used the last of it on Jalen.. Speaking of... where is jalen?

She lightly tapped Klaus's cheek, "Where's Jalen..? Klaus! Where did you leave Jalen?" She repeated the question, refusing to let the blonde man pass out on them. The color of the blood, the amount, she couldn't let his eyes close while he was in this state. She was leaning over him since he threw the blade, terrified to look at the resulting wound she was doing her best to compress.

---

---

A cool breeze tapped Jalen on his back, and he lifted his matted dusty hair from the ground, peeling his eyes open. Huh? How long have I…? He sat back, arms stretched out propping himself and glanced around, light still lingered. “I suppose I reset… but I still feel so apathetic.” Jalen sighed tonelessly, “No. I needn’t be a tool.” He spoke with vigour. Forget this power, I can be more. The resolve echoed through him as he promised himself to engage more and he inhaled and exhaled steadily, closing his eyes to picture what the new him meant. A smile flickered across his face. “I still have uses.” His eyes snapped open and his smile grew his teeth shining from ear to ear, “Haha! I need a deal! I actually need that pompous platinum grump; Kl…” His final words snapped short as he recalled the earlier cries. They’re not back… Jalen sprang to his feet, nothing hurt anymore he noticed but he didn’t hesitate launching forward into the forest.

Trees snatched at him but he ignored the superficial scratches, focused on his companions. It’s strange to feel I need them... He shook his head. “I need them.” I have to pull away from what was. I have to.
It wasn’t long before Jalen came to a small clearing by the mouth a cave. This is where the commotion aught to have sourced. His eyes noticed the splatter of blood by a boulder and drops leading away. Jalen’s eyes bulged at the scene, “Am I… too late?” He darted forward towards to cave but paused short of the entrance as a flicker of light caught his eye. Jalen retracted and bent down nearing the object.
“A dagger?” The weapon looked expensive but it was caked in blood, even the handle. Jalen allowed his jacket to fall ripping a sleeve off his shirt to wrap the blade up, tucking it behind his belt. His other sleeve was looking pretty poor as his own dried blood weighted it. Jalen tore it off discarding it and lifting back up his jacket.

“Looking for your friends?” A voice hissed and Jalen turned to notice a green haired woman standing at the mouth of the cave. “They’re inside.”
“What happened?” Jalen asked indicating with his head the mess outside. The woman, Jalen noticed, didn’t break her gaze.
“They’re safe. I trust you want to see.” It was almost as if she swayed Jalen noticed. A second figure stood behind the woman obscured by the shadows of the cave and spoke softly in tongue Jalen didn’t recognise.
“Who’s there? Arya?” Jalen squinted but it wasn’t her.
“Dark Prince.” The words chilled Jalen and he steeled himself.
“Who are you and just what have you done with the others?” Jalen barked. The woman drew out closer, lift her arm up and placing her hand on his shoulder. The gaze she gave irked him.
“With regards…” She clenched down and Jalen yelled out as her fingers dug into his skin, he dropped to a knee. “… from your mother.” Jalen looked up her appearance was dissolving and scales began replacing skin, her hair began to squirm and hiss.
“What the…?” Jalen tried lifting but woman clenched harder, “Arghh!”
“What have you…” Jalen choked out blood, “… done with… my friends…” His hand clutched round to the back of his, grasping for the concealed weapon; the being gripped tighter.
“I wonder…” The being hissed not revealing anything to him.
If I can just reach… Jalen relented when his eyes caught the opening to the cave. Rows of the beings now stood, serpentine hair, scales, their eyes glowing.
“The unworthy one is no loss.” She spoke commandingly at the amassing force. I have to move… timing is key. Jalen prepared himself to slash and retreat.
“Now.” The woman spoke and Jalen flashed out the bloody blade to strike first.

But she hadn’t moved.

Her eyes flashed completely white.

Jalen couldn’t move.

What?!

The entire group was emitting white from their eyes and Jalen couldn’t avert himself, gripped tightly down he found himself frozen, arm out stretched, blade in hand.
The woman released her grasp, “Tsk.” She looked unimpressed at weapon, moving back to the cave.

Arya groaned as she awoke, eyes clenching as she felt a throbbing pain in the back of her head and neck, but when she went to touch it, but as her vision slowly returned to her, she found herself tied to one of the thicker surrounding stalagmites. Looking around, she located Klaus to her left, and Diana on the other side of him. She thrashed against the bindings but let out a squeak of fear as she watched several stalactites collapse in front of her. Whether or not it was from her struggling, she ceased all attempts and tried to reach the unconscious Klaus with her foot, "Klaus...Klaus.." She whispered, straining herself until her foot roughly swiped at his shoe, shoving his foot a few inches, "Wake up.. leaving the cave wasn't enough for that venomous bitch.." She snapped, glaring as she tried to locate the Gorgon. She definitely wasn't dying here, she hated snakes!

“Who’s there? Arya?”

She could hear the echo of Jalen's voice, her eyes widening as she realized he'd come to rescue them, or so she hoped.

"Jalen! We're over here!" She attempted to shout in desperation, though she wasn't sure of the danger he would face. Would he be strong enough to beat the Gorgon or was her shout in vain? She waited, but heard nothing more from their dark haired companion. Did she.. kill him..? Arya's eyes began to water, threatening to fall down her face but instead she let out a frustrated scream. She felt so helpless and never in a million years did she see Jalen coming to help them... and now that he did, he possibly died for them. She was feeling the emotions attack, their assault was far too quick, she couldn't process them fast enough. It was like a floodgate just malfunctioned and slung the bottled up emotions out all at once. The anger, the sadness, everything just poured out into raw emotion and she thrashed again, far more violently than the first time.

"Klaus, Diana! We have to get out of this cave! We have to go help Jalen!" She pleaded, hoping the other two would wake up soon. She dropped her head, trembling as she came to a whisper, "I can't do this all on my own..."

She tried to remember how the group was captured, but all she remembered was Klaus bleeding and Jalen's scream in the distance. Then everything went black. Perhaps the Gorgon attacked them from behind? But why would she kidnap the group? Why would she keep them alive this long? What was her purpose?

She could hear footsteps approaching, but it was neither the Gorgon or Jalen. Instead a black haired human approached, but as she stepped into one of the light beams that were scattered throughout the cave, Arya recognized her face instantly. What kind of magic turns her into a beautiful woman? How strong is this Gorgon, can be beat a beast that is able to maintain such a form..?

She knelt down in front of Arya as she approached the blonde, cupping her face. She swung her arm, and as a result Klaus and Diana were frozen in place inside a red aura. Arya lunged at the Gorgon in disguise, but was still bound to the stalagmite. The Gorgon laughed sadistically before patting Arya's cheek.

"Don't worry, my eyes are no threat to you while I'm in this state. You can look freely, child. Besides.. The other two won't remember a thing. We can have...a private discussion."

She stepped away from Arya, pacing the floor, "Women... I've never been fond of them...too smart...too nosey... I became this...because of a smart...jealous...bitter woman. Do you know how it feels to be repulsive? To never have a family? To never marry? I see you're a princess.. and this one is your 'One true love'.. I am going to show you how it feels... because I'm going to keep these two men here forever....and after I feel you've suffered enough... then I MIGHT end your misery... and her's.." She pointed to Diana.

"We're not in love so you're not going to get the reaction you're expecting... Sorry to disappoint.." She spat icily at the monster. The black haired Gorgon smirked, approaching her once more, "You don't even realize it do you...? It's written in the stars.. Fate is so much stronger than willpower..." She laughed, digging her nails into Arya's cheek, "You don't even realize you've got no say in the matter.. it will sneak up on you before you even know it...and I'm willing to bet the seeds of your infatuation have already sprouted."

Then she placed a kiss on Arya's cheek and released the spell.. approaching Klaus with a wobbly step, "Oh thank goodness.. I thought I was the only one in this cave... I was captured by some horrible creature.. I escaped my bindings, but I can't fight her off on my own.." She sniffed, eyes watering as she began to untie Klaus. Her first spell erased all memory of Arya attempting to wake him.. so to him she appeared to be a helpless maiden.

"Are you alright..? My name is Morgana... What's yours..?" She asked in a fearful tone.