A Dragon's Loyalty [Open]

[Levi Kayamei]

Levi embraced the short blonde, wrapping his arms around her and rubbing her back slowly. As her legs buckled, he slowly went down with her, eventually planting his knees on the ground, letting Kyrie's weight rest fully on his. Words came to mind, but he refrained from speaking as now was not the time for words. He closed his eyes and rested his cheekbone on her head, feeling the slow sobbing of a strong warrior finally letting go.

Levi was unaccustomed to soothing others, however, he found soothing Kyrie easy, rewarding, as if her happiness added to his own. He had passed this off as something that came with a close friendship before, another thing that was previously unfamiliar to him, but this was more....this much was clear to him now. These thoughts raced through his head as he continued to hold Kyrie, hoping that this was the best thing for her.

[Kyrie Blaze]

A hug could work miracles; it was exactly what the blonde needed.

With Levi wrapping his arms around her, Kyrie collapsed inwards as her legs continued to give out and they sank down to the ground. Since she had started to let go, mostly willingly even though the tears were just impossible to hold, there was no need for her to try or even think of holding herself away. There were no room for any thoughts aside from memories.

It wasn't necessarily for herself that she cried--for herself because of the family she lost, yes, but for them, moreover. And even for the corpse behind her, though he wasn't the main reason she broke down, but a catalyst that drove her over the line, though she was undoubtedly sorrowful at having to kill him.

So Kyrie curled in and tried to keep her sobs and hiccups to a minimum so she didn't jar her ribs. It didn't work out so well, but she wasn't hysterical or loud. Eventually she moved the hand covering her mouth to actually hang onto Levi. If she said anything, it was muffled and mostly indeterminable, save for the occasional name and very infrequent, strangled apology.

[Levi Kayamei]

Levi smiled as she slowly began to relax somewhat and let everything go. After about five minutes, He moved his arms to carry her as he stood up slowly. He made a platform from light, stepped onto it, and began "flying" towards Kyrie's home. He would continue to hold her tightly as they flew, knowing that the best thing for her after this would be a good night's rest.

As he approached Mathew's home, he looked down at the blonde girl in his arms. If she was asleep, he would simply walk her inside and eventually find what appeared to be her room and lay her down in her bed. If she was awake, he would smile as he spoke.

"You're home.....I think a good night's rest would be good for you. Shall I carry you up?"

[Kyrie Blaze]

Kiyr made no protest at being picked up. And if she did, it was only verbal and quickly swallowed up by the tears and by containing a pained murmur. It wasn't so bad after he actually stood and the pressure on her ribs stabilized. She kept her head bowed, face hidden, but leaned against him instead f trying to keep herself in a stiff position. For one, it just took too much out of her to resist, and another...

The boundary of trust was just within reach, and yet it could be a big - but perhaps easy - step to take.

It was when he paused in the forward motion that Kyrie peeked from between strands of hair to see where they were, and then slowly lift her eyes, lifting her hands to wipe her eyes and cheeks.It was a while before she responded; she didn't want to be 'alone' with the ghosts of her past looming over her shoulders, but she finally drew in a partial breath and made the effort to contain herself.

"...I can walk, thank you..."

One hand lowered to tuck and brace her ribs, should Levi put her down. She wouldn't have minded him taking her up, but there was an issue of pride, and not wanting to cause a stir if anyone saw them. Just best if they simply thought she was crying because of her cracked - perhaps broken - ribs.

[Levi Kayamei]

As he began he to set Kyrie down, he could feel her wince from the pain that was certainly her broken ribs. He straightened back up as he walked inside, holding her just as tightly to hopefully minimize her pain.

"I'm sure you can, but not tonight. Lead the way"

He would let her direct him to her room as he scanned the place with his eyes. At least I don't have to worry about getting crushed because I'm here this time. He finally made it to where she led him. He paused for a moment as he took in his surroundings, then he smoothly walked over to her bed and set her down carefully, now kneeling at her bedside. He looked into her eyes after surveying the extent of her injuries, determining that while serious, were not life threatening.

"Is there anything I can get you? I'll be honest...I really don't want to leave you...."

Levi blushed at the last part of his sentence as he fought to make the blushing go away. The words had simply come out naturally without a second thought.....but he had meant them and he did not regret them, so his eyes did not waver as he stared at the wounded blonde.

[Kyrie Blaze]

She almost reiterated what she'd just said to him, but bit the inside of her cheek to stop the words, against her better judgement. He was simply trying to help. It was most likely he had his fair share of bruised, cracked, and broken ribs (and other bones), so he at least understood. She quietly pointed out the directions with slight motions of her fingers until they came to the room that she and Rai had to share.

She kept her hand bound firmly over her ribs as she was set down and exhaled shakily, averting her eyes and just focusing on adjusting to the different way she was now positioned. She didn't protest the inspection, but she didn't move her hand from her ribs. And aside from that, what seemed to have been a split lip, and a solidly ugly bruise on her jaw, she was physically fine.

She obliged him by looking up after he was done his inspection, her gaze quiet, for the moment. A slow blink came at his confession, and if she felt like moving, she would have edged away.

"...there is a first aid kit. If you would bring me, at the very least, the long tensor bandage in it, I would appreciate it. There is a closet in the hall, it is on the floor."

She has to bind her ribs or sleep would be nonexistent. Even more than it felt like it was bound to be.

[Levi Kayamei]

Levi quietly let out an exasperated laugh at himself as she directed him towards the first aid kit. He felt stupid for confessing the way he did as he was normally tactful and good with words so as to not create uncomfortable situations. If you added that lack of tact with how well he had gotten to know Kyrie....he knew he had said too much too quickly, especially given the recent events. He quietly handed her the bandages she requested from the kit and watched for a moment as she began to apply the bandages. Satisfied that she was really in no danger from her injuries, he set the kit by her bed and stood up slowly as he turned to leave, turning his head back as he spoke, a slightly solemn tone in his voice.

"Well, I'm sure you want to be alone........I'd love to play with you again when you're feeling better....goodnight..."

[Kyrie Blaze]

Kyrie selected both the longest and widest bandage and removed the thin aluminum 'clips' with one hand. She braced herself somewhat and lifted her hand so she could adjust her shirt higher up and slowly wind the stretchy material around her chest, keeping it taught but not overly tight.

"...Levi, please, wait."

With her hands busy holding the bandage, she couldn't just let go to reach out, and chances were that the movement would have been too fast. She finished with the same - seemingly easy - careful pace. The little clips' teeth were dug into the end of the bandage and stretched to connect with the bandage over the middle of her chest. Her shirt was slowly eased back down so it wasn't bunched beneath her bra.

If she was honest, Kyrie knew it was a toss-up. She did, but didn't really want to be left alone. She was coming to depend on the Dragons - especially those she was personally familiar with, to which Levi was not an exception - as she rightfully should. It scared her. But...but they weren't...

The blonde looked up, using her hands to shift and gently stretch despite the sharp discomfort and pain. Her lips twitched, just slightly, in an uncertain parody of a sad smile.

"...I apologize. It is not that I do not want your company, but simply that all this is hitting too close to home. Once bitten, twice shy."

She knew she didn't have to explain--knew that Levi was keen enough to at least decipher the surface of what was going on. But it meant something that she actually did. At this time she felt far younger than she had for a large span of time, and being so made her even more wary. She reached out to reassure but at the same time kept to herself.

"I appreciate your help. Thank you."

[Levi Kayamei]

A small smile appeared across his face as Levi turned enough to able to look at Kyrie with his head turned. He had learned quite a bit about his "crush" tonight, some of which would probably take time to digest before he fully understood it. While he had been sad to have to leave her side, he did not take offense. Through getting to know his "crush", Levi's feelings for Kyrie had matured into affection and understanding. He had a pretty good idea of what was going on and she clearly understood that as well. As she finished, he closed his eyes and nodded in understanding as if to say "you don't need to apologize, I was happy to do it", turning back towards the door as she thanked him.

"Anytime...."

With that, the Mirage Dragon walked away, back towards his dueling piano bar. His mind racing through the events that had transpired and how they would affect the future. Upon returning home, he laid his head down on his bed and surprisingly fell right to sleep, clearly more exhausted than he had been aware.

[Kyrie Blaze]

Kyrie bowed her head and listened to Levi's light footsteps fade as he left Mathew's house. Her gaze fell upon the first aid kit after a few minutes of reflection and she grimaced. She'd forgotten to ask him to take it and put it back...but perhaps it was a good thing. She could tell she was going to need some pain killers, though she tried to lean away from them as much as possible because in general, they didn't really agree with her.

All in all, though, it was probably a good idea to knock herself out, even though she would suffer for it in the morning. Sleep was something she needed, and though her body and mind were tired, she doubted she could just quiet the volume of thoughts that still flickered in and out and through her mind. She carefully shifted herself off the bed to dig through the bag and swallow a couple pills with a wince. Everything was quietly and calmly packed away before she stood, and with enough difficulty, managed to get the kit - a rather heavy bag, all things considered - back to where it was stored. She slipped back into the room, once again holding her side and controlling her breathing.

The petite blonde eased ehrself back onto the bed and adjusted what few pillos she had, along with an extra blanket, to support herself. Then, she pulled out a peculiar, shiny piece of paper, dulled with age, and read the words upon the white back.

Kyrie turned it over and gently passed her fingers across the smiling faces forever captured in the still photograph.

Sív pide köd. Pitäam mustaakad sielpesäambam.
Love Transcends Evil. I Keep Your Memories Safe Within My Soul.

With a few tears leaking from her eyes, she remained curled up and prone, only tucking her treasure away when she grew too drowsy to hold it any longer. Kyrie fell to sleep, exhausted, the pain in her ribs numbing as the medicine did its work. Sleep was a welcome oblivion, and she went willingly into its deep, dark embrace.

. o O ( omg end thread! )

[Lucien DeChain]

Thread has been handed in. Though it was technically completed before the new fight system was completed, since it was handed in using said system I will formally award the exp.

+1 EXP to all participants.

Notes:
Levi, I noticed that in one or more posts you referred to Tobias as Paul. We all make slip-ups.

Solid RPing you guys. Keep it up.