Don't mention it (Areka)

[Kalenel D'Rinishad]

Late Cyraxtum in the Season of Summer

Kalenel sat in his now thoroughly cleaned hovel, for what that was worth in this section of the Southern Quarter. He sat up in his chair, awaiting the arrival of Areka, a new member just like himself of House D'rinishad. Faust and Kalenel had saved the girl from a group of bandits, and invited her to join the House. So by all rights, Areka was now his sister.

Leaving the door open, letting the faint light of the rising moon escape into the hovel, Kalenel wondered about Areka. She was a mysterious little girl, and hopefully Kalenel could find out more about her past this night.

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka walked toward the building that she was given the address to. On this night she was to meet up with Kalenel at his home. He said he wanted to talk. Exactly about what she did not but she paid it no mind. He had helped her early and saw no need to dislike him. In fact she was not about of the family and she was hoping that this family was going to be far better than the one she ran away from.

As she got closer she saw that the door was open. She walked up to the front door and stepped across the threshold as if she lived in the home all her life. Looking around she saw Kalenel sitting in a chair awaiting her arrival. Looking around she say another vacant chair and without asking she sat down.

[Kalenel D'Rinishad]

Areka's arrival caused Kalenel to stand, ushering her inside. They were both D'rinishad's, meaning in a certain way there were siblings. Although it would be impossible to find that bond immediantly, Kalenel hoped it would come to that one day.

"Areka, how do you like the city so far...and please make yourself at home." Kalenel said with a smile. Offering her a cup of clean water, the rogue sat back and waited for her answer.

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka looked at Kalenel with searching eyes. She was happy to have a place to stay and live but this did not mean she wished to speak. The last few days had been very eventful for her and she was rather tired. Still she didn't wish to ignore his question. Plus maybe some talking would do her good. She wouldn't know until she tried.

"It is dark." She replied simply. "I like dark it makes me feel at home, i would rather trust a man who would stab me in the back than trust a priest." She added. "Was there any real reason you wanted me to come tonight?" Areka asked

[Kalenel D'Rinishad]

"I wanted to personally welcome you to House D'rinishad..." Kalenel spoke in the vyystichi language. He did indeed want to do that, yet also he wanted to get to know Areka better. They were both the newest members of House D'rinishad, despite their age difference. "Where did you come from?"

The question was a blunt one, yet soft spoken.

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka slitted her eyes at the question. The wished to avoid conversations about her life before stepping through the gates of Vortex. She hated her parents, she hated that place. If she did not have to think about it she would not.

"The days of my past are just that, the past." She replied in a small voice. "We are here to learn though. I lived in Har'oloth since i was born. I wasn't allowed to do much and my father and mother did not love me. My father beat me daily and my mother did nothing to help. So I left. I took stole a dagger and a 1000 crowns and gather a few of my belongs and ran. You and Faust came to my aid the same day. I haven't thanked you for that yet have I?" Areak looked at Kalenel and took a deep breath. "Thanks. If you have not helped me then I would not have been able to someday kill my parents. I dream of the day they will die by my hands and feel my hate. Never again will they call me nothing but a stupid child. They will die Kalenel, no matter what." Areka finished her sentence looking deep into Kalenel's eyes. Her hatred for her family could easily be read off her body language. She tensed up at the words mother and father. Her eyes almost seemed to slice at Kalenel's soul with the word kill. Areka was a dark, vengeful child. She was a child with a difficult past one that she would leave behind until the day come to face it and drain the life of her mother and father.

Relaxing after a moment she lowered her eyes and sat back in her chair. "If this the answer you were looking for? Where are you from?" She inquired.

[Kalenel D'Rinishad]

Narrowing his eyes as the girl spoke, Kalenel was correct in his thinking that she was the outcome of some horrible past. "If your mother and father were as you say, they deserve your revenge." Kalenel said as Areka finished the story of her past. "No need for your thanks, it was fate that we saved you so thank it." Kalenel said soothingly, leaning back up in his chair. "Perhaps..." Kalenel began, then he let the words die where they stood. His thoughts ran to the sisters he had in House Vamai'tai, and how they were nothing but evil. No relationship had developed between them, and perhaps Kalenel would find what he missed out on in Areka.

"My past was the same in a way as yours, but all my family is already dead. Not by my hand, yet all the same." Kalenel began, before telling Areka the details of House Vamai'tai's downfall.

"I am glad that you can open to me, Areka. I want you to consider me your brother and protector." Kalenel spoke as he looked upon the young girl with crimson eyes. "We can help eachother adjust to all this."

Kalenel then waited for her to respond.

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka eyes softened when she heard Kalenel speak the words brother and protector. She had not siblings. She had not a protector. These words pierced her hard blackened heart. The shell she had built up for years to keep her from feeling the pain of life had been cracked. The pressure of it all was slowly leaking out of the minuscule hole which had formed. And...along with the leaking pressure came a tear. A singled lonely tear started to slid down the Areka's ebony skin. It had been eras since she last cried, Areka had thought it impossible for her to have the salty liquid fall from her eyes. Areka stood from her seat and inched her way told Kalenel and without notice she had curled up in his lap tears streaming down her face, falling silently.

"Brother. Protector." Areka whispered.

[Kalenel D'Rinishad]

It was not normal for the young Kalenel to feel for someone as he was starting to for Areka. There was no one who he could remember that he could say he genuiely cared for before meeting his now mentor and friend Faust. He was now quickly acknowledging that his relationship with Areka would be much of the same.

Comforting Areka with his arms, Kalenel rubbed along her back and on her head as she wept. "Yes Areka, you can count on me."

There wasn't much else he knew to say. He hadn't been in this situation before, one filled with so much emotion, in a long time. He hoped his body language showed his heart well enough.