Ryn eyed this fox closely, starting to feel uneasy. This was the most intense sense of hate and contempt she'd ever gotten from anyone, and even Nathaniel's negative energies never amounted to this much.

"This is not the place, Nathaniel," she heard Darien speak. "All this commotion going on is distracting my student from her meditation and her studies. I suggest you take this elsewhere or I shall have to use force."

"Stay out of this, old man. This is my fight, and you and Ryn had better stay out of this."

These words made Ryn angry. "Are you mad?! He's much smaller than you!"

There was still no further taunting from the cub. He glared daggers at Nathan growling out, "Yeah, lets take this outside."

Alone now, Whixan surveyed his surrounding, eyes tracing the glinting edges within the darkness. After the short burst of commotion, the light from the hall had been extinguished, leaving only pail moonlight from the torn window hangings to illuminate the room. Why was this happening? They were getting worse every time, and in a freaky way they seemed to make ever more sense. He couldn't stay here, that was for sure. But to leave in the middle of the night may cause more ruckus then he wanted, so it his departure would have to wait for dawn. At least he'd gotten a half decent meal out of it all. For the time being he would just have to avoid sleep again, something that he had become especially good at over the last few months.

It wasn't difficult to find the rusted ladders that led up to the roof top, from here he could see right down the street, the rows of far taller buildings blocking his vision from anything else that might have been beyond. The dull street lights permeated the mist that had formed within the cool night, and the cub found a nice spot on a ledge to look all the way along the broken down streets below. By morning he could return to his alleyway and use it as a base to search for Mike again. Untill then, he was content to sit, and listen untill the first rays of light began to creap around the haunting buildings.

Ryn kept her eyes locked on the fox as he followed Nathan out of the front door. He was clearly younger than her... he couldn't have any older than a 10 year old human kid! She would have gladly knocked some sense into her brother, but her teacher was right there; if she took even one step forward she'd be given a lecture on how to respect other people's wishes... though no one in the family had ever respected her to begin with.

Estella must have been thinking of somewhat the same thing, the kitten observed, because she was the one to make a move instead of her. She hadn't even noticed Darien move and he stood right in the hare's path.

"No, Miss Estella," he said gently. "There's nothing you can do about this now."

"Why not?" Estella protested. "I can't allow pointless violence to go on around here, you know that."

The lupine looked back for a brief moment to make sure his student still stood where she was before he replied. "That is understandable, but you clearly did not see the look in that child's eyes. Do not worry, I'll intervene if I have to."

This clearly did not convince Estella, but she nodded anyway.

If it hadn't been for his age the boy's facial expression would have be rather menacing. But in light of his small stature and childish features it was more indignant and pouty, nothing that would shake Nathan's demeanor.

He glared, "You know only cowards attack from behind." The young fox glared right back, "You know only ix'cis attack people smaller than them." At this Nathan did flinch some, the term ix'cis was Kydane slang term which realy had no meaning other than to describe someone or something in the most vulgar light possible. It was rarely used by noblility because of its low class connotation. Even so a kid this age using it was enough to make anyone twitch. The older boy regained himself quickly and clenched his fist, "You need to learn some manners brat. You're speaking to a superior person." The fox sneered back, "Only superior in ego!" He charged again, but was still only able to land a few light punches before being thrown off. This time however Nathan didn't see adults around to stop him, running foward and kicking the floored fox in gut.

What happened next was again a shock to him. This kid that acted so streetwise and cocky seemed to fold after one hit. He didn't even really kick him THAT hard but the cub screamed as if he'd shoot him. Then curled into a sniveling ball right before nathan's eye's.

Ryn had enough of this. Nate had gone too far. "STOP IT!"

She tore her way outside through the front door, pushing Darien aside (she told herself to apologize for it later on), and placed herself inbetween the bawling cub and her brother. "That's enough!"

Nathaniel recovered from his shock and told her, "Get out of the way, Ryn. This doesn't involve you."

"Cut the crap!" The younger feline clenched her fist. "If you take one more step forward, I swear I'll take you down myself!"

Nathaniel wasn't fazed by her attitude. Instead he became furious. "You've got some nerve, you little runt," he growled, "trying to protect garbage like him. Doesn't surprise me in the least; you're just like him anyway."

Ryn tried desperately to stand her ground and not rush at him. Her eyes quickly darted to the doorway to see Estella and Darien... why were they just standing there?!

Her attention snapped back to Nathaniel as she barely dodged a fiery punch, ducking to the side and darting to where the fox still lay.

"Are you okay?" she whispered, highly doubting she would get an answer.

The cub went silent, tears still in his eyes. The next sound wasn't from the boy, but from behind Nathan. "Stop this neolithic display immediately." The voice belonged to another fox that looked very similar to the boy on the ground. However this young man was far more impressive. The way he carried himself and his facial expressions showed confidence and leadership. He was holding a shaped wooden stick used for physical exercise and self defense training. His words were clear and unwavering, and he was standing behind Nathaniel.

Ryn was almost glad to see someone that would help, she knew she had to make sure he knew the truth before Nate tried to twist it. "He was beating on this kid!" She heard herself yelp out. Regardless of his young age the boy's words sounded like something out of a storybook. He drew the wooden weapon and started to circle Nathan toward Ryn and the fallen cub. "While I am endebted to you defending my sibling, Miss, it is the elders responsiblity to protect his juniors. If you'll forgive me I'll take over this situation." Nathan glared at yet another pipsqueak being involved, watching him circle and position himself between the other two youngesters and Nathan.

The armed child glared him down, "If you take issue with us then you will deal with me, as the eldest child of House Underwood." Ryn watched, a little in awe of him. He couldn't have been much older than her, in fact he looked very much the same age as the boy on the ground sniveling. But his speech and presence seemed so much older. His vocabulary was beyond hers and from his stance it was obvious he knew how to use the wooden stick he was carrying.

Nathan had been trying to ignore the brat untill the last phrase he'd stated. The eldest child of what? House Underwood. Dammit, that kid is the son of a Warden? What the hell was he doing in the slums? This is bad, this one may be a squirt but those Warden schools are borderline military academies. Who knows what this religious nut is capable of, even if he DOES only have a stick.

Estella stared in disbelief. "What on earth...? Master Darien--"

"I guess there was no need for me to intervene after all," she heard the wolf chuckle. "I suppose it's out of my hands; I'm not as young as I used to be."

His statement only succeeded in making the middle-aged rabbit annoyed with him. Useless, as usual, the glutton.

Nate knew he had to back off, this other kid had to be stronger than he looked. Fighting him would be pointless now. He was sure Darien would paralyze him before he got a punch off him.

"Whatever," he finally said, crossing his arms. "Just get out of here already, before I change my mind." He locked his eyes on Ryn briefly before turning and walking away, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his pants.

Had she'd been younger, that menacing look he gave her would have sent Ryn scrambling to her nanny, screaming and crying. It didn't work on her anymore after a while, after she sent him flying from a punch to his jaw back when she had just started her training with Darien as a child.

She watched as the younger cub was helped to his feet by his elder sibling, glad to see this whole mess was over with.

"I apologize for not stopping my brother," she said, starting to feel a little guilty. "He's a bully, and would gladly terrorize and beat up anyone who he considers inferior to or weaker than him, even his own youngest brother. He's a selfish and greedy coward... I hate people like him."

Whixan's ears perked up slightly, hearing something. He looked out and down at the alley below to see John scamper out of the building, towards the street.

The older of the two quickly pulled his younger sibling to his feet, "Next time don't rush in headlong like an idiot. Whatever he did was not worth being humiliated, Richard." The younger fox snorted and jerked away. Then charged a few steps toward the retreating Nathaniel, then stopped and sighed.

The other boy turned to Ryn and bowed lightly, "My name is Trevor. Son of Russell. I sure this incident was not entirely your brother's fault, Richard has not been himself recently do to issues beyond our control."

"Oh shaddup Trev!" Came the indignant retort from the still sulking boy. He had taken a seat on the steps of the house not far from Estella.

Trevor rolled his eyes at the pouting Richard then turned his attention back to Ryn, "I must be going, class starts soon."

The cat nodded slightly. "All right... my name's Ryn, nice to meet you..." She looked back at Richard briefly for a moment, her brow raised. "Um... what about your brother?"

"What about him? He's one of us, I don't need to babysit him." Trevor said non-chalantly turning to leave.

Where's he going to at this time?
For the most part the cub didn't really care; it wasn't any of his beeswax and he'd been razed to respect others business as their own. However, just because someone is braught up with these values, doesnt meen they ever truly sink in, and after only a few moments his curiosity was nagging at him like a itch he couldn't quite get too. Johnny was the only one who would notice he was gone anyway, and Mike had indeed told him to remain close to the rabbit.
With this justification in mind, Whix returned to the hatch and descended the ladder into the hallway. Quietly he jogged down the corridors, taking several wrong turns in his bid to find the quickest root out of the building. Finally the cub stepped out into the street in front of the sanctuary. This was such an odd place, the air boasting a frustrating soup of lingering odors that took a good chunk of his focus to block out, every one dulled down and sapped of color so that it blended easily with the depression that seemed to grace the eyes of all whom he passed. It was times like this that he wished his father had employed someone to tutor him on the dismemberment of such senses, but they had traveled so frequently it had proved simply too impractical to higher anyone for such an unnecessary thing.
The dawn air was still and tranquil, very few had ventured out at this unearthly hour and the trails that crisscrossed the ally ways were still crisp in the lingering dew. It was difficult at first to pick out the rabbit's sent, but after a few moments of clearing his sinuses and wandering in a wide circle, he finally picked up the distinct aroma that seemed to hang around Johnny like an extra appendage. Kinnear must have been at least ten minuets ahead of him by now. But the cub had one advantage, he didn't have to know where he was going. Correcting his bearings one last time, the cub set off nose first in the direction Johnny had ran.

Ryn looked on as Trevor left through the front gate of the manor, then turned to walk back towards the front steps. Ahead of her, Estella had finally stepped outside of the doorway from behind Darien, walked down the steps past Richard and headed towards her.

"Lady Ryn, you could've gotten yourself hurt," she said sternly. "Your father would be displeased if he found out you'd gotten in another fight."

"I'm fine, ain't I? Don't worry yourself to death about me, Estella!"

Ryn heard the hare huff in annoyance as she came to a stop at the steps. Her gaze was fixed on the sulking fox, who glared at her with a bitter expression on his face.

"Are you going to sit there all day and pout or what?"

The young fox didn't say anything. At least the disgusting sneer was gone, in fact his whole demeanor had changed. There didn't seem to be any semblence of the fireball of a cub that he was not a minute ago. In fact he looked downright shy and depressed. After a few moments he finally seemed to gain enough courage to speak, as stuttering as it was. "...s...sorry."

He wouldn't even meet her eyes now, it was like he was another person.

The cat found herself slighty taken aback by his sudden change in behavior. "Don't beat yourself up about it," she finally replied, trying to keep her voice from sounding so harsh. "You can stay here until you feel better... if you want."

She climbed up a couple of steps, but paused, as though she had forgotten something to say.

"If you're hungry, you can ask Estella to make something to eat. Don't worry, she's actually nice."

The fox nodded his head, but didn't make a move to do anything. It was hard to tell what was going on in his mind. His expression was so blank.

As the first scattered patches of light burned their way though the mist, a bedraggled grey furred fox cub could be seen scurrying up the deserted city streets, pausing every few moments to check his bearings, looking around like a spooked woodland animal keeping a watch for predators. The tall buildings had thinned out and given way to a suburban sprawl that clung to the edges of the metropolis like a hardy bathroom mold, growing steadily outward from the rust tinged base of a shiny tap. Again the child paused, this time continuing his pursuit with renewed passion, clearly gaining ground on his quarry though it was still no where in sight. It had been hit and miss for a few moments, he'd taken a wrong turn back in the confusing labyrinth of streets, loosing precious time with backtracking and hunting down the trail once again. But now he knew he was getting closer, the strength of the path before him doubling in only a few blocks. He ran faster, a sudden passion taking hold of his stride as he realized success was within his grasp, a pounding elation lifting his spirits from the depths of his soul. For the first time in months he suddenly felt alive again, hart quickening as a kind of giddy euphoria overtook all other thoughts in his mind now that he was latched firmly to the sent of Johnny. He was no longer just a child lost in a city, he was a hunter, a born again predator, tracking not the odors that clung to the pray, but the pray itself.
Closer,
Closer,
Suddenly! A glimpse, a blink of a grey foot rounding a corner just down the street. He'd see it! He could practically smell its confutation, its sweat and fatigue.
Now he was as silent as a deathly wind, the instinct of old taking the rains in earnest as he padded around the corner and sighting his motionless quarry.
It was too perfect.

The young rabbit had only paused for a moment of deliberation, pondering which root would be quicker, when his ears perked up to the sound of gravel shifting behind him under some sudden movement. But barely had his rabbit mind processed this important information when his attacker struck, barreling into him with a loud, high-pitch, giggling battle cry.
"WrAW!"

"What tha... HURK-" He'd barely spung around before he was hit with a small ball of fur and sent to the ground. He grunted and rolled his eyes, "I supposed this is Vulpinoid for hello?"

The kit snorted back the giggles for a moment before rolling off the rabbit and onto his back, laughing manically.
"Heehe, the-the look on your face! I- Hehheee - I almost wish I'd brought a camera!"

The rabbit snorted, "Oh haha, laugh it up fuzzball. Least you're not whining around anymore. Why are you following me anyway?"

The giggling lessened for a moment, the cub coming across a rather vital revelation.
"You know, *giggle* thats actualy pretty good question. But it was worth it just for that look!"
After a moment or two the child's amusement weighened, and he stood up to look up at the rabbit again, a slightl smile still spread at the edge of his features.
"Soooo, where were are you going anyway?"

Ryn almost started to feel sorry for the boy, and at the same time furious at Nate for what he did. She clenched her fist as she climbed the remaining front steps, trying to keep herself from going after her brother and beating the crap out of him.

No, Ryn, nows not the time keep yourself calm, youll get the bum later

Lady Ryn, Estella spoke. Go on ahead inside; Master Darien is waiting for you. Ill stay with the child, so do not worry.

The feline nodded without looking back. Okay. She ran inside, deciding that shed confront her brother when her lesson was over for the day.

Nathaniel kicked the door open to his room and looked around. It was just as messy as hed left it, same piles of dirty laundry and magazines strewn everywhere, and the same pungent aroma of sweaty socks and corn chips. A few dirty dishes sat on a small stack of carelessly tossed papers, adding to the already grotesque atmosphere.

Damn it all, he kept muttering to himself as he flopped onto his sloppily kept bed, sending a few articles of clothing to the floor. Stupid kids getting in my way that little smartass Ryn

Nate?

What the hell do you want, Junior?! Nathan glared at his youngest brother, who had just showed up in his doorway. Dont pester me right now.

Junior wrinkled his nose in disgust. Whats your problem?

None of your business, you runt. The older cat turned away. Get out of my room.

Junior ignored him; instead, he entered the room, eyeing a mirror on the left wall, which had a pile of clothes sitting in front of them. He tossed those aside and started studying his face in the mirror.

Why do I gotta look so much like Jules? he complained. Youd think that Dad would give me a different name seeing as how I dont look like him in the least bit.

Like I care, Nathan growled. And I told you to get out.

Junior looked up from the mirror. I get it now you got your ass kicked, didnt you?

Get out.

Come on, I wont tell anyone! Just answer me!

GET OUT!!

The outburst sent Junior reeling in surprise. Quickly scrambling to his feet, he ran from the room, saying, See you later, LOSER!!

Those words stabbed Nathan like a knife. He would've gladly bashed the kid's head in by now, but seeing him fall to the floor was good enough for now. His focus was elsewhere...

OOC: Gimmie a bit guys. I'm not 100% right now.

OOC: I've got a bit of free time now. I was wondering if I should wait a bit longer (not that I have any ideas) or continue on? Sorry if I sound impatient. ><

OOC: By all means don't wait for me. The Real Life junk is gone, I'm just trying to figure out how I can do with this what I WANT to do with this. I really need more people. >.<;

OOC: I agree with you on that. I still like this RP, though. Hopefully I'll have something written down sometime today.
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IC:
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Ryn stared longingly out the window as she sat at her desk in the small library of the manor. Sitting in front of her a pencil and a piece of paper, which had only her name written on it.

If it was anything she hated more than being stuck inside this large, stuffy house, it was being stick in a large, stuffy house with schoolwork.

The kitten was still feeling worked up from the close call earlier with Nate, and wanted to go to the small gym out back to work off some steam. Unfortunately, Darien had just given her an essay to write on respecting one's elders and why it was important, saying, "You're not moving until it's finished."

Fat chance of that, buddy. You know I hate writing about crap I'm already fully aware of.

Why couldn't that old wolf cut her some slack. If she hadn't stepped in when she did...

"Ahem... I don't hear you writing."

Ryn sharply turned her head to see Darien standing behind her. Hastily, she picked up the pencil and paper and lowered her head, pretending to think of what she was going to write.

The wolf wasn't fooled. "Don't even try it, kid."

"Why do I have to do this anyway? I apologized already!!"

"Why? Because you still do not understand the concept of respect, Ryn! You're the most stubborn of all my students; you never listen to authority-- I still can't grasp why!"

Ryn glared right into her teacher's eyes. "I live in a house with a bunch of idiots. None of them have ever acknowledged me as a member of this family even though I've been adopted into their clan. As far as I'm concerned, I have no parents. The only one who's ever been there... the only adult I trust in this entire house is Estella.

Don't you think it's freaking stupid that the two people responsible for taking me out of the slums have done nothing but ignore the fact that I exist, scold me for no reason, call me names, and let their three oldest sons get away with murder?!"

She was almost crying now; it was something she swore to herself a long time ago she'd never do as she tried unsuccessfully to fight back her tears.

OOC Edit: I hate plain text. ><

Before the wolf could respond the dramatic moment became a more tense one as they heard the fox's voice behind them. "Because you can't trust the noble races."

He wasn't alone either, Apparently after they had let him inside he'd taken it apon himself to allow entry to two others. A slightly older rabbit, and a small fox cub of some subspecies.

The fox seemed to have regained his confidence, probably due to having the other boy with him. The rabbit looked nervous muttering, "Ricky, ixna on the acismra. Olfwa." The foxboy didn't seem to care instead he continued underminding Darien, in front of him. "If punishment seems stupid, it probably is. You can't trust adults, they're stupid too."

Whixan looked on from behind John.

The child seemed rather vague, his preoccupied gaze wandering around the room absentmindedly, his attention never settling on any one thing for very long. Every so often, his eyes would land on either the girl or her sensei, as though politely trying to keep up with the conversation. There was something about the way he held himself in their presence, hands behind his back and chin never dipping below a particular point, as though his etiquette was far more refined then his scruffy appearance would suggest.

"You shouldn't be in here." The wolf had been a bit surprised at seeing the fox again, but it quickly turned into annoyance that he had been interrupted yet again. "I'm going to have to ask you lot to leave."

"Leave them be, Darien." Estella had just arrived in the room as well. Her tone of voice wasn't that of someone who had always addressed others as though they were of a higher station than her; instead, it was more assertive. "They've done nothing to you, and I'm sure they won't cause any harm. Vincent wishes to speak with you immediately in his study."

Ryn had forgotten about her outburst as she looked on at the two adults, hearing Darien make some sort of noise as he walked past the hare and proceeded to exit the room.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Estella muttered, "Crazy old bat."

"I like him," The kit said, quiet unexpectedly "He seems nice."

The middle-aged rabbit turned to face Richard and his companions. "As for you three..."

Ryn half-expected Estella to scold them at this point, but that wasn't the case. The tone of voice was quite the opposite, though still questioning.

"Is there anything you boys want?"

Richard looked around, somewhat sheepishly. "Actually... I need a place to stay. It's too dangerous to go home right now."

Johnny raised an eyebrow, wondering exactly what the fox meant by that. But the youth stayed quiet.

Estella looked as though she were about to inquire further, but decided against it.

"All right, then," she replied with a smile, "I'll go straighten up the guest rooms. There's nothing to worry about, my boss is already aware that you're here."

The fox snerked, "I'm sure dad put the fear of Kenji into him."

The old rabbit paused in her step, saying rather tentatively, "I wouldn't know if that was the case, young man."

Ryn muttered bitterly, "You've got quite the ego for someone who got just got their butt kicked." Her violet eyes remained locked on Richard as she spoke. "Don't get so big-headed just 'cause you're the son of a Warden."

"Lady Ryn!" Estella scorned.

"The only reason you're here is 'cause I said you could stay," the kitten continued, "so don't think you can just parade around here like you own the place."

She had her arms crossed now, just waiting for his response...

Johnny took position, better than anyone he was best suited to anticipate Ricky's reaction. And he knew that the cub lacked the chivlarous attitude toward females that most Warden had. Knowing that he braced himself to tackle the boy if him lunged.

Rico stopped dead, looking down and clenching his fists. He muttered through gritted teeth, "My father is a disgusting dictator who would mess up a little kid to accomplish his stupid goals." Then he yelped out, "Just like all Warden!" They just manipulate people and hurt people, JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE DIFFERENT! THEY'RE EVIL AND SHOULD BE DESTROYED! AND WHEN KEN-" He broke off and covered his mouth. Johnny raised an eyebrow.

The young fox looked down again and tensed up, "Don't compare to Warden ever again or I'll-" The rabbit finally stepped forward and grabbed his shoulder, "We know, you'll start crying again." He looked up sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head with a cheesey smile, "John Kinnear, call me Johnny. About crankyboy here. You should probably know that he meant his dad was here bullying your dad and he hates him for doing that stuff, ay? Ricky has a very distinct lack of social skills... yipe!"

Johnny jumped back rubbing his hand, "Dang Ricky, I was just explaining it to them. No need to start that magic crap." The boy glared at him mumbling, "I don't like being touched." The rabbit let out a breath and shrugged at Ryn giving a half hearted laugh, "Don't worry, he gets used to you after awhile. I think."

"You shouldn't shout, you know." Said a light voice from the other side of the room.
Several looked around to where the interruption had come from to see the youngest boy standing next one of the many book shelves in the library, tracing his finger along the tombs with gathering interest while still apparently addressing anyone who would listen.
"People will get the wrong impression if you shout, and you'll feel bad about it afterwards. Tiffanie Poul...hmm, never heard of her before?" The kit pulled a book from the shelf, examining its patterned cover before replacing it and carrying on down the row. "Plus it's not very polite when youre a guest. I wonder if they have Oscar Wild?"

The kitten looked on the youngest kid for a moment, thinking that maybe she shouldn't have been so quick to judge.

"I'm sorry 'bout what I said, okay?" she apologized hastily, casting a side glance at Johnny and Rico. "My name's Ryn. This whole house has enough problems as it is, so I'd advise you not to get dragged into them. Otherwise, do whatever you want. No one's really gonna stop you, except Estella, of course."

She turned away from them after that and flopped in the chair and began flipping through the thick book that still lay on the desk. After a minute, the girl closed it and pushed it to the side. "If you're looking for an Oscar Wilde work, here's one right here," she muttered softly.

Seeing that things finally became less tense in the room now, Estella slipped quietly out of the library and headed to the second floor of the manor. She figured that after she'd dust and straighten up the guest rooms that she'd prepare lunch...

The hare was near the entrance to the study when she heard them... the voices of Vincent and Darien from inside the study.

"... Estella has been working hard for this family for many years now, Darien. If anything, she's been nothing but vital to my daughter's upbringing."

"Fine, I'm leaving. But remember, Vince: the strong prevail, and the weak perish. It's a tough world out there, and you've got to know who your friends and enemies are."

Estella nearly gasped at what she heard. She covered her mouth, and, as fast as she could, walked back the way she came.

"You may as well tell me now, Miss." Estella halted her paniced jog and looked back a few paces to were the young rabbit was leaned lazily against the wall. "I may not look at but I'm not a purebreed, part of this dumb kid has noble blood running through him. Besides if the deceit and hate was strong enough for me to feel it, you can bet your ass Ricky's already there, despite the way he acts his talent's the strong of any of his house since Henry, himself."

Henry Underwood was the current leader's father. A man everyone on the continent had heard of. He'd been the one to prove the Vulpinoid race's nobility and to prove the Underwood lineage back to Kenji Pendragon himself. Every Vulpinoid owed him their quality of life.

Back in the library Ricky had tensed up again. He stalked over to Whixan wordlessly and seemed to calm down for a moment, then looked worse than before. Whix was rather busy combing the contents of the library and didn't seem to notice the fidgeting fox cub untill he spoke. The phrase was short and full of concern and empathy, "I... I'm sorry." He did not explain it at all, as if he assumed Whix would know what he had spoken in reference to. Instead the brooding adolescent jogged out of the room and down the hall, leaving Whix and Ryn left to ponder just what was going on with this strange kid.

For a few moments the child's weary eyes remained solidly held on the doorway though which the other vulpine had vanished, his slight air of confusion developing into a light smile. Turning there hostess, whixan walked over and picked up the book Ryn had offered.
"You've got a really nice house." He said lightheartedly, eyes shimmering slightly with childish ignorance as he scanned the book's rusty red cover "A little old fashioned, but there's a lot of in love here. There isn't much love outside."
With a gentle flick he opened the book and began scanning the first few pages, aways being sure to only touch the paper with the very tip of his claws, so not to inflict any marks on the otherwise pristine surface.

The old rabbit froze at the sight of seeing this stranger. She hadn't noticed him until now... Had she been followed?
"H-how?" she spoke, stuttering a little out of fear, "How did you get in here?"

Nathaniel grew restless. He'd sulked long enough. He needed to work off his anger.

Rolling off his bed, he stood up to full height and headed out of the bedroom. He'd no sooner stepped outside the doorway when he spotted his Terald and Robert down the hall, sitting on the stairs leading to the ground level of the manor. Terald was the first to see him.

"Oh, Nate, there you are. I was wonderin' if you were like, sleep," he drawled in his slightly drunken voice.

"Enough of that, dummy," Nathan snapped. "You two come with me. I'm got some energy to burn."

"On who?" Robert spoke up this time.

Nathan suddenly paused, causing his younger brothers to bump into him.

"What's wrong?" Rob started to say.

"It's him... that Warden kid," Nate growled, pointing towards a small running figure. "Obviously, that little punk hadn't learned his lesson from before." He looked back towards his brothers with an evil grin on his face. "Shall we go keep him company?"

"Outside, huh?" Ryn spoke softly, letting a weak spark of electricity dance around in the palm of her hand. "You must have been bounced around to different homes all your life... It must not be pleasant to live like that..."

She trailed off there, sensing that familiar feeling of bad news. Letting the spark go out, she got up from the chair, ready to run out the door.

Nate...

The rabbit rubbed his nose, "Came in with the fox kid, you musta ignored me before. Don't worry I'm used to it. Name's John Kinnear, and if you're complacent with the way we're treated you're about to get yourself into the middle of a situation you don't want to be in."

Rico was about turn down the corner toward the study containing Vincent and Darian but he stopped dead. Then glared behind him for a second muttering, "Whatever, I hope thats for me." And continued down towards the study.

Estella stared at the ground, her mind racing...

"I... I can't just abandon Ryn; I've watched over the child her entire life. She reminds me of the child I lost so long ago... but I can't let her know this..."

"Oh, no, Nate, he's headed towards there," Terald spoke up, beginning to panic. "Isn't Dad there... and Ryn's teacher?"

"Do I look like I care?" Nathan drove his fist into his brother's skull. "Dad ain't gonna do a thing and neither is that old man. Anyone else who gets in my way will get fried."

Ryn's running slowed to a walk as she turned to the corridor, still following that "Angry Nate" sense. She felt a little bad leaving Whixan in the library by himself, but she figured he'd be okay.

The kitten was about to turn the corner when she spotted Estella and... Johnny?

She ducked behind on the wall, perking her ear so she could listen...

"...I can't just leave Ryn..."

Ryn's eyes widened. L-leave? What's going on here?!

He was alone again, or so he thought. a few moments ticked by until a once again familiar voice came from above him. "Tsk tsk, things just are not going our way today are they. My friends seems to have flown the coop within takign care of your problem and now those guys are leaving you by yourself again. Just what ARE we going to do with them?" Whixan looked open and blinked, Mike had appeared again. This time sitting cross legged on the top of one of the book shelves.

Jonathon raised an eyebrow, "What is it you can't let her know? I'm assumes it's something to do with those two in there. But other than the fact thats one's scared and one hates you I don't know anymore."

" hmm, there goes my sense of reality again. Why is it that you always seem to be around whenever nobody else is?" The child mused curiously, breaking his momentary silence as he recognized the unexpected face that now looked down from its perch far above his head.
"And I don't mind them leaving me here for a while. Things are getting a little too turbulent out there; I'd rather be in here with a good book."
The cub flopped into the chair Ryn had previously occupied and flipped another page. But after reading the first few sentences he suddenly paused, as though some chill had come over him.
" Why is it that everyone hurts? Is it the truth of life that everyone 'has' too suffer, or is it just the limitation of my own experiences which tells me so?"

The human got a bemused smirk, "I dislike other people. I have the ability to blend in with other people, only people that I want to notice me, notice me. You've probably notice I'm not what you call a normal person, I know you can see things, and you know I'm not what I seem." He snickered and hoped down, pacing the floor. "As for the rest. You're not limited at all. And you're pretty much correct about it all. Maybe there just isn't any point to life, maybe we're just here to suffer. If thats the case that at least we should find something interesting to do while we're here, don't you think?"

"Depends on how you define 'interesting'," Whix muttered, continuing his progressive scan of the pages, pressing all to much of his attention on the fine print that was laid upon the bleach white pages, "I'm beginning to wonder if its worth running though. What would happen if I just went back? There's always Julie or Gareth left, they might take me in, you never know."
Silence dawned upon the room, broken only by the soft click of a clock pendulum and the turning of another page.
"Or maybe they'll just put me in a home.. Gareth said he would I don't think he likes me at all."

Mike grunted and plopped down onto the ground and leaned against the wooden book shelf. "Thats entirely up to you. The way I see it you either submit to fate or make your own.

And since I happen to know first hand that fate doesn't really exist and the future is always changing, And can tell you that going back would mean you're letting the world do with you what it wants, and that just means you're letting other people do interesting things at your expense. Or suffering as you put it. Personally I find it's better to be the one doing interesting things, rather than having them be done to me. Don't you think?"

The boy was now watching the human intently "Maybe..."
Whix sighed beneath his breath, "Every thing's just so muddled up, Mike. The silly thing is I almost knew it was going to happen eventually, I just didn't see it coming so soon. Like that fish in a blender at the museum; I knew were I was and vaguely what was coming, but I didn't expect anyone to actually push the button."

Mike let out a knowing laugh, "Oh that buttons yet to be pushed. Just wait a few more days kiddo."