Jul 25 20:21:01 105 PA

From Chronicles

The current game time is: Sat Jul 25 20:21:01 105 PA.

Later that evening, Desmond remains completely out of it. He lies on a hospital bed in your average gown with monitoring machines beeping steadily. Other than the largish bandage that covers the left side of his head, he looks perfectly fine, right down to the steady, deep breathes he takes. But, for the last few hours, he's remained in torpor.

Roulin has been sitting by Desmond the entire time, talking to him quietly about things and thoughts and feelings. He put out a call to Atticus among other people that he should come quick to the hospital as he sits there and waits, helpless to fix things.

Atticus makes his way to the hospital, talking to the nurse outside for a minute or two. That done he makes his way past the door, stepping in and frowning as he sees the large figure in the bed, stoppping near the door before stepping into the room. "Hey Roulin," he says, frowning as he approaches the bed and squeezes Roulin's shoulder.

Roulin quiets down when Atticus comes in and gives him a simple nod. "Atticus." before he stands, "Thanks. We were just talking...didn't think anyone would shoot us and then suddenly /pow/. The guy was in a wooden building, so I had to just use up a smoke grenade to give us cover so I could drive him here."

"Well, you did a good job. You got him here. Let me see if I can maybe make him more comfortable," Atticus notes, clearing his throat as he moves to stand next to the bed. "The gang is clearly pretty pissed at him. I'm trying to keep this from getting worse." he notes. He places his hand on the wounded man's shoulder, closing his eyes and concentrating.

Roulin gives a soft 'ahh', but dosn't comment more as he watches Atticus. His hands at his sides as he watches Desmond for a few moments more. "Yeah...we were just talking, and I've just making things worse in other respects." He gives a small sigh, "but, doctors said they'd know how he is when he wakes."

Atticus concentrates, lines drawn on his face as his fingers lightly touch Desmond - pouring energy into the man. "He should," he says with a strained voice. "Wake pretty soon. He was ... pretty injured. But I'm doing what I can for him. You got him here safe, that's good enough Roulin. We just need to keep this from escalating before one of us does die."

It will be at the tail end of Atticus' healing work that Desmond finally reacts visibly. A deep, sudden intake of breath will come in the same moment that tension enters his body and his eyes snap open. Staring upward for a moment, letting the last things heard and seen filter with what he senses now. A heartbeat after his sudden waking, his expression curls into an almost feral grimace as his eyes snap to Atticus, the only one he can see at first. He'll start to sit up, far arm swinging upward, claws bared.. before the elf's features filter past the rage that was cut off before it could be expressed before. Though not before those claws get dangerously close. "Atticus..?" Confusion in his deep voice.. then his eyes cross and he falls back onto the reinforced bed, groaning deeply. The lifted hand loses its claws as he shifts it to press against his forehead, letting the wave of vertigo pass.

Roulin stands and watches, not moving for the moment as Desmond moves but giving out a small sigh. He glances over to Atticus, "I'll go give Aimee another call, she should know about this." As he turns to leave the room.

"You need to rest, Desmond. You've been hurt, pretty bad. I've done what I can for you today. Just rest nad relax. You were attacked but you're safe now," Atticus says gently. "You're safe and Roulin just went to call Aimee and let her know what's up.

At once, someone looms in the entryway in full ... and rather unique environmental armor. He has eschewed his nominal weaponry today however and only carries his exotic looking staff. Either way, seven feet of matte-black skeletal-armored felid enters the room; the only real sound of his movement being the clicking of his staff on the floor as he uses it in a manner similar to a walking stick. Faintly glowing optics survey the room and then the assassin -- for who could he be anything else -- steps up to stand beside Atticus, peering down at the bed. "Fortunatly, your skull is thick." The accented voice emits from behind that felid mask. Roulin is entirely and purposefully ignored. "Do you suffer brain damage, or is that as yet unknown?"

Desmond doesn't say anything for a few moments, letting his thoughts collect. Though finally he does draw a slow breath and rumble out, "What happened. I don't recall.. a shot, I think.." He pauses as Rath'tklan appears beside Atticus, his hand lowering as he looks up towards the two. The blunt question about his brain leads to a brief haze of bemusement. "I know not.. I do not feel any different. Save that the side of my head aches horribly." He's currently laid out on a bed, gowned and hooked up to your average array of medical machinery, with a large bandage attached to the left side of his head.

Atticus is standing near Desmond, touchng the other man's chest and looking a bit worn and tired. He glances up at as the very tall man arrives, blinking a bit. "A shot, Desmond. Someone shot you. But you're going to be fine." He pauses, and leans in, speaking quietly. "Desmond, someone told me you hired someone named Rath'tklan. I need you to call that off. No more violence, okay? No counterattacks or reprisals until we have this under control. Can you do that for me, for Cali?"

Roulin stands there and pauses, watching the newcomer before he looks to Desmond and moves to his side. "A sniper shot you from the second floor, but was in a wooden building so I could not return with a grenade in fears of burning the place down. Instead I pulled a smoke grenade to give us smoke cover and the sniper ran away before I could get a good ID. I called on the radio for some help and a juicer helped me get you into my Lady Love, and brought you here. Doctors are gonna wanna run tests though."

Rath'tklan emits a sort of toneless chuckle. It's not quite a human sound. "And you must be Atticus. Worry not, human. It is not my intention at this point to kill anyone just yet. There is research that must be done first, investigative works that will take a short time. No assassin who is worth their salt charges into a situation blind. One must calculate not only who, what and where to strike, but what impact it will have. In this case, it is a desired effect that is being aimed for, rather than a specific person. As this is your battle, I will not pull the trigger without your understanding. But perhaps, human, additional information is something that we may all benifet from." His head turns, studying Atticus obviously -- although nothing of his own face can be seen behind those faintly glowing eyes. "I am not some fool who has picked up a weapon for the factor of amusement, and can, and will be of aid."

"Damn!" Katsumi hisses and enters to the room. It seems she heard some of Atticus words. Her helmet is in her side, grabbing it carefully. The Japanese stalker seems to be tired as well - a hard night perhaps? "We haven't used any force, but they do, they just hunt us down one-by-one and we do nothing." She manages to keep her voice low. "I was hiding until I was sure that they haven't followed me." She tells and searches for a seat. "Are you well Neko-san?" her expression lightens as she glances at the bed. "What the doc said Atti?" Oh, and there is a nice blackened laser spot in her chest. And the woman doesn't seem to care for the new arrival.

Given that news in this city seems to travel relatively quickly, not the least to mention Kesslan's own attachment to Desmond, it's perhaps then no supprise that the Pantheran in question arrives then, in his armor as allways. Even to those not of his kind can tell of his open concern as he cautiously enters, armored, booted feet supprisingly quiet for that inital moment as he pauses there to study those gathered, a light glower at Roulin's presence but the man is promptly ignored as his focus turns to Desmond. "Has Aimee yet heard of this?" is perhaps to some, supprisingly his first question.

Atticus offers a grin to Rath'klan, "I'm Atticus. Pleased to meet you. But I'm not a human, I'm afraid. Dbee. Elf. Not from around here, as they say. And I'd appreciate information - the more the better. But I'd also prefer no more violence, no more attacks, no counterattacks or reprisals until I get a chance to meet with these folks and try to find a way to resolve this once and for all without an overt war that we cannot afford right now." A pause as Katsumi comes in and he nods, "Katsumi. Yes, he was attacked. But we can't lash back, not yet. We have to play this smart and Cali doesn't want any more violence. And I want to try to find a way out of this." As Kesslan enters, "Roulin went to go tell Aimee, I think he may be back?" he says as he looks around the room.

Desmond takes in Roulin's words and listens to the other two talk, letting it filter in. Had one no knowledge of him and his rather languid manner outside of combat, they might think his slow response to it all is a bad sign. But that's Des. "I did not hire him. Recruit, perhaps, but no money has changed hands and none was asked for yet," he clarifies, memory intact. He looks towards Atticus. "I did tell him that no move was to be made, only plans. Preparations." HIs ears perk as Katsumi enters, his eyes flicking toward her. A slight nod given at her question, stating, "I feel fine, save for a lingering ache and dizziness." And if Desmond is surprised at Kesslan's initial question, he does not show it. "I do not.." A pause, recalling the man's words from moments before. "Roulin.. you have told her, yes." He tilts his head towards the man.

Roulin gives a look to Desmond and nods. "I left her messages, every way I knew how to contact her, I tried." he pauses and sees the two other felines come in before he says "Desmond, I'm gonna bow out. I don't feel comfy here, so I'm gonna head down to the bar. I'll be back tommarow to check on you." As he moves to the door, still not left. Rath'tklan leans his staff upon his shoulder, peering down at Desmond a second time. "You have explained yourself once already... elf, as I have I. My word has been given I will not attack short of your understanding. The matter is closed." He inclines his head to Kesslan in a wordless greeting, though a very physically ovbious one and then he finishes talking to Atticus -- echoing onto Desmond's words. "Nor is coin likely to change hands. There is a greater good to be done here." A pause, and then he drops semi-into an alien tongue. "Tkth-skrr, Il-Naruk Kesslan." He says, simply.

"Atticus!" Katsumi's smoldering eyes rest on the man's face for long. "They have attacked me as well, they are prepared for war and it is a goddamn war! If you think there should be no more violence, that is fine, but we played like this for the last one-day, and what we got? People in our back who trying to kill us." Her voice is still low, but there is a tension in it. "Atticus you couldn't decide a peace alone, they need to accept as well, and likely they won't. If we show weakness, showing that we fall downÂ… well perhaps we should just go to their nest and prey them to kill us." She sighs and turns away from the elf.

Kesslan grunts softly as he takes in all the talk flowing about the room, approaching the bed then and ignoring the others as he moves up alongside Desmond, the smaller feline resting a hand gently uppon the large Kill Cat's chest. "Glad am I, slain you were not." he goes so far as to admit openly. "Of your choice, seek you vengence? Know in this would I do as you.." a hint of humor then "Without hope I get shot." even Rath'tklan's words to him are momentarily ignored, an ear swiveled to listen, to show he pays some attention but making it clear what his main concern in this moment is...still, he seems poised to respond anyway, though waiting first for Desmond to speak once more.

Atticus clears his throat, "I know you want vengeance, Katsumi. And I know that you want retribution. And," this to the strangely armored Rath, "I know I was repeating myself, and I'm sorry. I just wanted to make sure everyone understood. Katsumi, I know you're upset, but there is to be no attacks on them. This is our business and Cali's business. We have to do this right and we haven't even talked to them about negotiation yet. Yes, we may need to turn to violence but I want to talk to them first. They're no doubt attacking you and Desmond because you stood up against them and they were threatened, or whatever. Lets just give it a few days, dial it back and try to stay safe. I'll try to talk to them, and see what we can find out. If we have to go to violence we will but not until I sign off on it, okay?"

Desmond nods his head to Roulin. "Thank you.. for all the help you have given," he rumbles, tone sober in supplying this thanks. he then frowns slightly and shifts his attention towards Katsumi. "Peace, Katsumi.. anger does no good here, reserve it for those who deserve it. I allowed by guard to drop. I was lucky that it was not a fatal mistake this time." A light frustration entering his deep voice. "So too, if you make a disturbance, you will likely be asked to leave. Be calm." Then Kesslan comes to fill much of his vision, the words shared with him prompting another thoughtful moment, though not an inactive one as he places a hand over the one against his chest gently. "I have promised Atticus.. for now there will be no violence that is not prompted. But when the time comes, they will reap what they have sewn," he rumbles steadily. Then he will look to Atticus and state, "They look to assault your defenders one by one, whittling away defense to make for an easy strike upon Cali's garage. I still think your attempts at peace will not get the response you wish."

Roulin listens only for a few moments, and then is gone.

Rath'tklan glances to Katsumi very briefly. "Anger prompts rashness. Rashness prompts ill action. Ill action gets one killed. In such matters, the head must come before adrenaline... and heart. Paitence will permit suitable responses... should they be wished, and justified." He turns, peering at Atticus once again. "I will endevour to supply you with what information I can. However, I should wish a meeting with you at some point so that we may discuss a few.... options."

Katsumi straightens up with a blushing face and shaking her head. Her grip in her helmet tightens, pushing the spikes into her armor, making slight sound of two metal things pushing to each other. "They had no chance to know me." Yet her words are strangely calm, despite her condition. "As you told me I tried to not interfere with them, just watched how they robbed Caliopa's garage. They just packed the whole place. Six of them, none had any magic or psychic abilities, armed with laser guns and moderately experiences, especially in sneaking." She tells with a serious face, saying nothing else now, just glancing up to the alien with a mischievous grin.

Kesslan nods to Desmond then, turning briefly to finally respond to Rath'tklan "Qwatik-zahrrn shi-tirr-ka Rath'tklan." a brief pause before he adds "Jah-havrr fenulirr il-darrsu kirit." the previous greeting responded to in his own language, rolling off his tongue far smoother than his english. His attention now turning back to Desmond again with a soft sigh of air and flattening ears. Looking as if he wished to say more to Desmond, and yet not doing so. Not now at least, not with such a large crowd gathered. Yet to those that can read feline body language, he's obviousy far more upset than he lets on.

Atticus nods to Rath, "That sounds fine by me. I could use some good street level intlligence about right now. And thank you, I'd appreciate the help. And thank you," he tells Demond with a smile. "I know it's not easy to take something like this and not attack back. The good news is that in two days or so I should be able to get you back to near full health, so just look at it as a bit of a mini vacation." A pause to Katsumi and nods, "Ok. So that gives us some good information - thank you Katsumi. I know this is frustrating for you. But we're going to be in that place for a long time. We need to find a way to live there peacefully and we can't just eradicate any gang that gets in our way. I'm not saying talking will be our only solution, but we need to just take a pause now and try to let me talk. I'm not saying it's easy or it'll work, but we have to try. Now with that said .. can I get some folks to help me clean up the place before Cali gets home?"

Desmond shifts his gaze towards Katsumi as she speaks of them robbing Cali's. His frown deepening. But for the moment, he says nothing on the issue. Instead he looks to Atticus and rumbles, "I am not worried for my recovery. It will come, in time. More concerned am I for your property and what will become of it." He then lets his attention return to Kesslan, his other hand shifting, wrapping Kesslan's armored one in both of his. "I see now the benefit of your ways, ever prepared. Though still I find the idea of being ever encased within armor to be less favorable than not. I need find a compromise in this, I think," he says to the smaller feline.

Rath'tklan inclines his head to Atticus a second time in acknowledgement and then turns his eyes to Desmond. "I would suggest..." The assassin says in a deadpan voice. "That you continue your cranial strengthening exercizes. Indeed, it is a known fact that your habits of vigarously applying your forehead to a wall for hours on end may perhaps have saved you this time." The joke is awkward, translated into his variety of English... but the assasin tries. To Kesslan, he grunts. "Harrih-kirr-ak gatirikit bhrkirrit human darana-hah harkirikit talakor."

The Japanese stalker nods silently and walks outside without a word, but indeed she glances back to the bed, checking if Desmond is still there. Yes he isÂ… nice; the cat-man is with his friends, with those who actually could do much more than she now. ButÂ… she can't ignore this alien armored figure. Katsumi glances up to him - if one could say that - keeping her mischievous smile. "Sometimes it is enjoyable to kill, especially your prey. You either be a predator or a prey of someoneÂ… or both. I would be rather the predator than the prey." She states in a low voice, perhaps only visible to those who are close.

Atticus chuckles and reaches into his pocket, coming out with a card he offers the tall armored man. "Here's my contact information. I think by what Katsumi said this gang trashed the shop. Cali will go home tonight or tomorrow, I don't want her to see the place like that. I'm heading out to go work on cleaning it up. Give me a call anytime, we can talk. Desmond, just rest. I'll come by tomorrow to see you. I'm going to get going."

"Jira." Kesslan says simply in response to Rath'tklan, his attention now turning back to Desmond once more before turning his gaze to Atticus as the man prepares to leave. "Careful should you be. Stop with Desmond such things may not. It is you and Caliopa after they are. If aid need you, ask perhaps help could I. Much debt to Cali have I." the pantheran offers to the elf before his concerned gaze silently turns to Desmond yet again.

Desmond shifts his attention towards Rath at the somewhat awkward joke, though the big male seems to take it well, though no visible note of amusement emerges. "My kind are sturdy," he rumbles. "Though I am surprised that I managed to survive such a thing. I am not eager to test my resilience again." Atticus gets a simple nod, no question about where he should be in the now. Then again he looks to Kesslan again, considering him quietly until he has his attention again. "You wish to say something." An observation that is lowly spoken, if not low enough to escape all other notice.

Atticus nods and smiles at Kesslan, "I'll keep that in mind, I will. And we're going to be safe. Cali is recovering here, at the hospital, and I'll ask Katsumi to cmoe with me to the garage. You're welcome to come by if you want later on, I'll be cleaning. Thank you for your offer." He nods to the rest, bowing to the large armored man before he steps out and away.

Rath'tklan nods at Kesslan, and then at Atticus. "I return to my investigations." He states. "Get better." And with that he turns to go -- although he pauses with his staff at his shoulder to study Katsumi. "The hunter will almost always fare better than the hunted. It is far better to attack, than to defend. Good day." And with that, he steps out, enigmaticly.

"Speak? Yes...but." a pause then from the Pantheran as everyone slowly filters out, holding his tongue untill the rest are gone. Or at least till most are. He seems unconcerned if Rath'tklan remains around a moment or not. "For ears of others much was not." he says softly then when the room clears out, leaning forward to nuzzle softly at Desmond, finally letting the full extent of his worry slip past. "We are fortunate we did not loose you this day Desmond." he says even more softly than his touch. "Aimee will not take this well I fear, and this is no minor wound to hide."

Desmond bids the others farewell as they go, patient in waiting for them to depart before he returns his attention to Kesslan. His head tilts to meet the affectionate nuzzle gently, his head given a slight nod afterward. "Fortunate, yes.. it seems each day I learn something new about my own prowess. But how my head aches.. I feel I am fortunate to live still and to have so little damage." The hospital room has quieted, the influx of visitors down now to only Kesslan. Desmond lies on the bed in your average hospital gown, his monitoring devices beeping steadily. The only real sign of injury is the bandage that takes up most of the left side of his head. Evening settles in slowly outside.

Kesslan is here as well, armored and armed as he usually is, save what weapons they dont allow him to carry here. But it's all things he's gladly given up. The pantheran's ears flattened back slightly, his shoulders slightly slumped. But he's not too down at least, given that while badly wounded, Desmond is at least still alive. The smaller feline standing near Desmond's bed, hands gently resting against him while he worridly nuzzles at the larger feline. "Truth, but this is a thing think would I more fortune were you than prowess. Easy oculd they killed you have."

Aimee enters like a hurricane, albeit a hurricane in a swirling red skirt and black t-shirt, losing her bag as she comes through the door, her gaze taking in Desmond's condition. The worry faces a little from her face, mingling with a very real, hot anger. "Mon chat, you are a bloody idiot! Can't you stay a little out of trouble, for the few hours I spend at work?" She lapses then into a flow of french, none of which sounds complimentary to Desmond's brain power but all the time she is running her hands lightly over his body, searching for other, concealed hurts. "Idiot."

"Yes, it is so," Desmond rumbles, though whether he gives such a thing deep thought is hard to tell with the steadiness of his expression. He lifts a hand to gently stroke his fingers along the top of Kesslan's head. "It is a lesson learned. I should not allow my guard to drop again. Not.." Then comes Aimee, his head turned as she besieges him with words and touches. Inspecting anything short of the left side of his head will find plenty of perfectly healthy man cat. He blinks at her bemusedly for a moment after her final word, the hand not on Kesslan shifting, embracing her as he can from his prone position. "My Aimee.." Welcome in his tone, despite or because of her furious arrival. "I am well."

Kesslan leans into that touch, in some ways more to reassure himself this time than Desmond. Still he's clearly glad Desmond is at least alive if not entirely well. Aimee's arrival is however greeted first with some supprise, and then quite quickly a certain degree of ammusement, shown by the wiggling of his ears. He does however, hold his tongue lest her temper target him some how...

She allows the embrace, the scolding in french continuing for a few moments, her eyebrows drawn together in a frown. She glances at Kesslan, giving him a frown too, as if he might hold blame for this, his amusement earning a deepening of it. "Can I not leave you for a moment without you getting hurt? I said tell me before you fight, and ..." The anger slowly wears out, leaving the threat of tears, for him and of relief.

"I did not plan this, My Flame," Desmond rumbles, his other hand shifting up to dip into her hair, wanting to draw her down and give her a kiss, as if to reassure that all is well. Or will be in time. "I had only plans to guard, but it seems these people are.. aggressive. More so than I expected." He will then seek to lock gazes with her as he states, "I will heal.. and I will be more careful. I hold no wish to die." His eyes stray to Kesslan, letting the other feline know he is not forgotten.

Kesslan however, seems unconcerned about being forgotten. He has however stepped back slightly to better allow Aimee to get near Desmond, not wishing to impede her in this. Especialy not at at time and moment as this. The annoyed look shot his way meets only a blank mask of sorts as he refrains from commenting on what has happened. Still, he at least looks glad to see her here as well.

She takes a breath, leaning her forehead against his shoulder, her arms tightening around him in a hug. "You idiot, mon chat." The words are whispered against his robe, the flush of temper leaving her cheeks, leaving behind only the anxiety that had driven it. "You are not going to fight more with these people, non? Promise me?" She lifts her head, giving him a steady stare.

Desmond frowns slightly as she asks for his promise, the big male not immediately agreeing, which may tip Aimee off to something of what comes. "I will not for now.. but in a way I am party to what has occurred to a friend. I cannot ignore this." His arm will be tensed about her waist, expecting she might try to move back from him, his other hand lingering with the intent to stroke her hair gently.

Kesslan continues to remain quiet, and at a distance. The pantheran calmlly gazing at the two with those hard to read white eyes as his tail sways side to side behind him curling up at the very tip with each swing. The feline seeming unwilling to approach in this moment.

She does move back, her hands moving from him to rest on her hips, the direct look threatening a return of the temper. "Desmond, I am not going to fear to leave you, to get calls like tonight, when I cannot even answer it... and worry for you. Non." She shakes her head, the curls swinging around her face. "Non non non, Desmond."

Desmond keeps that arm curled firmly, musing the woman steadily. "This is how it is for us, Aimee. How it has been for me more often than you might know, worrying for you and your safety. To adhere to your wishes, I could never fight unless it is known before hand.. yet there will be times when battle must be and I will not be able to tell you before. I do not do this on a whim.. nor do I seek battle where I need not. I do this to protect a friend, just as I would to protect you."

Kesslan continues his silent vigil as Aimee and Desmond speak. Still refusing to join in on something he sees as not being his place. And yet, in the end he cant help but reach out a reassuring hand to Aimee this time. A firm squeeze on her shoulder in silent support but nothing more.

She steps back into the reassurance from Kesslan, her hand taking his. "Non, I have never ended up here, shot in the head." She points out, her voice rising a little, the accent deepening. "Tu es completement debile..." She mutters, shaking her head, even the bob of her curls angry. "I am not sitting at home, mon chat, and waiting for them to bring me you in a box..."

Desmond lets his arm relax then, breathing out a deep sigh. "Then what would you have me do, Aimee? Never fight again? Give no aid to those who look to me? Even then, there is no promise in this world. For you or for me. Fortunate it is that you are not where I am. And I do hope that fortune continues to smile upon us in that, for I know not what I would do without you. And so too, in that, I wonder if that too is what you feel now.. for if you do, I understand your feelings deeply."

Finally speaking once more Kesslan says softly in Aimee's ear as he moves up behind her to gently embrace her. "Change not you can what we are. Worry not so much should you. Change not the past can you, see not can you the future. Worry and take instead the day that is. For this is the reason each day is called present, for such it is. Understand we all feelings of yours Aimee, but free must too we be to chose such things. This world of yours, it is not a safe one. Even if Desmond never sought to fight, injured could he still be. Killed could he still be. Accident at work place could he have, yet worry you not of these thing so much yes?"

"Of course I worry about these things but... those things, they don't leave a message for me on my phone, when I can't answer, telling me there is a bullet in his head." She leans into Kesslan, almost sagging, the fury leaving her as she gives Desmond a steady look, green eyes shining. "Non, I wouldn't have you walk away, but mon chat, I don't think I can stand to know you are there, choosing it. I am not sure I can live like that." That said, she almost holds her breath, the enormity of the statement surprising even her.

Desmond doesn't say anything at first, looking at Aimee steadily. Though he doesn't openly react strongly to this, there is a sense of.. restraint that grows more obvious as moments pass. "Your happiness has ever been my aim, Aimee," he states slowly after those silent moments. "First before all things, including myself. I.." He pauses, his deep voice faltering for a moment before a quiet moment leaves it steady again. "..I hold that determination still." And then he just cannot continue, only look at her with a sense of tension lingering about him.

Aimee pulls away from Kesslan, the quiet moment reflected in her face as she gives a slow blink, clearing the shine from her eyes before the lashes hide her expression. "I think, me, I need to think. I am glad you are not badly hurt, mon chat." Her voice is husky, holding the feelings in it that are so well hidden in her eyes. "Perhaps, this thing is too much of who you are to change it, and perhaps I need to know if I can live with it."

A sense of graveness enters Desmond's expression, the fingers of his near hand flexing. Wanting to reach out. But he holds himself in check. "Thank you for coming, My Aimee," he rumbles to her, unable to keep warmth from his voice. "There is but one thing you must know.. no matter your thoughts and your path, you will always be My Flame." His eyes not leaving her as he says this, voice kept steady.

For a moment, she looks as if she might go to him, take back the words but then she steps backwards, towards the door again. "Desmond,... " She takes a steady breath, her arms curling around her slim waist, hugging it. "I will come back in the morning, I have to work..."

"Be safe.. I will be here," Desmond states quietly. His eyes linger for a moment more before he pulls his eyes away reluctantly, directing his gaze to the uniform ceiling above him. His expression remaining firm.. tightly controlled.

As his gaze leaves her, it releases her from the stillness and she spins on her heel, bolting for the door, the skirt flaring. In that instant, she is gone, out of the room, only perfume left as proof of her visit.

Kesslan watches Aimee go, and Desmond fall silent. Waiting a few moments longer before speaking again. "Perhaps she is a fire that burns too hot. Unable seems she to accept what we do and why do we it. Wish I could I understand make her, but can this not I. You, perhaps. But not I."

Once she is gone, Desmond closes his eyes, a grimace coming into being.. not quite one of pain, but something akin to that. Something which persists for several long moments, which could call into question if he heard Kesslan at all. Then.. it simply 'goes away' abruptly. His expression smoothing into that natural steady neutral, his eyes opening. "She accepts. But she must discover for herself if such things mesh with who she is. It is her choice.. not mine to make or force. I will.. I will accept her choice." His voice faltering briefly again before becoming rock solid after. His eyes linger upward, staring at the ceiling above him.

Kesslan rumbles softly, a firm hand comming to pat Desmond on the arm. "For the greater good." comes his simple response to Desmond's announcement of his acceptance. And really, given all that Kesslan has explained, even what little of his past he's spoken of to Desmond, that alone should speak volumes of his support. And at least his belief in understanding Desmond's own decision.

"For her.. anything for her.." Desmond's expression tightens again, struggling against.. something as he shifts his eyes towards Kesslan. "I would do anything for her.. But I cannot be anything but myself, anymore than I could ask her to be anything but herself. Even so.. I know not what I would do without her. Our plans.. all we could build.. what else would there be? My path is with her. Without her.. have no direction." Thoughts expressed as they flit through his mind. A soft edge of panic starting to creep into his voice towards the end.

Kesslan pauses then to consider Desmond's words, and that edge that creeps into his voice. "You would manage. As I have. It is not such a thing so bad to be one of the lost. To be without direction, to be left with nothing. To be without clan, without family, without friend. In time new friend would you find. Perfect will it never be, but it is enough."

Desmond does not seem mollified by that, though he manages to shove away the panic through some force of will. "I.. I cannot think of this now," he rumbles, a hand shifting toward the left side of his head. "It adds to the ache in my head." His e yes close again. "I need to calm down.. I need to let myself heal." The words intoned slowly, as if to sink such truths in to push away the chaos in his head.

"Truth Desmond." Kesslan says softly. "Rest should you have, return shall I later to see on you. And better food perhaps shall I bring you, this place think I while food have, not so good for our kind is as food proper." and with that the pantheran slowly turns to leave.

"Farewell, Kesslan," Desmond rumbles without shifting his eyes from the ceiling, opening them again. He goes silent after as he stares upward. His voice is subdued and quiet, bland. Lingering like that for a time as he is left alone with his thoughts.Tags:aimee, desmond, kesslan