The city.. Keith sighed inwardly. It had been a long time since he'd been there.. and he was not longing to go back there. He might be recognised.. he probably would be. He shook his head. That was not important now.

"Might I ask why the women who volunteer to come are also refused?" Keith asked Haven directly, ignoring his outburst. His dark eyes pierced Haven's but also looked at him as if this was a new Haven he beheld. "The women might lighten the spirits of the men.. and perhaps they can be useful for our plans.."

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O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

"Oh, I'm sure you'd love my cousin to 'lighten your spirits', wouldn't you?" Haven replied, his eyes gleaming dangerously. His tone was hushed so that only Keith could hear this, but became more direct as he added, "True, though... There are some things that those, such as Lilith, could help with. Not many of the men know much about healing, and should we need it... Yes."
He glanced over at Lilith and gave her slight nod. "You may be of service." He didn't even glance at Waverly, though.

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~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

"Excuse me?" Keith said softly but astonished. He was aware that the fights Waverly and Haven had could have caused a breach in the relationship of the cousins, but that Have talked and behaved so disrespectful about her was unbelievable to Keith. His suggestions angered him but not because this was meant to insult him but that it was Waverly whom he disgraced.
He limped over to Haven so that his face was only a few inches from Maverick's. "Be careful Maverick" he hissed softly. "I know you take an habit in insulting your friends but if you don't stop treating your cousin like trash than you and I are going to have a serious dispute."

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O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Rose felt herself pushed to the back of the group as more and more people came in to find out about Haven's plan. When he first mentioned only the soldiers going in, she tensed. Haven probably would not let her fight again, so she wouldn't be a 'soldier'. And other than rough stitches, she was no good for healing. Rose clenched her teeth and balled her hands into fists. She was doing all she could not to burste out, because she knew her place, and had alright defied Haven once by battling. But she couldn't take it anymore.

"So only those 'of use' to you can go into the city? Is that it? While the rest of us who have lost everything for this cause just sit idle in some place that we're not sure is even safe because of age? There are those who wish to be usefull, but you will not let them do anything. Ever heard of making sacrifices for the better cause?" She blurted out in a rather rude tone. Realizing that she said that out of her place, she lowered her head.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself," she mumbled, eyes staring at the ground...

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(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Luckily for her, Haven never heard her. His focus was pinpointed, his temper flared, and Keith was his target. His blood rushed so hotly through him that he wasn't even thinking clearly, no parrying words came to his tongue. How dare he suggest that he was doing anything but keeping Waverly's best interests in mind? This coming from the man who was leading his cousin along to Fates knows where...

His face remained only a fraction from Keith's, their eyes locked. He had to... He wanted to... And he did. Something that he immediately regretted a second later. He head-butted him so hard it made him wobble.

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

Lilith was angry again, no she was past angry. Yes, she had gotten permission to join in on the trip, but the rest of her friends? He might as well have insulted their obvious talents. That was unacceptable. Her jaw clenched tightly and as she opened her mouth Haven butted Keith in the head.

Ronin was the first to step between the two easily grabbing Keith's arm just in case the injured man fell.

"Keith, lad!" He exclaimed worriedly to his friend. "Ya alrigh'?"

Lilith took Haven's momentary falter in balance to push him back further, her hands firmly on his chest as if her small form could keep back the angry man if he decided to attack again.

The girl very nearly hissed her question, "Master Maverick," the honorific was back, "what are you thinking? Have you gone mad?"

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Heavens no. Hell Yeah.


Set 1: Nurr | Set 2: Me

For a second time that day pain overwhelmed Keith and he wondered whether the Fates had sent all this bad luck to him for a reason. The pain seemed to split his head in half, turning him blind and if Ronin would have been there to catch him, Keith would have fallen down.
He heard voices, but images continued to spin and only after a few moments he regained himself. He squeezed Ronin's arm as a sign of gratitude but did not speak.
Again he stood face to face with Haven but this time he did not whisper: "Tell me Haven.. What is it you hate me for? Didn't I always serve you with loyalty? Didn't I give my advice with honesty? Didn't I fight for you with courage? What is it that caused this hate lately?"

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Haven's head was spinning; perhaps the blow had knocked some sense into him, for he immediately realized how foolish that move was. Colors burst before his eyes as he tried to clear his head, barely aware of Lilith's hands pushing him back, her voice scolding him. "That *beep*..." he muttered under his breath, his only reply to her before Keith was in his face again.

"Loyalty?" He scoffed, spitting at Keith's feet. "This coming from a man who would dare to suggest I let Waverly put herself in danger? A young woman with no training, no experience in the dealings of war and combat... A fine piece of advice you've set before me, I'm sure." His expression tightened, his eyes blue shards of ice. "You would turn them all against me..."

Waverly grabbed Haven's arm. "Stop it, Haven," she implored him.

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~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

"So you condemn me for pleading for your cousin? By asking to set a bird free in order to prevent that it would choke itself in its small cage? I was not driven by anything else but the worry I felt for your cousin." Keith looked at Haven biting his lip, realising he would not win this fight. "I've fought for you, bled for you and proved my loyalty. But if you wish to condemn me.. than do it. And do it now."

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Haven's gaze was lost a bit... He couldn't afford anger to let him be foolish. He needed his men, this was a lost cause without them. He condoned to answer Keith as civilly as he could, though the words came flatly, forced through this lips.

"I value your services to the Shadin," he replied. "But that is all I require of you. I do not want your advice in the matters of my own personal business." His expression sobered, leaving no room for argument as he ended, "Therefore, I forbid you to have anything to do with Waver-"

"Don't!" Waverly cut him off, yanking his arm firmly to grab his attention. He stared down at her bright green eyes. "You can't do that! Haven, please!" She choked up on tears, pleading. "You can't! I'm not your pet to be locked up like this!"

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~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

Tomos glanced at Keith and Haven fromunder his brows. Though they spoke in hushed voices, he knew they were arguing. Haven looked like ice, and Keith burned like fire. If they became too tangled in eachother, neither could survive. Usually the two left thier tiffs unharmed, but Tomos had a different feeling about this fight. Some unknown boundry had been breached. Suddenly Haven lashed out, head butting keith. He grimaced, hiding his face in disapointment. Was the Shadin to be reduced to civil war? What a dishonorable way to die; killed at the hands of your own friend. Would the King's gaurds laugh when they found the carnage? Tomos laughed feebly as he imagined it in his head. Silently he slipped off to the edge of the group, sitting himself on a bench.

Lilith stepped back towards Ronin her brow furrowed and her mouth pulled into a frown. She felt stupid again, she should have waited to speak to Haven. She stayed silent as the rest of the group continued arguing.

Her brother laid a comforting hand on her shoulder and looked down on her with sympathetic eyes. He knew that the argument could very well tear apart the Shadin. They would all be doomed if that happened. He looked over towards Keith then to Haven and Waverly and back to his sister giving her a knowing look. More damage control. As it was the two siblings were very good at that. Lilith nodded in silent agreement.

Ronin squeezed his sister's shoulder and stepped forward raising his voice slightly so he could be better heard.

"I propose we continue this talk later, when everyone has better control on their minds and tongues," he suggested, looking pointedly at Haven and Keith.

_________________
Heavens no. Hell Yeah.


Set 1: Nurr | Set 2: Me

Rubin scoffed as she glared back at Trystan again. "Generosity? If you only had any generosity to test!" She was livid now, and not in any mood to try to conceal it. She stamped her foot, knowing perfectly well that she was acting immaturely. However, this didn't phase her. "I'm leaving," she announced before storming down the remainder of the corrider without remembering that she didn't know how to get back to the palace.

{OOC//*Giggles* I don't think I've ever RPed anyone as bratty as Rubin before. Annoying, but very amusing.}

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and I'm still a dreamer, a believer
I've lost my faith in so many things but I still believe in You

Trystan actually laughed at her, apparently quite amused. "Fine, go on! Good luck with the wolves and bears and such."

.........

Haven gave Ronin a hot-headed scowl, shrugging off Waverly's grip from his arm."My tongue and mind are quite in control already," he retorted.
He turned on Waverly, strangely unfazed by her tears. "You stay away from him," he ordered, pointing at Keith, then stalked angrily out of the main hall without a word as to where he was going.

(( Prima donna...))

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~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

Lilith frowned at the man's back she was oddly affected by the man's anger. She could not put her finger on the attitude, but she would figure it out later. Her eyes caught that of her brother's who looked angry, despite his calm demeanor - Ronin was not pleased with the ill treatment of friends and the situation, but with the man's caring manner it would dissipate quickly.

Ronin nodded to Lilith, she could have Haven if she felt up to it. As it were, he did not think it safe to leave Keith and Waverly's side just yet.

Lilith sighed and nodded back, then hurried after the angered leader until she very nearly caught up to him. "Haven!" She called to his back trying to catch his attention.

_________________
Heavens no. Hell Yeah.


Set 1: Nurr | Set 2: Me

Waverly grabbed Keith's arm gently and rested her forehead against the man's shoulder, dampening his sleeve with her tears. She didn't say anything for there were no words to fit her feelings.

....

Lilith's words hit the stern angularity of Haven's back with no effect as he kept walking. He didn't seem to be going anywhere in particular, he just kept walking straight though the trees that surrounded the outside of the crumbling walls. Trying to burn off steam.

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~