Masquerade - These Masks We Wear

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Take care of them?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Nico furrowed his brow. "Oh, now, darlin', you ain't gonna die, not on my watch." He felt himself tear up. "I'll never say no again. She's awful, she is, if she hurt anyone else... She only gets to hurt me."

[Channelknight Fadran]

"No."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Wendy... I has to do this." 

[Channelknight Fadran]

"No."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"I'm not lettin' nob'dy else get hurt. I'm sorry. But you can't say nuttin' else." He sighed, looking wilted and resigned. "We're almost there."

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Come back... when I can think."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"O' course, miss. I'll make you brunch, I will." 

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Th--thanks."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"You been nothin' but good to me, miss, how could I in me right mind do anythin' otherwise?"

[Channelknight Fadran]

Wendy smiled; though it quickly became a grimace.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Stars, I'll never forgive me-self for this..."

[Channelknight Fadran]

"You'd better."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"There's a lot of thin's I haven't forgiven, but this... this just might be the worst."

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Then I forgive you."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Nicolae smiled tearfully. "Wendy?"

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Hm?" She helped push the door open to the medical ward for Nico.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"I think you're an angel."

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Well don't let... the Stars hear you... say that." Wendy was grinning.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Maybe I ain't hopeless after all. Maybe there's someone up there who wants me to have another chance." Nico set her down on a bed. "Now... you just stay there, miss, I'll get you checked in, yeah?"

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Okay." Wendy tentatively rested her head on the pillow, letting out a relieved half-sigh, half-sob as the pain dulled significantly.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Nico wandered over to the main office and knocked on the door. "Lena! It's Nico."

A good-looking blonde brightened upon seeing him through a window and hurried to open the door. "Nicolae! Good morning, what are you doing he-"

"There's a young lady needs checkin' in. Been hit real hard on the head. You'll help her?"

"Well of course, anything for you." She chuckled. "Had a little too much fun last night, huh?"

Nicolae blushed. "Oh, no! She... she's a friend o' mine."

"Sure." She winked. "I like your outfit."

"O-Oh. Th-thank you?"

"'Course."

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Where's Wendy?" Katie asked the waitresses.

"Thought she went off with Reyna, didn't she?" Monica shrugged. "Though I don't see how Nicolae's gonna take on two at once."

"No, she came back at one point." Katie only half-remembered that, being very groggy right around then. "Did you see her, Allivia?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Allivia scoffed - she was on her way out the door. "I didn't see anyone last night, Katie."

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Okay," Katie huffed. She turned around and muttered to herself. "There isn't any reason to be mean about it..."