She was a little bit busy dusting off her clothes when Aiolia fawned over Elek and ignored the two... until elek came over and had a word. She silently scoffed at him for thinking he had any chances at beating her and said nothing as he walked away. With a quick glance at him, she started back to her home to get some rest.

He ate his ice cream, mulling the peanut butter over in his mouth and against his tongue. It sounded like she had little pieces of happiness in her childhood, which was good. But then she mentioned a graveyard and he found himself interested. "A graveyard?" After saying it, he realized it may have been to see family and not some sort of odd fascination, though that would not surprise him.

He shrugged, "I don't do anything, really." Amante was trying to avoid his part of the story but knew it was unfair. "It's cold and wet, slippery, I don't like it very much. But I do like to walk around and see other people happy. It makes the cause worth fighting for."

Leila nodded, stirring the ice cream in her cup, in seemingly automatic movement. She didn't respond to Amante's question and barely noticed that feeling that gave away he wasn't telling her everything - and even that she let to slip by. The girl stared at the window for a moment more, then suddenly stood up. "I've got to go."

"If I am not back tonight, I will be back early tomorrow's morning. So, don't raise alarm that I have ran away or something," she said, lightly touching Amante's shoulder with fingertips, before rushed over to coat hanger. "Miss! You didn't finish your ice cream! Was it not delicious?" the shopkeeper asked in distraught voice while the girl put on the coat in hurry. "Oh, no, no! Don't worry Mrs. Martha! I just have to be somewhere else." Leila replied, with a quick smile. When bell jingled second time as doors shut, she was already nearly out of the sight.

"That girl... Never seen her rushing like this, she's usually so calm and nice. I hope nothing bad happened to make her run away from your date or meeting, Mister." The elderly lady shook her head, looking at Amante, but then returned to checking the counter's stock.

Meanwhile, Leila rushed down the street, weaving between the people. Her apartment building was not far, so, soon, the girl was driving her small very retro beetle styled car out of the garage. Whatever had gotten into her, was quite strong.

Yesterday's fight did not quench Aiolia's wish to get better and learn, to develop and become something more than a drag down. After being patched up, she had helped Elek with jobs around the Base, but her thoughts were restless. It was either to swallow her pride and go back to Eve, or train on her own. Aiolia decided to find a middle way, in her own style.

Next morning, she was waiting outside Eve's house, arms crossed across her chest, eyes narrowed. It was clear that she was determined to reach something, whatever that may be. Few people sent awry gazes her way, but Aiolia ignored them fully.

The doctor had finally allowed to take Ryan's arm out of the metal support that held it in the air. He was very glad he was finally allowed to move, although he still needed some help to get in and out of the wheelchair. The doctor had given him a long lecture about how he had been careless and that's why it had come this far, and Ryan had just nodded every now and then in silence.

Pains often bothered him, but he had managed to move his fingers more for the first time this morning, and it felt like a big accomplishment. The doctor and nurses said that he was recovering remarkably fast and Ryan certainly wasn't complaining. Especially now that he could visit Alice. Nurse wheeled him to Alice's room and put him next to her bed. He asked for a radio, but apparently, there was horrible reception down in the sewers (as expected). Ryan was a little upset at that, but decided next time he would get some other music player or a book to read. When the nurse left, his full attention turned to the girl on the bed.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Ryan asked with a smile. "As you can see, I am getting all better quickly." He was truly happy that he wouldn't have to endure long days in loneliness anymore, even if Alice wouldn't talk much.

He didn't stop her as she hurried out and simply watched, soon looking to the lonely remains of her ice cream and then to the shopkeeper. He didn't try to change her mind on whether it was a date or a meeting or anything else and stood up, walking over to the counter. He fished through his pocket and took out a few crumpled dollars, "Could I get a to-go cup of what she was having?"

With a fresh ice cream in his hand and his old one in the other, he hurried along the street until he caught her scent and followed it... He passed by an apartment building as the sun set and sniffed around. Her scent was all over it but she wasn't here. He continued up the street, following after her.

The door handle jiggle and she popped the door open, locking it from the inside and then stepping out. She paused, the door shutting behind her, and she placed a hand on her hip. "Are you trying to intimidate me, or did I suddenly do something wrong?" She was mocking Aiolia and was obviously not very keen on being looked at with such fervor.

Alice was asleep when he was wheeled in and lay in silence until the conversation about the radio had been dealt with. She'd stirred and woke up, lethargically rubbing at her eyes to clean them. Blinking, eyes now refreshed, she looked over at Ryan and smiled. He did look so much better and she was excited.

Not wanting to hurt him or put any weight on his arm, she lay her hand on the edge of the bed, giving him support from a distance, though she knew at least his shoulder or arm would give a much better feeling. Though, his metal arm was closer and she did not want to damage it. He'd just completed his procedure and had his rest, after all.

It was a good two hour drive to her destination, and Leila wasn't going to make it any longer by going slow. She didn't even turn the music on. The sun slowly set, although it was hard to see behind the gray cloud shield covering the sky. Only the very edge of sky turned colorful and lit up.

Reaching Milwaukee, Leila stopped by a small flower shop. It had been there, as long as she remembered her self. Her father used to buy flowers for his wife there, sometime when they were on talks too. Her mother didn't like cut flowers very much - she felt sorry for them -, but Leila couldn't go to graveyard without a single flower. So, she bought four white roses, as usually. They had no scent, and while they were beautiful, it felt as if they lacked the frail soul of the flowers.

Her further drive was much slower, as Leila took in the details of the downtown. If she would take a turn there, and then a few to the left, she would come to see what was left of her house... Her heart clenched at the thought, and she didn't drive that way. After about ten more minutes, on the very edge of the downtown, she stopped, at large and intricate fence. Leila parked card, took the flowers and stepped outside. The girl stood still at the open gates for a moment, but then walked in.

Leila's walked slowly, but without a doubt, until she came to the far end of the graveyard. Only people from the big families that had resided here for long, long time, were buried here. One by one, she put the roses on four graves and stood in silence, staring at the gravestones.

"No." Aiolia said stiffly, her arms still crossed across chest.
"This is just a small statement."
"I am going to join your group training. And not this 'prove your worth' crap."
She stared in Eve's eyes, but there was no challenge, only a pure, steely determination. Whatever the other woman was going to throw at her, she would take it, make it larger and throw it back at Eve. It didn't take powers to become somebody others reckoned with. And she was about to prove that to whole Base, whole country, if needed to be.

Ryan smiled at her and then slowly, carefully wheeled around to the other side of the bed and shifted his chair so that his good arm would be on her side. He then put his hand on her bad and took hers with it, gently. "I am very glad to see you really awake. I guess that alone means you're feeling better. I will figure some way to keep you entertained, you know. Since there is no garden I could show you or anything." The man sighed heavily, glancing at the window. "I miss the sunlight." He really did. Growing up on streets, he was used to sunlight, wind blowing. Yes, it often carried more foul stench than the one down here, but there was still a chance to flee the city, to live somewhere else one day... But what expected them now, Ryan didn't have the slightest of idea.

He continued a few more miles past her apartment and realized she'd gone quite a ways out. He knew he should continue and follow after her but... he didn't think it wise. Deciding to head back down into the sewers, he headed to the outpost she had been assigned to and found her tent. Placing the ice cream on top of her little table, he wandered out and found a little corner in the sewer nearby.

Plopping down, he finished off his ice cream and wondered about where she went. He would get plenty of answers once she returned, whether she would want to give him answers or not.

Eve scoffed, "Fine. You can join up." She gave a shrug, "But they won't be easy on you... and don't look at me like you have any chance of besting me." She pushed past Aiolia and continued down toward the training area. "We start in five minutes. Be early if you're serious."

Even if Aiolia did not plan on challenging Eve, she could still see the possibility in those eyes. The blond was determined and wanted to become better, which was reasonable, but still not enough to win at anything.

Relieved and even excited that he'd switched sides, she gripped onto his hand and eased herself against the few pillows propping her up. She rest her head back and faced him, smiling as it spoke, Her thumb stroked over his hands and she let her eyes close, listening to him and see pretty pictures in his mind of flowers, gardens and little waterfalls.

When Amante attempted to enter Leila's tent, he was faced with pitch black wall under the tent flaps. "Without Lady's permisssssion, no one entersss." The voice was quiet, barely audible, but it was laced with hostility. The darkness moved for a second, as if something in it wanted to attack him, but then it returned to normal position.

Leila, in the mean time, spent an hour and half in the graveyard. When she got in car, she was frozen to the bone, but her heart felt a little more at peace. When she was there and talked, it felt a bit like they really could hear her, as if it was easier to access all the memories of her family together. Of course, it was a mere mind created illusion, but just for one time a year, Leila thought she was allowed to delve into it.

Drive back was slow, filled with soft music and deep feeling of longing and loneliness. The further she went away from the graveyard, the deeper it went. Frustrated, the girl tried to think about her burned down house, about the people at fault, but instead of rage, Leila simply felt hopeless. After the car was put in its place and she had taken her bag with now finished medicine, the girl slipped into shadows, where familiar feeling and warmth wrapped around her. This form of travel was much faster and after a little while, Leila was already in the sewers, and soon - at the outpost.

Aiolia quickly caught up with Eve. The way she had spoken had annoyed Aiolia, and she wasn't going to hold back what she thought any longer. Even if there would be a fight she would definitely lose, as the outcome.
"You are made by your powers. Without them, you are worse than many here. Elek went easy on you, because you're a "lady". It's your power's brutal force and few underhanded moves that get you victory in trainings, nothing else."
With that, Aiolia's pace quickened and she went ahead, only pausing for a moment, to look back at Eve, with the same steely determination. Only now her expression seemed a bit more distant, as if she was putting something between Eve and her with these words.
"I join your group as this way, I can fight many at the same time and improve trough that. Not because you are very skilled, because you aren't."
About minute later, Aiolia stood among other 'students' and although they looked at her slightly warily, or others in unnecessary pride, thinking about how they beat her up yesterday, no one bothered her.

"You know, I had this strange dream few nights ago," Ryan talked, not expecting a response. He knew Alice was listening and following his words, and that's what matter. Some day, they would have a real conversation, he was sure. "You came into my room and we talked for some time. At first, I thought it was reality, but it seems you still feel too weak to do that. But I feel happy about it anyways, I am now sure you will be all better someday."

He gave her a warm, reassuring smile. "And then, when all this rebellion trouble is over, I will find a way to show you the world."
"If we make it out alive... No, Alice will survive, I will make sure of that," the man thought. It felt so simple and nice, to plan future, and Ryan didn't even realize how quickly he included this girl in his visions. It just felt right.

Ryan was quite naive when it came to relationships and love. He had never had time to really fall in love and get attached to someone. The man had had a few crushes throughout his life, mostly in teenage years, but then eating and surviving took priority over heart matters. So, Ryan didn't realize he was on the very edge - or already over it - of falling into a strange love with Alice.

Annoyance scribbled all over his face, he grumbled something and held out the container of ice cream, "I was just bringing this to her." He didn't like that the shadows were so aggressive with him. It was truly unnecessary and, quite frankly, it was starting to piss him off.

Amante set the little container down nearby and pointed at it, "Do your job and keep it cold." Without another word, he stepped out of the tent and headed off to one of the nearby tunnels to sit down and relax.

Aiolia had started pushing buttons she shouldn't have. Eve caught up without giving any inkling of movement and grabbed Aiolia by the throat, walking forward with her until she was forced up against a wall. "Don't think that because I'm employed by Elek that I will go easy on either of you, or your people."

Her grip on Aiolia tightened, "And talking down to someone like me isn't suggested." Her grip tightened again, "My powers give me an edge. You don't know me and you don't know what I'm capable of," She watched, squeezing more until Aiolia's eyes began to bulge, and then she let go, dropping Aiolia to the ground. "Dogs like you get put down." She sealed her side of the debate with a kick to Aiolia's side, "Watch your mouth." Dusting off one of her arms, she turned to the rest of the group. "Pick a partner and work on your blocking exercises."

She looked confused as he spoke about his dream because... well, she had the same one. Perplexed, she continued to listen, seemingly dazed, until he made a mention of the future. He wanted to show her the world and the idea sounded beautiful. Her skin warmed up as she beamed at him, gripping his hand tighter and soon bringing it to her cheek. She obviously loved the idea of traveling, especially with him.

Aiolia's hand clawed at Eve's, leaving deep bloody scratches. The others watched with small horror, but mostly interested on juicy details. When the girl fell to the ground, everyone was about to turn back to their exercises, thinking that now all the drama was done and Aiolia would give up, and emotionally bow down to Eve. But she wasn't the kind of girl to do.

Aiolia stood up, coughed once and then grabbed Eve's arm, hurting her and pulled her around. It was so sudden that Eve was most likely unprepared for it and yielded. "You think you proved anything with this little power display? Think again. You might if you can best me, without using your powers when I am healthy. Let's see who has the 'edge' then." With a smirk, Aiolia let Eve go and went off to find her partner for the exercise.

When Elek later found about the whole ordeal, he felt rather guilty. In a way, he was the beginning of this all, and the man knew it. He just hadn't thought it would lead to something like this... But there was hardly any chance that he could settle it down between both woman. Especially since he didn't know all the details or reasons... Aiolia refused to talk about them, and now on top of her training, regular duties, she trained extra hard any free moment. Elek didn't want to read her mind to find what had fueled her so, especially since he had a very uneasy, nagging feeling.

Ryan was happy to see Alice so bright and hopeful. It brought him some hope as well. He brushed his thumb lightly over her light cheek, smiling softly. She was really beautiful when she smiled like this, and seemed so happy. Ryan wanted to make her smile and feel like this, often. Every day, every moment, if possible. It would not come easy, but for such a smile, it was worth it.

The man was about to say something, when someone walked in. "Sorry if I interrupted," Elek cleared his throat, obviously feeling awkward. Ryan withdrew hand and his pale cheeks colored. It felt like someone else had seen a side of him he prefer to keep secret. "I wanted to have few words with you, about your role here, and nurse said you were here." Elek rubbed back of his head. It seemed like he had barged on a quite tender moment and he had to wonder, if he was failing promise given to Amante.

"Ah, alright. We can talk about it in my room," Ryan nodded and then squeezed Alice's hand lightly. "I will come back later, and certainly tomorrow. Rest and get better." He smiled at her and then slowly wheeled towards doors, which Elek held open for him.

Tired, weary, cold - inside and out -, Leila neared the outpost, now in human form. Her head was spinning slightly, from lack of 'boosts'. She was already starting to feel few withdrawal symptoms and spending time at her family's grave had made her feel guilty about ever beginning them. "I did it for them, though... Always, everything for them. And still, they wouldn't approve, would they," the girl thought heavily.

Too tired to really notice things around her, for an unfortunate change, Leila turned around corner and basically tripped over Amante. Only in the last moment she managed to regain her balance, but for a moment she looked very shocked and stood in rather funny pose. Blush rising to her cheeks, Leila moved around him, smoothing down her dress.

"I'm not going to explain my methods to do, but I will tell you this." She pointed over at Aiolia, "Shut the fuck up and take it, or leave." She wasn't here to fight them and she wasn't going to take Aiolia's mouth. There was only so much that could be said before the money was left behind with the woman's jaw holding it down like a paperweight.

The other man from earlier came in and spoke to Ryan, soon asking him to go away with him. She looked to Ryan and gave his hand another squeeze before pulling the covers further up over herself and laying on her side. Maybe he would come back later, maybe just tomorrow. Both would be nice... Alice drifted off to sleep before Ryan even left the room.

He'd fallen asleep with his arms crossed over his chest, snoring silently. The ice cream container lay beside him but had been knocked over a while before. After Leila tripped over him, he snorted and looked around, "Hm?" Rubbing his eyes, he caught onto Leila's smell and looked over, "Hey..." She was standing weird and his eyebrow quirked up. "Are you alright?"

Leila stood up straighter, correcting the pose and trying to not look awkward. "I am fine," she replied, although didn't really feel like that after today. That was nothing he had to know, though. She felt she had been already far too open with Amante. And that stirred annoyance, both at him and her self.

"But what's with you? Decided sewer floor healthier than outpost's bed?" Her voice was mocking as she quirked eyebrow, but then the girl turned to leave. "Oh well, whatever suits you the best." Leila really was in no mood for chitchat.

Aiolia glanced at Eve and just shrugged, with slight smirk. She wasn't here to pick up a fight, it was just that her words seemed to have hit a sore spot, according to the way the other woman reacted. All the better, then. "I recall my orders were to find a partner for dodging," she replied finally with smile. Then she mingled in the group of people.

What was her problem? She was being so curt and cold with him, from seemingly no where. Shrugging it off, he adjusted himself and looked over the empty container. Not wanting to little, Amante stood and wandered back to the outpost and chucked the remains of his ice cream into a trash can.

Eve sat down, for once, and watched the scene. She didn't talk to any of them or give direction. They should have known well enough what to do on their own...

Leila's head hurt now, it felt like a horse was kicking her temples from inside. "It must be my pulse, just my pulse..." she tried to tell her self as she slowly walked to her tent. The girl half stumbled in the tent and flopped down on the bed, burying head in the cool pillow.
"Misstresss..." voice whispered in her ear, or maybe mind. Leila rose her head a little. "Yes?"
"The tall man... he left you thissss, and ordered to keeeep it cold." Shadowy hand presented her the carton of the ice cream and the girl's eyes widened. That was... unexpected. It was nothing he had to do, nothing that would benefit Amante, only maybe gain her favor - not that he really needed it either.

Touched more than she would like admit, Leila got up and poked her head out of the tent. "Hey you! Big guy," she called out, and when Amante looked at her, she showed the ice cream. "Thanks." Her voice was a little stiff, as if she was not used to saying this word. "Oh, and about the other time... I could done it without you, but I owe you one." Leila then slipped back in tent and began eating her ice cream, wishing the sweetness could seep in her mind and soul, just a tad bit.

Amante looked up, assuming he had been called, and saw Leila. She got the ice cream, which he knew she would, and thanked him for saving her in the tunnels a day or two ago. She disappeared back into her tent and he could hear her eating it. He grinned, glad to know she was not totally cold, like ice cream... she could be sweet sometimes.

Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he wandered past her tent and took in a deep breath through his nostrils. As he wandered over to another tent, checking the area a bit, he went through the smells he'd picked up from her. She smelt of flowers and an old, dead or ding field. It smelled more like formaldehyde and rotting corpses along with... nightshade. She'd gone to a cemetery.

nodding to himself, he figured it was nothing, but mostly due to the fact that there were no live smells on her, and plopped down in a corner in the outpost, looking up at the light seeping in from a grate so far up that any noises that came from them would likely go unnoticed. He drifted off to sleep, again, head resting on his own shoulder.

Leila slept for only few hours, before her Shadous woke her. In a half hour, others would get up, but she preferred to be the first one. Taking some pain killer pills for her headache that had hardly lessened before her sleep and now seemed to have doubled, Leila prepared for her day. The girl's head was still full with thoughts about yesterday and she hoped she could clear her mind today and set it on the "right track". Visiting family's grave always left her messed up.

Leila went out, made her own coffee and while it was brewing noticed Amante. "Gee," she said quietly. Whom was he waiting for now, that he slept there? He probably had to feel cold. She reminded her self that it was none of her business and eat a little, but every now and then shot a glance his way.

Finally, before heading off to her patrol, she filled one of the three termocups at the outpost with her coffee, which she was not going to give to anyone else, and left it next to Amante. It felt like a small repay for the ice cream, and Leila sure did like getting debts off of her shoulders.

Earlier afternoon was coming around when Amante woke up and found a thermos beside him. He picked it up and sniffed it. Coffee.. and Leila. Grinning, he spun it open and sipped at it. It was around room temperature, which wasn't so bad, but he enjoyed it nonetheless. When he was fairly awake, he got up and went over to check for any messages.

Elek wanted him back at base and it had something to do with the Ryan character. Already feeling on edge, just because of this, he crumbled up the letter into his pocket and headed out for the base. He decided to walk there and it would take quite a while, but he wouldn't mind. He had at least a day to get there.

Leila was nearing the outpost again on her patrol. With the passing time, she had put her thoughts in place and formed a firm plan of how to find the location of the base. Now all she needed was a good opportunity, and then she would be one big step closer to the grand finale.

"Misstressss, the large man... He is going away," one of the Shadous whispered in her mind and Leila froze. "Four follow him. Be as careful as possible and take note of each turn and twist of path, like we talked over." Smile spread on her face. Just what she had wanted. Leila trusted her Shadous and although Amante knew of them, which wasn't in the original plan, it would take him some time to notice her servants.

A few hours had passed on when he stopped and took in a breath. Amante sighed and grumbled, rubbing his face. Her shadows were following him. It would be impossible for him to get rid of them but he gave them a fair warning, "If you're going to follow me, at least make an effort to hide." He was more sensitive to the shadows than most people, which was why he knew they were there.

Amante continued on, taking a much longer route with more twists and turns, even backtracking through some tunnels to make it harder for Leila to pick the direct path. Though, eventually, he made it into camp by the morning of December 4th.

Elek had slept few hours and was already up and about. He had gotten an early meal from the chefs, and now was having a quick round up around the base, while drinking coffee. If the brown, nearly tasteless substance could be called so. But he wasn't complaining. In their situation, any supplies were good and they couldn't waste (or use) them in large amounts.

Elek had come near the entrance when the guards let Amante in. It took him a bit to notice his friend, because his mind was occupied with trying to put in place this foreign presence... It was slightly familiar, but Elek couldn't put finger on it. And then it slipped away, before he could figure it out. Just a moment later, he noticed Amante.

"Good morning! I am glad you came. You must be tired, though. Do you want to rest before we talk?" he asked with smile, as he approached Amante. Elek knew how he never used the electrobikes due to his fear of crashing and distrust towards the vehicles, so, he must have come all the way here.

"Rest is for the lazy," He quipped with a grin. It was a bit of a joke at himself. Amante rarely rested as he tried to have something on his plate at all times. "Though, a drink wouldn't hurt." He scratched at the stubble on his face and walked with Elek toward wherever it was they needed to go. "Let's talk about... Ryan." He frowned, not liking the man and really not wanting to talk about him. "Did you find out anything else?"

"This coffee? That's all we have and I am not sure it would help," Elek chuckled and changed direction, moving to kitchen, to get something to eat and drink for Amante. He listened to his request in the mean time and frowned a little. Indeed, his friend seemed quite on edge whenever the man came up in the conversation. But he shrugged it off, since he wasn't about to ask about it anyways.

"The problem is - we didn't. Apparently, someone employed Ryan to kidnap Alice, and he became sympathetic for her, so, in last moment, he ran away from people that were about to pick her up." He paused the conversation to thank the cook for few sandwiches and another cup and then handed them to Amante.

"Let's go to my room," he suggested and took the course. When they finally could close the door behind them, Elek sat down and sighed softly.
"Ryan has no idea who was his employer, if they know where they are right now, how desperately they want Alice or just who is Alice." The man looked at Amante quizzically, still thinking he most likely knew more about Alice than her savior.

"That's what I would like you to investigate, if possible. Maybe you need to talk with Alice, I don't know." Elek shruggeda little helplessly and took another sip of the brew. "Oh, almost forgot. Twins crafted up some spying device that will help you listen to what Leila is talking. It works only in short range, though. Few kilometers or so." The man gave Amante a small box, which contained something like a hearing aid, and small button, which he apparently had to attach to the subject's clothes.

"Anything in particular you want to know about Ryan or something?" He asked, with a small,nearly guilty smile.

With his hands out, he took the sandwiches in one and the drink in the other. Immediately, he put the edges of the sandwiches into his mouth and began to eat. While chewing his food, he asked, "So he's a mercenary?" Great. He followed after Elek and into the room where he sat down.

with his sandwiches finished, he sipped at his coffee and listened. So, more spying. Great. He took the box and looked into it, "You know I don't need this." He shut the box up and finished off the drink. Thinking about it, he decided it best to plant this on Ryan or, maybe, Alice.

"I can still use it for something." He tucked the box into his clothes and dropped the cup into the trashcan. "What is he going to be doing around here? Or is he not going to even stay?"

"Yes, apparently this was the first time this person hired him, though. Ryan thinks he was chosen for the job because he is little known as a mercenary." Elek emptied to cup and put it down next to the pile of papers. The were records of their expenses and incomes and he dreaded the information within.

"You can't be around her all the time, right? For example, now." Elek quirked an eyebrow. "I know in this situation it wouldn't help, but they are working on stronger one. Has Leila done anything suspicious, by the way?" The man rubbed his forehead, hoping the headache would stay away for some time more.

"Ryan is very determined. The pay for the last job, he is willing to give us. His request was that we keep Alice safe, no matter what. If we keep him, he will help us on missions after his arm recovers. I think he will stay. I read his mind and..." Elek paused, thinking how to put this. "He is not a bad person. And what he says is true." The man didn't add that he was also obviously also harboring something for Alice, or at least developing some feelings for her. He guessed, Amante wouldn't want to hear it even more directly.

"By the way, have you met Eve? She and Aiolia are at each other's throat now, basically. I have no sure idea why, but I bet you will her alll about it while you're here." Elek shook his head, as if he was talking about two kids.

Amante frowned. Elek was right, he wasn't with her at the moment but... Leila was not his main interest like it should have been. Though, he could not deny he was having some interesting times with her. Sighing, he scratched at his neck and gave a nod. He'd have to find a way to plant it without the damn shadows seeing him.

Hearing Ryan would likely be a permanent addition, he tensed up. Great. Just great. He rubbed his forehead and waited for Elek to finish... something about some chick and Aiolia. Did he have to meet her? Because he already knew he wouldn't be up for it.

"What else did you find? Anything about where he got Alice? Any thoughts about her at all?" He wanted to know their relationship but he didn't want to be obvious with his question. "And do you want me to meet this Eve?"

"Hm, now that you mention, I found this in his mind," Elek scribbled a note and handed it to Amante. "Should be address of the facility. They did quite the ride, all the way from Knoxville." He thought a bit before answering the other question.

"Alice seems nice... Although a little set back about her surroundings. I don't think she speaks to anyone directly. When she does, I would like to talk with her, though. If honestly, it still feels like you're the one who could find out something about her." Elek frowned a little, as if feeling bad he had said that. But it did seem like that and he tried to be polite about it, though, and appear that he didn't feel strange about Alice and her powers.

He noticed Amante hadn't replied to his question about Leila, that seemed a little strange. Was he really so worried about Alice? Or maybe Ryan? "If you're stuck with Leila's situation or not interested in continuing that mission, I can always ask Aiolia or someone else to do some snooping around, you know. It doesn't seem like you're all the way with it right now. Or that it will bear much fruits as a whole." The man didn't like to say that, but from realistic viewpoint, it was possible she had already found their locations and contacted employer without Amante ever noticing. It was too bad his powers didn't work in such large ranges, without becoming forceful.

"You don't have to meet Eve for now, I suppose. Only if I suspect she could be somehow involved in all the other happenings," Elek finished, with soft sight. It wouldn't surprise him.

Great, it sounded like Elek was not only catching on to Amante's connection with Alice but also voicing he may no longer be well equipped for the mission concerning Leila. "No, I can handle it." He was going to have to try harder to work on both and just do as Elek told him. He would plant the device, somehow, and then focus on Alice for a bit, maybe talk to her.

"I'll get this on her so we can keep a closer eye on her... I'll try talking to Alice. Maybe she'll reach out." He didn't want to have her assigned as a mission but doing it on his own for his own reasoning may have been too... obvious.

"Is there anything else?" He had work to do and he wanted to get it done.

"No, that is all, Amante," Elek said, tiredness edging his voice. He felt that his friend felt as if doubted and distrusted, and realized it could seem so, but he truly hadn't meant it so. He wanted what was best for Amante, and he seemed so troubled now... If Alice's case was so important to him, it would be only natural to free him from Leila. She just had to be quite the headache.

When Amante left, he turned to the papers. It took a little more effort to read them now, and he felt absurdly depending on his friends, especially Aiolia again. But there was no way Elek would disturb her now, when she was training.

Meanwhile, Ryan had gotten up, finished the mourning check up and well being routine and was on his way to Alice. Nurse had brought him few books and although it was not easy to hold it with one hand, he still read for her daily now. Then, he liked to discuss the book with her, feeling very sure that the girl was following his words, and judging by her expressions, Ryan could also tell what she was feeling about the story.

With a nod, he got up and walked out of the room with the little box. Not ready to return to the outpost just yet, he headed for the hospital and went inside. Making a bee line to Alice's room, he stopped outside the window and watched Ryan read to her, his features slowly becoming less and less pleased.

Meawhile, Alice listened to the stories. They all seemed very simple to her but she still liked them. What was more important was that Ryan was the one who sat there and read them to her. Having his confidence and determination, watching him work with both of his arms to hold the book and even turn pages. She was proud of him and it showed, though it seemed more like she was enjoying the stories.

Amante knocked on the door as he entered and cleared his throat, almost glaring the face off of Ryan with his mind. He reined the temptation back and gave the girl as greeting smile. "How has your stay been?"

She noticed the hostility from the man but did not seem totally phased by it. She simply stared at him as if waiting for him to do or say something else.

Ryan had noticed Amante, he had felt someone intensively watching and had discreetly looked at the window. The man seemed familiar, but Ryan couldn't recognize him. Maybe someone from the court... That would explain the way he stared with displeasure...

However, when he came in, Ryan recognized the man. "Ah, you're the one from the cell..." he said and then frowned. He was so hostile, it nearly formed a physical substance in air, thickening between them. He knew that he had called the doctor for him, albeit late, and when Ryan had asked around, they had said "Amante" sat at Alice's bed a lot. This had to be "Amante", the jealous one.

"Thanks for the doc," Ryan said dryly, expression growing cold. What was his relationships with Alice? She seemed to react him very little. Not that he could say she reacted to him awfully lot, too... But still more! Determined to ignore Amante, he looked at Alice and smiled at her, wondering if she had ever said something to him, even telepathically. Maybe they were conversing right now? The thought of that stung.

Ryan wanted to reply for her, but since maybe they were talking, he didn't want to seem as a fool... Amante had seen him at his worst, and he hadn't given much about it. To appear even more foolish and lame in front of him, would hurt his pride far too much. Ryan stared at the book, trying to will Amante away, his jaw tense.

Cell? Alice looked to Ryan, concerned, and then looked back at Amante. He made a slightly different expression to confirm Ryan's questions and looked to Alice. the two stared at each other, Amante eventually turning his gaze away from the burning curiosity of innocent blue eyes.

Clearing his throat, he responded, "No problem." It was hard to say, like grinding rocks out of ones system... especially when you wanted to keep those damn rocks. Amante cleared his throat again and asked openly, though he meant it for Alice, "How are you feeling?"

It didn't work unfortunately and Amante asked another question. So, they were not having a mental conversation or he would have asked in his mind. After a moment more, Ryan rose his eyes from the book and stared intensively at the other man. His eyes were now truly icy, not only in color.

"Alice has recovered quite well, thank you. And she is getting better every day." "But not thanks to you, jerk." Ryan didn't even bother with answering about him self, because it was obvious the question was directed only at the girl. Later, he would wonder why did he get so angry and defensive, but right now, Ryan just wanted him out of here, and far, faaar away, so he could never interrupt their moments like this.

The tension between the two males became palpable as Ryan lashed out and Amante leered over at him to match his icy glare. Alice could feel it, the jealous hatred each of them felt for each other. She was not completely sure why they both felt this way and resorted to laying a hand over Ryan's.

He couldn't get this worked up because he'd just had his surgery and was getting better. She looked over to Amante, to the door and then to him again. The pain of rejection washed over him and he started to step back toward the door. "I'll... come by later." Swallowing, he hurried out of the room and shut the door. She could feel him waiting outside of it for a few moments and then watched him walk past the window.

Alice turned her attention to Ryan, frowning but still looking concerned, and she gave his hand a little squeeze as if to comfort him.