No Redemption

Dameon~

"Man... what have you been up to?" Dameon let out a boisterous laugh, ushering a timid Clare in. He hugged Garrett tightly after accepting all that was going on. "I know you're angry about your father and all, but organizing a rebellion, really?" He was only teasing, and Garrett knew that, but no one else did. "I may just have to tell the general." At those words the animals in the room began to snarl and screech.

"Easy, he's only joking," Garrett sighed, ushering Clare and Dameon to a love-seat. "So... I may need some help with this." Garrett chuckled, Dameon rolling his eyes.

Keiko

I slowly pulled off my hat and slipped under the blanket I had thrown at Hunter. I pressed my body into his -Shadow would've said "cuddled" or "snuggled"- and buried my head in his shoulder and closed my eyes. Naela was here, and Raven, and Tal... I would be safe. A few minutes later, I jolted awake again. Hunter was fighting off a smile- I could just tell.

"I'm really liking this sleep thing," I said through a yawn.

"I'm glad, Twitch. You've got a lot of sleep to catch up on."

"Mm. Let's wait until after this gets sorted out, alright? I don't want to miss anything." I said, rubbing my eyes with my free hand. Dameon still looked a little stunned. Feeling courageous, I smiled cheekily and waved. Hunter smacked my arm. I rolled my eyes and squeezed his hand. He beamed.

Still the weirdest night of my life.

Just so you know.

CLARE

I sat beside Dameon. I knew him to, just... how? I eased down into the love seat, leaning away from him. When he noticed I just smiled, nervously. He looked away, and I looked over to the girl with pink hair. I knew her to. All this thinking was making my head hurt. I rubbed my temples, still trying to figure it out. I gasped as another memory entered my mind.

I was sitting on a bench, in the palace garden with Dameon. We were, snuggling? I looked up to see Garrett and Shadow coming. I scooted off of Dameons lap and sat on the other end of the bench, they hadn't seemed to notice. Garrett wrapped his arms around me, was he... crying?
"I'm so sorry Clare." I looked up, and saw the girl... who was she? I pulled away, utterly confused.
"Sorry about what?" I asked, he WAS crying.
"Davis Bloome just killed your father..."

I gasped and jumped up from my spot on the sofa. Pointing between the three from my memory. The girl, Garrett and Dameon. Tears forming in my eyes.
"You know all about me... you know my past. You know that Davis killed my father! What else aren't you telling me!"

Taleon

I glanced towards Hunter and Keiko. Not to sound boastful or anything, but I had totally seen this coming. I usually did. Plus I knew them pretty well. That was an understatement to say the very least. I kept silent as everyone else talked, preferring to watch the conversation instead of take part in it.

Queen Adola

I sat on the velvet lining on the carriage, my eyes closed and my head leaned against the seat. I would have preferred to be in a more relaxed pose (sleeping, maybe) but it felt uncomfortable when there were so many carriages around guarding us and able to see our every move. I shifted a bit.

I usually didn't get involved in these alliance things. I trusted my husband to take care of it (of course) and I knew that he would make the decision that was best for the kingdom- and us. I looked out the window and sighed just a little bit as I watched the carriages passing by. "Is it really necessary for us to have this many guards?" I asked.

"I wish it wasn't but it is," he said, looking out his window as well. "They're what keep us safe."

I nodded a bit.

*KING* TORRAN

I shook my head, understanding Adola's discomfort. Not even I was this used to having so many guards surrounding me. It was quite overwhelming to be honest. Walking down the streets of Sarla usually only required one or two guards and Glug.

"You know, I'm starting to think the general out-did himself by sticking so many of them with us," I muttered, patting Glug on the head.

Adola sighed. "Exactly what I was thinking."

We rode on in silence for a while, the carriage swaying slightly. My mind wandered...right back to Garrett and the fact that I was missing one of the most important birthdays of his life. My frown deepened and I resorted to scratching Glug's ears and closing my eyes to keep tears from running down them.

Well perhaps he would find a girl at the party... and without me there to poke around in his personal affairs, it might actually get somewhere. Yes, and that's a good reason for staying back.

I held back the tears and urge to complain to Adola. She didn't deserve it.

~Princess Shadow~

I looked up and the girl Clare was pointing at me, Garrett, and Dameon. I knew Dameon, and I had been close to him, friend wise, but that was when me and Garrett were close, which was a long time ago. She said we knew her, and I didn't doubt it. I squeezed Marroe's hand, trying to calm him. I wasn't afraid near him, but everyone else was, and that was making me worried. I thought back to the times when me and Garrett were best friends, searching through the happy memories, looking at the faces of everyone else.

Then it hit me and I gasped, mouth hanging open, and I pointed back, trying to say something, but the words wouldn't come. I remembered walking into my garden, and seeing Dameon and Clare sitting there. That was a hard time for Garrett, because he told her that Davis had killed her father. I tried not to remember that day, because that day was the start of mine and Garrett's separation days, where we barely talked or did anything. I remembered sitting in my garden for hours on end, staring and crying about that day, sad for everyone. Sad for Clare and Garrett.

I could feel eyes on me, and I knew a pare were Marroe's and a pare were Garrett's and that was all that mattered to me. The others were friends, but I didn't know them much. Hell, I barely knew Marroe, but I loved him, so that counted for something. I pushed the thought away, thinking of that one day. The day Garrett and I were no longer brother and sister.

Keiko

My eyes widened and my jaw slackened. I clutched Hunter's hand. He clutched mine. I wanted to apologize to Clare, but what was there to apologize for? I hadn't had anything to do with this. Shadow gasped. I groaned softly. I wanted OUT. Now. I wanted to go to the observatory, the whole lot of them in tow, and got to sleep with Hunter beside me.

But nooooo, Clare has to go and lose her temper. So we're probably stuck here for at least another half hour. I scowled. Hunter looked at me as if to say "Did I do something?" I squeezed his hand, still under the blanket, and shook my head, waving the topic away. My scowl was still there, however faint. Naela reached across the bed and squeezed my shoulder. I smiled a little.

I pulled my knees to my chin and rested my forehead on the soft fabric of my pants. I was tired again, but this was such an inopportune moment, it wasn't even funny. I grabbed an energy tonic and drained it, smiling at the familiar rush of sparks and electricity. I rolled my head over to Hunter's shoulder.

Blast it, Hunter, stop making me all mushy!

~Princess Shadow~

OK, this was awkward, but I had regained myself, pulling myself closer to Marroe, and trying to shake the guilty feeling. I kept my head on Marroe's shoulder, his arm around me. I was crying, and I was such a baby. I had no need to cry, but old memories brought tears to my eyes.

I felt some eyes on my, but I was zoned out, thinking about the day, but also trying to forget it again. I knew a pair of those eyes were Garrett's and he would probably be worried about me, but he had his own thoughts, so I guessed not. I just wanted to be alone with Marroe. I had no clue why, but I wanted to be with him alone. Not to talk or anything, but to be with him, so no drama could be started, but knowing where my thoughts would go, drama would start anyway.

Hunter

Keiko yawned. She looked like a kitten. A bright turquoise, violet eyed kitten. And one who also looked a little worried. I nudged her.

"Twitch, what's up?"

She frowned. "That's three people who aren't with us who know where we are."

"But we can trust Garrett and Shadow, right?"

"Right- it's Dameon I'm worried about."

"Don't be. He's Garrett's best friend, isn't he?" I said. Keiko nodded. I kissed the top of her head.

"Please don't worry, Twitch. You look sad when you worry." She smiled at me. I felt a little giddy.

"Alright. But only for you, Hunt." I beamed at her and squeezed her hand.

Best night ever.

~Princess Shadow~

A thought came to my mind, and of course I thought about the rest of them. Maybe they would be OK if Marroe and I just left. My room was guard free, and I wouldn't have em pacing around outside, would I? I sighed, closing my eyes tight and trying to ignore the fact that Clare was talking. I wanted to fall asleep and wake up far away from here with Marroe. I kept my eyes closed, ans soon enough I was sleeping.

Keiko

I yawned again. Hunter smiled and rested his head on top of mine. We were pretty much out of the line of fire, as Clare hadn't known us whatsoever. Shadow looked like she wanted to die (couldn't blame the pink-haired princess), Marroe was right behind her, Garrett looked regretful (which just made Clare madder, it seemed), and Dameon looked petrified.

Hunter looked sleepy.

"Go to sleep, okay?" I told him. He yawned.

"No-guh- give me one of those tonics you're always drinking."

"Be warned, they're right powerful,"

"So give me one."

I sighed and handed him a bottleful of tonic. He gulped it down, rolled his head around, and looked at me.

"Blast. These are strong."

"Told ya."

Hunter squeezed my hand and wrapped his arm around my waist. We were still hidden from view; in the shadow of the bed, on the side hidden from sight, most of our bodies covered with a blanket. I was thankful; Marroe would smirk, and Tal would laugh and boast that he saw it coming, which he probably did.

Oh, blast them all.

Garrett~

Garrett stared blankly at Clare, Dameon bracing beside him. "Clare, calm down," Dameon spoke calmly, receiving Clare's wrath first. She slapped him across the face, and suddenly gasped, drawing her hand back quickly eyes wide. Tears pooled, and she took a step back.

"I will not calm down. There's a whole past that I can't remember, and none of you are telling me!" Garrett swallowed hard, gazing at her with calm, but assertive eyes. The eyes of a leader.

"Clare... listen to me... Dameon, Shadow and I will all tell you, but right now we can't. We have to get Shanaela and Raven back down to the dungeon. Grey's been guarding the door too long, and the guards are going to get suspicious." Garrett gazed at Clare, his hands out in a position that begged her to calm down, and bee quiet.

"I want answers now! You've held them from me too l-" Dameon rushed at Clare, and grabbed her into his arms, pressing his lips to hers. She instantly fell silent. He turned around, face red as he gazed at Garrett.

"I'll tell her. At least she's quiet now. Get Naela and Raven down to the dungeon." Garrett nodded and Dameon rushed from the room, down the stair well, and out into the empty, guard-free garden.

CLARE

Dameon dragged me down into garden, where I finally came out of shock, and started realising what was going on.
"Unhand me!" I yelled. He let go, as he sat on a bench.
"I thought you wanted to know." I crossed my arms.
"Yes, I do. But firstly you didn't need to kiss me, and secondly I dislike being man-handled." I said, turning away. He grabbed my arm and pulled me down onto the bench. It felt like deja view.
"I apologize." He said. I uncrossed my arms, putting my hands on my lap. I turned towards him a bit, just enough to say 'I'm listening, but I'm still frustrated with you.'
"Are you going to tell me, or should I leave and let you get on with your life?" I snapped.

SHANAELA MARZ

I sighed, climbing off the bed and giving Raven's shoulders a gentle shake. She stirred and her eyes fluttered open.

"Naela?" She yawned. "What's going on?"

We're in Garrett's room. We need to get back to the dungeons before we draw anymore suspision. I mouthed, trying to hide my disapointment and helping her up. I supposed the dungeons were doable, but I swear if Garrett left us alone down there again I would snap.

"Right. This'll be fun..." Raven muttered, sighing loudly.

MARROE

My eyelids were drooping slightly. Was I already that tired? "Looks like everybody's ditching us," I whispered to Shadow, half wondering what Tal, Elle, Keiko and Hunter were going to do after the others disapeared.

Bobo's hand suddenly fell limp over my shoulder and I chuckled. "He's asleep. Finally got sick of attempting to pick-pocket I see." I yawned and kissed Shadow's cheek. "What are we going to do?"

~Princess Shadow~

"I don't know," I said, kissing just below his chin. He smiled, and I noticed that Bobo was asleep. I didn't want to be in Garrett's room, so I stood up, taking Marroe's hand and pulling him up with me. He looked confused, but I just lead the way out the door, snatching up the crumpled up piece of paper off the floor as I went and stuffing it into a fold on my dress. There weren't any guards in the hall, and I was relieved. I pulled him down the hall and around the corner to my room, closing the door behind me. I sighed, pulling myself closer to him.

"I love you," I whispered, kissing his neck. He laughed, wrapping his arms around me. Just one of the many moments of perfection.