[Tom]

Tom nodded and took his sisters hand again. He led her down the marketplace to his own shop. The windows were dingy and dusty, same as always, but it still gave Tom a jolt of excitement to see his own business. He stopped in front of the door. Inside it was dim, as he'd closed up early. However, there were a few lights on, to give the animals a little comfort during the night. He nodded towards the shop.

"Fancy having a look inside, maybe getting you a pet?" Tom asked eagerly.

[Scarlett]

Scarlett's mouth fell open slightly - she'd love a pet, but the sanctuary was no place for one. Still she had hoped to buy herself a flat sometime, and now was as good as any. As a smile spread across her face it was all she could to stop herself from jumping round.
"Ooh. I'd love one!" Scarlett stopped momentarily, her happy mood coming down with a jump. "Don't they cost a lot of money though.."

[Tom]

Tom rolled his eyes at his siters concern.

"There are a few advantages to having a brother that owns the petstore you know..." He said, hoping she understood what he meant.

"It's my business, and family discounts are always large." He said with a wink, before finding his keys. He selectred a rusty bronze one, and stuffed it into the keyhole. The handle turned and the door opened.

"After you." Tom said, holding the door opening.

((OOC: Carry on in the eptshop please Sammi?))

[Niles]

((Sure, why not? )

Gwin scambled about at first when she was being taken out of site from Niles, but she quickly settled down when offered a cookie. Niles could wait, right now there was some chololate in urgent need of eating.

----

Niles felt him being pulled outside, and suddenly Kaida kissed him. Startled, it took him a few seconds to respond. He kissed her deeply back. After a few seconds he pulled away. "Listen, I'm sorry about before, I should have come with you, not stayed where he was." He was being truthful. He was kicking himself for it now, he had been exhausted at the time, but energy status shouldn't have come into it, that was lazyness.

He kissed her again, "Speaking of that, it's been long time no see. Anything big happened?" He asked, stilll a little curious about her bahavior inside the cafe, and frankley, a little worried. Kaida hadn't seemed very happy last time he'd seen her, and for all he knew she not be now, either.

[Kaida]

Kaida felt his embrace and welcomed it. It was wanted, very much so. When he pulled away, she looked into his face and barely listened to what he had to say. Her mind registered his apology, but beyond that, she wasn't paying enough attention.

When he kissed her again, it was more friendly, as he pulled away almost immediately. She found herself not particularly happy about this, and when he spoke again, she ignored him completely. Moving forward once his lips stopped, she kissed him again, this time leaving no room for friendliness. Pulling him close to her, she moved until her back was against the cafe wall. The meat which she'd had in her hand dropped as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

She just wanted to feel something right now. And this particular something would drown out any other emotions she had. Especially for a certain Dragon.

[Niles]

Niles got the message that she didn't want to talk much, but he decided not to forget the matter, just wait till later. For now her just kissed her back. He lifted his hands to run through her hair and down to her back again.

Relising that, while no one could see them at the moment, anyone could walk outside and assume he has attacking her. Still kissing her, he ulled her round a corner out of side. The only way someone would see them now was if they would try to venture into the building, which appeard to be unoccupied. Judging by the broken windows and crumbling door.

He kept kissing her, just wanting the moment to last forever.

[Kaida]

Kaida enjoyed the rush of the moment. The utter freedom of being wanted, it was pure bliss in this moment. When he brought it to the next level, his hands finding their way to her hair, she gripped the back of his shirt with her fingers, pulling him closer to her.

His movements were near flawless. He held her tight in his arms while easily shifting them around the corner, Kaida followed willingly, not once removing her lips from his. Keeping her eyes tightly closed, her kiss began to grow weaker as his intensified. Her mind was running at a million miles and hours, and she couldn't keep getting the image of Zephyr out of her head. But it wasn't just him... it was... everything.

A tear rolling down her cheek, she pulled away from Niles and turned her back to him, placing a hand on the broken down building, trying to regain herself. Thought of her family, her life in Elysia, the party, Niles. They all came at her like bullets. Each one stinging. Especially Niles. She had feelings for him, but she wasn't sure what they were. She didn't want to string him along, but at the same time, being with him felt right. Her wold felt like it had been flipped upside down. She was so sure of herself... and now... now she wasn't.

[Niles]

Niles felt her pull away. He was now more concerned for her then ever. what was she feeling? Love? Hate? Resentful? Guilt? He didn't have a clue. He wanted to help her with what ever was hurting her, if only she'd tell him.

He came to hold her from behind, arms round her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

[Kaida]

Kaida closed her eyes shut when she felt Niles wrap his arms around her stomach. He was being so sweet and caring. The fact that she adored it made her feel worse. Reaching her hand up to touch his cheek, she tried to put on the best front that she could. Turning around to face him, keeping herself in his arms, she looked into his eyes, and smiled. It was forced, but it was there.

I'm ok. I'm just... trying to work with things right now. Her tone was soft. Almost too soft. Even when she was being sweet and nice, her tone never got that soft. She kissed him tenderly on the lips to help take his mind off her words. Pulling away, she leaned her back against the building behind her and looked towards the ground. She couldn't help the thoughts in her mind, and tried to erase them. But try as she might, she just couldn't.

[Niles]

Niles kissed her back, so that beif moment, and looked at her. "Do you wat to talk about anything? Share any problems?" He knew that sharing things helped, but it could be difficult at times. After all, problems were really you're own business, and you didn't really want other people to know your problems?

"Do you want to talk? Or do you wanna handle them yourself?" He really hoped she'd tell him. Or at least, someone. It wasn't healthy to keep things packed up inside.

[Kaida]

Kaida looked up at Niles. She shook her head. No, i'm ok, really. But she wasn't. Not in the least bit. And she needed to work this out. She wanted to know how Zephyr really felt. He'd told her in the forest... but his actions said otherwise. She also needed to figure out how she felt for Niles. Especially since he was such a sweetheart, caught in the middle of her torn feelings.

Moving closer to him, she moved her hand to run through his hair. Looking into his eyes, unsure of what she wanted, and not really caring at the moment, she just... needed to kiss him again. Leaning in, she placed her lips firmly on his, taking herself back into uncharted territory. Her other hand found his and clasped at it tightly.

It felt like a goodbye kiss. And maybe it was. A tear rolled down her cheek, and she broke away from him, shifting into her arctic fox form, and running further into the market. She needed to find Zephyr... then she needed to be alone. She didn't look back at Niles. She couldn't. Not right now.

[Niles]

"Kaida, wait!" He yelled after her, he shifted to his cat form and began to chase after her. But it was no use. No way a domestic cat could outrun a fox. Never. He returned to his human form and cursed. What Kaida was doing wasn't good for herself or other people. He longed for her to share her arms and tell him what was wrong. After all, as well as caring for her deeply, he had trained to be a physchiatrist. A dream that had gone out the window, but never the less, he had spend seven years of his life learning how to help people with problems.

He kicked a can of coke about for a while, vividly remembering his own time at the Halloween Party. That had probably been the first time he'd seen this way.

He wandered the streets for a while before eventualy remembering he had left Gwin behind and had forgotten to pay Doaine for the things. Sighing and making his way back to the cafe, Niles ran everything over in his head a thousand times.

[Nymphadora]

Nymphadora stepped out of the portal onto the Market street. She glanced back at the portal and wondered if he'd be coming through. She wasn't sure if he could folow her trail somehow, but she was sure with him being an Aide, he could easily be right behind her.

Stepping back, she spotted a nearby bench and walked over to it. Hopping on it do she was sitting on the back and her feet were where you sit, she rested her elbows on her knees and kept her eyes on the portal. She wasn't quite sure why she was feeling in a fun mood, but it was nice for a change. Maybe if Chenoan found her, he could lead her to another exciting place.

[Maximus]

Max wandered down the street, hands planted deeply into his pockets. He stared intently at the ground in front of him, clearly deep in thought. He was heading back to the surgery, but other things were praying on his mind-the quest was consuming most of his thoughts. As if to prove this, Max stumbled on a loose pebble and snapped out of his mini day dream. He looked around, and his heart skipped a beat as he realised he'd found what he was looking for-the other nymph! He recognised her vaguely, but he wasn't sure where from. He strode over to the bench that she sat on and coughed nervously.

"Hello Dora. I'm Max. Can we talk?" He asked simply, relived at finding the last of his potential recruits.

[Nymphadora]

Nymphadora looked up at the sound of someone coming. It never occurred to her that maybe Chen might not follow through the portal. Smiling, she turned to see Max approaching her. Grinning even more, she stood and came down off the bench. Hey Max! She replied with a smile.

Meeting his stride, she stopped before him. Sure. Something wrong? She hadn't been to the MPD for a couple of days. She was taking some much needed time off. Maybe something happened and Aiden couldn't tend to it. Or he was busy doing the assignment she pawned off on him.

[Maximus]

Max relaxed slightly as the nymph spoke. She seemed calm, and that seemed to be rubbing off on him. He took a deep breath, and began to speak.

"I need your help. I've been summoned by Xanth for a quest. It's far away, and I'll need all the help I can get. That includes at least one nymph. I'm told I need your skills of persuasion to get past some kind of entrance guardian. I can't take you any further than that, but your help would be hugely appreciated. Would you be interested in joining the team?" Max asked, his heart beginning to thud again as he waited for a reply. What if she said no?

[Nymphadora]

Nymphadora furrowed her brow, registering his words. At first, it sounded very very intriguing, but her mind automatically went to her own awaiting quest. If she accepted, then she;d be putting off her own quest for quite awhile. Crossing her arms, she remained silent, and thought a moment while gazing off at a nearby tree. The wind was softly blowing through it, the leaves swaying.

Finally she came to a conclusion. She was first and formost a friend, and Dora. Fariah could wait. She wasn't selfish, and prided herself on being someone who other could count on. Just because she wasn't sure what she wanted in her own life, didn't mean she had to skip out on helping others with thiers. Smiling at Max, she nodded. I'd love to help you. What exactly do I need to do. Or... more over, what do i need to be prepared with? Anything specific i need to bring? Oh... when will we be leaving? Pausing, she took a breath and smiled. Sorry, it's been awhile since i've quested. She apoligized.

[Maximus]

Max smiled as she agreed to the quest. That meant he had everyone on board.

"Okay, as a nymph I'll need your help to convince some kind of gate guardian to let us through. Your role in the quest would, unfortunately end there. Nymph's have Xanth's blood running in their veins, which means if you were to enter the dimension you'd be detected immediately. However, you and another nymph would be rewarded for your efforts. We set off as soon as I have gathered and been supplied with everything we need. I've already recieved some magnificant potions, but Xanth has told me I need more resources yet." Max said, hoping he'd answered all her questions.

[Nymphadora]

Nymphadora nodded. The quest sounded... intresting. She never knew Xanth's blood flowed through her veins. That was an interesting fact. At the mention of a second Nymph, she smiled. Is Castalia the other Nymph going? She hoped she was. It would be fun to hang out with her some more. Upon thinking this, she wondered if she should bring her bow. She couldn't use it to harm anyone with everyone being there... but it might prove useful for something else. She'd just have to refrain from useing it in any way to harm. Although, if she had to... she would. Just... hidden.

Looking toward the MPD office, she looked back to Max. Well, i'll be at the MPD most likely. When your ready to go, just... come get me. She gave him a smile. This quest was... interesting. A lot to learn, and not much information being told. UNless Max knew more than he told her. Like... why they needed to leave this dimension. And what was so important there that they would risk thier lives to go. And why couldn't Xanth's blood creatures enter. It was all a lot to think about. Maybe she'd know more the further into the quest they got. It was too bad she couldn't venture in further than the gates. But having to presuade some guardian? That seemed more like something Castalia would be good at, not her.

[Maximus]

Max nodded, glad to see that Dora would be happy to work with Castalia.

"I've asked her to come, and I'm expecting a reply from her soon." He said, quickly deciding if there was anything else he needed to tell the nymph. Not at the moment, he decided.

"Okay. Well, thanks for your help. I'll make sure I contact you if we need you before the quest beings...which I will actually, since you'll need to have armor fitted." Max remembered suddenly.

"Do you know Zephyr's store? You'll need to have armor fitted there. Tell him you're with Max if he asks." Max said, before looking up towards the hospital. He needed to get going.

"Anyway. Thanks Dora. I'll be in touch." He said with a final grin and a small wave. He strode off into the crowd, heading towards his place of work.