MASKTOURN

Roman wakes laying on a bedroll in a small room. It’s hardly comfortable, but it’s something. There’s no sign of the Lifebringer- or anyone, really. He'd soon realize his clothes have been changed- gone is whatever he was wearing before, replaced by a simple, robelike outfit entirely in black. Morning light filters in from the window, casting the entire small room in a dewy haze. The room is tiny- big enough only to fit the bedroll, a small basin for washing, a chest at the foot of the bedroll, and a low, small writing desk, on which is a folded piece of paper, labeled with Roman’s name, a clay tablet, and a porcelain face mask. The entire room is furnished in plain black tile, and opposite the window is a stone-paneled door leading out. The letter on the desk is written in small, neat script, reads as follows:

Welcome, Roman Kimbalyauro Ricci.

You have been invited to compete in the Lifebringer’s tournament, in this, their hallowed domain. Not only have you received this honor, you have also been selected to compete alongside the Birds, under my leadership. If you have any concerns, or anything suspicious to report, please alert it to my presence. I will be watching you. 

Please wear the mask provided, as it is part of your uniform.

Your Leader, 
Kairas Krosanyouri

The mask was of black porcelain, and would sit on Roman’s face without falling, held there by some kind of magic. It only covered his eyes and upper faced, and mirrored the look of a bird’s face. Despite no eye-holes, Roman would be able to see clearly even with the mask on. The clay tablet was just too big to be held in one hand, and was accompained by a small stylus for writing. Its surface displayed the #group-chat, and would update magically as more messages were sent. If Roman investigated the chest, he'd find something curious. The chest is filled mostly with linens- bedding, towels, spare outfits, but at the top is the jar containing Roque's eyes. (edited)

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman bolted upright as soon as he regained consciousness, a cold sweat having enveloped his entire body as he rested. "Fuck!" He yelled out, to no one in particular. He glanced down at himself, noting the change of outfit. "Oh, come on man! Eurgh, I really don't have it in me right now to open up that portal.." Something else about having his clothes changed while he was unconscious made him feel uneasy as well, but he didn't feel as eager to voice that complaint. He stood up from his bed roll and instantly took the robe off of his shoulders, choosing to instead let it all dangle precariously from his microscopic waist. He trudged over to the writing desk and scanned over the note. Blah blah blah blah selected to "compete", under the "Birds" (somewhat interesting to him...), and.. "You'll be watching me? Hah, exhibitionist. I see why you didn't want me just doing that to you-" Oh, that name wasn't what they told them they were called.. hm. So someone else was watching. How many people were involved in this..? "And a dumb mask.. Well, my eyes- wait- MY EYES!" Roman said and frantically looked around the room. He knew they were in here somewhere, he could feel it, but he just didn't know where. He ran to the chest and opened it up, and to his relief, right on top were the eyes.. They spun up to face him within the jar, and he quickly scooped it up. "Good, you're still here! I was worried they took you with all my cool clothes.." Roman laughed and shoved the jar to some random fold of robe that seemed secure. He didn't have a belt, and he wasn't sure he could trust the crowd here to not try to steal it for the moment.. With that settled, he meandered back to the desk and picked up the stylus.. He made a crude drawing on the tablet before shoving that in to his pocket as well, putting on the mask, and exiting the room..

Naiyta's attendant brought Roman back to his bedroom and laid him on the bed before leaving. Whenever Roman woke, the cigarette's he'd requested, on Ryu's behalf, would be waiting for him on the table. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman stayed asleep in exactly the same position as he was placed down in. Zzzzzzz

... Roman did not wake up to head to this fight, even though he had some stakes in who won... He just laid in a lump on his bed, fully covered by some blankets.

After the funeral, Naiyta went straight over to the bird quarters- to one specific room in the bird quarters. They opened the door to Roman's room and stepped inside- but did not say anything to announce their presence yet. It stood in the room, and took a moment to observe Roman's current state. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

There wasn't much to observe, as he was still just a lump under the blankets. It seemed like maybe he had died like a neglected pet hamster a kid ignored for a month, but... If you looked reeeeeally closely, there was something rising and falling every so slightly under the blanket. Hopefully him breathing. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta crouched beside Roman's bed, and gently lifted the blankets away from him, revealing his form. "Good morning, Roman." It greeted, voice soft and almost gentle. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Hm. Well, Roman had looked better in the past... And that was saying something. Naiyta had always seen him extremely emaciated, but his condition had rapidly deteriorated overnight. He had made a bit of progress over the previous day, a bit, but all of that was entirely out of the window. Whatever skin he had was clenched tight to his bones, and he shivered for a moment as Naiyta removed the blankets. If it touched him, he'd feel... Cold. It was most likely just his powers keeping him alive at this point. But it would also be clear to Naiyta where all that energy would have gone to. His hair had grown substantially overnight, the new length closest to the ends seemed strong and healthy, but as it got closer to the root it rapidly frayed and dried. The length didn't quite reach to what Naiyta had requested, but it was pretty close. His eyes were cracked open but glazed over, and he didn't really seem to notice Naiyta enter. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's Expression shifted from their usual mask to something... surprised. More bare. It ran its fingers through Roman's new hair, handling the damaged parts more delicately, and pressed its hand to his scalp. Through that contact, Naiyta willed into Roman healing energy. It wouldn't compare to an actual nutritious meal or anything like that, but Roman would slowly begin to feel better. He'd definitely start to feel warmer. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman moved, ever so slightly, closer to Naiyta as it touched his scalp. He let his eyes close and took in a deeper breath than the ones he had taken before. He didn't say anything, but he seemed more conscious now. He was probably listening. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta moved to a more comfortable position, and moved Roman's head into their lap. It worked both hands into his hair, and continued to heal him- repairing his damaged hair along with his body. As it did so, Naiyta leaned down to Roman and whispered, "You did as I asked, my darling. You look beautiful. You're almost perfect." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Beautiful.. People didn't usually call him that. Even someone calling him 'handsome' was a rarity, but beautiful... That didn't happen. "Thank you.." Roman replied, extremely weakly. "What.. more could I do..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta moved a hand off of Roman's head to gently place it over his lips. "Shhh.... I'll take care of you now. All you have to do now is rest." Sure enough, Naiyta was continuing to heal Roman- with more tenderness than they usually did. They were also repairing his hair, and with their powers growing it out a bit more, to where they had requested it initially. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... Someone to take care of him. He liked that. He was feeling a bit too happy to think about how Naiyta could've just grown his hair for him and avoided his current predicament. He nodded and remained silent, only scooting up slightly further to lay more on Naiyta's lap. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta continued healing Roman. Their touch was tender and gentle, it was kind. It hummed a slight tune- something Roman might recognize as one of the songs it had played on its flute around him before. During a lull in the song, Naiyta hummed a thought. "You're a musician yourself, aren't you?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman lightly nodded his head. "Yeah.. Mostly drums, but I can do piano.. And a little bit of guitar." He said. "Sometimes I sing, but Roque would usually make fun of me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh? And why would she do such a thing?" Naiyta asked in a probably-faked innocent tone. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"She thought it was.. Embarrassing. I'd write her poems and stuff like that. And she didn't like it." Roman mumbled. "So I stopped doing that. She wouldn't let us sing during shows anyway, it had to always be her." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ahhh... what a shame. I'm sure you have a lovely voice." Naiyta hummed lightly. "Maybe you'll have to show me some of your music, sometime." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I sounded better when I wasn't so weak all the time." Roman cleared his throat. "But I'm.. not sure you'd like my music. I think it's a little past your time.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Maybe you're right." Naiyta hummed in thought. "How are you feeling now?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'm feeling a lot better.. Thank you, my lord." He said, still pulled up in to their lap. "I liked it when you.. called me beautiful." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That's good." Naiyta hummed. They looked down at Roman, smiling and letting his hair curl around their fingers. "It's only the truth. You do look beautiful with your hair down like this. I was right, it suits you very well." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was smiling, and a faint blush spread across his face as Naiyta kept speaking. "I'm glad you like it.. I had to stay up most of the night trying to get it." Roman said. "I thought I was going to die for a little while, but.. I figured you wouldn't let that happen." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I wouldn't let you die. Not from something like that." Naiyta hummed in agreement. "Not when you serve me so well." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm." Roman nodded. "And I've been thinking.. About my fight. Could I make a request..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That depends on what the request is." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I want you to give Ryu some items, to make it a more interesting show for you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh?" Naiyta raised an eyebrow. "What sort of items?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well, mostly.." Roman rolled over slightly so he could make eye contact with Naiyta. ".. I was thinking that flint and steel and oil you used with me. Or instead of that oil, some gasoline. That's a new thing, it's really good at catching on fire. And they have lighters too." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's eyes widened. From their close proximity to each other, Roman would be able to hear how Naiyta's breathing pattern shifted- from something steady and regular, to heavy, almost stilted breaths. "And you believe Ryu would... agree to use those items as I see fit?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Man, Naiyta was really obsessed with fire. He really ought to ask why that is, sooner than later. "Hm, you'd have to ask her... But she really hates me, I'm sure she'd take any measures to kill me more painfully.. Buuut she also doesn't like to get told what to do, so maybe don't tell her how to use them, and just let her think of her own ideas. They're probably similar enough to what you're thinking of anyway." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm." Naiyta's breathing seemed to calm a bit. Their gaze drifted from Roman, to out his window. It was probably trying to calm itself down. "I'll speak to her about it, maybe. Mhm." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mpenzi," Roman chuckled tiredly. "Why'd ya look away..? I had another question." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta looked back to Roman, their expression unreadably neutral. They were thinking about something and not showing it. "Oh? What is it?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman figured it wasn't even worth asking what they were thinking about. What were the chances they'd actually tell him? "I've been having a really good time and all.. But I kind of spent most of my muscle growing out all this hair last night. I'll need some time to recover.. I'm just not sure I'll be able to keep up." Roman raised his hand up to poke them on the cheek. (NSFW) "Have you ever heard of pegging?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta tilted their head to the side. "I'm not familiar with the term. Elaborate, will you?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (sorry mads)

Oh, he will elaborate! This is one of his favorite subjects.. "Well, it's basically when a person without a dick puts on a fake one so they can penetrate someone else. That's called a strap-on. And guys have a g-spot up the ass, so that's usually where that goes." Roman explained with a smile. "Do you think you'd like to do that? I definitely have one if you'd like to try it later. I think that'd be extra fun if I can get that collar working, with a hold on the back instead of the front.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's expression shifted into a bright, excited smile as Roman went on. "Oh! Yes, I've done things like that with some of my partners before." It nodded. "I would be thrilled to try it with you." It leaned down to Roman's ear. "I would like to see how much of me you can take." (nsfw) @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman grinned right back, thrilled that Naiyta was as in to it as he was. "Oh, I can take quite a lot.." Roman chuckled. "Do you have you own, or should I find some of mine for when we meet later?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I have some of my own- but I'm curious what you have. Bring yours too, will you?" It hummed. "Maybe we can compare the experience." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hah, yeah, I can do that." Roman nodded. "But you mentioned your other partners- did you have a lot? I know you lived for a while, but I don't know what that time was really like." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah, I've had a lot of casual partners. But only one I was ever really committed to. Their name was Raikal." It hummed in thought. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Wow- you're only my second partner ever." Roman said. "What was Raikal like?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmm.... Raikal was kind, devoted- always eager to please." A lot like you, they thought but did not say. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Were they beautiful, too?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta looked down at Roman, and softly traced his jawline. "Mhmm... they were. They really were." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman really doubted he could compare, especially in his current state. He looked more like a walking skeleton than a person. People were always quick to comment on that, and it had only gotten worse over his year long travels. Before the trip, he was just slightly on the thinner side.. "I wish you could have seen me before Roque died, I looked a lot better back then." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah, don't worry." Naiyta smiled warmly. "We'll get you to how I want you to look." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm.. How much more do I need to change? I don't really have anything left of myself to change much else on my own." Roman said. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ahh... I'd like to get a little more meat on your bones. And I have some clothes I'd like you to try on at some point... maybe do something with your eyes..." It hummed. "And I want to give you something else, but that's a surprise." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, getting some calories and new clothes sounded nice. "Ah- my eyes look like this because of my powers. They used to just be kind of hazel. I don't know if they can be turned back.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah, I figured that might be the case. Shame... we'll just have to make certain the other changes are perfect. The hair is a good start, though." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Contacts might work, just to cover it up." Roman said. "You can't tell me at allllll what the surprise one is..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm... I want to change your sclera, too. I don't know if you'd be able to cover that up." Naiyta hummed, then smiled playfully. "It wouldn't be much of a surprise then, would it?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh.. I think they make contacts for that now too. But I've never worn anyway." Roman said. "I gueeeeeess not, but it's still my body! I'd kinda like a little idea of what's gonna happen.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'll tell you before it happens. Just not right now." Naiyta hummed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hmm, alright." Roman said. He figured he wouldn't be able to say 'no' at that point, he mostly just wanted to have time to brace himself.. "Do you want to do anything else this morning?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hmm... Is there anything you want to do? We should probably get you something to eat, at some point." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I definitely want to eat." Roman said. "Maybe we could... Go swimming or something?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, that sounds fun! Yes, we definitely can." Naiyta nodded. "Are you feeling well enough to stand? We can go over to the refectory now, if you'd like." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hmm.. No, I think I'll need you to carry me." Roman said with a big pouty face. "And also help me get my robe back on. And my jacket. I might freeze out there." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Of course." Naiyta smiled. "Let's get you dressed." It looked around the room for Roman's clothes. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman's miniscule robe and band jacket were crumpled up in to a pile right beside the bed. "I think I would like to try those other clothes soon now that I don't have to try to seduce you," Roman chuckled. "It's a bit cold wearing practically nothing, I burn off even more calories shivering." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"There's no point in waiting. I think you'll look wonderful in them." Naiyta began dressing Roman again. "We can do that after swimming, maybe. Or instead of it, either way." Once Roman was all dressed again, Naiyta pressed a chaste kiss to his cheek. "Are you ready to go?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman very weakly helped get dressed again, most of his strength was genuinely spent. Keeping himself sitting up took a large part of his energy. "Mhm, I'm ready.. Maybe we can just do the clothes after breakfast, swimming might be too cold for me right now.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta kept Roman supported with a hand on his back, and scooped him into a bridal carry once he was ready. "Ah, that's alright. It's not really swimming weather, anyways. Quite dismal out, actually." It hummed as it carried Roman out of the room. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, is it? Maybe when it's nice and warm out we can go.. Do you have pool floaties? I'm kinda a mid-tier swimmer if it's deep." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't, but the water in the pool isn't too deep." Naiyta hummed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Is it less than five feet deep? That's where I like it best." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ahh, I think it's about four or five feet deep in the shallow end. Probably somewhere within that range." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"... If that's the shallow end, how deep is the deep end..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"About eight feet. There's a good spot for diving." It smiled- evidently, that was what it liked to do at a pool. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm, well, I'm sure I'll have a good time watching you do that. I like to sit on a float in the sun for a while.. Then roll over and do it again." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I've never liked sunbathing, personally. I burn far to easily for it." Naiyta hummed. "We'll get you something to float on, once the weather clears up." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'Oh, so YOU don't wanna burn.... Inch-resting ch_blankie

' "Well, in the modern age they have this thing called sunscreen, and it can stop you from getting all red." Roman said. "If you got some, I'd love to put it on you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta hummed. "Hmm... maybe I'll have to go about getting some of that, too, then." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm, there's lotion or spray kinds, I'd recommend the lotion kind." Roman smiled. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs ...

Roman headed back in to his room, leaving the door open behind him as he sat on his bed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

A short while after Roman got to his room, an attendant arrived. They wore the bird uniform, and their most notable other feature was their lush, auburn hair. "Hello, are you Roman? I was sent by the nascent Lifebringer to provide my blood." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yes, that's me." Roman said and stood up. "Come in and close the door behind you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The attendant stepped in and closed the door. They didn't seem nervous, and waited patiently for more instruction. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

This felt odd. Like human livestock being sent to him.. It somehow felt less awkward when he knew the person. "Can you tell me your name?" Roman asked and walked over to them. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You can call me Corvus." The attendant said, their voice pleasant and calm but devoid of emotion. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Is that the name of every bird attendant? It sounds very bird-like." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The attendant hesitated. "... yes. We are to all use the same names with the contestants." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"But what's your real name? I like to keep track of the blood I'm drinking." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The attendant paused for a very long while. "I'm- not supposed to use it with contestants." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well I'm a step up from the other contestants, am I not?" Roman said, and leaned in closer, getting his mouth close to their neck. "And I promise, whatever you tell me will stay between us. We need to look out for each other, yeah?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The attendant brushed their hair away from their neck to give Roman better access, and nervously ran their hands through it. "My name is Miriam." They said, like a confession. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Miriam. That's a lovely name." He said rested his chin on their shoulder. "Sorry Naiyta is making you do this, are you okay with it?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thank you." They were clearly tense and uncomfortable. "I don't have a choice. I would be punished if I refused. And... you need blood to live." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I.. I know you would. I'm sorry." Roman frowned. "Is there any particular spot that you would prefer me to bite at? I can numb the feeling after I drink for a few moments." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Uhm...." Miriam thought about it for a bit, before holding up her arm and pulling up her sleeve. "Up here? I work in the kitchens, so it'd be easier than something on my lower arm..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"That works for me." Roman said and moved down toward her arm. "Will Naiyta or Albanes not heal you after this?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... there's too many of us, to heal us all. Especially for minor wounds. But I know one of the snake attendants who will help me bandage it and keep it clean." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I can help with non-magic healing stuff too, before you get out of here." Roman said. "But that really sucks, that they won't help you.. I know they heal the competitors, I guess because they want the fights to be fairer.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thank you." The attendant said, and didn't have much more to say. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Alright, are you ready then?" Roman asked and gently held her arm. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Miriam nodded. "Yes." She held her breath, bracing for the bite. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Just more stuff for him to feel guilty about. He sighed lightly and bit down on her arm with a surprisingly strong and quick bite, breaking right through the flesh. He began to suck the blood out, and as he said, the pain numbed itself out after a few seconds. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Miriam let out a surprised gasp as Roman broke through her flesh, but refrained from making any other reactions. She held perfectly still until he was done. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He gave it his usual twenty seconds, before pulling away and putting his hand over the wound to apply some pressure. With his other hand he brushed off the blood from his chin. "Mm, you seem pretty normal, from what I can tell." Roman said, then paused for a moment, clicking his tongue in his mouth. ".. Did you have a baby a bit ago? I can kinda taste a bit of that whatever hormone, just real faintly.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Uh- about nine months ago, I guess now." Miriam said. Her voice was faltering. "He's probably so big now... he's my second, I-" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Oh come on, Naiyta made him drink the blood of some random mother it kidnaped off the streets!? "Oh I'm sorry-" Roman frowned, putting his hand over his mouth. "Are there.. a lot of parents that got taken by Naiyta..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"There's a few of us. I think... I have the youngest children of all of us. My daughter is only two." Miriam took in heavy breaths. "We aren't encouraged to talk about our lives.... before." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I know you're not, I just... it's so hard to believe there's so many people wrapped up in this.. how many attendants are there, in total..?" Roman asked softly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I think... about twenty five of us on each side." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

So fifty, overall.. Reagan, Kairas, and however many contestants were left.. he'd have to go look at the board and count it up again. That was a lot of people that needed to go home. "Okay.. I promise you, I'm doing what I can to get you guys home." Roman assured. "What are your kids' names..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thank you...." Miriam said weakly. "My son is named Darius... and my daughter is named Sabina." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You'll see Darius and Sabina again, I'm sure. They must be missing you.. do you have a husband?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

She nodded. "My husband is named Silvio. He'll- he'll be taking care of them- but I know he's been so worried about me- I've been missing for months, and my poor babies-" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Silvio, Darius, and Sabina.." Roman nodded. "I'm sure he's taking very good care of them while you're stuck here.." He paused for a moment. ".. do you want a hug? You can say no, it isn't an order. I just know you can't really express yourself out there or try to get help." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Miriam nodded, and sniffled a bit. "Can you help me bandage the bite wound first..? I don't want to bleed all over you...." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hah, I'm pretty used to having blood all over me, but yeah I'll get that wrapped up first." Roman took a step away and took his hand off of her shoulder. He glanced at her before licking the blood off of his hand. "I'm gonna do something that you're probably going to think is weird, but it's the only way I can get a medkit. So don't freak out." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Uhm. Okay." Miriam put her hand over the wound once Roman moved away from her. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He crouched down on the floor and took his drumsticks out of his hair, transforming them in to daggers pretty quickly. He stabbed them in to the floor and drew out his usual portal, which opened to reveal the horrifying pit of blood and general grossness down there. "I'll be right back." Roman said and hopped down inside. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Miriam was already pretty tense and uncomfortable, so it was hard to tell just how grossed out and afraid she was by the blood portal. "Uh. Okay." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

There was a few minutes of sloshing around and grunting, before a bloody first aid kid got tossed up on to the floor. It was absolutely dripping, and through the clear front case you could see that it was mostly picked through and also full of blood. Roman lifted himself back out, but left the portal open behind him. "Okay, do you just need a disinfectant and bandage you think?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Miriam held her wound tightly. "Uhm. Yes, that should do..." She looked at the blood-filled kit. "Are you sure your supplies are... sanitary?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, yeah they're fine. I'm gonna get the blood out." Roman sat on his calves in front of the box and opened it up. The blood inside the box began to move out on its own and drained in to the open portal behind him. The stuff inside was left looking perfectly normal, actually. He picked out a large bandage with a cute kitty print on it, and a regular alcohol prep pad. "Do you want to do it or me?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Miriam looked generally horrified at the moving blood. At least all the stuff was clean now. "Uh- I think I can do it myself." She moved her hand away from the wound to take the supplies, and began cleaning and bandaging the area Roman had bit. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

While she was managing that, Roman clicked the box closed and tossed it back in to the portal with a splash. The portal closed up after that, and he stood up with a small smile, very happy that he felt helpful. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Miriam quickly got herself all bandaged up, and tugged her sleeve back down to hide the very non-uniform but very cute bandage. "Alright, I should be good now. Thank you." A pause. "Can I, uh, get that hug now?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Those were his favorite bandages. He only had a few left though. "Mhm! No problem, it's the least I could repay you for after stealing your blood." Roman said and held his arms out to her. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Miriam wrapped her arms around Roman, giving him a nice and only kinda awkward hug. "Thank you.... for not being too weird about it. You could've made that... so much worse for me." She hadn't been treated like a person by anyone but the other attendants in so long... @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman wrapped his arms around her back, and leaned his head on her shoulder. He didn't have an especially warm or strong grip, but it was clear he was trying. "Mm, I could've.. but I didn't have any reason to be weird to you. You're giving me something I need to live, and being forced to at that.. Plus, I didn't need you telling the other attendants I'm a weirdo, maybe they'd be more against coming here. I think Naiyta is going to keep sending people.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Miriam broke away after a little bit. "I'll tell the other attendants that you're not a weirdo. They'll be sending more after me- you probably won't see me again." A pause. "But if you want anything special from the kitchen, I can probably get that for you. Especially pastries, I'm really good at making pastries." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

As she pulled away, Roman put his arms back to his side. "Aw, you'd do that?" Roman asked. "I can't really think of anything I'd want, but maybe I can get back to you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yeah, I mean- I'm spending all my days baking anyways, might as well make something for someone who was nice to me." She managed an awkward smile. "I think I'll be going now... I should get back to work." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm, I understand that.. Do they really not give you breaks?" Roman asked. "And good luck at work, Miriam." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Not often." She sighed, and moved towards the door. "Thank you. Goodbye." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman waved with a gentle smile. "See you later, sometime." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yeah... see you later." Miriam waved, and left the room. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The attendant brought Roman all the way back to his room and laid him out on his bed, all without a word. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Laying flat only made him feel more sick, so he propped himself up on a bundle of blankets. "Th-thank you for taking me." Roman said. "What's your name?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Of course." The attendant replied, helping him prop himself up a bit more. "I'm not supposed to give my real name to contestants, but you can call me Corvus." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He felt a bit better now that his stomach wasn't in line with his throat. "I know, but I.. feel weird getting blood from someone who's name I don't know." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The attendant was hesitant, but conceded. "My name is Teyacapan. You can call me Teya." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Teyacapan?" Roman repeated back. Hmmmm.. that sounded familiar, didn't it? Just a bit less than a year ago, when he found Ryu and she explained what happened.. hadn't she mentioned someone named Teya to this description..? "Is there a chance you go by Teya or like- know someone that does?" Roman asked, squinting at her ever so slightly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Uh- yeah?" She frowned. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. and are you from an island? A cult island, some may call it?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Uhm- well, I've was traveling around with a few years right before this- but yeah? I was in a cult for my entire childhood and most of my adult life..." Her voice was heavy with concern. "Do you- know me? I don't think I recognize you from... the tournament..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I don't, but I know people that did." Roman said. "Did you know Roque?" He was smiling up at her with those same white diamond pupils that Roque had- well, not at the time she got bitten.. And his teeth were definitely sharpened, but looked much more dull than what Roque was working with. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Teya shrinked away from Roman as she noticed his eyes, and his teeth. "Uh- yeah. We were.... familiar with each other." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh! Were you friends?" Even Roman found that to be unlikely, but who knows. "I've been trying to find out more about what happened to her- the explanation Ryu gave me seems kinda lacking." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No. Kind of the opposite. I, uh, was one of her prison guard. And she drank my blood." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. oh.." Roman's smile quickly turned to a frown. "Oh yeesh- I'm sorry Naiyta sent you in here with me.. Do you think you could ask someone to trade with you..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Uhhhhh..... I don't really want to put that on anyone. I'll be... alright. Just.... please don't make it weird." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Okay, as long as you're sure." Roman said. "This is probably going to be weird so you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but.. I really care about Roque. She's my girlfriend. Can you tell me more about what happened with her..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Uh... well, I know she got kicked out of the tournament for attacking another contestant. Peregrine, I think. And Yeonaixho really hated her. Petrai hated her even more. And I was tasked to watch over her in the prison... which, I think she rightfully hated me for...." Teya began to ramble. "Uhmmm... I try not to... think about what all happened at the cult too much. My therapist said it's better to move on than to dwell on the past." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well he knew most of this already, besides that she was her guard. "Thanks for telling me that." Roman nodded. "I.. I understand. It's just been a year for me, and I feel like I'll never really know. I care a lot about her.. I miss her." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm... sorry for your loss." Teya said, unwilling to admit to Roman she was not a Roque fan. "I... also lost a lot of people I cared about to that tournament." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeah I bet so if you were on the cult side-.. That really sucks." Roman frowned. "Is it true that only a few of the cultists left..? And didn't two of them die on the way back or something?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Teya nodded. "Petrai, Zeydein and I were the only ones who made it. Albanes and Madeline came with us... but they died on the way back, yeah." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Petrai! He knew that one! No clue who Zeydein was though. "Sorry if this is prodding- but uh. Why'd they die if you were already on the boat out?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm not exactly sure. I think it had something to do with the powers being returned, but I'm not certain." Teya frowned. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, same thing happened with Roque. Hm." Roman hummed. "No one saw it happen?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I didn't. And...." She sighed. "I don't want to talk about it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Sorry- I'll stop asking about that." Roman said. "So you escaped all that and then got taken here again? That really sucks, I'm so sorry.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yeah... it does." Teya sighed. "It's... it's really bad." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Seems like a lot of other people here were taken from the contestant side there, were you friends with any of them..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Uh.... Kal and I knew each other. I think we're friends... though, Kal's the kind of person who can make friends with anyone." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well, he's still around here, so maybe you can go talk with him again." Roman said. "Buuuut doesn't really look like he can make friends with absolutely anyone, I mean.. his fight was pretty sad." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmmmm.... I didn't see his fight, I was stationed somewhere else then. And... I try not to watch the fights if I don't have to. Makes me feel sick to watch people die." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You didn't miss much, it was pretty miserable. But he won, at least." Roman said. "Are there usually guards stationed around during fights..? What do they do?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"We're there to get the contestants to the arena if they don't want to go- which actually happened with the other contestant in Kal's fight, I heard- and to quell any violence that might happen in the stands. If that happens. It hasn't yet, and I hope it doesn't ever come to that." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh yeah, she really didn't want to die, I was really sad looking. I'm surprised she didn't show up to the fight more injured." Roman said. "So are you always on guard duty? I've only really met the cooks so far, personally anyway." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm." Teya hummed. "I'm usually on guard duty, yeah. Or... dragging contestants around duty, as it sometimes seems to be. There's only a few of us with combat experience, so Naiyta makes sure we're all put to use." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"That makes sense.. and sorry, again, that Naiyta made you carry me all the way down here. It's just such a.. long walk." Roman sighed. "What were you up to back home? You said you were getting therapy?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's alright." Teya shrugged. "I've been staying with a friend, and doing therapy... to help with all the cult stuff." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Did your therapist actually.. Believe you? Or do they think you're crazy?" Roman asked. "Because our lives sound pretty hard to believe." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Uh.... I try to keep it... vague enough that it's believable. She knows I grew up in a cult, which does happen to people, if not frequently, and that I was able to get out with the help of some friends. And that a lot of the other cult people didn't make it." Teya hummed. "The, uh.... necromancy stuff, I haven't tried to bring up." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Did you talk about the tournament at all..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Not in specifics. I try to phrase it as, like, an event hosted by our church. It was the contestants who got me out, so I can't really not mention it..." She sighed. "I mostly, uh, talk about my grief, though. About my friends, and everything." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm.." Roman nodded. "I wanted a therapist for a while, but I.. everything in my life after age seventeen is so ridiculous I think they'd think I'm delusional." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm..." Teya shifted a bit. "So, uhh.... do you still need my blood, or....?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh- sorry- yes, if you don't mind." Roman said and leaned up in bed. Wooo, his head was spinning.. "With my powers I can numb the pain after I get a few seconds worth of blood, and I only need about twenty seconds. Is that okay? And you can choose wherever." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I don't really care, wherever is fine." Teya shrugged, helping steady Roman. "I just want to get it over with." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Alright." Roman said, and held on to her as well. "Upper arm is usually pretty hidden, if you can move your shirt out of the way." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Teya's arms were already pretty exposed, but she tugged up her sleeve as far as it would go, anyways. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman adjusted his grip to have one hand on her shoulder, and another right below her bicep. He leaned over and opened his mouth, but paused to look at Teya's face for a moment. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Teya was visibly uncomfortable, but was looking away from Roman. She seemed like she really wanted to get this over with. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman sighed, and leaned in closer for just a moment... Before moving back and closing his mouth. "I'm sorry, you don't have to do this. You can just go." Roman said. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No, I-" she sighed. "Just get it done, please. I think we'll both be worse off if you don't." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Will Naiyta really be upset with you if it was my choice to let you go..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"They aren't forgiving." Teya frowned. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. yeah.. that is true.." Roman sighed. Maybe next time he just wouldn't ask Naiyta. It seems they weren't just sending him people without asking directly.. "Let me get my first aid kit out ahead of time this time, at least." He let go of her and shimmied off the bed and down to the floor. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yeah, okay." Teya nodded. "I'd appreciate that." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm. Uh, this is probably going to be weird, also." Roman said as his blood daggers appeared in his hands. He stabbed them in to the floor and drew out a small portal entrance, which displayed the interior of the blood dimension.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Teya grimaced. "... figured as much." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Sorry." He said. A glob of blood raised up the very used first aid kit, and deposited it on the floor. The box was clearly full of blood, which began to flow out of it and back in to the blood pit. He opened up the box and held it out to Teya. It was very picked through already, but there were a few different kinds of bandages to choose from. Kitties, puppies, little hearts, gross little bugs, and plain brown were the options left. "You can pick out your favorite one." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Teya picked out one of the plain bandages. "Alright. This works for me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Aww, no cute fun one? You too tough for that?" Roman chuckled, but took the bandage anyway. He closed and tossed the box back in to the pit with a gross splash, and let the portal close. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Teya chuckled a bit, but grimaced at the gross blood sounds. "I'm ready now." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"The kitty one is my personal favorite, unless she took it off already it's what Miriam has too." Roman said and pulled himself back up to the bed, and got in the same position as before. "I'll be quick." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Miriam... pastry chef Miriam?" Teya asked. She shifted a bit to give Roman easier access and to look away. "Thanks. I appreciate it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm. She's the first person Naiyta sent me.. she was so scared.." Roman sighed, and leaned over her arm. Without warning, he bit down on her arm and began to suck out the blood. His bite was strong and quick, but still hurt decently because his teeth were getting very dull. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Teya flinched, and hissed in pain as Roman bit her. She didn't have more of a reaction than that, but it was clear she was keeping it in. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman sucked out the blood for his usual twenty seconds, numbing the pain after the first five, and pulled his head away. He put some pressure on her bicep above the injury and applied the plain brown bandage. "Thank you." Roman said and wiped the blood off of his face with the back of his hand. He refrained from making any comments about the blood, but if he would have, he'd say it tasted sweet. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yeah, no problem." Teya hummed idly, and put her hand to where the bandage was. "Thanks for not making it as weird as Roque had..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Ahhhh yeah she was.. mm.. definitely strange at times." Roman said. "What did she do that was so weird..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, first off, she didn't ask if I was okay with it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Well that is a bit weird, she would always ask me." Roman frowned. The answer had to be yes, of course, but she always asked.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Good for you, I guess." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Was that the only thing that was weird about it..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, she also threw Peregrine at me right before, which was just... weird, just in its own right. She also, uh, straddled me during it, and- ehhh. Was generally weird." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

She threw a whole person at her? Oh, right, she was a guard.. Might've been justified for escaping confinement. But when she spoke of the position they were in, Roman couldn't help but blush, just a little. Damn, that should have been him! What he wouldn't give for just one more night with Roque.. At least she actually knew how to make him finish... "Oh- yeah that must have been very weird for you." Roman said after he cleared his throat. "You probably won't ever have to see her again, though." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yeah... I hope so." Teya hummed idly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Noted, no Roque eyes around Teya. "Well.. you should be good to leave now that I got my blood. So thank you." Roman smiled, seeming to be in better spirits now that he had gotten some sustenance. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Teya gave him a thumbs-up. "Yeah. I'll see you around." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm. Around." Roman said, and laid back in bed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

... Roman was up early, sitting in front of the basin with one of his daggers. He was using it as a razor to shave the stubble off his face, which actually worked pretty well. A half broken and bloody mirror sat propped up on the basin, giving him a half decent view of what he was doing, as well as the door behind him. He was only wearing a towel wrapped around his waist, and had Raikal's clothes neatly folded up on the bed. The scars on his back from yesterday hadn't really healed, but the blood was done and they'd scabbed over decently. The blood creature sat next to him, watching the door..

Without any announcement or warning, the door opened, and through it stepped Naiyta. "Good morning, my blackbird." It said flatly, its gaze only briefly travelling over the blood creature. "Get that thing out of my sight." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

As Naiyta suddenly entered, Roman flinched and cut his cheek a bit with the knife, causing dribbles of black blood to roll down his cheek. ".. They were just keeping me company." Roman mumbled, and waved the blood creature over. It did as commanded and sunk back down in to the portal he still had open. He took a deep breath before turning to face Naiyta with a fake smile. "Good morning, my lord." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta crouched down before Roman and put a hand to his cheek, healing the cut instantly. "There you are. We can't have that scarring, can we?" Their touch lingered on him even after the healing was complete. "Did you sleep well? How are you feeling?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. Did it not know? "Ah, pretty well. I'm feeling fine- good now that I'm not quite as skinny." Roman said. "I think I'm back up to how I was when I got here." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Good." Naiyta smiled. "That's very good. Would you be ready for another session now? I'd like to get you fixed as quickly as possible." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh- I guess I am.. I haven't eaten today yet, if that would be important to make me feel less sick.." Roman said. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You should eat." Naiyta nodded firmly. "What would you like to have for breakfast? I can have it delivered here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Um.. Whatever's fine, whatever would make me feel less sick." Roman said. It seemed like Naiyta didn't know what had happened.. Usually it wouldn't keep it's anger hidden for so long. But that wouldn't last whenever Roman had to get dressed. Maybe Naiyta would just leave before then..? @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Of course." Naiyta said, and briefly left to the halls to speak with an attendant. They returned quickly, and sat down in front of Roman. It didn't say anything, but looked at him with a smile. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. it was eerie how happy it looked. Was it trying to lull him in to a false sense of security? ".. Thank you." Roman said awkwardly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Have you thought any about what we spoke of last night?" It asked. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Which part of it?" Roman asked cautiously. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"About how I will not allow you to die?" Their hand idly traveled to where Raikal's clothes were folded up. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. It knew. Thanks Kairas. "Oh- yes.. I have been thinking about it.." Roman said, trying to not sound nervous. "I'm not really ready to get dressed yet, I need to shave my chest hair and stuff yet." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I hope you have." Naiyta picked up the shawl and began unfolding it in their hands. "Take all the time you need. You will have a lot of it." There was an edge to the statement. Its hands delicately traced around the damage in the shawl. "This is the second time you've damaged their clothes. If you cannot take care of what I give you, I may be forced to rescind my gifts." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman looked away, back over to the broken mirror.. "I-i wasn't trying to die." Roman said. "But I am sorry I ended up damaging the clothes.. I didn't mean it. Really. I-i can fix it on my own, but I figured you'd be more upset that I tried to hide it.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I will fix it." Naiyta held the shawl. "Do I need to be keeping you on a tighter leash, Raikal? Perhaps a non-metaphorical one?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Th-that's not necessary, my lord.. really.. it won't happen again.." Roman said, not even wanting to think what that might entail. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It had better not." Naiyta said. "Or else, I may have to stop letting you make decisions that get you into these scenarios." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was silent for a moment, just drumming his fingers on the basin. "I-i wasn't trying to die. I was trying to see if the thing you said about me being Corvi was true or not." Roman said. "I figured if I really was half, my wings would appear when I-i was falling.. My blood thing was there to catch me if it didn't work." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta scoffed, and muttered something like 'idiot'. As Roman went on, their scowl shifted back into a smile. "So, you would like your wings?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. why did he even need to explain himself? Did he really think that would make Naiyta less mad? "..." Roman's shoulders tensed. Of the list of things Naiyta wanted to change about him, the wings weren't his least favorite.. "I-i don't know. I figured they'd come in on their own.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Not for a halfling. But there are ways we can bring them out." Naiyta smiled, and didn't elaborate on what those ways were. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Would that hurt..?" Roman asked cautiously. Why was he even considering this? @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No. Not exceedingly so." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

What did exceedingly mean here? He continued tapping his fingers, staying silent for well over a minute. "What happens if I say yes?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, I have no reason to keep you waiting. Though- it'd be best for you to eat first. And then we can just... get to it." It shrugged. "I'd give you your wings. Either right after you eat, or sometime later." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Does it change anything else about me? And are they permanent?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'd develop your back muscles a bit more so you can actually use them. But that should be the only major additional change." Naiyta nodded. "And yes. They will be permanent." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. surprisingly nice to let him actually fly instead of keeping them purely for decoration. If he went back home with wings, what would change? It's not like he had appearances to keep up, and he wasn't going back to Mlipuko.. And they might help him escape Naiyta, they couldn't fly, after all.. "Mmmmm... Sure, fine." Roman sighed. "Are they going to look like my mom's wings or.. like Raikal's?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Wonderful." Naiyta smiled. "Well, both your mother and Raikal were rooks, so their wings looked quite similar." They couldn't say more before there was a soft knocking at the door. It was an attendant, come with a bowl of porridge. "Ah, your food is here. I asked them to put ginger with it, that should ease your stomach." Naiyta smiled. Even after the attendant had brought the food in and placed it in front of Roman, they lingered in the room. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

How convenient that they were the same type. "Thanks." Roman said as he took the bowl. He stared at the attendant for a moment, to try to see if he could tell if he knew who it was.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The attendant wasn't any that Roman had spoken to so far, but he might recognize them as one of the musicians from the band that played in the gala. Naiyta watched Roman intently. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Interesting. He looked away and down to the porridge, then over at Naiyta. This felt suspicious. ".. Did you put anything in this besides ginger?" Roman asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Some tamarind, some sugar." Naiyta waved their hand somewhat dismissively. "I didn't poison it, if that's what you're thinking. I'm not the poisoning type." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Its just a bit weird that you and the attendant are just staring at me, is all.." Roman said and picked up the spoon. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm simply.... eager." Naiyta relaxed their posture a bit, and said to the attendant, "Wait outside," before turning back to Roman. "I'd like to watch you eat." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.... Weird! Weird! "Oh.. um.. alright." Roman said and got a spoonful of porridge. ".. What's the attendant need to wait for? To take the bowl back?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That, and I thought you might appreciate a bit... extra sustenance." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh.. yes, that's very considerate of you." He nodded, and ate a spoonful of the porridge. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thank you." Naiyta replied, their voice neutral. The porridge was spicy and sweet, but overall tasted normal for what Naiyta had said was put in there. Maybe a bit of chili oil, too. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm, a bit spicy. It's good." Roman hummed and got another spoonful. Not the most exciting entrée, but passable. He'd had worse. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm glad you like it." Naiyta said. They were watching Roman more intensely than was really comfortable. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Is there a reason you enjoy watching me eat porridge so much?" Roman asked after he took a few more uncomfortable bites. ' Let me guess. Raikal's favorite or something." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I just like watching you eat." Naiyta said simply. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Not a single underlying reason or anything?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

They shrugged. "Not particularly." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Alright then. Not the weirdest thing that had happened. He shrugged and ate up the rest of the porridge. "We should cook again sometime." Roman said as he set the bowl down. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"We should." Naiyta smiled, and they seemed to genuinely agree with the suggestion. "I enjoyed it a lot. And I really do crave the taste of you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I figured you didn't like it since I was low-key ordering you around." Roman chuckled. Man, this guy was easily disarmed.. "Is that why you want to fatten me up? Like that fairytale or whatever?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. As long as you don't presume your station above of it's place, I'm fine. And I know how to make you obedient when I need to." Naiyta hummed. "Perhaps. That, among other reasons." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Man, why did it always have to make everything vaguely- not even vaguely- threatening? "Mmm.. Alright then." Roman shrugged. "So.. wings or blood first?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Blood. You'll need the sustenance." Naiyta said, and turned back into the hallway. "Come in." The attendant walked in shyly, and sat next to Roman as Naiyta indicated. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Could you leave us alone for a moment? I usually like privacy when I'm drinking.." Roman asked and scooted closer to the attendant. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'd like to stay." Naiyta said, and didn't move. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Okay, so it wasn't leaving. Roman sighed, and leaned close to the attendant. "Sorry about this." Roman said quietly to them. "You can pick the spot, and I can numb the pain after the first few seconds." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The attendant didn't speak, but nodded, and lifted up their sleeve and pointed to a spot on their upper arm. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman nodded, and gripped the attendant's arm on either side of the area they picked. He quickly bit down, and just like he promised, numbed the pain as soon as he was able. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The attendant winced, but didn't protest. Naiyta watched as intently as they had watched Roman eat the porrige, humming lightly to itself. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman tried his best to ignore Naiyta staring, since it would only make everything ten times as uncomfortable. Roman released as soon as the twenty seconds passed, and put some pressure on the injury. "Thank you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Once Roman was finished, Naiyta took the attendant into their arms, and healed the bite wound. "Leave us." It commanded. The attendant nodded, picked up the bowl and left. "Are you ready to head up to the temple now?" Naiyta asked, once the attendant was gone. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Byeeeeee random guy... That was one of the musicians too... "Mm, I guess so. But I do have one more request." Roman said and stood up. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh? And what is that?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I need my fangs sharpened, they're so blunt it's hurting the attendants more than it should." Roman said and poked one of his teeth. "Usually Roque does it, but.. I haven't had it done since she died. It hurts so bad I can't do it to myself." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hm. I can fix that." Naiyta hummed. "Wings first, though." It stood up. "Come along." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman stepped up to its side, still only wearing that towel.. "Um.. should I get dressed first..?" Roman asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You'll need to take it all off again once we reach the acropolis, but it is rather cold out this morning." Naiyta nodded. "Do you need my help?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'll be able to get dressed by myself, if you want to wait outside." Roman said and picked up the shirt first. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Alright." Naiyta hummed, and stepped out into the hall... @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman quickly got dressed, definitely getting the wraps on wrong, and closed up the blood dimension portal. He took a few deep breaths before joining Naiyta out in the hallway. "Alright, I'm ready.. Am I walking this time?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'll get someone to carry you there. One of the guards." Naiyta reassured, linking their arm with Roman's. The other attendant was already gone. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Ah.. Alright." Roman said, not pulling away from Naiyta but not exactly leaning closer either. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Roman had been sitting in his room, a bunch of slips of names sitting on the floor in front of him. He spent ages sliding around the names, and shaking his head, and redoing it all.. But he finally came to a conclusion he could justify- a solid system to follow that marked everyone by certain traits. People might be upset about the order he put them in, but they couldn't say he was biased on an individual basis.. Besides for a few people. But this list was private, right? He also added his own name to the chart, placing it at the very last spot, so he wouldn't have to tell any of the staff they were dead last. It wasn't a lie, he really didn't plan on leaving until they were all free. At least satisfied with his final list, he scribbled it all down on a piece of loose paper.

1. Miriam
2. Aliya
3. Rathna
4. Gabrielle
5. Joseph
6. Maria
7. Lucina
8. Aron
9. Jair
10. Beck
11. Aneta
12. Lutifye
13. Eberhard
14. Saara
15. Sean
16. Emil
17. Ava
18. Cornelia
19. Arne
20. Inga
21. Dmitri
22. Ayomide
23. Teya
24. Helder
25. Soren
26. Raine
27. Luciana
28. Rosa
29. Hiroshi
30. Slaine
31. Alexandra
32. Ivy
33. Graysen
34. Emory
35. Ezikias
36. Regana
37. Fion
38. Kishan
39. Lukas
40. Sussana
41. Mayte
42. Gyneth
43. Ignatious
44. Hanan
45. Nanette
46. Avihu
47. Eun-Ji
48. Mahthilt
49. Albinus
50. Noel
51. Roman Ricci

Once that was done, he hurried out of the room, ready to present it to Naiyta..

... After his somewhat tense conversation with Petrai was over, Roman headed to his room, jacket still in hand. It was about time he got it altered already, so he could wear some kind of shirt that wasn't Raikal's... He laid the jacket on his bed and sketched out some potential cuts he should make on it to accommodate his wings. He could make smaller holes that he squeezed his wings through, or he could just fully cut it down to let his wings hang out.. It would probably be easier to fly if there was no restriction.. He cut the back of the jacket straight down where his wings would be. It was definitely a strange shape for a jacket, but he was excited to be able to wear it again... It had been a few days, now. He sewed up the frayed edges with red thread, and put in a button at the bottom of each section so that when he had it on, he could button up the segments. "Perfect." Roman smiled and held the altered jacket up. It was definitely different, but it still held on to some of its old charm.. And comfort, to him. He tossed it up over his back and slid his arms through. His wings sat comfortably in the new cut segments, and he buttoned them closed. And just in time for the fight. He quickly left the room, wearing his altered jacket and Raikal's pants.

... Roman woke back in his room, on his bed. His face and body had been cleaned, and he'd been undressed and redressed in a simple but warm black robe, put on backwards to accommodate his wings. Naiyta was waiting by the bed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. he knew he had fallen asleep, but had he fallen asleep that much? To sleep through getting washed and dressed? His eyes fluttered open, instantly landing on Naiyta. "Oh- um- good morning?" Roman said groggily, shifting his wings to cover up his bare ass. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's around noon now. Are you feeling any better?" Naiyta asked. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Uh, yeah, pretty good now.." Roman said. "Are my blood knives here?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta nodded to the small table, where both knives were resting. They had not been cleaned of Albanes's blood. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, to be fair, when he was unconscious it was a bit hard to wash the knives. They'd be mushy at best, if not a full on puddle. "... so, what's the plan now? I-is my fight soon?" Roman pushed himself up to his knees. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"As soon as I can make it." Naiyta stood. "I have to make preparations." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Okay.. Do you remember when I requested that you give Ryu a knife? Can you still do that?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I can do that." Naiyta nodded, and hummed. "Do you have a preference on what kind of knife?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Uh, just a sharp one, any will do. Doesn't need to be super long." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta moved towards the door. "I will see to it that Ryu is provided with a sharp knife." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Thank you." Roman said. "And.. is it at all going to be rigged in my favor? Or..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'll rig it as much as I can." Naiyta said. "Don't fail me again." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I- alright.." Roman frowned. "What more could I have done back then? I tried my best.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta turned away from Roman. It couldn't hide the bitterness in its voice, though. "It doesn't matter. We'll never get a chance like that again." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I'm sorry.." Roman repeated his apology. "I-i held on until she disappeared. I couldn't have done anything else, I went for her right as you were walking toward Darcy.. Like you told me to." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta didn't reply, and instead walked out the door. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Naiyta-" He tried to say, but they were already gone. "Wait- uh- where's my jacket!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Naiyta-" He tried to say, but they were already gone. "Wait- uh- where's my jacket!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta was very much already gone. Bye Roman.

Roman shot up from bed and tried to chase after them, though he wasn't very quick.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

As Roman followed it, Naiyta abruptly spun around to face him. "I'm having it cleaned." It said, anger written on it's features. "Go back to your room." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman stopped in his tracks as Naiyta turned to him. "No no no no no you can't clean it-" Roman frowned. "I-i'll do it, I know how to do it. If you let someone else wash it i-it'll be ruined." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Then you can talk to the staff about it. You know them better than I do." Naiyta said. Their temper was already short, and Roman was pushing them more and more with each word. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"But I can't talk to them, I just let them all down.." Roman added quietly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Does that sound like it's my problem?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Uh-.. No, I just.. wish you could've asked me before sending it to get cleaned.." Roman mumbled. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, I didn't, and nothing can be done about it now." Naiyta scoffed. "Now, will you leave me to try and save everyone here?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Yes, my lord.. good luck." Roman added, looking down at the floor. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta left without another word. (edited)

(Freaky post warning) ... Roman eventually got back to his room. His freshly cleaned jacket was put back on, and he was carrying a plate full to the brim with food, and a way overfilled wine glass. "- Yeah, right? And then I was like, 'hey man, what you doing laterrrr' and he said 'I dunno, not much I guess', then I said 'Well would you mind if I came over and we chilled??' He said yeah! So we went back to his place- and remember I was literally standing out on the street corner, y'know, and he starts playing some movie! Not even a very romantic one, kinda a weird one, but I'm like whatevaaaa, weird tone to set but fine, so I start getting on him and he was like woaaaaahhh what are you doin so I stopped. And then we just sat and watched that really stupid movie and he gave me like $50 and a ride to my next spot. So that's the story of how I got picked up by a lonely autistic man, I think." Roman rambled on and on about this story as he entered the room, closely followed by the blood.. thing. The door shut behind them, and Roman sat on the bed with his things. From the way he walked, seems like this might not have been his first glass of wine. Of course, the blood thing had nothing to say about this, or anything. It just sat next to Roman on the bed, and without him asking, took the food and wine from him. "Huh? Whatcha doin that for?" Roman asked. It didn't answer, but set the wine glass down on the floor, and held out a piece of fruit to him. "Oh- alright." Roman said, still finding it a but weird to see the blood thing moving on its own. He ate up the fruit from it's bloody hand, and chewed it thoroughly. "Y'know, I might be dying soon, but maybe I can get you a name.. What about.. Remadysh.. no.. Radoul.. mm, better. Which one do you like?" It held up two fingers on its free hand. "Alright, Radoul it is, for now. Maybe I can come up with something more creative later." Roman hummed, and ate more of the food Radoul presented to him. This continued on until the plate was finished off, and Roman was feeling a bit less tipsy. Yeah, drinking on an empty stomach right before his fight wasn't his smartest move, thanks Radoul. "Well, thanks for chattin' and feedin' me, you didn't have to do all of that." Roman said and laid back on the bed. "I'm gonna take a quick snooze before my fight, so just keep guard and update me if I miss any important announcements, yeah?" The thing didn't move from the edge of the bed. It sat entirely still, until finally, it was moving again. It didn't stand to watch over the door like usual, no no no, it instead turned on the bed to face Roman, who at this point, already had his eyes closed. It leaned over him and placed its hands on his chest, which instantly made him open up his eyes. "Rad- uh- Radoul, I'm fine now, I don't need anything else. Just take it easy for now, I might need you in my fight." Roman said and put his hands on top of theirs, gentle enough to let them know he was there without forcing them to stay in place. Radoul didn't move away, only leaning in closer to Roman. It's hands began to move down him, leaving a trail of blood in their wake. "Hey-" Roman said and finally lifted their hands up. "I-i know we used to do this when you were alive, but.. I-i control you, I.. I don't want you to be doing something just because I want it... I don't know if it's actually what you two want.." Roman frowned. ".. I want you back, more then anything, but that's exactly why this can't happen. I can't be sure this isn't me." Radoul took some time to process all of that. Finally, they decided to twist their hands around Roman's and pin them down to the bed, which instantly made him blush.

5:37 PM

"Guys I- are you sure? I want you, I know, but I need to know I'm not making you do this." He said quietly. Radoul's answer to that was to climb on top of him, keeping his hands pinned in the process, and kissing him. It had strange, gooey, malformed lips. But that didn't stop Roman from reciprocating, no, not much would at this point.. This had been something he'd been fantasizing in secret about since the first time Radoul came in to existence.. And so, Roman let Radoul do whatever it pleased. ... After definitely his strangest bedroom excursion, Roman was laying naked, under his blanket. The entire bed, and even some parts of the surrounding room, looked like a grizzly crime scene. Blood was splattered everywhere, his room was a mere canvas to their hour or so of passion. Radoul was sitting on the floor next to the bed, seemingly tired somehow too. "If Naiyta asks, that was just masturbation with extra steps." Roman hummed as he finally fell asleep, body painted red just like the rest of the room.

roman wakes

roman nap time

roman changes up his hair

roman and miriam

roman and teya

naiyta wakes roman up

roman ranks the attendants

roman sews

naiyta yells at roman

getting nasty with the blood thing