My Brother's Love (Jay/Elayne)

[Lady Leaf]

[scrolly:h(230),w(390),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:10px;margin-left:10px;)] The castle had been attacked. That was the news Lance had awoken to by one of his servants early that morning. He wasn’t sure why no one had informed him earlier but it seemed the servant had heard it about on the streets and came to Lance as soon as possible. Lance had two mixed feelings about this news. First was panic. Felis and Rosa could have been hurt and no one had heard anything about their well being. He did not want Felis to go dying on him just yet. Rosa… no one hurt her. She would out live them all and that was final. The second feeling he had no this news was something else entirely. He could use this to his advantage. He was almost happy he had the feelings of panic swelling up inside him as he could also use those to his advantage. After hearing the news early that morning, Lance had made his way directly to the castle as quickly as he possibly could. When he had arrived on the grounds, only about an hour after hearing the news, his eyes scanned the scattered land about him. Though it looked like someone had attempted to clean up the mess, it still looked as if much more work needed to be done. Not caring to knock on the front door of the large castle, Lance found himself barging in and looking around, his eyes searching out Felis first. When he could not see the man he found anger raising inside him. Anger that caused him to lash out to anyone who could hear. “Where is Felis?” He called out, his voice loud and demanding, “I need to see him promptly! Where is he?” He walk up and down every corridor in the building if he had to, to find his brother. [/scrolly] [bg=black]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]Felis, who had been finishing up a letter to another noble. When he called the Blackthorne household, Felis learned from the butler who had been the one to pick up that the young noble whom had set up the wanted posters was traveling Era with a supposed friend and could be contacted via letter by flying pokemon. Thus he had been writing it out in his study when the sudden smash of the door being pushed open hit his ears. The paranoia that another one of the group was coming was what drove Felis to his feet, yet as he raced out of the room and towards the front, he stopped mid-step in the archway that led the first main room from the front door into the second. "Calm down," was the sudden sharp order that escaped Felis's mouth before he relaxed a little. "And close the front door." [/scrolly]

[Lady Leaf]

[scrolly:h(230),w(390),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:10px;margin-left:10px;)] Lance instantly looked towards the sound of his brothers voice when Felis ordered him to calm down. His eyes instantly widened upon seeing his brother standing there and for a moment he seemed frozen in place. Yet in another moment he had taken many large strides towards Felis, ignoring the order to close the door. He instantly began to check over Felis, his hands, arms, legs, every body part he could find before grasping Felis into a rather tight hug. Most likely the tightest huge Lance had ever given his younger brother in all the years they had been alive. “You’re ok!” He chocked out as he tried to embarrassed the other man, “I heard that… and didn’t know if… I worried that maybe… I lost you again.” He couldn’t seem to make complete sentences as he spoke, his voice sounding rather panicked and his arms not seeming to loosen their grip. If one actually followed what he was attempting to say, it was that he though Felis may have been hurt by the attack or worse, been killed. All in all, Lance had been worried he had lost Felis a second time and seemingly couldn’t hold back his emotions. After all, that had been why his panic from before had been so useful. Yet for some odd reason… he really didn’t feel like he was acting as much as he liked to claim he was. He almost… eh. One thing was certain, he defiantly wasn’t dressed as well as he normally would be visiting… well anyone. His hair had been lazily put up in a pony tail, almost looking as if he had actually not looked in the mirror to put it up. His clothes had been put on sloppily and was even missing parts, such as the tie or collar he normally wore, along with the cuffs on his sleeves. [/scrolly] [bg=black]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]Felis's eyes went from a bit of confusion to downright surprise as he was suddenly hugged, and in another moment, his previous sharp defense was down for now at least and he found himself returning the hug. At the words from Lance, it finally hit Felis what this was about, and he breathed inwards before giving Lance a quick tighter hug before slowly releasing the man and stepping back. A weird slightly pained chuckle came to his throat, and the blond haired man slowly nodded his head. "Rosa, everyone else, and I are fine," he finally sighed only then starting to notice Lance's sloppy clothes and things. Suddenly pulling a lily from somewhere in his sleeve, Felis held it out to Lance. "Sorry to have worried you." Though he was honestly downright shocked that Lance had suddenly flown home so quickly, Felis found a weird side of coolness taking over him. He'd seen his brother a bit more now... and... was able to keep back most of the hostile feelings that seemed to coarse in him. However, he didn't forget them. [/scrolly]

[Lady Leaf]

[scrolly:h(230),w(390),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:10px;margin-left:10px;)] Lance let out a rather long sigh as Felis stepped back and then explained that everyone was alright. His dark blue eyes then found themselves looking down at a small lily presented to him by his brother. Slowly he reached out to take it, a small smile slipping onto his lips for a moment before he heard what Felis said next. At that moment the smile was once again replaced by a frown. “Don’t apologize to me,” he demanded, in a low, stiff voice before he shook his head, setting his hand on his forehead, “I don’t deserve it. I- I should have been here to help protect you and Rosa but I wasn’t. I should have been.” He dropped his hand and gave Felis a rather pained expression. “I thought you were dead once, Felis. I thought you were amongst the b- the others. If I hadn’t of ran away like a cowered Id have known you were still here and I could have… I’m suppose to be protecting you and yet even now I’m failing.” Oddly enough, every word Lance had spoken was true. Well, he didn’t believe the coward part was true, but in reality even that was. The only real lie in his story was the pain he put into it. But he had believed Felis to be dead and he had returned because of the man. “Felis I-” He found himself falling to one knee, his head bowed and hand on his chest. The hand with the flower sat to his side. “Beg you, let me stay here so that I may at least attempt to bring some peace to my soul. I don’t expect you to forgive me I just… I would like a chance to try.”[/scrolly] [bg=black]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]And there it was. After all the explanations were said and done, Felis found himself staring at Lance with a suddenly blank expression. His blue eyes, a tad notable for being almost teal in certain lights, had taken on a very dull color that was almost neither color that it should have been. Something in him slowly backed up, and he was quiet. "Is this a trick?" he finally asked with a flatness in his voice. [/scrolly]

[Lady Leaf]

[scrolly:h(230),w(390),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:10px;margin-left:10px;)] Lance slowly looked up ay Felis as the younger man took a few steps back. With the words that followed a simpluer shocked, and rather pained expression took over Lance’s face again. He then found himself looking to the ground before closing his eyes with frustration and lifting the hand with the flower in it up to his head. “I have to prove to you that Im sorry not just expect it. Compromises have to be made and things have to be figured out, no matter how painful or annoying. But I don’t…” He was mumbling the words mostly to himself, almost sounding as if he was having a slight emotional breakdown. One in which he seemed to be repeating advice given to him by someone else. Finally, the emotional breakdown part became a little more… obvious, as frustration was once again placed inside his words. “I don’t know how! You don’t even trust me… How am I suppose to…” His voice went from almost yelling to trailing off as he fell into what appeared to be deep thinking, though the pained expression was still plastered all over his face. He had been expecting the chance that Felis would reject him in such a way. After all, he had been learning that nothing came easy for him. So he was prepared for this and even gone as far to practice it. “I don’t know how…” He mumbled one last time before a small tear slowly ran down his right cheek. Yet he appeared to be in so much thought and pain that he hadn’t even noticed it. [/scrolly] [bg=black]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]Felis's bottom lip quivered ever so slightly as a rather unnerved expression came to his face. He had never seen Lance like this, and truly the sight of anyone acting in this way was something harsh to the blond man's psyche. However, after a moment, he looked away slowly and found himself focusing in on a rather tiny crack in the wall. "Ground rules: you will not harass Ferd, and you will not demand too much of Tai or Tim. Be respectful to Elayne and treat her with care. Give Rosa her space when she desires it or when I ask you to. Your room is where it's always been unless you wish to have a different one. Joel has come back and does his rounds of three meals a day. Keep your Fire types, Ice types, and anything that may kill my plants in their pokeballs. Respect Rosie. Respect me and my wishes." He stopped after that before slowly looking at Lance. "........Welcome home, big brother." [/scrolly]

[Lady Leaf]

[scrolly:h(230),w(390),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:10px;margin-left:10px;)] Lance froze when Felis began to speak, listening to each and every word. His expression made it appear as if he was shocked Felis was actually letting him return. Truth was, he laughing inside. He had finally achieved one aspect of his plan. Of course from this point on he would have to be even more careful than before. Living in the castle again would mean there would be many eyes on him, such as that foolish knight. Not only that, but now was the time to fully gain Felis’s trust back. He knew already the man was most likely still paranoid about the entire act he saw now. But with time, the right words, the right actions and hopefully a bit of luck, Lance would have Felis regretting ever doubting him. When Felis’s words stopped, Lance gave a slow. But sharp nod before looking back up at Felis and his welcome home. With that he slowly stood himself up “Felis…” once again he looked down at the ground, a small, what appeared to be, grateful, smile curving on his lips. “I will respect your every rule and request just… please don’t tattle to others about how much of…” He let out a small chuckle, setting his hand on his head once more and standing up straight, “an emotional wreck I truly am.” He had an image to uphold after all. [/scrolly] [bg=black]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]The blond haired man was quiet after that, yet as the requests were made, he chuckled softly to himself. "I won't," was all he answered back with sighing a little. "I wouldn't have any sort of reason to do so, anyways." Unless Lance did something to question what he was really doing there.... Slowly turning to face the inner part of the castle, Felis put his hands in his pockets. "Did you want your old room back?" he mused a little managing something of a smile though still feeling a quiet infliction of sorts. Lance would be around Rosa more now.... and for some reason, this worried him.... And... he could never kill that feeling he had the first time he saw him again. It was buried for now, at least. However, it was far from gone... [/scrolly]

[Lady Leaf]

[scrolly:h(230),w(390),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:10px;margin-left:10px;)] Lance gave Felis a small, week smile at his confirmation that he wouldn’t tattle on him. “Surely you would have giggled like a school girl with A…” Lance stopped himself instantly as he realized what he had just about said. He had no idea why that had even began to come out of his mouth but he had defiantly taken himself of guard. It had not been something he had planned on saying… it was almost like he was simply being… brotherly and remembering past events but… why those memories? Out of all of the memories to bring up… why? Shaking his head he decided to dismiss it and move onto Felis’s question. “I’m surprised it’s still even their.” He claimed, though the memory of his old room was not helping him forget his pervious comment, “I would like to use my old room again. I’ll have my things moved her within a day or two.” He paused for a moment after that before a sudden question arose to his mind, “Will you require a… rent of any kind?” He knew he would make Felis pay, or work in order to stay in the castle if he had of become Duke like father wanted. Why would expect any different from Felis? [/scrolly] [bg=black]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]At the first of Lance's comments, Felis blinked slowly and fought back the urge to bite his bottom lip. ".....Maybe," he finally mumbled already finding himself shaking just a little. Deciding to turn this sudden nervous energy into a step, Feli began to walk through the arch way and through the large room that followed. However, his walk stopped at Lance's question, and something of a light laugh escaped him. Looking back towards Lance, Felis managed a half smile. "That was a good one," he answered back taking the sort of question as a joke. "I'd never charge family, and you know that." Or maybe he didn't. Felis wasn't sure. However, Lance certainly did now.... [/scrolly]

[Lady Leaf]

[scrolly:h(230),w(390),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:10px;margin-left:10px;)] Lance smirked when Felis claimed his question was a joke. Though it wasn’t, Lance had no reason to claim otherwise. After all, there was no point in discussing it further if he was able to live there free of payment. But, he wasn’t about ready to let Felis walk away on him. He had come all the way out here and he might as well force the man to spend some time with him. Almost every other time Lance visited the castle he had been unable to get Felis or Rosa alone. Though he had a good feeling Felis had never planned on letting him spend time with Rosa alone anyway. Now he’d have no choice, though Lance himself would keep all moments with Rosa brief. It was better that way. “Felis,” He called out the name as stepped forward, following the man into the other room, “What exactly happened yesterday? All I’ve heard was that the castle was attacked, which judging by the sorry state of your yard, is true.” It was true. Lance had heard very little of what had happened and most of it was just rumours. Rumours were never something one should rely on. He had heard that a man attacked the castle. That two men attacked the castle. He had even heard that a huge group had attacked the castle. Reasons why? Most just claimed they didn’t know. Some claimed it was most likely the rebels on the move again. Lance greatly doubted that. [/scrolly] [bg=black]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]At the question, Felis found himself staring away down out of the room Lance was in possibly to keep his own features on the matter hidden. "You don't need to worry about it," was all he answered back with something of a forced laugh. "They're still in the basement if you wanted to go see though." It was short, sweet, and to the point. [/scrolly]

[Lady Leaf]

[scrolly:h(230),w(390),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:10px;margin-left:10px;)] Lance’s eyebrow rose as Felis claimed he didn’t need to worry about it. That same eyebrow rose even more when Felis asked if he would like to see them. Now he truly was interested in what had happened the other day but he wouldn’t push the subject. He was certain he would find out by someone else around the castle at some point. “I have no interest in meeting criminals unless you’re going to let me give them a piece of my mind for laying a hand on this castle. Or… if it’s to watch them hang in the gallows.” lance replied, though his words weren’t fully true. He had no interesting in meeting criminals who had been caught. “I presume that will be your plans for criminals in your basement?” He didn’t bother asking if it was safe to have them down there or not. He was certain Felis was smart enough to have someone watching them, be it human or pokemon. After all, Felis was a Rossi. [/scrolly] [bg=black]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]Though his stomach cringed at Lance's words, Felis managed to keep himself calm and slowly turned back to face Lance in full as he spoke. [colorteal]"I'm sending a letter to a noble of the south who put up a wanted poster for one of them, and after that, if there's no problems or conflicting problems. I'm going to hang them both,"

[/color] Felis managed a half smile despite the extreme scream inside that was racking itself across his chest. He... didn't want to kill, but. But nothing. He would force himself to grow a back bone or break trying.
[/scrolly][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[Lady Leaf]

[scrolly:h(230),w(390),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:10px;margin-left:10px;)] Lance listened as Felis explained what he planned to do, keeping a stern yet sympathetic look on his face. If he knew his brother well enough, even after all the time that passed, this would be a hard thing for the man to do. He had never been the one to have to make such choices but to Lance, he felt it was only proper to sentence those who got caught to their death. If they failed and couldn’t defend or free themselves then they had no reason to keep their pitiful lives. Taking a few steps closer to Felis, Lance lifted his hand, hesitating for a moment before deciding to set it onto his brothers shoulder. “It’s for the best.” He claimed, “It will set an example to others to warn them what the punishment is for committing acts of crime. Hopefully it will give others a good reason to live honest lives and finds proper jobs.” Yes, that was right. Lance Rossi was attempting to make Felis feel better. He could sense he wasn’t happy about this even without seeing the pained expression on his brothers face. [/scrolly] [bg=black]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]The hand being set on Felis's shoulder nearly caused the blond haired man to jump. He hadn't expected it in the least, and because of it, he found his head turning and reflecting a look of confusion. However, his eyes relaxed a little as Lance spoke. That..had been unexpected but was oddly very encouraging, truthfully. Breathing inwards quietly, Felis found a smile slowly coming to his lips again. "Thank you," he smiled quietly. It.... felt good to have some sort of encouragement. "I mean... I know......" he sighed a little slowly rubbing the back of his neck. "I... just wish they hadn't chosen the life they had," he sighed. It was only then that the slamming of a door caused Felis to jump and turn around only to see a rather perturbed looking Roserade standing where the door had closed. Rosie's eyes narrowed, his form tightened, and he made a 'I'm watching you' hand sign at both Felis and Lance before walking off down a hallway. Felis blinked slowly turning his head to one side. "Rosie's......been more irritated lately......best to keep out of his reach," the blond haired man mumbled more to himself than to Lance at that particular moment. [/scrolly]

[Lady Leaf]

[scrolly:h(230),w(390),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:10px;margin-left:10px;)] Lance nodded at Felis’s words, actually understanding how Felis felt. There was once a time when Lance had those same feelings. Though he had never had to send anyone on their death bed, he had known it would be his duty someday. Of course that all changed over the course of a few nights… He had been about to respond to Felis when the door opened, and Lance found himself looking to see who it was. When he saw the flowery pokemon and the… warning he gave, Lance found himself mildly confused before he looked back at Felis. “Ahh…” Was all he said in return when Felis explained that Rosie was in an irritated mood of late. Shaking his head he returned to what he was about to say before being interrupted. “They knew the consequence’s of their actions. Even a child knows there is a punishment when they do something wrong.” Of course, if they were smart enough they just wouldn’t get caught. Only fools got caught for their crimes. He certainly had never been caught for a single one, nor had he left behind any evidence to use against him due to a crime. Of course, he had enough power to have others commit them for him. He had never had the need to dirty his own hands. He had… but that was just to make himself feel better. [/scrolly] [bg=black]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/felistable2.png);color:#8eaea5;][atrb=width,434][atrb=height,355][atrb=style,border:0 black none,bTable][scrolly:h(245),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:2px;margin-left:214px;)]A weird snort of sorts escaped from Felis as one blue eye slid sideways. "Says the one who hacked my rosebushes nad got away with it," he answered back referring to something far long in the past. Indeed, there had been no proof that Lance had been the one to clip the bushes, and because of it their father hadn't reacted. However, Felis had always had the sneaking suspicion that it was, in fact, Lance, and would spend a good deal of his time alluring to it when upset or sometimes simply as a joke. For here, at least, it was more of a joke now rather than anything else. [/scrolly]