"Well, with the one you actually have a psychological aversion to witches, with the other you just greatly dislike them and would rather they all be dead than be in your presence." Kane responded, flipping over several pages as he searched for a particular section of the book.

Cedric thought about it for a few seconds.
"I guess the first one then..." He mumbled, his head sinking down into his arms again through embarrassment.

Rowan walked into the bedroom and kissed her arm and said "How are you doing baby?" she moaned and said "Its tough. I'm tired. Hormones are low. Go get me some chocolate." and Rowan dissapeared at once to the desk where her box of chocolates from Valentine's Day was sitting and he hand fed her one. A nice caramel. She savored its sweetness and said "It's almost like were married already." Rowan shook his head and said "I know the ritual, dearest. Mother will be there to observe the union. Who will observe for you?" he asked her in the end concerned. She shifted up on the pillow and said "The Dweller. He's the clsoest friend I have. And he helped raise me." Rowan nodded and started kissing up her arm again ending at her neck "Rowan....how are you able to get me in the mood so easy?" she asked cooing. "Your pregnant baby. Hormone imbalances get you horny faster." she nodded and said "Be gentle, don't want to poke our kid in the head."

"Shouldn't be embarrassed about it, it's actually a fairly well-known fear, 's called 'Wiccaphobia'." he said as he set the book down.

"Really...?" Cedric said, lifting his head slightly. He had always felt stupid because of it. He looked over at the Dweller, who nodded in agreement. He suddenly felt a lot better.

"Yup, 'the fear of witches or witchcraft'." Kane responded with a smile

Cedric yawned and stood up.
"I think I should go to bed then, I'm worn out." He smiled back at Kane, then headed off back to his room.

"Seeya', Cedric!" Kane called after him before going to find more books

"Right..." Ewan said with a smirk. "Anyway... Rowan's training me pretty well. I've gotten stronger, not to mention more confident. His lessons are a bit unorthodox, though... But overall, I think I'm benefiting."

Ewan put a lid on the pan, to let the meat sear. He sat down with Dekres and Zeke, and continued talking.

"I'll make sure yours is undercooked, Zeke." Ewan said. "Anyway, I think that soon, I'll be able to handle my own case. Maybe finally reach Guardian of Light. A quick side note: You look nice with your shirt off, Zeke."

Kane walked out of the library, poring over a bestiary he had found, he wandered into the kitchen, doging past the trio already inside without looking up from his book, he then opened the fridge, grabbed a sandwich, annnd promptly hit his head on a cupboard "Ow! sunnova'!" He exclaimed "oh, hey guys!" He said with a wave

John walked into the kitchen just as Ewan finished speaking about Rowan's "unorthodox" lessons.

"Oh, that reminds me." John said to Ewan. "If you want me to train you in proper swordplay, let me know."

"Oh, snap!" Kane said, snapping his fingers for emphasis, the book resting in the crook of his arm. "Although, having your own style may be more beneficial."

Zeke was completely thrown by Ewan's comment. "Errm...thanks." He said, semi-flustered he began to ramble. "It's the whole lycan thing, I'm not even cold and well...you just get used to running around naked..." His voice trailled off as the others came in.

He sighed at John's boasts. He had never disliked the man, but occasionally the "i am best" attitude annoyed him.

He addressed Ewan telepathically. " Ignore them. When we both have some free time I'll give you a swordsman and gunman lessons. Before I went all wolfy they were what I was best with, and what with Rowan suddenly having a wedding to plan you must have some more extra time. I may get Aimee to spar with you if that's Ok?" He paused for a moment, considering the possibility that Ewan may not be able to talk telepathically. " If it's ok, then nod. "

Eliza came walking down to kitchen after a while, she was tired and Rowan was too. Nothing really happened. She needed to eat some food. So she went to the kitchen and made herself a sandwich bumping people out of the way and walking off to the Library eating as she walked. Zeke commented telepathically to her "Any day now?" she returned to him "Soon, soon."

Rowan walked down the hallway, humming a jaunty tune to himself. He wasn't paying attention and collided with a girl, muttering darkly to herself. "Just leaving me...worried....what would happen...." were the only words he caught before the two crashed into each other. She snarled at him, and walked past furiously.
"Heh, werewolf. Sorry bout that," Rowan said as he walked past. Apparently she didn't take this too well, the girl turned about and began to metamorphasize.
"Shit!" Rowan yelled as he sprinted down the hall. He had no intention of killing an aprentice, better let Zeke take care of it.

Ewan nodded and went back to cooking. Several minutes later, he returned to the table with delicious edibles.

"Gentlemen... Enjoy." Ewan said as he sat down and began to eat.

Disreguard.

Eliza needed to talk to the Dweller. She needed some perspective and some advice. And no one but the Dweller offered that as freely has he did. The wise and old star spawn had just taken them on a roller coaster ride through a place that could have killed her. She wanted to know something else though. She needed some direction.

"It makes sense that you feel like you've lost your path. Life moves slowly, Eliza. Right now theres a storm brewing in your heart. Your finally settling down. Its a big chance." said the Dweller leaning in an armchair with a book on his lap. Eliza sat with her head resting on her palms. "So much is happening. For 300 long years I've fought against evil. Now I feel like I'm finally normal. I'm getting married, I'm having a child...." she trailed off leaning backwards. The Dweller made a rumbling gurgle from his mouth and said "You should know better. You are the same as you used to be. You will have two fine, healthy children.....oops" said the Dweller catching himself. Eliza smiled and said "Two? I'm having twins??!!" and she grinned "Ooh, I have to tell Rowan." she said enthhisiatically. He made his chuckling sound and said "Let it slip I apologise. Look, Eliza, you are still a leader. You need to oversee your companions. Zeke needs a little oversight, Rowan needs oversight and someone needs to oversee Cedric and Dekres before they tear each other apart. I know you can't do all that, you need to name another High Master to help. Cedric and Jericho are fine men. But another woman as Master would be good. Equality, Eliza. You can't oversee three people at once." Elzia quirked her eyebrow and said "What do you mean?"
"I mean you should consult Cedric and Jericho and see if Karina would make a good High Master." Eliza shook her head and said "I don't know.....she isn't a Master. Only Masters may be named High Master." The Dweller shook his head and said "It's been done before. The Trial of Ak'Tar'Zur. Karina must be judged by the Great Guardians. " Elzia closed her eyes and though. The Trial of Ak'Tar'Zur was almost 90% deadly, the Judgement revealed all the right and wrong of a person. If the balance of good was more than the bad they were bestowed the power of the Great Guardians as High Masters. Or they died. It had happened once, a living person to survive the Trial. Her own Master, Poinsettia. Not like the Trial of Locus, which was 50% fatal. Being bestowed the powers of the Great Guardians one by one, imbuing the Master with their essences in the end naming them High Master and master of all earthly magics. Like the ancient trials to test prospective high priest and priestesses. Is she up for this? thought Eliza. "I will consult her, Dweller. Thank you for your blessing." she said hastily getting up and backing out of the room.

Kane emerged from the bookshelves carrying a fair-sized stack of books, as he passed he said "I heard nothing important and if I did I will continue to say I didn't." he then quickly exited the library and teleported to his room

Rowan walked through the apprentice hallways, searching for the right door. He stopped midpace, cupped his hand to his ear, and smiled. He found his door. He knocked politely, and recieved a prompt "Go away!" for his efforts. Rowan decided that the only sensible and decent thing to do was, of course, to magic his way into the young girl's room. He turned incorporeal and stepped through the door, and viewed a sight from hell. Aimee's room was torn up, things were destroyed, and the girl was a wreck, crying into a pillow. "I hate you!" she screamed, throwing the pillow at him. Rowan accepted the hit to his chest, and sat down at the edge of the bed.
"Listen, I want to talk to you about what happened before."
"There's no need to talk, I know what you think of me... that I'm just a freak," she sobbed.
"Listen Aimee, I'm the bastard son of Satan. I think I know a little bit about being a freak," Rowan said as he leaned back. "Truth is, we're all freaks here."
"None of you know what it's like to be me. I watched my parents be eaten alive by werewolves, and I was taken from them and turned into this and my life is so messed up now," she angsted.
"Everyone here has problems, some worse than yours. Your boy-toy Zeke, he watched as everyone he ever loved aged to death in front of him, not knowing what made him special. John had no family growing up, and the closest thng to that was brutally slaughtered. Cedric's mother and father died early in his life, with his sister missing, and he's dealing with his psychological problems with witches. Eliza has spent the last 300 years without connecting to anybody, after she lost her father figure and the love of her life on the same day. As for me, I killed my emotionally and physically abusive father at the tender age of 6. We all have problems here, but if you're gonna last you have to get over it." Rowan spoke calmly and steadily. "Course, if you need someone to talk to, I'm always open for a drink," Rowan winked and left the room.