First Steps Together

Picking Kirel up, Azalu stayed off to the side as she watched the show. "Interesting choice." Seeing Xilo actually try and help Mason out, she was surprised. "This is how he is." Relia also watched as she felt a lot more of her energy returning. "I suppose, you can have your body back for now though." This fight was over and she felt a couple familiar presences arriving so it was time for Azalu to leave herself now. Letting Relia back in Azalu went back to the silence of the void as she watched silently from within. Giving Kirel a few pets Relia heard a few footsteps come up behind before turning around to see two familiar faces.

"Xelfia...Tearia..Hi."

Just seconds ago the two of them felt their hearts dropping down to their stomachs but once they saw Kirel in Relia's arms that changed instantly. They felt relief as they stepped beside Relia and rubbed Kirel's head while asking what had happened. While they talked with each other, Relda fell silent as her confusion grew looking at the man in front of her. She didn't know what to say as she stared at Mason. She thought about just denying him flat out like the others in the past except this one seemed like less of a joke to her. There was also a part of her that felt a bit happy unlike with the others.

"I...don't know what to say."

At the same time she knew what he just did so it was hard for her to just simply accept it. Noticing a bit of her hesitation, Xilo could understand a bit how she felt. After having to fight Mason then hearing him confess to her it was quite a turn around. "Feelings are complicated." His blades had already disappeared a while ago and he still felt that lingering tick of anger. Seeing Xelfia and Tearia out of the corner of his eye he smiled as he helped out mason a little more. If he had already pushed him this far then he might as well be a little more annoying.

"Oh, that's okay..."

Jumping in from the side Xilo walked over to the girls while he talked.

"Why not go into a little more depth than just that, you talked about wanting a chance to protect her right, what did you mean by that?"

Giving Xelfia and Tearia a big hug seeing them alright he finished his sentence as he turned around and watched the show. He heard Xelfia whisper in his ear however he didn't really know how to answer that. The best he could say was that it was kind of complicated, besides he didn't really know himself either. Sometimes he just did things in the moment and this was one of them. "He really did hear everything." Swearing under his breath Mason felt slightly creeped out by the boy's insane hearing skills. Still he followed his advice as he talked with Relda.

"Protect me...huh?"

"My goal was the fox in that boy's hand or it was. It's a pretty rare fox like I said, remember?"

"Yes.."

"Well, with it I could do one of two things honestly. I could sell it to someone for a fortune or I could train it until it became a powerful pet that obeyed. Either way I could use both methods to force the Clan leaders and sub leaders to listen to me. My goal was for you to stop being a part of security and become a main member once again. I just wanted the power to be able to finally feel like I did something for you for once. I've only ever watched from the sidelines as you surpassed me. I guess normally that'd be fine but somewhere along the way I started to like you until it eventually blossomed into love. You've done so much for me without even knowing that I just wanted to do something for you too....sorry."

Absorbing every word Mason said Relda did her best to try and understand what he was saying. "He loves me?" Her thoughts went wild as she tried to think about when that could have happened. She had never gotten along well with him in the past nor did they really talk much. She just remembered watching him training quite a bit whenever she had the free time. "He was a bit of my motivation.." Seeing someone so inexperienced trying their hardest was quite the sight. "It was a bit funny too." trying not to laugh at the memories she looked at the man that was now in front of her letting his heart pour out.

"Well, I appreciate that and I don't quite know if I can give you an answer quite yet. This is a bit sudden after all and not something I'm willing to just throw an answer around for the sake of either. I hope you can understand that I at least plan on giving you an answer just not now. Regardless of the reasons you did all of this, there will still be some punishments waiting for you and at the very least an apology is due. I think that's the right thing to do, don't you?"

"Yes..yes, you're right. I'm willing to face my punishments and wait for an answer."

Owning up to his mistakes was his first step forward, turning to Xilo he bowed deeply as he said sorry and thanked him.

"I'm sorry for trying to hurt you and take from you....also thank you for the nudge."

Seeing Mason like this so suddenly Xilo didn't know what to think as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Don't think much of it, Just make sure you don't make her sad anymore alright?"

Relda hadn't said yes directly yet but Xilo could see her face turn slightly red as he said that. "She's easy to read." Smiling, he left it at that as he moved on to more serious things. Bringing up the poison and after hearing from Tearia what happened to their Inn room he figured he'd ask Relda for help. Discussing that quickly with her she agreed to bring them with her as they travelled back to the Soaring Blades Clan all together. It was a little awkward at first but with some time the tension left them all as they arrived back at the gate and walked inside.