<b>On the very threshold of the Followers of Eru Guild</b><BR><BR><i>BV listened to Scribble’s reasoning patiently, ignoring the trademark insults and veiled denigrations. The reasoning was somewhat sound though he thought that Lys would probably find fault with it, so he smirked a little, but kept his mouth shut. <BR><BR>HJ then told him not to mind Scribbles, he lifted his eyebrow to suitably imply that such concerns were profoundly beneath him, though he wondered if perhaps he was wasting his time with HJ when he should be focusing on Scribbles, who seemed more on the ball with what was going on. She showed none of the tremendous instability that seemed to be plaguing HJ. As if to reinforce that, he watched, mildly disturbed, while a rapid succession of tortured emotions wracked HJ’s face. Suddenly she just threw herself around him in embrace, which he tried to return, though stiffly. But then, just as suddenly, she tore herself away.<BR><BR>‘Make up your mind lady!’ he was tempted to exclaim. <BR><BR>She then coaxed him inside the tent. He was not forgetful of the nature of this place, and he hesitated. But he looked at her face and saw a strange expression, much of it was imploring him to follow, but plain to see was panic and terrified self-loathing. Part of HJ did not want all this to happen, between Lysandros and Bardhwyn. The kiss the night before was an unfortunate indulgence. Yet while BV and HJ might recoil from it, Bardhwyn was battling for more. It was a chink in the armour that something compelled him to take advantage of. Some sort of end that was hidden from him would be served by it. And so BV went forward; besides, the thought of defiling the Followers of Eru tent with his tainted soul was rather amusing.<BR><BR>Inside, he was stunned at how much the ambience reminded him of the lame fundraiser activities he had been compelled to take part in during his catholic elementary school days. It even smelled the bloody same! And none of their party were to be seen amidst all the sickening peace and tranquility. HJ seemed unsure what to do with herself, and BV felt no different.</i><BR><BR>“Coffee?” <i>He gestured and offered at the same time.<BR><BR>After a moment HJ realized that she had been addressed, sort of, and she replied,</i> “Tea, please.”<BR><BR><i>In a moment BV returned with cheesy little Styrofoam cups filled with their respective poisons. For a moment they quietly sat on a bland couch, before BV began to pry.</i><BR><BR>“Bardhwyn, have you been here before?” <i>He knew full well that she almost certainly had not.<BR><BR>After another sip she replied quietly, without looking at him,</i> “I don’t think so.”<BR><BR>“Do you know where we are going afterwards?” <i>He didn’t really care about that, but he needed some sort of set up to press things.</i><BR><BR>“Sort of. I think so.” <BR><BR><i>He went straight for the throat, there was no sense wasting time on being artful, that was far from Lysandros’ style anyway…</i> “Do you want me to come with you?”<BR><BR><i>He left it short and simple, if her answer was unclear, he was already contemplating drastic action and there was no sense wasting time. He bolted his gaze on her and hopefully softened his eyes, leaving his lips parted only slightly; childlike innocence and puppy-dog hope was the angle he was trolling; and he waited. Her lips pursed and twitched, and she blinked several times. Her face turned suddenly towards him; upon it was a tormented expression. But even as her gaze fell fully on him it dissipated into a pensive and uncertain happiness. It was like the Bowman RP come to life right before his eyes; Bardhwyn’s love for Lysandros was strong, inexplicably so, considering what Lys was like, but that meant sweet jack all to BV at that moment. The important thing was that he could exploit whatever weird-arsed-RP-versus-Real Life cross-wiring that was going on in HJ’s head to his advantage. He was safe as long as she was around to sweet-talk.<BR><BR>And this revelation was just in time it seemed. Before HJ could answer, SilverScribe came striding up, her steely gaze fixed hard on BV, as if relishing what she was about to say.</i><BR><BR>“Well, it has been nice Lysandros, but I am afraid we must leave you here. You cannot come where we are going. You belong back with your Bowman. I have no time to explain it, but please just accept something I have to say for once! Bardhwyn, are you ready to go?”<BR><BR><i>This gambit was not unexpected, and BV rose as if in protest, but really he just wanted to keep himself in HJ’s field of vision while she answered Scribbles. <BR><BR>Slowly HJ looked up, and BV looked at her as if still waiting for his question to be answered. His gaze pelted down and though he was trying his best to maintain the pressure, he could not help but notice HJ’s reluctance to answer. But at last something broke, and in almost an apology she addressed Scribbles.</i><BR><BR>“I need him to come with me Scribbles. For a while longer at least.”<BR><BR><i>The annoyance on Scribbles’ face was plain, and her imperious stare made it clear to HJ that this was something they would sort out later. BV knew that she was only yielding because time was pressing. Curtly she answered while wheeling away,</i><BR><BR>“Come on then. The stair is this way.”<BR><BR><i>BV repressed his glee at her frustration. Instead, he gave HJ a thankful smile and held out his hand for her. She rose and took it. She smiled wanly, guilty for giving in once again, yet the squeeze of her hand while they followed Scribbles told BV that at least part of her was pleased.</i><BR>