“It seems like it’s over.” Majo said. She was worried. Had all of them survived?
She was glad Michelle was alright , the young girl who she had so much in common with, except for the fact that she was still alive ofcourse. She felt rather guilty about that. How would it feel to be so young and dead, and knowing that you’d never live the same life again. Your body rotting away underneath you. Hiding for the ‘normal’ people. She was worried about Tom as well. He had been such a good man to all them, giving them a place to stay and sharing his food with them.
Alexander was the grumpy one but she was absolutely sure that he wasn’t as cold hearted as he seemed to be. He was fighting on their side while he could’ve headed off long before the werewolves came. He had risked his life for the well-being of the refugees and for them.
And Louie, would he be alright? Would he be pleased to see that she was alright as well or would he walk past her and be his cold and lonely self again?
She’d soon find out. Tier opened the door and walked out.
“They’re all here.” He was more pleased then he thought he thought he would be.
Majo ran to Louie and jumped at him holding him tight. A faint hint of a smile could be seen on his face as he put her arms around her too. How bad could it be to show a little affection every now and then he thought as let his defenses down and felt some warmth for the first time in years. Susan cried as she saw Tom enter. “My brave general.” She whispered. “I’m so proud of you. You brought them all back and you returned in one piece.”
Tom knew he had done well. If it was only for the affection Susan showed him. The love and pride she felt from her made him feel this way. And he loved her.
“How is he doing?” Alexander asked while looking at his young pupil.
“He’s a strong guy, he will be alright thanks to Susan good care.” Tier said while looking at Michelle. He was glad she was ok, but wasn't the kind of guy that would say this out loud, ever. Tony opened his eyes to look around the room. “You did well, kid.” Alexander said as he stuffed his pipe. He’d been longing for this thing on the way home and was glad to finally be able to take a hit. Jake put his hand on Tony’s shoulder.
“Thank you.” Tony coughed a little, which seemed to hurt. He closed his eyes again to get some more rest. A serenity like no other filled the room.
Absolute peace of mind now that something had become very clear to them.
After tonight, every person in this room knew they stood a chance.
“The refugees have invited us to come celebrate our victory with them, I think we should take them up on their offer. We deserve a party. After all, this was only the beginning.” Alexander said. “I agree, we seemed to have forgotten our manners though.” Susan said.
“Have any of you bothered to introduce yourselves to our new guests?” She looked over at Jamie and Jake. “I guess we should go first.” Jamie said.
“My name is Jamie LaGrande. I am, or was, part of the lucky charm. We are a small group of independed soldiers that fight wherever we are needed. We heard of the group of refugees that were send here and we were closeby. We decided we would lend a hand.”
“How noble.” Louie noted. She didn’t like him to much and he started to take a real disliking for the kind of people that thought he was a bad person, just because of this curse Estella had placed on him.
Jake continued. “My name is Jake Dellaine. Our partners were Adam Bing and Dane Cooper, an ex-schism employé.”
Tom had removed himself from the group and went through a small container that kept several boxes. “Carroleum, Animorpills, ahh.. Absentis.” He took out the small box that contained a flask of transparant liquid.
“We have to attend to the party tonight, Jake and Alexander. Would you please be so kind as to empty this bottle in the water tower, east of the mansion. Behind the Greenthorpe family tomb? It will make sure that everyone who drinks from the water will have forgotten the past few hours. Making it seem like the werewolves attack never happend.”
“We will join you guys later.”
Louie seperated himself from the group as well, he wanted to check in on Yakira.
He opened the door to her bedroom to see her sitting up straight in her bed.
Her mortal cover had been ripped open in several pieces. She pressed the sheets against her chest when she heard the door open.
“I was wondering…” Louie paused. How could he think that this innocence could have anything to do with Estella, apart from her being torn up by his enemies claws.
“I’ll be fine.” Yakira said and she stepped out of the bed, wrapping the sheets around her body. “Your voice, you’d look over me. But I haven’t seen you here in a while.”
“I did not break my promis. We took care of the wolves, they had us heavily outnumbered…”
He got cut short again. “Don’t apoligize.” I would be dead by now if you people had not taken care of me.” She lost her balance and fell on her bum, onto the bed.
“Are you alright?” Louie asked concerned.
“My skin itches and burns.” She said. “I know, you gave poor Tony quiet a scare.” Louie smiled. For the first time he really smiled. And there was no one around that could see it.
He brushed off several patches of Jade Dawn that were still covering her skin and slowly burning it away, preventing it from healing by itself. His hand started to burn the moment it made contact with the chemical. His hands would heal fine by themselves and the pain did not outweight the fact that she’d be feeling better by the morning.
“Stay in bed a little while longer.” He said softly.

“Welcome to our humble settlement my dear saviours.” One of the child refugees said.
His parents probably made him study that line over and over.
The Diamondians had done their best to make their settlement as cozy as possible and when they entered the main room, Tom noticed that the Diamondians had brought several bottles of booze with them. Carrot ale (one of his favorits), a couple of bottles of Hash’kin wine (Home-brewn most likely) and even a bottle of ’82 New Carrotian Cider.
“Should we really be sitting with them, drinking their wine, while they have so little left?” Susan asked Tom. “It would be unpolite to refuse a drink, we saved their lives and they want to repay us for it. Let there be no worries on your mind tonight and just enjoy the party.
Louie fired up his old gramaphone player as Alexander went through his record collection.
“It seems like we do have something in common.” He said as he held up ‘Ode to the Earian bay’ by ‘Jaggin Banks.’
“It used to be a favorite of my mother. I’ve always been fond of the piano play in it.” Louie said.