Pretty Things & Evil Deeds

@ katahdin

Azana started to untense as Elliot squeezed her arm. And her eyes slowly softened again as he continued to talk, trying his best to go over everything and ease her worries. The woman slid her hands out of his and took a step forward. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling Elliot into a hug as she laid her head on his shoulder. "I just wish it wasn't like that for you...You deserve to get help too." She let out a small sigh. "But yes, take what you need to make your tonics. I think I have a few more defense ones downstairs in the fridge, you can have those as well."

The woman buried her face into his neck for a long moment as her grip around him tightened. "I know you wouldn't let me get cursed Elliot." It took her a moment but she slowly pulled away from Elliot and took a little step back. "I'll start packing, go get what you need from the downstairs. Just...Just don't take too long down there." Azana said gently. Although she didn't want to outright say it, Azana didn't want to be left along much. She would much rather him be close by.

@ Sweet.Persephone

Elliot blinked a little in surprise as Azana wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning down a bit to be closer as he wrapped his arms around her waist in a hug, tucking his nose into her hair. "It's alright, Az. I'm used to it. It's just the way that things are. I appreciate your kindness though, and giving me a chance even though you know what I am." He murmured, gently squeezing his arms around her as he hugged her close. "Thank you.." He murmured when she said he could take whatever herbs he needed and the extra defense tonics she had left, pressing a small kiss to the top of her head before he loosened his grip around her as she pulled away.

"I'll be right back. I promise." He said, offering her a little smile before he headed downstairs to collect what he needed. He'd be able to mix everything at his apartment, so he was just concerned with collecting the ingredients that he would need to make them. He came back upstairs with the supplies about fifteen minutes after he'd left, setting the bags of herbs and the extra tonics down on the table before heading to Azana's room where he assumed she was packing. "All set. What can I help with?"

@ katahdin

The young woman relaxed against him for a moment as Elliot kissed the top of her head. Though she pulled away, even so, to let Elliot head off to do what he needed to. She watched as Elliot left the room before she turned her attention to packing. Although Azana did love her apartment, she definitely did not want to be there at the moment. It wasn't safe and just thinking about the basement made her skin crawl... Thinking about the fact that Kendric knew where she lived gave her nausea. So she went to work, deciding to start first with her clothes.

When Elliot back and offered his assistance, Azana was quiet for a moment. Only certain things were essentials, but some of it Azana didn't want Elliot touching. Though her eyes shifted back up to him after a moment. "Well... since I am going to be staying with you for a while, can you go through my kitchen? Just grab anything that you think would be good for us to eat for the next few weeks. Some of that stuff will go bad if we don't bring it so we might as well."

@ Sweet.Persephone

Elliot nodded a bit at her suggestion to gather food, knowing he didn't really have anything at his apartment to eat, and the last thing he wanted was for her to go hungry. "Alright. I'll put what I can in a box to bring, and worst case scenario I come back tomorrow to get the rest." He offered her a little smile before heading to the kitchen to do as he'd said he would, emptying out what he wanted from the refrigerator first since he knew that would spoil the fastest before he moved on to gathering things from the pantry.

Once the box he'd found was full he set it on the dining table, having packed it with food plus the mug that he saw Azana using the most, figuring that she would like to have it with her to give her some bit of comfort while she was staying with him. When she came out of her room he looked at her with a little smile, clearly exhausted but still holding out on resting until they were at his apartment. "All packed? I packed what I could from the fridge and pantry, it should be enough to avoid having to go out for a few days." He said, knowing that they'd need to lay low for a bit as to hopefully avoid Kendric. He assumed that the man wouldn't be out waiting for them given the injuries he'd sustained, so he knew it wasn't likely that they'd be followed, but he still wanted to avoid going out for a bit just in case.

@ katahdin

It did take Azana some time to pack what she needed. After all, she had no idea how long she was going to be gone for. Plus the woman was not so keen on coming back to her place consistently until the Kendric situation was dealt with. Although she would still need to care for her plants, the less likely the man could find her the better. Though she did manage to fit everything she needed into one large suitcase and a backpack. And, by the time she had finished, the delivery boy had dropped off everything she needed for the last week. It was...well the healer gave her a lot.

"Yes, all packed," Azana told Elliot as she rolled out her suitcase. "I grabbed enough in the off chance that I need to stay with you for the next couple of weeks." Her nose wrinkled a bit at the thought. Staying with Elliot wasn't the issue but having to run away? Having to hide from her own home. Well, she didn't like the thought of being in that much trouble. But that was her reality for now. "I am ready to go, are you?"

@ Sweet.Persephone

Elliot nodded a little as she asked if he was ready, gesturing to the box of food. "Yes.. I think I've got enough energy left for a concealing spell to cover us when we leave too, which I don't think is necessary but just an extra precaution." He explained, offering to take her backpack before heading downstairs with her. At the door he paused to cast the concealing spell on them, which definitely drained the last of his magic and took a lot more out of him than it should have, but it worked, and once he was sure they were set he led her out of the front of the shop and through the streets to his apartment.

His apartment wasn't nearly as nice as Azana's and definitely felt a bit cramped, but it was better than nothing. "Here we are. Sorry for the mess, I didn't really expect to have company.." he murmured sheepishly, setting the box of food down in his small kitchen before turning back to her. "You'll be staying in my room, and if you give me ten minutes I can change the sheets and tidy up a bit and then leave you to rest." He said as he put the food they'd brought away before moving toward his room to do as he'd said.

@ katahdin

Azana was glad that Elliot still had some magic left in him because she was all out. So once he did the spell, she stayed as close as possible, lightly holding onto his arm as they headed to his apartment. Luckily it was not too far. Azana was exhausted and she was sure that Elliot felt the same as well. Though there was no doubt that they needed to go and she felt safer once they walked inside. Surely Kendric would not find them here. Azana even let out a small sigh of relief once the door behind them was closed.

"There is no way you could have known," Azana responded gently as Elliot apologized for the mess. The apartment wasn't really all that bad and how could Elliot have prepared for her anyways? She was about to go put away all the food though stopped in her tracks when Elliot said she would stay in his room. Her eyebrows furrowed together. "Where will you be staying then if I am in there?" She asked him. Though she figured she already knew the answer. "Elliot, you should keep your room."

@ Sweet.Persephone

"I'll sleep on the couch." Elliot said simply when she asked where he'd stay, shaking his head a bit when she said that he could keep his room. "No, you take it. You're my guest, and this is all my fault anyway, so it's the least I can to to try to make up for what happened." He insisted, heading into his room to change the sheets and make his bed, taking a few extra minutes to tidy things up and make sure it was nice for her before returning to the living room to collect her suitcase and backpack to put in his room.

"The bathroom is at the end of this little hall, and the other door is just a closet full of herbs and necromancer junk. Most of the food here came from your house, so just help yourself to whatever you want and I don't have anything to hide, so feel free to snoop through the cupboards and drawers if you get bored." He offered her a little smile, having to lean against the doorframe a bit to keep himself up since he was so tired. "It's late, I'm just going to take a minute to change so I can give you these clothes back and then I'll let you head to bed."

@ katahdin

As much as Azana wanted to argue with Elliot, she bit her tongue. She knew that he was taking a lot of the blame for what occurred. And while Elliot wasn't completely innocent, it was pretty obvious to her that the actual amount of guilt he should feel was minimal. Yes, he didn't tell her. But he tried to protect her and ultimately ended up saving her life. But she could see that Elliot was ready to pass out, and the truth was, she was exhausted as well. So she didn't want to waste their energy on arguing, especially when she knew that she wouldn't win it anyways.

So, she unpacked all of the food into the kitchen, noting that there was not much there in the first place. Elliot really was as broke as she had thought... Plus, with what had happened, she didn't even have a chance to give him his paycheck. Azana rubbed her face with a little sigh. She could take care of that the next time they went into the shop. When Elliot came back out, she was done with putting everything away and her attention was on him. "That sounds good," She said softly. "Though I don't really see myself snooping through your cupboards to be honest."

@ Sweet.Persephone

"You never know, you might get bored. It's not like I have a tv or anything to watch, and I can offer you my laptop, but the internet is slow and there are never any good movies on the streaming sites." Elliot teased with a small smile, turning to return to his room briefly to change out of the clothes she'd let him borrow into his own tshirt and pajama pants. Once that was done he came out of the room and set the clothes down to be washed later, offering her a tired smile.

"The room is all yours. I'll be on the couch if you need anything, and feel free to make yourself at home." He said, moving around her to go to the couch, laying down with a tired sigh, his eyes closing almost instantly. He barely fit on the couch, his feet dangling over the arm of the couch, but it didn't look like he minded too much.

@ katahdin

A bit of a frown came over Azana's face as she watched Elliot lay down on the couch that clearly did not fit him. It wasn't that he looked uncomfortable by any means but... well it seemed a little odd that she was sleeping on his bed while he banned himself to his couch. Well, it wasn't totally odd as she thought about it considering 'chivalry' but still, she knew he needed the rest as much as she did. But there seemed no point in arguing as it was something she knew she would lose. And exhausted.

So Azana headed towards the bedroom. After she got dressed in her Pajamas, Azana wrapped herself under the blankets to get some rest but she couldn't. Azana was tired, certainly. And she undoubtedly needed the sleep. But it was too hard to let her fears and worries mellow down enough to actually do so. It was just that Elliot was so far. Yes, just a room over but what if Kendric came and she didn't hear the struggle because she was dead alseep? Or god forbid what if the monster came in through the bedroom window and grabbed her before Elliot could do anything?

All these scenarios ran through her head and after an hour of trying to calm herself down, Azana gave up. She wrapped the blanket around her body and walked out to the living room until she was at Elliot's sleeping form. Azana lightly shook him, wanting to wake Elliot up but not startle him.

@ Sweet.Persephone

Elliot was sound asleep after only a few minutes of laying down, absolutely exhausted and drained after the events of the day. He was still worried about Azana and Kendric, of course, but he was much too tired to stay awake worrying about it, even if he'd wanted to. So when Azana crept out of his room and over to him he was sound asleep, snoring softly with one leg hanging off the couch and a blanket haphazardly thrown over him. When she shook him awake it took a minute to pull him from sleep, but he sat up slightly with a little groan, frowning a bit as he oriented himself before looking up at her.

"Az? Is everything alright?" He asked, rubbing at his eyes as he sat up, looking at her. His eyes softened after a minute, reaching up to rest a reassuring hand on her arm. "Can't sleep?"

@ katahdin

Azana was a little surprised that Elliot was able to read her so well. Though she decided not to dwell on it for now. The young woman just wanted to feel safe and to sleep. How Elliot was able to know what she was felling, well she was think on that another day. So, she gave him a little nod in response. "Yes...I just...I know it sounds weird but you're too far away for comfort." Azana whispered to him. Azana leaned down a bit so she was no longer standing over him.

"Would you mind sharing the bed with me? I can't sleep knowing that something might happen and the other not know." Azana knew it was a strange request to make. And one that he might say no to. Though, at least, it wasn't like it was something they had not done before. They had shared the couch together at her place. "I'm sorry, Elliot."

@ Sweet.Persephone

Elliot rubbed at his eyes tiredly as he stifled a yawn, still trying to wake up a bit. Knowing it wasn't an immediate emergency made him feel better, especially after everything that had happened today. But Azana not being able to sleep wasn't any good, since she needed her rest just as much as he needed his. He nodded a little in understanding as she explained why she couldn't sleep, offering her a reassuring smile as he squeezed her arm.

"It's ok. If I weren't so exhausted I'd be up too." He tried to reassure her, not wanting her to feel bad for waking him up. He blinked a little in surprise when she asked him to share a bed with her, having assumed she wouldn't want to be close to anyone like that after what had happened with Kendric. Not that he was going to make a move or do anything weird, he just knew she'd probably want space. But he nodded nonetheless, standing and grabbing his blanket before gesturing for her to lead the way. "Of course, Az. I don't mind at all."

@ katahdin

Once Elliot had agreed to it, Azana stood up and made her way back to the bedroom. She was hoping this was the only thing she would need to get some rest, just having Elliot close by. There was too much fear and worry in her that something could happen. Even though they were at his apartment, and Kendric probably couldn't find them, Azana needed that reassurance that Elliot would be right with her. He would keep her safe and she would do the same for him.

In the bedroom, Azana moved to one side of the bed and laid down. She wrapped her blanket around her body tightly, shifting a little until she was comfortable in the bed. And then she watched Elliot do the same, letting out a small sigh of relief when he was settled down beside her. "Thank you Elliot," Azana whispered to him. "I know it's really silly..." The woman felt a little bit like a small child that went to go hide in their partner's room because there were 'monsters' under the bed.

@ Sweet.Persephone

Elliot stifled a yawn as he shuffled along behind Azana to his bedroom, letting her lay down and get comfortable first before he laid down as well, letting out a little groan as he settled into the mattress. His bed wasn't the most comfortable, but it was certainly better than the couch. After a minute he tucked himself under the sheets before making sure Azana was tucked in as well, offering her a little smile once he was settled down next to her.

"It's no problem. And it's not silly. You've... You've been through a lot, and it's perfectly reasonable to expect that you wouldn't want to be alone." He assured her, reaching over to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear and adjust the blankets around her a bit before settling in again, closing his eyes as he laid his head back against the pillow. "Goodnight, Azana.. Don't be afraid to wake me up again if you still can't sleep." He thought he might have a sleeping potion somewhere that she could use, but as he was mentally trying to locate it in his apartment he drifted off to sleep, his exhaustion overwhelming him once again.

@ katahdin

Feeling his fingers against her head, Azana closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the gentle touch. And as Elliot tucked in her blankets in around her, Azana shifted and cuddled into them. "Thank you, Elliot. Good night."

A little smile came over Azana's face as she watched Elliot drift off so quickly. She was glad that he was comfortable and sleeping well. And she did truly feel better with him close to her when sleeping was vulnerable enough. So, Azana leaned in a little and laid head down on the bed, her forehead lightly pressing against the side of his shoulder. It did not take long for Azana to fall asleep soundly. It was hours later until Azana started to stir from the bed. She had slept a lot longer than she normally would have as her body was still desperate to heal itself. Though it would take time and plenty of potions for that to occur. A little whimper left the woman as shifted in the bed, not quite ready to wake up but doing so anyways.

@ Sweet.Persephone

Elliot slept soundly until he felt Azana stir next to him, shifting a bit to roll onto his side and drape an arm over her and tuck his face into her hair. He managed to doze like that for a good ten minutes before he finally forced himself to open his eyes, blinking sleepily as he took a moment to take in his surroundings before looking down at Azana, brushing her hair away from her face and adjusting the blankets around her.

"You should be sleeping.." he mumbled tiredly, offering her a tired smile as he settled into the mattress. "Did you sleep ok, though? No nightmares? I think I have a sleeping potion somewhere if you ever think you need it." He offered softly, hoping that she'd be alright without it, but at least figured he should offer it to her.

@ katahdin

It was easy for Azana to calm back down from waking from her slumber when Elliot laid an arm around her. She even let out a tired sigh when his face pressed against her hair. Her own hands reached out, lazily wrapping around his chest before shifting in and pressing her face against him. Although she was not able to fall back asleep like he did, Azana was more than content and had no interest leaving the bed.

A little hum left her as he started to brush her hair and adjust the blankets. "I can't sleep forever." Azana whispered to him. "It was good. Slept like a log." She murmured to him. "I think I was just much too tired to dream." Her face slowly shifted away from his chest as she moved against the mattress. Eventually laying her head on one of the nearby pillows. "I'll think about it. I feel okay for now." She mumbled to him concerning the sleeping potion.

@ Sweet.Persephone

"But it's early, the sun isn't even up yet." Elliot pointed out, his voice partially muffled by the pillow. It was true, even though the sky had started to lighten beyond the curtains of his window, the sun had not risen, and to Elliot that meant it was still time to sleep. But Azana was awake, so he'd stay awake with her for as long as she wanted.

"I'm glad you slept well, though. I was a bit worried I'd wake up in the morning to find you'd been unable to sleep at all. Or that I'd pushed you out of bed." He teased softly, smiling a bit before stifling another yawn as she shifted away from him. "If you give me a few minutes I'll go make you some breakfast. I just need a few minutes to wake up properly."