Rain Dance

Damon nodded and gently led Kimi away.

After gathering some more food that seemed okay from the lower shelves, Voltaire went back to the table to eat.

DAwn wandered in after a few moments. "Well, well, look who's finally up"

"No thanks to you either," Voltaire grumbled around some bread.

Dawn chuckle lighlty, sitting across from him at the table. "So how does a scoundrel like you corrupt a poor little thing like Kimi?" He asked with a bemused little smirk

"It's a long story," replied Voltaire, not entirely sure how to explain it himself.

"We've got time" Dawn replied.

Voltaire gave an annoyed huff.

"We met in a cave system. She was by herself and we needed her barrier to get through the rain, so we teamed up," Voltaire began. "She had wore herself out by the time we got to the tournament, so she stayed with us for a while longer. Then some soldiers from that Talmara bastard showed up so she had to leave. We didn't see her again until sometime after the tournament, and she's been traveling with us ever since."

"Mmhmmm. And when exactly did it become something more?" Dawn smirked

Voltaire thought about it. When had it gone from just him being protective to him actually liking her, then to him loving her, and then to the - well, he knew when the physical part happened, but this guy wasn't getting that much detail.

"I guess I fell first," Voltaire went on. "Started to really worry and care about her during the tournament. Then she left and I was depressed as hell because I thought I'd never see her again. Of course we found her again and I was so relieved that she was okay and I could see her again and stuff. Then while we were staying in a cave I got attacked by this water sprite thing, and I...killed it, and then the whole damn cave starts falling in. Damn luck we were able to all get out, but I was separated from Kimi for a while and she got her leg hurt, so I was really freaking out over the whole thing. And it was a little after that when I started to realize I loved her."

Dawn nodded slowly. "And she just let you do as you wish?" He asked, his tone much softer now. "I know about her past you know."

"Yeah, we know about that too," Voltaire replied, looking to the side. "Adair found out about it after some drunken argument he was having with her. He wasn't violent or anything, just stupid and blurting out the wrong things. Managed to upset her big-time. When she was trying to leave because the soldiers were coming, I thought she was trying to leave because she was still upset about that. When we found her again later she seemed to feel better though."

He paused.

"But the scars are still there, yeah," the Hunter continued. "We actually ran into Talmara briefly and he kicked our asses. If it wasn't for Ava tying him up and throwing him over the edge of a cliff we'd be dead. She was a nervous wreck for about a week after that."

"You're lucky for Ava then. Talmara isn't to be taken lightly, even high Archangels fear him." Dawn replied

"Don't blame you. Guy's a freaking psycho, even for a demon," Voltaire replied. "And I've known some weird-ass demons."

"He's dangerous" Dawn replied simply.

"I kinda figured that out when we came across the Dragons lacerated and with both of their arms broken," Voltaire replied dryly. "He had this black energy barrier thing around him so we couldn't get any of our attacks though. Any idea what that is?"

"Sounds like a protection stone." Dawn replied simply.

"A protection stone?" asked Voltaire.

"A black stone that creates a barrier depending how much energy you pour into it. It works better for demons than humans or Angels." Dawn explained

"A black stone..." Voltaire began. "There was a black stone in his earring. Do you think that was it?"

"Probably. It is commonly made into jewelry" Dawn gave a small yawn.

"How do you counter that kind of thing?" asked Voltaire. "Do you just have to land enough attacks to wear out the barrier, or is there some kind of anti-protection stone?"

"Protection stones sync. Get a protection stone and it lets you around his protection stone." Dawn replied

"Alright," replied Voltaire. "Where would I find one?"

"Hell'Ruc." Dawn replied simply.