Julidan was awoken by a loud crash. His sharp instincts jolted him into conciousness insantly and he was on his feet in less than a heartbeat. He could tell by the angle of the moon leaning in from the slit in the rocks that it was well past midnight and certainly well past the time that any sane ryu would be looking for him. Not that any sane ryu *would* come looking for him... unless of course...

He wondered if perhaps Kaemen-sensei had returned. He could very well imagine the old ryu's reaction to Julidan's sudden possession of *human* furniture, and it was not pleasant. How was he supposed to explain to his sensei how difficult it was to say *no* to his sisters, even if Rhapsody was being a bit riiculous.

The moment Julidan peered into the main alcove of the cave, all foolish thoughts of Kaemen's return dissolved. There was a lone, human sized figure swaying in the center of the room, carrying something large and blunt. Julidan fell into a defensive stance, but quickly dropped it when the figure raised their head. A flash of gold in the moonlight, and Julidan knew who it was.

"Omoidasu?" he asked, half curious, half concerned. The gryphon nodded and walked- no, *stumbled* into the moonlight. The curious half gave way to full concern when Julidan saw his friend in the light- Omoidasu was a mess.

He carried a suitcase in one hand, and had several layers of thick bandage wrapped around the other. His long, dark coat was disheveled and hung open to reveal a plain white dress shirt that appeared to be soaked in blood. His expression was disturbingly blank, but when he noticed Julidan looking at him he attempted a weak smile and said: "In all my life, I've never seen a more beautiful night sky than the one in Ryuuguu..."

The red humaryu rushed to his friends side as he fell half way the floor but caught himself on his case before he could fall any farther. He folded his own wings about himself as a cape to get them out of the way then grabbed Omoidasu undamaged arm to lead him to the couch that he was now rather grateful for. "Stay here, I'll get some proper bandages and tea..." His rushed speech was just to sort himself out "... what tea do you.... oh forget it, I'll be back" He began to leave, but before he could Omoidasu grabbed his wrist and pulled him back. When Julidan looked back, he saw that his friend was rising slowly to his feet.

"Don't bother Julidan. I... I cannot stay for very long." Omoidasu stumbled a bit and placed a hand on Julidan's shoulder to steady himself. Julidan looked at him, but it was obvious that the gryphon was looking at something else, "It's all gone wrong. I suppose I wasn't supposed to be here. What do you think, Julidan? It was a mistake, wasn't it. I should never have come to Ryuuguu..."

Julidan says something like "No.... you shouldn't..... just stay long enough so that you can walk straight." Only really not in those words.... because I suck right now and am really in more of a drawing mood then a writting mood ^^;;;

Omoidasu swerved a bit, then straightened once the words had processed. He set his hands on his hips and glowered at the ryu who he had *thought* was his best friend, "Oh, I see. So *that's* how you really feel, Julidan. I must say that I am rather insulted- I thought that we were friends. I thought we were more, actually, but that's neither here nor there." he huffed and bent down to grab his suitcase, "Well, I'll be leaving now. Not that you care." And Omoidasu Tristezza left Ryuuguu, probably never to return since he was no longer charmed by Julidan's naive, redheaded ways.

... and Julidan just stared after him wondering what the *hell* had just happened.

Be careful what you say to delirious half gryphons in the middle of the night.



That's what I get for making Leslie write when she doesn't feel like it. o.O;;