As the group traveled a little ways, Marcus thought it would be a good time to tell the group Liss' plan since she was sound asleep now.

He picked up his pace a little bit until he was between gabriel, septimius, and jessica. Keeping his voice low expecting them to do the same, he said "I can see a river through the treeline over there. Even though we just started moving a few hours ago, we should stop and get what rest we can. I don't think we should impose in werewolf territory in the middle of the night hungry, tired, and I'll prepared. After what happened in Falarog it may be someone's last time with the group. I think we should have fun, clean ourselves up, and relax. Well actually I cannot take credit for the idea, Liss was the one who asked me to bring it up to you all."

Septimius had been listening to the gurgle of the river as they had been walking and he was reluctant to rest again so early. However the idea of arriving at Morborrow at night against all the werewolves wasn't a very good idea. So he relented and walked over to the river. He was glad for the chance to wash his clothing however, as he looked with distress at the abysmal state of his robes. They were covered in blood, grime, and ashes, and they smelled even worse. He took off his shield and laid down his staff, unbuckling the sheathe and placing it besides him as he sat in front of the river.

He took off the forest green robe, revealing the black leather jerkin he wore underneath. He washed the robe in the water, rubbing the cloth together as he sloshed it around. He looked at the sullied water that was running off and began humming as he did his chore. When he was done he pulled the sopping clothing out of the water and held it in front of him, watching water run off. He held it by the collar and placed his other hand on the chest. He concentrated and let mana web into the clothing, using the spider silk woven in as pathways to reach every corner. Once the mana mixed with the water, he withdrew his hand and pulled, gathering the water to the center where he pulled it out as a big blob.

He placed the now dry and clean robe to the side and let the ball of water he had gathered drop back into the water with a splash. He would bathe himself as well, but he didn't want to undress in front of the group, especially with there being two girls in the group. He decided to simply wash his hair at the very least and taking off his hat, dunked his head into the cold water. All the outside noise was washed away as he simply submerged himself into what felt like nothing, cold refreshing nothingness. He ran his fingers through his hair, scrubbing away at it before coming back up to breath. He did the same thing with his hair as he used magic to pull the water out, and tossed his hair back, using his fingers to brush his bangs to the side and tuck a lock behind his ear.

He took his hat and dipped it into the water. He then placed it on his side as he grabbed his robe and rolled it into a pillow. He placed it down and laid down, picking the hat up again by the point. He held it over his other hand and let it slip out of his fingers, balling the water up while the dry hat simply flopped over his fist. He flicked the water away and twirled the hat nonchalantly as he laid there and looked at the sky, his eyes lazily following clouds. He peered at the sun's location and sighed, night time was a while away.

"Uh.... uh.. river?... yeah yeah" she gulped nervously "That sounds great why not?". And so, she began to walk towards the river until she was about 6 meters away, she sat down and started to consider the idea of washing her armor and face but she can't do it alone... but she doesn't want to ask help either. She simply heard how Septimius washed his jacket and head.

Seeing the others happy to stop, Marcus decided he was going to wash up as well. He carried Liss with him to the river, a little ways from where Boris was but still relatively close to the group so they did not worry. He didn't really wish to be seen by anyone as he cleaned the blood and ash from his body. Marcus sat Liss down on the shore so she would know when she woke up that she wasn't alone.

Marcus sat his sword and armor down next to the priestess, and took his shirt and pants off so all he was wearing was a silk under garment that stretched down to the top of his knees. He didn't want to be indecent in front of his new friend, but he had to clean himself.

Marcus quietly and slowly crept into the water until the water was up to his waist. He began to rinse the blood and ash from his arms and tried running water down his face and back. Looking around to make sure no one could directly see him, and that Liss was still asleep, he arched his back as his massive angelic wings formed and and extended out. Drooping in the water, they were still bloodied from where he tried to cut them off in the old pub back in Falarog. Water always felt nice on his wings, even if it was hard to move around in the water with them. He squated down in the water a bit to help the water cover his wings. It was the little things about Earth that made him truly happy. He was at peace.

The stitch duo stopped as everyone decided to stay by the river. Some of the guys have begun to start bathing in the river's waters. He raises one of his eyebrows and wonders why they did that, they'll get soiled later anyway in a fight. Then something burned on his face, the scar. It seems he never bothered to bandage it or wash it and it felt as if it would bleed again.

"Damn." He muttered as he touched the skin near the scar. He slowly approached the river bank to scoop up some water and splash it on his scar. The cool liquid calmed the heat of the pain but it would slowly creep back. He looked around and saw that most were busy. He took a deep breath and plunged his head into the river's water. After a few seconds he pulled back and smiled. That felt nice. He fell on his back by the river and breathed in. He'd lay to rest here. The sun was warm and it felt nice.

Ghan was standing nearby. It watched the surroundings and acted like a sentry for the group.

Ahriman decided a dip in the river would do him some good. He simply walks in until he is waist deep, and sits down. Not needing to breate, he stays fully submerged for several minutes, the river current washing his armor. When he is finished, he slowly stands up, turns around, and walks back onto the shore. Finally, he uses his shadow to purge the water from within his armor and surrounds himself in burning mana to dry up the rest.

Marcus was leaning over washing his face off when Liss had managed to make it through the water to him. He didn't even notice she was there until he felt something running down one of his wings. The massive wings that were floating with MArcus in the water began to retract so he could turn around. Truthfully he was surprised it was Liss and not someone else from the group coming to satisfy some sort of curiosity that they might have. With a loss for words all Marcus could manage to say was, "H-hello, I didn't expect you to wake up for a few more hours.." Marcus was feeling a bit nervous, moreso because of his wings being out and slightly painted with blood more than anything. With golden eyes Marcus looked down at Liss and smiled as he looked into her big bright eyes.

Not wanting to be rude to his curious friend, he offered "Liss likes Marki's wings? Marki likes Liss' eyes." As Marcus became less shy his wings began to extend once again from his back. He was so caught up staring in Liss' eyes not only did he realize he was staring right at her, but his wings had practically wrapped around the two like a wall of crisp white feathers. Marcus snapped out of his stare as his face began to blush, and added, "Lissette can touch Marki's wings if she wants."

Marcus only began to blush more from her question. He had never let a mortal touch his wings before, and Liss looked so cute as she succumbed to her curious spirits and ran her hands across them. Her fingers tickled him a little as he let out a soft chuckle. As her finger tilted his chin he looked back into the priestess' eyes and couldn't help to smile. His heart was pounding as it felt big, and his stomach felt a thick swirling sensation. Marcus had never felt this way in his entire life, and he hardly felt like he had control over his own thoughts and motions. It wasn't a bad feeling, it was a warm, soothing feeling. He didn't even notice his wings wrapping around the two even more as he unknowingly stepped closer to Liss. One hand made its way to her hip as the other streamed across her face. Marcus' palm brushed Liss' cheeck as he touched one of her earings and felt her hair. The two had become so close Marcus could feel Liss' breath on his neck as he whispered back, "M-Marki loves Liss' earrings". His mind was practically racing, not knowing what was going to happen next.

Desmond stood up at the thought of an idea.

"Ghan!" He said. His stitched companion looked over to his master. "Fight me."

The stitcher brought out his sword and holds it how Ahriman showed him to, practice should help dry off his face. The companion tilted his head to one side, unsure what to do.

"Fight me, come on." Desmond challenged. Ghan straightened his shoulders and brought up his fists. Quickly, the stitched rushed forward with fist reeled back. Desmond saw it and attempted to block it which was his mistake. Ghan's fist collided with the blade and with Desmond's physical prowess; he couldn't stand up to the blow. The stitcher was forced back and his grip loosened. Ghan's claw had extended forward and grasped the sword's blade. In all technicality, if he was really Ghan's enemy, the stitch's other hand would've punched a hole through his gut by now.

"Heh." Desmond chuckled. "The clockwork adds a lot of power to your blows."

Ghan's claw had let go and retracted. It moved a few steps back. Desmond looked to his ally and he smiled. He assumed the stance once more and sparred with his companion. Ghan usually won most if not all the spars.

Quote from Camila

"Uh.... uh.. river?... yeah yeah" she gulped nervously "That sounds great why not?". And so, she began to walk towards the river until she was about 6 meters away, she sat down and started to consider the idea of washing her armor and face but she can't do it alone... but she doesn't want to ask help either. She simply heard how Septimius washed his jacket and head.

"What are you doing over here, silly?" Gabriel asked, speaking casually as if their moment from before Septimus had blown up from the fire had been no big deal. "The water looks beautiful. Why don't you join them and..." Suddenly, he remembered how Jessica had reacted back in the swamps, and how the girl did not like water in the slightest bit. "...Oh." He said sadly, though after a moment he looked back up. "Are you sure?" He asked. "The water here is perfectly safe. I won't press this if you don't want to, but perhaps," he grinned, "it wouldn't be so bad if you weren't alone."

Being lost in thought Marcus didn't even realize he closed his eyes. He had closed his eyes slowly anticipating a blink, but never opened his eyes. Everything was quiet. He could hear the faint sounds of the others in his group about their business, he could hear crickets and birds chirping. He heard the soft sound of the breeze brushing through the trees and the sound of the water as it raced between them. Marcus was so comfortable he soon forgot he was even listening to the sounds around him. He whispered to priestess, "I would love one," and that's when it hit him. It felt like an arrow had just struck his heart. It was a quick, subtle stab, but soon dispersed in a warm glow of satisfaction and lust. Marcus felt like he couldn't breath, like his lungs were getting tighter, but he didn't care.

Several seconds had passed until Marcus finally opened his eyes. He would never forget this moment as he began to calmly take everything in. Him and Liss were now connected first at their hips as Marcus had pulled her in closer with the hand on her waist that now had moved itself around her back. Marcus' other hand had slid carefully through her hair to the back of her head, holding her gently. The next thing Marcus felt was the slow exhale from Liss as his eyes looked down to see them locked together in a kiss. It was nothing like Marcus had ever experienced in his entire existence. He smiled, taking a deep breath, and began to kiss her again as he closed his eyes once more.

She huged her own legs tightier as Gabriel started to talk... she even felt ashamed for being such a coward. And then he remembered, he offered her company to get into the water... she felt chills on her spine, she had no good memories of her interactions with water. "Uhm....n-" she said almost with a shaking voice prepared to say no to his offer, and suddenly she stopped short, as if she was angry with herself for acting so cowardly.

She breathed deeply and after a few seconds she turned her head as if she was looking at Gabriel's eyes and said with a soft tone "Promise me you won't let me go...".