Niko thought he heard someone outside his door. He waited for a few minutes hoping Nienna would walk through the door and that Elanor wouldn't.
He decided to get up and opened the door and looked out. Nothing. Perhaps the drink has addled my brain. He was about to close the door when he saw something on the floor.
He picked the objects up and took a closer look. 'My vambraces'' he said quietly. Nienna had come but had left them. They looked very sleek as he put them on. They were black, which he liked. He saw a button and pressed it and jumped back in shot when a blade came out narrowly missing his fingers.
He carefully retracted the blade. I shall wait to be taught how to use them
Thunder then was heard outside his window, he looked out and noticed that the weather would not be very agreeable tonight. Still slightly drunk, he left the tavern to look for Nienna, hoping she was safe.

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The wind blew harder, almost lifting her off her feet. She threw her head back, letting the rain wash over her. She loved storms. The absolute power and beauty of them was astounding. She opened her eyes as lightening flashed. Her honey brown eyes seeming to glow gold in the eerie light. Thunder rolled. She closed her eyes again, breathing deeply. The sky was black, the storm violent. She was erasing the thoughts of the earlier events out her mind. Letting the storm cleanse her mood. Maybe the storm had come because if her own dark mood. She knew it was ridiculous, yet strangely coincidental. She wondered if Elanor had her clutches in Niko again....she shook her head, remembering she was trying to not think of that very thing.

He wandered the town, street after street, in the rain looking for Nienna.
I should not have behaved in that manner with Elanor in front of her. Where could she be?
The storm began to pick up slightly, bringing with it stronger wind as well as lightning.
He was about to give up and return to the tavern when he saw something strange. At a flash of lightening he saw a figure standing just outside the town.
He had not found her anywhere else so he decided to go and see if that was indeed Nienna.

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Her eyes were now open, still gold in the flashing light. She let the storm fill her being, her heart pounded along with the thunder, her mind and body was filled with the flashing lightening. It was glorious. She was soaking wet, her dress clinging to her small form. The hair that wasn't thrashing in the wind was plastered across her face. She made no move to push it away.

He passed through the gates and moved close to see that it was Nienna. She was standing, her hair flying behind her due to the wind, she was soaked in a dress that Niko hadn't seen before. The lightning crashed again and it gave her an almost surreal look.
Slightly intimidated, he called to her. ''Nienna!''

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She heard her name, and turned as the lightening flashed again, her gold eyes spotted Niko. She stared. She was amazed he had come after her. She didn't know what to say. She felt a sudden burn of tears, but refused to let them fall. She was still a bit frustrated. He had clearly enjoyed the attentions of the other woman. Nienna was suddenly shy. She had no idea what she should do. She just stood and stared at him, her lips slightly parted.

He walked towards her. ''Come inside out of the rain'
He could see that she wasn't quite herself. He hadn't realized that his earlier antics would upset her so. After removing his cloak and throwing it over her shoulders he took her hand, hoping she would follow him.

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She shrank away a bit when he approached, but she allowed him to put his cloak over her shoulders and lead her back to the inn. She remained mute, her eyes kept on the ground as they walked. He had been drunk, she thought with some amount of comfort at his earlier actions, but then realized that he hadn't been drunk yet when Elanor had plopped into his lap. They reached the inn, and she wondered if they would go up to the room or remain downstairs. She glanced over quickly, and groaned inwardly. Elanor was headed their way. Nienna slipped her hand from his, knowing Elanor would indeed be irate if she saw that.

Elanor approached them and stood in front of Nienna as if to block her from view. ''As dearest Niko, where are you headed?''
She put her arms around him and press her body to his. Niko paused then put his hands on her hips. ''I am off upstairs'' he said while looking her in the eyes.
''Would you like company''? she asked.
''Of course I would'' He let his hands fall from her waist and went over and took Nienna's hand and led her up the stairs.
''I have it now. Do not follow''

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Nienna's gaze fell to the floor as Elanor wrapped her arms around Niko, and as his hands went to her hips. Then she gasped in surprise as he took her hand saying he already had company, and told Elanor not to follow. Nienna suddenly felt terrible. She had probably made his stay far less enjoyable than before, and she should have just accepted that men would be men no matter what. Guilt had her in a choke hold. They entered the room and she shrank back against the door. "I am sorry..." she whispered, apologizing for ruining his time. She had no right to act like that.

Niko gave her a curt nod before replying.'' I admit that I share some of the blame. I should not have allowed her to flirt in such a manner as it clearly upset you. But perhaps in the future you will remember that I am loyal to those I care about. I have more self control than to be swayed by the advances of a tart.'' He was serious, how she could think he would abandon after all they had been through annoyed him.

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"I ruined your time. The blame rests on me." she whispered as she shivered. Partly from cold, partly because she knew he was angry. She knew what men did when they were angry, it had happened all the time to her with the men she had known in the past. And she waited for it. Her head was down, her gaze on her bare feet. She had acted stupidly. Why didn't she let let him do what he wanted without gettin offended? She was disgusted with herself. It had been no one's fault but hers. Her hands were limp at her sides. All the fight and anger gone; replaced by guilt.

He looked at her, still annoyed. He could see she was upset, and she shivered. He then realized she was in wet clothes, probably freezing. Silently he got up and picked up a towel and put it over her, rubbing her shoulders in an attempt to keep her warm.
He avoided her gaze as he did it, yet some of his anger was leaving him.

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She tensed, not knowing why he was doing this. She remained mute. Her gaze still on the floor. Her face held no emotion, she would show none. Lightening lit up the room momentarily. She didn't move. She remained frozen, letting him use the towel on her. In her mind she was cursing herself, of course he would want to flirt with Elanor. She was gorgeous. Nienna had said before he could keep his freedom, and from now on she would not allow herself to react in a way that would seem as though she was taking it away.

He slowly began to dry her, still neither of them speaking. He took her lightly and led her to the bed to sit down. He got up and stoked the fireplace so as to make the room warmer.
After starting a warm fire for the night, he moved and knelt in front of her and began to dry her feet, lest she become ill. As he did that he spoke ''I allowed Elanor to do what she did because I was just having fun, there was no meaning in it for me. It is you I love, no other could hope to take your place. ''
He took her other foot and began to dry it, letting his words sink in.

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She stared out the window at the raging storm. "I know." her voice was soft, yet her spirit seemed to have gone out of her. "You can do whatever you wish. I have not the right to stop you." she wanted to jerk her feet away, she didn't deserve to have him treat her so. But she remained absolutely still. She hoped he knew that she didn't blame him or Elanor.