Dungeons

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Huh." Aelin said pulling the jerky away from her mouth with a piece falling out.

"Eat properly." Levi said hitting her on the back of the head.

"What? Why did 21 say no one is going to take it from you?. Rowan asked looking confused and Levi sighed running a hand over his face.

"You two were growling whilst eating your meat again." Petra smiled and the twins shrugged.

"We're foxes get over it 88." The sighed oddly in sync before going back to the meat.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic smirked in fondness, rolling his eyes. He could just imagine what his old tutors would say if they caught him eating like that, they would probably have an aneurism! Smiling again he finished off his own food and water then stood up and placed the bowls just outside of his cell bars, in easy reach for Petra. Aelic then retreated to the back of his cell to lean against the wall, watching. He was glad that the others were getting fed more food, they would need it soon.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

Rowan finished his smalker portion and Petra gave Levi and Aelin a small netted bag of food for later knowing that they would need it. "I have to go now. I am watching the non fangerous tonight and I know who is in your first fight 88." She sighed looking down.

"Tch what do I care I'll eat their insides either way." He remarked hanging the bag of food from where his harness was on the roof whilst he put it back on quickly.

"You have the cricket boy. He is fighting to get the horse boy out and I don't know how that would work but hey what do I know." She giggled lightly and Levi raised a brow.

"I wonder what human crickets taste like." He mused shocking Petra and she moved on quickly. V

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic tensed at the mention of the fights, listening carefully, face blank. He hated the fact that they had to do this, had to pretend like it didn't bother them. That these fights don't traumatise them and mentally/emotionally scar them. They even refuse to use their names down here, trying to isolate the person that kills from who they really are. Its sick. And now Levi will have to kill again, some poor little cricket boy who's only sin was living. Aelic watched as Petra left, obviously disturbed by Levi's words. 'When?' He asked Levi, wanting to know how long they have left before the others are temporarily 'lost' to him.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Her first fight is tomorrow at dusk." Levi said and Aelin nodded.

"I then have two more fights then 88 will fight. Then I have two or three more then that team fight they want us to do. During that time the two of us may not even be human at all." She sighed dropping her head in her hands.

"You know how to fight that side of you but you have to keep your promise. You too Huntsman." Levi threatened rowan who raised his hands in defense.

"When we remeber all of our triggered battles we will come to you as promised." He said before he finished his meat and water.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic nodded at the information, fixing up the timetable of fights he had been creating in his head. He almost flinched when he heard that the twins eventually remembered their triggered battles. It would make sense that they would (after all, how would they know what happened during it etc if they didn't), but it was still horrifying (and way more confronting when you were actually here). 'What can I do?' He firmly asked the others. intent on helping his friends no matter what.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Re writing history would be nice." Levi joked in his normal tone.

"I didn't know snakes could do that." Aelin said and Rowan looked in thought.

"I knew you were different." He muttered and Levi raised a brow at the two.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic laughed loudly, shaking his head and grinning. Oh these two!! '88 was just joking! There's no way I can re-write history!' He said in the midst of laughter, trying to keep it quiet. Wiping his eyes he grinned at Levi, amused fondness for the twins evident in his gaze.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Aww that would have been nice if you could have." Aelin muttered and Rowan sighed.

"Stop doing that to us 88 it's not fair." Rowan scolded and Levi shrugged.

"There is nothing that the snake can do to stop you guys gaining control over you animalistic sides like I did years ago." Levi started.

"But there is no controlling that side you said so yourself." Aelin argued

"I'm talking about control over what you see and remember. When you guys start to remember your fights tell me because otherwise you two will be eaten by the guilt of killing those innocent cursed even if you had no control over yourselves." Levi explained looking at Rowan as Aelin got closer to him and hugged him through the bars.

"I don't want to get eaten." She said softly and Levi patted her head.

"I won't let that happen." He sighed and she nodded before letting go and sighing. "Do you want me to hold onto your spare food for you? Keep it off the ground?" He asked and she nodded feeling around the ground before picking it up and passing Levi the bag. He hung it up where his boots were as he slipped them back on clipping them to his harness before putting his cravat and jacket back on.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic gritted his teeth during the conversation, sadness for the twins fate overruling his anger for now. He hated this. He hoped that he would be able to help the twins also and would do what he could. For now, he would try and steer the conversation away from this draining topic (what needed to be said has been said, no point continuing it and making them all depressed). '88, why do you wear that?' He asked Levi, genuinely curious about the strange attire.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Well I wear the cravat and the badge on my shoulder because they were my fathers. I watched as he died from my venom but he told me that it was ok. It wasn't my fault and he gave them to me. He tore the badge from above his heart and tore the cravat from his throat before giving them to me. He told me to take care of them since they were his way of watching over me. I guess it is a little odd to still have them at my age but it is all I have from the outside. The guards built the rest of the suit or costume from the patch and incorporated the cravat for me. Well when I say the guards I mean Petra she makes all of our outfits and costumes for us and she saw how dearly attached I was to them when I was moved to the third floor and the guards were going to throw them away." He sighed touching the cravat and holding his shoulder. "I think that Petra thought it was a childhood club or something and thought that if she put the same badge on the twins it would make me happy to see that old club together again but it didn't work. I can't even feel happiness anymore or emotion in general. The twins are almost the same way I give it about five more years before they loose all emotion." He said looking down when Aelin hugged him through the bars again.

"Your life has been so hard. Ours doesn't even begin to compare." She started before Levi shook his head, his hair tickling her nose.

"No my life was happy before I came here yours was full of hardship and trouble. I was a lucky one to survive all that time without being discovered." He said trying to smile failing miserably but the attempt was enough for him.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic nodded in understanding, pity in his eyes. No one deserved to watch their family die. He was pleased though that Levi had something to remember his father by, it was better than nothing. His opinion of Petra again went up when he heard she was involved in saving something so valuable to the spider. He watched in sad disagreement as Levi talked about his emotions, or lack thereof. And the fact that Aelin immediately tried to comfort him after made his heart lurch a little. All of them, they had no idea how strong they actually were. They had no idea that so many people had broken from less, and here they were, still surviving and going strong. Perhaps a little damaged sure, but not broken. 'Your lives have been hard, but you are strong. All of you.' He said quietly yet firmly, knowledge eyes hard in conviction.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"We have to be strong. It's be strong or die both in the head and in the body. Of we break down completely we could become animals or worse still become a pet of the guards." Aelin sighed running a hand through her hair as she let go of Levi. "Even so if we stay strong we may just become empty shells of who we used to be."

"To survive this place when you are a dangerous cursed is to become a killer, die or simply hollow yourself out by removing anything that can betray you, love and happiness are the first to go and soon all you left with is someone like me." Levi said dropping his head as he leaned against the bars.

"Even the days were we are truly strong both in body and mind are the days where we feel like we have failed. Snake if you want to know what hell is like. You found it, this place is hell." Rowan said as he leaned against the back wall of his cell with his arms over his just ankles hooked over the other and his head down.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic listened to the others words, sadness in his heart. What Aelin and Rowan said was true. This place was indeed hell, and if you weren't strong, you would break. That is the sort of place this is, the weak do not survive. However, he did not agree with Levi. True, it was much harder for the three of them to feel happiness and love, but it is not gone. Not completely. Levi has buried his so far away he thinks it dead and gone, but Aelic can see that's not true. A time will come when they shall all feel again (though not now). 'Perhaps.' was all he said, before walking over to the back corner of his cell and sitting in lotus position, eyes on the stone ceiling above them.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"How are your wounds you two its the last thing I remember. I saw you two drop then nothing." Rowan said as Aelin and Levi looked at eachother before Levi smirked.

"We're fine just some cuts and bruises nothing we arent familiar with." Levi shrugged.

"You'll need to change your pants you have blood on them. You too sister." Rowan shrugged and she shook her head.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

'Sitting in blood soaked clothing must be uncomfortable. Perhaps Petra will bring you some more?' Aelic asked, thinking on how they would summon the woman since they had no extra clothes that Aelic could see.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"We will change later when Petra and Eyebrows come to take us to go shower. They are kind enough to let us shower allowing us to keep our wounds clean and prevent infection." Levi shrugged and Aelin frowned.

"Eyebrows?" She asked. "Why would someone name their human child Eyebrows?"

"His really name is Erwin but his eyebrows are so big that we call him eyebrows." Levi explained.

"Darn you miss all the good stuff being the way I am." She sighed

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic's eyebrows rose in surprised amusement at that. He would never have thought they would be allowed to shower! Though its not for them really, its so the guards don't lose their entertainment. Still, he had doubted they were smart enough to think that far ahead, who knew! He suppressed a giggle at the nickname for Erwin, knowing then and there that he will never call the man Erwin again, though couldn't stop the smile. His smile dropped though at Aelin's words. In a way it was true. She missed out on so much. But she gained some stuff to. 'Maybe not.' He said gently with a shrug.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"I'm sorry but when brother pulls a stupid face at me because I've done something stupid makes me feel like I miss out. On the other hand none of you can tell each other apart by heartbeat, I also can tell what plants are poisonous just by smelling them so it kinda evens out." She shrugged and Rowan pulled a silly face whilst she stared blankly at him making Levi smirk lightly.

"Stop that huntsman you've made your point." He said shaking his head

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

It was understandable that Aelin felt that way (cause it was kinda true), but he was glad she could see the good side of things too. However, he didn't voice any of that or pay attention to Rowan because he was busy thinking on what Aelin had last said. 'You can tell poisonous plants by their smell?!' Aelic asked incredulous and very impressed. That was so cool!

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

Aelin smirked and gave a small nod. "Yeah it's kinda hard to explain how the scents differ but brother can tell plants apart by looking at them." She shrugged it wasn't that big a deal to her.

"Give yourself some credit I only knew that some of the plants were poisonous because you had told me before." Rowan frowned and Aelin looked shocked.

"Really. I don't believe it. I can't be true." She said shaking her head.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

'Snow, that's very impressive! Huntsman is right, give yourself some credit.' Aelic said with a smile, thinking about how smart the twins were when it came to stuff like that. As a new thought entered his mind he ducked his head, immediately shy yet still wanting to ask. 'Could..could you guys teach me?' He asked hopefully.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"I am perfectly willing to teach you but there are some small issues number one...." Aelin started

"We are not allowed out side. Number two....." Rowan continued

"If you are not on the garden crew you can not bring plant life into your room. Number three...."

"Would you two stop that. We get it your in each others heads, you can tell what the other is thinking." Levi snapped.

"Number three. Plant life in our rooms make a mess and 88 won't like it." Aelin finished frowning at Levi.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic couldn't help but giggle at the twins antics, even though he was a little sad. 'I see. That's ok. Thanks anyway.' He said with a smile. Perhaps when they escape the twins will be able to teach him stuff, but for now, he would have to wait. As he thought of escape, another question popped into his head. 'Where have you guys been? Outside I mean. Cities and stuff?'

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"A lot of places. We never stayed anywhere long but I can't tell you many names. We liked the mountain areas in summer and spring when it was warm enough for me to walk around freely." Rowan said holding his chin with his forefinger and thumb and a slight frown.

"There were other regions that we visited durning the other times of the year as well. Brother do you remember the sea village?" She asked and Rowan smirked.

"Which one, the one where I was worried that you would walk off a cliff or the one where we learnt how to fight for the first time?" He asked.

"They were different? Well I mean the one where we sat on someone's roof and you told me what the sunset looked like." She said gazing off it did almost look like she could she.

"That was when we were training I had a black eye and you had a split lip from running into a wall of all things." He chuckled.

"I was very dizzy that day and we all know how you are when your dizzy. Let's just say it is worse for me ok." Aelin justified.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic's wide smile was tinged with excitement and sadness as he pictured all the places the twins had been. Oh how he wished to be out there! To go see new places and do new things! He wished to go outside more than anything. 'Wow..' He said slightly dazed sounding, 'What's the sea like? Is it really salty?' He asked, trying to picture it in real life, but it was hard because every author described it differently.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"The sea it's really big and the waves change everyday. Some days they are big others they are small most of the time when they come closer to the land the edges of them turn white and foamy. The sea is very salty but the smell of the salt water isn't overpowering it just mixes in with the village. If there was no sea that village would not be the same." Rowan explained to Aelic and Aelin smirked lightly at the memory.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic smiled again, incorporating the twins explanation into what he had gathered from authors. The sea sounded marvellous! 'That's amazing! What do mountains look like? Are they as big as the books say? What about deserts? Have you seen them?' He asked, curious about all the different landscapes he had only ever heard of. To him, it was almost impossible to imagine water that vast, or a rock that big.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Mountains can be huge there was one that took us four days to climb but we had so much fun we spent half the time playing tag as we ran up the mountain." Aelin reminisced.

"Having those other kids around did make it better and we wouldn't know what the books say snake. I can barely read and Sister can't." Rowan stated.

"Is a desert a giant sand pit because we were told welcome to the worlds biggest sand pit once. There was sand every where. We spent days getting it out of our hair and clothes." Aelin asked.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic giggled at the stories, imagining a younger Aelin and Rowan running up a mountain or playing in a desert. 'Sounds fun!' He said with a smile, before turning curious eyes on Levi. 'What about you 88?' He asked, knowing the man would have some stories he couldn't tell now but wanting to know if there was any he could tell.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"We travelled some no where special just around. My brother was obsessed with becoming a doctor and getting away from the family farm. We ran chickens had the largest farm in the country and had a few farm hands but we never used the money we made for maids and stuff. I don't know what's become of the farm though my sister might run it or my brother I was supposed to but then I left." Levi sighed getting into his hammock and laying down.

"What colour were the chickens you ran?" Rowan asked

"A reddish brown colour and the roosters had green tails. They were hardy bird since we lived in the cooler parts." Levi explained.

"Was your farm free ranged with huge buildings that were nice and warm?" Aelin asked and Levi raised a brow.

"Yes and the chickens were large birds called Buckeyes." He said sitting up.

"We were there about three months before we came here. There was a woman running it with an older woman and they were kind enough to us to give us something to eat and a place to stay a couple of nights." Rowan said pointing at Levi.

"Well you saw my families farm then." Levi smirked shaking his head. "Who knew."

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic smiled at that information, trying to imagine Levi's farm. It sounded nice. As the twins began to ask more specific questions it hit him. The twins may have been there too! They were family after all, so it was a high probability. He wondered if they remembered it, but then his question was swiftly answered. Seems they did remember it, but not from childhood. They had made their way back there, what a small world! 'What a coincidence huh! It's a small world..' Aelic said with a smile, eyes flicking briefly to Levi before roving back to the twins.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"That it is. How did you two get past the fence? It was tall and ran a good few feet underground to stop foxes getting in." Levi asked

"I tossed Sister over and she dragged me with her. We can show you later." Rowan shrugged.

"I did get snagged on the fence through so we didn't get in cleanly. The young woman was kind though she gave me a new shirt said it was from her younger brother. I was wearing your shirt when I got here." Aelin smirked with a slight giggle.

"You wore one shirt for three months?" Levi grimaced.

"Yeah but we went swimming so it got cleaned a few times." Rowan shrugged.

"At least you change every day here." Levi groaned.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic winced along with Levi but couldn't help laughing. The whole situation was kinda funny, and Levi's face just made it even funnier. 'Where was your farm 88? Payat?' He asked, thinking about all he knew regarding the city and its surrounding agricultural area.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Just outside of Payat. Payat it's self is a city and since the farm took up too much space we had to be outside the city." Levi explained and the twins nodded.

"How did you?" Aelin started to ask.

"Know that you were going to ask what I mean by just outside of Payat? You thought the snake could re-write history." Levi shrugged

"Doesn't mean we didn't know that Payat was a city." Rowan countered.

"You two said you have been many places but can't name them and more importantly everyone thinks that Payat covers the surrounding farm land but it doesn't." Levi explained and the twins nodded again in understanding.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic nodded in understanding and agreement. He had also known that, but everyone just calls the surrounding farm land Payat as well, since it was easier (though that makes stuff like this confusing). Aelic thought Levi had explained that very well to the twins. Talking about cities though had him curious as to whether either Levi or the twins had been anywhere else. 'Have any of you been to Hasseln?' He asked, thinking on Aiden's capitol.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Yeah father took me on one of his business trips for the farm." Levi shrugged.

"We wouldn't know unless you could show us the city." Rowan sighed leaning against the back wall.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

'What's it like?' He asked Levi, ignoring the twins for now in his pursuit of knowledge. His eyes shone with anticipation as all the stories he had heard about their main city ran through his head.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Huge. Busy. Trust me when I say the books make it sound cleaner and more civil than it actually is." Levi shrugged. "It smells like feet and pig farms. No matter where you go you feel like your covered in grime unless you get into the fine parts of the city where you can feel the music seeping into your bones and it smells like." Levi said before trying to find the right bloom.

"Carnations and chrysanthemums." Aelin filled in.

"So you have been there." Levi stated.

"I just needed to jog my memory. The finery parts of town where fun I danced in the streets with brother one night." She smirked at the memory before twirling like a ballerina a couple time slowly.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic smiled at the image the three conjured, trying to imagine it. 'The finer parts sound wonderful!....I hope I can visit there one day....The nice parts at least!' He said with a grin, eyes tracking Aelin's movements. 'Where did you learn to dance anyway Snow?' Her movements looked way to practised to be sheer natural talent.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"I don't really know. Brother described it to me and I copied it as best as I could." She explained with a frown.

"She looked just like the dancers from the." Rowan said trying to find the right word.

"Dance studio? Theatre?" Levi offered.

"Theatre. Some of them actually said that she should be a dancer because she was so graceful and one tied a flower in her hair." Rowan reminisced.

"It's funny because two weeks later we went into training and learnt to become killers." Aelin shrugged.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic was impressed at her talent, and couldn't help smiling at the thought of Aelin and Rowan in a theatre. His smile wavered when he heard that they went into training two weeks later, seeing what could have been and what society forced them to become. Still, he was kinda (in a extremely horrible way), glad for it, else they would have died a long time ago. 'You still dance beautifully Snow. If you ever want a partner, I know a little bit.' He offered, not commenting on Rowans words (what would be the point).

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"I haven't danced in years I would need to practice before we could dance." Aelin shrugged.

"I could watch you and tell you where you go wrong sister just like old times." Rowan offered.

"Yeah that would be nice." She agreed.

"I never knew you could dance Snow. I also watched the dancers I could help you as well." Levi offered even through he had taken dance lessons for years and still remember all of it.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

'I'm a little rusty (haven't practised in a while), but that sounds fun!' Aelic said excitedly as the other two boys offered Aelin their help. 'Now, where would we practise?' He wondered out loud to himself, quickly dismissing all the places he had been to here at the old palace.....wait a minute! Aelic mentally scoffed and rolled his eyes. This used to be a palace! Of course their would be a dance room somewhere! 'Do any of you know where the dance room is?' He asked, going over his mental map of both this place and the new palace, crossing off unlikely areas etc.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"There's a dance room?" Aelin asked raising an eyebrow.

"We practice fighting with 88 there. Very few people ever go there." Rowan explained.

"Oh the room with good sound where I can hear you two whisper from across the room." She nodded.

"Yeah that's the one. Never again will we try to plan to something for you whilst we are all in the same room. Scratch that on the same floor." Levi smirked.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic laughed at that, amused by the image and excited the room was still there. 'Brilliant! We can practise there!' He said happily, grinning at the others. 'What were you guys planning anyway?' He asked curiously, head tilting to the side like usual.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Nothing important." Rowan shrugged quickly.

"They were planning a surprise for me years ago whilst they were fighting hoping that the slapping of skin on skin and the other noises that go with a figgt would cover their hushed tones. It didnt work as well as they thought." Aelin shrugged.

"Hey we got you outside without the gloves and shoes for an hour didn't we?" Levi defended.

"Yeah you did it was really nice to be outside on the grass for a while." She smirked lightly.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic laughed lightly, a small smile on his face. 'Sounds nice....' he said wistfully, lost in daydreams for a moment before clearing his head with a shake. Suddenly feeling stiff, he stood up to stretch, casually going into a backwards bridge then standing up with a sigh. 'You guys got any more interesting stories to pass the time?' he asked curiously, knowing that the guards would be coming soon and not wanting to wallow etc.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"How many times do we have to tell you snake stop talking to us. If can't handle blood then why are you down here?" Aelin snapped hearing the distant footsteps of two people.

"Why would you deal to keep him out of the games if you didn't like him? Hmm Snow answer that one." Erwin asked leaning close to her cage.

"He's cute and I dont really care for snake." She shrugged as Erwin opened her cell and she walked forward.

"Be kind Erwin the girl has enough to deal with down here without having to deal with hormones and being a women." Petra smiled taking Aelins arms and cuffing them together. "Lets go." Petra said walking off with Aelin following her anf Erwin bringing up the rear.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic had sensed the guards heat signatures just a moment after Aelin and quickly rearranged his face into a cold, yet slightly hurt expression. Just in time! He thought darkly, watching as Erwin sauntered up to Aelin's cage with a twisted grin. His snake eyes narrowed slightly as Erwin unlocked her cage, and Petra cuffed her. Aelic briefly felt gratitude for Petra for her words, yet that feeling was quickly replaced with dark worry as Aelin was lead away, the cuffs around his wrists glinting evilly in the dim light.
Once he was absoloutly sure the guards were gone, he quickly turned to the others, eyebrow raised, a question evident in his eyes.