Ten

I walked into the training area then saw the Glaives, but I noticed Nyx was sitting with his friends again. Crowe saw me first and gave me a soft smile, making Nyx turn as his friends looked at me. I went over then set down the lunch bag.

"Uh, spiced steaks like at my apartment." I said and he nodded, looking at the bag.

"Nyx-"

"You have fun at that auction?" He asked as he looked at me then I sighed, forcing a smile.

"Yeah, and I actually got someone to go with me. Since you were so busy with prince guarding." I spit then he looked at me confused.

"What's wrong?" He asked as he stood then I laughed, not noticing some of the Glaives watching us.

"I saw you there, Nyx! And with a pair of second generation royal kukris, so how the hell did you afford those, hmm?! Oh wait, that's right, you weren't there! You were off with the pretty prince and his gunslinger, right?!" I said then he glared.

"Hey, I went there-"

"Yet you couldn't go with me, right?!" I yelled and he growled.

"I was there to see you and yet-"

"Yet, I found someone else there instead. You know, I know that Tommy isn't exactly the best guy ever, but you didn't have to put him in jail just to get him away from me!" I said then his eyes went wide.

"So, you enjoy your lunch. It'll be the last one that I bring to you for awhile. I've got a vacation to enjoy." I said and went to walk away, but he caught my wrist. I spun around then slapped him, making the room go silent as a red handprint formed on his cheek.

"I tried, Nyx! I tried so fucking hard to be close to you! Hell, I found you priceless antiques and just gifted them to you! Do you really think people just do that for anyone?! Gods, how stupid was I to think that you even had a shred of feelings for me?!" I growled then he looked at me and was faced with my crying face, not that I even cared anymore.

"From now on, don't come to my shop, don't come to my apartment, and don't expect me to bring you food anymore!" I spit then turned, leaving and being sure to ignore everyone on my way out.

~*-*~

I watched the marlboro cartoon, fire in my hand, but I heard someone knocking on my door. I ignored it in favor of wallowing in my own self pity, but the knocking persisted. I sighed, but tensed as I heard a key unlocking my door. Only Crowe and Libertus have keys to my apartment, just wonderful.

"Oh gods, what is that smell?!" Crowe cried then I heard coughing, but I didn't care.

"Nyx, when was the last time you showered?!"

"Or cleaned?!" Libertus chimed, but I ignored them. I could feel the beard and mustache that I had grown pushing against my hand as I held my cheek, but Crowe came over and I slightly winced as she opened my curtains.

"Nyx, what the hell is on your face?" Libs asked as he eyed me, though I continued to stare at the cartoon on the TV behind him.

"She's back, you know. Back from her vacation." Crowe said then sighed as she faced me, holding her hips.

"Nyx, please, get up and shower. Shave, get some actual sleep, something. Please." She said then went to grab my arm, but I glared and she stopped.

"Nyx-"

"She doesn't want to see me, so I won't go outside." I said then closed my fist, the fire dying out as I did.

"Nyx, they're sending Elea to the shop now. She- Sorrentina has been to the Citadel almost every day since the last time he went, which was like, last month. Which you would know, if you bothered to come into work at all." Crowe said and huffed.

"You're lucky Cor is so understanding, otherwise he would have fired you by now." She said then I looked up at her and slowly stood.

"Understanding? What is there to understand? I was an idiot, I tried to correct it, it backfired in my face. Sorren-" I stopped as my legs shook then I sat back down, sighing as I held my head.

"You can't even stand up now." Libertus said and I glared up at him.

"Why do you think that is?"

"The Nyx we knew wouldn't blame others for his problems, he would take care of them himself." Crowe said then shook her head as she kneeled down in front of me.

"But I guess this isn't that Nyx, right? No, this is the Nyx who hates everyone and blames everyone for his problems." She whispered then stood, going to the door and slamming it behind her.

"Nyx, you hurt Sorrentina and Crowe. You hurt both of them, and you've gotta make it right. I don't know how you plan to do that, but I'm going to talk to Sorren, try and get her to talk to you again." He said, but I didn't care as he left and shut the door much more softly behind him.

~*-*~

I sighed as Libertus came in then I set my pen down and he stopped in front of me.

"Libertus-"

"He's not himself, Sorrentina. Please, talk to him-"

"He lied to me and hurt me. You need to get out, now. I don't want any of you here." I said then glanced at the stacks of books, but he didn't catch the movement.

"I don't really care what you think he did or didn't do, he tried-"

"Get out!" I yelled then he glared and turned, slamming the door behind him as he left.

"Good girl." Tommy cooed as he came over and ran my hair through his fingers. I glanced at my granny, who's body laid on the floor under the old desk with the roll down top, then Tommy leaned down next to my ear as I forced myself not to cry.

"Now, let's see just how good your mouth is after time away from practice."