Enzo is easily not a person who labors in reading people, because usually a quick once over of body language is all he needs to know before engaging. Honestly, this is the thief in him; judging how easy a target could be if he plays his cards right. However, after his comment on true love, he did notice a very brief flicker of emotion in Ruina’s eyes. It was too quick for him to decide what emotion, but at least it didn’t seem negative. Or so he hoped anyway, but usually when Ruina’s experiencing a negative emotion it’s fairly easy to pick up on.

“I wonder if the Kobold is a massive creature? Kind of like a dragon?” Enzo only watched the girls with a slightly raised brow. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to dive into what his own imagination was capable of manifesting in terms of something utterly horrifying. Even if he did, Enzo would keep that vision to himself. Attention for any and all things is more of Ikaris’ thing, while Enzo really went where his mood took him. Today he’s feeling rather mellow, tomorrow could very well be a different story though. “We should move on… I don’t like talking about such a creature.” Enzo was almost thankful for that, but he did turn his eyes to Ikaris who seemed to be in thought about the Kobold as well. Enzo knew exactly what horrible picture of the creature Ikaris’ mind had painted for him though; a chicken.

"Sometimes animals only care for emotions that could keep them alive. The world is a crazy place, especially for full blooded animals, well prey mainly. Imagine not only having to fear the full blooded predators but also the wereanimals that are predators. It probably scares the shit out of them. Could you imagine if we all got stuck in our animal forms? It would definitely be interesting." Ikaris mulled over Ruina’s words before formulating his own response. “True, although I have some reason to believe that there are people, and wereanimals, that also choose to only support certain emotions for their own self-preservation,” Ikaris said in a lighter tone to avoid sounding like he knew this from experience. “As for being stuck in our shifted forms? It would kind of suck if it were permanent, but a few days of tapping into the wild side sounds like fun.” Ikaris is already a creature that enjoys the freedoms of his eagle form. Catching a steady high altitude breeze over Ionoa and looking at everything below the clouds is always a pleasant experience.

”Alright, birdie. I'll be sure and remember your chicken-phobia next time the school takes us on a field trip." Ikaris scowled in Ruina’s direction before shaking his head. “It’s all fun and games until they get you.” He muttered under his breath. “You are a fierce predator of the sky and you call one of the only flightless birds, evil? Tell me, where did the chicken phobia come from? Did you fall into a coop of chickens and they attacked you?" Ikaris’ scowl did not drop, but he did huff. “A phobia implies an irrational fear, and mine is completely rational, so it’s not a phobia. Fierce predator or not, I’m not giving the chickens the satisfaction of underestimating them.” Ikaris replied defensively before taking a deeper breath. “When I was eight, it was my job to feed the neighbors chickens for a weekend. I did so, I fed them, everything was fine. On the last night I fed them I think I walked in on a meeting, or something like that. They were all walking in this creepy circle, quietly clucking away with one another. I tripped, it spooked them… a-anyway, the moral of the story is don’t trust chickens.” Ikaris wrapped up quickly, and Enzo chuckled in amusement. “They attacked him, and went so far as to chase him home and didn’t leave the outside of his house until his dad came out brandishing a broom. The moral of the story is don’t spook chickens.” Enzo managed to choke down laughter during his own summary, but let some slip towards the end. Ikaris’ expression of anger while muttering a variety of curses made it so much better for the crown prince.

"There is nothing wrong with pig and cow."

Enzo only smiled, resisting the urge to chuckle at the werewolf. “Best kind of meat out there." Ikaris shook his head in disagreement, “Smoked salmon, there’s nothing like it.” Enzo neither agreed or disagreed, since he can’t say he had much of a favorite kind of meat. As long as it didn’t taste rancid, and had the right kind of seasonings, it’s good enough for the wereleopard, though he has a small preference for gamier tasting meats. “Though I've never had anything like chimera... Or Pegasus... Or unicorn." Ikaris also shared a look of horror with Thaola, while Enzo nearly choked on the water he was drinking after an amused snort. Amber too looked a bit disgusted at the thought of ingesting the creatures Ruina listed. “Yeah, and I've also heard they only approach the purest of hearts. Besides, I already have bad luck in my life, what's a little more?" Enzo tilted his head slightly at Ruina. It’s not his place to inquire about bad luck she’s experienced, but he could share his own ideals. “Luck is a pretty restricting concept. I’ve heard a wiser man say things like good luck, bad luck, they’re all a matter of perspective. If you ask me, luck is paradoxical. Bad luck can be good luck, and good luck can be bad luck. So maybe that makes the wise man right.” Enzo finished before taking another drink of water. He’s been shown a time or two that something of bad circumstance can turn into an unforeseen positive, and vice versa. It’s not like he expected anyone else to believe what he did, but it doesn’t hurt to share.

"Too slow, cousin!"

Ikaris and Enzo, amid their own playful shoving match now, shared the amusement in listening to the werewolves teasing. “What do you mean? I beat you!" It was right after that Amber walked in, although at the moment she couldn’t stand with Enzo, so she moved to the sidelines. “No you didn't!" Amber now joined in with spectating the werewolves, though she hardly looked amused. "My feet are bigger than yours and the tip of my toes were inside before yours were." Ikaris snickered at that, but it did sound like something he would say in defense of a win. Both boys moved out of the way once the werewolves began their match, and soon enough Thaola jumped in. Enzo looked excitedly over at Ikaris, who shook his head. “Uh-uh, nope. I am not spending forever tonight preening my feathers.” Ikaris protested at Enzo’s enticing gleam. “What are you… chicken? I never thought you would stoop to their cowardly level. Guess I was wrong.” Enzo shrugged before turning his back to shift into his half and half form to join the Truhan’s, only to get knocked forward by a strong force. “I’ve always been able to shift faster than you.” Ikaris gloated as his winged arms pressed back down against his sides. “And I’ve always been the better fighter.” Enzo shot back before pouncing at the wereeagle, and hitting his target.

Both boys naturally went for the other's easier accessible assets; Enzo after Ikaris’ wings, and Ikaris after Enzo’s eyes. The two collided in a small roll as Enzo used his own weight paired with using his tail for balance to get Ikaris down and onto his back, to which the wereagle gave a powerful kick with his talons that forced the wereleopard back and into the mix of the Truhan’s. Ikaris was quick to jump in as well to get back to Enzo, although the wereeagle was flicking his wings in and out to mess with anyone he could. Amber found a place to sit away from the child’s play, and she watched with her head resting in one hand. She certainly didn’t understand the point of such violent play, nor did she care to try. The werefox wasn’t a coward per say, she just didn’t see how getting herself injured in any way was beneficial. Besides, the last thing she wanted was to acquire a mark of imperfection before seeing her mother again. Amber couldn’t bear being her mother’s disappointment, and nothing would get her to jeopardize her current standing.

"Seems humans and animals don't have that much differences, perhaps that is why the beings of wereanimals came to be."

Ikaris too shrugged at that. If the origin of wereanimals was ever discussed, in History probably, well Ikaris was renown for not paying attention in any class that didn’t involve physical activity. It’s not like he can help it though, since his head is usually almost always stuck up in the clouds. His habit of skipping classes doesn’t help either. "No doubt the bird would feel comfortable stuck in his shifted form. Flying high above the sky." Ikaris smiled as if Thaola had given him a compliment. There’s so much to love about flying… except at night. An eagle’s vision is really no better than an average human’s at night. Ikaris learned that the hard way. “Being stuck as a lion?" Ikaris wasn’t exactly sure how being stuck as a lion could be that bad. They were big scary kitties, ones that had quite the meow to them to put it simply. “I think being stuck as a wolf wouldn't be too bad. We're predators and pack animals, so it's not like we would struggle for survival too much.” That had more of Enzo and Amber’s attention. Both were considered to be more solitary, which if Enzo is being completely honest he could do perfectly fine sustaining himself independently. Leopards themselves were known for doing everything without a partner of any kind, although admittedly being a wereanimal is nice in the sense that he has the ability to accept some help. Not too much though, that would damage his reputation.

“Chickens? Are you kidding? I hunt chickens."

Ikaris only shook his head with a judgmental expression etched onto his face. He certainly didn’t appreciate the laughter. It’s not funny! How they could laugh at such gruesomeness went above Ikaris’ head. That vindictive little flare to him wanted to keep such laughter in mind… but he would let it go, only because he actually liked those laughing. If he didn’t, anyone could bet Ikaris would get an unnecessarily malicious revenge just to make a point. Just because he smiles and laughs doesn’t mean he’s a saint after all. That’s why Amber wasn’t laughing. She may have really burned him when they were kids, but Ikaris didn’t go without burning her back. It was definitely enough to send Amber the message that Ikaris is someone worth fearing if you push him hard enough. The burned bridge between the two of course had the capability to come to light one day, but it’s mutually buried for now. “Don't spook chickens. Got it." Ikaris looked at Ruina with a light glower. “I'm not trying to mock, swear it.” Clearly Ikaris wasn’t buying it, to which he gave a more sassy “Mhm, whatever you say puppy face.” “Oh, Rui, even if you did mean to... I'm sure we all woulda gotten a laugh outta it." Ikaris’ glower moved to Thaola, before he finally rolled his eyes and gave up on the conversation. Some people just won’t get it until they fall victim to the chickens.

Ikaris definitely took offense to the werewolves' nose wrinkling at his preferred dish. Even if Thaola hadn’t agreed, at least she had the decency to not visibly yuck his yum. Enzo held back a smile, while Amber was basically ignoring everyone but one person's existence. She was at the point she didn’t care what the rest of the group even thought of her anymore. In the early days of the group she got along better with the Truhan’s with a brief friendship, but that’s really as far as she went when it came to putting in effort with them. So naturally it dwindled further from then on.

“I wouldn't actually go hunt down a chimera, pegasus or a unicorn. Calm down, bird, cat. I have my preferred diet and most of the time, I stick to it. Chimera and any kind of horse is not on the diet."

Enzo flashed a small smile at Ikaris, who looked a little more eased at Ruina’s words. “Well of course she wouldn’t go out of her way to hunt them… she never said she wouldn’t eat any of them if the opportunity presented itself though. Everyone’s diet has a few exceptions; mine is crumb cake.” Everything about Enzo’s tone was playful, despite the fake seriousness to his expression. The wereleopard had a bit of a known sweet tooth as well, in moderation that is. Too much intake of sweets just makes him sick. “You’re just saying that because you’re an opportunistic hunter, so you think like one.” Ikaris cut in. It is true, Enzo could find peace napping in a tree along a game trail until a creature that he could easily take down walks underneath. All it would take is for his silent drop onto the creature to earn him a clean kill that he can haul right back up into the tree. Enzo’s instincts aren’t big on chasing unless it’s necessary for survival, so he rarely joins the prey hunts. Why go to the prey when it can come to you? He prefers to work smarter, not harder. “I just call it bad luck just to make it simple." Enzo gave a ghostly smile with a light shrug. “Then excuse my lengthy philosophy; bad luck works.”

The boys weren’t too concerned with the snarl from Ruina, though the more cat-like nature in Enzo gave a warning hiss. It’s definitely easier to fall into the mindset of his leopard when he’s half shifted, but even more so when he’s fully shifted. Not to the point of being feral or anything, but just those instincts specific to his animal wake up and demand to be seen. It’s really the human consciousness that’s still active in both those forms that prevents him from fully succumbing to instinct. Though Enzo suspected that was the balance in most, if not all, wereanimals. Catching the sight of Thaola, Enzo’s pupils dilated as his tail flicked a few times before he pounced up to meet her. Enzo’s front paws unsheathed their claws once they made contact, but his back claws were always unsheathed. Enzo used the momentum from his pounce to try and knock Thaola onto her side. A single beat of Ikaris’ wings sent him lightly airborne before his talons managed to sink into Enzo’s shoulders before the wereleopard twisted and flipped them in a blur so Ikaris was the one lined up to take some of Thaola’s heat. Hey, the wereleopard knew how to use defensive tactics to his advantage. It’s not like Ikaris would take it to heart.

Amber looked bored at best, and a few times her eyes would move from the scene as if she were embarrassed for them all. The werefox wasn’t grateful enough to even remotely see the grace of Tarron’s neutrality towards her. Amber had her own entourage of somewhat fake friends elsewhere, though she was lightly ridiculed for being associated with this group. More times than one she has tried to sway Enzo to distance himself from the group by parading him around her other friend circle, as if the crown prince on her arm was some one of a kind toy she won in a festival game. Needless to say Enzo did not take well to being treated like a show animal, so often he embarrassed her by flirting with the other girls in her friend group in front of her. Most girls were highly receptive to being the focus of his flirtatious side, and he used that to his advantage if it meant slyly turning them on Amber. Being manipulative is something Enzo has little remorse for, so if toying a little with heart strings just to cut them is what he feels he needs to do, then he’ll do just that. It’s far nicer compared to Amber’s attempts to gaslight Enzo though just to twist his sense of reality in order to get her way with him. For now though Amber was letting Enzo have his fun… since she liked to think she controlled his allowance of certain things, despite Enzo proving that delusion wrong often. She’s really just letting herself boil for the “talk” she planned on having with him tonight, which as Enzo remarked prior to, would just end in a nasty argument.

“Believe me if you wish, bird, or don't. It's not my feelings that are hurt."

Ikaris gave a small scoff before childishly kicking at the ground. “My feelings aren’t hurt, they’re bruised. The difference is I’ll be over bruised feelings in a matter of minutes… seconds if I’m really feeling all over the place.” Ikaris shrugged after his honest reply. “When are you not feeling all over the place?” Enzo asked with an amused ring to his tone. Ikaris smiled, “Good point.” Ikaris chuckled lightly afterwards. See? Already over it. Thaola’s initial cocky grin didn’t go unnoticed by the wereeagle either, so he took the quick opportunity to make a clicking noise to get her attention before shooting her a wink paired with a smirk. That’s more Ikaris’ subtle flirty behavior. When it comes to felines though, it is absolutely hilarious for him to actually catcall them from time to time. He gets a different reaction every time.

"I'll hunt and eat them if it depends on my survival. And if they aren't poisonous or deadly to eat.”

Enzo dipped his head down slightly to mask the borderline smirk on his face. It was tempting to make a pushy but playful comment, however he took Thaola’s additive as a sign to keep his comments to himself for now. "There is nothing wrong with your philosophy. I agree with it. My philosophy is worrying means you suffer twice." Enzo gave a look of silent gratitude with a small grin due to her agreement. The stronger side to Enzo’s personality always appreciated it when people shared his own ideals. Amber did not. Maybe a few things they shared in, such as aspiring to be the next great rulers of their kingdoms, but the similarities start to die out outside of royal matters. “You do worry though." Enzo looked up to glance at Thaola before his amber eyes traveled back to Ruina. “Who doesn't? Worry is a natural thing, no matter how much you try." Ikaris snapped and pointed his finger in Ruina’s direction, “Amen to that, puppy.” He even threw in his usual smirk to smooth over the nickname he wasn’t planning on dropping. "True. Like I worry about what I'm gonna eat next, or if someone's gonna break into my house. Y'know, the typical things." The two boys shared a low chuckle as well before Ikaris spoke. “Anyone who breaks into my house will be sorely disappointed at what they find. They might even pity the place enough to spice it up with some stolen furniture.” Ikaris smiled, though he wasn’t wrong. There aren’t many valuable things within his home, despite the money his dad brings in. Two words; gambling problem. Ikaris has commented a few times to his father that the biggest gambling mistake he ever made was jumping into a relationship with his mother.

Enzo pressed his whiskers to his face and flattened his ears back at Thaola’s growl. Ikaris tried to rush forward at Enzo, but the wereleopard flung himself back into Ikaris to knock him back right into Thaola’s clutches, and Enzo used Ikaris’ body to propel himself back out of that collision. Ikaris’ quick instincts allowed him to wrap his wings around the front of him just before Thaola hit him. The wereeagle’s wings took the brunt of Thaola’s might before he forcefully flicked his wings open to try and shake her off as his lower talons raised to meet at her claws. Enzo stayed low to the ground along his paws as he tightly circled the two, waiting for an opening of opportunity to hit two birds with one stone… or more accurately, one bird, and one lion.

Neither of the boys were too much in tune with the happenings of the other Truhan’s, and for the first time today the thought of Amber wasn’t plaguing Enzo. As soon as Ikaris had tried to grip his talon’s into Thaola’s side while using his wings as a defense, Enzo pounced back at the two to knock them off balance. The majority of Enzo’s weight, again, knocked into Thaola before the wereleopard spun to grip the top of Ikaris’ left wing to twist it enough for the wereeagle to let out a low irritated screech. Ikaris’ other wing gave a powerful flap before his beak went for the side of Enzo’s head in warning. Enzo’s response after the blood was drawn was to use his grip to fling Ikaris to the side with the wereeagle’s wing still in his jaws grip. “Say it.” Enzo’s muffled growl due to the wing in his grip rumbled to the bird, who he now had pinned to the floor. “Never.” Ikaris replied, twisting his body enough to have a set of talon’s grip into Enzo’s back leg. Ikaris was a hair from cutting into an artery, while Enzo was close to biting into a nerve that would render Ikaris’ wing useless… so the two were at a crossroads. Each pushed a little further with their grips on one another, since neither were willing to give in. Having enough, Enzo thrashed his head back and forth until Ikaris finally released his talon’s grip. “Fine… I’m a chicken.” Ikaris gritted. That’s the phrase Ikaris had to use if he was forfeiting, while Enzo’s is “I’m a pretty kitty”. If you’re going to forfeit, it has to be humiliating to be worthwhile to the winner after all. Enzo released Ikaris and stepped back as his friend shifted back into his human form. Enzo’s tail was still flicking, indicating he didn’t trust the bird to not shift back in a moment's notice. Or that Thaola wouldn’t go for him.

Amber’s green orbs had shifted across everyone during the entire time, noting things like their marks, and the blood. It’s absolutely disgusting to her. She probably would never understand the appeal though. Amber works strictly on defensive moves in CIA to avoid marks, so her offensive tactics are heavily lacking, although she’s proven herself to be nimble enough on her feet to evade most attacks. “Are you all done yet?” Amber asked, though this was one of the rare times her tone wasn’t exactly snarky or rude. Even she could see the positive to this… well for her that is. If Enzo does come out with a few injuries, she has an excuse to keep him close while she tends to his wounds while also conducting her talk with him as well. Amber may basically be his stalker, but she knows probably as much about him as Ikaris does, if not more. There’s a lot of little things Enzo likes, although, now more than ever he doesn’t express interest in those things because Amber wears them out.

Ikaris didn’t hide the cheekier grin he gave in response to Thaola’s wink back to him. Anyone who engages with him fuels his ego, so it’s fun. Ikaris could definitely be regarded as a bit of a heartbreaker when it comes to flirting however. It’s his inability to allow himself to trust females with other than having a little fun that leaves him to not really feel bad for leaving them alone first. It’s easier that way; break them before they break you. That’s not his intention right now with Thaola, but that’s generally his viewpoint to keep himself safe.

“My house isn't much of a trophy either. But I do have sentimental value for what's inside, and I would prefer no one break inside."

Ikaris glanced towards Thaola, but he didn’t comment further. He wouldn’t know what it’s like to hold sentimental value for anything in a house, or for a house itself. If it were up to him he’d burn his own house down and rebuild over the ashes with nothing short of spite. Those aren’t the kind of things he says out loud though. That more cynical side isn’t allowed to rise above the surface unless he needs to tap into that kind of energy.

"Don't worry, cat, I left the fight a little bit ago. It was a good spar.”

Enzo still watched Thaola a second longer before rising to his feet as he shifted back into his human form. “It was.” Enzo smiled back before glancing towards Ikaris. “You alright?” Enzo asked, with a very small hint of concern for his friend in his tone. “Don’t try and baby me kitty cat, I’ll kick your ass up and down this gym for that.” Ikaris fired back, and Enzo rolled his eyes with a small smile. Ikaris was the person that could have a limb torn off, be half burned alive, and still say “I was fine until I saw your face, now that’s killing me”. At Amber’s question, Enzo is the one who looked towards her while Ikaris pretended her voice was a ringing in his ear. “Yeah, sure.” That previous playful and friendly energy was gone just as quickly as it had come, and Enzo started walking towards Amber as she stood up. “Great, let’s get… all of that wiped off. It’s a little bit of an eye sore.” Amber said as she took his hand to lead him out of the gym, only for Enzo to pull his hand back. “Catch you guys later,” Enzo smiled back to the Truhan’s before glancing over to Ikaris, who looked like an abandoned pet, “Come on.” Enzo waved, and Ikaris jumped with excitement before running to follow. “See ya!” Ikaris called back before the two boys exited behind Amber.

~le skip~

Enzo really did enjoy sleep. It was the biggest gap of uninterrupted happiness he ever got, since he rarely dreamed. So sleeping for Enzo is the closest he ever gets to a dark, but nonetheless peaceful place. Tonight though, he couldn’t fall into a comfortable sleep. As soon as Ikaris left his and Amber’s company… well, the fight was bad. Lots of damaging words were spit, maybe some that went a little too far, but it ended with Enzo storming out on her. Not even his own space proved to provide him any relief though. Sitting up from his bed and running a hand through his hair, Enzo stood up. Maybe he could walk off the weight on his chest. If he could walk off wounds, he could do it with the hurt he felt now. It’s pretty enraging how someone he isn’t even really close to can still say things that are absolutely leveling. Not that he ever let that show though, which is why he threw back words of equal destructive measure.

It doesn’t matter right now. Enzo stepped out of his room and quietly closed the door behind him. Glancing side to side, at the moment he was alone. Not that the wereleopard minded, although it did make his thoughts a fraction more deafening. Moving his shoulders as if his thoughts were a physical thing he could shrug off, he started a silent pace down the hall. The thought of going to Ikaris to bother him crossed his mind, but Ikaris already had insomniatic tendencies, and Enzo didn’t want to be the jerk to ruin any sleep the bird managed to get before school. So Enzo walked alone. It reminded him of the time he’s spent walking alone down the silent palace halls within the place he calls home. Enzo didn’t have a bad life, nor would he ever say he did. His mother could have definitely tried to raise a son with more affection and empathy, and in some ways it made a person with a lack of remorse to a certain degree. Perhaps it’s a little ironic how she envisioned her colder nature would mold a person her child to her liking, and yet, Enzo brings the heat by breaking any mold made for him. At least his mother knew when to back off, he can’t say the same about his father. Their relationship is so strained that Enzo is a little paranoid his father may try to go behind his back and disown him from the royal family or something. That most likely would never happen, but that’s how much his father despises him. Great, now he could add all this onto his late night thoughts list.

"It was... You alright?"

Everyone's gaze flickers towards Ikaris who snaps,"Don't try and baby me kitty cat, I'll kick your ass up and down this gym for that." A low chuckle rolls through the Truhan's. Then all of the sudden the playful and friendly energy was gone, and they knew the exact reason why. Tarron and Ruina shift, exchanging glances. Though none of the Truhan's said anything. "Great, let's get... all of that wiped off. It's a little bit of an eye sore." At that, Ruina bares her teeth. Oh, how she wanted to say something. Probably something along the lines of, stupid spoiled princess. Eye sores? Ruina though Amber was an eye sore and she didn't even look at the werefox that often.

"Catch you guys later."

Three,"See you." Follow the wereleopard, who pauses to beckon Ikaris forward as well. The wereeagle follows with excitement, also calling back,"See ya!" Another round of,"See you." Follow the three as they exit. Leaving the Truhan's alone. Ruina sighs,"Well, I'm tired. Let's head to our rooms." Thaola sends a side look at Ruina,"Sure, but first. Why did Revalor come? What was so important?" Tarron and Ruina exchange a glance,"Come on. We'll tell you on the way." Thaola obeys and the three set off, keeping their heads together and voices low as they talk. Thaola's frown deepens with every word. Citizens were disappearing? With no trace? No clue? No nothing? How was that possible?

-Time Skip-

Boom! Ruina spins around, what was that? An explosion? Why? Who? Where? The werewolf takes off running, trying to find where the sound had come from. She turns the corner and suddenly she skids to a stop. "No, no, no, no!" She whispers, pacing forward. In front of her were dead bodies... As Ruina looks at around, she realizes where she was... Truhan.. At the palace and laying before her were her friends and family. Her parents. Her siblings. Tarron. Thaola. Enzo. Ikaris. Even Amber was there. All dead, some of their eyes were even still open. Ruina takes a step back,"Oh, my..."

Suddenly a large dark shape appears in the distance and Ruina's gaze flashes up towards it,"What the?" Ruina couldn't make out what the shape was and she certainly did not want to get close enough to find out. Then suddenly it started to move, darting around. Ruina wanted to back away, but she couldn't. She was stuck, staring up in fear as it approached. And even then, she still couldn't figure out what it was. It scooped up her friend's and family's dead bodies, then turned towards her. Ruina's eyes widen and it suddenly leaps at her. The werewolf couldn't help it, her home was burning and her friends and family were dead. And she had no idea what did it. She opens her mouth and lets out--

Ruina shoots up, eyes flashing open. She was in bed! That had all been a nightmare! Ruina sighs, half in relief and half in annoyance. She was sweating and her heart was racing. Ruina sighs, slowly laying back down. It was just a dream, and her dreams couldn't hurt her... So Ruina closes her eyes again, trying to drift off. But she couldn't, her mind was now racing. What was that shape? And why did she dream of death? She wished she could go talk to Tarron or Thaola who had rooms on either side. But she couldn't, both were fast asleep and she didn't want to bother them. So Ruina was left tossing and turning.

The princess tossed and turned for a while, before she finally gave up and threw her sheets off of her. She was in what she called sleeping clothes. A simple cotton t-shirt and some trousers and her hair was down and loose around her head. She debated on putting her hair up, or putting shoes on, or putting on something a little better. But in the end she just left her room without changing, it was late, who would be out? She begins down the hall, lost in her thoughts. Why would she dream of death? She did not fear of any of their deaths, and especially not like that. And what about the creature? Sure they had been discussing the Kobold, but surely that wasn't it. And if the dream had been related to the Truhan kidnapping, no way a creature was kidnapping all of those people. Why would a creature do that?

Ruina sighs, shaking her head, she didn't often have nightmares, mainly because her dreams were pretty basic and simple. But, still, nightmares didn't bother her. She knew they were only dreams and dreams couldn't hurt her, and dreams were her subconscious. But, that one had rattled her. It had rattled her a lot. She was actually a little twitchy right now, as she walked, if she heard a noise her gaze would flash towards it. Or she would go stiff or turn around. But she was alone... No one else was in the halls. It was too late for people to be roaming around. There wasn't exactly a curfew or rule that said they had to stay in their rooms. But it definitely wasn't recommended to wander around. But Ruina didn't care, the teachers were probably fast asleep.

Ruina turns the corner, and stops in surprise. "Enzo?" The wereleopard was walking down the hallway, looking very deep in thought. Ruina's mind flashes back to the fact Enzo and Amber had been squabbling earlier, as usual, and about how they would talk later. Well, it definitely looked like the two had talked. And it did not look like Enzo was very happy. Ruina hesitates, she should probably turn around and walk away. It really did look like Enzo wanted to be alone. Besides, Ruina and Enzo weren't technically that close. They were just friends because of the group. So, who was Ruina to even think about trying to comfort Enzo? Then she also remembered how she looked, she wasn't self-conscious but a little embarrassed that she was in crappy clothes, hair down, and no shoes. She didn't know why, she has worn worse clothes.

Enzo was half tempted to walk closer to the rooms so he could allow his hand to graze past each door knob. If I can’t sleep, why should they? He is definitely a little petty, but at least his better side decided against being a disturbance to everyone else. What would they do anyway? Tell him to knock it off, or go back to his room? Enzo would shamelessly challenge anyone’s words just to bait someone into a conflict. Those bold enough to start a conflict with a royal, anyway. Enzo isn’t an individual that shy’s away from facing anything head on. He wouldn’t shy away from facing his parents, Amber, this stupid arrangement…

“Enzo?”

Halting abruptly in his step, his eyes focused on the figure that spoke his name. At first, his brows were furrowed and his body language sent a very intimidating message, but it seemed since this was a person he was mostly friendly with, Enzo relaxed his posture before arching a brow. “That’s my name, try not to wear it out.” A brief flicker of a smile crossed his face before it fell as he studied Ruina. He was definitely surprised to see anyone else in the halls, let alone Ruina. Briefly letting his eyes dart over her appearance, and her expression, Enzo took a few steps closer to close the gap. Enzo himself was barefoot, wearing a lightweight t-shirt and trousers he had ripped the bottom parts off of out of anger, so the bottoms fell just past his knees. Long story short the pants had started to fray, the feeling irritated him, he solved the problem for himself. “What brings you to stroll around the halls?” Enzo asked quietly, while running a hand through his hair so he didn’t feel like he had a complete bed head styled hairdo. Although, when it came to both his and Ruina’s current appearances, he could have cared less.

Usually Enzo sticks to his room on nights like these, so he wouldn’t know if Ruina walking the halls was normal or not. He did note the way she almost expressed… nervousness? Hm, maybe not that. It was definitely something though within the realm of thoughtfulness and maybe even a splice of fear. Enzo can’t say he really felt close enough to Ruina for him to call her out on her expression, so he wouldn’t. With people he's really close to, when they're alone, Enzo prefers to call them out from a place of concern. At one time he used to do that with Amber out of genuine care, and now he does it when she's being a bitch. Which is pretty much every other hour most days.

“I see neither of us are exactly dressed to impress when it comes to sleepwear,” Enzo chuckled softly, “not that it matters though. It’s not like royals have to dress up for walking through hallways in the middle of the night.” Special occasions or more formal things are the only reasons Enzo ever puts work into his attire. Of course, on the day of his crowning ceremony, he would dress in more lavish clothing to show that Ritha’s new king would be coming in with a bang. That day was quite a while away, so he had time to dress just as comfortably as he wanted for now. Enzo didn’t think Ruina cared much for elegant clothing either on most days either, so maybe that was something he could share with the fellow royal.