Rene just sighed.

"Well, given this new information, that's hardly surprising." he said.

"Yes, I am a Lantha." he told her.

"Bound to human form." he went on.

"...willingly, mind." he quickly clarified.

"Thank you for not saying anything." he then told her further.

"I'd rather this info not get around for... obvious reasons."

"Ah? Yes, he has." Rene replied.

"How-" he started to ask, before shaking his head.

"Right. Duh." he said.

"He's commented on it, yes." he confirmed.

"Again, not surprising." he went on.

"At least he knows not to try anything." he added.

"Of course." Rene replied.

"The sea is... was... my home." he told her.

"I need to be around it somewhat." he continued.

"And yeah, my essence would be a bit on the... salty side." he agreed.

"And... more to it?" he then asked. "Cryptic." he muttered, as he passed some bubbles through Desiree, and as he did, she felt herself feel slightly better... but noticeably.

"And there we go." he said.

"You SHOULD be able to move about more easily, and breath with a little less pain." he continued.

"I should wrap your chest though." he added.

Rene just sighed again as Desiree started to remove her sweater.

"We'll get you some new clothing." he told her.

"And we'll get you a place to stay." he went on.

"Somewhere that they'd never think to look for you." he said further.

"We can discuss it after this is done." he reasoned.

"Also, this should go without saying, but you'll need to take it easy for a few weeks." he then added.

Rene smiled at her.

"Heh." he chuckled.

"Friends are the family you choose. And I take care of my family." he told her.

---

Jaden looked over towards Kalin, paused for a moment, and nodded.

"Yes!" he called back, jumping down from the stage.

"Something strong!"

Jaden slammed down some of the drink, and whistled loudly.

"Whooo!" he said.

"Reminds you you're alive!" he exclaimed.

"...well... depends how you look at it, with me." he then chuckled.

"But it's okay." he went on.

"I had a feeling something would happen." he sighed.

"I know that... well, obviously, she's a magician." he said.

"So am I." he went on.

"Having a bodyguard that's in the same profession wouldn't arise much suspicion, yeah?" he reasoned.

"..." he was then silent, and sighed.

"I also know who's going after her." he said further.

"...I had to read the file several times over before I believed it."

Jaden paused.

"....mother and brother?" he asked.

"All the file said was 'family'." he told her.

"I'd assumed it was some distant cousin or whatever." he continued.

"But... but mother and brother?" he asked again.

"....oh geez..." he muttered, shaking his head slightly.

"That's... that is fucked up." he told her.

"And I think I'm understating that quite a bit." he added.

Jaden was silent for a moment as he heard that.

"Move? Again?" he asked.

"Third time this YEAR?" he asked further.

He then paused and thought about Desiree. He hardly knew her, but having met her and spent a little time with her, he knew that she didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve this life.

This fear.

".....no." he then said.

"No. No, I won't let that happen." he told her.

"I'll make CERTAIN she doesn't have to move again." he vowed.

Jaden just smirked.

"Well, then." he said.

"Good to know." he told her, finishing his drink in another swig.

"Good thing my name's Jaden, and not Rene or Kalin." he laughed.

"Can I get another?" he asked, setting his empty glass down.

"I have some... planning... to do."