Pineview Lake

"How can I do this?

"H-how do we get inside?"

"We'll need to get to Oliver, he can grant you entrance to Leon's subconcious." I hold up three pearls in my hand
"We can use these to get to where Oliver is. Just stamp on one and hold onto my hand."

I nod my head and take a pearl. I knew what I had to do. Sam might not like it, but it was best for her.

I take a pearl as well, holding onto Crest's hand with my free hand.

I stamp on my pearl as we all are covered in pearl colored dust and teleported to where Oliver and Leon were.

OOC: Exscuse me while I make this place x3

We started this vacation as a carefree getaway. I started as a Strayer, filled with honor and pride.

And now I'm nothing. Just common vermin with a name I didn't deserve.

Sam: When we arrive back, I'm hugging Crest, not wanting to let him go with all this pain I can feel coming from him.

Sarah: When I see them come back, I look extremely concerned and a bit irritated. "Where the hell did you guys go?!"

I was stoic, but not my regular coldness. This wasn't one of resolve, determination and strength.

This was dispassionate, lacking, and broken.

Sam: "It's too hard and... Painful, to explain right now, Sarah." I say, looking at Crest and then back to Sarah. "Please... Let us try and relax for a little while..."

Sarah: I immediately turn more gentle and sympathetic; even I could tell something was off about Crest. "Okay..."

Sally: When I see them I give them both a big, loving hug. "My goodness, are you okay?"

OOC Sorry for delay!

IC

I let my body be moved like a helpless puppet without any strings.

OOC and now I can only think of this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAykOz1gWi4

Sam: I move us to the shore of the lake, feeling so terrible that Crest is feeling this way. It's all my fault... I brought him into it...

Sally: I walk up to them, wanting to do anything to help. "Can I get either of you anything?"

I just shake my head staring out at the lake.

My mom leaves us alone, knowing it's best not to push. I lay my head on Crest's shoulder as my eyes start to tear up again, "I'm so sorry..." My voice comes out as a whisper.

"It isn't your fault Sam... it was none of ours."

"I had a terrible choice to make, I chose the lesser of two evils."

"But now you feel... Broken..." In a sense. "But... You did it for me, didn't you?"

"I had two options. Either I let Leon absorb him and effectively had them both killed. Result, your devastation, two deaths."

"Or intervene, and kill. Result, fall from grace, one death."

"That made the choice clear. I would be stripped of my honor a thousand times before letting you feel distraught."

Now my eyes tear up not from guilt, but from love. My heart warms up, touched. He broke one of the most important rules of his family, just for me. "Thank you..."

OOC This song just came to my mind while writing this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boAuK87nxwI

Leon:
I put one foot in the water and the lake freezes over
"...Son of a gun..." I mutter, "...this is my damn fault..."

Sophie:
I sigh deeply, looking down at my sandal covered feet.
"I'm sorry Sam...none of this would have happened if I never told you..."

"I will have to face judgment for this. But it's better than you losing a friend."

I look over to Leon and Sophie. In a lackluster attempt to regain my composure I nod to them.

"It's okay, Sophie..." I nod to Sophie, then look back at Crest, "What... What will they do to you?"

Sophie:
I lean a bit towards Crest
"Let me go with you, I'm the one who brought you into this mess, I deserve some sort of judgement if nothing else. Besides..." I look down at my feet
"I'll also have to face my fellow merfolk once this is done."

Leon:
I nod a bit at Sophie's statement
"Crest, you didn't HAVE to get involved, really, it's our fault, more to the point MINE for even engaging with Mephiles in the first place."

"I DID have to get involved. Each Strayer is born to a solitary function in life to protect the innocent. I'm whatever the innocent need me to be. Throughout my life that has been a shadow. One who can hunt the dark from behind them."

"I can be anything I'm needed as."

"A shadow," I look at Sophie,
"a light", my gaze turns to Sam.
"Or a killer." My gaze falls on Leon.

"My family will test my morality, ensure that I haven't fallen to corruption and that what I did was only for the best possible outcome and not anger or greed."

I sigh with a bit of relief; that doesn't sound too bad.

Leon:
Christ that's tough...
"It would've been better if I died with him..." I turn away from the three of them
"I am after all a cursed exsistance." My eyes fall to Sam, she knew this better than anyone here

Sophie:
"But I told you Crest, if you didn't know it wouldn't have happened the way it did."