Time: Early evening the day after Darcia attacked.

Voltrick had remained in the stables ever since he uncomfortably left Murdoc's room. Debalora was healing the feral Murdoc and the light from under her hands irritated his skin enough to force him to leave. Though, it may have appeared that the light was the sole reason he left the room, it was the uncomfortable fact of being surrounded by people who, by right, should despise his very pressence. The light could be said to be more of an excuse to leave.

What bothered Voltrick later, while remaining alone in the stables throughout the day, was the thought of Debalora actually healing Murdoc. ANYONE putting the effort out to help him. He's done so much wrong, yet.... he has changed. Instead of standing aside, he fought alongside Antonis. He's been staying with these people for days now without trouble... he even risked his own life to stop that soldier from attacking Voltrick. That, in itself, was enough to bother Volrick the most. Even Antonis protected him against Darcia, that bastard wolf who hurt Aidan.

No one had come outside to check up on Voltrick. One of the soldiers came by briefly, he tried to make it appear as if he was checking on the horses. But the way the soldier looked at him, made it obvious he was 'checking on' someone else. It only bothered Voltrick briefly, why should it? Voltrick has gone through the exact same thing ever since he was first thrown in his cell at the ministry. He was left alone in solitude while a guard checked up on him every once in a while.

But Voltrick knew why the soldier came. Not just checking up on him, but to make sure he wasn't causing trouble. To make sure he wasn't losing control and hurting somebody. The thought made him feel worse, but he did this to himself. He choose to be the beast everyone feared, not just because the ministry tortured him but he had the choice to serve them. And because of that, he hurt the people he once cared for. More importantly, ...cared for him.

Aidan said they still cared... back in that alley after Voltrick scared off the muggers. He said that he cared, along with Debalora.. and that they worried about him. Voltrick still couldn't grasp why they would care, why they should worry. Was it because of the friendship from before? Because of who Voltrick was? That person is gone. He died back in that cell. Now all that is left is an uncontrollable monster who cant even control himself enough to stop from hurting Aidan. ..Even Gordan.

Voltrick's ears folded back as he threw his head back to hit against the stable's wooden wall. The pain stung, but it was intended. He's hurt Gordan the most. Not only with his arm, but Voltrick abandoned him. His own son. And now Gordan hated him; favoring Antonis over himself. The fact nearly cost Antonis his life, along with Aidan and that panther. Voltrick was still angered by it, but he knew it wasn't all Antonis' fault. It was his. For being a horrible father.

Voltrick wanted to leave. To leave all of them so they wouldn't be burdened by the monster in the stables. They deserved as much peace as possible after what they've been through and Voltrick couldn't offer them that. He's only more trouble, something else to deal with. But then what happens to Gordan? Voltrick would only be abandoning him again. And that would only lead to more hatred toward Voltrick. Being constantly abandoned by someone he cared about... especially now when he needed someone there for him the most. Like Voltrick did when he was Gordan's age... infact, his entire life.

Voltrick's heart sank to a quick realization. His eyes quickly widened, but winced sadly after comparing Gordan's life with his own early years. Voltrick abandoned his own son... Just like Van abandoned Voltrick so many years ago. Voltrick hated his father for neglecting him... and now Voltrick was doing the exact same thing to Gordan.

Voltrick's eyes closed tightly as he lowered his head, moving his hands up to hold his forehead. Voltrick now felt even worse than before. This is why Gordan favors Antonis more. It was the same reason why Voltrick favored Vincent. They were there when the father left.

Voltrick couldn't allow Gordan to suffer as he did. He refused to allow himself to be like Van. Voltrick has failed Gordan more than any father should, but he wont follow the same path his father did.

After a deep breath, Voltrick stood himself up and stepped forward. But after that one step, he hesitated and halted. Gordan hated him. He turned him away and said he didn't have a father. Gordan would only turn Voltrick away again. How could Voltrick even face him after what happened? He wouldn't even know what to do if he saw him, or even what he'd say if Gordan turned him away.

No. Voltrick had to step forward. He had to make up for what has been lost between them. If Gordan turns him away, Voltrick wouldn't stop him. The least Voltrick could do was try. He had to find Gordan and ...apologize.

Another hesitant breath was taken as he looked around anxiously. After a long moment, Voltrick finally continued forward toward the front of the inn. Voltrick has run away for too long, he cant run away from his own son. Even if his son turned him away.

Voltrick continued forward, his expression appeared hesitant as he opened the door to the inn. The others would be in the inn as well. He wanted to avoid any of them as much as possible. Any confrontation with any one of them would force him to turn away. But it was in the early evening, he hoped everyone was meeting somewhere to eat dinner.

Once Voltrick entered the inn, the candle lit room was dark but light enough to see comfortably around the room. There was one inn worker, but they walked out in a hurry after seeing it was Voltrick. The action caused Voltrick's ears to flatten, but he wouldn't allow it to stop him. After scanning the room to find a particular hallway, Voltrick stepped forward toward the familiar hallway. The hall where Gordan's room was.

Voltrick's ears perked up to see Gordan's door open. It was open before.. Gordan was studying or something.. But after Voltrick cautiously peeked inside the room, Voltrick saw the room was empty. Only a messy bed and a couple books on the desk. A heavy breath was exhaled as Voltrick's shoulders sank. He finally gets the courage to see Gordan, and he's....

"He's been gone for a couple days now.." A feminine voice state from behind Voltrick at the beginning of the hall.

Voltrick wouldn't jump, but he snapped his head back to quickly see who was behind him. Upon seeing who it was, Voltrick tensed up while his ears folded back.

Debalora walked up to Voltrick, but turned to see inside Gordan's room. Voltrick saw no intimidation from her. She appeared calm; her voice soft and without trembling fear like others before. But there was a hint of sadness about her. She was obviously hiding it, but Voltrick could sense it from her. He has always been able to tell if he was hiding it, even as a young man.

"It's not the first time he's left. He will leave for a day or two, but he'll be back." Debalora said as she looked inside the room, but as she ended a caring gaze trailed up to Voltrick. She knew he wanted to see him, otherwise he would still be in the stables. She knew why he had stayed there... but Debalora could't help but feel bad for him to be outside as he was. "....There are... spare rooms here in the inn, Voltrick."

Voltrick nervously arched an eyebrow as he watched Debalora, but it was soon lowered frustratedly as he turned and looked back into Gordan's room.

"...You can stay here tonight, instead of the stables. I would feel better if you did." Debalora added as she continued to look up at him.

"It's safer for everyone else if I seclude myself." Voltrick's low, rumbling tone stated; keeping his gaze away from Debalora.

A hurt expression quickly crossed Debalora's features, but soon turned to concern. "I know you, you wont hurt anyone...."

Voltrick snapped his head back to give Debalora an angered sneer. "Did that stop me from before?" Voltrick raised his voice slighlty, but wouldn't shout. "I nearly killed Antonis and hurt Aidan as I lost control." Voltrick continued but turned his head away again. "And I tried to hurt you even before that. I tried killing everyone.." Voltrick's tone lowered; more saddened than before. He shouldn't be saying this to Debalora, she didn't need it and voltrick didn't want to talk about it. It was best if he just left altogether.

Debalora tensed up slighlty as Voltrick retaliated, but as he turned away again her eyes winced sadly. There was a long pause before she responded, but after finding a response she spoke comfortingly. "You were lost. You made the choices you did because you felt there was no other way. You couldn't escape what was happening to you and you couldn't help yourself..."

Voltrick's features became angered again. "I made the choice to fight against you. There is no excuse for it!"

"But there is hope!" Debalora's voice raised, enough to silence Voltrick and cause him to scowl down her. At least he was facing her again. "And forgiveness.."

"Forgiveness.." Voltrick said spitefully. "I don't deserve it." Voltrick ended by stepping around Debalora. His head hung low, but his spiteful scowl remained.

"Wouldn't you rather have it?" Debalora said, turning to always face him. "If you could have forgiveness, wouldn't you want it?"

Voltrick stopped before passing Deba, but would hold his head down with an angered gaze and faced down the hall. Voltrick wanted forgiveness for everything, but he saw no way the others should ever give it. He's done too much against them, but there were times he missed the ones he cared for. But because of his actions, he'll always be alone.

"Dwelling on what you have done wont bring you any closer to what you want. I know you want forgiveness... Especially from Gordan." Debalora added once she noticed Voltrick stop and went silent. After Voltrick turned his head slightly, Debalora continued. She knew he desired it, but his pride wont allow him to admit it. So she'll drive it out of him. "If you cannot learn to forgive yourself, than how can others forgive you?"

"I dont ask for it..."

"But you want it, I know you do." Debalora interrupted. "If you didn't, you wouldn't have come here to find Gordan." Her face winced emotionally. "And you wouldn't have tried to save Aidan all those times or carried... Murdoc back here to save his life."

Voltrick's features calmed and became saddened while his shoulders sunk slightly. He remained silent, taking everything she said in. She was right, and before he wouldn't have admitted it. But he couldn't deny wanting to be accepted again. To get his son back and not be scowled upon by the ones who once cared for him. But the way she spoke to him now, what Aidan had said, and how Antonis and Murdoc protected him... could that mean they still cared?

"You were lost, Voltrick.." Debalora said softly and quiet. A comforting hand raised and placed the palm against Voltrick's right cheek. Voltrick tensed at first, but allowed the hand to lightly motion his head to face her. "...But you're finding your way back." She gave a small, but comforting smile. "One way or another."

Voltrick and Debalora were in this exact situation before. Debalora stood before him and placed her hand to his cheek just as she was now. She tried to comfort him then... but instead of accepting it,... he attacked her and threw her down a set of stairs.

Swelled eyes tightly closed as Voltrick lowered his head shamefully; shaking his head lightly. He made no effort to remove her hand or move at all. It was as if remembering what happened when he hurt her made her seem so delicate. Not only was he ashamed even more than before, but now he couldn't help but feel as if anything he did would hurt her.

"I don't want to hurt anyone anymore.." Voltrick barely said; refusing to open his eyes to see Deba.

Debalora's heart sunk as she watched Voltrick's temperment quickly change into sorrow. He was in so much pain. Voltrick was at the brink of tears; shamed by everything he's done. She wanted to help him, and to comfort him. He was so alone...

Debalora's emotions began to overwhelm her. For so long, Voltrick was filled with so much hate. He was taken by the ministry and away from his family. They changed him, forced him to hate everything. It killed her to see him suffer so much. But now he's finally come back by his own accord, begging for forgiveness without even saying a word. He finally came back... He finally wants to come back.

A sniff made itself known as Debalora's hand removed itself from Voltrick's cheek and moved to the back of his neck. Once there, she gently pulled Voltrick's head down to touch his forehead to hers. It was the closest thing she could have to a hug and she knew Voltrick needed it. But he was overwhelmed as it is.

Voltrick made no retaliation to Debalora's hand and lowered his forehead to press against her own. He even allowed her hand to remain at the back of his neck. He was slighlty embarrassed for her to feel the scars there, but his emotions got the best of him and forced his eyes to tighten further; forcing a tear to fall down his cheek.

----

Gordan walked with a quickened pace toward the inn. His pack was full of various items as it laid across his back. An excited look was on his face as he pressed forward, barely able to hold back a cheered shout.

All the young tiger could think about was what he had just acomplshed. All of his efforts for so many years has been dedicated to finding a cure to the inevitable curse Voltrick was going to give him when he died. Gordan hasn't found a cure, but he's found the first step to acheiving it. And that step, that piece he needed, was in his pack now. Gordan found it, he created it, no one else did. This one thing has brought him one huge step closer to a cure.. and all he wanted to was celebrate. He wanted to tell everyone, especially Brandon. The others may not care as much, but Brandon was his friend and Gordan wanted him to know first.

It was evening and everyone was most likely preparing for bed. If everyone was asleep, he could tell them tomorrow morning. But for Gordan, his excitement would keep him up the entire night.

When Gordan reached the inn's front gate, a slight skip was made as he passed through it; still excited. Everything was really quiet, everyone must be preparing for bed or already there. He had no idea of the previous day's events, and he could care less. He wanted everyone to be okay, but Gordan isn't going to pry at anyone to give him the latest news. But he was sure going to share his past explorations.

Gordan's pace quickened as he approached the front door; opening it quickly to enter at the same pace. The front lobby was empty and dark. Which was curious since a lot of customers would seem to want to come by at this time. Bot Gordan shrugged it off and turned down the hall where his room was.

Gordan began a cheery whistle as he turned down the hall, but as he raised his gaze to see down the path he stopped dead in place. Suprise and shock took him as he saw Voltrick and Debalora down the hall. Not only together, but they were basically embracing! Gordan's jaw dropped as he backed up into the wall he was closest to. His widened eyes never leaving Voltrick. He didn't care what they were doing... VOLTRICK was back!

The sound of a bag dropping and a thud turned both Voltrick's and Debalora's attention toward the beginning of the hall.

"Gordan?" Debalora spoke aloud as her surprised look remained on the shocked tiger.

The interruption down the hall quickly changed Voltrick's sadden expression to to an angered one as his eyes opened. Debalora's hand had removed as she turned, allowing Voltrick's head to raise slighlty. Once Voltrick finally looked over to see who was down the hall, Debalora had said Gordan's name. This widened Voltrick's eyes, which were still swelled and red. "Gordan.." Voltrick said quietly.

Gordan backed away along the wall, desperately trying to increase the space between Voltrick and himself. All the while, Debalora cautiously stepped forward toward Gordan to attempt to calm him.

"Gordan, please.. Calm down.." Debalora said as she extended a hand to motion to calm him. "Nothing is going to happen..."

"No! Like hell it isn't!" Gordan yelled and stiffly clung to the wall. "You saw what he did! He nearly killed Antonis, Aidan, AND Tamil. Now he's come back to finish what he started!" Gordan's breathes were rapid and heavy as fear overtook him. The image of Voltrick nearly attacking him in his room flashed into his mind along with how he fought Tamil like a vicious animal. Because that's what his father was, a vicious animal.

Voltrick winced, but sneered as he stood in his place. Voltrick knew Gordan would reject him... it was a bad idea to embrace the idea of getting him back. Even coming here riled Gordan uncontrollably.

"It's not like that..." Debalora pleaded, trying to step slowly closer. "He didn't come here to hurt anybody. He only wanted to..."

"Why are you protecting him?!" Gordan demanded as he backed away the closer Debalora came. "He's hurt you too! ..He's a beast!" Gordan spitefully angled toward Voltrick.

Voltrick's head turned away as anger began to rise within him. His body began to tense up as well. Gordan hated him. He despised everything about him! There was no chance to get him back now. Not even Debalora, who desperately tried to calm him, had a chance. If anything, it only riled him further.

"Gordan, please.. just listen to me!" Debalora pleaded.

"No! I don't know what has gotten into your head! Just because you knew him before, doesn't make it right to stand up for him!"

Voltrick couldn't take anymore of Gordan's rant and insults and snarled viciously. Voltrick may have lost Gordan, but he wouldn't allow his own child to talk to Debalora this way, to talk this way at all! "Gordan!!" Voltrick shouted out before quickly facing him. After seeing Gordan's shocked expression, Voltrick took a few steps toward him and shouted again. 'You will stop this now!"

Gordan cringed submissively at first, but attempted to gather as much courage as he could to shout back. "You cant yell at me like that! You don't have any place to even SPEAK to me!"

"You can yell at me all you want, I deserve it!" Voltrick snapped as he took a few steps closer. "But you will not shout at Debalora this way. She has done NOTHING to you!"

"She's try.."

"She has done nothing but try to help!" Voltrick interrupted as he motioned a hand back to Debalora briefly. "If you need to attack somebody, attack me. I have done you wrong, no one else!"

Debalora went silent as she watched Voltrick defend her. She briefly glanced over to Gordan, but she couldn't help herself to keep watching Voltrick. Voltrick was defending her... willingly angling all of Gordan's anger unto himself.

Gordan was silenced, but snarled at Voltrick. He didn't have a response for Voltrick defending Debalora, but Voltrick being at the inn, in general, was enough to infuriate him. But he did find it somewhat strange, though.... Their last arguement, before voltrick tried to kill Antonis, Voltrick did everything to defend his own actions. But now he was contradicting that arguement. By saying he's done wrong and deserves to be yelled at.... What Gordan noticed the most, as he glared into Voltrick's eyes, were that his eyes were swelled and wet. As if he had just wept.

Voltrick's snarled glare intensified as Gordan went silent. His breaths were heavy and growled and his body was tense in anger over Gordan shouting at Debalora. "I did not come here to fight or quarrel with anyone." Voltrick stated more calmly, but his voice gave a growl as he spoke. "I only wanted to see you again.. and to.."

"That is what you said last time." Gordan interrupted spitefully. "Then you roared at me and tried to kill Antonis!"

Voltrick's snarl quickly lowered to an angered sneer while Voltrick turned his head away slightly. "I know what I did... and I regret everything I did that night. I shouldn't have shouted at you and I should not have attacked Antonis..." Voltrick paused as his features calmed a bit as sorrow began to take over his anger. "I shouldn't have done a lot of things.." Voltrick's tone quieted almost instantly as he lowered his gaze and the sneer slowly faded away.

Gordan relaxed slightly as he watched Voltrick's rage transform into, what he saw, sorrow. Last time, he blamed everyone else... What happened to make him have such a quick change of temperment? But Gordan still remained infuriated. Becoming sad wont change anything. Voltrick was still a monster who ruined Gordan's life and everyone else's. "That's right. You shouldn't have done a lot of things. But, you cant change the past! You cant give back what you've taken away!"

Gordan's shouting riled Voltrick up again, but Voltrick knew he couldn't retaliate. Shouting at each other would only cause him to lose control over his anger again. He WILL NOT hurt anyone else! "I cant give back what I've taken away.." Voltrick responded lowly. "And I am sorry for that. I'm sorry for everything. I shouldn't have left you and hurt you as I did... I don't want to hurt anybody anymore." Voltrick ended as he looked over toward Gordan again, his voice raising emotionally. Voltrick's eyes swelled up even more than before. Since he had been so emotional before, it was easier for him to be carried away in his sorrow as he apologized to Gordan.

Debalora remained silent behind Voltrick. As she heard Voltrick, her eyes winced sadly as before. He wanted Gordan back so badly...

"I don't ask for your forgiveness, Gordan. I wont take anything else away from you that you are not willing to give. And by right you never need to give it." Voltrick's voice trembled as his gaze turned away shamefully, his eyes wincing closed. "You deserve someone better... than myself. ...You deserve someone to be there for you and to comfort you. To never hurt you." Voltrick began to say as he barely opened his eyes, now completely wet. "I sorry for what I did.. for who I am. An uncontrollable monster." Voltrick paused as his chin wrinkled up uncontrollably as his jaw trembled. "...I don't deserve you as my son.." Voltrick said before quickly falling to his knees. The large tiger's eyes tightly closed as his features scrunched up emotionally; his head lowering.

Debalora step forward, extending a hand to comfort her old friend... but she stopped herself. Voltrick didn't need comforting, he needed everything that had built up inside him for all this time to be mourned out. She prayed Gordan wouldn't reject it.

Gordan remained silent, but his composure became relaxed. A stern, sneered gaze remained on Voltrick as he watched him break down infront of him. Gordan honestly didn't know how to react, or even how to feel. Before, Voltrick would reject any blame for everything he's done... but now he appeared to be taking everything upon himself, accepting the fact that was wrong with EVERYTHING he had done. Gordan suspected he was faking it, but it was hard to lie through emotion. His father wept before him after yelling at him moments ago. You cant fake all of this. If Voltrick felt this way... then how was Gordan supposed to feel? He couldn't just accept everything that had happened and just.. go back to the way things were.

Voltrick took a deep breath as he allowed his eyes to relax, but kept his eyes closed. Gordan wasn't responding, if he was, it wasn't vocally. But Voltrick wouldn't look at him, he couldn't. Not because he wept, he wasn't embarrased. That was the least of his cares at the moment. Voltrick couldn't look up at Gordan because he was too ashamed. Gordan wouldn't accept an apology like this after everything he's done. There is no apology that could make up for that.

"If you want me to leave... I wont trouble you any further. If you wish it, I wont come back." Voltrick stated quietly, but kept his gaze away and lowered. Since Gordan wasn't saying anything, he concluded that is what he wanted.

Gordan's brow lowered frustratedly as he heard and saw his father infront him. Moments before, Gordan hated his father with every fiber of his being. Everything he did, everything he said would only infuriate him. He's hurt everyone and abandoned his family. But as Gordan stood infront of Voltrick now, hearing him as he wept and desperately called out an apology, even falling to his knees before him... Gordan couldn't feel anything. Apart of him wanted to accept his father actually meant everything he said and truly wants to be forgiven, but most of him was still enraged and hurt.

The moment was on Gordan now. Everyone went silent, even Voltrick as he hid his face in his own agony... Frustration grew as time went by for Gordan. Gordan had nothing to say. He didn't know how to feel and just wanted to think things through. He wanted to be alone.

A short sneer erupted from Gordan before he turned to pick up his sack. In one solid motion, Gordan continued to turn and walked forward toward the hall; walking around Voltrick. Gordan even passed Debalora without giving her the slightest glance. Once to his room, Gordan entered and closed the door behind himself.

Voltrick's eyes winced again as he heard Gordan's door close and only turned his head slighlty to view down the hall. Voltrick's head turned forward again, a more serious gaze on his face. A short moment passed before a hand raised to wipe each eye and a foot raised to press against the floor to help himself to a stand; facing toward the beginning of the hall.

Debalora's gaze fell sadly as she remained silent, both eyebrows risen emotionally. But Voltrick's movement quickly caught her attention and she looked over towards him again, her expression still sad. He poured his heart out to Gordan... and Gordan couldn't handle it. Was Gordan filled with so much hate he couldn't ever find it in him to accept Voltrick's apology? No, Gordan wasn't like that. He only needed time... but Debalora feared Voltrick wouldn't give him that time.

A burdened, heavy breath was taken before released into a low, rumbled sigh as Voltrick kept his gaze toward the beginning of the hall; his back facing Debalora. Gordan's silence and exit were evidence enough he couldn't ever accept Voltrick again. Voltrick has done too much to even glimpse what it would be like. Voltrick could only blame himself... it was a mistake to even try to get him back. He was right, he was like Van. A short moment passed before Voltrick stepped forward to leave the hall.

Debalora saw him step forward and protested by running up behind him. "Voltrick, wait.." She called. "You don't have to leave..."

Voltrick halted his steps, but refused to look back to her. "He doesn't want me here.." Voltrick's low, raspy voice stated. "There's no reason for me to stay."

"Just give him a chance. He needs time."

"You heard the way he shouted.." Voltrick responded.

Debalora stepped to his side and looked up to him. "That was before you spoke to him..."

"Even then.." Voltrick interrupted. "He remained silent and did nothing except leave. I can do nothing but do the same."

Debalora's brow lowered. "He went silent instead of shouting further. You cannot say what you said meant nothing. He only went silent because he doesn't know what to think right now. Just give him some time to think things over."

Voltrick kept his frustrated gaze forward, his brow lowered. He went silent for a short while, thinking about what Debalora said. But Voltrick couldn't shake the thought of rejection. Gordan wouldn't accept him even if he had time to think about it. "He doesn't want me." Voltrick finally said before walking forward.

Debalora wouldnt follow, but she raised her voice to him as he walked forward. "But he needs his father." Debalora only paused briefly to see if Voltrick would stop. Seeing he only slowed his pace, she called out again. "And you need him!"

Voltrick stopped just before the inn's front door; grasping onto the handle and looked sternly down to his hand. Voltrick's gaze winced sadly as he looked back over toward Debalora sadly, but would say nothing. Gordan has chosen Antonis to be his father, he stated that before.. And Voltrick... no one should concern themselves with what Voltrick needed. He wasn't worth the effort.

A short moment passed in silence before Voltrick turned the door's handle and opened the door to leave the inn.