She sighed after Vazi left, feeling this huge weight lift from her whole body. Clover was so afraid that Vazi would've very easily kill Beast from a whim....and she couldn't let that happen. She couldn't let what happened to Bartos happen to Beast; she couldn't bear to see it happen again.

Slowly she turned her weary head to Beast, looking at them with regret. She didn't want Beast to've seen all that, either.

"I'm sorry," She said softly, her gaze drawn to the blood on their cheek and in their leg. "If I didn't act like the way he wanted me to....he would've killed you. Sometimes you have to act a certain way to get the necessary outcome....as much as it pains everyone involved. I'm sorry for insulting you, I didn't mean it."

She turned towards the path Vazi took in obeying her. "I was so mad at him though....it wasn't...as difficult as it should've been. It scares me, to be honest." Her voice was so quiet now, with her usual probity and honesty, her soft sincerity. "I don't want to be that kind of person."

"Vazi has done a lot of awful things. And we both need to avoid him. I tried to win your safety from him, and it seems to have worked, but you don't have to listen to me. You can be free now to go wherever you want."

She smiled jut a little bit, a weak thing, a tired motion. "I wonder what you'd think of my home, Eridanus. I think you'd really love it there."

"This is how I speak."

Beast looked up at Clover, and he was trembling, just a bit. The adrenaline faded, trickling away and leaving him with a sudden exhaustion. Still, he listened closely to her words, pale eyes gently attentive. So--it had been an act? He was surprised; he'd thought her hatred real. Of course, his mind had been reeling too hard for him to even really register what was going on. She offered for him to leave--a vague offer, tentative, but there. He turned, scraggly-maned neck curving so he could look over his garden. Did he want to leave that...? His sanctuary? At length, he looked back to the white doe. His words came soft, barely audible. "I will go wherever you think best. He shouldn't... You shouldn't have had to do this. I feel bad for him... I always have. I don't know why he is the way he is. But it shouldn't end up with you-... like this." Then he took one mitt-pawed step forward, and tried to offer one cat's lick of her forehead, almost reassuring. He was barely more than a cub--but she had comforted him, offered him gentle kisses when he had been afraid, and he felt that she deserved the same. She definitely deserved better than this. "Just tell me what you want me to do," Beast half-whispered. ______________

@Clover

She listened to Beast, her heart in turmoil. He just wanted her to be okay, and she wasn't. She was a bitter tattered mess. He was right, she shouldn't have to be like this, but she was. Vazi had made her this way.

He very gently took a step forward - everything he did was gentle, she noted, from his words to his intentions to his motions, and she appreciated it so much. It soothed her soul. - and he gave her a tentative kiss on her forehead, and she felt at peace.

He whispered to her, so softly, and she smiled at him - but the shadows in her that had waited patiently while she was in control were tired of this, they wanted to hatred and pain again, so the shadow roiled in her, pushing for control, and it rushed through her like a wave of sickening nausea, making her lurch and want to vomit, and she scrunched her eyes shut, fighting to keep it at bay.

She brought the light out, and it wrapped her in a soft aura, and all the screaming inside of her went silent to her ears. It was still there, but silent, and she could focus for the first time in a long while.

"I just want you to be happy, Beast." She said, feeling safe and soothed by her light.

This wouldn't last forever. She knew that.

"I need to go and do something." She spoke softly, looking away. She needed to do this when she was sane and in control, and she had no idea when this would end. She needed to talk to Vazi. She had no hopes of understanding him by this point, but she could at least try to make sure that the ones she cared about wouldn't get hurt. "Will you wait here for me, Beast? And we'll leave together. I'll show you my green home."

"This is how I speak."

Beast watched, and Beast listened. Clover's words were soft, as ever, and he hoped that she would remain that way--yet she was speaking of returning to Vazi, talking with him, instead. He almost protested; he was afraid, afraid for her, for her light. Yet... she was glowing again, the soft shimmer reflecting in his white fur. He took a deep breath, and slowly sat down. "Please... be careful. I will wait here. But if you need me... call, okay?" His voice still trembled a little, and he wasn't sure about it. He wasn't sure about any of this. But... he trusted Clover. He had to. And he had little choice. The young white lion regarded the doe with wide, pale eyes, eyes still lit with the innocent fear of youth. He'd wait, wait for her to come back. And then they could go home. Wherever this "home" was. ______________

@Clover (we can exit if you want?)

She smiled at Beast. He obviously didn't want her to go, but he listened to her anyway. It melted her, and she kissed them softly. "I'll be right back, I promise. And if I need you, I will call."

She turned away and headed back down the path that Vazi took. She didn't know what she would say to them, but she would make her point clear, and Vazi would listen to her.

Whether he would like it or not.

[exit Clover]

"This is how I speak."