Waking up (Sean POV).

Your eyes blink open and you realize you'd fallen asleep reading. The book was still in your hands propped up as if you were reading it in your sleep. You look at your gold hand, and you wonder for a brief moment how pissed off the Mistress must be with you. You didn't really like being indebted to John, but you were very grateful that the Mistress no longer had control of your hand. Surely she'd have **** some horror on you with it by now if it were still attached...like ripping your cock off or something. Not that you were using your cock right now anyways. In fact, you realize the last time you'd had sex was when the Mistress rewarded you. That was a fun night, though you weren't stupid enough to believe she did it out of any kindness. She just wanted to give you motivation.

You let out a yawn as you set your bookmark and close your book. You look around the room and you let out a sigh. You had good food and entertainment here, but it was still a prison, and you were starting to get very bored. A prison of your own stubbornness. All you really needed to do was tell John what you know, but you know you don't actually know very much, and you worry it wouldn't be enough to earn your freedom. He didn't really seem to be the type to care about that though. You let out another deep sigh as you ponder what he wants to accomplish here. It seems so foolish and almost comically impossible. Yet this gods damned prick might actually be able to do it, and further, if you set aside your pride, you could be part of it.

Still...the Mistress was a very powerful enemy, and she seems very close to bringing Wendel back. An even more powerful enemy. You weren't really looking to be Wendel's enemy, or around anyone who was, but then again, you already were now. The Mistress would never believe you haven't helped John in some way. She would never let you live if she had her way, and you doubted you'd be able to talk your way out of it. She had people everywhere too. You'd never be able to leave this place even if John let you leave. You look down at your hand again and watch it as you open and close your fingers.

If that fucking raptor hadn't chomped off your arm you'd have been in town with all the others, and right now you'd have some collar around your neck as your master made you chop wood until you died or something. Maybe more than anything else that thought really makes you grind your teeth. John was teaching you a lesson that day, easily taking the three of you out, and in doing so he saved you from being a **** yourself. Him and that stupid raptor of his. You shiver as you replay the memory of that raptor almost casually biting your arm off. You can still picture its jaw muscles as it clamped down on your arm. Still...you had to admit that the situation wasn't necessarily his fault.

Just as scary was how easily John had taken out your friends in that fight. He was toying with them, and the only reason you got so close to him was because he didn't see you as a threat. You realize you weren't a threat to him really. You almost got a knife into him because he wasn't paying attention. You smirk a little bit knowing that even though you didn't give him a good scar to remember you by, that you still taught him a good lesson. Don't ignore anyone because if you do, you might end up with a dagger in your back. A lesson you'd learned all too well at a much earlier age then John you suspected. You can't help but let the smirk turn into a smile, though you didn't really know why that makes you smile.

"You have been smiling more lately" a voice states beside your bed. You startle and quickly look to see Dawn standing next to your bed. You can feel your heart pounding.

"Gods woman...would you stop doing that. I doubt you scare John like that" you reply as you try to let your heart rate lower down.

"You would be wrong" Dawn smirks "and you are changing the subject" she adds.

"What subject would that be" you ask.

"That you are smiling more lately. Two hundred and fifty percent more" she states. You look her up and down like she is crazy.

"You are tracking how often I'm smiling" you ask her.

"Yes" she replies. You frown knowing that's all the more she's going to elaborate on that.

"Your frowning remains at a constant though" she smirks and you roll your eyes.

"Well...whatever. I suppose that maybe this place isn't so bad" you say.

"The place or the people in it" she asks.

"Maybe both...at least some of you. Like the ones who don't try giving me heart attacks everyday" you smirk.

"Fair enough. You and Juliet seem to get along together very well" Dawn states.

"What does that mean? Juliet is a kind person. If you are saying I have ill intentions with her then you can go" you start to say but Dawn holds up her hand to stop you.

"I am saying nothing of the sort. On the contrary I can tell you are happy to see her each time she visits, and your voice range and body language suggest more of a sibling relationship...a parent even" Dawn states. You squint your eyes and look Dawn up and down.

"What point are you trying to make" you ask her a little annoyed now "I'm not her parent...I'm not anyone's parent. Juliet deserves a better person looking after her than me. Diana is doing just fine in that regard. I'm just...a...a" you say trying to find the right word.

"A friend" Dawn suggests.

"I'm just...friend-like. When more people show up here she'll find other people to visit with" you say with a little more sadness then you would have thought.

"You feel she will abandon your friendship" Dawn asks.

"Ok look...I see what you are doing here, but to answer your question, yes. She's a kid. When something more interesting is around eventually she'll move on to that" you reply.

"Have you considered that might not happen if you continue being there for her. If you continue being interested in her life" Dawn states.

"How? It isn't like I'm shitting out toys for her" you reply making Dawn chuckle.

"I would suggest you do not shit out toys. Instead, if you make the effort to be part of her life, then you will be part of her life" Dawn states.

"For better or worse" you mumble.

"You feel you will make her life worse if you make the effort to be part of her life" Dawn asks.

"That's not opinion" you state.

"Yes it is" Dawn counters "you control what you do. You and you alone. You can have a positive effect on her life, or you can have a negative effect. Your actions are what determines that, and my opinion is that you are capable of having a positive effect on her life. You already have, but it takes commitment for long term success. Despite what roads you took to get here, at this crossroad of your life you do not need to walk alone, and all of us here wish you happiness and success" Dawn says.

"I doubt John wants me to be happy and successful" you say chuckling. Dawn looks at you seriously.

"He may be the one who wants it the most" she replies making you immediately stop chuckling. Before you can respond your door chimes letting you know someone wants in. Dawn fades away leaving you to your thoughts, but your door chimes again.

"Come in" you call out. You get up to sit on the edge of your bed as Juliet walks in carrying several books and boxes in her arms. She walks over to a table and you see her struggle to set them all onto the table. She pauses a moment to catch her breath, but then smiles brightly as she starts sliding the table over to you.

"What's all this then" you ask with a smirk on your face.

"This" she says gesturing at the pile on the table "is a table top roleplaying game" she smiles proudly as you scratch your head in confusion.

"We going to see who can read the most books" you ask smugly.

"No silly. These are all the rules of the game" she replies.

"This seems way too complicated if I'm being honest" you say trying not to frown since you don't want to disappoint her.

"I promise it is easier than it looks. Dawn are you ready" Juliet asks. Dawn fades back into the room with a smug look on her face.

"I am indeed ready" Dawn states grabbing some small bags off the table and handing you each a bag. You open the bag and see it is full of various dice. Some look like they have quite a few sides.

"Let's get started" Juliet says hopping up onto the bed next to you.

"Ok, I will explain the basic rules of the game to you. Juliet is correct that it looks very complicated, but you both will pick it up as we play. Now, here are some character sheets I've written up for both of you. I've tailored them to what I think you will both have the easiest time playing" Dawn states pulling out some paper to hand to both of you. You take a look at the character sheet.

"Spencer. Level one human thief" you read the character sheet. You squint your eyes and look up at Dawn who is clearly suppressing a laugh.

"Tanya. Level one human sorcerer" Juliet reads and excitedly claps her hands.

"Alright. So these are your characters, and the main aspect of this game is roleplaying. Your two characters know each other, and they are going to attempt to go on an adventure together for fame and fortune. The world your characters are in is known as..." Dawn starts explaining. You listen patiently as she goes over the basics of the game, and you had to admit that it did sound a bit interesting. You look over at Juliet who is listening with rapt attention to Dawn, and you can't help but smirk at her enthusiasm. Several hours later after a short break for dinner you and Juliet find yourselves in the middle of a fight.

"Are you sure you want to cast fireball there. It will hit Spencer too" Dawn asks Juliet.

"I'm thinking" Juliet ponders for a moment. "What is your reflex save" Juliet asks you, and you open your mouth to answer.

"Nope, you are in the middle of a fight, you would not be able to have a conversation about your saving throws" Dawn says before you can answer. Juliet let's out a humph as she continues thinking. Suddenly Diana walks into the room, and she smiles seeing the three of you together.

"It is time for bed Juliet" Diana says.

"Aww...we're right in the middle of battle though. We have to collect a treasure to pay off a priest to resurrect our friend" Juliet pouts. Diana frowns and gives you a look that is clearly asking for your help with this.

"We'll leave everything right where it is so we can pick up right here next time alright" you tell Juliet. Juliet pouts for a moment longer, but you see a twinkle in her eye as she stands up on the bed. She leans in and hugs you tightly catching you by surprise.

"Thanks Sean. Today was really fun" she says. You tentatively hug her back.

"I had a good time too" you reply.

"Do you have a good reflex save" Juliet whispers softly, and you nod your head in response. You hear Dawn chuckle for a moment, and then Juliet lets you go and hops off the bed.

"Bye Sean. I'll come back tomorrow so we can get that treasure" Juliet says as she and Diana wave goodbye. You wave goodbye back as the two of them walk out the door. You see Dawn is smirking at you.

"Two hundred and sixty percent increase as of right now" she states and you realize you were smiling almost the whole time.

"John would do anything to protect Juliet wouldn't he" you ask Dawn trying to sound as serious as you can.

"Yes. He is committed to her protection" Dawn replies. You already know what you want to tell her, but you pause a moment as if to show you are thinking about something. That this is a hard choice for you.

"Have him stop by tomorrow...there are some things I need to tell him about" you tell her.

"You have decided which road to take it would seem" Dawn states. You nod your head.

"It's one I never would have considered walking before" you reply.

"Just remember, you will not be walking it alone" Dawn states.

"We'll see" you reply.

"Well...good night then" Dawn says before fading away.

"Good night" you say to the empty room. It was time to take a nice long shower. For some reason, as you walked toward the bathroom, you felt a little lighter.