Lucian lowers his head, realizing he must sound a little crazy for...thinking up ways to hurt himself. Perhaps he feels a little guilty as well, he hadn't considered how the prospect of attacking and killing him might affect the others. 

He listens quietly as Eithne speaks, keeping his eyes downcast as she talks. He'd thought about asking for chains before they left, but he'd been worried about what sort of questions that would bring up...since he hadn't told anyone yet. What a stupid mistake that had been...then again, there was no guarantee that whatever chains they could provide would be thick enough to hold him. 

"I... don't really know how a werewolf behaves either," he says, running his thumb up and down the small chain around his neck. "I just... the most prominent feelings that come through with...what few memories I have... are all anger or bloodlust. I mean... thats mostly what I remember anyways... The wolf..." He was going to say he doubts that they could ever trust it. It would be like the she wolf, attacking once their backs are turned. He also doubts that they could tame it, coaxing it with food...would that work when the beast want's fresh blood instead? "Strong chains should work... I don't mind," he says after a moment. "I don't know if we'll ever have the time to...bury me. But, that's a good idea too." He offers a half-hearted smile, picturing himself buried up to his neck as an angry wolf. 

When she puts her hand on his shoulder and mentions a cure, Lucian finally looks up. His green eyes glitter for a moment, but he doesn't cry...he hasn't shed tears in a long time. He's longed for a cure for ages. Yet part of him knows that it can't be that simple. He doesn't remember a time when he hasn't live with this curse...and from what evidence he has... well, it was likely that he'd had it since birth. Still, he offers a smile, "Thanks. I..." He lets go of the pocket watch, "This means a lot to me. I won't lose hope. I just... want to make sure that I don't end up being more of a hindrance then a help." 

He glances over to where Onika and Lenn had chosen to rest, "Do...you think they will be...alright with this?" It seemed he had gotten lucky with this group so far, as Chara, Nikolai, and Eithne had all accepted him and the danger he brought without much question. He had expected...so much more conflict. Part of him had wondered if at least one of them would attempt to put him down. ...He is loathe to know what would have happened if he had turned while they were still with Pietrovich. As the thought crosses his mind, he inadvertently rubs his ribs, as if envisioning the crossbow bolts that had killed the she-wolf had struck him instead. 

"I think we all will be alright with this, dear..." replies Eithne "It's as I told to Juhowly before... We all have lost something. Plus we all, I believe, have our problems and our secrets. I don't think that anybody of us will blame you, nor judje you... and not even think that it would be better without you. Given what we are trying to accomplish, we will need every help possible. Even at the cost of sharing each other's issues and dangers".

Lenn has been silent since the she-wolf killed her own puppy. He tries to react when she jumps to Eithne but the seasoned hunter has been faster. The armor clad man was already trying to get the remnants o the little girl when Pietrovich helps him to recover them.  He silently sees how Lucian gives the wolf pups to the others. He has mixed feelings about that. Things had been different, a few months ago... he would have volunteered to take care of them. But now... he barely trust himself around people, having such defenseless creatures while they travel around. 

He remains a few meters away from the rest, guarding the rearguard when they start walking again. Once they stop to make camp he helps in any way but he keeps himself a little bit apart from the others. He hasn't feed today. He can feel the Beast at the bottom of his chest. Nothing he can't handle, just an itch.. but he knows it will be worse in the days to come. His back was laying on a tree, his eyes closed. He didn't want to go to sleep. He knew that her will be there again. Mocking him.

When Lucian reveals his curse he opens his eyes but say nothing, he just listen. They were quite a motley crew indeed. All of them with their own curse to bear. They seem quite accepting of Lucian's condition. 

- Lucian - he says, his voice a little bit hoarse for being so much time silent - I myself really appreciate you telling us. I agree with Eithne. You'll be fine here. - He hesitates, should he speak? Lucian had no choice, but his curse doesn't puts them in constant danger. He notices that the others are still looking at him, waiting for him to continue.

- Please, do not misinterpret my silence with doubts about you... I will do whatever I could to help you. And if the need arises I will restrain you to the best of my abilities, without harming you. I... I have my own curse to bear and fight against too. - he looks away for a moment, to the darkness surrounding them. - Lucian... you have to learn to control it. I do not care about the circumstances, and I do not blame you at all, but that... is what you are now. Maybe we can find a cure, maybe don't. That's a problem for the future us. But now... this is what you are. You can let it define you... hinder you, or you can learn to use it to your advantage and others. This is no easy path, I know what I am talking about, but is one worth walking. You will fall along it, but.. - he looks at the others for a second here hoping not to be wrong on his next sentence - ... that's why you have us for. We will pick you up. We can help you I could help you for I.. - he hasn't really noticed it but as he spoke he had stand up and approached the fire. His pale skin reflects the orange and red lights of the fire.

- I know what is fight against a dreadful desire myself. I fight against it every waking moment for I bear the curse of the Monster itself. Somehow my Goodness prevented me to become a creature like him, bound to his will, but I do have the urge... the Hunger inside me... - he hasn't even really think about it, he hadn't decided yet to tell the others, but he was trying to make Lucian understand that he knows... not it was too late to keep the secret 

- I am a vampire - 

He stands there, motionless, waiting for it to sink in the others, ready to accept their rejection.

Chara was just on the verge of drifting off to sleep when Lenn gave his speech. Then she hears him say that he is a vampire, and she sits bolt upright, startling her puppy. She whispers reassurances to the little animal, stroking it gently until it quiets down. Then she looks up at Lenn.

"A vampire?" She repeats, genuinely shocked. "That... that's impossible. You were walking with us all day without shelter. Sunlight is lethal to vampires... isn't it?"

Chara doesn't assume Lenn is evil... after all, he did sign the paper with the rest of them, and in the limitted interactions she's had with him he's been nothing but supportive (if a bit grim)... but the idea that any vampire, 'good' or not, can walk about freely in sunlight is an unsettling revelation.

By reflex, Nikolai raises his hands in an arcane gesture, ready to attack Lenn.  He is about to speak when he hears Chara's questions, and instead holds his tongue, but a grim look is on his face, and he maintains the mana energy that is crackling around his hands, ready to release it at a moment's notice.

“Well… “ says Lenn sitting now and trying to be more confident that he really felt.
Since the attack he has been alone. It was easy and safer that way. He had expected them to cast him out, not more questions that even him hasn’t the answer. But the void on his stomach, similar to take a leap from the top of a cliff made him realize one thing. Yes, being alone has been safer for others, and for him. 

“I do not know much about my… special condition. I do believe that my transformation is not complete. I think this was thanks to the intervention of my Goodness, but I do think that they can walk into the sunlight… but they are more vulnerable on it. “ he replies to Chara.

Lucian jumps a little when Lenn addresses him...he'd assumed that the paladin was asleep, and perhaps...perhaps he'd been talking louder than he'd thought. However, he's relieved when Lenn doesn't seem to mind, and glances towards Onika as Lenn speaks, wondering if she overheard as well... he kind of hopes she did, it would make it easier that way. 

Then Lenn tells him he needs to learn to control it, and his eyes dart back over to the paladin. He's, been trying to do just that... but, to try and use it? He couldn't. He just wanted to be able to block the wolf out, to keep it buried and never let it see the light of day. Yet he had to admit that Lenn had a point, if he could use that side of him to help in the upcoming battles...shouldn't he? If he could find a way to keep his mind during the transformations, what would be the harm in becoming the wolf?

He finds himself shaking his head, and forces himself to stop as Lenn continues. How could this person help him? Was it possible that he was a werewolf too? 

Then Lenn reveals his secret...

Lucian blinks, unsure of how to react. Part of him is glad that he isn't the only one dealing with a curse...part of him knows how wrong it is to be happy someone else is going through what he's going through...and part of him doesn't know whether to be afraid, or angry, or neither. He reminds himself that Lenn signed the contract just like he did, so he must be confident in his control. He must be a good person, just like everyone else here. ...right? Did he have any room to question, when he had a curse himself? Was there really any difference?

"You... think you can help me control my curse?" Lucian asks hesitantly. Part of him rebels against that idea. Were his transformations really that similar to whatever vampiric desires the paladin possessed? "I can keep the wolf suppressed most of the time, but... thats not the same thing as control I know." If it was, he wouldn't still be looking for the only thing he can think of that could help him have any measure of control. He can't help but feel like whatever help Lenn has to offer won't work the same for him as it had for the Paladin. 

He shifts uncomfortably, remaining seated next to Eithne, "I'm... sorry for what you have to deal with." He has so many questions, but is unsure if now is the right time to ask them. So he falls quiet, eyes dropping to where his hands rest in his lap. 

Finally, he decides to ask, "How long...have you been coping with it?" He looks up at Lenn, "Y..You don't have to answer if you don't want to. I.. I don't like talking about...mine either." He ducks his head, hoping he didn't just make a mistake asking. 

Lenn smirks at Lucian’s words. 

“I wasn’t unsure if I was going to be able to speak of it at all with anyone… ever. But in the past day you all have gave me… one thing that I thought I had lost among many others… hope. Hope to be able to reveal my nature now. 
It happened a few months ago. First nights are a little bit fuzzy in my mind so I apologize if I cannot provide an accurate answer. But please feel free to ask anything you want. We are embarked in a very dangerous quest, some would say suicidal, and  we are going to be able to put our life’s in the hands of the others. So I will be as clear as possible with any doubt you may have for I want… no.. I need you to trust me. Please… ask, now or later. It doesn’t matter. Now that I have revealed it to you I see no point in calm your doubts. I will answer then to best of my knowledge “ 

Quote from Painted_Beyond >>

Eithne's azure eyes examine this newcomer too.

'Male. But not elf, at least. A little too pale, still... I just hope' she shudders 'he's not a vampire going up against Stradh to eliminate the competition!'...

Quote from FrandalSilvereyes >>

 

...

- I am a vampire - 

...

Hearing Lenn confess that he is a vampire, Eithne remembers that she had jokingly assumed it, the first time she had seen him, in Blinsky's shop… and an involuntary shiver runs down her spine.

'I had guessed right imagining him a vampire...' she tries to calm down by caressing Juhowly '...I just hope I haven't guessed right also in hypothesizing his motivations! But anyway, nothing would ever be worse than the Devil Stradh'

The voices in her head are much less poised... but the savage stranger endures, sighs, even takes out a pomegranate to distract herself by eating it.

The last of the dusk elf maidens has no desire to escape. Didn't she just tell Lucian that everyone in the group has their own problems and secrets? And now? Should she be scared? For now, Lenn has proved to be calm and reliable... Indeed, given that it seems the time for confessions and mutual trust, perhaps she should say something too?

At the idea, the voices in her head literally crush her, all suggesting to do it, not to do it, what to say… Eithne involuntarily squints and grits her teeth a little.

'It's not the time...' the savage stranger finally manages to slip into her mind a thought that belongs entirely to her 'After all, Lucian and Lenn warned us because they could be a threat... I, instead , by not disclosing my identity, am not endangering anyone'.

There would be further considerations regarding sincerity and trust that would like to appear in the tormented mind of the last of the dusk elf maidens, but a crowd of confused and conflicting thoughts overwhelms them hopelessly.

Eithne focuses on the pleasure of eating the pomegranate, savoring the juice from the seeds…and slowly regaining some peace.

Chara considers the new information for a few moments, watching how the others reacted. She notes Nikolai preparing a spell, Lucian's questions, and Eithne's uncomfortable silence. Chara still isn't entirely sure what to think. But she decides to give her opinion before Nikolai fires some unpleasant spell off at the paladin or Eithne loses the composure that she is clearly having trouble maintaining.

"I'm sure you didn't choose this, any more than I chose to be a devil," Chara says to Lenn at last. "It's clear that Blinsky trusted you... and we all trusted him enough to sign our names to his cursed parchment. So I trust you as well."

Lucian swallows. Lenn has only been dealing with his curse for a few months, yet he seems confident in his ability to keep it under control. Lucian, who’s had his for as long as he can remember, can’t say the same for himself. The realization made him a little sick. 
Lenn said he thought he was spared from total transformation due to his…goodness. Was that why he could control it? If so…what did that mean for Lucian? Was he…not good enough? Was his good side not strong enough to overpower the beast within?

He stays quiet for a moment, unsure of how to ask his questions. He doesn’t want the others to think he’s filling himself with self pity… He wasn’t, more, it was self-doubt. He’d long ago come to terms with what he was, even if he hadn’t accepted it, he’d been forced to acknowledge it as part of his life. It was something he had to deal with and…that was that. All he could do was make sure he didn’t hurt anyone during his…episodes.

“It’s there all the time? Every waking moment?” he asks hesitantly. “How…do you keep it contained? Is it just…willpower? Or…is there some other trick to it? I…For me it takes time…I have to meditate, to get myself calmed down, if I feel it trying to get out.” He pauses, swallowing again, “I…can feel it there. It’s always there. Some of its…abilities…I can use even when I’m…me. But, if I try relying on those senses it’s harder to keep from transforming. But, most of the time it’s just there…waiting. Is it like that for you? …or…” he trails off, unsure how to continue. 

"Thank you. " he replies to Chara. " I want you all to know that I only live to kill the monster. It is my only purpose in life. To avenge those that he had killed, those who's lives had been destroyed by Him." he stares at the tiefling girl in the eye. "One more thing Chara. You are no devil. Not al all. Not only my gut tells me but every decision you've made since we've met, every action, shows that you have a good heart. No matter how do you look. In your blood may be fiendish heritage, yes, but you are no devil. Not at all. I know that many cannot see above appearances, or beyond their own noses to be honest, but never let their words define you. And if they dare to insult you... I can always teach them manners...  " he smirks and  nods to her and turns again to Lucian to answer his questions. 

"Yes Lucian... it is more or less the same to me. I call it the Beast, for it is ravenous, or the Hunger for it is always present. " he closes his eyes " I can feel it now, inside my chest" with his fist closed he touches his chest, near his heart "I can feel it in my stomach. It whispers to me to satiate my apetites, to taste the warm, delicious blood that runs on your veins. I can hear those pups hearts beating rapidly... yes... I can smell your uneasy, almost fear... it is... intoxicating... " he inhales and after a second he finally opens his eyes looking to his companions, smiling " But fear not. I choose not to fall into that temptations. It is not an easy task Lucian. You are always battling against that... urges...but your will is stronger than any disease, than any curse... how do I know? Look at you Lucian. You are here. You are not a beast roaming the woods right now. You are here among us, even planning to do the impossible to help others have a better living. That tells me that you have a great force of will yourself. I just provoked you... most of people would have fled at my words, or answered my veiled threats with violence... " he looks around " And yet here you are... listening. So Lucian, never sell yourself short. Specially to yourself. " he pasues for a moment to let his words sink then he continues, 

"Now.. I do not have a recipe to control it. As once dearly loved teacher told me once" he briefly touches the greatsword that he had let at his side when he sat "  I can only offer you my insight on it and what have worked for me so far, with the hopes that you find your own way to make it work. To me, it really helps to have a goal, to commit myself to something greater than me, it is true that my Goodness helps me in this, but that's just how I've decided to pursue that goal. Keeping your mind fixed on that goal, carefully thinking in what would hinder, or help, that goal if you let the Beast out... that helps me to control it... to use it.. perhaps these two things that I've talked will be a good starting point from which we can keep working.. "

Lucian listens quietly, still sitting cross-legged next to Eithne with his hands on his knees. He hadn't even picked up on whatever veiled threats Lenn had presented...perhaps he was just to focused on the prospect of someone trying  to help him--someone who actually has some measure of understanding as to what its like to have such a...huge inconvenience and ever present fear in their life.

He glances at Nikolai, who still seems tense. He found it odd that the half-elf was so accepting when he heard of Lucian's secret but...not with Lenn's. Yet he also understands that a vampire could perhaps be more of a...trigger to everyone hear. "Nikolai... I think... I don't think he's any more of a threat then I am." Perhaps he was less of a threat...Lucian had to realize.

He looks back to Lenn, "So you just need something to focus on? I think... I can do that." It wasn't as if he didn't have goals of his own. Of course, he wanted to kill Strahd--or at least help overthrow him, and he wanted to find a way to either get rid of his lycanthropy or control it. Yet, if he needed one singular goal, he would have to choose the prior over the latter... perhaps in chasing one he would be able to catch the other as well?

Letting out a breath he says, "I just... I don't know... Once its out I can hardly think for myself. ...and I... it's like it suppresses me the way I suppress it." He looks down, "When you... have to let it out... how long does it take for you to come back to yourself? I... full moons are the worst...but, when it happens other times I have no idea what it is that lets me revert back to...myself. I don't know if the wolf has to go to sleep, or.... I just... honestly its hard for me to remember anything that has to do with transforming...other then that it hurts...a lot." He rubs his chest, "So... I don't know what it is that allows me to come to. ...What I'm trying to say is that... if I transform, I don't want anyone to assume that I can just... call it off. I can't. Maybe... on the next full moon, while I'm restrained, I can try... I will try." He hesitates...it wasn't as if he hadn't tried time and time again, but he felt he had to give something back after listening to Lenn. "But, if it happens when no one is prepared, I don't want the wolf to have any time to do anything to any of you. So if it happens, just..." Once more...he trails off. He really just wants to know that they will shoot first and think later when dealing with the wolf. It would take advantage of any sign of weakness if it was allowed to. The last thing he wanted was to wake up to find he'd killed someone...or worse. 

"I appreciate you trying to help me," he says after a moment. "And... It means a lot that you all trust me. Really...I haven't had anyone trust me in a long time." He looks to Lenn, "I'll keep your advice in mind...and I'll try to focus next time... I just... my first priority in dealing with this is to keep it contained---that's what I know how to do...even if it doesn't always work. Maybe down the road...you can help me...use it." He doesn't sound particularly thrilled at the idea of trying to use the wolf. He is still skeptical, but if Lenn could master his beast in a matter of months, why couldn't he?

He forces a smile, "We are quite a group aren't we?" He looks down again, still smiling a little. 

Lenn turn his head to look at Nikolai. 

"It is ok. I understand. I will leave if you want but please first at least allow me to finish this conversation with Lucian" 

Then he replies. 

"It has taken control... sometimes..." Lenn seems embarrassed. "Make no mistake. Even if I control it... I must... feed it. If not, sooner or later it will overcome me. In my case once it is satiated it... calms down for a while..." he listens to Lucian explanations. He was trying to help him, but in the end he finds somehow comforting be able to speak openly about it and he finds that the talk was also helping him, if nothing else to be able to be something next to have a normal conversation. He ponders Lucian's words. 

"Maybe if you try to control it on the peak of its power, it would be too hard. Perhaps you should try to do it little by little. Before you said that you can use some of the wolf traits while still being you. Perhaps you can start there. Using that traits and keeping the wolf at bay. You have to compromise with it. You will set it free, but only when you want and against who you want. If you do not let it run free, so to speak, from time to time, it will only gain strength until it can break your chains and roam free with all its power. As I said that before, the wolf is part of you now... even if you seek to remove it, in the meantime that is what you are. Fighting against it is like fighting against having your eyes green or brown... So despite how much I hate myself I had to accept it. It is no easy task. That it is how it is for me. If you are worried about it getting out unexpectedly... I promise you that I will do whatever is in my power to restrain you and  to protect the others. If it is ok with all of you for me to remain here..." he looks back to Nikolai. 

At Lucian's lasts words Lenn finds himself letting out a short laugh. Goodness it has been a long time. 

"Indeed we are... indeed we are..." 

"Lucian," says Nikolai slowly, "It is different to me. When you transform, you lose control.  Not so with Strahd and his ilk.  They always know exactly what they are doing.  Vampires do not change back and forth from human to beast.  They are undead, always, a crime against nature and the gods, and pure evil.  I have never heard of a vampire that could control his unholy thirst.  I have heard of vampires that will lie, and use their powers of charm and persuasion to convince you that they are your friend.  They are not. We are food to them, to be consumed and discarded, nothing more."

He sighs.  "I wish I could believe that a vampire could change its nature.  But remember the she-wolf.  She acted tame for a season, but her true nature was bound to manifest, sooner or later.  How could we ever sleep, knowing that you constantly fight against a desire to murder and mutilate us?

"Lucian, you have two spirits in your body fighting for control.  He, on the other hand has none. That is the difference, to me.  Lenn, I simply do not think I can trust you. What guarantee can we have that you are not in league with von Zarovich, or even seeking to take his dark throne in your own reign of terror?

"I cannot of course force you to leave.  And perhaps it is better that we know where you are rather than have you out in the world, shadowing us.  If the others accept you, I will not attack, but rest assured, I will be constantly watching."

While the conversation between vampire and werewolf proceeded, Eithne had time to eat heartily her pomegranate (stilling the voices in the meantime).

"I recognize a certain wisdom in your words, Lenn" the savage stranger then intervenes, with a naturalness that would have seemed impossible to her a few minutes earlier. "I too have realized, over time, that even the parts of us that we don't like can eventually be used for our purposes. Chara doesn't like the way she looks..." she points her thumb at her "yet her wings can allow her to reach more easily those who need her. I, as far as I am concerned, would gladly do without the voices that so often scream in my head... and that you've partly heard through Vlad...yet I've learned that they too can be useful. Sometimes I realize I know things I didn't know before. Sometimes, when the voices are coherent, united... the emotional charge they give me pushes me beyond my limits. I guess the same goes for the nature of a vampire or of a werewolf. It is something that could be used. And to succeed in the task we have set ourselves, we can't afford to discard any help" the last of the dusk elf maidens got up, approached the vampire and shook his hand. "I think that whoever was generous or foolish enough to start what we started, should stay. It will already be difficult together. Separated, we would have no hope. We will have to learn to accept each other, trust each other and work together. We must..." she shrugs "...or we will fail".

"Nikolai," the savage stranger turns to the half-elf "I see your point. But I take the liberty of pointing out that Lenn's vampire nature is not something you discovered in spite of himself, but something he openly revealed to you… probably aware of the consequences. Doesn't seem like the best move for someone that should plan to deceive us. I still think like I just said. I think the path of trust, however difficult, is the only one that can give us a chance. And anyway, at least for tonight you can sleep peacefully... I'll keep watch over your neck. All night long".

Eithne thinks she has nothing more to say, so she sits back and cuddles Juhowly, keeping an eye on her surroundings. Unless someone needs her, the savage stranger begins her night watch...

Lucian nods as Lenn continues speaking. He doesn't like the idea of willingly letting the wolf out. It seems so...counterproductive. Not to mention dangerous. Yet, if he wasn't content continuing as he has been for all these years...perhaps it was time to try something new. He had to admit that what Lenn was saying...well it made sense. The more he suppressed the wolf, the more eager the beast would be to break out. Perhaps he would have to go about taming it...training it... As much as he didn't like the way that sounded, he had to remind himself that he was not the wolf. 

When Lenn suggests starting with keeping control while using the wolf's abilities, he brightens a little, "I... I think I can do that. I...usually avoid it at all costs, just because...well I..." He hesitates, "I don't like feeling like an animal even in this form." Letting out a long breath he adds, "I've been coping with this for... forever. I know its part of me, but I just...hate admitting that...well...that I am a werewolf." He shakes his head, clearly uncomfortable with the word. He hadn't spoken it this many times in ages, much less used it to describe himself. "But, if everyone is willing to take the risk, and I'm using the ability for something important, I can give it a try."

"I...thanks," he says hesitantly when Lenn assures him that he will do his best to restrain him if the wolf gets out. 

He turns his attention to Eithne when she stands to shake hands with the vampire. He smiles slightly at her words, glad that she seems accepting. However, his smile vanishes when Nikolai speaks up. The half-elf's words send a prickling sensation down his spine, and he once more drops his gaze to his lap. Part of him understands Nikolai completely, but... Lenn didn't seem evil. Why would he even be here if he was? And... the idea of having two spirits inside him? He didn't like that at all. Yet, supposed it wasn't any different then assuming the wolf was just...what? A second personality? Perhaps it was better the other way.

Yet the thought that Lenn might not have a soul at all was even more disturbing to him...and...didn't really make much sense either. The idea that Blinsky had presented to them concerning souls had been confusing enough...but he felt that if Lenn really was soulless, why would he have been invited to sign the contract in the first place? If he was soulless, would he even have the capacity to make that decision? 

At least Nikolai hadn't decided to attack, or, insist that Lenn leave. Lucian wasn't sure what he would do in either situation. 

"I...think I understand what you're saying," he says slowly. "But... Why would he have signed the contract? I mean... I guess if he wanted to overthrow Strahd in order to take his place, then I suppose I could see it... but why take that risk if he simply intended to turn around and betray us?" He glances at Lenn, hoping he didn't take the observation the wrong way, "And... didn't we just find out that more then half of Borovia's population is soulless? They aren't undead...but... other then that..." he almost said 'what's the difference' but decided that wasn't the greatest question to ask. Instead he says, "If we are willing to try and help them, shouldn't we be wiling to help Lenn too? I mean, if he needs a soul, and they all need souls, and we are trying to figure out how to give them souls, why not do the same for Lenn? If... he really doesn't have one. If Blinsky found out how to determine who is soulless and who isn't, wouldn't he have known whether or not Lenn had one? And... he also told us. He didn't have to do that. He could have just let us keep thinking he is just a human." He goes quiet for a moment, hoping he wasn't about to make the conflict worse. However, he musters the courage to say, "He didn't choose it any more then I chose my curse. Why is it right to accept me but not him?" He shakes his head, but stops as a headache begins to blossom in his skull--to much excitement for one night it seemed. Looking at Nikolai, he says shakily, "I... just hope you keep as close of an eye on me as you do him." 

Following whatever responses he receives, he will look to Eithne and say, "I...think I'd better go ahead and meditate for a while. ...I'll join you in a few hours." Then he'll take his blanket and find a tree near the edge of the road. Sitting between the roots of the large tree, he crosses his legs and pulls the blanket over his head to help block out the firelight as well as to give himself a bit of warmth. 

Onika pulls Lenn aside after his announcement. She was inspecting him pensively as he was speaking, and now speaks as earnestly as her eerie appearance will allow. "Thank you for sharing your condition with us; I, for one, am fine with it as long as you keep control. Truthfully, I'm more interested in it than anything else. Perhaps at a later time you would humor my interest?"

Chara blushes at Lenn's assurances that she's has a good heart, but doesn't interrupt the rest of the paladin's speech.

When Nikolai announces that he doesn't think the vampire can be trusted, Chara feels a shiver run down her spine. The last thing the party needs is to be fighting amongst themselves when there are so many other creatures that would happily put an end to them.

"I... I understand how you feel," Chara says to Nikolai. "But I think we've all said our piece on the subject. Lenn hasn't shown us anything except good will so far. I agree with Eithne; if he had wanted to murder us all in our sleep, then he would have kept his true nature a secret."

When everything has settled down, the she-devil curls up in her blankets with Cyrus, stroking the puppy gently and humming a tune to lull him to sleep before letting herself drift off for the night.

It is now the middle of the night. There have been no travelers to disturb you in the dark. Your fire is low, but the ashes still glow softly. Lucian has entered into a trance and Eithne, though not in a trance, is sitting so still that it almost seems as if she isn't breathing. 

There is a slight rustling in the trees. You'd think it was just the wind, but it is erratic and the wind is still. Again and again you hear what sounds like movement in the trees. Eithne comes to herself and rises, disturbed by the noise. Lucian is still in a trance. (Eithne, please roll a Perception check).