Anna traipsed out of the bedroom and sat beside Midona.

"I don't know about right choices and the like, but what yez did today 'elped a scarred young man find someone. I know it was in Gabe's nature, but there's a fine line between punishment an' mindless torture. And he 'urt tha' lad. An' now tha' lad's safe, thanks to yez."

Midona shook her head. "you don't understand, Anna." she whispered, as gently as she could. "you are as a mortal. A few drops of faerie blood doesn't make you other. You can't possibly understand, as you are free to choose your own path. Mortals, those who control physical elements like fire or light, creatures of balance to an extent, gods, and creatures like angels, faeries, etc." she gestured vaguely with one arm, "but some aint so lucky, kay? Blake and Gabe are elementals too. Of corruption. Desires, vices and fears. When such things are your nature what choice do you have? Can one who thrives off the pain and debauched pleasures of others truly be happy? Is that even possible? Besides....we knew a side of Gabe that you never can, me and Blake. Him esspecially." Midona shook her head and whispered "they deserved a chance, at least."

Anna sighed and hung her head.

"Everyone deserves a chance? Where was mine? I was born inta a place where the highest I can ever 'ope to achieve is Best Prozzie in the Alley. Where was Rico's? 'E was getting 'imself educated by some o' the blokes on the dock. They was gonna teach 'im 'ow to be a sailor so's 'e could make a life fer 'imself. And he was 'urt and killed 'coz it were fun. Chance don't come into life."

When Blake woke with the nightmares still riding him, he had the terrible firt moment of not knowing where he was. He looked around, recognized Terry's apartment, and sighed.

~

"That wasn't my point." Midona sighed, "What I meant was that people are too quick to judge the other as good or evil. Yes we are borne of corruption; sin and debauchery and all that good stuff. But that isn't all we know. Just as the creatures of the night wish, however fleetingly, to see daybreak, nightmares can dream of peace; sinners of saints; the sahara of snowfall. Gabe and I are, in some ways, a lot allike. And he and Blake had something real, something special. I know it."

~

"You spilling secrets, Mi?" Blake reached up to touch his scar, by this point more habit than anything else, "Why?"

"Because we have all gotten by with secrets and half-truths for far too long!" Midona stood up to face him, "Because what is there to gain from lying to yourself?" she added gently.

Without thinking, Blake struck her. Not the insulting love taps he'd thrown before, but a true punch from Gabriel's underling striking out at an equal. She fell to the floor, her charechteristic grace absent, and he finally saw her as she truly was. Small, frail, a fading pyre in the darkness. A bruise was forming on her left cheek.

"Blake..." he shook his head, terrified at what he had done.

He ran from the room.

"Is this it?" Frances said, looking up at the building. "Sadly, yes." replied Hector. It wasn't what you'd call an inviting looking building, but they'd been promised free drink, which was enough. Hector knocked on the door.

(( I'd just like to say now that they're a little drunk XD ))