The Palace of the Cursed discussion

The West Wing is comprised of the third, fourth and fifth floors of the west side of the palace. This is the wing where all the Cursed classified as 'threatening/dangerous' live. The third floor is where the kids live, fourth floor the teenagers, and fifth floor the adults. Every cursed has their own lockable room with a bathroom. Those with partners or siblings can choose to share a room. The rooms in the West Wing have small barred windows in the doors (so guards can keep an eye on them) and are locked every night.

Aelin was sitting near the door out to the corridor whilst Rowan slept listening to everything going on around her. She didn't mind sitting in complete silence and given that she couldn't see anything solitary confinement lost something on her. She heard the guards approaching and smelt the outside world with them since they got to spend time outside. Listening carefully she heard them open a cell door then leave but they left behind the scent of the outside she got up slowly and waited for the scent to come closer.

The guards brought Aelic to the fourth floor of the West Wing, where all the dangerous teenagers have their rooms. They walked quickly along the dark red carpeted corridor, the large glass windows letting in the light of the setting sun. The West Wing would have been quite pretty once, but now that was ruined by the small barred windows on each oak door, a testament to their imprisonment. His room or cell number was 21, at the very end of the corridor. Cell 22 was across from his and the last in this corridor. There are multiple corridors in the West Wing each with 11 rooms/cells, but only a few were actually used. Aleic was almost to his cell when the guard behind him quietly whispered in his ear, 'Beware of those in 22'. His pulse picked up, a convoluted mixture of fear, confusion and curiosity. Why would the guards, those who are supposed to hate his kind, warn him? And if the ones in 22 could scare the guards so much, what sort of divine spirit watches over them? Interesting. Aelic got to his room and watched as the guards unlocked the door and his chains and walked away, leaving him standing in the corridor. Aelic knew he was expected to go into his room and get aquatinted with his cell before dinner, but the heat signatures of those in 22 beckoned to him. I should at least say hi, Aelic reasoned with himself as he cautiously moved towards the door of 22.

Aelin opened the door and grabbed at the person outside. Feeling the strangers wrist she quickly twisted it behind the stranger and held their neck before grabbing their other wrist twisting it behind them and pressed her nose to their neck. The loud bang that the door made woke Rowan up and he waited quietly for the signal from his sister to make a move. "Brother we have a new one he smells like the outside!" She called after smelling the distinct scent of a male from the boy in her grasp.

"What is he?" Rowan called back standing up. Aelin took another deep breath inhaling the boys scent.

"Reptile! Snake!" She called back before releasing the boy and pushing him away.

In the blink of an eye the door burst open and Aelic only had the chance to scan the tall, strong looking female Cursed before she had pinned his arms and slammed him against the wall. Aelic wasn't much of a fighter but his natural instincts kicked in and he tried to twist his head to bite the girl. That however, was quickly put to a stop as he felt her nose at his neck. Was...was she sniffing him?! He froze, eyes wide, unsure what this female would do to him but also strangely curious. Listening to the females conversation with her brother made him even more curious and although her pulse was elevated, he could sense no hostility from her. Just a cold wariness. As he was pushed away, he twirled quickly, wanting to see his attacker. Back pressed against the wall, he tipped his head up to look at the girl. Wow she's tall! Aelic thought to himself as he took in her strong yet girlish build, long white hair (hey! Like me!), purple clouded eyes and white ears and tail. Blind, roughly 16, some sort of canine, Aelic summarised in his mind with a tilt of his head. 'Outside?' He questioned softly, not wanting to scare the girl and her unseen brother yet very curious. They were the first Cursed he had ever really had contact with and they were his age, he wanted to make a good first impression.

"Yes the world outside these walls. Were humans roam. What are you stupid?" She asked coldly blinking to make it look like she could see the boy in front of her. "Speak snake." She hissed as she heard Rowan behind her his quiet breathing and strong heartbeat in her ears. "Or should I call you mouse since you are small and quiet." She mused whilst Rowan gave off his trademark bored look. He looked down at the boy in front of him. The boys face read fear but age around 16 but his size said 10 what business did the guards have throwing a child into a nearby cell.

Aelic almost flinched at the hard cold tone of the girl. As she spoke, he had to suppress a hiss, annoyed that this Cursed would question his intelligence. It was a perfectly logical question in his mind. How was he to know that the outside smelt any different from the inside and anyway, the question pertained more to the fact that she specifically mentioned it, after all, didn't everyone come from the outside? ((He doesn't know that most Cursed are brought in as babies and thus have no sent)). Aelic kept silent, seeing no reason to respond and wishing to see how the girl would react (she told him to speak, typical). He kept tabs on the males heat signature but when the brother materialised at the girls shoulder, he actually did flinch. Tall!!!! Aelic barely heard the females musing, so astounded was he by the other males height and sheer physical presence. He was clearly strong, and had blood red eyes and white hair (same!). His face portrayed a bored expression, and that scared Aelic more than anything. Forcing his eyes away, he instead scanned the animal sections of the twins. He kept silent for a while, waiting and watching. Until it seemed the girl was about to snap he quietly asked 'Wolf? Or Fox?'

"What is it to you snake?" Rowan growled discreetly pressing his hand to the small of his sisters back gripping at the waist band of the pants she was wearing underneath a dress with a short skirt. His fangs glimmered in the light from the nearby bared window as he spoke. Aelin sighed and walked away leaning against a wall on the other side of the room her bushy fox tail sweeping the ground behind her as she walked. She was smart enough to not get into the middle of a future fight especially since she knew so little about the snake.

Although he had sensed no hostility from the sister, the brother was definitely hostile! Definitely hostile! Aelic watched the female walk away out of the corner of his eye, silently wishing she would have stayed, at least to prevent the seemingly up and coming confrontation. Keeping silent at this point in time seemed like a foolish move, especially considering the brothers state, and so he spoke. 'Aelic. And I was just curious.' He said, eyes never leaving the brothers gleaming fangs. I'm dead if he attacks! Aelic thought, pressing closer to the wall. In his heightened sense of panic and danger, his own fangs started filling with venom and Aelic had to quickly flick his tongue up to catch a drop. Snakes only use their venom when ambushing prey or feeling threatened, and Aelic was definitely feeling threatened, though consciously he did not wish to hurt the fellow Cursed. 'I can go, if you wish.' He said softly, not wanting to fight or scare the twins and thus, irrevocably ruin any chance he would have at making friends with the curious people.

"Foxes." Aelin sighed from across the room and Rowan growled at her. "He still doesn't not know our names brother and if I recall snakes have venom." She said flatly scratching at her neck with a gloved hand. "Aelic it would be wise to not incur the wrath of my brother."

Aelic smiled softly at the girl, gratitude evident in his voice. 'So it seems, lady fox.' The brother backed away at his sisters interference and as the tension slowly ebbed away, so did Aelic's venom and immediate fear. The cautious curiosity however remained. Although the twins seemed to be very cold, closed off, and quick to violence, they were still the only Cursed Aelic had met his age. They also lived across from each other and the girl seemed to be quite nice underneath it all (she stopped her brother from ripping him to shreds after all and didn't really show much hostility). Aelic knew deeming her as nice was only speculation (he could be wrong and it would cost him dearly if that was so), but he wanted to trust this wild stab in the dark. 'Until such time as I have gained your trust, I understand that you shall not reveal your names to me. However, I do wish to get along with you both. My name is Aelic and as of today I live in room number 21. It was very nice to meet you both, John, Jane.' He said with a soft laugh and a bright smile, quirking his head to the side again.

"Nameless people, I can get used to that." Aelin said with a shrug and heard Rowan walk over to her.

"He could be a threat a trick to use against us." He growled quietly in her ear having no need to bend down.

"Why do you think that I haven't told him our names? Why do you think I stopped you from ripping him to shreds by interfering? If he is a threat it is best to show him a glimmer of one side but keep him at arms length." She responded softly. "What brought you across the hall Aelic? I am sure that they would have warned you about us." She asked in a cold tone showing no emotion in her face and her face was mostly blank.

Aelic smiled when 'Jane' spoke. She was clever it seemed, not many people could pick up on his subtle 'John Doe' joke. As her brother walked over to her and they started speaking in hushed tones, Aelic's smile dropped and he watched them more closely. They were discussing his possible threat level; it was evident in their body language and whispered tones. Aelic himself could understand that. Just like them, he was not one to trust easily (no Cursed does in this day and age), and his common sense screamed at him to cease all contact with them. Yet his heart could not be silenced. He wanted friends, and had decided to give them a second chance, it was worth the risk. He would take the time to build their relationship up, and then see whether they deserved his trust and friendship. As the twins finished talking they turned to him, faces carefully cold, and blank of emotion. Aelic stayed silent as 'Jane' questioned him. He watched them both for a time as he thought through his possible replies, until choosing one. If they are to trust him/build a relationship, truth in this instance would be preferable. 'Curiosity.' Aelic said quietly, vertical pupils narrowing further as he watched the twins expressions across the corridor.

"That seems reasonable. Age?" She asked with a glimmer of curiosity in her unseeing eyes before it was washed away as she snapped her head in the direction of the hallway. Her ears twitched at the new sound. "There something coming."

'17, I think.' Aelic responded after a moment, watching as 'Jane's' face betrayed her curiosity. That curiosity however, quickly vanished as she whipped her head to the side and whispered a warning. Both siblings face's shut down again, showing no emotion in light of this new information. Aelic himself followed 'Jane's' unseeing gaze and used his enhanced eye sight to try and visually find this new threat. The heat signature was human shaped, so the person approaching was either a guard or a Cursed. As his pupils narrowed, he caught the glint of sunlight against metal, and a memory of chains flashed through his mind. 'Guard!' Aelic whispered, knowing that 'Jane's enhanced hearing would have no problem picking it up.

Aelin gave a curt nod and whispered the same thing to Rowan. "Dogs it's time for dinner!" The guard called and rage flashed over the twins faces. Foxes they are foxes not dogs.

Aelic practically winced at the rage on the twins normally cool faces (at least it wasn't directed at him this time though). No Cursed wants to be called something they're not. Aelic would absolutely hate it if someone called him lizard or something! Its disgusting and he felt a slight build of anger on the twins behalf. This place was a hell hole of a prison, in every sense of the word. Shaking away the emotion (he had no need of it right now), he analysed the situation and realised there was one pressing question he didn't know the answer to. 'Um...Jane? John? Could you please give me directions to the cafeteria?' Aelic asked quietly, unsure how the twins would react, but, he needed to know (he hadn't been given a tour yet).

Aelin nodded once and walked out of the room Rowan close behind her. "Follow us." was all she said before Rowan moved to her side theirs shoulders barely touching. This allowed Rowan to direct Aelin on where to go if a guard or someone showed up in her path. "You should stay with us. Not many people will talk to a dangerous cursed like us." She said over her shoulder stopping at the bottom of the stairs as Rowan opened the door for them all.

Aelic followed a little bit behind the twins, watching the comfortable way they moved together whilst memorising the route at the same time. Against all odds, he was beginning to like them (well, 'Jane' at least). At 'Jane's' unexpected offer of companionship, Aelic smiled brightly and nodded. He was quietly thrilled and it took a moment before he remembered that she was blind and waiting on a reply. 'Thank you Jane.' Aelic quickly said, gratitude and happiness evident in his tone of voice. As 'John' opened up the cafeteria doors, Aelic felt a quick surge of nerves (What's going to happen? What will they ask him? What if they hate him? What if what if!) before taking a deep breath and shoving his nerves down again, face impassive. Another deep breath and he was following the twins into the cafeteria.
((To the cafeteria thread!!))

Groaning Aelin got out of the chair. "I just got comfortable. Brother come here." She said holding out her hand to Rowan who took it and led her out of the room. "I don't understand brother what's happening?" She asked quietly.

"I think the snake is going to try and teach me how to read." He sighed and Aelin patted Rowan on the shoulder with a small nod.

"I pity you." She said solemnly when Rowan glared at her. "Stop glaring at me its not polite." She said crossing her arms.

Aelic walked ahead of them, trying not to trip as he balanced the books. They eventually reached their corridor and subsequently, their rooms, which were down the end of the corridor by the window. The sun had almost set and as they were walking, Aelic had seen the guards coming around and lighting the torches on the walls. They would be here soon to light this corridor and lock the dangerous Cursed in the West wing into their rooms for the night. This would have to be quick. 'Your room or mine?' Aelic asked 'John' with a tilt of his head, the sun setting his snake eyes gleaming.

"Ours so my sister can sleep." He said curtly before taking Aelin by the shoulders and steering her into their room towards the large double bed where she collapsed curling up slightly on her side. Her tail draped over her leg and ears flat against her head as she relaxed. "If you get locked in here you can use the spare room since we never do." He said before sitting at the foot of the bed tossing a blanket on Aelin who's ears started twitching like something was coming. Seeing this Rowan stopped and pushed Aelic into the cupboard along with his books. "Stay here until one of us says that it's ok."

Aelic smiled as he walked into the twins room, subconsciously scanning the area and memorising the layout, seeing no obvious weapons (not because he doesn't trust them, its just a natural instinct). His smile softened as we watched 'John' care for his sleepy sister. That must be what families do, he thought to himself absently as the analytical section of his mind watched 'Jane's' tail and ears twitch. Just as the thought came into his mind that perhaps the twitching ears meant she could hear something, 'John' had straightened up and was shoving him in the cupboard. Aelic did not protest however, because he had just felt the approaching guards heat signatures and knew that if he was seen in here, they would all be in trouble. As the cupboard door closed, Aelic used more of his snake nature, freezing in place, slowing his heartbeat, lowering his body temperature and making his breaths almost non-existent. Then he waited.

Aelins eyes snapped open and she sat up on the bed shrugging off the blanket and standing across the room. "10” her brother whispered and she nodded.

"Dogs we have received information that the boy threatened to eat another. As you two well know this is against the rules and the boy is to go to solitary for one week." One of the guards said sternly.

"I threatened horse face. He stares at me and I don't like it besides foxes and horses don't get along." She growled as Rowan stepped closer to her.

"No sister don't take the fall for me."

"I am not take me I threatened the horse take me. Let me go you filthy pigs." She screamed as the guards ripped the two apart and they started fighting against the iron grip of the guards. She thrashed and wriggled before biting on one mans arm hard till she tasted blood and she heard two men scream. Rowan must have bitten too.

"Muzzle them both and take him to solitary now." A guard called and the leather mask came down over Aelins face covering her mouth and nose. After a few more minutes they finally got the twins under control one of them pressing his knee into Aelins back.

"Brother!" She called her voice slightly muffled from the muzzle as she scratched her face against the stone to get it off till a guard gripped her hair tightly making her stop.

"I'm fine sister." He responded as the guards hoisted him to his feet and shoved him out of the room his arms locked behind him. "Leave my sister alone." He growled as they shoved him towards the dungeons and they lifted Aelin to her feet making her walk to the door of their cell before turning her around and violently shoved her back into the room locking the door behind them. Aelin clawed at her face for a few minutes before giving up on removing the muzzle before crawling back into her room and curling up into a ball with her tail wrapped tightly around her and her ears flat against her head as she quietly sobbed. Why did they take Rowan? He did nothing wrong why did they take him? She threatened horse face. She bit a guard first. She broke the rules. She should be in solitary or drugged making her dizzy. Not Rowan he was innocent. He did nothing wrong this time. Though it wasn't the first time they locked one of them up for no reason. Why did they always lock one of them up? What was the point? They were in jail already. They were cursed. If they were hated that much why didn't the guards just kill them all and get it over with.

Aelic had stood in the cupboard and watched helplessly as the twins fought and 'John' was taken away. He had wanted, with every fibre of his being, to go and help them. Help those who had been relatively kind to him and had become the closest things to friends he had ever had. Instead, he had watched and waited silently, horrified. Aelic knew that if he had went out there, not only would he be useless and in the way (he doesn't know how to fight), but he would also have shown the guards that they had all broken the rules, more than once. Who knew what that would have meant for them. Still, knowing this didn't make it hurt any less. Once Aelic was sure the guards were gone (he watched the heat signatures), he climbed out and slowly, silently approached the weeping, muzzled girl. Sitting gingerly at the edge of the bed, he watched her for a while, unsure what to do. No one had ever comforted Aelic when he was upset so he didn't know how to help others, but some instinct (or the help of a goddess) told him to raise his hand slowly and brush her hair between the ears ((like patting a dog or cat, you know what I mean)). He did just that, hoping to calm 'Jane'.

When Aelin felt a hand on her head that slowly moved behind her right ear her heart stopped only one person knew that scratching behind her right ear calmed her down when she was sad. She took a breath smelling only blood and leather. "Rowan?" She asked gingerly most of her senses had shut down since she started this little sob fest.

Rowan huh! So that was 'John's' name. Good to know. 'Aelic.' He said softly, eyes lowered as he continued rubbing 'Jane' behind her right ear. It seemed to calm her, if the lowering heart rate and sobs were any indication. Aelic knew that he wasn't the one she wanted right now, but there wasn't any way he could fix that so he just kept patting. He hoped he could be of some help because truthfully, he had no idea what to do now and just hoped that this was enough.

"Why do they separate us like that? What did my brother do to deserve this?" She whispered leaning into Aelic's touch. It was cool almost cold but pleasant she always loved the cold whilst Rowan enjoyed the heat. The smell from the muzzle were driving her insane, she used her sense of smell to help her identify people who's heart beat she didn't know but right now all she could smell was leather and blood.

Aelic sighed and kept patting. There was no easy way to answer 'Jane's' question and the girl didn't need to dwell on dark things at the present (she needed to calm down, gather her strength, any weakness and the guards would pounce on her too). Aelic kept silent for the next couple of minutes, pondering how to answer. Just as it seemed he wasn't going to answer, Aelic started speaking quietly, softly. 'Neither of you deserve this 'Jane'. Society is afraid of the Cursed and the guards fear you two especially. Because you are everything they are not. You are strong, powerful, and unafraid. They are not and so they seek to subjugate you (you remind them of their own weakness). I know it's hard, being away from Rowan, but we must prove them wrong. We must show them that no matter what they do, you will not break. I'm sure Rowan would say the same if he were here.' Aelic finished, as he moved his other hand not on 'Jane's' head to clasp her gloved hand. He hoped that what he had said was right, but he was floundering around in the dark here. Aelic had just said what he thought was right, and what he had wished someone had said to him.

"I'm nornally pretty good it's just been a month since they last separated us and even then it wasn't them chaining us like dogs. Normally susan would have come and taken my muzzle off so I can clean off the blood." She whispered leaning on Aelic more her eyes closed as her breathing slowled down just like she was about to fall asleep.

Aelic moved closer, taking more of 'Jane's' weight, the patting stopping for a second before starting up again when they were more comfortable. He smiled sadly at the almost asleep girl. All that stress and crying had worn her out. 'If you want, I can do it. Take off the muzzle I mean, get you cleaned up. The guards locked the doors so Susan wont be able to come tonight. I'm here though.' Aelic said softly, unsure if 'Jane' would want his help, but wanting to offer anyway. The girl seemed almost asleep, so maybe she wouldn't mind that it was him and not this, Susan whoever she is.

"If you could please. All I smell is blood and leather and it is tearing me apart." She said turning around so he could unclip the muzzle allowing her to wash her face.

'Of course 'Jane'. Aelic said as he gently yet quickly unclipped the buckles holding the muzzle in place. 'Lets get you cleaned up.' He said with a smile as he stood up. Aelic gave 'Jane' one last stoke behind her ear before going into the bathroom. He cleaned out the horrible muzzle and grabbed a face cloth, wetting it with warm water and soap before walking back into the bedroom. Aelic placed the muzzle on the desk over the other side of the room, before coming and sitting back down next to 'Jane' who hadn't really moved. He picked up her hand and let her feel the wet face cloth, silently giving her the option of doing it herself or letting him.

"Thank you Aelic." She daid scrubbing the blood away from her face and taking in a deep breath. "I can smell you now." She yawned before rubbing her eyes and laying down on her side her tail lightly thumping on the bed. "My names Aelin by the way. You know Rowan's so why not mine." She yawned before falling asleep with her tail draped over her legs.

Aelic smiled as 'Jane' washed her face and thanked him. He picked up the bloody face cloth and stood, stretching, his long hair tickling his legs. Aelic was just about to go into the bathroom to clean up when the girl spoke. It was a good thing that she had already fallen asleep, because she probably would have asked why Aelic had froze and dropped the cloth to the ground. Aelin. Her name was Aelin. Aelic couldn't help it, he panicked a little, before remembering how the twins had gotten their names. Remembering that, he released a breath he didn't know he had been holding and relaxed, rolling his eyes. Only members of the royal family had names beginning with A and so naturally, he had freaked out slightly, but then it occurred to him that they got their names from a book, probably a history book. Smiling at his over reaction, Aelic looked back to the sleeping girl. 'Aelin.' He whispered softly, warmth building in his chest. It suited her. Aelic shook his head and then turned, walking back to the bathroom. He cleaned up and then went back into the bedroom, unsure what to do. Weighing the options, he shrugged and climbed into the bed, clothes and all. If they have a problem with it, then they could tell him in the morning. Yawning, Aelic slipped into a light sleep, body turned towards Aelin.
((You can do morning!))

during the night Aelin had shifted closer to Aelic and ended up pressed against him with her tail wrapped around him. He was nice and cold whilst she was boiling hot this told her that winter was coming and she shuddered at the thought of what winter brought. She woke up slowly before sitting up and stretching. "Rowan wake up." She said shaking the boys shoulder before climbing over him to get out of bed.

Aelic woke up slowly, his tired mind missing the warmth that had been beside him during the night. He felt the hand shake his shoulder and call a name that wasn't his, but it didn't really matter to him. 'No, sleeping.' Aelic muttered before curling in on himself even more to preserve the heat. The mornings didn't really agree with Aelic and it always took a while for him to wake up.

"Oh right Rowan's in solitary. Aelic wake up." She said shaking him harder her when a knock came to the door.

"Sophia breakfast." A women called.

"Susan." Aelin called walking off towards the door as it was unlocked.

"I am so sorry about James and not being here to take off your muzzle. Oh your not wearing it. How did you get it off?" Susan asked.

"Oh umm."

Aelic finally forced his eyes open when Aelin called his name and shook him harder. He yawned and was just about to get up when he heard another woman's voice. Aelic's mind shook off all sleepiness in a second and he froze, breath shallow, mind whirling at a million miles per minute. Who was she? Did Aelin just say Susan? Ok, so this is the woman that helps Aelin, someone she kinda trusts. Except she called Aelin Sophia....interesting. Fake name. That aside, she's a guard, how would she react to Aelic being here? He stayed frozen listening. As Susan asked about how Aelin got her muzzle off, he knew that there was no way she could answer without giving him away. If this is how its going to be, lets make it on my terms, Aelic thought with a determined grin.
He then got up slowly, yawning loudly. That got Susan's attention! 'Good morning Sophia.' Aelic said softly, the name unusual on his tongue. He then pretended to notice Susan for the first time. 'Ah! Good morning to you as well lady.' He said with a bright smile, getting up and walking over to the door, then staring at the woman in silence. Aelic was small, much smaller than both Aelin and Susan, but his silence and piercing snake gaze was enough to make the guard tremble slightly. Aelic watched as Susan blinked and forced a smile, eyes flicking to Aelin and then back to him. 'Hello. You must be from 21, right? Did you come help Sophia last night?' Interesting. Aelic wasn't sure what he had expected, but curiosity with no violence/anger was not it. He had at least expected a reprimand, but it seemed none was forthcoming. He nodded affirmative and waited, watching.

"Well thank you for that. Sophia has issues and the gloves make it impossible for either twin to remove their muzzles. I normally remove the muzzles on one or both of them but I wasn't here last night and felt really bad when I got word that James is in solitary. Though you did bite Jason well he is off for the week healing you know how I hate him and his violent ways towards you two." Susan beamed whilst Aelin stood there arms crossed, blank faced and her tail swishing underneath her.

"You said something about food." Aelin said rolling her neck and shoulders.

"Oh yes I bought food for you and for 21 since he is new here and they thought that he wouldn't bite me like you don't." She said passing a tray to Aelic then walking over to Aelin and pressing the tray into her hands. "He's cute." She whispered

"Whatever." Aelin muttered before eating the cold porridge with a spoon whilst Susan turned around looking at Aelic carefully.

"I guess snake." She said almost questioning herself. "Am I right?"

Aelic was getting really confused and twitchy, though his face didn't show it. This woman, this guard....seemed nice!! She apparently hated the other guards and their 'violent ways' (yeah right). And she brought them BOTH food! She had proved she was kinder than the other guards (by, you know, being nice to Aelin and not punishing Aelic for being here) but it didn't mean Aelic trusted her or liked her, not for a long shot. He was a realist, meaning he couldn't trust someone, especially a human, until they proved it. After all, the kindness could be an act, all lies. But he wasn't seeing in raise in pulse and body temperature, which always happened when people were lying and so, Susan was throwing Aelic a bit. He tilted his head to the side and studied Susan, staying silent even though she had asked him a question. He waited until she seemed uncomfortable before replying. 'Yes, you are correct. White snake.' He said softly as he picked up the spoon and ate, watching.

"Yes I still have the touch. Oh sorry 21 my daughter was cursed and since then I am able to pick what kind of animal people are. Do you have a name since you shouldn't be 21 till you die." Susan asked as Aelin put the empty tray on the table that was bolted down and walked back into the main bedroom.

"I'm gonna clean up don't follow." She said waving over her shoulder.

Aelic's eyes widened in surprise. Her daughter was Cursed? So that's why she was so nice....But then, why was she working here? It could all be a story, a lie. That would make more sense. Though her temperature and pulse didn't change, again. He kept silent, finishing his food and placing the plate next to Aelins. He wouldn't give this woman his name, he decided, turning around and walking back to the bed, sitting in the little patch of sunlight from the window. The guards that had brought him to this place knew he was a royal obviously, but Aelic didn't know if the other guards had been told and he wasn't going to be the one to inform them (the guards that had brought him had probably been killed anyway). He kept silent, watching the confused Susan and hearing Aelin move around in the bathroom. There was another thing that didn't make sense. Why did she tell them both not to follow her while she cleaned up. Of course they wouldn't follow. That was weird.
Susan coughed awkwardly in the silence and then smiled. '21 it is then. Don't feel like you need to tell me, it took Sophia AGES to confide in me. I was just...you know.' She finished with a laugh as she turned to pick up the plates. The boy from 21 was cute and was obviously nice, but he was also slightly creepy. He was just...off putting. On the bed Aelic had closed his eyes and allowed the strengthening suns rays to warm his body temperature. He kept tabs on Susan's heat signature though and began to wonder what she was still doing here. She probably wants to help Aelin, Aelic realised as he heard the bathroom door open and close.

"God foresaken hair. I should cut it all off!" Aelin shouted untangling her gloved hand from her hair.

"Here Sophia let me." Susan said finding the hair brush and brushing Aelins hair.

"You didn't need too." Aelin said sitting down so Susan could reach the top of Aelin's head.

"I missed doing this for Jenny so yes I did need too." Susan said before pulling back Aelins hair into a plait. "You have three months Sophia you had better start training." She whispered that last part not knowing if the new boy knew about the games at this prison.

"21's name is John." Aelin lied with a slight nod indicating to Susan that she heard her.

"John is a nice name. It would be funny if his last name was Doe." Susan giggled before grabbing the plates again and walking out. "I'll be back later!" She called as she walked down the hall.

"Before you bite my head off for telling Susan a name remember that to her I am Sophia. I gave her a fake name for her to call you to keep your real name safe." Aelin said leaning against a wall with her arms crossed. Three months. Three God foresaken months to train not only herself but the snake too.

Aelic laughed quietly at the interaction between the two women. It was nice. Aelin must have reminded Susan of her daughter, this Jenny person, and even though he didn't trust her, Aelic was pleased that Aelin had been taken care of when she was alone. He kept silent, closing his eyes again and basking in the sun as the girls talked (and whispered). He froze and frowned however, as Aelin said to Susan that his name was John. He was torn between laughing at Aelin's (and inadvertently Susan's) subtle rib and being annoyed. Why couldn't he have been left at 21? Was that bad? Aelic monitored Susan's heat signature as she left and once he was sure she was gone, turned his attention back to Aelin (who had begun speaking again). Aelin's explanation made sense (though he would have been ok with 21). Still, it was done, no need to get annoyed, plus it was kinda funny. Aelic could tell through her physicality that something Susan had said was worrying Aelin, but he sensed that asking her wouldn't do much good. She would tell him when she was ready. 'Can I borrow your hairbrush?' He asked instead.

"Hmm oh yeah sure come get it." She said holding it out to Aelic. "Do you know how to fight?"

'No.' Aelic said slightly confused as he took the hairbrush from Aelin and started brushing. 'Why do you ask?'

"To survive here you need to learn. The guards won't let you learn in the training rooms so Rowan and I will have to teach you." She sighed rolling her neck before rolling into a hand stand on only one hand as she dress gripped tightly at her waist line. "We have been training our whole lives." She said before coming back down. "We can atleast teach you something."

'....Wow!' Aelic said stunned. He had never seen anyone do something like that before. And she looked so natural! Though he doubted he would be able to do anything like that (he had no muscle and was far too skinny), perhaps the basics would be reachable. It would be a useful skill to have.
Aelic was still a little confused though. 'Why?' He asked with a tilt of his head before realising that was probably to vague. "I mean, fighting is useful skill yes, but why do I need to learn it to survive here? The guards will always overpower us with their weapons and sheer numbers, so learning to fight them would ultimately be useless.'

"Other cursed want the glory of saying they defeated a dangerous cursed and then they will get it into their heads that we aren't so dangerous. That is when the others start lossing the necks." She said as a thrown away comment not wanting to reveal to the boy on his second day here that the guards force many of the cursed into something called the games and the dangerous are always champions. Aelin and Rowan were the current champions and the only rule is family sticks together after that you can use all of you powers and gifts.