The troop of teens walked on in silence, thinking over the scene of the interrogation in his 或者 her own way. Nic hung to the back, watching Richi carefully with distrust and caution. The others walked in pairs- Vika and Alek, Valeriya and Scotch, Aryess and Richi.
"We should go somewhere 安全 to discuss our plans," Val 说 as they waited for the light to change at an intersection.
"We have plans?" Nic murmured.
"Yeah, the house," Richi said, ignoring the fire-caster.
"No!" Vika exclaimed, causing the others to give her perplexed looks. "I mean, if my papa hears what happened, he'll never let me go with 你 guys." She gave them the most desperate look she could.
"Fine," Richi gave in, "Is there somewhere else we can discuss this safely?"
Vika hesitated, then smiled as an idea hit her. She nodded and turned on her heel, leaving the others to exchange glances, then follow.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Nic whistled. "Nice place," he 说 as he stepped onto the deck of the boat.
"Spasibo. It is a haven," Vika replied as she unlock the door of the cabin. Richi raised an eyebrow at her. "You 说 你 wanted secure, correct?" the Russian smirked, then descended into the 舱, 小木屋 below the deck.
Where the portholes left space, plastered on the walls were maps of countries and cities from around the world. 图书 were piled in the cubbies, on the 小厨房 counters, and above the cabinets. Where the immense novels left room, faberge eggs, matryoshkas, and other Russian styled trinkets stood 或者 hung.
"My papa's collection," Vika 说 in answer to the unspoken 问题 of the awed teens. "He doesn't trust our neighbors enough to keep them in the house. Take a seat," she motioned to the 表 in the corner. "Make yourselves at home."
Val, Vika, and Alek occupied the booth and chair, while Aryess and Scotch perched on the counter where there was room. The two other boys resorted to standing.
"First order of business," Nic immediately spoke in a commanding tone. "What the bloody Hell happened out there?"
"Son of Hades," Richi muttered.
"The Light is apparently working with-" Val started.
"-the League of Shadows," Aryess finished.
"They're sending people after us," the Russians 说 in unison.
The fire-caster held up a hand. "One at a time," he ordered. he pointed to a quiet Scotch. "You, what do 你 have to report."
"R-report?" the shy girl stuttered. "I, um, well, people are clearly, um, after us?"
"Hold on, who put you in charge?" Viks interrupted.
"Yeah," Val agreed, "I'd feel much better following Richi's orders."
"What?" 说 blondey blinked, zoning back into the conversation.
"Please, Hell boy wasn't even paying any bloody attention! And I've been leading my own team for years-"
"Oh, I'm so sorry, commander Nic, you're highness, for questioning your place as leader," Val bit back sarcastically. "But 你 don't know me 或者 my friends."
"I've worked with feistier misfits than 你 lot-"
Richi sighed and slipped out to the deck and open air. Aryess noticed and walked out after him, leaving her mentor and allies to argue while Scotch and Alek exchanged uncomfortable glances.
Emerging from the dim lit cabin, the blonde waited a moment for her eyes to adjust to the bright rays of the sun. When they finally did, they settled on the tall boy leaning on the railing. Richi seemed tensed 由 his thoughts, even while appearing relaxed 由 the calm 湾 and soothing rocking of the ship.
Aryess had to admit, he was handsome and calm and at the same time intimidating and fierce. Though she felt no 更多 than friendship for the grieving teen. She sauntered over to his side and stared out at the pier as he did.
"Hey," she said, first to break the quiet. Not silence, for there was the constant cry if the sea birds, and the ramble of voices that escaped the 舱, 小木屋 where the others still argued.
"Hey," he muttered.
"I know this must be rough on you, Richi. And if 你 think it's too much, there's no shame in backing out of the inevitable coming fight."
The boy sighed and looked over at the girl, his silvery and golden eyes meeting her cloudy grays.
"They were all I had, Ary. All I've ever cared for, all I loved," he said, the grief in his voice barley hiding the anger there. "They were my family. I have to get justice for what happened to them." She noted he never spoke there names, as if it were too painful for him to name his 迷失 friend.
"Alrighty," Aryess agreed. "Let's find those snipers."