Open Broken Man

[Miles]

Miles allowed a calm to come over him, and turned his chestnut brown eyes to focus and study Valo. He exited Nai'a from his mind entirely and focused on the man, watching his breathing, catching his manner. He was attending at the highest degree. Silently he gave thanks to Akajai for a viewing into the secret world of his friend. Miles held a sturdy belief that beyond the veil of personality lay the true test of trust, faith, compassion and friendship: a valley not easily crossed by mere men. Acquaintanceship dissolved in moments like this- where secrets allowed men to shed their selfish exterior and create a bond that embraced an immutable truth- all are one. He had never truly entered a relationship so deep since Abraham's death- had never really wanted to until this moment.

Know that what you hear, cannot be unheard

It was that idea that drew him on, a secret to change the world- one that had the power to touch threads of destiny. Miles rejoiced in such an opportunity. He took a step closer to Valo unconsciously in reaction to his whisper. Attending to Valo's every movement, Miles listened to the man's tale..

I was there..

Miles attempted to paint the canvas of his mind with Valo's words, to let the emotion the painter felt wash through him- to digest entirely the panic, the hate, the insanity of witnessing such an event. It left him drained to say the least. He mirrored Valo's actions, the hardening of the eyes, the tight lipped anger, all to understand- all to show that the man had his complete attention. Once the man was finished, Miles resisted the urge to comfort the man, and spoke, formality heavy within his voice:

"what has been shared is truth- and shall be protected as such. We are bonded now Valo- I hold a piece of you in my mind forever more. What you tell me I will know as truth." Putting his hand to his heart he spoke the oath in little more than a whisper: "I offer myself as your shadow: to stand ready at your back, to know and keep your secrets. What you say, I will take to heart and to the grave."

There was not a stronger sentiment Miles could have given. The mystery solved! Zeltiva's attacker, the death of Kip, that Valo held all of it inside of him and had not rotted from within was a testament to the man's resolve. Respect and admiration shone in the eyes of the young thief- suddenly, looking a bit more grown up than usual. He settled himself once more, casting a glace over his shoulder to ensure they were alone- and to ensure Nai'a remained with them and close.

[Nai'a]

Nai’a stayed back upon the request of Valo. Though she would not leave, she would never leave her friend’s side when he was so distraught, he could forget that. Nai’a was a soft and kind person, but when it came to her friends, she would stop at nothing to be there for them, to care for them, to make sure that they were okay. But she still respected them, no matter what. So she took a few steps away from the two men, staying far away from them and looking out across the sea, at the ebb and flow of the waves. It was so mesmerizing, oh how she missed swimming in those depths. It was about time for another swim in the near future, it had been too long since she felt the rush of cold water on her soft rubber skin.

Even though she stayed away, out of normal human ear shot, her sensitive ears could still pick up what was being said, unbeknownst of Miles and Valo. It was not really eavesdropping, well.. Maybe it was. But she wanted to know just as much as Miles did, she had a right to know what made him feel as he did. Plus, he nor Miles knew of her abilities in human form. Neither one of them really knew much about dolphins it seemed, nor was she not sure if Miles even knew her Kelvic form. So it was technically their unintelligence on the subject at least that was what she told herself to make the situation feel better to her sensitive soul.

She listened to the secret that Valo had kept inside for Rak’Keli only new how long. Such a secret could break a man, tear him down, and destroy him little by little. Nai’a could not understand why he had not told anyone till now, why he kept such things to himself. It was mentally tiring, as well as emotionally. To know who caused the sickness of Zeltiva, who was a cold hearted murderer, really struck her heart strings. Nai’a already assumed it was nearly impossible for this pestilence to just spring up out of nowhere, which it had to be something of magic origin, something that was on purpose. Anyone with half a brain in the medical field that looked closely, paid close attention, and was around it all day every day could make such assumptions. Though to have proof of those assumptions was something different entirely. Something that Nai’a did not have til now. Which it was just the word of Valo, a man she trusted, so what he said she knew to be true. Though these assumptions, these knowings, these findings needed to stay secret, needed to be kept inside and ignored. The city would know the true culprit behind the sickness, one day, hopefully. Though it still did not answer her question, why? Why did Zeltiva deserve someone’s rage, why did someone deserve to be killed by this person’s hands? It was obviously someone held in great respect, for Valo did not mention his name because no one would believe that it was him.

Nai’a sighed, and looked across the water, at the rage of the waves assaulting the sandy beach. She could not understand why he would keep this inside. Was it fear of what others would say? Or fear that this man would find out that Valo was running his mouth, and would come kill him too? Maybe that is why this man, Kip, was murdered, because he knew too much? So many questions, yet so few answers. She would not question Valo, she would pretend that she had not heard him. For if she was human, if she was normal, she would not have been able to hear those soft whispered words. It was hard enough to hear with her sensitive ears over the roar of the waves. If she had stepped even further away it would have been barely audible, but she stayed close enough to pick of the words with her sensitive ears. Oh this information would not eat at her, she would banish it for now, for it was not worth the thought at the moment, she had other matters that she could actually handle to worry about.