"So my dear brother and Molly are out of town? Awww what a shame," Merrick said his hands shoved deep in his pant's pocket. "I wanted to talk to him. I hope I can still make amends."
Aíne glared at him. "Why are you here at the hospital? You do not appear ill." In fact he looked perfectly healthy and not a day over twenty seven when he should be in forty nine the same age as Richard. Plastic surgery or something else?
Merrick raised a hand and snapped his fingers, a bright red rose appeared in his hand. "I wanted to come here to entertain the patients. I perform in hospitals, schools and foster homes for free. Making people happy and smile is worth more than all the money in the world." He handed the rose to Aíne and flashed what he must of thought was a dazzling smile.
"Really?" Aíne said eying the rose suspiciously. She knew that last part was a down right lie. "That's your only reason you're here? You are not here to see someone?"
The dark haired man blinked at her. "Hm? I don't know anyone here besides you."
Aíne said nothing and continue to glare suspiciously at him. Merrick was a con artist and could fool practically anyone. He even somehow fooled Empaths and even mind readers. She was sure he was still hunting down powerful Earth Spirits for his collections. Was he still after Aisling's card spirits? She concluded that she didn't trust him even to leave him alone.
She suddenly smiled at him much to his surprise. "Why don't you come with me? I know my way around the hospital pretty well. I was heading for the cafeteria. There should be a descent crowd for you to entertain." She gazed at him her smile still in place and her sharp eyes challenged him.
His face was neutral for a second but a light smile appeared again. "That sounds like a very good idea. I shall accompany you."
Aíne nodded, she turned around and walk down the hall. When her back was facing him Merrick face darken and his eyes flashed eerily. The rose in his hand withered and turn black before it disappear. He glanced at the wall next to him where his pale shadow was cast. His shadow turned his head and nodded and what look like a wide Cheshire smile appeared in the shadow's face. It's form changed into a serpent like form and slithered up the wall and darted across the ceiling. Merrick smirked and followed Aíne.
~*~
Aisling must have been sparing with Beatrice for over ten minutes. Beatrice was very strong and ruthless warrior. The fight could have drag on longer until Aisling made her wings appear and use flying to her advantage. Beatrice had a hard time striking a direct hit so she tried to hit Aisling's wing however Aisling would deflect her attacks.
Ark the Spirit of the King of Swords watched the fight. Aisling had become very strong indeed. He glanced over of the room and saw Aiba battling skeleton warriors. He nodded to himself and felt that Aisling was ready to face more than one opponent at a time.
Beatrice aimed for Aisling's leg as Aisling was flying over four feet off the ground but swiftly dodged it. "Come down! This isn't fair!"
"She's going to be fighting demons! You think they're going to fight fare?" Sindri the Sword Page said hovering outside the ring.
Aisling thought about it and decided sense this wasn't a real fight she didn't have to use her wings. She gently landed on the ground and folded her wings causing them to disappear.
"That's better," Beatrice said smirking. She raised her swords in front of them and created and X-shape by crossing them. She strike for Aisling's head but Aisling ducked and almost had her hair cut off. Donato! Aisling summoned the Spirit of the Two of Swords card and a sword appeared in each of her hands. Aisling had trained in fighting with two swords but she mostly preferred fighting with one.
After what seemed like an hour Aisling had over powered Beatrice in the end however Aisling fell over in exhaustion. Are you alright? Donato asked in her mind.
"Yeah..." Aisling panted. "I think I'll curl up here and sleep..."
What?
"I'm joking," Aisling said grunting as she pushed herself up and found a wall to lean on. Going against both Brant and Beatrice left her drained. But after she took a few moments to relax she felt much better and left ready to fight again.
She stood up and walked over to Ark.
"It's time we try something different," Ark told her.
"Huh?"
In a second Aisling was facing two sword wielders. It didn't went well at the first few rounds. While Aisling was occupied with one of them the other attacked her from behind. So Aisling wielded two swords again. After that she faced three opponents and then four.
Then after six at once, Aisling fell against the wall again feeling worn out once more.
"I say you have gotten quite skilled in Swordsmanship," Brant committed. "But I wouldn't call you a master when you haven't fought in real life."
Aisling nodded, "Yeah... what next?"
"Next you'll learn archery from the Wand arcs," Brant told her. "It's been awhile sense you and Aiba came to Sanctuary. It might be a good time to wake up."
"Yeah it might be breakfast or even dinner time for all I know." Aisling looked over where Aiba was training and frowned hesitantly. "I wonder if Aiba is ready to wake up?...he might want to continue training."
"Go ask him," Brant told her nodding towards Aiba.
With a weary sigh Aisling stood up and walked over to Aiba.
