*Down in the dining hall, things are unusually quiet, however, Laurenza is bustling around as if nothing has happened.*
Laurenza: Want some juice, Kitzie?
Kitzie: ...
Laurenza: Li, have some toast.
Li: No thanks.
Laurenza: What is wrong with all of you this morning? You're sitting here like statues.
Tifanel: I guess... I guess we're all thinkin' about Kuja.
Laurenza: Don't say his name! Not in this castle...

*The action returns to upstairs, where Ana is wandering around, tears still shining on her face.*
Ana: What I don't understand was why I missed him. He had killed Allen and framed someone else. It was a terrible thing for him to do, but I still loved him and wanted him to come back...
*She walks to Thorn's room and peeks inside. Thorn is still unconscious. She sighs, and continues walking. Along the way, she meets up with Lierlo.*
Lierlo: Good morning, Ana. Oh, what's wrong?
Ana: *Wipes her face.* I miss my dad...
Lierlo: Why? Where's he gone?
Ana: You... know, you were there. Last night, you were the one who told us.
Lierlo: Last night? Was I here last night? I... don't remember...
Ana: Lierlo, stop it... *Cries out loud.* How can you forget what happened last night?
Lierlo: *Looks a little confused.* I'm sorry... I guess. *Makes to hug her, but quickly realises he can't.*
Tifanel: *Comes up the stairs.* Oh, hey Lierlo, Ana. I'll shift poor Allen's body now. There's nothing' more we can do for him.
Lierlo: *Goes over to Tifanel and speaks in a low voice.* What happened last night?
Tifanel: Whaddaya mean? You were there! Pointed out the truth and Kuja got kicked out onto the cold, hard streets.
Lierlo: *Tries to not look surprised.* Oh yes, of course... I remember now... *To himself.* I must be losing my mind...
Tifanel: *Pats Ana on the shoulder.* Buck up, Ana. Things'll be okay.
Ana: How do you know?
Tifanel: I don't, but it helps to be blindly optimistic sometimes. *He goes to fetch Allen's corpse.*
Lierlo: Thorn is still sleeping, I take it?
Ana: Uh huh.
Lierlo: Hope he's okay.
Ana: ...Hope dad's okay. *Goes downstairs to find her mother.*

*Breakfast is over, as no one ate very much. Ana sniffles and finds Laurenza in the dining hall. She runs over to her.*
Laurenza: Ana...
Ana: Mummy...
Laurenza: *Sits down.* Come here.
Ana: *Sits on her lap and cuddles with her. She touches Laurenza's stomach, and then shrieks in surprise as her hand begins to fade. She quickly pulls it back again.* Ahh! Creepy...
Laurenza: What's wrong?
Ana: I... um… saw a spider.

*Now that everyone knows she didn't kill Allen, Adrienne decided it was safe to stop hiding in her room. She goes into Thorn's room to check on him and sits by his bed.*
Adrienne: Oh, honey... *She strokes his hair.* I've been neglecting you for the past couple of days, ever since Allen showed his stupid, cute face here... I'm sorry...
*Thorn's eyes start to flutter.*
Thorn: ...Huh?
Adrienne: Cupcake! You're awake!
Thorn: Oh, Adrienne, it's you.
Adrienne: Who else would it be? *Hugs him.*
Thorn: *Hugs her tight.* I thought I wouldn't see you again.
Adrienne: Eep! It wasn't that serious, was it...?
Thorn: *Shakes his head.* I felt like I was dead... Goodness knows what Kuja must have thought. I fainted right in front of him... Did Kuja tell you what had happened?
Adrienne: Oh yeah, Kuja…
Thorn: Adrienne? Is something wrong?
Adrienne: A lot happened yesterday...
Thorn: What? What happened? Tell me.
Adrienne: Well, for starters, Allen was murdered.
Thorn: Oh my god...
Adrienne: And... and everyone thought I did it, 'cos he was killed by my dagger!
Thorn: Well, anyone could have done it. I'll bet it was that voice that was tormenting us the other night... Oh! My exorcism? Did it work?
Adrienne: I don't know. I don't think anyone's heard the voice since, though.
Thorn: Oh, good.
Adrienne: I didn't kill Allen! I did try, but I didn't kill him.
Thorn: Well, that shows you're getting over your Cielnoir side at least.
Adrienne: Hmmm... *Looks a little offended by the comment, but doesn't mention it.*
Thorn: Is something else wrong?
Adrienne: I didn't kill Allen, but Lierlo told us who did. He saw him do it.
Thorn: Well, who did kill him?
Adrienne: Kuja.
Thorn: *Is dumbstruck. He stares at the ground, slightly open-mouthed.* Kuja...
Adrienne: Something up, Thorn dearest?
Thorn: Kuja... killed Allen?
Adrienne: Yes. And he made it look like I did it.
Thorn: I never thought he would do anything like that.
Adrienne: *Laughs.* I thought you knew him pretty well. But you needn't worry about him anymore.
Thorn: Why?
Adrienne: Laurenza threw him out of the castle and told him to never show his girly face here again.
Thorn: What?
Adrienne: You heard me.
Thorn: But... where did he go?
Adrienne: We don't know.
*Thorn gets out of bed and changes into clean clothes with a flash of light.*
Thorn: I'm going to find him.
Adrienne: What do you care about him?
Thorn: It seems that I'm the only person here that does... except perhaps Ana... but I'm looking for him anyway.
Adrienne: Okay, but you're on your own.
Thorn: *Looks up and nods.* I know that. *He kneels down and performs the location spell he used when trying to find Mihako.* Reveal to me, let my mind see... *The circle of ground starts to glow and the liquidy picture of Kuja forms there. Thorn jumps into the circle.*

*Thorn appears in the bar at Dalin. The bartender looks up at him with disgust.*
Bartender: Ahem, can't you read? *Points to a sign, reading 'No Magick is to be used on the premises.'*
Thorn: *Glares at the man with a look of pure fury, turns around and blasts the sign to pieces with Magick.*Not a problem, now.
*The bartender ducks behind the bar, and the majority of customers flee the inn, revealing Kuja sat at a table in the corner. He is drinking a large glass of beer. Thorn goes to Kuja and sits down at the table.*
Kuja: *Is clearly drunk out of his mind.* Afternoon ma'am. *Swigs his beer.*
Thorn: Hmmm... *He goes to the bar and looks over it at the barman.* Get me a coffee, extra strong, would you?
Bartender: O-okay. Just d-don't hurt me! *Gets Thorn the coffee hastily.*
Thorn: Kuja, drink up. *Puts the coffee down on the table.* God, look at the state you're in.
Kuja: *Sings a little song.* "I like the sun when it's shining brightly, watching the flowers as they sway in the wind... "
Thorn: Kuja! *Punches Kuja lightly in an attempt to bring him to his senses.*
Kuja: *Sways a little, but the blow just glances off him, as he is so drunk.* What did you do that for, George?
Thorn: Come on, snap out of it!
Kuja: Snap! Hahah... *Hiccups.* I like that game... with all the pretty little animals... the peep and the shigs... *Falls flat on the table.*
Thorn: *Sighs, and goes to the bar again.* Hey, has this guy... *Gestures Kuja.* ...got a room here?
Bartender: W-what, Billy over there? Sure he has.
Thorn: Oh, I don't suppose it matters. I doubt you'll be getting many visitors while I'm around anyway. *He waves his hand and Kuja is transported to a bed upstairs.*
Bartender: No... Magick is to be used on the... premises... *Hides once more.*
Thorn: I don't see a sign. *Goes up to Kuja's room.*

*Upstairs, in the bare but comfortable-looking room, Kuja seems to have slipped back into consciousness. He's still very much intoxicated, though.*
Kuja: George! Come do that little dance you do for me!
Thorn: Take a nap. *Waves his hand over Kuja, making him fall to sleep.*
Kuja: *Lies on his back and snores a little.*
Thorn: *Watches him and talks quietly.* I'm not leaving you here alone, Kuja. As long as you're out of the castle, so am I…
Kuja: *Mumbles something in his sleep.*
Thorn: *Sighs and pulls a chair up next to Kuja's bed, where he sits, just looking at Kuja sleeping.*
*Kuja lays on the bed, his feathery silver-purple hair half-covering his face like a veil. His gentle snoring goes in and out in a rhythmic pattern. Every so often, he shifts position slightly and his hair falls about his face a little more. Thorn studies him with a soft expression.*

*Kuja sleeps for a while longer. When finally he wakes up, he seems to have sobered up a bit.*
Kuja: How much did I drink...? Ouch...
Thorn: Hey, you're awake.
Kuja: Thorn? *Looks genuinely surprised.* What are you doing here?
Thorn: Adrienne told me what happened. I wanted to see if you were okay.
Kuja: *Laughs hollowly.* Yeah, sure. I'm pretty dandy right now...
Thorn: *Smiles a little.* Hangover? It'll pass...
Kuja: *Snappily.* You know what I mean!
Thorn: I... I'm sorry.
Kuja: Why did you come here? You didn't have to... It's my fault I was thrown out.
Thorn: What? I'm not allowed to worry about you?
Kuja: What's the point? *Slumps back on the bed.* I'm the last person anyone needs to worry about. Especially since I might kill them.
Thorn: Yeah, but we all kill people sometimes. Laurenza was the one that acted rash though. She didn't throw me out when I killed people or attacked any of you all those times. She didn't stop caring for Lierlo or Kitzie when they had blood on their hands.
Kuja: But she had no pity for me... the one person you'd think she cared most about... She must not care about me after all! *Tears begin falling down his face.*
Thorn: *Looks sympathetic and hugs Kuja.*
Kuja: *His sobbing subsides slightly as he accepts the hug. He hugs Thorn a little tightly back.*
Thorn: Kuja, I'm staying here with you, as long as Laurenza keeps you out of the castle.
Kuja: *Lets go, looking somewhat confused.* I... don't understand you... Why would you want to stay with me? What about Adrienne?
Thorn: Adrienne doesn't need my help. They won't be able to last without us for long, and we're walking back into that castle together. That castle is where you belong, Kuja.
Kuja: *Smiles sincerely.* Thanks... thanks for sticking up for me, Thorn. *Laughs a little.* I think you're mad... If I were you I wouldn't take my side.
Thorn: Well, you're not me.
Kuja: Yeah... *Lies back on the bed again, fumbling with the fastenings on his jacket in a slightly nervous manner.* So it's you and me...
Thorn: *Sits down.* Hmm?
Kuja: I was just saying. It's funny… not too long ago, I wouldn't have dreamed I'd ever be sharing a room in an inn with you.
Thorn: Well, I've changed… become more bearable. And… I've actually got to know you a bit better. I've found out... what a nice person you can be, deep down.
Kuja: *Smiles a little.* Me? Nice? That's a good one.
Thorn: Very, very deep down.
Kuja: *Looks down at the bed.* Not many people would compliment me, either...
Thorn: I can stop, if you want.
Kuja: No, I don't mind. It's just... *Trails off, feeling his cheeks becoming a little hot.*
Thorn: Hmm?
Kuja: No. Never mind.
Thorn: Hey, you can tell me anything.
Kuja: *Looks like he's holding back on telling something.* Not anything.
Thorn: Fair enough.
Kuja: *Tries to change the subject.* Do you think... if I pinched myself hard enough, this would all be a dream and I'd wake up?
Thorn: *Laughs.* You can try it if you want.
Kuja: *Pinches his arm.* …Ow. All that did was make my arm hurt.
Thorn: *Takes hold of Kuja's arm and gently rubs where he pinched himself.*
Kuja: *Enjoys Thorn's touch a lot more than he expected to. Something tingles inside of him and he looks at Thorn, his breathing slightly faster.*
Thorn: *Looks into Kuja's eyes and smiles.*
Kuja: *Before he knows what he is doing, he kisses Thorn, giving into his repressed desires.*
Thorn: *Doesn't hold back and flings his arms around Kuja.*
Kuja: *Throws his arms around Thorn too and then rests his head on Thorn's shoulder.*
Thorn: Wow...
Kuja: What?
Thorn: Sorry, should this be a silent moment?
Kuja: What... am I... doing?
Thorn: Who knows?
Kuja: Right now... *Strokes Thorn's arm gently.* I don't care.
Thorn: I know how you feel.
Kuja: *Kisses him again.*
Thorn: *Moves his hand further down Kuja's back*
Kuja: Oh, Thorn... don't...
Thorn: Don't?
Kuja: Don't do that with your hand. It feels... good.
Thorn: *Laughs.*
Kuja: This is so wrong...
Thorn: I know.
Kuja: So why does it feel so right?
Thorn: I... just don't know.
*Suddenly, without warning there is a knock on the door. Kuja jumps away from Thorn.*
Thorn: *Smiles at this.* Come in.
*The door opens and in walks Adrienne.*
Thorn: Adrienne?
Adrienne: Found you at last. When are you coming home, Lemon Treat?
Thorn: *Walks up to Adrienne and takes her hands.* I... don't know, darling. Kuja's... very upset and I'll need to stay with him for while. I'm gonna come back up to the castle later and explain the situation to Laurenza. In the meantime, I want you to be in the castle and keep an eye on things, okay? You know that Myndeletter you saw me with when I was writing to Bo? If you need me, just write to me with that, I'll come.
Adrienne: Okay, hun. I'll miss you...
Thorn: I don't think it'll be long. And I'm always with you… *Touches his chest.* ...In here, right?
Adrienne: Yeah! *Hugs him.* Love you.
Thorn: Love you.
*She leaves and closes the door.*
Kuja: *Sighs a little.*
Thorn: What's up?
Kuja: I feel... stupid.
Thorn: Why?
Kuja: I'm not gay... I'm not gay... Am I?
Thorn: You don't need to worry about that... do you?
Kuja: What makes you say that?
Thorn: We all play away from home sometimes. I have before.
Kuja: *Wrings his hands.* Maybe I'm just hurting for love... Maybe I'm just missing Laurenza...
Thorn: *Looks a little sad.* Yeah, maybe.
Kuja: Maybe I'm just experimenting, but it doesn't feel… *Trails off.* Oh, I don't know. *Buries his face in the pillow.*
Thorn: I don't know either... Maybe we just need time to figure it all out.
Kuja: *Sits up again.* So... are you unsure too?
Thorn: I've been with a man before, but I've never felt this way about anyone before.
Kuja: *Blushes a lot.* Are you... serious?
Thorn: I think so.
Kuja: Oh god… This is all so complicated. I don't know if I can… No, that would be… Oh god...
Thorn: *Sits patiently, waiting for Kuja to stop blathering.*
Kuja: Why me?
Thorn: *Shrugs.* I've been attracted to you for quite some time now, but I never wanted to really express it, because I didn't think you'd feel the same way...
Kuja: But Thorn, I… *Shakes his head.* But what about Adrienne?
Thorn: I still feel for her, just not the way I feel for you.
Kuja: Oh, this is such a mess…
Thorn: *Sighs.* I guess you're right.
Kuja: It's just… I never expected anything like this to happen between us. I mean… *Shakes his head again.*
Thorn: Yeah, tell me about it.
Kuja: *Lies back.* Weren't you going to go talk to Laurenza?
Thorn: Yeah... I guess I should.
Kuja: Are you going to go up now?
Thorn: Do you want me to?
Kuja: I'm… um… not trying to get rid of you, I was only asking.
Thorn: Hmm... I guess I should tell her. We don't want an army of people down here. *He teleports up to the castle.*
Kuja: No… I'd much rather have you all to myself…

*Back at the castle, the gang is gathered in the main chamber as usual. This time they are playing charades.*
Thorn: *Enters.* Laurenza? Could I talk to you?
Laurenza: *Stops making waddling gestures like a duck.* In private?
Thorn: If you don't mind.
*They step outside the chamber.*
Laurenza: What is it, Thorn?
Thorn: You'll probably object, but I'm hanging with Kuja. He's very upset and I'll need to stay with him for while.
Laurenza: ...Fine. I can't tell you what to do and what not to do.
Thorn: Look, Laurenza, do you ever think that you and Kuja might be able to apologise to each other?
Laurenza: Not in this lifetime.
Thorn: Well... I'll see you then.*Teleports back to the inn.*

*When Thorn returns, Kuja is just coming out of the ensuite shower, wearing nothing but a towel.*
Kuja: Gah! Thorn! *Pulls the towel tighter around himself, flushing red.* I didn't expect you back so soon!
Thorn: *Smiles, folds his arms and leans against the door.* It didn't take long to explain the situation.
Kuja: Right. *Grabs his clothes and scurries back into the bathroom.*
Thorn: Not embarrassed, are you?
Kuja: No... not at all. I just thought you might be jealous of my studly bod.
Thorn: *Laughs.*
Kuja: *Comes back out a few minutes later, dressed, but his hair still dripping.* No hairdryer in this stupid room...
Thorn: Oh, leave it. It'll dry naturally.
Kuja: *Nods, but still looks irritable. The shower has washed off his make up, so his face looks slightly incomplete somehow.*
Thorn: Hmm... Your face is all pale. You didn't bring Adrienne's cosmetics set with you, did you?
Kuja: Hmm... I might leave it off for a while.
Thorn: Your decision.
Kuja: There's no real point in making myself look pretty.
Thorn: …Because Laurenza's not here to appreciate it…
Kuja: Well…
Thorn: I'm... sorry.
Kuja: Did she say anything... about me?
Thorn: No, not really.
Kuja: Didn't think she would.
Thorn: *Sighs.* I'm sorry, Kuja, I'm not making this any easier for you. I'm making it more complicated.
Kuja: I guess you are a bit... *He sits down at the dressing table and runs a comb through his hair, before admiring himself in the mirror.*
Thorn: I'm sorry. I'll go to Laurenza and tell her that you're best left on you own *Goes for the door.*
Kuja: Thorn...
Thorn: *Turns around.* Hmm?
Kuja: If you leave me on my own I'll get depressed... and probably drink myself silly again.
Thorn: Okay...
Kuja: But I'm not forcing you to stay. You can go if you want.
Thorn: No, I don't want to.
Kuja: Okay… There's just one thing that bothers me.
Thorn: Hmm?
Kuja: *Smiles embarrassedly.* There is only one bed.
Thorn: I'll sleep next door.