He woke up cold. The aches were back, but bearable this time. He turned his tingling neck and blinked blearily around the room. Liler was nowhere to be seen and the door stood ajar. 

Hurt swept through him, stinging his eyes, and Finn took a fortifying breath. He reminded himself that he was nearly an adult and didn't need constant company. Even if this was the first time he'd woken up alone...

He sat up and stretched his sore muscles gingerly. He was thirsty again. There was a flask of water beside the bed, but it was placed on a stone shelf too high to reach.

Finn moved to the edge of the mattress and tumbled down the sheet. He stood on unsteady legs and staggered towards door.

He grabbed the doorframe and breathed heavily. The sound of voices and music drifted from the stairs and he remembered his nude state. Despite the many hours spent in just his skin, he still hadn't adjusted.

He looked over the floor but saw no scraps of cloth or fabric that could function as a wrap.

Boisterous voices reached his ears and a group of seven youngsters came up the stairs. Their skin shone with a metallic sheen and their bodies were sharply defined. Even the one female in the group had cords of muscle rippling down her exposed arms and abdomen

There was a brash wildness in their movements and speech and it made Finn deeply uneasy.

Two carried pets on leashes. A boy with sharp orange ears and a bushy tail and a slim girl with brown ears and a rounded tail.

It was the first female pet Finn had seen and he stared a moment, before their direction registered and he hastily pushed behind the door. There was a sharp bark.

The pet with the orange hair growled and Finn pushed into the corner.

"You smell something, Dile?" A loud voice spoke and Finn held his breath.

A second voice laughed.

"He's had too many hits already! I told you he's mad." The girl said sharply.

"He's fine!" The first voice barked. "What is it?"

Animalistic snarls neared and a blow suddenly slammed into the door. If Finn hadn't ducked into the corner, moments before, the hard surface would have crushed his skull.

Chips of gold rained onto his head and Finn gasped. The pet, Dile, erupted into hysterical barks.

"Quiet!" The first voice ordered and the door ripped open.

The Human cowered against the wall. His muscles still shook with weakness and his heart was beating out of control.

He didn't know what to focus on first. The young aliens all staring with rapt interest or Dile's deranged red eyes.

The alien, holding the orange pet's leash, smirked. He had blood red hair falling in multiple braids to his chest and a tight blue material encased his long legs.

"Good boy." He praised and the orange pet looked briefly away from Finn to whine at his master.

The alien absently scratched Dile behind the ear as he spoke. "Isn't that Iadin's hairless toy?"

The girl wrinkled her nose. "It's so sick looking. It can't even stand!"

She stepped back as if Finn might be contagious. The brown furred pet at her side folded her arms and shot him a bored glance through horizontal pupils.

Another alien, with red hair cut sharply to his chin, raked his gaze over Finn in a way that made the Human's skin crawl.

"It's not sick. It's had some rough play." He drawled and smiled sharply.

The first alien tilted his head, braids sliding over metallic skin.

"I think you're right." He said thoughtfully and flicked a look at his pet. "Dile enjoys it too."

Dile started another round of mad barking and Finn jolted hard. The aliens all laughed, apart from the female, who still looked as though she smelled something sour.

"Has he trained for the match tomorrow, Ciar?" Another alien spoke, black hair falling in thick waves midway down his back.

"Some." Ciar replied and considered Finn's wide eyes with a faint smile.

"What do you all say? Should we let him have some fun?" Ciar grinned and the group eagerly voiced their agreement. The female simply shrugged.

Finn took one look at Dile's manic expression - drool falling from his bared canines as he clawed the air - and bolted.

The aliens made mocking sounds of disappointment but made no move to stop the Human when he stumbled past them.

"One..." Ciar called cheerfully. "Two..."

Finn's weak legs faltered and he fell hard against the floor. He glanced back frantically and saw Dile's leash drop.

"Three!" Ciar shouted and cheers erupted. 

Dile dropped to all fours and raced towards Finn, a grotesque grimace distorting his face.

The Human scrambled to his feet and lurched forward. His muscles already screamed with exertion and his eyes teared up with horror.

In mere moments he felt Dile's hot breath on his skin and he crashed into a banister and rolled. The orange haired boy slammed into the same spot seconds after, drool flying.

Finn struggled to his feet and desperately swerved the corner, only to collide hard a second time.

"Watch whe...!" Acitu's voice abruptly cut off and he was ripped off the floor as a howl of agony sounded.

Finn panted against her shoulder. Adrenaline thundered through his veins and he felt as though he'd never have enough air again. He looked back wildly - just in time to see Acitu lower her long leg.

Dile lay in a bloody heap against the wall; leg and arm bending at odd angles and nose gushing blood.

The gold aliens came jostling around the corner, voices raised in excitement, until they spotted Acitu. All merriment immediately ceased.

Ciar stared at his pitifully whining pet and his black gaze fixed darkly on the Zithan.

Acitu raised her chin and returned their looks cooly. She wore a sheer robe that fell to her hips, with a shimmering gold chain about the waist, and her turquoise hair was pulled back in a sleek tail.

"This area is restricted." She snapped. "And you've harassed the successor's property!" She clutched Finn close and fisted her free hand on one slim hip.

Ciar frowned, jaw clenching, as his black stare once more shifted from Dile.

"And what of the damage you caused?" He demanded and gestured to the mangled pet. "That's several clinic procedures! He's expected at the matches tomorrow."

Acitu scoffed and extended one elegant leg.

"And what of the damage that menace did to me?" She countered fiercely. A single smear of blood, that Finn suspected wasn't hers, stained the creamy skin. "I shouldn't have to deal with ballistic pests in my home!"

"Damage?!" Ciar shouted. "You clearly attacked without..."

Acitu flicked her wrist and he flew into the wall beside his pet. Ciar's eyes widened and burned a cold flame.

"Watch how you speak to me, Ciaren!" Acitu hissed. "Our families aren't united yet and if you don't show respect, I'll make sure you never set foot in another temple."

Ciar's fists clenched hard and a nerve ticked in his jaw, but his eyes reluctantly lowered.

Acitu's slender wrist relaxed and Ciar took a breath as he stumbled back from the wall. He immediately straightened and scowled hard at a spot away from the Zithan.

Acitu's hand lifted to cradle Finn's head and she stepped around the group.

"The tea ceremony is down the second hall to the right." She spoke airily.

"Through the red doors." She added and sauntered down the stairs.

A few of the gold skinned aliens muttered their thanks, while Ciar remained stonily silent and gathered up his whimpering pet.

Finn was still shaking, hands gripping Acitu's skin and no doubt leaving marks. She paused on the stairwell and smoothed a hand down his back.

The Zithan hummed softly, a gentle musical note, similar to her brother. Soft lips brushed over Finn's temple and feathered down his damp cheek.

"All is well." She whispered and Finn pressed his face into her long neck - so like Iadin's but the smell was wrong. Too sweet. 

A second kiss brushed over his shoulder and Acitu started walking again, stepping with care to avoid jostling him.

Finn was flooded with a cacophony of sound; voices, glasses clinking and string instruments accompanied by low drums. He fervently wished he'd stayed in bed, safe under the covers.

The memory of Dile's crazed eyes still shook him to his core. He wasn't sure what the boy would have done to him, but he was fairly certain he wouldn't have survived it.

"Brother!" Acitu called, startling Finn and she immediately stroked his hair, murmuring reassurances.

Finn peeked past her throat and noticed Iadin's slim back facing them, seemingly in deep conversation with lord Ferrer and two other Zithans.

"Iadin!" Acitu tried again, cupping her hand around Finn's ear and somehow only managing to emphasize the noise.

Ferrer smiled and touched his son's shoulder.

"Your sister is calling and she brings an addition." The lord said.

Iadin's head whipped around and focused on Finn. His arched brows fixed in a frown and his glowing eyes narrowed on his sister.

Finn felt Acitu tense against him and the hand against his back pressed a little harder.

"I..." She began to speak, then abruptly switched her attention to Ferrer.

"The youngest Vortans are all upstairs. I saw them head into your study." She announced.

Her father's amiable expression immediately hardened.

"And you didn't stop them?" He demanded.

Acitu's hand tightened further against Finn's skin and he felt her pulse rise against his brow.

"I did, but they laughed at me!" She said, voice shrill with indignation.

Ferrer's expression softened and he stroked her cheek briefly before storming towards the stairs.

Iadin glared at her, and reached for Finn, but Acitu hastily stepped out of reach and hurried from the room. Her brother made a sound of outrage and followed.

Just as they reached the deserted lobby Iadin caught up and spun his sister around.

"Acitu, if you ever attempt to..." Iadin began to snarl.

"Ciaren had found him." His sister interrupted and her hand brushed over Finn's skin. "His lunatic pet was about to tear him apart."

Her brother stilled and his glowing eyes moved between the Human and his sister. At last he held out his arms and Acitu passed Finn over.

Finn immediately made to bury his face against Iadin's neck, but the choker was in the way. The Zithan simply unhooked the clasp and draped the jewelry across the Human's neck and collarbones.

Finn pressed his nose and lips against creamy skin and breathed deeply of the familiar scent. His heart instantly calmed and Iadin's mouth brushed over his neck, and long fingers eased into his hair.

"Thank you." Iadin said quietly and Finn glanced up in surprise. This was the first time he'd heard the Zithan express gratitude.

Acitu smiled and a soft peach warmed her cheeks. She licked her bow shaped mouth in a faintly nervous gesture.

"Are we speaking now?" She murmured. "You won't keep ignoring me?"

Finn felt the Zithan's cheek move and he could imagine the identical smile on the taller boy's androgynous face.

Iadin cupped Acitu's cheek and smoothed his lips across her brow.

"Of course, little sister." He breathed.

Acitu caught his retreating hand and met his gaze solemnly.

"I know this isn't the life you wanted." She whispered. "I know mother is hard on you and that the circumstances aren't always fair." She entwined their slim fingers.

"But I'll always be here to support you or to lend a listening ear. We've always been together..." Her voice caught and she blinked rapidly, glancing towards the floor.

Iadin's grip tightened and he pulled her forward, until their lips met softly.

"Thank you." He repeated.

Acitu stepped back and smoothed a hand over her already perfect hair.

"I have to prepare the tea ceremony." She mumbled. "Thankfully, it's delayed. Seeing as a few of our guests are in father's study." She moved towards the doors.

"Nicely done." Iadin called and his sister hesitated, before flashing him a warm smile and stepping out the door.

A/N: Hehe. Acitu always gets even.