" So I embrace the terror, my soul is yours to keep. " - Nightmares in Paradise; Payale Royale
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It's been three weeks since Ren's return and save for those first three words, she has not spoken once to the sorcerer. Stephen has been keeping his distance, and getting updates from Bats. According to his dead canine companion, Ren hasn't done much of anything. Other than drowning herself in liquor and narcotics. But after three weeks she has still not fed, and he's wondering just how long she can manage to hold out for. He's gone in there a few times, asked her, and she'd always decline in silence. Despite his better judgment, he even offered to get her an escort, but she simply shook her head at the sorcerer and proceeded to hide behind Crinitus. The look in her eyes still haunts him, the fear she expresses at the very sight of him. Bats has even told him that the mere mention of his name would cause her a brief moment of terror. Her refusal to feed off of anyone has left the sorcerer to wonder if it's his presence alone that frightens her, or if she'd be equally as terrified of others.
Desperate to get her to feed, and admittedly curious, he had decided to call up Negan. As the savior walks through the portal and greets the sorcerer he looks at him in confusion, all Stephen had informed him of was that Ren needs his help, and beyond that, nothing else.
"What's wrong?" Negan asks and Stephen sighs, knowing that he'll get a less than favorable response after explaining the situation to the man, and he is right. At his explanation, Negan's posture immediately turns from simple concern to an unstoppable rage, and the sorcerer is quickly met with a fist to his face. Stephen stumbles over and rubs his sore chin and sighs.
"Yeah, I probably deserved that." He mumbles and Negan growls at him.
"Damn, fucking right, you fucking did. Ya sick fucking bastard. Where is she?" he demands and Stephen silently leads him over to her bedroom door.
"Don't be afraid of the hounds, I'm sure they'll love you."
"The hounds?" He asks in confusion.
"You'll see," the sorcerer explains and Negan simply shrugs and opens the door to find a sight that simply breaks his heart. He's ready to turn straight around and give the sorcerer another sucker punch, but before he can act out, Stephen quickly shuts the door.
"Hey, kid," Negan says softly as he approaches the sleeping shaking succubus on the floor, surrounded by her canine companions. Ren wakes up at the sound of the familiar voice and the hounds perk up with her. "Who are the pups?" He asks calmly as he sits beside Crinitus and looks at Ren who gives him a sad smile.
"Oscula and Crinitus," she responds quietly and Negan nods as he gently strokes Crinitus' head. There's a moment of pause as they sit there in comfortable silence. Ren huffs and looks over to the savior. "Where have you been?" She asks and Negan huffs a laugh.
