Pepper Ridge (No Longer Accepting)

[Shellpepper]

Rachelle watched Jack. Her eyebrows came together in concern. "You okay?" she asked him.

"Fine," Jack replied, offering a remarkably fake smile.
Rachelle wasn't fooled- she doubted anybody could be- but it was clear Jack didn't want to talk about it.
"How's Mama?" he asked.

"She's alright," Lisette said, coming in from the back room. "She's sleeping now."
Jack nodded. "And you?"
Lisette smiled warmly. "I'm alright, too," she said. Lilly carried the bowls to the basin near the fire.

[ShadowHunteress]

Erik kissed Rachelle's cheek silently, he was worried about his friends, and these people here.

[Shellpepper]

Rachelle leaned into him, glad to have him near her. She wished she knew how to make things better.

Alis toddled over to Jack, seeming grumpy. He reached up to his brother and Jack smiled and stooped to lift the boy. Alis locked his arms around Jack's neck and instantly fell asleep on Jack's shoulder.
Lisette smiled and gently gave a comforting squeeze to Jack's arm. "You don't look alright," she said.
Jack shook his head. "Later," he said. He hugged his brother and smiled at Lilly. "How are you today, flower?" He asked her.

[ShadowHunteress]

Erik watched the small family, he sighed softly, "Kylar doesn't fit." he whispered softly in her ear.

[Shellpepper]

"Not now," Rachelle agreed, her voice just as soft. "But..." she sighed. "Do you wonder if he ever could?" She watched Jack and Lisette and Lilly and saw a happy family.

[ShadowHunteress]

"I am not sure." Erik said softly as he looked at them, "I don't think they need him around, just what he gives them." he said softly.

[Shellpepper]

Rachelle frowned. "You're right," she said. "But... I don't know... Maybe room can be made for him. I don't even know if he would want it..."

[ShadowHunteress]

Erik shrugged as he watched, "Where is he?" he asked softly.

[Shellpepper]

Jack looked up, his smile vanishing. "Kylar has decided to live in the barn," he said simply.

Marcus sat in the horse's pen, watching Shadowmere while Skoal nuzzled him. The boy had crawled in with the riled animals as soon as Aria had dropped them off. Now she sat, watching him, atop the highest rail.

[ShadowHunteress]

Kylar walked over and stood beside Aria silent as he looked at the horses and his little brother.

Shadowmere watched and sniffed Marcus's hair silently.