Path of the Hunters [PART 2]

Her fist clenched tightly, to the point of shaking. Then, she stood up abruptly. "I 'ave to go. Désolé." With that, she walked out from the restaurant.

Aurélie pushed back from the table and followed her. "Crescent, wait."

Nova sighed, standing and following the two. "D'you think it'll change anything, knowing the truth?"

Crescent stopped, head hanging.

"Listen to me, it is not just your family. My parents were killed because of me. My parents wanted better than the Laroche way of life and they were killed because I was bored."

Sighing, the dog hugged her. "You are not part of that world any longer. Use the skills they taught you and make your own path. Surviving as you please is the greatest way you 'ave to punish them all for the wrongs they committed."

She sighed, tears in her eyes. "...I know I am Crescent now, but why does it still hurt so much being Amile Baudoin?"

Nova placed a hand on her shoulder. "Trust me, it's never easy. I've been Nova for the longest, and it still sometimes hurts being Emile Baudoin, especially now with this revelation."

"As far as we try and leave, they are still our blood. And we are stuck with that."

She hugged her back, sobbing quietly in her arms. "But it's so 'ard..."

Nova nodded. "It always is."

Aurélie sighed, rubbing the wolf's back. "It is not something you can change," she said quietly. "But it is something you can work through."

"That's the good thing about being who we are. We're taught to work through anything and everything. You've been there, so you can say better than me."

"...This is true," she said through sniffles.

"Oui. And being a new bounty 'unter, you 'ave plenty of things to keep your mind occupied." The dog smiled. "Just remember that you are better than they could ever 'ope to be."

Crescent smiled. "Merci. Merci beaucoup. For everything."

"Just makin' sure you don't go committin' suicide or nothin' like that," Nova mused with a smirk.

"Stay French," Aurélie advised, sending an amused look Nova's way. "Do not become like 'im."

Crescent giggled. "I will try."

Nova shrugged. "What'd I say?"

Smiling, the dog drew back. "Now, 'ow do you intend on getting back to your 'otel?"

"I believe I will walk," she said, looking to the sky. "It is a nice night out, and I need some time to clear my mind."

She nodded. "Bonne. That is not a bad idea."

"You be careful out there, you hear?" Nova said.

"But, of course, Nova. Should anything happen, you know I can handle myself."

He smiled. "That, I can't argue."

Once she'd walked off, Aurélie stretched. "Well, I am not going back in there. I believe we 'ave made fools enough of ourselves."

Nova scratched his head. "Well, I gotta pay for our mess, so give me a minute, and I'll be right with you."

She nodded. "D'accord."

With a nod, he walked back inside to deal with things. He had to admit, he did not like the idea the plagued Crescent any better than she did. Over a little thing, at least in this time, as sex before marriage? It was disturbing to say the least.

Aurélie looked around, frowning slightly. She studied the blade idly. "Tuefel... You never loved my ancestor as much as you did your first wife... I am... sorry."

Soon enough, Nova walked back out. "Okay, that's taken care of. Let's head back."

"D'accord..." She sighed. "Misunderstandings cause more trouble than they should."

"Yeah..." He looked down. "And this is the mother of all misunderstandings."