Erik's first choice would have been to leave the shirt on. Unfortunately tattered remains that it had become due to his extremely fast shifting, had made such a choice impossible to have. His body was riddled with thousands of white scars. Some clearly from a whip. Some more jagged edged like that of some type of blade. Others clearly from dagger like fingernails. They trailed around his shoulders and down his chest and back. The top of a burn scar showed just above the waistband. Maybe she wouldn't notice. He saw her blushing. "The shirt was ribbons of cloth." He explained. Trying to make her feel better and to have her know he wasn't just stripping because he wanted to.<span style="font-style: italic">Dad was an angel...to those he fought for. He would have saved you. Even now.</span>Her words echoed in his head. Would someone have really saved him? It was hard when that was what he prayed for for so many years.<br/><br/>He blinked as she ran up and hugged him. AGAIN! Again with the hugging! Now what was he supposed to do? He hadn't ever hugged back. Apparently you put your arms around the other person. Here goes nothing. He hesitantly and tentatively wrapped his arms around her. His unsure movements told he wasn't sure what the hell to do. That he wasn't even sure he was returning it right. She spoke again and he left his thoughts to focus on her words. He listened to her words. For not letting his heart turn to stone? Instead it turned to ice. Was that really any better? He kept his arms loosely and unsurely hugging her back. He didn't know what to say to those comments. "I promised myself...even if I froze over and became numb...I wouldn't be like them. It is what drove me to survive. To be stronger even when I was weaker." He said softly.<br/><br/>His stomach growled. The mention of food had reminded it that it was actually starving. He rubbed the back of his head. One hand still resting on her back. "This is my first um...hug." He said. Sounding like it was ackward for him. "You take after him...your dad I mean." He said softly. "Lets go eat. Bet you are hungry too." He said. Clearly trying to find a subject he could be comfortable with. Food was the most easiest subject to discuss. Everyone needed food.<br/><br/><br/>~The lord looked at her. "You've been gone for two days. I was patient." He grumbled. Looking at his sexy spy. "I don't see the girl with you." He said sharply. Then the sharpness faded away. News? What sort of news? His eyebrow arched when those four words were heard. Found him? A smile crossed his lips. That was delicious words to hear. A companion? That might not do. Then he heard who and his smile got wide and even darker. "This is deliciously wonderful news." He said. Tapping his claws together. Yes. That made things perfect. It made up for the length she had been gone. Speaking of which. He pulled her into his lap. Wrapping his tail around her. Smelling her neck and nipped it. She was his favorite. "Report what you saw. In detail." He said. Running his hands up her. Then stopped with one on her breast and the other on her hip. "Tell me exactly what you saw happen. The reason the dumbass vampire has not returned with the prize." He said.~