World Outside Time: Jubilee four days later

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Jubee slowly made her way down the hall in the bright yellow ball gown that Anmut had put in her closet. She smiled at herself in a mirror, her hair was pulled back into a small bun that she'd made, she felt almost like a princess, except the fact that she was limping and leaning heavily on the wall, moving stiffly and occasionally tripping and whimpering.

And now she was lost, though in a good way. It was cool, just like a fairy princess' castle, full of lots of cheerful, bright little things. the furniture even talked and moved, nd took care of her when Anmut had to leave. She'd had to convince the wardrobe to let her in to get the dress, by saying she'd just leave anyway but she didn't want to walk around in her sleeping gown.

The paths and halls were winding and there were tons of them, and she was compeltey turned around, and had wanted to be back before Anmut had found out she'd snuck out when she was supposed to be in bed.

On the front of her dress clung Steve, who was more or less sleeping, just hanging like a brouch from her front.

She suddenly came to a wide, stone hall that had less furniture but more paintings, and she smiled.

"Hello," she called, and her voice echoed down and then back at her, and she smiled again, limping down and feeling like she was loosing herself as well as her way. It was nice.

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[random_xtras]

There was a soft rustle as a hall tree next to the far door bowed and opened it for her, then a little tapping sound as a little hall table hurried out of her way in the wide hallway on the other side of it, the silk cloth on it swishing like her skirt.

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"Thank you," she smiled at the furniture, then walked through, looking around and smiling before her breath caught, and she wobbled, slowly sitting down as her head spun a bit.

"Woo," she said, taking a few deep breaths before she looked around. "Can anybody point me to a window, please?"

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All of the furniture and ornaments seemed to be listening too; a tense, anxious listening.

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She slowly emerged from the window seat, tip toeing towards the sound, one hand tracing the wall while the other tried to keep her skirt out of the way.

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His eyes burned with rage, but then it faltered and he turned away and sat on the bed, his shoulders bowed under a nearly palpable weight.

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Jubee's first instinct was to cringe, the second to hug him again, and the third to just sit and cry. but she controlled all three, and looked at him.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly.

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Strong arms gently scooped her off the floor and at first she thought that Anmut had found her. But then she heard the soft rumble in Sir James' chest as he tenderly lay her on his bed and smoothed the hair away from her face.

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She squeezed her eyes closed, then looked up at him.

"See? Wolvie," she said, her chest constricting painfully as she bit her lip.

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"Leave be!" He growled more deeply and tried to glare.

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"No. You're being stupid. You're acting like you want to be miserable for the rest of time."

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He stared at her puzzledly. "What in the name o' Glory do ye mean by that?"

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"I mean you're not a Wolvie anymore!" Jube sobbed helplessly. "You're a grouch, and you don't even care that there are people who are still around who care about you!"

Some time later

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A hand touched her forehead, gently bringing her out of slumber. "Vhat are you doing here, Leibling? Sir James vill be angry."

Re: Some time later

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"No' my fault. He put me here," Jubee groaned softly, slowly coming to. Then she blinked and looked up guiltily. "How'd you find me?"

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But the winged woman was gone, and the broom and a dress form were gently holding her down.

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"No, let me go! Wolvie needs me!" she growled, struggling the best she could.

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"He died. He vill be healed soon." Anmut returned her cheek to his head, one hand moving up to his chest so that she could hold him closer, feeling her heart nearly breaking at how helpless he was.

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"What did he do?"

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He started and stared toward her with wide eyes, then struggled weakly. "@#$^& it woman, put me down."

"I... I cannot," said Anmut faintly. "I... don't feel vell."

The suit of armor gave an unhappy rattle at that and gently set Jubilee down propped against the wall, then turned and hurried back inside.

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Jubee winced, curling around herself, then looked up and him.

"You're... awful... you know that?" she gasped as she whimpered and clung to the wall. "Really."

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"Do what...?" He lifted his head to look at her, confusion still clear in his eyes.

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"Try to kill yourself," she choked.

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"Her heart?" Sir James frowned down at the girl. "What d'ye mean?"

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"We were talking, I mean, she was telling me, her people can't get hurt, except for thier hearts. They can die of a broken heart. Please Wolvie, you've gotta help her!" tears rolled out fat and warm over her pale cheeks. "You can't let her die!"

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"Liebling." Anmut turned slightly in Sir James' grip so that she could hug her back. "Shhh, little vone, do not hurt yourself."

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"Too late for that," she half whimpered, half giggled. "Anmut you scared me n' Wolvie so bad!"