Money owns this town (PRIVATE FOR REDKITE AND SCARSMATE)

[Scars Mate]

River had overreacted, Xavier decided. She wasn't in charge of him- what would she even care? It wasn't like they were together. He shook his head clear, before rolling his shoulders back and turning to Lana.

'I'm going to get some food. Do you want me to grab you something?'

[RedKite]

'I'm fine...' She whispers.

Ryder whimpers as she heads over to her and rests her head on Lana's lap. She rests her hand on the wolf's head gently.

[Scars Mate]

Xavier cleared his throat uncomfortably. Should he touch her? Acknowledge her as he left? He didn't know. Usually, he didn't care about women, but these two; if he angered them, primarily River, it could be catastrophic. He turned and walked out of the door, glancing over to his shared room with River. She was sat on the bed, back rigid. He had the sense not to say anything. He stumbled down the stairs, resisting the urge to drink, to gamble, to find some other woman to drown out his feelings. But no. He would risk them all if he did that.

'Can I get something to eat?' He asked the grey haired man, who raised an eyebrow, but nodded.

[RedKite]

(Poor Xavier. LOL)

Outside, Giovanni gives Hatari one more look before entering the building. He sees Xavier and clears his throat.

"You look terrible." He comments.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Alone, Lana wonders whether she should apologise to River, she decides against it. Ryder's tail moves swiftly as she hears Giovanni's voice.

[Scars Mate]

'Thanks,' Xavier muttered, looking down at the bar. The man placed some sandwiches and fruit on the table. He hesitated, before placing a package down with it.

'Give it to River,' he instructed, before leaving them to tend to other guests.

-------------

River stared down at the polished floor, her head in her hands. Why did she care? Xavier could do what he wanted. She cursed. What the hell was wrong with her. She couldn't fathom her thoughts. At first, she was angry at him; then Lana; then him again, because Lana wasn't her problem. It was Xavier. Matias sauntered over, placing his head in her lap.

'Thanks,' she whispered. 'But it's not gonna help.'

[RedKite]

'Let me guess...Women problems?' He asks.

____________________________________________

Lana sits with her head back on the wall in the corner, Ryder curled around her like a comfort blanket. She closes her eyes in disbelief. Was this really happening? Did River now hate her? Should she have told the truth to Xavier about Giovanni? She had known him for years and years, through fleeting visits to taverns...Best friends as children...Would he still have done that if she'd said the right thing? She felt as though she were stealing, a bad, dark feeling hung over her as she sighed deeply.

[Scars Mate]

River took a deep breath, before quietly reaching out to Lana's mind.

I don't hate you, she said quietly. Before the other had a chance to respond, she was gone, back in the comfort of her own mind.

------

'Something like that,' Xavier muttered, drawing the food towards him and starting up the stairs. He stopped abruptly. 'Is there anything between you and Lana?'

[RedKite]

Giovanni raises an eyebrow 'No.' He answers simply.

___________________________________________________________________________

Lana's eyes widen at the message, she disregards it as common courtesy and strokes Ryder's fur absent-mindedly.

[Scars Mate]

Xavier nodded.

'Good,' he didn't elaborate, but he was glad; it meant he wouldn't anger Giovanni in any circumstances.

-------

River cast a fleeting look around the room, before sweeping out, a large black cloak around her shoulders. She heard Xavier and Giovanni, so stopped, kneeling by Matias to make it look accidental. As the boys rounded the corner, Xavier's face changed to a cold mask. River rose as Xavier threw something at her; her lighting quick reflexes acted before she even realised, and the box was in her hand. She opened it, and there was Kai's best chocolate brownie. She suppressed a smile, before looking up at Giovanni.

'Can I talk to you?' She asked, gesturing to her room.

[RedKite]

Giovanni looked surprisingly awkward as he nodded. He decided that the only reason Xavier asked about Lana was because he liked her, so it wasn't wrong......He looks to Matias as if asking for an answer, but just earned an irritable growl. He followed stiffly.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Lana gets to her feet and makes her way to the window, observing the city in shadows. Ryder follows, ears back. She wishes she could just escape from this.