Shadow Moore

Shadow, smiled as he watched Lilythe for her reactions toward Azrael's speech. It was pretty good, but Shadow really didn't care what Azrael had to say he just needed to pretend like it. Having a poker face was one of Shadows best things about him, while in his mind it was anyways. Other's hated the fact that they could never tell what he was thinking, or feeling. Lilythe was probably one of the only campers that could see through his poker face. On great note, his comment didn't piss Azrael off, and he even seemed slightly better with him then before. Maybe he is coming off the way he needed to. Last thing he needed was for this guy to figure out what he was really up too. 

Shadow grabbed a shot, as Azrael finished his speech, Shadow put the fire out and downed the shot just in time to hear the one voice he did not want to hear. Setting the shot down, and looking over at Lilythe, who now has hands over her eyes. Shadow gave a small growl, low enough the music hide, it but he was not expecting HER! That was the last thing he needed, how was he suppose to do anything with Vee around. This was going to put a pinch in his plans, but just meant to become more creative. "Cheers to the birthday girl!" he hollers his toast.

Shadow had reached the open-air venue, a few minutes later. To his surprise, the boy was already sitting there waiting. Shadow gave the boy a devilish grin "Your here great! Did you get that undo position done?" he questioned the boy in a low whisper so the other campers around them couldn't hear him. A few campers walked passed them, and Shadow sat down next to Tristan. Shadow was slightly out of breath, so while he waiting for campers to move away, so he could talk without having to whisper. Shadow wasn't the best at whispering anyways he had a louder more deep voice anyways, so it was kinda hard. There's been times when he thinks he is whispering, others overheard him. 

Once most the campers were out of the way, Shadow leaned a little closer to Trisan "I found some boys, maybe around your age, that we can try it one. They both have drinks, so when we get there just pick a drink, or put it in both!" he laughs. Shadow noticed the boy was a little nervous, and being nervous isn't good. "Hey kid, you want me to do a little trick with my mist, and help you be more excited about this?" he smirks, as he asks the boy.

Shadow gave the girls smirk, an devilish smirk back. Shadow was debating on using the mist, but they were out where if he made anything noticeable, someone might see. This made it hard. It was also hard to concentrate with all the questions being thrown at him. This little girl was good! He had to admit that, but he kept a poker face, he was not about to let her see anything that might make her think that she is getting to him in anyway. "Yes the break up was hard" he says that shouldn't be anything bad, since majority of the camp already know that, plus more importantly Lilythe already knew this, so it wasn't something this little girl could use against him or twist around. 

"Lord, Slow down sweetheart" he says has his mind starts to race, he was having a hard time focusing. His thoughts were starting to run away from him. Taking a deep breath, he smiled at the girl "Yes I still love her, and she already know this. But sadly she is trying to pursue something with Azrael" his tone dropped slightly with a since of despise from even saying that name. "I came back to make friends with Lilythe and apologize for the mess between us" he wasn't lying, he just wasn't telling the full truth. No matter how good this little girl is, she would never know the real truth. "Now if you have no more questions, please excuse me" Shadow hated feeling trapped in a situations and he wanted away from this girl before she does something to cause him to say more.  

Shadow listened, even smirked a little when the boy said he got his information from books. Shadow was not much of a reader, and if he didn't have to, then you would never find him with any type of book. "Book are good sometimes, but learning how to control the mist, books won't get you anywhere" He commented. Shadow mastered the mist because he learned early on that, controlling it took a lot of shelf control which you can't learn from books. As the boy continued, he chuckled a bit when the boy admitted to wanting to perfect his control, to protect a girl. All He could think about was this young boy wanted it to protect, and he is using his to control. Shadow pounder the thoughts for the moment, and convinced himself that he was using his to protect Lilythe, even if he had to control her a bit. 

"Good to know, well first let's see if you can do a simple illusion, if at all. Watch and try to copy" Shadow takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly, relaxing his body in an exaggerated way for the boy to see. Within seconds a small rose appeared in Shadows hand. "It doesn't have to be rose, but concentrate one a specific type of flower, relax, and let you mind control the mist around you to make it appear" he instructs with a smile. Shadows illusion's are so much more powerful, that he can hold his illusion as if they were tangible.

Shadow stopped just by the door, looking back at the boy. Shadow smiled "Sure thing kid" he answered his question. This was Shadows in, now he has two kids wanting to learn more about their powers with the mist. Two kids that if he can make sure they can learn it, and then well they are around, he could use his own on Lilythe while one of the boys are around. Planning this out in his head he realized that he was staring off in space and still standing in the doorway when another young camper snapped him out of it. They had shoved past him, and he jumped "Sorry!" he called out as he headed back to his cabin.

The next morning Shadow took a stroll around the camp, listening in on conversations. He finally over heard two young boys, they looked to be around fourteen maybe. Perfect for being a subject in this potion testing. He listened in on their convo, one boy was wanting to go the arena and the other was wanting to go to the lake. Shadow didn't need them going to the lake because then its open and they would see Tristan sneaking it into their drink. So he concentrated on the boy wanting to swim, and used just a little mist manipulation to change his mind. With in seconds the boy agreed to the arena and they were off. Shadow took off to meet Tristan where they had planned to meet up.

Shadow had only been there for maybe ten minutes, not that long. Plus it was Shadows own doing to be early on purpose. When he seen the boy in view, he waved at him as he hurried over, apologizing for being late. Shadow laughed, "No your not late" he said with a chuckle. As the boy approached Shadow was watching his facial expressions and body language. He could tell that the boy was convinced at first, until he got closer. The boys face showed confusion, causing Shadow smile. "No this fire is not real" he says with a wave of his arm and the illiouson is gone. The fact that he has some since to the possibility of an illusion gives some promise for the kid. Maybe Loukas has a good connection with the mist like he does. Not all the Hecate children focused on their powers with the mist like Shadow did. The mist was Shadows favorite ability. 

"Alright, Loukas, first things first. What if any, do you know about controlling the mist around you?" he questions him. Shadow needed to know where the boy stood to figure out what he could start with, whether it's the bare minimum or a lot, and was just never taught on the techniques of it.

Shadow listened to the boy as he told him what was going on. "I get it kid, losing a girl you like sucks" he comments, the kid didn't need to say he had a crush on the girl just the way he was upset by her disappearance was proof enough that she wasn't just a friend for him. "Our powers can be a scary thing, especially if your good at manipulating the mist" he says with a sinister voice. Shadow stood up from the table, going over a grabbing himself a drink. His mouth had been dry since he sat down and his snack didn't help. Drinking the soda he grabbed, he tired to think about who might be at the arena tomorrow afternoon, if he had overheard anyone talking about dueling, but no luck. "I'll keep an ear out for who might be dueling tomorrow, if no one ends up dueling, I have another plan and it includes using the mist" he says in a small whisper. Finishing his drink, he through it into the trash can, and started to walk out.

"Good luck on a back up! Meet back here tomorrow at  noon then?" he says with a small smile.

Shadow gave a small smirk toward Azrael, "Thanks man" he says hesitantly. Shadow could tell that Azrael was in the same boat in a similar meaning of the just not wanting to deal with him, just as he did not want to deal with Azrael. As much as both mean disliked each other, they both had one thing in common Lilythe. She was the only reason Shadow was at this party, and he was honestly hoping he could get Lilythe alone for a few minutes, with a small trick up his sleeve, he knew he couldn't do his mist control on her around other people. Well he could but it would take a lot more concentration to make sure that no one noticed anything strange, especially with some of his siblings here. 

Shadow was brought out of his head when Lilythe sat down beside him and Killian, smiling big "Thank you for inviting me birthday girl! and might I say you look absolutely stunning, bartender boy here better find himself pretty lucky" he says with a glare over to Azrael.

Shadow sat up in his chair, looking around but no one in here seemed to catch his interest. "I don't know many of the campers anymore" he commented. His mind wandered off to people he would love to have him use it on, but he knew he couldn't do that because it could come back on him somehow. As his mind carried on, he started to pay a little more attention to the boy in front of him. If he even thought to try to learn something about potions from this kid, he is going to have to try to be more friendly. See the kid seemed to be upset, and even though he really didn't care, he decided he was going to put on a face and try to show some concern. "So kid, what's going on? you seem down, and you want to turn yourself into a bird and leave. So obviously something is bothering you. Do you want to talk about it?" He said this as best he could without trying to sound like how he really felt.

"Good to know, maybe we can catch someone doing a duel or something and their drink is sitting off the side?" he says with a smile.

Shadow gave a small smile to the young lady, as he tried to asses the situation. His mind was racing, he didn't want to give this girl anytype of information that could somehow be used against him. Plue it made him panic just a bit that she had a pen and paper and was ready to write everything done. "Boy, you don't waste any time do you sweety" he comments with a small chuckle. As she starts to question him, he could feel the tension build in his own body because she went right for it. He was not ready for those questions. 

Shadow was honestly expecting harmful little questions, like what's your favorite spell or something. Instead she jumped right into it, and he had no idea what to say that wouldn't get him in trouble. Her first question wasn't to terrible and he knows everyone around here knows the mess that happened. "Well I left camp to clear my head after everything, you know? It was a hard break up. I just need my space. I spent some time on myself" he comments, taking a breath. The next question though, he didn't know how to answer, almost anything he said to that question, could possibly get him in trouble. "So what is your interest in me, that you want to interview me?" he says with a question of his own, trying to avoid the second question. 

Shadow meet a young boy by the name of Loukas, he happen to be a new half brother of his. The boy has only been at the camp for about three years, and he seemed to keep to himself. On day while Shadow was lounging in the Hecate cabin, the boy came up to him and ask Shadow to help him learn to control the mist. Shadow figured showing his half brother couldn't hurt anything, but a thought ran past him on whether or not the boy could be used. If he was to so this boy how to use the mist and help him gain a good control over it, and then maybe just maybe he could use him as an escapegoat. 

Shadow smiled at the boy and agreed to help me. They both talked and agree to meet up later that night when the moon was high, out by the lake. 

That night the moon was high full and bright, this moon couldn't be a better moon to ask for during a night of practicing to manipulate the mist. Shadow showed up to the lake about ten minutes before time, because he wanted to test the boy. He manipulated the mist around him to give the appearance that he had started a bonfire for them. This was a simple illious and didn't need a lot of concentration to keep it going. Shadow wanted to see if the boy could spot that the mist was being used or if he falls for the illusion like any other camper would. Now most skilled Hecate children can spot the illusion, but some who are young and don't know as well sometimes have a harder time spotting an illusion. 

@ Loukas Makris  

Shadow's mind was racing as he paced back and forth in the hall just before you get to the dining area. Lilythe birthday was such a hassle trying to be on his best behavior. Honestly this hole good guy thing was getting tiresome, and it sure didn't seem to be getting anywhere with Lilythe except a friendship, which he was not having. Shadow wanted her, and absolutely hated when he found at that Azrael is now in the picture. He just recently meet a young half brother who was messing with potions, that seemed to intrigue him but he wasn't sure what kinda potion he would need, and even though he didn't know much about potions he knew one thing...potions can be very dangerous. As much as he wanted her back the last thing he would ever do is hurt her or put her in danger. 

All of sudden a young female's' voice came up from behind him, and he spun on his heels to see who it was. He had no idea, some new camper that has only been here a few years. What the hell, who is this little girl, he thought himself, as she asked if she could question him, like some type of reporter. "Uh um, who are you?" he questions her, whatever she wanted it had to be innocent right? she was just a younger girl. "I have a little time, what do you want to know?" he asks with a slight hesentiy. 

Shadow, smiled sweetly at Lilythe before pulling away resisting the urge to kiss her, specially after she kissed him upon his cheek. Once he got done greeting his girl, yes he believes she is still his girl, even if it is no long official. He will one day make it official again. Shadow straighten up and walked over to the bar, with a wicked smirk on his face, "Hey guys, look at you leprechaun" he greets Azrael and Killian, who are already starting to drink. "Can I get one of those green looking drinks?" he questions Azrael with as little tone as possible trying to be nice and control his feelings toward him. He seen him whip up the green drink for Killian but didn't catch what he called it. 

All Shadow knew was he would not get through this night without some drinks in him. But he needs to be careful how much he consumes, he really doesn't need his drunken mouth getting him in trouble with Lilythe. As he waited for a response, or the drink, either or, he scanned the room locking his eyes on where Lilythe is wanting to keep an eye on her, with her being dressed in such a provocative costume.

Shadow realized this kid had some issues. Shadow wasn't one to worry about someone else's problems, he had enough of his own. But he decided that having this kid who seems pretty smart and able to do potions might be a good thing to keep around. Shadow sighed sitting back down, he leaded back in his chair and smirked at the kid "Yes, your right I would probably pick maybe a wolf or a tiger" he comments. "Is there anyone in here that looks like someone you wouldn't care to sneak that potion to them" he questioned the boy as he skimmed the room himself. There were a few campers he could point out that he would suggest, but really the boy needed to pick his own guinea pig. 

Shadow's mind started to race, wondering what kinda potion can be made and how he could use potions to get the things he wants. He was getting very excited to see how this potion works. IF it works perfect, then that will just prove his want to either learn a certain type of potion, or convince this kid to help me in his own skeam.

Shadow listened to the kid, he sounded pretty smart. Shadow didn't know much about potions he liked controlling the mist more and just wielding different magic spells, he didn't have the patients for potions. As the kid rambled on, Shadow realized this kid was upset and sunk into his chair wondering what he just got himself into. "Wow, so you want to become a bird?" he mused. "What's going on that makes you want to be a bird? If I could brew a potion to turn myself into an animal, I sure wouldn't pick a bird" he laughed, as he finished up his snack. 

"No side effects is a good thing" he comments with a smirk. He was about to tell the kid to drink it, when he sat up in shock, placing his hands on the table he starts to push away "Umm, that was pretty upfront. Look kid, I am in no spot to be turned into any type of animal, let alone if something goes wrong" he says in shock. He couldn't believe he just got asked to try a potion. Shadow's sinister side show for a minute when he smirked at the boy "You could always just sneak it into another campers drink, and watch what happens" he whispers looking around making sure no one else could hear him. 

Shadow had just grabbed himself a snack to hold him over for dinner when he see one of his cabin brothers sitting at a table, with a bunch of stuff in front of him. He had seen him around before, he also seemed a little awkward and shy. What he was doing today though intrigued Shadow some, and even though he had other things, he was needing to do before dinner, the curiosity got the best of him. Walking over to the Hecate table, he sat down in front of the kid and started to munch down on his snack as he asset all the items on the table. 

Swallowing a bit and smirked at the kid "Hey there, what you got going on? It looks interesting!" he questioned the kid, gesturing to the items with his hand. Shadow was always intrigued when it came to magic. Specially if he could find ways to help him with his own plan. Of course what this kid was doing didn't look anything like something that could help him with his plan with Lilythe, but he wanted to know non the less. 

Shadow had just returned to camp only a few weeks before Lilythe's birthday party. When he first arrived back at camp he knew it was close to her birthday, and she always throws a party, so part of coming back was hoping he could get in good enough with her to be able to be invited to her party because for him that meant she was accepting him back into her life. They had a small little brunch, and then went for a fun canoe ride in the lake which is where she asked him to come to her birthday party. He was excited, but a bit nervous knowing that Azrael was most likely going to be there. Shadow did promise that he would try to be on his best behavior with 'that guy' around. 

Shadow wasn't sure what to dress up as, but since it was at night, he thought it would be fun to use the mist to make people see him as a creepy clown. His illusion gave him a white face with red eyes, black lipstick, sharp pointy teeth, and a tore up close costume covered in blood. Once he got the illusion going he walked into the party. Taking a deep breath, he looked around to find Lilythe who looked so stunning he lost his control of the mist, losing his illusion. Shadow walked over to Lilythe giving her a big hug "Happy Birthday!! You look stunning!" he exclaims letting her go and stepping back to admire her as a whole. "Well I had a cool illusion going as my custom but your amazing custom trumped that" he laughs with a hug smile across his face.

Shadow rolled his eyes at Lilythe's comment to being nice. He looked up at her with a smirk as he finished the bite in his mouth "I make no promises, but I will try to be on my best behavior, for you" he says with a cautious tone in his voice. While he was finishing up his food, Lilythe had already finished what food she wanted and then proceeded to ask him if he was ready to go. Shadow looked slightly lost when he met her gaze, he had just finished all of his food. "Ready? Are we going Canoeing now?" he questioned. Not that he would deny going, he was just a little shocked that she was wanting to go right away. 

Shadow rose from his seat, threw his trash away and then walked back over to Lilythe "I'm ready" he says brushing his hand against hers about to grab it but stopping himself just before he followed through with it. Slow down Shadow, this is just as friends, he says to himself. Shaking his head, he walked ahead opening the door up for her "Lead the way" he smirks with a small gleamer in his eyes. 

Shadow also shared the responsibility of the campers safety as very few would be inclined to take on such a role but Lilythe inspired him to do it. After seeing her treat these kids like her own, he wanted to do the same and see how it impacted him. When asked about camp, she said it was like her second home and he could not agree more - so he started treating it like one. He was there for her whenever she grieved a camper. He would embrace her while she cried or just being in her presence even if she did not ask. However, he could not bring himself to grieve; at least, not in front of her. 

"Yeah well..." He was furious after that game and set out to hash a plan to return the favor but Azrael left camp before he could do anything. "That's more than why we teach campers how to survive out there. You never know when someone who you think wouldn't push you off a cliff... push you off a cliff." Shadow continued to munch on his food, mulling over at the thought of the upcoming game- only to set a gaze towards Lilythe. How long as it been since they had a meal together? He had to admit, he could not be more pleasant when he wasn't trying to control her. He felt confined himself as if she only exists to be a part of him.

"Hey Lilythe." He spoke up. "I was wondering if, should you have no plans... if you wanted to go canoeing with me. As friends of course. If you're busy, that's fine with me too. Just wanted to ask since you're here." To be honest, Shadow wanted to experience what it was like when the both of them were without the constraints he made. When they were truly a couple... before he can give those feelings a proper send off.

A wave of relief washed over him as she commented otherwise but it left him to mull over what she had meant by that. It was true. In the months before their relationship took to an end, he could not bring himself to smile and if he did, it was unnatural or forceful. She knew him long enough to know that but how could he at the time when he was occupied with how others think they can be in the way of their love? It made him furious but he could never show it to her. If she knew all along then it was something to apologize once more for. "That's a relief." He said. He wanted to look good for her on their first engagement in a while.

"That's good to hear. I will be there to help you. I know I'm not a cabin leader but it is something I can contribute to our home. To train our kids to become exceptional warriors. I am aware that some don't share the fighting spirit but the least thing we could do is get them to support each other. Hm, we are all facing monsters under their whim. It's best to train them for any situation that could be thrown at them." It was before he grew possessive of Lilythe that he has proven to be a great role model to many campers. He held classes to teach them the skills they will need, one of which is to how to deal with the magic of Hecate's children. With its virtually endless possibilities of what they could cast, it's good to know to expect anything from them, especially during the evenings.

Giving her an eager nod, he had given it some thought. "The game is where we truly test our abilities as a demigod to the real world. We could be facing other demigods out there or monsters that we have yet to see. Besides, I want to see what the kids have under their sleeves." Shadow finally took his first bite of the meat and savored the tenderness. When he finished, he placed a straw onto the goblet and got his first sip. "I always look forward to it. You know that, right?" 

Shadow wanted to delve into the moments when they were together. He missed her. He missed holding her hand. Pecking her lips. Every part of her that warranted a special kind of intimacy he could not find himself getting anywhere else. The idea of being friends with her settling with him but if it allowed her to be happy with him then he was willing to make it happen for them. All he could do was to agree to her request and then give it a try. Getting up to grab an empty tray, he filled his food what he thought is a healthy combination of brunch. With a pair of tongs, he placed pieces of barbeque, grapes, sliced apples, and strawberries - thinking he'll get the rest for later. And before he could sit himself back at the Hecate table, a meal would not be completed with one of the enchanted goblets which were only empty if a demigod has not touched it.

He settled for a mixed berry smoothie. Shadow thanked the wood nymphs with a soft nod and finally returned to his seat. He was not a big eater but he was a fan of maintaining a healthy diet. This is, at least, the one thing he would keep check for himself with a growing consciousness. About to dive into his food, he could feel a lingering pair of eyes on his face and it came from the woman sitting across from him. The same woman he had admitted that he still has feelings for. He was grinning. "Is there something on my face?" A hand was brushing over his facial skin. "I thought I washed my face this morning..." Shadow was growing bashful, perhaps a sight reserved for Lilythe. If she were anyone else, he would otherwise be fine.

"I wanted to ask. Any promising campers for Capture the Flag? Us veterans should be watching out of them." And he did not mean it in a bad way but rather, he was eager to see how much they had grown. 

The rumors that were going around camp bothered him. He felt a slight disdain towards campers who think they even have a role in their relationship but it was never enough to instigate violence. If it was not for Lilythe, he would have gone around and began a solo investigation until he found the source of the rumors. Who the hell do these people think they are, he thought at the time. Despite that, Shadow did not care about his image and would have gone through lengths to make himself happy with her.  Sometimes, we do bad things for the people we love. It doesn't mean it's right; it means love his more important was another thought that came to mind as he continued to set an affectionate gaze towards his former girlfriend. But it did not matter if your partner felt unhappy. Shadow did not want to see that face again when she expressed her decision to break up. It was crushing.

"Okay." He gave her a soft nod. "I understand." Shadow knew very well what she meant by that. She grew unhappy in the months before she finally broke free of his grasp but not everyone knows what they want in a relationship. Even himself and that could be something he ought to explore on his own time. Happiness. Love. Embrace. More importantly, he wondered how he can make it happen and what he could have done better but she would not be the right person to ask. Not right now. Hearing that it is casual, it was somewhat of a relief but it could not change the fact that Azrael was gunning for her. That he has feelings for her. He was proving to be an nuisance but he won't tell her that. Not over his dead body.

"I..." He paused with a soft smile. "I'm proud of you too." It certainly felt nice to get it off his chest and for them to express their honesty. This is what was needed for the both of them. Even when they don't get back together, the possibility of being friends remained high and Lilythe would be most delighted at the outcome. However, a part of Shadow wanted more. Wanted to prove that he is a better boyfriend than before - one step at a time. "You're beautiful as the day I left you." The tenderness of his voice was there as a slight red etched his cheeks. He wanted to be with back with her so bad and she already knew that. Shadow licked his lips.

"We should get some grub. Looks like honesty was in the menu." He chuckled, mused at his comment. "Thank you, Lilythe. I'm glad we were together."

Shadow did not want to admit it but Azrael is exceptionally good at his craft so it would be difficult to take him on by himself. Even if it is just the two of them, he could not find an opening. Even tried teleporting using the Mist and that led him to fall several feet down. If he liked him, he would not have cursed Nemesis for granting her children the luck they need to ensure the odds are in their favor. Well no matter. As long as he waited for the sun to set just like how he waited for the right time to strike, he could be on even terms, maybe even better but he'll try not to let his ego be his downfall.

A week without dessert rations was not enough for Shadow. Even if he was given the same punishment, he would have survived as well. The two of them could perhaps be the best of their respective cabins and maybe that's why he did not like him so much - because he's persistent. Shadow certainly had a hand at the past events the camp had faced and each was too big for them to even meet. Maybe they saw each other once or twice but then they forgot they even existed at the time but Shadow knew he fought for their home. Everyone did.

"It's about time I pay you back for what you did. How about we make a bet? Loser... leaves camp forever." A winner take all situation, literally - but it would be fun to see his disbelief when he knew he would be the type of guy to fulfill his self-interests.

Shadow was offended and he pursed his lips. Thinking about it now, he was wondering what's taking everyone so long when they were notified of the flag's new location. He figured he could snatch it when no one else is around but he did not think he'd run into this bastard again. In no way he was going to let it attack him, not alone anyway.

"You must be satisfied in attempting to kill an innocent man. What did I ever to do you?" He attempted to twist his words. "We hardly speak to each other and yet you were out to kill me that day. Why didn't you just speak to me like a grown up?" There was a bit of irony in his comment and if Lilythe were here, she would know. The two of them act normal in each other's presence whenever she's around but when she's out, an air of contempt for each other grew right back.

"Maybe you should not have come back." Shadow knew very well what he meant by that but he was not going to let it provoke him. He was planning on making him regret that. Just not now. This time, Shadow drew his dagger with a crescent moon design on the hilt. Short and ornate, the rain-guard and cross guard are intricate and curled in a W-style and the grip has a similar double-helix design leading down to the pommel. It was his best friend in battle. Readying himself in a combat stance, he decided not to use magic... for now.

How... to be happy?

Shadow was not sure what she meant by that at the moment. He would always feel happy in the company of his friends, half-siblings, and her. He loved her so much that he felt the desire to make it up to her. Make up his wrongdoings and then maybe... things could go back to where they were. She was the kind of person that gave her full effort to any camper she would meet, given that some would call her their big sister. Kind. Caring. Generous. Thoughtful. Empath. Those were the kind of qualities Shadow loved about her and he still does today. It allowed for him to see camp as his second home. His overprotectiveness was draining her and he thought maybe if he did less of that, then she can breathe. He knows he can't spend time with her twenty-four / seven, otherwise it's going to be like right before he left. 

And Lilythe was not exactly rejecting his hand either. He wanted to hold it for a bit longer, wanting to remember that feeling of when they were dating. When he was nothing more elated with the warmth in her words, voice, and body. Looking down at their hands, he let his thumb brush against her skin once more. "There's not a day where I did not think about you. I was so upset... but you still reminded me how much impact you made in my life. You were the only, if not the best, woman I have ever met. So when you said you're going out on a date with him, my gut could not take it." It was the honest truth. Shadow always believed that man was an obstacle to his love life. Despite trying not to condone killing him, he had been a sticky thorn. "I don't like it, but I have to live with it. You are your own person. It's not my place to keep you."