Xavier watched with gentle eyes as Jesse nibbled on a sandwich, nose curled up delicately with each bite. Both he and Clarise, the local cook, knew not to take it personally.

After all, Deprived were known to become fussy eaters, if they even ate anything at all. Trying to get them to eat when they never felt hungry, felt guilty for eating while their deceased partner never could...

He'd seen countless of Deprived become anorexic or bulimic. It wasn't necessarily because of a bad self-image or a dislike for their body weight.

But each time they sat down for a proper meal, their minds would naturally remember times they shared with their deceased mate. A mate that could no longer sit down with them to enjoy a meal themselves.

That burning guilt and self-hatred was enough to lose anyone's appetite.

A soft sigh escaped the Improba as he watched Jesse chew slowly. Plucking off bits and pieces of the bread and smushing it together before eating it with reluctance.

He could even see the Deprived swallow convulsively, fingers pressing against pale lips as his stomach momentarily rejected the offering before the meal sank down.

Still, it was progress. After Jesse had broken down in his arms, after he had reassured the Deprived as best as he could, there had been some progress.

Probably too little for outsiders to see but there were faint little things. Reacting when someone called his name or spoke in his direct surroundings. Looking up when someone entered the house.

All of them were small, basic gestures that to others, were pretty normal. But each time Jesse looked up to check his surroundings, or turned his head when his name was called, was a giant leap forwards in Xavier's eyes.

But he wasn't about to start pushing Jesse to make more leaps and bounds. Every step of his recovery, of any Deprived's recovery, was being closely monitored.

They needed to process and slowly progress through what happened to them. Slowly accept what happened to them, realize that nothing was their fault and take steps towards a hopeful long and joyful life.

But to the Deprived, that was a monumental task. They had found themselves at the bottom of a seemingly endless abyss and were told to climb out and up a mountain outside of it.

It was a near impossible assignment, if they had been left to fend for themselves. Xavier was glad that they had fused the two compounds together.

Because now, the Deprived that were taking those difficult, first steps towards recovery, had something to look towards to.

All of them had various journeys ahead of them, with their own hurdles and difficulties. But they could look up to those that have successfully latched onto life.

They could see that it was possible. No matter how hard it was, no matter how much pain they endured... there was a glimmer of hope that shone brightly in their future.

They just needed to work towards it. Slowly, step by step without anyone rushing them. Even if they had to crawl. As long as they made that progress forwards.

Now, if only there was that hope for his species.

Xavier had several long and exhausting meetings with the other three Improba, sharing his concerns and doubts about an idea that had been niggling in his mind.

The four of them were a great help for all these Deprived but there was only so much pain and suffering that they could take away. They weren't bottomless pits that were capable of draining every last drop of the Deprived's suffering, no matter how much they all wanted to.

It had made Xavier wonder how many of their species were like them. Decent vampires that were forced to feed on misery and woe, but didn't want to cause it.

But there were so many risks involved with bringing in any outsider into the compound, let alone an Improba.

"Let's say theoretically that you do a background check and find Improba that are... decent." Serena steepled her fingers, lips pursed in thought. "How can we be assured that those new Improba keep the secret or better yet, don't succumb to the alure of these poor, unfortunate souls?"

Joseph had hummed in agreement, his own fingers interwoven and pressed against his lips. "It would only take one split second of distraction. One moment of neglect, and they could teleport one of the Deprived with them."

Everyone's expressions darkened at that, knowing what these people went through. Just the mere thought of it happening again, stolen away right from under their very noses, was unsettling.

"There has to be a way." Xavier murmured, lost in thought. Of course there was the pair of Leshen that patrolled around and through the settlement. They would latch onto any ill intent immediately.

But what if. Magic could do a lot of things, most likely allow someone to hide their intent. It would be relatively easy for an Improba to feign good intentions, only to snatch away one of the Deprived.

Elijah sipped from his mug of coffee, licking his lips free from the milky froth before letting his eyes flit to Jesse. "No matter how you look at it, any Improba is a risk to these Deprived, including us."

A grunt of agreement came from Joseph, brushing his fingers together to discard any crumbs from his meal before he sighed. "Their allure is strong and isn't going to let up anytime soon. Even if we find individuals with a good track record, their restraint will be severely tested."

Xavier silently agreed, scowling at his plate. He clearly remembered the first time he had met a Deprived in the flesh. Smelled their alluring scent, the power that lurked within their blood.

It had been torture, but he had succeeded. Xavier's entire body had protested vehemently, senses going haywire and for that brief, heart stopping moment, he had feared that he'd be another monster that would prey on the poor Deprived.

For their kin, encountering a Deprived and show the remarkable restraint all four at the table were showing, was almost unheard of.

An Improba meeting a Deprived for the first time, was akin to a starving man being shown to a high quality meal, a prized All-you-can-eat buffet. And then they were told not to indulge themselves, to not partake of the meal offered.

Starved as they were, they could look and smell, but never consume.

Luckily the effect lessened overtime. Xavier had noticed that the longer he worked with Deprived, exposed himself to their allure and scent, the less effect it had on him.

But he always made sure to properly feed, both physical food and blood. He didn't dare but himself in a situation where he'd grow hungry, where his restraint would truly be put to the test.

Where he'd put one of his patients at risk.

So to introduce anyone within the compound, knowing the high risks involved around their kin...

He sighed once more, knowing that the chance of adding any other Improba to the mix was going to require a lot of research and a lot of time.

They would have to plan everything meticulously. Interview the Improba, pry within their background to make sure they wouldn't form a risk.

And while Xavier was hesitant, part of him knew it would help. Adding someone else who could drain away the pain and misery, would help these Deprived.

Plus, it would lessen their fear, knowing that the Improba the Deprived had grown used to, were not the global representation of their kin.

Maybe, after careful planning and consideration. Having the new Improbas meet with the Leshen pair... perhaps even within an anti-magic radius...

It could work...

His eyes flitted to Jesse, brows curling with frustration as he saw the boy scratch at his skin. Jesse's recovery was slow, extremely so.

Then again, the addicting remnants of the drug in his system didn't really help Jesse forwards. They restrained him, filled the boys' mind with haunting memories and fabrications.

As if they needed another reason to hate Draco even more. To think that vile monstrosity had drugged several of his best earners with the forbidden drug...

It had devastating effects on the Deprived's mindset. Being forced to relive memories of your mate...

"How's the research on the rehab drugs?" Xavier asked softly, letting his eyes wander over the few inflicted Deprived that were struggling to swallow their food.

Elijah sighed tiredly along with Joseph, whom rubbed his hands over his face with force. "Next to impossible. In order to compose a treatment, we need to get the actual components of the drug to fabricate anything..."

Joseph didn't need to explain any further; those resources were forbidden for the same reason the drug was forbidden.

"Have you contact the police who performed the raid? I doubt that Draco and his men would make the drug whenever they needed it, or that they were capable of destroying every last batch."

To which Joseph grunted in agreement, "That's what I did but according to law, any sightings of these drugs is to be reported, the drug brought back to the headquarters where it will be disposed of."

Xavier pressed his fingertips to his eyelids in annoyance before squeezing his nose bridge. "I'll see if I can pull some strings. Surely they will hand some over under supervision if it is to aid these afflicted Deprived."

"Jesse? Is something wrong, Agoraki mou?" Serena's voice was pitched soft and soothing, drawing attention as all four of them turned to look.

Jesse was standing beside their table, shuffling his weight hesitantly from foot to foot. Hands brushing over his arms, as if giving himself highly needed comfort he didn't dare ask for.

The pixie never raised his eyes up, hair tangling around his jaw and obscuring most of his face. Keeping his face downcast, shoulders hunched as if trying to become smaller.

Submissive.

"...Ou..." Jesse croaked, tongue flicking over his dry lips before his fingers uncurled from where they were clenched in his sweater. "....out....side?" Jesse's voice was fragile, hesitant but painfully hopeful as he poked a shaking finger towards the tree line.

Xavier's heart bled for the pixie, could see the tears well within Serena and Elijah's eyes while Joseph's lips thinned in repressed anger. Not at Jesse, never at Jesse.

"Of course you can go outside Jesse." Xavier smiled warmly, barely able to catch the soft huff of relieve that slipped from the Deprived. "Do you want anyone to come with you? Or do you wish to have some time to yourself?"

The pixie didn't react, fingers curling in the loose fabric of his sweater once more. Xavier could almost hear the internal war that was raging in Jesse's head, could see the quick flicker of fear in his eyes, how his hands tightened around his torso, preparing himself.

"...lone...please..."

Xavier's hand landed on Joseph's curling fist in silent comfort while he smiled up at the cowering Deprived. "Of course Jesse. Though I can't speak for the Leshens that patrol, I'll make sure to let the others know not to intrude."

Jesse opened his eyes hesitantly, blinking as if he had been anticipating a blow to his face. Punished for making a small, simple request. The pixie's mouth opened and closed several times before he lowered his head and shuffled away from the table.

"Whatever is happening to Draco, should be much worse." Joseph sneered through gritted teeth once the door closed behind the pixie.

Xavier quietly agreed. No punishment on earth was good enough for that bastard. All the lives he had destroyed, all the horrifying things he had done to countless of innocents...

It could never be redeemed. Never be undone. The lives lost were gone forever and those that survived, were scarred with horrifying wounds that might never heal.

"The Leshen have him taken care of. And from what I've been told, Draco is suffering a great deal and will continue to suffer for a long time." Xavier said, lowering his voice when another Deprived stood from their table, eyes flitting quickly around the room before they ever so slowly moved towards the door.

They froze like a deer in headlights when her eyes clashed with Xavier's, who simply offered a polite smile and nodded before averting his gaze.

All four of them swallowed against the sudden surge of fear that flooded their systems before they drained it away. Allowing the girl to relax and open the door before darting across the street, slamming the door of her house shut behind her.

"They're afraid of their own shadows and spend most of their times in their rooms, a voluntary self-isolation." Serena shook her head sadly, tapping her knuckles against the table before she stood up. "I've been trying to let them know they have freedom, that they can go outside and don't need to ask, but..."

"It's ingrained in their minds. I'm even surprised that Jesse gathered the courage to even ask." Elijah whispered, eyes flitting to the window before he smiled softly, motioning his chin towards the forest.

The four Improba looked out the window, features softening as they watched Jesse lazily pet the Leshen's bony face and antlers before reaching for the other one.

"The fact that Jesse is more comfortable with those two than anyone else is telling." Elijah's voice was cold, the realization chilling all of them to the bone.

To willingly interact with a creature that many feared with a passion... that was capable of killing anyone in the compound within a heartbeat...

It painted a disgusting picture in their heads of just how monstrous the Improba were that held the Deprived captured.