NationStates Jolt Archive

Lana laughed. "The pool does seem a popular place." She blushed as she recalled the first time she had taken a swim. "Shall I meet you out the front or at the pool?" Although she didn't really want to leave him for a minute.

"Whichever you want," he said with a smile. "I just have to get my swim stuff."

Joshua leansed upwards and kisses Kenja and says "Great to be back."

Kenja: :) *smiles* I'm glad you're back...*she hugged him tightly, nearly knocking him over*
___

Azari is by the pool. She removed her dark cloak and set it aside. The soft moonlight illuminated everything softly, as well as the few lights beside the pool. She looked around nervously for a second.

Azari: Qui... *she said softly. Her eyes shifted and he was no where to be seen. The minute she turned towards the pool, Qui rushed up behind her, and pushed her in. But to no avail, she pulled him in with her.

Lana returned his smile. "I'll meet you at the pool. You're more than like be ready before me." She touched his cheek. "And I hate keeping people waiting."

[ooc: gtg]

Joshua hugs Kenja back and smiles. Thats the last time I got to hell

OOC: Right.

IC:

Adrian chuckled. "See you at the pool then."

He held his hand over hers, on his cheek, for a moment, enjoying the contact between them, before turning and walking away towards his dorm. He unlocked the door and stepped in, closing it behind him. He got on his swimgear and grabbed a towel, leaving again on his way back to the pool.

Qui pushed Azari underwater. She surfaced, and they looked at eachother.

Azari: I'm drowning...*smiles*

Qui: *playful grin* You lie! *inches closer*

Azari: No, I'm serious...*goes underwater*

Qui: You don't need air... :roll: *still he smiles and pulls her from the bottom, seemingly lifeless. He pulles her up onto the ground before jumping out of the water by her side...* Your not breathing...*smiles* I think I should start CPR :P

Joshua then asks "What happened while I was out?"

Kenja: I'm not exactly sure...as I said i was outside...*she pauses for a second* what really scares me is Qui and Azari...they used to be rivals you know. They were in the same classes at the most elite academy in the nation. No, not this one, but one only accessable to Rave and her disiples. You saw the crest she wore around her neck? The one Qui has as well...that's from acheiving the rank of souceror through that school...all those years. They fought constantly, it got to the point where it went to far. Qui's knuckles were smashed to such a degree, Rave had trouble healing him. You think he wears brass knuckles for the fun of it? Or those cut off leather gloves? his knuckles are scared completeley across the top. As for Azari, Qui didn't let her get away with it...he tore her vocal chords out...Rav could not repare that, but she healed the wound. That is why you never hear her speak other than through the mind.
Anyway...somehow, Qui had falled from Azari's blow. She knelt beside him, and he looked at her...and they clicked. Strange really...after she's been gone for all this time...and now...he's smiling...Qui and compassionate don't go together.

"Ok I'm lost already. Now help me up," Joshuha says as he startrs trying to get up

Lana walked into her room, and threw her stuff on her bed. She couldn't believe how foolish she'd been, and know she was sure she had annoyed Adrian.

Well, at least he won't think I'm perfect anymore. She sighed.

She walked over to the drawer and pulled out her costume. She settled on an all-in-one. Grabbing a towel, she headed for the pool.

Kain is nowhere to be found. He had to leave for various reasons....(To Fight The Darkness... Invite Only. Check that for the reason. I am getting simple again in order to become more complex....)

Adrian arrived at the pool. He was just about to sit down in one of the chairs scattered liberally around when he noticed Lana coming towards him.

Lana smiled and put her towel on the chair next to Adrian's. She perched herself on the edge, and slipped her shoes off. She pulled the summer dress she had on over her head. She place it next to her towel.

"Are you going in?" She looked at him.

"Yep," he said, pulling off the shirt he was wearing. "Just waiting for you."

He stepped over to the water, lookign down, and wondering just how deep it was.

Lana walked over to the pool, and sat down on the edge, her feet dangling in the water. It felt good on her skin. She looked up at Adrian, waiting for him to decide whether he was going to jump in.

She laughed. "What's the matter?"

He smiled, and instead of answering leapt into the water, coating her with a massive splash of water as he hit the surface and dove underneath, laughing.

Lana laughed, as she ran her hand over her face and hair to remove the drips running down her cheeks. "I suppose you think that was funny?"

Adrian's head surfaced. He blinked, putting an honest and innocent expression on his face. "Well, you laughed, didn't you?"

Lana shook her head, and tried to remove the evidence of her smile. "No, I wasn't laughing." She lowered herself into the water, and crouched until the water came over her shoulders.

Adrian nodded his head, smiling. "Suuure you didn't. I heard you. Come on. You were laughing."

"Well, perhaps a very small giggle." She raised an eyebrow, and then laughed. She leant backwards until she was floating. She closed her eyes against the sun and smiled.

He grinned, and dove underwater, swimming under her and then coming up right beside her, leaning over her and looking down into her face.

As she felt the movement of the water and his shadow fall across her face, she opened her eyes.

He smiled, looked intoher eyes, and, without saying a word, bent down and kissed her.

Lana placed her arm around his neck to stop herself sinking. When their lips parted, she gently lowered her feet to the floor and ran her hands through her hair.

"Mmm, that wasn't the exercise I was expecting." She smiled. "Not that I'm complaining."

He grinned. "I thought you probably wouldn't," he said, before he dove down under the water again, swimming around behind her like a fish.

Lana stood just watching Adrian swimming. She was pleased that he had forgotten his sadness from talking about his family. She was happy to see him smiling again.

She waited for him to come up for air. "I guess you like swimming."

Phoenix sighlently walked to the pool area thinking so deeply that he falls in to the pool making a big splash

Lana turns suddenly as Phoenix falls in the pool.


[ooc: Damn, forum]

OOC: Didn't give my post ...

IC:

Ignoring the splash behind him, Adrian came up on his back with his hands behind his head. "Yep. Makes a change to be swimming in a pool and not a swamp, as well."

Phoenix still in his armor hits the bottem and just sitts down and activates his active cammo

Lana laughed. "Yes, I remember you mentioning your frequent use of swamps." She touched his cheek. "I think I prefer you in water." She looked over Adrian's shoulder to see if Phoenix had emerged from the water.

He smiled at her touch. "I think I like you better in water," he said, lookign her up and down.

"I'm glad you like what you see." Lana laughed, as she splashed water at him.

Qui looks at Azari as she finally wakes up after CPR. "Are you alright?"

Azari: Of course I am...*giggles*

Qui: *slaps forhead and stands up. Azari pushes him back in the pool, back connecting with the water. Apparently they hadn't been noticed. Qui noticed Phoenix activating his armor underwater...he hoped he wouldn't do anything stupid, he wasn't in the mood now to prevent a disruption.*

Adrian laughed as he got water splashed at him, coating his head. "So that's how it's going to be?" he said mischeviously, standing up and splashing her.

Joshua pushes himself in a sitting position and and smiles abit

Qui climbed out of the water. Azari looked at him strangely as he put his black jeans back on desperately.
Azari: What's wrong?!

Qui: *stammers to pull them up* I'm supposed to be teaching a class...i'm ten minutes late already..

Azari: oops...

Qui: You're distracting..

Azari: I try..*she walks over to him to go and kiss him, but he turns away*

Qui: Maybe later...* He pulls on his shirt over his head, and tries to fix his hair. Azari sighs heavily, and sits on the side of the pool.

Lana continued to splash Adrian and be splashed. "We're having our first fight." She laughed, as a large amount of water splashed into her face. She rubbed her eyes. "I give up!" She mock pleaded. "I give up!"

He jumped forward, grabbing her in his arms. "Then I gues I win and take the prize," he said quietly, leaning over and kissing her.

Lana relaxed into his embrace, and succombed to his kiss. She completely forgot about the others in and around the pool. As the kiss ended, she looked into his eyes. "If I had know that losing was going to be that enjoyable, I would have given up sooner." She smiled.

He grinned. "Really ... I never pegged you for one to give up so easily ..."

His face was only several inches above hers by this point.

Kenja helps him up, and smiles warmly. "I'm glad you're alright..." she said before kissing him. "I beleive there is a closet near by..." she added jokingly.

Joshua laughs abit then hugs Kenja tightly. "God I thought I would never see you again."

He grinned. "Really ... I never pegged you for one to give up so easily ..."

His face was only several inches above hers by this point.

"And you'd be right." She shifted her weight slightly, and managed to knock him off-balance, sending him into the water. She laughed, as he went under.


[ooc: g2g]

He swam on his back underwater for a moment, before standing up again, laughing. "Well then, I'm afraid Ill have to start playing harder then."

Lana stood watching at him, with a look of innocence. "Now, Adrian, would you really want to do anything to hurt, little ol' me?" She smiled sweetly. "Me, who would never hurt a fly?" She fluttered her lashes angelically.

bump for Gehenna

[ooc: I posted]

OOC: Wasn;t showing on my computr, sorry.

IC:

Adrian dove onto his back, his hands behind his head. "Course not," he said with a grin. "Although you wouldn't hurt a fly, you would hur a poor little Adrian ..."

He looked down at his stomach, where the cut had healed, and laughed.

"That's not fair. I apologised for that already." She put on a sad expression. "And if I recall, I came off worse in that encounter." She turned her back on him, in mock hurt and spoke melodramatically. "If you are going to keep bringing this up, I don't think I can love you anymore." She smiled.

Adrian rose up, coming up behind her, and putting his arms around her shoulders, and hanging his head over her shoulder, looking up at her face. "Can you forgive me?" he asked in a mock sad tone, playfully. "Please?"

Lana continued on, in her best melodramatic fashion. "You have cut me to the core. You throw my imperfections at me." She placed her left hand over their chest. "My heart has been shattered into a million pieces." She lowered her head and furrowed her brow. "And you expect forgiveness? You do not respect me, sir!"

"You throw my deepest wounds to the heart right back at me," Adrian said melodramatically. "It hurts me deeply to have been forced to hurt you, in any way or form."

Lana turned suddenly, smiled and kissed him. "Then I forgive you." She laughed. "Just don't do it again."

He smiled warmly, looking into her eyes. "I won't," he said, before pulling her in against him with the arms he still had wrapped around her and kissed her again.

Lana felt shivers going up her spine. She didn't know how much more of this she could handle. Her body was beginning to be at the mercy of Adrian, taking its commands from him. She broke the kiss, breathless.

"We should argue more often." She smiled impishly. "I think I like making up."

He laughed. "I enjoy the making up more than the arguing, definitely. I think the next time we're arguing we should just say 'Let's drop this argument and go straight to making amends.'"

Lana laughed. "I like that idea." She placed her arms over his shoulders, and clasped her hands behind his neck. She looked him deep in the eyes. "Do you want to get out?"

He looked down the few inches into Lana's eyes, and realized that they had been swimming for a long time. "Yeah, sure," he said, smiling.

He reached down underneath her, picking her up in his arms, and setting her down, sitting, on the edge of the pool, before climbing out himself.

Lana smiled, stood up and walked over to the chair, where she began to rub herself down with the towel. She then puts on her dress and collapses onto the chair.

Adrian climbed out, stepping over to his towel and leaving a long dripping trail of ater behind him. He grabbed it, towelling off his face and then the rest of his body before pulling on his shirt and sitting down in a chair beside Lana.

Lana took hold of his hand. "It has been a fun day today." She smiled. "It even made me forget all that usually happens at this academy." She rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb. "You make me so happy."

He looked over at her, wrapping his fingers around her hand. "I love you. When I'm with you I forget everything wrong with my life, because you're so perfect you make everything around you beautiful."

Lana felt a lump in her throat and tears began to well in her eyes. "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me." She smiled. "I love you." She raised his hand to her lips, and kissed it softly.

He looked deep into her eyes, and his other hand rose to brush a tear from her cheek. "Please don't cry," he said quietly.

(Where is the angst gone? I want angst bitterness and pain! lol...)

((Just piss off Phoenix))

Lana laughed. "Sorry, I get a little foolish sometimes." She ran her free hand through her damp hair. "You'll have to get used to it. It's another of my flaws."

((Just piss off Phoenix))

( well Kain aint here to do that. Damn...might introduce more characters later. Like a wizard....or something.)

Adrian smiled, taking the hand that wasn;t on her cheek and running it through his hair before allowing it to drop to the side of his chair and fiddle with the pack of his he'd put there.

Lana watched the others at the pool. She was surprised that Phoenix was still sitting on the bottom, emersed in the water. She shook her hand and brought her attention back to Adrian.

"Anything you want to do now?" She smiled, as she looked at his face.

"I don't know," he said quietly, looking into her eyes. "Maybe spend some time with you?"

Lana laughed. "Well, that will make a change for you. It's not like you've spent the whole day with me, so far." She stopped, as she caught the look in his eyes. "Where do you want to go?"

Slowly little air bubles start floating to the surface of the pool

He shrugged slightly. "I don't know. Wherever you want to go."

Looking into her eyes, she could see it was almost as if they were repeating over and over again, I love you...

Lana continued to look in his eyes. She could have sat there forever, just holding his hand and gazing into those deep pools. "I could make us some coffee...?"

He nodded. "Coffee sounds good."

Especially since I'm getting tired. I don't know why. It's so early in the day ...

Slowly a massive air buble surfaces in the pool fallowedd by a ghostly outline of Phoenix

Lana stood up and picked up her things. She saw Phoenix begin to emerge from the water. She smiled, as she took hold of Adrian's hand. "I've only got caffeinated. Is that alright?" She slowly lead him back to the main building.

Adrian rose, his left hand taking the strap of his bag and picking it up as he took her hand and was led towards her room. "That's fine. Caffeinated is the only way to go," he said with a laugh. "You have no idea how much coffee circulates the barracks."

Lana looked at Adrian, as they entered the main door. "Why the sudden need for caffeine? Have I tired you out?"

He shook his head. "No, no, it's not you. I'm just suddenly a bit tired. I don't know why. It's no big deal. A cup or so of coffee and I'll be fine."

"If you're sure." Lana's brow furrowed, as she felt concern for him, but she didn't make any more fuss.

As they entered her room, Lana throw her things on the floor. Letting go of Adrian's hand, she walked over to the kitchenette to make the coffee. She looked over at him. "Make yourself at home." She smiled, as she said it.

He chuckled, grabbing a chair and turning it around so that he could face Lana as she made the coffee. "I think I will," he said.

Lana stood making the drinks, and smiled. "Listen, if you want a sleep for a little while, just go ahead. I'll be here when you wake up." She stirred the coffee and carried them over to Adrian. She gave him a cup and walked over, perching herself on the edge of the bed.

He rose from the chair, sipping his coffee, and made his wa over to sit down beside you. "I think I might just take you up on that," he said, sipping his coffee again.

Lana looked worried. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he said, smiling. He shifted his coffee to his left hand and put his right arm around her shoulders, running it gently back ond forth over her right forearm.

Lana looked at him and smiled. She placed her hand on his cheek and gently rubbed her thumb over his lips. "I worry about you." She looked deep into his eyes, before leaning forward and kissing him.

He gently set the coffee down on her bedside table, past her shoulders, as she kissed him. He smiled, putting his arm around her and pulling her close to hhim, kissing her.

OOC: Damn it! It won't show me your post! Hold on a moment...

Lana moved her arm, putting it around the back of his neck. She held hm tight, not wanting to ever let him go. Her heart beat so loudly, she was sure that Adrian must be able to hear it. She closed her eyes, and relaxed in his embrace.

OOC: Ah! Much better!

IC:

As the kiss ended, Adrian drew back a tiny bit, smiling at her and looking into her eyes. His hand, which was still on her shoulder, slowly began sliding the shoulder of her dress over her shoulder.

A shiver travelled up Lana's spine, as his hand moved over her shoulder. She felt the strap of her fall on her arm. She smiled, as she looked deeper into his eyes.

Suddenly the smile vanished, as a light dawned. She placed her hand on Adrian's. "I need to take a shower." Damn, why didn't I choose a bikini?

Adrian nodded, and stepped up to allow her past. He reached out, picking up his coffee, and continuing to sip it.

Ten minutes later, Lana returned to Adrian, looking decidedly embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I don't seem to be very good at this." She smiled, as she took her place next to him.

By this time, Adrian had finished his coffee, and was still sitting on the bed. He smiled. "It's okay." He reached out and took her hand.

Lana placed her hand on the back of his neck, and pull him into a kiss. Her other hand began to work on the buttons of his shirt.

As he kissed her, one hand around her head, his other hand began to work the straps of her dress over her shoulder.

Once she had undone the buttons, she slipped her hand onto this chest. She could feel the beating of his heart with her fingers. Her own body reacted to the touch of his skin on hers.

Phoenix slowly resurfaces and begens walking to the cafe to get a well needed drink.

As he slid the strap of the dress down her arm, he ran his finger along the side of it slowly and gently, before slipping it under her hand, and moving his other hand up to start on the other strap.

Her hand on his chest was cool, and delicate. It was one of the finest sensations he had ever felt.

Phoenix still with his active cammo on and driping wet walks up and order's a extra large coffee

Lana ran her two hands up Adrian's chest and onto his shoulders, pushing his shirt down his arms. She broke their kiss and looked at him, a loving smile playing at her lips. Her eyes burned with desire.

Adrian moved closer to her, pushing the second strap down over her hand and freeing the dress down to her stomach. He leaned in and kissed her, not saying anything.

((You 2 in the cafe area?))

((You 2 in the cafe area?))

Nope. Lana's room.

((Had me worried. Didn't want Phoenix watching))

Lana placed her arms around his neck. She leaned back, lowering herself onto the bed, pulling him down with her. Her skin was on fire.


[ooc: might need to fade until after the event soon]

OOC: I know.

IC:

He fell back onto the bed with her, kissing her deeply and passionately, sliding her dress down over her feet.

OOC: And ... Possible fade to black ...?

OOC3: W00t! 9000 posts!

OOC:Congrats man

When Lana awoke, she was lying in the crook of Adrian's arm, her own resting on his chest. She began to draw little circles with her finger. She had never felt so happy.

Adrian opened his eyes, his gaze first glancing over to see Lana lying beside him, and then down where she was tracing circles on his chest. He reached down, taking her hand and kissing it, then issing his way up her arm to the elbow.

(Well that is great. Just great.)





(I am not being sacracsitic.)




(Really)

Lana laughed lightly, as his lips touched her arm. She moved her head closer to his, and kissed him passionately, before snuggling up to his chest. She looked up into his eyes and smiled. "I never want to leave here. Ever."

He smiled. "I don't either."

He looked down at her, then kissed her on the top of the head. "God, I love you so much."

"I love you too." Lana continued to draw pictures on his chest. "And to think, I almost left." She sighed. "I think I need to thank Elaine for stopping me from making the biggest mistake in my life."

Adrian chuckled. "And I have to remember to thank her for her jaywalking habits."

Lana poked Adrian playfully. "You should be nice to her. You could be getting your butt kicked right now, by one of the other students, rather than safe here with me." She rested her head on his chest.

Adrian smiled. "What? I really want to thank her! If not for her I'd have never met you."

He bent over forward and kissed her forehead.

Lana smiled. "That's alright then." She planted a little kiss on his chest. "She is the only other friend I have here, and she's kind of teaching me some strange things. The other day, I saw one of her memories, from her childhood." She looked up into his face. "I'm hungry."

"Then what say we go get some food?" Adrian asked.

Lana leant over Adrian and kissed him, before sitting upright. She didn't really want to leave, but her stomach had begun to protest. "You sure you don't mind? I really could eat a burger or something." She ran a finger down his exposed chest.

As she sat up, he put his hand out, and ran a finger down her spine. "No, I don't mind. I'm fine," he said cheerfully, before sitting up himself.

As he ran his finger up her spine, a shiver spread across her body. She turned to him and smiled. "If you keep doing that, I may just change my mind about eating."

Adrian laughed. "Well, much as I'd like to forego eating, I'm hungry. And so are you, from what I've heard."

Lana laughed, reached behind her to grab a pillow, and hit him with it. "Still no respect!" She turned so she was facing him, and hit him again.

"Ike!" he cried out. He reached out and grabbed the pillow. He stayed there for a moment, before popping his head over the top and kissing Lana.

Lana leant into him, as he kissed her, causing them both to fall back on the bed. "We'll never get any food at this rate." She looked into his eyes and gently stroked his cheek. "You are a bad influence on me."

"I sure as hell hope so, if this is what you're like when your influenced badly," he said quietly.

Then he hit her with a pillow.

"Ow!" She sat back and placed her hand over her eye. "Ow!"

He sat bolt upright, putting his arms around her. His voice was suddenly full of concern. "Hey ... You okay?"

Hell, what have I done?

She removed her hand and laughed. "Got you again!" She grabbed the pillow and hit him back.

She barely even saw his hand move, but it caught the pillow halfway through the swing. He scratched his head with his other hand and grinned sheepishly.

Lana looked him deep in the eyes and smiled. "I love how much you care for me." She leant forward and kissed him. "Now let's get some food." She climbed off the bed, and started dressing.

Azari left her room and entered the cafeteria. Her hair was slightly tosseled and her robes slightly shifted. She was slightly out of breath as she entered, and sat down beside Phoenix, and looked at him and smiled. She was now, techinically part of his family, or he part of hers, either way. She didn't consider him that though, just a friend. It was clear to see she had been through a work out or such, but said nothing..

(Que the joke from Phalanix :lol: )

Phoenix just removes his armor's helmet and starts drinking his coffee and thinks about back home.

(awwwwwwwwwwwww...lol...was waiting for it too lol)

Azari looked at Phoenix inquizitively. She leaned her arm against the counter and rested her head on her palm.
Azari: hey

What do you want? Phoenix asks as he drinks his coffee

Daja sat in a chair embedded with rubies in a circular room. There was a skylight above him, and only the moonlight shown down in a long stream of light to hit him. The chair was at the head of a long black marble table. Next to this chair was a lower one on either side, to his right where he sat, and to his left, where Qui did. There where chairs for the rest of the council as well...Genesis, Mar, Seni, Marie, Kat, Paladerina. There was a chair in the corner that used to belong toi Azari. Daja was so occupied, that he did not sense the traitor's return to this school. He focused on deeper things. Where did Kain go off to? And in such a hurry...there were many things that needed to be revealed, and he was no where to be found.

What do you want? Phoenix asks as he drinks his coffee

Azari noticed his tone. What's wrong? *she placed her hand on his shoulder, concerned for him.

A faint trace of Kain could be found, the Brightblade was allowing Kain's location to be given against his will. He was on an island somewhere.

(Classes will resume in two days as a break or vacation for people to catch up on the happenings and old characters to return such as Katrina or Calico)

Daja picked up his sigal, but did not move from Ravelyn's chair. As dawn was approaching, he send a signal to him. It wasn't in words, but he would feel compelled to go back to the Academy. He would be drawn to the room that no student had stepped in before...the council chambers.

Kain felt it. He was hard-pressed. He was going insane with his curse...to see everyhting dying before his eyes.Daja might be able to help...but could he face the horrifying sight of Daja in Kain's condition.

Kain decided to go, but before he teleported himself, he got a bandage and wrapped it around his eyes so that he could not see. It was the only way he would not go mad by the sight he would see, to see his freind rotting away, dying and corrupting. He could not escape the torment...the Seer had ensured that.

Muttering the spidery scrawl of magic, he changed reality so that he was in with Daja. The Brightblade came too, his Cloak did not. Cloak was till screaming around the island.

Daja: Kain...there is something you must know. But first...will you accept me as your temprorary sire....*the way he said temporary indicated that...* until and if Rave returns. *"he leaned back in the chair and looked at Kain, wondering why Rave had chosen him as a fledgling.

kain couldn't see Daja, but he loked in the general direction of his voice. He did not see...not like this.

Very well Daja. I shall. Now tell me of the truth.

Kain's voice was far from what it was..it was the voice of someone who was very old and tierd, who had enough of the world today and wanted to go back to sleep for a long time.

Is 10 million people dead and 7 missile going off something to be woried about? Phoenix asks

((Hell ya 3600 posts))

Azari: I would think so...but staying in this mood won't help them... *she communicated through the mind, whereas she couldn't talk*

_____

Daja: Very well...you must not tell a soul. It all began because of love. Ravelyn and Vaughn. What happened when he realized he truly loved her was quite surprising: his heart which hadn't ever beaten in his entire and quite long existence suddenly came back to life. But it was not the only heart to start beating at that exact moment. Cecilia, Vaughn's former wife, came back to life... at least her heart, in a cupel to be found in a cavern far away in the Great Gobi Desert.

Cecilia was completly perverted by ...erm...people...it's not important...andyway he had no choice but to kill her... apparently, they didn't let it happen and point is Cecilia's heart, kept inside a sort of stasis in the Great Gobi Desert came back to life when Vaughn/Zacharian accepted his feelings towards Rave.

An explorer from Scotland, McLean, did enter the temple when the heart was and had no choice but to obey Cecilia's will. He took the heart to another place where an ancient artefact of them was located : a completly dark knife. Without even being able to resist, McLean plunged the knife into his chest and replaced his own heart with Cecilia's. She was now completly back to life.

That event made Vaughn/Zacharian's sister, Elaïne, awaken. She didn't know what was going on but went to see her brother and his fiancée in order to tell them something big enough had happened for her to get out of her sleep. She had investigated in the Great Gobi Desert already and knew about the secret temple and soon discovered the knife had been stolen. Vaughn/Zacharian and Rave decided to go and see what was going on. He had heard Cecilia's voice in his head ordering him not to touch Rave anymore and went there apparently decided to give his life if necessary. Rave didn't see it that way.

The confrontation was short but quite unbelievable. Rave decided to sacrifice her life to save Vaughn/Zacharian's, asking her former partners to help her. At a point, Cecilia managed to stab Vaughn/Zacharian's in the heart, killing him, and disapear. Rave asked the angels to take her life for his and so they did. But Vaughn/Zacharian sent his last wishes to his sister before his last breathe. Elaïne's soul travelled to the very limits of Heaven itself and took Rave's soul back. Finally, she put it inside the only body that was still alive at the time: Vaughn/Zacharian's one. As they were both dead at a point, Rave and Vaughn/Zacharian's souls had a conversation. Rave begged him to accept her sacrifice but he refused. Nevertheless, he told her someone could help her reaching him again: his apprentice, Alexei. But he told her not to try and soon his soul passed on the other side of the Barrier.

All what Rave knew was that Alexei was from Valinon, a nation that had left Earth centuries ago. So when you saw Vaughn...next to Rave's body...it wasn't him...it was Rave. Her soul is in his body, and she is on the enclave trying to get his back, and her body restored....she is alive techinically, and there is a chance for her...

Then try having the person you love the most dead. In this case it's my wife she was killed in the black fire.

Azari: I couldn't picture Qui dying...maybe killing someone else, but never dying. Rave however, I have seen die...she meant a lot to me...i was one of her diciples...but that is for another time... *She said getting up...* If you want to talk, I'll be here...

Thank you for your offer. Phoenix says.

Anytime Azari says, as she makes her way to the bar.

abosrbed this new infomation and made some sense of it. He still could not see anything and just stood there thinking. He eventually said after much digesting of this infomation.

"I....see. Where is she?" Kain murmored.

Kain saw some glimmer of hope that Ravelyn might be able to help kain's sight. It was better to be blind than see the constant nightmare of people dying before you. There was only other option if ravelyn could not help, and it was not guranteed to work, and it would cause many grave things to happen. He would go after the Seer.

Daja: On Valinon, inside a hell dimension...trying to get him back...

Would she have ever done that for me? *he thought to himself*

Daja: What's wrong with your eyes....*he said changing the topic*

Kain remained silent for a time. He did not know how to put it. He was still coming to terms with it. He did not want to think that he would have to live like this forever.

Kain began softly, his voice slightly cracked.

"When...when I fought in...fought in the battle against Xzar....you saw how I was effected. I...became a crippled, deseased..the taint of the spirit which had entered my body as a....as a last attempt to defeat me.."

Kain took a short step.

"Ravelyn saved me...she...she...drew out the taint, which made me a vampire. But....something still remained.....of it's...curse."

Kain struggled with the words. He began to shake a little.

"My vision...I saw nothing in nature anymore....it became a grey slate. The very thing which I treasured was...gone....beauty in nature. I could see no beauty in trees, birds and people. Yet....I coped."

Kain sighed and his voice became more full of sorrow.

"But then...it got worse recently. It...it...changed. Instead of seeing no life in anything....the gray illusion to everything...I saw....I...I...saw death. I see everything and everyone dying before my eyes! Shadows of death...demons which rot away thier skin...to see them decay and die!"

Kain broke down, and went on his knees, as he wept. He punched the floor in frustration as he sobbed, his shoulders giving way.

Daja knew if Rave was here, she could help him. A seraphim could do a lot. "Be pacient...it will end..." he said refferring to if Rave returned.

At this point Coro materilaized out of the shadows alongside Daja. "Told him about Rave, eh?" he asked.

Daja sighed. "Yes...I just wished I would have told her..." he said trailing off.

Coro put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Hey man, cheer up. Don't worry. There's no way she's not coming back without him. She'll be back. Trust me on that."

Daja: I hope so...remember when we first saw her...on that beach, on the shore...alone...*he said softly. they had not seen her in the lab at all, but were awefully close*

Coro nodded. He remembered all too well. "Did you know then that she was the seraphim we had ..." He stopped, but Daja knew the rest of the sentence.

Daja: we had plans of tasting? *he said with a smile* Yes...but something stopped me on that beach that day...her beauty...*he remembered it and smiled.*

Coro nodded. "I could tell before I even saw her. I could feel it was her. She also had the feel of a seraphim. I could tell, before even the lab incident, because of ... yeah."

"mmm.." he said in rememberance. "Those were the days...BC...before child...*he said with a smile thinking about Qui slightly...oh the tension between the two. Rave had often serverd as a mediator* "Do you think..back then, she would have done the same for me? What she's doing for Vaughn?"

"Definitely not," Coro said, managing to keep a perfectly straight face. "Definitely not, man. You were just like another meal on the table for her. Bing, bang, boom, child, gone."

Then he burst out laughing.

Kain found no humor in any of this. His vision would have to get back to normal....Kain did not know what he would do if she could not help...Kain did not want to be blind...the alternative was too horrifying.

Kain got up, recoperating himself.

"Yes...yes I will...wait...wait for...her help. But I do not know what will happen if she..cannot help..."

Kain's head was pointed to the ground, his eyes where burning. His eyes seemed to crawl, wanting to see again. But he did not want to at the same time. The bandage was so restraining, his eyes cried out to be released from thier bindings. But he kept resolve, he knew what he would see, and what he would not see.

Daja looked at the ground. "We were in love though...I just died...literally saving her life...I died...then those damn sourceresses brought me back to save her once again from, guess who? Vaughn...i don't understand her..." *he laughed slightly*

Coro shrugged. "Female vampires."

Daja burst out laughing. "THat damn devil of an angel..." he laughed even harder...and repeated. "Female vampires..."

Coro reached into his pocket, lighting himself a cigarette and offering one to Daja. "Yeah, I miss having her around to her her say-" He did a perfect imitation of her voice, down to the very last detail - because it WAS her voice (Magic is a wonderful thing) - "-Male vampires..."

Kain chuckled remorsefully, remembering the other times that phrase was said. Back in the battle Daja had said that. Kain sighed. He would wait for Ravelyn. But...could he endure for that long?

His eyes burnt hotter now, they demanded release. Kain felt like gouging them out. He slowly reached for the bandage and unraveled it, letting the bandage fall to the ground.

kain did not open his eyes at first. He was readying himself for the sight he would see. Then he opened his eyes, and he saw again the horrors he had seen before. Daja's form was being surronded by death, his flesh crawling with maggots, the beings of the night mocked Kain, as they went around in a slient scream straight towards Kain.

To those who saw Kain's eyes, they where pitch balck, a whirlpool of black ink, light seemed to drown in the density of the sea of dark.

Daja: That's scary...you're way to good at that...and have way to much free time...*he laughs* All a vampire has is time...*he smiled* I miss her...

Daja: That's scary...you're way to good at that...and have way to much free time...*he laughs* All a vampire has is time...*he smiled* I miss her...

"Time....time..." Kain said the word, as though he was tasting the word like a fine word, experiancing the word and it's taste.

"I miss her too...." Kain almost whispered.

Coro smiled and blew a smoke ring from his cigarette, doing a perfect imitation of Daja's voice as he repeated, "You have way too much free time, Coro."

Then his own voice. "I know, Daja. I'm immortal. That's what immortal means."

Daja's, for laughing. "I know. I, too, am immortal."

"Oh, come on, Daja, you're a damn ancient vampire. Of course you're immortal."

"That's exactly my point."

"What, you'd rather I wasn;t immortal, and wasn;t a vampire, just so I oculdn't imitate your voice?"

"Exactly."

Kain did not hear anything from Caro's lips. He was concentrating upon what he was seeing. Yet he did not react. They horrified him yes, but....he had hope. He had hope.

Daja burst out laughing. "Stop it...you scare me..." he said with a laugh. This wasn't true...he was a friend. "male vampires..." he repeated....*he looked at Kain* "Female vampires are....*he attempted to finish the sentense* like liquid fire...*he said remembering Rave.

"Liquid," Coro said,in a voice like water. "Fire," he said, in a voice like licking flames. "Female-" -Rave's voice- "-Vampire-" -Daja's voice.

"Liquid-" Water "-Fire-" Flames "-Solid-" A voice like Earth "-Air-" A sweeping voice, like the wind.

Kain smiled slightly as he looked blankly to nowhere in paticular. Liquid fire. An apt way of putting it.

"Yes.....but then...she is no ordinary vampire..."

Phoenix slowly starts walking out of the cafe and towards the feilds. When he reaches there he falls to his knees and actualy crys.

Daja laughs..."She is like air...she is untouchable..."he smiled and layed on his back. "she is perfect liquid fire, so invigorating...so *he took in a deep breah * yea...*he recalled the time spent with her* I think i need a cold shower...*he laughed at Coro*

Kain heard that voice. A nice trick. It was like a funeral...Kain continued to stare blanly, but he absorbed all the words said and reflected upon them.

"I think you need a cold shower, to bring you back to yourself, man," Coro said. "Liquid fire she may be, but she's not here right now. Will be soon, though," he said, blowing a smoke ring.

"I...I need some time alone. Thank you for telling me the truth Ancient One, it has helped..." Kain bowed.

"It was good to...meet you."

Coro nodded to Kain. "Good to meet you, too."

And with that, the oldest living vampire turned, and strode through the wall.

Kain faded from view, his eyes the last thing to remain in view as he disappeared and reappeared on his island.

Phoenix slowly starts walking out of the cafe and towards the feilds. When he reaches there he falls to his knees and actualy crys.

As they are walking to the cafe, Lana sees Phoenix walk into the field and fall to the fall. She walks over to him, placing her hand gently on his shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"No," Phoenix says as he removes his helmet

Lana kneels on the ground beside him, her hand resting lightly on his arm. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Wouldn't hurt," Phoenix says as he whipes the tears away and stops crying.

Lana puts a comforting arm around his shoulder. "Do you want to go to the cafe? Or stay out here?" She looked over at Adrian and smiled apologetically for leaving him.

"Lets stay here," Phoenix says "Ok imagin 10 million people dead and the one person you love most is one of them. How does it feel?"

Lana looked into Phoenix's eyes, her own were filled with compassion. "I know what it's like to lose someone you love. It's unbearable. The pain is so deep that it eats away at your soul, and nothing anyone says, can make that pain go away." She squeezed his hand.

"I lost my wife," Phoenix says "I was only with her for 5 months befor she died."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Phoenix." She looked at her hand on his arm, before returning her gaze to his face. "You must have loved her very much."

"She was one of the few people that actualy made waking up in the mornign worth while," Phoenix says

Daja laughed. He was totally serious. he really did need a cold shower even at the thought of her. Coro sensed this in his thoughts. "What?" he laughed as he looked at Coro, as he followed him. There was a dispute about the oldest vampire, but that was one not brought up, especially amongst friends. It didn't matter. They were both ancients, and that was as far and as old you could get in the order. "Oh com'mon Temp...I mean Coro!"

Lana sat in silence for a moment, trying to find the right thing to say. She knew from her own experience that words were never enough. They couldn't take away all the hurt.

"She sounds like a very special woman." She smiled, but a sadness remained in her gaze. "Not many people can have that effect on another, and you were lucky to be blessed with the love of one such as she. Even for such a brief time."

Coro sighed and rolled his eyes in mock annoyance. "Daja, Daja, Daja... Have you any idea how annoying it is to have to switch names every few dozen millenia? Annoying. Let's see ... Lately I've been known as ... Tempest, Kayla, Corothisia, Tarei, Larisan, Radulac ... Oh, I even forget some of them. But it was Kyredisthaniatyr when I killed the most famous and well known of us all."

He blew a smoke ring. "The one that earned a name for himself as a creature of myth and legend. Dracula."

"I was lucky. But she was taken from me even befor we could actualy go on a vacation or do almost anything together," Phoenix says

Daja slapped his forhead...why must you change your name so many times?!? *he thought for a second, realizing he had done the same* Shit...*he said* I never fanciend the name Michael...you couldn't picture me as one, could you? *he took a cigarette from Coro and immitated Rave* YOu know if she was here right now she'd be pissed off...*he laughed* and then say "male vampires" then i would take a cold shower and then talk to you, in turn to make fun of the conversation we had had previously, then be forced to take yet another cold shower, then talk to you yet again...*he stopped for a moment, then chuckled slightly. He changed the subject of liquid fire causing the need for cold water* Do you have anyone in you're life? *he had no one...apart from Rave who was no longer his*

"I was lucky. But she was taken from me even befor we could actualy go on a vacation or do almost anything together," Phoenix says

"You did do things together. Did you hold her hand? Did you talk to her? Did you kiss her? Did you tell her how much you loved her?" She looked deep into Phoenix's eye. "These are the important things. Not walking along a beach, not visiting some far off land." She held both his hands in hers. "It's what's in your heart that matters. And nothing can take those feelings away from you."

"Most of the time we were seperated thanks to combat missions. The only times we were together was here and in combat missions together," Phoenix says "But we did many of those things. She always wanted to see the end of the war. Now sadly she has become another victem of it."

Coro blew another smoke ring. "Well..." He seemed to think for a moment. "No. Not really."

He looked at Daja as if sizing him up. "Michael?" He raised an eyebrow incredulously. "Michael?"

A smile slowly crept over his features before he broke out laughing.

"You must not think of her as a victim." She placed her hand gently on his cheek. "You must remember only the good times you spent together. Think of the happiest moment that you both shared, and always remember her there. Do not tarnish your memory of her, by recalling how or why she died."

She wiped away the remaining tears off his cheek. "She would not want to be remembered that way. She would want you to see her smiling face when you close your eyes." She lowered her voice to almost a whisper, and touched her finger against his chest. "And she is always with you, just there."

Phoenix just lowers his head and reatches his helmet and watches the helmet cam play the dreeded video. He turns it off and removes the chip and crushes it

Lana says nothing, she just takes Phoenix in her arms, and hugs him. She remains like this until he decides to break the embrace.

Daja: Shut up...*he said before laughing* Yes I was Michael...*he admitted* My orignal name...some would often refer to me as Lestat, others as I must admit, as Tristan...

Lana left Phoenix, feeling that he may need some time on his own. She remembered when her parents had been killed. She could still see her family standing around her with their pitying looks. At the time, she didn't know what had happened, except her Mommy and Daddy had to go away.

She still remembered the tears she had shed ever night. Her aunt would sit on the bed trying to comfort her. But it was the same. She had wanted her Mother to hold her, to make the pain go away.

As she walked toward the cafe, her stomach suddenly reminded her of her original destination. She began to walk a little quicker. It was strange how many times during her short stay at the Academy that she had been in a position of trying to comfort another.

Maybe that's why I'm here. She smiled as she continued to walk.

Suddenly two strong but gentle hands were on Lana's shoulders, fastening something around her neck loosely, with a catch at the back.

It was a beautiful silver necklace, that accentuated every one of her features, guided by Adrian's hands.

Lana almost jumped out of her skin, as she felt his hands touch her shoulders. She had been so deep in thought, she had not been paying attention to everything around her.

As she felt the necklace touch her skin, she placed her hand over the top of it, feeling the shape and pattern. She lifted it up so that she could looked at it before turning to face Adrian, and kissing him, gentle.

"It's beautiful." She smiled as she took hold of his hand.

He smiled, taking hold of her other hand in his, entwining his fingers through hers. "I thought it would look good on you, so ..."

Daja: I never told her I knew....you never told her you knew...she keeps this secret... She's told no one you know...saying she's an archangel...why would a seraphim pose as a lower rank....why has she hidden herself? *he said, tossing an apple up in the air that had materialized in his hands. He bit it, leaving two distictive punctures in it.

Coro shrugged. "How should I know? I don't know what goes in inside the heads of fwemale vampires."

Daja: *chuckles* Female vampires....*he looked at Coro* Let's not start that again...*he laughs*

Qui: Hey Daja....

Daja: What?

Qui: I'm getting married...

Daja: :shock: *collapses to the floor*

Coro burst out laughing seeing Daja fall to the floor. Nice to hear that, Qui. Azari, I'm guessing.

Lana looked into Adrian's eyes and smiled. "You don't have to buy me presents." She brought each of his hands up in turned and placed a gentle kiss on the back of them. "Just having you here, is enough." She thought about how she would feel if he was taken from her.

Qui: Yes as a matter of fact...


Daja: Ow...my head...*he said placing his hand on his head where he hit the floor*

Qui: Well she hasn't answer me yet...I haven't exactly asked her..but she'll say yes...Who can resist my charms?

Daja: I could name a few people... Just remember where you get it from:lol:

Qui: I'm not related to Coro...

Daja: :x !

Qui: I'm just joking...I like pissing you off

Daja: O_O;
:x

Coro chuckled. "Not realted to me indeed," he said with a snort. "I'm not quite sure if that's possible. I'm related to ... well, never mind that. Let's just leave it at 'a lot of people'. Being alive for millions of years does that."

---

Adrian smiled. "But what if I want to buy you presents?" he asked.

Daja: Thank God we don't age...*he said with a smile* Well, I'll be ready to kill you if she says that, but i'm doubtful she will..

Qui: Go to hell..

Daja: I have been, actually it's very nice. I bought some plane tickets if you'd like to go...frequent flyer miles.

Qui: *slaps forhead and goes off*

Coro nodded. "Hell's quite a pleasant place. Really, Qui. Satan's a personal friend of mine, even. He's a wonderful guy. Great taste in fireplace shopping, and a wonderful coffee conniseur. Also sells fine-quality pitchforks, in case you're interested."

Lana let go of one of his hands and placed her own lightly on his cheek. "I just don't want you to think that you have to. I know how much you care for me, as I feel the same for you." She moved until she was walking beside him, her fingers still entwined with his. "Of course, that doesn't mean I don't appreciate presents." She laughed.

Adrian smiled. "Well, I don't need to buy you presents. I just like to."

Lana moved her arm, so that it was linked through his. "After speaking to Phoenix, I never want to let you out of my sight." She looked sad. "If you ever have to leave me, I don't know what I'll do."

Adrian smiled sadly. "Well, rest assured. If ever I have to leave ... It won't be for long. I would never leave you alone."

Lana looks up into his face. "That's why I love you." She smiled. "And I will never leave you." She kissed his cheek, as they walked towards the cafe.

Adrian stopped, turning to face Lana, looking down the few inches between their faces. "Lana, I have to ask you something."

Lana suddenly looked worried. A million things were running through her head, mostly bad. "What is it? What's the matter?" Her brow furrowed.

Qui: Unless your selling pitch forks to spear my father, I'm not interested..*he said with a smile*

Daja: Would you like to be skewered again? *he said, totally serious*

Qui: I'll pass...

Daja: Anyway Coro...when's the last time you went there? My hopes of going to heaven are futile now.. :lol:

"If I asked you to ... Would you wear something for me?" Adrian asked. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small felt box and opening it to reveal a small silver ring inside it. "What I'm trying to say is ... Lana, will you marry me?"

Lana stood in a stunned silence, just looking at the ring. It took her several minutes to register what he had said. She tried to speak but no words would come out. Finally she found her voice. "Yes." It was bearly more than a whisper.

Adrian moved forward slightly, taking her hand gently and sliding the ring onto her left ring finger. "Thank you," he whispered.

---

Coro smiled. "No, I don't sell pitchforks, Qui. Satan does."


In response to Daja's question, he turned. "Meh. Few thousand years ago. I went to visit Satan. Cool guy - but not literally."

Lana threw her arms around Adrian's neck and kissed him passionately. She was still quite stunned when she broke the kiss and looked in his eyes. "I don't think I've ever been happier." She blushed as she thought of another ocassion that came pretty close.

Daja laughed and looked around. Qui had vanished.

A few moments of silence, and a powerful voice came over the loud speaker. It was Qui...

Qui: There has been something I've been meaning to ask for a long time...*it was broadcast through the entire academy* You know, for a long time we were rivals...then times changed. You have been my light through the darkness...and hope in the time of despair. You are the only one I will ever love...Azari...*

Azari looked up from a table in the cafeteria, stunned.

Qui: I know you cannot see me right now, but I'm on my knees.

*she stood up*

Qui: And I'm holding something in my hand....it's a ring Azari.

*she looked around at the others*

Qui: Azari, make me the happiest person in the world...marry me.

*Azari ran out of the room*

Azari: YES! *she yelled running down the hall* YES! Yes I will....*she ran in to the office and saw Qui on his knees with the ring. She immedately pulled him up and kissed him.

___

Daja: Shoot me...shoot me now...*he looked at Coro and realized what he just said*

Coro grinned and put a bullet through Daja's stomach, before saying, "Only too happy to oblige." He was grinning like a mad fool.

---

Adrian slipped the box back into his pocket and put his arms around Lana's neck. "I've never been happier either. I think we need to celebrate."

He flicked his wrist, and held a bouquet of red roses out to her.

Daja looked at him. "Ow..." he said smiling before removing the bullet. "Reminds be of that time...with that man at the lab... *he smiled* " I know bullets can't kill me, but they hurt like a b*tch."

Coro shrugged, his massive black pistol disappearing. "Well, I mean, you asked for it. Literally."

Daja: IT wasn't literal! *he said, watching the wound heal over* What has this academy come to...first Ra...Rave and Vaughn...*it was hard to hide the jealousy* Then Qui and Azari...who knows what's next! Sure as hell i'll find anyone...*he said with a laugh*

Lana took the flowers, and smiled. "That's three gifts you given me, and I have given none in return." She looked dejected, then suddeny laughed. "I guess the burgers are on me."

Adrian laughed. "You don't need to give me any gifts. I really don't care if you do or not, I'll love you anyway."

Azari: I love you...

Qui: I'd go to hell for you...

Azari: You like going there...

Qui: Guilty.. *he said looked down at her. He picked her up and carried her down the halls toward the main hall.*

Lana slipped her arm through his. As much as she tried, she couldn't stop smiling like a cheshire cat. She leant her head against his shoulder. "I'm glad you said that, as I haven't brought any money with me. I was so busy thinking about you, I forgot to grab my bag." She laughed. "Looks like I'm sleeping on your floor tonight, as my key is in there as well."

"Why sleep on a floor when there are so much more comfortable places?" he asked innocently. "Or, I could just pick your lock for you."