NationStates Jolt Archive

She smiles at him.

"No, I don't think you need to go on."

He smiled and stood up, placing his arms round her waist and kissing her,"I think that gets the message across"

She kisses him back, and smiles at him. "I would say so."

He had to move a lock of hair out of his eyes,"I'm thinking I may have to get this cut. What do you think?"

*thought I told you it gets in the way...*

She leans back a little bit to consider it.

"I think it would look good."

Good. I'll get it done as soon as possible. For now though*pulls his hair back and ties it back*There, now it won't be such a problem. I haven't had to do that in a while though

She starts laughing.

"Now you see why I keep mine up."

Normally it's not too bad down. But I have it up on operations, when it's this length. Getting it cut will solve a lot of problems.

True.

He grinned,"Well, at least now I know what you really think of my hair- could do with a cut"

She nods.

"Most members of my race have long hair...but it looks a bit odd on a male human."

It's not exactly long... just longer than usual. Would you really expect me to blend in with the norm?

Not really.

He smiled, then kissed her again. He brought his watch up behind her back, and glanced at it. He murmered as he continued to kiss her,"We should get back soon, it's getting late"

*Semi-playfully* What, getting tired already?

Not really. Just think it might be more comfortable at home

All right. Lets go home.

He smiled, and led her back to the house. As they entered, he found it very quiet,"It's strange without D'anthe here... too quiet"

How do you think I've felt all day? For almost sixty years now, he's always been on my shoulder, or somewhere near.

I never said you should send him away. Feel free to bring him back if you want

No. There is a lesson he needs to learn, and difficult though it may be for me to do this to him, I will have him learn it.

He hugged her again, trying to ease her obvious pain at having to seperate herself from her closest friend

Man, have I poked into my nose into a hornets nest

Don't worry about me, as far as that goes. There are lessons all children must learn, for their own good. Apparently gliders go through the same cycle. I've done this before countless times.

All right. Whatever you say

She looks around, still in his embrace.

"This feels a lot more like a home than it did a month and a half ago."

Soon, it will be yet another empty shell. Gathering dust and other such things inside. If I was to ever live here again, there would be alot of work to do

It was amazingly well kept when we were here last time. Why would it not still be so?

No-one entered it for twenty years. It was dusty, and stuffy, if you remember. I'm not going to sell it or anything, maybe give it to SHADOW as a permanet headquaters. We could use one

She nods.

Anyway, I'm off to get a drink. You want one?

She shakes her head.

"I think I'll step into the garden."

Go ahead. It should be nice this time of night.*pours himself a drink, and goes to the veranda*It's a nice garden, so many places to hide, especially in the dark

She's sitting on one of the stone benches, enjoying the night. Rendelmar was so closed in...so self contained...she liked it here, out in the open. If she didn't watch herself, she might have trouble going back.

He leant on the iron railings, ornatly curved, noting how she was getting very comfortable,"I'd watch out, or inertia will stop you going home"

She looks at him, so he'd know she'd heard, then looks back out, giving no response.

OOC: If she'd had something to toss, she probably would have. She just doesn't feel like raising her voice enough to call back.

He decided it better to shut up, given the look that she had just given him. Placing his glass on a wooden table close to hand, he sat back down next to her, and looked out over the garden,"What'd you think?"

It's nice out here. The closest thing to an equivalent we have is the room with sand...and that's still very closed in.

I'm glad you like it. It's abit overgrown, but that wouldn't take long to fix. Nothing beats the open air, I think

I enjoy being out in open spaces...I rarely get to be, especially when I'm able to just enjoy it.

You've got the whole month to enjoy it, so I'll know where to find you if you're not inside

You'll know roughly where to find me anyway, for as long as you live.

That's always useful. No doubt you'll have to use it to keep me out of trouble from time to time

Probably...but I suggest you avoid those situations as often as possible.

He nodded,"I intend to. I don't want you chasing me around everywhere, so I'm going to work on my magick exstensively when we get home... but until then*puts his arm round her*I intend to enjoy this time

She lays her head on his shoulder as he slips his arm around her.

"This is a time that is meant to be enjoyed."

That's what I intend to do. *Laughs*I can't believe you are lecturing me on how holidays have to be spent

She thinks about it, and starts laughing as well.

"Yes, it does seem odd."

There is a twinkle in his eye,"Strange reversal of roles we have here."

It will probably happen many times, over the course of the centuries.

*She smiles*

What will be even funnier is when you start lecturing me on the use of magick.

I seriously doubt that it will happen... ever. I'll get better, but you'll just always be above me.

I won't leave out the possibility.

*He shrugs*I just can't see it happening

She shrugs.

After a while, he looked at the sky, and saw that is was beginning to lighten. The first dim rays of the morning sun were already filtering over the eastern horizon, and he smiled. Never had he stayed up the whole night just to be with one person. It filled him with a sense of great satisfaction and happiness to be able to do that, with one person

The dawn is quiet, here. Gentle, easy. Back at home, those sunrises I've seen herald in the new day...no mistaking sunrise at home.

Sunrise. If this were six months ago, I'd already have been moving for an hour. Kit and all. It was quiet, at least we were. I give it a few minutes before the birds start making thier racket*As he thinks this, the noise starts*Right on cue

She smiles. "It's a wonderful thing, how the dawn brings out life."

'Dawn breathes life into a new day, and it is the sunset which removes that same life'. Scripture. It's beautiful though

No...the night is as much alive as the day, in its own way. The more cheerful creatures inhabit the day, though. For example, the songbirds.

Creatures of the night, like me. That's where my codename came from, a shadow of the night. They are deep, and mysterious. Still, I don't see that apply to me in any way. Any thoughts?

Deep and mysterious doesn't apply to you, or creature of the night doesn't apply to you?

You had enough mystery to you to intrigue Renor into training you, that's got to count for something.
As to depth...you're probably about as deep as any 26 year old gets, especially considering your life story.

He smiled,"I hadn't considered either of those. Still, I'm glad I had that aura of mystery to me. I wouldn't have met you otherwise... what a shame that would have been"

Life would be very different now, that is certain.

OOC: This thread would still be under a hundred posts, lol.

He drew her closer,"Well, we've got this now. And I can't think of anything better"

She smiles.

"Neither can I."

He smiled back,"Then we are in agreement" He leant towards her, kissing her

She kisses him back, letting it linger a while.

"Not what I expected I'd be doing even a year ago...I'm glad you decided to go to the Tower."

So am I. It's been some time since I was last there though... I think it was before we fought Kaelis Ra.

No, we were both there shortly after Tellryon was defeated, so that you could track Costh.

Ah. Of course. It's been some time since then though

She nods. "About what? A month and a half?"

Give or take a few days, pretty much. Just think though, six months ago, I never even knew you existed

She nods, then laughs. "And we're already married. You humans make decisions so quickly."

You're the one who said yes. And we only do that because, as a general rule, we don't live that long

General rules don't apply to you any more.

I didn't say it applied to everybody, just most of them. Still, would you prefer it if I hadn't asked you, and left it alone?

Oh, you know better than that.

He laughed,"I'll take that as a definate 'no' then"

Exactly. *looks back up at the sky* We ought to be getting in at some point today.

He looked up, and saw the sky was becoming overcast fairly quickly,"I'd have to agree. Looks like rain"

She stands up, stretching her legs some.

He stood up as well, and had to sit back down again as the blood rushed to his head. He took it more slowly, and stood up next to her, before taking her hand and leading her back inside,"Now, what to do..."

Well, what do humans do on a rainy day?

Depends. If they like the rain, whatever they want. If they don't, they stay at home and find things to amuse them. For the record, rain doesn't bother mer

Rain never bothered me, either. That still doesn't answer your question.

It all depends. I promised to show you a blue giant star, maybe that would make for interesting sight seeing today

She smiles. "Sounds good..."

He took her hand once more,"Let us go then..."

At the end of the month
"Time flies when you are having fun," he said, as he walked along the river towards the space port.

Hard to believe it's been a month already.

I know. But it's been a month to remember

True. At least, I'll never forget it. *She smiles at him*

James looked at her, his hair no longer in his face since he had it cut,"I don't think I'll ever forget it either. I don't want to forget"

She leans up a little to kiss him. "You know...you look much better with your hair short."

He kissed her back,"I'm getting used to it. It feels more natural though"

She nods. "Enjoyable as this month has been...it'll be good to be home."

Home is where the heart is. I wonder where my home truly is

You'll find out some day, I'm sure.

I've got plently of time to find it. One other thing to find. That and true control. I need more training

That will be an easy commodity to find back at home.

True. It's been haphazard to say the least recently

Classes and individual training sessions feature in a lot at the beginning of training...and taper off. I learn at my own pace, and only if there's something I honestly cannot figure out, I go to Renor for help. You can come to any of the older mages if you hit a snag while training.

I'm not sure where to go. I can see, communicate, ghost, defend and attack, levitation, the list goes on. I just want to expand on it, and master the White Flame

So you want to learn teleportation and conjuration, basically. After that you'll have a complete magick...the White Flame, no one knows anything about...although I think Warfare said something about knowing it? All I know is that we can't help you much with the White Flame. We can suggest, we can teach you how to channel and focus energy...but we cannot tell you anything specific about your abilities themselves.

I know the White Flame is unique, but I've learnt so much already. I'll talk to Warfare when I see him next, see if he can help me. Until then, I channel, and I learn as I best I can

She nods.

He led her onto the Dauntless, and took off, streaking through the atmosphere. Within the next few hours, they are in orbit around Kaymiril,"Home again"

It seems like so long ago since we left...but nothing's changed.

He landed them at Mithdelmar, as always, and opened the hatchway,"I'm going to see Shan, want to come?"

Of course. My guess is he'll be more than glad to see us.

He smiled,"Let's go then. I'm sure he will find out we are here fairly quickly"

Probably. *Her eyes narrow slightly as she locates him* He's been bored...and he dislikes the discipline. Learning is more structured, here.

I'm not surprised he's been bored then. Structure isn't Shan's thing. Where is he?

Three levels down, and about fifteen corridors to the left, then you turn right, go to the end of the corridor, and he should be there, if he hasn't moved by the time we get there.

He marvelled at the accuracy at which she located him,"Lead on"

She began leading him to Shan, but the boy met them halfway.

S -- I don't know what I did wrong, but I promise I'll never do it again, just let me go home.

The child looks extremely uncomfortable in the gray ensemble he has to wear to fit in in Mithdelmar.

Rn -- Shan...you didn't do anything to get you in trouble. This is for your own good...in more ways than one. You've always wanted to learn about other classes of magick.

S -- Well, now I'd rather just go home.

Cougar smiled, noting the boys obvious discomfort in his new robes,"You'll be fine. Consider it a test of character to stick it out"

S -- It's really easy to say, Cougar.

Rn -- Shan. Enough. Listen...I know it's hard to be away, but I was here for two years. Renor came once. I'll try to come once a month, and I'll let you call home once a week.

S -- I can't go back at all?

Rn -- Not until the year is over. It's hard being here, isn't it? Nothing familiar, no one you know...and an entirely different way of life. You'll just have to learn how to deal with it. Can you do that?

S -- I...I don't know. I guess. I can try.

Rn -- Then you'll do fine.

Cougar looked at Shan, seeing the mage's uncomfort with his life in Mithdelmar,"Like she said, you'll do fine. And even if she can't come, I will"

Rn -- Not too often, James. You'll spoil him. I am spoiling him. *to Shan* We're going to go back now.

Shan embraces Rhenna tightly, and she embraces the child gently. "Don't worry."

After a minute or so, he lets her go, and returns to the area he's supposed to be at.

Only every so often can't hurt him*Watches as Shan goes off*He'll get used to it

I know. It really isn't so bad here...but he's going to be very glad to come home, after Mith finishes...

He smiled, for a number of reasons,"I envy you, you know that? I've never had a relationship like that with anyone."

Then maybe you can start helping with the littler ones, teaching them little things...it has to be more game-like than anything else. Maybe you'll find a child or two you like in particular. I will tell you this, though...out of all their mentors, a child will choose one, and only one, that it will look to as a "parent."

I'm not cut out to teach magick. I don't even understand my own magicks, let alone how to teach something I can't use.

I wasn't asking you to teach magick, James. While they need to learn magick, there is just as great a need for them to know a wide variety of physical combat.

Maybe you're right. I know enough to teach Shan, I'm sure I could try teaching the others

I'm talking about the really little ones...maybe starting at age ten.

He thought carefully,"Yes. I can see that. you'll have to give me pointers though, I haven't taught properly in such a long time."

I'm sure you'll do fine. Anyway, there was stuff you wanted to get before we went back home?

It's not important. It's all in Hoeth anyway, and I left my Interceptor there. I'll get it soon, but not right now*smiles at her*Thanks for the vote of confidance

She takes his hand and teleports them back. Upon getting to Mithdelmar, she is divebombed by an extremely angry D'anthe. She lets him vent his rage for a few minutes, then takes his beak between her fingers.

"And maybe next time you'll know I mean what I say."

R -- *Approaching* Rhenna, there is a book Anna sent for you in your room. *He hands her a scroll, which she opens as D'anthe moves to her shoulder*
You understand?

Rn -- *Nods* I understand. *She looks at Cougar* I have to go out for a little bit, I'll probably be back late, so don't wait up. *She leans up to kiss him, and teleports out*

He nodded as she explained, and kissed her before she left. Once she was gone, he gathered his things from his old room, and moved them to the one which they were to share. With that done, he discarded his weapons, and his cloak, and made his way to the magickal training rooms. Defence and drawing were to be his workload for the day...

Jovin and Ashra are in one room, in the middle of a magickal sparring match.

Cougar noticed the two sparring, and recognised Jovin. It hit home then that people worked to their own pace in Rendelmar. It was a change, but a welcome one. He left them in peace, and found a room that suited his needs...

He would eventually become aware of a little boy watching him. To Cougar, the child would look no older than two or three, but he's watching Cougar with an intensity, and a sense of wonder at what the human is doing.

As Cougar lowered his defences for the final time, he noticed the boy. Loos could be decieving, and Cougar reckoned he would be much older than he looked. He knelt down, and called,"Doer ghil, ussta waelin abbil. Tesso uns'aa, vel'bol zhah dosst kaas?"

The child stood there for a moment or two, then turned and ran. He wasn't very far away from the door, though, when he tripped over his own two tiny feet and fell to the floor, fairly hard, for someone that small.

Oh shit, hope he's alright

Cougar lifted the child to his feet, and dusted him off,"Dos ph' narrakan hmmm? Usstan tlun naut aluin ulu jivviim dos, Usstan merely aske'th dosst kaas. Usstan tlun James"

Usstan tlun kaas Monian. Ele ph' dosst haren b'vecko?

He laughed softly,"Nind ph' b'vecko ph' naut nind. Rivven ph' b'vecko, 'zil natha lodias"

Vel'bol zhah rivven?

Jalbyr type d' lodias. Fridj saph Ilythiiri ph' uss, rivven ph' uss

Ele inbal Usstan neitar keffal uss?

P'wal nind xun naut desu dro wun Kaymiril

T'yin ele xun dos?

Usstan tlun vellupala ulu natha Ilythiiri, dos xal zhaun ilta. Rhenna?

Nau.

Costh having worked on training himself for the time being, decided to go see how Shan was doing. He used a rune to teleport himself to the gates of Mithdelmar, before entering and begin searching for Shan.

Ol 'udtila naut selg'tarn. Dos orn thalra ilta fol tangi. Lu'oh zhuanth ph' dos Monian?

*Rendelmar*

The child thought for a moment. "Blyn."

*Mithdelmar*

An older Gray Class Mage approached Costh.

"What do you want here?"

He is very young

Lu'oh verve inbal dos tlus ghil?

He is very young

Lu'oh verve inbal dos tlus ghil?
Usstan xuat zhaun. Gaer zhah nau sssiks, gaer zhah nau draeval.

"I'm looking for a mage by the name of Shan, do you know him?" Costh asked as he inclined his head in a 'partial' bow to the mage

Ves bekea, whol uss ji waelin.

"I'm looking for a mage by the name of Shan, do you know him?" Costh asked as he inclined his head in a 'partial' bow to the mage
Shan, Shan...ah, he's the one we're training for a year. Probably some aristocrat's child that his parents wanted to teach some form of discipline to. He's probably on the fifth floor, somewhere.

Ves bekea, whol uss ji waelin.
Lu'oh verve dos tlus ghil?

"Thank you sir. May you have a good day." Costh replied as he headed off to the 5th floor and began searching for Shan.

Usstan orn'la telanth.... mayoe llar months

Usstan orn'la telanth.... mayoe llar months
Vel'klar zhah dosst fuma?

"Thank you sir. May you have a good day." Costh replied as he headed off to the 5th floor and began searching for Shan.
It is late in the day, so the students have time off. Costh finds Shan not by sight, but by the distinctive, steadily pounding sound of a hard rubber ball on stone.

He paused, then said,"Byr taga ussta 'ranndi, ussta fuma zhah elghinyrr. Nind tois vel'drav Usstan zhahus ves waelin, younger taga dos"

He paused, then said,"Byr taga ussta 'ranndi, ussta fuma zhah elghinyrr. Nind tois vel'drav Usstan zhahus ves waelin, younger taga dos"
Gi. Ussta fuma tois, ichl.

Udos ph' jal orphans ghil.

Costh hearing the sound of Shan's ball as the key, used a weak levitation spell to eliminate the sound of his footsteps snuck up on Shan as he had decided to play a practical joke on the jokester. Costh used a rune on the floor in connection to the ball, causing it to grow a centimeter each time it hit the stone as he watch for Shan's reaction.

Udos ph' jal orphans ghil.
Nind della uns'aa udos ph' jal fuma.

*He can't have been here very long...he looks and sounds like a lost toddler, on the verge of tears.*

Costh hearing the sound of Shan's ball as the key, used a weak levitation spell to eliminate the sound of his footsteps snuck up on Shan as he had decided to play a practical joke on the jokester. Costh used a rune on the floor in connection to the ball, causing it to grow a centimeter each time it hit the stone as he watch for Shan's reaction.
Shan sensed the magick, and gave no reaction as he saw the spell. He reflected the spell effect back at the caster through a spell he cast on the ball, that would touch Costh's spell and cause the spell effect to affect the caster. As a result...each time the ball hit the floor, Costh's nose grew a centimeter, as well as the ball.

"Udos ph'. Nindol zhah natha izznarg fuma, drill nind lor p'luin dos al. dos ph' sreen'aur ghil"

He noticed the tears forming in Monian's eyes, and carefully brushed them away,"Xun naut ul'nusst, ussta waelin abbil"

"Udos ph'. Nindol zhah natha izznarg fuma, drill nind lor p'luin dos al. dos ph' sreen'aur ghil"

He noticed the tears forming in Monian's eyes, and carefully brushed them away,"Xun naut ul'nusst, ussta waelin abbil"
Drill Usstan ssinssrin ussta ilhar.

Costh dispelled the spell and walked around the corner, "Hi Shan, that wasn't nice to turn my own spell on me." He said with a chuckle.

Cougar felt the tears welling in his own eyes,"Usstan ssinssrin ussta ilhar ichl, Monian. Drill il zhah zuch ghil*points to his heart, then to Monian's*

Costh dispelled the spell and walked around the corner, "Hi Shan, that wasn't nice to turn my own spell on me." He said with a chuckle.
For every lousy prank, there needs to be a decent prank pulled. *The young mage sounds bored, and continues bouncing the ball in a precisely timed manuever.* ((think the sound of Chinese Water Torture))

Cougar felt the tears welling in his own eyes,"Usstan ssinssrin ussta ilhar ichl, Monian. Drill il zhah zuch ghil*points to his heart, then to Monian's*
Usstan xun naut zhaun vel'bol nindol mii'n.

"So, how have you been doing?" Costh asked as he used a glyph to mute the sound of the ball, for him at least.

They ought to make all criminals serve a year here. It would be more effective than prison.

"Why's that?" Costh replied with a chuckle, "It can't be that boring."

You are absolutely right. It's worse.

"How is it so bad?" Costh asked

You don't want to know. But I would prefer having to clean the entirety of...home, every day for a year, rather than be here. I don't have a choice in the mater, though. I have to be here.

A letter written by a Scandinvian official read," We have discovered 8 spells which can cause the end of the world in eight ways we wish to know would you be willing to hide these spells so no one may ever use them."

"If you would chose to clean rather than be here it must be bad. But tell me anyways, it couldn't be worse than some of my training." Costh repied

A letter written by a Scandinvian official read," We have discovered 8 spells which can cause the end of the world in eight ways we wish to know would you be willing to hide these spells so no one may ever use them."
Note from Queen Kaymiril VI

We are willing to adopt the responsibility of the protection of these spells.

OOC: Those spells are GMs, anyway.

"If you would chose to clean rather than be here it must be bad. But tell me anyways, it couldn't be worse than some of my training." Costh repied
It's boring. There's no application of magick, just lecture on and on and on about why and what and what does what except in what circumstance, but no how, and no practice. There's also no time to practice my other magick. You're up at dawn, and down at dusk, and if you have free time, you must not venture outside of this floor, and blah blah blah blah blah. At least at home we could do stuff. I knew people at home. These gray class mages...they're cold.

Man is the greatest destroyer in the end this is what the spells doe they influence the human mind and cause them to feel anger (for example) or control their mind to perform acts of evil.

That does not constitute enough of a threat to call it a Higher Destructive Spell.

"We had periods of study like that as well, thought not as long. What kind of things would you like to do without violating the restrictions?" Costh asked

There is nothing I can do without breaking some rule or other except sit here, and bounce the ball, or walk through the corridors quietly, and I've tried that, and it's BORING. This place feels so...unalive.

"You could work with your magick in your free-time, excersise or read. If you want I can provide you some books that make you feel like your in the story." Costh replied

Their version of excersize is to walk here there and everywhere in this Temple. Most children don't start learning magick until they are twenty-five, here, it's almost fifty, due to the years of study, therefore, in my age group, magick is strictly forbidden. As to reading...oh, there's more than plenty assigned...just none of it of any interest.

"What kind of books do you like? I probably have a few that would interest you." Costh replied.

Histories and myths. Not that there's terribly much difference, when you come down to it.

"Do you want me to get some for you?" Costh asks

It would actually be very much appreciated. The Gray Class Mage doesn't know how to have fun.

"Any history/myth books in perticular?" Costh asked

Not really.

"Alright." Costh opens a gate two meters squared, Shan could see what looked like a mid-size library. He put his head and upper body in and began moving the shelves around and pulled out 6 books, 3 on histories of various nations(non-Theao) as well as 3 books on mythology. "Are these good? Also when your done," Costh opens the back cover showing a rune,"Press this, and say return and when the 6 are done, I'll come back and provide you with some more if you want. Also I might stop by for a visit everynow and again, if you want."

Thanks, Costh. Anything to break the monotony. Nobody's even interested in talking. It's hard to make friends when they won't talk.

"If you ever feel the monotony gets too great, just trace the rune on this card," Costh pulls out a playing card size card "And I'll come visit as soon as possible."

Usstan xun naut zhaun vel'bol nindol mii'n.

Ol mii'n nindel tangis' d'ril foluss zhah naut xuil dos wun l' trantz tresk'ri, nind ph' zuch xuil dos wun dosst xukuth

Ol mii'n nindel tangis' d'ril foluss zhah naut xuil dos wun l' trantz tresk'ri, nind ph' zuch xuil dos wun dosst xukuth
Drill F'sarn neitar aluin ulu kyorl mina 'sohna.

OOC: He's a toddler...he might know there's no time...but the whole idea of a person inside the heart is just a touch abstract for him.
"If you ever feel the monotony gets too great, just trace the rune on this card," Costh pulls out a playing card size card "And I'll come visit as soon as possible."
Thanks. I will try not to trace it too often.

Usstan zhaun waelin uss, Usstan zhaun

"Alright, see you later then." Costh said as headed down the hall

Usstan zhaun waelin uss, Usstan zhaun

*Tari, one of Shan's friends, stepped into the room, looking slightly nervous, but that was replaced with relief when she saw Monian. She goes over and picks up the child, who makes no effort to get away.*

Gaer dos ph'.
*She looks at Cougar.*
Taudl, Cougar...Usstan della Tovit Usstan orn'la kyorl ukta, drill uk aslu tarthe.Uk fridj doerrus ghil wund l' vaen blyn tangin, lu' ka Usstan gumash usieva, uk's aluin tlu 'zil mzilt degahr 'zil Shan rin'ov zhahus.

"Alright, see you later then." Costh said as headed down the hall
I guess.

"Don't sound so depressed, I'll be back to visit fairly often." Costh say as he stops.

If you lived here, you would be depressed too. Look around. Monochromatic gray stone, and nothing to do.

"You can use your imagination for the colour, and for the activities, you do have the book." Costh said

'Huh.'
~It is an unenthusiastic, sort of sarcastic sound.~

"Unfortunatly I don't have any more suggestions/tips and as you seem to be in a cynical mood, I'll be going. So see ya later." Costh replied as he headed out.

The ball continued making its steady tattoo on the floor.

***Shan had been lethargic the last several days...maybe a week. The path of the Healer isn't for everyone, and if the child was losing his spirit this quickly within these walls...well, there could be trouble. Too much could even permanently hamper his ability to do magick. While sunlight was a more common sight in Mithdelmar than in Rendelmar, it was more difficult for the child to maintain his spirits in the stictly ordered life of the Gray-Class Mage.***

*Tari, one of Shan's friends, stepped into the room, looking slightly nervous, but that was replaced with relief when she saw Monian. She goes over and picks up the child, who makes no effort to get away.*

Gaer dos ph'.
*She looks at Cougar.*
Taudl, Cougar...Usstan della Tovit Usstan orn'la kyorl ukta, drill uk aslu tarthe.Uk fridj doerrus ghil wund l' vaen blyn tangin, lu' ka Usstan gumash usieva, uk's aluin tlu 'zil mzilt degahr 'zil Shan rin'ov zhahus.

Naut natha priqual. Xuat eszak bauth ol

Ol's naut natha priqual vel'drav nind ph' lotha.

Seke. Fridj ser biu sol pholor ukta

F'sarn galla.

Dorn ser biu sol doeb whol ukta, ka uk gos missing 'sohna

Jugare. Bel'la dos.

"Naut natha priqual. Usstan inbal ves lotha ulu xun gil'ssrigghinn. Nin, Usstan z'klaen yutsu ulu ussta xund," he said, allowing the White Flame to rise once more, and turning back to the exercise

Tira takes Monian away.

Cougar returned to the exercise, allowing the Flame to absorb the attacks, which he sent back at the targets. After another hour of this, he sat on the air, quietly thinking. So much had changed recently, and he was glad of the time to himself...

He was alone for a good hour when another presence entered the room.

"Enjoy your month away?"

The only features that defined this Drow were the cloak and mask he always wore.

Cougar did not open his eyes. He stayed on the air, concentrating on nothing but his own voice,"Very much. Something to remember... though it feels good to be back, if only for a while"

"Are you planning on leaving soon?"

No. I received a letter, the day we left, that there was a threat of terrorist action within the borders of Snake Eaters. I'm on high alert for the next month, so if something happens, I go. No questions

Life is fairly much the same for us. I would have gone on the assignment I sent Rhenna on, had I not been expecting her back today. Vedt's out on a different errand.

She did tell me not to wait up, so I didn't expect anything less. I have some fine-tuning and reprogramming to do before I sleep... if I sleep

There is always work to do, no matter how much you work or how much you sleep. I advise a balance of both.

I've been working since I came back. I should be able to sleep tonight. In any case, it would not be the first time if I didn't

I know. In any event, knowing Rhenmet, she should be back shortly before three tomorrow morning.

"Thanks for the tip," he said, uncrossing his legs and placing them back on the ground. He checked his watch. It read seven thirty in the evening."I've got some stuff to do before I crash for the night. See you later, Renor"

He nods.

He left Renor, and returned to the room he now shared with Rhenna. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he took out a hypospray, and checked the contents. New nanites, that would reprogram his Calipsian Node to recognise Rhenna whilst he slept.

"i wonder if now is a bad time to mention I can't stand needles," he wondered out loud, before pressing the spray to his arm, and activating it. It would take some time for the nanites to take effect, so he lay back and awaited the conformation signal on his left eye..

It was late or early, depending on how you thought of it, when Rhenna finally returned. She was mud spattered and blood soaked, although she'd already had any injuries of her own taken care of. She hoped that James was asleep when she got back, if only to avoid the questions she couldn't answer.

The door slid open silently, and she saw that he was, indeed, asleep. A sigh of relief escaped her, and she crossed the room, opening another door. Fifteen minutes later, when she re-emerged, she was clean, and in clean clothes (although she'd disposed of the irrepairable set she'd come home in). Her hair was still damp, but not soaking wet.

Lieing down next to James, she closed her eyes.

Death was watching, plotting, scheming. The time for the last war was nearing. His powers were almost at their greatest. He wanted little Shan's powers, however direct contact now would spoil it. He decided to prey on the childs situation. He entered, as a thought, a small voice, in the back of shan's mind.

"It's unfair how they keep you here." Death said.

By this point, Shan was in bed...while it was comfortable, it wasn't his. He was bouncing the ball against the ceiling, much to the annoyance of his room mate.

Maybe. But there's got to be a reason.

As Rhenna laid down, the Calipsian node scanned the area. It recognized her, and returned to stand-by

A few hours later, Cougar woke up himself. He smiled as he saw Rhenna next to him. He was no fool, he would never know what the missions she went on were about, so he wouldn't ask. He leaned over, and kissed her forehead. She smelled sweet, as if from lotion of some sort. He sat up, and tied his boots as quietly as possible. He stood, the soft soles making no noise on the floor, and left her asleep. She looked as if she needed it

Rhenna woke maybe half an hour later. While she hadn't woken when he'd left, she'd known that he'd left, and her sleep had gone from real sleep to the type of sleep she used to reserve for once every three days. Dressing, she goes out.

There was work to do and catch up on...and that was understating it.

"They tell you nothing. They say many things, do they not? Why would they send you to a place such as this for no reason? This is worse than prison. At least prisoners get to do things. What is the most intresting thing you have been allowed to do recently?" Death asked.

He ate quickly that morning, and left the canteen alone, as per usual. He returned to the training rooms, and decided to continue his work with magicks. Finding a room where he could work on attacks, he set himself about the task of learning control. It was a task that would take him many years... he had those years now...

"They tell you nothing. They say many things, do they not? Why would they send you to a place such as this for no reason? This is worse than prison. At least prisoners get to do things. What is the most intresting thing you have been allowed to do recently?" Death asked.
A hint of belligerence worked its way into Shan's response.

"Who are you that you should be asking me this?"

The day passed quickly for Rhenna, between the lessons she had to teach and the work she had to catch up on. At about eight, she gets to the library, and continues working on paperwork, quill in her left hand, and inkwell in front of her.

Cougar fell against the wall, glowing from the energy he was absorbing. He'd been working on these attacks for hours, and he now felt exhausted, properly exhausted. He nearly fell asleep then and there, but resisted it. He still had something he wanted to test. He rose again, and brought his hands into the delta. This attack was his most powerful yet, and it still needed work.

He took up the correct stance, and decided to use Fieros instead of White Flame. He paused, allowing his energy levels to rebuild, before allowing the blast to tear across the room, devastating the target at the far end. He smiled,Perfect

The only person that will ever know about Cougar's training sessions are himself. Rooms are not only soundproof, but they prevent the escape of energy levels.

He left the room, his head throbbing from his most recent effort. He shook himself, still glowing with white light. It gave an eerie contrast to his black clothing. He searched for Rhenna, and found her in the libary. He had wanted to read up on Snake Eater legends anyway, so he left her in peace, finding the book he wanted. He settled down, and began to read.

Rhenna's still under the effect of centuries of sleeping for half an hour then working for 71.5 hours. Until/unless she's disturbed, she'll keep working until morning.

"I am one who understands. You are a young Child. You should be running free. Playing, having fun. This place, it is breaking your spirit. You know that, I know that. You should be outside, playing, having fun. Instead, your stuck in here, bouncing a ball against the ceiling, and annoying your roomate." Death said. His sounded his most convincing.

"I am one who understands. You are a young Child. You should be running free. Playing, having fun. This place, it is breaking your spirit. You know that, I know that. You should be outside, playing, having fun. Instead, your stuck in here, bouncing a ball against the ceiling, and annoying your roomate." Death said. His sounded his most convincing.
There is a reason for it. They've never done anything without reason, and I trust them.

A different voice took over.

I will allow you no control over this child.

Cougar finished reading at about eleven, and returned the book to it's correct place. He left her in peace, but formed a small kiss of White Flame when he got to the door, and sent it across the room before he left. It would leave a small message,Good Night. Missing you.

He took a quick shower, and then collapsed into bed. His eyes closed, and he began to sleep. A dreamless sleep, but sleep none the less

"Heheheheh, Haldosir. Is it a crime to talk to a child?" Death asked Reasonably.

Cougar finished reading at about eleven, and returned the book to it's correct place. He left her in peace, but formed a small kiss when he got to the door, and sent it across the room before he left. It would leave a small message,Good Night. Missing you.

He took a quick shower, and then collapsed into bed. His eyes closed, and he began to sleep. A dreamless sleep, but sleep none the less
Rhenna decided at around midnight that it was about time to be getting to bed. After finishing up the last bit of what she was doing, she went back to her room and laid down next to James. She wasn't tired at all...but it felt like forever since she'd even looked at him. No matter...there will be less to do tomorrow. She kissed him on the cheek and settled down, closing her eyes.

Sleep, however, did not come. She had a very uneasy feeling, and her thoughts kept drifting to Shan. She felt like he was in danger.

He's in Mithdelmar. Calm down, what has gotten into you?

"Heheheheh, Haldosir. Is it a crime to talk to a child?" Death asked Reasonably.
When your intents are kidnapping, manipulation, and mind control, yes. Very much so.

Rhenna decided at around midnight that it was about time to be getting to bed. After finishing up the last bit of what she was doing, she went back to her room and laid down next to James. She wasn't tired at all...but it felt like forever since she'd even looked at him. No matter...there will be less to do tomorrow. She kissed him on the cheek and settled down, closing her eyes.

Sleep, however, did not come. She had a very uneasy feeling, and her thoughts kept drifting to Shan. She felt like he was in danger.

He's in Mithdelmar. Calm down, what has gotten into you?

Despite his modifications, his eyelids opened a crack, and saw Rhenna lying there, wide-eyed. She looked worried about something. He opened his eyes all the way,"Somethings wrong. What is it?"