NationStates Jolt Archive

"If I knew how to tap into them properly, I wouldn't be doing this"

"But you do know how. Elsewise, how would you have been able to utilize them before. Stop over-analyzing your magick. Use your instinct along with your training."

Cougar hears a voice within himself.


"Trust your instincts."

Another lesson pops up in Cougar's mind. Warfare's image overlay's vedt in cougar's eyes only. A voice, only cougar could hear, spoke.

"I left these lessons for when you need them. Each one is dynamic and will change on the spot according to need. These only appear when you need it, these have been left from when I gave you feiros." Warfare's image said, and indeed, the image was as he was when he granted cougar the power.

"I see you are in training, and thus this is not as urgent, however your mind would not have activated the lesson if there was not the possibility of something bad happening. This lesson concerns breaking past defenses. The Mage before you has many diffrent types of defense. He deserves his position. That is however, irrelevant at the moment. There is only one way to break past a mage's barrier, and that is to find the way in which he or she uses magic. That is not to say how is their magic patterned, while that is important, it is not necessary for this lesson. Each mage has only one method in which they manifest their magic, it is as unique as DNA. If you discover this method, then you may break past their barrier. This is true even for gods. the only catch is that you must posses more will power than the defending mage. I know you have lots of will power, but so does this mage. This is where patterns get involved. Each spell has a specific pattern to its manifestation, and it depends upon the method upon which the mage manifests their powers. Analyze the spell, the power this mage uses to defend himself with. Find the methods, use them to your advantage. You have the blessing of Warfare on your side." Warfare said. The Image winked out.

OOC: I have noticed, Renor always seems to pause for the breifest of moments and concentrate on the spell. Vedt seems to do the same thing, ecept he also makes it second nature, where as Renor seems to know he's focusing. This is the diffrence on how the two manifest their powers, as far as I have seen. Spell pattern, well, that's easier. It appears that the spell Vedt is using is like that of a wedge. It seperates the power, but then it also rejoins it on the otherside. If cougar were to us a spell that functioned in the opposite manner, I.E. Come together at the wedge point, this would counter the spell and the attack should logically get through. Okay, that's enough for now.

OOC: All my mages focus their attacks. You can't just arbitrarily cast.

OOC:Yes, I noted that Vedt still focused when he attacked, but from what I've read, he seems to make it appear second nature. I'm not saying he doesn't focus it. I said he focuses on his attack, just that as a personal quirk, he seems to make it second hand, which makes his manifestation unique.

Cougar heard and saw everything around. Vedt was talking, Galvenor was putting messages in his head, and Warfare's lesson was going on in front of him. But he took it all in. He relaxed, letting his instinct take over, but applying what he knew to the attack as well.

It seemed as if a great change had taken place. He could see the flow of energy, not just from himself, but around Vedt as well. He was, for want of a better word, placing a wedge in the attack, driving it apart.

Why concentrate on such a wide band when I could narrow the attack on that point? Push the same power through that point... it could work

He let his attack fall, before gathering another, subconciously, to his palms. He unleashed this, the beam of Flame speeding across the room, aiming for the point at which Vedt was splitting the previous attack

Vedt's hand drew in as the new attack launched itself at him, and casting a spell from his fingers, he dissipated the spell with a form of energy that swirled. Cougar had come within inches of hitting him.

"Improvement. I wasn't expecting that."

"I've got more training locked away. Warfare left a few little hints in my mind, kicks I when I need it," said Cougar, looking intently at the new dissapation,"Different... stronger"

"You need a pyromancer to show you what you're really supposed to do. The Black Flame...that was closer to our magicks than this new one."

The new spell shifted energies constantly in a random pattern, none weaker than the next. It seemed as though Vedt was almost teasing the human.

"Back when I first met you, Renor's instructions to me were to train you. I wonder if those still hold, as he lives."

I was thinking of spending a couple of months or so in Chathdelmar... though my marriage would suffer heavily as a result. And if I remember it correctly, they were to continue my training if he died. You could ask him

It seems random... but theres a pattern to this as well. Figure it out, and break it

"You're trying too hard. Other than that...trust me, there will come times where Rhenna will have to be out for almost a year at a time. This life was not made to be easy on a married couple."

Then I'll take the oppurtunity when I get it...

Bingo!

He had discovered the pattern, and exploited it, finding a weak point, letting loose another blast as it came up

The "weak point" was an odd sort of spell, which channeled the attack back toward Cougar. It didn't touch the human...merely swirled lazily around him.

He cursed softly, watching the rememnets of his attack swirl round him,"What do you call that?"

The slipknot. There's a good reason for it, as I will show you later.

I've got a very bad feeling about this... but...

Cougar funneled more energy, trying to see if his latest theory was correct.

The flame around Cougar began to tighten in.

He started,"Now I see why you call it the slipknot."

Ok, that didn't work... what about the exact opposite? Why not stop attacking, just stand back

As the attack stopped, the flames retracted and disappeared. "Exactly."

Magick isn't working... why not play to my strengths, as opposed to his? He's fast... and maybe as strong, but Drow are more fragile than humans. One good blow would be all I would really need

Cougar teleported close to Vedt, his fist sailing through the air towards the Drow's stomach

Vedt sidestepped quickly, even for a Drow, sending himself beyond Cougar's reach, at least temporarily.

"Very slick," said Cougar, readjusting his balance before striking again, his mind focused on hitting Vedt. Not badly, just enough to knock him

True to his word, the mage made no attacks...merely kept dodging away from the human's blows.

This would be so much easier if he tried to fight back... at least then I could have something to fight

Cougar lashed out with his right foot, aiming to bring it crashing hard into Vedt's right hand side

Vedt's hand lashed out and grabbed ahold of Cougar's ankle. He then pulled up.

Cougar felt his leg being pulled upwards, and smiled. He twisted his body, taking advantage of his current position. He basically cartwheeled on the spot, his left foot coming up to make contact with Vedt's arm

Cougar's foot slammed into a forcefield as the mage finished his yank on the right foot.

Cougar crashed into the floor, digging his shoulders in to prevent any more damage than was needed. He had many years and times where knowing how to breakfall was paramount. He was in a bad position though, and he knew it. He reached out, grabbing Vedt's ankle, and yanking it

The mage kicks Cougar's wrist in the exact center, hitting a nerve that would force him to let go (OOC: It really exists), and does an aerial somersault, landing on his feet not far from the human.

Cougar started, feeling the nerve go numb and forcing his fingers to loosen. He looked at Vedt, smugly standing some distance away... and he nearly snapped then and there. But he didn't. A testament to his training, more military than magickal. He held up his hands, palms facing Vedt

Vedt nodded. "I'd have called it off anyway. You did not manage a blow...but you managed to grab my ankle, which is closer than you would have come if you were at the level that I'd expected from you. Magickally, you've a long way to go."

Now comes how to do that...

"I'm a better close-quaters man than a mage, and I always will be"

Give it a few centuries.

The words sounded strangely hollow to Cougar. No human had ever lived that long... could his mind handle it? He pushed these thoughts back, nodded, and turned to leave

A few centuries...if you last. Your humanity could kill you long before her lifespan is over.

He stopped at the door,"Hey Vedt... thanks"

He walked out the room, returning to the canteen, grabbing something to eat, before sitting down to eat.

"Think not of it."

Having finished his meal, Cougar checked his watch. It was getting on for six in the evening... and he still had much to do.

Disposing of his plate, he returned to the training rooms, working on what he had learned. Much as he disliked Vedt, he'd learnt something. Now to work on it

Shan and Jovin were sparring with staves in one of the training rooms. It looked like a fast and furious fight, rather than a simple sparring match.

Cougar passed by, and stopped to watch briefly. He smiled at Shan's obvious increase in skill,He's learnt fast... it took me two years to get to that level from what he was when I first met him

He found an appropiate training room, and set about his task...

Ssussun. Sokoya.

Cougar glanced over his shoulder, seeing Monian. He smiled slightly, and walked over, holding up his hand, bringing a flickering fire into his palm,"Dos saph nindol?

The child reached out to touch the flame, and not finding it hot, he tried to take it and hold it, not minding the first few failures. After all...it's gotta come sometime.

Cougar couldn't help but laugh softly,"Dos h'ros plynn ol, Monian"

Siyo Usstan shlu'ta. Ol orn doer.

*The child continued attempting to grasp the fire*

Ser galla. Usstan iglata dos, ol orn naut alu ulu dos

The child continues to try to grab the flames, and eventually a flame-like light flickers (slightly) around his fingers.

"Usstan della dos."

Cougar smiled, now sitting cross-legged on the air. He'd seen that it was different, but why deny the kid this?

"Ji dos xunus. Al xunor"

The toddler beams at the praise, but frowns as the light flickers out.

Cougar ruffled Monian's hair,"Dos orn inbau ol rath, uss tangi"

*He looked up at the human* Vel'drav?

Usstan xun naut zhaun.

T'yin lu'oh xun dos zhaun?

Dos orn'la naut tlu ghil ka dos gumash naut

Llaar?

Siyo Monian. Fridj belbau ol draeval, tlu patient

Vel'bol zhah 'patient?'

Izil ulu kyorl hwuen natha khruste draeval... vel'drav dos ph' screa'in folbol sel, dos z'klaen tlu 'patient'

Jugare.

Bwael. Nin, ol zhah gajen. Zhal'la dos naut tlu wun orlingg?

OOC: You know, By reading the drow, then the translation, I've begun to learn basic Drow.

Usstan xun naut zhaun.

OOC: Same here, Warhaven. Ask SE...he's been weirded out a coupla times.

Doer pholor Monian, ol zhah draeval whol dos ulu v'dri. Usstan orn tlu ulnin

Drill Usstan xun naut ssinssrin ulu v'dri.

Tangis' ji, dos z'klaen v'dri Monian

Naut nin.

Cougar picked the child up,"Dos inbal nau choice wun l' selg'tarn. Doer pholor"

He carried Monian back to his room, which he knew where it was, and laid him in the bed,"Bwael isto Monian"

Dos ph' hass'l.

Dos z'klaen tlu hass'l tlu valyrin, foldraevals. Nin, alu ulu v'dri

Usstan xun naut kampi'un. "Dos z'klaen tlu hass'l tlu valyrin?"

Usstan orn bihurr... wun l' kre'tan

Bihurr nin.

Nau, Monian. Wun l' kre'tan, Usstan iglata

There was a firmness in his voice, suggesting the topic was closed

The child wrinkles his nose.

"Bwael isto Monian," said Cougar, leaving the child

After about five minutes, Monian gets up and walks out, going to find something more entertaining to do.

Cougar collapsed into his and Rhenna's bed, his mind barely registering that she wasn't there. It no longer felt truly odd... just that small feeling at the back of his head. His eyes closed, and he drifted away

And life in Rendelmar continues.

Three days later
Cougar moved around. The dream had wrecked his sleep the previous night, and now he was operating on auto-pilot. He just went about his buisness, getting what he could done whilst he had the chance

Rhenna got back shortly after noon.

He felt a twinge as she returned, and smiled as he pinpointed her. He grabbed his cloak from the door, and began to move towards the Central room

She felt him begin to move, and decided to meet him halfway.

He was walking along a corridor when he saw her turn the corner ahead,"Welcome home"

She smiles at him, then walks up to him and gives him a kiss. "Thank you. I've got to admit...I like traveling, but I'm glad to come back."

Everyone likes to travel... and most are glad when they come home*kisses her back*I know I am

She smiles at him. "Have fun without me?"

I've had better days... but I've also had far worse

I see. Well, I have to talk to Renor, and then I have a class to teach...but I'll be free from about six onward.

He checked his watch,"Alright, I'll see you later*kisses her*

She kisses him back and goes.

He smiled, glad that she was back, before working, once more, on what Vedt had shown him. It had helped him see his barrier, and he was now trusting in himself, much more than before. His attacks, his defence, even his teleportation had benefitted from it.

A few hours later, Rhenna goes. She stands in the doorway of the training room, watching him for a few minutes, then casts a little spell, sending a globe of light dancing in front of his face.

He yanked back hard on the latest technique, which consisted on tendrils extending his fingers, drawing the Flame back within himself, before turning to look at her,"Little trick of yours?"

One of the more basic spells. It probably was the one that came to mind because I was teaching a seventeen year old how to cast it a little while back.

He smiled,"It's nice. I like it. Monian was trying to grab the Flame away from me a few days ago... funny watching him try"

She smiles. "They do the cutest things when they're little...they can be the most stubborn of all age groups...other than the mid-to-late adolescents...but it's worth it. Did he succeed at all?"

In his eyes, yes. He very briefly managed to have a tiny bit of fire magick in his palm... so I let him think he'd managed it

At eight years old, that isn't bad. Although you should have seen Shan and Jovin at eight and ten. They've calmed down a lot, or Rendelmar would never have recovered.

He smiled,"I know the feeling. Shan... and Vedt for that matter, both have knocked me about recently"

Vedt? How did that come about? I thought you couldn't stand him.

As a general rule, I can't. No secret about that. I was working, and he interupted me. He challenged me to hit him... and I tried. He was always trying to goad me into letting my anger take over. He didn't manage it. I knew I couldn't beat him, so I backed off. No point in the exercise in the first place... though I did learn something

Which was the entire point to the excersize.

I still can't stand him though

Yes, I know. Still...you probably learned more from him in half an hour than you would from me in a month.

Most likely I did. Doubt I'll be doing it again in a hurry

You probably don't want to. Technically, though, you'd be under Vedt, as far as training goes. It was him that Renor told to take you, not me. A greater honor, really...by far.

Doesn't mean I have to like it. I dislike Vedt's style, his entire ethos... and how he treats me

He doesn't like you, either. *She laughs* But you two don't know or understand each other...neither do you try. Vedt is one of my closest friends. You're my husband. I'm not going to get in the middle of your arguments.

He smiled,"Good choice"

*Private*Why should I try and get to know someone who, before, I was actually very willing to try and get on with? And then I get it thrown back in my face... no chance

I know.

He smiled, and walked over to her,"It's been very... whats the word... quiet"

She takes his hand and smiles at him. "Quiet? You should have gone to bug Shan if things were getting too quiet for your tastes, soldier."

He smiled, lacing his fingers with hers,"Should have gone to Ballis. Not quiet on that world... unless you're dead of course"

Can't say I've ever heard of it.

I didn't think you would have. Doesn't matter

No, I don't suppose it does, really.

Of course it doesn't. *kisses her*So, you miss me at all?

*Kisses him back* Just a little bit. *She smiles at him*

He raised his eyebrow,"Only a little? I see..."

She kisses him again. "Only a little. No more, but no less, either."

He kissed her back,"Sounds alright to me then"

She smiles at him. "It really is good to be home."

It's good that you're home

Want to go grab something to eat?

I like the sound of that

*She smiles and walks with him*

They enter the canteen,"Wonder what's on tonight"

Alait and K'tala are cooking tonight, so it'll be something unique...but normally something good.

Sounds interesting*levitates two plates to them*Care to explain it to me, if you can

*Looks at it* I don't think I can, really. Looks vegetable based, with some sort of meat in there somewhere...no kreren at all, which is rare in our cooking.

No kreren? That is rare*tastes it*It's good though

They're good cooks...you just never know what they'll turn out. *Starts eating*

That's what makes a good cook. They can surprise you, even with simple dishes

True. Most of us are pretty good...cook poorly, and you face the irritation of your entire family.

He smiled,"Well, you've expiernced my cooking. It's limited to human dishes, so I doubt anyone here would really want to eat it"

Human cooking with Drow ingredients. It would be interesting, and everyone would be willing to at least try it.

And if they didn't like it... then I'd be the magickal punchbag

Something like that.

And there we have the reason for me not cooking

I liked it well enough. You can try cooking, at least. We aren't all that picky.

He shrugged, "I'll think about it*smiles*We'll just have to see what happens"

True.

A few hours later
He led her back to the room,"That was a nice evening"

She nods. "And we've many such evenings to look forward to."

He smiled, putting his arm round her waist and holding her a little closer,"Several hundred years in fact"

She lays her head on his chest and half closes her eyes. "Well, I wouldn't have it any other way."

He leaned down to kiss her very softly,"Neither would I"

She returns his kiss.

He continues to kiss her, showing how much he did actually miss her

He'd get the sense that she missed him much more than "a little bit," over the course of that kiss.

*Pulling back a bit and smiling* "You did miss me."

"And from what I sensed, you missed me more than a 'little bit'

She smiles. "I'll never tell."

I'll just think it then

"You do that."

I will*winks*

She starts laughing at him, much like she had the first time she saw him do that.

He smiled,"At least I can make you laugh"

She smiles. "Yes, you do manage that at times."

He snuggled up closer to her,"Good"

She closes her eyes, enjoying the closeness.

He spoke softly, not even a whisper,"Tired?"

A bit.

You didn't get a real chance to sleep during these past few days

Nothing out of the norm.

He smiled, falling silent once more

Tell me...what have things been like around here the last few days?

Well, other than what I've already told you, not much.

Sounds like life's been continuing normally, then.

Pretty much....

**********************************************************
Six Months Later
Cougar, looking in his worst condition yet, landed in Mithdelmar, emerged from the Dauntless,and promptley collapsed where he stood. In his hand was a crumpled note. It read,Call Rhenna

Gray class mages got to work, patching him up. Only after he was stabilized did Mith call Rhenmet, who came and waited until they let her see him.

*Taking a seat next to him* Well, welcome back.

He could barely summon up the energy to talk to her, twisting his head very slightly,"I'm sorry"

Sorry about what? *She leans over to give him a kiss.* I'm just glad to have you back in...relatively one piece.

For the anniversary. I wasn't here. I should've been*kisses her back*

You couldn't help it, love. *She starts stroking his hair* Honestly, I was sent out again shortly after we'd stopped talking. It's the life we lead. Rest for now...you need it.

*closes his eyes*That feels nice... I've missed that

She smiles softly and keeps stroking his hair.

At this point, Cougar was pumped so full of neurozine and anestezine that he could barely keep his eyes open. It was a struggle just to focus on Rhenna's face, so he used what little magick he could muster to do so,"I would like to talk somemore... but I can't keep myself awake."

He slipped into unconciousness.

Rhenna continued stroking his hair. Mith came in a little later.

Rn -- What's the word, Mith?

M -- All that he's been through, I'm suprised he lived through it. When he first got in, I wondered what sort of mechanical monster over there had chewed him up before spitting him out. Scabs and gashes everywhere, concussions, several hairline fractures in his skull and spine, broken ribs, hell, broken bones in general...and probably psychological damage to boot, but we'll determine that later.

Rn -- Torture?

M -- To say the least. And humans...are not as refined about torture as we are. Nor are their minds built to get over it quickly. This man will have problems. Are you up to handling them?

Rn -- Well...the least I can do is try.

He slept for twenty four hours solid before he finally woke up. His vision was blurry, as if something had been damaged. He focused sluggishly on his left eye. Warning symbols flashed at him from across the board.Nanite Count low.... White Cell count low... Damage: Extensive

He groaned softly. It hurt to move, despite what Mith and the Gray Class had done to him, trying to patch him up. It would hurt to move for a long time afterwards.

Rhenna's still there, working on something or other. She turns her head.

"Good morning. Don't try moving...you've still got some recovery to do."

He couldn't help but groan again,"You're telling me". He was barely murmuring

She reaches out and takes his hand. "I really am glad to have you back."

"And I'm glad to be back... anywhere's better than where I was" He grasped her hand strongly, much tighter than normal, as if he didn't want to let go

She tightens her grip a little as well. "Do you want to talk about it?"

He moved slightly,"You sure you want to hear?"

She nods. If it helps him to talk...

He hung his head, and began to talk softly,"The mission was routine enough. Simple. Grab the bad guy, and get out. It was good till we were on the way out. Then everything went to s**t. I... I *hesitates* I held them off, long enough for the others to get away. But at my own freedom. I got caught."

He had to stop here, as the memories came flooding back to him. He breathed deeply, then pushed on, anger and sorrow becoming apparent in his choked voice,"I was tortured. Day and night, for three weeks. Anything and everything I had done to me. Cigarette burns, shock-prods, phaser burns, simple beatings, freeze-thaw, stress positions, white noise... they did it all. They wanted information... and I refused. So they beat me some more. I didn't eat, or sleep. I barely got any water, just what I got my head dunked in"

He had to stop, tears were streaming down his cheeks.

She reaches out and wipes away his tears. "I wanted to go find you, and get you out of there. I just...didn't know where you were, or how to find you. Mith said that you shouldn't have survived. Whatever happened, you're back now. You'll be okay."

I wanted to get out... and I did eventually. I don't know how, but it was sheer willpower. Mith is right, by all rights, I shouldn't be here.

She starts stroking his hair again with her free hand.

"I had to blank my mind as well... that's why you couldn't find me. You could feel it though... I didn't want to put you through that"

I wonder how well they'd have stood up, though.

OOC: Ever faced a pissed off dragon?

They would have tried. Capturing a SHADOW agent is a nice way to make money. Sell him on, for a handsome price. They wouldn't have given up

Not any more, though. Boring as this room may look, they won't hurt you. Okay, I take that back. It hurts if you don't like needles, but that's the price you pay, sometimes.

He coughed weakly, tiny flecks of blood coming up with it. It sounded as if he were trying laugh,"Didn't I ever tell you? I dislike needles"

You'd never told me that. *She looks at him, concerned*

"I prefer hyposprays to needles*notices her look*It's nothing. Nanite numbers rebuilding. They sometimes rupture capillaries.

You should have told me that. We don't commonly use them, but we have a few. *Seems a little more relieved*

He turned his head to look at her,"This may sound stupid, but you look really, really stressed. Not just because of me either"

Don't worry about it. Part of every day life...and most of it due to the fact that you were missing and I couldn't find you.

He sighed, and tears began to form again,"I'm sorry, Rhenna. I never... ever... meant to put you through that"

I know love, and I don't blame you for it...just next time, should there be one...let me find you.

Let's just hope there isn't a next time. I've been given six months leave

She nods. "It looks like you need it."

They continue talking in this vein for some time, but eventually Cougar falls prey to his sheer exhaustion. He went back to his sleep, untroubled thanks to the drugs he was on.

As he slept, D'anthe would begin to recieve a transmission from Snake Eater Prime. The signal was that of Cougar... but who could it be?

Rhenna moves outside the room, in case this call was coming from whomever had captured and tortured her husband.

"D'anthe, activate." The screen spread out...

The face of Watt Tyler appeared on the screen,"Finally."

"Finally, indeed."

He winced at her tone,"Ah... right.... ok then. So... he is there then?"

"He came to Mithdelmar about...a day and a half ago. Mith called me a little over a day ago...but the question is, why didn't I hear from you for an entire Month while he was missing?"

Watt nearly exploded,"Don't you think I tried? For God's sake Rhenna, your the most important person to him, therfore you should know. But, at the same time, the man's a genius. His communication encryption is so advanced, it took the best Crypto boys and a large chunk of S.I.O.N to crack it, and even then it took them until than five minutes ago! Official channels don't work, and I couldn't get to Kaymiril myself!"

"If it ever happens again, you find a way to contact me. Scouring the galaxy doesn't work, or I'd be out there. If nothing else works, contact Mith. I'll let him know you called."

She guestures to D'anthe, and the communication ends.

Within half a second of the first communication ending, D'anthe would recieve another signal... position unknown

"D'anthe, white background, activate."

Whoever appeared would see her (and she's masked) standing against a solid white background.

The face on the screen was masked in shadow. It bore a malice that permeated through the communcation,"So... this is the infamous Mrs. Cougar?"

Rhenna's fingers twitch, directing D'anthe to locate this signal. The device starts searching.

"Who is asking?" Her voice is cold...but carries a subtle undertone of acid.

"If you are trying to trace the signal, I suggest you cease now. You will not locate me. As for who is asking... well, I'm sure your husband has returned by now? How is he?"

Tell me who you are.

And why should I tell you that? I never told your husband, no matter how much the b****rd screamed for me to tell him. No, I think I will keep my identity a secret

Why should you tell me?

*A light flashed on the edge of the screen, showing the location of the caller.*

Because I like knowing the names of those I kill.

*Flames, looking very much like HellFire, start flickering around her, and inside the subspace beacon SEP had put above the nation, to enable communication. Meanwhile, the temperature drops around this man, and in a burst of flame, Rhenna teleported herself to him. Her dragon wings and tail sprouted, and her hands were encased in scales.*

And I will kill you.

The man spun on his heel, fear and surprise on his face. In his right hand he held a Glock-19, and pointed it, quivering all the while,"What... what... what in Leviathan's name are you?"

The gun crumpled in his hands as she gripped it telekinetically.

"The wrong woman to try and kill her husband."

She approached slowly, like a predator with cornered prey...and she raised her hand, stabbing it toward his heart.

As her hand plunged into his chest, he gasped for breath. Her claws tore into his lung, and then pierced his heart. He froze. The blood pumped from the wound, and he watched his life force ebb away in front of him. He looked at her, into her eyes, and spat,"B****h."

She smiled, full of teeth. "No...not a dog...a dragon."

"It... mattters... not.*He smiles*Did you know that he cried like a baby, pleading us to stop?

She dug her claws a little deeper. "How about you tell me your name, and stop asking questions?"

Danny Thomas... that's my name

That's a very boring name. And what was it you were torturing my husband for?

Because its the least he deserves. SHADOW are the bane of my life. I was*grimaces*almost one of them. Then he ended that dream, by reporting an incident to his superiors. It got me thrown off the course... and I swore I'd get him. It took ten years... but I got him

Rhenna's eyes started glowing.

"Vengeance for vengeance...
And Death I will give you for your life."

She cast a spell to liquify his internal organs, and removed her hand from his chest.

He dropped like a stone. His now limp body fell from the gantry on which they had been, frying in the fusion plasma streams which powered this beacon. It made a sickening sizzling sound as he made contact, and then the scene reverted back to it's normal, calm self. The steady, low hum of the generator was all that filled the air. The only remaining evidence, bloodstains, and a crumpled pistol. Nothing more

OOC:

Damn! 10 pages today!

OOC: Sorry...two teenagers with too much time on their hands on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

IC:
Rhenna conjured a cloth and wiped the blood from her hand. Her wings and tail disappeared, and she stood there.

"Non-Drow are foolish to undertake vendettas against us or our families. Remember that, next time."

She dismissed the pistol and cleared the blood. There was no evidence left...just a memory.

She teleported back to Mithdelmar, and went back to sitting beside Cougar.

OOC: And that is why you never cross a Black Class mage.

OOC: Far too much time... oh well :)

IC:
He stirred slightly after a few hours of further rest. His eyes cracked open, and he glanced around him. He managed a weak smile,"I see that you're still here"

Where else would I be? Oh, Watt called...first time I've heard from your team in a month, and I've tried to contact them, as well.

Don't be angry with them. I lock my computer down so tight, it's a miracle they broke the encryption. And if you tried to contact them, no doubt you would have been rebuffed?

Do you think it helps any to get "the comp was locked down that it took this long and this much work to break the encryption?" It's not like they had to go through diplomatic channels to find me. The point is that you were missing, you could have died, and I don't hear anything. Do you think that helped at all when I could tell what you were going through?

He noticed her tone, and brought a hand to her cheek, turning her face to his,"They went back out you know. Several times. They tried everything, hell, even got close once."

It doesn't matter, I suppose. It's done and over with.

Exactly. So don't worry about it anymore. Although... *smiles*something tells me I'm not going out of sight for some time

Not if I have anything to say about it...and all factors considered, I probably don't.

Of course you have something to say about it... circumstances just sometimes don't play out the way you want them to

Yes, I know.

He smiled,"So, other than Watt calling, anything else exciting happen whilst I slept?"

D'anthe bugged some lower level Gray Class, but other than that, nothing.

He narrowed his eyes, thinking she was hiding something, but then he ignored it,Most likely nothing,"How long am I going to be here?"

Three days, four at the most. And don't look at me like that.

I'm not looking at you any differently than I would normally. True, I'm still slightly blurry... most likely the concussions, but other than that, nothing has changed

What are you still doing there?

Uh-huh.

*Rhenna felt a prickling on the edge of her mind...a sense of danger...a sense of fear...but no more. It put her on edge.*