NationStates Jolt Archive

He laughed weakly,"Well, I've three days of recovery to 'enjoy'"

At least it's relatively comfortable here.

It could be worse. Still, are you going to stay the whole time? I thought you have classes?

Between Vrasha and Relvan, they're covered until you're back.

*Takes her hand*Well, I'm not complaining

She smiles at him. "I know."

After Rhenna had hung up, Watt looked at his wife, Laura,"Well... I think she's being very unreasonable"

"You don't understand what she's feeling right now. I do the same thing when you come back hurt, you know that."

"Doesn't mean she can have a go at me like that"

"She's just worried about him. Wives are like that"...

**********************************************************
Cougar was getting an odd sense, as if Rhenna hadn't eaten, or even slept, since he'd gone missing. He reached out, and soothed her slightly with his mind, trying to really calm her down. He was safe now, and he didn't plan on going anywhere soon

*Three days later*
Cougar was sat up, having to take physcological tests.Hate these things. I'll be deltafied if this carries on

Drow psychological tests aren't like human psychological tests. The mage actually went into the patient's mind and searched for trauma damage within a given timeframe.

The mage would find very little actually wrong with Cougar, except that he would be plagued by memories, and thus prone to occasional outbursts for some time after the incident

The mage tells Rhenna to watch out for this, but other than that, lets Cougar go.

He walked out of Mithdelmar's main Temple,"Feels good to be in the open air again"

I'm sure. Do you want to stay out here a bit before heading home?

He breathed in the air deeply, then thought about it,"... No. I'd much prefer to get home. I haven't been there in too long a time"

She nods. "That is very easily arranged." At the end of her sentence, he finds himself standing in the main hallway of Rendelmar.

He laughed,"Clever. You have work, no?"

She sighs. "Unfortunately yes, until this evening."

His face fell slighly, but he perked up quickly,"I didn't expect anything less*kisses her*I'll see you later"

She kisses him back. "Welcome home." With that, she goes off...work to do, classes to teach...so much stuff.

Cougar, being Cougar, went back to his training... although vastly reduced on the intensity scale. He felt like he needed to work back up to that level, however long it took him to get it

S -- Starting all this again already? You'll burn yourself out. Ah well, at least you're back...Maybe now Rhenna can unwind to the point where we can actually talk to her again.

Cougar stopped what he was doing, hanging upside down from the bar,"You know how much I hate being confined to bed. Anyway, my body suffered, I need to rebuild. And yes, you should be able to talk to her without risking getting your head torn off

It hasn't been pretty these last three weeks. Took Renor actually putting a geas on her to make her eat or sleep at all. We could only guess that whatever was going on was really bad.

Cougar's tone was harsh, brittle,"And it was, Shan. Just pray you never have to go through it"

Whoa, calm down. *The 38 year old mage turned upside down in the air, to be on eyelevel with Cougar* I was just saying that you might actually want to encourage her to get a decent meal and a full night's sleep tonight.

Why did I act like that?

"I will, Shan. At least, I'll try"

Oh, one other thing...what was it...D'anthe was telling Illidor about a call...what was the name...it was a weird one...*thinking*

Cougar looked at him quizzically, one eyebrow 'raised',"Must have been Watt, my team-mate, and 2.I/C. Watt's an odd name... and an odd person"

No, that was right before that call. I'd remember Watt, I met him once. Started with a D...Daaaaaa

*He thinks a few more moments.*

Oh, yeah. Does the name "Danny Thomas" mean anything to you?

Cougar thought for a moment,"I knew someone by that name once... but I haven't seen him in over ten years. Why would he be calling Rhenna?"

I dunno...D'anthe wouldn't say. I get the feeling that Rhenna may have killed him, but I can't prove it.

Cougar slipped, spinning in the air, grabbing the bar with one hand,"What? Why would she do that...*realisation dawns on him*UNless... I've got to go, Shan

Umm...Okay. *Shan returns himself to an upright position.*

Cougar went back to his room, and dug through his kit until he found what he wanted. He noted his weapon and battlekit had somehow found their way back to Rendelmar, as his Gunblade was now being surrounded by them, before he started his task,"S.I.O.N"

"I am online. what do you require Colonel?"

"All information on one Danny Thomas, fast"

After a few seconds, the information appeared in his left eye,"Upload complete"

He shut the device off, and began to read...

The day passes in Rendelmar, and then the evening comes.

Cougar had read the file so many times it was unbelievable. He'd absorbed all the information... nothing suggested Rhenna would have cause to kill him. He shook himself, and got up. True to his word, he sought Rhenna out. A good meal and a proper nights rest would do them both good

Rhenna's actually on her way back to the room as he's coming to seek her out.

He smiled, a strained smile considering what he had been reading,"Tiring day?"

No more than usual. *She leans up to give him a kiss* Are you all right?

*kisses her*It's nothing, I'm fine. Must have pushed myself harder than I thought

I knew I should have sent D'anthe with you to make sure you didn't push yourself too hard. I knew you would, if left to your own devices.

He shrugged,"I'm fine. It won't happen again, I promise. Now, Shan tells me Renor had to make you eat and sleep, so, let's go eat"

That child...ah well...didn't expect it to be that big a deal. *She takes his hand and walks with him*

He checked his watch,Five thirty. Holding her soft hand in his calloused one, he couldn't help but smile. He took her to the canteen, summoned the plates over, and sat down next to her,"Now, with all due respect and dignity, dig in"

Rhenna picked up her fork and began to eat. "Did you enjoy seeing your team again?"

He smiled, speaking between mouthfuls,"It was good to see them again. You miss people like that"

She smiles. "I know the feeling. They must have missed you, too."

Not that they would show it.

Neither would you...not to their faces, anyway.

True... not to them. But to you... that's a different story

She smiles. "Yes, well...I'm not them."

I know that... and your my wife. So, I can be as honest as I want

Yes, true. At least, I'd hope you can be honest with me.

He smiled,"And I'd hope the same of you"

As much as possible, anyway.

He kissed her on the cheek,"Yes. We all have to have some secrets"

Her thumb runs along the back of his hand. "A few secrets are healthy."

"Definatley... oh man, I can't manage anymore*pushes away plate. He's barely eaten half of it*

Well, after three weeks of nothing, I didn't think you'd be able to. *She kisses him.*

Well... I gave it a good stab*kisses her back*

She smiles at him. "Yes, true."

You finished?

She nods.

He smiles, and takes her hand,"So, how would Rhenna like to spend this evening together?"

*She starts walking with him* You've been gone a month. Just so long as we're together, I'm happy.

He put his arm round her,"Sounds like a good idea to me. We don't get many of these, so lets make it count, hm?"

Sounds like a plan.

He took her to the sand room, and sat down on the soft sand,"I would alter it, but I don't think it would be that good"

She sits next to him. "It's a nice enough room on its own. We don't have to alter it at all."

He put his hands on her back, and kneeded the muscles in the area he knew she liked it,"Like that?"

She smiles. "Do you even have to ask?"

I'll take that as a yes

She closes her eyes, just enjoying the time she has. "Times like this need to come more often."

Yes, they really do. We seem to spend more time apart than together

Yes, I know. *She leans back so that her head can rest on his shoulder* Unfortunately...such are the lives we live.

He put his arms around her, tickling her ribcage slightly,"What a tangled web we weave"

Yes, true. *Kisses him*

*kisses her back*

She lets the kiss linger for a while, then begins playing with the short hairs on the back of his neck.

He smiled, laughing softly

She smiles. "What's so funny?"

That tickles

She continues, smiling. "Does it?"

He's laughing quietly, smiling,"Yes... it does"

She leans in to kiss him again.

He kissed her back, with a bit more passion than they saw normally

She lets the kiss linger, lets it grow. This is like the first one...but that was a while back.

All that time ago... and it's even better now than it was then

He ran his hand down her spine, resting it at the base

"Glad you decided to go to Hoeth in the first place?"

Oh yes

She smiles at him. "I'm glad I decided to go out on guard duty with you that one night."

And I'm glad I took a chance

Yes indeed. Your brash humanity was a good thing, for at least once in your life.

It paid off... I've got a beautiful wife, and a long time to spend with her

And your wife loves you...even if you are a lot of trouble and worry.

He smiled,"I try not to be such a pain... just bad luck I suppose*kisses her*

*Kisses him back* Bad luck, maybe...but you're kind of cute, so it's worth it.

Kind of cute? I wouldn't say I was cute... I'd say you were beautiful

She smiles. "Where you got that notion, I'll never know. I'd think the scales threw that off."

The scales intrigued me, if you must know. Natural beauty... you can't beat it

She smiles softly and lays her head on his shoulder, running a single finger of her right hand up and down his sternum.

He smiled, and felt her index finger running up and down his sternum. He responded in kind, running his hand up and down the curvature of her spine.

She closes her eyes, starting to feel her dragon blood take control.

*Notices*Getting comfy?

You could say that. What about you?

"I've been comfortable since before we got here," he said, leaning over to kiss her

She kisses him back. "Home does tend to be one of the more comfortable places you can find."

I can think of far worse places to be...

The sands shift beneath them, reclining them at different angles. She starts running her fingers through his hair.

"What time is it?"

He smiled softly,"Getting on for ten in the evening"

He loved the feeling of her running her hand through his hair... but there was something different.

"Getting late. Let's go to bed."

That... sounds like a very good idea

The sands shift again, setting the both of them on their feet, and she takes his hand.

HE clasped her hand tightly, and smiled,"Care to lead the way?"

She smiles teasingly and starts walking. "Been gone a month and can't find your way around anymore?"

He smiled back, saying teasingly,"I'm having a hard time of it"

*Opening the door* Then tomorrow I'm going to have to show you around again.

He put his arms round her waist,"I'm sure you will..."

It had been several weeks since Rhenna had actually rested, and for the first time since he'd been called out, she managed to sleep soundly.

He woke up the next morning, and found Rhenna lying with her head on his chest, as if trying to keep him there. He smiled, and put his hand lightly on her cool cheek. He laid back, fully relaxed for the first time in ages

She wakes up soon after. "Tell me it's before seven, so I don't have to move."

You're in luck. It's six thirty

Good.

He moved down the bed slightly, nuzzling his cheek to hers,"Sleep well I trust?"

Very. *She closes her eyes again, enjoying the moment* What about you?

I slept... which is a near-miracle. I slept amazingly well

She smiles at him. "I'm half tempted to tell Vrasha to pick a partner and cover my classes again, but that would be lazy."

That would be very lazy of you... not something I've come to expect. I wouldn't complain though

I know...and it's very tempting.

If we gave into our temptations all the time, nothing would ever get done... but in light of the current situation, why not

Probably because I haven't gotten much of anything done this past month.

Yeah... sorry about that

You couldn't help being captured.

Doesn't stop me being sorry about it

You still had a rougher time of it. Take a few days and just relax. It won't kill you to start teaching Monian a little bit of CQC. Remember, he's just a little guy...so be gentle.

A dark cloud seemed to pass over his eyes,"I can't relax. Not now.*returns to his smiling self*I'll teach him a little, but not much

She seems to draw back some, then she moves closer to give him a kiss. "I have to get ready to go. If you need me, you'll be able to find me."

He kissed her,"I'd best get up as well then. Not much point lying around if I can't share it with someone"

She gets up and is out the door, somewhat relunctantly, within ten minutes.

He found himself moving very lethargiclly as he got dressed, as though his body and his mind had become seperated by recent events. It worried him slightly, but other than that, nothing seemed wrong.

As he walks down a hall, to whatever purpose, faint strains of music seem to be coming from somewhere.

Cougar focused on the music. He had never been a music lover really... but this music touched something inside him, something he never knew he had. He started to work his way towards it, getting closer each time

It's a quartet -- a piano-like instrument and three stringed instruments. Drow music is intricate, and each part twined into and out of the others, as if it were something alive.

Cougar lent on the doorframe, his mind absorbing the music. He was amazed he's never heard this before

Shan was on a stringed instrument that looked very much -- but not quite -- like a violin, while Tari played an instrument that looked like two boxes connected by a board and string, and Jovin's on a deeper-sounding instrument, while Ashra plays the larger, piano-like instrument. For now, they take no notice of the human at the door.

Cougar smiled, and then left the quartet in peace. The music rang in his ears as he walked. It dipped and rose, wove through him. He smiled, and found a room where he couldn't push himself so hard.

There are quite a few of them.

He found a room more suited to physical tasks - his muscles had begun to waste away during his 'interrorgation'. As he worked, he found himself having occasional flash-backs... to some of the worse incidents. Nevertheless, he continued to work long hours, until the time was roughly two in the afternoon

V -- Almost seven hours? Unadvisable, after all of that, even if you are a soldier.

*Coldy*I'm well aware of my physical state, and how long I've been working. I've had worse

I'm sure. But I wouldn't want to be the one to tell Rhenna when you worked yourself to injury.

And I'm not going to work myself to anymore injuries

Vedt shrugs and starts to walk away.

Good riddance to him. Why do you put up with that? You're never going to be treated as an equal here, even Rhenna will never see you as that

Get out of my head!

Why should we? We've been plaguing you for the past year, we're not about to stop now

He dropped to the floor, and sat down,Why is this happening to me?

A small hand starts patting him on the shoulder. "Aw oo sad?"

Cougar turned his head, and saw Monian. The sight of the child speaking Basic (Common) was such a funny thing, he couldn't help but laugh. He spoke slowly,"I was just thinking about something. I'm alright"

*Sitting down in front of the human.* "'bout wha?"

*Continues to speak slowly*I had a nasty time recently, and I was just thinking about it.

"Oh. Lodias ((people)) sad oo gone."

He smiled,"It is hard to miss when the only human here goes missing"

The child tilts his head, trying to decipher that sentence.

Ol zhah dubo ulu lle'warin vel'drav l' er'griff rivvil ghil gos missing

But they worry.

Why would people worry about me, other than Rhenmet? I'm not important

Because ee ((we)) like oo.

I see no evidence of that, Monian.

S -- Because you keep your head down like we're going to take it off or something. The only one who's likely to do that is Vedt, because it's his job to give you a kick when you're not working up to your potential -- he does it to everyone, you're not special in that regard.

*Looks up, eyes cold*It's kept me alive in the past. You don't have a clue, Shan.

Who are you to say that I don't have a clue? You may have had a hard time in the past, you may have a hard time when you're called out, but who are you to say what I have and have not gone through? Maybe it's you that doesn't have a clue, rivvil.

*Eyes soften*I'm sorry, Shan. I'm not myself at the moment, I don't know why, but I may say things that I would never say normally.

Ulu uns'aa, Monian. Cougar...I'd get yourself figured out soon...if you're snapping at us, you might say something to Rhenna that you'll regret.

Lu' nin, dos z'klaen screa klezn.

*Shan takes the toddler*

Cougar hung his head in his hands.

See? You're nothing like them, why stay? Come to us

F**k off and die

Already done. You can't deny us forever

He jumped up, and began to work again, building himself back up

Rhenna finds him there later.

"James? Have you been in here all day?"

He jumped backwards, arching his back and tuking in his legs, before rolling as he hit the ground,"Close enough, yeah"

She steps in. "You're going to work yourself to death. Come on."

He went over to her,"Rhenna, I'm really worried about myself. All day, I've been acting strangely... and I don't know why"

She reaches up and places a hand on his cheek. "What do you think it may be?"

He brought his hand up to hers,"I don't know... maybe an after-effect of the torture. I snapped at Vedt, then Monian came to talk to me, I was alright with him, although he tried to convince me more people than you like and care about me here, which I can't see being true, and finally, Shan. I snapped at him, and he didn't even call me by my name... he just called me 'rivvil'.

Yes...he told me earlier this afternoon. He told me he regretted snapping at you after all you've recently been through, though.

It's not just that either... I keep hearing voices, and not my inner solider voice, different ones. They keep telling me I'm nothing like any of you, that I shouldn't be here... you get the drift

What sort of voices?

"It's hard to describe... they haven't been there before... and definatley an ouside influence

Do you want me to take you back to Mithdelmar? They might be able to trace it.

No... if it happens again, I'll go myself

She nods.

She's trying to help you, and you turned her down?

I can take care of myself. I'll be fine.

I hope so James, I hope so

He smiled, and took her hand,"So, enough of my exploits, what about you?"

It was just an average day in Rendelmar.

He raised an eyebrow,"Is any day in Rendelmar average?"

Most of them.

He smiled,"I see. You busy for the rest of the evening?"

She glances at a timekeeper on the wall. "No, actually."

He squeezed her hand, and mouthed,"Good"

I could use the company... someone I know is my friend

She smiles at him.

He winked, trying to reassure her and himself that he was fine

So, did you have anything in mind?

Somewhere quiet... I was going to go to the cavern tonight

She nods. "That's a good place."

Allows me to focus easier when I haven't got a distraction. But you're no distraction*kisses her*

*Kisses him back and grins* Here I thought I was a fairly big distraction...more welcome than other types, but a distraction nonetheless.

*grins*Well... you can be a distraction if you want. I never said I didn't want one

No, you didn't.

So, are you coming with me, or would you prefer an evening away from your troublesome husband?

1:Too troublesome by far

2: Yes, too much trouble for one woman to handle

I'll go with you. You haven't been home long enough to remind me how much trouble you really are.

His eyes had glazed over briefly, but he shook himself slightly, and kissed her again,"Well... thank Leviathan for that"

She kisses him back, then steps back slightly and looks at him. "Are you feeling all right?"

Damn it

"I'm fine, just a little cold"

Doubtful. It's perfectly comfortable in here, and he's been working out all day.

"If you say so. Come on, then...let's get you somewhere warmer."

He smiled, squeezing her hand again,"I'm all for that"

She starts walking with him. "Where do you want to go?"

Anywhere in Rendelmar... how about something I haven't seen before

You've seen most of the areas that everyone can get to, if not all.

He took the hint in her voice,"Alright. I'm still up for the cavern, or the sand-room, whichever takes your fancy"

The sand room will be busy at this time...Vedt has a class. So let's go to the cavern.

Alright*Focuses briefly, taking them there*Wow... that takes it out of you*sits down*

She sits next to him. "Yes, at first, it does."

He looped his arm around her waist, pulling himself closer to her,"First time I've done it with another person. Normally, it's just me"

It's a big step. Most of us don't manage that for a couple of years after first teleporting.

I've a feeling it knackered you out less than it did for me

You'd be suprised.

I'm sure I would. Drow in general hold many more surprises than I could fathom

Then again, so do humans. *She slips behind him, then puts her hands on his shoulders, coaxing him back, cradling his head on her lap, and starting to stroke his hair.* Relax. You need to.

He let himself just go, not really wanting to argue. He closed his eyes, focusing on the touch of her hands on his hair. He murmered, barely enough for him to hear himself speak,"That feels really nice"

She smiles, and with her free hand, lets loose her hair. It's long enough that some of it would wisp around and hit his cheek.

You haven't done that in a while

Yes, but I'm free at the moment, and you like it.

He brought his hand up, running it through her hair as much as he could,"I missed you so much"

And I missed you....so much.

He reached up, and put his hand to her cheek,"Rhenna... what do you see in me?"

What do I see in you? What kind of question is that to ask? But, if you want an answer...I found someone that I know loves me, and will until he dies...and I found someone that stirred that same emotion within me...not something I ever expected. Why, I don't know, and I doubt I ever will...but it is good enough for me that it is there.

He smiled in the darkness,"Sorry for asking such an odd question... but todays events have kinda shook me up"

She pats his shoulder gently. "I could tell."

He put his hand on hers,"Thanks"

She leans down to kiss him, and lets it linger a few moments before pulling back up. She says nothing...just sits there, stroking his hair.

He savoured that kiss, not knowing quite why. Every kiss was special in this relationship, but now he felt it meant something so much more. He smiled, knowing he was safe,"What time is it?"

Almost nine.

He smiled,"I thought it was later than that"

OOC: Mite be later on Kay, looks hopeful :D

Back at the tower, three monks entered the tower. By their looks, it was obvious that these monks were the masters of their respective temples. The Abbots themselves. Each monk had Warfare's symbol on a disk about their neck. Each one looked diffrent.

One looked more like a Barbarian in Monks robes. It was obvious by his appearence that a hit from him would hurt quite hard. His face was both Frightning, yet benevolent at the same time. He wore simple Robes of Red. His skin was yellow in color, much like that of an Asian.

One looked more like a regular monk than the first. Various Arcane symbols adorned his robes, and energy crackled along his body. This monk seemed more benevolent than the first, but it was appereant that he would not put up with foolishness. He wore robes of Dark Purple.

One looked like a cross between the two. He seemed to not have a care for the outside world. He appeared as a Hermit. He was strong, yet was not as strong as the first monk. He looked to be the kindest of the three. Like the other two, it was obvious he would not put up with nonsense. He wore Robes of the Blackest Night. Nothing but wavy Gold Lines adorned his Robe.

All three walked to the Courtyard, picked three diffrent spots, and began to meditate. The disturbed nothing of the world around them. The monk of Dark purple ceased the Energy flow through his body. Who were they? why would monks come to the tower?

Rn -- No...not quite later...not yet, anyway.

**********************************************************

Ishrem looked at the new arrivals and started to sketch them.

OOC: It's what he does.

He lay back, closing his eyes and taking in the silence around him...

LEAVE!

As these voices came into his head again, the only visible difference was his face going ashen, and a tensing of his entire body

What is it? What's wrong? *Rhenna looks around, searching for the source of her husband's distress.*

His eyes were open, and he took her face in his hands,"It's nothing you can see. These voices.... they won't leave me alone"

She starts stroking his hair again. "We should get you back to Mithdelmar for a more thorough analysis."

He started to relax,"I think it's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder... it's not uncommon in SHADOW from time to time... especially after long wars or gruelling missions"

It doesn't quite look like it to me. Let me take you back to Mithdelmar tomorrow morning...for my own peace of mind.

"Alright... I was going to go anyway... but if you want to take me, you can"

She nods.

I'm sorry I'm like this Rhenna... I just wish I knew how to stop

"You will...with time."

I hope you're right... promise me something though. If I say or do something stupid to you, please... don't hate me for it

How could I hate you?

I don't know... I'm just being over-worried I think