NationStates Jolt Archive

He winced in spite of himself, and put his arms round her,"Times like that, I'm glad I'm no teacher"

She shrugs, resting her head on his shoulder. "I was raised here...it's part of life. There are times when you come back that I'm glad I'm no soldier."

"Same reason, but different job," he said, putting his cheek to hers and sitting there with her

"Maybe...but I know I can handle anything they can cast."

"Doesn't make it any easier at the time though"

"No, not really."

He hugged her a little closer, enjoying the moment

Her eyes half close.

OOC: Dragon's response to a good heat source, lol.

He noticed this, and smiled as he felt her begin to warm up,"Feeling a little better?"

"You could say that."

You warm up quite quickly... not complaining though

She smiles. "Like I said...I'm a reptile. And you're a very good source of warmth."

The upshot of being a warm-blooded mammal

"Not necessarily. All mammals are not created equal."

All right... the upshot of being human

She laughs. "Maybe."

He unfroze the scene, which at the moment was one of a living rainforest,"I've been practicising"

She lifts her head just enough to watch. "Your control is improving."

He smiled,"Thanks. I like to think so"

She stays there, watching what he's doing.

He placed them on one side of a great ravine. A single bridge crossed it, jungle on both sides. At the base of the ravine, was a great river. They could hear it sloshing and churning it's way down

"Another scene on the Corbrian?"

"Actually, surprisenly, no. I don't know where this is from...it just came into my head"

"Interesting."

He laughed softly, still with his cheek to hers, kissing her neck once,"You could say that"

"If I couldn't, would I have?"

He pondered this,"No"

She laughs, then turns her head to kiss him.

He kissed her back, enjoying the moment. They hadn't seen each other much recently (busy schedules)

(As always) When the kiss ended, she smiled slightly at him. "It feels like we never see each other any more."

He smiled slightly as well,"I know the feeling, and I won't claim to like it"

"How long are you expecting to be home this time?"

Until Kajeenth shows up again, I'm not going anywhere. I'm still on that six-month leave

She nods. "Good."

I would ask you the same thing, but we both know that the answer is never certain

"True...such is the life I lead."

"It's a great shame though... we don't know when we're ever going to be able to spend real time together"

"But we've enjoyed what time we have had together."

He smiled, and kissed her again,"Of course we have...and intend to continue in the same manner"

*She kisses him back* "Of course."

He nuzzled her cheek,"Did you get Warfare's letter as well?"

She nods. "I accepted. After all...he is more familiar with this new threat than anyone."

Cougar nodded,"Leviathan buzzed me when he got it, said he was also going to be there. As am I."

She nods.

He moved behind her, his arms round her waist, and his head looking over her shoulder

She shifts slightly to lean back against him, otherwise, she's perfectly comfortable.

He smiled, kissing her neck softly just once, then returned to altering their surroundings

She watches for a time before the day begins to catch up with her. She can feel herself starting to drift off.

He just held her there gently

"I need to get back to the room fairly soon."

"Don't worry, I'll get you back"

"All right."

He smiled, and kissed her softly once more, as if soothing her after her hard day

She kisses him back, and gradually drifts off to sleep where she's at.

He waited until she was completley out, and then let his illusions fall back into sand. He checked his energy levels, and cursed softly,Not enough to teleport, and I can't be bothered to draw at the moment... sod it, I'll just carry her

He moved so that her arms were round his neck, her head resting on his shoulder, and his arms supported her back and legs. He stood, and began moving back towards the room

There were a few students still wandering the halls. Cougar got a couple of looks, but not for long, and no one said anything.

He eventually got her back to the room, and laid her in the bed, making sure she was covered by the sheets, before kissing her forehead, and once he was ready, slipping in next to her, and taking care not to wake her, put his arm across her. He was asleep fairly quickly

She stirred slightly as he joined her, but didn't wake.

He slept soundly for the first time in nearly a week

After three or four hours, Rhenna's eyes snapped open, and she attempted to sit up...only to find that she was hindered. Fear, pure and unadulterated, coursed through her for a few moments before she realized she was awake and got it under control. Laying back down (and hoping she hadn't woken him) she tried to think of what had happened while she slept to wake her in such a fashion.

Her hope of waking was to prove short-lived. Even with the altered programming of his Calipsian Node, something like that was enough to wake him. He opened his eyes, and noticed she was awake,"What's wrong?"

There was a note of worry in his voice, Rhenna was not one to have nightmares that woke her

She shakes her head. "Nothing...at least, nothing I can remember." She reaches up to stroke his hair. "Don't worry about it...go back to sleep."

"I do worry though... I'm the one used to waking up from things like that, not you"

"I don't know what caused it." She leans over to give him a kiss. "Until and unless we find out -- if it resurfaces -- I don't see any reason to worry about it."

"Then let us hope it doesn't resurface, at least not tonight" he said, kissing her back

She lays back down, this time closer, with her head on his chest.

He smiled wanly,"Gd'night... once again"

She smiles back. "Good night."

He rubbed his hand up and down her arm for a moment, slipping back into an unconcious state

Try as she might, Rhenna couldn't slip back into sleep, so she laid there a bit, then got up -- very carefully -- and went to prepare for her classes that day.

He woke up the next morning, and found himself alone in the room. He sat up, looking around, before grabbing his shirt and leaving. As he walked, he began thinking carefully. Normally, it was him who woke up with nightmares in the middle of the night. He had never known her to have this problem, and it worried him.

In front of him, a fight burst out of the training room and into the halls. It was between Shan and one of the other students -- one that Rhenna would have mentioned had trouble restraining his temper. The battle looked fairly heated...fortunately, it was a fist-fight.

Shan and that one in a fist-fight... this could get real ugly, real fast

Cougar watched a second, then stepped in, grabbing both boys' fists, one in each hand, and holding them tightly, with enough force so that they were preoccupied with what was happening to their fingers rather than the other boy,"Vel'bol zhah nindol jal bauth?"

The other boy glares at Cougar. "Ol zhah naut natha selg'tarn whol natha rivvil ulu zhaun."

S -- *to the other boy* Nadorhuan!

Cougar ignored the first comment, and then spoke in Basic,"Shan, do not call him a coward. I will ask again. What. Is. This. About? Or do I have to fetch one of the teachers to sort this out? Or are you too immature to tell a mere 'rivvil' what a problem may be, and see if the problem can be sorted without any, how shall we say, unnecesery intervention"

His voice was harsh, and cold.

Rivvil... theres a word I haven't heard in sometime. Man, that bites. Yes, it's true and all, but you'd have thought they could get over that fact and see me for not for what I am, but what I can do

The other child teleported out of Cougar's grasp, to the side closer to Shan.

"Alu ulu Uoi'nota!"

He charged a spell and unleashed it, only to have it encounter a barrier and backfire on him, disintegrating him. Renor was standing behind of where the student had been, and he lowered his hand.

R -- "He was warned."

Cougar released Shan's fist, and had to fight the urge to let his jaw drop at what he had just seen

S -- Xal ukt elghinn inbal mzild gre'as'anto taga ukt dro.

"Amen to that," muttered Cougar, under his breath.

Shan stepped back and went on his way.

Cougar watched Shan leave, then turned to Renor,"I've heard of corporal punishment, but never anything like that"

"What happened to him is what would have happened to you. I merely put a barrier between him and you...that was the fourth time he had attempted that spell against Shan...the third warning is the final one. After that...a student is left to deal with the consequences."

Cougar looked at the point where the student had been,"If theres anything left of them that is. If I may, what was the problem, if you know?"

"I know the problem...but it is not mine to speak of. And the one whose it is...has enough respect for the dead not to."

Cougar nodded,"I understand. My thanks... and I suspect Rhenna's as well. I doubt she would want me to die today"

Renor nods. "Was there anything else?"

Cougar thought for a moment,"There is one thing... Rhenna woke from a nightmare, scared out her life. I was still asleep, but you don't miss something like that. Could you shed any light on the nightmare? What it could be? You know her far better than I"

"Did she remember any of it?"

"She said she didn't, and I have no reason not to believe her"

"This again...she hasn't done this for...a century and a half. I wouldn't worry about it. It comes and goes, in its own time. Some speculations state that it might be the ongoing conflict between the dragon and drow within her, and others think that she might have memories that she doesn't want, that will come up when she sleeps, but not at all while she's awake.
"I was woken all the time when I was still an apprentice, because a student of mine was out of bed. Twenty-nine times out of thirty, it was her...woken from a nightmare that she couldn't remember."

"It's disconcerting. Normally, I'm the one with the unfathomable nightmares, who wakes up. Not this time. And it's my job to worry."

"Give it a week...it should fade."

Cougar nodded, making a note of how long it should last,"Thanks. At least now I know what the problem is. She said that only should it reoccur that we would try and find a meaning. Let us hope then, that it only lasts a single week"

Renor nods, then disappears.

Cougar watched his master go, and then went to his class for the day...

*That evening*
Rhenna was still working, so Cougar took the oppurtunity to have a real physical workout, something he hadn't had in some time. After nearly an hour, he sat with his back against the wall, taking a swig of water to cool himself and quench his thirst

Different sounds were barely audible as other students took this time to spar each other.

Cougar just relaxed for a time, then went back to his workout, focusing on his new power more than anything. This new level of power scared him, as he had never encountered it before, so he took it slow. By eight in the evening, he felt he had remastered the basics at this increased level. He still needed work... but it shouldn't take too long

Rhenna goes in to find him about half way through it, but sees him hard at work, smiles slightly, then goes off to the library, where there is always work to be done.

Gypsy continued playing.

**************************************************************
Roy wondered silently what was wrong, feeling now was an inapproppriate time to ask.

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

He felt her come and go, felt slightly ashamed but knew she'd understand. After he was done, he mopped his brow and torso with a towel he had with him, then set off for the libary, knowing that she would be there. Coming up behind her, he put his arms around her waist,"Sorry about that, got a little bit engrossed"

Gypsy continued playing.

**************************************************************
Roy wondered silently what was wrong, feeling now was an inapproppriate time to ask.

(Got nothing for Gypsy...)
****************************************************************
Arel's brother and sisters left camp again, and Arel started reorganising the items they'd used.

Since he had 'passed' Costh remained to see how the other attendees did when they tried the spell or spells.

He felt her come and go, felt slightly ashamed but knew she'd understand. After he was done, he mopped his brow and torso with a towel he had with him, then set off for the libary, knowing that she would be there. Coming up behind her, he put his arms around her waist,"Sorry about that, got a little bit engrossed"
"You were enjoying yourself...I saw no reason to interrupt." She smiles at him.

"You were enjoying yourself...I saw no reason to interrupt." She smiles at him.

"Enjoying isn't quite the word I would use... still, it's fairly entertaining seeing in white and outlines, I suppose. I'm guessing you noticed the longer hair as well"

OOC: Really I'm just waiting to see what the wheel of confusion is before I bring Warfare back. Since time flows diffrently where he's at, and they do by a diffrent system, I can get away with it.

IC:"So, what went wrong?" Roy asked.

"Yes, I noticed."

He laughed,"At least that's only temporary"

"Why at least? You had your hair longer than that when I first met you."

OOC: Really I'm just waiting to see what the wheel of confusion is before I bring Warfare back. Since time flows diffrently where he's at, and they do by a diffrent system, I can get away with it.

IC:"So, what went wrong?" Roy asked.
"I nearly got my head chopped off. That might count as slightly wrong. Damn it. We're too far out of practice."

I've grown to prefer my hair short. I've got a theory that as I increase in power, my hair will get longer each time as a side effect

I've grown to prefer my hair short. I've got a theory that as I increase in power, my hair will get longer each time as a side effect
"That's...odd."

"That's...odd."

Very... but such is the way of things. Enough about me, what about you*pokes her playfully in the ribs*

ooc: is Shan going to do the 'testing' for Agrinja?

"I nearly got my head chopped off. That might count as slightly wrong. Damn it. We're too far out of practice."

"CHOPPED OFF!" Roy nearly shouted.
"What the hell is the ring of confusion all about anyways?" Roy asked, a note of worry in his voice.

OOC: Actually, I had forgotten about Shan.

IC: Agrinja looked at Shan, he seemed ready.

"Well Shan, are you ready to show me what you've learned today?" Agrinja asked.

Very... but such is the way of things. Enough about me, what about you*pokes her playfully in the ribs*
"I've had a fairly average day. Other than the little incident between Shan and Iveren...but that happens sometimes too, I guess."

"I've had a fairly average day. Other than the little incident between Shan and Iveren...but that happens sometimes too, I guess."

That was...disturbing to say the very least

"CHOPPED OFF!" Roy nearly shouted.
"What the hell is the ring of confusion all about anyways?" Roy asked, a note of worry in his voice.
"Too hard to explain...and very hard to do. And don't shout...I'm not even ten feet from you."
********************************************************
Shan looked at Agrinja. "I'm ready whenever you are."

That was...disturbing to say the very least
She nods. "That's how we lose the most of our numbers...not everyone is suited to the power that we weild."

She nods. "That's how we lose the most of our numbers...not everyone is suited to the power that we weild."

I'd heard of it, but never seen it happen. I can understand why you do it... but at the same time I can't, if you see where I'm coming from

I'd heard of it, but never seen it happen. I can understand why you do it... but at the same time I can't, if you see where I'm coming from
"it isn't done in your culture."

"Too hard to explain...and very hard to do. And don't shout...I'm not even ten feet from you."
********************************************************
Shan looked at Agrinja. "I'm ready whenever you are."

"Sorry, I just get worried when theirs the possibility of people I like dying in a performance." Roy said.
**************************************************************
"Well, what level of undead would you like to face, and what spell are you going to use?" Agrinja asked.

"it isn't done in your culture."

Oh... it's done alright. Just for different reasons

"Sorry, I just get worried when theirs the possibility of people I like dying in a performance." Roy said.
**************************************************************
"Well, what level of undead would you like to face, and what spell are you going to use?" Agrinja asked.
Arel raises an eyebrow. "Someone you like?"
*****************************************************************
Shan stands, and calls a spell into his hands -- it shines blackly, but brightly.
"Just toss 'em at me...I can't pronounce it...which makes it a good thing I don't chant spells."

Oh... it's done alright. Just for different reasons
True enough, I suppose. But we have to be strict here...he'd been warned three times...and given different other punishments...those who don't learn...don't live.

True enough, I suppose. But we have to be strict here...he'd been warned three times...and given different other punishments...those who don't learn...don't live.

So Renor told me. Still, it is not to be dwelled upon

So Renor told me. Still, it is not to be dwelled upon
"True. How did classes go?"

"True. How did classes go?"

He shrugged as best he could,"So - so. They are helping me focus and train more effeciently"

He shrugged as best he could,"So - so. They are helping me focus and train more effeciently"
She smiles. "You don't like having to learn from Vedt of all people."

Arel raises an eyebrow. "Someone you like?"
*****************************************************************
Shan stands, and calls a spell into his hands -- it shines blackly, but brightly.
"Just toss 'em at me...I can't pronounce it...which makes it a good thing I don't chant spells."
"What, is it a crime to like somebody now?" Roy asks. Still worried for Arel's safety.
******************************************************************

Another Lich is brought in. Agrinja stands to the side and watches, obviously this was something Shan learned elsewhere.

She smiles. "You don't like having to learn from Vedt of all people."

I don't mind learning from him... but the man irritates me to the extreme. He doesn't like me, and I have a shrewd idea why. But in any case, it doesn't matter a great deal

OOC: Just a note Warhaven, the word is Liche. Not Lich. A Liche is a necromancer who has managed to somehow cheat death. They are essentially zombies with their intelluct and powers intact

"What, is it a crime to like somebody now?" Roy asks. Still worried for Arel's safety.
******************************************************************

Another Lich is brought in. Agrinja stands to the side and watches, obviously this was something Shan learned elsewhere.
Just...not what I was expecting to hear.
****************************************************************
OOC: What the hell is a Lich?
IC:
Twin energy spells lashed out, attacking the creature. Shan kept draining fashka, so there was no damage to him, and the spell ate through the creature like acid.

I don't mind learning from him... but the man irritates me to the extreme. He doesn't like me, and I have a shrewd idea why. But in any case, it doesn't matter a great deal
If you say so.

OOC: Everything I've read gives the spelling as Lich. I understand what they are, and Agrinja hunted a few down, used a few Necro spells to control them, and brought them here for extermination.

If you say so.

He smiled,"I do say so"

OOC: The book I have in front of me, right now, at 2:23 in the morning, clearly says 'Liche - Some Necromancers are powerful enough to defy death and return as evil-hearted Liches. Althought their flesh is shrivelled and long dead, they are still immensly powerful Sorcerers'

ooc: Liches is the term for plural and Lich is the singular, but both Liche and Lich are acceptably used interchangeably in the singular

He smiled,"I do say so"
She turns and gives him a kiss. "Then we'll ignore it."

Just...not what I was expecting to hear.
****************************************************************
OOC: What the hell is a Lich?
IC:
Twin energy spells lashed out, attacking the creature. Shan kept draining fashka, so there was no damage to him, and the spell ate through the creature like acid.

OOC: Snake explained Lich/Liche pretty darn well I thought.

"Oh. Well, becareful tomorrow, okay?" Roy asks.
****************************************************************

"That was pretty Good, you didn't learn that from me, that's for sure." Agrinja says.

The other students try against less powerful creatures, Shan having defeated the last one. At the end, Agrinja speaks again.

"Now, I'm sure your wondering how come I have the most legendary king in history working for me. Well, when I went to the Undying Court to round up the creatures you've just destroyed, I ran into him, explained it all, and he insisted he come along. Now that their all gone, King Arthur's going to return to the Undying Court in peace, although, you never know, he might just decide to wander around here from time to time." Agrinja said. With that, he dismissed everybody, and set to cleaning up the place manuelly having had enough of magic for now. Arthur disappears in a wink, having been sent back by a spell cast earlier in the day.

She turns and gives him a kiss. "Then we'll ignore it."

He kissed her back,"Sounds like a good plan"

OOC: Maybe, but you can't control them using Necro spells. They are Necros for gods sake. They are intelligent zombies with powerful magicks

OOC: The book I have in front of me, right now, at 2:23 in the morning, clearly says 'Liche - Some Necromancers are powerful enough to defy death and return as evil-hearted Liches. Althought their flesh is shrivelled and long dead, they are still immensly powerful Sorcerers'

OOC: Not to argue, but perhaps Lich/Liche is one of those words whose spelling changes between American and Brittish.

Costh catches up with Shan, "So how have you been?"

OOC: Snake explained Lich/Liche pretty darn well I thought.

"Oh. Well, be careful tomorrow, okay?" Roy asks.
****************************************************************

"That was pretty Good, you didn't learn that from me, that's for sure." Agrinja says.

The other students try against less powerful creatures, Shan having defeated the last one. At the end, Agrinja speaks again.

"Now, I'm sure you're wondering how come I have the most legendary king in history working for me. Well, when I went to the Undying Court to round up the creatures you've just destroyed, I ran into him, explained it all, and he insisted he come along. Now that they're all gone, King Arthur's going to return to the Undying Court in peace, although, you never know, he might just decide to wander around here from time to time." Agrinja said. With that, he dismissed everybody, and set to cleaning up the place manuelly having had enough of magic for now. Arthur disappears in a wink, having been sent back by a spell cast earlier in the day.
We always try to be.
***************************************************************
Shan shrugs. "I know lots of stuff." When class is over, he leaves.

OOC: Not to argue, but perhaps Lich/Liche is one of those words whose spelling changes between American and Brittish.


OOC: Quite possibly

Costh catches up with Shan, "So how have you been?"
Better than I was the last time we talked. *He chuckles.* So, how are you?

"Thank you" Roy says.

Arel nods.

"I'm doing better as well, have been doing a lot of training." Costh replied

"I'm doing better as well, have been doing a lot of training." Costh replied
That's always fun.

Roy plays various songs on his lute, and then, when the time comes, goes to sleep. His dreams are filled with nightmares of Arel's head getting chopped off during a performance. His sleep is pretty restless, but not enough to wake anyone.

"Ya." Costh agreed with a grin. "It's nice Warfare got married."

Daigallen was a rash young Paladin. This probably explained why he was in Rahegalhoff's office again.

"You just can't ignore the orders of a superior like that Daigallen, what if you had injured one of your fellow Paladins? What if they had injured you? What if they had a trap set?" Rahegalhoff asked.

Daigallen had, earlier in the day, against the orders of his superiors, rushed over a hill foolishly to try and tackle 3 other Paladins at once. His Superior officers had given him explicit orders to stay put until it could be ascertained that no trap lay over the hill. The 3 Paladins captured Daigallen, and he was ejected from training that day.

"What if this, what if that, what if Riptide stopped turning tomorrow? You can't always prepare for the future you know." Daigallen said in defence.

"Be that as it may, it is also true that Tactics and strategy help prepare you. It is, the art of war." Rahegalhoff said.

"Hmph, no plan ever survives the first encounter with the enemy." Daigallen said.

"I'm in no mood to argue with you right now. You are hereby suspended until further notice." Rahegalhoff said.

"Suspended! Further notice! How can you suspend me for having a diffrence in opinion?" Daigallen asked in outrage.

"You have a right to your own opinion, but you must understand, sometimes you simply need to follow orders. There was a proper time and a place for discussion, and right then and there was not proper. Now, I've talked with you enough about this, get out of my office before I throw you out." Rahegalhoff threatened.

"Fine, but you'll live to regret this old man, mark my words, nobody suspends me from The Fists, not even their leader. I'm the son of Lord Daigeshi, Once I tell my father on you, you'll regret it." Daigallen threatened as he slamed the door.

"Right, your the son of a nobleman, and I have the ear of a God, I just don't see the threat there, do you?" Rahegalhoff asked the picture of his deceased wife.

Daigallen was furious, he stalked down the halls, thinking to himself.

"That wasn't fair, I knew I could do it, why won't they recognize my potential?" Daigallen thought.

"Your right of course, it wasn't right of them to simply disregard your tactical suggestions. A rush over the hill would have worked, then again it might not of. You knew what was waiting for you, you knew the five of you could handle them. It would have worked for you." A mysterious voice said in Daigallens mind.

"What the, who are you? Lord Warfare?" Daigallen silently asked the voice in his mind.

"No, but I am of a similar nature, we are both War spirits, in fact, I'm his best friend." The voice said.

"Really? Who are you, can you conveince Rahegalhoff to lift the suspension?" Daigallen asked the voice.

"Me and Rahegalhoff don't exactly get along. as for who I am, that isn't important for now." The voice said.

"I'd sure like to meet you some time." Daigallen said.

"Perhaps you will. I know far more than you'll ever learn with Warfare. For now, simply stay there. Keep your eyes peeled for anyone who might want to leave Warfare's service, you know, Malcontents." The voice said.

"Certainly, and if I bring enough people with me, can we all meet you, maybe learn from you?" Daigallen asked.

"My teachings come with a price, you must be willing to serve me." The voice said.

"Serve you? But, I serve Warfare."Daigallen said.

"Its me or him. Think about it for now, I don't want any hasty decisions you'd regret later. I'll come again in three days. Be somewhere where you can be alone again." The voice said, then it was gone.

"Maybe I should tell Rahegalhoff about this." Daigallen thought to himself.
A part of him wanted to. A part of him screamed desperatly to go tell Rahegalhoff. Another part, a part that still hurt from being suspended told him no, leave the old man in the dark, and follow this new, darker voice. This part of him held all the torments and pains of not rising as quickly as he wanted in The Fists of Warfare.

The two parts battled within him for supremacy, and in the end, were equal. Daigallen would have to choose his path, his fate, the way by which, the rest of his life would be spent. He sat there, thinking, both sides appealing for victory. Daigallen stood in the doorway to The Fists of Warfare. He could turn back, and tell Rahegalhoff everything, maybe even get the suspencion lifted. After all, he wasn't really as expereinced as the Superiors. Maybe he should slow it down, and actually listen to people who had several years of experience and wisdom under their belt.

Then again, he could simply turn, and go outside. He knew of a couple Druids that were recently kicked out entirely, and a few others still that were on the verge of that same fate. There were Malcontents all over the place, and he knew where to find them, it was simply a matter of convincing them to join him in turning against Warfare. But that was one thing Warfare had in his favor, his followers were afraid to turn on him, afraid of his wrath, afraid of what he might do, should they turn, and follow another God, especially a Dark one.

In the end, Daigallen made his choice, and the part of him that wanted to turn back, and do the right thing, grew a little weaker, a little quiter, as Daigallen listened to his other side, and listened to the voice. Little did he know, that this voice, was that of Warfare's Archenemy, Kajeenith. Little did he know, that his choice would have great consequences in the future, for now, Daigallen was no longer a Paladin of Truth, but now a Dark Paladin of Lies and destruction. But Daigallen didn't know that, and his Aura wouldn't chnage right away, nor would anything else. His Darkside had grown just a little stronger than the light, and it would ensure that Daigallen continued to fall.

Daigallen left the grounds of The Fists of Warfare. He had people to contact, people to talk to, people to recruit.

Kajeenith smiled in the Darkness of his temple. He had gained a faithful follower. Through him, Kajeenith would learn more of how the world changed while he was sealed away in a statue.

The blond woman was still alive, she was miserable, alone, trapped, and pregnant, with Kajeenith's son.

The four Drow entertainers are up long before the human, and back at practice.

"We have to work on timing. Other than that, it's perfect."

Roy eventually rolls out of bed. He notices that they've gone off to practice again. He gets up, and wonders around the festival, until the time comes for the ring of confusion.

OOC: I've been dying to read about what exactly it is. Today is the day, it must be!

There are fewer preformances, as most of the entertainers have worn themselves out. Eventually, the sun sets, and the crowd begins to move toward the center square.

*Rendelmar*
Cougar was sat on the bed, his mind on other things. Rhenna had some work to finish, so he'd let her be, and returned to the room to finish his latest report to Barbarossa. He checked it one last time, then transmitted it back to Snake Eater Prime. Once he had confirmed it was through, he picked up the book that he beside him, found his page, and began to read

Rhenna went back to the room when she was finished. She sat down next to Cougar, laying her head on his shoulder but doing nothing otherwise to distract him from his reading.

Roy moves to the central square.

He finished the page, and bent the top corner back, marking his position, before smiling at her,"Get it all done?"

Roy moves to the central square.
In the dark, a figure is setting up a few final bits of equipment. The tension in the air is high...all bards there (except Roy) knew the costs of making a mistake during this preformance.

He finished the page, and bent the top corner back, marking his position, before smiling at her,"Get it all done?"
She nods, smiling back. "For once."

Roy waited, and wondered what was going to happen.

She nods, smiling back. "For once."

"That's good to hear"

Roy waited, and wondered what was going to happen.
OOC: I'll do this tomorrow after school, after I've had a chance to outline this show. It's supercool, in my head...but I don't know exactly how to put it down on paper.

"That's good to hear"
"How did your day go?"

"How did your day go?"

He shrugged,"Same as normal. Combination of training, meditating and of course the ever present practise. Yours?"

"It was an average day. No more, no less."

He looked at her quizically, shrugged slightly, and put his arm round her shoulders

OOC: Alright, now then, The Reunion.

IC: Gypsy was busy playing, when a woman with Purple hair walked-up to her. Next to her, was a mean looking half-drow man. He had no armor on, instead, they both were attired as Noblity. He had a soft expresion on his face, and seemed to stare at Gypsy with wonderment.

"Your, alive. My dearest Ildra, your alive." Warfare said, on the verge of breaking into tears.

"Ildra? Who's th- wait, you called me Ildra, not Gypsy, like that scary Kajeenith thingy did, which means, you must be my..." Gypsy was saying, the stopped, as everything hit her, this man standing before her, was her father, the real deal, she didn't know how come his skin was black, and her's was white, but she was sure that would be explained.

They flew into each others arms. Finally, Gypsy had found her home. Finally, Warfare had found his Daughter.

"Welcome home my Daughter, your safe now, your troubles are over." Warfare said as tears rolled down his cheecks. Gypsy remebered the fleeting vision she had gotten. It had come true. She was finally home.

She laughs at the look he gives her, and reaches up to start playing with the hairs on the back of his neck. "What's that look for?"

She laughs at the look he gives her, and reaches up to start playing with the hairs on the back of his neck. "What's that look for?"

He smiled, laughing quietly as she tickled him,"Nothing... it's just, I can't remember the last time a day was 'average'"

He smiled, laughing quietly as she tickled him,"Nothing... it's just, I can't remember the last time a day was 'average'"
"It seems that our definitions of average differ somewhat." She smiles.

Warfare, Arianna, and Gypsy/Ildra turn and go to the Valshanth.

I think we can agree on one thing that is not average though

Warfare, Arianna, and Gypsy/Ildra turn and go to the Valshanth.
Anna's speaking with a government official when they enter. She dismisses them, and turns to her 'family' with a smile.

"I see you found her, Warfare."

I think we can agree on one thing that is not average though
We don't have anything else to judge that by, though.

We don't have anything else to judge that by, though.

He laughed, rubbing his hand up and down her arm,"That's true enough I suppose"

He laughed, rubbing his hand up and down her arm,"That's true enough I suppose"
She kisses him softly. "But, even if we did...you're probably right."

The kiss surprised him slightly, but it was not unwelcome by any means. As it started drawing to an end, he smiled, and murmered softly,"I'd like to think so"

Are you all right?

"Yes mother, I did. She is genuinly my Daughter, and I claim her as such." Warfare said.

"If your my father, and she's your mother, than how come I have white skin and you both have black skin? Is it because the lady by your side is my mother?" Gypsy asked.

"I'm not your mother, step-mother maybe, but not your real mother." Arianna said.

"Simple, In a previous body, I had white skin much like yours, as did your real mother. In this body, I have dark skin like Drow do." Warfare said.

The training was tougher than usual... and more messages. They just don't give up... after eighteen months, it's begun to dry up slightly, but theres always one... and then the clerics asking for advice. The chosen I may be, but I don't know everything

"Yes mother, I did. She is genuinly my Daughter, and I claim her as such." Warfare said.

"If your my father, and she's your mother, than how come I have white skin and you both have black skin? Is it because the lady by your side is my mother?" Gypsy asked.

"I'm not your mother, step-mother maybe, but not your real mother." Arianna said.

"Simple, In a previous body, I had white skin much like yours, as did your real mother. In this body, I have dark skin like Drow do." Warfare said.
It is a long story, Dalhar...

The training was tougher than usual... and more messages. They just don't give up... after eighteen months, it's begun to dry up slightly, but theres always one... and then the clerics asking for advice. The chosen I may be, but I don't know everything
Create a message filtering system...and one would think that they'd know you were married by now.

Create a message filtering system...and one would think that they'd know you were married by now.

I've tried... but they keep finding a way through. Would you care to reply to one?

To a cleric or to one of those women asking to bear your child?

The second one... clerics I can deal with

Sure, I'll respond. She's going to feel very threatened...but if it works. *She laughs*

I'll add a footnote: P.S I'd take her seriously if I were you

"I'll tell you later daughter." Warfare.
"So, why'd you call me Ildra?" Gypsy asked.
"That was your name at one time." Warfare said.
"Growing up, all anyone called me was Gypsy girl, thus I took that to be my name." Gypsy said.

"Gypsy huh? Well, you can keep Gypsy if you like, or you can take your original name, Ildra." Warfare said.

"What do you think, Grandma?" Gypsy asked with a grin.

You do that. I'll probably even attach your surname to my signature for once.

You do that. I'll probably even attach your surname to my signature for once.

A definate rarity *laughs*

I either don't need it here - everyone knows me - or whoever else sees me doesn't need to know.

He stopped laughing, and kissed her softly, just once,"Well, it's still a rarity. This should prove to be fairly entertaining"

"I'll tell you later daughter." Warfare.
"So, why'd you call me Ildra?" Gypsy asked.
"That was your name at one time." Warfare said.
"Growing up, all anyone called me was Gypsy girl, thus I took that to be my name." Gypsy said.

"Gypsy huh? Well, you can keep Gypsy if you like, or you can take your original name, Ildra." Warfare said.

"What do you think, Grandma?" Gypsy asked with a grin.
Anna raised an eyebrow. "Now I feel old...I'm only eighty." She laughs.

"In the end, it is up to you, whether you take Ildra or keep Gypsy...but if I were in your position, I would always hear Gypsy with the clank of chains. I doubt it makes a difference in your personality or abilites, whichever you decide upon."

He stopped laughing, and kissed her softly, just once,"Well, it's still a rarity. This should prove to be fairly entertaining"
She smiled, kissing him back. "Especially if there is a response."

He smiled,"Which I hope there is, just for amusement"

Rhenna called a quill and inkwell to her, while conjuring a sheet of paper and a hard, flat surface to write on.

Snake Eater woman:

Leave my husband alone. He did not marry you, he married me...if you disagree with his choice in a suitable wife...tough. Any children of his will be children of mine, end of story. Any further attempts to contact him on the subject will be met with retribution.

Cordially,

Rhenmet Cougar.

She hands the letter to him. "What do you think?"

He read it through, a grin creeping across his face as he finished it,"I think it will do nicely." He made sure it was sent, before kissing her,"That will get round fast"

She kissed him back, smiling. "I hope so."

He moved behind her, and began massaging her back,"Tense indeed. Very tense"

Her eyes closed halfway as she felt herself starting to relax.

"That's nothing new, though."

"Very true... still, at least this works it's own form of magick"

"Wow grandma, your old." Gypsy said with a laugh.

Warfare got a good chuckle out of it too.

"Anyways, Gypsy, your older than your grandmother. Your reaching 5 million years of age." Warfare said.

"Oh no, now I feel old." Gypsy said.

"Ildra is a nice name, Gypsy. I think Mother is right, in your sitiuation, Gypsy would always be associated with Slavery." Arianna said.

"Let me think about it" Gypsy said. She went to her room. Warfare stayed there, letting her think about it privatly.

"Very true... still, at least this works it's own form of magick"
"True enough...you have a talent for it." a teasing tone enters her voice. "You really missed your calling."

"Wow grandma, your old." Gypsy said with a laugh.

Warfare got a good chuckle out of it too.

"Anyways, Gypsy, your older than your grandmother. Your reaching 5 million years of age." Warfare said.

"Oh no, now I feel old." Gypsy said.

"Ildra is a nice name, Gypsy. I think Mother is right, in your sitiuation, Gypsy would always be associated with Slavery." Arianna said.

"Let me think about it" Gypsy said. She went to her room. Warfare stayed there, letting her think about it privatly.
Anna laughed along with the old joke, but held her comments until after Gypsy had left.

"So old...and yet, little more than a child..."

"True enough...you have a talent for it." a teasing tone enters her voice. "You really missed your calling."


"Hmmm... masseus... or solider... I know exactly which one I would have gone with, but I can still do the other.*moves his hands slightly lower*"

"True...so long as I get the benefits of your real talent, you can go with your first choice."

Her tone is still teasing, but she's starting to feel very comfortable.

He noticed she was getting very comfortable, and smiled. She deserved to be comfortable in his mind, she did so much.

She sits there, fairly silently, enjoing the time they had. She knew it wouldn't last forever...neither of their lives allowed for that...but there was now...and now was good.

After a while, he put his arms round her, and cuddled in closer. Not something you would hear him say, the word 'cuddle'. No, but there it was. He was calm, he was happy, and he was close to his wife

She cuddled in closer, then languidly reached up, turned his head, and kissed him.

He put his hand on her cheek, as if to hold her there, and just kept kissing her

She let him hold her there...she felt rather content where she was.

After along while, he broke the kiss, but didn't let her go,"We spend so little time together, yet look at us"

"If a couple values their Bond, they can be separated for long periods of time, and it will only weaken slightly."

"And I value this, more than you know"

She smiles. "Oh, I know, Cougar." She shifts slightly to rest her forehead against his. "Believe me, I know."

He smiled, resting there. The symbolism was clear to him.

She smiled at him, cuddling just a little bit closer.

He smiled, and just sat there with her, fully comfortable with where he was, and especially whom he was with

"Pretty much, yes." Warfare said.

Three seperate and distinctive cracks of thunder were heard. Not loud enough to hurt anyone's hearing, but loud enough to get atttention.

Three Old women could be seen standing behin women. The Fates were standing there.

"You've found that which is lost, but sadly enough we must take it from you again, to teach her that which you cannot." Lachiss said.

"Yes, for your daughter has Domain over fate, and must be taught properly how to control that Domain. She'll be returned to you however, then you can take to finding her other Domains, and raise her as you wish." Clotho said.

"We really won't take any arguments from you on this. This is as it must be. Only a few Gods and goddesses have Domain over fate. They cannot teach at the moment, their preoccupied with helping to weave the tapestry." Atropos said.

"Fine. But be quick about it, okay?" Warfare asked.

"we promise, Warfare." Clotho said.

"We only wait for her to arrive at her decision." Atropos said.

She half-way closes her eyes...she's not heading to sleep quite yet, though. (She wants to remain comfortable, lol.)

He stroked her hair softly, seeing how she was tired, and simply wanted to sleep

"I'm glad they're letting you stay home for a while." The words were soft -- more murmured than spoken.

He couldn't help but kiss her once more,"I'm glad too... not one to complain about time off"

A smile touches the corners of her lips. "I should hope not."

OOC: Here it is. The post you've been waiting for.

IC:
When all is set up, the single preformer goes and blows into an instrument at the side. A low, ominous note blew out, and sustained. (think dijidoreau (sp?))

It sustained even when the musician walked away, and as he crossed the stage, he tripped off a complex system of percussion.

From seemingly out of nowhere, a lit torch rose into the sky, and flashes of steel joined it. More swords and torches joined in, until all anyone could see were flashes of light and ribbons of fire, flowing seamlessly between three performers...then two.

From somewhere off to the side a devilish tune played on a fiddle.

A figure clad in flowing black robes swooped down and around the arena, lighting other torches to raise the light level, and dancing lights wound themselves in and around the preformers and objects.

Suddenly, four swords spun up, coming down into the hands of two more preformers (the music's still playing), and they begin to spar, behind the two that pass the swords and flaming torches between them. Their paths take them closer and closer to the circle of flying objects. At one point, one of the preformers is leaned back for a full 30 seconds, sparring with the other preformer while torches and swords fly around her head. When she pulls herself up to shove him back, a sword flies so close to her that it cuts off some of her hair. The duelists continue their match, taking a simultaneous jump through the spinning circle, just as the other two begin to shift.

The duelists parted, and one of them began to participate in the passing of the items, while the fourth stood in the center, grabbing items and making them fly up and high into the air, and passing them back along when they came down.

This continued for some time, and all the while the different items spun faster and faster. The light glinting off the swords was blinding, and the torches moved so fast they seemed to cast little rivers of fire, while the music kept crescendoing and accelerating, and the lights that had started before wound around in a frenzied pace. Suddenly, all torches and blades shot out, as if from an explosion, and simultaneously, the music ceased and all lights went out.


The lights came up slowly, and the stage was entirely clear.
********************************************************************
~Backstage~
(overlapping)
A -- That was so close.
K -- But we did it!
V -- Never thought we could do it, not after all that.
S -- Is anyone else's heart pounding?

ooc: nice imagery.

Roy claps for the group.

Edit: Hey everybody, I found a picture of cerberus when he was a puppy:

http://www.worth1000.com/view.asp?entry=177986&display=photoshop

A smile touches the corners of her lips. "I should hope not."

OOC: And I found a picture of Cougar on operations. Just give him dirty blond hair, and there you go. Perfect http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/mirror/mar2005/6/2/000C8C8B-CBD6-123E-967B80BFB6FA0000.jpg ... And that scene Kay... lemme just say wow!

IC: He leaned down to kiss her lightly,"I'd hope you wouldn't either"

OOC: I know I said over at the council that I was gone, but, as it turns out, I have a few. The Scene was fantastic, but I didn't know what else to put IC. I had to read that cherry flavored sucker twice to get it all straight. I like the pic Snake, I put up Cerberus as more of a joke. I have to get software to make a pic of Warfare.

OOC: See why I call it the Circle of Confusion? If it were DOABLE, it would kick some serious butt to see.

OOC: And I found a picture of Cougar on operations. Just give him dirty blond hair, and there you go. Perfect http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/mirror/mar2005/6/2/000C8C8B-CBD6-123E-967B80BFB6FA0000.jpg ... And that scene Kay... lemme just say wow!

IC: He leaned down to kiss her lightly,"I'd hope you wouldn't either"
"You know I don't...you know very well."

"You know I don't...you know very well."

He smiled,"I felt like asking regardless"

Okay.

He smiled, and cuddled slightly closer still

She kisses him softly. At this point, blood didn't matter...she was comfortable, she wasn't going anywhere.

He kissed her back, making it last sometime, before an icon began flashing on his eye. It was the one he knew and detested... message, text-only.

He broke away reluctantley, and opened the file. Just reading it made him burst out laughing,"Oh, you've gotta read this, it's gold." He switched to holographic projection, and the letter shimmered in the air:


To: Rhenmet Cougar
From: Snake Eater woman

B***h

Rhenna laughed. "For a reply...send back...'I know.'"

Galvenor leaves his study to watch the sunrise from atop the tallest tower.

Predawn (http://www.pmmf.org/2005_season/photography/images/the_kewenaw/Sunrise%20at%20Portage%20Canal-2-b.jpg)

Later (http://www.sarkanniemi.fi/yrityksena/press/sunrise.jpg)

He altered the message, and returned it to the sender, chuckling softly as he did so. When he was done, he closed down the projector, and lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling

She looks at him a few moments, smiling softly, before lying down next to him.

OOC: Hi, Balrogga!

OOC: A miracle has occured!... in all seriousness, hi there Balrogga

IC: He smiled up at her as she looked down at him, then rolled on his side when she lay down.

OOC: Well, I guess you guys know that Warhaven's gonna be away for a while, so he suggested that I ask Kaymiril or Balrogga for the magical training I was going to recieve from him, so are either of you up to the task of training a really big bug in the arts of magic?

OOC: A miracle has occured!... in all seriousness, hi there Balrogga

IC: He smiled up at her as she looked down at him, then rolled on his side when she lay down.
She kisses him softly.


OOC: Well, I guess you guys know that Warhaven's gonna be away for a while, so he suggested that I ask Kaymiril or Balrogga for the magical training I was going to recieve from him, so are either of you up to the task of training a really big bug in the arts of magic?
*Cracks knuckles sinisterly, then checks that her web is in order.*

Come into my parlour, little insect...

In all seriousness, you don't know what magick is...hell, you can't even spell it.

Learn how to play with smoke and mirrors somewhere else.

*Cracks knuckles sinisterly, then checks that her web is in order.*

Come into my parlour, little insect...

In all seriousness, you don't know what magick is...hell, you can't even spell it.

Learn how to play with smoke and mirrors somewhere else.

OOC: Well there's magic and there's magicks, and then there's Magic(I love that third one), anyways, ok, looks like I'll have to ask someone else.

He kissed her back, drawing it out. Not seeing ones wife properaly, other than when you where sleeping, for two weeks, was not something he enjoyed, so he took his time, enjoying it whilst it lasted

Galvenor studied the maracle of the sunrise before him.


OOC:

We will have to wait the 48 hours for him to return.

I edited in two links of the sunrise if you wanted to see...

OOC: Well there's magic and there's magicks, and then there's Magic(I love that third one), anyways, ok, looks like I'll have to ask someone else.

OOC: But what we practice is magick. Just that. Not parlour trick magic, but raw magick... or in my case, magick brought on by genes

Galvenor studied the maracle of the sunrise before him.


OOC:

We will have to wait the 48 hours for him to return.

I edited in two links of the sunrise if you wanted to see...
OOC: Dude...sweet.

He kissed her back, drawing it out. Not seeing ones wife properaly, other than when you where sleeping, for two weeks, was not something he enjoyed, so he took his time, enjoying it whilst it lasted.
She lets it last as long as it lasts.

OOC: Well there's magic and there's magicks, and then there's Magic(I love that third one), anyways, ok, looks like I'll have to ask someone else.

You do that. Buh-bye.