NationStates Jolt Archive

He grinned and kissed her again,"Well, we chose it"

Kissing him back "Yes, we did."

He smiled, and squeezed her hands again,"Almost two years now"

"Three more weeks."

He smiled,"Has it been that long already... god"

"Yes...it hasn't been long."

"Not by the standards that it's going to last"

She smiles and kisses him again.

He kissed her back, released her hands after a moment and lay back, not forcing her to go with him. He lay there, his hands on his chest, and just smiled

She smiles too, and reaches out to take one of his hands. "What are you thinking about?"

"I'd like to say I was working on a way to unite the people of the galaxy... but as we both know, it'd be an utter lie. I'm just thinking... it's been seven years since Watt got married, almost two since we did, and now Wolf and Matt are dating... we're all settling down"

"Matt? Matt Konig and Wolf? Well...never saw that coming." She laughs. "Yes, it does look like you're all beginning to settle down...but isn't that only natural, James?"

She muses for a few minutes. "You should take a few days and go to Snake Eater Prime to visit them."

"Matt's away on a mission of some sort... but it would be nice to catch up with the others whilst I'm there. The Yellowstone comes in tomorrow, I'll get them to take me. I've got to see Lord Barbarossa anyway"

She nods, then lays down beside him. "Take your time...it's been a while since you've truly been there...enjoy yourself. Somehow, I've got a feeling that it'll do you better than being here all the time."

"I will take it then... I'll be back before you though, knowing me"

"Probably." She smiles. "You're always on the move, and if not, it isn't by your own doing."

"Or, it is by my own doing in some odd, long-winded way"

"I suppose so." She leans over and kisses him. "Lets get some sleep. I for one have to be awake tomorrow."

He smiled, and kissed her back,"Alright, that sounds like a good idea."

He got up, and got ready for bed, making sure his pendents were still round his neck, and then lying back down,"Gd'night Rhenna"

She moves in close. "Good night."

He kissed her softly, just once, before letting his eyes fall closed, and slipping into a dreamless sleep

She kissed him back, and drifted off to sleep over the course of half an hour.

After prehaps an hour, Rosie returned from her sojourn around Rendlemar, and jumped onto the bed. She curled up next to his feet, and purred softly through the night

Rhenna woke at about six thirty, and got up. She then looked at the anamalous brown thing at the foot of the bed.

"Cat, you're not going to be able to do that all the time."

She reached down to scratch the cat behind the ears.

Rosie purred softly, raising her head and looking at Rhenna as if to say,Why not?

"Why not? Because I said so, that's why."

Rosie stood up, and jumped off the bed, landing softly on the floor, then looking at the Drow-Dragon towering over her,Happy now?

"I didn't say you had to get up then. You just might not always be able to get into the room. Now, don't wake him up...I have work I have to do."

She gets ready for the day, then leaves.

If she'd been watching closely, Rhenna would've sworn Rosie winked at her before she left. She didn't of course, but it seemed as though she had. The cat jumped back onto the bed, and curled up where she was.

I was damn comfortable as well... bloody Drow-Dragon... still, he married her, so she's got something others don't

Rhenna went to the library to research what little she'd be able to find out about this upcoming assignment.

After another hour, Cougar stirred slightly. He didn't wake up, but it was enough to rouse the cat. She looked at her master, and purred softly before settling down again.

The day has fully started in Rendelmar.

D'anthe roused himself. Rhenna hadn't taken him with her, wherever she'd gone.

Why was he still asleep? That wasn't acceptable.

The raven flew to the bed, then landed on top of the headboard.

"Kaw!"

I hate that bird

That was the first thought in his mind as D'anthe kawwed over him. So he'd overslept once, it wasn't like it was a crime that was punishable by death,"Alright, I'm up, I'm up"

He got dressed quickly and rubbed Rosie behind the ears,"You're coming with me later"*To D'anthe*"Did I ever tell you how much I hate you?"

He didn't bother to stay for a reply, and left to grab some breakfast before heading to his class

Shan and his little group were there, minus Tari, who was off in Aust.

Phew... bang on time

He came up and waited for Vedt. A thought struck him,Best find Renor after this... need to tell him I'm going

Shan looks up. "Oh, Cougar, didn't you know? No class today...Vedt took an injury yesterday just before he got back, so he's in Mithdelmar now. That's the reason that Rhenna's being sent out today, instead of him."

I think going away is going to stop me tearing my hair out

Cougar sighed,"And I got up for nothing... oh well, I've got find Renor anyway. I'll see you all in three days"

S -- Okay.

J -- Bye.

A -- Have fun.

Yep.. definaltey got to get away

Cougar set off throught Rendelmar, searching for Renor. He knew Renor would find him, but he went through the motions of looking anyway

He actually would find Renor helping a student grasp a magickal concept. The student got it just before Cougar got there, and left.

Turn-up for the books to say the least

"Renor, I need to speak with you"

"Take a seat, Cougar." Renor was already sitting. He would wait for Cougar to speak.

He sat, and looked at his master,"I need a few days off"

Renor laughs. "Such a human way to put that. You are the first person to ask for a few days away from Rendelmar, at least to my knowledge...but take them, if you need them."

He smiled,"Thanks. I'm leaving for three days, should be back by Wednesday evening I think"

Renor nods.

"Thanks. I'll see you guys in three days"

"Don't get yourself into trouble while you're gone, though. Your wife would kill one of us."

"Yes... me"

"That is the likelihood you face."

He winced slightly as he walked out,"Not something I would claim to look forward to"

He went for an hour or two of training, before looking at his watch. It was almost time, he had to be in Mithdelmar in ten minutes to get picked up. He went back to the room to collect his gear, and the cat

Rhenna's there, giving D'anthe some last minute instructions as she finishes preparations for her sojourn from Rendelmar, as well.

"looks like we managed to run into each other before we leave then"

"Yes, it does."

He smiled, and kissed her on the cheek,"Good luck"

She smiles. "Thanks...I have the feeling I'm going to need it." She turns to him and kisses him softly. "Send everyone my greetings."

"You'll be fine... and I'll tell everyone.*Checks watch*Shipment goes in three minutes, best go*kisses her again*See you in a few days. Love you"

"I love you, too." She smiles at him as he goes.

He smiled back as he dissapeared. Within five minutes he was on the Yellowstone, which soared away from the planet at high warp. He watched out the starships window as the warp passed, his head in his hands

Gonna miss her these next few days

Rhenna left Rendelmar relunctantly...she had a fairly bad feeling about this mission.

Little did she know how right that feeling would be.

Cougar had that same feeling in the base of his gut. He tried to ignore it, but it wouldn't go away. He spent the next two days visting his friends, catching up, and went out drinking with them on the first night, as a touch of light relief. It was good to be away from Rendelmar for a time, he had to admit, but he missed the place. On the third and final day, he went to see Lord Barbarossa:

C -- *Salutes*Sir, you asked to see me

B -- At ease Colonel. *Cougar does so* As you know, James, it is the practice in SHADOW to give the top agent the codename of Snake. Do you know what it signifys?

C -- No sir

B -- It means that they are the best of the best, willing to devote their lives to the cause of helping Snake Eaters and our allies. They are able to go for days, alone, completeing missions others would deem impossible. Do you know who the last Snake was?

C -- The Master

B -- That's right. The Master. You have done much in your time James... much more than others can understand. You have surpassed even The Master... thus, I grant you the title of Snake.

He turned around, and pinned the badge to the front of Cougar's tunic,"I never want to see this pin again, understand me, Snake?"

C -- Yes, sir!

B -- Well done James... you've earned this. You are now offically off leave, and may be called upon at any time to do your duty. Are you ready to return to active duty?

C -- Sir, I believe I am fit to return to the duty

B -- So be it Snake. I may call upon you soon. Dismissed*Salutes*

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

A week passes...and another begins. Rhenna doesn't come home, but occassionally Cougar will get flashes of fear or pain.

These flashes shook him slightly... he hadn't had them in over eighteen months. Still, he carried on as best he could, honing his infiltration skills, knowing they might one day be needed. Still, he started to suffer from insomnia as per usual

At the end of the second week, he'd see Vedt and Renor walking swiftly through the halls, side by side.

This was an unusual thing. The adults generally walked through at an unhurried pace, where the children might run if they were late to class. Renor and Vedt finish talking and Renor veers down a corner, where Vedt goes straight.

I don't like this at all... and all I can do is sit, they can't tell me anything

He was by now fairly worn and haggard looking. He seemed to age overnight, and it worried him. When he woke in the morning, assuming he slept the night before, he had large bags under his eyes and was struggling to keep himself awake. When he did sleep, it was hurried, and little

When Vedt came to Cougar, he stopped.

"She left D'anthe, didn't she?"

Cougar had taken to deactivating the bird, and now carried it on him. He dug into his pocket,"Here"

Vedt took it, swearing softly.

"I told her to take it with her."

He tucked it into a sleeve and teleported out.

I hate this system

Cougar went back to the training rooms, and spent a few hours attacking with his Gunblade... but it didn't seem to help

Vedt was back three days later, and when he returned, Renor sought Cougar out.

"Go to Mithdelmar."

Cougar looked up, and nodded,"I'm gone"

He clicked his fingers, and the next thing he knew, he was standing outside the temple in Mithdelmar,Oh, I've got a bad feeling about this. He took a deep breath, and started walking into the temple

His progress through the temple was unhindered.

I have no idea where I'm going... if only he could've been a little more specific

He eventually found himself in the surgical waiting room. Something had led him there, what he didn't quite know, but something. He sat down

One of the aides comes to him. She's a young gray mage...probably no older than a century and a half.

"Who are you here for, Mr...?"

"If only I knew. I was told to come to Mithdelmar, and my mind led me here. Mr. Cougar"

"Are you all right? We have checkup facilities in the lower levels, or if you need to rest, that's a little lower still."

"I haven't slept in nearly one hundred hours. I can't sleep. Not until I know why I was told to come here... I suspect my wife has something to do with it"

"Well...who's your wife? What does she look like?"

"Kinda hard to miss her. Half Drow - Half Dragon. Scales accentuating her facial features. Goes by the name of Rhenmet, also known as Rhenna or occasionally Ayal

The woman's eyes widen, and her hand goes to her mouth.

"Yes...she came in here about an hour ago...they're working on her now. I suggest you go down and get some rest. On the second level, they have some very good sedatives."

Oh, why did she have to do that... now I'll wake up through the sedatives

His eyes blazed, and something very odd happened to him. His voice became hard, laced with tension, the unmistakable signs of someone pushed to his limits and beyond,"I'm not leaving till I know she's alright"

"Mr. Cougar, Mith himself is in there working with her. She was still alive when she came in, so she'll be fine."

The mage began to walk away, then abruptly turned and hit him with a sleep spell.
He'd wake roughly twelve hours later in one of the Mithdelmar cots.

He struggled against the sleep spell, but knew he couldn't win. He let himself go, and drifted away...

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

*Twelve Hours later*
Everything ached. He knew the feeling well, that of pushing the human body to extremes that it was not meant to go to. His joints, muscles, bones... everything just ached. It wasn't unpleasant, but it would make walking a tough challenge for a few minutes. He swung his legs off the cot, and rubbed his ankles to try and get some of the feeling back into them. He'd been operating in what was known as the 'drone zone', a place where the human body transcended minor aches and pains, and became impervious to hot or cold. It would've taken a bullet or a powerful spell to really make him pay attention. He looked at his watch, blinking in the lights of Mithdelmar. It read 0537. He swore softly, and looked around him. No-one was there. He had half a mind to go back up to the surgery waiting room, but had a feeling he'd run into that young mage once more.

'Not something I want to repeat,' he thought silently to himself, before standing and taking a better look at his surroundings. It was eerily quiet in the Grey City. He shook himself, and set off, not really knowing where he was going. As he walked, he remembered some of the things that the mage had told him,'She was still alive when she came in'. The very words sent a shudder down his spine, and a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach reared it's head once more. He stopped, and leant his back against a wall a moment, trying to regain his thoughts and control of himself.

I knew something was going to go wrong, I just knew it...

A familiar voice sounded from behind him.

"Cougar, I see you're awake. Parla told me that you were potentially in as bad condition as your wife had been. It's good to see that's not the case...come, join me for something to eat. You look like you could use it."

Cougar looked at Mith,"Not as bad... just mentally and physically exhausted. The human body is not meant to go for in excess of one hundred hours. As for something to eat... yeah, that sounds good"

Mith takes him to a small cafeteria in Mithdelmar, and directs him to a table. He then brings back two plates.

"I know it isn't quite home cooking, but it won't kill you."

"Meh, it's food. I haven't eaten properly in two days."

Despite these words, Cougar was careful not to rush it. He seemed more thirsty than anything, and muct have drunk two pints of water very quickly

"Tell me something...what is your normal eating and sleeping pattern, and how does it differ when your wife is away?"

"Normally, a good eight hours or so, and eating solidly... when she's away, slightly shorter hours, and sometimes I forget to eat"

He's trying to distract me... something he doesn't want to tell me

"And why the sudden change this time?"

"Because things like pain and fear kept entering my mind at random points... and they weren't mine. I was like this last time it happened"

"The Bond. Most times a blessing, other times a curse...in your professions, it can be as bad a thing as it is good."

"Depending upon circumstances at the time," he said, pushing the plate away from him,"I can't eat anymore"

"Then I suppose you want to know her general condition, when she can go home, et cetera."

"You could say that. If I hadn't have been forcibly put to sleep, I'd still be wide awake"

"I will be honest with you, and say that you were easier to treat when you had that gaping hole in your chest than she was when she was brought in. We healed the worst of the problems, but we need her to heal some naturally before we can go in and heal her the rest of the way. We're keeping her unconcious for the time being, for her own safety."

Cougar took in all this information, and sat there quietly musing over it, before looking at Mith,"Can I see her?"

"She is still in very bad physical condition. You may not want to see her just yet."

"If it's that bad, prehaps it is best the I don't see her. I can't deal with another breakdown at the moment... I'm going to the roof"

Mith nods and stands.

"I'll see you around"

He left Mith behind him, and almost ran to the roof, trying to distance himself from everyone and everything. At this point in time, comforting words were the last thing he needed. He'd put his own training on hold indefinatley, but no longer had control over his work... he could go at anytime.

He jumped straight up and ghosted through the remaining layers of stone, coming up onto the roof of the temple. There he sat, and watched the sun begin to rise over Mithdelmar. He almost cried right there, but forced himself to hold it back. He needed to stay as he was.

Three days later, Mith approached Coguar.

"You can see her now."

Whilst he had been sleeping, it hadn't been well. Cougar's face was taunt and haggard, but nonetheless, a smile passed over his tight features,"Sounds good. Where is she?"

"Come with me."

Mith leads him to a room on the fourth level. At first glimpse, there isn't a door, only wall, but he puts his hand on it and it opens into a room.

"In there. She'll be out for two days yet."

"Doesn't matter... so long as I know she's alright."

Turn-up for the books

He stepped into the room, making as little noise as possible.

She's lying on the bed, looking small and fragile. None of her scales reflect the light...they look soft to the touch...like they only do when they've just grown in.

He almost cracked right there, but he didn't. He sat himself down on the air next to the bed, and looked carefully at her, long and hard. After a while, he sighed, and put his hand on hers,"What happened to you out there, Rhenna?"

He knew she couldn't answer, but he spoke anyway. It was something ingrainined within him, something that had to be done. He noticed that her scales seemed new, and shuddered to think what had happened to her. It would be a long time before he left that room

Occasionally, Gray Class Mages would go in to check her vitals/refill the IV drip, or try to urge him to eat or sleep.

He cat-napped occasionally, to avoid being knocked out again, and ate little for the days that he was there. He occasionally left to get some fresh air, and still he hadn't broken down. Doctors had told him that it was a good idea to, but he ignored them all. He merely sat, and stared into empty space. He had a fairly good idea what happened to her... someone had ripped all her scales out... he also prepared himself for the fact that she wouldn't talk about it. It hurt to admit it, but she didn't trust him enough, or so he thought anyway.

Having all her scales ripped out was the least of her current problems, Mith knew...but he had a feeling that Cougar really wouldn't want to know all that had happened.

Two and a half days after he'd been let in, Rhenna stirs, and her eyes open. They focus sharply after a moment, and she looks around slightly, then relaxes. She hasn't seen him yet.

She would slowly become aware of his prescense, mostly due to her hand being in his. He watched as she woke up, and a great weight seemed to lift from his heart. He smiled slightly, knowing she still had a way to go... and if his theory was correct, she would have scars far deeper than anything he had.

"Welcome back"

She looked over at him and smiled. "Hey. How long have you been there?"

"In all... five days. Here... about two and a half"

"Five days..." She props herself slightly on her elbows and looks at him. "Are you okay? I could feel your worry from where I was."

"I'm fine... well, now. The more pressing question is: how are you feeling?"

"Much better than I was."

"SO I gathered... I wasn't allowed to see you for three days"

"I'm sorry to say this...but that was probably for the best." She gives a slight shudder.

"I know it was"

He felt her shudder, and rubbed his thumb slowly across the back of her hand

She smiles at him. "It was good to wake up and find you here. I've missed you so much."

"I wouldn't be anywhere else, you know that... and I missed you more than I think you know"

"What's today?"

"It's Monday, and it's about ten thirty in the morning"

She nods.

She's so quiet... so subdued... I've never seen her like this

He moved himself a little closer to the bed, and looked at her,"I'm glad you're back"

"I'm glad to be back...I'll be even more glad to go home...that won't be for a few days yet, though."

He nods,"That's what I expected"

"How was your time on your homeworld?"

He shrugged slightly,"It was alright... a good comedown, and quiet. Very little beyond that"

And the effects aren't even visible anymore... I feel old

"That's good. Are you sure you're all right, though? You look worse than I feel."

"Oh, this?"

He gestured to the tauntness and lines on his face,"It's nothing. I'm fine, really. Don't worry about it"

She reaches up weakly to touch his cheek.

He took her hand and held it softly, kissing the palm lightly, before putting it back down on the bed, his hand still on it

The door slides open and a black-clad figure steps in.

"Well, I see you've woken. No...easy. I dropped in to check on you before going out."

She smiles. "Well, still alive. Take care, Master."

R -- "As always."

Cougar watched as Renor left, and then turned back to his wife. She looked so frail... he'd been resisting the urge to cry all the time he had been there. It wasn't something he was used to, seeing her like this. He also knew in his heart that he would never know what happened... that was something only her, Vedt and Renor would ever know. He'd accepted this when they first got married... but now he wanted to help her, be there for her... which was impossible to do, seeing as he would never understand what the problems stemmed from exactly, he could only make vague guesses, painting wide swathes at a time. All these feeling threatened to overwhelm him, but he forced them back, turning into an emotionless vessel for his soul.

Her eyes close for a moment before she opens them aain. "Don't do this. It'll only hurt you worse, in the long run."

"Maybe later... but not here. The last thing I want you to see is me, breaking down. You've got to concentrate on getting better"

"I'm going to get better, James...I may not be home, but I'm here."

"I know, I know. Just concentrate on yourself for now, I'll be fine, I promise you"

After a brief pause, he kissed her, softly yet sweetly, not really intending to draw it out if she didn't want to

She kissed him back, letting it linger. She felt safer now than she had up to this point...like this was really real, like she was really back...and this was a sensation she'd missed.

He smiled as he broke the kiss about a minute later, and stayed close,"Yes Rhenna, it's real. You've come back to us"

She smiles back. "Yes...I was so sure that I wouldn't...that I didn't quite believe. I love you, James...more than anything."

Joy surfaced on his face, and he carressed her cheek softly,"I know you do Rhenna, and you know I feel the same way. It's been a battle, I know, but I'm always going to be there for you"

She smiles, and reaches up to take his hand, but her grip is barely there.

So weak... so frail... gods, I've never seen her like this

He smiled a slightly pained smile, and gripped her hand softly, feeling it warming to his touch

She looks up at his face, then down at his hand. "Your hands are as warm as ever."

He smiled,"Thanks, glad to see that it's helping some"

She smiles at him, and Mith comes in.

After finding how long she's been awake for, he puts her back to sleep with a gentle sleep spell (not like the one used on Cougar). He then looks at Cougar.

"You've been taking this better than I expected...which might be a bad thing."

Cougar watched her go to sleep, and kissed her forehead,"It's not. Excuse me, I think I've got to go break down now"

Mith nods. Strange human...

"You may think I'm strange, which I am, but theres reason to the madness."

Cougar walked out the room, stopping next to Mith,"Thanks"

"It is of nothing, Cougar. Now go."

"Thanks anyway"

Cougar left Mith, Rhenna, and everything else behind him. He clambered up to the top of the temple, where he came to sit and think. Once he was up there, he took a deep breath, and just let out all the worry and the stress that had accumulated in his body over the past few days. He found himself sobbing... he hadn't done that in so long. But instead of stopping himself like he normally would've done, he just let the tears flow, tiny droplets marking where had sat. He was there for a few hours, watching the sun pass by overhead, and just thinking

Rhenna wakes up before Cougar gets back. A medic had come in and left food for when she'd woken.

D'anthe, who had been nearby (but quiet) during the entire ordeal, went and picked up a small bite and carried it over to her.

*Muffled* "Kaw."

"D'anthe, I know you mean well, but really --"

She didn't have a chance to protest further, as the raven put the bite into her mouth mid sentence.

"I'm not a baby bird."

"Krrraaaawk."

Cougar came back just as this scene was taking place. He lent on the door frame, and smiled slightly. The scene was comical, but also serious at the same time. He'd sorted himself out in the intervening hours though, and his face had regained some, but not all, of it's youthfulness

D'anthe looked up at Cougar.

"Kaw."

Cougar laughed at the bird's face,"Hey, don't let me stop you"

"And here I thought you couldn't stand how brash my bird was."

"No... I can see his logic though," he said, walking over and 'sitting' down

D'anthe flew back to the table and rolled it over so that it bumped into Cougar.

He then went and perched at the foot of the bed, as if to say "You make her eat."

Cougar laughed slightly,"Alright D'anthe, I'll see what I can do"

He leant down to Rhenna's ear,"Just humour him, so as to keep him quiet"

"Humor him, or humor you? And have you been eating at all these past days?"

"I said humour him, didn't I? I'm not going to force you to eat, though I would say you look like you could do with it... as for my eating habits, it's been swinging back and forth"

D'anthe cheebles at Cougar, irritated, then goes back over and picks up another bite.

Rn -- "All right, if it will get you out of my face."

*Fluff, shake*

Cougar smiled,"You're obviously feeling somewhat better"

"A bit."

Whilst she was eating, Cougar closed his eyes, reaching out around the room, just exploring any gaps he could find in the stones, seeing where they led,"It's better than no change"

"You look like you're somewhat better, too."

"I took your advice, and that of Mith as well, and just gave myself sometime alone"

She nods. "You needed it."

He kissed her forehead,"I've already got everything I need"

She smiles slightly at him. "You're sweet."

"Everyone is allowed to be sweet once in a while... I just chose now to do so"

"This has nothing to do with the fact that Mithdelmar is a giant hospital?"

He smiled, and tapped the end of his nose,"Need to know basis, my dear."

And you need to know?

D'anthe spread his wings and flew, perching on Cougar's head, where he pecked once and fell off, doing an aerial somersault to land him on his feet.

"Considering I'm the one who knows it... yes, I think I do need to know, stupid bird"

Rhenna laughs. 'You two are so funny."

He looked at her,"It's good to hear you laugh... it's only funny from your perspective."

"Probably. But judging from your reaction, that didn't hurt too much."

That was the point. I can't hurt him too much. It's all rock up there.

"Have you ever heard of a crusher, little birdy? It's a big machine that crushes useless metal into a cube... and then disposes of it. I'm sure we can tailor one to fit you just right"

D'anthe went to fly to Rhenna's other side and continue antagonizing Cougar from a safe place, but she waved him away.

"If you two want to kill each other, take it outside."

"Alright, I'll leave it."

Stupid bird

D'anthe goes back to the foot of the bed and tucks his head behind a wing.

Cougar laughed for a moment, realising how, despite their differences, they both seemingly took orders from this woman, before resuming his sitting position

Rhenna levitated the dish back to the table and laid back down.

He took her hand, and stroked it softly, just happy that she was feeling better and was still there

"I forgot to ask earlier...how are things back at home?"

"Same as always... little bit quieter than normal, but otherwise normal. Rosie's settled in well... she seems to like it"

She smiles. "I hope she understands that she can't always sleep on the bed."

"She hasn't tried really since just before you left... can't imagine why, though I suspect you had something to do with it"

"I told her that she couldn't do that all the time. Really...what sort of pet shares its master's bed?"

"It's kind of a human thing I suppose. She's alright really, she knows the boundries"

She nods.

He put his hand on her cheek, and smiled,"It's not just me that missed you"

"I know...which is part of the reason it will be good to go back."

"Back to buisness as usual, I suppose?"

"Within two days of returning."

Sounds like she might be off on our anniversary... good thing I picked that up when I did

He kissed her softly,"Sounds fair"

She kisses him back. "Actually, it depends when Mith lets me out."

"Well, we're not going to argue with Mith... he knows far better than us"

"He does know more than we do...but I might argue with him anyway." She smiles.

He raised one eyebrow, and smiled,"You seem to be much more... you... this afternoon"

"I wasn't really awake this morning."

"So it seemed. Still, I told you I'd be there"

"Yes, you did."

He smiled, and kissed her again,"And I always will be"

She smiles, and reaches up to touch his cheek.

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~Four days later~

Rhenna was mostly healed, and was released from Mithdelmar. Any further healing would either be natural, or Rendelmar could take care of it. Other than that...there are some things that time alone can heal.

So she left the great Gray temple, enjoying the touch of the sunlight for a minute or so before going home.

He was waiting for her when she returned,"Welcome home... and happy anniversary, before I forget"

She smiles and kisses him. "Happy anniversary to you, too. And we're both home for it, for a surprise."

He kissed her back,"I thought you'd still be in hospital, but Mith assured me that you would be home"

"I almost was, but they decided that we could deal with it here in Rendelmar."

He smiled,"In a way, I suppose thats the best thing, I didn't exactly want to give you this in hospital"

He took from his pocket a small box, royal blue in colour. He opened it, and it was lined with velvet in a similar colour. That was all window dressing, the real piece was laid on the centre. The silver chain was laid across it, but in the centre, made of wrought silver, was a small pendent. It was a design never seen before... at first glance it looked like the pictogram for Rendelmar, but as you looked more and more at it, the symbol of the Cougar family became apparant, woven into the other with delicate intricity (sp?),"I got this made when I went back to Snake Eaters... it's a human thing. I got it made for you"

OOC: intricacy

IC:
"It's beautiful." She reaches out and picks it up, admiring it for a few moments before holding it out to him. "Will you put it on me?"

OOC: Thanks

IC: He smiled, and took it, going behind her and putting it round her neck. The chain was long enough for the thing to remain hidden if she wanted. He clasped it on the back of her neck, smiling all the while. He'd spent a fair sum on this thing... it was unique, never anything like it... but it was the least she deserved,"Glad you like it"

She turns and gives him a kiss. "It's beautiful." She steps back and smiles at him. "Come with me."

She starts leading him off towards the training rooms, then beyond the ones he's worked in before.

He kissed her back, and took her hand as she led him into places he'd seen, but never paid true attention to. He didn't work in these areas for the time being. He was still too young, too naive for this. Nevertheless, he followed her deeper

She stops in front of a door that had never opened for him, and puts her hand on it. When the door opens, she leads him through, onto a shooting range.

"This doesn't open until you're forty...strange rule, it must seem, but that is the way things are."

She leads him further in, and then picks up a pistol from a table. She dusts it off...three weeks worth of dust...and hands it to him. It is a jet black piece, fitted exactly to his hand. It was light and compact, and the cougar etched into the handle matched the one on his gunblade. This was a unique piece, in that it had no carbine.

"It takes your magick...in your case, the White Flame, channels and condenses it into a bullet shape, and shoots. It is a fairly powerful weapon, especially for those with no magickal experience. The little shot of magick is about a hundred times more powerful than the normal stream, and takes only a little concentration on your part."

"So, aside from that, it works like a normal pistol?"

"Pretty much. Try it out." She guestures to a target at the other end of the room.

He took a moment to examine the weapon,"Slide is mirror-sheen... reinforced... ring hammer... I've never used a weapon this fine in my life"

He brought the weapon up, and aimed as if he were firing a normal weapon. His finger tightened on the trigger, and instinctively he found himself concentrating on his magick, if only slightly. The cougar came to life, and froze in the same position as the one on his blade. He aimed, and squeezed the trigger. The recoil was nothing compared to what he was used to, and the 'bullet' impacted solidly with the centre of the target, followed swiftly by another... and another. After these three rounds, he looked down at the weapon, and then at her,"You made this?"

She nods. "Granted, it's not like anything I normally make...but I thought it turned out well."

He slipped the weapon into the holster, having left his other in the room for the time being, and kissed her,"I can tell you this, it worked out perfectly"

She smiles and kisses him back.

He smiled, letting the kiss linger for a moment,"It's good to have you home... I've a feeling the rest of your family wants to see you"

"I've no doubts they do...but they can see me this evening."

He clasped her hand,"Bet it feels good to be back, doesn't it?"

"It feels very good to be back, James...so much so that I couldn't tell you."

"You don't need to. It's written all over your face," he said laughinly, putting his arms around her waist and holding her there for a moment

She stays there, wrapping her arms around him in a similar embrace.

"It's good to have you back... I missed you too much"

"And I missed you...it's good to be home."

"Can you believe it's two years to the day since we got married... how things have changed in those two years"

"A lot has changed...but life is still essentially the same. Two years...it hasn't felt like it, really."

"It feels as though it was only yesterday... strange how time passes you by... maybe because we both lead hectic lives"

"Probably. You can't notice time when you're too busy with life and all the chaos thereof."

"I wouldn't trade this for the world," he said, smiling all the while

She smiles back. "Neither would I."

"Glad to hear it... oh, there is one thing I do need to tell you"

"What?"

"I've been pulled off my leave early... promotion of sorts means I have to go back on active duty when they call me"

"Oh...so I guess you're home as long as you're home, then."

"Yeah... less team jobs than before though"

A puzzld expression crosses her face. "But I thought that in SHADOW, pretty much everything was done in teams."

"The key word being 'almost'... and as a rule, we do work in teams. But there are times when a more... covert solution has to be deployed. That solution is now me"

"I see...and now you see truly how life in Rendelmar is." Her embrace tightens ever so slightly.

He felt her arms tighten round him, and responded in kind,"So I do... we'll just have to see how it goes"

She nods.

He smiled,"Enough of this... let's enjoy the time we have together. It's our aniversary for god's sake"

She smiles. "True...it is."