NationStates Jolt Archive

She continues what she's doing, leaning in slightly to kiss him softly.

He kissed her as well, his arms closing round her to hold her close to him, his hands running lightly down her back

She let it linger, enjoying the moment.

Warfare sent a letter out to everyone Arianna knew wanted to talk to him.

I'm back, and I've gotten over it all. The past is now water under the bridge and it is time to move forward. I know you want to talk to me, and as soon as I'm able, I'll be there.

The third day Dawns, and Warfare pops on down to visit Shan...

Warfare sent a letter out to everyone Arianna knew wanted to talk to him.

I'm back, and I've gotten over it all. The past is now water under the bridge and it is time to move forward. I know you want to talk to me, and as soon as I'm able, I'll be there.

The third day Dawns, and Warfare pops on down to visit Shan...

Leviathan got the letter, and smiled as he read it. He decided to leave it a little while

She let it linger, enjoying the moment.

After a moment, he broke it, and moved back slightly,"I love you"

Warfare sent a letter out to everyone Arianna knew wanted to talk to him.

I'm back, and I've gotten over it all. The past is now water under the bridge and it is time to move forward. I know you want to talk to me, and as soon as I'm able, I'll be there.

The third day Dawns, and Warfare pops on down to visit Shan...
Shan is bouncing his ball against the cieling.

After a moment, he broke it, and moved back slightly,"I love you"
She smiles. "And I love you."

He smiled, and stroked his hand across her hair, which was down following the shower,"And to think, I once believed no-one could love me for who I am"

"That was what? Two and a half years ago, about? I think you've had time to realize how wrong you were."

He smiled,"I know I was wrong"

She smiled back. "You aren't unhappy that you were wrong, are you?"

"Of course not"

She kisses him softly. "Good."

He kissed her back,"And of course, I would hope that you feel the same"

"Well...let's just say that I'm not disappointed."

He smiled, and kissed her,"Good enough for me"

"So long as it's good enough for you." She kisses him back.

He drew the kiss out slightly, enjoying the moments that he spent with her

She lets it last, happy where and as she was.

He rubbed his hands down her spine, knowing just where to press

He got the shivers or sounds of comfort he was looking for as he rubbed her back.

He smiled, taking that as a sign to continue in the same manner

She reaches up, tracing along various scars, then starts playing with the hairs on the back of his neck.

He let out a small sound of comfort as she moved up his torso, essentially reciprocating what she had done only moments before

She lets the kiss end and rests her head on his shoulder. She was content to stay where she was...dragon blood could be okay, at times.

He held her close, resting his head slightly against hers,"It's always good to come home, so long as there is someone waiting"

She nods. "It's good to be home when you get back...or to come home and you haven't been sent out."

"And the same on my end... a chance to spend some time with you is easily the best thing when I get home"

"Sometimes we don't seem to get very much time together."

"There have been times when we haven't really seen each other for almost a month, or more"

She nods. "Which is why we need to take advantage of the time we do have together."

"I couldn't agree with you more"

She smiles softly, still idly playing with the short hairs on the back of his neck.

He smiled,"I'd forgotten how much you liked doing that"

"You like it, though." She looks up at him, a smile in her eyes. "Or at the very least...you don't dislike it."

"Well, I think you know that I like it very much"

As he said the last two words, he ran his hands down her back once more

Her eyes close halfway and a soft sound of comfort escapes her.

That sound... thats new. She didn't use to do that... but it has that effect on me

He looked down at her, and whispered into her ear,"I think you like that"

"You know I do."

"Those sounds aren't something you used to do... I wonder if it's delibrate, or if I'm just getting better"

She kisses him softly. "Read it as you will."

He kissed her back, a slight smile on his face,"Alright, I will"

She smiles softly. "I know I've said this before...but it's good to have you home."

"And I've said this before, but it's good to be home"

She cuddles in closer. "What time is it getting to be?"

"It'd getting on for about ten at night"

"Bit later than I thought, then."

"Time flies when you're having fun"

"True."

He smiled, and kissed her again, his hand on her cheek as he did so,"I know I'm not complaining"

She kisses him back, her hand going to his. "Neither am I."

He continued to kiss her, letting it last for a moment, moving to lie down as he did so

She continued the kiss, moving with him.

He lay there, his hand still under hers on her cheek, the thumb moving softly against the skin, and her body molded to his, as close as they could really be

She cuddles with him, comfortable. It really is good to have him home.

He just lay there for a moment,She has no real idea of how much I miss her

Her eyes were half closed, and she sighed softly, comfortably, happy just for his arms around her.

"A very content sigh you have there"

"I'm feeling fairly content."

"As am I," he said, snuggling as close as he could without removing the towels they both still wore

She cuddled in, too, resting her head on his chest.

"I'm feeling supremely relaxed," he murmered, his face in her hair

A smile turns the corners of her mouth up. "You, too?"

"Yes, very much so"

She smiles softly, her dragon blood almost fully in control...and inert.

"I'm guessing you don't want to move at all?" he asked, a slight smile in his voice

"Only if moving is a very good idea."

"And what constitutes a good idea?"

"Only a few things."

"Such as?"

She kisses him softly. "You'll figure it out."

He kissed her back,"I think I might have an idea"

"you know, if you ask the ceiling, it will play catch." Warfare says.

He kissed her back,"I think I might have an idea"
"And what would that be?"

"you know, if you ask the ceiling, it will play catch." Warfare says.
"Talking walls creep me out. No offense to them or to their enchanters...but that's just a little scary."

"And what would that be?"

He kissed her for a moment,"I'm sure you could figure it out"

She kisses him back. "I probably could..."

He smiled wryly, moving his hand to her hip,"I thought you might"

"Talking walls creep me out. No offense to them or to their enchanters...but that's just a little scary."
"So, I heard from Khalan that you fought Little Girl, I also hear she kissed you."

He smiled wryly, moving his hand to her hip,"I thought you might"
She leans in for another kiss.

"So, I heard from Khalan that you fought Little Girl, I also hear she kissed you."

"Something like that."

"Did you find anything after the battle?"

He kissed her back, softly and sweetly, making it last

"Did you find anything after the battle?"
"Yeah, a box. It's over there, if you want to see it. I dunno what it does, though."

He kissed her back, softly and sweetly, making it last
She let it last, let it linger, one of her hands on the back of his neck.

Her position was one of 'You are not moving', and he was more than happy to, as he saw it, follow her orders. This time

Her other hand slid up his torso and started playing with the hairs at the back of his neck.

He sighed happily, and moved both his hands. One rested in the square of her back, whilst the other moved down, stopping just below the waistline

The kiss slowly ended, but she stayed close...not that she really could move anywhere, even had she wanted to -- which she didn't really, at this point in time.

"Dragon blood has its perks, no?"

"At times."

He smiled, breathing in as he did so, taking in the scent of her freshly washed hair. It was quite intoxicating at times, in a good way obviously

She smiles. "You seem quite comfortable, as well."

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't see any reason not to be."

"I'm washed, I'm fed, I'm lying on my bed with my wife, it's all good"

She smiles. "Every reason to be comfortable, then."

He kissed her lightly,"And what about you?"

She kissed him back, letting her feeling of comfort permeate their bond.

"What do you think?"

He felt the sense flow through him, not his own,"I think that answers the question quite well"

She smiles at him, one of her hands still playing with the hairs at the back of his neck.

He slid one of his hands up to her shoulder, rubbing it gently as he kissed her once more, making it long, deep, and loving...

It's good to be home

Later, Rhenna cuddled up to her husband, comfortably drifting off towards sleep.

He cuddled up to her as well, enjoying the sensation and contrast of normally cool Drow skin (due to her being cold-blooded) and his warm, lightly tanned skin. It was nice to simply lie there, together, the sheets wrapped round them, and just drift off. It wasn't something they got to do very often, so every moment was precious. He lay there, watching her drift off, and felt himself doing the same. He closed his eyes, and fell asleep, but not before he said quietly,"I love you"

"And I love you." As he drifted off, so did she.

It was around six in the morning, after maybe five hours sleep, he woke suddenly, breathing heavily. He prayed silently that he didn't wake her, and slid out, sitting on the edge of the bed, running his hands through his hair

Rhenna woke, and saw him sitting up. She sat up next to him. "What's wrong, James?"

He clasped his hands in front of him briefly,"Nothing really... just flashbacks. More vivid than normal"

"There's more to it. Don't lie to me, James." She put a hand on his arm.

"It's just the past week or so catching up on me... I can't get some of the images out of my head... the hostage situation in the school was the worst I've ever seen. They opened fire on innocent children, gunned down twelve before we managed to take them down... losses like that are unacceptable in our lives... the negotiations broke down, and it started so fast... those kids will never be able to go back. They've lost their innoncence, just as I did... and it's not a good way to start your life"

"No...it isn't. They are no longer children, really...but given time, they can recover...and maybe even lead normal lives."

"Maybe they will... who knows in the long term... but still, it's not something I ever wanted to do... you see the looks on their faces, and it's like nothing you ever see again"

She hugs him gently. "You can't blame yourself, James. You did what you could to protect them...and that's all you really ever can do."

He felt her hug him, but pushed on,"Do you know what the worst thing is?"

"Tell me."

"When the children try to protect their captors... it's called Stockholm Syndrome"

"They were doing it this time, weren't they?"

He shuddered, waiting a moment before answering,"...yes... yes, they were"

She rubs his shoulders gently, trying to comfort him. "It is always awful when children's perceptions of safety and danger are twisted."

"I didn't think much about it at the time... all that mattered was the men's hands. The hands tell you all about a person in an instant. And now, I have to deal with what happened to those kids... and pray"

He relaxed slightly as she rubbed his shoulders, putting on of his hands on hers,"Sorry, this is probarly the last thing you want to hear first thing in the morning"

"You need to get it out."

He turned his head to look at her,She's so beautiful first thing in the morning

"Thanks"

She kisses his cheek. "It's what I'm here for."

He closed his eyes briefly, and brushed his hand across her cheek,"And you do it well"

She smiles softly, taking his hand.

"What time do you have to leave this morning?"

"Eight."

"Another hour and a half then," he smiled

"Another hour and a half."

"What classes do you have today... *realisation dawns*oh great, classes."

"Exactly. I have classes...three or four, mostly technical...and you have a class, too."

"Oh well, I have to face the music someday"

"It's not so bad. What would you rather: going off with Leviathan for a five minute year, or having two standard hours worth of class with Vedt?"

"The answer should be fairly obvious, even now"

She smiles and kisses his cheek. "I thought so."

He kissed her cheek as well,"Good. I don't intend to go away for a 'year' unless I have a very VERY good reason"

"I know. It sounds like a miserable experience."

"It is. If you ever get offered it, turn it down. It increases your power greatly, but the emotional drain is immense"

She nods. "I could tell."

He smiled,"Still, I'm back now"

"Yes, and it's another day."

He sighed,"Sometimes to be welcomed, sometimes to be dreaded"

"But at least you're home."

He paused a moment, then kissed her cheek,"Yes. At least I'm home"

"You aren't glad to be home?"

"Of course I'm glad to be home, why wouldn't I be?"

"You hesitated."

OOC: Hesitation is not normally sincere.

"I was just thinking how good it is to actually here you say that, even though you've said it so many times before"

"Oh." She decided to just accept that as the answer, and move on. Arguements first thing in the morning were almost as bad as arguments last thing at night.

He smiled, and turned her face to his, kissing her softly

She kissed him back, just as softly.

He drew it out for a moment, and then drew back slightly,"Did I ever tell you're beautiful?"

Where did that come from?

Can't a man compliment his wife without a reason?

No

She smiles. "I think so, a few times...most recently being just now."

He laughed softly,"I felt like telling you now... don't need to know why"

She smiles and kisses him softly.

Very private thought He needs a reason, normally?

He kissed her back, but couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong,"What's up?"

She shakes her head. "Nothing. Why?"

He smiled,"Alright. You say theres nothing wrong, theres nothing wrong"

She smiles. "What time is it getting to be?"

He looked at his watch,"About... a quater past seven, and time for me to properly get up"

"Okay." She kisses him on the cheek and releases him.

He got dressed, and then came back over to her, still wrapped in the sheets,"Sorry, but theres a few things I need to catch up on before breakfast."

He kissed her deeply, lovingly,"I'll see you later"

She kisses him back, and lets him leave. She stays where she is a few moments, then gets up herself.

"Yeah, a box. It's over there, if you want to see it. I dunno what it does, though."
Warfare took a look at the box. He let out a good hearty laugh at the humor of Shan getting THAT box.

"Well, you know Little Girl was a child like Goddess. She enjoyed all sorts of toys, only her toys were not child friendly, and were, arguably, dangerous weapons. I'm sure you know how to enchant your ball with a spell, such as Death touch, and if not, I'd be happy to teach you, or, if not me, then I'm sure yyour teachers back at Kaymiril would be able to.

Anyways, that box is full of a wide variety of balls, all of them deadly, if thrown with accuracy. Each one is permanetly enchanted with a diffrent spell.
There are some with high level Elemental spells, some simply, with various small weapons attached. Probably the best one in there, is a green ball enchanted with Bio, a powerful form of poison, and fast acting too. I'm sure you can find out all the varieties. Plus, in there somewhere as well, are some balls permanetly enchanted with healing spells.

I know you'll eventually move onto weapons more threatening than a ball, but really, who would think of a ball as a dangerous weapon? Thus, you'll always have a weapon." Warfare said.

His ears tingled, someone was praying to him. The clerics were conducting morning service.

Warfare got up to make some important permanet decisions involving them.

He paused at the door.

"Perhaps you could ask the walls to display targets for you. Each ball is designed to reflect what its purpose is. I'm sure your highly accurate already, but some of those balls will act funny and not always fly straight when you throw them." Warfare said, then he left.

OOC: I'll PM you the exact list.

She kisses him back, and lets him leave. She stays where she is a few moments, then gets up herself.

He spent time working on his katas, clearing his mind, and also letting him think. He realised his mistakes from the morning, how they could have been misinterpretated, but also realised that she most likely just tired, half-awake, just as he had been. He prayed silently, he couldn't deal with them having an arguement just now.

After an hour, he grabbed a bite to eat, and Rosie came to see him. She'd steered clear of the room last night, having left when they arrived (Oh boy, here we go again... I'm going to find a quiet place to sleep). He sat there for a while, stroking his hand across her fur. She arched her back and purred, following him as he left the canteen and went to his lesson for the day, which was once again in the morning

Warfare took a look at the box. He let out a good hearty laugh at the humor of Shan getting THAT box.

"Well, you know Little Girl was a child like Goddess. She enjoyed all sorts of toys, only her toys were not child friendly, and were, arguably, dangerous weapons. I'm sure you know how to enchant your ball with a spell, such as Death touch, and if not, I'd be happy to teach you, or, if not me, then I'm sure yyour teachers back at Kaymiril would be able to.

Anyways, that box is full of a wide variety of balls, all of them deadly, if thrown with accuracy. Each one is permanetly enchanted with a diffrent spell.
There are some with high level Elemental spells, some simply, with various small weapons attached. Probably the best one in there, is a green ball enchanted with Bio, a powerful form of poison, and fast acting too. I'm sure you can find out all the varieties. Plus, in there somewhere as well, are some balls permanetly enchanted with healing spells.

I know you'll eventually move onto weapons more threatening than a ball, but really, who would think of a ball as a dangerous weapon? Thus, you'll always have a weapon." Warfare said.

His ears tingled, someone was praying to him. The clerics were conducting morning service.

Warfare got up to make some important permanet decisions involving them.

He paused at the door.

"Perhaps you could ask the walls to display targets for you. Each ball is designed to reflect what its purpose is. I'm sure your highly accurate already, but some of those balls will act funny and not always fly straight when you throw them." Warfare said, then he left.

OOC: I'll PM you the exact list.
"Okay. Interesting." Shan opened the box and started looking at the balls...but he wouldn't touch them until he knew what they did.

He spent time working on his katas, clearing his mind, and also letting him think. He realised his mistakes from the morning, how they could have been misinterpretated, but also realised that she most likely just tired, half-awake, just as he had been. He prayed silently, he couldn't deal with them having an arguement just now.

After an hour, he grabbed a bite to eat, and Rosie came to see him. She'd steered clear of the room last night, having left when they arrived (Oh boy, here we go again... I'm going to find a quiet place to sleep). He sat there for a while, stroking his hand across her fur. She arched her back and purred, following him as he left the canteen and went to his lesson for the day, which was once again in the morning
Vedt had no mercy on him just because he'd been gone. He caught Cougar up quickly, then put him on the same lesson as the others.

Vedt had no mercy on him just because he'd been gone. He caught Cougar up quickly, then put him on the same lesson as the others.

Cougar didn't complain, he just did. He caught on to the latest lesson quickly enough, and soon settled back into his normal modus operandi

That was a good thing, because complaining would have been an unnecessary waste of tupora fashka. Vedt pushed the entire class...everyone was struggling.

And struggle he did, and although it showed, he doubted anyone else was finding it any easier

They weren't. It was (for their level) a very difficult spell.

By the end of the class, despite the heavy amounts of fashka he'd been taking in to supplement the rest, he felt drained. He'd used more tupora fashka than he needed... it was his own fault, and it made his head pound

The other students headed out. Rhenna still had a few hours before she was done.

He took something for the pain, and found himself a nice quiet spot where he could regain his energy. He would still be there when Rhenna got out

Then he changed what he was saying,' I seek the God called Warfare. Do thou know where to find him.?"

Then he changed what he was saying,' I seek the God called Warfare. Do thou know where to find him.?"

Eldrad scratched his head,"Warfare... Warfare... oh yes, him. I can't find him, but I know someone who can, I think. Please, give me a moment"

He turned away, and prayed quietly. After a few moments, there was a blinding flash of light, and Leviathan stood in front of him,"Sorry I took so long, I was just finishing up my latest batch"

E -- "You always did like flashy entrances"

L -- "How are the dead these days?"

E -- "Always murmuring as usual, but far more settled since Aras took over the position"

L -- "I see. Now, why have you summoned me?"

E -- "*Gestures*This man wishes to talk to Warfare, I was hoping you could help"

Leviathan looked the man over,"For what reason do you seek my friend Warfare"

OOC: IN case you don't get it, Leviathan is the god of Snake Eaters. His domains are War, Peace and also Psionics. He's very laid back in comparision to the other gods, and gets on very well with most mortals

The old man answered," Hmm.... I seek so that I may befriend and also gain acess to the Wizard's Council."

"Warfare does make friends easily... and if by gain access you mean become a student, that is easily done. You would not be allowed free reign, none but the Upper Council are, and they are few in number indeed"

OOC: Guys, I almost died today.

Okay, so the day starts off like any other. Meet at the science building, eat breakfast (breakfast burritos from Sonic...somewhat nasty.), and then we packed onto the bus to go canoeing.

We stop after a couple of hours and eat, then we get back in the bus and go canoeing.

I start out in a canoe with a girl who shares my suite, and then a little more than halfway through, I change with another girl for a kayak. I go down the river on the kayak, and I pretty much stay wet, but it's nice and cool, so it's all good. I go over a couple of rapids, no problem.

Then I get to the biggest, baddest rapids on the course. I go over, and hit the two guys in front of me (Brandon and Daniel -- these names become important in a moment (sidenote, I'd passed/been passed by them a number of times. Exchanged pleasantries each time ("hi guys, having fun" etc.))) and my kayak goes over. I am underwater. I lose hold of my kayak and my paddle, and for a few seconds I didn't know which way was up or down. Fortunately my life jacket did. So, I get to the surface, and grab hold of the first thing I possibly can -- Brandon and Daniel's canoe. Daniel grabs ahold of my wrist, and helps me get up enough so that I can safely swim off to go grab my kayak and paddle. That doesn't work. Next, Bobby and Justin go over, and grab my kayak. Meanwhile, I'm getting beaten downstream by a very strong current, and I'm trying to grab hold of stuff. I even grab hold of little tree leaves, and surprisingly, they hold. I'm being draged, and holding onto this tree branch, and I straighten out and stand -- for all of thirty seconds.

Meanwhile, Daniel and Brandon are coming up to a) grab my paddle and b) give me a lift back to the kayak. They're holding onto tree branches to not go off course. They're about ten feet away when a snake (brown and stripey, and remember, we're in the South atm) drops into their canoe. So they abandon ship (wisely). So Brandon goes and gets it (later I find that his arm was scratched up worse than my leg), while Daniel comes and gets me, and helps me to where the water's shallower and the current's less strong.

Bobby had the kayak, and took it, while I joined Justin in the canoe. And the rest of the day went okay, except now I am a very red little lobster.

And tomorrow's my last real day here. :( I'm going to miss these people. Thankfully, one of the girls is getting together everyone's contact info.

Shan would find a little list in there, a note of each ball and its ability, nothing more.

He'd read the list.

He took something for the pain, and found himself a nice quiet spot where he could regain his energy. He would still be there when Rhenna got out
Rhenna found him and sat next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. She was a little drained from the classes that day...two of them required a lot of energy.

Rhenna found him and sat next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. She was a little drained from the classes that day...two of them required a lot of energy.

He opened an eye, which glowed brighter than normal as he regained the energy,"At least you look better than I feel"

"I probably feel better than you do, too."

He smiled,"That is most likely true... serves me right for getting a little out of practice"

"You'll be fine."

He had his legs crossed in front of him, his eyes were now both closed again, and his form flickered gently. Around him, energy could be seen returning to his body, increasing itself to the levels it had been when he started the day,"Yeah, I'll be fine in a little while. What about you?"

"I'm okay."

He took one of her hands into one of his, using his ablity to 'see' with his eyes closed to maximum advantage. He squeezed it gently,"Good to hear... you seem tired though"

"A bit. Some classes require more energy than others."

"I can imagine as such"

"What did you do today?"

"Trained in the morning in the class, and came out with a blinding headache, so took something for that, and since then I've been sat here. It's been quiet all day really, and I've managed to extend the range that I can 'see', as it were"

The man answered," Hmmm.... if that what it takes it shall or are there any others means to gain access to him?"

"Any improvement is good. The headache is to be expected sometimes...even happens to Renor occasionally. If you didn't get a headache every now and again, Vedt wouldn't be doing his job."

The man answered," Hmmm.... if thats what it take I shall, or are there any others means to gain access to him?"
OOC: Struggling to understand you here, so I had to edit to get the best idea

Leviathan mused a moment,"You mean simply talk to him? Oh hell, I can do that for you, I need to go and see him anyway"

Any improvement is good. The headache is to be expected sometimes...even happens to Renor occasionally. If you didn't get a headache every now and again, Vedt wouldn't be doing his job."

"That actually makes me feel a lot better"

Warfare hid his Teleport from ALL senses, and stood behind this new man in the white tower. Light bent around him, thus, he appeared, invisible.

Warfare merely stood there, watching this man.

The clerics had told him there was one who seeked an audience with him at the Tower of Hoeth.

Warfare hid his Teleport from ALL senses, and stood behind this new man in the white tower. Light bent around him, thus, he appeared, invisible.

Warfare merely stood there, watching this man.

The clerics had told him there was one who seeked an audience with him at the Tower of Hoeth.
OOC: What about Leviathan?

"That actually makes me feel a lot better"
"Good."

OOC: What about Leviathan?
OOC: Remember, Warfare isn't psionic, Leviathan is.

I'm sure Leviathan can sense Warfare's mind, and, if he uses his War Domain to enhance his sight, he'll be able to seee Warfare, and the light bending around him will appear golden. Two gods with the War domain can always see each other.

"Good."
OOC: Ah, alright

IC: Leviathan 'saw' Warfare appear in his minds eye, and also saw him in the flesh. He raised an eyebrow, but didn't react otherwise

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

He smiled,"What time is it?"

He smiled,"What time is it?"
"Almost five-thirty, as you count time."

OCC: Sorry I about the confusion as I was trying to use some Old English grammer in it.

The old man bowed and said," Thank you."

Warfare gave Leviathan a signal to remain quiet about his appearence.

"Almost five-thirty, as you count time."

He opened both his eyes, letting the increased glow subside so that his eyes could be seen normally again,"Almost time for dinner"

I wonder what he wants me for? Warfare thought silently. It was a surface thought, thus Leviathan might be able to pick it up.

OCC: Sorry I about the confusion as I was trying to use some Old English grammer in it.

The old man bowed and said," Thank you."

OOC: Don't, it's annoying as hell when you try it and fail

IC: Leviathan nodded slightly to Warfare, and then said to the man,"So tell me, before I take you to meet him, what is your name and where do you hail from?"

He opened both his eyes, letting the increased glow subside so that his eyes could be seen normally again,"Almost time for dinner"
She nods. "Yes, about."

She nods. "Yes, about."

"Would you care to join me, or do you have work to do?"

"Would you care to join me, or do you have work to do?"
"I have work, but it can wait for half an hour."

"I have work, but it can wait for half an hour."

He smiled,"Alright, come on"

He made to stand up, and then sat back down heavily,"Bit of help?"

He smiled,"Alright, come on"

He made to stand up, and then sat back down heavily,"Bit of help?"
She stands, and reaches out to help pull him back to his feet. A tingling ran through his hands as she restored the circulation to his legs.

"Give it a minute, you'll feel better."

He did as he was told, and stood there for a moment,"Remind me not to do that very often"

"I will." She kisses him. "I don't garuntee you'll listen."

He kissed her back,"I listened just then, didn't I?"

"You heard...but who says you'll follow your own advice that you want me to remind you of every now and again?"

She was teasing him slightly.

He smiled, chuckling slightly,"Well... I guess you'll just have to keep an extra close eye on me"

"I probably will, when I can."

He kissed her,"I couldn't possibly complain"

He offered her his arm,"Dinner?"

She kissed him back and took his arm. "Sounds like a good idea."

He smiled as she looped her arm through his, and began to walk towards the canteen, delibratley taking a little longer than normal. When they did arrive, he pulled over a couple of plates, and set them down,"Smells good, no?"

"Yes, it does. It was Vedt's night to cook...I think Iras might have helped him."

Cougar tasted the food,"It is good... I knew everyone cooked, but I didn't know he was this good"

"Vedt has a genuine talent for cooking...it was what his family did, before they were eliminated."

"A great shame it is, a loss to the culinary buisness. But still, if it hadn't have happened, he wouldn't have become the mage he is today"

"He probably would have become a different class of mage. He's too powerful to never have received proper training in some class."

Cougar ate well, throughly enjoying the meal,"I'm sure he would have"

She nods.

He smiled, and pushed the plate away,"For the first time in ages, I feel truly full"

"Good. You won't starve here, save by your own doing, even if they don't feed you in your own country."

"Hey, they don't starve us. Not by a long shot"

"Then why did you come home having not eaten in three days?"

"Because I didn't have time. We were on a mission for two days, and the final day was such a rush to get out we didn't have time"

"If you say so." Her tone indicated that on her part, anyway, the topic was closed.

He smiled, and reached across the table, putting his hand on hers

She took his hand and held it a few minutes. She then stood. "I have to go...I have at least five hours of work to get done tonight."

He smiled, and leaned across to kiss her,"I won't wait up, unless you particulary want me to"

She kisses him back. "Don't. You have to be up earlier than I do tomorrow." She leaves.

It was times like these that Cougar wished he had access to the shooting range for a few hours. Here was he, a solider whose life was weapons of that nature, and yet only fourty-five year olds upwards were allowed to use it. He shook his head, and also left, working on swordplay with his Gunblade

He did have access, but if he'd forgotten, no one was going to remind him.

In any case, he continued with the blade, taking out many opponents and simply honing his skills

And six turns to seven, and seven to eight....

By nine in the evening, he returned to the room, and settled back with his earphones in, his book in his hand

Rhenna gets in at half-past midnight.

He'd already been asleep for about an hour by that point.

She gently takes out his headphones and lays them on the table, then lays down next to him and drifts off to sleep.

He slept better that night, comfortable with his arm round her. Around six thirty, he rose, got ready for the day, kissed her cheek, and left her to sleep, heading for his class

She stirred as he got up, and shifted into the warm spot where he'd been, but didn't wake.

He smiled as she moved, and whispered to himself,"Yep, just a heatsource"

He went to find his class

She wakes up fairly quickly after he leaves, and gets up herself.