NationStates Jolt Archive

S -- "Oh, him. I think he's just the nervous type. I'm Seera, of Kaymiril, and this is my younger sister, Arel, and this is Arel's friend Roy, and some guy named Garath. He's a mage. And that guy...I dunno his name."

A -- "He's called Edward, and we're on our way to Ephesus. There's a show starting there in about twenty minutes, and he's the CEO of the company that runs it."

"Well, I can let you four go to Ephseus, but him, well. He's not going anywhere for now." Typhoon said. He waved a hand.

Shevat entered a sudden storm. Then exited, over Ephseus.

"well, thank you." Garath said.

"Oh, I wasn't doing it for you. I want to see this Grand Opera house I've been hearing about." Typhoon said.

"Gods have mercy." Roy muttered.

"Its north 20 leagues." Garath said.

Soon, they were over The Opera house. The roof was white.
Garath teleported them inside. The walls, the furniture, everything was made of wood, shaped in a way that reflected sound waves. They could here musicians tuning up. The sound was positivly amazing.

Garath led Seera to the VIP spots next to Gypsy.
Gypsy being an entertainment Goddess, got the V.I.P. spot at the forfront of it all. Seera was just next to her. Gypsynodded and smiled. She was crocheting a Blanket of somesort, waiting for oit all to start.
Roy and Arel were taken to the Judging booth. Larry Curly and Moe were all in nice suits.

An officious looking man came over. Garath wandered off.
"No no no, those rags well never do. What have you been doing, cleaning a church? come on. Wardrobe will fix you two up." He said.
He bustled them off to a back room where the gayest fashion designer Anyone had ever seen looked them over and gave a sniff of dislike.

This, on top of everything else, was too much.

"Don't even, just don't. Until twenty minutes ago, we didn't know it was here and now. If you have appropriate clothing, just give it to us, and stop that. If you don't...well...we were cleaning what was going to be the place this thing was hosted."

There was genuine anger in her voice for the first time that Roy would have ever heard.

He sighwed inwardly, and pointed out the close on the Rack.

Roy shoved the Fashion expert out of the room.

He looked, a zoot suit. all things considered, he found it quite funny. He even laughed about it a little.

"Roy, please tell me you're not wearing that."

She looked through the clothes. Satin green, silk blue...crepe white, organza pink...And then she decided on a satin white dress with a royal blue silk frontpiece.

Roy changed into The Zoot suit Tux.

"I don't know, I kinda like it." Roy said.
OOC:
http://www.suavecito.com/images/Suits/Black%20Tux.jpg

The Zoot Suit Tux.

Arel changed into the dress, then combed out her hair, washed her face, and pulled her hair back and up into an intricate but graceful design.

"Well...all ready."

Roy ensures his face is clean. Puts the hat on Just right, and struts out to the Judges booth like he's the man.

Arel walks in after him, exuding the calm and grace that her Elven cousins usually were said to exhibit.

He allowed his gaze to meet theirs, holding it just long enough to show that he was serious, but not long enough that they would deem it a challenge. He stopped outside the place he had deemed the target, and paused, surveying the exterior. He sighed, and moved into the main entrance way

This is so stupid... but I can do this
A lone man was leaning against a wall. He did not have on what looked to be a proper samurai 'outfit,' but he had a sword that was almost as long as he was tall, and all others gave him a wide berth. This man had hauntingly red eyes.

"A foreigner dares to come into this street? And now he would come in here? I warn you, pale haired one, before you get killed...turn back the way you came."

OOC: Anyone who knows who this char is based off gets a cookie. ((It is a character from a manga...I'm just tweaking him some.))

A lone man was leaning against a wall. He did not have on what looked to be a proper samurai 'outfit,' but he had a sword that was almost as long as he was tall, and all others gave him a wide berth. This man had hauntingly red eyes.

"A foreigner dares to come into this street? And now he would come in here? I warn you, pale haired one, before you get killed...turn back the way you came."

OOC: Anyone who knows who this char is based off gets a cookie. ((It is a character from a manga...I'm just tweaking him some.))



I do beleive that was Tolstoy wasn't it?

I do beleive that was Tolstoy wasn't it?
OOC: Nope. Sorry.

A lone man was leaning against a wall. He did not have on what looked to be a proper samurai 'outfit,' but he had a sword that was almost as long as he was tall, and all others gave him a wide berth. This man had hauntingly red eyes.

"A foreigner dares to come into this street? And now he would come in here? I warn you, pale haired one, before you get killed...turn back the way you came."

OOC: Anyone who knows who this char is based off gets a cookie. ((It is a character from a manga...I'm just tweaking him some.))

Cougar's eyes, as vivid a shade of white as the man's red eyes, matched them,"I have already died once... I cannot die twice."

Cougar's eyes, as vivid a shade of white as the man's red eyes, matched them,"I have already died once... I cannot die twice."
"Really? All I ever see of foreigners are people that die every time a challenge comes their way. Would you care to prove otherwise?"

"From your tone, I believe that it would happen regardless of my choice. I've come too far to go back"

The man laughed. "You would accept a challenge, even unarmed? Fool."

The man raised his sword, then started to charge Cougar, when another samurai blocked the blow.

"It is against our rules to attack an unarmed stranger...even if he has wandered too deep into our lair."

The man, who had dark hair with a hint of red, turned to Cougar, as the other man stood down temporarily.

"I am Daganira, and this is Takanome. Who are you, stranger, and what would you with us?"

"My name... my name is Cougar. That is the only name you might come to know me by, and I come here to be among like minded peoples. People who know what it is to fight by the sword, how it is an artform in itself"

"Then you come seeking an honorable opponent?"

"You could say that, yes"

"Then Takanome was the wrong one to challenge."

The one called Daganira turned to his compatriot.

"Lend him your sword. I will test him."

Takanome raise his eyebrows.

"Perfect...an honorable opponent that can beat the lot of us at once..." he laughs, tossing his katana (don't think that's quite the word for it, but w/e...) at Cougar.

Daganira makes a bow to Cougar, and then puts his left foot forward, with his right hand on his hilt. A battle stance.

"I never said I could beat you all... but if a test is required to prove my word, so be it"

Cougar caught the blade by the hilt, testing the weight. He raised his eyebrows as he felt how light it was. A tad heavier than his Gunblade, but then again, it was still the work of a master. He too took up a battle stance, his most comfortable position coming naturally. Weight on his back foot (right), his right hand on the handle, the left leg forward slightly.

D -- "Before we begin, Cougar...you are a married man, no?"

T -- *Muttered* "Not this again..."

"Your eyes serve you well. Yes, I am a married man... and let me make a guess. As I am married, this test will be non-fatal?"

"It would not be honorable to leave a foreign woman a widow."

So saying, he pushed his thumb against the guard of his katana, and drew the blade.

"Indeed, it would not"

Not to mention what Rhenna would do

He drew the blade, and tossed the scabbard to Takanome ("It is yours, I would feel best if you kept it"). He ran a thumb lightly along the blade, drawing a small line of blood. Smiling slightly, he readied himself... this was going to be difficult

Daganira stood still, yet easy...like a rock, and suddenly he was flying past Cougar, bringing around his blade (which oddly had the dull side up) to hit Cougar on the arm.

His blade was also raised enough to counter attacks that Cougar might make.

What speed... what power

Cougar blocked the attack by the merest hair of an inch, and forced his opponent away, backing off himself

Daganira sprang back, landing easily on his feet. He was rather short and wiry...rather a lightweight, it would seem...but that was easily not a problem for him.

He stood there, waiting for Cougar to attack.

Cougar moved left, right, then struck left once more. His blade came whistling through the air, aiming for the midriff of his oppenent. Obviously the strike was non-lethal, but still... this fight felt more real than others.

Daganira led in with his blade, smashing Cougar's aside, and speeding in. Sparks flew across the two blades.

At just the right moment, he turns slightly, smashing his shoulder into Cougar's sternum, and jumping back.

The blow sent him reeling, and he moved backwards, his sternum throbbing slightly. He had never underestimated this opponent... and it was a damn good thing he hadn't

T -- "Daganira is this city's finest swordsman. If you can lay a scratch on him with your blade...which is easier, since mine gives you superior reach...we will accept you in."

Cougar gave no sign he had heard the man, but merely continued to study his opponent. This was a good fight, and whilst his opponent had seemingly superior speed (or maybe it was an illusion, he wasn't sure), it was certainley true that he had superior reach with the blade

Daganira merely held out his sword, waiting for Cougar's next blow.

Cougar struck, not trying the same attack twice. He moved quickly, the blade becoming an extension of his arm. With one smooth motion, he moved round to the other side of Daganira, his tip extended just enough to nick the samurai's chest

D -- "Better."

The samurai had moved as Cougar had whirled around him, it taking less speed to move the same amount when one is the focal point. He deflected Cougar's blow, smashing the human's blade to the side, and charged in, leading with his blade.

His real intention was to slam Cougar with his foot.

((This is a kind of unorthodox style, lol.))

((So I gathered))

Cougar blocked the blade, saw the move to strike him with a kick, and countered with his own arm, taking the hit to allow him to grab the ankle. He twisted it quickly, shifting his own weight to send the samurai backwards, to the floor

The samurai used his own momentum to land on his feet, rather than his back, and skidded backwards along the street.

"This is indeed a worthy fight"

The glow had faded from Cougar's eyes, and had been replaced by the electric blue that normally sat there. He went back into a defensive position

"Indeed. I would call you samurai, if I had no knowledge that you were not."

Daganira stood up, coming forward slowly.

"I was raised and trained by many people... I suspect a samurai would have had something to do with me at some stage"

He hid the note of pride in his voice well. Inside, he was beaming. To be considered a samurai, or at least, the equal to one, was a mark of great honour and respect in this society. He also edged forward, his blade extended

Daganira stood, blade tip equal with blade tip...waiting...

Cougar stared at his opponent for a moment, before knocking the blade aside with his own, stepping in close, his elbow shooting up to strike his opponent's chest. As the blow landed, he spun, trying to get the blade to nick the samurai's midriff

Daganira stepped back, smashing his blade (sharp side the wrong way, remember), into the back of Cougar's head.

However...a thin tear was apparent in his hoari...and a line of blood showed.

Cougar felt the cold metal of the blade hit his head. He rolled, coming up crouched in the dirt.

T -- "Not bad."

D -- "Indeed. Come along...we'd like to hear of how you gained your skill in swordsmanship."

Cougar nodded, passed the katana back to it's owner, and followed them inside

Takanome takes his sword back, and Daganira enters the tea/sake place first, to explain Cougar's presence. Only a few words are needed...the evidence is there.

Cougar remained silent throughout. His eyes had regained the white tinge inherent with the White Flame, and he followed the others leads

S1 -- "So, Cougar...you were able to put a scratch on Daganira. Who trained you in swordsmanship?"

"I was trained by many people over the years... I couldn't say for certain who taught me in the ways of the sword"

S2 -- "Then tell us of some of your battles."

He smiled,"So be it... I will tell the tale of the Dragon King and his Undead Hordes, bolstered by hellspawn. It was my first battle alongside my friends, peoples of great power, all of them. The enemy numbered hundreds of thousands... we had prehaps five thousand all told. The battle was fought hard, hundreds dieing in the first moments of the battle. I still had my old blade then, a katana not dissimilar to the one I just used. With that blade, I struck down many people that day... and somehow, I survived to tell the tale"

S3 -- "And what honors did you claim for yourself that day?"

"I claimed none for myself, at least none intentionally. People say I fought an Arch Demon of Hell and defeated him... but I cannot remember it"

T -- "And what is the greatest enemy you've ever faced?"

"The greatest enemy I ever faced was Kaelis Ra... the Devil himself. That battle was one I shall never forget"

T -- "Well, let's hear of it."

"It was on a snowfield of the purest white... thousands on each side, and yet I had only one goal - to destroy this beast that had caused my then-friend, now-wife, to be severly injured. The field was stained with blood, crimson as far as the eye could see... in his chambers, I faced him, the demon that had threatened my home before, and been defeated... I continued to fight him when the walls were coming down around us... I was ready to sacrifice myself to rid the world of him"

D -- "And what became of the beast...and what of you? What scars do you bear of this battle?"

"The beast is locked away until my bloodline dies... and scars... I have too many to count"

He stood, and turned around, letting his upper half be exposed in the light. The scars could clearly be seen

They nodded, approvingly. With no scars, he'd have never been believed.

An older man stepped forward and took a seat. All of the younger samurai -- even the brash Takanome -- made room for him.

"Then tell me, Cougar...what is it that you, as a man, value? What is your code of ethics?"

"The innocent need to be protected... children especially. Too many children loose their innocence early, because they are exposed to the horrors of the world... I will protect anyone who needs it, regardless if they ask me or not"

"And why do you believe this?"

"My parents were murdered when I was six... I later found out that they were traitors... but regardless, I lost my innocence. I don't see the need for others to suffer as well"

"And why do you come to this planet? A married couple on vacation rarely separate so early, or to go to places that could potentially result in death. Why you, with the life you lead?"

"For all my life since the day my parents died, I have lived life on a knife edge. My wife and I both lead dangerous lives... we know the risks, we run them every day of our lives. When we married, each of us recognised that the other could get killed... we accept it as a normal danger."

"But why on vacation...unless, this is no vacation at all?"

"Vacations can mean different things to different people"

"But what are you doing here, on this planet, in this restraunt?"

He sighed, deciding truth was best,"I seek the Black Lady, to ask for her help, on behalf of a friend"

"It is not simple to get an audience with Lady Ninja. She won't see just anyone."

The elderly warrior gets up, and walks off. The younger warriors leave his place, though.

"But no other man has the Black Lotus flower in his possesion either"

T -- "Then you have a slightly better chance."

"Something tells me he does that to everyone who comes in here?"

A young samurai who had been sitting unnoticed by the door narrowed his eyes and left quietly as to be unnoticed.

Those who seek the attention of the Lady soon find it upon them...

Ooc: Tag

OOC: Do you actually intend to take part, or not? Seriously, get in now, because this thread moves quickly once we're all on

"Something tells me he does that to everyone who comes in here?"
D -- "Only to the younger ones...the ones who have just finished their training."

Cougar noticed the other samurai leave,"Something also tells me that news of me will be travelling to places outside here"

T -- "Him? A samurai bought off by Lady Ninja...her pet, really. The samurai keep order around here...but the ninja apparently rules. Not by the sword, not by an iron fist, but by veiled threats and subterfuge."

"Very much like a tyrant... a subtle one, but still one nonetheless"

S2 -- "The people are generally led to believe that the samurai are the tyrants. Makes it easier for her."

"Let me guess... people have tried, and also failed, to stop her?"

D -- "At times. The legends say that she is immortal...the child of a foreign god that lives forever and cannot be killed."

"Rest assured, the gods can die. If those who are meant to be immortal can die, then she definatley can. But that is not why I am here... I just seek her assitance for a friend"

S4 -- "You might find her...but first...sake!"

Cougar smiled,"Sake... it's been a while"

D -- "The local sake is good...but do not show Uchira's love of it."

"I don't show my liking for drink very often, if at all. Drink is good, but at the same time must be enjoyed in proportion."

S3 -- "No doubt something your wife insists upon."

"Yes, that is one reason... a very good reason actually. Getting on the wrong side of my wife is tantamount to having a death wish"

T -- "Yes...we've seen her. Dark skinned creature with scales."

D -- "She was speaking with Tsuzuki's daughter last I saw her...Tsuzuki is the elderly samurai."

"I'm sure she will have had much success in her ventures... she is a very clever woman... strong-willed"

T -- "You might want to see that your woman minds her place."

U -- "Indeed. A woman's place is in the home...she should have no dominion in other affairs."

"Your ways are different to ours. I will speak with her, see that she knows what you say... but woe betide those that cross her"

T -- "What sort of a woman is your wife?"

"How do you mean?"

T -- "What sort of woman would a warrior fear?"

"When your wife can do things that defy belief, and you have witnessed her do them on many occasions, you have a reason to fear them. However, I do not fear her... I respect her for who she is, and what she is. You have all seen beautiful things be deadly... a sword is a perfect example. My wife is like that"

The samurai easily slipped into the ancient castle.

"Your back from town early. Something Happen?" A voice asked with a slight purr.

"My lady, my Love, foreigners have come to town, looking for you." The samurai said.

"Really. Did you happen to hear why?" The same voice asked.

A woman dropped from an unknown heighth silently. She was clad entirely in black. The most noticible thing one could see, was her eyes, and how much they looked like a cat. The samurrai, Godo, by name, could not see her, for everything was the same shade of black, as were her clothes. It was awfully hard for anyone to find her.

"The man said that they were seeking your help for a friend. He also mentioned being the only one with the Black Lotus." Godo said.

Godo loved Lady Ninja deeply, and would do anything for her, if only she asked.

"The Black Lotus? But my Great-Grandmother gave that to The foreign God Warfare 180 years ago. Why is he using these two Mortals instead of just coming himself? He knows he can." Lady Ninja asked Godo.

Godo jumped at her sudden nearness.

"I, I do not know. He did not say." Godo said.

"Never mind. It does not matter." Lady Ninja said as she wrapped an arm around Godo.

"Did I do well my Lady, have I proved my loyalty enough to be your consort?" Godo asked.

"You have done very well. You will do well for my Line until Mau reincarnates." Lady Ninja said.

Godo smiled.

"Come, let us relocatee elsewhere. This town has grown too old, too fearful. I will ask all of my mothers if it is time to move the temple elsewhere in preperation for the time of darkness. You will also present yourself for their approval" Lady Ninja said. Suddenly, for Godo, the room gained Color, as Lady Ninja's ancestor's removed the blindness.

Lady pointed him to a very old door. Godo wandered through. She then sat down at a writing desk to write a message.

Rhenna, meanwhile, was listening to local tales...it was easier to learn if one had a respectable aquaintence...which she had managed to make.

Cougar spent time among the samurai, hearing stories of their battles, how they got their scars. In the back of his mind, something gradually began to grow... a feeling of acceptance. He didn't get it often... SHADOW had it, Rhenna had it, this place had it.

Around six fifteen, he rose to leave his new companions, telling them that he would return at some stage during his vacation. He set off for the hotel, knowing Rhenna would not be back until about seven in the evening. He lay back on the bed, looking at the ceiling. He thought about all that had happened today, and smiled slightly. He glanced over at the Black Lotus, sitting on a nearby table

Soon... very soon

Rhenna got back almost an hour after he did.

"Well, that took longer than absolutely necessary."

He smiled at her,"I heard you made a friend out of Tsuzuki's daughter... he interrogated me when I was inside"

"It's a well-respected family...having the right friends gets you places, here."

She went to change out of the kimono and back into normal clothes.

He'd already changed back into his normal clothing,"So it seems. I was lucky to win the bout, if I'm honest"

She comes back out and looks at him. "Well, other than that bruise on your neck, you don't seem to be too poorly off."

He touched the mark, the kiss of the blade,"Yes... that was the only real injury"

"So, care to tell me about it?"

She sits down on the bed, next to him.

He sat up, so that he was actually sitting as opposed to lying next to her,"It started badly, and got better as we went along. You were right, getting in is harder than staying there. Oh, and what was it they said... oh yes, that a woman's place is in the home, and no where else, and that I should be more firm with you."

He smiled wryly,"Of course, I told them that was difficult, as you were to be feared if I angered you"

"Well...the women I spoke with thought that the Drow system is much better...men can't mess things up if they aren't in charge."

She smiles. "Aside from that...I don't think I'll ever just stay at home. Granted, there's enough to do at home...but I have a job to do."

He put his arm round her,"I wouldn't ask you to stay home and not do your job anyway... for one thing, you'd refuse"

"Exactly. And since you know it, why bother arguing it?"

He laughed, kissing her cheek,"My point exactly"

"We still have a few days left. I don't think it very good of Warfare to leave Costh like that...we could have easily sent in Faris...or requested Iliyakim back from that training program."

"I'm going to the temple tomorrow, to drop off that flower. I want to get Costh out of there as soon as possible... Warfare should have not have got involved in this. God of War he may be, but he knows no subtle measures"

"Aside from that, Costh is your responsibility. Even though it was Warfare who wanted to send him in."

"It was either him or me... and I doubt this would go down very well if I were in his position"

"You being in his position, or staying here for seven days while you were tortured? No...neither would go down very well. I'd probably go in there after you, and his plans could fall apart."

He smiled,"You'd be the only one willing to do it, I think."

"Maybe, maybe not...but I am your wife, so I'd pretty much have to."

He kissed her cheek once more,"Thanks anyway"

BUmp, just so Kay remembers

OOC: *Throws things at you.*

IC:
He kissed her cheek once more,"Thanks anyway"

She lays down....she isn't physically tired, just mentally drained, and trying to sort through everything she'd heard that day.

OOC: *Cowers in fear from angry woman*

IC: He poured himself a drink, knocking it back quickly, letting her rest

"This Lady Ninja has more legend around her than Tellryon did."

"Care to share any of it?"

"There's one theory that says she's immortal. There's another that says the line passes on from mother to daughter. But both versions agree that the original Lady Ninja was the current one's ancestor, in some way. She went to Egypt, where Mau ((Warhaven, I need to get you a better set of names...)), son or brother of Bast, fel in love with her. However, gods can't marry mortals. He forsook his immortality to be with the one he loved...and this is sounding a lot like a Chinese myth I heard once..."

"It does sound very familar... although I doubt that anyone has all the facts. It's more likely that there is a fusion of the two"

"Or something else entirely."

He stopped for a moment, and smiled slightly,"You feel mentally exhausted... get some rest, we can talk tomorrow if you want"

"It's still early, yet."

"Do you want a drink, or something?"

He sat on the foot of the bed, looking along it's length at her

"We should go out and do something."

He nodded in agreement,"I chose last night, and considering you seem to have picked up the ideas of vacations, you can decide for tonight"

"We should go down to the river...it's supposed to be lovely at night...we might even meet a few of your new friends."

"That sounds like a great idea... one of the little tips your new friends slipped you I suppose?"

He stood up, stretched, and took his jacket down off the back of the door

She gets up after a minute, realizing how hesitant she'd been to move in the first place.

He'd watched her, and couldn't help laughing softly,"You were comfortable?"

"Somewhat."

He took her hand, and felt it warm up slightly in his grasp,"I didn't force you to move... don't worry, we'll be back later... then you can rest"

"Then we can both rest. I'm not the one who faced a samurai today."

"Either is good"

He led her from the hotel, down to the river. He stopped a moment, taking it all in,"You were right... it is beautiful"

Night. It held so many fears for those who were ignorant of its pleasures. The night gave freedom. The night gave joy. The night could hide those who wanted to remain hidden. Thus it was with the Black Lady, slipping from Rooftop to Rooftop. Making her way to the hotel.

She watched as the two, foreigners left. Good. Things were going in her favor.

She slipped in through the rooftop access, knowing how to pick each and every lock in town. The more to keep the townspepole in Check, of course. She made her way through the silent halls, and to their room. Number 1028. Yes, the lock was as she remembered.

She slipped in, keeping all light off, and layed a note sealed with her symbol, the Black lotus, on the table, next to the Black lotus.

Surely they plan on presenting it upon the front alter. she thought.



The First Note read:

"I hear you seek my abilities for a friend. I understand you have a black lotus that was given to the foreign god Warfare 180 years ago. Tell me, why did he send you two when he could have easily come himself? No matter, the gods are foolish anyway. Perhaps we would be better off without them.

I will await you in my Temple, when you are brave enough to venture where most fear to tread.

Yours,
The Black lady of the Temple, Lady Ninja."

"Yes, it is beautiful."

Rhenna walks with him for a few minutes. "She's in our room. Not surprising."

He looked back at her, his head moving from looking at the river and the path in front of him,"How do you know that?"

"Do you think I wasn't expecting something like this? Oh, don't worry...she can't get out...only people that I have approved coming in can get out...that's the nature of the spell. You...me...the hotel staff...but Lady Ninja...no. So we'll be meeting her sooner than anticipated."

OOC: And that is why you don't try and sneak into Rhenna's personal space!

OOC: NICE! I like that spell... must learn that one

IC: He laughed slightly,"Oh, that's a good one. I like that... just out of interest, how long does that spell take to learn?"

That would be so useful back at unit HQ... if only I knew it...

"You probably have to put about ten hours of work into it to perfect it. Maybe fifteen, at your level."

He nodded, adding five hours to that estimate, simply because of his own cynical nature. Looking around, he smiled,"We could afford to spend a while longer out here then, considering she's not going to be able to go anywhere"

"I think so...you might want to keep on the watch for one of your friends...I'm sure they'd enjoy talking with you again."

"I have been keeping an eye out... I haven't seen any of them along here. Samurai like to be in plain sight, so they would easily be spotted"

"The best ones, while men of pride, are not showy. So maybe one like Takanome might be spotted easily...but not ones like Daganira."

"Daganira... that was the one I somehow, I still don't know how, managed to win against earlier"

"I know more about these men than I care to from their wives. Apparently, it is an honor to be married to a samurai...even though your ability to act is fairly limited."

He nodded,"It was often that way in feudal society... the women, no matter how privileged, were expected to stay home.. and if they did leave, they were expected to have on vast amounts of make-up, wear specific clothes, and talk of their husband's and son's achievements... I don't like it either"

"Either that, or you spake of how hard it is to find a good kimono at a reasonable price, how greedy the rice merchants are becoming, or the latest scandal. Gossip..."

"Sounds like that area of conversation never changes. You can walk into a cafe in Snake Eaters, and I gurantee you that there will be some woman squawking about the price of certain items, or something along those lines"

"It's the same everywhere. Only, in the Underdark, you find that more in the males."

"Because women run the place? I can see that"

"Exactly."

From the other side of the river, a voice called out.

D -- "Cougar, why out this way so late?"

He smiled slightly, knowing what it was like to be ruled (at least partially) by women. As the voice called out, his recognition engram kicked in, taking only a thousandth (sp?) of a second to identify the voice,"We wanted to get some fresh air"

Daganira, who was walking alone that night, jumped lithely across the river, using a few natural obstructions (Like a rock...and a log...and a random thing...) to clear it.

"I do not blame you. I'd rather be getting home, myself, though."

"Why? Is there a problem?"

D -- "My wife can gossip for hours, Cougar. It might well be midnight before we get back. I thank whatever power there is that she only goes once a month. She knows that if she dosen't get out soon, though, there will be trouble at home."

"I feel sorry for you. Still, at least it's only once a month"

He pushed a thought to Rhenna as he was speaking: It's just to maintain appearances, and make it easier. You know I dislike the system

D -- "And this is the woman with so much power over you?"

"It's a mutual thing"

D -- "Howso?"

Rn -- "His society is patriarchial, but not so much as yours. Mine is matriarchial, almost as much as yours is patriarchial."

D -- "A society ruled by women?"

Rn -- "And it gets itself into a lot less trouble."

"Like I said, it's a weird life"

D -- "I fail to see the merits of women leading men."

Rn -- "Your wife saw them well enough."

Cougar, by now, could spot when trouble was brewing on the horizon,"In either case, there are pros and cons to having women solely in charge, or men solely in charge. I think we can agree on that much"

Daganira looked skeptical, but then spotted his wife across the bank. "I'll leave you now...enjoy your time here, Cougar." He hops back across, and starts heading back home.

He watched him go, and sighed,"Poor man... he'll have to get used to it. I know, I did"

The last part was delievered with a wry smile on his lips

"You can't say you haven't enjoyed it."

"I never said I hadn't"

"Where should we go next?"

He thought about this for a moment,"Y'know, I'm not sure... we have been here for a good two hours already"

"Maybe I should let Lady Ninja go, and we should head back."

He nodded,"We'll head up to the Temple in the morning anyway"

Lady Ninja would find herself outside the room and somewhat down the hall. She'd been given a warning...nothing more...this time...at least, that's the feeling she would get, as a pair of glowing dragon eyes faded from her line of view.

"Well...let's go."

He had his arm round her waist, and as such steered her back towards the hotel at a leisurely pace, not too fast, for they were not in a rush to get anywhere. After about fourty-five minutes, they arrived back, and went back to the room. The time was getting on for about ten pm, and as such, he decided a shower was needed.

She lets him go, and finds the note. Reading over it, she stretched out.

He emerged sometime later, his hair still wet, and his chin now devoid of the bristles it had grown over the past few days. He carried on drying his hair as he looked for whatever it was he was looking for,"Interesting reading?"

"Not really. Veiled threats and taunts, 'come get me if you dare'...the usual."

"I take it, from the tone of your voice, that these threats were very thinly-veiled?"

"Yes...but I don't find her anything to worry about."

He smiled, and lay down next to her,"You don't worry about much, I didn't expect you to worry about this"

She smiles, and kisses him. "I'm going to go clean up, and then join you. We'll get some sleep and head to that temple tomorrow."

He kissed her back, and watched her walk into the bathroom. He lay on his back, and looked up at the ceiling. He enjoyed being able to simply spend time with her, even if at the same time someone elses life hung in the balance... that weighed heavily on him.

Like any good commander, he had gone over his actions, trying to figure out where he had gone wrong. However, he'd finally reached the conclusion that no matter what he had done, Costh would still be in the same situation as he was at that moment. He shook himself, and rolled onto his side.

We never leave anyone behind...

She returns about twenty minutes later, and sits down next to him.

"Thinking about Costh?"

"Is it that obvious, even across the bond?"

She reaches out to run her fingers through his hair. "We'll get him back...one way or another."

"I just keep going over what happened in my head... wondering if there was something I could have done different"

"Once you sent him off...absolutely nothing. He was trying to do his job...and now we have to do ours."

"I know... doesn't mean I have to like it"

As he spoke, he relaxed slightly as her fingers ran through his hair, which was short once more, having had it cut recently

"He'll be fine...well...after a trip to Mithdelmar."

"We can only hope"

She leans down to kiss him. "Don't worry...even if this new variable brought in by Warfare doesn't work...we have other methods at our disposal."

He kissed her back, his fingers lacing with hers as he did so,"I know we do... we never leave a man behind"

"No." She lays down next to him. "Get some rest...and tomorrow, we move on with this far-fetched scheme of Warfare's."

He muttered something about it being too far fetched and inept gods, but otherwise turned to face her as she lay down, putting an arm round her

She smiles at him and kisses him once more before going to sleep.

He kissed her back, and lay there a few moments after she fell asleep before doing so himself. Just before he nodded off, he blinked, turning all the lights off with a single thought. He smiled in the darkness,"Nice"

OOC: *Awards SE the randomness prize*

IC:
At around two in the morning she sits straight up.

She stays where she is a moment, letting everything register. For a few moments...she had been back there.

It's over...long since...and it's not going to happen again...not here and now...and not while he's here.

She laid back down, closer to him. She pulled his arm around her, closer than before...unnecessary, it may have been...but it felt safer.

She laid her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat...a steady sound, and a comforting one, even when she wasn't agitated.

She laid there, and began to calm down.

OOC: *Accepts the randomness prize, grinning like a maniac... wait, he is*

IC: His subconisous mind woke up inside his head, and wondered what was going for a moment. It made his concious mind stay asleep, it needed it.

Oh no... they've happened again... it's been some time... let her be... she needs all the comfort she can get

She eventually drifts off to sleep...but it remains uneasy for a couple of hours.

His arm tightened round her slightly, a product of his subconcious doing it's best to prevent him waking up just yet... it could wait until later. He wasn't going anywhere.

He eventually woke up about seven, finding her pressed against him, her head on the right hand side of his chest, as if she were listening to his heartbeat. He knew something was wrong, but he didn't wake her

She woke up pretty shortly after, and shifted to look up at him. "Well, good morning."

"Morning to you as well," he said, concern etched on his features but not present in his voice

She kisses him. "What's wrong? Thinking about Costh again?"

He kissed her back,"It's not Costh that's worrying me right now"

"Then what?"

He looked at her,"It's you. Drop the act. Are you alright?"

She looked away for a moment. "Just a nightmare..."

He tilted her face to his,"I know... it's only a dream. Nothing is going to hurt you here"

She smiles slightly. "I know. I'm fine, really...something like that doesn't just go away, though."

He put both his arms around her,"I know... I'll be here, whenever you need me, you know that"

"Yes, I know. You don't have to worry about me, I promise."

"I'll worry regardless, but I'll try and avoid letting them into the open."

He kissed her softly, then got up and started getting ready for the trip to the temple

She kissed him back, then got up as well.

"Local clothes, or something more suited to the woods?"

"Something more suited to the woods, I'd think. Aside from that...do you have any idea how complex those kimonos are to put on?"

"Absolutley none whatsoever," he said, pulling on his normal clothes, although they were fresh ones. He went for a short sleeved shirt as opposed to his normal long sleeve, and the pants were a little more lightweight. However, his boots were exactly the same as usual

Rhenna dressed in normal clothes as well. "You ready?"

"As ready as I can be," he said, taking the Black Lotus from the bedside table,"Let's go"

She opens the door, and starts heading out.

He followed her, closing the door behind him

They walked through lush forests (http://www.earthlanguage.org/poem/0804Forest.jpg) for a couple of hours before reaching the temple (http://strickers.com/Images/fareast/r_156pe%20rick%20chin%20temple%201_5_lynn.jpg).

"Well, here we are...finally."

He looked up at the temple, sweating slightly,"It's marginally hotter in that forest than I bargined for... still, at least we're here"

"You okay?"

"Just give me a moment," he said, conjuring up a glass of water, drinking deeply from it, before destroying the glass again,"Alright, I'm fine now. We'll rest here for a bit... after we've finished buisness"

"Sounds like a plan. Let's go."

He nodded, noting how it was normally him who used that phrase. He smiled as he thought about this, and walked to the entrance. It was pitch black inside. He looked inside, straining to penetrate the darkness,"It's times like this, I wish I had your sort of vision"

"Well...maybe you could just give us some light."

He nodded, and extended a hand, letting a ball of Flame surround it, and stepping forward,"It helps some"

"Come on, then."

The Black Tower shall destroy you.

He stepped into the inky blackness,"We're looking for an altar of some sort, to leave this on"

"In the center."

The Black Tower shall destroy you.
You are a loser. Go home

"In the center."

He trode carefully, wary of traps. Eventually, he saw the altar ahead of him, and breathed a sigh of relief. He put the Black Lotus down on the pedestal, and backed away

"And that's that."

He sat down once he'd got out the temple, his back against the stonework,"Yes, it's done"

"Now the real work begins."

"Yes... but not right now"

"True. That bothers me, for some reason."

"I know the feeling... but we can't do anything about it"

"Well...true enough, for now."