NationStates Jolt Archive

He smiled, and lay down on the warm ground,"It may be rough, but it's warm"

"I think I'll just sit in this patch of sunlight."

"Why in that one over there, when I'm in one right here?"

"Because I was sitting here and you moved."

He smiled, and teleported over,"There. Much better now"

She smiles. "Comfortable?"

He looked up at her,"Yes. And yourself?"

"Pretty much so."

"At least we're both comfortable," he said, propping himself up on his elbows,"We should have brought lunch with us"

"That's easily enough changed, though."

"True I suppose," he smiled, looking around,"We could be in worse surroundings"

"Very true."

"It's a beautiful forest... much cooler than the rainforests I'm used to"

The shuttle churned up the grass on the ground as it landed, with the engines still producing there distinct roar the boarding ramp lowered and a lone figure descended from the shuttle. It then took off again and disappeared quickly over the horizon.

He surveyed his surroundings, "I am here to learn, here to live up to my potential." he muttered under his breath, somehow he knew someone would be listening.

"And a lot...stiller."

The shuttle churned up the grass on the ground as it landed, with the engines still producing there distinct roar the boarding ramp lowered and a lone figure descended from the shuttle. It then took off again and disappeared quickly over the horizon.

He surveyed his surroundings, "I am here to learn, here to live up to my potential." he muttered under his breathe, somehow he knew someone would be listening.

Eldrad looked up from his work, having returned to the Tower. A new one... I believe the others will have noticed him also

He left the book where it was, and went to meet this new magick user,"Greetings stranger, I am Eldrad, Physker of Snake Eaters. What is your name, and where do you hail from?"

"And a lot...stiller."
"Around this place... I'm not surprised. I haven't heard any sound from animals in some time"

"Around this place... I'm not surprised. I haven't heard any sound from animals in some time"
"And that's not a good thing. Forests with life make noise. Silent forests...either something bad is around, or no one lives here."

"And that's not a good thing. Forests with life make noise. Silent forests...either something bad is around, or no one lives here."

"In this case, I'm inclined to go with the first. Call it intuition... but I don't trust this Lady Ninja"

"In this case, I'm inclined to go with the first. Call it intuition... but I don't trust this Lady Ninja"
"We have no reason to, other than that the line owes Warfare a favor almost two hundred years old."

"We have no reason to, other than that the line owes Warfare a favor almost two hundred years old."

"We do have one advantage... well, moreso you have the advantage. This woman is not capable of magick... she relies on trickery to get her job done"

He left the book where it was, and went to meet this new magick user,"Greetings stranger, I am Eldrad, Physker of Snake Eaters. What is your name, and where do you hail from?"

"I am Seric, I hail.. hailed from the Commonwealth of Wintrees... I am no longer welcome there."

"I am Seric, I hail.. hailed from the Commonwealth of Wintrees... I am no longer welcome there."

"You have suffered exile? A sad case indeed. Come, have a drink and meet some of the others here... many are Kaymirilian mages of many skills"

"It will be made right in time... but in the meantime yes, a drink would be very agreeable."

"We do have one advantage... well, moreso you have the advantage. This woman is not capable of magick... she relies on trickery to get her job done"
"True."

"You have suffered exile? A sad case indeed. Come, have a drink and meet some of the others here... many are Kaymirilian mages of many skills"
There is a group of Drow standing in the entry room, wearing various colors of robe. Some are discussing types of magick, while a young pyromancer and a young hydromancer are involved in a (carefully supervised) duel. The pyromancer is soaking, and the hydromancer is somewhat singed.

"It will be made right in time... but in the meantime yes, a drink would be very agreeable."

"What would you like?" asked Eldrad, waving his hand slightly, a cup materialising in his hand

"True."


He smiled, which was accompained by the sound of his stomach rumbling. He grimaced slightly, and drank some more water, quelling the sound for the time being

He smiled, which was accompained by the sound of his stomach rumbling. He grimaced slightly, and drank some more water, quelling the sound for the time being
She grins. "You're hungry. What do you want for lunch?"

She grins. "You're hungry. What do you want for lunch?"

"Anything really... something fairly simple. Rice is good for lunch, I find"

"What would you like?" asked Eldrad, waving his hand slightly, a cup materialising in his hand

"What I would like? I would like for you to teach me how to do that... where did it come from?" he asked, opened eyed.

"What I would like? I would like for you to teach me how to do that... where did it come from?" he asked, opened eyed.
"What? This? It already existed... I just made the molecules come together in the right form. It's simple enough... but you'd be better going to the Kaymirilian's, unless you wield warp-spawned magick like myself"

"Anything really... something fairly simple. Rice is good for lunch, I find"
She conjures two bowls of rice, handing one to him.

"What I would like? I would like for you to teach me how to do that... where did it come from?" he asked, opened eyed.
An older Drow mage ((read: adult)) approached. "Conjuration is a simple form of magick. He merely took energy and forced it to become matter."

She conjures two bowls of rice, handing one to him.


He ate it carefully, taking care not to drop a single grain, and also eating fairly slowly to avoid developing indigestion

"warp-spawned?" Seric asked before turning to the drow, "can more complex creations be produced?"

"warp-spawned?" Seric asked before turning to the drow, "can more complex creations be produced?"

Eldrad sighed, and let a burst of pure energy come close to the newcomer's head,"That is warp-spawned, drawing on the power of the Immaterium and using it my advantage in the material world"

He ate it carefully, taking care not to drop a single grain, and also eating fairly slowly to avoid developing indigestion
She eats too, then lays back, her head resting on his stomach.

"warp-spawned?" Seric asked before turning to the drow, "can more complex creations be produced?"
"Much more complex items can be created. All it takes is visualization and energy."

So saying, he raises his hands and produces a little ball of energy. It took form and gained reality, until a live mouse sat in his hand.

She eats too, then lays back, her head resting on his stomach.


He put his hands on her shoulders, rubbing softly as she lay there

He put his hands on her shoulders, rubbing softly as she lay there
Her eyes close halfway. "This is pleasant."

Eldrad sighed, and let a burst of pure energy come close to the newcomer's head,"That is warp-spawned, drawing on the power of the Immaterium and using it my advantage in the material world"

Seric stumbled back, before regaining his composure, "Marvelous! How may I learn... when will we start?"

He looked over to the dow, "Its all so overwhelming, I never knew power such as this existed."

Seric stumbled back, before regaining his composure, "Marvelous! How may I learn... when will we start?"

He looked over to the drow, "Its all so overwhelming, I never knew power such as this existed."
"Do you wish to see power, dalhar? Then watch them." He tilted his head toward the sparring pyromancer and hydromancer.

Her eyes close halfway. "This is pleasant."
"And relaxing as well, judging by your eyes"


Seric stumbled back, before regaining his composure, "Marvelous! How may I learn... when will we start?"

He looked over to the dow, "Its all so overwhelming, I never knew power such as this existed."

"Unfortunatley, this form of magick is only avliable to those bearing a specific mutation in their genes. However, I am willing to help you with your studies in other forms as best I can"

OOC: You've made a good impression, keep it up. I like you

"And relaxing as well, judging by your eyes"
"Very much so. But then...you knew that."

"Very much so. But then...you knew that."

He smiled, magickally kissing her forehead,"Perhaps I did"

"Unfortunatley, this form of magick is only avliable to those bearing a specific mutation in their genes. However, I am willing to help you with your studies in other forms as best I can"

Turning to watch the duel, Seric replied "I would like that very much."

Turning to watch the duel, Seric replied "I would like that very much."

"This should prove to be an interesting bout. The student in red is a Pyromancer, whilst the one in blue is a Hydromancer. They are young by Drow standards... but they are skilled. All Kaymirilian mages are... they deserve the reputation they have garnered"

He smiled, magickally kissing her forehead,"Perhaps I did"
"I understand a Flame kiss when I'm on the other side of the room...but I'm right here at the moment."

Turning to watch the duel, Seric replied "I would like that very much."
There was a mage robed in red that had fireballs in his hands. Tiny flames licked up his sleeves, but didn't burn them.

The blue robed mage was standing knee-deep in the fountain, and it surged as she called it forward for her next attack.

The mages shot off their attacks at the same time. As neither was more powerful, they cancelled each other out in a burst of steam.

"I understand a Flame kiss when I'm on the other side of the room...but I'm right here at the moment."

He laughed slightly,"Rhenna, are you pouting?"

"This should prove to be an interesting bout. The student in red is a Pyromancer, whilst the one in blue is a Hydromancer. They are young by Drow standards... but they are skilled. All Kaymirilian mages are... they deserve the reputation they have garnered"

"Did this power originate from the Kaymirilian?"

He laughed slightly,"Rhenna, are you pouting?"
"A Velkyn does not pout, for there is no need to pout. She has the power to change that which she doesn't approve of."

"Did this power originate from the Kaymirilian?"
"Can you rephrase that question?"

"Did this power originate from the Kaymirilian?"

"What, mine? Or the one you just saw? The creation of objects out of thin air is a concept shared by all magickal practictioners. Mine is different to theres in form and style. They use different methods to myself... in some areas they are more effective, in some, I am the better man. But it is neither here nor there... magick is constant, neither good nor evil... it's what you do with the magick that makes it evil"

"A Velkyn does not pout, for there is no need to pout. She has the power to change that which she doesn't approve of."

He thought about this,"Very true."

He continued to rub her shoulders, and bent down to kiss her, his lips brushing against hers softly

"Can you rephrase that question?"

"Everything must come from somewhere. I only wonder who discovered it first... and how they 'tamed' it, for want of a better word..." he looked down at his feet. "You must forgive me, I've never seen anything such as this, I only came to know of this school a few months ago."

He thought about this,"Very true."

He continued to rub her shoulders, and bent down to kiss her, his lips brushing against hers softly
She kissed him back, just as softly. "There, see? That's a better kiss."

"Everything must come from somewhere. I only wonder who discovered it first... and how they 'tamed' it, for want of a better word..." he looked down at his feet. "You must forgive me, I've never seen anything such as this, I only came to know of this school a few months ago."
"As far as we know, there have always been creatures that could utilize magick. We merely find our children with the strong potential for magick, and shape them into mages."

She kissed him back, just as softly. "There, see? That's a better kiss."

He smiled,"The one you prefer obviously"

He smiled,"The one you prefer obviously"
"You can't say you don't prefer it as well."

"You can't say you don't prefer it as well."

He smiled, his hands still rubbing her shoulders, but not so much simply rubbing as massaging the muscles around that area, and the neck,"I can't say I don't... it's much better"

He smiled, his hands still rubbing her shoulders, but not so much simply rubbing as massaging the muscles around that area, and the neck,"I can't say I don't... it's much better"
She smiles. "It's good to be able to be here...we don't get time like this often."

"As far as we know, there have always been creatures that could utilize magick. We merely find our children with the strong potential for magick, and shape them into mages."

"An ancient tradition indeed.. and to think my people knew nothing of this... something so powerful that one man maybe empowered with the might of a God..." still looking at his feet. "I am not long for this place, what can be taught in the short time I have here?"

She smiles. "It's good to be able to be here...we don't get time like this often."

Cougar glanced around,"Gypsy also lended a hand... she adjusted Renor's fate... he must have been in a good mood when he said yes to us going away... but who's complaining?"

"An ancient tradition indeed.. and to think my people knew nothing of this... something so powerful that one man maybe empowered with the might of a God..." still looking at his feet. "I am not long for this place, what can be taught in the short time I have here?"

"We are not Gods... the Gods are far more powerful. I could even introduce you to one, if you care to meet him... and why are you not long?"

"We are not Gods... the Gods are far more powerful. I could even introduce you to one, if you care to meet him... and why are you not long?"

"I'm a Traveler, by nature and by necessity... and a traveler must travel to call himself one and be true to his word." he looked up and smiled, "You say you know a God?"

"An ancient tradition indeed.. and to think my people knew nothing of this... something so powerful that one man maybe empowered with the might of a God..." still looking at his feet. "I am not long for this place, what can be taught in the short time I have here?"
"What you can be taught depends on your potential to learn magick, your potential to perform it, and your willingness and ambition to learn."

The mage then shook his head.

"We do not have the power of gods, merely the power of life."

Cougar glanced around,"Gypsy also lended a hand... she adjusted Renor's fate... he must have been in a good mood when he said yes to us going away... but who's complaining?"
"She shouldn't have just adjusted his fate. He might have let us go anyway."

"I'm a Traveler, by nature and by necessity... and a traveler must travel to call himself one and be true to his word." he looked up and smiled, "You say you know a God?"

Eldrad smiled,"Yes, I know three as a matter of fact. Leviathan!"

There was brief rushing of air, as if it had all been sucked away, before it all returned. Standing there was a man, glowing with unearthly powers. His black hair was long, well groomed and matched his black armour and the fires that rippled round his form,"You called, loyal follower, and as I promised, I have come to you"

E -- "You do not look well"

L -- "I'm not feeling well, that's why... oh hello, who is this newcomer?"

"She shouldn't have just adjusted his fate. He might have let us go anyway."
"No one is any the wiser, except you, me and of course Gypsy herself"

Eldrad smiled,"Yes, I know three as a matter of fact. Leviathan!"

There was brief rushing of air, as if it had all been sucked away, before it all returned. Standing there was a man, glowing with unearthly powers. His black hair was long, well groomed and matched his black armour and the fires that rippled round his form,"You called, loyal follower, and as I promised, I have come to you"

E -- "You do not look well"

L -- "I'm not feeling well, that's why... oh hello, who is this newcomer?"


"Greetings... my Lord?" replied Seric, almost taking the sudden appearance of the man in his stride, "I am Seric."

"Greetings... my Lord?" replied Seric, almost taking the sudden appearance of the man in his stride, "I am Seric."

"Drop the Lord part of that sentence, and you're well on your way with me," said Leviathan,"Seric, hm? Interesting name"

Leviathan was truly a godly figure, but he gave the impression that he was very laid back for any god. His figure bore tell to his domain of War... but also his face was trustworthy, speaking of Peace. Finally, his inner calm and the way it permeated others revealed his Psi.

"As you may have gathered, this is Leviathan. Patron God of Snake Eaters... and a complete oddity among the gods, being the only one to wield domains of Peace and War at the same time," said Eldrad, shaking his head slightly

L -- "Nothing wrong with being slightly odd... makes me unique. Look at Cougar"

E -- "Yes, but the Colonel is mortal, don't forget."

L -- "Big deal... Neo Cougar was an interesting being, I'd like to do that again"

E -- "I'm sure James' Velkyn wife wouldn't want you to"

Leviathan just rolled his eyes at Eldrad, and turned back to Seric,"Do you doubt that I am what I say I am?"

,"Do you doubt that I am what I say I am?"

"Yesterday, yes I believe I would have, but today, after all I have seen in such a short period of time... all which I could have never dreamed I'd see in a hundred life times... No... I believe only a God is capable of such an entrance and such humility at the same time."

"Yesterday, yes I believe I would have, but today, after all I have seen in such a short period of time... all which I could have never dreamed I'd see in a hundred life times... No... I believe only a God is capable of such an entrance and such humility at the same time."

"Actually, that was simply because I was sleeping when he called me, and I couldn't really be bothered with a grand entrance"

Seric smiled, "Very good... I find it incredible that you would appear for us. I had always assumed Gods were a myth, even after I learnt of this place. However I see my error now... may I ask, what you do?"

"No one is any the wiser, except you, me and of course Gypsy herself"
"True. But Renor'd better never find out, or he'd have a bone or two to pick with Gypsy."

Seric smiled, "Very good... I find it incredible that you would appear for us. I had always assumed Gods were a myth, even after I learnt of this place. However I see my error now... may I ask, what you do?"

Leviathan considered the question for a moment,"Well... most of my time is spent watching over Snake Eaters' and protecting them as best I can from here, without directly interfereing, for Gods are prohibited from doing so. In my spare time, I mix drinks... renowed across Paradise for it... and also just seeing my friends. I will appear for a select few mortals... Eldrad here is one of them"

"True. But Renor'd better never find out, or he'd have a bone or two to pick with Gypsy."

"I'm sure he would, but as we both know, we're fairly adept at keeping secrets. I think we can keep one more"

"I'm sure he would, but as we both know, we're fairly adept at keeping secrets. I think we can keep one more"
"But only if he doesn't ask."

"But only if he doesn't ask."

"I don't think he's going to ask"

Leviathan considered the question for a moment,"Well... most of my time is spent watching over Snake Eaters' and protecting them as best I can from here, without directly interfereing, for Gods are prohibited from doing so. In my spare time, I mix drinks... renowed across Paradise for it... and also just seeing my friends. I will appear for a select few mortals... Eldrad here is one of them"

"across Paradise, so there are more of you? May they appear here also?"

A noise bleeped in Seric's pocket and he reached for it.

"across Paradise, so there are more of you? May they appear here also?"

A noise bleeped in Seric's pocket and he reached for it.

Eldrad tensed up slightly at the noise, almost reaching for the shruiken pistol he carried.

L -- "Yes, there are many of us. Some of us are more powerful than others... I am about the mid-range power level for a god"

"I don't think he's going to ask"
"Probably not. But if he does, he's the one being I can't lie to."

"Probably not. But if he does, he's the one being I can't lie to."

"I wouldn't want to lie to him... and also, I feel as if I cannot."

"I wouldn't want to lie to him... and also, I feel as if I cannot."
"It isn't wise. You don't last so long in that position without being able to tell who's lying to you."

"It isn't wise. You don't last so long in that position without being able to tell who's lying to you."

"I do not see the need to lie to him... it breeds distrust"

Eldrad tensed up slightly at the noise, almost reaching for the shruiken pistol he carried.

Seric noticed Eldrad sudden movement.

"Don't worry, its only a com-link," he said removing it from his pocket and activating it, producing a small hologram.

"The shuttle has returned safely and we are in orbit of the moon, my lord."
"Thank you Commander." replied Seric before he turned off the com-link," he turned to Eldrad, "My ship, in orbit..."

He put the com-link away. "You were saying that there are more powerful Gods out there? Who?"

Seric noticed Eldrad sudden movement.

"Don't worry, its only a com-link," he said removing it from his pocket and activating it, producing a small hologram.

"The shuttle has returned safely and we are in orbit of the moon, my lord."
"Thank you Commander." replied Seric before he turned off the com-link," he turned to Eldrad, "My ship, in orbit..."

He put the com-link away. "You were saying that there are more powerful Gods out there? Who?"

L -- "Warfare is one... he is the god of Warhaven... and BelDragos, the strongest one you can meet, part of the Multiverse itself"

"I do not see the need to lie to him... it breeds distrust"
"Exactly."

"Exactly."

"In any case, it is not yet an issue. We're here, in this disturbingly quiet forest, very comfortable"

"In any case, it is not yet an issue. We're here, in this disturbingly quiet forest, very comfortable"
"Kind of contradicts."

L -- "Warfare is one... he is the god of Warhaven... and BelDragos, the strongest one you can meet, part of the Multiverse itself"

"Incredible," he turned to Eldrad, "when may we start?"

"Kind of contradicts."
He laughed,"Ah well, contradiction can be a good thing"

"Incredible," he turned to Eldrad, "when may we start?"

Eldrad removed his hand from the hilt of his pistol,"DOn't ask me, ask the Kaymirilian mages, they are better teachers than I"

Eldrad removed his hand from the hilt of his pistol,"DOn't ask me, ask the Kaymirilian mages, they are better teachers than I"

"I was under the impression you would teach me. surely being able to summon a God is Wisdom enough... that being a good teacher is Childs play."

"I was under the impression you would teach me. surely being able to summon a God is Wisdom enough... that being a good teacher is Childs play."

"I can help you... but not teach, as my magicks are difficult to learn without the mutation in your genes"

"I can help you... but not teach, as my magicks are difficult to learn without the mutation in your genes"

"I see, thank you." Seric bowed before Eldrad, "then I will take my leave for the night. I must sleep."

He laughed,"Ah well, contradiction can be a good thing"

"True...but we'd better be getting back."

"True...but we'd better be getting back."

"Shame... I was really comfy here"

"Yes, I know." She kisses him, then stands up.

"Yes, I know." She kisses him, then stands up.
He kissed her back, and stood up, his hands now free of the Black Lotus plant. He finished off his water, and then eliminated the glass to avoid leaving debris

"I see, thank you." Seric bowed before Eldrad, "then I will take my leave for the night. I must sleep."

Eldrad nodded,"Good night, my friend"

He kissed her back, and stood up, his hands now free of the Black Lotus plant. He finished off his water, and then eliminated the glass to avoid leaving debris
"Well, let's get going."

"Well, let's get going."

He nodded, and began to set off for the town, another few hours walk away. However, the sun had dropped, and the temperature was cooler

She walked, not enjoying how cool it was. She would have to conjure a sweater or something before her lowering body-heat forced her to slow.

A very strong feeling of being watched would be felt by both of them, almost as if someone was walking right behind them, yet, no one was there, right?

Wrong, for a previous Lady Ninja decided to follow them to the edge of the forest, as far as they could go without vanishing to the afterlife.

Her sole purpose, was to study them. Perhaps, perhaps these were two people that couldn't be controlled through fear. Of course, Lady Ninja did let them think she was trapped. The previous ones protected her from Magick, were her strength in that area. Thus it was, that Rhenna and Cougar, were followed by a ghost.

Rhenna let the ghost tail them...although as they were leaving her territory, a glowing pair of dragon eyes, watching her, appeared behind them.

Dragon magick doesn't scare me. You cannot harm that which is dead, and doesn't desire to attack. Such spells don't exist.

The ghost was wrong of course, but they never left the forest to explore the outside world, for the previous Death promised to force them to the afterlife, if they left the forest, and stopped protecting whomever was the current living Lady Ninja.

But still the eyes hung eerily, before gradually fading.

It was before either Rhenna or Cougar would be waking up on the sixth day.

Lady Ninja walked out as bold as brass through the city. She wore a Katana on her back, hood covering her face. This happened rarly. The Hotel readied a pair of coffins, for The Death mark stood upon Rhenna and Cougar's door.

"RHENNA AND JAMES COUGAR, YOUR TIME IS NOW. cOME AND GET ME, OR GO AWAY AND NEVER RETURN TO THIS PLACE." She yelled. She faded away, returning to her Temple. They had been called out. Her mothers (Dead ancestors) had assured her it was five minuets before either would wake up.

http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/travel/himeji_castle.html
OOC: Lady Ninja's "Temple"

...But they hadn't factored in Rhenna's hearing. Heck, it even activated Cougar's Callipsan Node.

OOC: Sorry, SE...I'm gonna take you over a bit. Don't get mad.

IC:
Rn -- "Do you think she could get any more redundant?"

C -- "Probably not. But it sounds like time to get up."

Rn -- "It's dawn...doesn't she have any sort of decency?"

Cougar looked down at his wife and smiled. "Comfortable?"

Rn -- "What do you think?"

He laughed and kissed her. "Come on."

The two got up and readied themselves.

Rn -- *seeing the mark on the door* "Now, that just descends into the melodramatic."

They stepped out of the hotel, aware of the natives' stares. Takanome was waiting for them.

T -- "Cougar...the Dark Lady marked you for death."

C -- "I'm aware of that."

T -- "You've faced worse...but you'll need a katana. Take mine...but I'll want it back."

The samurai grins fiercly as he offers the blade.

Cougar slowly took it, feeling its weight in his hand. So familiar...an old sensation...a wonderful one. At the same time, he realized just how serious this was.

"Thank you, Takanome. I will return this to you."

So saying, he looked at Rhenna, who nodded, and they began the walk to the Temple.

Rn -- "Enough of this walking. We'll take D'anthe once we've cleared the city."

C -- "Sounds like a plan."

They walked until they hit the edge of the forest, then flew the rest of the way, landing neatly at the Temple.

C -- *Igniting* "YOU BELLOWED?"

The door swings silently open. All is the EXACT same shade of Black within...

"Come and get me, if you Dare." Her voice said from somewhere, whilst Purring.

Rhenna lets herself shift shape.

"Here, kitty kitty kitty...my kind eats your kind for breakfast..."

The two enter, ready for anything...and waiting. Cougar's flame lit the room surprisingly well...he'd gotten more powerful.

Everything's still the same shade of Black. Rhenna can feel a very ancient spell upon the inside, but perhaps there was a way around it, without her powers...

"So, Why did Warfare send you two, when he could have gotten me within five minuets himself? Has he gotten Fat and Lazy in his Old age?" She asks from one place, then another. The walls reflected her voice, making her sound like she was coming from at least nine diffrent directions.

C -- "He thought we could do with a change of scenery. It gets dull, fight after fight."

Rn -- "Do you have any idea just how obvious the heat trail you're leaving is?"

"Mothers, would you mind?" Lady Ninja asked. Suddenly, The trail split off into 178 diffrent Lady Ninja's. Each one going a diffrent direction. The heat diffused into a regular 70 degrees in every direction, no matter where Rhenna looked.

"Did you have anything else in mind, Miss Dragon?" Lady ninja asked from four diffrent directions at once.

Rn -- "Easily. James, dear...how about a little...light."

The White Flame rippled and roared, lighting up the room.

It was easier to see Lady Ninja. Infact, they could see her, and all 177 ancestors scattered all about.

They all converged at one point infront of Rhenna and Cougar.

"Cheater." She muttered.

She walked off to a Tea Room.

"Well, come on. Normally, a fight to near death would ensue, but it was promised, that the bearer of that Lotus would not be harmed." Lady Ninja said..

Rhenna assumed a normal form, and Cougar let the Flame dim down so that it was just enough to see by.

They then followed Lady Ninja.

The Temple was lit well enough by Candles and electric lighting all throughout the Temple.

She sat down next to a steaming hot kettle of fine Green tea, and three Tea cups.

"Tea?" She offered.

Then she go more serious.

"Alright, lets get down to business. Why do you really want me? Surely you two are powerful enough to take care of any problems you might have on your own." She said.

Rn -- "Ever heard of Kajeenith?"

"My Blade thirsts for his Blood. His Cults overpowered on of my mothers, and sacrificed her to Him. My mothers say, he has returned. Why still do you seek my powers? Revenge? Did he take a fimily member? Did he force into service someone you knew, someone you cared about? Maybe he just wants to take your lands, and you want him asassinated, to, kill him for awhile, until he returns to Plague Our sons and daughters?" She asked.

C -- "He captured a Rune Mage called Costh...a junior member of the Mage Forces, and under my command...and he's been torturing him for the past week. We simply need Costh back with his heart still beating. Beyond that, our medics can take care of him."

Rhenna casts an illusionary image of Costh. "This man...although he may temporarily be without the runes...*the images alters* and he may look more like this *image alters again...gory*"

Rn -- "In all honesty, neither of us liked leaving him there that long when Kaymiril has forces they can send in. But we're here now...and your line owes Warfare a favor. Why he's calling it in now, and for this, I don't know."

"I think I, Understand. Now, where, is he?" Lady Ninja asked.

C -- "On a world called Kamigawa."

Rn -- "Find the biggest, ugliest temple there, and go to the center of it. That should be about where you'll find him."

"Kamigawa, the world of the Spirits? I know how to get there, but I didn't think he would go there. Oh well." She said. She got up, and walked away for a few seconds. Rhenna and Cougar's vision blurred, and suddenly they felt the ancient spell lifted from them. The Black Shades drained away from the walls. Everything was in, Color.

"My mothers have accepted you, as, at least trustable. Whether you care to wait her until I return, or choose to return to your own world, I don't care, stay here in town longer if you care, its up to you. I, shall return." Lady Ninja said.

With that, She, disappeared.

**********************Kamigawa.*****************************
Lady Ninja appeared outside of a forest on Kamigawa. She saw a Large Arena nearby, the same that Costh was in.

She threw a potion on the ground, and disappeared in a puff of smoke to the top of the arena.

She saw Costh trapped in the Arena. Kajeenith was over him, ready to sacrifice him to the Darkness.

"Mothers, Tackle him! He was the one who caused our Line to be killed needlessly." 177 dead Lady ninja's attacked the Dark God.

Kajeenith didn't have time to speak, he was taken by surprise.

Lady Ninja, (Living) dashed for Costh and grabbed him. She noticed several broken bones. She dashed away to the top of the Arena, and jumped off the top. The dead Lady Ninja's followed, and she reappeared back in her Temple. She layed the Blooded and broken man on the Table, infront of Rhenna and Cougar.

"Tell Warfare my Debt is payed, and I expect himt o deliver on his end of the Bargain." She said.

She faded away, as did the Temple. Niether actually existed in the first place, and were not but tricks of long dead spirits. The only thing that remained, were the Table and chairs the three living persons were on. Not even the town was there, though the samurai's sword still existed. Obviously, Warfare didn't tell them everything. Rhenna and Cougar's stuff lay neatly packed next to them.

"It was all... an illusion? Everything we saw, everything we ate and drank? Incredible..."

He moved over to Costh, performing extremely quick triage,"He's alright... stable at the moment, but we've got to get him back to Mithdelmar sharpish, or he won't survive the night"

"Can you get everything back to Rendelmar?"

He looked around,"Not with too much trouble. I can do it in a single trip*kisses her*I'll see you later"

He picked up the bags, strapped the katana to his waist, and then flared as he dissapeared from view. She would sense that he had made it back safely

Rhenna levitated Costh carefully from the table.

She teleported them both to Mithdelmar, and sent out an emergency call for Mith, who arrives roughly thirty seconds later.

M -- "This is lovely. Not as bad as you, but pretty bad, nonetheless."

He grabs some mages and takes him back...to begin extensive work.

Which will be followed by some weeks of bedrest...and physical therapy.

Cougar had unpacked all their stuff, making sure it was exactly where it had started. He sighed at the weaponry in his wardrobe. A Gunblade, an assualt rifle... pistols, and now a new katana. His load-bearing harness and bergen were stashed at the bottom, packed to leave at a moment's notice. He could see that this was the way it was meant to be. Instead of waiting for Rhenna, who he knew could be some time, he grabbed his assualt rifle, checking the action before going to the shooting range.

The door melted away before him, and he found the ammunition he needed. For an hour or so, he practised his marksmanship.

Rhenna actually didn't return straight to Rendelmar. She went to the Council and placed a note in Warfare's office.

Lady Ninja reminds you that you have a part of the bargain to uphold.

He would still be on the range. He was now in the prone position, his body seemingly molded to the floor, his hands steady

She then goes back to Rendelmar. She knew where Cougar was, but he would be there a while. He was having fun, in his own manner.

"Well, D'anthe...we're home."

"Kaw."

The sound of a bolt clicking without hitting the firing pin of a round is a sound every solider dreads in his heart. In this case however, it was not fear, but relief. Cougar sat up, detaching the now empty magazine from the weapon, and placing it back in the rack. He slung the weapon over his shoulder, and walked through the halls of Rendelmar back towards the room

Rhenna is sitting on the bed by this point, going over a week's worth of work.

...

Starting would be a better term.

He came in, and saw her working. He nodded, and moved as quietly as he could, which even to a Drow, was extremely quiet. He placed the weapon back into his wardrobe, and made sure it was secure, before sitting on the bed himself

"And it was all an illusion...literally, a ghost town."

He looked up,"Yes... it was. All, apparantly, except this blade"

"No...the things we bought remain, too."

"It's weird... did you have an inkling that it was all false?"

"I probably would have...but the people acted real...alive...and I never bothered to suspect that the entire place was a metaphysical trick. Around the Temple...but there were so many things I never bothered to question the reality of."

"It's just weird... I'm not used to things being... and then not being anymore"

"I know the feeling. Eerie."

"You're the last person I would have expected to find it eerie"

"When you see a bustling city with thousands of lives there...and then gone...objects have no permanency, but people...there, then gone?"

"I know... it's not right, is it? We got to know these 'people'... to find out that our accomplishments in finding things out, all our efforts, amounted to merely talking to illusions, is what could best be termed as let-down"

"Well...no...I think we finally let them find their peace."

"You think that they only existed because of what happened to the orginal Lady Ninja?"

"No. I think they existed because of what happened to the last Lady Ninja...and the town. I think it was destroyed...by Kajeenith. Or by his power, one of the two. They were slaughtered...but they still owed Warfare something, from 180 years before the attack. So they stayed there...their souls...stuck in time, and were bound to stay until the oath was fulfilled."

"A terrible way to exist... neither truly living... nor truly dead"

"It's done now, though."

"Yes... all that can be done is done. Costh is safely with Mith... and we're home."

"And this has been one interesting vacation."

"It's not one I'll forget in a hurry," he said, smiling slightly

"Warfare will have many questions to answer whe next we see him...but Mith said that we should be able to see Costh in another two days."

"I'm going to let him get back on his feet before I debrief him... but yes, Warfare decieved us as well... this puts him in a whole new light to me"

"I wonder if deception is part of his nature, or if it merely slipped his mind...or if he doesn't believe mortals are trustworthy creatures."

"In any case... this is a turn of events that is troubling. Warfare has never decieved us before, at least not that we know. Arianna, however, is more trustworthy... as is Leviathan. I may talk with him about this"

A note would arrive maybe three hours after Rhenna returned, sitting neat as you please on heir bedside Table.

I know I decieved you. I know there are things I did not tell you. But I prefered that you came back alive, instead of joining the ranks of the dead. The whole reason I sent you two to the Dead city, was to allow it to finally rest. The items you may or may not have gained, are yours forever, as thanks from the dead. Lady Ninja had a huge Bloodlust for Kajeenith, and was able to do more Damage to him, than either of you could have possibly done. Don't get me wrong, your both really good, and could have gotten Costh easily, but the vast amount of souls he has taken, are now gone. Whatever he was building up to, has been defeated. Thus, Four birds were killed with one well aimed stone. The fourth being you two getting a vacation you two surely needed.

Once again, I know i didn't tell you everything, and I'm sorry, but it was all for the best.

-Warfare

Cougar, who was working on something sent to him by the Government, read this letter, scorn on his face. He passed it to Rhenna, speaking more to himself than to her,"Bollocks to him. He could have told us what was going on, made it a hell of a lot easier to get the job done and still have the vacation. This just shows how little he knows of operations... if you hold anything back, you don't have the trust, and in turn the respect, of the men under your command."

His face softened slightly,"He was right on two counts though. At least now, Kajeenith has been stopped, at least for the moment... and we got a vacation that we needed"

"Warfare needs to speak with his mother about his people skills...and with Renor about how to get your people back safely. We did need a vacation...but so did everyone else."

"Warfare needs to get his head sorted... this Kajeenith buisness is hanging over us all"

"Yes...but right now, I have work to get done, and it's getting late...so you might want to get some sleep before Vedt's class in the morning."

He smiled, and kissed her,"Alright, but don't stay up all night working. Everyone has to sleep sometime"

"I won't." She kisses him back.

He smiled,"I hope not"

He rolled onto his side, and was asleep fairly quickly

She kept working for several hours, but eventually decided to get some sleep.

She cuddled close to Cougar, letting her head rest against his shoulder.

Not even two hours later, she woke up.

It had been the same dream again...but worse....it had shown the child growing up...going on to be great.

She sat back up, pulling her work back to her.

It would only be three more months now...

As she sat up and pulled her work over, he woke up as well, and rolled over,"Another one, right?"

"Yes...another one."

He sat up, and put his arm round her shoulders for a moment. He didn't say anything, as he knew she wouldn't talk about it. That was fine with him

"It wouldn't be long now, James...Just a few more months."

Her words surprised him. He'd been thinking about this himself at times, seemingly counting down the days until it would have been born. He gripped her a little tighter,"I know, dear... I know"

She grips his hand. "I know it's been hard for you, too."

He looked at her,"Not half as hard as it's been for you"

"It's been slightly easier since you've stayed by me. I wonder what it would have been like...I honestly do...but we'll never know."

"I told you, I'll always stand by you, no matter the situation or the consequences. I wonder sometimes what it would have been like as well... but, as you said, we'll never know."

She smiles weakly and kisses him. "It's not going to do any good to wonder...it might have been lost, anyway. First pregnancies are often miscarried. To think on any of it will only make today start off poorly."

He kissed her back, but didn't return the smile with his mouth, instead, his eyes shone slightly, as they normally did when he smiled,"A poor start to the day often results in the day getting worse."

"And we wouldn't want that on our first day back."

He smiled slightly at this,"Very true. I'd hate to be in that sort of mood when learning from Vedt... he'd tell me to stop pitying myself"

"Actually, Vedt understands this better than anyone else here."

"Yes, I know he does, for he told me himself about it... but still, I'd rather not risk it"

"True." She rests her head on his shoulder. "It's still about an hour before class. I woke you earlier than I'd intended."

He smiled,"It's alright, I may as well stay up now that I'm awake. I usually like to get some kata's in before breakfast"

"Yes, I know. You never sit still as long as you can help it." She pokes him gently in the ribs. "Unless you're comfortable, of course."

"Those who stay still get killed on the battlefield, it's what I was taught. But I can leave kata's for a while... and also, I need to get that cat back"

"She's probably having fun with Shan and Monian. After all...Monian's too little to know just how much is good for her to eat, so he'll grab food to give to her...and we all know how entertaining Shan is."

"This is Rosie we're talking about... she may seem like she's having fun, but inside that chest beats the heart of a deadpan wit and also very critical creature... it's most likely a good thing she cannot talk"

"I think she'd feel bad, the first time she made one of the little ones cry by something she said. Not someone as old as Shan...but the really little ones."

"She's alright really... but she is a mute creature. It's most likely a good thing"

"Probably. Although I've no doubt we could get D'anthe to translate."

He thought about this for a moment,"No, I think we'll leave it. I'll pick her up tonight"

She kisses him softly. "Sounds like a plan."

"You've started using that phrase more and more," he smiled, kissing her back, just as softly

"It's a human expression...and I've been told that I spend rather a lot of time with a human, recently..."

"Somehow, that doesn't surprise me. Just out of interest, who said that?"

"It's a fairly extensive list."

He smiled,"Ah well, kinda comes with the marriage, yes?"

"I would hope so."

"Do you think you're spending too much time around humans?"

"There are actually times when I'd say I didn't spend enough time around humans."

"I know what that feels like"

"To not spend enough time around humans, or to not spend enough time around Drow?"

"To not spend enough time around humans, or to not spend enough time around Drow?"

He smiled,"Round some Drow, definatley"

"We should remedy that...difficult as it may be."

"I'm sure we'll figure out a way"

She kisses him. "But not right now. Because you need to get up...and I need to get some of this accomplished."

He kissed her back, and stood up reluctantly, getting dressed, before kissing her again,"I'll see you later"

"Tonight." She goes back to her work.

He nodded, and left to go through his katas. As he did, he purged his thoughts of their unhappy conversation earlier, and emerged looking slightly happier with himself. After a quick breakfast, he made his way to class

He's thrown right back into everything. Tari's back from Aust, and seemingly caught up with what they've been working on.

Cougar adapted quickly, having not lost as much ground as he feared

Class was let out around time for the midday meal.

He didn't eat much, preferring to work up a real appetite for the evening meal. He went to his physical and magickal training regieme, using a fusion exercise to hone both, but focusing more on the magick

Rhenna's day looks like this:

Work.
More work.
Class.
More work.
Even more work.
Still working...

Cougar finished working around seven, grabbing a fairly substantial meal before going to the library, simply to read

Rhenna was there, at a table, quill in hand.

He came up behind her, and put his hand on her shoulder,"Sorry to disturb, but have you eaten?"

"No. It's still rather early yet, isn't it?"

"It's eight in the evening"

"Later than I thought."

"I would have come to get you for dinner, but I figured you had so much work on"

"I do. A week's worth of work around here is a lot."

He kissed her cheek, and squeezed her shoulder,"I understand. See you later"

"See you." The response is reflexive, she doesn't even look up.

He sighed slightly, deciding to stay in the library anyway. He found the book he was looking for, and sat down far enough way not to disturb her

She worked long into the night...it would remind Cougar very much of a night from when they'd first gotten back after their wedding.

It was slightly nostalgic... in an odd way. He kissed her cheek goodnight, telling her,"Don't work yourself to death, get some rest", before going to the room and falling asleep

She gets back very "early" and lays down next to him.

He subconciously put his arm round her as she lay down

She smiles slightly, and goes to sleep.

He smiled slightly as well in his sleep, his lips moving against the back of her neck

She sleeps solidly for a few hours.

He woke up at about six, and just lay there, comfortable where he was

With her hair in his face.

OOC: Lol. had to do that.

He didn't care, he liked her hair. He lay there, his eyes half closed, trying not to wake her unduly

She woke up after a time, and laid there, comfortable as well.

"Good morning"

"Good morning."

"How are you at the moment?"

"Partially awake."

"Comfortable? You feel knackered"

"I'm comfortable. And I'm fine. I've gone much longer on much less sleep."

"I know, but I like to ask anyway"

"I know you do."

She lets the silence hang a moment, comfortable. "This is a good place to be. Nice and warm."

He smiled,"Well, I'm the warmth here"

"Yes...there are advantages to having married a mammal."

"And we don't have to move for a while yet, which makes it even better"

"That does sound better."

He smiled, and kissed her neck,"It does, at that"

She turns so that she can cuddle with him more closely, and kisses him.

He kissed her back, and rested his hand on the base of her spine,"Well, it's a start to spending more time together"

"I would say so."

He smiled, and kissed her again, drawing it out for some time

She kissed him back, letting him draw it out. One of her hands rested on the back of his neck, and the other was on his shoulder.

After some time, he broke the kiss, but stayed close,"I've really missed this"