When RP takes control IC thread

[katalynn]

Athyna only sighed but all the same, she had to agree. Knelt down to Luathas, whispering something in his ear, soon the cat was off. He would have been safer and less detected on his own as she sent him out to look for Skyler, Athyna just knew deep down in her gut that Skyler was still out there, somewhere. If Luathas hadn't found her within the hours time he would return.

Kryss on the other hand, starting to feel the drain more and more. She has used so much energy in the past few hours it was finally catching up to her. Shivering slightly as her body and nerves calmed down, letting the horse go with the others. She roamed around in the area for a bit, finding a quiet spot, still within ears reach of the others, just out of sight. Her emotions were numb, the lies that Jas put her through, allowing her to sleep with and love both of them. Only to have this in return.

"Why did he even bother.... If he knew this whole time.. Why the hell did he..."

Her questions were out loud to herself, wanting to confront him. At the same having no idea what to say. Curling up on the rock she had found, her head resting on knees, arms across her legs. Wasn't crying though she felt it creeping closer and closer.

 

[Xenocide_613]

Elistraee & Thalryn

"So...Elistraee...you are taking easily to being elf again. I would have thought after being a ferret for a while, walking on two feet again would be tough."

Purple eyes peered at the Oracle. “Well, I was the one for staying naked, but you killed that one already.” Elistraee replied to the Oracle with a smirk. Slowly the dark elf sighed. “As humans back in your world say, ‘it’s like riding a bike.’ I’m not too sure what a bike is, mind you, but the expression seemed to fit. Other than resisting the urge to lick myself and the ever present feeling of falling over, I think I’m good.” The ebon skinned beauty winked playfully at Dominic as she finished her reply.

She was beginning to realize that she hadn’t been with a male in way too long for her tastes, and she mentally chastised herself for not controlling her flirtatiousness. All the males here were taken in some form or another…and human to boot. Thalryn was too much like a brother, though she didn’t doubt that the spirit bonds they still shared would make for quite an evening of pleasure. And then there was Athyna, whom she sincerely didn’t want to hurt. Elistraee smirked slightly as she thought that she perhaps had more of a right to the gold elf considering their background together, but she wasn’t going to press the point.

Behind her she heard Kyle speak. "The sun will have set by then, and we will be able to travel faster and easier than Skyler did in the heat." "For those who wish it, Jas and I can use the Chakra technique to speed your recovery as well." "Sound like a plan?"

The voluptuous dark elven female turned her head to regard Kyle, tossing her long white hair over her shoulder. “From what I’ve felt through Thal, I’d love to experience the technique for myself. I’m beginning to see the flaws in being elven again, as I can’t just sleep until I’m needed.”

Thalryn turned to regard the ebon skinned Song Mistress. “Now you complain.” He retorted playfully. “We’d be underway already were it not for the spell.” He shook his head at the female and then turned to Kyle himself. “And if you’ve the energy yourself, I’d really appreciate anything you could do.”

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Dominic

I was busy wiping the blood off of my face when Elistraee made a suggestive comment and winked at me. I coughed on the air I was breathing and dropped the bloody cloth. I went red again and looked straight ahead. "Well...that's...uh...good to hear..."

I was still angry, only now I was mostly angry at myself. For being angry with Thalryn, and Jas, and especially Skyler. Poor Skyler. After the way I treated her...

I drooped my head. I am such an idiot.

I watched as Thal and Elistraee joined the others near our camp spot. I suddenly realized Kryss wasn't there. I looked around and found her on a rock, away from everyone else, practically hidden.

I got off of my horse and slowly walked over to her. I noticed it was getting colder with the setting sun. There was a chill wind blowing.

I sat down on a rock a few feet from the dancer. "Kryss? Are you all right?" I asked.

 

[Armphid]

Kyle & Jasleth

Kyle smiled, a forced smile for the most part though it was partly genuine. Kryss's suffering was not something he easily bore...especially when not only could he not help, she did not want him to. "I'm fine Thalryn, and I'm glad to lend a hand." He hopped off of the crest of the dune he had been perched on, only a few strains of sand rustling down as a result of the movement. He touched down next to the two elves.

He turned first to Elistraee. "I'm sure that Thal would agree that ladies should go first." He hadn't been so close to her yet, and he found the voluptuous elven woman compelling, and arousing without a doubt. He cleared his throat, encouraging those feelings to lay low for a bit. "I hope you will forgive my hands, but I have to touch you for the technique to work." "Please, take a deep breath...and clear your mind." He tried his best not to watch her as her chest rose, closing his eyes quickly. In a moment, he saw her through his third eye, the ragged flows of her depleted chi apparent. Eyes still closed, his hands darted out at remarkable speed, lightly touching here and there, snagging and dragging the loose flows together. His own chi flowed through him into her, encouraging regrowth. In a matter of seconds it was over, his index and middle fingers pressed together, lightly touching the middle of her chest, just above the swell of her breasts. "...there." He opened his eyes, flushed a bit, and withdrew his hand with a fluid motion. "You should feel an immediate boost in strength, and an hour's rest will be the same as a night's for you."

He took a step back, noting that Thalryn had already prepared himself. Kyle closed his eyes, repeating the technique on the exhausted swordsman. "Feel better Thal?" He stepped back from his friend, smiling. "Between the two of us, Jas and I could use the technique on the whole party..." His smile faltered. "Except for Kryss...I think that both of us should stay away from her for now." He was silent a moment, then he turned away from both of them to look out over the dunes, now painted brilliantly by the setting sun. "Anyway...we should all take this time to rest."

*******

Jas had stayed in the back, taking care of the horses. He brushed their hides, checking each shoe for stones, then slid the feedbags into place. "There now, my lads and lasses." "You'll need a full belly for tonight's work, I'm sorry to say."

It was better to be back here. He couldn't help but feel that he'd betrayed the group, especially Kryss. He didn't have a choice...his memories...his true self had been locked away by the fusion. Now that he had them, he just couldn't be untrue to who and what he was.

The monk sighed, his thoughts turning again to Zhu. He missed her. It hadn't been that long really, since he had seen her...but it felt like an age. Recalling the circumstances that had parted though, he sank even deeper into his dark mood. Lang...could such a loss ever be overcome? How, how had it come to this?

Then he felt a chord struck in his very soul. He started to his feet, then leaped to the top of a dune. She...she was calling him. He closed his eyes, reaching out with his chi sense...there. Not as far away as he would have thought. She was calling him, and he had to go.

Jas slid down from the dune, moving quickly to where the others were. "Thalryn, Kyle, Elistraee." The others turned to look at him. His face was determined, if regretful. "I...I don't think I should stay here for now." "My presence is causing Kryss pain, and it's making a sense of betrayel and distrust in the whole party." "It'd be best if I left for now." Jas spread his hands in front of him. "I want to fight Avrice, and I want to help you guys, but right now I'm just trashing the little group unity we have left." "And we're going to need all of it." "Plus...she's calling, and I won't refuse her."

Kyle looked at the young man with which his very soul had been joined, understanding in an instant. "From a tactical standpoint...you're right." "You're a problem right now, not an asset." "I won't stop you." 'You will be back."

Jas nodded. "I will, with reinforcements I hope." "I know others who have more reason to hate Avrice than most of us do." His wine red eyes were sorrowful as he looked at Thalryn. "I'm sorry Thal...I wanted to fight Avrice side by side with you." "I hope you can see this for what it is...and not that I'm running out on you." He smiled faintly at Elistraee. "Looks like you're my replacement, my lady." "I know you're strong, I couldn't ask for better." "Watch out for my friends, okay?" He paused, a bit of the roguish Jasleth returning. "I think they got the better deal; you're a lot prettier that I am."

His expression became serious. 'Tell Dom I'm sorry and I'll be back." "He's smart enough to understand that I'm an obstacle to victory as things stand right now." "Kyle, tell Kryss...well...you know what to say when she's ready to hear it."

Jasleth bowed low to the party, a fist pressed into an open palm. Then he turned and began to run toward the north. His pace was only that of a normal man until he had cleared the horses. Once he broke out into the painted desert, he channeled his power into speed. Within moments, he was racing northward faster than the birds could fly. His face was a mixture of apprehension and delgiht. He would see Zhu soon. But when he did...how would things be between them? "It doesn't matter." "I'm coming, my lady, my love." "The Arrow of the Queen flies where she wills, for destiny and for love."

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her servants

As the sunset painted the world in long swatches of red, pink, and purple, Zhu ran a hand through her short hair. She sighed a bit. How would people take to her now? She looked like a boy. Oh well. As she walked, she dragged her feet along in the cool ocean water, luxuriating in the feel of the damp sand beneath her toes. They had decided to set up camp at the seashore. She really hadn’t felt a need to leave - the ocean…was so beautiful.

It was almost too scenic.

Rising with the tide, the ruins of Lang’s home kingdom loomed over the ocean, watching with silent menace eyes. She sighed, tilting her head up. By the ruins, it had obviously been a beautiful place…now it seemed to be crawling with living shadows, distraught and endangered over what had happened to them and their royal family. That was right, wasn’t it? Lang had been a refugee, much like herself. His family sent him to her kingdom as a last ditch effort to disguise him and keep him from harm.

If only they had known that he would meet his death there….

With a sigh, she wiped at her tears quickly. He never liked to see her cry, and was all too swift to kiss them away. As she hung her head slightly, unable to stop the burning liquid from slipping from the dark fringes of her eyelashes, she thought she was in a dream as she smelled that warm scent of jasmine and rose. His lips were warm on her cheeks…..She slowly opened her eyes.

Shihou slowly pulled away, his hands cool on the side of her face. His eyes met and held hers, teasing her to a slow smile, before he licked his lips and spoke:

“Dinner is ready, my Lady. Fresh fish, roasted. You need to eat…”

She sighed, and nodded. Her stomach was rumbling enough as it was - with the scent of that fish, it just growled all the louder. His hands slipping from her face, he paced off to the fire, without a glance behind him. Standing in the surf, she contemplated the thin white tongue of the surf lapping at her calves, reflecting her in clear bubbles before disappearing. The wind had grown still, swooping over the water in sporadic movements. Every once in a while, the wind would pick up violently, threatening to tug her shift away from her body, leaving her exposed and vulnerable on this shore.

But for some reason, it felt welcome.

“Fish sounds good, Shihou….” she said, mustering up a faint smile as she paced towards the fire.

 

[katalynn]

Luathas ran for sometime follwing her scent coming closer and closer to her. When he found her sleeping, he grabbed her by the neck, carrying her like he would a kitten and bring Skyler back to the camp.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kryss looked up when she heard Dominics' voice.

"I.. I don't know anymore... I.. I feel like.. It just hurts... I got hurt like this out of game, and to be ...."

She paused a moment, it felt like he used her.

"I'm just tired of being lied to... Jas told me, flat out told me he loved me... Then now, had the nerve to tell me he never did... that I'm just a friend, and some companion. If he never loved me to begin with why............"

Lowered her head back onto her knees,

"If you don't love someone, then why bother telling them that you do? He knew..."

"I'm sorry, This is my problem.... I don't mean to burden you with them. I just don't know what I'm going to do now. I really do do not feel good about myself right now....."

 

[katalynn]

Athyna heard Luathas coming back as she ran up to him. The unconcious Skyler in his mouth as he came up to Athyna and placed Skyler in her lap. Athyna carried the ferret towards Thalryn,

"Look at what the cat dragged in..."

It was a dry joke granted, but it may have lightened the mood a tad bit........ Maybe?!?

"I feel we should put that collar on her, blindfold her. And find some animal so she can feed. It's hard to tell how long she has been unconcious, but this can't be good none the less."

Looked up as Jas was leaving, then up to the sky as the sun was pretty much set.

"She should be turning into her normal form soon... I suspect anyway."

Took her gaze back down to he black ferret in her arms, Skyler really didn't look so good, even in the ferret form. She needed food and much rest.

"Where's the collar at? Isn't much we can do to her in this form, less we hog tie her. Even at that, what will it do when she changes back."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kryss looked up once more, caught Dominics gaze for a few moments before the tears finally broke free.

"I'll be fine.... I will be fine... Right now, I'm just tired of hurting so much. I just don't know what to do right now."

Wiped the tears away, gave her hands a look as if she was upset that she was crying. A small little smirk escaped her. Wiping the remaining tears away;

"I said I would no longer cry... Especially over fools.."

 

[NyghtRayne]

Skyler

She stirred slightly as her strength tried to return, she was still too weak to do anything even wake. She could still feel the pull of the summons, but even though she tried to fight her sleeping body, there was nothing she could do.

"I can't...am trying...too tired, too hungry... must rest." Her voice sounded in Dominic's mind her link with him still unbroken. Avrice may hav had control, but somehow it was not total yet.

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Dominic

I moved over to sit next to Kryss. I put an arm around her shoulders.

"Don't worry, you're not burdening me. And you don't have to be ashamed about crying...I think we've all shed more then our share of tears lately." I looked into her eyes. "I know how bad betrayl hurts, but I also know how much destruction it can do to you if you let it fester. The way it eats away at us...it's like the Blight. It destroys us leaving holes that we think we can fill with hate and pain...but eventaully just leave us empty." I looked away a bit. "I don't want that to happen to you Kryss. I care about you. So does Thalryn and Athyna and everyone else. We need you Kryss."

"I can't...am trying...too tired, too hungry... must rest." the words echoed in my mind. SKYLER! My eyebrows shot up. She must be near. I looked over and saw Luathas return to camp. I stood up.

"C'mon...let's go back with the others." I gave her the best smile I could form.

 

[Armphid]

Kyle

"Better find it Athyna," Kyle was watching the ferret closely, waiting for any movement from it. "It's almost dark...and as tired as most of us are, I don't want to fight a vampire right now." He felt an urge to add that he'd put Skyler down once before and could do it again. Other than the callous arrogance of that thought...he had been joined with Jas before. The next time he fought, it would be with just his own skill and power. He was more than a little nervous about that.

He edged closer, one hand ready to strike or grab. The small black ferret looked pretty weak this close. "Will she survive the night?" "She doesn't look good."

******
Jasleth

He'd found the rhythm of the run, legs pumping effortlessly as the now darkened dunes flashed past him. He was doing his best to think only of the journey, of what it would be like to be near her again...but he couldn't shake the guilt or the fear that gripped him.

The guilt over Lang's final death, of his betrayel of Kryss, was slowly gnawing at him. He could almost feel it eating away at his stomach. The worst part was that there was no way around his guilt in either matter. Nor was there any way to make up the deed to the one he wad wronged. Lang, gone forever, was beyond his ability to hurt or help. Kryss...his mere presence caused her pain...and likely would again when he returned.

Yet more than that, it was fear that drove him on ever faster. He knew that Zhu's love for Lang rivaled hers for him. He also knew that Lang was the better man. How could she avoid the same conclusion, now that her memory had been restored? Lang was the kind that one could pine over for a lifetime.

Jas frowned. These thoughts weren't going to help him at all. He needed to focus on what Zhu needed, what she wanted. Gods, how he loved her. No matter how she felt, he had dedicated himself to her long ago. That was the only truth that mattered a damn.

Onward he ran, the night deepening around him. He wasn't sure how long he would have to run, but he would be damned it the journey took one second more than it had to.

 

[katalynn]

Kryss smiled towards Dominic, he seemed to always know the right words no matter the situation.

"Aye, your right."

She stood up when Dom and hugged him just before returning to the camp;

"Thank you!"

Kryss' heart sank when she saw Skyler, then pounded deeply when seeing Kyle. She knew she had to talk to him, it was just hard when she didn't know what to say. Mustered up the the strength and courage to walk over to Kyle,

"Kyle, m'love.... I'm not real sure of what I want to say.. But.. I-I think we need to talk..."

She spoke softly unsure if she was really ready for this, yet, she has calmed down and the tiredness was starting to show in her eyes. Kryss had spent far to much energy for her own good, though it did feel good to release it. It was better to talk to him now rather than wait and have that possible *never again, it's too late* thing happen. She did notice that Jas had left, but at this very moment, Kryss did not care. She will talk to him later........Maybe..... For now, she needed to take care of other things.

Athyna nodded to Kyle,

"Aye, Skyler will be fine. Luathas is out looking for a small animal now for her. I refuse to feed her human or elven blood. That'll just give her even more strength. We still can not do much while she remains in this form."

Athyna found the collar and put it on Skyler, thinking that the collar will adjust it's size, just as Skylers' clothes did when she changes........... Praying that it adjusts....

 

[Armphid]

Kyle

He felt a lump in his throat, and his heart was in his eyes as Kryss confronted him. "You're right...we do." He looked over to Athyna and the others. "I guess I'll leave it to you for the moment." "We won't be far, should you need us."

Kyle let Kryss lead him away from the others, out of their nesting spot between the dunes, in the very path that Jas had taken, though they knew it not. Her fatigue was apparent, and tore at him as much as her sorrow.

When she halted, he cleared spoke first. "Kryss, I mean to let you speak your mind first." "But before that...I wanted to ask you to let me use the Chakra on you." "It...it pains me to see you so tired on top of your pain." "Please let me help you."

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her servants

She lay in the sand, curled up in Huozai’s arms. Without a blanket or sufficient supplies, the breeze off of the ocean could be cruel in its chill. Shivering slightly, she nestled closer to him. The dinner had been expectedly quiet, the only loud sounds coming from the pop or snap of firewood. Huozai was asleep now, she could feel it. However, the heavy burden couldn’t reach her. Clinging to the large man’s arm, she peered over the roll of his bicep to the sea. The sight of the ocean, or even the remembrance of it, had often been enough to make Lang sing. She remembered how his voice had entranced, how some said that he wasn’t even human. On special occasions, he would remove his shining helmet and sing for the royals. When he did so, she always felt like his songs were directed straight to her - she could remember his voice shaking her core when she was scarce able to walk.

“Oh, no! Here is that moment
I feared for a long time, you know
I already know
what it is you are going to tell me,
that it's the end of us.

I know that with him
you feel freer
to accept his love;
to count on him more

What a shock to me,
I who gave you everything inside of me
As you, go you are taking my heart with you….”

She sat up, pulling Huozai’s arm free from her body. She recognized the song - it was one of Lang’s best ballads. He used to sing it when he was on night patrol, the moonlight silvering his body and transforming him from the tangible to the ethereal. The words had already been in a different language, though. The language that conveyed the true beauty of his words, but still, he had bothered to translate the song for her, bit by bit, cringing as it lost more and more of it’s beauty, just for her sake. But who was singing it now? The voice was too low, too deep. Unskilled in the art of singing, for sure, but the true effort behind the words was enough to cause her to sit up.

Why had Lang sung this song? Did he know that it was telling the tale of his future? When she asked him, oh so long ago, why he sang such a sad song, he told her a palm-reader in the village had told it to him, saying that it was the ballad of his soul. He had laughed when he told her this, but his eyes had been serious, pained. As she stroked his cheek to comfort him, he grabbed onto her fingers, squeezing ice into her blood, kissing her fingertips with fevered worried kisses. If she looked at him, he would look unblinkingly into the distance, and would remain silent.

“One love forever
lasts only a moment
There are so many memories
that vanish with you
Only that dream remains,
the story of lovers,
but in the end you will leave me.

This city that I think of myself as being
is deserted of tears
I feel my heart drowning inside of me
while you are with him…”

Slowly getting to her feet, she winced at the stiffness of her body. Her hands finding the solid ground a comfort, she strode out to the voice, slowly. It seemed to issue forth from the walls, from the sea, from the sand. Surrounding her and filling her heart with the intimate sorrow, stroking her face, asking her to grieve for that lost moment. She recoiled. Had she not shed enough tears? Had she not been through enough already? When would it all end? Was her love not enough?

But yes! She knew that drowning feeling - she was doing it now. Her hands touched the sand again as she sank to her knees. She was drowning, floundering through the water of the past. She had her hand held out; may Jasleth feel it, let her know that he was there.

“They say that you don't die from love;
You don't loose anything;
But now I feel that fire dying within me

I also know I should be happy for you
But I lie, because
I wish you to stay here with me….”

Licking her abused lips, she struggled to find her voice, to add her own sorrow to this voice, cause it to stop. Anything, anything, to stop the resounding sound of bells in her heart.

“A love forever
lasts only a moment
there are so many memories
that will vanish with you
Only that dream remains
that story of lovers
But, in the end
you will leave
you will leave, leave in pain…”

The tears streamed down her cheeks as she dug her fingers into the sand, rubbing the grains into her arms. The figure appeared before her, a shadow across the moon. Platinum strands of blonde trailed across the face, glacial eyes narrowing slightly at the corners.

“Shihou….”

“My Lady….” He smiled slowly. “You remember the song. Please, help me finish it….It was the least that I could do for Lang…Although he knows that I can’t sing so well…”

He knelt, offering a hand to her. Taking it, she moved slowly to her feet. Finding herself nestled against his side, she held her hands against her chest. From behind her, she could hear Huozai getting up, standing, saying nothing.

Looking into Shihou’s cold eyes, she smiled, and took a breath.

“A love forever
lasts only a moment
there are so many memories
that will vanish with you
Only that moment remains
if only for an instant
but in the end
you will leave
and be far from me….”*

* Lyrics from "Un Amore per Sempre"

 

[katalynn]

Kryss led him to the small clearing where she was when Dominic found her, sitting back down on that same rock, knees pulled up to her chest.

"I'll be fine. This is from not being able to forgive myself... It wouldn't matter if you used Chakra or not. It will not allow me to forgive myself."

Paused for a moment, she still blamed herself for the things that have happened. Forcing herself to look up to him, just the look in his eyes was enough to bring tears to hers, this time she didn't stop them.

"How can you still love me? I fell for a fool, landed in a trap with Avrice... Met and fell in love with you along with that fool. Knowing the two of you were different.... Yet.... "

"I can't even forgive myself, I have done you wrong...... I have become far to dependant on you and .... him... That I became weak.. How can you possibly still love me?"

Tore her gaze from his, hiding her face against her knees.

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Dominic

Kryss returned my smile as we returned to camp. She gave me a big hug and I sighed. I didn't want to admit I needed a hug, but it really felt comforting.

Awww...did the angsty oracle just need a huggle? I heard Slip's callous and degrading voice echo in my head. I mentally shoved him back. You always know what to say...except when it pertains to yourself. You are all big and unemotional, but when the time arises, you just become a big fluffy puppy.

What is your problem? I growled at my familiar.

My problem is this mental link! Slip shouted back. All this emotion from Skyler and Avrice and everything is being dumped into me. I can feel all the regret and pain your experiencing. And if you hadn't been such a dick and gotten angry at Skyler, neither of us would be feeling this overwhelming guilt!

I lowered my head. I know, I know. I screwed up. It won't happen again.

My ass! Slip shouted. You are the most inept oracle that I could have been assigned to! I wanted an easy life and I was given an emotionally unstable twit!

Shut up! I shot back. I don't need you!

You don't NEED me? Slip said incredulously. We'll see about that. Good luck trying to get anywhere without me. With that he stopped talking. He didn't leave my pack, but he did stop communicating with me. Which is all for the better anyway.

I returned to camp and kneeled down by Skyler. It cut me deep to hear her talked about like an untamed creature, but I knew right now...she was unpredictable. I closed my eyes and sighed. I reached out and stroked her fur softly.

I saw Athyna and Thalryn were giving me odd looks as I stroked the ferret's fur. "She liked this." I said softly. "This always...calmed her...calmed her down." My words were choking up. I dropped my head and my slwo breathing became erratic. The chances of me being with her again, let alone talking to her again were shrinking with every moment.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Skyler

She stirred at the feel of his hands on her fur. She slowly pulled up the strength to open her eyes and looked to him. She may have been in ferret form and her facial expressions impossible to read but the emotion that shown in her eyes was not.

The love she felt for him was plain to see, but it was clouded by her guilt at betraying the group even if she was not in control of that betrayal. "Dominic, I know none of you trust me right now and you shouldn't that's all I can say without..." She shuddered and cringed a moment, a soft whine heard for but a moment.

She looked off into the darkness in the direction they were headed and made move to stand. She stood a moment before collapsing once more. "He calls me to come to him, he knows you all know and he is sure I told, now I will pay for that."

She looked to Dominic once more."Please keep me from going to him, death will follow if I do. I need to feed, but if I do I will have the strength to change back and.." Her words were cut off again as she shuddered, she shook her head fighting the pain he was inflicting on her. She knew Avrice was listening and pulling her to him, the only things holding her here were the collar and her weakened state.

"Dominic... James.. I meant it when I said before that I loved you and I am sorry, he has done this to me... I... I can't... fight him long... I tried but he is stronger. Keep me weak and unable to change for it will be the only way he cannot force me to try to kill you all."

She was being assaulted indside her mind by Avrice and was fighting to keep the pain to herself, but it flooded her thoughts to Dominic. The pain ceased only when in her weakened state she had had enough and slipped back into unconsciousness.

 

[Armphid]

Kyle

Kyle fell into a crouch, his face kind. "Kryss...let it go." "I love you, and I forgive you." "I forgave you for Avrice, and I forgive you for your percieved weakness." "Don't hurt yourself like this, love." "Please."

He reached out, placing a finger under her chin and gently raising her face. "We all have moments of weakness...or do things we look back on and regret." "Nothing can ever change those times, not the deepest regret, or the harshest punishment." "What matters is what we take fro those times, and how we use it to make ourselves better." He smiled, reassuringly. "And we do get better." "I guarantee it."

"If you could see yourself through my eyes...you wouldn't need to ask me that question." "The whys don't matter...only the love does." "It will always be here."

**************
Jasleth

Close now. He could feel it. How long he had run, he was no longer certain. Day and night had passed at least once, but time was distended and distorted now. It could have been a few days or it could have been weeks. He had snatched some food and drink as he ran, grabbing a pie from a windowsill, or a waterskin from someone's ahnd, always leaving a gold piece behind. Still his hunger burned, and his body screamed for him to stop...to rest.

But he would not. Not until he was beheld her with his own eyes. his want to be by her side had become a need, and it was his need that had driven him onward. Through the desert, and teh grasslands, through the woods, and the mountain valleys, until at last he came to the ruined coast.

"Almost there, my love." "Just wait a little longer." He ran on, until the spectacle of the vast ocean came into view. The dark splendor thrilled at him even as it plucked at his heart. He could feel her sadness now.

Jas's speed tapered off, though he kept moving. If he stopped now, he's just fall over...so tired. Then her voice came to him, singing a bittersweet song of love and loss. Tears began to fall from his tired eyes. Joy swelled up within him, giving him a fleeting burst of strength. He had made it. At last.

He thought his heart would burst when he saw her. So thin...so gaunt and drawn. There was enough suffering in that alone to pierce his heart. But still...she was so beautiful. Just being this close...made his soul sing. Jas crested the rise that lead down to the beach, then his goal reached, his legs gave out and he tumbled down into the soft sand. He pulled himself to his knees, his face joyous despite the fatigue and pain. "Zhu...my love." His voice was raspy and dry, but packed with raw emotion. "I felt your call...I'm sorry it took so long for me to get here." He tried to rise to his feet, but fell on all fours. The run was finally catching up to him. "I found you." "Thank the gods, I found you."

 

[katalynn]

Athyna saw it in Dominics' eyes, there was something else. Something he wasn't telling them. Just then Luathas came up with a deer, food for all of us.

"It looks like we are all going to eat before taking off. I know some of us haven't eaten all day."

Looked over to Dominic with Skyler in his lap, his fingers stroking through her fur like she was some pet.

"I'll ask you now before I start cleaning this thing...... Should we feed her Dominic? Something tells me she's trying, or has spoken to you... What does she wish? She needs to feed.. But I await for your word."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kryss' world was spinning with so much hidden emotions, she saw nothing but love from Kyle. His touch, the smallest touch of his finger on her chin that she felt the comfort over whelm her. The look deep in his eyes just brought more tears to hers unwillingly. This time she couldn't look away, held captive by his gaze and love he felt.

"It matters not whether it was from weakness or not. It only shows how truly weak I was.....
"I'm so confused right now it hurts. I know you love me, I've felt your love almost every step of the way."

Wanting to kiss him, to slap him something. Only she didn't know what one. The kiss was needed for her own comfort, but for some reason feared that kiss. Almost like two people meeting for the first time.

"If you love me now as much as you did then... And you two were... Together... as one... Why did you let Jas...."

Paused for a moment, trying to seek out the right words, to no avail, no matter how she worded it, it would still come out wrong.

"How is possible that he did what he did? If he knew all along that he......... And you........ Why did he lie and use me like that? What did he gain from it? Why didn't you take control when we......"

Kryss wasn't speaking out of anger, just lost in all the confusion. Clearly didn't know how things worked when they were one person, she just assumed. Which is something she rarely did.

"Why didn't you stop him, knowing how I felt about...... At the same time both of you knew how the other felt about me...... I-I.."

Closed her eyes and lowered her head, she didn't know what else say. If anything at all could be said from this.

"I love you as well... I just don't understand how one can let the other lie and use someone... Specially after all this time."

She spoke softly and words faltered for a moment, as if she was trying to hold back another wave of tears.

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Dominic

I heard Skyler's words and I closed my eyes. I felt tears well up, but I forced them away. I was past this. I wasn't going...to cry.

I know you can't hear me right now...but I love you too.

I opened my eyes when Athyna spoke to me. "No. She needs to be kept weak, so Avrice can't use her. We will feed her only when necessary. That way Avrice can't use her. As long as she remains weak, she can't transform." I felt guilt and pain rising up as I said the word. It made me sound like such a callous prick, but this was important. It was the only option I had; I wasn't about to let Skyler go again.

"If you save some meat, we can feed her a small amount tonight, but beyond that, no food." I looked down at her. "She's strong. She'll make it."

I looked up to Athyna. "I will help you cook it, if you need any assistance."

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her servants

Running to his side, her arms wrapped about his body, pulling him close to her own gaunt frame. The edges of her ribs pressed against his side as her lips touched to his forehead, to his cheeks, to the bridge of his nose. There was no need for words now, just anything that she could do to comfort him. Her dark lashes tangled with his own.

Needing no instruction, Shihou and Huozai set out to catch a dinner for the weary man, leaving the two alone. Shifting, she moved Jas’s head to rest in her lap. Her fingers stroked through his hair, across his cheeks. “Oh, Jasleth…” He had traveled so far…and just for her…She smiled faintly, and kissed his lips softly, the skin rough beneath her own. “Take care - they’re getting food and drink for you…but for now…just close your eyes….You’re safe here, with me…” She rubbed her nose against his with a tender smile.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Skyler

She opened her eyes as she felt Dominic move. She looked after him as he stood and went to help Athyna. She closed her eyes once more, until they began to dress the deer. The smell of fresh blood roused her from dozing; she moved to her feet and staggered towards Athyna and Dominic.

She stopped a few feet away, and shook her head, she could feel her hunger intensify as the smell of blood reached her nose. She took a tentative step forward only to have her way blocked by the big cat Luathas, he had heard Dominic tell Athyna that Skyler must not feed, and he could sense the change in her temperament, and took steps to keep her away from the fresh meat.

She made a strange hissing noise at the big cat, and lunged under him and between his feet. She was headed directly towards where the deer had been laid to prepare it for eating.

 

[katalynn]

Athyna nodded and the two the of them prepared the fire and the meat, saving what blood she could. Knowing it wouldn't be the same, but it would be better than nothing.

Luathas had already eaten, he hunted himself some creature before he brought the deer back. So he was able to watch over them as they ate, Something caught his sight, made his ears twitch towards Skyler, he saw how she tried to sneak towards the deer. The link he now had with Athyna made him know what was needed.

Skyler hissed at him, then flew underneath his feet. He was quicker when he grabbed her by the scruff her neck, holding her there like a kitten once more. Being held helpless in his teeth.

Athyna felt bad, as she watched the whole scene. Suddenly feeling like we are teasing her, eating in front of her. Like royalty to a begger. It was needed though, she got up and got a peice of leather strand, tied around Skylers' muzzle so she wouldn't bite into the cat.

Wrapped the thick strand around the muzzle and tied the ends into a knot around her neck, tight enough that it wouldn't slip, but enough so she can still breath.

It seemed so cruel to treat Skyler like this, and it pained Athyna to do such a thing.

She lowered her head towards the trail back up to the hut. It should be far enough, hopeing that being out of sight of the meat and blood will help.... A little anyway.... There didn't seem to be any windows in the little room, when Luathas took her inside, nosing the door closed carefully with her still in his teeth.

He let her go in the room, while he stayed up against the door, preventing her from leaving the room.

 

[Armphid]

Kyle

Kyle sighed. "Kryss, it didn't work like that." "When we were fused...we were all mixed together." "There was really no telling waht was Jasleth and what was me, beyond a few simple things." "Like I was from our world, and he was from the game world." He wanted to get closer, to take her into his arms, but he knew that it wasn't time for that.

"I can't tell you how intertwined we were...mind, heart, and soul all mixed together." "Even when one of us was "in charge," we were still a jumble of each other." "That combined with the curse that Avrice put on everyone who was near him when he overthrew that kingdom, and claimed the Frozen Flame, meant that Jas really had no idea about who he was." "Everything about his past was gone from his memory." "His home, his training, his master, his friends, all of it...completely gone." "He didn't know this would happen." "He was much less of an identity than I was." "It was MY memories and feelings that guided our actions, because his were locked away."

Kyle sighed again, striking the rock with an open palm. "Until the Sages freed us both, no one here really knew Jasleth, including himself." "He didn't know...and neither did I." "If I had, I would have stopped him, but there was no way to tell." "He felt what I did...his love for you was really mine...the fusion made him feel it instead of his own feelings." He was silent a few moments. "I don't know if you can believe that, love, but that's the truth of the matter." "Blaming you, or Jas, or me, isn't fair to any of us...least of all you."

******
Jasleth

Tired eyes smiled up at her, dry lips turning into a joyous smile. "I know...so glad to see you...my heart is singing..." His eyes closed as he shrugged off the beckoning sleep. "I'll...always come...when you need me...when you want me." He sighed contentedly, savoring the feel of her fingers on his skin, in his hair. "You...haven't taken good care of yourself...my heart." He grinned at her, a roguish gleam in his eyes. "D-doing...your own cooking?"

He laughed softly, harder after she playfully smacked his nose. One on his hands rose weakly, taking hers and squeezing it gently. "I so longed to see you...it's almost like a dream." "If...it is...don't wake me." "Not...when I've finally come home."

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her Servants

"Then sleep, my love....Sleep," she whispered into his ear, holding his form as it slowly went limp, the chest moving in and out peacefully. As she held him close, her fingers stroked through his hair gently, before she streched out to lay down beside him. His faituge leaked into her body, told her to close her own eyes.

All the bitterness, all the lies, all the broken souls, let them come to ease now...Let sleep wipe it all clean, wipe everything to purity.

Shihou returned from the shore with a large fish, only to stop when he saw the young lovers curled up in the sand together. He looked over to Huozai, who had a faint smile on his face. Shihou sighed, but felt his own lips turning upwards.

"Come, Shihou, we can roast it tonight. It'll keep till the morning if cooked well enough..."

A heavy hand laid on the blonde youth's shoulder. The blonde smiled slightly, supressing another sigh. Was this how his own wife looked when she was with that other man? Did she love them both, or was there only enough love in the living heart for one? That didn't make sense - he knew that the Lady had loved all three of them...But had she not loved Lang more?

He shook his head, trying not to dwell on such thoughts.

"All right....Start the fire up again."

The kindling fell in on itself, releasing a cloud of sparks like fireflies.

 

[katalynn]

Kryss fell silent to his words, unable to believe them. Though, she couldn't deny them either, they came from Kyle. The one she trusted, the one that would, could never lie to her....... Something she felt... Something deep told her that he would never lie to her.

Still wasn't sure what to believe, for now, right now she couldn't deny him any longer. It was to much to take in all at once this, to much to believe without really knowing what had happened.

Taking his hand in hers, looking up to meet his gaze.

"Kiss me.... Make all this pain vanish.... I'm tired of hurting.... Kiss me please..."