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Post by Aredhel on Sept 11, 2004 8:23:37 GMT -5
[and more Aralin... you know what, I'm just gonna stop saying it!]
I remembered the details vividly, a testament to my elven heritage. When one lives forever, one needs to remember things millions of years old. The skill payed off once again.
"She came into the crypt, it was late and I had been sitting on the roof, looking at the stars. I went to greet her and noticed that she looked tired, but I credited it to the sleepless days she had spent at your home, helping you and the others to recover. She didn't say anything to me, which is when I noticed that her eyes looked vacant. Concerned, I questioned if she was alright. She started to nod, still not saying anything to me, but her head snapped up to the heavens. She muttered that "Maya and the other will need protection." And then she simply collapsed. I moved her inside and laid her on the tomb, and tried since then to awaken her. Nothing has worked."
Maya had that concentrated look on her face, to a degree which I had rarely seen such a look on humans. "And that's it? That's everything?"
"Yes," I replied simply.
She bit her lip in concentration. "Maya and the others need protection," she muttered to herself.
"Other," I corrected.
"What?"
"Not others, other. Singular. She mentioned only one. Whoever she wanted to protect, it was you and one other."
((I know, I know, Maya doesn't usually need protection lol, but this is Del, and she worries about her witchy friend. Especially now.))
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Post by Jessy Jackson on Sept 11, 2004 8:48:30 GMT -5
I sighed and opened yet another book. As I'd predicted there was nothing helpful.
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Post by Jackson ''Doc'' Ellison on Sept 11, 2004 18:01:10 GMT -5
I reached into my jacket and dialled Jessy's number.
"Anything?" I asked. She gave mumbled a dejected 'no'. I could guess why.
"We need more hands. Get to the Dojo. I've been meaning to show youcollection anyway."
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Post by Jessy Jackson on Sept 12, 2004 2:17:54 GMT -5
"I'll be right over." And indeed I was. 2 minutes later I landed, thanking the gods for shifting.
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Post by Maya on Sept 12, 2004 10:55:39 GMT -5
"The other..." I repeated. My hand came subconsciously to my stomach, and Aralin looked at me oddly... sort of probingly. I shook my head slightly, "Wonder who she meant?" I said. I went to Del's side, and chekced her over, my expression getting less and less pleased. "I... I cant feel what's doing it." I said.
"You mean it's natural?"
"No." i said, abcolutely certainly, "Thats exactly what i dont mean- i cant feel ANYTHING, meaning that something powerful has taken her down, and i doubt any stupid herbs are gonna help..." I sighed, biting my lip again. Then i nodded, "I'm gonna have to go in."
"Go in?" Lin snapped.
"It's the only way- something is in her mind, so I'm gonna go kick the bastard out."
I climbed onto the second tomb that sat opposite the one del was on. The Crypt was dim due to it's lack of windows, and that was perfect. "Just keep beasties away." I told Aralin, not even consdering that i was ordering the elf around- when i knew what i had to do, i took no nonsense. I crossed my legs, closed my eyes, and reached out with my mind...
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Post by Jessy Jackson on Sept 12, 2004 10:59:04 GMT -5
I gasped as I saw the collection, but soon forgot my awe as I searched tome after tome for some helpful information. But all I got was a bunch of annoyingly cryptic prophesys and an account of a person sleeping for two days because of a bump on the head by a thorral demon.
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Post by Charlotte on Sept 12, 2004 12:54:11 GMT -5
I was facinated by Jessy's reaction to the books.
"So how are you related to the watcher's council then?" I asked amused.
"Huh?" Jessy asked missing my point.
"Whenever I got excited about stuff like books or slayer lore Maya always called me watcher junior. Looks like I've got company."
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Post by Jessy Jackson on Sept 12, 2004 12:58:04 GMT -5
"I guess. Mai called me Jessy Giles once. No idea why but the others seemed to think it was hilarious. Do you know why? I think he was a watcher but he got fired."
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Post by Aredhel on Sept 12, 2004 21:59:34 GMT -5
((sorry to disappoint you all, but I had a plan for this, and it was not a demon doing this to dear Del... read on!))
I stared long at Maya's still form on the tomb, and knew what had happened. I sighed to myself. There was no question as to just who the 'other' was, but I would not bother the girl about it. No, she could keep her secrets. But I hoped that whatever happened to her in my sister's mind wouldn't do any harm to either of them.
[aaah finally, some Aredhel POV!]
It had been a very long few weeks. In fact, I wasn't overly sure just how long it had really been, but I assumed it had been a few weeks. For all I knew, it had been a few months. But in any case, it seemed like a very long time. Self-induced comas are rarely fun.
That's right, I said self-induced. Strong spells are rarely cast without meditative states being involved, and this was really no exception. In fact, this was the reason the rule was made, I think. Becuase in order for the spell I was performing to be even a little bit successful, the caster had to go into a full on coma - the ultimate trance-like state.
It was a spell that I'd picked up in the early 12th century from some monks in Tibet, the first time I'd managed to find my conscience. I didn't want to hurt other people, least of all my people. I'd gone to the monks to learn the secret, and they taught me. They never once questioned why I didn't go out during the day, and I never told them the truth, but they knew, and I knew they knew. But no words about it were ever spoken. It made me feel comfortable, accepted. It made the casting of the spell that much easier.
There were no words, only feelings, emotions, relayed to the world through the meditation. All my thought was bent on protection. I knew Maya'd kill me if she found out, that she'd insist she could have taken care of herself, but hopefully, she wouldn't find out. Hopefully things would go well, and the time would pass and things would get just a little bit safer for her. But I was worried, and not just about her.
Just as I thought things were going well, my mental sancturary was invaded by another mentality, and one word flashed through my mind.
Busted.
And she knew. As soon as her mentality melded with mine in this state, all my purposes were known to her, and I could feel her rising confusion and indignation. I shifted my focus, creating a mental construct and separating our consciousness.
[You did this to YOURSELF?!]
I did the mental equivalent of wincing. [I was hoping you wouldn't find out.]
[Hoping I wouldn't find out? What do you take me for, an idiot? Oh right, you think I'm helpless.]
Ouch. [Maya, please understand, I'm looking out for you. I'm draining my physical and mental power here to give you some protection.]
[I'm the slayer, Del! I can manage myself.]
[I don't care if you're a bloody god, in your state-]
[What state?] I had the feeling she was glaring at me.
[You know what I'm talking about. It weakens you - trust me, I know. I went through it myself, a very long time ago. I don't want you to lose it before you have the chance to appreciate it. I want this to happen for you.]
[Well you can't just go putting yourself in a coma! Aralin was worried sick, and not to mention the panic you put me in when I couldn't figure out what was doing this to you!]
[I'm sorry. The spell doesn't leave a signature on me because it's a meditation. But trust me, it's worth the coma for the benefits. Another week of intense concentration and I can ensure that nothing happens to you or-]
[Why couldn't you just trust me to take care of it myself?]
[Because I know you, Maya. As much as you'll try to stay safe, and I know you'll try your damndest, you're not going to let this get in the way of helping people, saving lives.]
[I can still take care of my own.]
[Maya, please, just let me do this.]
((and this is getting quite long so Mai, take it away!! you know, I don't think Maya would really be that bitter about the whole thing, but I figured, you know, mood swings *wink*))
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Post by Jackson ''Doc'' Ellison on Sept 13, 2004 5:28:44 GMT -5
(((Geez, why don't you just give the game away, Del. ;D)))
"This is useless!" Pepper exclaimed. I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Maybe, but it keeps us all busy," they looked at me like I was mad. I sat back with a grin. "Between here and Training Centre, we probably have the biggest and most comprehensive Library this side of the Council. Yet we can find nothing. Why?"
"It hasn't happened before?" Jessy asked.
"Or it has and hasn't been documented for whatever reasons," I said. "Which means the best bet for figuring out what's going on is Maya. For that, she needs concentration."
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Post by Charlotte on Sept 13, 2004 15:59:45 GMT -5
"So does that mean we can take a break?" I said suggestively, looking at Doc. "Y'know if we're not going to find anything." It wasn't that I didn't want to help...well I might have been keener if it wasn't the vampire who killed my mother in trouble...but I was getting distracted anyway, no reason we couldn't disappear just for a few minutes...
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Post by Maya on Sept 13, 2004 16:32:11 GMT -5
((dont worry Doc, i think josh already gave it away. And me a little with the cravings...))
[But...] i mentally huffed, [goddess... you should have told me.]
[oh and you'd have let me do it?]
[No!] i cried. She mentally chuckled,
[see- kinda my point. Just cos you're the slayer doesnt mean you're invincible, Mai- esspecially when you're like this.]
[Its making me stronger!] I retorted, [my magic, my senses... its unbelievable...]
[which makes it unpredictable! I know its going fast, Mai, and that means we dont know exactly whats gonna happen! Just let me help.]
[Is it harming you?] I asked.
[No!] She said immediately
[Can i actually stop you without doing some major mojo that could hurt us both?]
[No.] She replied- i could feel her wry smile, and wondered if it was presenting in reality.
[what do i tell the others?]
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Post by Aredhel on Sept 13, 2004 20:41:02 GMT -5
[Tell them I'm fine. I'll wake up in a few days anyways I think.]
[And you expect them to believe that?]
[They'll believe whatever you say. I'm just assuming you don't want to explain the whole thing. If you want to spill everything, be my guest. I won't say a word.]
[Cause you're in a coma!]
A mental laugh. [Touché]
There was a pause. I reached out to her for a second, letting her know I cared, I worried. Most of the time, Maya and the others were my friends, my companions, but right now, she was my daughter. I didn't want to let anything happen to her.
[Thanks]
((and that's all I have to say... if you want to add anything else, go ahead lol))
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Post by Jackson ''Doc'' Ellison on Sept 14, 2004 4:40:12 GMT -5
"uh, yeah," I said. "Jessy, Pepper why don't you two stay down here, look around teh Library. We'll go and...uh, get some snacks."
For the record, i think we showed good control. We actually made it up stairs to the kitchen.
"Snacks?" Charlotte asked. I shrugged as I embraced her.
"I'm getting mine," I whispered as we kissed.
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Post by Maya on Sept 14, 2004 11:28:55 GMT -5
[Just... wake up, ok?] I said seriously.
she replied.
[ok...] i said. then, [erm... how do i get out?]
I heard her mental chuckle, and then i was... well, it was a little like reversing at very high speed, and suddenly i was back in my own body, blinking.
"Well?" Aralin asked.
"She's ok." I said.
"What do you mean?" Lin snapped.
"She'll wake up soon enough.... she's... its a sorta meditation thing... she did it herself.
"Herself!? By the gods, why?"
"I... she has her reasons."
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'I could so save the world if somebody handed me superpowers.'