Topic: Out For a Walk

Lydia Loran

Date: 2006-07-19 14:21 EST
Her heart ached.

Her mother was dead. The Sacrosanct was destroyed. Things were simply..not going well.

But she couldn't just give up hope, even though she came so close to doing so earlier...

Rather than sit at the inn and mope about, she wanted to get out. She needed to. The warm sun, the cool breeze and fresh air, a lively environment....It would help her. At least she hoped it would.

So she went for a walk. She explored The Marketplace, listened to the people out and about. They were laughing, they were happy. She wanted to laugh too, but she didn't have the heart for it...not right now. She had earlier, but now, the memories were coming back, and she could feel them wearing on her.

She remembered the shell Alex had given her. She wanted a necklace made from it so she saw a jeweler about it, which was simple enough for them to do. Even though she didn't know what it looked like, she wore it. It wasn't often someone gave her something..simply because they wanted to, rather than feeling a duty or obligation to.

Now she was at the docks. The fresh salty air was the best. She closed her eyes for a long while, listening to the seagulls, listening to boats pulling up to the dock and the boats setting sail, listening to, well, everything. Time passed, but she didn't know how much had passed. She wasn't even sure if it was night..or day.

Finally she opened her eyes and sighed. The sounds she was listening to before seemed to have faded. She was alone with silence..and she didn't like it.

She turned to leave, but bumped into someone. It felt like a man of good build. She frowned as her cheeks flushed some. "I'm terribly sorry sir..." She didn't hear him approach, so she didn't know he was there.

And then there was laughter.

Lydia Loran

Date: 2006-07-19 14:35 EST
Lydia frowned and took a step back. There was laughter from more than one man, and it was coming from all around her. From the sounds of it..there were four...perhaps five.

"This is her" This tiny little thing?"

"I could have taken her on myself!"

"Five men against one little girl..doesn't seem fair."

Five.

Lydia gripped her staff tightly as her brows furrowed.

"Oooh would you look at that' She thinks she can fight us?" The laughter grew louder. "One little blind girl....thinks she can take us on....I don't know if I should be insulted!"

She felt rough hands grip her arms tightly. There were two men, one on each side...."I don't want to hurt you...just...let me go."

There was a long pause of silence, and then that sickening laughter erupted once again.

"Oh, oh she doesn't want to hurt us" What are you gonna do there little girl" Hit us with your stick?"

The hands tightened on her arms.

"I think we oughta have some fun with her first boys..what do you think?"

"Ha! I like how you think..."

They wouldn't listen to her. No one ever did. So it couldn't be helped, she had to defend herself. She closed her eyes and summoned up all the power she could to put forth in the form of fire that erupted from her body. She winced at the screams of the men holding her, and she could feel the ash that was once their bodies brush off her arms, and fall on the ground.

"What the hell!?"

She heard footsteps coming her way. Hard, heavy, fast footsteps. She stepped back, swinging her staff as hard as she could. She winced again at the crunch she heard, and then a hard thud as the man fell to the ground.

So far, so good. But it had started out as five against one....not the best of odds. So Lydia couldn't keep track of all of them. She heard two others coming for her, and she tried to ward them off, but they had caught her off guard, and at the worst time possible....Her hand reached into her pouch, grabbing desperately at the stones within it that Tasha had given her. She hadn't even realized she picked up a certain Rune someone had given to her, but right now, she was caught up in the moment.

She cried out as something sharp pierced the skin of her arm, and a scream escaped her lips when a rough hand grabbed her hair and yanked her head back. The stones and rune fell from her hand to the ground as she reached back, trying to get the man's hand off of her.

Her staff fell to the ground.

"I'm going to enjoy this."

Alex Ravenlock

Date: 2006-07-19 16:11 EST
Leaving the inn that afternoon was possibly one of the sadder things that had happened all day. He was reluctant to leave the only thing that was sparking his saddened mood since the events in the Inn's kitchen only one day previous.

The events that had him entwined with Lydia.

But all goods things had to come to pass, at some point. And this was that certain time. He couldn't...no...he wouldn't watch her go. It'd ignite his urge to want to follow her, to be sure that she was going to be okay.

He could understand the wants of being alone. He did all that he possibly could to bring her mood up from the dumps that it was in. And to be perfectly honest, he did not expect to do such a thing. He was never good at communicating with people. Never good at learning about who they were. Learning about what was right with them, what they loved to do with their time. ...never good at being interesting.

The warm air pelted his face as he stepped from the inn that afternoon, no more than fifteen, twenty minutes after Lydia did. He had interest to stay behind and speak to Jewell for several minutes...but being Emperess, she had her rounds to make. He could always see her later in the evening. He knew she'd set some time aside for the two of them, even if it was brief. There were many things concerning that that he needed to be sure of. That she knew he'd be there for her, as well..

None of this was easy. Life had gone from a sinch to something of a nightmare. And with Lydia being down, as she was, the nightmare could only grow. He hated seeing her the way she was, today. But...why' Why was he so intent to see her smile when she was not' To see her happy when she was sad" To reveal emotions, to laugh, to cry, to smile...to be something of a more complete him' Was this the intact, completeness that was released from all the hardships that had been going on' There was no defined reason where this all emerged from. But he wasn't interested in questioning these truths, either.

He was going to, for once in his life, roll with the punches.

His mind picked up that Lydia said she was going to go to the WestEnd docks. Perhaps they'd see each other.." No. His head shook violently to that thought. She had said, herself, that she wanted some time alone to walk, to think, to reflect. He wanted to do nothing more than respect that decision. Afer all, wasn't she capable of handling things herself"

Sometimes, all you need is a small boost..

He skipped down the few steps merrily like a school child may when their day was done. He, himself, was perfectly content because he had spent some time with her. There was nothing in his day that could go even remotely wrong, from that point.

Life met a high, from a bellowing low, on the streets of dreams in the valley of freedom.

He had waved his hand in front of him in a small arch, drawing forth his mother's staff from somewhere beyond. It materalized in hand as though it were a mere wire-frame, before filling in to a complete object. He had lost a considerable amount of his ability...it always seemed to take twice as long to get something done. Things were slow...perhaps it was the price to pay. The price he was very much willing to pay. It had seemed to have paid off, quite nicely. With the staff within his hand, he tossed it for the ground, watching as it bobbed inches from the ground before hovering. Stationary. At least that much wasn't lost from the events. With nothing more than a merry leap as though he was making a splash within the ocean waves, he was on the staff and taking off for the skies.

He had no actual intention to go anywhere. The shores were an idea, but he had already spent several days there. The marketplace, perhaps...find something new to buy for Lydia" ...he didn't want to provide a bunch of stuff for her. There was no house to return to, and Jewell's was smashed to hell thanks to several of his small orders. Woops.

His mindless flight had him hovering several paces above the marketplace, after all. It was somewhat within the heart of the city, so perhaps it was only mandatory that he end up there at some point or another. Perhaps he'd find her something to give at a much later time. Sure, the shell was not much of an interesting object to hand over to her, but she seemed to happy. It seemed so...impersonal, really. But - that was a part of a life he was learning to live. Doing things that were entirely unlike him. Or...were they?

Alex Ravenlock

Date: 2006-07-19 16:38 EST
What seemed like forever passed within the blistering sun that beat down on him from overhead. More than several times did he find refuge underneath a tarp that shielded him from the beating sunrays. He'd really have to remember at some point that wearing a beater top was okay...but the jeans" They had to go.

Sweat was also a returning feature to him. Since the deadly coils of shadow and death were no longer pickling at his very life force, natural occurances were becoming more and more frequent.

Like being nervous when holding someone's hand for the first time.

Dirt kicked up as his sneakers dragged against the ground as he moved. He wasn't sure what it was he was looking for, at all. He saw several elaborate quilts being sold - but he felt that because she wouldn't be able to see it, there was little purpose in getting it. (Not to mention, the fabric was absolutely horrid to touch. ...and maybe a little awkward in smell~) There were several out of season sweaters that he saw, but it seemed to follow the same category as the quilts. They had such beautiful patterns etched into them that almost, keyword, almost rivaled the beauty that was her. Perhaps it was the reason why he lingered some thoughts on buying one. Just for that fact. But the fact remained that she may not enjoy it, despite what she'd say.

The process continued when he came across some jewelry. Delicate designs of twine, shells, beads and elaborate gems were from the many selections that he came across. The gems seemed a little much, so they were automatically ruled from his decision. The twine, rough and gritty to even tough, seemed much too basic for something to wear. (Twine necklaces are bad") Rings and earrings were seen, too - but the same as the gemmed necklaces, the seemed far too early to be considered an option. He was also very much unsure what it was that she found to be 'her taste'. Such indecisivness lead him away from the jewelry section before he threw a shoe at someone.

It was when he came across various pottery that his mind eased. "Ah....a pot..." A pot...how lovely. (Sarcasm is a friend for the lonely) He wasn't sure what furnature was like back home for her, but a gift...a reminder of customs and designs on Rhy'Din wasn't such a horrible decision. There were several plates that had various drawings printed upon them, and some were even allowing for custom art. He considered getting her name etched into one. ...but how would that work. 'Oh, Lydia. I love your plates...I find cute that you can eat right off of your name!' ...yeah, good call there, kid. He shook the idea off as he moved on down the line, onec again coming across various vases. There were various shapely designs, none of which seemed to provoke any kind of interest. Minus one. The one that he caught interest of was of a heart design. It was a dark sapphire color, glazed several times to provide a glistening effect within the sun. He reached out with either hand, carefully picking it up to observe it more closely, and the depth within. Uniquely, it didn't seem to absorb any of that heat from the sun, keeping the glass structure entirely cool to the touch. Almost as though he was touching ice. Nodding, he decided that this would work for him.

Scream

The sudden yelp within his mind startled him, either hand pulling from the vase that he was holding. His hands quickly moved to grip at his head as his eyes pinched closed tightly, as the vase that he had tumbled for the ground. The sudden shatter, as the vase connected, caused various stares, including the stand owner. There was a mixed impression of concern, and annoyance, at the broken item. He, however, was entirely oblivious to this as the sounds continued to rattle into his skull before it suddenly ceased.

The pings that entered his mind traced back instantly to the days when Jewell or Brian would contact him when trouble was brewing either at the inn, or another nearby source. It came from the runes.

He squinted as his eyes pulled open, a migrane throbbing from the forced feed that entered his skull as he peered around to the small group that had gathered around his strange reaction. Swallowing hard, he waved his hand once more as the staff began to materalize within place. ...a brash, rough grapple took hold of one of his shoulders. Alex's attention drew from the staff that was beginning to shape into the world, causing it puff out in a small dwindling smoke.

"Oit! Ya gunna pay fer dat!?" A bald, bulky man, nearly the same height as Alex himself, had stepped up from the small gathering. Alex could place the man as one of those that worked with the pottery guy...he wore a much-too-tight-and-revealing shirt that said, 'Ceramics'r'us'. (Sue me.)

Alex rolled the shoulder that was clamped roughly, shrugging the guy from him, as he waved his hand a second time before him. The already half-casted spell caused the staff to shine brightly as it tore into hand as though it was being shed through a large piece of paperl The light, mixed with the sudden shapely object in hand caused the crowd, including the bulked male, to hesitate in discussion and possible intervention. It always seemed to amaze him. ...there's a dragon right over there shopping for maternity clothes...yet they're freaking out that he's using magic" It's not outlawed, people!!!

"...I'll come back...I...liked that vase." He looked over his shoulder as the staff was thrown from his grip for the ground - leaping up upon it and ripping off from the ground to quickly ascend for the skies.

Alex Ravenlock

Date: 2006-07-19 16:56 EST
His mind raced as he placed the scream to the sounds he heard. He didn't know what was going on at all, but he knew where it was coming from. Each rune always provided him with a simple proxmity of direction. Generally, even that was sometimes misconstrued, depending on the distance of the rune was to where he was currently at. It always depended on distance.

Sadly, the damn things were still in their beta phase. He hadn't had a chance to flesh out all of the details.

He knew one thing, though. The signal was leading him towards the shore...the WestEnd docks.

Ripping through the air as though he was some kind of fighter jet, his body arched low as he strength of the velocity caused his hair to whip jaggedly about his face, and pull at his clothes as though they were going to rip clear from his body. And while he generally didn't care if he was naked, or not...this was probably one of those times that clothing was a must. Damn!

Sliding over the docks, his body lifted up to a stance upon the staff as his eyes began to search out the area down and below. He had some distance from the ground, but a safe enough distance so that he could see people in a fashion other than 'ant-size'! The pings were becoming stronger...thankfully, it helped in him pinpointing a girl with sea green hair. ...and several figures having their fun with her. Not since the resurgence had he felt even a tinge of anger rise or boil within him. He couldn't mistaken it...not what he was seeing, nor what he was feeling for her.

A firey glare that could ignite a log cabin loomed upon the grouping as he closed in the distance upon the few of them that were present.

Sliding from the staff, he snagged it up in his grip as he slipped past it, landing upon the ground no more than ten feet behind them. It twirled within one hand, idly, as he pointed it out before them.

"HEY!" He called. His teeth were grinding together to the point that they could very well shatter. "YOU JERKWADS PICKED THE WRONG GIRL TO MESS WITH.." A burning aura of energy sparkled about his frame, attempting to ignite and break free from about his figure. However, there was no chance it'd actually flare to life...that part of him was long gone.

A Ravenlock with a crush was a dangerous one. Especially when the one said Ravenlock had a crush on was being used for this weeks bodybag practice.

Lydia Loran

Date: 2006-07-20 07:04 EST
"I'm going to enjoy this."

She cried out as she pulled at the rough hand yanking back her hair. Another rough hand forced itself over her mouth.

"You better shut up or this is just gonna get worse for ya!"

She could hear a man groan and pull himself from the ground. It was the one she had previously hit with her staff, and judging by the sound, she had probably broken his jaw....so two men were dead, all that was left of them were ashes...and three men were left, one of which was injured.

She could hear more laughter. "Aw hell man, she really hit ya good there!"

She dug her nails into the hand on her mouth and did the only thing she could, she bit him as hard as she could. So hard she could taste blood in her mouth, and it sickened her, but she kept clamping down with her teeth as though her life depended on it, because it truly did...

"AGH! You little *bitch*!!"

She was thrown to the ground hard, and her elbows and legs scraped against the rough ground, causing them to bleed. She tried so hard to summon her magic as she had previously, but it simply would not come to her. She was drained, and besides, in WestEnd, magic was not the most reliable of resources.

"That's it....you wanna do this the hard way?" She could hear the unbuckling of a belt. "We'll do this the hard way then..."

She tried scooting away from the oncoming footsteps, but they were advancing faster than she could retreat.

"HEY! YOU JERKWADS PICKED THE WRONG GIRL TO MESS WITH.."

That couldn't be...who she thought it was. Could it"

Alex Ravenlock

Date: 2006-07-20 11:17 EST
Emeralds burned through the inky blobs that made up either of his eyes, moving to settle on the downed figure of Lydia. Perhaps he had provided the three with enough reason to cease their advance. Or, perhaps his intimidation level had dropped several notches. Such was yet to be seen.

"Lydia!" His eyes lifted to regard the three men as he called out to her, the staff sliding in his grip so that his other hand could grip the base of it. Soft hums and trickling sources of violet-colored energies continued to flare every few minutes from the staff, as though it was a flooding fountain of magic. "Are you okay?" He was still speaking through gritted teeth, molers grinding together audibly. No, it did not feel well. And yes, it probably meant he was going to have to do to the dentist. Rhy'Din had those. Right"

His eyes never once left the men that were there, solely because he never could be sure with what people could do, anymore. Though, something within him snapped. Seeing her down like she was, possibly hurt, proved to be the breaking limit for the quiet, mellowed out Ravenlock.

Since things had calmed down, he kept himself calm, quiet...down right pleasent. No bloodshed, or even a thought in the world to have someone harmed. It was a turning stone to attone for the weeks to months. ...even if it wasn't his fault that things broke apart as they did, then. But now? Oh...now. Seeing Lydia harmed was a realization, there was never going to be any way around it.

Those gloves had to come off, and the dirty tricks had to be played.

"How DARE you touch my Lydia! You insolent twits! Nobody touches her!"

Either hand slipped from the staff, causing it to clunk hollowly against the cobblestone as he hurtled himself forward. His left arm arched out before him, causing Althena's Sword, the soulbound creation of nearly fifteen years, to flare into his grip without so much as a thought. It was as though the sword read him - and his quinching thirst to deliver payback.

As he slid up just before either of the men, Alex danced to the left of the one that he was closest to, sword twirling within his grip only to obtain a better grip before it lunged it out in a downward slant to attempt to plunge into the man. Alex wanted nothing more than to impale that blade within the gut. Regardless if that attack was going to go through or not, a surge of motley colored energies swelled upon his arm, causing an immense pressure to build up just where it was he was standing. The surging colors ran the length of his arm, vibrant colors flaring within the veins that bulged from his flesh. A dark, hated glare shot towards one of the other men that he saw initially grabbing Lydia as he did, the hand arching upwards in a hastey, sharp movement. The energy flared from his hand, extending outwards like a makeshift sword in an attempt to slice the second man that was only paces from the first directly into two vertically.

He definitely wanted nothing more than to rip these men apart without so much as a thought about who they were. ...they commited a terrible crime, in his eyes. Harmed the girl he cared about.

Lydia Loran

Date: 2006-07-24 08:44 EST
"Lydia!"

It sure sounded like him...."A..Alex..?" Her voice was weak and shakey. There was a moment of..quiet. She could feel an energy of sorts building..she certainly sensed..something.

"Are you okay?"

"I...Alex..yes.." Her mouth opened to speak but it seemed to take a while for her to find the words. And even then, they didn't flow freely and didn't make much sense. She wanted to move, just get up and run but she couldn't seem to make her legs work. She placed her hands to the ground and searched for her staff. Blood poured down from the wound on her arm and onto her hand as she searched, but she couldn't seem to find it.

It seemed like too much time had passed, and there was no sound. No fighting, no movement, nothing. It was the most unsettling and hopeless feeling, not knowing what was happening, and not being able to help.

Then the silence was broken. "How DARE you touch my Lydia! You insolent twits! Nobody touches her!"

SHe heard movements, and felt more energies building. There was also rage. She could feel it, sense it. She flinched as she heard a man scream...and perhaps heard his flesh being ripped by something. Another scream made her shiver as she felt blood droplets spatter on her. Heavy, fast footsteps were also heard....one of the men that had attacked her was now running away, not that she really took notice.

"A..Alex?" She shook, and prayed the blood spattered on her didn't belong to him.

Alex Ravenlock

Date: 2006-07-25 01:54 EST
"A..Alex?"

The pumping adrenaline that was surging through his body slowed as soon as he heard her voice call out to him. Swelling energies, binding powers, they all collapsed within him at the mere sound of her voice, as though it was a canine being called off. Through the corner of his eye, he could physically see the bodies of the two he ripped apart falling to the earth, spraying bits of blood within the air as though they were makeshift fountains. The soft sound of hissing could be heard from them as they crashed into the earth in unison. With a soft growl, he looked up the the third, who had since spun around and was making his way from the scene.

However, his attention was no longer focused on that man the second he started running. From Alex's point of view, he hadn't done a thing to her, yet. ...he considered mercy, for that. "YOU BETTER RUN!" A hand was up in the air, shaking the gored up sword.

He glanced over his shoulder at her, concern taking over what once was a rage-filled expression. Althena's was casted aside, thrown into the wind where it dispursed into a magnatude of various colors. He spun his body around to slide down next to her in a quick movement. "Lydia" ....Lydia.." His hands were out before him, quickly placing them on her in an attempt to feel her out. It was quite clear he was falling into hysterics over her current position from the attack that had happened upon her. Forcefully, teeth bit down on his bottom lip, the sheer pressure causing blood to surface both inside, and slightly out, as he examined the scrapes that had come over her.

Seeing her bleed was something he was not fully ready to handle. Seeing her harmed, or in any kind of danger....it was beyond clear to him that he was not able to handle things of this nature well. At all.

Then again, when has he ever? ...like the time Jewell was...had something happen so severe to her in the Inn. He went ballistic. Murdered the guy in cold blood, right there in front of so many. ...it was the turning point in his life...when he casted aside the role of simple lover, and took up the role of death dealing. Anyone and everyone that conflicted any kind of pain, of any sort, would be dealt with. Swiftly.

But those days were long past. No longer was it necessary. ...as it was to be: She no longer needed him. In nearly any aspect. She had grown, as had he.

In the most recent of days since their meeting, already he felt himself needing her. To be around her, to see her, to smile at her. To...talk to her. To simply live knowing that she was there with him. Lydia had become...something that he cherished. A rare thing that happened in this Ravenlock's life. ...truely, she was something special to him.

...those thoughts were removed the moment he lifted his head to look at Lydia, a light frown present upon his lips. "...I...are..." He choked on his own words as he attempted to offer them to her. He couldn't. He was shakey, cold, and entirely fearful for her. Seeing her in danger, harmed, or downright upset wasn't settling for him at all. It showed his vulnerability, his weakness. His feelings, perhaps. To what degree she meant to him.

Tears welled within those eyes as he looked her over once more, before he closed in the distance upon them in an attempt to cradle her within his arms. To hug her. To hold her. He needed that strength that she provided to keep him from shedding something he rarely ever did. To keep from doing something he's only ever done once, before. He wouldn't...he couldn't.

It wasn't becoming of a Ravenlock with feelings towards another.

Lydia Loran

Date: 2006-07-26 21:10 EST
Her eyes closed. Was he dead" Was Alex dead" She didn't know what to expect now...she shivered. Someone had come close to her, they were right there in front of her, kneeling, reaching out to her. She flinched a bit, unsure of who it was at first, but hoping it was him....It had to be.

"Lydia" ....Lydia.."

Those blind eyes opened and started to mist. He wasn't dead. She felt his hands gently touch her, feeling for wounds, making sure she wasn't hurt...She really wasn't, aside from a scrape or two and a minor injury on her arm. Not that she was thinking of such things at the moment...

Her mouth opened to speak his name, but no words came. She wanted to thank him, but that wouldn't come either. There was a lot to be said right now, but the silence remained.

"...I...are..."

He pulled her into him, holding her. Still shaking, she moved her own arms around him, thankful he was alive. Thankful he was there when she needed him, but really, when was he not' Ever since she met him, he was there, he had become something of a backbone for her, for if he were not there" She'd surely fall.

"Alex...I thought they'd....I'm glad you're not..." Her eyes closed again, the tears falling this time.

Alex Ravenlock

Date: 2006-07-26 22:14 EST
"Alex...I thought they'd....I'm glad you're not..."

"Sh-sh-sh.....I'm here.." It was the only thing he found himself speaking aloud to her.

He didn't want her to worry. Not now. He had no strength on the mental, and emotional level. If she collapsed" Surely, he wouldn't be very far behind her.

And, as it's been stated several times, by this point. He couldn't have that happen just yet. Especially not in front of her.

He pulled back from her almost as soon as he pulled her in for a hug, looking her over several times further. He couldn't get over the fact that he appeared there just as he did with her being harmed. Or nearly harmed. He still wasn't sure of the details, or how long they had been shoving her around. Maybe even if at all.

He pulled away from her entirely, then, moving on up to a stance with either hand out before her. "C'mon...let's get out of here before more come...or before any others that are nearby join the fray..."

He wanted to run. Far away. Far away with her where no one would see them, hear of them. As though they didn't exist. But - that was false as all could be. They didn't mean a single thing to one another aside from friendly folk who communicated within the inn every now and then. Was it unacceptable to think such thoughts" ...no. He wanted to bring her somewhere safe. Far away.

He rolled his head to one side, mouth puckering to blow bits of lavender that stubbornly drifted in front of his features stubbornly. And those eyes. They settled on her with a worry that would never, once, be challenged to rivalry.

He, for once in his life, was sincerely concerned for another person besides himself.

Maria DeGlause

Date: 2006-07-27 23:37 EST
She struck the failure across the face.

Her glamoured purple eyes narrowed as she regarded the man in disgust. "Tell me, how 5 grown men fail to take down one frail, blind elf" How is this possible?"

He wouldn't dare look at her, not after he failed. He wouldn't dare rub at his face where he was struck....he wouldn't move, wouldn't breathe...

"I demand an answer, it is the least you owe me after your failure."

He finally looked up, his eyes not quite meeting hers as he clenched his teeth. His voice was raspy, dry, and barely audible as he spoke. "We wanted to have a little fun with her first...but some..person came to save her.."

She arched a brow. "A little fun you say' A little fun...tell me, when I gave you your orders, did I say anything about you having a little fun?"

He said nothing.

"No' My orders were to kill her. Not have a little fun with her." She crossed her arms as she looked the man over, slowly shaking her head. "I told you to kill her....that is what you were to do. I didn't care how you did it, but it should have been simple enough, one of you could have approached her and slit her throat...then" You could have had all the fun you wanted with her for all I care..." Full, plum painted lips formed a frown. "This is not what you did though...now is it' You disobeyed me. You went out of your way...to ignore my orders for your own pleasure, and as a result' My sister still lives."

His voice shook as he finally spoke. "I...I'm sorry my queen...I beg you, give me another chance?" His eyes finally met hers.

She laughed. A slow, throaty laugh, her eyes remaining cold as she regarded him. "Another chance" I think not....I am suprised you dared to show your face to me after your failure. You know...I do not tolerate failure." Any hint of a laugh, smile, smirk...it was wiped clean from her face. She slid her hand into the front of her robes, pulling a hidden accessory out for the man to see.

Two Shards put together, forming half of The Amulet. His eyes widened at the sight. Though it wouldn't look like much. It looked to be half an orb, that seemed to have swirling bright light within it one moment, and a blackness that looked as if you might get drawn into it and fall in, never to return. Reality twisted and distorted around The Amulet half as it was moved, even pockets seperating nonexistence, existence, and all that lied in The Nexus would rip open momentarily, only to seal itself back up as soon as it had ripped. It was truly an unstable thing...

"Now tell me...you are aware of what I hold in my hand, yes?"

He opened his mouth to speak, but no words would come. He knew what it was. Who from Veian didn't' It was The Amulet..at least half of it. However one Shard carried considerable power, so if even two are reunited" This man...he shook with fear.

She rolled it within her fingers, smiling at it, as if it were her own child she was looking over with love, encouragement, and pride...."Do you really know what this is" Truly....can you really wrap your small mind around what a treasure this is?" Those plum painted lips curved into a playful smirk as she eyed the fearful man. "I haven't even had a chance to play with it..."

He had no chance at all. His mouth opened in a silent scream as he fell to the floor, his legs missing. They were simply wiped clean from existence....He clawed at the ground as he writhed in agony from having his legs suddenly ripped away. Maria DeGlause laughed at the sight. It enthralled her.

She approached him and knelt down, extending a hand to caress his pain contorted face. Her lips parted and her voice was barely a whisper as she spoke to him.

"I hope you're having fun now..."

She stood and stepped over the dying man, leaving him to bleed...