Emerson: ::the third man's mind began to unravel, slowly but inexorably::
Lore_Soothspeak: ::There were no objections. The first man peeked out from behind the table, terrified. Karma stirred against
her mother's still frame::
Emerson: ::he cut off the man's throat, enough that he didn't even have the relief of a scream::
Emerson: ::but everyone present had heard him, and could only imagine what hell he was being sent to::
Emerson: ::his body fell to the floor like his now-blank compatriot's; breathing and utterly unresponsive::
Emerson: ::Toby wheeled, eyes blazign white again, and he turned on the first Elder::
Emerson: :;and with a flicker of those eyes, he was sent sprawling across the room, in a heap::
Emerson: Well? ::he snarled::
Emerson: What've you got to say now?
Lore_Soothspeak: ::Raja shuddered, stepping to Lore as if to rouse her. He had punishment coming for what he had been part of, but for now, he wanted what was best for Lore, for Karma. He handed Karma to Haven, rolling the woman onto her back, looking worried::
Emerson: ::this was to the first man he'd attacked, the one with no permanent damage; not Raja, just to be clear::
Lore_Soothspeak: ::The first elder whimpered but pointed a finger:: "You cannot take her...either of them. Kill us, but you will have more opposition. She'll never be able to love you, to be with you. Not her, and not your whelp"
Emerson: Ooh, wrong answer.
Emerson: Let's try that again. ::with a flicker of his eyes, the man was pinned against the wall::
Emerson: Now, since you clearly believe in might makes right... I'm gonna be giving you some orders.
Emerson: What you're going to do, is find someone who is *WILLING* to take over the job from Lorelie. Let me make myself
indelibly clear..
Emerson: WILLING.
Lore_Soothspeak: "Even now...who will collect her body. Did you think she could betray us, and live?" ::The mans words were a hiss as he pointed to Lore::
Emerson: You will not touch my daughter. You will not touch Lorelie again. Do either, and I'll end you.
Emerson: ::Toby flung him to the floor at his feet::
Emerson: Actually, I think I'm going to end you anyway, for being a total bastard.
Lore_Soothspeak: ::The man shook his head, holding his temples, his breath ragged:: "I don't have to touch them"
Emerson: But how you answer this last question determines if you die fast and clean, or if I send you into your own little hell
for all time.
Emerson: So think real hard before you answer.
Emerson: ::pause:: Y'know what...screw it. Let's see just what I can do.
Emerson: ::he flung him again, into the middle of the room::
Emerson: Object lesson number four.
Emerson: ::Toby raised his arms; reality shimmered and rippled around him::
Lore_Soothspeak: ::Haven covered Karma's eyes, then looked away himself::
Emerson: ::his lips moved, but the voice was not his own:: *Power Overwhelming*.
Emerson: ::the ripple effect raced across the room; as it passed over the edge of a table, everyone saw the bit of table just disintegrate into nothingness::
Emerson: ::and it passed right through the man; as his form blurred and rippled, it just..came apart like that tide on a sandcastle one more time::
Emerson: ::and nothing at all was left::
Lore_Soothspeak: ::Raja watched in horror, trying desperately to get Lore to breathe, to blink, to do anything that might calm Toby down::
Emerson: ::he turned around slowly, his eyes returning to normal again::
Emerson: You. ::Raja::
Emerson: You're one of them. You know what they did to her.
Emerson: Fix it.
Lore_Soothspeak: ::Raja nodded. He would not defend himself. That he'd tried to help Lore and Toby before meant nearly nothing:: "I...I can figure something out...there is no one to deny me if...if I make up a story of where she went..."
Emerson: ::it meant enough, that Toby had not yet struck at him::
Lore_Soothspeak: ::He concentrated on her, one palm to her forhead. He was not as strong as the others had been, indeed,
he hated using the bonds they had with her::
Emerson: No. No stories.
Emerson: I am not here for lies, I'm not here for deceit. I want an end.
Emerson: I want someone who will willingly take her place. And if my opinion means anything beyond your fear of me now, I
want you to treat her with respect and with reward, not with pain.
Lore_Soothspeak: ::Haven stood, rocking, his face against Karma's, cooing to her, crying with her::
Emerson: ::he knew now, that he could nto go near his daughter. She would forever know him for what he'd done just today::
Emerson: ::even if it was for her future::
Lore_Soothspeak: "I do not have that power, Toby..." :He said softly, wishing it weren't true:: "I can't...I don't understand what's happened" ::He put one hand to the the woman's mouth then her nose, looking terrified:: "I can't fix this. I don't know how! I..." ::He was frustrated, he had truly liked Lorelie::
Emerson: ::he knelt, stone-faced:: What did they do to her?
Lore_Soothspeak: ::He shook his head:: "No more...No more Tellers...no more. We need no history such as this." ::Raja wiped his eyes, looking desparate. He kept his voice quiet so Haven wouldn't hear:: "I...I think they've killed her, Toby..."
Emerson: :he said nothing::
Emerson: ::then he put that bare left hand on her temple::
Emerson: (m) One last gift I can give you.
Lore_Soothspeak: ::Raja watched, wide eyed and wondering::
Emerson: ::and instead of the tidal wave the other three had known; a gentle little stream flowed through the gulf between them::
Emerson: ~ You have a little girl that needs you... ~
Emerson: ~ Don't leave her. ~
Lore_Soothspeak: ::The voice was faint, just a small flicker of being:: ~Toby...I've ruined everything...Take Karma back to Rhydin...to her home. But let her come visit her uncle, her family. Take her there where she might forget what she would have been. Make her forget me~
Emerson: ~ She needs you more. I've done things I have to live with now, that I have to atone for. Don't leave her now. ... please..~
Emerson: ~ If you ever do anything for me.... do this. Live.... live with our little girl. Show her light, not darkness. ~
Lore_Soothspeak: ~I can't Toby...I can't do it. I'm not strong enough to tell her what happened when she asks some day...or
to desert my people...I can't....Toby, I never meant to betray you. I always wanted you happy~
Emerson: ~ Lore... I want you to stay here. With her. ~
Emerson: ~ I can give you one last gift... I want you to take it.. please... ~
Emerson: ::he would not answer the words about betrayal. It was past that now::
Emerson: ~ I can change just enough.... I have the power. To give you peace... and peace for her. But you must accept it.. please.~
Emerson: ::the world was gone for the moment. It was just them::
Lore_Soothspeak: ::She didn't understand, but she wanted him happy, her words were resigned.:: ~Anything, Toby. I'll try to accept whatever you want. I'll try~
Emerson: ~ I want you to remember that Karma's father loved her very much... and that we loved too. I want you to remember
that, but the memories will fade a little... you won't remember me. Nor will she.~
Emerson: ~ I want you to be happy.. with her. Here, or in Rhydin, wherever you go.~
Emerson: ~ Make them follow through with what you promised... that she'll grow up to her own life, to choose. ~
Emerson: ~ I know what you'll say... that you don't want to forget. But I want you to be happy again. ~
Emerson: ~ Do this for me... please.. ~
Lore_Soothspeak: ~No! No...you may not love me...you may not want me...but don't you take what we had away from me...I won't interfere with your life, with your plans...just please...let me have that. Let me have memories. Karma is young, she may forget...but don't make me~~
Lore_Soothspeak: ~No, Toby. Never. I can be happy without you. As you can be happy without me~
Emerson: ::hushing gently:: ~ No.. I won't take it away. I won't ask that of you. Only that the memories will wear a different
face. That you'll think back on them and smile. ~
Emerson: ~ So that you can find love again. ~
Emerson: ~ Without my face haunting you. ~
Emerson: ~ I can do that much. ~
Lore_Soothspeak: ::She was getting stronger, angrier:: ~No. You said no more lies...no more deceit. No. I will look back on you and smile...but don't ask me to do that. I won't!~
Emerson: ::he was making her angry... and in doing so, making her strong, making her fire burn again::
Emerson: ~ Then will you promise me one thing at least? ~
Lore_Soothspeak: ~I...I a'ready have found love~ ::She admitted:: ~Never would I go to him while I wore the bands...but I can go to him. And if not...I'll find another. I can be happy, Toby. I love you but...you're not my only love. I love Karma too, and I'll give her a father figure~
Lore_Soothspeak: ::She stayed silent, listening::
Emerson: ::it hurt, but it also soothed him to know that, in a way::
Emerson: ~ You have another chance, Lorelie.. another chance at love, without all of this to interfere. Please... take it, with both hands. ~
Emerson: ~ But do it wisely. ~