Topic: Even the best laid plans...

Charna Lyndria

Date: 2005-08-25 13:50 EST
She'd planned it all out in her mind several nights before. It had come to her after a discussion about love, which she had participated in using Rory?s name only about a dozen times. During the aforementioned talk, she had reminded herself of a certain person's insistence on ruining her happiness. Now, being the rash creature that she was, somehow an idea was born from the simple statement, and for the past few evenings she'd been setting her scheme into action.

It wasn't as devious as it sounded. She just needed to get the man here, just needed to talk with him. She would explain it, and he would ?finally- get it and he would leave. It would just take a little bait, that was all. The bait was merely carefully placed items, perhaps an old glove or something, just a bit of evidence that she was still frequenting the Inn and that she wasn't trying to hide it anymore. He?d bite. She just knew he would.

It was just a little after nightfall, and Charna had already snagged a nice quiet table, choosing a seat to face the door. For it being this early, there was a good crowd, but of course, like she?d planned, very few she actually knew, and even then, not on a real personal level. However, she wasn?t blatantly disregarding all of the rules set up for her safety, for she had brought an escort- Ares, her now one hundred and two pound dog. (Sickly enough, he weighed a little less than she did.) She didn?t dare mention the plan in front of him, though, and she definitely wasn?t about to mention the expected companion?s name. RhyDinian pets were far, far intuitive to be that careless in front of. Thankfully, Ares had settled into nap-mode by her feet, and wasn't really questioning his owner?s apprehensive watch on the door.

The waiting was what was really getting to her, at this point. The more time passed, the more her senses gathered, trying to tell her this was an awful idea. The knot in her stomach had more time to tighten, as well.

Charna Lyndria

Date: 2005-08-25 14:05 EST
She?d try to preoccupy herself with eavesdropping, but it was just no use. Her focus always went back to the Inn?s main entrance.

There was a rather muscle-bound young man stomping in now, but he was much too simple looking to be the one she was waiting for. All the same, he made her gawk. His forearms were almost as big as her entire torso! He appeared to be wearing a uniform, which included a gray tunic and pants that were a shade darker. On the chest of the tunic, a golden ?R? was embroidered. She felt one eyebrow inch up as her curiosity piqued. She couldn?t help but wonder what organization he was from.

Her pondering was over momentarily?

For next entered another young man, one with a sharper jaw and a more cunning countenance. Although not as built-up as the man who now stood besides him, he was by no means puny. In fact, his build was quite similar to someone she knew. Immediately, the shoulder and the general build reminded her of the cowboy, her Rory. But no, for this man was perhaps an inch taller and had skin a bit darker. Plus, the hair, which wasn?t black like Rory?s, but merely a deep brown posing as black, had been fashionably flipped and spiked?something she?d never seen the cowboy do, or even grow his locks out long enough to attempt. The eyes were different, too; a furious amber as opposed to the gentle blue irises.

Only realizing it now that her body was protesting, Charna found that from the second she?d spotted the second man, she?d stopped breathing. Gulping down a huge mouthful of air helped to slightly relieve her of the shock, but still it was clear she was unnerved. No matter how well she thought she had prepared, seeing Ahriman actually walk into the room, into ?her- domain, was something that was just too hard to fully comprehend. No doubt the meathead alongside him in the wretched gray was a bodyguard, but where was the other? Calypso, the wicked Mind Witch, had to be around here somewhere?

And all of a sudden, her gaze was being met. Sure enough, the psion was prowling about outside, and the moment she?d picked up Char?s presence, her boss had been alerted. Really, Charna hadn?t changed enough to be hard to spot. Same raven curls, same pale flesh, same skeletal figure, and the same stormy blue-greens. She noted the sickeningly cool grin that had now claimed control of Ahri?s lips as he whispered something to the brute in the uniform, and then turned to move towards her. It had now become a real challenge for her to keep track of her oxygen intake, but she was determined not to look frightened. She transformed her expression to become the epitome of nonchalance, and she?d just gotten her breathing in check when he approached, and wrapped two mighty hands on the back of the empty chair at her table.

Charna Lyndria

Date: 2005-08-25 14:27 EST
By now, Ares was up, sitting regally besides Charna. The erratic breathing had been his first clue that something was wrong, and the fact that her leg was twitching told him that this guy was ?not- a friend. A low growl rumbled from the pooch as he bared some nasty canines.
Ahriman was not intimidated. He sneered, and gestured towards the creature with his chin.

?Nice guard-dog.?

Charna feared her voice would only be a whisper, but thankfully she was wrong. It spilled out with the same confidence she possessed when talking to anyone else.

"I could say the same thing about your mutt, over there."

A mimic of the chin jerk over to the goon at the door. Ahri flicked up a brow at that, although his sneer was still in place. For a moment or two, he glanced down his nose at her, before finally seating himself directly across the table from her. Even sitting, he managed to loom over her.

"Seems you're doing well, Char. It's been quite some time, hasn't it? Caly tells me I never left your mind."

The chuckle that followed made her shudder. Ares growled again, and she tried to shush him under her breath. The dog looked like he'd lunge at any given second.

"People hardly forget encounters with the Devil himself, Ahri. And don't kid yourself, none of my thoughts concerning you were even remotely nostalgic."

Another surprised half-lift of his right eyebrow.

"Well, well. When did you get so insolent, pet?"

His lips would appear to be permanently set in a condescending grin, one that was only for her.

Charna Lyndria

Date: 2005-08-25 14:49 EST
" The minute I realized I was in control of my own destiny. I was foolish for far too long, Ahri, thinking that the likes of you and dear old 'Daddy' could keep me captive. Unfortunate what happened to my father, is it not?"

It was her turn to smirk wickedly. Her father had been "mysteriously" poisoned the night before she was supposed to be ushered off to the exact man sitting opposite her. Just as "mysteriously," she had disappeared the very same night. Ahri chuckled again, although it wasn't as smug this time.

"Very unfortunate. The man was little more than a waste of air, regardless. I hope that wasn't supposed to be a subtle threat, princess."

She looked away coyly, really very proud of herself for being able to do this well.

"Business is doing well, I assume, Ahri? How's that lovely partner of yours, Caly, anyhow? Psions must be a whole new sexual experience."

He didn't seem to like that one, as was evident by the scowl that distorted his features.

" Business is great. And Caly is not a partner, she is an employee. A valuable one, yes, but an employee nevertheless. As for the last comment, I wouldn't know. Unlike you, my little swine, I'm don't allow myself to go to bed with just anyone."

He tried for a low blow, but he didn't even manage to start her.

"You must've read the file wrong, dear. I have had only had two or three mates in the near five years I've lived here. And they all happened to be men I was actually dating..you know, seeing regularly? Or do you not understand the concept of a relationship?"

One hand was nestled under her chin, and her eyes had taken on a sly form. For the first time between the two of them, she was coming out the one on top. Ahri was quick to try and reclaim his superiority, though.

" Oh, I understand the concept. But, Char, I think this place and these people have disillusioned you. You are not the type of woman to have a relationship with. You are the kind of woman to be kept. Frankly, despite how smart and hardworking Caly claims this O'Corr fellow of yours is, he isn't smart enough to make sure you're accounted for while he is away, now is he? I can assume he wouldn't be too happy if he knew you and I were conversing? I can't imagine this..what is it..'wife' of yours, Kina, would be, either. Now, if they were proper owners, you, dearheart, would be locked away, and getting my rightful property back would be more of a challenge. That just goes to show how useless this group of yours is."

Charna Lyndria

Date: 2005-08-25 15:24 EST
That little speech had visibly perturbed her. His sheer disregard for her actually being a person was nothing new, but now knowing just how deep this idea of her being some lowly life-form that only he could control frightened her. When she didn't speak, he continued.

"Is it settling in, my little burden? These cretins will never understand you like I do, and letting you run around as you see fit is the wrong way to handle you. Charna, you belong to me. You always have. I'm sorry this little vacation made you think otherwise."

His expression had actually softened some, with something similar to..pity? Maybe even a twisted form of sympathy? Or worse...an unhealthy adoration? Suddenly she didn't feel so mighty at all. Gathering up her energy and patience, and using her most professional tone, she forced herself to look him straight in the eyes.

"Ahriman...the past is the past. This is my new life, this is where I belong. If you tried to take me away, I wouldn't survive. And I never belonged to you the way I belong to Rory, because, well... I -chose- to give all of myself to him. It was never an option with you. And this...this near obsession of yours...Ahri, you might want to seek help with it. There are plenty of others out there, ones who I'm sure would like to be..ahem..treated in such a mann-"

She was cut short by a powerful hand squeezing her jaw, folding her mouth in on itself. The grasp was threatening to shatter the bone, and by now Ahriman's eyes were slits of fury. In a seething, sharp tone, he spat out words to her.

"How...dare..you. You are a nothing...a speck of dirt...and you question my mental capacities? This..this sheer disrespect you've picked up is atrocious!"

Her eyes widened with fright, an emotion he loved to feed off of. He applied more pressure until she squealed. This was all too much for Ares. He immediately leapt and started to gnaw at Ahri's offending arm. But the malicious one was powerful again. He gave a swift, strong boot to the dog's solar plexus, knocking the wind right out of the puppy's sails and sending him flying backwards. With him went a nice chunk of Ahri's flesh.

With a crazed expression, he looked to his terribly bloodied arm, then back to Charna. Another fierce squeeze of her jaws as he pulled her in close. In a heavy, dark voice he spoke, brushing his lips over hers and then onto her cheek.

"I will have you. And you'll be such a pleasure to break again, my beautiful beast. Oh..and just so you remember that..."

Ares was rising again, and trying to come back over in a mad dash. But by the time he got to the table, Charna was alone and swearing/sobbing quite furiously, a dagger hilt sticking straight out of her shoulder. The canine eyes just managed to catch the gray uniform disappearing through the door as Ares turned his face away from the blood.

Wisper

Date: 2005-08-25 18:19 EST
Charna was never as alone as she thought she was. A fact made very evident when Wisper appeared at her side. "Oh dearling! that looks painful." The young woman tried to keep a cheerful front on things.

"That needs tending too.. you've a couple of choices here. The temple where Kireth and the healers can tend you.. or I have a carriage waiting outside to take us back to the shop. And taking care of it on your own is just not an option."

Charna Lyndria

Date: 2005-08-25 20:29 EST
She sniffled, turning her face away to hide the red and tear-streaked cheeks.

"You choose, love. I have only one request...I'll let it be cleaned and dressed, but I do not wish it healed."

It was a request not many would make. I mean, if someone was able to just erase or zap away all your scars and injuries, wouldn't you jump at the chance to have them do so? Not Charna. She felt sentimental towards the scars on her back, and injuries she received through her own stupidity..those she needed to keep. It taught her a lesson.

She looked to Wisper with a feeble smile, and offered the hand to her unscathed arm.

Rory OCorr

Date: 2005-08-29 11:45 EST
But accounted for Charna is exactly what Rory had done. Caelin O'Corr had seen all of the following, and although it killed him to do so, he had kept hidden towards the back of the tavern through the entire event.

He now sprang for the backdoor, jumping onto the back of a horse waiting for him, and was off to find his brother at a breakneck pace...

Rory OCorr

Date: 2005-09-26 00:01 EST
The only sound for miles it seemed, was the steady and rapid beating of horsehooves into the solid ground. Caelin O'Corr's now-hoarse voice broke the silence here and again, shouting against the wind and driving rain for the steed to race onward.

"Mouhve i'! C'mahnouw Y'luhg!" It had already been a few hours since Caelin had left the bar, and he was putting the horse through its paces as quickly as he could. He knew that a few more days lay ahead of him, but he had to do his best to bring the news to Rory. Mud sucked and sloshed at the behemoth's feet, threatening to bring the mighty beast down, but Caelin pushed the horse forward, and they quickly continued on their way.

In just a few short days, word would reach Rory, and together with the rest of his brothers, he would head back for Rhy'Din, and the evil that dared to rear its head in the direction of Rory's unwavering, unrelenting devotion and love: Charna.