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Michelle unlocks the door and proclaims, "Hall's Open!" Michelle returns behind the bar. She's wearing a simple blue velvet dress with her hair up in a bun. Lisl strolls in, looking around and raising her eyebrows. "Quiet tonight. Everyone headed to the capitol for the fleet review?" <Michelle> I honestly have no idea. <Michelle> The usual? Lisl saunters over to the bar and takes a seat, spinning back and forth idly on her stool. "Sure." Michelle slowly fills a mug and sets on the bar in front of Lisl, "You're in an unusual mood, any particular reason?" <Lisl> ::accepting her mug and sighing:: I don't know. A bit restless today, I imagine. ::shakes her head:: That cub can be such a...such a BOY. <Michelle> I've been meaning to ask you about the cub. So what's the story? Michelle pours a few fingers of an amber liquid out of a crystal bottle into a glass. <Lisl> ::throwing up her hands in a gesture of helplessness and irritation:: I'm...I don't know, really. He STILL won't talk. But his looks can be VERY telling. And he's close to full-grown, now. ::rolling her eyes:: Physically, at least. Michelle fills the glass with a cloudy, yellow liquid from one of the taps and looks at Lisl curiously, "So you're being his tutor?" <Lisl> ::taking a long swallow of 'kick:: I SWEAR one of these days I'm going to bite him. If I could be assured of catching him. I suppose the human half weighed him down, or something...he's...::shakes her head, frowning a little:: He's even more...Wolfish than the wolves themselves. It's...odd. <Lisl> Well...in a way. ::setting her mug on the counter, and idly tracing circles in the water droplets left on the bar:: Michelle walks around the bar and perches on a stool beside Lisl, "The philosophical implications are considerable." Michelle sips her drink, "Why do I get the feeling there's something bothering you that you don't want to tell me?" <Lisl> It's...::shakes her head:: There's no other word for it, really. It's odd. ::struggling for words:: He's more...complete than he was now, but...he's still two-sided. Part of him is very much a pup...or...::snorting:: a teenager. But part of him feels very, VERY old...sometimes I'm not sure who's teaching whom. <Lisl> ::heh:: You get that feeling, do you? Maybe because you can be very perceptive, sometimes. ::grinning whimsically and picking up her mug for another sip:: <Michelle> So what is it that you don't want to tell me? Or should I get Felice to ask? ::Michelle smiles mischievously.:: <Lisl> HA! If I don't want to tell YOU, what makes you think catgirl will have any better success, hmmm? Or do you just like to torture me? <Michelle> Torture is the traditional method for procuring information from unwilling subjects. ::Michelle's grin becomes a touch evil:: Besides, the more you refused to tell her, the more she'd need to know. <Lisl> ::snorting:: She IS a cat at heart, after all. Michelle sips her drink, her usual expression returning, "If you don't want to talk about it it's alright Lisl. I just worry about you is all." <Lisl> And whatever happened to reserving torture for the bad guys? <Lisl> ::laughs, taking another swallow of 'kick:: YOU? Worry about me? You're the one with the murderous husband. Who is HOPEFULLY dead now. What do you worry about, hmm? Michelle thinks for a moment, "With the exception of Yamato, I don't believe any of us have ever physically tortured anyone. And most of our emotional torturing was accidental." The grin returns, "Though we have been known to convincingly threaten such acts." <Lisl> And besides, you have your new houseguest to worry about, anyway. <Lisl> ::chuckles:: You can't convincingly threaten. ::tapping her nose:: The follow-through isn't there. Not enough threat scent. <Lisl> Whereas, with me...hell, humans are easy. All I have to do is *look* scary. Of course, it's a fine line between a good threat and pitchfork time. <Michelle> I admit, I am worried about how well Meghan will adjust to this world. To date she hasn't demonstrated any powers or skills which would be of use to her in this world, which is going to make things very hard for her. I also worry about Temire and the crush she has on Jaret. But I also worry about you. If you want to know what I worry about with you, currently I'm worried that you've gotten yourself into a relationship with this cub that you aren't prepared for. Michelle smiles, "Some day you'll have to see Deanna's imitation of a cuttlefish threat response." <Lisl> Cuttlefish? ::frowning and shaking her head in incomprehension:: I don't...? <Michelle> Squid. <Lisl> Ah! <Lisl> Ick. <Lisl> But...::taking another swallow:: With the cub... I rather hope so, to. Heaven knows he was *trying* to get me into a relationship, as you so quaintly put it. ::shaking her head:: Hormones, and forbidden fruit...he's a handsome one, I'll give him that, and he could probably have his pick of the bitches in the pack, if they weren't so awed by him. But of course, that's not what HE wanted...::sighing, and looking disgusted:: <Lisl> He was sniffing my tail for the longest time... I *think* I've cured him of it, but since I can't get a word out of him, who REALLY knows? Thing is, it just... ::shaking her head again:: My relationship with 'Dancer was never like that. He's always been like a little brother. And he still feels that way. But with him...::throwing up one hand, making a useless gesture:: I just haven't figured out exactly what he *does* want. <Lisl> ::shaking her head and falling silent as she takes another long swallow of 'kick:: Michelle blinks a few times, "Lisl, are you saying that part of you wants to take him as a mate, and part of you still feels like he's the little brother that Moon Dancer was?" <Lisl> ::coughing as she tries VERY hard not to spit out her mouthful of 'kick, and finally swallowing with effort:: No! Heavens, no! I'm saying I think *he* wants *ME* as mate, but I don't want any part of it! <Michelle> Sorry, it was the "I rather hope so" bit that confused me. <Lisl> As in, "I rather hope" I haven't gotten myself into a relationship I'm not prepared for. Michelle smiles and shakes her head, "Sorry. Maybe all the raging hormones that have been bouncing off these walls are starting to get to me." <Lisl> It's just...part of him still feels like the little brother I never had, but the other part...it's older, and it's...strange to me. Honestly, he scares me a little sometimes. There're depths in that boy...and there are no human limits on them any more. Michelle sips her drink, "Are their wolven limits, or is that the problem?" Lisl takes another sip, shaking off a small shudder. <Lisl> Well, I'm sure there are. But it's not the same. And I think he rather enjoys being...inscrutable. ::quirking a grin:: There's that word again. He's got far more in common with Marten than I'm sure he'd like to admit. Michelle shakes her head, "I hate to say it, but I suspect all you can really do is teach him as best you can and hope he turns out for the best." <Lisl> Sometimes, it's like...::rubs a hand over her chin thoughtfully:: it's like the essence of what it is to be a wolf has been distilled down, and it's all been squeezed into that furry package. It's rather...overawing sometimes. ::grinning a little:: I think that pack got far more than it bargained for. <Lisl> ::nodding agreement:: I think some of them would be ready to revere him as a god already, if he didn't have that pesky flesh to tie him down. ::grinning a trifle evilly:: I think I've got my work cut out for me, to keep him humble. Michelle sighs and sips her drink, "I'd offer to help, but I just don't have the appropriate grip on canine psychology." <Lisl> ::grinning and taking another swallow herself:: Michelle, sometimes I don't think you've got the appropriate grip on *human* psychology. Heh. Maybe it's the alien influence. What did Meghan say? Something about Yuefoze? Michelle blinks at Lisl a few times, "That's UFOs, Unidentified Flying Objects. And why do I have the feeling I DON'T want to discuss my supposed inability to understand humans?" <Lisl> ::forming the letters with her lips and puzzling over them for a moment, before her brow clears in comprehension:: Ah! Got it. ::grinning evilly:: You don't? Should I torture you? Michelle quirks an eyebrow at Lisl, "I thought you just finished saying how you weren't interested in snarling and raising of fur." <Lisl> I said I wasn't interested in sex just now. I said nothing about violence. Michelle sips her drink, "You're no fun to tease Lisl." Lisl giggles. "Ah, but YOU are." <Michelle> "So, you admit you were just toying with me," Michelle response with fake tears evident in her voice. <Lisl> ::drawing back in mock-offense and putting a dramatically spread hand to her breast:: Just toying? What do you think I AM, a CAT? Michelle giggles, "We'd better stop before Temire or Meghan stumble in here. I don't know if either one of them is up to hearing this sort of thing." <Lisl> HA! ::shaking her head:: Temire...I swear, sometimes I wonder about that girl... <Michelle> Wonder about what in particular? <Lisl> ::moodily resting her chin on her stacked fists on the bar:: Well...no surprise, but she wants to grow up too fast. <Lisl> ::looking sideways at Michelle:: When we talked about torture...? I think she'd be capable of it...without realizing just what it would do to *her*. <Michelle> I think everyone that age wants to grow up too fast. But what makes you think she'd be capable of torture? <Lisl> ::narrowing her eyes, not lifting her head from her fists:: Just a sense...the way she dealt with those hoodlums at the docks awhile back, I suppose has something to do with it.... She just seems very...anxious to leave her youth behind, and willing to do whatever it takes to do it. I don't think she...took dying well. <Lisl> Not that anyone ever does. But... ::biting her lip:: Think about who she hangs out with. ::shrugging, and half-smiling:: Us. Michelle thinks for a moment. "You're right. I think dying did effect her in ways she's still trying to work through. And hanging around with us certainly can't have helped her youthful sense of invincibility, though I think dying cured her of that particular problem." <Michelle> Well you've definitely given me something to think about. <Lisl> I don't think it's invincibility she has a problem with...rather the other direction. And she's too young to be struggling with that particular demon yet. <Michelle> You think she wants to die? Lisl looks up at Michelle quite seriously, her usual humor momentarily fallen from her expression. "No. I think she's terrified of doing it again." Michelle looks at Lisl, also adopting a serious expression, "I think you'd better explain what you mean by that." <Lisl> It's a...look in her eyes I don't like. I've seen it before. Think about it-- her soul was, quite literally, ripped from life, and imprisoned, kept from going where it belonged, kept from returning to her body. It was, quite frankly, a horrible way to die. <Lisl> Most people are afraid of death because they fear what might lie on the other side...Temire...she *knows* what's there. And I don't think she wants to see it again anytime soon. <Michelle> Lisl, this is obviously bothering you, so I want to understand...What's wrong with Temire not wanting to die? <Lisl> It's...::shakes her head quickly, biting her lip as she struggles for words the second time that night:: Okay. It's one thing to fear death...many people do, but as you age, you generally learn to accept it. Some people seek death, as a way to erase their problems, erase their memories and pain.... Michelle sips her drink and waits. <Lisl> But dying...it's a natural part of life. Everyone does it eventually. ::making a face, as she repeats the word with a touch of irony:: Eventually takes longer for some than others...I've been known to want to rush the process, but I've accepted it, for now. <Michelle> You're saying that you think she's too afraid of death? <Lisl> But there's another type of person...the type that just *doesn't* want to die. That will do what they can to avoid death. <Lisl> ::nodding:: And Michelle...that's the type of person that can turn to evil to do it. ::snorting:: Hell, if they want it enough, they *really* make the wrong sorts of deals, and they become liches. <Michelle> Hmm...Brad read a story once where a man strove and strove and eventually acquired enough money and power that he could sell all of humanity in order to achieve immortality for himself. <Lisl> ::raising an eyebrow:: And did he? <Michelle> No, the man you did the most to help him acquire his money and power betrayed him. They both did a lot of horrible things, but ultimately humanity was left intact. <Lisl> Heh. ::shrugging a shoulder:: There's a shred of decency in the worst of 'em....that's what makes it such a shame. But still...keep a weather eye on Temire, would you? I don't know if talking to her would help...sometimes I think she's kind of afraid of me, or I would have tried myself. <Michelle> You have to admit, you are a bit intimidating. But you're right, it is something to look out for. ::Michelle thinks for a few moments:: Unfortunately I can't decide if it's a good idea to discuss it with her or not. <Lisl> Aw, c'mon, I'm a puppy dog. ::grinning as she lets her tongue hang out and pants playfully, giving Michelle a wildly improbable puppy-dog-eyes look:: But... she's a good kid. I just don't want to see the experience kill her. Michelle quirks an eyebrow, "I'll ignore the pun." sigh "I think all we can really do is keep an eye on her, offer her as much support as we can, and hope she manages to pull through. She's pretty tough, even if she is at that stage where she's overly concerned about other people's opinions." <Lisl> Aw, and after I worked so hard on it... ::straightening to take another swallow of 'kick, draining her mug, and licking her lips:: It's the tough part that worries me. But I think you're right. Michelle gives Lisl a confused look, "I would think that being tough would be an advantage when dealing with emotional trauma?" <Lisl> To some extent, yes. But too tough, and you start getting callous. <Michelle> Ah. Now I think I understand. <Lisl> ::nodding:: And I'll warn you now...if I catch her crossing the line, I *will* step on her hard. I don't countenance that sort of thing, no matter *how* bloodthirsty people think *I* am. <Michelle> I wouldn't expect you to. It really should be Yohko or I who do it, but we can't be everywhere. I'd have asked you to teach Temire a thing or two anyway, but so much of what you do seems based on what you are that I honestly have no idea what you could teach Temire. <Lisl> ::quirking a grin:: Hey, my mother was giving my fighter training from about the time I was big enough to lift a sword off the ground. And I didn't come into my...talents...'til I hit puberty. There's quite a bit I can do that's not based on what I am. ::grin widening:: You should see my basketweaving, for instance. <Michelle> ::giggle:: Brad learned basketweaving once. I don't think any of us have ever actually used it for anything though. <Lisl> ::raising her eyebrows:: Hey, a woven weir in a stream beats all hell out of standing there and getting your feet turned into little waterlogged ice cubes. <Michelle> I can see your point. Most of us have alternatives to that sort of thing though. <Lisl> Sure, when you're not wildcrafting. But there are some times it's just not convenient to carry a pole... <Michelle> Who said anything about a pole. Yohko'd just climb into a tree, tie some string to a few shuriken, and have at. I don't think we need to discuss Felice's fishing technique. <Lisl> ::laughing:: Well, there's an interesting take on spearfishing. But honestly...I'd be happy to take Temire into the woods some time. Granted, I've got a bit of a natural advantage, but there's plenty I could make her aware of that takes some human rangers decades to tune into. <Michelle> That would probably be good. Though you may have to wait a bit, I think Yohko's got Temire's lesson plans pretty well worked out for the next few months. <Lisl> ::quirking a smile as she lifts her mug to her lips, frowning and putting it down again as she realizes it's empty:: You think? You don't know? ::shaking her head:: I still haven't quite figured out how the lot of you communicate. <Michelle> That's alright, we haven't exactly figured out how we communicate either. If we had we wouldn't have been caught by surprise by Yamato like that. <Lisl> ::snorting:: True. Well...okay...how do you find out something from Yohko? Do you delve into your subconscious and ask her, like talking to an imaginary friend, or do you just...know? Do you share memories at all? I know you don't share skills.... <Michelle> We all share the same memories, but unless something happened to you, it's like watching the memory happen to someone else. Which is why we don't share skills. Learning to fight with a sword is very different from watching someone else learn to fight with a sword. <Lisl> So...::frowning a little:: Do you...see the memories of Brad's childhood, for example? <Michelle> If somethingÕs really important we leave each other notes. Unfortunately Harold can't read, but we try not to let him out much. Often times we'll be able to confer in dreams and trances, but it's a touch and go sort of thing. And as I said, since we share memories often times we just know. <Lisl> Notes? ::a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as she tries to picture a mental bulletin board:: Have you ever woken up with strings tied around each of your fingers, then? And who's Harold? <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: And I thought sharing an apartment was bad sometimes.... <Michelle> Brad's childhood is...different. We only had one childhood, Brad's. So we all remember it as if we lived it, because we did. Which needless to say played serious havoc with my sexual identity for a while there. <Lisl> You mean, it's like you didn't exist until you...joined the collective, or what-have-you? <Michelle> No. Brad tried tying strings to his fingers when he was younger. Never actually helped him any. <Michelle> Harold...Harold is our animalistic instincts. No, Harold is our rage, our passion, our fear. He's a berserker, but it extends into his views on everything. He's kept us alive on more than one occasion by simply being able to ignore things like gaping chest wounds the size of your head, but really about the only thing he's any good out is getting you out of fights that involve impossible odds where there aren't any friends that he might hurt. <Lisl> ::grins:: Hm. Sounds like we'd get along just fine. <Michelle> We didn't. When Brad was first taken from his home he found himself in a strange land where magic worked and he'd become a women. He quietly went mad for a time. The fact that the son of a bitch who'd summoned him, or at least claimed to have summoned him, kept trying to put him in his place while trying to train him to be the bastard's champion didn't help any. <Lisl> ::opens her mouth for a moment, and shuts it again:: I-- no. I think I'm going to leave that one alone. <Michelle> Finally something in Brad's soul found the strength to pull things back together. I found the strength to pull things back together. I learned my spirit magic in secret, put up with the mage, defeated his opponents champion, and then drowned him in the bath. <Lisl> You-- ::clapping a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing:: I'm sorry. I know it's not funny. It's just...::shaking her head:: <Michelle> What part of the story did you find amusing Lisl? <Lisl> Drowning him in the bath. I mean...considering all the options available, what an ignomious way to go. <Lisl> And to think of what you must've done to *get* him there.... <Lisl> I'm truly sorry. I know I have a bizarre sense of humor sometimes. Michelle shrugs, "It was just the first opportunity I had. Until I'd defeated the other champion I was dependent upon him for my survival. Afterwards...I don't know, I guess since I had defeated the champion in a manner other than he expected he found it necessary to force me into my place." <Lisl> ::cocking her head to one side:: Who was your most recent...acquisition? Michelle quirks a grin and has a sip of her drink, "It took a long time to get over. That's part of why I loved Lan so much." Michelle appears lost in thought for a time. <Lisl> Lan? <Michelle> My husband. <Lisl> Ah. ::snorting:: Him. A rebound. No wonder. <Michelle> Deanna is the youngest. Michelle frowns at Lisl, "Has anyone ever told you that you're far too cynical?" <Lisl> Ah. ::nods:: Cynical? Me? ::chuckling:: It's not cynicism, my friend, when it's based on long experience. <Michelle> It is cynicism when it jumps to conclusions. <Lisl> Jumps? When did I jump? The last I recall, the gentleman in question wanted to offer you a fiery death. <Lisl> And it's been my *experience* that the men women turn to for comfort after a bad relationship are little better than those they broke off with. Not surprising, considering the typical state of mind at that stage.... <Michelle> Yes, well as we discussed earlier, dying probably has a profound effect on how you view the world. As does being checked into the Hells as a permanent resident. And I've heard plenty of stories about how traumatized people where when they were abandoned at the altar, so I assume being killed at the altar by your bride probably didn't sit so well with him either. <Michelle> And you jumped when you failed to consider that I might have had any number of lives in between when I was born and when I met Lan. <Lisl> And again, you killed him at the altar because...? <Lisl> Many lives, perhaps...but how many loves, hmmm? <Michelle> Because he'd made a demonic pact. Good intentions and what not. <Lisl> ::nodding sagely:: Like I said. A rebound. Michelle rubs her temples, "What I wouldn't give for some of Tyl's talent right now." <Lisl> ::blinking:: You want to look into my head? Gods, why? <Michelle> No, I want to share my memories with you. My memories of how Lan was. <Lisl> Ah...::nodding comprehension:: When you met him, you mean? Frankly, I'm just as happy you can't. It's much easier to live with a human death when you think the person really and truly deserved it...and by the time *I* met him, I'd say he qualified in spades. I'm not sure I want to know otherwise. Michelle nods her head and finishes her drink, "Very true...On both counts." <Lisl> ::studying her hands:: My conscience is probably going to nag me about it now, and I'll want to hear about him eventually. But...later, I think. ::staring out the window, looking at the sharp sickle of newborn moon hanging over the trees:: I'd say we'd talked enough tonight. Much more, and we'll talk though the morning. Michelle giggles. <Lisl> ::raising an eyebrow:: You do that frighteningly well. <Michelle> What, giggle? <Lisl> Yeah. Positively girlish. And I know it's not the 'kick, I swear I only had the one mug... Michelle smiles beatifically at Lisl, "Might it have something to do with the fact that I am a girl?" <Lisl> Nope. You're a woman. Doesn't count. <Michelle> I suppose you're right. <Lisl> And besides, *I*'m female, and I don't giggle like that. If I ever do, you'll know I've been possessed. <Michelle> Lisl, I don't even want to think about you being possessed. <Lisl> ::quirking a grin:: It almost happened, once. Almost. But that's a story for another time. ::glancing out the window again as she taps her mug awake and pats it on the bottom, shooing it to the kitchen:: <Lisl> Let's just say that there are times it comes in handy to be part wolf. <Michelle> Lisl, with the life you lead, I'm hard pressed to come up with times when it WOULDN'T be useful. Michelle sends her own glass towards the kitchen and begins dousing the lamps. <Lisl> Well, you must admit it has a lot to *do* with the life I lead. ::standing up and stretching, her spine crackling like popcorn:: Honestly, sometimes I wonder how I would've turned out if I hadn't inherited Dad's little gift.... <Lisl> ::looking thoughtful for a moment:: Maybe a mage...::shaking her head, shaking off the mood:: Nah, I still woulda been a halfie, and a shameless roustabout. Michelle finishes dousing the lamps, "Hard to say. I know I'm happy that Brad got whisked away from his prior existence though." <Michelle> You sure that one mug didn't go to your head Lisl? <Lisl> Heh. Naaaah. More likely it was the deep philosophy of the evening...worse than drink, I tell you. You should swear off that kind of thing. ::resettling her wolfskin over her shoulders as she heads for the door:: You want a walk home, or will you be okay? Michelle follows Lisl to the door, "I could use the company. Especially after that much heavy thinking." <Lisl> Well enough. ::opening the door:: Just no more heavy thinking. If you try any more philosophy on me, I'm going to start answering you in limericks. Michelle giggles as she walks out the door, "I could always reply in haiku." <Lisl> Oh no! I've hit my inscrutability limit for the decade, I swear! Lisl laughing and starting to say something about a girl from Nantucket as she heads out the door.
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