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<Bastian> ::Feather's room, decorated less lavishly than Sylvie's, still has a nice large, rather comfortable bed, with thick crimson bed curtains.:: * Catreenia stirs a little in her sleep, half-turning and snuggling more closely into the hollow of Bastian's shoulder, one arm draping loosely over his chest. * Bastian opens his eyes, looking up at the ceiling, watching his reflection idly in the mirror, lightly stroking Cat's shoulder. * Catreenia blinks sleepily and stretches like her namesake, reaching her hands up over her head and stretching her pointed toes down into the coolness of the sheets. She smiles as she looks up at Bastian. "Good morning." * Bastian lightly touches the ugly black and purple bruise along Cat's slender throat. "Do you hurt much, my lady?" * Catreenia brings her hand to her neck, touching his fingers. "A little sore." She swallows experimentally. "I think my throat might be a little sore for a day or two... nothing lozenges and makeup can't take care of." <Bastian> ::frowns, moving her hair out of her face:: It shouldn't have happened. I'm sorry you were hurt. <Catreenia> ::sighs:: You're right... I should have been quicker, more prepared for it... I half-expected it. ::shakes her head regretfully, and moves her fingers from her throat to trace the downward curve of his lips:: <Bastian> ::darkly:: You're damn lucky he didn't break your neck. He could have. <Catreenia> ::shakes her head:: He's hurting, and I pushed him... I reopened festering wounds. And... I think he wants to die, but doesn't want to hurt you.... ::biting her lip, her eyes bleak:: If he had killed me, made you kill him... he would only have made another one of himself. <Bastian> ::leaning up on one elbow, looking down at her:: If he touches you again, I will kill him. ::there is dark promise in his eyes:: <Catreenia> ::nods unhappily:: I... I want to help him. He *needs* help, whether or not he's ready or able to ask for it... but... I'm not sure I can do that without risk. I'm not even certain I *can* help him, no matter my bold words to Dawn. <Bastian> ::shakes his head, running one hand lightly down her cheek:: My lady... maybe we shouldn't... ::he hesitates a moment:: Perhaps you should stay away from here. From me. It's not safe for you. <Catreenia> ::mouth opening in surprise for a moment as she stares at him:: It's not safe for *you* either, my lord. There's a war on, after all. Unless you... ::catching her lower lip between her teeth for a moment, eyes brimming, her voice faint:: Are you... are you sending me away? <Bastian> ::almost angrily:: Catreenia, listen to me. He could have killed you. And I hesitated... he should have been on the floor before he even touched you, and I couldn't do it. <Catreenia> You hesitated because he's your friend, and your mentor... ::looking up at him:: And because he saved your life once, and you want to do the same for him. That's why you let me try. <Catreenia> I don't want to risk my life foolishly, Bastian. I'm *not* s-suicidal anymore. ::stumbling over the word a little, but managing to get it out:: But have any of those reasons for sparing his life changed? <Bastian> My lady... <Catreenia> ::sliding her hand down his arm to clasp his knife-hand:: I think Sylvie had the right of it... and I think I know what made you hesitate. <Bastian> How can you trust me to protect you? It should never have happened... ::closes his eyes:: <Catreenia> ::spreading his hand open, running her fingers over the thin scars criss-crossing it:: You're an assassin. Your instinct is to kill. Perhaps what's needed is a... non-lethal option. <Catreenia> Listen to me. ::stroking his palm with her fingers:: You're not a mindless, heartless killing machine. If you were... well, I doubt I'd have fallen in love with you. And I *wouldn't* have trusted you to protect me. But... you have a heart. You can show compassion. That's not something to be ashamed of. *That* is why I trust you. <Bastian> ::opening his eyes:: I'm sure that will be a great comfort when you wake up dead. <Catreenia> ::smiling a little:: Well, I suppose I'll have to see. I could always haunt you, I suppose. ::touching her finger to the tip of his nose:: I certainly can't get enough of you in life, I can't see how that would change after death... ::shakes her head a little at her foolishness, her face serious:: But my greater concern right now is that *I* don't outlive *you* too quickly. <Catreenia> *I* don't want to die. I don't want *you* to die. You don't want to see me hurt. But we both want to help Geremi, yes? So... help me think of how we might go about it? ::smiling a little again:: <Bastian> ::shrugs his shoulders:: I don't have any suggestions, except to try and keep him away from the wine. That, in and of itself, will rot him out from inside, if nothing else does. <Catreenia> ::nods:: He'll be a dear to deal with, I can imagine... will Sylvie help, do you think? ::eyes concerned:: She knows my name... <Bastian> ::sighs:: Does she? Stupid, that. I don't think it will matter, with her. But I should be more careful. <Catreenia> ::pulling him forward to kiss his lips lightly:: You were understandably upset at the time. I forgive you. <Bastian> ::pulls her to his chest, holding her:: If I lost you... ::he trails off, unable to finish:: <Catreenia> Shhh... I know, love, I know, because I feel the same. Tho' I suspect I'd feel even more powerless to stop it... ::stroking his hair:: which is why I'm so determined to do so. <Bastian> Sylvie can mostly be trusted. She's not likely to mention your name, at any rate. ::releasing her to look at her again:: I don't know what to do about Geremi, though. <Catreenia> ::sighs, resting her head on his chest:: Yesterday, I had the thought that perhaps Master Bluestar could help... help heal his mind, or at the least, help him to forget. But... ::frowning:: from all I've heard, psychic surgery's risky for *both* parties... ::sighs again:: Perhaps Eyes could do it, but I don't know the extent of her power, and I don't feel I know her well enough to ask... <Bastian> ::shaking his head:: If it were anyone else, I'd say all he needed was to find another woman... ::giving Cat an almost rueful look:: But I begin to think it's not that simple. <Catreenia> ::tilting up to grin at him:: We're not so interchangeable as you first thought? <Bastian> My lady... you turned my whole life upside down. I think it would take more than just a pretty face to right it again, if you were to go. <Catreenia> ::giggles:: And to think I thought you made of stone, when I met you... what does that make you now, I wonder? ::poking his ribs teasingly:: <Bastian> ::catches her hand and kisses her fingertips:: Just a man, my lady... <Catreenia> ::snorts:: Hardly "just"! <Bastian> ::drops a kiss into the palm of her hand:: Perhaps slightly more malleable, in your hands. <Catreenia> ::smiles, with a soft sigh:: I don't think you're the one being turned to putty, here... <Bastian> Tis true, nonetheless, my lady. What would I not do, should you ask it? ::he sighs:: <Catreenia> ::instantly:: Ever let me go... ::smiling at him:: Thank the gods. <Bastian> ::brushing her hair back from her forehead, drinking in the sight of her smile:: Should you be gone, the whole world would turn a mighty stranger to me, and I should not even know who I was. My lady, my Catreenia... ::he brushes her mouth with his:: <Cat> You don't know how I love that sound... ::parts her lips, kissing him deeply:: <Bastian> ::kissing her, then breaking apart:: What sound, my lady? <Cat> ::smiling again into his eyes:: The way you say my name. ::curling one finger into his hair playfully:: Catreenia Hooke... Lady Catreenia Hooke... ::giggles:: I'm sorry. I'm silly, I know. <Bastian> ::gives her one of his rare smiles:: I know. Do you think I didn't? I only say it so seldom to keep it special for you... <Cat> ::touching a finger to the curve of his mouth, tracing it up his cheek:: And special it is... you know... I don't think I've told you yet today how much I love you. <Bastian> ::kissing her finger:: And, my lady, much as I might like to take ample time to listen, I fear the day is already half gone. I should get you back home... <Catreenia> ::sighs, snuggling against him again and wrapping her arms around his waist:: I *am* home. <Bastian> ::disentangling himself from her gently, he gets out of the bed:: Come, my lady. I have much work today... and you, I believe, have class in little less than an hour. <Catreenia> ::mock-pouting, her eyes following his form as he gets to his feet:: Oh, bah. ::grinning:: I propose that the required minimum for our honeymoon be a bed, and no interruptions. * Bastian pulls on his trousers, then suddenly freezes in place. "My lady, do not move." * Catreenia freezes just as she was about to sit up, her eyes going up. Her right hand, sitting on top of the sheet, forms the signs for "danger, above." <Bastian> ::a large glistening black snake curls lazily over the headrail of the bed, its long tongue flickering out from its mouth, the diamond shaped head surveying the room:: * Catreenia freezes rabbit-still, not even her fingers moving, holding her breath. * Bastian moves slowly, his eyes never straying from the reptile as he takes a very cautious step backwards, his hand behind him, reaching for his blade on the dresser. <Bastian> ::the snake opens its mouth and hisses, revealing long glistening fangs, opening its hood to reveal a brilliant red and orange pattern, almost like flames:: * Bastian searches the surface of the dresser with the fingers of his left hand, still not taking his eyes from the serpent. * Catreenia watches Bastian, keeping her eyes on his. <Bastian> ::the snake coils down the pole, curling itself near the foot of the bed before slithering forward, its head swaying in an almost hypnotic pattern:: <Catreenia> {Bastian! ::her mental voice sharp:: Don't look at its eyes. Your knife's about a handspan to your left.} <Bastian> ::the snake rears back, hissing again, slithering closer to Cat, the thick weight of its coils looping over her legs:: * Bastian moves his hand slowly to the left, his fingers brushing the hilt. * Cat breaks off contact quickly at the snake's violent response, her eyes wide. * Bastian clasps his knife firmly, flicking the scabbard loose with his thumb. <Bastian> ::at the faint sound of the scabbard slipping to the wooden top of the dresser, the snake whirls, the creature moving much faster than anything that large really has any right to, turning to face Bastian:: * Cat swallows against a dry throat, her hands slowly tightening their grip on the sheet covering her. * Bastian drops into a fighting stance, his blade held back against his forearm. <Bastian> ::carefully, he steps to the left, the snake tracking his movements:: My lady ::he speaks softly, looking at Cat over the snake's hood, taking another step, leaving the way to the door clear:: * Catreenia watches, her heart in her mouth, feeling the serpent's muscled length slither and shift through the thin barrier of the sheet covering her legs. She bites her lip, glancing down at her legs and back up at Bastian. <Bastian> ::taking a third step, then moving slightly forward:: I want you to run, as soon as I say. * Catreenia holds the edge of the sheet taut between her two hands, inclining her head very slowly. <Bastian> ::the snake eases towards Bastian, malice clear in its black eyes. Bastian, his own eyes flat with tension, watches it, his weight shifting forward onto the balls of his feet:: * Bastian makes a quick gesture with one hand, the snake springs forward, its mouth gaping open as it attacks. "My lady, NOW!" He slashes at the diamond-shaped head, throwing himself backwards away from the snapping fangs. * Catreenia snaps the bedsheet taut under the snake, whipping her legs out from underneath and throwing her end of the sheet over its head as she bolts for the door. * Bastian whips around, scoring a deep strike against the snake as it passes him, smashing into the dresser with a loud crash. <Bastian> ::the snake, black blood gushing from the cut, recoils, fluidly moving around as Cat heads for the door:: * Catreenia scoops her bodice off the floor by the door, yanking the door open with her free hand. <Bastian> ::the snake lunges for her, banging its blunt nose off the doorframe as Bastian charges it, knocking it off course:: Go! * Catreenia practically dives through the door, grabbing for the outer knob in passing. <Bastian> ::the snake whirls again, angrily snapping at Bastian:: <Catreenia> ::pulls the door most of the way closed, keeping herself well to the side as she watches through the crack and releases her terror in one agonized mental shriek:: {GEREMI!!! HELP US!} * Bastian kicks out, striking the snake just below its gaping jaw, sending it reeling into one of the walls. The crescendo of breaking mirrors fills the hallway like a tornado. <Bastian> ::down the hall, a door opens, slamming into the wall with a crunch:: <Bastian> ::the snake rears up, pulling half its body length off the floor, diving for Bastian:: <Geremi> ::looking completely the worse for wear, his hair grizzled and sticking up in all directions, sporting a wickedly black eye, practically races down the hallway, a shining blade in each hand:: * Catreenia juggles her bodice upright with trembling hands, yanking the dagger free of its built-in sheath, her eyes on the room within. * Bastian dives to the right, his blade flashing out, but is caught in the chest by the snake's coils, knocking him hard against the wall, his knife skittering out of his hand across the floor. * Catreenia shifts her dagger unthinkingly to an overhand throwing grip as Bastian crashes into the wall, slamming the door open and throwing her blade at the snake. <Bastian> ::the snake rears back, hissing in pain, as Cat's dagger sinks deep into the back of its head, near the base of the hood:: <Catreenia> Bastian!! Get OUT! * Bastian shakes his head, slightly dazed, as he rolls over, trying to regain his feet. <Geremi> ::almost dropping one knife before his grip firms:: You don't fuck around when it comes to getting in trouble, do you? ::with that, he springs into the room, his movements showing almost no trace of his habitual drunkenness:: <Catreenia> Oh, gods defend... * Catreenia almost laughs in relief as Geremi pushes into the room. "Ware, milord, it's a demon!" <Bastian> <Geremi> ::darkly:: Really now? ::he attacks, his blade lopping off a good foot off the snake's tail:: <Bastian> ::the snake whirls again, snapping its fangs at Geremi:: * Catreenia watches from the door, weaponless again, bodice held uselessly in one hand as she bites her fist to keep from screaming. * Bastian lunges up from the floor, wrenching Cat's dagger out of the snake's head and bringing it down, driving it through the top of the snake's mouth, pinning it to the floor, just as the snake reaches Geremi. <Bastian> ::the snake, its coils writhing and whipping wildly, thrashes, knocking both men off their feet. Geremi crashes through the dresser, arching his back in pain. Bastian rolls to one side, snatching at his own blade.:: * Bastian stands, trying to avoid the roiling coils, reversing his blade in his hand. With a quick movement, he lunges in, just as the snake pulls its jaws apart again. The snake jerks its head up, closing its jaw around Bastian's calf, just as he drives the blade through the snake's eye and into its brainpan. With a wrenching scream, Bastian staggers backwards, releasing his knife and falling to the floor, clutching his leg. <Catreenia> NO! ::rushing back in through the door, slamming it shut behind her:: <Bastian> ::the snake's body shimmers, a thick sizzling noise coming from the corpse as it dissolves into a cloud of noxious green smoke. Bastian utters a gagging scream as the smoke cloud surrounds him, forcing itself into his mouth and nose:: <Bastian> ::with a strange hiss, a thick black burn etches itself across his chest, just below his throat, a sigil, which flashes red for a moment as the smoke vanishes into Bastian:: <Catreenia> NOOOO!! ::scrabbles over the bed, falling to her knees amid shards of broken mirror:: Bastian-- ::breaking off on a choked sob:: <Catreenia> Oh gods... gods... Geremi! ::tears streaming down her face:: Geremi, quickly, bind him! Please... <Geremi> ::getting shakily to his feet:: FUCK! What *was* that? ::he moves across the room, looking down at Bastian:: <Catreenia> ::scrabbling for the bedsheets with shaking hands, looking for something to use as restraint:: He's possessed... oh gods, Bastian... please, Geremi, help me! * Bastian gags, then his whole body trembles as he begins twitching in reaction, his muscles jerking spastically. * Catreenia tries to hold him down, nearly blinded by tears. "I have to... oh gods... calm down, Cat... oh, Bastian..." <Geremi> ::bending down, he opens the bottom drawer of the dresser, more pulling it apart from the wreckage. With a sour look, he tosses Cat two sets of shackles:: * Catreenia startles as the shackles crash to the floor in front of her, picking them up and turning them over until she figures out how they work, her whole body shaking nearly as badly as Bastian's as she clamps the shackles around his ankles first before trying to grab his wrists. * Geremi heads over to help, shaking his head and muttering under his breath. <Geremi> ::looking at her, his bloodshot hazel eyes strangely sober:: Can anything be done? * Catreenia taking several deep breaths, wiping her face to smear the tears from her eyes as she watches Bastian with a bleak, terrified expression. "Yes... yes... we need Zoya. Dawn can find her... we need Dawn... I can't..." She closes her eyes. "Oh Dawn.... please, forgive me..." She takes several more breaths, casting her mind out. {Dusk... please, I'm so sorry, it's Jewel-- Bastian's been possessed, we need Zoya. Sylvie's. Please, Dusk!} * Geremi runs one tired, shaking hand down over his face, rasping across his beard stubble. "Damn it all to fuck." <Catreenia> ::opening her eyes again with a sigh, calmer now, regarding Geremi gravely:: I've contacted Dusk. Geremi... thank you. ::her eyes welling up with tears again:: <Geremi> ::with a surprising courtesy, Geremi averts his eyes, picking Cat's shift out of the rubble on the floor and handing it to her:: * Catreenia wordlessly puts it on, looking at Bastian lying shackled on the floor again before covering her face with her hands and sobbing. |
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