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<Andrial> ::The Way Back is a small inn and tavern that borders on the verge of becoming seedy, but hasn't quite fallen off the edge yet. The food is plain, but relatively fresh and there's plenty of it. The beds are rickety, but generally only inhabited by their renters. Andrial and her young cousin are settling into their make-shift routines and both have put on a bit of weight in the last few days.:: * Dawn comes into the tavern, and pauses just inside the door long enough to scan the room. He catches the bartender's eye and signals for a beer, then, as Angel comes in behind him, spots Andrial's table and begins to thread his way across the room. He slides onto the bench beside her. "Make a little room, would you?" <Angel> ::barely seems to glance around, then takes a table nearby, with a good view of the two, but enough in the shadows not to be noticed. He tersely orders a beer, keeping his voice pitched low.:: * Andrial starts, then pushes over. "Oh, sir! I didn't see you come in." She places a wedge of leather in her book and closes it. <Dawn> ::eyes her critically:: You're looking better. Had any trouble? <Andrial> ::shakes her head:: Not really, sir. Mister Orlann was a bit... well, a *lot* upset, but he said I did the right thing, coming to him. I... ::she colors slightly:: I said he could send me messages here, if he needed... his lady sent me... ::she smooths out the front of her tunic:: <Dawn> ::half-smiles:: Aye, I've heard she's a good one. How's Calis? Recovering from his ordeal, I hope? <Andrial> ::sighs:: He's not sleeping well at night, sir. I sent him up, just a bit ago, to try and rest. <Dawn> ::nods sympathetically:: Prison is no place for children. Even children who probably *deserve* to be there, which he didn't. If- ::he breaks off as a waitress brings his beer, and takes a drink:: Ah, the barrel's fresh. As I was saying - if he's not getting better, in a few weeks, let me know. I know a few people who might be able to help him. <Andrial> ::nods, biting her lip:: So.... Um, I hate to sound ungrateful, because I'm not. But... now what, sir? <Dawn> Ah, that's always the question, isn't it? ::he smiles and has another sip of beer:: Now.... You sit tight. Keep recovering. Do what the Lieutenant asks you to do - I'm hardly an expert on the internal procedures of Purple Dragon affairs. Naturally, I'd prefer you left me out of any discussions or testimony. When it's all over, you should be able to go back to your normal life. ::he smiles at her disarmingly over the rim of his mug:: I hope we'll be able to stay friends, when you go. <Andrial> ::blinks, then takes up a roll and nibbles at it:: Do you think so, sir? I mean, we're not really, are we? ::she looks down at her roll:: I don't even know who you are, or who he was... ::she sighs:: I'm sorry, sir. I'm not complaining, I swear, I'm not. I just feel so... lost. <Dawn> That's hardly surprising. And you've earned a few answers, in any case. ::he has a drink, then considers the bubbles rising to the top of his mug:: I'm known as Dawn. He's... Angel. One of my top men. ::glances at her sidelong:: What do you want to know? I can't tell you everything, but I'll try to be fair. <Andrial> ::her eyes mist slightly:: Angel... <Dawn> Mm. I might have guessed. ::he smirks slightly, then covers it with another drink:: There isn't much I can tell you about him, I'm afraid. You'd have to ask him yourself. <Andrial> ::her eyes clear suddenly:: You were serious, then? I didn't know... how di - never mind. Really? He didn't, I mean, *I* didn't... ::she trails off, looking painfully hopeful:: * Dawn half-turns on the bench to look significantly in Angel's direction. * Jewel arrives at The Way Back with Dusk acting as her sinister shadow. She pauses inside the door to look around for her client-- really, only her client-- and, on not spotting him, asks to be shown to a booth and lets the serving maid know she's waiting for someone. <Andrial> ::as Jewel looks around the room, near the back of the room there is a small commotion:: * Andrial follows his gaze, then with a gasp, she nearly knocks the table over in her haste to get up. Dawn's beer - whatever is left of it - goes toppling over. * Angel stands up, tipping his hat back slightly and gets not a word out before the girl has thrown herself into his arms, crying and laughing at the same time. Angel wraps his arms around her, his hands in her hair. For a long moment, they stand there, completely oblivious to the few curious stares. * Dawn curses mildly and moves out of the puddle of spilt beer. He turns to look at Angel and Andrial. His eyebrows raise slightly, then he turns with a faint grin to flag the waitress down for another. * Dawn freezes as he turns - and spots Jewel at the far table. "Oh. Fuck." * Jewel glances at Dusk before looking over at the noise, with every other head in the room. * Dusk doesn't notice Jewel's glance. He is staring at the commotion, himself. * Jewel's face drains of blood, and her fingers curl around the back of her chair until her knuckles turn white. She sits silent, almost motionless except for a faint trembling. * Andrial raises her head to gaze up at Angel, bringing one hand up to touch his cheek. Angel captures her hand before she touches him and says something that cannot be heard over the other conversation in the room. * Jewel closes her eyes and turns back around, slowly and deliberately, sitting with her hands folded in her lap. Her face is still pale, and she's breathing hard. When the serving maid comes to take an order, she sends her away again with a small, violent shake of her head. * Dawn sidles uneasily into the space between Angel and Jewel. He spots Dusk and catches his partner's eye, then glances significantly toward the stairs. <Dawn> ::turning back toward Angel and Andrial:: Angel. *Angel.* * Dusk slides into the chair next to Jewel's, watching her with concern. <Angel> ::blinks and turns his head:: What, Da - ::he catches sight of Jewel and drops Andrial's hand as if it suddenly got very hot:: Oh. * Jewel says nothing, merely staring hard at the edge of the table in front of her, hands clasped in her lap. <Dawn> ::casually:: Let's go upstairs to finish the reunion, aye? So as not to disturb everyone's dinner... <Dusk> ::putting his speaking hand in front of Jewel's face:: {Let's go sort it out.} <Angel> ::takes a deep breath, then turns to Andrial again:: Go upstairs with Dawn, child. <Dawn> ::quietly:: Let's *all* go, Angel. He'll bring her. <Dawn> We don't want to cause a scene, right? * Jewel shakes her head again, a quick, jerky movement. Softly, barely in control of her voice, she answers, "My mother told me once that eavesdroppers generally hear nothing good." <Dusk> {Come on. You should at least get the whole story.} * Angel gives Dawn a dark glare, then heads up the stairs, Andrial tagging along uncertainly behind him. * Dawn follows them, glancing back over his shoulder at Dusk and Jewel. <Jewel> ::unclasping her hands from each other, moving her fingers stiffly, slowly. {If I go over there right now, I will probably do my best to kill her. And I don't think that would be good for any of us.} ::glancing at Dusk:: Did you know *they* would be here? * Dusk shakes his head. {No, or I wouldn't have let you come. Get yourself together. They're waiting for us.} * Jewel takes a deep, shaky breath and gathers the courage to glance over her shoulder at the table they were occupying. <Dawn> ::The table is empty, nothing left but a small puddle of beer and an unfinished meal:: * Jewel looks up at Dusk in confusion. <Dusk> {Upstairs.} <Dusk> {Dawn keeps one of his hiding places here. Let's go up.} <Jewel> ::nods:: Just... just a moment. ::she closes her eyes and curls her hand around her pearl pendant, taking a few more deep breaths. When she opens her eyes again, she is calmer, although her gaze is not a comfortable one to meet.:: * Dusk nods and stands, then gestures for Jewel to precede him. * Jewel rises and crosses to the stairs, pausing to have a word with the serving maid. She passes her a handful of coins, describes her client, and asks her to tell him she was unavoidably detained today. She glances back at Dusk once more and starts up the stairs. * Dawn is waiting in the hallway, leaning against the frame of an open door. * Jewel glances once at Dawn, takes another deep breath, and walks into the room, her face expressionless. * Dawn and Dusk exchange a bland look which might conceal any number of messages, then follow her into the room. Dawn closes the door carefully, bolts it, and leans against it. * Angel is standing in the room, near the foot of the small bed, in a familiar fashion. Leg bent, booted foot planted against the wall, his head tilted back slightly so that he is looking up at the ceiling. * Andrial is sitting on the bed, as far away from Angel as she can get in the small room, her hands in her lap. * Andrial's cousin is in the bed, asleep. * Jewel rakes a quick glance around the room, not meeting anyone's eye, and looks back down at the floor, hands at her sides. <Dawn> ::looks from Angel to Jewel and back:: Should we leave? <Andrial> ::there is a very long, awkward silence:: <Jewel> ::her voice low, leashed, almost a whisper:: Please don't. <Dawn> ::nods and folds his arms over his chest, settling in for the duration:: <Jewel> ::a taut silence falls again:: * Dusk puts a hand in the middle of Jewel's back and pushes her very gently in Angel's direction. * Jewel resists Dusk's push and stumbles forward a few steps. * Angel sighs. "My lady." <Jewel> ::speaking in the same low voice:: My lord... I'm sorry. I shouldn't be here. I was meeting a client, I didn't know you were-- ::she breaks off and finishes lamely:: --here. <Angel> ::shakes his head:: Will you *please* stop that. ::he glances at Andrial, who is staring at her hands:: *Both* of you. <Jewel> ::glances up at him in surprise:: My lord? ::she carefully doesn't look at Andrial:: * Dawn - if anyone was looking at him to notice - shivers very slightly at the idea of two hysterical women talking directly into his head. <Angel> ::gently, with just a touch of exasperation:: I have a name, Jewel. I'm sure you remember it. It's fairly short. ::to Andrial:: Stop projecting at me, if you don't mind. The situation is bad enough without you apologizing to me in here. ::he taps his forehead:: <Jewel> ::Two spots of color burn in her cheeks, and her hands at her sides clench into fists:: * Dawn watches Jewel's fists clench, then sighs and leans forward to whisper at the back of her head. "She's barely more than a child, and she's frightened. You have every right to be angry, but try not to confirm her suspicion that she's a monster who's better off dead." He doesn't wait for a response, but leans back against the door again. * Jewel swallows hard and unclenches her fists, finger by finger, muttering softly something that sounds like, "She's not the only one." <Andrial> ::quietly:: No. No, the fault is mine. It was not my intent at... ma'am, I... was relieved. I did not believe Dawn, I *couldn't*. * Jewel nods shortly, which looks like about all she can manage just now. <Angel> ::very gently:: Jewel. <Jewel> Yes, m-- Angel? <Angel> ::spreads his hands slightly:: Cry peace, Jewel. ::to Andrial:: Forgive me, that I must speak of you as though you were not in the room. ::looks at Jewel again:: It is not what you fear. * Jewel trembles and bites her lip, looking down at the ground again. "I t-trust *you.* A-and I know that I owe her a d-debt. I'm... *trying.*" <Angel> ::nods:: I know. But Jewel... what exists - ::here, Andrial inhales sharply:: Yes, child. When you do that, your thoughts are as open to me as mine are to you. Subtle you are not. ::sighs:: - It is one-sided. <Andrial> ::drops her face into her hands with a strangled gasp:: * Jewel takes another deep breath and turns to Andrial with the intention to speak, but stops to look back at Angel with a puzzled frown. <Angel> ::shrugs:: I don't know how to explain it, exactly. Even with as much time as we have had together, I don't fully understand how this ability works. <Jewel> ::shakes her head, looking wry:: I swear... one of these days, Angel, I'm going to drag you down to be tested. * Dawn looks between Angel and Jewel, then lets his gaze rest on Andrial, pity and disgust warring in his expression. <Angel> ::sighs, then gives Jewel his half smile:: Thank you. <Jewel> ::takes a deep breath and lets it out again. When she speaks again, she appears calmer and sounds a little closer to normal, although her face is still pale:: Andrial. * Andrial doesn't look up, her fingers twined together. "Ma'am?" <Jewel> ::softly:: I apologize for intruding. I know that I... misunderstood the situation, and that you were understandably happy to see Angel among the living. ::smiles faintly:: I know I was. Thank you. * Andrial looks up, her eyes bright with unshed tears. "Thank you. I mean, you're welcome. I... mean, excuse me." At that she stands and without a look back, she leaves the room, headed for the bathroom. * Jewel stops with her mouth open as the girl leaves in a hurry. She sighs, shoulders slumping. * Angel puts his fingers on his temples and rubs, closing his eyes. <Jewel> ::quietly:: I'm sorry, Angel. I have no right to be so jealous... and I'm not sure why I am, honestly. I... I didn't mean to distress you. <Angel> ::groans softly:: Oh, that gives me a headache. ::looks at her:: I... Jewel... ::glances at Dawn and Dusk:: Go away. <Dawn> ::nods:: Aye. Try not to scare the kid, if he wakes up. ::he opens the door and leads Dusk out:: <Jewel> ::looks worried at his soft groan, and adds with a faint edge:: I would have an easier time of it, I think, if she could see fit to stay out of your head. * Angel puts his hand on Jewel's arm and guides her to a chair. After she sits, he drops to the floor in front of her and leans his head against her knee. "Much better." * Jewel looks surprised for a moment, but smiles, takes off his hat, and combs his hair back gently with her fingers. "Are you all right?" <Angel> ::looks up at her:: Can you... will you listen to me? * Jewel blinks, surprised again, but nods silently. <Angel> I don't want to hurt you, my lady. That is not my intent. Understand that, please. But, given the circumstances, there are things you should know. * Jewel nods again. <Angel> ::takes a deep breath:: I... didn't want to alarm you. I thought it was... shock. Perhaps. Stress. That returning to old habits would throw it off, but it hasn't. * Jewel looks as though she would like to speak, but bites her lip and restrains herself to another nod. <Angel> There has not been a night, since I returned home, that I have not dreamed about her. About what happened. I don't know how to tell you... there aren't any words for what it was like. And I've been... afraid. That I wasn't... strong enough anymore. * Jewel trembles, tears starting in her eyes, but she strokes Bastian's hair gently and continues to say nothing. <Angel> ::takes a deep breath:: I... wanted to die. I don't... I couldn't. And it wasn't going to take much more. How could I sell you out? Sell Dawn and Dusk? I'd have rather died. <Jewel> ::swallows hard:: Shhh... shhh, I know. I... understand. <Angel> ::sighs:: You may, my lady. I don't know that I do. I couldn't reach you. I think they did something to the prison. ::waves a hand dismissively:: <Jewel> ::nods:: It was shielded. I... you were unconscious, and then... I couldn't reach you anymore. <Jewel> But I know what she could do. She told us. ::looks down:: I... I've been working on something... similar to it. Not so strong. ::shudders:: <Jewel> ::puts a hand over her mouth:: I'm sorry, my l-- ::smiles wryly:: love. Please, go on. <Angel> I didn't know... didn't know what she was doing. All I knew was that I could feel her. Whatever her gift is, it has barbs. She was inside me. Part of me. She felt what I felt. And I felt what she did. What she did to me was tearing her apart. * Jewel shuts her eyes tight, swallowing tears. <Angel> ::softly:: It is the craziest, most contradictory thing I have ever felt in my life, my lady. But I lived because I couldn't bear to hurt her any more than she already was hurt. <Jewel> ::blinks:: I... don't understand? <Angel> I don't either. I can't explain it. I'm trying, but the words just don't... <Jewel> ::bites her lip and touches her hands lightly to his temples:: Would it... help if I...? <Angel> ::shakes his head:: Don't. I... anything else, but don't look at that. I don't want you to see it. * Jewel moves her hands away again and nods. <Angel> ::almost brusquely:: Living through it was bad enough without hurting you. <Angel> ::his voice shakes, just the tiniest bit:: And I cannot go back there again. Not in memories, not ever. <Jewel> I didn't mean... ::sighs:: I was trying to explain it, badly, I think, when I told you what it was she'd been made to do to you. ::tears in her eyes:: You are *not* weak, to fear that. You're not! You... ::whispers:: most people would have broken under that inside an hour. <Jewel> I was so afraid for you, when you came home. I'm sorry, I... I thought that if I just tried to *tell* you, you wouldn't believe me. ::small voice:: I'm still not sure you do. <Angel> ::closes his eyes:: No, I do, actually. It makes sense, in a logical manner. I'm an assassin and an enforcer. I know what pain does, and no one should have lived through that. Not with only a pair of busted ribs and some colorful bruises. <Jewel> ::trembling breath:: If you can approach this logically, milord, you're even stronger than *I* thought you were. <Angel> ::gives her a half-smile:: Not that you have a biased opinion or anything. <Jewel> ::smiles a little, stroking his hair again:: No. But... ::cocks her head, studying his face:: You haven't yet told me what you've been trying to tell me, have you? I'm sorry, I'll *try* to be silent. <Angel> ::simply:: I like listening to you. <Angel> ::sighs:: But you are right. It is not relevant to the problem we have at hand. <Jewel> ::smiles a little wider and leans down to kiss his forehead:: You *know* I like listening to you, but you're avoiding the subject, love. <Angel> I... do not know what she did to me. But... at one point, then... we were alone. Unless you count the lizard I'd just killed. She took my pain away... but I don't think that's all that happened. * Jewel cocks her head questioningly. <Angel> Whatever she did - and I don't even think she knows she did it - there's a bond. Between her and I. If I can see her, I can feel her. I didn't know it, until we walked into the inn, just an hour ago. * Jewel bites her lip to stifle a gasp. <Angel> ::takes a deep breath:: She loves me. Or thinks she does. Or might, if she knew what it was. And I know it, as much as I know the color of my own eyes. It is one-sided. ::looks at her, then sighs again:: Mostly. <Jewel> ::barely a whisper:: And... she knows *that*? <Angel> She knows. She is having trouble, because she expects things to be simple, and they just aren't. I do... feel something for her. Affection, mostly. And pity. Gratitude. She wants to pretend she thinks that it is more, but it isn't. <Jewel> It... ::closes her eyes and takes a deep, settling breath, opening them again to look at him steadily:: You're sure? You're not-- ::she stops as her voice cracks a little, and takes another settling breath, continuing more calmly:: Are you certain that you're not trying to pretend it is... less? <Angel> ::brushes a tendril of hair out of her face:: As sure as I can be. There has only been one lady for me, and she does not even come close to comparing. * Jewel lets out a sigh and bows her head, the tension leaving her shoulders. "I believe you, love." <Angel> ::faintly grumpy:: I should hope so. I don't lie to you, my lady. I only kept it from you to resolve what I could on my own. I did not want to concern you, for what may only have been dreamings. <Jewel> ::fondly, stroking his hair again:: I know you don't. But anything that worries you, concerns me. I-- your sleep has been restless, and I feared it was... more than nightmares. <Angel> All things being equal, I can live with a few nightmares.... <Jewel> ::quietly:: I'm... reluctantly grateful to her, I admit. ::makes a small face:: I wish it could have been me... I wish I could have done something, *anything* to help you. And... I do pity her, and... I feel for her. I couldn't help it. But... ::rubs his shoulders:: I didn't expect to be so... ragingly jealous. I'm sorry, love. <Angel> Don't. Selfish as it may seem, it makes me feel easier, that you still consider my affections worth having. <Jewel> ::gapes:: Worth-- how could I *not*? <Angel> ::gives her a sly look:: Were the bed in this room not already occupied by someone who needs it much more than I, I should invite you to continue along that theme. As it is... I love you. <Jewel> ::returns his sly look with a wicked one:: Wellll... there's always the floor. But I wouldn't want to wake him, or bruise you worse. ::winks, and then sobers again:: But... what are we to do about... ::taps his head gently:: <Angel> ::sighs:: I... think it might be best if... she fixes it. I don't really know what it is and I don't want to hurt her - or me - by indiscriminately yanking it out. <Jewel> ::worried:: Can she? *Will* she? And... you're certain you're alright with that? L-losing it, I mean. ::looks away, flushing guiltily:: <Angel> ::thoughtfully:: Whatever it is, it kept me sane. But no one keeps their arm in a cast after the break is mended. Sometimes, it is a comfort. But it also makes things... difficult. <Jewel> ::wryly:: It could make other things difficult, too. But perhaps that's best saved for later. ::sighs:: Thank you, love. I... admit that I've come to feel rather possessive about the space between your ears. <Angel> ::snorts:: So have I. When she's in the room, I cannot tell where I end and she starts. And honestly, I've been seventeen before, and I really prefer my thirties. <Jewel> ::cocks her head:: I could try shielding you. That might help. <Jewel> ::guiltily:: I almost did, anyway, when she was 'speaking you, but I... refrained. <Angel> ::nods slowly:: It might be for the best... I don't want to mistake her thoughts for my own. <Jewel> ::darkly:: Nor do I. ::bites her lip:: I'm sorry, I'm sorry... * Angel smiles one of his rare, full smiles. "Don't be sorry." |
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