From: Mosquito [jrorr@exis.net] Sent: Thursday, July 09, 1998 11:45 AM To: underworld@onelist.com; Wolf031877@aol.com; klwright@vallnet.com; dewshine@murkworks.net Subject: Dusk Attacks! (log) Log Cast: Zelgadis (logger/editor), Rei, Snee, Dusk Log Date: 7/6, 7/7, 7/9/1998 Editor's Note: After being subjected to Meyika's hypnotic influence at the request of her captor, Lrilanya, Dusk was last seen in the Cavern of Winds, unnoticed by those that lived nearby, the Juraido and one Anado. Her mission deeply rooted inside her mind, she waits for the one that the Garado has commanded her to kill: Snee, descendant of the troll that killed Lrilanya's sister and also friend and property of the Mistress Juraido, Rei.. Rillwhisper, feel free to add this to the Willowholt archive. Its a fairly long log, but it features Dusk as a key player. (She sorta attacks Snee!) I didn't send it to the Willowholt-ML as whole, though, because the majority is of Rei and Zelgadis. Its also a bit on the larger side as well. Juraido Family Cavern(#5846RAJQ) Shadows rule the darkened halls of the Juraido, long wasted to forgotten memory and time. It is a depressing sight, the torn and tattered silken heralds, the once shining floor now covered in dirt and fallen rocks. Above, the ceiling is largely whole, with only a single thin crack arching over from east to just slightly northeast. The lonely sound of water dripping issues from a fountain on the northeast wall that half-heartedly offers mud from deep within. On the side, the water escapes from a crack, to mix with the mud in the basin, forming a kind of sludge that smells of old earth and forgotten time. The wistful sounds of a flute-like wind drift through the hall, a melancholy sound reminiscent of the wind blowing through the Cavern of Winds just beyond. Indeed, it is the same wind that blows through Juraido Caverns and whispers of some sad memory locked deep within. Contents: Rei The Juraido caverns are quiet, save for the glopping of the fountain which once was cleaned out, but the repair didn't hold. The mistress of Juraido, Rei, stands quietly regarding said fountain with an almost expression on her face. She looks... perturbed. Zelgadis moves into the cavern stealthily, as if stalking, yet his stance is straight and his demeanor regular enough. He's simply silent. He pauses upon catching sight of her, hesitating by the dark exit, then sends without greeting: ** What is wrong? ** Rei looks up now, and over to cast a quiet glance to her brother. ** The fountain. Again. ** He moves to her side, though a stride away, and regards the fountain with mildly quirked brows. ** Its.. muddy, ** Zelgadis comments as if amused, yet it lacks the humorous quality. ** We /had/ fixed it. ** ** Had you? ** Zelgadis stoops slightly to study the muck. ** With a shaper? ** Rei shakes her head slowly. ** I know no shapers. Very few visit these halls. ** ** I see. ** Idly, Zelgadis stoops more to poke a finger at the muddy muck in the fountain, quirking a brow at the residue left behind on his fingertip. ** Mierin, I think, is the new Mistress of Rock. You should speak with her. ** Rei nods slowly, though sends. ** I am... reluctant to allow others here... ** Zelgadis's brows arch. ** Why? ** Rei looks around. ** Juraido has fallen into much... ruin. ** Zelgadis's shoulders lift and fall as he straightens, glancing around slowly. ** It is not so bad, ** he allows carefully. ** I think if you chose wisely who assisted you it might be repaired quickly. ** Rei sends openly ** Snee is a hard worker, but even he can only do so much... ** Zelgadis tilts his head slightly. ** Other trolls perhaps? ** Rei shrugs slightly, an elegantly expressive motion, considering. ** You do not seem very anxious to rebuild the Juraido Halls, ** comes the sudden send, bluntly sent and seemingly with little thought beforehand; yet the crystal blue eyes that regard you carefully seem in contrast to apparent thoughtless comment. She turns away now, as if hurt by the comment more than the gaze. ** I am afraid. ** ** Of what? ** Rei sends openly ** Others. Interacting. ** ** That is not so difficult. If they are not hostile, then where is the problem? ** Zelgadis pauses, fingering the rounded hilt of his blade idly as he regards his would-be sibling thoughtfully. ** Why is it so difficult? ** Rei sends openly ** You at least had the opportunity to interact with otherrs. ** ** True. ** Yet Zelgadis's blue-eyed gaze doesn't waver. ** Perhaps its time that you were given such an oppurtunity. ** There is nothing unkind about his sending, as if he's trying to force it upon her; in fact, it seems more like a thought spoken aloud than a real comment. If he could see her... he might see a faint flicker of fear register itself in her eyes And he does, for his brows draw together in concern. ** What's wrong? ** Rei sends openly ** I told you. I'm afraid. ** ** Unnecessarily. ** Zelgadis tilts his chin up slightly to regard the shadow-enshrouded ceiling. ** I am here. If they pose any sort of threat simply through interaction you know I would not allow them to linger here. ** Rei turns with a soft smile. ** I cannot thank you enough, my brother. ** ** No thanks is necessary. ** Zelgadis's eyes flicker briefly. ** We are blood-kin. ** Rei smiles gently. ** It is good to hear that. For some reason... I was... missing it. ** Zelgadis's eyes seem to darken slowly; indeed his entire form seems to grow faintly blacker, his eyes closing briefly to escape the shadows cast over his face by the hood of his cloak. ** Loneliness is a powerful emotion that is rarely pleasant. It is still harder to bear when it stems from lack of kinfolk. ** Rei sends openly ** Yet we both seem to cling to our respective loneliness as if it offered us some sort of security... ** ** It is.. easier to rely only on yourself. ** ** But is it safer? Truly? ** ** Most likely not. ** Zelgadis watches a new shade of slop appear in the fountain. ** You have no allies, no friends, and you are alone against your enemies. ** Rei sighs softly. ** Yes. And for too long, you were my enemy. ** ** Yes. I was. ** And, disconcertingly enough, he says nothing of the present. Rei just sighs again, moving to lean lightly against a nearby wall. Zelgadis's eyes track her movements without turning his head. ** Would you rather me not request assistance from others? ** Rei sends openly ** If you don't... Juraido will fall to ruin... ** Zelgadis turns his head slowly to regard her, then inclines his head in a faint nod. ** I will request to Mistress Meyika about collecting a handful of servants to repair the damage. ** Her wine-shaded eyes are dark... as if she has not been sleeping - or sleeping well. It might explain her slowness and her leaning on the wall. Then again... Worry, repressed, creeps into his own eyes as his regard forces him to take note of the darkness crescenting her eyes. ** Are you well, Rei? ** Rei smiles tiredly. ** I am tired, Zelgadis. Many things have worn themselves on me, and I fear I'm just not enough to handle them all. ** ** Such as? ** Zelgadis's thin brows knit into each other and furrow, ripples pooling between them and about them. ** Are you yet healed completely? Perhaps you should rest.. ** Rei smiles thinly. ** My wound has healed, though the scar is tight. It can bother my sleep at times... but my concern is for Snee... someone new seems to have made an enemy of him... and me. ** ** Snee? Your troll? ** Unease ripples in Zelgadis's eyes, hinting that he knows more about this than he puts on. ** What reason would any have to hate the little one so? ** Rei smiles faintly. ** He did bring Meyika to a state of total distraction. ** Zelgadis lifts an eyebrow slowly, fingers drumming lightly on the hilt of his sword. ** I see. ** ** Why do you look nervous? ** Her tired eyes have seen the unease, and she leans from the wall slightly. There is a significant pause, lengthy and weighted, before the Anado replies, his voice quiet and grave. ** I do not know of the Mistress of Trolls's relationship with little Snee, but I do know that another Garado wants to see him dead. ** Rei looks upset by this. ** Why? Has my family wronged the Garado? ** ** I do not know. It seemed to me that Lrilanya is only concerned with the troll. ** Zelgadis continues to watch her gravely, but sympathetically and guiltily. He is.. unnerved by this conversation, it might be noticed. ** Has /he/ wronged the Garado? ** Rei snorts. ** Snee? Unless it is because Snee survived under my protection. ** ** That would not explain Lrilanya's interest in him. She seems disinterested in the affairs of others. ** Zelgadis shifts his weight slightly, gaze turning again to the fountain. ** He must have done /something/ to gain such disfavor of the Garado. ** Rei sends openly ** I know nothing of what he did before he came to me... but he seems afraid of most everything, so I cannot see him being... intrusive to others. ** Zelgadis sends with a touch of dry humor: ** Maybe he was framed. ** Rei sends openly ** Why should someone desire to waste thier time? ** Zelgadis shrugs lightly. ** He is a timid, little thing, an easy victim. Would he speak out against such claims if accused? ** Rei shakes her head slowly. ** I do not know. If he had the chance, he might. ** ** But would he be given a chance? ** Zelgadis's lips turn into an oddly sad smile. ** Servants are not often given such choice. Merely punished. ** Rei's send is strangely quiet. ** Yes. I know. ** Quiet blue eyes shift to watch the Juraido's Mistress, thoughtfully, yet still sad and sympathetic. The sending comes gently, as if uncertain of what ground upon which it treads, as it queries, ** You think of this little troll as more than a servant, don't you? ** It wasn't why she was quiet, but she doesn't say anything about it. ** He is someone to talk to at times. ** ** Oh. ** He looks back to the fountain slowly, folding his arms in front of him. ** Why did you adopt him, so to speak? ** Rei looks away. ** Perhaps it was momentary insanity. ** Zelgadis looks around sharply, blinking. ** What? ** Rei shakes her head. ** Never mind. ** Zelgadis stares at her as if she /has/ gone insane, eyes blinking slowly. ** Are you well, my sister? ** A moment passes, then he softens a bit, noting her with a gentle mental 'nudge.' ** It is not strange to become fond of things, Rei. ** [Isn't it? Meanwhile, not too far from the Juraido Family Hall, Snee moves about in his normal ritual, unaware of any other that might be lurking in the nearby shadows..] Cavern of the Winds(#8479RAL) The cavern that you are in is a divine mixture of natural formations and careful adjustments by ancient shapers. The top of the cavern is honeycombed with small holes, which allows a sharp draft of air currents. The entranceways have been shaped so that they each make a slightly different tone as the air flows past. The air currents flow at different times so the tones produced are not constant. The cavern itself is not very large. There are several small benches shaped out of stone, which have stood for ages upon ages. Small patches of glow moss grows here and there. Contents: Dusk Obvious exits: Southwest (SW) Scuttle-bump-bump-stumble-scuttle-bump! The cheerful clatter of Snee's approach announces him long before he even appears. Oblivious to the rust-furry form towards the side, he plops a bucket full of water down on the ground and dips his mop into it, humming to himself. The term 'ignorance is bliss' might come to mind. The out-of-place elf-wolf lies propped up against a wall, where she'd been left by Lrilanya some time before. As the sounds reach her ears in the general darkness, her eyes blink slowly, and she sniffs at the air. Something's in her hand, it seems. Snee proceeds to mop the floor as he has every evening since his beloved Fluteplayer Rei brought him to this place. That's why, for all its dust and ruin, the Juraido Hall floors and the floor of the Cavern of WInds are always kept relatively clean. He is simple, but he is loyal and trustworthy of his chores. Dusk's ears zone in on the sounds coming from Snee's area, and she grunts, a noise that reverberates in the cavern for a few seconds. Her eyes try and focus on Snee. Perhaps it's the prey she was instructed to kill. Perhaps it is, for though the little troll seems ignorant of his would -be assailant, he faces her for a moment, the faint light from the nearby cavern reflecting off of his light gray eyes; then he turns, back facing her, as he mops in a circle, the grime and dust disappearing. She squints towards Snee, getting a faintly clearer look at him despite the conditions. There's just enough light to allow Dusk to make out the shape of the troll her eyes rest upon. And wild eyes be they, courtesy of Meyika's tinkerings, of course. However, in the time between then and now, her mental suggestions have begun to wear slowly, just to the point where the elf considers the blade in her hand as a weapon to be used, instead of discarded. Her lips curl and her nostrils flare, a growl forming in her throat. Her fingers close tighter around the handle of the blade as she stalks closer, towards Snee's back. "o/` O-o-oh, ol' Big-Nose had a rilly big nose an' all the maidens loved him for it! And ol' Big-Nose, with his rilly big nose, was sure everyone could adore it! o/`" Snee sings in a voice that has pitch and melody at least, but is rather grating to elven ears. He twists this] way and that, rather enjoying this familiar part of mopping the floor. "o/` So he sang in the caverns, during night and day, and everyone could only stare at - Ol' Big-Nose, with his rilly big nose, acting like his head had cave bats inside it! o/`" Dusk's elfin ears do find the singing to be rather annoying. Time to put a stop to it. Meyika hypnotized her into believing herself to be all wolf, and Snee is her prey. She's to kill him, and stop at nothing less. Given this, the time comes for the attempt. Eyes shift to the brightmetal blade, a gentle glint of light reflecting off it. She lifts her arm, holding the blade near her ear as a loud growling snarl escapes her, and her legs propel her towards Snee's back, striking down hard at his shoulder with the blade. Green-red blood spurts from the wound and a startled cry escapes Snee's mouth, mop dropping from his hands and kicking the bucket full of water halfway across the floor spilling everywhere. A choke escapes instead and the troll dives forward, a tear appearing along his back when the attempt at escape results in the knife's ragged escape. "OOOOOWWW!" Snee yells out as loud as possible, "FFFFLLUUTTEEPPLLLAAAYYYER REI!" [What of his Rei? Back in the Juraido Cavern..] ** It is strange to be fond of a troll, is it not? ** It is a lightly-toned reply. ** I was often fond of the trolls my Family took when they had power enough to possess such things. ** Rei nods slowly. ** He's... companionable. ** ** He's also amusing, ** Zelgadis adds with a trace of a smile. Rei nods slowly. Zelgadis regards his younger sister with the faintest of smiles and starts to send before he gets cut off abruptly by the echos of a fear- and pain-streaked shout. "OOOWWWWW! FFFLLLUUUTTTEEEEPPLLAAYYEERR REI!" Rei's chin lifts, and she moves much faster than Zelgadis has seen her move before. To the door she sprints, and out it in a mere matter of moments. Rei slips out of the caverns. Rei has left. You slip out into... Cavern of the Winds(#8479RAL) Contents: Rei Dusk Snee Obvious exits: Southwest (SW) The silence of the Juraido caverns still clings to you like a preserver's patch of wrapstuff. Cloak billowing out behind her, the Lady of Juraido seems to appear from the shadow of the Juraido Caverns with startling speed. Berry-red eyes glinting with an as yet unnamed fire, she comes to a halt and regards the scene quietly. Snee is a foot or so away from Dusk, a dark streak of green-and-red blood spilling over the back of his torn tunic. His gray eyes are wild with pain and fear, and he tries to scramble away. "Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow -ow!" The smell of fresh blood. Normally it's a sign that the end may be near for an elf's prey. In Dusk's case, the wolfen part of her brought to the fore, she draws out the blade, snarling as she again brings it down at Snee, this time at his chest as the two sprawl across the floor. She knows not why she attacks, just that she's been ordered to. After her comes another cloaked figure: Zelgadis, his own blue eyes narrowed slightly with unease and suspicion. The scene itself is enough to bring forward the sound of metal-on-metal as his sword is drawn out. Snee tries to scramble to his feet, but doesn't make it, the pain numbing his muscles until he seems ready to collapse. . o O (Oh -Ancestors-Oh-Ancestors-Oh-Ancestors-Oh-Ancestors!) "Fluteplayer!" his voice warbles out unhappily just before the knife dives down again; with sudden movement, the small little troll rolls out of the way, gasping heavily. The sword of Juraido seemingly comes out of nowhere without sound or light. A step, followed instantly by another, and the point of the blade moves to intersect the knife aimed at Snee. Dusk misses with her strike as it is, only to have the blade seperated from her hand by the sword, causing her to snap her eyes up at the one interrupting her from her task. She makes a questioning noise, no words forming, as she slinks back a step, then another, in surprise. Berry-red eyes narrow in the pale white face that turns to regard the attacking elf. A send, clear and sharp escapes the guardian. ** Explain youself. ** ** Rei? ** Zelgadis's send is worried as his gaze shifts from sister to troll to would-be assassin, a frown twisting darkly on to his face. He holds his own sword out in front of him, watching the blood-soaked troll scramble to a wall and huddle there, looking miserable and scared out of his minimal amount of wits. Hmn. Dusk's eyes focus on Rei, and there seems to be something in them that's not-elf. They look as an animal's might, suddenly unsure of things and looking for an escape. As wolf-friends can send, so can she, but the words make little sense. ** Prey..kill. ** Her eyes narrow towards Snee suddenly. Snee huddles to the wall, shaking noticeably as he stares wide-eyedly. When the furry-thing looks at him, he huddles into a ball, his shakes turning more violent and the greenish-red puddle around him turning wider. "F-F-F-Fluteplayer," he whispers hoarsely, staring at the furry thing. Rei's send is for the wolf-elf, and her brother's send goes unresponded to. ** If so, you will die. ** Indeed, those eerily glowing eyes might just could do it without the blade. Zelgadis sends nothing, does nothing save to come up behind Rei and look over her shoulder towards the wolf-elf. Dryly, he sends, ** She does not look like a Garado. I knew their blood was thin, but not /that/ thin. ** Dusk seems to definitely understand Rei's threat, and she cowers, a whimper of a sound arising from her. She tries to slink away from Rei, slowly. ** No..was told.. ** But by whom? Everything seems so fuzzy to her right now -- what's going on? Snee buries his head in his arms and tries to use the shadows as a hiding place, peeking out with fear-bleached eyes of gray towards the trio. Rei advances, the blade coming dangerously close to the wolf-elf's throat. ** I tell you. You will die if you try again. ** This is by far the most Rei has ever offered to an elf, let alone physically shown action. Zelgadis still trails behind Rei, blue eyes flickering silently. ** Who told you, little elf-rat? ** He sends quietly, a sense of cold detachment to his 'voice.' He shifts his grip to grasp his own blade with one hand, gaze moving between wolf-elf and Rei slowly. Dusk swallows, more and more of her true self returning as Meyika's changes wear away. She backs against a wall, staring with wide eyes at the blade so close to her neck, and she gasps, "No..please.." Able to speak again, but..she looks around frantically. Something's not right. ** What..happened? ** It's a silvery move, a shimmer of the physical form, and the Juraido blade draws a thin line of blood on the cheek of the wolf-elf. Alarmingly quick, Rei is back where she was, the bladepoint heading back towards the throat. The send repeats. ** Explain yourself. ** >From behind her, the mild send comes, ** You might as well answer her, little one. I dare say it'll hurt if you don't. ** Dusk yelps, wincing in pain as a streak of red quickly begins to trail down her cheek from the cut of the blade, her hands rising to clasp over that cheek. She presses back against that wall as far as she can go, though she stays put with that blade at her throat. Swallowing carefully, she sends in a mixture of shock and confusion, ** I don't know what you're talking about..! How did I get here? What happened? ** Rei's send lashes out. ** Who sent you. Who have you been staying with? ** The blade doesn't move. ** I-I don't know who sent me..I don't remember why or how I got here.. ** Dusk insists, eyes focused on the all too sharp blade so close to her. She still holds her cheek, grimacing from the slash. ** I don't know her name..but she insists on calling me Kellynn..Here.. <> ** The sending from the blue-eyed male ripples with disgust, distaste, and blatant dislike. ** That one. She is Garado. ** In the corner, not forgotten, but overlooked, the little troll's eyes slowly close and he sudden collapses forward, passing quickly and swiftly out. The Juraido blade moves back, a swift slean motion that causes the sword to apparantly vanish within Rei's cloak which just as easily falls over her, mostly hiding her from the dimmed sight of the wolf-elf. Dusk takes the first opportunity to look for a way out, sliding to Rei's left. But where can she go in this darkness? Perhaps she can follow a scent-trail somewhere. Lowly, the Anado sends, ** I did not expect that one to be so.. blunt. ** Rei offers the wolf-elf no help, instead looking to her brother. ** I am unpleased. ** ** I do not blame you. ** Zelgadis smiles dryly, then, with a trace of humor, points out: ** Displeased. ** Dusk continues to back out of the area, noticing that attention seems to have shifted from her to talk of Lrilanya. Perhaps she can get out now, find Talek, and leave this place! Away she shuffles. Zelgadis's gaze shifts to regard the fleeing wolf-elf. ** Its getting away. ** Rei muses on her brother's correction, then at his second send, offers only: ** Let it. I left its owner a... message. ** Dusk reaches another wall, feeling her way along it slowly. Disgustedly, she sends, ** I'm not owned by anybody. ** With that, she retreats. Dusk heads southwestardly to the River Cavern. Dusk has left. ** Good. ** Disregarding the fleeing wolf-elf, Zelgadis's attention turns away to look at where he last saw the troll. Eyes flickering upon the bloody mess, his sending tightens noticeably. ** Rei, your pet.. ** Rei turns to look to Snee in concern. Her voice is oddly soft when compared to the sends earlier. "Snee?" No reply, not even a croak. The puddle has worsened now and the little troll lies in a hapless pile. His back rises and falls with his breath, but the breath itself is ragged and shallow. The knife went through deep. Rei sighs softly. Her voice turns louder now, almost echoing in the cavern. "Snee." The older of the two elven folk sends gently, ** I will fetch some bandages.. ** and moves swiftly away, back into the Juraido Caverns with a rustle of his cloak. Pain- and fear-bleary eyes crack open and slowly the little troll starts to heft himself up, but his joints catch and he struggles in transition. "Fuh-Fuh-Fllllluu.." Nope, that won't work. "R-Rei?" "Snee. Talk to me. Tell me what happened." There is perhaps an edge of concern in her voice. "I.. *cough!* I was jus' moppin' the floors *cough!* l-like I always do!" Snee, grasping the ground tightly, suddenly finds strength enough to push his small form up into a sitting position against the wall, liquified eyes of gray closed with ragged gasps. "I didn' do nuthin', I s-s- *COUGH* swear!" Momentarily, Zelgadis returns, arms laden with supplies. ** I am here. ** Rei extends a hand, gently supporting Snee against the wall. "Don't move so. I believe you. Snee... have you done anything to warrant this from the Garado? Anything before you came to me?" "No!" Eyes, bleached and wild with pain, fly open and sprout tears, the thin lines streaming down his cheeks. "I didn' do nuthin', F -Fluteplayer! I j-just mop floors! I'm a good boy, I am!" Yet he seems nonetheless distraught, increasingly so at the mention of the Garado family, and his eyes squeeze shut yet again. ** Move him. His wound needs dressing. ** Zelgadis's send, calm and cool as it had been when he attended you only moons ago, flickers quietly in your mind. Rei sends openly ** I cannot. He is too heavy. ** Rei's send is simple, and plainly stated. She is frail in comarison to the... densely massed troll. Quietly, Zelgadis kneels at Rei's side and deposits the supplies into her arms, willing or not. Then he reaches, grasping the small green lad by his shoulders and hefting him up, earning a groaning squeal of protest. Then, briskly: ** Bandages. ** Rei's send is somewhat disordered. Snee's condition has worried her far more than she'd like to admit. ** What? ** Zelgadis's sending sharpens as he arranges the troll on the floor, lying him front-down on the floor with his bloodied back facing the ceiling. ** /Bandages/! And water. ** There is a waterskin placed over the bandages, corked, but no bowl in sight to hold it. Rei shakes her head, returning to the cool and almost distant self. ** Yes. Here. ** She collects the items and nears Snee. She doesn't tell them that when she was injured, she just let it do. (Or perhaps they already know that.) Snee emits a ragged breath before simply passing out again, cradling his head in his forearms. Without saying a word, Zelgadis takes the bandages and water from her. Uncorking the skin, he moistens one of the bandages and applies it to the wound. It is an ugly wound; deep it had been when the wolf-elf stabbed the troll, but Snee's sharp movement caused it to tear. Fresh green-red blood wells up in reply, staining both the bandage and the Anado's hand. ** He's losing blood. He needs either a healer or needle and thread. ** Rei winces faintly. ** I ... know nothing of... healing... ** ** Nor I save that which I had to learn by experience. ** Zelgadis's eyes narrow faintly as he presses slightly to the wound, trying to get it to clot. He releases one hand long enough to snatch up a fresh cloth and reinforce the first. ** This isn't working. Do you have needle and thread? ** Rei blinks. ** I... for cloth, yes... ** Zelgadis sends roughly, ** Fetch it. The wound has to be sealed. ** She looks around, rising slowly to stand. ** Yes. ** Rei turns, slipping into Juraido Caverns. Rei has left. Rei slips in from a shadow. Rei has arrived. Rei returns, offering Zelgadis a small bundle. By the time you return the bleeding has started to slow, but not noticeably. The wound is clotting very slowly and the blood is flowing freely. Zelgadis removes his hands and reaches to accept the bundle, placing it beside him and opening it hurriedly. ** Hold the bandages in place, ** he sends, voice still rough, as his eyes skim over the bundle's contents. Rei, without thought, puts her whitegloved hands down on the bandages, waiting for Zelgadis to select from the assortment of needles and thread found in the bundle. Zelgadis's bloodied hands sift through the needles and thread, pulling out the thickest of each. Troll hide is tough - it will take much to pierce it and hold it together, even as torn and tender as it is now. Threading the needle clumsily, but quickly, He reinforces it by doubling the thread, then turns, reaching a hand to touch the bandages. ** If he awakens, keep him still. I couldn't find any numbweed in what I had left of your prior injuries. ** Rei nods silently, either unable or unwilling to offer anything to distract her brother. Instead, she watches Snee quietly, gloved hands starting to tinge softly with the seepage. Peeling back a section of the soaked cloth, Zelgadis uses a corner of another wet cloth to clean the area before applying the needle to the pebbled green flesh. He pierces it, a drop of red welling up, then another as he pulls it through. Tightening the wound, he pulls the two edges together with careful, practiced ease and starts to work his way up. Blessfully the little troll does not awaken, though with each stick of the needle he emits a soft whimper. Rei tries to help, but after two attempts, gives up and simply holds the bandages. She's entirely too worried about him. Zelgadis falls utterly silent as he works on knitting the ragged bits of flesh together with the thick black thread. Time passes and he utters a sending-grunt of ** Move the cloth up ** when he works his way up enough to touch the bandages still held in place. Blood still oozes, but not nearly so quickly or dangerously, especially where the troll -hide has been sewn together neatly. Rei moves the cloth up silently, as if she were simply doing as told. And yet, she seems to be warring with herself inside her eyes. Zelgadis spares her a glance through the corners of his eyes briefly, then continues working his way up. As he reaches the point where the knife sunk in originally, his jaw begins to tighten. ** This will slow the bleeding. Trolls are a hardy lot and live through much, but.. It would be well-advised to have him seen by a healer as soon as it is possible. ** Silently, he continues to work up, every so often asking Rei to relinquish the pressure on certain areas. Once the wound itself is stitched over all the way he begins to work his way down again, reinforcing. Then the little troll awakens, albeit blearily and semiconsciously. He groans aloud, fingers curling into the stone beneath him, then he groggily starts to push himself up, unaware of Zelgadis's ministrations. Rei pushes now, seeimgly unaware that the simple action of pushing Snee downwards might bring pain. And pain it brings, for Snee squawls sharply, muscles bunching and tearing some of the threads. Zelgadis utters a vehement, gutteral curse - ** Keep him still! ** - and starts to work all the more quickly, struggling to repair the damage. Rei's voice whispers out, soft and firm. But she doesn't know if he will hear her. "Snee. Be still." It doesn't appear that he did, yet Snee stops and collapses back on the ground, gray eyes blurred with pain closing slowly. "H-Hurts.." He mumbles into the ground. Swiftly and neatly, as if he had done this countless times before, Zelgadis reinforces the stitching a second, then a third time where it had torn. ** I will have to fetch some numbweed when this is finished.. ** he send-mutters, touching the sewn areas with his index finger gingerly to see if they'll hold. The oozing blood has finally evened out and stopped for the most part except in those places where it escapes in between the stitched areas. The soft touch of slightly dampened gloved fingers brushes Snee's cheek. "Yes, I know. But not forever." Zelgadis watches Rei through the corners of his eyes as he picks up the last of the bandages and begins to bind the wound, halting the rest of the seepage. ** It will take some time for him to heal. He.. will not be able to work for a long while, ** he sends softly. At the touch some of the tension relieves itself from the little troll's pain-taunt face. "M's-sorry, Fluteplayer Ruh-Rei," he stumbles, eyes cracking open just barely. "N'didn' see it coming.. s'priz'd me.." Rei nods to Zelgadis. ** Then I will see to things myself. ** To Snee, she offers only a soft hush. Snee falls quiet, eyes closing again. ** I will assist you in that, ** Zelgadis sends distractedly, regarding the fallen troll through slightly narrowed eyes. ** Where can we put him? ** Rei's send is quiet, as she finally names the forgotten room where he once found her in a similar condition. ** Coelur's room. ** Zelgadis's gaze shifts to her, weighted with quiet, then he only nods. Zelgadis gathers the troll gingerly into his arms, thankful that it is still quiet and careful not to irritate its still-fresh injuries. Rei stands slowly, almost in a defeated position, then moves into Juraido Caves again. Rei has left. You slip through the gash in the wall, and as your eyes adjust, you see that you have entered: Juraido Family Cavern(#5846RAJQ) Contents: Rei Snee emits a faint groan as he is moved. Rei closes her eyes briefly, then moves onwards, pulling the torn remnant of a banner aside for Zelgadis to slip into the other room. Zelgadis shares a brief glance with Rei before moving into the room, footsteps as silent as he is. Rei is simply silent and hard to 'read.' You squeeze through the crack in the wall, emerging in Juraido Caverns - Forgotten Hall Here, everything is still and has a sort of anticipatory feeling. There is no dust, as there is no airflow. The air itself is thick and old, as if alive within its own right of memory. In the corner, a child-sized pallet of moss and bedding, a single toy beside it as though only waiting for its owner to come sleep the night. The center of the room displays a table that houses a great many curious objects, some which seem to have little purpose other than to bring ones mind curiously to a halt while contemplating it. But what is singularly most stunning about this hall is the sword imbedded in the stone of the far wall... a sword that carries the crest of the House Juraido. Obvious exits: Out Rei has arrived. [OOC] Rei says, "Really. The sword is at my side." Zelgadis moves in, holding the pain-infested troll as firmly and gently as possible, gaze flickering around the familiar darkened hall before turning slightly to look at Rei. ** Where? ** Rei points to the bedding. ** There. ** Zelgadis nods, moving forward and placing the troll there gingerly. He checks the bandages to see if the transport of Snee from the Cavern of Winds to this Forgotten Hall aggrivated the wounds again, then arranges them to stifle the bleeding again. ** He will rest, but not easily. I will try to find the numbweed. ** Rei nods. ** I will... be here. ** Zelgadis nods lightly and rises slowly to his full height, looking down at himself. Its only now that he realizes that tending to the troll's hurt resulted in making himself quite.. messy. ** I will return shortly, ** the Anado finally sends after a muted pause, then swiftly moves to exit the Hall. To fetch the numbweed. Rei sits quietly by the little troll and waits. This is something she was once long used to... and it appears the practice was good for her. Snee lies where he is placed, his breathing shallow, but even. He stares out in space ahead of him, not quite registering anything. And so he stays like that until Zelgadis returns, arms laded with a basket of colorless cave weeds. Rei is much as she was as well, silent and still by the troll. Zelgadis moves to take a seat near Rei, pulling out a bowl and dropping the weeds into it. Selecting a smooth rock, he begins to grind the weeds together, mashing and crumbling them inside the bowl. Watching Rei through the corners of his eyes, concern lingers and he sends, ** The troll will pull through, Rei. Be thankful we arrived we did. ** Rei's send is quiet, a reflection of her thoughts perhaps, and not intended to be sent openly. ** Will the House Juraido eternally suffer for what Coelur did? ** Zelgadis blinks. ** What? ** Rei looks up, eyes blank for a moment, then she shakes her head. ** I was... it's nothing. ** Uncorking the waterskin again and pouring some of the metallic-scented water into the bowl, the colorless crumbles of the numbweed is slowly worked into a slightly gelatin mush. Zelgadis watches the younger of the two quietly, brows furrowed in worry. ** Rei, are you ... all right? ** Rei is candid with Zelgadis, unlike with others. ** This... has bothered me far too much... ** ** This? ** Zelgadis indicates the semiconscious troll. Rei nods once. ** I am not surprised. ** Zelgadis lifts the bowl slightly, sniffs its contents, then lowers the bowl again with a grimace and reaches for the waterskin again. ** You care for the little thing. It is ... distressing to watch something you care for get hurt. ** Rei smiles feebly. ** Maybe I do have feelings more than I should. ** Zelgadis pours more water in the strange-smelling mixture and quirks a brow. He echoes, ** Than you should? ** Rei nods slowly. ** My life would be... better if... ** It blurts out, maybe unintentionally. ** If I were more like you. ** Zelgadis blinks in mid-stir of the mixture, just looking at Rei for a long moment. . o O (....) ** Why is that? ** Rei sends openly ** Because you're so collected... and calm. ** ** Oh. ** Zelgadis blinks again, but slowly, eyebrows drawing together, then looking back to the bowl and resuming his stirring. The mixture turns faintly green. ** Only because hysteria would complicate the situation. ** Rei nods slowly. ** Yet I did. ** Zelgadis sniffs the concoction again and this time seems satisfied. Rising to his feet, he approaches the troll and peels back some of the bandages. ** Explain? ** he queries as he eyes the reddened tissue warily, then starts to spread some of the mush across the stitched layer of skin gingerly. Rei sends openly ** I got upset, and was of no help/// ** ** You helped, ** Zelgadis reassures distractedly, coating the entire length of sewn flesh with a light layer of the numbweed mush. The irritated redness subsides a bit. Rei sighs softly, looking upset. Of course, this is merely shown in the tightness about her eyes, unlike others who might fret or fury. Zelgadis finishes his work and sets the bowl the side, wiping his hands clean on a towel. He looks back to the Juraido and catches the look in her eyes, brows drawing together. His 'voice' quiet, he send-murmurs, ** Self-blame does no good when the fault lies with others. ** Rei sends openly ** Where else would the fault lie? ** ** With the Garado that sent the wolf-child in the first place, ** Zelgadis answers simply. Rei sends openly ** So what is to be done about that? ** Zelgadis watches her, still wiping his hands free of the mush, his fingers and hands going numb. He should have worn gloves when applying it, he notes to himself bitterly. ** What would you like to be done? ** Rei shakes her head. ** I do not know. I do not like to fight... ** Zelgadis notes mildly, ** I can do the fighting for you. But I do not think the Juraido would survive if War were to rise up between them and the Garado. They are a powerful Family. ** Rei nods slowly. ** I do not want war. Not again. ** Zelgadis nods once, looking back to the troll. ** A complaint could be given to the Council. ** ** Or a mysterious death... ** ** That could be arranged, ** he answers with a thin smile. And he is quite serious too. She looks up, eyes clear. She has not wanted to see death since Coelur died... and she finds it settles strangely within her. [Zelgadis] Though he is all but colorless in complexion and hair color, there is something dark about this male. He stands tall for elves, yet average height for one of his breeding, with eyes a blue color that seems crystalline when the light hits it just right.. or not at all. Strands of white hair, long since bleached of their color after centuries kept from the sun, fall over his eyes and face unkept, the rest of it tied back and held neatly in a clasp that allows the rest of the length to trail down his back. He is slender in build, but confident in stride, his form masked in cloth dyed rich purples and blues, overlapped by a black, ragged cloak with a hood often pulled over his head to cast shadows across his pale face, the sign of the House Anado embroidered in white and yellow thread across its back. A belt is wound around his waist, a sheath at his side with a metal hilt with woven moss bound around its center jutting out. When drawn out, the blade itself is nearly the length of his arm, troll-crafted and weighted just right to suit him. Two smaller daggers, unsheathed but held in small strips of thick cloth sewn to his belt, catch the light, marking their place on the opposite side, slightly to the front. They are smaller and more delicately crafted, lighter in weight, yet more dangerous to the eye; jagged ridges line their edges, bringing to mind visions of a more painful attack when pulled out of a wound. They will tear, or worse. His voice when spoken is quiet and slightly rough from disuse. His sending is as crystalline as his eyes, yet smoothened like a stone touched by a rock-shaper's hand. His scent, to those that can detect it, is one of dust and metal, with the faintest touch of spices taken from ground moss and fungi. He returns her gaze, his own eyes unreadable. A few strands of white hair fall over the crystalline blue of his eyes silently. [Rei] Pale of skin and hair, this small figure seems monochromatic... until she turns bright berry-colored eyes to you. Without her mask on, one can see dark stripes across her cheeks, rising from her jaw line to end in points at her cheekbones, two stripes on either side of her face. Her white bodysuit has blue accent stripes, much like those on her face. A black cloak mottled like the very mosses on the wall conceals her when she does not wish to be bothered. Carrying: Crystal Flute Rei finally looks away. ** Do as needs be done. ** The slight rustle of fabric as the Anado inclines his head in a slight nod, turning his own eyes away to regard the far wall. ** When the time is right. ** She nods. It's not a pleasant prospect... not by a long shot... but drastic measures are often taken by those who have been improperly wronged. As if that single nod were indication of dismissal, Zelgadis rises to his feet. ** Apply a new coating of the numbweed once the first has faded and the pain has returned. ** His cloak parted slightly, the hand resting on the hilt of his sword is just barely visible before the folds of the cloak fall back into place, hiding everything save his face from view. Saying no more, not even a farewell, he turns and disappears out of the Hall. Rei waits, sitting there and quietly watching Snee. Her eyes bespeak her worry... and there isn't a thing she can do to hide it. [End log]