#then after a bit yeah. she tried escaping and the black matter that was dormant in her just

[sleep-nurse]

lore meme that literally nobody else will get it except me and my brother

[snowflake-apocalypse]

Gatekeepers of The Underground

Joss & Jay: Year 1

The Underground; 0012

On the hot pursuit of the night’s featured felons, the pair of Joss and Jay catch themselves in a long abandoned tunnel of Idle City’s subway station.

Well, Joss did.

“Joss, come on. There’s a reason no one stays on this side.” Jay cries from atop of the subway entrance.

Fists firmly at his side and eyes wide behind his domino mask. He watches his elder disappear into the grip of darkness, punctuated by the soft click of her footsteps.

Jay jerks his head left to right, quickly surveying the stillness of the dormant street. In a huff he tramps down the stairwell to his partner.

This is bad this is bad this is bad.

“Little buddy, if you’re scared you can take the apartment keys and head home. My Friday night plans include catching Illicit drug dealers.” Joss nonchalantly answers, shining her flashlight down the far reaches of the decrepit passage way.

Clutching Joss’ sleeve, Jay produces his own torch. “You shouldn’t be down here either. The gatekeepers guard these tunnels. They turn into copies of you and then disappear to another plane. Sometimes they come after you!”

Pressing on, Joss clears the cobwebs in her view. Minding the craters and cracks along the path.“And you heard this superstition from?” She has known the boy since he was an infant, well aware of him to be rational for his age so...

“Ms. Demko down at the coffee shop.”, Jay matter-of-factly answers. Now taking the woman’s hand, he falls in-step with her.

“Oh, geez. Figures she’d spin tall tales to a child.”Joss mumbles, rolling her eyes in annoyance.

“-Listen, the reason no one comes on this side is because the floods decades ago. All it left was wrecked tracks and a rancid-as-hell smell. Bad business area, good escape route.” Joss’ voice echos off of the walls as she tries to reassure her ward.

“Yeah, and you think that’ll stop half of the crooks in this city? Plus it’s creepy down here.”

“You didn’t have to come, y’know.”

“I’m not gonna leave you alone... ‘specially after how busted you came back last caper.”, Jay mutters. In his mind, Joss was a lot of things: selfless, brave, and caring... but also wildly reckless and strong-headed. He wasn’t witnessing that again.

Stamping through the puddles the two journey deeper into the winding subway. The air growing chiller as they progressed, Joss discovers two figures outlined by her light, about thirty feet in front of them. Her person-of-interest making the sale, she thinks.

“Domieco! Hey what’s the deal, brother?! I thought you said you were ditching the snow?!” Joss calls out the the silhouettes, breath visible in the fog.

No reply returns. Both parties motionless, like each is studying the other. The atmosphere turns heavy.

Suddenly, the unknown frames rush further down the corridors without warning.

“Come on, man. Just talk to me-.” Scuffing the ground, chases after in a huff. “-Jay, stay on my tail, I think we’re coming up on the Shoe Street exit.”

Boots now throughly soaked, Joss and Jay’s pursuit ends around the bend the corner. The shadows no where to be found.

“Wha-where’d they go?” Jay panting for breath, he focuses his beam center ahead of him.

Equally out of breath, Joss combs a hand through her russet shoulder-length hair. “Dang it! I don’t know. Maybe they slipped through a crack in the wall. The Underground likes those.”

Joss removes her mask to wipe the soot out of her eyes, “Let’s just get out to the next street. Maybe I’ll catch him around.”, she says, a melancholy defeat in her voice. Once again donning her mask, she beckons Jay along.

Trekking closer to the exit, the strange musk returns. Joss could feel something lurking around her. An unexplainable pressure. Regardless, she kept her solid resolve and eyes steadily ahead.

oss..

sss...

Jocelyn

Faintly hearing her name in the damp air Joss whips her head around, scanning the devoid area then settling on Jay. “Yo what’s up, bud?”

“I didn’t say anything.” Jay remarks, stuffing his right hand further into his trench coat pocket.

Leaving her a bit spooked, she pulls the child closer, giving her surroundings another cautious look. She was letting her emotions and the kid’s stories get to her head. She decides to pick up their pace to the exit.

“What is it?” Jay asks, noticing the vigor her steps.

“Nothing... I just want to get out of here. I think we’ve had enough excitement for one patrol.”

Nearing the exit, the pair can see the steps leading to the next street, in shambles like the rest of the underpass. The older woman urges Jay up the stairs and he hastily obligates. Following suit, she gives one last glance into the void of the staircase, Joss shakes her head.

The duo find a cafe’s outdoor area still displayed, and promptly crash in the cushioned chairs. They sit in tired silence for a while, collecting their emotions and wits. The night is calm, no stirring to be had.

After a few minutes the boy perks up, “You really weren’t scared?”

If she were to be honest, it wasn’t about putting any two-bit drug dealer in jail. Sure, she’d put away violent people who were too dangerous to be left perusing the streets. But this was about supporting someone into a better life. Helping a friend, she thought.

“No. I’m disappointed, though. Domieco promised me he was done bartering drugs. So much for a new leaf.”, Joss scoffs.

“I know. But we just do the best we can. Even if the others don’t meet us half way.” Jay gently expresses, reaching his hand across the table to grasp his mentor’s.

Sighing, she gives her ally’s hand a little squeeze. “Are you alright, though? I’m sorry I dragged you down there.”

“Yeah yeah, I’ll be okay. But we’re sleeping with all the lights on for a while.” Jay retorts, doling out a knowing look to Joss.

“Heh. Right, right.”

Remaining in their spots for a bit longer before a passing vehicle catches their eye. Not so much the car as the person behind the wheel. Closely observing them, the vigilante’s eyes shoot open with fury. Abruptly rising from her chair, Joss runs after it.

“Hey!” Joss roars, bolting in front of the black SUV crossing the intersection. The car screeches to a halt, only to have the livid woman strike it with a loud thud.

Throwing open the driver door, a lanky bearded man, dressed in a simple black and white suit approaches her.

“What the hell are you doing-?!”, Joss continues her rant. “Thanks for keeping your promise, man. Last time I stick my neck out for you.”

“What’re you talkin’ about? I haven’t been on the drug scene in weeks. I’m heading to pick up the boss.” Hands on his hips, the man arches his eyebrow. “...and why are you and the kid out here at three in the morning?”

‘Heading to pick up the boss, yeah.’

“Trying to chase down your ungrateful ass, that’s what. All the way down the northside tunnels.”

“Girl, so you’re crazy an’ stupid? Nobody sets foot in the northside of the Underground and I sure as shit didn’t, I’ll tell you that.”, he counter-grills the vigilante.

Taken aback, Joss yields. Examining the individual in front of her, questions gripping her mind.

When did he change clothes? Has it really been that long since we’ve seen each other? Where was the other guy?

Teal eyes softening, he sighs. “Look, I’m tellin’ you. I gave it up. ...I got gig as the Cavezza’s driver. I know it ain’t much better.. but I’m tryin’.”

Tilting her head slightly, Joss inches closer. “..But.. I was tailing you for the last two hours. I saw you and Landa dip down into the Cedar Street entrance.”

Criminal and criminal alike share a crushing silence, thoughts plastered on their confused and skeptical faces. Concern now etching the man’s features.

Were you?

After a moment of shuffling the evidence through her mind, Joss accepts the man wasn’t lying.. and comes to a realization.

“Aw, hell no! Nope, nope, nope!” Joss throws her hands up in terrified defiance.

“See! I told you! Now there could be some shadowy version of us running around! I’m going home-home.”

[matrixaffiliate]

Endeavor

Chapter Update! FFN and AO3

Next update will be on Saturday, Oct 10th! Have a wonderful weekend my friends!

Chapter 13

"What do you mean this entire chapter is out of character?" Vic demanded as she read Ted's comment on the chapter heading.

Ted set her soda can on the coffee table and sat down next to her on his couch. Vic prudently moved the can further away from her laptop.

"She isn't brave in this chapter." He shrugged.

Vic stared at him, "Yes she is."

"Nope, she waits for her group to solve the problem. She doesn't take any action of her own. You're near the end of the book here, she needs to be brave, she needs to show that everything you've put her through has paid off and she's ready to be the hero now."

Vic sighed and looked back at her laptop screen. All of Ted's comments on her story were like this. He seemed to think that she was holding her heroine back, not allowing her character to live up to her potential. Vic usually passed off comments like this from others because she felt like they didn't know what they were talking about. But having Ted defend his reasoning with the sharp knifepoint of cold hard logic made Vic less sure of her insistence that she was right and everyone else was uninformed, or that they didn't understand the story.

"But we were going to look at your mum's list and talk about what Harry said to you." Ted knocked her knee with his.

Vic stared at her laptop for a moment more before nodding and shutting it down.

"Here," she handed Ted her notebook, "This is what they both said."

Ted leant back against the couch and kicked his feet up on the coffee table and Vic wondered if maybe she could get him to set this rather terrifying task aside in exchange for some more pleasurable activities. But before she could pursue that line of thought, Ted set the notebook in his lap and dove right in.

"Well, your mum's words seem accurate, but I'll admit that Harry's comment worries me a little bit." He frowned down at the notebook. "What on earth brought up a comment like that?"

Vic bit her lip and looked at her black laptop screen. Ted's hands gently but firmly grabbed hers, stopping her from trying to rub her skin raw.

"Vic, you can talk to me. I'm still the goof that got you chatting all day at work instead of doing our jobs. I'm still your friend. I just now also happen to be living my fantasy of being your boyfriend as well." He teased, and Vic gave a small laugh despite her nerves.

"Come on, Vic," Ted tapped her chin up with his finger, trying to get her to look at him. "You can tell me what happened. You can tell me anything."

She bit her lip harder and dropped her gaze lower. She might as well tell him; it wasn't like they hadn't already talked about this to an extent before.

"I, I was sort of worried that, that Harry and the rest of your family were going to try and convince you to break up with me."

"Vic," Ted shook his head, "You've got it all wrong."

"Well if Uncle Harry is right, then it's me we should apparently be worried about anyway." She huffed.

"We're not going to worry about either of us walking away, alright." Vic jumped as Ted's normally playful voice had gone very firm. "If it happens, we'll deal with it when we get there, but right now we're both committed to being with each other, so let's not start talking about who's going to walk away."

"I'm sorry," she tried to fold further in on herself.

"No, I'm sorry," Ted sighed and pulled her into him. "I spent so much time wishing that you were mine and now talking about that ending brought me up short. I don't like thinking about you not being in my life."

Vic took a deep breath in his embrace and tried to ignore how much these hard feelings seemed to be ruining everything. They held each other for a few silent moments, breathing each other in, before Ted's voice sounded in the quiet.

"Is Harry right? Do you not love yourself?"

Vic closed her eyes, afraid to look that question full in the face.

"I," she whispered. "I don't know."

Ted's fingers moved into her hair, combing through it from the base of her neck to the ends.

"I still love you." His voice was a quiet rumble, and his lips were very close to her ear.

Vic felt a small smile pull on her lips. It was comforting that hearing him say those words now made her heart flutter and her spine tingle. When he said it to her the first time all she had felt was guilt and panic. But now, now those words filled her with hope.

"You don't have to say it back," Ted continued in the same low rumble. "But I want you to know that didn't change. And if it helps you love yourself at all to know that I love you, then I want you to know that I never stopped loving you."

Vic gave in to the smile that had been pulling on her lips and turned to face him.

"Thank you, that does help."

And it did. Vic didn't know if she really didn't love herself or if she'd spent the last little while tearing herself so far down that she forgot what it felt like not to. But hearing Ted say he loved her seemed to awaken a part of her soul that had gone dormant, hiding from all the internal berating that had become her inner voice.

Ted leant in, gently brushing his lips along hers.

"Good," He smiled against her. "And would it help if I said it more often?"

Vic kissed him again as she answered. "It certainly wouldn't hurt anything."

"I'm going to act as if you said yes," he gave her a cheeky grin.

She laughed and laid her head against his shoulder, letting the warm comfort of his embrace envelope her. It felt right to sit here with him like this. When it was the two of them and she wasn't worried about anyone else, everything about being with Ted felt right. And that realization opened her eyes just a fraction more to the possibility that this page in her notebook might be worth exploring if for no other reason than to try and create a life where she always felt right with Ted, a life where she didn't try to sabotage her own happiness.

Vic glanced over at the page and saw the first line.

You and your desires are important.

Well, right now her desire was to be happy with Ted without her brain trying to ruin it. She would just have to start giving that priority, that's what you did with important things after all.

"I think maybe I just needed to take a look at Mum's list in a new light." She let her thoughts vocalize.

"Yeah?" Ted kissed the top of her head.

"Yeah, those lines seem a bit less terrifying now." Vic looked up at him and smirked. "You're fully to blame. What am I supposed to do with a boyfriend who helps me see that my mother is right?"

Ted laughed and pulled her closer. "There's the woman I fell in love with."

"Don't try to sweet-talk your way out of this," Vic stuck her tongue out at him. "Boyfriends are supposed to tell you that you're perfect and need no improvements."

Ted tipped forward and kissed her.

"Boyfriends who don't plan on sticking around, sure. But I want you to be happy, and I'm realizing in my short life span that growth tends to help with happiness." Then he smirked. "And if you'd rather I didn't talk my way out of this, I could probably find some other entertaining ways to distract you."

He slid his fingertips under the hem of her shirt and Vic leant into his hand, a quiet hum escaping her lips.

"I knew you practiced witchcraft," she sighed when Ted moved to kiss her neck, his lips lingering behind her ear and his warm breath sending shivers down her spine.

"I could go back to talking my way out of whatever metaphorical hole you dropped me in." He whispered before pulling back entirely and leaning against the arm of the couch.

The smirk he offered her made Vic want to simultaneously smack him upside the head and snog him senseless.

"See!" She threw her hands in the air, "Witchcraft!" Then she laughed and moved to the opposite arm of the couch. "There! How do you like it?"

Ted smiled, "I'm rather enjoying the view. I could get used to you sprawled out on my couch like that."

Vic rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you've got a magic wand somewhere that could make me float to you if you needed it."

"I don't know if I'd call it magic, but…" He smirked at her, his warm amber eyes taking on a honey cast as they seemed to bore into hers.

"Oh, shut up!" Vic felt her face grow hot but she forced herself to hold his penetrating gaze. "I'm sure you learned that one your last year of primary school too."

Ted continued to smirk at her, "That pink on your cheeks says it doesn't matter when I learned it."

"You're ridiculous!" She gave up and looked away and shook her head, trying to clear away her blush.

"Nah, I'm just in love with you."

Vic couldn't stop the smile that claimed her lips.

"You're not going to let me win, are you?" She tried to pout but from the look on Ted's face, she was failing miserably.

Ted laughed and then moved to her side of the couch. He leant into her, bringing his face within a couple of inches of hers.

"Better?"

"Is this what me winning is?" Vic suddenly found it a little harder to take in air than normal.

"Did you want something different?" Ted ran the tip of his nose along the side of her own and Vic felt the desire to bring her lips to his run through her whole body like an electric current.

"I think I can make do with this," she smirked up at him.

Ted's chuckle rumbled in his chest and Vic let out an audible sigh when he finally brought his lips to hers.

You and your desires are important.

The words echoed quietly in her mind, and as Vic lost herself in snogging Ted, she knew she could face this list now. Because now she could see that while Ted joked about being thrown in holes, she actually had dug one for herself and climbed in, and it was time to climb back out.

Just as soon as she finished kissing Ted like her life depended on it.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

As it happened, it took almost another week for Vic to find the time to sit down with the page in her notebook that had nearly given her a stomach ulcer when her mum first wrote out its contents. She curled up against her pillows on her bed and took a deep breath as she read through the list again.

You and your desires are important.

You are a good person.

You are brave.

You must decide your life's story.

If you can't believe that you're worthy of being loved, then sooner or later, you'll be the one to walk away.

Vic reasoned that if her desires were important then she ought to know what her desires were. She'd never really put a lot of thought into what she wanted, mostly she did what was expected of her. But she was done pretending that was enough; she was going to go after the things she wanted.

Just as soon as she figured out what that was…

Vic turned the page in her notebook and grabbed a pen. She wrote down the epiphany she'd had back at Ted's flat.

I want to stop trying to sabotage my relationship with Ted. I want to let myself be happy with him.

"Well, there's something at least."

Vic looked at the line and tried to figure out what else she wanted. She looked around her childhood bedroom and pursed her lips as memories tried to intrude on her attempt at figuring out her life. Maybe she'd get Dom to switch rooms with her just to be able to look around and not feel like everything reminded her of her childhood. Then she laughed and put her pen to the next line.

I want to move out.

Maybe this wouldn't be as hard as she originally thought. Vic smiled at the two lines she had so far. And those two things felt somewhat complete. Maybe she'd add more to this list, but right now, being on her own, and not undermining her relationship with Ted felt like enough. She turned the page back and read the next thing on her mum's list.

You are a good person.

Vic sighed. She wasn't so sure about her being a good person. She was just about to skip over this one when a thought occurred to her. Ted loved her. Her family loved her. And she trusted them. She trusted their opinions and advice. If they loved her, then she couldn't be a horrible person, could she? Vic admitted that she still felt a bit like she wasn't a good person, but if she trusted her dad to love her, and her mum to love her, and Ted to love her even though she didn't treat him the way she should have at the beginning, then maybe she could trust that they at least thought she was good. Maybe that could be enough, for now, to just trust that she was a good person.

You are brave.

Vic actually laughed. Brave? Why on earth would her mum put something like that. Vic shook her head and decided to skip this one. Maybe it was a French thing?

You must decide your life's story.

Vic thought she understood this one now. Her mum was trying to get her to see that she'd more or less just been floating without a whole lot of direction. There was a moment where Vic wondered if she should try and make those decisions of what she wanted her life story to look like, but the moment of anxiety that hit her was enough to tell her that maybe she should take this in pieces. She knew that she wanted Ted in her story, and she knew she wanted her own place. Right now, that would be enough. She'd write more chapters as she worked through these, but Vic resolved that she was going to be the star of those chapters. She wasn't going to wait for others to write her story for her anymore. The fact that she didn't have total control in her life wasn't going to be her excuse anymore. What she could control she would, and everything she couldn't control wasn't going to stop her from making her life the way she wanted it.

Vic's eyes drifted to Harry's advice.

If you can't believe that you're worthy of being loved, then sooner or later, you'll be the one to walk away.

Thinking about it now, Vic realized this was a lot like her mum's words that she was a good person. She would just have to trust for now that she was worthy of being loved, especially by Ted. Every time her brain told her she wasn't, she'd choose to trust that she was. She'd choose to believe that Ted was with her because he wanted to be. She'd choose to believe that she was worthy of his love. And she would tell those thoughts that she wasn't to get lost.

Vic almost laughed at herself. This page in her notebook had nearly made her sick with anxiety, and now she was smiling down at the words on the page.

"Quel magnifique sourire, ma chérie." Fleur stood within the door frame.

"Merci, Maman," Vic scooted over as her mum came to sit on her bed with her.

"Ah, and you even have my few words of advice with you."

Vic laughed, "Yeah, I guess I should say thank you. I didn't realize it at first, but they've been helpful. I don't feel so lost now."

"Merveilleux," Fleur wrapped her arms around Vic's shoulders, "and what will you do now?"

Vic bit her lip and looked up over at her mum. "Look for a flat of my own?"

Fleur laughed. "Don't ask me, this is your story."

"Alright, then," Vic gave her mum a sheepish smile. "Maman, I'm going to look for a flat of my own."

Her mum hugged her tight, "I'm proud of you, ma chérie."

"Thanks, Maman," Vic took a deep breath. "Think you could help me?"

"I would love to help you." Fleur turned to look at her daughter. "And what of your Ted?"

Vic looked down at the notebook and smiled. "I'm going to stop undermining myself. He says he loves me, and I'm going to believe him."

"And perhaps now we could get to know the one so dear to your heart?" Her mum gave Vic a rather pointed look. "I've been ever so patient, ma chérie."

Vic laughed. She had definitely avoided the step of introducing each other's families into her relationship with Ted, but maybe it was time. They'd been together for three months now, and if you counted how she behaved like he hung the moon while they worked together, then you could add another six months on to that.

"I'll talk to Ted about it when I see him on Friday."

Fleur squeezed her shoulders. "Merci, and what of work?"

"Work is good," Vic chuckled. "Who knew I'd enjoy editing other people's writing? Or that I'd be good at it?"

"I did," Fleur kissed her cheek, "but now you know it too, and that's more important."

Vic rolled her eyes and laughed, "Thanks, Maman."

"It is what mothers are for, ma chérie," Fleur teased.

Vic hugged her mum and smiled down at the notebook in her lap. It may have been a roundabout way of doing things, but she was glad that her mum had helped her to see what she needed to change in order to be happier. With this new chapter of her life beginning, Vic was sure that while it probably wouldn't be easy, it would definitely be worth it, if for no other reason than she would be the heroine of her own life. And if she could be the heroine of her own life, then she could probably figure out what was wrong with her book heroine as well. At the very least, she was going to try and accomplish both of those things while she found herself a flat.

[kristenritchings]

Deleted Scene from Blue

               My senses started drifting back to me. I was warm and comfortable. I could smell salt and something else, something like sandalwood and…vanilla? I moaned happily and turned on my side as this soft surface seemed to mold to my body. I wanted to stay in this state, in this place, forever. However, you can’t pause time, and I knew better than to waste life not living in the moment. I slowly opened my eyes. A bright light hit me as I blinked rapidly and waited for my vision to adjust to the sunshine. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the beautiful blue ocean laid out in front of me. I was in a bathing suit lying on a towel surrounded by clean white sands.

               I should be freaking out since I couldn’t remember falling asleep here and didn’t recognize this beach at all, and yet, I wasn’t. I was getting pretty used to waking up in strange places. Plus this was the purest and most beautiful beach I had ever seen.

               My eyes drifted to the left, and I realized I wasn’t alone. There was a man, a beautiful man. I couldn’t control the feelings that rushed through me as soon as I laid my eyes on him. The sight should have struck fear in my heart; I should be absolutely terrified, but sweet lord, I wasn’t. My heart palpitated as it filled with so much love a lump formed in my throat. Devotion, gratitude, lust, respect, and countless other emotions raced through my veins as I took in the sight of him. He was wearing a pair of swim trunks and nothing else, lying on a towel beside me. He had a book lounging against his perfectly sculpted chest with one hand propping it up as his other arm resting casually behind his head.

I’m impressed with my own restraint as I keep the moans and drool inside of my body. The sex appeal was oozing off this man in buckets. His arms and chest were adorned with droves of sigil tattoos for gods’ sakes.  

“Oh, you’re awake,” the man spoke as he slipped a bookmark into his novel before closing it.

He turned on his side to face me, and I froze. It was startling for me to hear him speak. My eyes finally moved up to his face. Gods, he was breathtaking. He had brown hair hanging slightly in his face, dark blue eyes, strong facial features and a jaw that could cut glass.

“Babe?” he asked as his eyebrows knit together in concern.

Babe? I was this man’s babe? I quickly cleared my throat to speak, but all I could manage was a strangled, “Huh?”

He began laughing, a low throaty sound that sent chills down my spine. I gasped for breath when I realized I needed air. “Weird dream?” he asked as he leaned closer to my face. Concern swam through his dark blue eyes.

“Uh-” I quickly cleared my throat again. “Uh, no, I’m fine.”

He smiled softly, his gaze melting with an emotion I couldn’t read. His hand reached out to grasp mine as he pulled it up to his lips for a lingering kiss. “I love you so much, my dear wife.”

  “Hell!” I shouted as I bolted up in bed. I panted as my heart hammered in my chest. I surveyed my surroundings as I attempted to calm myself. I was in my own bed again, the place I had actually fallen asleep. My lamp was still on, exuding a warm glow, and I was slick with sweat.

My head fell into my hands as I struggled to regain control of my breathing. What the hell was that? It was clearly a dream but it didn’t feel like one. It felt so real, so vivid. I truly experienced all of that. This was starting to become a regular habit. Maybe I needed some sort of sleeping pills.

I grabbed my phone off the nightstand. 8:00 AM. I’d been asleep for almost three hours this time.

I dragged myself out from between my sheets and found a dry shirt to change into. I took my time cleaning up in the bathroom as I tried to still my racing heart. I was confused and terrified but also excited. I returned to the bedroom and turned off my lamp before slipping into a pair of sweats.

I took a deep breath as I braced myself to face the new day. I pushed through my door and walked into the living room.

My two roommates stopped chatting immediately when they noticed me from their spot on the couch.

“Good morning, Indie!” Lillian chirped. I glared at my friend as I took in the sight of her. Lillian Jackson was a woman who never stepped foot out of the house until she was meticulously prepped. Nails always done without a single chip, hair styled to perfection, makeup flawless and clothes picked out to accentuate her essence. She was a vixen with an attitude, and I could never get over how immaculate she looked in the mornings. This blue-eyed blonde bombshell put me to shame in more ways than one.

I grunted in response as I made my way to cuddle up in the armchair across from them. I pulled my knees to my chest and rubbed my eyes as I attempted to adjust to the light in here.

“You’re just in time, Indigo,” Layla smiled as she sipped on her mug of breakfast tea. “We were just discussing some important things, like scheduling a training session.”

“It doesn’t really matter to me,” I shrugged. “It doesn’t affect me yet.”

“Yeah, well you should still be around for the lessons. Just because you can’t participate yet doesn’t mean you can’t learn,” Layla pushed. I stared into her light jade eyes and scowled. Layla Evans was the epitome of calm and collected. She had a gentle but firm air surrounding her. Lay’s tan skin was adorned with vibrant tattoos and she sported black shoulder-length hair that usually had color hidden throughout. She was mysterious and shy.

“Fine,” I scoffed. “Just pick a time and I’ll tag along.” I could never say no to Layla. She was too good for this world. She had a smile that let anyone know she was a woman with a kind and gentle soul.

“Your powers won’t stay dormant for much longer. I wouldn’t worry about it,” Layla cooed.

“Who’s worried about it? I’m fine,” I persisted.

“Universal language for not fine,” Lillian shrugged and leaned back in her seat.

“I’d love if we could just drop this,” I groaned. “It’s too early for this.”

“All I’m saying is, I know you’re feeling vulnerable right now, but there’s no reason for it. Clark and I were early bloomers and Layla’s powers just surfaced a year ago,” Lillian interjected as Layla remained decisively silent.

“Lay didn’t even know she was going to be gaining abilities!” I hissed. “But I’m fine. I mean, it’s not great waiting, but it’s fine.”

In reality, I was pissed. I wouldn’t tell them that since it wasn’t their fault, but my situation had well passed ridiculous. We were all part of a small minority of magical folk that spanned across the world. We could harness the power that existed in the universe. We were born from ancient families with the same gift in our blood.

I remember when my parents sat me down and explained the ways of the world to me. It wasn’t long after that we packed up and moved out to California. I was about fifteen when my mother insisted I belonged near similar folk like her dear old friend and her new family. Enter Lillian, my predetermined friend. Luckily, it worked out well. Though, her powers activated less than a year after we met.

Layla was Lillian’s longest friend; they went back to primary school. To say her powers activating last year was a surprise to everyone was an understatement. She never knew her father, so no one had any idea that magical blood flowed through her veins. Luckily she had the right friends.

And then there was Clark. He moved into the area a bit before I did without his parents. He also hailed from the South. It wasn’t long before we discovered we were hiding the same secret. He told us his powers had activated at 13, which was basically unheard of.

Here I stood, 21 years old, feeling like a dud, a magical anomaly… A disappointment to my parents.

“I don’t mind tagging along,” I broke the silence. “I guess I might as well learn before I can practice.”

Lillian perked up as my shoulders slumped in defeat. “That’s the spirit!”

I retreated into the kitchen for a cup of tea as I heard someone knocking on the door. Probably one of Lillian’s lovers. I filled our kettle with water as I heard her move to answer the door. I sifted through our cabinet looking for my favorite mug as I registered movement behind me.

I spun around to and my gaze landed on my hunk of a best friend, Clark Knight. He stood there like a total enigma. His broad shoulders blocked my view into the room behind him as he leaned against the empty doorframe. His short black hair was neatly swept and his dark brown eyes twinkled with affection as crossed his arms and frowned. “Doesn’t Lill know I’m a busy man? If she called this meeting for something that could’ve been discussed over text again…”

“I’m really not sure why you expect more from her at this point,” I shrugged as I turned back around and dug out my favorite vanilla blackberry tea.

“You’re right,” he gave a pained sigh. “Well I’m not hanging around all morning again. If you want a ride to campus with me you better be ready to leave soon.”

“Oh fuck you, impatient,” I scoffed as I took the kettle off the stove and began to pour my cup. “Actually, I think I’m gonna hang back today.”

“What does that mean?” I could hear the frown on Clark’s face as I busied myself looking for honey in the cabinet. His voice lowered as he came further into the kitchen. “Did you have another dream?”

“Fuck, man,” I slammed the honey onto the counter before whipping around. “Why is everyone up my ass this morning?”

Clark threw his hands up in surrender. “I’m sorry to have brought it up.”

“Thank you,” I nodded. “I’m just trying to have a stress-free day.”

“Gotcha,” he backed away. “I’m gonna go see what Lillian wants now.” Clark booked it out of the kitchen to escape my foul mood as I took my time behind him.

I came out to find Lillian seated beside Clark on the end of the couch. She was leaning closer and closer to him as she spoke, practically about to fall into his lap. Anyone with eyes knew that Lillian was desperately in love with Clark. For some reason, he never returned the affection. No one knew why, considering she was sheer perfection. They would make a great couple; they were both so attractive, a blonde blue-eyed beauty with a tall, dark and handsome man. It was a match made in the heavens.

I ignored the lonely pang in my chest and strolled in to join the conversation.

“Oh, Blue, you’re just in time to hear Lillian tell me about how she dragged me down here to talk about something we could’ve just texted about,” Clark shot me a look with his eyebrows raised.

“Sounds important,” I nodded as I hid my smile by taking a sip of tea. The fruity tang of the berries in the tea along with the sweetness from the vanilla helped to immediately lift my mood as the fragrance wafted through my nose.

“Look, Lill, I’ve got to get to school early today,” Clark started as he stood up from the couch and took a step back. “I’ll text you about this after I get there.”

“Okay,” Lillian nodded as her eyes dimmed a bit.

“There’s something I want to show you in the truck, Blue, if you can spare a moment of your time,” Clark nodded towards the door.

“I guess,” I shrugged as I followed him out the door with my mug in my hands. He walked me around his truck and opened the door for me. “What is it you want to show me?” I asked skeptically as I made no move to get in.

“Just get in and I’ll show you,” Clark sighed. “Why do you have to make everything so difficult?”

I took a sip of my tea as I eyed him. “Are you trying to kidnap me and force me to go to my classes today?”

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Clark rubbed his temple.

I thrummed my fingers against the warm ceramic of my cup as I took in his casual appearance. He wore a pair of jeans with a t-shirt and gave off the air that he was too good to be spending his time like this.

I shrugged as I stepped into the truck and relaxed back into the upgraded leather. As he closed the door, I admired how good his car always smelled. There was something so comforting about the smell of leather and pine. I had many wonderful memories inside this truck.

Clark jogged around and climbed into the driver’s side, slamming the door shut.

“So what’s up?” I asked again. I swallowed and snuck a peak over at him.

I watched his mouth slowly turn upwards as his dark brown eyes dragged over me. My breath caught as his sharp gaze stripped me to the bone. A devastating smirk flew across his lips as his gaze left mine. “You’ve been acting so weird lately. I just wanted to hang out for a minute before I’m due to my first class.” He reached into his pocket and fished out a pre-rolled joint.

“Oh, sweet,” I beamed as Clark snapped his fingers and a small fire erupted from his fingertips. I met his gaze as he held the jay in his lips and put his flaming fingers to the end of it. The familiar sound of his snap followed by crackling flames helped to set me at ease. He got it rolling before passing it to me.

I brought it to my lips and took a small drag as Clark broke the silence. “So what’s been bothering you?”

I paused to listen to the silence of our conversation as Clark took a puff. “What happened between you and Lill the other night?” I stammered out quickly before I lost the nerve to ask. “It’s just that when things are weird between you two, they’re weird for all of us. Layla and I included.”

“What are you talking about?” Clark frowned as he passed me the joint and coughed. “Nothing’s ever happened between us.”

“Oh bullshit,” I rolled my eyes and inhaled a puff of smoke. “I don’t truly believe that you just happen to arrive earlier than I wake up on several occasions. I think you just wake up here.” I blew out a smoke cloud and watched as it wafted in his direction.

He reached over and gently gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him. Our lips were mere inches apart, and I watched the corners of his mouth twitch as he purred, “Would I lie to you?”

“Just because you haven’t yet doesn’t mean you never will,” I laughed as I wriggled from his grasp and took another hit.

He chuckled as I passed the jay back. “Listen, I know Lill is pretty…intense when it comes to me. I pretend to be oblivious to spare her feelings because it’s not something I reciprocate. I don’t make a big deal about it because I don’t want her to feel embarrassed or unwanted or anything like that. Make sense?”

I chewed on my bottom lip as I watched him roll down his window to ash. “She doesn’t even talk to us about it,” I confided as I leaned back in the seat.

“Oh yeah?” he handed me the joint.

I nodded as I took a slow drag of the harsh smoke that caused my body to feel numb. “She doesn’t hide it well, of course. But it’s not something she wants to talk about, I guess.”

“Maybe she’s not comfortable with you guys knowing she’s having trouble getting something she wants,” he suggested with a wink as I passed it back.

“Yeah, probably,” I conceded as I watched him take a long hit.

The smoke began to filter out of his nose as he exhaled. “So what else has been on your mind, blue eyes?”

I scoffed as I watched him pull out a pocket ashtray and disposed of the lit roach. I contemplated telling him about my latest dream that had felt so real, but my confused feelings complicated things. Something inside me that I couldn’t quite tap down was telling me not to burn this bridge. I had a feeling he wouldn’t take this well.

“So…was there anything else you wanted to talk about?” Clark pried in a soft tone.

I chewed on my lip; I was still torn on telling him about my dream. He’d been so touchy when I discussed my realistic dreams lately. “I, uh-” I cleared my throat. I should tell him.

Before I could work up the courage I was interrupted by a loud ringing. I jumped out of my skin at the alarming noise that broke the quiet atmosphere.

Clark shot me an amused look as he reached into his back pocket to grab his phone. “What’s up?” he answered. A small smile spread across his lips as he listened to someone on the other line. “I guess she left it in the house,” he laughed as he ran his fingers through his hair with his free hand and stuck his tongue out at me.

“Uh-huh…uh-huh,” his tone changed as he let out a small sigh. “She’ll be back in a minute…. I’m not going to be late for class.” His face clouded over with annoyance as he rubbed his brow. I met his gaze as I heard a faint voice speaking nonstop. After a moment Clark rolled his eyes, pulled his phone away from his face and hung up.

“Did you just hang up on someone?” I laughed.

“Yeah,” Clark smirked. “Lillian. She was telling me I need to head to class.” He shook his head and glared out the window. “She better get her jealously under control. I can’t even spend time with my best friend without her harassing me about it.”

“You better get going before she realizes you hung up on her and comes out here,” I laughed as I opened my car door.

“We’re not even together!” Clark growled, helpless. “And I’ve given her no reason to think…” he rubbed his temple.

“Sorry, man,” I shrugged. “Better stop making women fall in love with you.”

“If only it were that simple,” he shook his head. “She said she tried to call you first, by the way. You should really keep your phone on you.”

My hand flew down to my back pocket where I usually kept my phone. “Yeah, yeah,” I played it off as my fingers felt my phone case. “Have a good day of classes,” I chirped as I hopped out of the truck.

“Have a good day off,” he smirked as I slammed the door shut.

I walked towards the front door as I listened for him to back up and drive away. As the sound of his tires pressing against the asphalt faded away I pulled my phone out. I hadn’t heard or felt it ring. My suspicions were confirmed as I showed no missed calls. I rolled my eyes as I put it away and walked back into the house. Any excuse for her to talk to Clark.

-Kristen Ritchings

[hamfamss]

RANDOM: MERI CHRYSLER

(Message to Random: I took some liberties with background and character? Sorry, I hope it is up to standards!!)

The streets had always felt cold and cynical to Mekulash, as if something were constantly lurking, awaiting his wrong move. The towering buildings of mixed bricks and wood, and the cobbled road filled with dirt where not a welcoming sight to his cautious eyes. The sun was either a blazing heat or seemingly absent, hiding behind the thick clouds and sending a dark splendor to rain down and shroud the streets into a darkening mist. It was impossible to see through; impossible to get caught in.

Meku knew the streets like the back of his hand by now. The darkness that swelled today was at no disadvantage to his knowledge of the large town's layout. The faint glow of lanterns that dotted the road, hinting at a warm light where no help to the visibility of the town, but it was enough for him to sneak his way from wall to wall, completely unseen. Besides, today was no different from any other day: scout the streets, find a victim, take the remains and stalk the markets for unwanted scraps and easy pickings of fresh bread.

But most importantly: stay out of sight.

Meku already had somewhat of an infamous reputation in these parts. 12 years of living as the most expendable part of society would do that to a kid. But it was all he knew and all he could do. His only other option was the small orphanage, and hell, he had escaped that horror once before. Sometimes he could hear the cries and whimpering of the captive kids whilst on the outskirts of town: he remembered those days too clearly and there was no way he was doing that ever again.

So it was that he snuck silently through the shadows, keeping his toes away from broken glass and flinging himself over large rocks and walls in an endless game of leapfrog, occasionally stopping to wipe the mysterious slime from his hands or pick up a coin or two from the ground: until he spotted his first target.

She seemed new to town, there was something about the way she looked around and held the light in her hand so far away. A dwarf, and an upper-class one at that. Mekulash could see the bulge of cluttering coins at her hip, and the tell-tale dragon scales that clung to her chest was simply half his luck. Her hair was a golden twine, a decorative mess of plaits, curls, and mats that sat just above her shoulders. She looked lost, somewhat confused, and most importantly: rich. The light in her hand would make a usual easy steal a little harder than he had hoped, but it would be an opportunity he could not miss.

Meku waited a moment longer as the woman looked around, possibly for some sort of postage or town map, possibly even just for some form of light that wasn't the small dim ball in her own hand. She walked along the street, confused, and slowly, Mekulash followed.

"Hello." He spoke up, his voice croaked a soft whisper and he cleared his throat quickly, it wasn't that he spoke, possibly days or weeks since his last actual words; He was accustomed to listening after all. "Hello?" he tried again, stepping into the range of her light sheepishly. The plan was in motion from the get-go, and with travelers, it normally went off without a hitch.

"Hello?" her voice was deep and her accent distinguishably posh. It was partially what he expected from a dwarf, but he was surprised how much he was sure he recognized the tone, but it wasn't possible that he could know her, was it? She was so clearly a traveler, perhaps she had grown up here, or passed through before. But live here? Well, her outfit said it all. This town was not somewhere for the rich to hang around, it was barely somewhere for the poor. There was no way she would know who he was unless the town had managed to put up another dozen wanted signs during the night, something he highly doubted. "Who are you?"

"Are you lost?" Meku asked, stepping forward slowly. His words were almost a stammer, partly for the act, and partly because his tongue was finding its way around words after being so dormant.

"A little," she admitted. "My name is Gale. Do you happen to know where the Red Centaur Inn is? I'm sure I've been going in circles for the past hour... this town is so dark!" she was smiling, looking rather relieved to have found someone, "Who are you, can you help me?" she asked.

"Gale," Meku stated, not missing a beat. "My name is also Gale. Gale Greenford." His face was deadpan serious, and the dwarf looked somewhat surprised by the occurrence. After all, Gale wasn't the most common name around.

"Gale, huh? Who would have thought! The first person in mystery town is also called Gale. You aren't my secret twin are you?" She laughed. Meku only offered a small smile and a shrug, Gale seemed pleased enough with the response.

"Well, Gale, the Inn is this way." Meku led on, finding the back path to the Inn. Of course, he could just take her somewhere completely different, but it was easier, less likely that he would run into her again if he took her where she needed to go. So he led her on, through the darkest alleyways and dirtiest streets. She occasionally made exclamations of disgust at the green goo dripping down the walls or the black squelching spots on the ground. As annoyed as he was with her constant chatter, it was somewhat entertaining for him.

"So... Gale. How old are you?" Gale asked, trying to strike up a conversation. It wasn't very successful and Meku continued on in silence. Gale tried again, slipping slightly as she misguided her foot on a  slippery cobblestone. "You seem, well, sort of young to be out on your own." she pressed. Meku leaped over a spiky shrub, only half listening to her. The sooner they got to the tavern, the sooner he could take his payment and escape.

"Are your parents around?" Gale pressed again, bouncing alongside him. She sounded slightly concerned, Meku didn't care.

"They own the tavern in town." Meku lied, taking a sharp right and inspecting the area. They were close to the Inn now, close enough to hear the sweet folk songs and the strumming lute hum inside. Soon enough he could get his good and go. It was all a matter of timing now.

"Tim and Janice?I didn't know they had a son." she murmured.

"You know them?" He asked, coming to a halt and narrowing his eyes, not looking at her just yet. His cover could be blown in seconds with the wrong word. But he could feel something in the atmosphere begin to shift. The small retract in Gale's voice or the way that her strides had become a little too confident for his liking.

"Oh yes, I know everyone in town!" She smiled, her voice dripping with an emotion that Meku could not place. Something was seeming off about Gale, and he swallowed quickly. He had thought he had recognized that voice... but where from?

"Everyone, huh?" Meku asked, keeping his voice even as he continued on, leading Gale towards the Inn, though he wasn't sure that she needed to know where to go anymore. He had to keep up the act, but maybe this hadn't been such a good idea. He'd show her the Inn, and he'd leave. Ths was starting to get too risky for his liking, and if she knew people... it means she was higher up in some system than he thought. Which meant she probably knew exactly who he was. There were no exits along the narrow path, and the sudden whirl of his mind only made the darkness cloud his thoughts as well as his direction. For once he wished he had taken the open road.

The journey was silent from then on out, they both knew the other knew something, but neither knew the specifics. The heavy footsteps on the sludge and stones where the only things left to listen to and Meku became uncomfortable with the silence- something that didn't happen often.  The lute was getting louder, and the bard's words were becoming somewhat distinguishable. Meku could see the light lanterns of the street, the Inn was just around the next bend, and he wasn't too keen to be entering the light with Gale.

"Well, huh, take the next right and you will be at the, urgh, Red Centaur Tavern. Have a good time, Gale. Hope we see each other again, yeah?" Mekulash turned to face her, offering a small smile as he moved to squeeze down the narrow path around her, perhaps make a dash back to the safety of the slums. But it was to no avail. Before he could pass around her, she quickly snatched at his bare arm, her leather gloves pinching and rubbing against his skin.

"Not so fast Mekulash." Galed pulled him in close with a harsh snarl. Meku instinctively bit his lip, closed his eyes tightly as she twisted his arm, a spike of pain ran through his veins and he let out a small hiss. He knew where he had heard that voice before now. She was the Sheriff. He had seen her once before, not met in person, be he remembered her. Sherrif  Alba.

"You won't get away that easily." She hissed, "Now, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way. What do you say?" She asked.

Meku gritted his teeth as she gave another sharp twist to his arm.

"So?" she asked again, her voice demanding. With a mustered effort Mekulash spat up at Alba, his face in a scowl.

"The hard way it is. Alright, come on." The Sheriff pulled him along towards the entrance of light, clicking her fingers and extinguishing the ball in her hands as they reached the lantern filled plaza. Meky could see the faces of the guards cornering the exit. With a rough shove, he was pushed to the center, landing in a pile of knees dirt and dust. Turning around, he faced the circle of posting guards and in seconds the guards were on top of him, tying back his hands as he kicked and attempted to resist. He was useless against the guards and soon enough two strong hands grabbed him tightly, lifting him off the floor with ease.

"You can't do this!" Mekulash howled. This couldn't be happening. He couldn't do this now.

"I'm afraid we can." Alba smiled, folding her arms happily and looking quite pleased with herself. "Do you know how long we've been searching for you, halfling?" Alba asked, walking up to him with a devious smile, clearly unable to hide her excitement as she paced slowly.

"A 17-year-old, escaping the guards for what, 10 years? That's a bit ridiculous don't you think? But, well, here we are. No more running, halfling. None of that now." she stopped in front of him with a bright grin, "Maybe sometime in jail... some community service, I've been talking to the Thane, and Adrea may need some more military recruits." She laughed and Mekulash struggled against his restraints once more, lashing out with a forceful kick right into the sheriff as the guards held him tightly.

Displeased, Alba turned her head to look at him, her eyes narrowed as she reared back, striking his face with her fist in one quick motion. Meku groaned, already starting to tase the blood in his mouth.

"Take him away." Alba huffed, turning swiftly as Mekulash ceased his struggles, falling limp in the arms of the guards until finally he was thrown into the back of a wagon, the bar closed and locked from the outside, and his arms still bound behind him.

----

For the most part, Meku's stay in solidarity with the large manors cell was uneventful. It was only legally meant to last a day or two, but then again, legally, the Sheriff wasn't exactly meant to punch unarmed civilians. Besides, he was getting more food and shelter here than he was on the streets, and the only downside was the lack of activity. He sat on a hard, wooden bench, starred through a singular barred window, a large tree blocking his view. He was no longer able to even try to make conversation with the guards- although he wasn't very talkative- he had had his voice quite literally taken away by the court wizard after he had excessively shouted at the guards at unreligious hours, hoping to keep the rest of the manor awake. By the outcome, he assumed it had worked well and was rather pleased with the result.

The door to the cells room opened with a rather large shifting clang, something he was now accustomed to over the weeks he’d been here. He didn’t bother to look up, but the recognizable voice of a dwarf changed his mind rather quickly.

“You are to live here, to sleep here, but to work for Timothy and Janice at the local tavern with no pay for another five months. You’ll be accompanied by a guard and until you have completed your time, you will not be receiving any special treatment from the other prisoners because of your age nor will your voice be returned, is this understood?” she asked, pacing the doors before him and coming to a stop with the last word.

Mekulash slowly turned to look at her but didn’t respond. He had no plans to cooperate with the dwarf, with the guards or even with Timothy and Janice.

“Is that understood?” she repeated, her gaze like ice down upon him. Meku did the math in his head quickly and gave a slow nod, making it known he was not happy with this at all. “Good.” Alba turned, nodding to one of the guards who unlocked the door and undid the ropes on Meku’s bound hands. The skin underneath was a raw, bloodied and bruised mess, it hurt to look at, even more so to touch.

“Your work starts now. I’d hope to it if I were you, halfling.” She grunted, starting out of the room. The guard beside him shrugged slightly, removing his helmet.

“Time to go to work then, Mekulash. I’ll be escorting you to and from the Tavern.” He was clearly trying to sound warm about it, but he was failing. Mekulash simply gave him a harsh glare before making his way up the stairs, the guard's feet echoing behind him.

Exiting the manor was possibly the easiest thing Mekulash had ever done. Exiting the town was the second. The guard wasn’t exactly as smart, or as quick as Mekulash was, and it only took the teenager a good couple of excuses once he was at the tavern to get going. It wasn’t like he had anything to take with him, nor was it that he would keep serving this sorry excuse for a town. With a bathroom excuse and a window escape, Mekulash was out of the tavern only moments after he had stepped in, running down the dark streets and out of the gates with a bat of an eye.

He wasn’t sure where he was headed now, but he wasn’t planning on a return.

Maybe he’d go to Mala... If he could find the way. He had once heard the people there were rolling in coin. He hoped that was bloody right.

[therealsymmetra]

Active

Continuation of Dormant

             She’s in pain. Can’t you do something?

             I’m sorry, all we can do is make her comfortable and monitor her.

             That’s it? That’s all?

             Please Lord Shaxx, we’re doing all we can.

             Shaxx, she’s back home, we can be with her until she wakes up.

             That’s not good enough.

             It’s all we can do right now.

             Sloane jolted awake, body going rigid expecting some kind of resistance from SIVA but instead felt nothing but sore skin and something soft slipping from her body. She panicked, swiping at her face, trying to clear the haze from her vision as she struggled to sit up, her muscles fatigued from straining. If she had been untied then she had a possible window for escape, however small. She took a deep breath, her lungs filling for what felt like the first time as she let out a scream, hoping someone was nearby to hear her as she tried to orient herself in the dark room.

             “Sloane you’re alright, you’re okay.”

             The first thing Sloane saw was a pair of hands, warm brown with patches of white, sturdy and calloused, trying to hold her own which resisted briefly.

             “Look at me, Little Nova,” Shaxx’s voice finally broke through to her, Sloane finding his face easily enough and trying to focus on it.

             She could see Vera move up next to him, her hands coming to rest on top of his; they both looked exhausted, deep bags under their eyes, Shaxx’s hair was a mess, Vera’s nails looking like she had bit them into oblivion. Sloane’s head swam as the adrenaline started to wear off, nausea settling in the pit of her stomach as her heart beat loudly in her ears. She slumped against her pillow, fingers shaking as she laced them with Shaxx’s, she blinked slowly as she tried to right her thoughts.

             “What…happened?” She asked.

             She knew the beginning well enough. She knew she poked SIVA too much and ended up putting herself and others in danger. Sloane’s eyes went wide as she looked around the room.

             “Where’s Buddy?” She asked.

             Something moved beside her, sliding out from under the blankets and coming to settle in her lap; Buddy looked up at her as Sloane set a free hand on top of him and sighed.

             “I’m sorry,” Buddy said quietly.

             “Why are you sorry?” She asked, her voice hoarse.

             “I left you.”

             “No, Buddy, you didn’t. You didn’t have a choice,” Sloane reassured him.

             “I could’ve… I should have looked out for you better. I’m sorry,” he repeated.

             “No, no, it’s my fault I—“ Sloane’s voice broke as pain blossomed in her temples.

             “I’m sorry, I’m so so sorry,” she said closing her eyes and dropping her head back onto her pillow.

             “It’s okay, you’re safe and that’s all that matters right now,” Vera said.

             “When did—How did you find me?” Sloane asked.

             “Buddy and Gus were able to pick up on the SIVA fragment you had taken with you into the Plaguelands, tracked you down and brought you home,” Vera explained.

             Sloane searched her hazy memories for the SIVA fragment they were talking about. She had it in her lab, then in the Plaguelands, but after that she had no recollection of having it with her while she was captive. Maybe it had been brought with her when she was taken?

             “How are you feeling?” Vera asked.

             Sloane took a deep breath and closed her eyes again before speaking.

             “Tired,” she replied simply.

             “Once you’re cleared we can take you home. Ikora would like to see you before we do that.” Shaxx said.

             “And Saladin,” Vera’s voice was quieter, like she was reminding him of something.

             “Saladin isn’t a Warlock or a medic, he doesn’t need to see her,” Shaxx said.

             “Shaxx—“ “—if she hadn’t been working with him in the first place this wouldn’t have happened,” Shaxx snapped.

             “No, no this was my doing. It’s not his fault. I should have listened to him when he told me to stop,” Sloane interrupted.

             Shaxx sighed heavily, dropping his head for a moment before looking up at Sloane again.

             “I can’t… I’m no stranger to your combat skills, I know you can hold your own in a fight. But things like this, things like SIVA, I—you can’t just hit it until it goes down.”

             Sloane brought her hand up to his cheek and felt him lean into her touch, he sighed again before pressing a kiss to her palm.

             “I’m sorry I scared you,” she said quietly.

             “We’re just glad you’re home now,” Vera said.

             “Please, don’t ever do this again.”

“You’re lucky, most Warlocks lost to their work don’t always come back,” Ikora said.

             Sloane was sitting at the end of the bed in the small hospital room she had been set up in, Shaxx and Vera having gone to wait for her outside the door.

             “I regret my actions, I only meant to study it, I didn’t mean for it to break me like that,” Sloane said.

             She would have been standing if it weren’t for the fact that her legs still shook when she tried.

             “While I appreciate your help, SIVA is just too powerful for one person to take head on. Ikora and I have spoken and we think it would be best if you were to cease all research into SIVA,” Saladin said.

             Sloane’s head snapped up “All research?” She asked.

             “Yes, your talents can be used elsewhere Sloane, for now SIVA will be left to those working with Saladin.” Sloane couldn’t argue with Ikora’s orders, and while she understood their concern she still had a nagging want to finish her work.

             “The research I got, it should be useful to whoever needs it,” Sloane offered.

             “It will be collected and gone over, you’ve done enough for now. You will be removed from active duty until you are cleared by the medics and myself.”

             There was something about the way Ikora said it that it sounded more like a punishment than a favor to Sloane’s wellbeing, but knowing Ikora it was more than likely be both.

             “Understood,” Sloane said.

             “I hope to see you in the future Sloane, while we can’t work together with SIVA the Iron Temple is always open to you for other needs,” Saladin offered.

             “Thank you, I’m sorry—about everything.”

             “There’s no more need to apologize. The threat is over, get some rest Little Wolf.”

             Sloane nodded to the both of them as they left.

             “I just wanted to help,” she said softly as the door closed behind them, Buddy coming up beside her.

             “Sometimes when we try to help it ends up doing more harm than good, but everyone makes mistakes, we just have to learn from this one and move on,” he said, hovering up to gently tap his shell against her forehead.  

             The door opened again, Vera sticking her head inside.

             “Are you ready to go?” She asked.

             “Yeah, just…give me a second,” Sloane said trying to steady herself as she stood.

             Vera paced over to her and took her hands.

             “If you need help, just ask,” she said, a soft smile on her lips.

             Sloane smiled weakly back at her as she held on to Vera, shuffling forward and allowing her to take on some of her weight. Vera watched as Sloane focused on stretching her legs out only to trace the patterns where she had been bound with her eyes. Deep purple nearly black bruises coiled her arms, two thick lines ringed her throat, even the corners of her mouth were bruised. It set a fire in Vera’s gut, her grip on Sloane tightening just slightly as she pulled her against her side.

             “We’ll get you settled at home, I’ve requested some time off until you’re able to get things yourself,” Vera said as she lead Sloane out into the hall.

             “Oh, no no, you don’t have to do that. I’m fine, really, I just need some sleep and maybe some food and I’ll be okay.”

             “Sloane, please, whatever they did to you it—you need a break. Shaxx and I will take care of you.”

             “But you both have lives, things you have to do, Shaxx can’t just abandon the Crucible, and you can’t leave your duties.”

             “That’s why we’re going to take shifts,” Shaxx said as they rounded the corner to find him.

             “I don’t want to impede,” Sloane said.

             “Sloane, darling, listen. You are so very important to us, please, let us take care of you just for a little while you get your strength back.” Vera stopped Sloane and turned her so they were looking eye to eye.

             “I just—I don’t want to be a nuisance, I’ve caused enough harm already,” Sloane’s voice was quiet, barely above a whisper.

             Vera held Sloane’s face between her hands, gently running her fingertips through her hair.

             “You’re never a nuisance, do you understand? We will do everything in our power to make sure you’re taken care of, just like you would if either of us were injured,” Vera said.

             Sloane nodded, Vera smiling at her before pressing a kiss to her forehead. Vera spotted Saladin not far from them, talking with one of the head medics that worked there.

             “You two start heading home, I’ll be with you in a second,” She said giving Sloane’s shoulder a squeeze before heading over to where Saladin stood.

             She waited quietly for a moment, letting Saladin finish up his conversation which he seemed to clip short as he saw her approach.

             “Is there something you need?” He asked, his voice not betraying any sense of bitterness towards her.

             “I wanted—I wanted to apologize. I was frustrated and angry and scared but that doesn’t excuse what I said. It wasn’t right, I shouldn’t have snapped like that,” Vera said.

             Saladin averted his eyes, focusing on his hands for a moment before meeting her eyes again.

             “I understand. In our line of work the possibility of losing someone permanently doesn’t really occur to oneself until it’s happening. Thank you for apologizing. I’m glad we were able to get her back.”

             Vera felt like she had let go of a breath she had been holding since she saw him.

             “Me too, thank you for your help.”

             “Go home, rest. You all deserve it. Tomorrow we’ll begin again,” Saladin said placing a firm hand on Vera’s shoulder before walking off towards the exit.

             Sloane stood by the kitchen sink, the small cooking area just enough to make simple meals and not much else. She could hear a buzzing in her head, a humming that seemed to block out any other audio input as she stared ahead.

             “Sloane?” Vera called to her from the entryway between the kitchen and living room, her voice soft due to the fact that it was the middle of the night.

             “Is something wrong?” She asked.

             Sloane felt herself tense, her fist closing around something hard, her nails digging into her palm, she didn’t dare look at what it was she was holding.

             “Sloane honey come back to be—“ Sloane spun around, driving the knife into Vera’s chest.

             Vera gasped in pain and shock, blood filling her lungs as Sloane pulled back and brought it back down into her skin. Vera stumbled, trying to grab for Sloane’s arms only to falter as she hit the floor. Sloane could hear footsteps as someone else approached but all she could focus on was Vera, rage boiling inside of her veins. She couldn’t stop herself as she brought the knife down again and again, Vera too far gone to choke out any words as blood began to spill from her lips and soak into the floorboards below her.

             “Sloane stop! Stop it!” Shaxx seized Sloane around the waist and hauled her off of Vera, Sloane flailing in his arms, trying desperately to get back to Vera who had gone still.  

             He all but threw her onto the carpet before wrestling the knife from her hands and throwing it across the room.

             “Why would you do this? Why would you kill her?” He screamed, shaking her as she stared up at him, the rage and anger that once was the only thing she could think about leaving her suddenly empty.

             “Why? Sloane? Sloane. Sloane?”

             Sloane sat up, tears already streaming down her face as she screamed. She wanted to crawl out of her own skin, wiping heavily at her arms that still felt like they were covered in a thick slick of Vera’s blood.

             “Sloane it’s okay, you’re okay,” Vera’s voice was the first thing she heard, the sound making her flinch away.

             “No, no, no. I won’t hurt them, I won’t hurt them.”

             “Sloane?” Shaxx’s voice was rough from sleep but filled with concern none the less.

             “Who are you talking about?” Vera asked.

             Sloane met her eye in the darkness, images of the nightmare flashing through her head. She shook her head turning away from them to climb out of bed.

             “Sloane, please,” Vera grabbed her arm, Sloane wrenching it away from her as she did.

             “What’s going on?” Buddy asked as he rose beside the bed, Vera not answering his question as she pursued Sloane.

             “It’s nothing, please, go back to sleep,” Sloane said not turning to them as she entered the kitchen and froze.

             “Something’s wrong, please talk to me,” Vera pushed, keeping herself from trying to reach out and touch Sloane again.

             “I can’t be here I can’t, I can’t.” Sloane grabbed her jacket and headed for the door.

             “Where are you going?”

             “I don’t know,” Sloane said as she pulled open the door and slammed it behind her.

             Buddy and Vera exchanged glances before Buddy followed behind Sloane, either way he was going to be with her, Vera feeling only a moderate amount of relief from that thought. She turned to find Shaxx in the doorway, looking absolutely exhausted.

             Sloane felt physically ill, her head spinning as she walked down the corridor of the commons. She had always just wanted to protect those she loved and now she didn’t know if she could protect them from herself. She looked down at her hands which were still shaking quite hard, the bruises from the binds throbbing as she clenched her fingers and released them. Another flash of Vera coughing her own blood flashed through her head and Sloane faltered, catching herself on the wall as she pinched her eyes shut. She wanted to cry and vomit and scream and pull her hair out. She felt like her entire body was rejecting her, something akin to what it felt like as a Stormcaller, but she felt she had more control as she summoned lightning and wind and thunder than she did now. She had barely noticed that the whispers had returned, loudly demanding something of her but she still couldn’t understand them.

             “Sloane.”

             Buddy’s voice made her jump, she had forgotten he was with her.

             “You’re worrying us, all of us,” Buddy said.

             Sloane glanced up at him through her lashes and for a second Buddy swore he saw a flash of red.

             “Won’t you tell me what’s wrong?” He asked.

             Sloane looked away, down at her hands again before back up at him.

             “Promise not to tell Vera or Shaxx?” She asked.

             “I promise.”

             Sloane chewed her lip.

             “It was a nightmare.”

             “I could have deduced that much.”

             Sloane turned so she had her back to the wall before sliding into a sitting position on the floor.

             “I—I killed Vera,” she said softly.

             “You… what?”

             “I stabbed her. I watched her choke on her own blood. Shaxx he—he sounded so betrayed, and scared.”

             “Why didn’t you tell them this?” Buddy landed in her lap, watching her as she spoke.

             “What was I going to say? I murdered you in my dream please don’t touch me right now I don’t want to hurt you.”

             “Essentially, yes.”

             Sloane groaned as she pressed her face into her hands.

             “What if—what if they think I’m crazy?” She asked quietly.

             “I think it’s important that you tell them when you’re having difficulties, especially after what you went through. We don’t know what the Fallen or SIVA did to you.”

             Sloane stayed quiet as she rested her hands around him in her lap.

             “I don’t like this feeling,” she said.

             “What feeling?”

             “Like I’m not in control. In the dream I felt so… so completely out of it, like I was running on emotions I didn’t remember having. I hated her. It felt—“ she stopped herself.

             “It felt like what?”

             “It felt right,” Sloane said as tears started to form beneath her lids.

             “It was a nightmare Sloane, that’s all it was. It was scary and sickening but in the end it wasn’t you, not really you.”

             “But it could be.”

             Buddy hovered upwards, pressing his shell against her forehead as she began to cry.

             “It won’t be.”

             For the next few days the voices were quiet and the nightmares subsided, Sloane spent most of her time in or around bed, finding it hard to keep herself awake most of the time. Shaxx and Vera hovered constantly, Vera in particular keeping a close eye on Sloane. Ikora had yet to return her to active duty, she nearly didn’t let Sloane clean up her notes on SIVA. Sloane sat in bed, her tablet out in front of her as she deleted masses of rambling nonsense she didn’t remember writing. She really had lost it hadn’t she? Buddy sat nearby, another constantly vigilant watcher, and this time he was determined to spot any change in her behavior unlike what had happened in the lab.

             Shaxx was taking a break from the Crucible in the kitchen, Sloane could hear some kind of recording playing. He would usually record good plays and go over them again either trying to come up with ways to teach other Guardians the techniques used or just for his own entertainment. Sloane could feel a headache coming on, the throbbing feeling in her temples the sure sign that one was about to begin.

             “I’m going to get some water,” she said standing and shuffling into the kitchen where Shaxx leaned up against the counter chewing on something as he watched his replays intently.

             Sloane got the glass and set it on the counter before turning on the tap and testing the temperature. She sat there for a moment, staring at the stream of water as the headache blossomed throughout her skull, pounding heavily as the whispers started to rise in her head again. She wanted to return to the room, Shaxx was too close to her, the nightmare came screaming back into the forefront of her mind as her eyes wandered to the knife block just beside the sink. Sloan clenched her fists and squeezed her eyes shut. Cut him. Cut him. Cut him. The words suddenly became clear for the first time since she started hearing them. Sloane turned quickly, her hand knocking the glass onto the floor where it shattered. Shaxx’s head snapped up, obviously startled from his concentration as he took in Sloane who stood by the still running sink, staring down at the pile of sharp glass in front of her.

             “Are you okay, nova?” He asked gently, looking for cuts on her legs and feet, he reached out to steady her and help her scoot around the glass only for Sloane to flinch away from him.

             “Sloane?” He said.

             “I don’t want to,” she whispered still staring at the glass shards.

             “What?”

             Sloane stood there, trapped between the field of glass and the counter.

             “Stay there, I’ll get something to clean this, okay?” Shaxx said, resting his hand on her shoulder before moving towards the broom closet on the opposite wall from the sink.

             When he returned with a dust pan Sloane was facing the sink, her shoulders rigid, the water still running, her head hanging low and hands on the countertop in front of her. He couldn’t see her face, but she looked like she was shaking.

             “Did you cut yourself?” He asked, his concern no longer focused on the glass.

             “I don’t want to, I don’t want to, I don’t want to,” Sloane’s voice was so quiet he could barely hear it over the running water.

             “Sloane what’s wrong? Please talk to me,” He swept the glass away with his foot, not caring if he was cut.

             Sloane moved so fast he had barely registered what happened, she staggered backwards her hand up to her throat as a wet pained gasp escaped her. She stumbled and Shaxx grabbed her as she faltered backwards, only then did he see the blood. He tore her hand away from her neck, a small paring knife clutched in her fist and a stab wound bleeding profusely as she sputtered and choked.

             “Sloane?!” Shaxx’s mind spun as he tried to put together what was happening.

             “What did you do?” He clasped his hand over her throat, the action futile to stop her from bleeding out but the instinct to do it held none the less.

             Sloane gasped and convulsed in his arms as she tried to breathe, drowning in her own blood, her nails clawing at his hands as her body demanded that she attempt to take in a lungful of air.

             “Buddy!” Shaxx called as Sloane’s arms started to weaken, his stomach churned and heart pounded loudly in his head.

             “What in the world-?” Buddy’s voice was suddenly beside him as Sloane finally went still, her eyes staring off into the nothing, mouth half open, blood staining her cheeks.

             “What did she do?” Buddy asked.

             Shaxx looked over at the paring knife in her hand, wrenching it away and tossing it out towards the living room. Buddy moved forward, waiting for a moment before a light filled the space and Sloane gasped heavily, coughing up the blood that remained in her throat. She looked down at her hands, panic rising in her stomach as she looked at Shaxx above her.

             “Did I hurt you?” She asked, fighting him as he tried to keep her still.

             “No, no you didn’t. Do you—do you not remember?” He asked.

             Sloane squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head.

             “No.”

             Shaxx sighed, his breath shaking as he did.

             “You killed yourself with a knife,” he said softly.

             Sloane looked up at him, he didn’t meet her eye, his hands and arms were covered in blood, as well as her throat, chest and arms.

             “Okay. Okay that’s okay,” she said quietly.

             “What?” Shaxx sounded offended.

             “I didn’t hurt you,” she replied.

             Shaxx pulled her up so she was sitting and facing him.

             “What the fuck do you mean ‘that’s okay’? It’s not, Sloane.”

             He sounded furious, his hands finding her arms and shaking her slightly.

             “Are you listening? Are you listening to me Sloane?” He moved his hands up to her face, blood still drying on his fingers and mixing with her hair.

             “You are important Sloane; to me, to Vera, to Rosie and Ikora and Cayde and Zavala. Your life isn’t something we take lightly,” he said.

             Sloane averted her eyes and Shaxx pulled her face so that she couldn’t look away.

             “Do you understand me?” He asked.

             Sloane stayed silent, tears streaking her bloodied face.

             “Answer me, please, I need know you are hearing me,” his voice had lost its vigor, borderline fear in its place.

             “I—I don’t want to hurt you,” she said.

             “I would rather you hurt me instead of doing something like this. I can take it. But you know what would be better?” Sloane sat quietly, still in his hands, still trying to avoid eye contact.

             “Talking to me, telling me what is going on in your head because I can’t help fix it if I don’t know it’s happening.”

             Shaxx held her there for a moment before pulling her against his chest, Sloane taking a deep breath as she buried her face in his shirt.

             “I can’t do much, but I can listen,” he said.

             Shaxx had taken the afternoon off from the Crucible, something rarely seen, of course he didn’t fully cancel it, he just didn’t run it for that night. After the glass was cleaned up Shaxx turned his attention to Sloane, she let him take her into the shower and clean the blood from her hair and skin. She stood with her face in the water while he washed away the viscera on her throat and shoulders, pressing a kiss to where the stab wound once was. Sloan shuttered, his gentleness with her making her drowsy, she wanted to curl up with him in the hot water and fall asleep. For once it felt like the constant whispers and headaches had subsided and all she had to focus on was the way it felt when he held her. Once both of them had cleaned up they dried and dressed; Vera had arrived back from running some kind of errand for Cayde who had been obviously going easy on her work wise since Sloane had gotten back. It didn’t take long for Sloane to pass out, just needing some light coaxing from Shaxx to actually get in the bed, once there she fell asleep quickly, nestled up against his side like a small dog.

             “How is she doing?” Vera asked as she started to remove her armor and settle in for the evening.

             “We need to talk about something,” Shaxx said, one hand on Sloane’s back gently rubbing circles between her shoulder blades.

             “What is it?” Vera asked, pausing at the end of the bed.

             “There was an incident earlier today, in the kitchen. Sloane…” Shaxx paused to check if she was still asleep “… She stabbed herself in the neck.”

             Vera’s eyes went wide, her jaw clenching as she swallowed hard and looked down as Sloane who looked so peaceful beside him.

             “Did she…say why?”

             “She said she didn’t want to hurt me, I don’t know quite what that means, but I think—I think it’s getting worse.”

             Vera dropped her gaze from Sloane, pacing over to the closet as she began to change.

             “First it was the nightmare, then this, I’m afraid of what she’ll do next. She seemed terrified, she needs help.”

             “And what do you suppose we do? Nobody knows how to deal with this, Shaxx. Not Ikora, not the medics, not Saladin. Nobody has seen this before.”

             “We need to do something, she needs help Vera.”

             “She needs us, okay? You and me, Ikora will be evaluating her in a few days, if she doesn’t get better by then, then we can ask for help.”

             “Why are you so against this?”

             “I’m not against it, Shaxx. I’m just against turning her over before she needs it.”

             “Turning her over? Do you think I’m suggesting we lock her up?”

             “What else would they do? You have someone with an infection that can mess with their mind and autonomy and you have no cure, what would you do? They’d isolate her and that’s the last thing she needs right now. She needs us, people who know her, people who she knows.”

             Shaxx had gone quiet as Vera dressed, not facing him as she fiddled with something in her hands. He watched her as she finally dropped whatever it was and sighed before looking over at him.

             “Come here,” he held out his hand, Vera dropping her shoulders and pacing over to the side of the bed where she crawled in next to him.

             “Whatever happens, we aren’t going to abandon her, we aren’t going to be cruel to her. We’re going to do what’s best for her. I’m going to keep her safe, just like you are, okay?” He wrapped his free arm around Vera’s shoulder and pressed a kiss to the top of her head as she got comfortable against him

             “Okay,” She said softly.

             Shaxx and Vera were up before Sloane who took another hour before she was upright, she had spent the night tossing and turning, waking up several times only to have them try and soothe her back to sleep. Without anything to really do Sloane felt completely lost, Ikora wasn’t giving her new work, anything over simply re-organizing her notes about SIVA was forbidden, without work and without research Sloane felt useless. It was one thing to keep her in the Tower, it was another to take away her research capabilities. Shaxx offered for her to come with him that day, Vera saying she would be in and out of Vanguard Hall most of the day so they’d be able to see each other. Sloane agreed, it was better than sitting at home at the very least. The walk to the hall felt longer than Sloane was used to, for whatever reason it felt like time ticked by slowly, each step drawing them closer and closer yet making it feel longer and longer. Another strange phenomenon was the anxiety that bubbled up in Sloane’s stomach, the louder the area became, the more people they passed, the more she felt like she was in danger. By the time the three reached the hall Sloane felt dizzy, swaying slightly as she and Shaxx stopped while Vera proceeded on ahead. Shaxx spoke with the quartermaster, his words starting to draw out and slur together in Sloane’s mind as she tried focus on them. The chatter of the hall grew to a volume not normal for the area, making Sloane grimace as it felt like it was rattling her ear drums. She pinched her eyes shut, trying to tune it out, much like the whispers all the words melded together in a way that she couldn’t understand.

             Shaxx finished his business with Arcite 99-4, satisfied with the details of the previous night’s winnings before turning back to Sloane who was no longer at his side. He searched for her briefly only to see her walking briskly down the hallway towards the Vanguards. He wasn’t sure why he did it, but he rested his hand on his belt only to find a familiar weight gone followed shortly by the sound of Buddy calling his name. Everything seemed to slow as he looked down to find his sidearm was missing, a split second passing as he made sure he remembered to take it with him this morning before his eyes went back to Sloane. Everything came crashing down around him as he sprinted towards her, by the time he got to her she was at the stairs, leveling her gun down at Ikora who had her back to her.

             “Shit, Ikora move!” Cayde lurched for Ikora’s arm as Shaxx grabbed for Sloane’s shoulder.

             A loud bang echoed down the hall, several civilians letting out startled shrieks as another gunshot sounded off. Shaxx had knocked Sloane to the floor, wrestling with the small Warlock as she screamed underneath him. He was able to throw the sidearm away from them, Vera stopping it with her foot and holstering it before she rushed to their side.

             “Stop, Sloane, stop,” Shaxx tried to calm her but Sloane only twisted in his arms, the sounds she made nearly animalistic as she tried to free herself.

             “Sloane please,” he managed to pull her arms behind her back, one hand securing her wrists and the other keeping her from thrashing her head against the ground.

             He didn’t like the feeling of her like this underneath him, he didn’t like how she strained and struggled and cried and screamed and kicked. Sometimes the growls and groans would dissolve into sobs and something akin to painful howls. It was like something was fighting to get free of her, and with the way she contorted in his hold it was evident whatever it was didn’t care if it broke her.

             “Please Sloane, please stop,” He said quietly, having dropped his head beside hers.

             “I don’t like hurting you please stop.”

             “Were you hit?” Zavala asked.

             “No, I’m fine, between Cayde and Shaxx she missed,” Ikora said, now crouching beside Shaxx and Sloane who hadn’t stopped her writhing.

             “The medic is on her way right?” She asked someone behind her only for an answer to come from somewhere just outside the hall.

             “She’s on her way.”

             Shaxx closed his eyes, he would right her if he wasn’t sure that as soon as he did she would pop her shoulders out of her sockets just to try and break free. On top of this Shaxx could feel the pain starting to take hold in his gut, his breathing becoming labored as the searing sting started to radiate from where she had accidently shot him. He could see Vera beside him, quiet with a hand on his shoulder, he couldn’t imagine what she was thinking in that moment but he was sure it wasn’t good. Finally there was a rush of footsteps and the head medic, a woman named Andy, came into view on his other side.

             “Lift your hand from the back of her neck for a moment please,” she said, Shaxx obliging.

             Sloane had gone from constant screams of anger to low whines like a wounded dog, her energy came in waves, going from completely slack in his arms to rigid and fighting. The medic administered something into Sloane before she went still, Shaxx unsure if he should move or not before he felt a tap on his shoulder.

             “You can pick her up now,” Andy said taking a step back.

             Shaxx sat up, a startled gasp coming from Vera as she saw the blood that stained the edge of his armor.

             “I’ve got her,” Zavala said as he scooped the unconscious Sloane from the floor. Shaxx grasped at his side as Vera steadied him.

             “You need to go with the medic,” she said.

             “I’ll go once Sloane is taken care of,” he replied.

             “No, you’ll come with me now, we have plenty of people who can take care of you Lord Shaxx,” Andy said, her tone having a sense of finality to it.

             “I will be going as well to monitor Sloane, get taken care of Shaxx,” Ikora said.

             Vera helped him stand, looking back at Cayde who gave her an affirmative nod to go. The hall had gone quiet, onlookers having gathered in the entrance to watch whatever hell had broken loose there.

             “Okay, you all supposedly have important jobs to do, go do them,” Cayde said as he waved off those who gawked from the sidelines.