There are 2 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. [DL-J] Homecoming
From: Kristen <aubidar@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
2. [DL-W] Talking starts it all
From: Kristen Gant <aubidar@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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Message: 1
Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 09:12:18 -0500
From: Kristen <aubidar@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-J] Homecoming
Saul
***
Saul saw the turquoise dragon of his mate jetting toward the green
even as
Fayloth popped into the partially cloudy skies of Jasra Warren. A
welcoming
party. Behind him, he felt Kiyomi's arms tight around his waist and
heard
her gasp as the teleport ended. She muttered something that likely was
a
Kitaani oath of gratitude for surviving the flight and teleport. He
took one
hand off the reigns and gripped hers comfortingly. "Almost over!" he
shouted
over the wind noise, not sure she would be able to hear him.
There were three other dragons with thier riders, one of which was
carrying
another Kataani as well who circled down toward the green. Fayloth made
a
beeline for Doshayne who bellowed her welcome. Saul could see Shawnee's
white blonde hair blowing in the wind created by the approaching
dragons.
She looked very very tired, but so beautiful that his heart leapt to
his
throat. It was good to see her there waiting for him.
The dark blue dragon landed and Saul disentangled himself from
Kiyomi's
grip. He turned to see her dark green eyes flashing brightly and a
smile
lighting her face. "Incredible!" she gasped. Her short hair was barely
mussed despite the wind of flight.
He chuckled and jumped down his dragon's back and reached up to help
her
down.
Several kataani rushed toward them, "M'lady, your father is waiting."
Kiyomi's face returned to it's normal detached tone and she nodded at
them
as though there was little to no need to acknowledge thier presence.
She
turned the same face to Saul, "Thank you," she said simply.
He bowed and watched her walk away. He barely had time to turn toward
where
he knew Shawnee was, when she charged at him, "Saul! Thank the gods!"
She
buried her head against his chest and clasped him tightly.
He embraced her with equal enthusiasm, kissing the top of her head.
She
turned tear wet eyes which sparkled up at him. "Oh shhh, shhh," he
soothed
wiping the tears away.
Regards,
Saul & Fayloth
***
NRPG: Just a short one bring Kiyomi and Saul home. I still need to do
one
for Kay but I'm at work and that ones going to take a bit more
concentration
then I can give it here :) And Ce'lot will be after the meeting with
the
Kataani. Am I missing anyone? :)
Hugs,
Kris
[This message contained attachments]
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 19:21:11 -0500
From: Kristen Gant <aubidar@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-W] Talking starts it all
Day 18
Late Morning
After welcoming the newly joined riders, Merissa left the hatching
cavern to return to her office, but stopped in mid stride as she
realized that their head trainer was in the medical center posing as
Corra.
The day before had been so busy, what with the Royal party leaving and
the carnival arriving -- not to mention the new addition to her
"family"
of the little bear cub, that she and Th'rin hadn't had a chance to sit
and talk about the real Corra's cause of death.
She turned and headed to the medical center to talk to Th'rin instead
of
going on to her office.
She found him standing over a tray of medicines which he was clearing,
organizing and double checking. He did not hear her as she approached
and jumped at the sound of her voice. "Th'rin .."
He turned for a moment staring at her, a mixture of emotions in his
eyes. Then he turned back to the tray. "What?" He asked, not looking at
her.
"I thought you might have a moment to discuss some... things...."
"Things?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What... things...
would you like to discuss?"
"Well... for starters... Corra and the investigation." Merissa frowned
as she saw the hunched shoulders and to her his belligerent attitude.
What was wrong with him recently? He was so distant and... cold.
"Look,
if now isn't a good time..." She began and then shook her head. What
was she thinking? He had been avoiding her and she needed answers
-- now. "No, forget it. Be-damned if now isn't a good time. We need
to talk!"
"Now! Now you want to talk!" he turned on her, pushing her back against
the wall, almost yelling as he spoke. "What about before when I wanted
to talk? When you couldn't find the time! What about when you were
falling shamelessly all over the prince? Did you care what I might have
had to say then?" His face was within inches of hers. He could feel the
warmth radiating from her skin. He could also see the shock in her eyes
as his locked with hers. He took a step back, not able to break their
gaze, "Only when it's convenient for you .. I get it .."
She looked away and he dropped his eyes to the floor and sighed. He
hadn't meant to yell. He'd been prepared just to move on. He'd almost
convinced himself that none of it mattered. He'd almost fooled himself
into believing that it didn't hurt anymore. But it was just as raw as
when he'd watched her smile up at the prince, her hand caressing his
arm
.... then his shoulder. He spun around, and in a very controlled voice
said, "I haven't finished with Corra yet."
She had intended to ask Th'rin about some situations at the medical
center that had been brought to her attention, and also about her
concern for Oberon, and the newest addition of the bear cub to their
family. But Th'rin's reaction had flustered her and left her almost
speechless.
"OH! You haven't finished?" Merissa's chest felt tight and her voice
came out in a squeak. She was shaking slightly, amazed at the fury
that
she'd seen in Th'rin's eyes. "What... what did you want to talk
about?"
"I .." he started turning back to face her. He'd heard the shaking in
her voice and now saw the shaking extend across her body. "About us,
Merissa." His voice had lost its edge. "About what WE have gone
through. About Xanthia and children .. and .." he frowned, ".. the
babies."
He shrugged and leaned back against the counter, "But you .. you just
turned your back on me. All you seemed to think about was the prince.
You filled your days with him ... probably your nights as well. I
certainly didn't stand in your way. Hell! Did you even notice I was
gone?" He shook his head. "Did you ever bother to find out where I
spent
my nights? Did you care?"
"Of course I care!" Merissa felt her indignation rising, now that her
fear was subsiding. "And for your information, I had Chrysthal ask
Areena and she told me... you were here in the medical center."
Merissa
lifted her head slightly as she answered, "And I spent my nights alone,
thank you very much! But if I did enjoy having someone look at me as
if
I were a woman instead of... well, can you really blame me?"
"Instead of what?" Th'rin asked, throwing his hands up, "You are *the*
woman to me .. more then a friend or a lover or a mate. You are as much
a part of me as .. as .. Areena! Through everything .. that, at least,
has never changed. I'm .. next to nothing, without you."
Merissa glared, "Really. Well, you certainly haven't demonstrated that
to me. You seem quite happy to be off by yourself. If I were *the*
woman, then why did you find it necessary to go with Xanthia? And get
her pregnant... Not just once, but twice! Obviously I'm not enough for
you. And now... " She paused trying to control her emotions, and
losing. For even though she was now the warrenlady of one of the
larger
warrens, she had been brought up among the Landbound where a woman's
worth was often related to her ability to bear heirs for her husband.
She had always thought she was above that and when she was younger
vowed
she wasn't going to have children. Now she seemed to have gotten her
earlier wish. Her eyes filled with tears as she thought of the baby
that had been taken from her, the one she'd never hold, and how she'd
now never have the chance to have another. "I'll never be a real
woman!"
"I don't understand," Th'rin said shaking his head. "You can't possibly
believe that, just because I've had sex with Xanthia? Loving her and
loving you are two different things. I .. I know I shouldn't have. But
I
thought we had an arrangement .. and .. and she wanted another baby.
Still .." He sighed. "Gods! I am such a hypocrite! It's hard to know..
the way things are here in the warren. My parents didn't even live
together, though *HE* stayed over often enough. But he wasn't the only
one."
Those days were blurry any more to the healer, he had only been seven
when his mother had been killed by wraiths. Maybe he'd been too young
to
understand what sort of relationship there'd been. He did remember that
his mother had been well loved by everyone and there had always seemed
to be a constant flow of people in and out of their home. Not like
after
her death when he'd moved in with his father. Th'rin wondered if he'd
been treating Merissa with as little respect as his father had treated
Racine. "I suppose I was too young to understand. When I was old
enough I saw what his behavior did to Racine."
"Merissa," he said begging with his eyes, "If I've ever made you feel
...
unloved .. I'm sorry. I never meant to. You are and always will be a
real woman. No matter what. It just kills me when I see you with other
men .. like the prince.. knowing that you no longer want me. I get
angry
over the loss." He rubbed one thin long hand over his sandy brown hair
which was in desperate need of a trim. "I don't really wanna fight ..
not with you."
Merissa sighed, "Even when we think we've moved beyond the influence of
our parents, their voices still echo in our minds, don't they?" She
could still hear her mother's criticism whenever she doubted herself
and
her decisions. Her tears did fall now as she saw the pain on Th'rin's
face. Her delicate hand reached out and caressed his face; her fingers
stroking his cheek as gently as they would a lyre, noting as they did
so
that he sported a few days' beard growth. "You haven't lost me. So, I
flirted with Reolden? You have to admit, he's... different...
charming.
I danced with him, Th'rin -- I didn't sleep with him! But he's gone
and
I'm still here. I am not going anywhere."
Hope flickered in his eyes momentarily, "Merissa .. do you mean.." He
paused and frowned, "I want to be very clear on this .. no
misconceptions or misunderstandings .. Do you want me to come home? Not
just for Oberon .. but for you? I want that more then anything, but I
need to know that's what you really want."
Merissa looked at Th'rin's hopeful expression, and she couldn't crush
it. Yet, she wasn't sure if she wanted him home... at least not in the
shape he was currently in. He had frightened her, and though she truly
believed he'd never harm her, she wasn't sure if he was completely in
control of himself. "Before I can commit to anything, I want you to
talk to Latnem, Th'rin. I want you to figure out what is going on with
you. You are... different." She paused before she continued with her
concerns, "Why have you been avoiding your responsibilities... why is
everything at the medical center such a... mess? Why isn't the autopsy
done? After you talk to Latnem... then we'll talk again."
"Oh .." Th'rin took a step back and a scowl crawled across his face. "I
guess I should have known."
"Th'rin..." Merissa started.
"I'm not talking to that .. that Crack Pot! You can just forget it." He
squeezed his eyes shut and grunted, "Gods! I'm so stupid! You wanna
know
what's wrong with me! It's you! Yes, you, Merissa! I can't sleep! I
can't eat! I just want you to love me! Why can't you just love me!"
"Th'rin .. please.." Merissa stammered.
He shook his head, shaking away her attempts to calm him. "Go see
someone else, Merissa. Maybe Tatiana can help you. But I can't. I can't
help you .."
"Tatiana is the reason I came! I need her, Th'rin. We just had
hatchlings join, and I need our trainer. And I can't get her back
until
we know what... killed... Corra." The last was said in a lowered
voice.
"And for that I need YOU! Th'rin, I don't know what is going on with
you, but if you don't get this under control... How in all the 'lands
do
you expect me to 'just love' you? I need to know if Corra was
murdered.
I need to know... have you spoken to anyone close to her? Anyone that
had seen her that day? Th'rin what about that nurse... that annoying,
whiney one... what is her name?"
"Who? Elsa?" Th'rin snorted, "Haven't talked to her, haven't seen
her..."
"You haven't? Has anyone else that you know of?" When Th'rin shook his
head, 'no,' Merissa's eyes widened, "Didn't you think that a bit
suspicious? Has anybody checked on her?"
"She had a few days off... And to be honest, it's been a lot more
peaceful around here without her."
"But she might have been the last person to see Corra!" Merissa fumed.
Th'rin pondered her words. Now that she mentioned it, it did seem odd.
He'd just been so wrapped up in his own self-pity to pay much heed.
"Alright.." he nodded, "Let's see if we can find her. Maybe then we can
at least get that taken care of right. Then maybe .." he looked at her,
"Maybe we need to talk about me resigning."
Merissa scowled, "You'd do that, wouldn't you? Run away even from your
work... like you're running away from everything else! Fine. You do
that! But first... finish what has to be done, and let's start with
Elsa. Where would she be at this hour?"
Th'rin shrugged, unable to remember when last he'd checked the
schedules. He followed Merissa out to the nurses' station and seeing
Clarissa they asked her where Elsa could be found.
"I'm afraid I haven't seen her, Healer," Clarissa answered.
They quickly asked everyone in the medical center, but no one had seen
Elsa.
Fearfully, Merissa turned to Th'rin, "We need to got to her apartment.
What if...?"
Th'rin's eyes widened, "You don't think .." Gods! He may not have liked
the woman much, but he didn't want to see anything bad happen to her,
"Come on .." He started to head toward the unjoined apartments.
"Wait!" Merissa grabbed his arm. "We may need help."
"But .." Th'rin started to protest, but her vacant look showed him she
was listening to her dragon and not to him.
"Emery is on his way. We'll meet him there."
Now Merissa began to move, and Th'rin hurried to keep up with her. "You
know .." he called from behind, "I'm not running away." She didn't
respond so he kept going, "I just .. thought .. maybe you'd rather ..
work with .. someone .. else .."
Merissa flicked a withering look his way, "Th'rin will you just grow
up!
Just who do you think I'd rather work with as *my* Head Healer?
Corra?"
Merissa snapped. She hurried on, worrying about what they might find
when they got to Elsa's apartment. Had the two older women stumbled
across something... could Elsa be lying face down in her apartment...
dead... for the past few days? And no one even cared enough to notice?
Emery was there to meet them when they arrived outside of Elsa's door.
It was cracked open.
"Did you open it?" Merissa asked fearfully.
"No, it was like this when I arrived." Emery stated. He pulled out a
sword before he pushed the door all the way open.
Merissa moved to follow Emery in but was surprised when Th'rin stepped
in front of her and put himself between her and the entrance.
"Wait here. Let us check it out first," he stated firmly before
following Emery into the apartment.
Merissa hesitated, not really wanting to see Elsa sprawled, dead,
somewhere in the apartment. But she sniffed the cool air that came
from
the apartment and the scent of death was not on it.
It wasn't a large apartment and Emery was just emerging from the
bedroom
after having already checked it out thoroughly. "She's not here. And
by the looks of things, hasn't been for a while." He pointed to the
debris that had been blown in through the crack in the door.
Merissa wasn't sure if she were relieved or more frightened. "I want
everyone who might have known Elsa to be questioned. I want to know
who
saw her last and when. Start with the nurses in the medical center."
Emery nodded and left to begin his questioning.
"She didn't have many friends." Th'rin said as he watched Emery leave.
"The closest thing she had to a friend was Corra. Everyone else pretty
much kept their distance. She really wasn't.. umm .. the nicest
person."
He didn't like thinking what could possibly have happened to her,
especially considering how unkindly he'd been thinking of her lately.
"I
should check the work roster in my office for the last couple of weeks.
Maybe that'll shed some light."
Merissa looked over at Th'rin. He seemed withdrawn and subdued.
"We'll
find her, Th'rin..." Or find out what happened to her, Merissa
mentally
appended. Merissa shook her head, "What did they find out, Th'rin?
Did
they find out about the person who helped the man who tried to kill me,
did they confront that person, or get too close; Corra had the missing
page from Latnem's journal.... Did they get killed because of that?"
"You think she's dead?" Th'rin asked.
Merissa looked sadly around the apartment. "If she isn't..." Merissa
swallowed, "I don't know, Th'rin, I don't know what to think." She
looked frightened and lost.
"Right under my nose .." He groaned. "I just let this happen .." He
looked over at Merissa and noticed she was shaking. He moved over and
wrapped his arms around instinctively, "I'm sorry, Merissa. I'm so
sorry
..."
Merissa equally instinctively rested her head in the hollow of his
shoulder, wrapping an arm around his waist sinking into his comforting
embrace and inhaling his reassuring scent. Her eyes closed as she
gained strength from his solid presence, and giving him strength in
return.
"Th'rin, I don't know what to do. When I thought it was just me they
were after, I was okay with that... but if it could be anyone... a
healer or a nurse... we can't have guards watching everyone. Whoever
is behind this has to be found!"
"We'll find them," he whispered against her head with more feeling in
his voice then he felt in his heart.
Merissa nodded, though she had doubts. Whoever it was, was just too
good -- devious, insidious. They needed someone who could think like
that to catch them... maybe someone like... Ash. Why hadn't she
thought
of it before? "And I think I know just the person who might be able
to."
"What? Who?" Th'rin looked at her surprised as she straighter and
pulled away, a look of determination on her face.
"Ash'chenon." Merissa nodded to herself, "I'm going to talk to him..."
She glanced around the apartment once more and gave a little shiver.
"Let's... go home." She gave Th'rin a tentative smile. "It is almost
lunchtime."
Th'rin, surprised at her words, simply nodded and moved to walk beside
her. He was not going to say anything that might change the moment. He
was going 'home'. Maybe not permanately, but lunch was a major step and
for now, it was enough for him.
Regards,
Th'rin & Areena
and
Merissa & Crysthal
***
NRPG: I think that would be tags to Ash! BTW, in case you couldn't
tell, this was Co-written by Kristen and Arlene :)
Hugs,
Kris
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