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Post by Tina Bennet on Jun 7, 2018 22:13:38 GMT -8
The air was cool and still, the room silent except for a high-pitched noise that belonged to machinery. She knew that sound.
Groaning, Tina slowly opened her eyes, squinting at the overhead light. Her head turned one way and another, lips twisting at the pain as she tried to recognize something about where she was. It was pristine and clean. Not home then. Cabal.
The battle. Her eyes widened as she pushed herself up, ignoring the pain as her hand went to her chest.
Leyak.
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Post by David B. on Jun 7, 2018 22:36:38 GMT -8
She'd feel only herself, though her fingers threaded over a garrish scar- and she could almost....almost hear the cackling voice in her mind- 'Our first scars, yes yes! Badass princess warrior, here we comes! HahaHaHahAhA....Tina the badass...tina the...badass...'
"That's the thing with battle scars."
David voice came from her left. He sat, cross legged in the chair next to her, watching her.
"They always come with a price."
Tina would notice a tray, with the clean Qi-stone that had previously been in her chest. It was cold now, no light inside. Empty. She'd feel a flicker of the energy she used to know but would realize right after that it was just her mind, playing tricks on her. Memories of gnawed bones, of great black stallions and monstrous wild cats might tickle it's way across her brain but in the end, it was the same reality.
Leyak...was truly dead.
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Post by Tina Bennet on Jun 7, 2018 22:43:54 GMT -8
Her fingertips brushed over the heavy scar, fist clenching over her heart as she felt it. For a moment, it was like he had never left, like her best friend was celebrating victory with her.
But no, the only person in the room with her now was David. Haunted blue eyes looked at him, stared as though she could see through him for a moment before she looked down at her lap with his words. Scars came with a price.
"He saved me," she murmured, half in loss and half in wonder. Her fist clenched so tightly that it shook with the repressed rage that lit her eyes as she looked up at her Commander again.
"He saved me and they killed him. They need to pay."
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Post by David B. on Jun 7, 2018 22:51:39 GMT -8
He nodded.
"I agree."
He licked his lips and leaned forward.
"Long ago, during the great war, I had two friends. August, and his wife Youichi. During our rampage north, and assassin came for me....and Youichi saved my life, and at the same time took her last. A friend I'd had since i was very young." He looked over at her, and if she allowed it he would reach up and place a hand on her shoulder.
"I understand your pain. Mathew Lost his wife and daughters, Leon his son. All those who live in the field of war lose those they care for. And while I do agree they should pay....we must not run blindly into it. War is here....and I will see to it that you are with us when we find our retribution."
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Post by Tina Bennet on Jun 7, 2018 23:03:02 GMT -8
His initial response took her by surprise enough that Tina looked at him again, almost warily. She figured he'd be all for telling her revenge only lead to more. Instead, he was agreeing.
She could appreciate that. Listening to his tale, she tensed when his hand lay on her shoulder, but didn't shrug him off. Instead, she frowned, contemplating his words. She struggled to explain, and for a moment she stopped, taking a deep breath and nostrils flaring. Of course people were lost in battle. Somehow, she didn't think it would happen to her again.
"My dad was one of them."
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Post by David B. on Jun 7, 2018 23:06:18 GMT -8
David didn't seem surprised.
"Punk is greed, and lust. He cares for nothing but his own desires. His own wealth and power. I am...not surprised to hear that he might be part of a group such as that."
David had heard indeed from the returning individuals, and word was spreading fast. There was a coalition out there, wreaking havoc. He slid the chair around, letting his hand fall as he rested his forearms on the bed.
"Does it bother you?"
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Post by Tina Bennet on Jun 7, 2018 23:12:57 GMT -8
It wasn't the first time she'd heard it, and deep down, she knew it. Now she'd just seen it in effect instead of just on the streets at home. She took pride in being his daughter, but now the thought of him filled him with rage. Anger at him, and at herself to try and get his approval. Her fist dropped into her lap.
"Not as much as it used to," she admitted after a few moments of silence, brows knitting together.
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Post by David B. on Jun 7, 2018 23:17:00 GMT -8
He remained silent as she said it. Then would chew his bottom lip. He didn't have a daughter. He had a son, and Conor was gone. He'd barely seen him even as a child, and so these kinds of situations were very new to him. He always thought he could be there for someone of that age...but now confronted with it, he was unsure. He could give her titles, or send her more wars but all of it would simply fill the hole that Leyak had left. His own brows knit together in turn.
"I am sorry, Tina. For whatever that is worth to you."
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Post by Tina Bennet on Jun 7, 2018 23:28:21 GMT -8
The silence grew, but she didn't try to break it. Instead, she looked at the empty, lightless crystal again. Nothing but a shiny empty shell. But it was still hers. It they tried to take it away, she'd blow up their hands.
She tensed again, looking at David in disbelief as he apologized, of all things. People didn't do that unless they lost and didn't have another way out.
"Thank you." She straightened at his words, trying to bring back the sass she normally had, but it didn't match up. At least David didn't seem to be faking it or mocking her.
"What do I need to do?"
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Post by David B. on Jun 7, 2018 23:30:46 GMT -8
He grinned wickedly as he leaned back.
"Work harder. Get stronger. Take revenge in blood."
David was kind, and yet also a contradiction. Efficient. Ruthless. Traits all the Dragons held.
"But don't lose who you are....or it will stain his memory. Grieve, of course. But grow through it."
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Post by Tina Bennet on Jun 8, 2018 11:37:20 GMT -8
Hearing his words from the other day was more familiar and comfortable than the apology. One she knew how to deal with, the other didn't exist in her world. She clenched her jaw and nodded. She would get stronger, no matter what it took. If she had to find what that meant on her own, so be it, but she would tear down the walls until she did.
And there would be blood. The commanders and soldiers were gone, but the leaders were still out there.
Her gaze went back to the crystal when she was reminded not to lose herself, to not lose who she was and the person who had been a friend. Another nod, slower this time as she tried to understand. She'd lost her mother, but this felt different, maybe because it was more recent.
"Why did you take it out?"
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Post by David B. on Jun 8, 2018 11:59:32 GMT -8
He ran a hand back through his hair.
"I didn't. The surgical team did. They couldn't tell whether it was from a wound or not. I got here long after your surgery....as I was helping to draft the paperwork for war."
He would lean forward again and hold out his hand, silently asking her to drop it into his palm.
"May I see it, for a moment?"
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Post by Tina Bennet on Jun 8, 2018 14:07:41 GMT -8
Tina rolled her eyes at the clarification, biting back a comment because she was still waiting for an actual answer. Of course he didn't do it himself; how old he think she was, twelve? He'd been busy doing paperwork, instead.
She hesitated as he held out his palm, eying it like it was a trap about to trigger the moment she dropped her guard. Wouldn't be the first time (thanks, Dad). It was all she had left of Leyak and now David was going to mess with it?
"What are you gonna do?" She picked up the gem, holding it close, but not saying now.
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Post by David B. on Jun 8, 2018 14:12:59 GMT -8
"It has fused crystals inside. It seems someone altered it, likely at the moment of death. I suspect Leyak must have done something to it and if you'll let me, I'd like to bring it out."
If she dropped it in his hand, he'd inspect it.
"I thought so." he gestured with it. "If I finish the change he started....the stone will be gone, but something will be left in it's place. Are you okay with that?"
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Post by Tina Bennet on Jun 8, 2018 14:24:10 GMT -8
Tina's grip tightened on the crystal as she physically leaned away from David, half expecting him to destroy it still. The wariness returned when he mentioned it was changed, likely by Leyak. She looked him over, silent with her lips pursed in an almost exaggerated expression.
A full minute passed like that before she slowly handed over the crystal.
"Fine. But if you mess it up, I'm going to blow your face up," she grumbled, fingers finally dropping the crystal into his hand.
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