15. Second [...Action post...]

[corrinesbell]

*Stands behind her house, in a cleared space in all the snow. Her coat is discarded a few feet away. After a moment, she starts a series of quick movements, obviously a practiced pattern*

[[ooc: Feel free to interrupt her, or come by and watch~]]

Comments

[corrinesbell]

...Uh...sorry, but, I've been there, and you can say that all you want, but it's probably not true.

Seriously, you're welcome to come in for a while. At least to warm up a little.

[gustofwinddance.livejournal.com]

Then is it not true for you, as well? *calmly*

All right.

*If it'll make you happy. :D*

[corrinesbell]

...That isn't what I thought you were asking.
*She means there's no feasible way for anyone who just got back from being kidnapped to be fine*

*goes and opens the door for him*

[gustofwinddance.livejournal.com]

*All told it really wasn't as bad as the last time he got kidnapped, in his eyes.*

Then what did you think I was asking? *kindly* It may be rather hypocritical of me, but I do tend to worry about those I consider friends. I do not have many, after all.

[corrinesbell]

Never mind what I thought, it's not important. *but she blushes at basically being told they're friends*

Y-You...uh, they...you hurt your back, right? H-How is it now?

[gustofwinddance.livejournal.com]

*smiles* I can't exactly see it, but it doesn't feel infected or anything, in fact, I woke up bandaged, so I imagine they at least had the common decency to treat and dress the wound they created.

[corrinesbell]

...Hard to think of them having decency. *bitter much, Sheena?*

If Julia were around, I'm sure she'd help you with it...but she's out. Sorry there isn't much I can do.

Would you, uh...like anything? *meaning food*

[gustofwinddance.livejournal.com]

I have some prior experience with being abducted in such a manner, and while I was needless to say roughly treated...in hindsight, I would still at least somewhat rather deal with the Malnosso than the other man in question.

...which would make it very ironic that I am currently living with him.

As for my back, it shall heal. Injuries of flesh and bone are merely temporary. *smilesmile.*

Ah, no, thank you.

[corrinesbell]

Something to drink, then?

...Whoa, wait. One of the people here...kidnapped you before? And they're worse than the Malnosso?

[gustofwinddance.livejournal.com]

Ah...water?

...yes. The man of which I spoke to you about prior.

The Malnosso, truly vile though they are, did nothing to me that will not heal. That certainly does not mean I am willing to overlook their trespasses, for this is merely my own opinion for my own situation and has no bearing on anyone else. Seeing my dearest and oldest friend felled before my eyes attempting to come to my defense...

*covers his eyes by pinching the bridge of his nose.*

I apologize.

[corrinesbell]

*...You know, she is totally familiar with what that's like.*

...Don't. You don't have anything to be sorry for.
*gets him a glass of water*

...I've...experienced something similar to that...so I see where you're coming from.

[gustofwinddance.livejournal.com]

...thank you.

Considering the man is also responsible for the civil war that stole the lives of thousands of my people, including in its toll my father and my uncle, most of my anger is reserved for him. Though in this place, that would hardly matter.

[corrinesbell]

...I apologize. I shouldn't have brought it up.

[gustofwinddance.livejournal.com]

...you have nothing to apologize for. I chose to speak of it with you. I could have just as easily chosen not to.

As much as anything, it is a warning of the danger inherent with dealing with this man.

[corrinesbell]

I-I'll keep that in mind, then.

[gustofwinddance.livejournal.com]

*and now that he has made everything thoroughly uncomfortable...*

The Malnosso weren't the only ones to take an interest in my back. Perhaps I should take to wearing plate armor.

[corrinesbell]

...I don't understand it. What did they bother with your back for? You already have wings there.

[gustofwinddance.livejournal.com]

The line of succession in Serdio, that is the name of my country, is granted possession of a gem of significant magical power, and tasked with keeping it safe.

That is generally done by keeping it within one's body.

[corrinesbell]

...So...the Malnosso were looking for it. ...This might sound like a stupid question, but...did they find it?

[gustofwinddance.livejournal.com]

No, they did not. It had been removed from my keeping prior to my being brought here.

[corrinesbell]

So it was all for nothing.

*angry all over again; one fist strikes the table, hard* I hate it.

[gustofwinddance.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine that most of the actions of the Malnosso have a purpose that we would either see or agree with.

Hate will accomplish little. Organization will do far more to improve our current situation. Unfortunately, I would not know where to begin to bring the large number of people here from an equally large number of worlds together under one banner. Who would we follow, when to one man rank could mean nothing and to another working in collaboration is nigh-impossible?

Certainly a daunting task.

[corrinesbell]

*bet he's still sort of smiling, too, isn't he?*

I know it won't do anything. I'm just being stupid.

Someone tried that once, I think...and he disappeared.

[gustofwinddance.livejournal.com]

*Actually no. Srs face is go.*

...certainly. Remove the chance for organized opposition. I must begrudgingly admit the intelligence of such an action, as such a foul tactic would discourage further attempts as well.

[corrinesbell]

Yeah, that seems like it.

...I don't even know if all of us here could go against them anyway. They control everything.