Blood is Running Deep

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Characters: Valdis and closed with some open
Date: October
Location: Throughout Aifaran
Situation: Various
Warnings/Rating: In headers


After a somewhat traumatizing nightmare inflicted by the some aspect of the Dreaming, Valdis spent plenty of time looking over her shoulder. Much as she hated to admit it, her paranoia had increased and she still didn’t know how to deal with what she had seen or what she had almost done. She was lucky Miles had been nearby or she’d have made a mess of the sand. The rest of the month had been slow, though teasing Rutile from the shadows had been beyond entertaining, if unkind. Her meeting with Pepper had given her some direction, but she still had a long way to go.

Comments

Miles | Sci-Tech 2 | CW: Spooky Photos

[redlightgreenlight]

The strange glowing spots in all her photos might have been dismissed, except for the fact that they kept showing up and only when she took the photos. The Techs said they couldn’t find anything wrong, all their pictures turned out fine and that it was probably dust particles. Valdus didn’t believe that for a moment, she’d been over it time and time again, but the little glowing lights wouldn’t go away. It wasn’t until one of her photos had a thin outline of a very familiar form with a very familiar smile that Valdis decided that she must get a second opinion.

“Miles?” She said harshly, knocking on his door, “You’d better be here, because I need you, and I don’t have time to hunt you down.”

[upshore]

"Mnf." Miles sat up in bed and rubbed at his face before answering the door. The emphasis on Spooky Shit lately was really getting in his head. He wasn't quite having traumatic dreams about Mount Massive, but everything was blending together - like an actual dream instead of old memories replaying.

"You know, I normally like hearing those words from a lady," he said after he opened the door, smiling crookedly. "But that's not the nature of our relationship. What's up?"

Miles, you ass.

[redlightgreenlight]

"Not like that!" Valdis snapped when he opened the door, her fair features twisted in some sort of surprised dislike. But he had just acknowledged that, and in a much nicer way. She shook her head, it wasn't important.

"Whatever is going on, it's invaded my yimo," she held up the last photo she had taken, the hazy outline of a man who looked vaguely like Anton Shudder.

[upshore]

"All right, not in the mood for jokes," he said, and peered at her yimo. And then he froze.

"Is that Anton?"

He hadn't known the guy for long, but the image was unmistakable. "What the hell...?"

If this was a thing happening, he was just glad nobody from Mount Massive had shown up on his footage. Yet. If he saw spooky ghosts of Trager or Walker in his tapes, he may actually end up peeing himself.

[redlightgreenlight]

Even coming from Miles, Valdis felt relief once again that her insanity did not include interpreting fuzzy images as people she once knew.

"He was dead on his own world," Valdis mentioned, turning her yimo back so she could look again, "But it's...disturbing.."

Her disbelief of the paranormal had never been real, she was a Hellhound after all, but even with the Death Plane and this upcoming holiday, she didn't like it.

[upshore]

"Hm. That's not great," Miles said, half to himself. Being dead back home...well, when he'd thought that was his fate, he hadn't particularly enjoyed it. At least he wasn't, but Anton wasn't so lucky, it seemed. "So you think he might be one of the spirits that's popping in to say hi?"

It's logical enough for this place, and he shook his head a little in disbelief. Sure. 'Logical'.

[redlightgreenlight]

"Not at his time, but someone he knew came from a time when he was dead," she clarified, "I wasn't thrilled to have discovered it."

Even harder when one realized that another friend had been the cause of Anton's death. Konryu had a tendency to do strange things.

"Is there any other explanation?"

Valdis didn't think he meant any harm, he never had, not to her.

"It's not happening to you, is it?"

sadly he does not have sci-tech 2 otherwise i would have been all over this

[upshore]

Miles shook his head. "Knowing this place, not incredibly likely. You know how it likes to fuck with us; this could just be another kick in the gut."

Miles hadn't ever meant any harm to anyone. Except Trager. And Billy. And Blaire. And those guys who shot him...okay, he didn't mean harm to anyone who didn't deserve it.

"No," he said, "it's not, but that doesn't mean it won't. And I'm glad it hasn't. I wouldn't be too pleased to see certain people." Again: fear-pee.

[redlightgreenlight]

A kick in the gut for sure, Anton's departure had been the third of a painful streak, and none of them had hurt in exactly the same way. Valdis sighed.

"It's less painful now," she commented, "But I wish the past would simply stay there."

She wished she could say the same for the future, but the Dreaming had already drug Amos into this, now it was drudging up the past too.

"And that we could just focus on the present and not...everything else."

Trahearne | Commerce 3 | CW: None

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If the recent developments with the spirits and ghosts and the Dreaming weren’t enough, Valdis currently tracked her cat through the city. A slightly sketchy merchant had complained that a fluffy, white animal had stolen one of his bat-cat things. Valdis was fairly certain he wasn’t supposed to have the animals, but her cat stealing one of the kits was not good news. Anani clearly wasn’t interested in eating the tiny creature, because there were reports of him carrying it in his mouth through the city. His trail led to a small antique store, and sure enough, she saw his fluffy white tail vanish inside. She walked after him, hoping he hadn’t left the small kit somewhere she wouldn’t be able to recover it.

[necrocabbage]

It was Trahearne's first day back at work after being out with the Dreaming Sickness, and he honestly hadn't been sure if Anani would come to visit. He should've known better - Anani kept such a good schedule that the cat seemed to know the days of the week more accurately than the often-distracted sylvari did.

A customer had just left the store after taking a look at the two clocks they had on display, the door open long enough to let in an intrepid cat. Trahearne looked up from the counter, eyes widening at the sight of Anani trotting down one of the aisles with a small creature in his mouth. "Oh my, what's this...?" He promptly circled around the counter, kneeling down to get a better look. Hanging from the cat's mouth was a kitten sporting bat's wings, with fluffed-up black fur and wide golden eyes. The bat-cat made a squeaky 'meep!' as he reached out, leaving Trahearne regarding it with pure awe as he made an attempt to gently take it from Anani.

[redlightgreenlight]

Anani gently released his burden to Trahearne, purring madly, eyes closed with what could be contentment. He turned, mewing when Valdis opened the door and his tail fluffed up.

"You little weasel," she sighed, scooping him up when he trotted over, "That kit wasn't yours.

Anani tipped his head, releasing a little chirp as if he disagreed, then wiggled out of her arms and jumped up on the counter to sniff at a clock.

"Good day, Trahearne," Valdis said, smiling in amusement, "I see my cat has made you an accessory to theft."

[necrocabbage]

"Hello, Valdis," Trahearne greeted her as she came into the shop. He was half distracted by the little bundle of fluff in his hands, who was making more high-pitched noises as he gently rubbed under her chin - yes, he was fairly certain it was a girl now that he had a closer look.

"If Anani is taking up a life of crime, he seems quite happy with his choices. Does that mean you're here on official business?" Trahearne slowly rose to his feet, holding up the cat-bat so that she could be more clearly seen. "I heard the creatures they found in the Shunt were felines of some kind, but I didn't imagine the resemblance would be so close. Look at those big ears! And her wings!" He was delighted. Trahearne hadn't so much as seen a kitten in well over half a year, but finding one with such unique features was even better than he could've imagined.

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"He's a cat, laws don't apply to him," she commented, her eyes soft as she eyed the tiny kit.

The little female squeaked and rubbed her chin against Trahearne's hand in return. The creature's cuteness couldn't be denied and the treeman seemed beyond delighted, his words filled with a sort of joy that came from cute animals. Anani walked over, reaching out to touch noses with the kitten, purring loudly.

Valdis sighed, "I was told that a white creature stole one of the kits that the merchant was selling, but I'm pretty sure he's not supposed to be selling them anyway."

[necrocabbage]

Trahearne smiled softly at the way Anani interacted with the kit. It was clear that the cat had already become quite taken with his charge, and Trahearne had to wonder if that was the reason that Anani had whisked her away, or if he had the sense that something suspicious was going on.

"Did you hear that, Anani? You're getting off easy." He said it rather jokingly, though he was soon back to a more serious tone as he looked back to Valdis, "That sounds like a complicated situation. What does the Sentry usually do when this happens? Are these creatures considered contraband, or are they his if he was in possession of the mother?"

Trahearne set the restless bat-kitten down on the counter, but kept an eye on her, not intending on letting her wander too far away or too close to the edge. Was the kit already capable of flying? He didn't have the faintest clue.

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis shrugged, watching Anani start to groom the kitten when Trahearne set it down, still purring. The gentleness the cat expressed must have made the kit feel safe, because she mewed and snuggled up to him.

"I'm not officially on duty," she replied, "I just thought I'd look into it since there aren't many white, fluffy and small animals around. Not that the Sentry would arrest my cat on kidnapping charges.

"But, seeing as how the kit is quite happy here, I don't see a reason to return her, legal or not. Besides, I doubt the seller will make an official report."

[necrocabbage]

Trahearne was starting to suspect that the little catbat had roused Anani's parenting instincts, and the result was absolutely adorable. He's fairly certain that he could watch the two of them all day, though of course he'd have to keep an eye on the store, too. He thought he might be able to get away with that.

"If the merchant was quite that shady, it's probably for the best. You know, Valdis, I'd be happy to look after her. Perhaps even permanently. I'm confident I could figure out what she eats, and... this is probably the first time I've been in one place long enough to have a pet at all." Even the cats that kept him company at Fort Trinity hadn't actually belonged to him. Trahearne had spent most of his life traveling around Tyria, busy with his work, but he didn't have to worry about any of that here.

Open | Faith 2 | CW: None

[redlightgreenlight]

The Tarikan Monks would either be the death of her secrets or the cause of venture into a fugitive from the law, not that anyone could prove it was her. Aside from those who knew how she killed. All jokes aside, Valdis found it very hard to avoid the monks of knowledge and had taken to back alleys and rooftops for travel. This was not the best or most direct way to travel, but at least she was safe in the Sentry Headquarters for most of the day, they didn’t follow her in there. Still, the jump from the door to the roof of the next building was never easy and they had caught on to the fact that she was avoiding them.

"My world is beyond boring," she replied, "This place is far more interesting, I assure you there is nothing to say on it."

Lie after lie. Deflection after deflection. They would just not stop. She considered slinking back into the Sentry Building, but she might have to knock a few aside to get there.

[ninjainviolet]

Who said traveling along the rooftops wasn't the best way to travel? Sheena did it every night--or when she felt it necessary during the day.

Today, however, wasn't one of those days. Upon seeing the Monks harassing Valdis, she shook her head and approached the crowd. Making her way through the throng, she stepped in front of the other woman, blocking her from most of them. Crossing her arms, she began speaking.

"You know, intelligent seekers of knowledge know when to stop." She gave them a piercing look. "Now, you wouldn't want anyone to question your intelligence, would you?" she asked in an innocent tone.

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Sheena's timely appearance almost gave her the distraction she needed to get away, but Valdis couldn't just abandon the woman to the monks' curiosity. They seemed a bit taken aback by Sheena's abruptness, not quite apologetic, but probably close. For a moment, she felt quite satisfied to hide behind her friend and hope the monks decided to leave.

"Knowledge is without bounds," one of them replied, "Curiosity leads to new discoveries and the truth."

"Curiosity also killed the cat," Valdis mumbled so only Sheena might hear.

[ninjainviolet]

Sheena wouldn't have minded being the distraction if it got Valdis away, but since the woman didn't move, the ninja stayed put, throwing any monk who dared to move a glare to freeze them in place.

Sheena barely turns to let Valdis know she heard that comment and stifling a laugh, faced the monks again.

"That may be so," the ninja replied. "But what good is it if you don't remember it or realize what you're actually being told?" She looks at the nearest monk.

"What was the last thing this lady said to you?"

[redlightgreenlight]

Not that Valdis intended to murder any monks today, or tomorrow, but her patience still wore thin. Sheena's amusement was clear to her, of course, thought the others seemed to have missed it. The monk lifted his chin, clearly unhappy with being challenged, but two of his fellows seemed uncomfortable since Sheena had made a good point.

"Think of the differences in Culture," Valdis chimed in, "To you, knowledge of all is valuable, but in my world, discretion is important. Are your beliefs the only important ones?"

With Sheena's backup, it was much easier to engage.

[ninjainviolet]

Well, Sheena wasn't planning on taking any lives, either, but she wouldn't be above using any necessary violence if things got out of hand. Hopefully, things wouldn't get that far.

Although the ninja didn't show it, she knew she had gotten to two of the monks. All she needed to do was convince the third one, and they should be all right. And with Valdis adding to the argument, they just might be able to do such a thing.

"She's right. Is knowledge so important to you that you would force someone to go against their beliefs? People tend to react pretty negatively when that happens."

And she gave the third monk a piercing look.

"Wars have happened over differences in beliefs."

[redlightgreenlight]

The third monk seemed taken aback by their logic, almost as if he hadn't considered it before. Just more evidence of the idiocy of such groups.

"We did not mean to disrespect the belief systems of others," he said, though Valdis wasn't entirely convinced that he believed what he was saying. It seemed more like he was trying to save face.

"I accept your apology," she replied, "Now I would appreciate it if you leave me in peace."

It took a moment, but the three monks backed away and moved down the street, allowing the two women to breathe.

"Thanks for that," Valdis said, "I very much wanted to knock some sense into them, but that's somewhat unbecoming of a Sentry member."

[ninjainviolet]

The fact that Sheena didn't facepalm at the monk's reaction showed just how much willpower she was displaying right now. Instead, she kept her hands clasped behind her, barely batting an eye at the man's apology.

Since she wasn't the one who he had been interrogating, Sheena merely nodded her acceptance of the words--her lack of belief in them evident as she muttered, "Talk about a one-track-mind," as they walked away.

Sighing heavily, she turned and gave her friend a smile. "No problem. And you're not the only one who wanted to smack them, but as much as I like talking to you, Valdis, I really don't want to do it with bars between us," she said with a laugh.