ioduanlogs | Blood is Running Deep

Entry tags:

Blood is Running Deep

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.

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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?"

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.

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."

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."

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.

The monks might not have noticed Sheena's restraint, but Valdis certainly did, and it was impressive.

"I'm sure I could have talked my superiors out of pressing charges, something about harassment and being pushy." She smiled, "Thank you though, I'm athletic, but I don't necessarily want everyone to know just how much. Secrets are necessary in my line of work."

Raine had know most of them, through necessity if nothing else, and Sheena seemed just as trustworthy, but even so, it was dangerous and counter productive to reveal things to people, even if she considered them a friend.

And to Sheena, rather surprising, since she usually reacts without thinking.

"Can I use that in case I get in trouble in the future?" she asked with an impish raising of her eyebrows. "And don't mention it. I'm a ninja, so I understand that there are some things that you have to keep quiet about."

Sheena had been hounded months ago by the Sentry asking about different fighting techniques, so she knew what was necessary for working there. And if Valdis didn't meet those qualifications, she'd be working somewhere else.

Plus, considering her last job in Keeliai...

Valdis laughed, "Being my friend isn't a get out of jail free card, Sheena."

Her tone took on a half scolding edge, though that quickly faded. She shook her head. If Sheena knew the secrets she held onto, the ninja might think differently, though people always seemed to surprise her.

"I'm not Chief anymore, just an officer, and this city is much larger than Keeliai." Valdis sighed, "I wish I could do more."

Sheena snapped her fingers in disappointment. "Well, damn. Worth a try, though."

The ninja would definitely surprise her. The people who were her closest friends back home had done it to her--when they had accepted her. Even after she had tried to assassinate one of them and demonstrated just how different she was.

One of them being the ever-pragmatic Raine. And if she could accept someone, then you know everything's okay.

"I know you're not Chief anymore, but that doesn't mean you lose the skills you learned while having that position. And as an officer, it's even more important you keep them secret--you're out and about more." She tilted her head and looked at her friend.

"What else would you like to do?"

"It was," Valdis said, smiling, though the smile faded when Sheena asked what she wanted to do.

She shrugged, not entirely certain what she truly wanted. The pull of chaos had been stronger lately, but there was no way to use it in a constructive manner.

"Gene is opening a dojo and asked me to teach again," she replied, "But I'm not really driven toward anything right now. Aifaran is so different from what I'm used to."

Knowing what she had asked was a loaded question, Sheena watches her friend carefully, and really isn't surprised at her response.

"Well, that's a start," Sheena tells her. "Are you going to take him up on his offer? You never know, you might find yourself heading where you want to go if you do."

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Blood is Running Deep

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