Blood is Running Deep

[redlightgreenlight]

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

[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.

[redlightgreenlight]

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.

[ninjainviolet]

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...

[redlightgreenlight]

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."

[ninjainviolet]

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?"

[redlightgreenlight]

"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."

[ninjainviolet]

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."