Closed The Confrontation (Zandelia)

[Revy Hiroe]

40th day, Winter 513 AV The mercenary had put on her silk dress for a change. She wanted to get a hold of Zandelia and the only way she knew of, was this. She had to talk to her right away, or their relationship might be completely severed. She didn't really want that. Revy still loved Zandelia, despite being neglected for so long. But what was she gonna say? She had to think about that seriously now. Mulling and groaning, she tried to get her thoughts sorted out. Sitting on their bed, she wondered when the scarred woman would return. For now she wasn't going to leave the room, so... she was getting bored. Thinking wasn't her strongest suit, it had never been. Not even in a fight did she try to think, because thinking in a fight would make you slow. And a slow fighter is a dead fighter. "I'll have to ask her what was so important that she dropped me for it. I'll also have to talk about Sayren. Ugh, I don't want to get into a fight right now.", she thought, "Well, guess I can't avoid it. Best to at least try to stay on her good side for now. I don't want to break up. But she'll have to at least make up for neglecting me. I'll really tell her that at least. In return I'll do whatever she asks for betraying her with Sayren." Having made her resolve, she sat on the bed, waiting for Zandelia to arrive from who-knows-what she did.

[Zandelia]

The day was not one that she was going to relish, she could feel it in her heart and smell it upon the winds. She had cultivated a good number of minor contacts through the mystical city of Nyka since she had taken up residence. She had proven herself, been accepted – after a fashion – into their psyche’s as ‘one of us’ and not a foreigner. She had received reports, foiled scams and generally tried to make herself useful whilst furthering her craft. She had improved – though the political machinations she had hoped to undertake were nowhere near fruition. Thence had come the missive, grubby and crumpled from its long journey through the wilds.

Garret.

The name was synonymous with betrayal and death as far as she was concerned – a name that she hoped to one day extinguish and expunge from all minds. For eternity. An irony seeing as he was a Nuit who hoped to live for eternity. When she was done with him all that would remain would be a memory – her memory. Upon her death he would cease to be. The missive had been hastily scrawled and imploring for help again her father whom had learnt f his treachery. She could have cared less but Garret claimed to kno where her patriarch was – this was too goo an opportunity to miss.

And so I return to Sunberth via Sahova….alone. Revy has another now. I cannot blame her, but neither can I take her with me she told herself as she walked toward the stair to her quarters.

“She’s up there, looking fancy for you,” came the blunt tones of Vysia, “doubt she’ll get the answer she is wanting though. Still leaving?” she asked Zandelia.

“Yes…it must be finished. One way or another”

“Coming back one day?”

“If I survive I plan to,” she stated with a pause of hesitation, “look after her will you? She knows the sword but not the words. The politics”

“Not going with you?”

“She is happy here”

“Blame her?”

“No..”

“Good! I wouldn’t like you anymore if you did. I’ll watch her, as often as I can. Go on then”

And then the stairs were passing beneath the soles of her boots, the hallway was getting shorter, the doorway to her room opened and the sight of Revy upon the bed in her dress was so beautiful, so perfect. She almost started another life, settled down and lived long and peaceful seasons unto natural death overcame her. She swallowed…no it could not be like that.

“As beautiful as ever” she spoke a little hoarsely as she stepped into the room and shut the door firmly.

[Revy Hiroe]

Zandelia entered the room, closing the door behind her. The tone of her voice just shut Revy's mouth completely. She felt angry, yet she couldn't utter a word. In fact she almost felt tears brimming in her eyes. "Zand, we have to talk. We... have to.", she said while trying to hide her tears. It was so long since she last saw her lover even. But first she had to clear up some stuff, before she could have some quality time with her.... if they'd even get to that. She was not looking forward to a fight, she really wasn't. "Why have you been neglecting me for so long? I told you you could use me any way you wanted, remember? So...... WHY are you just ignoring me!?" She didn't want to get worked up, but she still did. She didn't have any reason to get angry, because she now also had Sayren in her life. If there was someone who had the right to get angry, it was Zandelia. Zand was the one who go betrayed. Yet Revy couldn't change her feelings. She felt bad for the both of them. Because she couldn't decide between them. She loved both of them as much as the other.

[Zandelia]

She listened in silence, calm and collected and still so as to emphasize the fact that, as a usually wordy personality, the silence should be treated in all seriousness. One could often achieve the rap attention of hundred in a crowd of movement just by standing still. She attempted the same effect as her gaze took Revy in – perhaps for the last time. Her cheeks were pinked, slowly turning to a darker shade of red. She was angry, fearful and worried – sad perhaps. The eyes were pools that glistened with the beginnings of tears. It was strange, how life cast its web and trapped you into scenarios as inescapable as your shadow but far more damaging.

She really is beautiful but she has learnt little of subtlety, nor of my work. It’s for a reason – I might end up dying. It is better this way, her with Sayren. The lovely Sayren with her affections and energy. And yet… it was difficult outside of her head to shape words, her heart ruled at the incendiary barbs thrown at her from soft lips.

“Yes…talk,” she managed after a few moments of silence reigned, “it is past time we did so and the last opportunity to do so” she stated, almost a whisper as she walked slowly towards her desk and placed her hands upon it, leaning forwards and taking a deep breath.

It shouldn’t be this hard she told herself, they had both wronged each other now – perhaps she had wronged Revy more but pain was pain. She had never wanted things to be this way, had had so much hope for a fresh beginning. Her nature, however, was something she could not fight…did not want to fight. Her schemes were to her what breathing was t a runner, fighting was to a mercenary. It was more than a hobby, a skill – it was a life. She closed her eyes and she could feel the tense air behind her, the crackling of possibility. She doubted there would any outcome other than one – two forces colliding always possessed damage of a collateral nature.

“Why don’t we talk about Sayren,” she forced herself to say, “about the young little strumpet who is your other lover!” she turned then, the anger welling up despite her attempts to push it back.

“You say I have neglected you, this may be true but you knew what I was like when you agreed to this! I have not acted a loving as I could but you! You sleep with another and then accuse me of treachery!” the words hissed outwards, a poisonous mist that she did not really want to say.

She was beyond control, attempting to push the other woman away so completely that she would have an easier time leaving, could do so without too much damage. After all Revy had Sayren now and that meant the only one whom would suffer would be Zandelia – again. She swallowed, chest heaving as she watched the other woman flinch a little and the pain reflecting within her own chest.

“So you tell me, who is the one being ignored? At least you get a good petch every now and then!”

She stopped then, out of breath and wishing she was anywhere else. The grasp of Rhysol himself would be preferable to this.

[Revy Hiroe]

There it came, exactly as she had expected. Zand brought out the one fault of Revy in this, Sayren. Despite having expected it, it still stung like a dagger through your heart. But she already resolved to do anything to make up for it. The one thing she wouldn't do, or at least she thought she wouldn't do, was break up with Sayren, not now at least. "You're saying that I'M the one to blame FOR YOUR LACK OF AFFECTION? YOU think that I wanted to fall in love with her as well? YOU wanna petching know how much it petching hurt when I thougt about how you would bloody react to this? Have you EVER been COMPLETELY ignored for more then A WHOLE BLOODY SEASON? If not, don't go preaching to me about being ignored.", she yelled back as the tears started to flow. "However, being ignored wasn't the biggest issue. It's the fact that you never even tried to tell me about yourself. I have yet to learn of your past. I have yet to learn of what you actually want to do. It makes me doubt that you actually love me. That's what hurt the most. The tears were flowing freely now. She felt betrayed by Zandelia. The fact that that woman never really told her about her past, her plans, but most of all about herself, was what had really hurt the mercenary. It didn't matter to her what kind of past the woman had, as long as she was honest with her. "Have you ever even trusted me? Even one shred of trust?", it came out soft, hurt and sad. As if she almost couldn't bear asking that one question.

[Zandelia]

She wanted to rage, to spit and curse and smash the room to pieces for the cruelty of the God’s and their games. They had made her, it seemed, so incapable of any true relationships. The assault she had unleashed was merely brushed aside and a venomous riposte was given back to her in turn. The words of the mercenary were true, or at least true as far as Revy could see. As Zandelia had told Sayren when they had briefly met, Revy had little concept of covert operations or how underhand and dirty they could become. Zandelia had tried to spare the other from that world, to keep her unsullied and incorruptible. Instead she had caused such injuries by her own inactions.

And now…there is no time. Seasons we have been here, able to resolve this easily and now there is no time. The boat leaves on the morrow. I must go, Garret and his throat await. And then…Markus! the thoughts solidified, creating a wall between her and her emotions – she would see this through and weep on the journey instead.

“I told you about my father, my past enslavement. It was not a lie, how the petch do you think I lost my eye!” she stated, her tone now dull and leaden as she turned and leant against the desk again – the better to shield her face from the other woman and the raging emotions.

“And I plan to kill him. And others. It will be bloody, brutal and stealthy. There! Now you know!” she continued doggedly.

“Which is why I can’t involve you, you are too good to become like me. You have happiness and Sayren. I have neglected you, it is true. I am sorry for that. But…I cannot do anything else until the scales are balanced – I was never built for anything else”

“I must meet my maker and repay them in kind, I will not allow you to do so with me as they would murder you and then I am at fault for your death rather than your upset! The lesser of two evils” she spat bitterly.= as she slammed her fists into the hard wood and felt her knuckles cry out in agony, the pain spreading up her arm and throbbing.

“It is not a question of trust…it is a question of sensibility”

“ I am leaving…tomorrow. Stay with Sayren and live a happy life. Nothing good can come of being with me. You’ll only end up being put in the ground” she finished.

Especially when I’ll likely die in the journey she told herself, too cowardly to say the words aloud.

[Revy Hiroe]

The words of Zandelia hammered down on the mercenary. Everything she had been doubting just vanished. This woman.... she was just as plaged as she was. She too knew a horrible childhood. But her words of her leaving... Revy just seemed to choke because of those words. The least she could do now was at least forgive her, because she didn't know the horror that Revy still hadn't spoken of. "Zand.. I.... I'm... sorry. I..... I know I'm not the brightest, but.... You just should've told me. I wouldn't have doubted you so much.", she started. It was hard to speak and harder to stand up, but she did so anyway. "You know how my family was murdered right? I.... saw it happen right before my eyes. My mother, father and my little sister. All of them.... gutted, mutilated, tortured to death. I was.. just.... thirty six seasons old. A few days after my birthday." It was really hard for her to talk about this. The one thing she always wanted to lock away, no matter what. "I got revenge and it was sweet indeed, but.... I still didn't have a family anymore. That's how I became a mercenary. The one thing I was at least good at back then, was fighting. Even now I don't know much more then that, but.... don't talk about me getting put into the ground because of you. Do you really think that there are people capable of killing me? Especially since I survived the Falyndar jungle and received Myri's mark? Do you really think that I'd lose my life in a fight?" While talking, she had moved closer to Zand, hugging her from behind. Oh how she missed the body of he first lover. It almost made her forget about Sayren. "Hey.. I'm not going to stop you, but make sure you come back in one piece, ok? I don't think I could bear losing you. Not now, not ever."

[Zandelia]

“Yes…I do,” she responded quickly and fervently to the question about death, “not because I doubt your skill but because of how they would do it. They wouldn’t face your blade, they’d kill you with poison and a smile. Or whilst you slept. They have scores of methods and none of them can be fought with a stand up brawl” she finished, head hanging with a mixture of relief and regret.

She had spent her precious time searching, scheming and hunting only to find out that it had gained her little and lost her so much. Yet she could not stop…it was almost an addiction. She was not in denial about that fact, it resonated through her very being. Yet there was a fain echo of loss and unhappiness before it was crushed mercilessly under the waves of hateful vengeance. It was not the time for pleasant indulgences, there was work to do. She had to pack, she had to gather last scraps of information. Time was almost up!

I must be prepared if I am to try and defy death she told herself, yet Revy’s embrace encroached upon her thoughts – the press of flesh and the scent she had not experienced in some time almost intoxicating.

She had almost forgotten the sensation of such closeness, so absorbed had she been – so blinded. It was comforting, perhaps only fleetingly but it was enough for now. She closed her eye and fixed the memory into her mind, tucking it away for future remembrance. She did not know if she would ever see Revy again but she could hope. Even if Zandelia was irrevocably changed the woman would still be a friendly face in the dark watches of life and death.

“I need to go Revy…alone. I am sorry but it is the way things must be. When I am done…well…we can find each other again one day,” she spoke softly, almost hypnotically, “ but for now your words are enough” she smiled a sad smile.

“I am sorry for your family” she kissed the mercenary’s left cheek.

“I am sorry for your pain” was followed by the right cheek.

“And I am sorry for being me” she kissed the woman’s forehead.

“I am sorry”

That was all that needed to be said, it was all that felt right to say. They would part ways as friends still, Revy would live her life and Zandelia would attempt to finish hers – to be born anew.

[Revy Hiroe]

It hurt so much to hear this woman apologize. She wasn't at fault for her family. No one was except Revy herself and that murderer. Zandelia shouldn't have to apologize for it. "It's ok, I'm slowly getting over it.", she replied after the kisses. She wanted to do more, but she'd only get in the way of Zand's goal then. No matter how much it'd hurt, she had to let her go. She was probably not gonna see Zandelia in a long while anymore. She knew that much. She also knew that it wouldn't be long before she'd leave Nyka, giving the school to Bones. "Hey, when you are done, go to Syliras. I'm sure you can find me there. I don't think I'll be staying here in Nyka much longer." It wasn't that she hated the town, but she was just starting to feel too uncomfortable around all these Myri hating monks. She gave Zand a deep kiss on her mouth, before she pulled back. "Hey, I'll give you one of my daggers. Keep it 'till we meet again ok? If you lose it, you'll know what'll happen.", she said while she pulled a dagger from the backpack she had with her. She had it prepared just in case. She didn't expect Zandelia to attack her, but any of the monks, yes they would. Especially since she had walked about with her shoulders fully exposed, mark clearly visible.

ooc :

http://davesknifeworld.com/productimages/d-j/GH2025.jpg Look of the dagger

[Zandelia]

Fate smiled for an instant as their lips met and she relished the taste of that mouth, the softness of flesh. She doubted she would experience the same again. It would be a treasure in the coming seasons, another memory to keep and replay in the privacy of her own skull. It was the next act that captured her attention though, the gifting of a weapon – only Revy would make that sound like such a normal and everyday occurrence. After watching her rifle through her pack a few chimes muttering what was produced took her breath away.

Exquisite…truly worthy of a warrior. Not of a throat slicer! the words echoed through her mind as her fingers tentatively took the hilt of the cruel weapon.

Its blade was bright, reflecting the lights across its entirety and without tarnish. It did not even look as if it had been much used. Either that or it was excellently maintained as well as masterfully made. It looked crude and brutal, she had seen it before and knew where it had come from – Falyndar. Her gaze came up to view the intricate mark upon the other woman’s exposed skin for a few seconds before slipping back to the dagger.

“I can’t take this, not this one. It’s special…yours. I have no right” she stated simply but Revy brooked no argument and firmly pushed her wrist back toward her chest.

She twisted it in her hands, rolled her wrist to circle the blade a few times and then practised reversing it in her grip for several more moments. Its balance was perfect and the blade brought a cut to her thumb that she stuck in her mouth to stem the bleeding. She placed it reverently upon the table behind her after slipping it back into its sheath.

“I will keep it safe, you have my word Revy,” she smiled, “but I think I should give you something in return. Something to…remember me by” she finished as she grabbed the warrior by the shoulders and kissed her thoroughly.

She pushed them towards the bed and, for a while, the world stopped. The following day would bring partings, preparations, farewells and everything emotional associated with them. For now at least things were perfect.