collab between
@dabombjk@caitsDarius walked along with the caravan and the group. keeping his eyes peeled and his instincts open. He kept his weapons sheathed, but he was ready to draw on a moments notice. But he was oddly relaxed. Even more so than usual. Darius looked ahead and saw, and felt from the headache, that Jamie was scouting ahead. He knew as the assassin he should too, but for some reaosn he did not feel like......mingling. He realized spoke more, and felt more, during this contract than he has ever felt or talked in his life. At least in this short amount of time span.
Darius seperated from the group slightly, moving halfway in the distance between the caravan and Jamie, and pulled out a small brown leather bound journal. He opened it and began reading it slightly, still glancing at his surroundings slightly.
As time went by, Jamie figured she should begin making her way back to the caravan, never truly knowing where they'd end up camping that night. She started back the way she had come, glancing about her constantly, she was ready to bring down some fresh meat, she spied what looked to be a rabbit hole, and where there was a rabbit hole, there was rabbits. Crouching, she glancing about the hole, searching for any sign of rabbit. A quick movement caught her eye, and she turned slightly, letting an arrow fly where the rabbit should end up, grinning to herself when it landed.
Walking over to claim the rabbit, she checked the arrow over, and then continued back towards the Caravan. She slowed, curious as she saw Darius reading something.
Darius noticed Jamie as she walked through his little bubble. Darius looked up, nodded at Jamie, then walked forward a bit and angling his journal so it could not be seen by looking over his shoulder.
Jamie was even more curious about what he was reading, but decided to leave it be. For now. If Darius wanted her to know, he would let her know. No point trying, she already knew where that would get her. Besides, Some things were more interesting when you had to figure them out. She pondered for a moment, but for the moment, he had her stumped in going with her normal mode of attack. So instead she walked closer, and said
"Using a book as a shield? that's interesting"Darius barely looked at Jamie, but instead just gave a rather soft sigh and took a side step away. He slightly closed the journal, so that he could only read the left page. Darius hard a hard time reading and watching his surroundings and making sure Jamie stayed out of his buisness si he shut the journal and pocketed it. Right before he closed the journal an almost purple light seemed to emit fromt the journal, not bright or large light more or less a slight change in color as purple letters and symbols filled the page. But as quickly as it appeared Darius had shut it and pocketed it.
Darius looked at Jamie, then looked forward.
Jamie gave a sighed at Darius's demeanor, while it wasn't unexpected of his nature, she couldn't say she wasn't dsiappointed. Not wanting to risk injury again, Jamie gave a shrug and said
"Well then, I'll just continue back to the caravan" The dolice tone was quite abnormal to her, and she was surprised it didn't sound rusted.
She moved around, and took a few steps back towards the caravan, but stopped and turned back around.
"Damn it, Darius!" jamie wasn't made to be subdued. So she did what she always did, and threw caution to the wind, and she moved back towards Darius, closing the distance in two strides, and she moved quickly, to kiss him hard and fast.
Darius, in the past, always reeled back or reacted poorly when Jamie kissed him. And this kiss was no less intense. Darius willed himself to stand strong and not give in. He recieved Jamies kiss, but he pulled away after a few seconds. He ran his hands through his hair slightly rougher than normal.
"Please refrain from using my name. It is a closely guarded secret."Darius felt the journal tremble in his pocket and softly patted his pocket.
"Unless you have a greivance against me now?"Jamie hadn't even been aware that she had used his name, which she knew was probably dangerous, but right then she didn't care. She stepped back, a little surprised at the anger she felt. She curled her hands, her fingers running over the still healing cuts as she did so.
"I'm always bloody careful, I've never used it, and there's no one around here!" While she wanted to yell, she kept her voice low, yet if a tone could kill, she might come very close to it.
"Have I shown any sort of grievance towards you? Have Is I shown any willingness to betray any secret?"She shook her head, furious now.
"Everytime there's even the tiniest crack in that hard shell of yours, you freak and close up. What more do I have to do? Screw you?oh no wait, already did that. Why go distant again? And don't give me that crap about being a deadly assassian, I already know all that you've said it so much" Jamie let her voice trail off, she could feel her heart racing in her anger.
Darius walked silently with Jamie as she spoke, simply listening. When Jamie finished speakingm the journal began trembling again stronger than before. Darius pulle dout his journal and flipped open to what would seem to any random person a random page. Darius ran his eyes over the writing on it, then closed it and pocketed it.
Darius kept his eyes forward, and pondered what to say. He knew nothing he could say really besides him confroming to what she wanted could make this right. And it was true, he realized he became more withdrawn again. But......he was very conflicted. His orders were simple, he had his objectives, and this wasnt one of them. And what of when this was over? Darius had a thought. Darius looked at Jamie.
"Tell me something, and please understand I am trying to be as coherent and complient as possible and I am in no way trying to be diffucult I simply have a few questions. What do you make of us after the mission? What do you see when you look at the indivisuals in our group that you have befriended? I, Karlos, Elyra, Maren, James? The others?"The question caught Jamie off guard. But she found she had a response quite quickly, and easily. Her tone softened slightly, and she looked away, speaking quietly now.
"I see people, outside my parents, my brother, who might actually give a damn if I like or die. I see people I can trust. People who...people who are actually people, and have their own...beliefs, that isn't what the citadal wants. People I can care about. I don't even know what will happen tomorrow, but...I know I won't be going back into the citadal's service, and if that makes me a rogue, then so be it. Because then at least I'll be...free"Darius shook his head.
"That isnt what I asked. Very lovely thought, but what I want to know is what do you believe will happen to those you have grown close to in our group? What will they do after the mission, or what will the mission do to them when its finished?"Jamie frowned, her mind going William, and the other mages.
"That depends, a lot on whether or not we can destroy the bombs, and the trackers the citadel has burdened us with. If that can be done...the mages will lead a different life. On the run, no doubt, but they'll still have a better life then they did at the citadel. Elyra and Maren...if its true Elyra's father has been executed, then they'd have some fall out to deal with. James would probably follow Elyra. I don't know about Gun'tar. I don't particular like him. Razor and Karlos...I don't know, who knows maybe they'll overcome their differences and become a team" She shrugged,
"The misson will do whatever it wants to us."Darius raised an eyebrow.
"And you said that would be surrounded by loved ones?Is that the epilgoue to your part of this mission? and what of me? What shall I be doing or what will become of me? What is my epilogue and please do not say its whatever I choose. I wish to sincerely know." "You don't have to be surrounded by loved ones to know they are there. After the mission...well. I might follow something Karlos said to me" She shrugged, falling silent, trying to figure out what to say.
"Well. I don't know. Because it...could go a couple of different ways. You can choose not to be changed by this mission, which is going to change us all one way or another, and continue as you always have, or be changed, and perhaps for the first time guide your own changes and be a...more well rounded person. I'd..." She trailed off, hesitating, briefly feeling like this was some sort of test, before she continued.
"I'd prefer the latter, no matter what happens in the mission, what...what becomes of whatever this is, it would be comforting to know you aren't merely a tool anymore" She spoke quite honestly.
"An honest answer, I was sure you were going to give me a wanting answer. Thank you. So my next question, now that I know what you think will happen after I would like to know why do you think we were all chosen in this group? Was it coicidence that all of us are here, people who have have grudges against specific people in the group, who have fallen in love basically already? And why do you think I havent already found a way to disable the bombs, and trackers?"Darius smiled at this shocking revelation. It was a dangerous thing to say, and while he wasnt lying, there were so many strings attached it was unbelievable. And it couldnt be done on the spot, without preperation, without consequences for everyone. But still...........at the end if they were threatened.......
They had already all discussed why they were chosen, but there hadn't be a conclusive answer. She frowned,
"I think, in one way or another, we were all chosen because we all annoyed the citadel enough to be sent away on a mission they expect us to die from.
I don't really believe in coincidences. But I doubt the citadel thought they were being nice or mean throwing people together. They just wanted us gone. That's why the put the bombs in so quickly, so we'd have no choice but to agree."She glanced over at the question about the trackers.
"Because William said its not possible to disable the trackers from far away. He said we'd need the blood samples they have at the citadel to make that possible. We talked at length about that, and his knowledge is sound. So if you've found a way, that's a big thing, and you'd still have to talk with him about it. He's testing my blood with his, so we don't blow ourselves up"Darius realized that this was nothing new, but at the same time he did not like the fact that someone had Jamies blood.
"My way is for emergencies only, so it isnt worth discussing. My third, and pretty much final question, is this. We have talked about what you believe will happen and what is happening. What of what has happened........no..no that isnt what I want to ask."Darius pondered how he was going to say his next words.
"Your strong. But it is more than that. Its your will, you have a will that could move a mountian. With proper training, more worldy experience, and time you could be the best. Someday better than me even. Someday. You have gotten so far, on your own path. Not so much different than me. But your light, and I am darkness. In a normal and magic free realm, you represent the better parts and me the opposite.""So my question is, If I cant be changed then what will you do? What will you do if when this is over and if we go our seperate ways, you are one day ordered to bring me in? To eliminate me? To rid the world of my plague? Will me wearing this shell you spoke of have been such a bad thing?"Darius's words echoed Karlos's still bouncing around her mind. The...was it a compliment? She didn't know, was quite...it threw her off balance for a moment or two. She pondered his words, and then pondered her own. And then, oddly enough, she smiled slightly.
"You do realise that merely asking that question shows even a small amount of change. No one really questions if they can or can't be changed.
But I'll answer it all the same". She drew a breath, and looked down at her hands, thoughtful, the smile fading as she contemplated her answer.
"You say I'm light. Yet the mere fact that you ask that question shows that you aren't sure what I'd do. Someone that is good, wouldn't really hesitate if they were asked to bring in, take down, someone perceived as bad. They might struggle with the idea of it, the action of it, but good's there to defeat the bad, isn't it?
I was once ordererd to bring in a young mage. I don't even know how she was out of the citadel's grasp, or how they even knew of her. But she was with some truly....truly evil people. I don't know how they got a hold of her, or what they were going to do. But I know what they did to her, and I know I wasn't fast enough, not that saving her would have be any better, if I'd given her to the citadel. Right then, I did what I thought was right. And I still do think it was right. I wouldn't say it was the good thing to do. I wanted to draw out their suffering, as they did the girls.
There's a difference between doing the right thing and following orders. Sometimes...following orders is the wrong thing. If the citadel ordered me...Well, they won't because I won't go back to them.So, then its my decision. You haven't given me a reason to take you down yet, so why would I?. Maybe I am light. But even light cast's shadows"Darius sighed at Jamies words, unsatisfied with part of her answer. But overall he mentally punished himself, knowing full well that he asked hard to answer questions rather suddenly. Darius looked back at the caravan, then back at Jmaie. They were far enough away in his mind. He leaned in to Jamie and kissed her as they walked.
"I do not.....have experience with women. You were my first. Seduction was a poor rare tactic in my trade. I do not know how we will......go from here, but for now, for this mission, I will act in accordance with......special....bond. I believe that was the right wording."Darius frowned ever so slightly.
"But you need to know, I am...who I am. I belong to the darkness, and I will end up hurting you in the end. I cannot be helped. It cannot be stopped. I have come to realize I do not wish to hurt you, but events are in motion."Jamie found herself more then pleased when Darius kissed her. She listened as he spoke, not particularly suprirsed at his words. She figured she had both baffled and frustrated him enough to know that he had limit or no experience with woman. Still, it was oddly reassuring for him to tell her.
"Sometimes being hurt lets you know it was worth it." She decided not to point out that she was old enough to know when something might hurt. Nor the fact that the fact that he was doing this, showed that he could indeed be helped. Why ruin it?
"Well, That's just what i believe" She smiled,
"Because otherwise, its just normal life, and this isn't normal"Darius shrugged and dropped his guard. He held out his hand, free for Jamie to intertwine her hand in.
"If our lives are wrong though I do not want to be right. Our lives are...well exhilirating."@wick@caits@shadow daedalus@kyrisse@blackpanther@ashevelendar@venku@king tai@gareth
