Jun 12 20:12:30 107 PA - Bad Omens
From Chronicles
Ash heads over towards Flare and Xanders rooms with Isabeau, "I know you tried to heal Ahriman, but Flare isn't a magic user, she's a psychic... so I thought... couldn't hurt if you tried to help her? I made no promises to her, since you couldn't heal Ahriman of this but since she's not a magic user meditating at a ley line doesn't help her any. She's done a lot for us since I told her about it, even got Tirzah on our side and Tirzah wants to meet us too, to hear the story from us." He pauses, looks at Isabeau carefully, studying her expression, "You don't mind, do you?"
Walking with Ash, Isabeau has a hand of his captured, and she gives it a light squeeze. "Ahriman's was an injury not of a natural cause, so perhaps that is what kept it from working," she muses, her tone holding a thoughtful cast to it. "It causes no harm for me to try, at least. And I do not mind, Ash... not at all," she says softly, her blue eyes showing a sparkle to them. "I'll do what I can to help... it's one of the things I like doing," she adds, a smile lighting her features.
Ash nods to Isabeau, "That's what I thought." He smiles at her and squeezes her gently with his arm around her shoulders then reaches out with the other arm to knock on Flare and Xander's door. "Well, I think she was hurt by the same thing that hurt Ahriman... but it's a different thing, being as she's psychic."
Flare comes back to the apartment, she evidently had gone back out. The biggest change is she seems to be in a good mood, humming a bit as she comes in with a bag over her shoulder, like she was just out working out or something.
Isabeau raises an eyebrow slightly as she looks up at Ash, and she gives a small nod. "Well, I'm not sure what I'll be able to do, but if I can help, I will," she says softly, a smile touching at the corners of her lips. While Ash knocks, her attention wanders down the hallway, and she tilts her head slightly to one side, not sure of who's approaching, though she does nudge Ash with her hip a little.
Ash looks over at the nudge and then follows Isabeau's gaze towards Flare, just as he was about to knock too. Instead he smiles and waves towards the woman, pleased to see her in such good spirits as compared to earlier, "Hey Flare." He moves away from the door to give Flare access to it and then makes introductions, "Flare, this is Isabeau, Isabeau, this is Flare." He gestures from one to another with the names... as if to allay any confusion though there is little chance of that.
Flare dips her head and the flaming haired elf runs a hand through those scarlet locks, "A pleasure." she says softly, "Were you both looking to come in?" she asks with a soft smile. She seems a bit calm, relaxed.
Looking to Ash when he offers a greeting to the approaching elf, a smile tugs at the corners of her lips. She gives his hand a light squeeze, keeping her own paired to it, fingers entwined. "A pleasure to meet you," she says softly, dipping her chin respectfully. She looks to Ash, a little uncertainly, then brings her attention back to Flare. "We were, if you don't mind visitors for a little while?"
Ash nods in agreement with what Isabeau has said, "Figured, if you wanted, maybe Isabeau could try to heal what damage was done, like we spoke about earlier. There's a chance that she can't... of course, but she's willing to try." He smiles at Flare, "So here we are, unless you'd rather try over in our rooms?"
Flare shrugs, "Wherever is fine, if you want to come in, I am willing to let you try, if it helps it helps, if not, something else can be tried." she seems a bit more laid back than she was earlier talking to Ash.
Isabeau tilts her head slightly to one side, considering the option, and then she gives a small nod. "Well, we might as well come in, since you don't mind. I'll try what I can," she offers, a smile touching at the corners of her lips. She gives Ash's hand another light squeeze, turning to look at him.
"Sounds fair. Assuming Xander doesn't mind." Ash says with a smile returning Isabeau's hand squeeze and then gestures towards the door since they've already moved back from it so Flare can get at it easily. "Let's hope it works, if not, well, we try something else." He smiles and then hmmms, "I'm glad you're feeling better though Flare."
Flare looks at them and then opens the door, "Feeling fine, nothing wrong, Xander won't mind." she says and then looks at Ash, "I was worrying over little. It will work out one way or another."
Isabeau raises an eyebrow slightly as she looks between Ash and Flare, feeling as though she's missing a piece or two to the puzzle, so to speak. Yet she follows after Ash in stepping into the apartment, staying close at his side. "Things often have a way of working out," she says softly, a smile touching at the corners of her lips.
Ash looks around as he steps in with Isabeau and then shuts the door behind them assuming Flare isn't waiting to do so herself. "Nice. Ours is like, bare..." He notes with a chuckle apparently not commenting on the earlier things. He looks towards Isabeau and asks, "Is there anywhere special to do this?" Then looks at Flare, "Or would you like to take a shower first or something?"
Flare gestures around the apartment, "Welcome." she says as she moves over and sets her bag down. She steps to the center of the room and turns on the jacuzzi tub getting it started up. "No, I don't think there is anything special." she says softly, "Xander designed it for me, thinking it would help make me comfortable."
Isabeau chuckles softly, and she lightly nudges her hip to his. "Almost bare. There's a few things in it," she comments, her eyes showing a sparkle to them. She softly shakes her head, to the question intended for her. "There's nowhere special I need for it, no," she says softly, her tone holding a thoughtful cast to it. "Wherever Flare is most comfortable," she comments, a smile touching her lips.
Ash nods and then gestures, giving Isabeau's hand a squeeze before he steps to the side, "Well, I'll just get out of your way." He smiles softly and moves to find a place to settle down comfortably, even if it's just leaning against the wall.
Flare nods and then gestures, "Please sit, I am as comfortable as I can get as I think you both my be offended if I stripped down." she says, "Should really go out for a drink or something later to relax a bit." She does settle into a seat. She gestures towards the fireplace and the wood within crackles to life, a small fire started.
Isabeau glances towards the fireplace when the fire is started so easily. She frees her feet of her boots, then steps towards a seat next to Flare to settle into it, tucking a foot beneath her. "What is it that happened, if you don't mind my asking?" she inquires, raising an eyebrow slightly. Her attention holds on Flare, for the time being.
Flare seems not to be bothered by the fireplace at all and smiles a bit. She looks at Isabeau, "I kept something for Tirzah and found myself unable to meditate, weak a little, I don't get my strength back after I have used it, so have to use my abilities carefully. Then have started having dreams."
Isabeau raises an eyebrow slightly, and she gives a small nod. "Well, I'm not sure if I'll be able to help at all... but, I'm willing to give it a try. The last time I tried to fix an injury caused by an item, it didn't work out so well," she comments, her tone holding a thoughtful cast. "You use the item that she gave you, and it prevents you from regaining your strength? And if you stop using it, are you able to regain your strength?" she asks, curiosity to her words.
Flare shakes her head, "I merely held something, I didn't use it and I haven't had it sense. She got it back but the problem remains." she says softly, "As I said, there are other avenues that can be explored but being at full strength would be most useful if it works."
Isabeau gives a small nod, a hint of colour rising to her cheeks. "Aye, being at full strength would be best," she says softly, her tone thoughtful. "I will do what I can -- if I could just hold your hand for a moment?" she asks, tilting her head a little to one side.
Flare cocks her head to the side a little and nods, "You can hold anything of mine that you wish." she says as she offers her hand to Isabeau, obviously flirting heavily.
Ash smiles softly as he watches, not even apparently minding the flirting since he doesn't say anything. For the moment Ash just remains quiet and watches the goings on without really getting involved one way or the other. After all he really can't offer forth any information for one or the other this time around.
The redheaded woman blushes at the flirting, her chin ducking as she looks to Flare through her lashes. A smile touches at the corners of her lips, and she reaches out a hand to softly take the closest one of Flare's. "I hope it works," Isabeau says softly, giving a small nod. There's a moment of concentration as she uses her psionic healing on Flare, giving what she's capable of a shot.
Flare shivers a bit as she feels the energy come into her and give her strength, but little else. This is something different, that, that kind of healing won't fix, it isn't that kind of wound. She shakes her head, "Not sure that really did anything."
Isabeau keeps Flare's hand for a moment, but then she withdraws her hand to bring it to rest with her other one there on her lap. "I suspected that it would do nothing much to what was wrong. I am sorry, Flare," she says softly, ducking her chin a little. She wishes that she could have helped.
Flare leans forward quickly, to brush her lips against Isabeau's forehead if allowed, "I thank you for trying and worry not, some answer would be found and someone did help, ease some of the stress and pressure, a nice sort, they might be able to help you relax too get your mind off the troubles."
Isabeau doesn't try to stop the kiss from being placed to her forehead, and a smile lightens her features when it does. "There is always an answer to every problem, even if it takes a bit of looking," she says softly, her tone thoughtful. "I have heard of another who is skilled in healing. Perhaps she would be able to help you? Oh? Who was it that was able to help you relax?" she asks, curiosity to her voice.
Ash tilts his head to the side as he listens, "Whom would that be?" Ash asks of Flare at her comment before he sits forwards a little bit, reaching over with one hand to lightly take hold of one of Isabeau's. His tone is curious as well though the kissing of forehead doesn't seem to bother him overly much by all appearances.
Flare smiles a little, "Just a new friend. She is rather shy and doesn't like her name to be brandied about until she has met people but I could introduce you if you are interested in the possibility, and we could go meet her."
Ash tilts his head to the side, "Let me guess, she meets in a warehouse?" He gives Isabeau's hand a squeeze, "I'm sorry that Isabeau wasn't able to help much, but... I think I've got it covered in helping her to relax Flare." He smiles a little wryly.
"I wouldn't mind meeting her, if you don't think she would mind it. I can understand completely about being shy. Meeting new people isn't a bad thing," Isabeau says, her eyes showing a shine to them. She smiles up at Ash, and gives his hand a gentle squeeze in return. "A warehouse?" she asks, curious by the notion. "Ash helps, a lot," she says, a smile lighting her features.
Flare looks over at Ash, "Warehouse?" she asks looking completely confused. "Could meet here probably though that would take some arrangements." she shakes her head a bit and then nods to Isabeau, "I will talk to her and see, sure she would like to meet you."
"I'll think about it." Ash says simply, "Not that keen on meeting new people right now with all that's going on. I don't think it's a good idea for Isabeau to be out and about either, not when there is so much arrayed against her." He moves to rise to his feet and draw Isabeau up as well. "Let alone the whole lack of giving a name... I don't find 'shy' to really work for that." Yes, the city rat's paranoia seems to be cropping up in full bloom.
Isabeau raises an eyebrow slightly as she looks up at Ash, studying him for a moment, and she gives a small nod as she considers the logic that he's offered. "Perhaps when things with the situation with Ahriman have settled," she says softly, her tone holding a thoughtful cast to it. Lifting a hand, she brushes a bit of her hair from her face, to tuck it away behind one of her ears.
Flare frowns and then nods, "As you wish, some people value privacy, after all you wouldn't want me giving out Isabeau's name and where she is would you?" she shakes her head, "But no worries things are fine, thank you again for the attempt," she stands and bows to them.
Ash shrugs, "We'd just move again, but I'm not keen on going to someone else for something that is completely unnecessary. I don't -need- to be feeling calm and good right now. I -need- to have my edge, just in case something does happen. I -need- to be able to react instantly and not thinking everything is good." He says simply, no venom in his tone. "What I don't need, is some woman who I don't know the name of, promissing me good feelings when I don't even know her name. Call me paranoid if you want, but it sounds to me like she's building a cult. Especially knowing what I do know. In all honesty... well, it doesn't matter." He then moves towards the door, drawing Isabeau with him.
"I was glad to be able to try. I only have the one healing spell to try, and there are others who have more, from what I have heard. One of those is a woman who is accompanied by a polar bear -- I have heard her to be a healer. Perhaps she can help you more than what I could," Isabeau says softly, her tone thoughtful. She rises to her feet, keeping Ash's hand in hers, and she gives a squeeze. "We all have our own needs. And to some, it is a great thing to have the weight of stress lifted from their shoulders," she says softly, her attention holding to Ash. "It's possible Ahriman already knows where I am. That we come and go from the building would be something I'm sure he could find out. 'Tis safer than the Dregs, either way," she muses, her tone holding a thoughtful cast.
Flare nods, "Yes, it is safer here, and relax Ash, yes you need to keep an edge, but don't let it make you too hard, it is not paranoid, it is over cautious." she shakes her head, "But don't let me keep you, I think I will get in the jacuzzi tub." she moves towards the tub that is in the center of the room and turns on the jets. She does start to undo her corset.
Ash continues over towards the door, "No such thing as to hard. You give an inch, and people run all over you. Learned that the hard way." Ash says simply, "I'm sorry Isabeau wasn't able to heal you Flare, perhaps the woman with the bear can." He looks over his shoulder at Flare briefly, shaking his head as she starts to undress and then moves towards the door so that he and Isabeau can leave, "Come on. If he knows where we are, then we need to pack and be ready to move. NTI is taking far to long to get me my order. Can't face a mage yet."
"Enjoy your bath, Flare," Isabeau offers, giving a small nod towards the woman she's just met. Her attention turns then to Ash, and she frowns a little, following him towards the door. "We pretty much are still packed and ready to move at a moment's notice. I would know if he was within a certain range, Ash," she says softly, moving with him.
Flare looks at them for a moment, "Tirzah did still want to talk to you and might be able to help." she says and with one hand holding the corset on she moves over to open the door, "Be well both of you."
Ash nods, "And I am thankful for that. Hopefully she'll be able to help Leonard shut Ahriman down." He smiles towards Flare, "And..." He pauses, "Bear... wasn't the woman with the bear at the Alibi that night?" He then shrugs and moves to head out of the room, saying to Isabeau, "I know you can, but it's still better to be ready... and maybe we should move."
Heading out of Flare's room and over towards their own, "I think Flare's run into the slug thing." He says to Isabeau softly, "Which is a problem... it got hold of Erica too, but Bridget managed to shake off it's affects or something. It looks like a woman, and everyone is friendly until it gets it's claws into you. It bit Bridget pretty good on the arm. Those it affects can't remember it's some sort of nasty slug monster. I don't know what it is, and neither does Nemain."
Walking with Ash, she keeps his hand in hers, giving it a soft squeeze. "I haven't heard of a slug thing, but... it sounds strange," she says softly, frowning a little and her brow furrowing slightly. "What does it do, this slug thing?" Isabeau asks, looking up at him. "How many people has it attacked?"
Ash shrugs, "I don't know. Bridget and Erica at least, now Flare too it looks like." He sighs a little, "Bridget told me it was like, a woman, who had a bunch of people around it that were like servants. When she got closed it looked like some giant slug and it bit her arm... I'm not sure what else it did, just that Bridget felt like it was the friendliest thing in the world even when it was chewing on her."
Isabeau frowns a little more to what she hears, and then she gives a small and thoughtful sort of nod. "I've never heard of anything like it before," she muses softly. She gives a mild and involuntary shiver, then lightly squeezes his hand. "The people who are with it may not necessarily be there willingly. Or at least, they may be swayed by the slug thing somehow," she comments.
"Oh I'm pretty sure they are swayed by the thing, it's got some sort of psychic or magic power. Bridget told me it was like... really wierd. She had no control." Ash says with a little shrug as he makes his way with her over towards their room. "I just know I can't do anything about it. Bridget could fight it off, and she knows more than me. I don't know anyone who knows much about monster slugs." He sighs then looks at her, "Right now, my priority is you."
"I don't think I'd like anything like that," she says quietly, frowning a little. She walks with him, her hip occassionally nudging his, though it's haphazard when it happens since she's distracted with thoughts of the slug thing. "There has to be a way to beat it, to make it release all the people that it's captured. But... you're right. The situation with Ahriman is of greater importance, all things considered," she says softly, giving a small nod.
Ash nods and smiles softly over at her, "Can probably just kill it... the problem is how do you kill it without hurting the people under it's thrall." He shrugs a little, "Right now, I'm more concerned with killing tall, dark, and spooky." He smiles and then leads into their room. Once inside he reaches to wrap his arms around her, "Besides... you don't need anyone else to relax, I'm right here..."
Isabeau tilts her head slightly to one side, and she looks up at him before giving a small nod. "Aye, that would be a bit of a trick, with the slug thing," she muses, frowning a little. "We've enough to concern ourselves with, at the moment, though. And true, you help me to relax well enough, and I'm thankful for that," she says softly.
Ash runs his hands up and down her back before he leans down to give her a soft kiss. "It'll be alright. We'll work through it. If something happens to me though... you run like hell, and you get off this planet. Get somewhere he can't reach you." He reaches up with one hand to cup her face gently, "I mean it."
Isabeau blinks a little as she looks up at him, and she frowns a little. "I... Ash," she says softly, her brow furrowing a bit as she studies him. She realizes, though, that there's no hope of arguing the matter, and so she gives a little nod. "If something happens, aye... I'll find Vargus or someone else capable of it, and I'll get to somewhere else," she says quietly. She doesn't want to think much about that possibility.
"Good." Ash says with a small smile, "I'll be ok, knowing that you're going to be ok no matter what. That matters a lot to me." He leans down and gives her another small kiss before he hugs her gently to him. "And, no matter what, no going towards 'shy' unnamed people who can promise to make you feel better."
