The Dark Horse-The Random Dingy Tavern II

<span style='width:100%;font-weight:bold; font-size:10px'>Out of Character</span>
<table class=ooc><tr><td>Okies... we can do a ooc "a few hours later" type comment lol</td></tr></table>


Phoenix flew behind him, keeping him within her range of vision but he was going too fast for her to quite keep up with him. Suddenly he dived and she dipped her wings and began her gliding descent. Her shadow added to that of the night, like a circling earth-vulture making it's descent towards a slowly dehydrating prey in the desert. She'd lost sight of where X-7 had quite gone and her eyes scanned over the area looking for him when she smelt the burned fuel from his powerpacks. She changed her course slightly and followed it down. Seeing X-7 with another pendragon she fluttered down with a huge smile on her face. She landed light as a feather and folded her wings carefully against her back out of the way. She'd deal with them later. She turned her swirling kalidoscope eyes to X-7 and smiled

Everything alright?

 

The manager glanced at her curiously, but simply handed X-7 a pair of keycards and hobbled back into the lobby. The valet even didn't come back out. X-7 waited for a few seconds more, but on hearing nothing he took Phoenix' hand and smiled at her. <span style='color:blue'>Everything is perfect. We have a room, and free reign of this luxurious hotel, compliments of my dear friend Santos.</span> He didn't explain about his alias to Phoenix, yet another secret he kept hidden from the two factions and their members. He grinned and led her inside the strangely deserted lobby, towards the elevator. Once there he hit the button for the top floor, which consisted of only two extremely expensive suites spanning half a floor each. <span style='color:blue'>Let the fun begin...</span> X-7 casually commented as the elevator doors slid closed with a hiss...

<span style='width:100%;font-weight:bold; font-size:10px'>Out of Character</span>
<table class=ooc><tr><td>Thar, good enough, That be our "Intermission" post, now it's up to you to do an afterwards post.</td></tr></table>

 

<span style='width:100%;font-weight:bold; font-size:10px'>Out of Character</span>
<table class=ooc><tr><td>Several hours later......</td></tr></table>


Phoenix stirred as she began to awaken after the fun-filled few hours she'd spent in X-7's company. Her kalidoscope eyes weren't quite awake yet and mostly unfocused. She sighed happily and deeply, for in the first time in weeks she felt completely relaxed and ungrouchy. Her wings had been sent away before they'd even got busy and she was now lying on her back in the king-sized bed, completely bare of any item of clothing and only covered up by a silken sheet. She felt a cool metal hand of X-7's resting on her stomach protectively and his nose touching her shoulder, his soft warm breath making her fur flutter ever so slightly. She turned her head as her kalidoscope eyes corrected into focus and she looked at him fast asleep, a small contented grin on her face. She'd allow him to wake. He'd earned his rest...

 

X-7's red eye flickered to life. X-7's computer was now back online.

<span style='color:green'>Body scan completed, no malfunctions detected in either robotic or organic functions.</span>

X-7 was roused from his slumber by a mild mental prod from his computer, and he grinned at Phoenix, drawing his mechanical hand back and using it to prop himself up. He glanced over to the pile of discarded armor and then back at Phoenix. <span style='color:blue'>Well you sure showed me who's boss...</span> He commented casually, letting himself fall gently onto his back, where he closed his eye. Ahh too bad, if he could only get used to this dangerous tempting life, but it was probably the last day he was to function, as both factions would want to question, capture, and most likely kill him. He kissed Phoenix on the cheek and got up, before putting his armor back on, each piece attaching to the skin with a hiss. He then wandered out to the large patio, which contained an outdoor hot tub and small swimming pool all just for the suite. He leaned out over the railing, watching the small dots that made up pendragons far below scurry around, thinking about how he could weasel his way out of this one...

 

Phoenix's smile widened as she watched him wake. He was certainly a most interesting male. He was nothing like Medhsnuja. Medhsnuja was a cruel, coldhearted soul that only ever showed compassion when he wanted something. But it was Nhadala that had been getting this compassion and (dare Phoenix even think it) but actual warmth too! He'd never been like that with her. She was just an object to him. If she had a tail flame, it would have been green with jealously. She didn't make a verbal reply to X-7's comment about her being boss. She just raised her eye's in a "I know" expression. She was about to slide her hands onto his body after he'd kissed her cheek when he got up and began putting on his armour.

Phoenix emitted a throaty grumble. She really didn't want to get up. But she was going to have to sooner or later. She watched X-7 put his armour back on piece by piece and walk around the bed to outside on the patio. She swung the sheet covering her bare body away and let her legs dangle over the side of the bed, looking for her items of clothing that had been hurriedly discarded hours before. She found her corset hanging percariously on a wardrobe handle. Her trousers had escaped under the bed along with her stilletto boots. Leaving the boots for now, she put the trousers on and tried to get the corset on. The zip refused to move up more than halfway. She grumbled but then realised that X-7 could help her there. She smiled again to herself for her keen mind (if you ignore Tulan that is..) and headed outside to X-7 leaning on the railings. She stoood in the doorway for a moment, just watching him. She sensed that something was bothering him. She walked behind him and idly, as if by accident, let one hand slide across his back as she moved besides him.

I seem to be having a little zip trouble. Could you be a gentleman and help me?

She said sexily as she pulled her long hair out of the way of the zip and looked at him from over her shoulder.

 

X-7 turned his head to smile softly at her and jerked the zip up with his mechanical thumb and index fingers. Then he continued his watch over the city. <span style='color:blue'>You know one day, all of this will be in ruins, by either our little gang, or by someone else much larger... The entire city will be gone in the blink of an eye... Corpses and rubble...</span> His eye zoomed in and out, focusing on a small single cloud far off, drifting lazily across the clear sky. <span style='color:blue'>You ever felt emotion my dear? True emotion, Dread, Hate, Joy, Love?</span> He set his fleshy elbows on the railing and rested his chin on his hands, before standing up straight and firing a steel spike towards the far off cloud, just to see how far he could reach... <span style='color:blue'>Maybe revenge isn't something to live for...</span> He mumbled, before turning and smiling gently again at Phoenix with a hint of deviousness...

 

She smiled and slyly pressed her slender body against him as he sorted her zip trouble before turning around, her eyes swirling in peaceful pastel colours as she looked at him

Thanks

She said smiling. Phoenix watched as he then turned his attention to the city and she moved to rest her arms on the rail of the balcony beside him. Her sharp ears picked up the sounds of fighting over the other side of the city but she didn't care and filtered the noise out to focus totally on him. She agreed with him but knew that a city or even something as big as a civilisation could be built up again. His question confused her for a moment and paused to think.

Yes I have. I've felt all the emotions in the world. Sometimes two at a time. But that's part of being half-deamon I suppose.

She said with a shrug. Phoenix turned to face him fully with her side resting against the balcony as X-7 fired the steel spike. Her eyes followed it rise up and then fall downwards towards the earth below. She hoped it'd hit some poor innocent passer-by square in the head. Serves them right if so.

There are a lot of things in this world worth living for..

She said with a grin, not sure about his devious smile...

 

X-7 nodded, yet never turned his gaze from the single cloud. He continued staring at the slow moving ball of fluff for another few moments, and then his computer side kicked in, sending him a message.

<span style='color:green'>Alert, there has been a search warrant issued. You have been branded as "The Lost" as incapable of following orders and are to be terminated on sight by any member or ally of the organization, a generous reward has also been offered for proof of termination.</span>

The message came quickly and dissappeared as soon as he finished reading it. He didn't care much, and it was only a nuisance anyway, Revol wouldn't bother even sending one of the core team after him...

X-7 turned to Phoenix, staring at her with an empty look. <span style='color:blue'>Like? Please don't tell me love and peace, or I'll have to kill you.</span> He half smiled at this, before taking a step backwards, and extending both wrist blades. He lowered his hands into a fighting stance, yet left the blades uncharged. He would play a little game with Phoenix, just to amuse himself while he waited for the manager to pound on his door, probably holding a shotgun or firearm...

 

She watched him closely, not sure what to expect from the cyborg. His completely blank face made her put on her guard again. And this woke Tulan (who'd been incredably quiet and let Phoenix get on without interruptions.. for once.).

~Ooooh... Hello, hello... What's going on 'ere then?~
Had a nice sleep Tulan?
~Muchly, muchly. I'm now prepared for the next week before sleep.. How was it.. he.. thing... it?~
Hehe.. I'm sure you don't need me to actually tell you. Especially as I sensed you were awake during some of it.
~Me? Oh really. Who do you take me for?~
Tulan. My deamon half. Who else?
~Heh, yesh. All right. Yes I was awake for some of it. And I can tell you... Ooo what's this?~

Tulan got distracted as X-7 began to speak, offering a threat. Phoenix was a little hesitant. But when he withdrew those wristblades, that's when she knew she had to do something..

Not peace. Such a dirty word! If there's peace, it'll make this place incredably boring. I'd have to resort to drastic measures to keep myself amused...

She paused there for a moment and whispered something unaudable. Then slowly, gliding across the floor from the room within, came her curved sword. It raised off the ground slightly and became upright. Phoenix then snatched it from the air and released it from it's scabbard, placing the scabbard in its usual place by her side.

I prefer lust and passion to love. Love's somewhat superficial. Revenge isn't that great either. I prefer the chaos of all the poor, innocent pendragons who live in utter ignorance of what those like you and I actually do. Chaos usually leads to a nice, bloody battle. And I happen to like fighting. Torturing those innocent naiive ones is just a good a thing to live for... So is teasing.... And playing games..

She winked before she observed her sharp sword glittering in the dim light.

This.. This is Rluxa. She's been quite a worthy weapon. Been through over one hundred battles with me. Made of ebonite and gold fleck handle with an encrusted dark sapphire jewel right here,

she said pointing at the round top on the handle, the gem glittering in an array of colours

and the curved blade is made entirely out of the strongest metal in all Ramath-lehi. Never scratches, never really blunts, never dulls...

Her voice faded away as she turned her kalidoscope eyes onto X-7 mischieviously and got in a ready stance..

 

His one eyes caught hers, and he smiled, unfortunately revealing it was all just a game...

<span style='color:blue'>Ah, good answer... And as for my weapons of choice, well my wrist blades here are less than two years old, and have been through only about 20 odd battles, but they're able to energize to shift molecules out of the way, giving each stroke a perfectly clean cut... Unless they meet up with something too dense, like your sword here... Then they react just like yours would to another of it's kind... Your blade might be a little notched by battles end...</span>

Then he was lunging forwards, energizing and swinging one blade horizontally and following up with the other vertically. He loved this type of thing, because long range take downs, while effective, got boring quickily. He would toy with Phoenix for a while, until someone interfered with the fight looking for his head, or hers...

<span style='color:blue'>But you're part right!</span>

He said as his first attack came within striking range.

<span style='color:blue'>Cause right now I'm sure lusting for you!</span>

He smiled, and watched his blade arc through the air, neon blue energy trailing from the metal in a cascade of distorted air molecules...

 

<span style='width:100%;font-weight:bold; font-size:10px'>Out of Character</span>
<table class=ooc><tr><td>Sorries for the wait :S</td></tr></table>


Phoenix smiled back at him, still with a small-child-like look on her face that's going to be as annoying as possible, just for the hell of it. She allowed him to come closer to her, she flexed her muscles as she waited and listened to him. Her tail flicked from side to side as she was physically and mentally preparing herself. Tulan saw his chance and for once, Phoenix let him have some control over her. If there was one thing Tulan was good for, it was his cunning in battle. Rluxa glistened in the dim light and as X-7 said his final words, Phoenix knew she had him wrapped exactly where she wanted him. She swung the sword and the sound of it hitting the wristblades in a blocking movement was similar to that of a musical note. She let it ring for a moment, pressing a perfect counter-force on X-7's blades as she leaned her whole body slightly closer

Oh really? Well someone's going to have to prove it.....

She whispered before suddenly leaping right over X-7 and faced his back, Rluxa ready to strike...

 

X-7 straightened up, leaving his back totally vulnerable.

<span style='color:blue'>I thought I already had...</span>

He muttered, and then leaped backwards over Phoenix' head with a whine of hydraulics. He retracted his wrist blades as he landed with a dull clang of metal on stone directly behind her, and wrapped his robotic arms around her neck, before resting his head on her shoulder.

<span style='color:blue'>But maybe I have to repeat myself...</span>

He knew it was an extremely risky move, but it got his point across loud and clear, and with a metallic sounding hiss he shoved her forwards and took a step back, his heavy robotic legs slowly lowering into a neutral position. He paused for a moment, listening to the sound of a far off engine, and then extended and energized his wrist blades again, with a childish smirk. It was her turn now, and hopefully she, or her demon, would reach into her bag of tricks and pull out something interesting...

 

Phoenix smirked to herself as he obviously seemed a little confused about her comment. She paused with Rluxa ready to strike and Tulan was begging her to strike anyway

~He's got his back to you! He's vulnerable! Take him damn you!~
Tulan, listen. He's no good to me dead. And anyway, this is much more fun...

Tulan grumbled about Phoenix not keeping her promise but she told him to wait and see. But then X-7 put his blades away and grasped her around her neck and laid his head on her shoulder. She emitted a gutteral growl of lust

I think perhaps you should do...

She growled in his ear before biting it possessively. He pushed her away which struck her offguard for a second but she rolled on the floor, somehow with the sword in the centre of her curled self before leaping to her feet to face him. Phoenix took note of how it was her move in this game. She grinned mischeviously back at him and suddenly reached within the front of her corset and withdrew a small dagger. Goodness knows where she must have hidden it. One could say that Tulan had something to do with it... She suddenly flung it towards X-7, headed straight for his hip area and then after growing her wings she flew up into the air and swung her sword for X-7 himself.. She was beginning to like this game...

 

X-7 growled playfully, and kicked her dagger in midair, his heavy metal foot pad sending the blade soaring off in a wobbly trajectory over the city, much like his spike of before. He then lunged forwards and caught her sword blade with both of his, crossing them for full strength. His counter done, he sent a hydraulic knee towards her gut in a brutal attack that would surely leave her gasping if she didn't move. But even as he did all this, he managed to maintain his breathing, and even let out a quick stream of words as he lunged.

<span style='color:blue'>Well I guess it'll depend on the winner won't it! So why has your "style" suddenly changed? I saw you tense up you know... This eye of mine sees everything!</span>

He grinned as the blades met, and then just to prove his point the red eye changed to a milky light blue, signifying he was looking at her with a weak X-Ray, obviously enough to peek under her clothes...

 

Phoenix didn't see X-7's knee aim for her gut and it took her by suprise and sent her sprawled across the floor, gasping for breath. She'd fallen into such a position that suggested their activity of earlier on in the evening: legs sprawled widely apart and leaning back on her hands with her wings opened out behind her. Her chest rose and fell heavily. Rluxa had slid across the floor on the other side on X-7. And she didn't have any other weapon handy.

Oh kjug.

~Stupid. Didn't you see that coming?~
Well you could have warned me Tulan
~I was figuring out how to get the deamon dagger back! If that falls into the wrong hands, it could be bad news for the both of us!~
Oh god. Any idea where it fell?
~Somewhere in the city. I wasn't EXACTLY watching.~
kjug kjug kjug kjug kjug kjug kjug kjug kjug kjug!
~No point with the explictives.~
Shut up Tulan! Got any bright ideas on how to get it back?!
~Phht. It's deamon built. Allow me to take control and I can get it bak~
NO!
~You'd rather we die?~
No..
~Well then... Let me out!~
NO!
~Are we going to argue all day about this?~

Something odd then happened to Phoenix's physical appearance. It seemed to glimmer and almost become mirage like, almost completely see-through. Out of her mouth a slithering jargon of what an outsider wouldn't recognise as words spilled forth. The odd appearance and vocal sounds suddenly stopped after a brief second as Phoenix herself gained self-control.

So where is it?!
~Safe. It's gone to SOB HQ~
S.O.B HQ?! But I bloody need it now!
~Sorry. You should have said.~


Phoenix was angry with Tulan but at least the dagger was safe. Her focus turned to X-7 standing over her as his eye, now an odd blue colour, scanned over her body. She felt like he was observing her outwards physical appearance, hidden under the clothes. She smiled at him

That eye certainly does. Does it like what it sees? And... it kinda looks like you won... for now..

 

X-7 stared down at her for a moment more, before his robotic eye flickered to it's normal dull red. He kept staring down at her for some reason solemnly, but soon smiled and retracted his wrist blades with a whine of metal. He answered her last question first.

<span style='color:blue'>Seems I have... But I'm not sure if I like it yet...</span>

He offered her a hand, tilting his head to the side with an odd expression on his face, halfway between suspicion and compassion.

<span style='color:blue'>So are you tuckered out my dear? Shall I leave you to your own devices?</span>

He left his hand extended, with the same expression, but seemed to lighten up a bit. He guessed as much that she had a seperate entity within her, who didn't these days?, but of course the details were completely unknown to him. He would just watch her, make sure whoever or whatever the second or possibly more minds within didn't double cross him. Of course he felt something for Phoenix, but he could just as easily kill her if she proved a threat...

 

<span style='width:100%;font-weight:bold; font-size:10px'>Out of Character</span>
<table class=ooc><tr><td>Sorry for the wait, my internet keeps going down and the school computer's haven't let me on RaL x.x </td></tr></table>


Phoenix's head cocked to one side, slightly confused. Especially when Tulan was mouthing her off still. He just made her more confused. She guessed by the look of slight suspician on his face that X-7 was a little unsure of her still. In a way, she could see why. I mean, the second in command of the SOB (after Nhadala now that is) allowing one of the "lesser" members play with her? Everyone needs a little fun right? She thought privately, ignoring Tulan who had still not shut up. Phoenix extended her hand to gently take X-7's, the cold metal sending a visable shiver down her spine.

As she got up, she flexed her crimson and black feathered wings, checking for any damage. She was lucky, not s single lost or damaged feather. She smiled at him before she made her wings disappear again and moved towards him, her arms sliding around his neck in an embrace.

What's the hurry? We have all the time in the world if we want it...

 

<span style='width:100%;font-weight:bold; font-size:10px'>Out of Character</span>
<table class=ooc><tr><td> No worries, I've kinda been lurkin roun RaL as of late... While I wait for everyone to catch up, especially everyone in Alliances. heh heh... :D </td></tr></table>



X-7 remained staring expressionlessly at her, his robotic eye zooming in and out. He kept staring coldly for a second, before he seemed to snap back to reality. He grinned and narrowed his gaze at her, grinning playfully.

<span style='color:blue'>Until time ends my dear...</span>

He commented, and placed his hands on her hips.

<span style='color:blue'>Or until we end it ourselves... heh heh heh...</span>

He said the latter slower, as if he really planned on trying to end time. He shifted and pulled away, before leaning back against the rail.

<span style='color:blue'>But you know although we've had fun... Sometime we have to disscuss business... Especially the part about me and the S.O.B...</span>

 

Phoenix grinned back at him, mischief still written all over her face. She leaned her eager body against his suggestively as he placed his cool metal hands on her hips almost possesively. She liked the sound of them ending the world and time itself. She was about to reply when he pulled gently away from her grasp of him and leaned on the barrier again. She sighed with a hint of annoyance and moved to rest her arms in a folded manner on the railings, looking curiously at him. X-7's comment about business made her both confused and annoyed. She wanted more fun. Obviously, it didn't look like she was going to get it until after this "business" was sorted.

Business? You and the Shades of Black? What about it?

 

X-7 pondered his own loyalties for a moment, before getting his thoughts in order. He turned to her, crossing his arms, and began with a serious tone in his voice.

<span style='color:blue'>I'm a traitor, pure and simple, I used both "The Lost" and the S.O.B. in order to obtain the equipment, funds, and such that I needed to get my revenge against my creators. And I realise, I don't need revenge, I can get my revenge by causing death, destruction, and havoc. And I only need to be a part of one group to do it. I need your help in getting back my full position in the S.O.B. I'm sure Medhsnuja saw me at the battle the other night... I need your help, please, I'll do anything you wish, as long as I can rejoin the group...</span>

He sighed and uncrossed his arms, but remained standing still, his organic eye staring into hers, asking, pleading for help...