When: Tria 47, 81379 Where: South coast warehouses of Ajita. Warehouses CL-98 and CL-99 specifically. Who: http://shadowlack.com/persona.php?id=542Koani Grader</a>, Vythe Vidallyn (NPC), http://shadowlack.com/persona.php?id=10Javelin Valimos</a>, & http://shadowlack.com/persona.php?id=673Mercurius</a> Notes: Private for Fused Eidolon & chocobeans84. Feel free to PM me if you feel like your own character could fit into this thread as well though. *** Rolling mist billowed off of the city streets in white curling wisps. Since Ajita was at a rather high altitude, when the sun when down in the evening, the city rapidly grew frigid. This resulted in a lot of mist seeping up from the still warm ground and chilling breezes. Because of this, most of the night time partying occurred indoors. However, this really didn't stop the avid party goers from having a good time. You could easily find a bash or simple get together on every night of the week if you knew where to look, or were connected to the right sort of pendragons. Of course, this wasn't exactly the case for the southern coast of Ajita. It lacked a little in the night time variety. The southern coast of Ajita was home to many warehouses. Oftentimes supplies that were shipped up from the main land where held here before they could be distributed amongst the floating continent's various commercial and residential areas. The area was sparsely lit. Several bright lights were placed at measured intervals, but their spacing created deep shadows. The area itself wasn't locked off to the public, but the warehouses themselves were sealed tightly against any malicious intrusions. Most were equipped with a mixture of electronic and machina based locking mechanisms to prevent theft or vandalism. Security cameras were also placed in and around the buildings, monitoring activity through a variety of viewing levels. Infrared, motion detectors, etc., they all came as part of the package. Still, the area wasn't restricted and often pendragons could be found strolling amongst the grounds on their way to or from various points. In an alleyway, a narrow five foot gap between the warehouses CL-98 and CL-99, stood two silhouetted figures. The slimmer, willowy figure was decidedly female, whereas the other, stockier figure was decidedly male. The female was hard-pressed against the side entrance door to building CL-98. Her hands behind her back. The male was holding the female captive, each of his palms pressed against the building's walls with her occupying the closed space he had created between his arms. Yet, there was nothing fierce about his stance, and the female appeared to not be any obvious distress as her soft laugh indicated every now and then. In fact, had someone walked by the alley from the street and glanced in, they probably would have assumed that these two figures were lovers. This was not too far from the truth. The two were actually in business together (though not of the prostitution kind). One the employer and the other the employee. Their stances, their soft laughter and their idle chatter about murmured nothings was all a ruse. An act. Strictly professional. They were waiting for contacts to show up, or at least one confirmed contact. They had already been waiting here for five minutes, and would wait another ten before moving on if no one showed up. A strong gust of wind rocketed down the narrow space near the ground, making the decorated ends of the female's long skirt dance and twirl about her ankles.
<blockquote>Jace was running late. It wasn't a supreme lateness, but the white-and-black pendragon knew that even a bit could delay him enough to miss the contact point. That would be enough to make the Graders suspicious of him. Or, at least, worried that their spy had fallen into bad hands. As a general rule, the dark-eyed teenager was a punctual creature. It came with the territory, after all. One couldn't be late for any event or they could miss the best tidbit of information. So it was that he was gritting his teeth as he walked, though it wasn't visible. Nor was his agitation clear in any other form. Javelin Valimos was a master of his own emotions. As he grew near to the contact point, he flicked his wrist, feeling the comfortable bracelets clink against each other. There were plenty on today, too, as he was trying a new style for his guise. Along with it came the purple color that he had used to accent his arms and legs. The rest of him was black, the dark pitch of a cold winter night. Today, he couldn't risk being noticed. No more than Koani Grader could risk being noticed when he saw her. If someone did manage to see them, though, it would not be Jace they saw, but a similarly structured young teen of black-and-purple coloration. Finally, he arrived, and he noted that he was still on time with some relief, seeing the pair. With a casual stride, he drew near, eyes flickering across the male, head bobbing briefly as he smiled wide. As if they were best buddies. <font color=darkred>"Sorry I'm late, guys, you know the traffic around here."</font> Casual, calm, like someone meeting up with their friends.
Eep! Jodie said that I can enter the thread if it's no harm to Jace. Please, tell me if I am intruding ... *** Mercurius had arrived in Ajita that night, long hair dancing elegantly in the wind. He was, by any standards, a handsome dragon. Having the same broad features some find attractive. However, he was not interested in such relations. It was the Graders that had drawn the curious dragon to the area. Especially Koani, she was the one who intrigued Mercurius by all means. She was an amazing sight, stunning to ones eyes. He had never actually had the chance to utter one word to the female, for she always appeared to be busy in social situations. The sound of fluttering wings could be heard through the air as Mercurius rushed by, unknown to the dragons in the area. It was as he had never been there. Something which was nearly almost true. He was looking for someone. Someone who was never found. She was the same as Mercurius. Moving from one area to the next. A casual thought ran over the mind of the dragon. He had never enjoyed the name Ceres, a friend, had invented for him. But as a friend he always decided that it was never good to argue. So, he was also known as Mercy. It sounded way too demon-ish; not devious. It was hard to remember friends on a night as such. It had been a long time since he had seen them. Then again, it had been a long time for many things. As he turned the corner again, he stopped. He had stumbled into Koani Grader.
Koani gently pushed Vythe away from her at the sound of approaching footsteps. He already had his weapon drawn at his side. Out, but not pointed at their company. Quick this one was. She smiled privately to herself then turned slightly, her back still pressed against the door with her hands still hidden. The figure approaching them was Javelin, although under one of his many guises. Koani had to silently applaud him on his choice of colouring. Her father apparently was quite fond of 'Jace.' She'd listened to him rave enthusiastically about him once. Unfortunately she herself had never had much time to meet with the young arden personally. Maybe that would change though. Despite Jace's young age, it seemed to her that he had astronomical potential. His reports were always clean, factual, and to the point. She had to admire someone with those abilities. Although, secretly of course. She'd never been one to lavish praise openly or stroke egos. That type of thing seemed to breed carelessness. Vythe hailed Jace with a wave of his free hand. They had seen each other on numerous occasions of course. Although, it was usually Zamfir in his company and not Koani. "Not a problem," Vythe spoke, equally as calm. "We were wondering what had been keeping you. The traffic has been pretty horrid. What with all the construction going on on the southwest end." There had been plently of keywords in his short speech, one's that Jace would be sure to pick up on. These, as well as a few other procedures were always necessary when meeting. It had become increasingly important to make sure that both parties were exactly who they said they were. Koani had just been about to say something in greeting, then swiftly bit her tongue. They weren't entirely alone it seemed. Someone, a stranger she didn't recognize, had just rounded the corner into the alley. The way he had stopped though, that sort of bothered her. Apparently he had been surprised at his findings. Koani exchanged a quick glance with Vythe. He didn't know the arden either. She waited a moment. Waiting to see if this arden would backtrack and leave them to their business. When he didn't, Vythe discreetly rose his firearm. Aiming over Jace and at the newcomer. It wasn't a threatening gesture, but just a precautionary one. Koani sighed quietly. Although roughly five other individuals knew of their current location, she hadn't really been expecting any of them to show up aside from Jace. The more the merrier though, right? Koani leaned forward a little. A soft -snikt- sound issued forth from behind her back. She had unlocked the door that she had previously been pressed against. It swung gently inward, guided open by her good arm. Once it had opened in its entirety, she stepped away from it and closer to Vythe. Koani then motioned for Jace to enter before looking pointedly at the stranger. "Ev iyo'ja kynemd, kyna." She said in Ramathian, her voice having a slight edge to it.
<blockquote>Jace smiled thinly at Vythe's wave. Procedure, of course, dictated that they were supposed to act friendly. Still, he had always liked the other guy well enough. No problems between the pair, ever, in the history of their workings with the Graders. There were some other spies who he didn't particularly like. They had stepped on his toes one too many times to really be considered companions, to him, though he regarded most of them with respect, none the less. They were on the same team, after all, it wasn't as if he was going to fight them when he had no reason. Unless they turned on the Graders, they were not his enemies. The other male pendragon's reply, coded carefully, though still sounding like light banter, was quickly translated by the skilled arden. He nodded his head and opened his mouth as if to speak in response, then snapped it closed again as he heard a noise. The male half-turned, his ears flattening so that he could see the newcomer with one eye while still watching the other two out of the corner of his eye. Not because he didn't trust them, but because he was looking for a reaction. Was another spy supposed to be here? But the pendragon he saw was someone he didn't recognize. Odd, since he was usually up to date on physical structure, if not colors, in other Pro-Grader spies. In the dangerous game he played, remembering a body was actually better than remembering other factors. His nose wrinkled a bit as he turned back toward Vythe and Koani, noticing the weapon that was now discreetly aimed at their companion. Not someone familiar, then. Shaking his head a bit, the male spy obeyed his leader's gesture, entering the building with a faint click of his tongue. The spy didn't go too far in, though, stopping near to the entrance, his own weapon now slid into his palm. If the stranger tried anything, Jace would defend Koani first, then attack back. He knew Vythe was of similar mind. And, if push came to shove, he knew that it would be better for Vythe to be alive to help Koani. He was probably stronger than Jace. As, for various spying reasons, the teenaged spy had to maintain a slim, trim physique. Not flabby, just not bulkily muscular. Hopefully it didn't come to that.
Ev iyo'ja kynemd, kyna. The words came hard into the mind of the dragon. He wondered what the chances of stumbling into a Grader as beautiful as Koani were. There were no chances, moments as such never happened. Especially not to dragons of Mercurious kind. A dream? Perhaps. They came often, unchecked, having a dangerous effect on many dragons. He turned towards her, hoping that it was for once, the real thing. It would be the one chance for him to prove that he was worthy of the Graders. One chance. He nodded, wings in action once more. "Sham E un kynemd, ni pauj." he said. The dragon moved fast, appearing before the group in a few seconds. Fluttering wings was the only sound he made, stunned, as ever. It was then he noticed the other two. "Rassaj mys ra u sjug." he muttered, moving forward. Of course, the dragon was not stupid. He had already drawn a weapon, unknown to the others. The dagger wrapped around the auburn hair of the dragon, ready to move. It was a devious weapon. The leathery winged dagger of Ekae. Of who had been the father of Mercurius. He had since entered the realms of Fronima, leaving behind two things in death. Son, and treasure. He remembered the things that he had done before. Nothing to be content about, nothing to remember. Except for now. He would always remember the night he met Koani Grader. Ev umishemd et abaj kajsuem em leva, est paush he thought, breathing slowly. A sudden movement could draw the attention of the other two, who appeared to be watching over Koani Grader. He looked into her eyes. "E naum my hujn." he said.
Koani's pink tinctured eyes followed Jace for a moment. He had his own weapon drawn just inside the building. She smiled fleetingly at him before returning her attention to the newcomer. It was definately a nice feeling to have people on your side. She gently placed the card key she had used to unlock the door into a small pocket tailored on her skirt. The stranger in the meantime had decided to take her up on her offer. Or so it seemed. Koani had flinched inwardly at his response. The words ni pauj had bothered her mildly. Vythe had let the stranger draw up without firing holes into his striking orange hide. Koani knew Vythe could be rather ruthless at times. A bit of a classic cold blooded killer if he needed to be. She only really needed to recall one particular incident. A bit of an execution style shooting. The Grader definately didn't need anymore bloodshed carried out in her family's name though. So she was silently hoping that this stranger wouldn't pull any stupid stunts. Why, just the other day someone had charged at her and they had received a bullet smartly in the shoulder. It seemed to be a never ending sea of chaos. Now this fellow? She couldn't exactly applaud him on his mannerisms. He seemed somehow a little crude, despite his seemingly fluent Ramathian and clean and handsome appearance. Remaining at Vythe's side, Koani spoke plainly. "Sjots et aujmap... ump ulshyodh fa ulty naum iyo my hujn, ty sy tgauc, ev iyo sji umishemd tsogep, iyo'll ra thys." It was as simple as that. Unless she was mistaken, this newcomer had found them by mere happenstance and not through one of her contacts. That in itself was somewhat of a bad thing. He was an unknown variable. Her mind flickered back for a moment as she recalled his first words to her. "E'p uggjakeusa es ev iyo kullap na Grader'ba, ump mys pauj, myj umi yshaj bujeums yv shus. Myf," Koani glanced briefly at an electronic time piece that she wore clipped at her waist before looking back up. They were cutting it a little too close for her liking. "Ev iyo pym's nemp, E'p leca sy suca shet emtepa." Again she motioned toward the open warehouse door. They were really cutting it close, and if someone else showed up, she might just have to give the command to scatter.
<blockquote>Jace no longer glowed in the praise of anyone, but he was glad to see that fleeting smile of Koani's. He had never had much to do with the Grader daughter until she came into power, something that made him wonder, still, about her ways. Of course there was always his problem of conflicted interests, as Stormwing was a personal friend of his. Something that he hadn't kept a secret from the Graders, though he hadn't specifically told them. They had their eyes, they knew what their spies did. And his personal life wasn't really their affari, anyway. Still, if it came down to it, he was loyal to country first. If that had been Winger out there, threatening Koani, he would have been torn. But, in the end, he would have sacrificed himself in favor of saving the Grader's life. If Winger's was threatened, on the other paw, he would probably remain where he was, though trying to plea her survival at the same time. It was the way he had been brought up, the way he was trained, the way that was most right in his mind. Or so he imagined. He'd never been in the situation, so he didn't really know for sure. He didn't like this other fellow at all, though. It wasn't a contact, it was a stranger. Someone with whom they had no association whatsoever. To bring him in was to silence discussion. And he wasn't too happy that a guy who had called their leader "my dear" was being permitted into the building. Jace narrowed his eyes and twitched his wrist, once, bracelets clinking softly against one another as he moved. <font color=#330000>"Fhus et es shus iyo fums, sham?"</font> His voice was low as he spoke, sidestepping to indicate that the other arden should be, at that very moment, obeying the Grader's order.
Mercurius was shocked. He did not mean any harm to Koani, or the Graders. It was upsetting to him. It was time for him to leave, for a dragon of his such did not belong among the high class. He would leave Ajita, and perhaps, never return. "E'n tyjji E huba yvvampap iyo." he said, head lowered to the ground. He was not a worthy subject for anyone. Grader or normal pendragon. Not even the cheering smiles of Ceres could help him now. "E fell dy myf, E huba my jautym sy ra haja." he continued, but lying was not a skill of the dragon. He had a reason for being in the area. He wanted to finally see Koani, but that dream had sailed some minutes ago. He turned away, almost hoping for death. Perhaps he could then be free of worry, of stress, and especially dreams. The cold bullet would be almost welcoming right now, as would any method. "Ump es't gylesa sajnt fhaja E kyna vjyn." he explained, refering to the words ni pauj. He glanced back slowly to the other dragon, only speaking one word to him. It was almost content, but not really. "Myshemd." He marched into the warehouse, being the curious dragon he was. Besides, he had nothing to lose. Koani already hated him.
"Kolsoja kymvleks," Koani said offhandedly. "Es huggamt tynasenat." She was willing to forgive the stranger for his trespass. If he really had been meaning to be polite, she decided that she wouldn't hold it against him. Besides, she'd corrected him and if he were the type that listened, it wouldn't happen again. Part of her was relieved as he walked past them and into the warehouse, but another part was also slightly dismayed. She'd been looking forward to a tête-à-tête talk with Javelin. Maybe that could still happen though. Vythe then entered the building, followed closely by Koani. Koani's purple and yellow marked hand spidered across the wall, flicking on the two rows of light switches that she eventually found. The effect was immediate, and the once dark area was now illuminated by long columns of florescent lighting. The warehouse door lightly shut behind them, making an audible click as it automatically locked itself. Inside the warehouse, just as one would suspect, there were rows upon rows of piled boxes and crates. Some of them nearly reaching the very top of the expansive ceiling. The area they were standing in was slightly blocked off from the rest of the warehouse. Actually, it looked like an employee break room... which it most certainly was. A medium sized counter wrapped around one end of the enclosure, housing a sink as well as a multitude of other items. Situated around a threadbare rectangular rug of an undetermined colour were two long couches, several individual seats, and a hodgepodge of low side tables. Dropping back into English, Koani addressed her guard. "Vythe, could you please call ahead? Tell them we've got our company, and a little extra?" She really didn't need to tell him though. Vythe had been doing just that as he entered the building. "Well, have a seat you two," she said, speaking to both Jace and the stranger now. She herself wouldn't be sitting though. Koani casually leaned against the back of a chair. Underneath her shirt, she was actually wearing a brace. Underneath that were two badly broken ribs that were still on the long road of healing. She'd been lucky of course. Having not suffered any fatal internal bleeding. After she had had a go at the healers, and they had eventually managed to bandage her up, she'd had a bout of hysterical (yet very painful) laughter. It was eerie. Strangely unsettling just how much she had looked like her mother just then, who had spent all her life with her mid-section swathed in bandages. Just like her mother before her, Koani had gone against the healer's advising. According to him, she should be taking it easy. That just wasn't a Grader's way. She'd bounced back quickly, more determined, and with a bit of a vengeance. So with her weight resting lightly against the chair, Koani opted to stand. Feel free to speak openly about this newcomer, Koani addressed Jace telepathically. I'd like to get this over quickly if possible, as I would like to hear what you've to say regarding other matters. Almost simultaneously, she looked at the stranger and spoke to him. "I think giving us your name would be a good place to start. Tell us a little about yourself... and your reason for being here. Nothing isn't really much of an answer in my opinion." Koani's voice was softly composed, yet despite the friendly placidity of it, it was clear that she meant business.
<blockquote>Jace yawned, showing brilliant white teeth as he did so. His jaws snapped together again with an audible "click" and he stared placidly at the stranger. Then, his wrist flicked again, eyes sharp as he stared at the intruder, as if he had just said the most stupid thing on Ramath-lehi. Which, in many ways, the spy thought that he had. Instead of acting the mature arden and being calm about what he was doing, the spy saw a melodramatic fool throwing a mental tantrum. Or, rather, hitting the other end of the spectrum and getting all depressed. Sighing, the espionage expert slipped into the building after their unwanted companion, slipping easily amid the darkness. It was his element, after all. Flicking his wrist - it was beginning to look like an anxious habit though, really, it was part guise, part reasoning - he returned his weapon to its hiding place. It was hard to tell how this happened, as his bracelets covered his wrists and there was nowhere to hide it with just a quick flick... but, no matter, there were more important things at hand than how the spy managed to hide his weapon. Sitting down on one of the couches at Koani's gesture, the purple-and-black spy remained still, his ears twitching forward routinely as he waited. They weren't going to talk serious business with this stranger around. At least he wouldn't. Even with code words, there was too much that an outsider couldn't know. What if this was an Anti-Grader spy who knew how to look like a bumbling fool? Javelin could have pulled it off so he was sure that the opposition had similar skills. <font color=#330000>"And, please, no more drama."</font> Jace commented with a lazy drawl, disguising his voice under it. And his lips curled back in a faint smile, though it wasn't welcoming. Merely present. Always playing a character, was he. At least around strangers. He couldn't have anyone recognize him, after all.
Mercurius sat down in one of the hard chairs that Koani had directed him to. He was extremely nervious, more than he had ever been before. It was the Grader, she was intense. "Mercy." he said, using the name that Ceres had dubbed him as a teenager. It bothered him for some odd reason. "I'm curious, no other reasons.", casually answering Koani. It was completely true, except that he had not mentioned that he was indeed, looking for a Grader. That was the main reason he had come to Ajita. He faced the other dragon, the dagger ready if needed. There was something about him, something devious. But Mercurius had other things on mind. He was wondering if he could see Koani Grader, alone. They would laugh at him if he even tried to explain the other reason that he decided to stay. A messanger. He wanted to do something instead of sitting around. He wanted to be something. It was then that Mercurius also noticed something. Koani Grader was not in the best of shape, or so it appeared. He could see by the way she had been walking, or even leaning against the chair. Perhaps there was something he could do to aid her. "Huba iyo abaj kymtepajap otemd nudek sy vez shan?" he asked, using thought speech so that only Koani could hear what he had said. He hoped that she would not take it as an offense.
Koani slowly tapped the fingers of her good right hand on the back of the chair she was currently half leaning against. She wasn't exactly in the best of moods at the moment, nor was she in one of her worst. Wasting time was not something that she liked to do. Vythe still had his weapon drawn and was standing idly to her left. He didn't trust the newcomer either. Then again, when one has that much experience with farces, one didn't let their guard down easily. Koani had actually been half hoping that this stranger was a joke. Someone sent into her midst just to boil her blood and unnerve her. Such a thing wasn't entirely uncommon. In fact, when he had finally supplied his name, 'Mercy,' she actually had to bite back on some harsh laughter. It wasn't that the name itself was funny. It was the connotations that it held. She had almost expected him to launch into a rehearsed tirade about her lack of compassion, pollution, poverty, or perhaps even some plea for help regarding an endangered species. She'd heard them all. When he didn't launch into some campaign speech, Koani was actually a little disappointed. What did he want? "Curiosity kills, you know," she said lowly. It wasn't exactly a threat, but it certainly had the makings of one. A pendragon didn't just agree to an invite just because they were simply curious. Did he think they would just carry on with their meeting with him as an observer? Certainly not. No one could be that dense. He just seemed to be evading her question, just as he had evaded Jace's similarly phrased question a few moments earlier. This alone was enough to raise Koani's suspicion a little higher than it already was. An Anti-Grader spy? Possible. In her experience those types had always seemed a little more cunning, a little more contained... although there certainly were some commendable actors out there. What she suspected most was that this Mercy was actually someone from the media. A reporter of sorts. Hoping to get the latest word about Zamfir's condition from her. A lot of them had been going out on limbs ever since her mother Karryasa had died. Koani of course, was tight lipped about it all. She had been about to say something else when Mercy's voice invaded her mind in fluent Ramathian. Hidden, out of sight behind the high back of the chair, Koani's left hand formed slowly into a tight fist. She couldn't be sure if Mercy was referring to the impaired muscles on her left side, or the ribs that she had been taking precautions not to jar. If he had been sent here to provoke her, he certainly was doing one hell of a job. Koani chose not to respond to his query telepathically, choosing instead to speak out loud. Her voice was still measured, pleasant even. "My well being is really no affair of yours. What treatment I, or any of my family members undergo for that matter, should also be of no personal concern to you. Perhaps you do mean well, but frankly, I can not divulge anything to an individual whose mere explained reason for being here at this very moment is curiosity. If you have something to say, speak it now and speak it plainly. Otherwise I'd like to ask you to leave. We have wasted enough time on this idle banter as it is."
<blockquote>Jace yawned again, though less hugely this time, clearly indicating boredom. It really was part of his guise and he knew that Koani would recognize that. At least, she would know that he had nothing against what she was doing with this arden. The only thing that made him so bored was the newcomer's drama. Needless to say, Javelin Valimos held no regard at all for "Mercy" here. Not that it could really be surprising. Very little impressed the spy these days and he liked fewer and fewer pendragons by the day. The only emotions and attachments that remained firm to the young spy were twofold in nature. Sometimes conflicting with one another, for they were at odds sometimes. His deep affection and regard for one Miss Stormwing and his undying devotion to the Grader lineage. And, of course, the name didn't help Mercy's case any. Javelin visibly snorted and stood up, walking over toward Vythe, standing beside the other Pro-Grader male with visible disgust on his face. It wasn't exactly the emotion he was feeling and as he turned toward the guard, his eyes twinkled with faint merriment, though he made sure he was turned so there was no way Mercy could see it. In many ways, the spy was enjoying getting to play this ruse in front of their strange companion. It meant that he could work on some of his newest disguise's demeanors. Arrogance was one of the key factors, something that would gain Kalvin (the name he had attributed to the bracelet loving black-and-purple character) few friends. As he was facing Vythe, his weapon also slid back into his palm, though it wasn't visible even as he turned around. Perhaps that was because his arms were now behind his back, his hands tucked in one another as he heard what Koani said. Instinctively, it agitated him that the other had obviously used thought speak to converse with the Grader. It meant that he wasn't being open and that was a bad, bad thing. His thin smile revealed that and this time it was threatening. <font color=#330000>"Bad move. Don't ever, ever exclude my pal and I from the conversation. Makes us feel... slighted."</font> His voice was low, quietly indicating that it wouldn't be wise to try it again. <font color=#330000>"No one ever got anywhere with us by being tightlipped, 'Mercy', so I'd suggest you start talking or start walking, mm?"</font> The spy's voice was clearly mocking on the word "Mercy", his dark eyes somehow darker as he regarded the other arden. Hoping that the stupid kid would take a hint and walk.
Mercurius had finally been angered enough, but by one Koani Grader. She was so much different than he had imagined. So, harsh and centered in her own world. It was enough for Mercurius. He was beginning to understand Ceres and her reasons. "Letsam! E'n ymli haja rakuota yv ni lyba vyj sha Djupajt, ros shus hut temka raam buwoethap. E un mys u tgi, yj abam u sulamsap uttuttem, ros najali u pjudym fhy fut lyycemd vyj tynashemd em sha fjymd gluka ... u pjaun." he started. He hoped that Koani would understand where he was coming from. It's not easy being born into nothing. He would no longer be made stupid in front of her, especially by the other dragon, the one who he already started to hate. Hand clenched around the chair, he looked into the eyes of the other male, teeth showing. "And it's Mercurius! I'm rather content where I am, thanks." he said. He needed to concentrate, so that the feelings of anger could leave. Mercurius had been born into a family of nothing, one who hated him for not being worth anything. One who would use violence to express thier anger. He did not enjoy violence for that reason, but would never back down from a challenge. The dagger was now snug in the bag he carried. "Beylamka et mabaj sha umtfaj." he mumbled.
Vythe gave a small shrug of his shoulders as he caught Javelin's twinkling eye. It might have seemed like a curt gesture, something to tell the young spy to stay in line, but in reality, it was more of a coded agreement. He himself was starting to feel that this entire situation was a little tiresome and a bit of a bother. And the audacity Mercy had had, addressing his employer via thought speech? He'd seen Koani tense up for a moment, and that usually wasn't a good sign. He knew that she'd been pushing herself to her limits nearly everyday, and both physical and mental exertions were what the healers had reprimanded her time and time again about. Although it was already late, they still had one more stop to make after this meeting. He also knew that Koani wouldn't cancel it, so he was hoping to get this particular job finished with quickly and without incident. They both really just needed to rest. Koani stood rather rigid. She had been listening. It had been this stranger, either on purpose, or mistakenly, who had been pushing her buttons. She felt that she had been dealing with things calmy, albeit yes, somewhat acidly. She hadn't lost her temper though, and she was still determined not to. To hear someone first profess their love for the Grader regime, and then denounce it in the exact same sentence? That tore her. In her opinion, and experience, love wasn't something that just died because of one foul incident. Sometimes you had to fight in order to make it work. Through disagreements, pain, distance... death. Koani pushed herself off of the chair so that she was now standing fully upright. "Perhaps this love was only infatuation. Maybe this dream, was just that, a dream. A short-lived passion made cloudy." Although Koani's voice had become slightly quieter than her usual speaking tone, her words were still clearly audible and perfectly enunciated. "I'm still not completely clear on what exactly it is that you want and I'd really don't like to converse in riddles. You've been evading. Maybe you're not yet ready to talk. Maybe you didn't look before you leapt." "Whatever the case, if you're not willing to speak plainly, then this meeting is over. I will not repeat myself again."
<blockquote>A dream? Just that comment made Jace rethink the age he had pinned on Mercy. Surely, if he was old enough to live on his own, he would know that dreams were just that. They couldn't be made into some glorious life and not everything was rainbows. Besides, could he truly expect a Grader in the highest office to talk to some creep who interrupted official business? Sure, Koani could talk to those outside of her circle, but not when they cut in on her time. Approaching a Grader who was clearly on her way to a meeting didn't seem like the right way to start out an excellent relationship with their leader. Unless he had a reason, a purpose, something to make his intrusion acceptable. He didn't, though. That was the main problem here. Jace had taken Vythe's shrug to heart. So he wasn't the only one who was about ready to poke the newcomer until he left. Though Vythe was the strong silent type, the spy had learned that speaking was often the best way to get someone out of his way. The kid - as he now, rather disgustedly referred to Mercurius in his mind - was starting to drive himself up against a wall. He wasn't making any friends with his tearful, dramatic comments and he sure as hell wasn't making any progress toward whatever his "dream" had been. What had it been, exactly, anyway? To have Koani Grader instantly fall in love with him? Obviously that hadn't happened. <font color=darkred>"If you recall, Mercurius, Mercy was the name you gave us. So don't go snapping at me because you don't like me calling you that."</font> Jace responded with a lax shrug of one shoulder, though Vythe could have seen that the palmed blade was shifting irritably between his hands. It wasn't a nervous gesture - he was purposefully communicating with the other pendragon while he talked. Not that he was trying to exclude Koani, it was just easier than thought speech and she wasn't in view of the subtle gesture. <font color=darkred>"Dreams... are sometimes not meant to be fulfilled. And those that are don't come with a bang. You have to work for them. So unless you're caring to share your great dream with us, I'll be helping you to the door."</font> His dark eyes stared, hard, at the other arden. Waiting for him to stand or talk. If he made a whiney "I want to stay where I am" comment again, Jace would silently ask Vythe to help him get the kid up. They were wasting time and this Mercy guy was just dodging at every step. He and Vythe were the bodyguards, of sorts, though the spy less so. Still. Two would be better able to pin the stranger before he had any thoughts of attacking someone. In fact, Javelin was so sure of Vythe he didn't even bother to gesture at him to help. If push came to shove, Vythe would know the basic plan.
Mercurius let out a harsh laugh. "Iyo jaulli fums sy cmyf fhy E un? E'n myshemd! E kuna vjyn u hyota yv myshemd, emsy u vuneli yv myshemd, fhaja sha ymli lyba E abaj cmyfm fut vjyn ni tetsaj! Fall, tha peap sha yshaj pui, ump sypui E vemulli vemp yos shus ni pjaunt uja ull em thunrlat, shus shai naum myshemd." he said, taking a deep breath. "Ut lymd ut E kum jananraj, E huba raam fyjtheggemd, lybemd sha Djupaj vuneli, ros myf E jaulexa shus gajhugt shus nedhs mys ra umishemd ros u kutoul pjaun. Es tuppamt na, ros nuira E thyolp vyjdas es, qots leca iyo tuep." It was hard on him, and maybe Koani was right. Maybe it was only infatuation. Whatever the reason, he was willing to find out. No longer would Mercurius evade what the future held. He would be nothing, only dust and ashes in the battle fields. He would die one day, and return to Fronima. But no longer would he be tied down by fears, or family. Or even by the Graders. He turned away from the other dragon. No longer did he have anything to say to him. It was matters between Koani and him. He looked away, eyes reflecting sadness beyond that of anyone. A tear streamed down his cheek, then fell onto the hard chair. He smiled. "You have made me overcome my fears. Shumc iyo, Koani Grader." he said in the most sincere manner. He turned away from both the dragons, and stood up.
The corners of Koani's mouth twitched into a bit of a frown. She didn't like this melodrama. This self-pitying nonsense. In a way, it reminded her of herself. Of course, she didn't go around looking for a shoulder to cry on. Koani had mettle. At least to some degree. Perhaps Mercurius had only needed to vent about himself and his sister. Though why to her? Maybe it was some sort of media induced perception. The Graders can do anything, can - fix - anything. That just wasn't the case. They weren't all powerful, even though at times they really seemed to be. They didn't raise the dead. They couldn't just wave a hand and mend a pendragon's problems. One really only needed to inspect Koani's own life to find the validity in that statement. Sure, she could help the odd individual, and she tried... but in the meanwhile, her own life was rather rocky and full of brambles. The death of Karryasa had sent a lot of things into motion, and here she was, attempting to control the outcome by the helm. Like Javelin had so rightly said: some dreams just aren't meant to be fulfilled. Some took a long time to fulfill. Koani wasn't about to prod Mercurius anymore. To do so would most likely only bring about unpleasant results. His answer to her had still seemed mildly cryptic. Although it seemed to her that he really was struggling to talk, he was still skirting around the subject. Pushing his problems at her as a bit of a distraction. "I never said to abandon your dreams," Koani said, her tone still quiet. "Maybe it's just time to do some re-evaluation. You're welcome though..." She had been a little confused by his thanks. With that, her hand found its way inside of the pocket that she had previously deposited the card key within. She withdrew two items. The first being the card key for the door. This she handed off to Vythe. The second object was a pen. It was thin, purple, and woven intricately with aqua that darkened into navy blue at its tip. Koani twirled it about in her fingers for a moment, as if deciding on something. Then she tossed the pen in a lazy arc at Mercurius. The arden had already risen and had clearly seen her take out the object. "Write," Koani told him. "There's an address inscribed on there. It's just for one of our small offices though. If you include my name in the heading, it should get to either myself or our main administration, at least eventually. Maybe you'll find expressing yourself easier to do in written form." Her gaze shifted over to Jace and Vythe. "If you two would be so kind as to escort Mercurius to the door?"
<blockquote>Javelin didn't appreciate the other arden's refusal to talk to anyone except Koani. It was, in fact, pissing him off quite a bit. Being used to restricting his emotions, the young spy had managed to remain blank, though his fingers spoke quietly to Vythe of his anger. It wasn't something he liked, being regarded as someone in the background, and he knew that the bodyguard didn't, either. At least not by some punk like the kid currently rambling on and on to the head Grader. Sure, they were used to being strong silent types, but not to some idiot like the melodramatic fool before them. As stated previously, though, Javelin Valimos looked calm. For the most part, he was, too. It was just that he didn't like Mercy. If he ever had to spend time with the other arden he would, as a matter of fact, be more likely to stab the intruder in the eye than strike up polite conversation. For that reason, he hoped he didn't have to hang out around Mercurius much longer and that they never met again. Not that the other male would recognize Jace. By that time, the spy's appearance would have changed from this to some other disguise. Sometimes he used the same one twice, but usually not too close together, unless it was a deep undercover mission. Which, thanks to Mercy's intrusion, this particular facade could never be. Wow, but the other arden was boring. One of those fanatics that just couldn't realize when he was being an emotional fool. The spy remained still, his eyes blank (though they always were, being pure black) as he waited for it to all be complete. At Koani's order, he smiled, a faint flickering of teeth before his mouth closed again. Only too happy to oblige. He telepathed to Koani. Stepping forward, the spy stared hard at Mercy, gesturing with another flick of his wrist for the intruder to go first. Vythe was on Mercy's other side, raising an eybrow suggestively. If the arden didn't start moving, this time the pair would haul him out and toss him on his face if they had to. Mercurius had made no friends with Koani's companions.
