Tables Are Turned

[»Míríel«]

How much brighter the run looked as the rays showered from the heavens down on white stone. Neron was beginning to see why Cecily liked it here. There was a mystery that filled the place, yet there was a quite beauty. It was something that had to be searched for, but once found never left the viewer. It was strange how being close to death changed your view on life. Neron was just starting to realize how much of a difference it makes. It was like looking through another person's eyes.

There was one thing that Neron didn't like about escaping death's clutches, weakness. he felt as fragile amd as helpless as a babe. Cecily even had to help him outside. Every move he made pained him. His sides were scabbed over, restricting his movement and it didn't keep the the wounds from crying out all the more. In truth they kept breaking open and cracking. Cecily had tried over and over to keep him from moving and to stay still, but that never worked. Neron could be persistent, and thought Cecily didn't admit it she enjoyed Neron's presence. When Jaedon wasn't' around, meaning Cecily had forced her out of her house to let Neron rest, Cecily and Neron would banter a bit, she would tease him and he would tease her right back. Of course it never went beyond playful banter, the two were growing to become something close to friends.

just a few minutes ago he had begged, well more like bothered, Cecily into letting him go outside. He ad grown tired of being inside of her house where the scent of herbs permeated the room. neron longed for the rogue breeze and the warm sun, so after some nagging he had made it out. Now he was paying for going against her will. He was slouched against the house in some shade. His scabs had broken open slightly and it was uncomfortable to sit. Still he had a smile on his face, a rare sight. IT seemed to make the dark circles beneath his eyes, his mussed hair, and his thin form disappear.

The smile flinched as he tried to draw a deep breath, it sent pain throughout his whole body. So the look of peace faded from his figure and what he was currently surfaced once more. He shouldn't have come out, he was to weak, and the poison still was working its way out of his system. Despite this Neron enjoyed the feeling of being a rebel, it was worth the pain. His only regret now was that he hadn't been able to talk much to Jaedon. When she had come he had been unconscious, in pain, or Cecily forbade him to talk. In truth it did take a lot out of him. Cecily probably knew that their talking would be related to emotions, and that would drain him more thank the banter he had with Cecily. His hand picked up a smooth rock from the ground and he played with it in his hand, rolling it and smoothing it thoughtfully with his fingers. Besides the movement, especially with his eyes closed, it would have seemed as though he was asleep. Instead, his mind was busy with thoughts of Jaedon. This was how he kept his mind off the pain.

[saerwen]

The sky was bright, the weather was nice and Jaedon was having a fairly nice day. This was pretty rare. She had gone for a run that morning, and now she was walking towards Cecily's little "house", if you could call it that. She had gone by a couple of times after the initial accident and tried to talk to Neron, but it had been hopeless. It killed Jaedon to see him so weak. She still had some rather raw feelings towards him, but she was had overcome them each time they threatened to rise up and hurt her.

As she walked along she watched some butterflies as they flew over the ground, stopping occasionally to happily go about their duty of pollenating the flowers. She had never really paid any attention to them before now. THeir lives were so short compared to her own, and they seemed so monotonous. Day after day, flying from bush to flower to tree to bush again, how could any creature manage to live so habitual a life? But everytime she tried to think of what she would do if she were a butterfly, she always came to this same conclusion, she would hope and fly from bush to flower to tree every day of her short life. What else was there to do? She had a longing for such a contenting work, for such a calm life. She had always thought that it would be boring, but now it held a strong appeal for her. After living such a surreal life as an assassin, how could she not long for a peaceful life?

She walked on, still watching the little creatures, a slight desire to go and play with them filling her heart. However, she remembered that she was in a skirt, which would make playing around a little bit harder, and it would delay her from her mission. The wind started to play with her hair which was pinned up loosely into a bun, little curls flying out around the top because of her layers. She had not thought about how hard it was to wear clothing before, but now that the wind started to mess with her skirt, she thought twice. She was remembering why she had disliked skirts for outside adventures now as she had to keep her hands close to her sides to keep the darned things from flying up. Her red, sleeveless blouse was tucked into the white skirt, everything pulled as tight as possible. She hated it when her clothes flowed around her unless it was a long skirt. She felt exposed.

She had been amused with a little blue butterfly that seemed to be following her. He came with her all the way to her destination. When she realized where she was and that she had finally made it, she looked around. Much to her surprise, Neron was sitting outside, looking halfway comatose, except for the fact that his hand was constantly moving, playing around with a rock. She could guess what had happened but she decided to inquire anyways,

"So how did you manage to get Cecily to let you out of the house?" she looked at him with accusing eyes and her arms across her chest. She had a slight smile on her face, glad to see that he was able to get outside now. It had been quite a while since she had been able to talk to him.

[»Míríel«]

At first Neron didn't open his eyes when Jaedon first spoke Somehow he wasn't surprised that she had popped up when he had been thinking about her. She always knew when to make an entrance. "Well, my little stalker, would you believe that I tackled her and tied her up in there?" He cracked open one eye and looked at her, and was welcomed by an accusing look from Jaedon. 'What!" He opened his hands in front of him. "Truthfully I merely asked her...and on the thousandth time she gave in. " Closing his eyes once more he leaned his head back on the house. The sun's warm rays were so delightful. "So what brings you here my little witch? Have you come for some tea, or did you come to check up on decrepit old me?"

Neron had forgotten the tension between the two from when they last spoke. Everything in the past seemed like a blur, a time before this one. Plus Neron was to "drunk" on being outside and pain. Even though Cecily had offered pain killers, Neron refused or only to enough to take the bite out of his wounds. A smirk came to his face as he continued, "I am sure i won't disappoint you..." The smirk deepened as he changed the subject. "You know, there is something rewarding in breaking the rules and having the rule maker help you break them."

Neron's hand with the rock, was now clasped around it in a ball, but his thumb was rubbing against it, enjoying the smooth, cool, sensation it reciprocated. His other arm was resting on his left knee, for his left leg was bent slightly. 'Oh, and as invigorating as it is to talk to me, don't get to excited. Any minute Cecily could come through that door" He motioned to the front door, "and call me in. Hmmm... I wonder what she would do if she saw me talking to you." He opened his eyes and his face glowed with mischief.

[saerwen]

When Neron gave a stab at trying to convince her that he had done it all by himself she rolled her eyes at him, those green pools seemed to mock him for being so foolish as to even try. She was glad that he was in better humor and health, but she was already slightly annoyed. How was it that he had that effect on her every time. As she listened to him explain how he had gotten out she almsot felt sorry for poor Cecily.

"So you bugged her to death? Is that what I am hearing? I am beginning to wonder if you really do want to get better. Maybe you like someone waiting on you hand and foot."

Why did he have to use those terms for her? Stalker and Witch...What was the general attraction to those names? She really didn't know. He just liked to tease her. She sighed inwardly then walked a little closer to Neron.

"Do you really have to call me that? I mean, is it really necessary? If you do it simply because I don't like it then fine, be a butt. It just means that I won't be quite as nice either." She completely ignored his other question.

As she listened to Neron the wind continued to play with her. She was get more than slightly annoyed. It had managed to blow a fully strand of hair out of the bun and into her face, which she brushed aside rather quickly, then it decided to start playing with her skirt. As he finished talking about Cecily coming out, Jaedon hastily grabbed at the skirt to push it down, then sat next to Neron in an attempt to prevent anything from happening. In the midst, her one little strand of hair had come from behind her ear, so she jerkily pushed it back, letting out an annoyed sigh.

"She won't do anything. If she tells me to stop then I will. If she tells you to come back inside, you'll go, willingly or not, you will go," she realized that she was being a bit of a kill joy, but his hints at Cecily, for some strange reason, made Jaedon angry. It was like she was jealous that Cecily was able to spend so much time with Neron. She wished that he would hurry up and get better so that he could get away from the Peacemaker. She had to jerk herself out of her jealousy because she was still unsure as to whether or not Neron was serious about his feelings for her. She knew what she had heard him thinking, but sometimes one could even misread the feelings and thoughts of others. Or maybe he had just been thinking that to try and get on good ground with her again. Even though neither of those possibilities made much sense, they were somehow caught in her mind.

[»Míríel«]

"Of course I bugged her to death, that's all I can do right now. Plus, she doesn't mind it, too much...after all who can resist my charm?" when she mentioned him wanted to be waited on hand and foot he shook his head. "It has its ups and downs. Though I hate having someone lording over me and telling me what I can't and can't do. I do what she says, but I get back at her in other ways, like coming out here for instance."

"Of course I have to call you that. I believe those are what most people call pet names, as demeaning as that word seems. Plus I think they suit you, don't you agree? After all they are deeply planted in fact. "

Neron became amused by the wind teasing Jaedon, it seemed that he wasn't the only one having fun with her. It didn't take him long to become slightly entranced with herthe wind had made her loose bun fall slightly apart, and the strand falling in her face made him want to brush it aside, though he dared not to. Plus this was one of the first times he had ever seen Jaedon in a skirt. It added another essence to her form, something gentler and smooth, almost feminine. Considering how she acted with it, pulling it close and getting irritated, he could tell she wasn't used to the look either. Just when he was about to run his eyes over her figure she sat down next to him and started talking.

A little sigh of mock exasperation came from Neron as she started telling him what to do. "Really Jaedon." He closed his eyes again before continuing, " Why is it when one is sick everyone thinks they can push you around and order you around like a child? Though I am glad that you are concerned for me." He opened one eye and smirked at her. "So I guess i should return the favor. Why on earth are you in such a foul mood?"

[saerwen]

"Plenty of people could withstand your so called charm. I don't think it is quite as powerful as you believe it to be," she was speaking as though only half of her mind was there. What she would never admit to Neron was that he did have a rather twisted sort of charm. It was the kind that made you sick inside, but you had no choice but to admit you liked it and continue the sickness. As she listened to him talk she knew that she was being a little bit harsh with him, and she couldn't figure out why she was being that way. She had been perfectly happy a few moments when she had been walking there. For some reason, she always became snappy when around Neron. She smiled to herself as she thought about that fact that if they ever did fall in love, then they would constantly be tearing each other's heads off. Maybe it was better if Neron didn't love her. She had thought about it a lot, and she had decided that she would force herself to be happy either way. It would hurt, but she would make herself keep walking.

Jaedon was sitting with her one leg crossed over the other and her chin was resting in her hand and her elbow was resting on her knee. She stared off into the distance as she very stonily said, "They are only deeply planted because you planted them there, you little lizard."

"Why? Because they can. You resisting would be like a kitten trying to scratch it's way out. I wouldn't be scared to put a few more bruises on you if you tried it," she gave him a sideways glance. She wanted to see his reaction.

"Oh please, don't feel like it is an obligation to ask about me. I wouldn't wish to impose," she sounded slightly offended, but she was just playing with him. "If you really want to know, I wasn't in a foul mood until I started talking to you, but then again, that is hardly anything new. Why do you always provoke me to such moods? Do you enjoy seeing me foul and angry?"

[»Míríel«]

"Hmmm, well I believe you are mistaken, after all I have you following me around now. That must prove something." Neron was enjoying this banter. To him it was all light-hearted fun. He hoped that Jaedon was feeling the same. It never could tell if she was or not, sometimes she was snappy just to be snappy, other times, she was being snappy in a playful manner. Women. He couldn't say he didn't like it though, she was a mystery but in a strange way they understood each other. In fact it was the first time someone had understood him to a depth like Jaedon.

"Oh I did? Forgive me I believe I have forgotten planting that seed. Though I guess I will take credit for it. I am rather fond of those names and I would hate to be called a copier or unoriginal." He smirked. "I do think though I will have to plant them a bit deeper and make sure I use them often, can't let them die out now can it?"

When she mentioned how weak he was he winced slightly. It was true that he was weak, but he would never let it show, well he would try his best not to. Looking like the living dead was kind of hard to hide right now. "I would like to see you try." He twisted to look at her to reinforce his words, weak as they were. Instead he only managed to solidify her statement. The very twisting of his torso caused pain to wreath through him. He let out a little groaning sigh of pain but cut it off half way. So he returned to his other position, back straight, head against the wall, eyes closed. His eyes were closed tighter than before as the pain flooded over his wall of defense. For a moment he wanted nothing else but to lay down and rest. Oh the blessed darkness of sleep, where his mind could be at peace, or even better dream. Dreams were a rarity for him, though recently they had been frequenting his mind. Perhaps it was the change of heart he seemed to have, or more than likely it had something to due with the potions Cecily had been giving him. Any way it was, right now he wanted to be back there and let all this pain slide away. Don't be a fool Neron, you are outside, you have gotten as you wished. If you call Cecily it will merely bring pain and shame to you. No doubt she will not be gentle with you, physically or emotionally. Enjoy where you are, for moving to the bed would only bring more pain before the rest. More pain, was that even possible? In all his life Neron had never had anything to this level. This pain dulled the senses, and left you more weak than a baby. He had even had trouble sitting up, thus his position against the wall.

Neron's appearance had changed slightly, becoming a couple shades lighter, being stiff as a board, and about as still as one too. It seemed like time had paused, but only for him. "Actually I doubt a couple more bruises would do anything to me. After all, once the boat is sinking what would a couple more cups of water matter?" He had meant to keep this in him mind, but he had said them quietly through clenched teeth. Because of Jaedon's proximity, she would have heard it. Neron realized that he had said it out loud and sighed once more, not caring about the added pain of expanding his chest. His hands fell to his sides and cradled them slightly. What lay beneath that black shirt was a swaddling of bandages, which added a strange girth to him. What were beneath the bandages was a ghastly sight. His whole chest was royal purple, almost a black, deep gashes tore through that and through his thick scar. They weren't the usual red but were black and from those scratches a deep black vein markings crawled from it. Slowly they were fading, very slowly. The poison was getting out of his system, which was coming along nicely; but even after the poison left him, he would bear the marks of it for a good while.

Trying to lighten the mood and let his pain slide by he continued the conversation. "Really now, So I bring along a foul mood. Hmm a good talent I must say, it makes the evening all the more interesting. Plus it lets me see the person beneath the mask. You, my little witch, maybe able to read others minds, but I, I merely make them show it by giving them a prod here, a poke there, until they can no longer stand to keep the monster within free. Now for mainly you. Let's see, do I like seeing you foul and angry." He turned his head slightly toward her and looked at her through one open eye. "I never like to see anything foul, usually looks quite nasty, especially foul food. But angry on the other hand." He paused for a moment as his lips turned into his signature smirk. "Angry I must admit I do. You are like a wild flame when anger captures your heart, and it is breathtaking to see. Not that you can't always capture attention, you can do that by merely walking into a room. Anyone, even me can see clearly that you are beautiful. I wouldn't be a man if I couldn't." He closed his eye and leaned his head back against the obliging wall. It was more fun to imagine her expression as she talked than seeing it sometimes, though Neron was dying to see her reaction to his words.

[saerwen]

"It doesn't prove much because I never follow you on purpose. It always seemed to just happen. I don't know how we always managed to find each other," Jaedon realized only after she said it that she had gone from present tense to past tense. Did that mean that she was purposely following him around now? Well of course she was! She was the one that had purposed to come and see him. It had been her mission a few moments ago. Perhaps there had been a part of her that had wished that Neron was asleep so that she wouldn't have to admit how hopelessly desperate she was to know that he was well. She became frustrated with herself for being so dependent and sat back up, her posture becoming instantly erect from years of stand against walls and having to have the perfect balance of thin ground. Sometimes she got tired of sitting so straight, but no one ever saw it.

When he asked if he could let the names die out, she simply shook her head, and another strand fell out of her bun. Shoving that one behind the opposite ear, she replied, "Not if you tend to stick around me." She was slightly hinting towards the thing that had been in second place on her mind. The first was how he was doing, and the second was a desire for clarity on his feelings for her.

She turned her head to look at him after he said his defiant little phrase. Watching the pain shoot through him Jaedon yet again rolled her eyes at him. She had known that he would never admit to it, but it was obviously clear that she could have made him do anything that pertained to getting back inside.

“You stubborn idiot,” she shook her head and then looked away, “Just can’t give up that little string of rebellion for anything, can you?” She stared off for a moment longer before quickly turning back to him, “You know, that is something I never understood. Why do guys have to act like there is nothing wrong? You always ignore or try to push past the most serious things in life? Why do guys always have to act tough, even at a cost?” It’s so stupid. I know I am hardly one to be preaching about pride, but isn’t there a kind of pride in being able to say that you aren’t always going to be right? Take Damion for example. He is never full of himself, yet he always strikes you as a respectable character that is refined and dignified. Why do most other men in the world have to act like they know everything, they can withstand anything, or can deal with everything? It’s degrading to those around them and it ticks people off.” She had forgotten to add the part of People like me in there, but then she thought it better since he might use that as an explanation.

Jaedon scoffed at the first declaration that he made, tossing her head in the other direction, “It’s more like punching and slapping than poking and prodding.” She was looking at a tree that had grown in a rather sideways manner after getting past the roots. It looks like the perfect place to sit and read a book or something like that. It provided nice shade and a comfortable resting place. The feline side of her had an urge to go and climb it. It was as she thought this that Neron went down a road that she had been aching to hear, but he didn’t make it all of the way. She turned and stared at him with a more than steely gaze. She had to keep quiet for a moment to prevent an outburst that was blown out of proportions.

Very quietly, but loud enough for him to here, she said, “Thanks,” then turned away from him. She was hiding a deep red blush and it aggravated her. She suddenly stood up and took a few steps away from Neron. She had just given this long speech about pride, and here she was being the hypocrite. She needed to just come out with it. She made up her mind and turned back to face Neron, walking back to where she was right in front of him.

“That does it Neron, I can’t take it anymore,” her voice was harsh, but it wasn’t with anger, “I feel like I am on a chain that you are jerking around as you please, and I am a little bit sick of it. You have given me more than enough reason to believe that you-“ she paused as she tried to choke out the words, “that you love me. But at the same time, you flatly denied it. I am tired of trying to read in between the lines. Just put to rest everything that has been plaguing me and tell me straight out. Do you love me, or do you not?”

[»Míríel«]

"Ah, so you subconsciously stalk me. I see now." A smug smile was on his lips. This was way to much fun, trying to dodge talking about himself by finding a loophole to turn it back on her. He had no doubt that they just ran into each other through some game of fate's. It was strange though, how he merely had to think about her or wish she was close and she would appear. Could the two of them somehow know each others desires and respond without a word? This was something he would ponder later when he was a bit stronger.

He raised an eyebrow at her saying if he wanted to stick around her. "Oh please, I intend to stick around you like tar. I can't let you wander around in peace now could I? What a boring life that would be for you." The hint she had been striving for had passed right by him, poor soul. Sometimes Neron could miss the slightest hints, but I guess that is something that comes with being a male.

"Give up rebellion?! Never! That is something that makes my charm. There is something that is so intoxicating with rebellion, even the word makes your heart beat faster. It is one of those things that one admires, but never can gain the guts to do. It's a limb off of a cliff hidden by fog and no one knows where the end will take you. Many are scared of falling off the edge, or of what they may find at the other side." He let out a noise that could be translated as a chuckle. "Quite frankly I don't care what is at the end. It's life, everything in the future is in shadow so why does taking a risk scare us so much?" When Jaedon started talking about men and their pride Neron's visage returned to the stoic image it usually held. "Jaedon." He turned his green eyes on her, there were some flickers of amusement within. "Would you trust or rely on a guy who whined and didn't take things without flinching? Despite what you may think, guys are there to protect and provide. You of all people should understand this, how could you, the prideful, powerful girl you are, even try and respect someone who isn't tough and can laugh in the face of death? Though you can care for yourself and don't need any help in the providing area, you want a companion deep down. We all do. Men also choose to push past he serious things in life or ignore them because in life, everything you do is serious, everything reflects on something else and to guys they are all the same, well almost. As for Damion..." Neron turned away and closed his eyes. His eyes closed because he needed to think, he was tired, and he didn't want her seeing the look of jealous admiration in his eyes. The pause lengthened and it almost dragged out to a signal saying he was done on the thought when he continued. "Damion is lucky enough to have those capabilities. Quite frankly I believe it is because of his personality, but even more so because of his security in who and what he is. He doesn't care what others think he just cares about how they are. Other men." He left it up to her to decide what party he lumped himself in. "don't know who or what they are and are insecure about their being. Plus they are worried about impressing others, especially the ladies. If they show a flaw it is translated as a weakness, who would want to be around a severely flawed person?" He cracked an eye open at her. "Which is probably why we don't have as many friends as the others." Then he continued on the same serious note. "The only reason it ticks people off is because they can usually see through to the person within, and see the flaws but what they fail to see is the person behind the acting, the person struggling to find himself." He was quite for a moment more. "Then there are the people who have gotten stuck in this rivet and think of themselves as nothing but perfect individuals and the world is to bow to them. Personally I like to take them down a notch or two by a burst of flame or a good bite...that ends their reign pretty quick." A slightly evil and satisfied look came to his face. Sometimes one could forget Neron's past and how many he had killed. Sure he was a creature of mischief, but he wasn't as quick to kill others now, and without reinforcing the deeds of your past it becomes nothing but what it is, the past.

The thanks from Jaedon was expected and Neron couldn't resist peeking to see what she was doing. She was turned away from him, something that signified her trying to hide something, a blush more than likely. This brought a smile to his face as he relaxed. What he wasn't expecting is what she had said suddenly, out of the blue. It took him a moment to stop his whirling mind and focus his thoughts. He was glad he was sitting down, for if he was standing he probably would have cocked his head to the side and gotten a confused look, then done something humiliating, like tripping over his own feet. Letting out a sigh, then a wince, he paused for a moment more before opening his eyes to look at her. His eyes were questioning, and wide, allowing the emerald depths to show the slight confusion beneath. Didn't she see, didn't she understand? "Have you not seen it in my actions?" It was true, though he was usually a thorn in her side, he had shown his caring nature to her through different actions. Stopping her from poisoning herself, sending her letters, trying to lift her from depression, and protecting her from Ares many times, didn't she see that he had almost died for her? Were his words at Cecily's house when he had first been taken there not strike home. "Jaedon..." His voice was deep and soft, like velvet, and in a tone she had never heard him use. To tell the truth, Neron probably had never used it before on anyone else in a long, long time. "Jaedon..." Again he repeated her name smoothly. This is not how he wanted to tell her this, not sick, and on the ground. No if he was going to tell her he was going to tell her standing up, looking her straight in the eyes. Then she would know, then she would understand.

Pushing himself off the ground he clenched his teeth together and every muscle in his face tightened. Pain. Everything was pain. The sun, the clouds, the dirt, the breeze, nothing broke through except for his love. It burned within him like a great fire. His fingers grasped the wall and were white knuckled with strain. Who knew how useful a place of ruin could be for getting oneself up again? There were so many crevices and finger holds throughout the wall. Neron's body quivered with exertion and his face broke out in a sweat. He had to continue had to make it up. Come on you big lizard, you walked out here, you can stand up on your own two feet. Up you go you lazy worthless lump. The scabs on his sides protested and screamed as the cracks that had appeared with him coming out re-opened. He could feel his body letting blood seep through as the scabs gave up their attempt of holding it back. Cecily's bandages, they would hide it. They would hide it from Jaedon. His mind was half crazed with pain, the other half with love.

NEron was now standing, though hunched, clinging onto the wall for dear life. His breath was ragged and deep as he tried to gather himself. Shaking his head and staring at the ground with slightly crazed eyes he tried to clear the darkness that was threatening. "How many times." He gasped. How many times must I show you before it strikes home?" Though his voice was laced with pain it was still held the soft quality. He straightened up slightly and taking a deep breath he took a step towards her. His whole body shook in protest of his standing. It was to early, to soon, he was to weak. He took a step, then another, than another. Reaching out he grasped her shoulders, thankful she wasn't that far away. "Jaedon." His grip tightened on her shoulders unconsciously in reaction to his pain. His green eyes shone through his now sweat soaked hair and he stared at her with an expression of desperation. Nothing was hiding in those eyes, he couldn't disguise anything in his present condition. There was love, pain, truth, confusion. "I love you." Every word was spoken as if it weighed a thousand pounds. His eyes searched her face to see if it sank in. "I love you Jaedon. I never remember denying it, only showing it. I may have-" He blinked. Her beautiful face, so soft and her hair so dark and thick, it was starting to turn before his eyes. Sweat beaded more on his face. "I may have never said it." His voice grew softer, every word was hard to push out. "But I tried...tried to show it." Darkness was closing in. He broke the gaze by bowing his head, trying to hang on, trying to get the words he wanted to say out. Last time darkness had over taken him, but not this time. This time he could conquer darkness. "I'm such a fool. I never had the courage to tell." His grip tightened on her shoulders even more as he tried to stay upright and tried to fight off the darkness. "I didn't even know until...Ares." The world went black, his grip loosened, his eyes closed, and he tilted to the side as his body started to free fall. The bandages around his sides were full of blood and it was started to seep through his black shirt.

[saerwen]

"Well, no. Not if he was a complete wimp. But does giving up arrogance mean the death of masculinity? What happened to the days when guys were gentlemen?" She sighed and looked at him with a smirk on her face, "Not that i would ever demand something like that from you, because you are completely incapable of it." She then thought of something. He hadn't placed himself in any of his self-made categories. "So what category do you place yourself in?"

"Have you not seen it in my actions?" What actions was he talking about? Well yes, he had changed and he had been paying a lot more attention to her and making sure that she was safe, but she really hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary. Granted that probably had something to do with the way that she had been thinking at the time. Neron always seemed so indifferent to everyone, so how was she supposed to tell what he was feeling or if he was doing something for her? But then she realized a flaw in her logic. Neron was indifferent to everyone-everyone except for her. As he repeated her name she blushed a slight shade of pink. Had all that really been-been for her?

When Neron started to push himself off the ground Jaedon couldn't believe it. She had been hurt before and she knew how hard it was to stand up each time with something like that weighing heavily over you. She had the urge to help him, but something in her said that Neron would have pushed her away. Yes, he wanted to do this on his own. Her heart tore into pieces as he did though, knowing that it was because of her inability to see what he was doing, saying, and feeling was all coming from his heart and all for her. "How many times must I show you before it strikes home?" Jaedon felt her eyes brimming with tears. She had been so stupid.

His grip on her shoulders was so tight. It wasn't painful because he was so weak, but she knew that he was expressing a great deal of pain with even his weak grasp on her shoulders. She put her our arms around him as a support, knowing that he wouldn't listen to any advice from her about sitting down until he had gotten out what he wanted to say. That stubbornness conversation seemed more and more applicable by the moment and Jaedon was wishing that it wasn't. Neron was over-exerting and it was going to cost him a lot, but it meant so much more to her to know that he was in this much pain simply so that he could tell her he loved her to her face. She listened with a happy heart, unable to contain the smile that spread across her face. She had prepared herself for the worst and been rewarded with the best.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as Neron began to berate himself for never saying that he loved her. She wished that he would stop, "Neron, it's alright. Just be quiet. Your trying too hard." she was crying while smiling. Tears of joy were a strange thing. When he began to fall Jaedon grabbed his shoulders, and used the arm that she had around his back to support him. She knew that she couldn't keep him up, so she gently laid him back against the wall, kneeling beside him. She just now noticed that blood was coming from his side. You idiot! You stubborn, foolish, wonderful, lovely idiot! Jaedon though to herself as she slowly pulled his shirt up. She was glad that he had gone out now so that she could actually do something. She saw that the blood had come through the bandages that Cecily had placed on him. Yet again she berated herself for causing such a thing and him for doing such a thing. The blood was steadily flowing and Jaedon knew that if she didn't do something it would just keep coming. This was when she wished that she could heal like Miriel could. She sighed as she tore his shirt straight up the middle, pulling it off him and wadding it up. She placed it against his side and began to slowly apply pressure. "Stupid lizard," she muttered under her breath.

[»Míríel«]

Neron smirked at her. "When men were gentlemen they used their pent up anger and blood lust on enemies by riding out for war. Then they could come back docile and in control. Sadly, now such a thing is becoming lost." When she asked what category he placed himself in he didn't answer, but cast her a look of mischief and leaned back against the wall.

Jaedon's words of comfort washed over him like a cold wave, but they were so distant, so very distant. Darkness had already claimed him. This darkness was it's own animal. Every creature knows darkness, the night sky, yet even there is light and the stars let off a cold glimmer. Then there is the darkness of sleep, but this is a comforting, deep feeling and it doesn't last long until dreams swarm around you like fireflies. Then there is the darkness of unconsciousness It could be described as being forced into deep water and remaining suspended in those depths. Everything in the real world filtered to your senses slowly, if at all, and when it did it was distorted and vague. It was what Neron believed death would be like, dull, numb, senseless.

Neron was starting to come to, or his senses became aware that he was unconscious. In this world there was no pain. It was so relaxing, so satisfying to just be still and feel nothing. He wanted to linger, wanted to stay there forever, but something drew his attention, a pinprick of light. Where had that come from? He had to follow it, see what was causing it. Was it a star? He wandered closer and it grew. No, no it was something else, something deeper. The strange thing was that the closer he got the more senses were given to him. A dull ache from his sides started hammering him, there was something on his side, but he couldn't move to get it off, he wanted to get it off, it hurt him. His footsteps paused and he turned back toward the darkness. Perhaps if he went back it would go away, yes the darkness beckoned him.

"Stupid lizard."

The voice, there was something familiar about it and it caused something within him to stir. He was close enough to the light that the words came through clear, but not close enough to see its source. Stupid lizard...who calls me that? He couldn't resist the light now. His chest hurt and ached for something, someone, but it was an ache that was pleasing and warm. His body seemed to come alive as his vision went to white.

A gasp came from his form, he had broken the surface of unconsciousness. Colors filtered into his eyes and slowly he started recognizing things, the sky, the wall, the girl. Who was she? His mind was in complete confusion. "Where, what, How-" His questions were disrupted by pain that broke through his senses, the girl was pressing against his side. How it hurt! He let out a groan. Then he remembered, he remembered everything until the blackness. Looking down at where she was pressing the stain of red on his sides let him know why he had collapsed. "Where...is my shirt?" He laid his head back in anguish. A silly question at a time like this to others. To Neron though it was of great importance. His shirt was a mask, a cover. It hid what lay beneath, the memories, the past, the deeds he did which showed themselves by the scar on his side and his shoulder.

Pain was in his senses now and more than anything else he wanted to go back to the darkness, back to the place of no pain, or feeling. Neron knew he couldn't though, he was afraid of what he would find if he lingered there to long, or to often. "Jaedon." His voice was hoarse sounding. "Don't call Cecily, stay here." He groaned again. Who knew standing up could do such a thing as this. Perhaps Cecily had been right, he should have stayed inside. Turning his head he fixed his gaze on Jaedon. "Just stay here..."

-

Cecily had been inside the depths of her house brewing up some fresh tonic when at the same time brewing some "tea" up as well. The tonic was for Neron, to help him feel better while numbing the pain. She thought she had better give him this before she moved him inside to check on his wounds. It would make the move much easier on him. The poison on the other hand was merely something she was playing around with. Both of these things required immense concentration, especially when doing them at the same time. So she let herself get absorbed in her work, after all what trouble could Neron get into? He was as weak as a babe and could barely move by himself. Not that she wouldn't put it past him, that dragon could be so stubborn he could push himself to death. That is why she relented in letting him go outside in the first place, for if she didn't consent and help him, she had a suspicion he would do it himself and break open all his wounds.

With a sigh she put the finishing touched to both vials and stood back. Looking outside she noted the sun's position. It was time to move that nuisance back inside, after all his bandages needed changing. Really the changing of bandaged was more for support for his fractured and broken ribs, and she merely changed it to allow his wounds time to breathe and to check up on their progress. So with a the tonic in hand she flounced out towards the doorway. She never could have imagined what she saw.

Neron was on the ground being cradled by his lady-love, and his bandages were red. "What happened?!" Her voice was full of concern as she rushed to his side. Fixing Jaedon with a fiery glare she almost hissed. "What did you do?!" She shook her head. "Nay, you probably did nothing, it was probably his own stupid fault." Then leaving the subject she studied at the damage done. "Blast you Neron. What did you do?!" All of her accusations had been flipped on Neron, but then they were forgotten and she looked at Jaedon with a twisted grin. "Prepare yourself for quite an interesting sight."

"No!" Neron protested, but it was to late.

Cecily grabbed some sharp scissors from her silver bag, which she kept with her always, and sliced through the bandages. The scissors was usually used for cutting herbs and other plants, so it was a useful tool. Never did Cecily think they would ever have the taste of blood on its blade. Pushing Jaedon's helping hand aside slightly she removed the wet bandages to reveal what was beneath. His skin wasn't even a human color, but a calico pattern consisting of black, purple, yellow/green, and red. Cecily merely sighed at the sight and turned to Neron with her amber eyes flaming with worry. The poison had thinned Neron's blood, making it flow easier in his system and spreading the poison itself. Even though the poison was mostly gone, Neron's body was still trying to catch up. Last time something like this had happened it had taken fire to stop the bleeding. Cecily brought the tonic to Neron's lips. She hoped it would strengthen him enough to heal it himself. She didn't have a fire yet and it would take to long to create a blaze enough to stop the bleeding herself. Her voice was soft, but still hard."Here. Only you can fix what you have done. Drink this. I am now glad I didn't improve the taste." Tilting the tonic to his she poured it down his throat and waited with a smug smile.
-

Neron felt the liquid flow down his throat, at first he didn't recognize anything, then it seemed to light his insides on fire. It blazed its way down his throat as a bitter flavor came to his lips. His face twisted is disgust. "What blasted -"

-
Well now that you have come back to life you need to focus fire on the wounds. Now! I'm not going to help you dragon. You must do this on yourself and fix your own problem this time." Getting up she focused her eyes on Jaedon once more. "Bring him in here once he fixes himself will you please?" Turning she stalked to her doorway and at the last moment turned viewed with a cocked eyebrow. "Keep the scissors. I don't want them anymore. They have been tainted by blood and are of no use to me now. You can use them to prod him in here if needed. A bit more of his blood won't hurt them anymore than it already has." With a smile as the only sign of her jesting manner she vanished inside.
-

[saerwen]

The blood that poured from Neron's wound seemed unstoppable. It had begun to soak through his shirt and Jaedon could almost feel the warm liquid on her hands. She needed a way to stop this for good, but none was available to her. She was about to call for Cecily when Neron, who had managed to pull himself out of unconsciousness, began speaking. "Don't call Cecily, stay here...Just stay here." Jaedon thought better of it for a moment, knowing that she didn't have the tools that she needed to stop the bleeding, but she also knew that if she did, he would just stress himself more. It would only make things worse.

Jaedon was now marveling at how, for years she had learned to kill other people and drain their life, but never had she thought about what would happen if she were to get hurt herself. What would she do if there were no one to help her and it was too serious to recover from? She had been hurt enough times to learn how to cope with pain, but because she had been such a lithe creature and a pristine fighter, she had never gotten hurt so badly that she would have not been able to heal very well. It was foolish, she well knew, but it was the truth.

Cecily seemed to be caring and sweet, for once in her life as she rushed over to Neron, but the words that she spoke were anything but. They stung Jaedon like hornets, each one making Jaedon feel even more ridiculous for not catching Neron's slight signs and making him go through all that trouble just to satisfy her curiosity. She was so dense sometimes, but she didn't really know how to cure it. Maybe when she learned to trust people more, she would be able to lose that unfortunate trait.

"He stood up," Jaedon muttered under her breath adding, Because I was practically asking for it.

Jaedon was expecting the bruising to be bad, but she was not really expecting to see what was there. She was used to bruises taking on a black, purple, green, blue, and even brown on some occasions, but she usually saw them change over time. Never had she seen just about every single color staining the skin so wholly. It was frightening to think about what had caused that. She could just imagine what Ares' sharp claws had felt like, piercing through Neron's skin. What she could not imagine was the poison. She had never been poisoned before. Even now, she could see the damage that she had done. It truly was a cruel and effective way to kill.

Jaedon could see the worry in Cecily's eyes. She already guessed what Cecily was thinking. Someone or something was going to have to cauterize that wound or else it would never stop bleeding. The problem with that philosophy was that neither Jaedon nor Cecily had the ability to use or manipulate fire. Neron was obviously too weak to do it himself. As she watched Cecily pour the liquid that Jaedon didn't want to imagine the taste of down Neron's throat, she hoped that it would make Neron strong enough to use his powers.

After receiving her instructions from Cecily, Jaedon nodded and looked back to Neron for a moment. She hoped that he would be able to pull himself together. She couldn't help him. It was an awful feeling and she was not ever going to learn to like it. She would just have to learn how to help Neron in situations like these. Who knows, it might come in handy to help her one day. Yes, I am definitely going to the library tomorrow. She looked down at the scissors and raised an eyebrow. It struck Jaedon how individually strange Cecily was every time they met, but now more so than ever.

"She is such the charmer," Jaedon muttered under her breath. Neron would have been the only one to hear, "Sometimes it amazes me that one person can be so enigmatic and still maintain a firm hold on reality. She must be on the verge of insanity and every once in a while she has to catch herself from falling off the edge," then Jaedon smirked to herself, "but then again, I haven't much room to talk in terms of sanity."

[»Míríel«]

The drink that Cecily had given him made his insides light on fire. He felt alive again, yet the dose she had given him wasn't enough to make him blind to his hurt. Neron knew he could summon his powers now, though it would be harder than usual, he could do it. Cecily sure had an odd way of getting back at you for something. She could balance when you needed help and when you were only on the edge of needing her. If you had made her mad or gotten on her nerves she would leave you on the edge letting you decide which way to fall, and not letting you know if she would catch you if you went the wrong way. Thus Neron was left with nothing to do but listen, something he despised but was learning to obey.

His eyes closed and he relaxed fulled, head on ground, arms limp, breathing deep. It was almost as if he was asleep. The deep breaths hurts, but it wasn't as sharp as before. What had Cecily given him? A moment passed and he seemed at peace, but then it was over and his brows knit together in concentration and his breathing stopped. At first there was no effect, but then, very slowly fingers of flame crept through the cracks that had reopened. The fire was a deep red, and wasn't hot, but then it grew brighter and snapped a brighter orange then a yellow. It seemed to be enjoying its feast on flesh. The cauterization was over soon and the fire tried to reach out onto the cloth nearby, Neron's shirt. "Enough.." Neron let out in a gasp as he began breathing again. The fire let out one angry crack before fading. He panted for a moment, his brow moist with more sweat.

It took Jaedon's voice to get him out of his world of exhaustion and her comment brought a tired smile to his face. "You have no idea. I'm with her all day." He made a face.

-
Cecily, though it may have seemed that she deserted the two, was actually preparing the inside for Neron. New bandages needed to be gathered, a salve stirred, and a place cleared. She knew exactly what Neron was going to do, he would follow her command, they almost always did. The ones who didn't, well, they didn't live to tell the tale.

Her cat-like eyes searched around for a scissors, she would need one for the bandages. Then she remembered that it had been soiled, by blood. Blood, such a nasty sticky thing. Its touch tainted one and left one feeling dirty all over. Now it had claimed her favorite scissors. It had been a bright and shining pair, one she had kept from Eventide and close to her being. She shook her head and murmured a sigh of sadness. Her poor scissors... She shook her head. A knife would work... yes that would do. Picking one up she placed it by the table she had re cleared for Neron. A look of satisfaction came to her eyes. They would be coming in soon, yes, they would. Cecily glanced down at her hands. All the thinking of blood had made her hands dirty, and looking at them she saw some of Neron's on her hand. Puckering her lips in distaste she scurried over to the a basin of water and rinsed her hands out. When she pulled them the water had a tinge of red to it. "Cursed..." She paused and her eyes flicked toward the door as her mind changed rapidly to another subject. Where were they?
-

Neron sighed. "She's probably waiting for us...I just want to lay here though, in the sun." He cracked an eye at her. "You aren't going to make me get up are you?" There was a playful note to his voice. He was mimicking the voice of a child begging his mother to let him sleep only a little bit longer.

[saerwen]

Jaedon watched as his flames did their work. She hated fire, it was true. Well, perhaps it wasn't fire that she hated so much, but rather the feeling that it brought. She preferred a cold night with a nice breeze to a scorching summer day. It was one thing to be too hot, and another to be too cold. However, the worst feeling it the world was burning. It was so excruciating and it was unavoidable. She realized that she had fallen in love with a man that had fire magic, but that didn't bother her because he wouldn't use it to burn her, intentionally at least. It was the wild and untamed fire that made her distaste grow.

She hadn't really noticed that she had left Neron's shirt so close to his side, but it soon became apparent to her when she looked from hsi side to the flames to the shirt. It was catching on fire. Thankfully it was so drenched in blood that it was making it a little bit harder. She quickly swiped it away, not even bothering to look if the fire was out. She just wanted it away from her and away from Neron. Her eyes had gotten slightly large when the flames had leaped to the shirt, only now that it was out of range did they return to their normal size.

She returned her eyes to Neron. First his face, which was covered in a tired and pained expression. His recovery was going so slowly, and the immobility was killing him. Jaedon knew that simply by the fact that he had wanted to come outside so badly. Neron was so stubborn that he would never had acquiesced to getting help from anyone if he had been able to stop them. Then her eyes traveled to the bruising again. It was hard to look at, and anyone with a weak stomach probably would have lost their lunch. But the one thing that drew Jaedon's attention more than any other was the long scar that creased Neron's side. It was even paler than the rest of his skin, which was rather hard to imagine. She had scars herself, but none were as deep as that. It was such a frightening sight at first, because you couldn't think that such a man as Neron would have had such a thing. It was easier for her to imagine because she knew his past, but for those who didn't, it would have come as a shock.

She had to pry her eyes away from it in order to look at Neron as he spoke of going inside. Her first instinct was to immediately say "NO WAY!" but then she thought better of it. Why not? At least for a few more minutes. The warm sunlight could do him no harm, and might even help him a little bit. She would take him inside to Cecily in a few minutes. Her eyes, which had been rather hard at first softened. It was a night and day difference that Neron would never have seen before, in fact, no one. It was like she had lost her tough, fighting personality to a sweeter, gentler girl that was waiting with open arms to hold you and comfort you in any way that you wished.

"I suppose that I can give you a few more minutes, so long as you promise me that you won't argue when I really do have to take you in," for the first time in her life, Jaedon spoke without sarcasm, without apathy, and without anger. She was smiling and her voice was very soothing, almost like a song.

She was about to reach up and smooth his hair, which was quiet matted with sweat, and messy, but she noticed that she had blood on her hands. His blood. She hated how her natural instincts delighted in the smell of blood, the taste of blood, and even more so, in flesh, but that was her nature. She first thought was to lick it clean, but then she thought better of it. She quickly wiped it on her white skirt, staining it with his blood. She used her other hand to smooth his hair back though, simply because she wasn't sure if she had gotten all of it off. She then looked up at him with another smile, still just as soft as the first.

[»Míríel«]

Jaeson's eyes...they had softened, they were honest and pure. It was a look he had never seen on her face before. So his eyes widened in surprise but also in admiration. This look of her had softened her face, it didn't have any marks or worry or regret of the past. His own face, though he didn't realize it, had softened as well as he studied hers. There was a burning sensation in his heart when he saw her like this, he had never felt this way about anyone. It was so different than the past feelings, so pure.

He ached to take her up in his arms, gather her and hold her tight. She smoothed back his hair with gentle fingers. He was seeing a different side of her. She held a musical voice, one that would probably soar in the realm of singing, and a smile that could melt even his hard of hearts. Reaching up with his arm he caught her hand and held it in his. His eyes searched hers with a loving look in them. It was just his luck to finally be able to tell her of his feelings and for him to be unable to do anything about it. Blasted luck... or lack of it.

Even though he had this love and he felt somewhat secure in it he had his doubts. HE had seen her looking at his scar. It was a memory of who he was, what he was, and it would never be erased. Now, no doubt, more scars would join that one, the ones from his best friend, Ares. Deep down Neron was scared of what the future would hold. Could he and Jaedon really start sharing their love together, or would it erupt into a fiery ball. Then there was a question about his changing. Would he relapse into his old ways? He always had, could he prevent it from happening again? He wasn't sure, but he hoped with Jaedon by his side he would be able to keep going forward. Hopefully.

"Thank you." He said this while looking her straight in the eyes. Then they closed and he tilted his head to the side. Neron looked tired, wasted, but he was peaceful. It was a strange mix, even in the pain he was in, he held onto Jaedon's hand with a calm firmness that he hadn't had in a very long time. He was going to enjoy this moment as long as possible, he of all people, knew how quickly that moment could pass.

-
Cecily sighed as she moved around inside. They hadn't come in yet. She poked her head outside for a moment to check on them and caught sight of the two sharing a moment together. A pang of jealousy hit her and he popped her head in before she could be seen. She stood, pressing her back against the wall, with her hand on her collarbone, eyes closed. She would leave them alone, for now. Yes, that's what she would do. Then when Neron was brought in she would shoo Jaedon away. She nodded in satisfaction

A gleam came to her eye, what she had in store for Neron was something Jaedon probably wouldn't want to see. Neron wanted to get better faster. She would have to help his body out in getting rid of the poison. Separating herself from the wall she made herself to the fire. Grabbing a poker she prodded the logs with it before shoving it deep within and leaving it there. This would help Neron, but it would hurt, like the dickens. His body would thank him, perhaps.
-

Miriel wandered on the path towards Cecily's favorite haunt. Neron would be there still, no doubt, considering the damage he had taken in. By now Miriel had recovered a good deal that she could heal him, a bit. At least give his body a boost. The poison, she would have nothing to do with, there was nothing she could do with that.

Miriel also longed for something to divert her attention from her thoughts. Damion, what should she do with Damion? The question circled around her head and she needed someone else to chase it away. Now the very thought of him brought pain to her soul, where had the pleasant radiating warmth gone? It used to be that if she merely thought of him a blush would rise on her face, but now, she felt only confusion. "Oh Damion..." She mourned in her thoughts. What was happening to the world about them? Ares was dead, Neron hurt, Damion mad, and she was confused. She shook her head and let her feet direct her in the correct direction.