Blasted Luck

[»Míríel«]

There was something soothing in the murky air surrounding these woods. Some might call it stifling, others frightening, but to Neron, these wood always allowed him to be comfortable. The darkness spoke to him, called him, and soothed him. IT seemed to lull him and open his mind, in a strange way. The black dragon inside was pacified by this place, and lay in wait, longing to stretch it's wings once more and rule again. This was a possibility that was always threatening, but never indulged. Let the blasted thing have some enjoyment, otherwise he would escape somehow.

Things were finally going well for Neron. Jaedon seemed to be on the way of recovery. Her mind was finally starting to heal, and her internal wounds were as well. Neron knew how hard it was the heal from a violent past, an abusive past, whose memory only haunted. It took time, yet that time was never wasted, only rewarded. The darkness inside of him seemed to be shrinking. There was something refreshing about helping another through troubles. To be able to guide the blind and the weary to the place of rest and light. It seemed to be helping him heal even faster than before. Yes, he was on the mend. Finally.

Neron seemed to fit in this place, his dark frame stood among the trees like a young sapling, strong, tall, and silent. His lungs expanded as he let the musty fragrance of the wood run through him. He felt at home, at peace, at last. His luck was changing, he could feel it.

[saerwen]

Musty, dank, earthy. Three adjectives, all fitting. For some reason they offered no comfort to the wolf prowling in the forest below the towering tips of the trees. All of the usual peace that this place brought him seemed to have vanished this night. The only thing that he could do in regards to his favorite place was to criticize it and find flaw in every single place he looked. It was suffocating to Aeryn and he hated it. He could find rest no where this night. The moon was just a small crescent, showing that the night after would be the night of the new moon. He hated the new moon. It was always the time when the darker side of his nature came alive, the cultish, brutish side of him. Sure the darkness was his friend, and sure he loved how utterly black things were on the night of the new moon, but not only were his surroundings black on such a night, so was his heart. He knew that his unsettled feelings were springing from this natural occurrence, but something else seemed to be telling him that a cruel wind was blowing through the air. Things were only going to get worse from here. There was some foul luck running through the air, but he hoped that he would be able to avoid it and pass this night uneventfully.

He stretched his wings a little, giving them a break. They had been pent up by his side for a good bit of time and he was quite ready to stretch them out. The pitch black feathers brushed slightly against some of the bushes and stray grass that lay on the forest floor. However, it wasn't long before he came to a place where he had to draw his wings back in. Sighing in discomfort he realized that this trip through the forest was best made in his human form, as much as he might dislike it. Holding his breath for a short moment, he forced himself to draw back into his human skin. His hair turned the same color as his fur and his blue eyes still shone like the stars in the sky, but now instead of fur, pale skin. He hated how pale his complexion was, it always made him stand out in a crowd. However, he couldn't be out in the sun for long periods of time. It hurt his eyes. His black pants blended in well, but the white shirt that was slightly untucked came in great contrast with the rest of the woods. He tucked his shirt back in and straightened his collar slightly before walking on.

This form was so unnatural, and yet appealing at the same time. It was even more so in regards to women. He could understand why the women in his old clan had been reluctant to change their forms. They surely were beautiful. That was one reason that Aeryn had trouble with women. He found himself mesmerized by their appearance. It took everything within him to ensure that his thoughts stayed in check. Perhaps it would be best if he just found himself one woman to be enamored with and left it at that. At least he would have something to think about when those temptations did arise. Perhaps he would just think about that little fox he had met the other night. She seemed pretty quick to flirt.

He shook his head to clear it and looked up from his study of the ground. Only when he looked up did he realize that he was already to far gone into the presence of another man to get away without a hello. He stopped in his tracks and looked at the man. He seemed to fit in with this place well. Every piece of him was dark, even his features. He had a rather satisfied look on his face. Before Aeryn even checked what he was doing, he began to lightly scan the mans mind. He made sure to keep his infiltration a secret. The man was satisfied indeed. Apparently, his past luck hadn't been so good, but it was now starting to look up. "Nice enough for you, chap. Wish the same could be said about me." Aeryn thought to himself. The darkness began to encroach upon him again. He was starting to get annoyed with how mystic his thoughts had become.

"Excuse me for intruding. I was unaware anyone else was around such a place as this," Aeryn said in a calm and cool manner, his voice deep, but not as deep as it was in his normal form. His blue eyes were fixed on the other man, gazing at him with a strange intensity. Perhaps he could experiment with this mans mind. That might provide some good relief for his own anxious mind.

[»Míríel«]

Neron let his green eyes slide toward the newcomer. This man seemed as dark as himself, though he seemed to prefer the black and white combination where Neron was just pure black. There was something in his eyes that was different, strange and unnatural. Neron pushed this off, despite his inner senses going off. No one would be wandering these woods at such a time, and night with no moon, no normal human that is.

When the man spoke Neron kept studying him for a moment. Though there was a slight annoyance for his peace being disrupted, Neron couldn't shake the pleasant mood. Jaedon was starting to change him in a way he never imagined. Becoming an agent of genocide, and murder, that he could see, a gentleman, that was something he never saw coming. Though he may find the thought somewhat flattering, he knew he was still a far way off and probably in an unreachable goal to him. He could never be like Damion, that was sure, nor did he want to be.

"Don't worry. Usually these trees are deserted, so your thinking would usually be correct, besides tonight. I thought I would just enjoy the air here... the is something..." Neron let his mind wander for a moment as his voice dropped, "Pleasing about this place." He let his eyes go back to the man. "I actually was thinking of moving on soon. Staying in one place... is still distasteful to me." Then letting his eyes drift up and down as he studied the man further his eyes narrowed slightly but not in a displeasing manner. 'What brings you here, at this time? Just a journey to enjoy the night air?"

[saerwen]

Aeryn found that it was strange to see someone who was obviously so dark be so completely bright. Even his thoughts were possessed by thoughts of joy. He was thinking about a girl. Aeryn sighed inwardly. That was a topic he just couldn't escape. At least this chap had done the right thing and found only one. She seemed to hold his attention very well, and that meant that he would not be having any problems like the kind that Aeryn had. Perhaps it was because he was an introvert, or perhaps it was because he just couldn't stand overwhelming noise, but he knew that it was partially his own fault that women were disinclined to come near him.

"So you are one on those who can't sit still for more than a few seconds. You must have a very tiring life." Aeryn smirked, shoving one of his hands into his pocket. He began to skim over the mans mind a little deeper, trying to pry into some of the deeper thoughts, but there were strong walls preventing him from going much further without making his presence known. In fact, he might have felt Aeryn's power at work already. "I was hoping for it to be pleasant, but it has yet to satisfy me. I am Aeryn by the way." He tried to act casually to throw off attention from his use of power. Hopefully this guy was a dope when it came to magic and then everything would work out fine.

[»Míríel«]

Neron raised an eyebrow and smirked, "On the contrary, I have had a adventurous one. Let me guess, you tend to be the common worm found in books that wriggles around and reads about adventure but detests to put a foot outside. You must have a very boring life." Then there was something in his mind, a presence. Something wasn't right. It was like Jaedon was near, but Neron had her in his mind enough to know her. This man. He was doing it.

Neron's green eyes flashed at him and narrowed. Extra walls flew up in his mind, surrounding his mind with more and more barriers. The resistance was stronger then the ones put up before, showing that what had been blocked always remained so. Neron's subconscious had been trained to keep it under lock and key, always.

"Well then Aeryn." Neron's voice had a tinge of harshness to it that wasn't present before. "Please get your mind-reading, nosy, self out of my head." Then there came a tone of a warning. 'It's for your own good, and for everyone elses good." A flash of Red then black went through his mind, Aeryn would have seen it and it would have seemed like everything was tinted red then black and then it cleared and went back to normal.

The thought of a stranger in his mind fooling around was starting to cause Neron to worry. How would he react. It had been a long time since someone besides Jaedon had come within the realm of his mind, and she knew what she would find within. She was always careful, or usually careful. This guy had no idea of what he could cause. There was a dark corner of NEron's mind, buried beneath walls that was meant to remain so.

[saerwen]

Aeryn smiled. Finally someone with some kick in them. This guy would surely be interesting to talk to, if nothing else. "Hardly a thing off, except for the boring part. I have had my feet soiled with adventures enough. Its gotten to where I no longer even read about them I find the pursuit of knowledge much more profitable. I have an interesting time observing and listening. It is quite amusing, I assure you."

Aeryn's eyes widened just slightly before returning to normal as he felt the man start flinging walls up all over the place to protect his mind. It was like he was scared that Aeryn would find something dangerous in some corner of his mind. He continued to gaze at the man steadily.

"I see that you have dealt with telepaths before. I wonder who trained you so well to put your mind on guard like this. It truly is admirable." He knew that this would probably not be taken as a complement as much as a simple challenge. However, people were the most vulnerable when they were angry or hurt. This man was not hurt, but it appeared that anger was quite near. "As far as it being for my good, I doubt that I would have to worry about that. Your girlfriend might be the key figure to be scared though. Women are often surprised at what they find inside of their loved ones mind."

Some one had already been inside this persons mind. It was obvious in the way that he was so sensitive to Aeryn and the way that he guarded himself. Suddenly, a strange thought flashed through his mind. Could it possibly be that the girlfriend was like himself, a telepath? Surely not. No man would be able to stand it, and no woman would actually be foolish enough to be around a guy after seeing his thoughts. She would run away in disgust if nothing else. It was either that, or this guy was quite the gentleman. Aeryn seriously doubted the later possibility.

[»Míríel«]

"Amusing yes, but not quite as adrenaline filled as adventure." The smirk deepend, "But as you said, you seem much to dainty to handle such things. After all your feet might get 'soiled". Can't have that, especially when you just washed right?"

" I have dealt with telepaths before yes. I was not trained, but learned how to protect from prying eyes on my own. It is not admirable it is necessary. ' Neron's teeth clenched as his fist curled slightly. This man, he could sense him pressing, longing for a fight. "You are mistaken. friend" He said out loud and then switched to his mind, "This is for your own good." When he mentioned his girldfriend Neron could fear anger rising and the walls within shaking from the dragon waiting, clawing at the chance to escape. "She knows what is within, she has seen it herself and so she has learned to leave what is within alone. I advise you to do the same." His tone changed slightly, "Or are you going to show what a blasted fool you are and disregard my advise?"

Neron was surprised how quickly leapt up within him. He hadn't felt this way in a long time. It tasted like metal, pungent and strong, biting. HE had to get this guy out, before he stumbled upon something that both of the didn't want him to. 'Come now little bookworm, this is one adventure you would not like to take."

[saerwen]

"Better to wash the blood from one's being than to carry it around as a trophy." Aeryn said in an apathetic voice. He was not going to lie. That had cut in pretty deep. He could feel his anger threatening to show, but he had smothered it quickly, as he was so used to doing. There was no point to getting mad with this person.

Aeryn's blue eyes narrowed with mirth. He was actually finding this enjoyable. However, there was something in the back of his mod that told him he should just leave this guys mind alone. It might be better to make a friend than an enemy. It was not his way to check himself when he was just starting to have fun like this, but that feeling of bad luck kept hovering over him. He didn't believe in the mysticism that his clan had held that the moon would warn those that pursued her, and even if he did, he had not been "pursuing her" at all in his life. He just couldn't deny though that there was a warning bell going off in the back of his mind.

Aeryn's calm expression was slightly obliterated when he heard the man speak of his lover. She was a telepath. She had seen into his mind. Curiosity was beginning to overwhelm Aeryn. She actually knew what this man held in the deepest part of his heart. It couldn't be! Aeryn didn't care whether the man had warned him away or not, he wanted to see who this girl was. He began to search in a discreet manner until he found just what he wanted. He slipped in a little deeper and saw a few pictures of the girl. She was beautiful, but also had a strange fierceness about her countenance, like she was prepared for any kind of fight. Suddenly, he saw something that struck him as familiar. Mixed with the images of the girl with the raven hair was the image of a panther, sleek and powerful. He had seen that creature somewhere before. Removing himself from the man's mind completely, Aeryn searched his own thoughts. Where had he seen her? It suddenly became very apparent. When the phoenix and the ice dragon had been fighting, the same black panther with bright green eyes had been sitting there watching. She had pleaded with him to stop the fight if he could, and he had. She was indeed a telepath.

Aeryn had been slightly careless as he had been searching for the girl's image, making it quite obvious what he was searching for, but he didn't think that would have any terrible consequences. He looked at the green-eyed man, wondering how he had managed to get a girl that pretty and powerful. Telepaths were hard to come by since the power demanded so much will-power from the actual user. It took a strong and harsh person to control such a power.

"Hmmm, very well, I will leave your mind for now. But I wonder, even though she has seen every corner of your heart, why is it that she has been so reluctant to share hers with you. Perhaps she is taking advantage of you. That is something we telepaths are likely to do. I must admit, you do make a very interesting plaything."

[»Míríel«]

Neron smirked, he could tell that he was getting at this Aeryn, but the effort wasn't worth it. So he allowed it to drop. He was trying to be a slight gentlemen after all. For some reason he had a feeling that this was going to be harder than he imagined with this guy.

When Neron felt him digging for a picture of Jaedon Neron allowed him to go where he wished. A picture of her wouldn't hurt the man any, perhaps it would make him leave and so it happened. Aeryn left Neron's mind, a blessed relief. Still NEron didn't like how the guy navigated and slipped through the cracks like water. He had more power than Neron chose to admit, and that was worrisome.

The words that Aeryn said stung Neron. "Funny I was just starting to like you. What she shares to me is her choice. I will not force her to tell me anything. She would not take advantage of me. Ever" Even though his words were forceful a slight seed of doubt rose within. Neron was beginning to get agitated with this man, and angry, his defenses were weakening. Especially with that last statement Aeryn made. "Listen you little worm. I am no bodies plaything. Least of all yours. Those who choose to play with me receive a bit more than they can chew. Just talk to Miriel, Damion, or Jaedon. Especially Jaedon, she seems to stalk me much of the time, no doubt you will run into her, if not the others." He advanced on the pale fellow and leaned close, his voice having a slight hiss to it. "I am not a toy to be played with, I assure you. I would advise you to take note and leave this place. You are lucky I am not as I was, you would be dead already."

[saerwen]

"Oh, Is that suggesting that you aren't very fond of me now that I have made you angry? Tisk tisk, so fickle. I bet it's a miracle you actually have a girlfriend. You seem so unwilling to trust people. How long did she have to pester you until you actually became interested I wonder?" Aeryn was not taking anything that he or the man said seriously.

As the dark fellow advanced on Aeryn, he just stood there, eyes staring coldly at the other. Aeryn knew that he was probably not wise to make this guy angry, but he wanted to fool around with him a bit more. The foreboding feeling that he had felt earlier about this night was gone. He wondered if it was because he really was letting his slightly more evil side out already, or if it was just because he had found something to hold his interest. Aeryn got bored with things so quickly, but between the little fox he had found the other night and this man, he was quite thrilled with his luck.

"So Jaedon is her name. You know you give away things fairly easily." Aeryn noticed the slight hissing sound in Neron's voice. He was a mythical creature. But what kind Aeryn wondered. He entered the man's mind once more, but he moved much faster than he had before. He knew that whatever this guy was, he was strong, powerful, and fairly fiery as far as his overall disposition went. He was going to have to be sure that whatever he did, he tore through the defenses that all mythical creatures had in abundance. He had had plenty of practice, but the sheer strength of this one's true form was adding to the difficulty. He didn't have to go very far before he found his way into the center of this guys mind. It was mixed with quite a few thoughts, most of them reflecting around this Jaedon, Damion, and Miriel. He could tell now that Miriel was the phoenix and Damion was the ice dragon. There were small pictures scattered around of this guy, whose name was apparently Neron, being on the bad side of both.

He still couldn't figure out what kind of mythical creature he was though. Aeryn looked around for a moment and then found a whole cluster of memories that seemed to be blocked by a large brick wall, layered thickly, as thickly as it could possibly be. Aeryn felt like being a bit nosy so he started to try and break down the wall. He stopped only when he realized that something on the otherside was trying to help him. Slightly worried, he worked less furiously.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Jaedon was wandering through the woods, not really paying attention to where she was going. It was dark and she was glad. Her eyes had been giving her problems lately, as far as the light of day went. She might not have shared this openly, but light was harsh on her eyes. It wouldn't make her go blind or anything like that, but it would often give her headahces. That was why she roamed around at night for the the most part. After all, she was a creature of the night.

The night was crisp and clear for Jaedon. It was probably because she was starting feel better. For once in her life, she didn't have any wounds on the mend, the was under pretty good circumstances with everyone. As far as she knew, no one would be hunting her down anytime soon to exact revenge, and she had Neron. Neron loved her, and as much of a jerk as he was, he was constantly faithful to her even when she was less than so to her. She knew this didn't mean that she could slack off and just be a pain in the butt for him all of the time, but it did mean that he was willing to stick it out with her until she learned how to behave around him.

She was surprised that all of a sudden she picked up his scent. She wrinkled her nose and then started to follow it. She was in her natural form, but that was okay. She wasn't about to go back into her skin. She had just gotten out of it and she was quite fond of the freedom. She wondered what Neron was doing out in the woods this late at night. "It's Neron we're talking about Jaedon, who knows what he might be doing."

[»Míríel«]

Neron was about to answer Aeryn. He knew that telepaths had a special knack for finding one another. Knowing how things went around here it wouldn't be long before Aeryn would be friends or acquainted with everyone that Neron knew. That is how things went usually, you find one, you find them all. Plus, it was his luck. Just as he was about to answwer the presence was back into his mind. This man. This man was walking into a terrible place, and he didn't even know it. This reminded Neron of his past with Jaedon and her first time within his mind.

It was different this time though, Neron wasn't trying to show Aeyrn the darker side of him, it was just happening. Aeryn was moving fast, to fast. Barriers were being torn through left and right and by the time Neron was repairing them, Aeryn was already starting another one. This was not good. Panic started to course through him, his eyes widened and his palms began to sweat. Concentrate, you must concentrate. Closing his eyes, and forming fists in his hand a sweat beaded on his forehead. It was calling, attracting the unknowing intruder. It felt it's time was ripe. Aeryn was trying to get through the barrier which separated good from bad.

"STOP!" Neron's voice rang through his mind. His green dragon form in his mind rushed upon the scene and shoved Aeryn away.

It was to late.

The dragon looked upon the hole that had formed, the whole place shook with the darkness behind scraping through. "You fool!" It turned on Aeryn. "Due to your careless treatment of the mind, pushing through, I cannot focus my mind on this area. There is to much damage on the barriers. Now there is no fall back, no second plan." The Dragon's green eyes peered down at Aeryn with rage. It's head snaked out and came close. "Unlike that thing behind that wall" His tail flicked in the direction of the chamber, "I do not kill needlessly. Though you are trying my patience." The crack on the wall lengthened and suddenly the mind went silent.

The dragon looked back at the wall and then at Aeryn with eyes wide, but serious. "You better leave Aeyrn. NOW! Or you will never leave this mind." With a shove he hit Aeryn, in the direction of where he had come. Then turning just as a loud crash was heard, the dragon faced what was left of the wall.

Darkness was filling the mind, and there stood before the green dragon a dark shape. Dust cleared and a dragon, twice the size as the green one stepped out of the enclosure. A roar was heard, which the green one echoed.

The green dragon yelled at Aeryn, "GO!" Then without looking back it launched itself into the air and the battle between minds began.

--

Sweat poured down Neron's face as it seemed frozen in an expression of pain. His breathing was like one who couldn't catch his breath. Face growing more pallid her crumpled to the ground and remained. His mouth opened in a silent cry of anguish and his hand twitched and clawed at the ground. Neron could take almost any pain, he had experienced what scraping with death was like. But a battle of the mind, a civil war within was more painful than anything else he had experienced. Both sides, when receiving blows, gave his head the feeling of getting slammed with a sledge hammer.

Neron's hands held his head and pressed as his mouth closed and he bit his lip. Blood poured from his lip within seconds. Just as it seemed like he was about to rip hair out or pass from the world of consciousness, his body grew still, serene. His hands fell from his head, his body straightened for a moment before rising. raising his hand to his face, still being bowed, he wiped the blood from his lip and seemed to be studying it. "You..." His voice was low and tired, but seemed to be forgiving. It was as if nothing had changed. "Should not have done that." Perhaps a miracle had happened and the green dragon had won.

[saerwen]

Aeryn was not prepared for what he had done. He was used to playing with people and finding their secrets. He was used to finding dark and nasty things, violent things even. He could usually tame them and push them back with a simple reoccurring memory that the being was fond of. Fond memories caused everyone to forget the bad things in their life. However, when that wall broke, Aeryn realized that this man had been keeping it locked for a very good reason. Most people hid things because they knew it was wrong or because they were saddened by them. What this man had done was barricade a certain part of himself that was evil. Between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Aeryn found himself the elixir. He was regretful to find this was the case. Sure there was no way that he could have possibly known what was going to happen, but Neron had warned him, constantly. The question now was, would the dragon be able to pull himself back together and cage the beast once more. Aeryn knew that if he could catch Neron at a calm moment, he could possibly help undo what he had done, but he knew that now would be a useless time to try.

It was just as he was aobut to leave that he felt someone else. But it wasn't something in Neron's mind it was someone intruding upon his own. He jerked his attention away from Neron and started battling whoever it was that was in his mind.

"You have no idea who you are dealing with, you best leave now while I am allowing you to." Aeryn threatened.

"What have you done?" the harsh and cruel voice of a woman broke through. She was close by. Aeryn looked around, but could see no one. All he saw was the crumpling form of Neron, trying to deal with the mess that was no his mind.

"To whom, the man?"

"Who else, you fool! Answer me now, what have you done to him?"

"If you really must know, I was simply getting to know him better, Jaedon." Aeryn guessed who it was that was so concerned about the man.

"If I find that you have done something to break the peace that he has just gained, I will never forgive you. Nor will I let you live." With that, she left his mind and appeared out of the dark from behind him. She was in her natural form, but by the time she got to Neron, she had changed. She looked him over and then stepped a little closer. "Neron, are you alright? What did he do?" She put a hand on his cheek very gently and wiped her finger over his lip where he had obviously bit it so hard it started to bleed. Her green eyes shone with concern. Her fear was that Aeryn had stolen the control that Neron currently possessed of his anger. If that had happened, who knew what would happen in the future. Even worse, how would she ever get him back to normal. Her fears were a little before their needed time, but they were still very real. Just when she thought they would have peace, she found herself worrying again.

[»Míríel«]

Neron let his hand drop to his side at her touch, his whole body froze, not responding, at first. "He did nothing." His eyes were still covered by his ebony hair. "What he did." His voice was lower than usual and sounded slightly different."Is something that needed to happen." Lifting his hand he placed it on hers, which had wiped off some of his blood. "I have been trapped so long, Aeryn just listened to my calling and let me free. You should -" He brought her hand closer to his face, pressing it against his cheek and inhaling deeply. The scent of blood, how pleasing it was. "Thank him." His eyes snapped up to hers revealing the snake like eyes beneath and the dark circled haloing them. "I am free." With a smirk twisting his lips he dropped her hands and strode over to Aeryn.

"I thank you Aeryn." His snake eyes bore into the man before him. "Without you that stupid greed lizard would have kept me locked up forever. Without you I would never be able to reign again." Neron suddenly paused for a moment, and he froze again. Slowly his eyes faded back to normal, human-like. When the blank expression faded what sparked to life was anger. Without hesitation Neron's fist struck at Aeryn's face. "You fool! How could you! I told you to stay away, to leave me alone! But you have to get your little wormy hands over everything didn't you." Then his head bowed once more and the snake life eyes returned. "Oh, sorry about that. Turned my back on that little green devil. Don't worry. He is locked up now. We shall see how he liked that little cell he kept me in."

Inside Neron's mind there was a night that permeated everything. It was like a whirlwind and now had barriers twice as thick as before. The Black Dragon had been waiting, and this time had finally come.

[saerwen]

Jaedon felt a chill run down her spine as Neron spoke. He was very gentle with her hand, as always, but something had changed. His words weren't making sense. Trapped? Neron hadn't been trapped, he had been free from his anger and bloodlust. He had been at peace. When his eyes met hers, Jaedon could not hide her surprise. Her own eyes grew very wide and she withdrew her hand from him very quickly. She would recognize those eyes anywhere. Those were the eyes that had characterized Neron for so long as a murderer and an arrogant tyrant, heartless and wicked. She felt her heart sinking within her. It was a terrible feeling. Despair and fear seemed to claim her heart. Nerons control had been lost thanks to Aeryn. She would never forgive him for this.

She watched as Neron went over to Aeryn, at first thanking him, then throwing him a punch. Jaedon just stood there and watched at a loss for what to do. For a moment, the Neron that she loved so dearly had come back, claiming vengance against Aeryn for his stupidity, but all too quickly he was smothered. Neron's other half was tearing his good side apart. Tears welled up in Jaedon's eyes.

Aeryn barely avoided Neron's punch. He used his own hand to redirect it as he shifted his own form in the other direction. It was startling how violent and quickly Neron switched sides. Between the two personalities that rested inside, Neron was jumping back and forth. One side was trying desperately to take back over while the other was crushing all hope for return. He had never seen such an interesting display of dual-personalities. Only this time, he was not longer finding it interesting but slightly worrying. Such a powerful foe in the mind could only be a powerful foe in reality.

"Yes, but I wonder, which one of the lizards does she prefer?" Aeryn asked in a very calm tone.

Before he could say anything else, Jaedon interrupted. She knew that if Aeryn said too much or went too far, then Neron would get mad and all hell would break loose. She was not aobut to let Neron get hurt again, and she was not about to let herself get hurt either. She would be no help to the real Neron if she was dead. As much as she wanted to rip Aeryn apart limb from limb and eat him for dinner, she knew that fighting was not going to be helpful. She was going to have to pacify Neron for now and then she would have to think about how she could get Neron back. How she could get her[/i] Neron back.

"Please don't say such foolish things, Aeryn. Neron is Neron. I prefer him and him alone." In Aeryn's mind, she explained her words, "Where you might not fear what will happen if this Neron becomes mad, I do. This is not just a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type transformation. You have just turned a happily living man into a serial killer and the aid of many massacres. You would be wise to appeal to his ego rather than dash it against the rocks. If you don't then we will both be praying that death is not in store for our fates this night. I would much appreciate it if you left us alone."

Aeryn took the hint. This woman who had been threatening his life only moments ago was now cowering at the thought that this dragon get angry. Apparently her knowledge of his past gave her insight into some of the darker things he was capable. Having underestimated this man already this night, he decided that he would listen.

"I am glad to have been of service, Neron. Now if you will excuse me, I will leave you too alone." Aeryn turned around and began to leave.

Jaedon let out a sigh of relief and then she inhaled sharply again. Now she was left alone with Neron and she had no idea what to do. Should she leave as well? No. He would grow suspicious then. She looked at him, her features obviously upset and confused. She needed Damion, she needed Miriel...She needed Neron, but certainly not this side of him.

She started to think back. How was it that she had stood up to him before he changed? She had been so bull-headed and stubborn that she thought that she was invincible. Neron was the one that had cured her of that thought. However, she knew this time that there was a side of Neron that was telling him to stop, be calm, to allow the green dragon to take control. Perhaps she could use that. Or perhaps she was thinking about this all wrong. She decided to do nothing for the moment. She would let Neron say what he wanted, do what he wanted, and then she would find one of her other friends and get help.

[»Míríel«]

"Yes, but I wonder which one of the lizards does she prefer?"

Neron only smirked in reply. This smirk had hints of anger in it, and tension. In this mindset the slightest thing could cause him to snap. A coffee being prepared wrong, a bump, a misdirected word, anything. Sometimes the things that you thought would spark him off would be ignored. Overall this state was about as stable as an earthquake, and about as enjoyable as one.

There was something else about this go around. The inner darkness seemed to have evolved into something that adapted quickly. The Black Dragon wanted to live, he didn't want to be shoved away and attacked like last time. No this time would be different. Instead of trying to be the polar opposite of the Green dragon, Blacky was going to mix the black and white until it became a lovely grey.

The girl was now talking to Aeryn, and while she was distracted Neron managed to change his appearance and manner. Instead of the tell-tale snake eyes, they changed more human, with only the slightest appearances of snake. Not even his closest friends were likely to see it. The halos around his eyes faded and the ghastly appearance left him. I'll keep little lizard on the leash, see how this goes. Perhaps he is useful after all"

By the time Jaedon turned around Neron looked nothing more than tired. A hand was raised to his head as if a headache was fighting him. She was watching him, waiting. It was time to see how good of an actor he was. "I'm sorry Jae-" Neron winced and shadowed his eyes. To Jaedon it would look like he was just suffering from a headache, internally, something else was going on. Until The whole situation inside was resolved, Jaedon's name was not to be spoken, it had to much power about it. Just saying the name gave the good side more strength. It was a banished word until everything could be desensitized. Once "Dr.Jekell" was nothing but a shadow cowering in the corner would the world be allowed to escape.

Neron dropped his hand, showing the pain had passed. "I don't mean to worry you. I'm fine." He turned to where Aeryn has left, "Thank you sending that Bloody-" His fist closed and started shaking slightly. Taking his other hand he closed it around the shaking one as if pacifying the anger. " Thank you for sending him away." Looking up his face wore exhaustion on it. "The last thing I need...is someone like him provoking me." Lifting his hand up once more he touched his hurt lip, winced and looked at the blood left on his hand. It was starting to dry up, the blood was clotting. Pity.

Neron was hoping that Jaedon wouldn't enter his mind. The darkside was especially wary of this, though he was hoping that Jaedon, considering she knew what his mind must be like, would probably not want to stir up any more trouble. Thus she would not venture into his mind. That could be suicide. Every sense that detected an invader in the mind was awake and straining for any hint. Evil is very watchful and wary. If Jaedon figured out that Neron wasn't who he was acting to be, if the good hadn't truly won out in the end.. then every plan would be lost. If she did find out he would ostracize her from her friends, making them believe him, not her, or he would kill them all. Yes, that would make the good truly die within, and obey his every command, if he killed Neron's friends and lover. What a wonderful plan.

Neron looked up from his bloody hand at the girl as a slight smile came to his face, lighting it up. "So what brought you here? Just enjoying the darkness?"