Cutting to the Chase...

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<div align="center"><div style="width:400px;"><table><tbody><tr><td><div style="width:400px;float:left;"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/mGnD6MY.jpg?1"style="max-width:100%;"></div></td></tr><tr><td><div style="background-color:#000000;padding:10px;font:11px georgia;color:#ffffff;text-align:justify;"><div style="height:20px;width:20px;background-color:#cc0000;padding:10px 5px 0px 5px;margin:0px 6px 3px 0px;float:left;color:#f8f8f8;text-align:center;">[size=18]I[/size]</div>[size=13]t


[/size]<div style="padding:15px;"><div style="width:80px;background-color:#cc0000;padding:5px;font:8px georgia;color:#f8f8f8;text-align:center;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:5px;margin-bottom:5px;margin-left:30px;float:left;">[size=13]WORDS[/size]</div><div style="width:180px;background-color:#cc0000;padding:5px;font:8px georgia;color:#f8f8f8;text-align:center;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:5px;margin-bottom:5px;float:left;">[size=13]TAG[/size]</div>
</div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="width:400px;text-align:center;font:10px georgia;">credit to <a href="http://adoxographyv2.boards.net/user/15">nat</a> of adoxography and <a href="http://gangnam-style.proboards.com/user/4292">gangnam style</a>.</div></div></div>

The spectacle entertained her for a moment, but alas a moment was all she could spare. After all there existed far more tantalizing targets presented during the kafuffle. To be fair her interest had been sparked as he walked by the café, the shop’s cache of casual snackware quite respectable if she did say so herself…a cup having disappeared already. The one he’d been casually admiring before bumping into some silly woman hugging the turn as much as he had flew into the air and with bated breath watched as the man juggled it frantically before finally the cup settled into his palm. A sigh of relief escaped Xazinay at that moment, glad to see such a nicely crafted specimen not meet the harsh and unforgiving ground in that moment.

This man couldn’t be trusted with a nice cup, let alone a set she suspected he held in the box as the cup became quickly stashed inside.

Leaving a tip on the table the woman casually began to walk towards them as if ready to walk by. The closer she came the harder it was to ignore the strange female’s batting of eyes at the tall gentleman, clearly infatuated with the man’s appearance. Perfect. The unknown female started trying to strike up a conversation with him, mentioning that it was “no problem” and “her fault as well” and such things. It wouldn’t be long now before she suggested that perhaps they grab a drink or something at one of the various cafes and restaurants lining this street as Xazinay continued her course to casually walk right by them.

At least up until she was behind him and then lightly tapped the box, sending it to the Grand Library. However to avoid raising suspicion – and hoping the female might prove a worthy distraction to the male as they sometimes did – she continued walking without a missed beat to her step.

’Ah….what a shame.’ She made it maybe a few feet before he was upon her, the poor and defenseless girl dressed in black being harangued by this fellow. After all without the horns or wings present she looked innocent enough, bookish even thanks to her glasses that provided the barest of barriers between her and the manifested sword. Naturally she stopped cold, not so stupid as to waste a reincarnation at the drop of a hat, never mind breaking a nice set of frames – she really did like this pair since they went so nicely with her eyes. Shortly thereafter she became surrounded by blades, the determination somewhat impressive even if the theme left her with a small huff – preferring that over the yawn that threatened to rise up.

Orders…she had half a mind to plunge herself upon his blades.

Nothing more than a spurt of rebelliousness, the desire to demonstrate her unwillingness to respond to his wishes and whims as someone not even remotely related to one of her masters. The urge proved curious, something she might discuss with Aurora later though….she might call her something funny like “tsundere” or…or, well admittedly Xazinay forgot a lot of the terms, but there probably existed something to define that brief moment in the girl’s vocabulary. Slowly but surely however she turned, the slightest bit curious as her blank expression turned towards him. Acidic green eyes slowly roamed over him, the man a little less incompetent seeming than before with how quickly he determined her little…habbit. A weakness perhaps now that she thought about it, but honestly the man had the nerve to almost drop the thing of beauty, the mere recollection causing the slightest downturn of her eyebrows and fractional narrowing of the eyes as her gaze became a little more pointed. However Xazinay wasn’t one for grandiose displays, but he seemed observant enough if he’d caught on to her inspired theft.

”Very well,” she acquiesced, her tone even and light as the box reappeared in her hands, ”a shame…it’s a nice looking parcel.” His hands appeared a little…full though, eyes lazily drifting to the two spears before she slowly kneeled to place it on the ground, giving it a light nudge with her hand to push the thing towards him. ”If that is all, may I go?” Again her voice remained even, uncaring that she’d essentially given him the box back. The contents however….would remain elsewhere, but he’d asked explicitly for the box and to his credit it was a nice box. He could have it though: she merely wanted the contents. Briefly she wondered how the other pieces might look before cutting the passing musing off: no need to get excited this second. All good things could wait.

That was…surprisingly simple. While anyone might hope the person accepted the action at face value it intrigued her that the man merely took the box and left her to her own devices. No capture? No turning into authorities? Not even opening the box to ensure the goods that once filled it remained inside? He merely trusted that she held no way of emptying the contents. ’Fascinating…’ She truly wished more people functioned like him, then life would be a little more pleasant and easy.

On her way again, the man all but dropped from her mind, thoughts wandering to when Aurora might wish to take up another job and what it might involve this time as well as what the rest of her nice, new tea set might look like. Perhaps she should return to the Grand Library and scope out her prize?

Xazinay’s ever so brilliant idea came a tad too late, though in her defense there’d been a nice plate in an antique window shop occupying her attention for the past two minutes or so as she contemplated purchasing it or simply sending it on its way to its new home. She’d ducked into the shop and whisked it away as the owner was rather preoccupied with something and made a few feet’s journey from the entryway when something stopped her. Very rudely a blade pierced her dress, pinning her to the ground…somewhat, at least if she didn’t care to tear the garment.

A small frown knit her brow as she turned her head and body, careful not to needlessly rip her black dress and pit the look on the guilty party. Never mind that her mildly peeved look could hardly compare to his, she continued to fix the small glare as if she held all the right in the world to do so, ”That was rather rude: do you make a habit of harming other folks’ property? I’m rather fond of this dress I’ll have you know.” Despite her anger the woman’s voice remained gentle and almost placid save the slight annoyed tint to her tone. Nothing overly emotional came out, though she attempted to pluck the sword half-heartedly, already sure she couldn’t, and alas to no avail the thing refused to release its Excalibur impression. And yet she made no move to vanish or simply tear the dress – flashing people hardly a concern when she wore leggings underneath anyways.

This time the man made a veritable cage with his impressive weaponry collection, though Xazinay’s expression barely flickered from her minor annoyance. If anything she appeared far too casual compared to most, but such had simply been her way for a fair while to the point she couldn’t quite recall anything else. Briefly though she found herself distracted by his even more impressive display of anger, thinking that this could’ve made for an excellent scene in a novel or the very vision he granted something for one of those movies, or at least a TV show. ’It would be lovely to see this matched by an actor…’ Alas any further thoughts from her or outbursts from him found themselves horribly interrupted with the sudden breaking up of the ground beneath their feet. ’Odd, a hollow place beneath this town? I suppose his sword must’ve created too much damage in the ground…hmm…’

Free-falling was a curious sensation, one that left Xazinay with an oddly careless feeling. Sure she enjoyed flying and could’ve released her wings, but something existed in this moment that let her experience a moment of freedom from everything. The cool kiss of air rushing by, the gentle pull of gravity as for those few seconds – or minutes depending on one’s height in relation to the ground – one didn’t have to experience the minor fatigue of feet against ground. She’d long supposed it must be the same wistfulness humans experience as they watched a bird soar through the air.

Resignation filled her, the woman simply accepting that she would likely hit the ground with enough force to eventually send her back to the Grand Library for healing. “Death” wasn’t permitted so easily for a familiar like her, the Ancients’ whimsical nature deciding to put her in charge of one of their treasures after they’d had their fun warping her being. They couldn’t have someone with such important duties putter out so easily, and this wouldn’t be the first time she experienced the pains of it…but at least she could simply “not be” for perhaps a minute.

Just as her eyes closed they opened halfway to stare curiously at the man as he oddly pulled her to him and angled them so he’d receive the brunt of the impact instead. Dazed, she slowly pushed against the ground and tilted her head down at him, curious behind his reasons and the silly question he asked. ’I suppose it would’ve been an okay way to make one’s escape, but if so then surely he’d have been the only one falling to begin with…what a silly fellow.’ Regardless she’d stand up and move away to allow the man his space to get up, a bit curious about where they’d fallen as she wouldn’t dignify the stupid question with an answer.

’I appreciate the decorator’s choice in lighting…I wonder if this is natural or caused by something else?’ Unfortunately aside for one skeletal fellow there wasn’t much to look at, attention returning to her accuser with a half-heartedness to it. He sounded so opposed to being together and yet seemed to resign himself to the “inevitable” of partnership, deciding for himself they should exchange names as well as work together. ’I suppose I could simply anger him and see if he casts one of those blades upon me…but if he can’t teleport than I suppose he can’t summon either. Though he could still snap my neck should I need it, he doesn’t appear weak at least.’

Standing in silence for a moment after his request she merely blinked at him, expressionless before sighing and readjusting her glasses. ”Well, technically we’re not stuck together you merely wish to cooperate. The option to split up lies there,” though she sincerely doubted he would, the man apparently determined to retrieve the box’s contents now since the box wasn’t satisfactory, ”by your naming logic…I suppose you could either stick to ‘thief’ or use some article upon my person to craft a moniker such as ‘Glasses’ or ‘Dress’ if you so liked.” Would there be any worth in offering a proper name? It was something she’d have to ponder even as she mentally admitted she might not respond to any of his names…but the lack of conversational recipients might prod her to do so – at least unless or until he started talking to the rocks around them.

’I wonder why his master hasn’t named him yet…careless? Too new of a creation? Hasn’t read a name suggestion book yet? I suppose it’d be pitiable if his master simply didn’t care enough to award a proper one…at least my masters cared enough.’

Blade’s initial discomfort of her words escaped Xazinay, her head turning with a slightly raised eyebrow at his choice. ”I suppose if you season me just right I might be, but I cannot confirm nor deny if I am or am not in my current state…but if that’s what you choose so be it,” she spoke matter-of-factly, seemingly missing the sarcastic tone entirely and taking him at face value.

Observing the man gathering his spears she started walking down the one open path to them, quite confident he’d catch up easily – after all he didn’t seem determined to let her out of his sight. Without a reason to hurry she saw little point in running anyways, just as confident that she could keep the tea set despite his threats unless he could somehow gain entry to the library where she reassured herself the man would still have to actually find it amidst the myriad of rooms and hallways. The place amounted to a labyrinth that only she held absolute capability to navigate it, though Xazinay wouldn’t doubt that perhaps some form of magic could permit others to do the same this man…seemed too bumbly to be able to hone in on the cute little set.

’Odd…what’s caused his words to fumble?’ The dark haired woman wasn’t so cold as to simply attribute it to his earlier mishaps and easy persuasions. The sound of thunder intrigued her, causing a moment’s pause, ”Shame, it sounds like we’ll be missing the storm.” The murmurs were merely thoughts that slipped out, though admittedly she preferred being behind a window to watch than stuck in them physically. Maybe the sound excited him too?

He fell so easily into step with her that Xazinay zoned out and forgot he was even there not from trying to ignore him, but from merely accepting his presence as fact for the moment. It was like finding quiet solitude with someone at another table in a café and yet exchanging no words with them. However Blade saw fit to nix that idea, the question catching her attention. Oh. He’d noticed her theft of the plate too. How embarrassing. A small blush dusted her cheeks as she looked away for a moment, though one could easily believe it a trick of the eyes as the color quickly faded and she answered in her usual, factual tone of voice, ”Because I saw a cute tea cup almost collide with the unforgiving ground, all because of a person treated it so carelessly as to almost let it fall in the first place. Granted you recovered and saved it in the end, but you still put it in such peril in the first place that I decided it would live better under my ownership than in yours. As for the plate…I enjoyed its simple yet clean cut design and since it went so unwanted that the owner had to place it into the window in hopes of someone coming along and taking it…I did. Now it may live out a better life amongst its kind and see occasional use by me as well as proper care.” For now it was as close as she’d get to declare her love for something, even if merely patterned dishware.

The entire time Xazinay’s eyes remained transfixed ahead of them, speaking of plates and cups as though people – and yet with more feeling than if she’d actually been speaking of people even if it remained subdued by her nature. Even now the desire to simply get back to the library to enjoy some of the exquisite dishware she’d collected hounded at her, gnawing at her insides, yet her pace remained unchanged because she held all the time in the world to do such. Finally those brilliant gemstone eyes turned to lock onto his, ”Why is it so important that you retrieve it? Will it live a better existence in the hands of your master than it will in mine?”

Absentmindedly she steered them towards the right side path when their road forked, and they were almost through the entryway when a loud belch sounded from the left side. Two seconds later fire erupted from it, a small and deep voice saying the equivalent of “excuse me” in an ancient tongue.

Almost like a doll she bent to his will, hand locked down by his she followed without a word – though somewhat glad they escaped incineration as she wasn’t fond of being burnt. Though in retrospect it would’ve been an easy enough way to leave the cave she simply didn’t want to deal with wounds instead of outright death. As they came upon the stuck beast, the poor old thing having wedged itself quite snuggly into place though acted placid enough to be almost friendly. Perhaps it was more bored than anything, Xazinay deciding she’d rather die and return to the library than be stuck, wedged someplace with nothing to do. ’Then again I suppose I wouldn’t need to die, simply return to the realm…’ Perhaps she’d been thinking about death too much lately? Though she continued to worry about her masters beneath the surface, the woman surmising that might be the cause of it all.

The fact he promised to come back here intrigued her, the blank woman watching as he seemed almost adamant about it. Enough to leave a weapon at any rate. Unlike the tea set she held no inkling to attempt taking the sword: it held no appeal. Besides she wondered if it might not be the same blade responsible for the tear in the side of her dress currently. ’All the more reason to leave it down here.’

Finally they returned to the open path, the woman somehow knowing something else occupied the other, and he explained the reason behind the set’s very existence. It was a very odd conflict inside now, the woman able to understand his longing to give it to his master even as she really didn’t want to part with it. It was her’s now technically as far as Xazinay cared. It was in her possession at least so it thereby made her the owner. But he obviously cared about this master who went so far as to take care of books exceptionally well – though why he didn’t simply lop the person’s head off she couldn’t understand – and wanted to offer a gift. Her mind went in circles between the two as he paused a bit at the next fork in the road and this time she nudged him towards the left side.

Though more curious: why hadn’t he let go of her hand yet?

Without a reason to really take back ownership of it though she allowed him to keep ahold of it as he talked, explaining how meticulous the man cared for his belongings. She supposed it would do well in his care, though she was still loathed to return it as well, mentally adamant about it being her’s now…Mentally she applauded his willingness to kill himself over the possible mishap, a servant obviously willing to receive punishment for his wrongdoings. It’d be a few seconds before she spoke, digesting this information, ”Perhaps you are not so loathsome as I once believed if you would go so far for a mistake against your master. I do not know if killing yourself is the equivalent of whipping a human servant or it is the same as sentencing them to death, but I can feel the honesty of your statement so I’m left to surmise it matters not the permanency of it so much as the action. I’ve seen those who claim loyalty and yet find reason to run or save themselves rather than face the consequences. After all if it is the master’s wish to see us torn asunder, who are we to question it?”

Who would she be to deny the Ancients’ decision to do away with her? It was their right, and if they chose to replace her then so be it. She would cease to exist or be forced to wander without purpose, but as long as they chose it then Xazinay would live with that decision without the flicker of an eye. If she failed to protect the accumulation of their knowledge then she surmised death would be the easiest of punishments to receive. However until such time she’d protect the place with every fiber of her being as it was her charged duty to do such.

Not a word about their still joined hands – or rather more his holding her’s hostage – left her lips even as he forced her to bend over and observe the pond. The fish were enjoyable admittedly with their constant color-swapping, the light relaxing and a little dazing to watch. ’Hmm I wonder if I could make a pond outside the library to take care of…though I suppose it might ultimately be unnecessary.’ While she was permitted to add to the library – ordered almost – the Ancients had always been more interested in the accumulation of knowledge. It was why a small part of her feared if they returned they might destroy her dishware collection but…that was also their choice and she wouldn’t say a word about it. A pond of fish might simply end the same way if the fish didn’t intrigue them enough to continue living.

It’d be something to debate for the next while.

The fact he seemed ready to rest already piqued her curiosity, not feeling particularly tired, yet she held no reason to refuse. What might come after them might’ve been an interesting question to pose considering the only thing they’d come across thus far couldn’t move more than an inch one way or the other. She chose to simply leave it, sitting down as he silently ordered her to whether he meant to or not, Xazinay curling her legs underneath her and splaying the skirt out to act like a blanket over her legs. Finally he apologized for the forgetful manner, though it sounded silly to her ears, ”Its fine. If I’d required the hand I would’ve taken it back.” She’d felt no need to resist, though if something more interesting occurred like the creature getting a bit testy with them then things might’ve been different.

Finally a bit of peace reigned until he saw reason to break it, inquiring about her earlier statement. It’d sort of slipped out in the moment thanks to her train of thought, the woman considering how much to say this time before speaking, ”Yes I am. I serve multiple masters so I won’t waste your time trying to describe each one’s habits as you so kindly described your’s in answer to my earlier question, but I do have an idea of what it means to serve another. I know what it’s like to strive to not only meet their expectations, but to go beyond and to accept my deserved repercussions when I fail to do so. I will not be so egotistical as to assume we are one hundred percent the same as there are too many unknown factors to question it…but to a degree we are similar in that respect.” If only because he’d answered her question so thoroughly before she went further beyond “yes I am” – deciding some equivalent exchange was in order. Given the nature of her masters however she really wouldn’t speak further about them, not to a stranger who could very well be an unknown enemy even if he might’ve been someone who crossed paths with one amicably. She had to protect them first and foremost despite her desires to find them.

Xazinay would internally admit to a small jealousy that he seemed to know where his master was however, the anxious side of her rising up as she again smoothed out her dress. There was no need to rush so she’d simply wait until he was ready to move onwards.

Vision dazing over as she became lost in thought the cloud popped as something fell solidly on her lap. Attention returned quickly enough to reality as she stared down at the brazen fellow blatantly using her lap for a pillow. ’Normally people ask for permission for such things or show some form of shame in such an act with a stranger, let alone friends at times.’ ”Very well,” she answered, folding her hands closer to her person to avoid disturbing him. Locked in place it left the woman with little else to do than let her mind wander before succumbing to sleep as well.

Staring down at him though the woman experienced a small spark of jealousy, the man obviously knowing where his master was while working to surprise him. With him conked out and unable to question her, Xazinay permitted a small wave of worry to course through her, still unsure what happened to all her masters. It’d been so long since any of them returned to the library even for a brief period, usually doing so to drop off research or findings during their travels. Yet it’d been so long since a soul wandered into the library at all that she’d finally ventured forth to try and track down one of them and ensure her masters lived.

’If they choose to punish me for leaving then so be it’ she’d decided, ’I can care for the library even as I search for them. It would feel wrong to simply leave them be when they might be in trouble…’ She could only ponder what their personal familiars might be doing, knowing that some kept more than others. Taking comfort in the proactive approach she’d taken the dark haired woman promised herself that she’d find them as her mind finally drifted off.

When was the last time she dreamt? Slumber generally came without visions, only the pure and comforting blankness one experienced before awakening. Blocking out any visions became a necessity so long ago the woman honestly forgot why, finding little reason to “dream” or find why she no longer did. Rather than fight it she gave in willingly, assessing the body to not be her’s, but some odd manifestation within this world as she watched the house alight and someone scream from inside. ’What is this supposed to symbolize?’ Surely there existed some meaning this? Though…she’d heard that dreams could reach into the truly bizarre, but so often they held some faint connection to life?

Passively she observed things, this dream character sporting predetermined lines outside her control. The voice failed to match any of her masters yet this role coincided with the one she’d received in life. ’Hmm…is this supposed to connect somehow to my situation? Is this inspired by my desire to find any of my masters?’ Something sounded odd in the voice of her “character” – masculine to be expected, but familiar. It took a few moments for her to discern her current companion’s voice slipped into her dreams, never mind the oddity of dreaming itself. Why would she dream about him? Why fabricate all of this?

More than anything she wanted a closer look at the garments hanging on the wall, unable to do so as the visions continued on their route and leading to a comical scene. ’Reminds me of a scene from a novel…I can’t remember if she lived or died horribly in that one…I may have seen this multiple times with multiple paths thereafter…’ So many ways she could imagine it to end, yet Xazinay felt confident it hadn’t ended well for one reason or another. Life for the rich could be wonderful and fraught with danger at the same time.

As her dream hand began to caress the hair and a gentle tune left her lips the dream started fading away and reality seeped back into place. Mimicking the dream her hand appeared to be stroking Blade’s hair gently, the woman noting its softness. She continued to perform it for a few minutes, offering him a little more reprieve before trying to rouse him. After all she wanted to regain feeling in her leg and they still needed to escape. Surely by now the storm passed as well so they wouldn’t be drenched by the time they escaped this cavern…or at least she hoped it wouldn’t be too long. ’Then again, it’s not like I’m in a rush to get somewhere either.’ Without any decent leads her path would currently remain aimless and winding.

”Come along now, it’s time to wake up. You have a master to return to and I’m sure he’ll wonder at some point where you’ve gotten off too,” her voice remained low, not wanting to harshly awaken him even if the option to shove him into the pond existed. Instead she gently shook his shoulder as she spoke to him, head hovering over his to watch if he stirred or not, bright green eyes awaiting golden orbs.

Pulling away, finally a spot of feeling came back into her legs as the man sat up. Oddly though it felt a little cruel to force him back to the waking world, the slight bit of a guilt a curious sensation. Rather than dwell on it too long the woman waved it away and instead focused on regaining further feeling in her legs as she uncurled them. Standing up, she started dusting herself a bit before hands paused against her dress, staring at the hand as a surprising apology met her ears. Briefly she considered her options in this situation, playing out the possible scenarios in her mind.

Ultimately nothing stretched too far into “favorable/unfavorable” so she accepted the hand, ”Very well, you are forgiven. It’s no real matter, was merely a nuisance at the time.” Of course the greater nuisance was how quick he’d been to track her down after belatedly figuring it out – holding no knowledge that it in fact hadn’t been him to figure it out at all. His concern for a mere garment intrigued her, no…that wasn’t quite right. Perhaps it…amused her? Somehow the sentiment sounded more correct.

”It is but a dress, but if you insist then I have no reason not to accept.” Why did they have to meet? Was there some reason he wished for them to come into contact? After all she could’ve simply handed him the dress and offer to meet elsewhere, but she supposed if the man wanted to offer a favor on behalf of his master it’d be proper for the person to meet her or else it’d be insulting. ’Though I couldn’t fathom asking anything of an Ancient for someone else…their whims run too rampant to predict the outcome.’ No, the raven-haired woman readily admitted that if she ever felt an ounce of gratitude that inspired a favor or an intent to make amends, it would be through her power rather than her masters’ – even once she found one of them.

Intending to view the fish again her eyes caught sight of an opening through a thin layer of some sort of ivy dangling over it. ’Was that there before?’ Had the fish been so enthralling or maybe she’d been more tired than initially perceived? Regardless it provided them a new route, one not blocked by a wedged in creature, though a small part of her felt sure there’d been another entrance…but the smooth walls surrounding them seemed to say otherwise.

Why the man tapped their cheeks together she couldn’t fathom, though he hardly cared for personal space she’d noticed. If Blade held any sense of shame he wouldn’t have plopped his head quite so readily into her lap earlier after all, though his quickly formed familiarity intrigued him. Most people respected some sense of distance so keeping them away proved easily even as most became turned off by her personality she gathered. Soon enough he moved away much to her inner relief. Contact with others felt so strange and confusing that the girl didn’t wish to waste precious time on it even if time wasn’t much of a factor – merely a contradiction she couldn’t seem to explain.

Even without magic the man proved resourceful, lodging one spear into the wall near the entrance to create a sort of platform. For reasons beyond her understanding he chucked it back at her, the girl unsuspecting he intended for her to perform the same feat. Not one for spear throwing or shot put generally the girl picked up the spear, blank eyes taking in the details as she became accustomed to its weight…and then chucked it. Admittedly Xazinay forgot to account for his potential position beyond the ivy, merely aiming to get the thing through, but she figured he could avoid it as the thought occurred a few steps into the pond. Using the breast stroke finally the quiet raven-haired mage reached the other side, managing to yank out the other spear from the wall before entering the vines.

”Here you are,” Xazinay offered, voice as bland as her expression, extending the spear to him. She acted for all the world she didn’t drip water continuously, dress acting glued to her figure until he took the proffered spear. Then and only then she squeezed some of the water from the skirt of her dress, tossing the lilly pad sitting on her head like a Frisbee past the wall of ivy. Shoes squelched a little, but nothing she couldn’t ignore as she moved to traverse the new hallway. ’What caused it to manifest though? I’m almost certain it wasn’t there when we arrived in that room earlier. So what created it? Is someone manipulating this area, or is it some sort of built in function like the inability to use magic?’

Why did he suddenly act so…incompetent? Not moments before he’d deftly tossed his spear to provide a foothold and yet now the man couldn’t bear to gaze in her direction long enough to retrieve the thing just as nimbly? Perhaps the wet form of her dress left her an awful sight to see, or it brought up awful memories…or maybe he really disliked water? The man avoided it with his pole vaulting earlier so she moved it a bit closer to where his swinging hand wobbled in the air and finally he nabbed the precious spear. Task accomplished he further avoided her person and gave her half a mind to try and ring part of the dress out on him, or at least hit him with a few flying drops of water from the skirt…but she refrained. That would be too wild and carefree of her.

Heat trickled ever so slightly into her skin as they finally found their exit to this silly place, the water from the pond remaining cool overall, but she could feel a bit in her hands and head. With some of the water rung out along their journey she hoped it might dry soon, though the woman doubted it’d be for some time. Still, regaining some sensation in her hands felt nice as her companion radioed a ship. She’d turned away from him, keener on soaking up some of the pleasant rays, eyes closing as she enjoyed that rare moment of peace and missed the second comment of his entirely.

Wind picked up, sending chills back down her spine as it proceeded to block the sun and causing her vivid green eyes to reopen. ’All good things must come to an end, no?’ A rather curious man greeted them, the very image of a harried and overworked detective in her mind – perhaps a slight embellishment on her part, but Xazinay would no doubt use him as a mental picture for the next detective novel she read. ’And yet…’ Eyes turning to Blade, she watched as color drained from him, the man’s casual nature an interesting contrast to the man’s apparent panic. Figuring out who he was came easy.

Master.

The man’s joke passed over her, not reacting as the two acted more like friends from the Master’s side. Odd as it may have looked, Xazinay curtsied with her damp dress, ”It is a pleasure to meet the master of Blade. You may call me Xazinay, or Xazi if you prefer.” She pronounced it with a “sh” sound instead of “x” and offered the nickname as well as he’d done in kind, uncaring that now Blade would know her name as well.

Contrary to what her cave companion’s likely impression of her, Xazinay accepted the temporary garment rather than put up a fight or stink over it. She saw little reason to get in the man’s way, unaware that there might’ve been a slight pleasure in denying Blade…though it stemmed in part from the man’s constant attacks on her person for very silly reasons (in her mind). ’Still…’ Staring into the mirror she couldn’t help thinking that white probably wasn’t her color, so unused to seeing it compared to the usually dark outfits and how it starkly contrasted against her hair that Xazinay felt rather odd. It wasn’t bad, just strange. Leaving the changing room she wasn’t quite sure what to do with herself in this strange environment, watching screens with words and data that made little sense to someone of her occupation. The passing of clouds proved more interesting, green eyes watching as they passed a flock of geese, unsure if she should try sitting in this outfit or what customs came with the garment.