second rune; death; video

[deadelfwalking]

 [When the feed starts, the netbook's camera shows you a view of the forest floor.  A deer carcass lies among the grass and twigs, and it's obvious that the poor thing did not have a clean death.  It's in the advanced stages of decomposition, even though the blood around its body is red and fresh.  The camera does not linger on this image for more than a few seconds; it pans upward, to show Koltira's face.

 He's standing over the deer, holding the device in one hand, holding Byfrost with the other.  Agony creases his expression: his jaw is clenched, his eyes narrowed, every muscle in his pale, sallow face is taut with pain.  The guttural growl of his voice occasionally rises in octave as he talks, as though something is beating the shit out of him from the inside.]

Were we brought here to fight for something, or to waste time reliving the past?  Send.  Us.  On.  A mission.

[He stabs the tree next to him with Byfrost, and the sword glows sickly green; the tree bark begins to decay rapidly, as though it's practically melting.  Diseased fumes pour out of the bark, forming a nasty miasma around Koltira's body.]

I need a battle. [he hisses, and blood trickles from the corner of his mouth as he bites down on the inside of his cheek.]  Now.

Comments

[deadelfwalking]

[shaking his head vehemently.] No--no! Stay away. Just stay away from the--[hacking cough.]--from the deep forest, Reya.

[andhishat]

It's adorable how you think I need protection, but I'm a big girl. Besides, letting you slaughter furry woodland creatures upsets my inner princess.

[deadelfwalking]

[Rapid breathing, then quiet, then finally--] My--apologies. I'm sure you're eminently capable. But--I was hunting the deer long before the wracking pains began. People do that, I am given to understand. It's called [a cough, a choking sound.] population control.

[andhishat]

[She keeps walking, tone dry] I am afraid have a confession to make. I have little issue with hunting deer, baring needless slaughter, that was merely a clever ruse to give me a chance to find you without you guessing my true motive was concern.

[deadelfwalking]

[hey, what. NO. He is not into this. This is not cute. He takes several steps away from her, clutching his stomach, his face a mask of horror and pain. Her heartbeat is so loud in his ears, so irresistibly loud.]

Get away from me.

[andhishat]

[She looks up from her screen when she hears him, having been following her magic rather than her eyes. Though she's clearly startled, she takes a breath and keeps her distance from the distressed elf.]

We've been over that one.

[She closes her eyes and hums to herself, chanting words blessed by the language of the Celestials. A circle of glowing white runes settles about her, then she opens her eyes.]

I'll ask again, would a real battle ease your pain?

[deadelfwalking]

[he is backing away from her, clearly poised to break into a run.]

I will not fight you, Reya, nor anything you conjure. You do not know what you do!

[andhishat]

[She sighs, then closes her eyes and activates the spell she precast before coming, just in case, raising a dome of virtually indestructible energy around her, but one that prevents movement or further spellcasting. She then sits cross legged]

Very well then, perhaps you should enlighten me as to what I do. Don't worry, you won't be getting through this spell, and you seem to have no other urgent appointments. [She softens] Let me help, if not out of common decency, then in repayment of a debt.

[deadelfwalking]

[STILL BACKING AWAY.] Truly--your compassion is appreciated, but -- [another muscle spasm. He grips at his head. Ugh.] --not--necessary. There is nothing you can do. Nothing I would want you to do.