Cods' 1x1 shitstravaganza

Here's the shittyass

Spoiler

A cold wind howled through city, chilling anything that had the misfortune of being caught outside at that particular moment. It was in the dead of night--only the homeless and those up to no good were out in the icy December air. The  city of Madison was not necessarily large, though neither was it small. It was situated almost in the middle of the two extremes; the city was big enough for there to be a couple of shopping malls and attractions, but not large enough for these locations to offer much. One thing Madison did have, however, was a large amount of young adults that would stay out late to drink at shady bars.

The back door of such a bar suddenly opened, cutting through the frozen silence of the downtown area. A tall woman strode out, throwing a coat around her shoulders and  pulling up the hood. Despite it being late, and in a shady alley, the woman walked with no fear. She was tall, especially for a woman, reaching about six foot exactly. She sported a well-muscled, lean frame with a slender waist and modest breasts. Her skin was fair, her hair a reddish-brown, secured in a long braid that hung over her shoulder. Her piercing blue eyes appeared all the more harsh because of dark eyeliner, her lips stained a dark red. A sharp jawline and angular features made her look irritated and cruel--though she was not ugly, she wasn't beautiful in the traditional sense. Several ear piercings, a labret stud, a septum ring, and several tattoos wrapped up the whole badass chick theme.

She removed a nametag that read "Silvianne" from her blouse, jamming it into her coat pocket. Silvianne's primary job was a bartender, but on a few days of the year, she was also a cage fighter. She'd been harassed in the alley before, but after breaking a guy's arm and giving another a bloody nose without so much as batting an eyelash, she hadn't been bothered since.

Her apartment wasn't farm from the bar, either, only a couple of blocks. So tonight, just like all nights, she hiked home at a brisk pace, stomped up to the second floor, and numbly fumbled with her keys to unlock the door. She kicked off her boots, and walked to the bathroom, leaving a trail of clothing behind her. She allowed a quick glance at herself in the mirror, her eyes traveling over the sleeve of bloody ravens on her right arm, multicolored koi fish on her left thigh, and the knotwork mjolnir on her ribcage. She twisted her torso, getting but a glance at the valknut that was inked between her shoulderblades. Even after having the tattoos for years, she still stared at them every time she saw herself in the mirror. Silvianne was a girl that was proud of her appearance, if nothing else.

She allowed herself a lengthy shower, enjoying the hot water immensely. She dried off quickly afterwards, pulling on a pair of fleece pajama pants and a simple white camisole.I should go to bed, she thought to herself, standing next to her bedroom window and staring out at the frozen street. There was only a light dusting of ice and frost, but the first few flakes of snow were beginning to fall from the bloated clouds that lie overhead, resisting the forceful winter wind. She sighed, cracking open the window and leaning out.

The wind brushed through her tangled, wet locks, chilling her scalp and dragging across her bare shoulders. "Nope, looks like I'm gonna watch it snow and freeze my ass off first," she murmured, letting out a heavy sigh. It was very late, and she was very tired, but there was something about the snow that enchanted her.

"You're such a damn sucker, Silv."

***

The dead of night was the best to travel in, in Jeo's opinion. Night brought about certain chill that wasn't physical, a sort of mental effect. It caused to shiver in fear, to want to warm yourself in the safety of your home. And this night was the epitome of that in this shady town. Crime was here and there, it had slowly begun to snow.

Illuminated by the streetlights was a figure. Dressed in dark blue clothes, the thick coat he wore trimmed with silver fur, he was quite the sight. Jeo was an ice spirit, the embodiment of the chill of winter, and he possessed a heart of frozen stone. His eyes for an ethereal green color, and his hair so blond it was almost white. His skin was pearly white. He was eerie in the lights of the streets. Snow seemed to swirl around him carefully, as if it was comforting him carefully.

Stopping dead in his tracks, he stared up at the apartments. He could see a woman in the window, and flashed her a slightly wicked smile. He went around the world, finding someone to shadow for the winter, to bond with, but ultimately, crush their spirits and heart. It works a fair percentage of the time. But he knew how to persevere, eager to torment people all winter long.

***

Silvianne's face remained neutral as she looked at the pale man in the streetlights below. She offered a slight wave, before she realized that he was smiling at her. Not only that, but his smile was creepy. "Go home, jackass! You'll lose your dick if you stay out too long!" she called, a scowl marring her features. Not that it really mattered--her face was too harsh anyway. She couldn't be called pretty. Not only that, but she was too tall and too aggressive--quite frankly she intimidated everyone. Especially men.

A grumpy sigh escaped her lips. "If you wanna stare, why don't you come up and say hi?" She slammed her window shut and went back to the living room, plopping down on her sofa. Damn weirdos, she thought. Not that she was freaked out, by any means. She'd beaten up bigger guys than him at the bar before. That was part of the reason she was payed so well. They needed less security when Silvianne was on the clock.[/quote]

That was all the invitation he needed. No sooner had he been invited up was he knocking at her door. AS he stood there, the doorway and floor beneath him began to frost up. He was cold, impressively so. She was a sharp looking woman. More likely to hurt someone than to woo them. She probably had a hard of glass. Cold, unflinching, but so easily broken. It was a tempting offer.

***

Silvianne let out a very loud, very annoyed sigh before getting up and yanking the door open. Same creep from before. "Well, you've got balls enough to come up, I'll give you that." She folded her arms across her chest. It took her a moment to realize that the cold wasn't coming from outside, but that the ground around the stranger's feet was frozen.

She arched an eyebrow at him. Am I already asleep? Silv absentmindedly wondered. "Guess you're...what, Jack Frost?" she inquired, secretly pinching her arm hard. She expected to wake up, but nothing changed. Her demeanor shifted slightly, becoming more confused. "Are you alright? How are you freezing the floor?"

***

"Well, I'll give you credit for coming alone. Most girls come running with a boyfriend in tow, especially this late at night." His voice was cold and smooth, but had a sort of bite to it. "But no, I am no Jack Frost. I'm certainly nowhere near that jackasses level of jackassery." He mused with a smirk. "No, My name is Jeo, and I make the ground freeze at my feet and accost women simply with a wave of the hand and a click of my heels." Sarcasm. Perhaps a bit forced, but he was cold and bitter.

"You could say I'm alright. If I was human, I'd be dead by now. My skin is cold to the touch and I freeze everything around me. I'm an ice spirit, and you have acknowledged me, for good or ill." He mused. "But please, call yourself crazy, or call me crazy or whatever you humans do in disbelief so I can cause you to slip and bust your ass on a patch of ice I made to prove a point. The gag never gets old." He mused some more.

***

Silv snorted humorlessly. "Yeah well, you're probably used to helpless women." She sighed. "Whatever dude. If you say you're not human, you're not, I guess. Disbelief be damned." Her arms dropped to her side. "Though I do know one way to see if you're real."

Suddenly, Silvianne siezed Jeo by the coat, pulling him closer. With her other arm, she slugged him in the gut as hard as she could. Immediately she let go, her hands covered in frost. She let out a light hiss. "Christ, you do freeze everything," she grumbled. "Whatever. Suppose you're real, Jeo. I'm Silvianne."

***

He let out a groan at the punch in the gut. He stood straight as she introduced herself. "A pleasure." He remarked coldly, return the slug in the gut with one of his own, moving into the home. "Oh, and I can't freeze everything. I can't make your heart any colder than it already is." He remarked dryly, sitting in a chair.

***


Silv grunted, chuckling to herself slightly. "Nice punch," she said under her breath. "You took that well. Been hit before, I see." She cleared her throat and closed the door, locking it as the elemental made himself at home. "Well, you can do whatever for the most part, but my bed is my bed, understand? No compromises on that. Oh, and don't touch the thermostat. It's hard enough to get out of bed without it being fucking freezing in here." She smirked at his comment about her frozen heart. "Guess that's why you've taken a liking to me, huh iceboy?"

She paced over to the kitchenette, which was connected to the living room. "Don't suppose you eat or drink anything? I've got an ice tray in the freezer." She turned to face him again, crossing her arms and arching an eyebrow at Jeo.

***

"I've been punched, kicked, stabbed, drugged and shot. I'm very resilient." He told her simply. "Just know that ice can melt even when it is cold." He continued. He let her move about her home, sitting still, listening as she offered him some sort of refreshment. "I can eat and drink, and the things don't have to be cold, either. Must sound ironic that a spirit of ice could enjoy a cup of hot cocoa." He teased. "But your bed is your bed, and I will not touch the thermostat. If anything, be grateful you aren't keying your walls with your nipples."

***

She nodded . "Interesting." She didn't retrieve any food, just a glass of water. "Well, I guess if you're going to be attached to me let me know if you want something to eat or drink." She walked back to the living room, and plopped down on her sofa. Her living room was arranged so that there was a TV on a stand, with a sofa, coffee table, and plushy chair facing it.

Silv stretched out and patted the chair, inviting Jeo to sit. Don't know how I got stuck with this asshole, but might as well become friends with him. Even if he is a cheeky bastard. She let out a loud sigh at the nipple comment. "Yeah, well, they're pierced so it's halfway there anyway."

***

"You are inked to hell and back, you nipples are pierced, and you punch like you're a goddamn pro boxer. ow the fuck do you not have a boyfriend?" He questioned, moving to sit on her chair. "You think you would meet a guy who had a million metal studs on his dick or something. Someone who shits motorbikes and tiger tattoos or something." He remarked, crossing one leg over the other.

***

Silv laughed again, this time louder and genuine. "Yeah, well." She leaned a little closer to Jeo, a smirk playing about her lips. "Apparently being six foot and muscular as a woman isn't attractive. Maybe if I had a pornstar bod or a Barbie doll face, but I don't have either." She let out a sigh.

"I've had a couple of boyfriends like that. Nothing special really. Maybe I'll meet a nice girlie, huh?" She giggled, winking playfully at the icy being next to her. "What d'you think?"

***

He listened to her, chuckling. "I'd just settle for a pornstar body." He mused some more. "But I don't quite see how you aren't attractive. Isn't tall and muscular the thing nowadays, or did someone take a shit on your personality and you are rally repugnant?" He questioned. "I'm sure a woman will take her million studded penis and scissor you to death or something."

***

Silvianne snorted again. "Yeah, tall and muscular is the thing with guys. I'm not short with a fat ass so I guess that really tosses me out of the loop. It's probably because I'm always at the bar. Not like I can help it though--I cycle between the gym and the bar. Not like I get much time to go to the library and talk to people that aren't superficial."

She was quiet for a moment. "Speaking of which, how long do elementals like you live? We talking a normal human lifespan, or hundreds of years? No offense, just curious. I feel like someone that's three hundred years old would be disgusted by nipple piercings."

***

"I've been around for a while." He told her. "When winter fades, I retreat to the north. I don't melt, but heat does hurt a fair bit." He explained. "I've watched as many bodies and fads have passed. I stopped trying to follow how you humans find people attractive." He explained. "Maybe you are in the wrong town for your body type." He commented.

***

The woman remained silent for a moment. "Huh," was all she managed. It was a difficult concept for her to wrap her head around. Sure, she'd taken in the damn elemental easily enough, but accepting that he was essentially the embodiment of the winter season and lived for hundreds of years was still hard to swallow. "Interesting."

She ran her calloused fingers through her hair. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I should move to California or something. They're a little more accepting of all this," she said, motioning to herself. "People are super conservative around here. Maybe that's where the fun being tatted and pierced comes from." She let out yet another sigh, staring thoughtfully at the other side of the room. "Hell, maybe I should invent a time machine and go be a shield-maiden in the viking age," she giggled.

Silv looked at Jeo seriously. "What d'you think? Were you around that long ago?" She maintained her serious facade for a moment before giggling to herself. "Whatever. Stupid question."

***

"I was." He answered plainly. "Northern countries are cool year round. Enough that I can walk around safely." He explained to her. "You probably would fit in. Decapitate a few people, get drunk, get fucked until daylight. Lather, rinse, repeat." He mused, sighing some. "Seems like even a rough and tumble person like you wants love and affection. Or at the very least a rough fuck." He mused.


"You certainly seem preoccupied with fucking," Silv observed. She smirked at him, obviously bemused. "Been a while for you, eh?" She chuckled, then was quiet for a moment. "Well, at least it's nice to know I would've fit in well enough."

***

"It's kind of my MO. Warm the beds of women in the dead of winter." He commented. "Ironic in my case. Then again, I kind of know how to influence my cold. I can be quite the charmer." He told her. "If anything, you seem amused by my antics."

***

Silvianne shrugged. "Yeah well, I deal mostly with emotional and/or violent drunks most days. It's a nice change of pace to talk to someone that's trying to be charming while sober. Unless you're actually completely hammered right now."

She stretched and yawned, rubbing her eyes. "Aaanyway. It's past my bedtime. Knock on my door if you need anything." She patted him on the head as she walked by. Despite having a total stranger in her apartment, she wasn't bothered too much. Even if he wasn't human. Mostly she was just getting exhausted, and was ready to pass out. "Night," she called out, shutting the door behind her.

Within five minutes, the woman already drifted off to sleep.

***

She was oddly trusting of him. He gave a shrug once he was alone, and drifted off to sleep. He needed to worm his way into her heart. What would be the best way to break it? He thought on all of these things as he slept, piecing things together. Winter was going to be a few months, and he had that long to do his thing.

***


EEP EEP EEP EEP

Silvianne about roared with absolute fury at her alarm clock. She managed to control herself for the most part and only let out an angry growl. She shut off the godforsaken device, allowing herself several minutes to lay in bed and stare at the wall. And they said I'd never be able to have a job and sleep in past noon every day.

The woman pulled back her matted and tangled bedhead, lazily strolling out into the living room. It was just past noon, but she didn't care. Working from 5 PM to 2 AM or later generally entailed a fucked up sleeping schedule. At least she could sleep for a while. However, it meant that she could only do lunch dates at best, and she had to rush around to take care of things unless it was her night off.

Lost in her thoughts, Silv forgot about the ice elemental that spontaneously decided to take up residence in her living room. She gasped and jumped slightly after noticing the shock of near-white hair sticking out from her chair.

"Chrissakes, I forgot I let you sleep here," she grumbled, popping a piece of bread into the toaster. "Sleep well, Jeo?"

***

With a grumble, the male stirred. "I sleep best after sex." He remarked groggily. "But not really. A chair is not the most comfortable sleeping item." He admitted to her. "So what are your plans for the day? A nice day of lounging, then going to work at the bar, serving beer to people who sneer at you?" He asked as he stood, stretching some.

***

Silv shrugged. "Well hopefully you'll pick up a nice hooker tonight," she replied in a monotone voice. "Move to the couch next time." She folded her arms and observed her guest with a blank expression. "Anyway, I've gotta go grocery shopping." The toaster popped up shortly after. Silv retrieved her breakfast and took a bite, walking a little closer to Jeo. She could feel where he was sapping the heat from the ground, resisting the urge to shiver. "But later on, yes, I have work. I'll get hit on by drunk frat boys and probably knock out someone who thinks he's hot shit. It'll be real fun."

She returned to her bedroom and changed into jeans and a white v-neck, then went back to the living room. "Why don't you come to the bar tonight? First drink's on me."

***


"Why pay for something when I can obtain it for free?" He questioned with a smirk. "Still, you have a valid point. Perhaps I'll find a lovely young thing at the bar, get her drunk, and then proceed to fuck her on your couch. Or maybe on her couch. Or maybe just in a dark alley. She is going to get frostbite one way or another." He said with a wicked smirk. "But, just so you know, I don't get drunk. Drinking is fun and all, but I don't get drunk." He remarked.

***

Silvianne arched an eyebrow at Jeo. "If you say so," she mumbled. She didn't like his attitude. Must've been a long time since he's had his dick wet, she thought, letting out a light sigh.

"Whatever man. You don't have to set out to get drunk every time you drink." She smirked at him, walking over to pick up a pair of sneakers off the ground. She slipped them on quickly, then looked back at Jeo for a moment. "Are you gonna stay and creep or are you coming with me to the store?"

***

"When you put it like that, I guess I'll come with you to the store. Go ahead and by some drinks, and they will be cold by the time you get home." He mused slightly. He stepped outside into the cold air, taking a nice, deep breath. "Feel that single digit weather. It's glorious."

***

She threw a black, fur-lined coat around her shoulders. She also scooped up a helmet and tossed it at Jeo. "Hold on to your frozen testicles, because I'm about to surprise you again." She pulled a pair of sunglasses out of her pocket, alongside a set of keys.

Silv approached a white motorcycle--a fairly new Yamaha. She hopped on and started it up, revving the engine a few times to warm the engine. "Hop on, Iceboy."

***
He paused for a moment, sighing a bit. "Oh wow, a tatted up, pierced, strong willed woman riding a motorbike. Truly, you are the epitome of surprise." He remarked dryly, siging some more before working some magic. With a wave of the hand, and a cry of 'Bazam' ice formed to the side of her bike, making a lovely sidecar of ice. He sat in it, making himself comfortable. "I don't like riding bitch. Sidecars are more my style." He chuckled.

***

Silv arched an eyebrow at him. "Well, as long as your sidecar doesn't fuck up my bike, we'll be fine." She pulled on a pair of warm leather gloves, then kicked off, driving around the parking lot to test out the weight difference before getting on the road. Once she was satisfied, she took to the street and gunned it, flying over the asphalt, ignoring the speed limit for a while.

She parked in the middle of the lot, which was closer than her normal parking spot. She preferred to park near the back so that there was a lower chance of being hit, but since it was cold she didn't want to take any longer than necessary to walk in. She bought her groceries quickly, picking up a package of pork chops, some green beans, a few pears, and a couple bottles of peach tea. "I'd ask if you wanted something in particular," she said to Jeo whilst waiting in line, "but to be honest I don't really care what you want tonight. Maybe if I end up liking you, I'll cook you your favorite meal." She gave him a deadpan stare, then giggled and smirked at him. "Oh, you also get the privilege of carrying the bag. Don't drop it, douche." Silv giggled again.

Once again, she sped on the way back home, partly because it was cold and the air flying past her chilled her to the bone, and partly because she just liked to drive fast. When she was back in her apartment, she tossed her groceries in the fridge, but kept a pear for herself. "So, aside from trying to get laid, what do you like to do?" She took a bite of the pear, giving him a quizzical look. "Help yourself to the fruit, by the way."

***

He looked to her, smirking some. "Seems like you already have a plan for dinner." He mused with a slight smirk. He took her bags easily, holding the, keeping things cold while she drove through the streets. When they got to her place, he figured he would talk. "Sex is up there, I won't lie. I tend to watch people most of the time. I've never had time to engage in my own hobbies, simply adapting to whatever my current interest is into. So, I guess you can say what your interests are, mine are as well. Just don't expect me to get a tattoo." He mused.

***

Silv snorted. "Oh yeah? Not even my name in a heart on your asscheek?" She took another bite of her snack. "Well, I like ancient history, so that's gonna be easy for you to get into," she said, thinking a bit on her other hobbies. "Well, cage fighting is a job for me a couple times a year, but I really do enjoy MMA whether it's just watching or actually beating the shit out of someone. Or getting the shit beat out of. I think I could go pro some day, but to be honest I don't want to be that hardcore with my diet and exercise routine." She shrugged, taking another bite. "I also like to read, but I don't read often. I find a series and binge-read it in a week, then don't pick up another book for two or three months."

***

"So, you like beating people up and getting beaten up yourself. I bet you like it up the ass with someone tugging on those piercing on your nipples." He mused. "You probably fuck like a tiger in heat. If you looked like a barbie doll, you'd be the dream girl in both body and mind. Right now, you got that biker appeal, but up in that noggin, you are a good all rounder. I suppose that is the important thing these days. Guys, or girls, just want a fine, fuckable personality."

***

Silv stared at the elemental, an amused, if slightly irritated look in her pale blue eyes. "Well, I've never been attached to someone long enough for something to be up my ass, so I couldn't tell you. The nipple piercings, on the other hand..." She finished her pear and tossed the core in the trash. "I think you think that I've had more sexual encounters than I really have," she added.

She glanced at the clock.Still a couple of hours before she needed to get ready for work. "Couldn't tell you about my performance, since the whopping two partners I had were both virgins when I met them." She snickered. "I think you're also oversimplifying people. You've been around too long," she teased with a wink.

***

"Sounds a bit dull. Did they hit it and quit it? Too high maintenance for you, or were you too much for them?" He questioned. "I have been around a long time. Usually, it was easy enough to fuck in my time. It was easy as asking, and proving that you were top dog." He continued. "I will be around for so much longer, on top of things."

***

Silv shrugged again. "No, I was with both of 'em for a while." She remained a little quiet. "Humans are weird. 'I want a confident, strong woman'. Yeah, bullshit. They want it until they have it, then it's 'Oh, you're too independant. Oh, you're not feminine enough. Oh, you're too aggressive.' Fucking pussies." She huffed indignantly. "So...probably a mixture of both."

***

"Fuck. I mean, I know you are independent, mannish, and eager to punch someone in the gut full force. Look at me, I'm trying to get into your pants with all the above. I don't have standards. Well, I do, but I tend to throw them out the window anyway. When there is a spark, there is an orgasm." He mused.

***

Silv's cheeks redenned slightly. I know that he's been hitting on me but hearing him actually admit to it embarrasses me for some reason... She scratched her cheek, trying to hide it for a moment, waiting on the blood to flow away. "It was reassuring for a little bit there, buddy," she grumbled. "But duly noted. I guess if I get tired of being alone and adopting a bunch of cats doesn't do it, I'll give you a call, eh?"

***

"I think you'll skip the cats and just focus on one night stands for the rest of your sexual life. You'll probably get a dog or something. They are pretty needy, aren't they?" He questioned, rubbing the back of his head. "I'll remove the sidecar before you leave for work." He told her.

***

A chuckle escaped her lips. "Eh, I've got a little more dignity than that. Plus, it'd probably get boring after a while. Gotta have someone that'll spice it up, y'know?" She walked by him, patting him on the shoulder. "Don't worry about the sidecar. I walk to work, since it's right around the block." She stopped in front of her bedroom door, turning to look at him. "Though, you could walk me." She winked at him.

Even with quite a while until she needed to leave, Silv went ahead and changed for work; a white blouse with black slacks and black dress shoes. She rolled the sleeves up and left a few buttons undone--partially for charm, partly to show off her ink. She then went and combed her hair out and tied it in her usual fishtail braid. Her hair was pretty long--it reached the small of her back. Maybe I should chop a bunch of it off, she thought. But it was only a passing thought, she'd do something about it sooner or later.

"Eh, still got about an hour left 'til I need to leave. Any suggestion to kill some time? Aside from fuck, that is."

***

When she asked about killing time, he perked up a bit. "Damn, got my hopes up for a split second." He mused with a chuckle. "Perhaps I'll walk you to work, like the true gentleman I am. But for now..." He rubbed his chin, thinking a bit. "I could make ice sculptures. Step outside, I can build a snowman, or an ice swan, or an ice motorbike. Whatever the hell you want."

***

Silv was already pulling on her coat. "Sounds awesome," she replied, giving him a smile. A true smile this time, not a sarcastic one like all of the previous smirks she'd given him. "How 'bout you build me..." She trailed off, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "How 'bout a sculpture of a viking?"

***

"Child's play." He got into the road and got to work, collecting cold air and snow, and getting to work. The magic flowed from his palms, a jet of white as the statue started to form. It was basic, but intricate. He wore thick furs, was resting an axe on his back, and his beard and hair were messy. He looked fierce, but calm, with a stoic expression. "This to your liking?"

***

Her icy blue eyes widened, watching the elemental at work. Sure, she'd seen him forge his own sidecar earlier, but this was nothing like that. This was like watching an artist in fast-forward. Silv grinned at Jeo. "Uh...Hell yeah." She elbowed him in the side. "Why's he so calm? I thought the berserkers were full of rage. The battle over? He lose a friend or something?"

She regarded the sculpture for a bit longer, her expression still touched with awe. "I got it. His warband just made a hell of a haul off of some monastery, but he lost his brother in the fighting, so he's happy he's rich, but sad at the loss of family." She looked to Jeo with an arched eyebrow. "Am I close?"

***

He chuckled some more. "Before battle." He told her. "imagine facing someone in total control of his emotions. Someone who can cut someone down in cold blood, indifferent to loss, be it friend or foe. Of course, the fallen would be mourned, but this was a man who saw hell, and held no fear." He told her.


***

The woman's expression became more thoughtful. "Well, calm opponents tend to make for more difficult matches," she mused. "I suppose it makes sense that a warrior would be a force to be reckoned with." She folded her arms tightly across her torso. "What else you got for the scene?"

***

"More for the scene, eh?" He said, rubbing his chin. Once again, he got to work, once more making a viking. This one a woman, modeled after Silv, covered head to toe with fur and armor, obviously more into battle, with sword and shield in hand.

***

Silv giggled. "Well, I always considered myself a bit of a 'modern viking,' but I guess I know what I'd look like as a real viking now." She looked at Jeo, a smile still playing about her lips, wonder shining in her blue eyes. "This is really..." she trailed off, trying to piece together how she felt. "It's very beautiful."

***

"Beautiful, you say?" He asked, chuckling some. "Let's make it a bit more grisly." He conjured up an enemy viking. Ugly, just as armored and armed, but a lot uglier. He then made a thick, solid battleaxe of ice. "Mind the cold, and bash the dicks head in. It sounds right up your ally." He mused.

***

She gave him a devilish grin. "Oh yeah? Well you're not entirely wrong there. I do like to beat the shit out of things." She hefted the chunk of ice, testing its weight in her hands before planting her feet firmly and swinging the axe at the enemy vikings skull. Both pieces of ice shattered, leaving Silv with a jagged icicle, and the enemy viking missing a head and some of the shoulder. Somehow she managed to not chuck the axe at Jeo's head on accident. She let out a sigh, dropping the broken weapon.

"Well that was fun," she huffed, a cloud of vapor rising in front of her face. She pulled her cellphone out of her pocket, glancing at the time. "I'd like to smash a couple more statues, but..." She tapped her wrist like she was wearing a watch. "I need to head to the bar. C'mon," she said, walking by him and elbowing him playfully.

***

"We have all winter to bash away at inanimate objects." With a wave, the statues faded to snow, and he decided to walk alongside Silvianne. "Maybe I'll take your offer of a free drink. I'm not exactly made of money, you know, though I could probably make a few bucks by selling ice sculptures." He mused.

***

The woman chuckled. "I'd say you could make more than a few bucks. Too bad this isn't New York, then finding a buyer would be easy."

She walked with a brisk pace--partially because she always walked fast when it was cold, and partially because her legs and stride were long. Once they were within view of the bar, Silv nudged Jeo. "Hey, iceboy," she began, "there it is. I'll bet you that it's rowdy tonight." She giggled. "I'll bet you that I have to throw at least one person out." A sigh escaped her lips. "Sometimes I actually hope a full-on bar brawl breaks out so I can really fuck some shit up. Knock someone out. Smash a stool on someone. You know how it goes." She laughed again.

Silv led her frozen companion through the back entrance--normally reserved for employees only, but she didn't care too much. She pointed him out of the back room, then hung up her jacket and clocked in. The bar was just opening, so Jeo was technically the first patron, since the doors were still locked. Silv winked at him as she walked by, making sure everything was in order before unlocking the front and flipping the open sign on.

"So, what'll it be?" She asked her companion, sauntering back behind the bar. She leaned forward on her elbows, arching an eyebrow at him. "Cosmo? Blue hawaiian? Sex on the beach? And no, that last one isn't an offer from me."

***

The bar was quiet, which was nice. He sat at the bar, relaxing a bit before hearing the drink offer. "Better be a nude beach. Or you better be in a bikini that covers nothing." He mused. "Something strong. Doesn't matter what." He told her. He leaned back a little, sighing a bit. "You'd probably look good in a bikini. You don't got much in the tit department, but that ass is quite something. Wouldn't mind getting my face in that."

***

Silv just shook her head, laughing quietly to herself. She poured her companion a glass of scotch on the rocks, sliding it down the bar when she was finished. "You're not impressed with my tits because you haven't seen them," she teased, resting one hand on her hip. She leaned forward on her other arm, smirking at Jeo.

"I've got a great ass because I do my squats. Shame you won't get to stick your face in, eh?" She laughed again. "But who knows. Maybe my great-granddaughter will be the spitting image of me and you'll get it in with her."

***

"Maybe she will have tits as big as her head." He joked, taking the drink, pounding it back easily. "Man, tastes strong. Thankfully, I don't get drunk." He said, passing the frosted glass back to her. "So, you show a little cleavage. Does that actually bring you customers, or is like a morale boost or something?" He asked.

***

Silv shrugged. "Eh, not really. Morale boost really. I told you, I don't get a lot of attention because a lot of the pansies around here get scared easily." She plucked the frozen glass off the bar. "I see them sneak a peak but I'm taller than half of them so they immediately look away. It's funny, really."

A few more people came in, and Silv served them drinks, while managing to keep up a conversation with Jeo. A rather grumpy and heavyset man entered, which nearly stopped Silvianne instantly. A small grin appeared on her face. Before he even ordered, she poured the man a whiskey and slid it to him. She then leaned close to Jeo. "If I keep him drinking, he'll start a fight. I can almost guarantee it 100%. If you push his buttons, he'll start swinging. I'm totally down to get into a fistfight with him if you wanna help me piss him off. Might be a couple hours, though." She then stepped away and poured a beer for another customer, making small talk for a moment before glancing back at Jeo with an arched eyebrow.

***

He saw the man she pointed to, and he rubbed his chin. He had a devious plan forming. When she came close, he spoke. "What's in it for me?" He asked with a slight smirk. "Maybe if I get this bar going into a tizzy, into a massive bar brawl, you'll let me see you naked?" He took a shot in the dark. He would see what happened, and he was good at watching.

***

Silv sighed, smirking slightly. "Yeah, whatever. But I keep my panties on and you can't touch," she whispered back. "You'll get to see those piercings you've been fantasizing about," she goaded, walking away to mix another drink.

"Another Jack, Tommy?" she asked the heavyset man. She poured him another drink, sparing a glance back at Jeo. This bastard better deliver. I can't believe I agreed to his fucking condition. I'm stupid.

It was only about an hour or so of Tom pounding back liquor before he started to get aggressive and grumpy. A couple of arguments broke out, but Silv silenced them quickly. She gave Jeo a wink. Hope you understood that signal, fucking horny icecube.

EDIT: I feel I should mention this 1x1 brings up sex a lot so warning I guess

 

Holy hot hell, another 1x1!?

Spoiler

He might have been dead, as still as he was sitting. Chained up and imprisoned by the "heroes". The chains clinked slightly as he adjusted himself slightly, flexong his fingers to try and get the blood flowing. Pale turquoise eyes looked up from behind curtains of thick black hair that was now quite grimy and unkempt. The odd streak by his left ear, normally the same color as his eyes, but now more of a vile green. His flesh, even as pale as it was naturally, seemed sickly and transparent.

Yet even filthy, dressed in rags, and chained to the wall, there was still a sense of nobility and beauty to him. Somehow, his lean figure was barely conserved; he was quite thinner than normal, but he still was not starving. A pained sigh escaped his lips, fingers tracing the grooves in the floor beneath him. Heroes, they call themselves... he thought, clenching his jaw tightly. He hung his head, as if deciding to keep the will to struggle was too much.

Naeova...

The fire returned to his eyes, his head perking up slightly. He yanked on the chains, letting out a loud rattle. A hoarse voice cried out wordlesdly in anger. He still had fight left in him, even sfter being imprisoned for so long. Naeova's crime was challenging the heroes--he thought them corrupt and lazy, working more towards their own self interests than the good of the people.

A grin appeared on the man's lips, a chuckle escaping shortly after. "Even with the power of gods, you are afraid of me," he hissed, mostly to himself. "Me...a mere man." He pulled on his chains again, ignoring the pain of the shackles cutting into his wrists and ankles. "How terribly sad." He grunted and struggled again, knowing it was in vain. Not like it would magically conjure freedom for him.

But it did keep the fire burning in his heart.

***



The air rippled with magical power as the bladed staff shot down and sunk into the stone tiled ground. The sound of its arrival drew the attention of those standing guard. They had all served the nine once and recognized the weapon instantly, its coiled bone white branches that at one end wrapped themselves around a silver blade with runic symbols and at the other end wrapped themselves around a sphere of crimson amber. It was the chosen weapon of the guardian of conflict and where it was, she was not far behind.

As if on queue the woman herself than manifested alongside the weapon in a swirl of crimson energy. Pulling the staff out of the ground, she flourished it before letting it come to rest pressed against the back of her arm and back. She cut an intimidating sight against the backdrop of the ruined building, wearing her black armor. Thinking himself clever, one of the guards from the second story lined up a shot with his bow and loosed the arrow from her blindside. He should have known better.

Turning on him, she swatted the arrow out of the sky and stared him down with her icy blue eyes. She did not have the time for this nor could she risk any of those present sounding the alarm. Raising her gauntleted hand, crimson energy swirled from her forearm to her palm to form a sphere that she crushed in her hand and scattered the magic bringing on a red glow to the area. All of those around her were then inspired into conflicting with one another, putting all else aside until they were the last one standing. As they then began to fight amongst each other, she then was left alone to descend into the mountain in which the ruin had been built upon and down into the prison in which they had sentenced the one known as Naeova.

Familiar with the layout of the interior, it did not take her long to find his cell. Waving her hand as she approached, the door open of its own accord and she walked through to gaze down upon the shell of the man that had tried on more than one occasion to take her life.

"We do not have much time. I have come to grant your freedom but only upon the condition that you aid me in finding the murderer of my friend," she stated as she regarded him coldly.


***

A wicked smile appeared on Naeova's face as he heard the commotion. Soon after, his cell door flew open and one of the Nine strode in. "Hello, dear Miriam," he said, voice still barely containing traces of his trademark charm. "You must have fallen upon extremely desperate times to request my assistance."

He held up his wrists, waiting for the woman to free him. "Have you found your little club is not as friendly as you once thought?" He chuckled. "I will gladly assist you. I do not expect kindess given our...past." Naoeva jangled the chains again. "I do expect trust and respect. You have come to your senses, dear Miriam. I know longer wish harm upon you." His smile faded slightly.

"Out of curiosity, which one is being the problem child?"

***

Narrowing her eyes as he spoke, she did not like his overly familiar tone. Had she not needed his help then she would not be here though and so she conceded. With another wave of her hand, the shackles unlocked and fell to the ground. Gesturing she then levitated him to his feet and restored his armor and weapon to him as she did so. There was no time to waste. She did not want to risk drawing unwanted attention to herself.

Leading him out of the prison, she answered his question. "I do not know. All that I do know is that both the Guardian and Scion of balance have been killed," she stated. This was not inconsequential news in the slightest. The Guardian of Balance was the one who controlled how much of the God's power resided in each of the other Guardians. Her Scion would have inherited the roll upon her death but now that both had been killed there was no one to fulfill the roll.

As far as Miriam could tell though, the remaining eight Guardians each received an equal portion. If another Guardian had been the culprit, as Naeova assumed, then why would Serena give them any of the God's power? It didn't make any sense and so Miriam was left to assume that this was an outside attack. Someone seemingly haven succeeded where Naeova had failed. That must rub him the wrong way, but thought it might have angered him the thought brought no pleasure to her. She had lost a friend. And now she wished to find the others and figure out what happened.

***

A heavy, content sigh escaped Naeova's lips the instant his chains were removed. Miriam then restored his gear--well tailored blsck pants with knee-high greaves made of an ornate silver metal, a light grey tunic and breastplate of the same metal, with a long white coat. There was a thin layer of chainmail sewn into the coat, and two gothic-style silver gauntlets that reached to the elbow, though the majority of the gauntlets was covered.

He picked the heavy saber off the ground, drawing it and admiring the blade. The heavy segmented scales that made it up seemed to be in perfect condition. "How nice of you to take care of my gear," he responded sarcastically, even though the meaning was genuine. He gave his weapon a flick, testing the whip mechanism. Everything seemed to be in order. He sheathed his weapon and dusted himself off, then turned to face his savior, giving an exaggerated bow.

"Well, you see my dear," he began, "I don't think all of you heroes are, well, heroes." His tone was especially venomous. "There's corruption in your Nine. I'm sorry, Eight." He sighed. "I am sorry about your friend," he murmured, voice surprisingly soft and empathetic. "But I do not think a normal human would be able to murder both the Scion and Guardian without leaving a sloppy trail behind." His burning turquoise irises pierced through Miriam.

He matched pace beside her, remaining quiet for a moment. "Miriam, I firmly believe that it is one of your allies. I am not just saying that because I would have to admot someone succeeded where I failed." He tapped on the hilt of his weapon with the pointed fingertips of his gauntlets. "Trust none of the other heroes. Watch them carefully. I will help when you find the culprit, but first I must rebuild my strength. I will need several days, at least. A couple weeks would be better, but I do not think time will permit for that." He chewed on the inside of his cheek. "You will need to hide me. Blame my escape on the same person that murdered the Guardian of Balance. More than likely the one who did it will try to target you next. They will think you found out." He chuckled. "And if I'm wrong about it being one of the Eight...Well, then as soon as we solve this mystery, I will let you execute me on the spot."

---

She could not help but chuckle at the comment about an ordinary human not being capable enough to take out a scion and a guardian. "Funny, that is what they said when we declared that we were going to slay Tyranos. The nine of us hadn't yet earn the title of heroes and so were thought of as little more than mere mortals," Miriam reflected with sadness in her voice. She had been on her way to visit Serena at the temple when she had felt the woman's death through the ether. She had made haste to her friend's side but it was too late. Whoever had killed her had fled. With no other Guardians nearby, Miriam had made her way at once to the prison to enlist Naeova's assistance.

Sighing, she conceded that it was too much to expect him to be in fighting form after having been imprisoned so long. She would have liked to begin their investigation a little sooner but rest might do the both of them some good. She still had not recovered from the shock of the death of her friend. Holding out her hand to stop him, she placed her bare hand on his chest. "Very well," she replied as she activated her spell. The two of them were engulfed in blue light. Their surroundings faded to black and when there was light again they were in a finely decorated living room. There were all sorts of weapons and armors displayed among trophies of slain monsters and beasts.

"We should be safe here for a time. Whoever killed Serena and Gerald should know that their deaths did not go unnoticed and that the rest of us will be on guard. Confronting us directly is no longer a viable option unless they intend to die," she commented. She did not make any regard as to whose place this was though from the crimson fabrics and the other decor hinted that this was indeed her place, or at least one of them.

---

The ex-prisoner shook his head. "The difference is you nine worked in a group. If it was a group that murdered your friends, then you would have been able to track the footprints. Whoever did it has to be exceptional. And if they're better than me..." Naeova paused, brows furrowing. "Well, I don't know how I haven't heard from them." He shook his head. "Right now, it only makes sense to me that someone matching your power could have killed two exceptional beings either alone or with little help. But then again, I did not see the crime scene." He looked back at Miriam, his eyes genuinely concerned.

That was when she reached out and touched his chest. He barely managed to give her a confused look before they disappeared in a glorious flash of magical light. Touching down in the exquisitely decorated living room, Naeova sucked in a gasp, disoriented momentarily. Magic transportation was such a strange sensation. He didn't experience it enough to get used to it. He cleared his throat nervously, dusting his coat off for effect. "Regardless," he began, "either the culprit is a highly-skilled assassin who got lucky, or one of the heroes." He sighed.

He took a few steps around the living room, greaves clinking slightly. His eyes traveled around the room several times, taking in as many details as possible, familiarizing himself with his surroundings. "I do not think there was ever a direct confrontation." He shook his head. "Once I have had a chance to bathe and eat, I would like for you to take me to the place where she died. And if I may..." He closed his eyes, staying quiet for a moment. "I would like to see their corpses."

---

Miriam took a moment to consider his words. The possibility had crossed her mind that the culprit could have been another Guardian. Just because they had all come together to defeat Tyranos did not mean that they were all friends. Not all of the active Guardians were original members either. Charlene and Wyatt had passed on their powers to their Scions already and had chosen to retire. Could one of them come back with some grudge or could their seat holders be behind it? She was not naive as to completely dismiss the notion but neither did she want to admit that the culprit was one of her people.

Her gaze having drifted, she returned it to him as he asked if he could visit the scene of the crime. She merely shook her head. "The spell I used to get us here was a one way trip. To get back we would either go the long way or use a spell that would give away our movements to our enemies," she explained. Gesturing toward one of the hallways near the back of the room, she then added, "The bathroom is down that way. I will prepare us something to eat in the meantime."

---

Naeova shrugged. "Ah. That is a shame indeed," he replied. "If you can remember anything about the scene, please do not hesitate to let me know," he added. The magic the nine gained from Tyranos was incredibly powerful, but not without its drawbacks. Naeova knew there had to be a weakness, but he didn't exactly have the easiest time observing their magic when he was busy harassing and attacking them. He was beginning to feel a bit of remorse for ever bothering Serena, now that she was dead and gone.

The heroine pointed him in the direction of the bathroom, which brought a small smile to the turquoise man's lips. He ran a hand through his greasy and dirt laden hair. "Ah, thank you," he responded, bowing in gratitude. He hurried off to the bathroom and drew a bath in a hurry, peeling off his clothing and armor as fast as possible. He wasted absolutely no time hopping in the water.

After spending quite a long time scrubbing his skin and hair clean, Naeova finally hopped out and dried himself off enough to pull his trousers on. He wasn't going to strap all of his armor back on so he left it in a neat pile outside the door. He paced through the house, following his nose to locate Miriam.

"Thank you again," he said, mostly to announce his presence. His tunic was still balled up in his hand, exposing the pale flesh of his still-wet torso. The bath did wonders for him--his hair was now a lustrous black, his skin seemed less pallid, and his turquoise streak was the correct color. He already looked much healthier.

---

After Naeova left her, Miriam walked upstairs to her room where she removed her armor and set her staff in its stand. She then produced a crimson tunic with black pants that she dressed in and headed down to the kitchen where she began to prepare some food for the two of them. Being both a mage and one of the Guardians, she had more convenient ways in which to preserve her food stuffs than most folk and grabbed two steaks from a magically chilled box. She marinated them with various herbs and sauces before cooking them on a grill over a fire pit. She also boiled some oil and threw some plank cut potatoes in. While she waited for these things to cook she cut up some vegetables for a salad, which she was able to plate before he arrived.

Nodding in acknowledgement of his return, she gestured to the small table in the kitchen. "There is salad on the table. The rest of the food will be along shortly," she stated before turning back to the cooking at hand. When she was finished, she plated the rest of the food and brought it to the table. Sitting down opposite him, she then began to eat her food. They were not fronts and she felt no shame in not being a proper hostess and trying to strike some conversation. She wanted to eat, maybe rest for a little while, and then begin to formulate a plan to move forward with.

---

Turquoise orbs eyed the food in an almost predatory manner--Naeova was absolutely ravenous. High quality meat, non-spoiled vegetables...properly cooked potatoes! His mouth salivated wildly just thinking about taking a bite. He sat down and had half the salad devoured by the time Miriam brought the rest of the meal to the table. He stopped and sampled the steak and the potatoes, letting out a very satisfied sounding moan. He forced himself to stop stuffing his face for a moment. "Oh...It's been so long since I've had a real meal." He shoved a slice of meat in his mouth.

"I am sorry for the terrible manners but I just can't help myself." He didn't say another word until every scrap of food was gobbled down. He sighed contently, his eyes drooping slightly. A nice bath, a delicious dinner...Now he was more than likely going to sleep on a real bed. Life was good tonight. He smiled, all traces of his manipulative and sarcastic attitude gone for a moment; his simple happiness at being free overwhelming his personality and emotions. "Thank you so much," he whispered, voice soft and genuine. "I truly mean it. And..." He trailed off, looking down and closing his eyes. "I am sorry. Sorry for your loss, and sorry for my actions. I just hope that I am wrong about the rest of your comrades, like I was wrong about you."

His smile faded, expression becoming more serious. "Where do you want me to start?" he asked. At least she's got me to start investigating. It'll keep her nose clean if they catch on to me. Unless... A horrible realization dawned on him. It's completely possible she did it and she's using me as bait to lure the others out...I'll have to be careful. She had my trust for a moment.

He looked back up at Miriam, his expression somehow not changing in the least. One of his talents was keeping one hell of a poker face.

---

Miriam ate her food without acknowledging his thanks. His freedom was due to her need, not any compassion or guilt she had felt towards him. She did take notice of his enthusiasm for her cooking however and took pleasure in it. Known more for her prowess on the battlefield then for any of her domestic skills, it was always nice to introduce others to this side of her and have them appreciate it.

A fast eater, it wasn't long after he finished his meal that she finished her own. When done she then turned her gaze upon him, ready to answer his question. "With the Guardian of Balance killed, whoever killed her can now begin to move among the remaining Guardians to kill them. When they kill us now they can claim our portion of Tyranos' power for themself. So the first order of business should be to meet up with the other Guardians. Alone we can be defeated. Together we were capable enough to bring down a god.," she explained at length.

She knew he did not trust her or her comrades but no other course of action made sense to her. If he was right and one of them was a traitor then the best and quickest way to deal with them would be a straight on confrontation.

---

Naeova nodded. He decided he would trust that she wasn't the killer for now. If anything, anything, made him suspicious, he would not hesitate to act upon it. "It's a sound plan," he replied, though his tone was dubious. "But I think it is in our best interest to at least draw up a few suspects. If we approach the actual killer unknowingly, and invite them into the inner circle, we might as well just stab eachother through the chest right now."

He sighed, massaging his temples. "If you can come up with a starting place for me, I will be able to begin a search tomorrow. I just won't be able to fight for a week or so, at least. It will be risky, for sure, but as long as I do not get too deep into it, I should be fine." He stifled a yawn. "I will be able to formulate better plans once I have rested."

---

"We need not rush. We Guardians have the ability to sense the relative location of each other. It will not be too difficult to find the others. I just don't have any teleportation spells in which to get us to them," she explained. The one she had used to get to the prison could only be used on her and the one she used to get them here could only be used to return to her abode. So finding the others would be easy given the nine's ability to sense each other but it would take a while to get to them and it would be the same for the others, except for perhaps the Guardians of Energy and Dimensions who had various ways in which to get around.

That being said, it was also why she doubted that another Guardian had done it. She had not sensed the presence of any other with Serena at the time of her death. Once more though she was not naive enough as to think there was no way around it. She just wasn't the type to be able to think of such ploys. She had always been more of a straight forward type of woman who dealt with her problems head one.

Taking up the empty plates, she gestured back down the hallway with which the bathroom had been located. "The guest bedroom is located down that way. Feel free to get the rest that you likely require," she commented content with doing the dishes herself. She would likely head to bed herself after she was done.

---

Naeova nodded. He knew a little about their powers, but having Miriam explain what they did in a more detailed manner was nice. Great, even, should he have to fight one of the heroes. "Hmm..." He tapped thoughtfully on his chin.

After another brief moment in silence, and he suddenly let out a loud, irritated groan. "Damn," he sighed. "My mind is working too hard for me to relax, but I am too tired to think straight." He sighed again. "I will retire now. Even if I cannot sleep, I will lie down and rest. Hopefully that will help my predicament."

He got up, bowing slightly to Miriam. "Thank you again for dinner," he said, then hurried off to the guest room she pointed out. He stopped next to the bathroom to retrieve his clothing and armor, then tossed it on the floor next to the bed. He flopped down on the bed, almost laughing at how absolutely heavenly it was to finally lay down on a soft surface. His concerns faded almost instantly, and his eyes grew heavy and droopy. It was not long before he was lost to the land of dreams.

---

As he left Miriam went to do the dishes. Alone she let her stoic facade go and let the tears well up in her eyes. Serena had been the one to bring them all together all those years ago and had done more than just found Miriam. She had saved her and befriended her despite the warrior mage's unwelcoming demeanor in her youth. She had been a Gladiator who had only known those who wished to use her or to do her harm. Then the Guardian of Balance had come into her life and had signaled her out to be a part of something greater. She had owed the woman so much and yet had been unable to save her. That guilt she was certain never to live down.

When the dishes were done, she headed upstairs once more and disrobed before climbing into bed. Though she tried, she could not fall asleep though and instead astral projected herself back to the citadel. There she reluctantly took the steps through the audience hall and to the antechamber beyond where the foul deed had been committed. At first she was alone but the longer she lingered more presences she began to sense until at last all eight of them stood there silently standing over the body of their beloved comrade.

Looking up into the faces of those gathered, she reconfirmed her doubts that it had been one of them. All looked to be in mourning. One after the other, their gazes all rose and silently each donned an air of commitment. There needed to be no words between them. All knew that the one responsible needed to be held accountable and each would now do what was required.

Retreating back to her body with the assurance of her friends, Miriam was finally able to find peace and with it sleep. Little did she suspect the changes that were going on within the circle, and even within herself.

---

It was the first night in a long time that Naeova slept without the plague of nightmares haunting his subconscious. No, instead it was a peaceful, dreamless slumber that rejuvenated the fugitive. It was late in the morning when he finally woke, struggling to force himself out of bed and face the day. How I wish I had the time to laze about in bed for a day, he lamented, heaving a heavy sigh.

"No matter, I will take care of my duties and rest fitfully again soon," he murmured, desperately wishing that he could get a decent period of time sleeping in a bed, before inevitably returning to sleeping on the cold, hard ground. "No matter indeed."

He dressed himself quickly, stalking into the living room quietly. He allowed himself a moment to admire the interior more; he'd been too tired and too hungry to really pay much attention last night. Miriam's abode truly was impressive.

"Miriam?" Naeova called out softly. He didn't want to sneak up on her and surprise her, but he didn't want to just wander aimlessly about her house, either.

---

She awoke to her name being called. Stretching out in her bed, she tossed her legs over the side and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "I will be down in a moment," she called back drowsily. Standing herself up, she dressed in her armor and grabbed her staff before heading down the stairs. Still working the tiredness out of her body as she came down, she looked at her companion as she said, "Good morning. I trust that you slept well?" The beds that were in her home had been gifted to her by a noble who swore that they were the most comfortable beds in the known world. As of yet she had not met anyone who could claim that they knew of a bed to match and so the noble's flaunting had not been baseless.

Still they did not have much time for pleasantries. The sooner they moved out the better. "If you have no objections, I would like to head to town to procure some supplies and horses so that we can be off. We can pick up breakfast at the tavern before we ride," she said not expecting any objections. She was sure that he was as eager to get going. The sooner they finished their quest, the sooner he could be pardoned and freed.

Already she could sense some Guardians on the move. Unsure of their motives she hoped to find help in the Guardian of Nature. He was the closest and one of the few not moving. This didn't surprise her as he had always been more interested in his forest than anything else. It had only been because of Serena's assurance that nothing would befall his forest that he had come with them to defeat Tyranos all those years before. Still he might know something, whether he had learned it from the trees or the animals.

---

Naeova nodded. "I was unsure if I would be able to sleep in a bed after getting used to stone floors, yet that bed must have been made for the gods. I have not slept that well in...quite a long time." He smirked. "I thank you again for your hospitality."

He bowed his head slightly in gratitude, then looked up, his expression serious once more. "Ah, yes. I am ready to leave whenever you are." He crossed his arms. "Just tell me what you wish for me to do, and I will do it."

---

Miriam nodded her acknowledgement of his readiness to leave and lead him out the front door. The front of her cottage over looked a beautiful lake that was framed by a long mountain range in the horizon with forest flanking them on either side. It was a beautiful sight much removed from the ruined cathedral the Nine assembled and the prison there connected. It was also far enough from the nearest town that the sounds and smells of the town did not invade upon the serenity of the location.

There was a path though that led from the front of her house around to the back and down through the forest. It would meet up with a main road that they could then walk down to the town of Lorne. That was where they would buy supplies and horses for the journey ahead of them. It felt good to be on the path to justice, but she couldn't help but feel the lingering sadness of loss.

"Lorne is not far. We will buy supplies and horses there and then head North West toward the Eldriche Forest where we will find the Druid. He may know more about what happened than anyone," she explained thinking of only one other that might have been as knowledgeable but they were too far away to make sense of visiting first.

---

Naeova nodded, retrieving all of his equipment briefly before following Miriam out the door. He was still fastening his gauntlets as they set off towards the path to Lorne. Turquoise eyes gazed curiously at the female Guardian.

"Druid," the man murmured to himself, tapping his fingers on the hilt of his sword. "You think he might see from the eyes of a bird that was there?" he questioned, arching an eyebrow at his travel companion. "If we can not get information from him, who else shall we ask?"

He tried to keep himself focused, even though the beauty of his surroundings seemed to desperately pull at his attention. Everything was so picturesque and tranquil. It was all bright and colorful. Such a drastic contrast to Naeova's previous surroundings during his incarceration. Maybe if we are to hide here again I will get a chance to enjoy the sunrise. Or perhaps a thunderstorm.

---

"If he didn't witness the act first hand through the second sight, word would have reached him second hand at the very least. He is our best bet. If not him then it shall be harder to find the others," she stated. Most of the others were on the move, likely doing their own investigation or preparing to defend themselves or go on the hunt for the perpetrator. No matter what they were doing, it would not be easy to track the others down. But she was likely not the only one to think to check on the Druid. She could only hope that they'd meet others on the way.

The rest of the way to Lorne they walked in silence. The gates to the town were opened and nobody stopped them upon recognizing her. Turning to him she fished into her coin purse and produced some money. Holding it out for him to take, she told him, "Go to town square and fetch us supplies for the journey. I shall go to the stables to get our mounts." She then parted ways with him for the meantime to do as she said.

When she got to the stable, the stable master himself came to greet her. She request two steeds instead of the usual one. As per her previous instruction, both were fitted with special shoes that would allow for swifter and easier travel for the horses. She had shared the magical runes with the Stable Master years ago and his business had bloomed because of it.

Hopping into the saddle of her mount, she took the reigns of his and walked them to the Square where she hoped that he had finished gathering what they needed. Both horses were fit with saddlebags to accommodate their needs.

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