"What were we supposed to do?" comes a strangled reply from Vai's birth mother, who is fighting tears more and more as Aananda speaks. She is shaking with emotion as she speaks. "We hadn't the resources to fight a dragon, and he told us if we fled the village that he would hunt us down." the woman's voice broke, but she continues after a moment. "And.. if we don't sleep well at night. We haven't since the first day that monster came to our village.""Then you understand why she doesn't want to speak to you right now."
"So I'm going to ask you the question she's dying to know the answer to. Why did you do it? You had to know nothing good would happen to her. Why did you chain her to that rock so Aegythrax could take her? How do you justify that so you can sleep at night?"
"You fight anyway, even if you don't think you can win! You change the rules! You find the enemy of your enemy and make alliances! You realize that a powerful dragon has better things to do than chasing down villagers! Sure, he'd get a few, but not everyone, and you had to know he wasn't going to stop until there was no one left no matter what you did! Or you die trying to save your child, because that's what parents do! It doesn't even matter if you think you can win! You don't hand your child over to a monster! That's not what you do to someone you love! You can't do something like that and still call yourselves parents!" she snapped, trying and not entirely succeeding at reining in her temper.
She took a few deep breaths and continued in a softer, but much more frightening voice. "I'm sure you think I don't understand. You'd be wrong. Maybe I am stronger than you, and I have more resources, but I didn't get them from doing nothing. I had none of those resources to start with. Aegythrax is not the scariest thing I've ever had to rescue one of my children from. I understand fighting a hopeless fight better than you will ever know. And I know the obvious thing that people so often forget...you can't win if you don't fight. I will never understand how you could give your child to a monster. I will never understand how you could surrender without even trying. And I will never understand how you can expect anyone to believe you when you say you care about her after that."
"So, a penny for your thoughts, Wizard Vare? You appear lost in such."
Maya glanced over after a few moments of silence, a light smile on her face.
After asking the townsfolk to keep an eye on the sleeping Lewis, Ephebe hurried to join the children. She arrived in time to hear Zilla's outburst including the slap to Hew.
"Zilla, I am quite certain that Hew wasn't there to attack you...and it sounds like you know it wasn't really him. But details are important when it comes to finding the real attacker. I think you need to talk to a telepath. A good one. I would recommend Phaezeriel. Maybe he can find some clue in your memories. The attacker disguised themselves as Hew somehow, and seeing your memory of it could help lead to the real culprit. Hew, I think we will all understand if you need to go back to Avalon with Zilla after this."
Her voice sounds a little confused, "Turned off their sentience? You " With a shriek of rage she launches herself off the table at Nala almost too fast for the eye to follow, metallic claws three times the length of her fingers flashing and reaching for Nala.
** spoiler omitted **
Struggling to resolve the conflict between needing to keep the biohazard in a safe location and needing to protect one of its people from harm, parts of the school near the biohazard ward shudder as the floor of the lab flows up with the sound of a landslide. Directly in front of Nala there is a claw-tipped arm extending out of a rock bubble. Jessa's evil twin's voice can be heard clearly swelling rhapsodic on the topic of all the horrible things to which she is going to subject Nala as soon as she is loose.
"Seventy-two unique threats," Nala noted as she took notes, not even flinching at the attempted attack, although the observant person might notice a layer of ice over the stone bubble. "Interesting. I have personal experience with numbers fourteen, twenty-five through twenty-nine, forty-one, and sixty-three through seventy. And five isn't really a threat. I'm immune. You're not going to scare me, you know. More inventively cruel people than you got there first. Let me know when you're done with this little temper tantrum," she added in a bored tone.
Ryuzo smiles at Nala's response. She can tell her casual accounting of the things done to her bothers him a bit, but he's loving the display of emotional strength she's giving.
::Quite feisty, that one. I wonder if they are sperate beings in one body, or if she "split" to handle the constant experimentation and torture?::
Reads to the eggs, watching them while Taron and Kam are away. Today its natural sciences, a very low level version. He'll make sure he picks topics any of the eggs are interested in, making a list to bring back...
::How goes the field trip?:: he sends to his wife...
Much commotion in the woods today. Al watches from up high as someone from the school looks over a somewhat grisly scene. Looks like someone was cut here.
"Seventy-two unique threats," Nala noted as she took notes, not even flinching at the attempted attack, although the observant person might notice a layer of ice over the stone bubble. "Interesting. I have personal experience with numbers fourteen, twenty-five through twenty-nine, forty-one, and sixty-three through seventy. And five isn't really a threat. I'm immune. You're not going to scare me, you know. More inventively cruel people than you got there first. Let me know when you're done with this little temper tantrum," she added in a bored tone.
Ryuzo smiles at Nala's response. She can tell her casual accounting of the things done to her bothers him a bit, but he's loving the display of emotional strength she's giving.
::Quite feisty, that one. I wonder if they are separate beings in one body, or if she "split" to handle the constant experimentation and torture?::
::That is the question. She's certainly been through enough trauma to 'split' into two personalities. Especially if the hive mind of the virus was helping things along. But I also wouldn't it put it past the researchers who did this to her to have implanted a second, more cooperative personality. Hopefully the brain scans will give us a better idea of which way this developed. It's very different treatments, depending.::
Reads to the eggs, watching them while Taron and Kam are away. Today its natural sciences, a very low level version. He'll make sure he picks topics any of the eggs are interested in, making a list to bring back...
::How goes the field trip?:: he sends to his wife...
::Not so great. One of the students I left back at Avalon was murdered since we left. She was resurrected and someone was kind enough to teleport her here. Whoever did it disguised themselves as one of the students on the trip with me. Obviously it wasn't him. He was here. But it's a mess.::
"So, a penny for your thoughts, Wizard Vare? You appear lost in such."
Maya glanced over after a few moments of silence, a light smile on her face.
Vare looks inquisitively over to Maya, then realizes he had let the conversation drop in his mental wanderings. He shakes his head for a moment, trying to clear his mind and focus on being social. "Ah... apologies. It has been a very... busy few days, and there is much distracting me. You can keep the copper though, it may help to have someone to share." Vare says offhandedly, his hand leaving the chin where it had been when he drifted off into thought.
"My main concern is that there may be a powerful sin-focused demon running amok in the school. Both Tryko'Sam and a dear friend of mine have thus far been victims. Tryko'Sam seemingly afflicted by Wrath, while Rena... my companion... she was afflicted by Lust." There's a strain to his voice when he speaks of Rena which might indicate that he is extra troubled where Rena is concerned.
"There are other things which have drawn my attention... including a young woman - a student at the school - whom I cannot seem to get out of my thoughts for longer than a minute or two." he says, quite casually, perhaps forgetting for the moment that such a relationship is generally taboo.
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"Seventy-two unique threats," Nala noted as she took notes, not even flinching at the attempted attack, although the observant person might notice a layer of ice over the stone bubble. "Interesting. I have personal experience with numbers fourteen, twenty-five through twenty-nine, forty-one, and sixty-three through seventy. And five isn't really a threat. I'm immune. You're not going to scare me, you know. More inventively cruel people than you got there first. Let me know when you're done with this little temper tantrum," she added in a bored tone.
Ryuzo smiles at Nala's response. She can tell her casual accounting of the things done to her bothers him a bit, but he's loving the display of emotional strength she's giving.
::Quite feisty, that one. I wonder if they are separate beings in one body, or if she "split" to handle the constant experimentation and torture?::
::That is the question. She's certainly been through enough trauma to 'split' into two personalities. Especially if the hive mind of the virus was helping things along. But I also wouldn't it put it past the researchers who did this to her to have implanted a second, more cooperative personality. Hopefully the brain scans will give us a better idea of which way this developed. It's very different treatments, depending.::
The voice quiets to angry muttering and sounds a little absent minded, as if she in concentrating on something else. The blades coming from Jessa's fingers quickly retract, and a little more slowly, she makes a fist that swells to nearly the size of an ogre's fist and is covered in thick, hard callouses. At the same time, the musculature in her arm thickens to the point that the stone holding her arm must be causing her pain where he flesh is bulging obscenely around the edges.
The room shudders as a massive blow hammers into the stone bubble. A second blow causes small cracks to appear in the stone shell. Her exertions must have caused the stone shell to lacerate her arm as blood begins to trickle down the stone from where it grips her.
"You fight anyway, even if you don't think you can win! You change the rules! You find the enemy of your enemy and make alliances! You realize that a powerful dragon has better things to do than chasing down villagers! Sure, he'd get a few, but not everyone, and you had to know he wasn't going to stop until there was no one left no matter what you did! Or you die trying to save your child, because that's what parents do! It doesn't even matter if you think you can win! You don't hand your child over to a monster! That's not what you do to someone you love! You can't do something like that and still call yourselves parents!" she snapped, trying and not entirely succeeding at reining in her temper.
She took a few deep breaths and continued in a softer, but much more frightening voice. "I'm sure you think I don't understand. You'd be wrong. Maybe I am stronger than you, and I have more resources, but I didn't get them from doing nothing. I had none of those resources to start with. Aegythrax is not the scariest thing I've ever had to rescue one of my children from. I understand fighting a hopeless fight...
It was Vai's father's turn to speak, though no because Elsa lacks words - his temper had flared as well, during Aananda's speech. he bellows, his voice quieter after that outburst but continuing on in a heated tone, tears drying on his face. "We don't have any idea what magics monsters like dragons have! For all we knew, he could've just cast a spell and killed us all! I love my daughter, and my heart broke the day I did what I had to do. But the alternative was the slaughter of the village! A hundred-odd people! A hundred people who are still alive to this day, who would not be if we had elected to take your path!"
A slight sob from Vai can be heard as she cowers behind Aananda, holding on tight to her.
Vai's father calms slightly at that noise, no longer shouting or being heated. But he does look directly into Aananda's eyes, making a passionate motion with his hand. "If it had just been our lives at stake, then I would've died a hundred times over for Vai's sake. But it wasn't, and I'm not so irresponsible to risk the lives of a hundred more innocent people. Maybe you are." he finishes, and looks away, the stout resolve on his face broken only by his lip quivering.
::Not so great. One of the students I left back at Avalon was murdered since we left. She was resurrected and someone was kind enough to teleport her here. Whoever did it disguised themselves as one of the students on the trip with me. Obviously it wasn't him. He was here. But it's a mess.::Reads to the eggs, watching them while Taron and Kam are away. Today its natural sciences, a very low level version. He'll make sure he picks topics any of the eggs are interested in, making a list to bring back...
::How goes the field trip?:: he sends to his wife...
::Hmm. Why does that sound familiar? Did we not have a similar instance at the school? A girl murdered by a person posing as her boyfriend?::
The voice quiets to angry muttering and sounds a little absent minded, as if she in concentrating on something else. The blades coming from Jessa's fingers quickly retract, and a little more slowly, she makes a fist that swells to nearly the size of an ogre's fist and is covered in thick, hard callouses. At the same time, the musculature in her arm thickens to the point that the stone holding her arm must be causing her pain where he flesh is bulging obscenely around the edges.
The room shudders as a massive blow hammers into the stone bubble. A second blow causes small cracks to...
"If you stop trying to hurt me, the stone will release you without any need to cause harm to yourself. The wards of the school prevent violence against students or staff."
Midori felt a chill run up her spine, and her weapon hand goes back to her pouch. Zilla-chan had been...
Focusing on the fact that Zilla was standing right there helped Midori fight off the momentary rush of emotions that accompanied that revelation. She knew that Zilla might still be mad at her though, so she wasn't sure exactly what to do. She hesitates, looking to Zilla almost pleadingly, wanting to run over and hug her or... anything.
::Hmm. Why does that sound familiar? Did we not have a similar instance at the school? A girl murdered by a person posing as her boyfriend?::::Not so great. One of the students I left back at Avalon was murdered since we left. She was resurrected and someone was kind enough to teleport her here. Whoever did it disguised themselves as one of the students on the trip with me. Obviously it wasn't him. He was here. But it's a mess.::Reads to the eggs, watching them while Taron and Kam are away. Today its natural sciences, a very low level version. He'll make sure he picks topics any of the eggs are interested in, making a list to bring back...
::How goes the field trip?:: he sends to his wife...
::I hadn't heard about that. Did they find who did it? I'd hate to think we have a repeat offender attacking the students.::
Alreenneesha bows deeply back when Midori dos, then waits as the others Interacted.
Looking on and trying to work out what it means.
Then as Ephebe moves the talk to Telepathy, she sends to all
::"Ephebe, Zilla, other beings, I have some skill with telepathy, I offer my help to. How ever Zilla, I know that familiarity with a medical practishiner may be best, I'm still trying to understand what it's like being in other form, but you did say I was like you"::
As her mind send just behind there are images of alien world, vast views of space, just fragments.
::"You may find this Pheazeriel being better in helping, I am still new to you. However I offer my help should you need it, you need only ask Zilla."::
This is said in a plolite thught form, matched with light patterns shifting around her body.
"Hmmm. Well, Tryko's often been angry but rarely showed it, perhaps this friend is similar in her lust for life? As a planar traveller, what are demons to you? My awareness is spotty at best, between a demon or devil, to be fair. As for the latter, if this student is a woman, what is the concern? School policy? How long have you known her?"
Smiling broadly at the thought, Maya asks, "You sound smitten, regardless," ending the statement with a grin.
It was Vai's father's turn to speak, though no because Elsa lacks words - his temper had flared as well, during Aananda's speech. he bellows, his voice quieter after that outburst but continuing on in a heated tone, tears drying on his face. "We don't have any idea what magics monsters like dragons have! For all we knew, he could've just cast a spell and killed us all! I love my daughter, and my heart broke the day I did what I had to do. But the alternative was the slaughter of the village! A hundred-odd people! A hundred people who are still alive to this day, who would not be if we had elected to take your path!"
A slight sob from Vai can be heard as she cowers behind Aananda, holding on tight to her.
Vai's father calms slightly at noise, no longer shouting or being heated. But he does look directly into Aananda's eyes, making a passionate motion with his hand. "If it had just been our lives at stake, then I would've died a hundred times over for Vai's sake. But it wasn't, and I'm not so irresponsible to risk the lives of a hundred more innocent people. Maybe you are." he finishes, and looks away, the stout resolve on his face broken only by his lip quivering.
"My way might have killed a hundred-odd people....your way would have for certain. Aegythrax wouldn't have destroyed your village, no. He would have made Vai do it. He would have made her kill all of you slowly and laughed while it happened. That's the kind of creature he was. I'm not irresponsible....I'm just better at recognizing monsters. I've had plenty of practice," she said, her voice breaking a little as she remembered Chan, barely ten years old, smiling and laughing as they played in the waterfall near the temple. He hadn't always been a monster...had he? She pushed the thought away. It wasn't the time.
"Well, to be fair....once they start asking for sacrifices, it's a pretty good bet you're dealing with a monster. The thing about monsters is that they have this tendency to get bored with their toys and kill them all at any time. There was never anything stopping him from doing that by any means that were at his disposal. If you're dead anyway, it's better to go down fighting. At least that way you have a chance. And yes, your gamble paid off...for some people. But only because others stepped in and did the rescuing for you. And you have no idea how much we risked to do it. You can expect sympathy from us all you like, but you're not going to get it. You did something monstrous. Live with it. Preferably for a very long time."
Alreenneesha bows deeply back when Midori dos, then waits as the others Interacted.
Looking on and trying to work out what it means.Then as Ephebe moves the talk to Telepathy, she sends to all
::"Ephebe, Zilla, other beings, I have some skill with telepathy, I offer my help to. How ever Zilla, I know that familiarity with a medical practishiner may be best, I'm still trying to understand what it's like being in other form, but you did say I was like you"::
As her mind send just behind there are images of alien world, vast views of space, just fragments.
::"You may find this Pheazeriel being better in helping, I am still new to you. However I offer my help should you need it, you need only ask Zilla."::This is said in a plolite thught form, matched with light patterns shifting around her body.
"I do appreciate the offer, Alreeneesha. But I think in this case since we're looking for clues to the identity of the killer that we need someone who is going to be able to examine the memories for inconsistencies. If you're that new to this form you might miss information. Overall it's up to Zilla, though, and Hew, since their minds are linked. It's about what they are comfortable with, and who they are comfortable allowing into their minds."
"Oh, great, another voice in my head. Like i needed another one."
::I hadn't heard about that. Did they find who did it? I'd hate to think we have a repeat offender attacking the students.::
::I will find out.::
To Ryo:
::There was a commotion the other day in the infirmary. A student was brought in that had been murdered. She was resurrected, and claimed her killer was her boyfriend, but it was just someone that looked like him.
Was the killer ever caught? It seems we may have a repeat occurence of this, but with a different student.::
"If you no longer have the ability to spread as you once had, you may want to take care with that shell you're destroying."
"I don't know. I'm usually either asleep or experimenting on something right now."
"Hmm... Maybe you should do that? I don't know."
Arthur takes the (significantly larger) piece of cake and inclines his head then walks in the direction of the bathroom taking a couple bites as he does so. He holds the door open then, almost faster than the eye can catch throws the cake directly at melody. He then ducks into the bathroom locking the door and laughs, before cleaning off his hair in the sink.
Mel senses mischief in Arthur's eyes and just as he is about to toss the cake Mel ducks out of the way, unfortunately this put Tybs in the line of fire.
the cake intended for mel splats Tybs in the face.
Mel stands back up, sees the cat covered in cake and is soon laughing at the predicament.
"I could. What on. Form control maybe. See what happens if I expose myself to extreme conditions... You can come if you want, but actual experimentation can be boring. It's not all the explosions and things it seems sometimes."
Lang goes to Zilla.
Zilla, I'm sorry I wasn't there to help. but we are all here now. whoever it was that actually hurt you will wish they never messed with team Avatar. Lang stands ready to help his friends and looks to the others to stand with him.
Sun hugs Sara.
Yeah I really don't like being zapped to different places, but Zilla needed help, and, well, I do a lot of stuff I normally wouldn't do to help my friends.
"Boring is better then explosions. Explosions are loud."
"Ah!"
Normally reactionary, Tybalt's main defense is to block things with his claws.
Thus doesn't work so well when the object in question is slicable.
The piece of cake is sliced into several pieces, but continues on its path. Several pieces fall to the floor, but some hits him in the face.
His face is covered, all except for his eyes, which blink twice.
He silent for a moment before busting out laughing.
He laughs for a moment before stopping very abruptly.
"You know what it is now?"
He asks her, suddenly seeming deadly serious.
Mel stops laughing when Tybs gets serious.
No, What is it? she says "innocently" but probably anticpating the answer.
she fiddles with her sonic device behind her back as she gets a step closer to the bathroom door.
"Agreed. You can come along if you want. If you don't have anything better to do."
He puts his coat back on, planning on drying it out later.
He reaches into his top pocket to check on Jello.
He pulls it out and then looks confused.
He reaches back in and pulls out another one the same size.
"Oh, I forgot you were near your split time. Shouldn't have gotten you wet."
The second orange ooze jumps at his face and tries to get at his mouth.
"No. Bad."
He pulls it off.
"What to do with you. I have no more test to run. I've done everything with you guys that's possible."
He looks to Roel.
"Amber oozes are bred to climb into people's guts and bond there, poisoning them slowly. If that doesn't work, they start getting burned by stomach acid. They try to climb back up and get away. This one doesn't know it won't work, but if I let it go, it could keep splitting and turn into a big problem. Ideas?"
"It's... your turn..."
He begins to approach her with Arthur's new piece.
He goes for her and she turns around trying to block it, but he's already behind her, pressing it into where he knew her face would be.
"Hope you didn't think you'd get out of it, now."
He smiles and looks at her as he removes the plate from in front of her face.
Nurse Julie goes to close the door but notices Morrivan's friends out there.
she motions for them to come in once the doctor has left.
Nurse Julie also takes a seat.
I'm afraid I was not here during the tragedy that occured yesterday. I guess I have no right to really offer much assistance. but I figured that at least with friends nearby, there is hope that not everything is lost.
She sits next to Morrivan. I probably will never really know what your going through. but do you think You would like to tell me about what happened? If anything, I'm ready to listen.
Nurse Julie just smiles and tries to be as comforting as possible. hoping that at least with friends present things would go better.
"No. I don't want to talk about it," she said, barely above a whisper.
Because talking about it makes it real. And I really want the last two days to just be a bad dream, she thought.
"I just want to be left alone."
So I don't have to see all of your concerned faces and know that it's not a bad dream.
Nurse Julie stays quiet a moment.
Mind if I just sit here with you then?
She looks to Morrivan's friends. I think she will be fine, just needs time to come to terms with everything that has happened. I believe the fact that you are here for your friend is very helpful, even if she is not ready to accept it just yet. But she will
Nurse Julie smiles and takes a seat beside the bed.
Much commotion in the woods today. Al watches from up high as someone from the school looks over a somewhat grisly scene. Looks like someone was cut here.
Al'rqyq Royston is there he dos not react to your presence.
"It's... your turn..."
He begins to approach her with Arthur's new piece.
He goes for her and she turns around trying to block it, but he's already behind her, pressing it into where he knew her face would be.
"Hope you didn't think you'd get out of it, now."
He smiles and looks at her as he removes the plate from in front of her face.
Mel just stares with a blank expression. on her ice cream covered face.
slowly she wipes some of it away from her eyes.
glancing toward the bathroom, then back at Tybs. she gathers a handful of cake in one hand and her sonic device in the other.
Someone thinks they are just going to hide in the bathroom. she whispers and points her device at the door. then with a wink she insinuates for Tybs to cover his ears.
Arthur? I need your help. please she says a bit tearful and apologetic.
you can hear a bit of a fake cry in her voice, perhaps even a sniker
"Hmmm. Well, Tryko's often been angry but rarely showed it, perhaps this friend is similar in her lust for life? As a planar traveller, what are demons to you? My awareness is spotty at best, between a demon or devil, to be fair. As for the latter, if this student is a woman, what is the concern? School policy? How long have you known her?"
Smiling broadly at the thought, Maya asks, "You sound smitten, regardless," ending the statement with a grin.
There's a sheepish grin on Vare's face at that, and a nod as he leans back slightly in the sim-room provided chair. "Perhaps I am at that. It has... been about a week since I met her. The primary concern, if I've understood correctly, is a case of perceived authority. Anahita was a student in my class, and there was a concern about coercion." Vare frowns slightly at that, though more thoughtful than anything, recalling exact details. "To be frank, I'm not convinced that Anahita could be coerced to do anything. She's extremely strong - both in head and body." Again, there's a sheepish grin there. Smitten indeed.
"Anyway," the Wizard sits up slightly, having reclined perhaps more than intended while thinking of the other woman. "Demons. Demons are... a category of fiend whom generally hail from the Abyss. The more simple Demons are beings of hunger and wonton destruction. More intelligent or powerful demons seek instead to corrupt mortals, twist them towards generally self-destructive ends. The main thing that distinguishes them from Devils are their views on order. A devil would have you sign a damning contract, whereas a demon... a subtle demon, will attempt to exploit the choices of mortals, to amplify already existing emotions and feelings in a destructive manner..." Vare seems to trail off near the end of the last sentence, his hand returning to his chin in that same thoughtful gesture.
"Emotions can run high in a place like this, and it's a perfect place for such a demon to work." he adds on to the explanation, wondering if he himself has been affected by the demon in the past.
"My way might have killed a hundred-odd people....your way would have for certain. Aegythrax wouldn't have destroyed your village, no. He would have made Vai do it. He would have made her kill all of you slowly and laughed while it happened. That's the kind of creature he was. I'm not irresponsible....I'm just better at recognizing monsters. I've had plenty of practice," she said, her voice breaking a little as she remembered Chan, barely ten years old, smiling and laughing as they played in the waterfall near the temple. He hadn't always been a monster...had he? She pushed the thought away. It wasn't the time.
"Well, to be fair....once they start asking for...
Neither of Vai's birth parents seem to have anything left to say, neither of them making eye contact with this woman whom their daughter is hiding behind...
There's the sound of a sniffle from behind Aananda, but after a few moments, the tight grip on the back of her clothes is released, and Vai steps out from behind her mom to face her parents. Her face is tear-stained now, as it has been many times in the past. She takes a shaky breath, and puts a hand on her adoptive mom's arm.
"It's okay, Mom." that earns a startled look from both of the adults on the infirmary beds, to which Vai nods. "Yes, I said Mom. She and her family took me in when I had no one. They've fought for me, fought against Aegy..." Vai's voice cracks at the name, but she carries on. "Fought against Aegythrax to rescue me when he came for me again. So I will happily call them my family." there's just a touch of vindictiveness in her voice as she says that, but apparently Vai has more to say yet...
"It doesn't really matter why anymore. We can't change the past. But you should know what he did to me." With that, Vai steps slightly away from Aananda and closes her eyes. Blue scales spread across her body, and the griding of bones shifting accompanies several 'pop' noises. After a moment, there's a juvenile blue dragon standing where Vai had been moments before. She's somewhat cramped given the size of the room, with no room to swish her tail or spread her wings.
"So next time you call dragons monsters... you should know that I'm included in that." Vai speaks again, razor sharp teeth flashing. She was focusing very hard to ensure that she did not spread her Dragonfear. That wasn't what she wanted. "And so are my family."
Aananda can see Vai's claws dig ever so slightly into the stone floor - a sign of her stress. She carries on. "Do you know why I came looking for you today? There's a real monster on the loose, and I was worried she was coming for you. Because... because she is me. A different me, one that wasn't rescued. She's already murdered people, and I thought you might be next."
The claws dig a little deeper into the stone, as Vai remains in her draconic form. The next thing she says is spoken much more quietly, "Because as much as I hate you for what you did to me, as much as my instincts are screaming at me right now to tear you apart... I don't want you dead. I... I loved you guys once. I still care for you, even after everything. I won't let all the negative emotion that poisoned the other me dictate who I am going to be." The claws relax slightly, and the stone begins to imperceptibly 'heal' itself of the indents Vai caused.
"That's why I came to save you, that's why I fought for you... and that's why... maybe... one day I'll be able to forgive you."
With that, Vai reverts slowly to her half-elf shape, and goes to take Aananda's hand before moving to leave by the door. "Let's go, Mom."
The door is barely closed behind Aananda when Vai turns around and once again crushes the breath from her Mom, letting out a deep breath, tension from just a few moments ago fading at least a bit.
Lang goes to Zilla.
Zilla, I'm sorry I wasn't there to help. but we are all here now. whoever it was that actually hurt you will wish they never messed with team Avatar. Lang stands ready to help his friends and looks to the others to stand with him.
Midori hesitates slightly, still unsure where she stood with Zilla, but nods and moves next to him. "Hai, we'll make them sorry for hurting you, Zilla-chan." she says, quiet but fierce in her passion, hoping that Zilla wouldn't reject her outright at least.
Alreenneesha hears them talk, feels their ange.
"Violence begets only Violence, one should consider other options as a resolution-"
She says to all
The door is barely closed behind Aananda when Vai turns around and once again crushes the breath from her Mom, letting out a deep breath, tension from just a few moments ago fading at least a bit.
"I'm so proud of you, baby," she said, hugging her back. "I know that was incredibly hard for you."
Alreenneesha hears them talk, feels their ange.
"Violence begets only Violence, one should consider other options as a resolution-"
She says to all
"That's not true. The thing about violence begetting only violence. It's a nice trite saying, but it just doesn't match reality. Sometimes it begets justice, or protects a loved one, or protects the helpless....or rights a wrong. Violence is a tool. It's all in how it's used and who it's used against. I will agree that it is best not to rush into violence. It makes a very bad first option in cases not involving immediate self-defense. But in this case, these 'threats' are more about offering solidarity and safety. They are an expression of caring towards Zilla. Sometimes it's more important to listen to the intent behind the words than the words themselves," she said patiently to Alreeneesha before turning her attention back to Zilla.
"Also, Zilla, there was a similar incident to what happened to you at the school in the last few days. Krays is looking into it to see what information he can uncover. If this was done by the same person it makes looking for clues in your memory even more important. If it was done by the same person, we might be able to learn more by looking at the clues from both attacks and comparing them."
Alreenneesha hears them talk, feels their ange.
"Violence begets only Violence, one should consider other options as a resolution-"
She says to all
Midori looked down, abashed. She knew that vengeance had no place in a shinobi's heart... but you had to punish bad people... right? Anything she could think to say to this being of light sounded childish.