Start of #lunar-iog2 buffer: Sun Sep 02 05:42:49 2007 ==Lude Start== * Mikel changes topic to '-= Chapter 50.1: Aftermath of Starry Storms | Location: Ien island | Pool: 5 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/ =-' * Niri knocks a little hesitantly on the door to Mikel's cabin on the Polaris. She is alone this time, having left Tanan behind in her own cabin, for one reason or another... >> A moment or two passes before Mikel's voice answers, still sounding strained. "S'open, come in." * Niri creaks the door open, peering in hesitantly. "Hey. How you feeling?" * Mikel is laying on his bed, jacket tossed on the crate serving as a table of sorts and his staff leaning in the corner. He sets the book he was reading down on the floor next to his cot, managing a smile. "Well... I'm still in one piece and haven't gone insane yet. We... gah, dammit. Ahem. I think that's a good sign." Eh, no more insane than you've always been! *She smiles, but it falters a bit.* Can I sit down? Maybe stay and talk for a bit? * Mikel manages a laugh. "Different sort of insane, but thanks. Sure, pull up a stool. It's boring just laying here with a book or two anyways." Next to the makeshift table is a stool that has of course been there from the start. * Niri plunks herself down on the stool, staring at her clasped hands for a bit before speaking again. ...So. Thanks for uh...paying me back. * Mikel blinks before nodding, reaching up to run a hand through his hair. "...heh. No problem." He considers for a moment. "Things can't be that awkward now, can they?" Awkward? Well... *Niri sighs, leaning her elbows on her knees and drooping her head a little* I'm sorry, Mikel. I don't even know exactly WHY I've been so angry with you. I...well, I also hope you can forgive me for disliking Emili so much. I can't exactly explain it. Have you ever just met someone who rubbed you the wrong way? * Mikel closes his eyes for a couple of moments. "Don't worry about it... and yeah, I have. Plenty of times." He grins for a moment, hand still on his forehead. "Pretty sure even Ryllan did for a bit. That's why things have been, ah, tense then?" * Niri nods. "Partly, I guess. I'm not even sure I can explain entirely." She looks thoughtful. ...You know why Leah is my best friend? * Mikel opens his eyes, looking at Niri. "Not... really, to be honest. I don't think it has come up." Well...it's kind of because she's always been my only friend. I mean, it's not that I don't get along with people. I like people, and mostly they like me. But...couldn't tell you why, but I've just never really gotten close to anyone. At least, not till I joined up with this whole group. You guys are my friends in a totally different way from Leah. We've been through a lot together in the short time we've known each other. To be honest Mikel, I think you're one of my best friends now. ...Maybe it's just that I don't want to see you end up with a girl unless I'm sure she deserves you. My friends are worth...the best, really. * Mikel blinks a couple of times, listening to Niri speak before finally nodding as the grin reappears on his face. "It's good to hear that... you're one of mine too, to be honest. I get what you're saying, though!" The grin grows a bit. "Does this mean when you find someone we get to make sure he deserves you?" * Niri blushes suddenly. "Um...I...guess? But to be honest, I think it's highly unlikely. Seriously." She looks rather uncomfortable, and a bit sad. * Mikel closes his eyes again. "You're being too hard on yourself then, I think. Eventually it'll happen... maybe not while we're on this crazy jaunt, but it will." So cheer up. ...Maybe. *She smiles, but it wavers.* Bah. I sound like an idiot. We have more important things to do, and I don't want you to think I'm some idiot looking for a boyfriend when I should be worrying about saving the world. I...honestly should feel differently. I should be happy that you've found someone you care about, but sorry that things can't...work out, at least not now. But... I don't know, Mikel, I just feel...jealous. And I know Emili's had it far harder than I ever will, as Tanan keeps telling me, but I can't help feel lonely, too. I guess that's selfish of me. * Mikel shakes his head. "Don't let worrying about saving the world take over you or anything. You get wound up too tight, you'll end up snapping when you hit breaking point... and well, this at least was better than what could have happened there." He falls silent for a couple of moments before continuing. "To be honest, I wouldn't call it selfish." You wouldn't? Not really. I'd probably be feeling a bit of the same if you had found someone and I was still on my own. It's something you want, but haven't found yet even as others around you start to. What if... * Niri stops, falling silent. She seems to be struggling with something she wants to say, but is not sure she should. * Mikel opens an eye as he raises an eyebrow. "What if... what?" * Niri is very quiet. "...What if you've already found it, and can't have it?" * Mikel opens both eyes, looking at Niri before finally replying. "...depends. That's when life gets complicated fast. Can I ask who?" * Niri sighs, figuring she might as well out with it, since she's come this far already. "...Tanan," she mumbles softly. * Mikel blinks. "...complicated /real/ fast. Uhm." He thinks for a couple of moments, considering what to say. "That's... going to depend. I'm guessing you haven't brought it up with him or anything after what's happened." * Niri wide-eyes. "Heck no!" I mean... *She coughs.* Good grief, how would I even begin to say anything? You /could/ just say it, but I don't think it'd be the best of ideas. He's not...well, I think he's more human than he believes, Mikel. But...I'm not sure he even /understands/ love. I'm not sure if he could even comprehend the idea. *She sounds rather sad.* ...Just listen to me. *buries her face in her hands* I sound like an idiot. * Mikel nods, thinking for a moment. "...no matter what he says, he's still the crazy chaos professor before being anything else, weapon to smite Zophar with included." He blinks before reaching over to nudge her. "Stop that. You don't." Sure I do. Come on, we've been teasing Trune about the Elementalors, and we know there's nothing to that...but I turn around and make a fool of myself in an even worse way. * Niri sighs. "Ryllan's right. I need to think about the job I'm here to do and stop worrying about Tanan. But...it's hard." * Mikel closes his eyes. "Bah, you're not making a fool of yourself. Don't make me get the two of me out to explain why, or you're paying for the healer. That's something rather important, maybe even as important. And... well, I would think with time Tanan might get the idea. After Zophar's in pieces and everything probably, but." * Niri nods. "Part of me hopes that's the case. Part of me...isn't so sure it's possible. But I guess you never know." * Niri sighs, wiping eyes just barely glistening. "Sorry. I really ought to be trying to cheer YOU up, shouldn't I? I didn't mean to do this. But it...feels good to get it out." * Mikel shakes his head, eyes once again open as he offers Niri a reassuring smile. "That's the trick to life from where I'm standing. You never know, so live it." He nods towards her. "It should. Keeping that kind of stuff bottled up never ends well. Either way, I don't mind. We can just cheer each other up, as friends are supposed to do and all." * Niri smiles, much more genuinely. I'm...glad we're friends again, Mikel. I'm sorry I lost my temper at you. ...I still don't like Emili, though. I hope you can forgive me for that... * Mikel manages a faint smile. "I can live with that. And if you set your mind as far as Tanan goes... well, my money's on you. You can etch that in stone or something." * Niri grins. "What, really?" And don't worry, I'm not gonna try to pick a fight with Emili or anything, either. I'll be civil. In fact, last night (was it really just last night?) I apologized to her for being rude. *Sighs* * Mikel mirrors the grin. "That's good. Sticking myself between you two is a rather scary experience. And yes, really. Get the block in here, I'll etch it in with magic or something. 'I, Mikel Sayeld, of sound mind and body, hereby place my money' and so on and so forth." You're a smart one, and rather determined. You'll do fine. * Niri laughs brightly, obviously much cheered. She gets up from her seat and wraps her arms around Mikel in a hug. "Thanks, Mikel...you're an awesome friend, you know that?" * Mikel snickers, returning the hug as best he can. "I've heard as such from time to time. So are you though, and don't you forget it." * Niri releases Mikel, then colors very slightly. "Oh, um. Thanks for protecting me during the fight, too. You didn't have to." * Mikel grins. "Oh yes I did. I told your dad I was gonna watch your back, remember? So I've got keep you safe so you can go and knock Zophar down when it's time to lay the cards on the table. Got to keep my promises and all." * Niri chuckles. "Seriously, though, if it were anyone but Emili, you would've gotten KILLED. Promise me you'll be careful next time you break out that spell, okay?" And hey, maybe sometime we can practice, maybe brainstorm ways to make it more effective and not hurt so much. I'll be honest...it was pretty darn awesome. Oh goddess, I know. Trust me. They're... I... we... augh, it hurts to think about it. Either way, as it stands they're pretty fragile. I'm not hauling it out except when needed, and I'll be careful. * Mikel considers for a moment. "That'd be good... I'm not sure how splitting myself into two elemental essences can /not/ hurt, but it'd be nice... and, was it?" * Gayo|Gone is now known as Gayo Yes! *grins* And it was pretty fun watching you argue with yourself, too. I can't even get along with myself. That has to mean something bad. * Niri laughs and elbows Mikel. "Well, it might explain why I was so angry with you, I guess!" Anyway, I guess I'd better leave you to rest up. * Mikel makes a face. "Ow. Careful, I'm under doctor's orders to lay here or something." He nods, grinning. "Thanks for stopping in, though. And for everything else while I'm at it..." He shakes his head for a moment. "...okay, I've got one last question before you go though." Oh? What's that? My memories of that bit when split are jumbled and stuff. Like there's two perspectives at once or something, so I have to ask. ...did you really slap her? Oh. Um. Yes. Yes, I did. * Niri shuffles her feet. * Mikel closes his eyes. "...biting the Prophetess's ankles, slapping Emili... what are you going to do when we meet Zophar? Poke him in the eyes?" * Niri grins. "Hey, that's not a bad idea!" Just as long as you do it with something sharp and metal. * Niri chuckles. Seriously, I WAS trying to bring Emili to her senses. You think I'm kidding. Tsk. * Mikel nods. "That much I can remember alright... just, slapping her. What." Oh, come on! I wouldn't be me if I didn't do crazy, nonsensical, occasionally reckless things, would I? It's all part of my charm and idiocy. * Mikel cracks an eye open. "Charm yes, idiocy no. I'm the idiot, remember? I /split myself into two with a half finished spell/." * Niri snickers. "Yes, and it was great. See you later, Mikel...rest up. We have a long journey ahead." And...once we're out on the open ocean...a big huge bash of a birthday party to throw! ...I need to pick up stuff before we leave, then. Also I want a /vacation/ when this is all done. * Niri grins at that, waving and leaving Mikel's cabin, closing the door behind her. * Mikel hms a bit to himself, closing his eyes. "Preferably paid." Soon enough the young adept is asleep, continuing to recover from pushing himself to the limit. ==Lude End! Mage Trio Forevah!== End of #lunar-iog2 buffer Sun Sep 02 05:42:49 2007