--- Interlude: Kema Therapy, pt 2 --- Thu Mar 08 2001 ----Lude Start!---- >>The early morning light peers across the room from the windows. Shane is at a long table, looking like he slept there in the clothes he's still wearing. Allen is collapsed and dead asleep nearby. There are pairs of students looking bored by each door and window. * Shane leafs though his notes, occasionally frantically writing down equations onto fresh paper, and muttering to himself. He is quite unkempt... «ooc: Ready yet? :) » « OOC: You may start. You'll have to approach a student before entering. » «ooc: Shane killed Allen! :o » « OOC: You see that Allen's left thigh is missing. There is a delicious-smelling morsel of meat on the table. » * Shane mumbles some more, and reaches for more coffee. * Ellena walks into the cafeteria quietly, her hair pulled up again into her hankerchief. She approches one of the students, "Excuse me...I need to speak to Shane...is he availible? «ooc: To much meat? ;) » «ooc: Snicker » Guard> *sigh* Name? >> The 18-year-old magi doesn't look like guarding the mess hall on a saturday morning is very entertaining. Ellena Masami He knows me... >> The guard rolls her eyes as she says "Wait here.", and she goes in. * Ellena sighs and looks to the floor, waiting for Shane to arrive. >> She comes back a few seconds later, holding the door open in a mock-generous way. * Shane stands on the other side of the door, looking a bit befuddled. Hello, Ellena... * Shane smiles a tired smile. He seems quite reserved. * Ellena gives the student a somewhat cross look and sits down next to Shane, "Hello Shane...I thought I'd come to see you...I'm not interrupting, am I? Because if I am..." * Shane interrupts: "Oh, no... not at all..." ...I probably *need* a little interrupting... ...I think... ... * Shane glances nervously at his notes. ...um... would you like a spot of breakfast? Did you figure out what's going on? Uh... yeah... Partly... I know the nature of The Machine, now... I think... It's so convoluted... * Shane looks excited about the discovery, and tired at the same time, and nervous at the same time... ^^; I actually wouln't mind some breakfast...I haven't eaten much. * Shane nods. "W..what would you like?" But I'm glad you're figuring it out! We've been waiting for a break for so long! * Ellena blinks, looking a bit excited herself, then blushes, "Ah...maybe some toast and tea...and eggs? ^^;" * Shane nods, and slowly gets up, walking to the serving area. He comes back after a short bit. The chef'll bring it when ready... All right... «ooc: BTW, who's in the room? Just you and Allen? » « OOC: At the moment, yes. » >> Allen> Snnnzkkkz... * Shane looks at Ellena meekly. « OOC: btw, Bandanna-clad? » * Ellena glances around the room, then suddenly reaches behind her head and undoes her handkerdchief, her ears becoming visable, "Sorry..." «ooc: ^^ Answers that. » « OOC: heh. » ...Sorry? I'm sure everyone at the Abbey already heard, but I don't want to attract attention... * Shane sounds a bit shocked. ...plus I wasn't very honest with you....about...these... * Ellena looks a bit ashamed. Oh? You think... I was...? Oh, no! nono... heh. You...aren't angry with me? no. I wasn't even thinking about that just then. Er... angry? Heh... hrmm... It was unexpected at the time, but... * Shane smiles... It all makes sense, in a way. At least, why you were afraid. * Ellena drums her fingers on the table, "I...Wanted to tell you. I was scared you'd hate me. Whenever humans found out they hated me..." If I were an Elw in Filgaia, I'd hide it too. Your people are monsters in the myths... Any reputable scholar could know that the Elw weren't responsable for the destruction, but... Yes... I quite understand... Really? We're seen as monsters? Benton said something about that... I didn't believe him then. ^^; ...It's funny... I always wanted to meet an Elw... And then I fall i... ... * Shane looks away. ...but that's neither here nor there, I suppose. I'm surprised the others took it so well... ...Really, your kind are seen as a step up from the Demons, these days... ...but Then again, everyone's met Zed here.... ... * Shane grimaces. We're more like the demons than humans...at least...that's what Benton said you see us as... I'm not sure if that was meant to comfort. * Shane winks. * Ellena chuckles a bit, "^^; I know you don't mean it in a bad way..." * Shane swallows. I am worried about you, Shane. I came here because I'm worried...I've been worried. .oO{ why is my heart beating so fast? Why are you so nervous, laddie? } Worried? Heh... worried about what? * Ellena gulps and looks a touch nervous, "About you..." .oO{ Just a girl. You can get over her... You have all you want in front of you... } * Shane looks down at the plans. * Shane looks up at Ellena. .oO{ Don't I? } ...about me? Yes...I'm worried...because... « Oh my. :) » I don't know how to say this without hurting your feelings. It's not what I intend to do...but I can't be your friend and keep silent on it... ... * Shane looks at the plans. Oh...? .oO{ ...you knew this was coming, fool. You might've been able to stop it if you'd not run away... } Shane...have you been...avoiding me? .oO{ Coward. Always the easy way... } Avoiding the group? * Shane closes his eyes. I've... been doing what's neccesary. * Shane opens his eyes, looking at her, a little hurt, a little reserved. ...To secure the machine. ...To protect our lives. ...To stop the darkness that lies ahead. * Shane looks at the plans again. I know...but I worry about you. Whenever I see you now...it's the Master and his plans. I know how important that is...to protect us...But what about you? I feel like this...ambition is eating you up inside... I'm... same as I ever was. It's taking away the Shane I met in the Spirit World...and it scares me... .oO{ Aren't I? } No...you eat, sleep, and breathe that machine now... * Shane smiles at that reference. ...Shane? Why are you smiling? (mutter) The light in a nightmare... N...nothing. (quietly) nothing. Just remembering. ... ...I just don't want you to lose yourself on the way to your goal... * Shane looks away for a moment. .oO{ ... } ...I hope you understand, Shane...You're upset...I can tell. * Shane looks down. I wonder... how well anyone here knows me... ...I don't know abuot losing myself, Ell... * Shane looks up. ...I... * Shane smiles. Shane...? I'll be fine. ...Just know that if anything is bothering you...anything at all...you can tell me...and trust me. .oO{ Liar. } You can always trust me. I won't lie any more... ...I never mean to hurt... :/ «ooc: meant » You.... you don't hurt me. .oO{ It's *him* that hurts me... } You've never hurt me. .oO{ Have you? } * Shane smiles, questions in his eyes unable to be hidden in the morning blur. What questions they are, though, is unappearant. * Ellena looks worried... Just...know, okay? If things get too hard...or you're unsure...I'm here to talk to. * Shane nods. I'll... be fine. ... I haven't thought about it much... .oO{ Liar again. } ...but... * Ellena frowns a bit, looking at Shane. ...I'm sure they'll be scared about me. ...When I change. When I'm no longer human. Like Kema says... ...Has Kema....has she said anything more about that? ...I'm nearly convinced she speaks only truths. * Shane shakes his head somberly. When... The change comes... ...please remember that I didn't judge you. That I never could. * Shane looks down. His voice softer than ever spoken in your presence. * Shane sounds almost... childlike right now. Never as innocent, before. I know Shane...I know. That's what this is all about...You're afraid... There are worse things in the world. .oO{ guardiansguardiansguardiansGUARDIANGUARDIANGUARDIANS! } * Shane closes his eyes. * Shane slows his breathing down. .oO{ STOP THAT! } It doesn't matter if there are. It scares you, and it's real enough... * Ellena sees him breathing harder, and hugs him comfortingly. * Shane 's eyes open, shocked. * Ellena 's ear brushes against him, soft with fur and quite warm ^^; * Shane stiffens, unsure, for a second. «ooc: him = his cheek » ...I'm sorry. * Shane relaxes. I... sor... what? I shouldn't have...but you were suffering... Oh, please... no... don't be sorry. Don't be sorry... * Ellena blinks, considering, "Is...is anyone else angry that I didn't tell? Please be honest." I... haven't talked to anyone about it. Really. Kestrel doesn't trust you for lying. Everyone seemed offended that he suggested it... ...that you weren't trustworthy... ...I... * Shane shrugs. ...Sometimes people act politly. Lie with their intents, though. .oO{ You know all about that, don't you? } .oO{ Shane... } ...I figured Kestral wouldn't trust me. .oO{ ...Ha. 'Mister Arturis'. amazing any other names haven't slipped out, here of all places... } He's... paid to be suspicious. He's a spymaster. You know. * Ellena nods, "The spy...who was it? I haven't seen Katia...it's her...isn't it?' Seems to be... ...I'm not sure. She did just start following us. I didn't comment because I was cocksure Deaths master didn't know about us, nor care, at the time. Death never even noticed us until we rammed him with the bird... ... ...And I doubt she's really gone. Hence the Guards. The watch, The wards... .oO{ Better safe then sorry. You live by that, don't you? } ...One thing to consider... .oO{ Save your own skin. it's not worth it. Only pain comes from this... } * Ellena looks at the slumbering Allen for a minute. .OO{ ...but what if she hasn't decided yet? } ...Allen's sister joined us in Old Siem too. .oO{ What if... } I recall... She's still highly suspect in my mind...even though she seems nice. I don't think she's said one word to me, though. She 'awakened' there, as they recount the story... ...and... ...And something inside our little mage friend here awakened there, as well... Nearly killed him when he did it, too... .oO{ And something awakened in me, too... didn't it?... } * Shane closes his eyes, rubbing them as if sleepy. * Shane shakes his head. How did Katia leave? She doesn't have the book, or so I heard. Maybe she ran away in fear? * Shane pats the book in front of her. She could've just panicked. It seems possible she's an innocent. Everyone was on end. Right...so even though she's highly suspect...doesn't mean it's an open and shut case... .oO{ I was about to shoot her, though... } * Shane nods. * Ellena 's ears flick a bit...a rather cute gesture, "I wish I was awake...I may have been able to sense her aura..." .oO{ Why don't they just do what I say? It's always for the bloody best! } * Shane closes his eyes. * Shane smiles at the twitch, Who knows. everyone that could was scanning everyone else... I doubt it would've helped in any case. The Shaman Claren stated that the 'spy' was shielded... >>The chef comes out with Ellena's food, grumbling, and goes back to the kitchen. * Ellena smiles and begins to eat her food polietly, "I know...but I could have even sensed something. Sometimes I feel as if I'm fumbling...like I don't know what's going on... ... ...I know what you mean. ...always grasping at the last minute, afraid that you're too late... ...But you're just a man, Shane. You're not perfect. I don't mean that in a negative way...but you put so much pressure on yourself...We all know you're doing your best. :) ... .oO{ Just a man. ...heh... } .oO{ ...but for how long? } I... could do better. You do just fine... .oO{ Father said that until his deathbed... } .oO{ .. } ...I could... * Shane sighs. You know. If Katia was a spy, and she is reporting on us... ...Then I'm not a safe man to be around. ...We're all in the same amount of danger...what are you saying, Shane? Perhaps... She knows your secret too... but... ...She always knew. ...? I don't know HOW, but somehow, she knew. *** Enygma (enygma@64.24.56.65) Quit (Ping timeout) The Oracle... hrmm... * Ellena nods, "I...In New Siem...I met with her alone..." She was in a graveyard...and she was looking at gravestones...she said my name was on one...even though the writing had long been worn away.. ...? ...Saying I didn't belong in either world on the tombstone. How could she know that unless she somehow knew? Long since faded away... ... * Shane looks at Ellena, as if realizing something. You're an Elw.... * Shane blinks... ...Yes? * Shane stutters, amazed. In awe: "...Ellena... how old *are* you?" Um...164... ^^; *** Ashton (flare_star@lsanca1-ar7-218-203.dsl.gtei.net) Quit (Quit: See 'is, Delimeats? 'IS is my ace in th' 'ole. And you don't got a chance, boy.) * Shane shakes his head, reasting on an arm. I'm twenty-two. I think. I've long since forgotten my birthday... ...You've forgotten your birthday? How? * Shane grimaces, introspectivly. I... It wasn't important to me for a while. I think I was born in the summertime. ...I think... ... * Ellena smiles, "I always liked the summertime...It's a nice time to be born." * Shane nods. « Hmm.. Shane likes odler women.. ^^ » My father always said I was born under a starry sky. Under a comet... « OOC: I refrained frmo saying that. » No... not a comet. A meteror shower. That was it. . o O ( Comets...bad omens...Metor Shower...worse... ^^; Hmm... ) ...He didn't really tell me more. * Ellena seems to be thinking again. .oO{ The sky full of stars... } * Shane looks at then plans again. .oO{ ...and now I can almost *touch* them } * Shane smiles slightly. * Shane sighs. Thinking back... what... eight years? seven? ...Shane? I'm curious...what do your books tell you about...us? I remember... I saw another meteor fall one night. Oh, err... Erhm.. ^^: You go first. Oh... it was nothing. I... my father had died a year or two before... I was a teenager... ...He left the entire estate to that... that... *goldigger*! * Shane clenches his fists. Goldigger? :/ ...I...er... * Ellena blushes. I don't know that term. His second wife. ...she... married him... for his money. ...That's horrible, Shane... *** Dekar_Zol (someone@lsanca1-ar7-218-203.dsl.gtei.net) has left #warpg *** Rasad (jesse@166.102.7.172) has joined #warpg ...he couldn't see that. He fell hopelessly in love with her for no reason. I think he even knew she didn't care for him.... but... ...but he fell hard. .oO{ ... } * Shane looks at Ellena. ...That's horrible...To go after someone for something so trivial. Money does not bring happiness. Quite... I'm sorry to bring up unhappy times... :/ Well... to sum up a long story... I wasn't living very well those years. * Shane waves it away. It's nothing. .oO{ Liar. } I... well, I turned around one night, when I got up for no reason, and went to the window... ...and I saw a meteorite strike the ground near the Capital. ...Was it a large metor? I... no. Just bright, as they're. I... I came back to the Abbey within that week, and finished my education. I doubt I'd've come if not for thinking that night... .oO{ Drunk. Or was it stoned? And gods... That girl. -_- } ... ...I'm glad I saw it. It reminded me of better times. * Shane sighs. ...Those times will come back, Shane...I'm sure. Oh. I doubt it. without my father, I haven't had... ... * Shane chuckles it off. .oO{ You haven't felt that way since, dolt. Except around her... and you've lost her before you had the chance. } * Shane chuckles again. So... You were asking about... what I know of your kind? * Ellena nods, "I'm curious...and don't talk like that! You deserve good times, Shane. You're a good man..." Heh. I'm hardly a... * Shane smiles. * Shane shakes his head, smiling. Harum... ...the Elw... ...Mechanical wizards. Masters of Magic. Long-lived. One with the planet... That's...sort of wrong on some points... ...I'm kind of surprised. I always wanted to meet an Elw so I could talk about the ARMs with them... but you hate... * Shane smiles again, defensivly. ...We all hate them...Because it caused the near desctruction of your planet...or so I've read... A shame... There's so much ancient knowledge that needs to be unconvered... The power to destroy is simple... But disregarding the knowledge makes creation impossible. I doubt any Elw nowadays could help you. Maybe the old ones... We can still destroy. Men can always destroy. It takes effort and knowledge to create... Are... But it's so easy for machines to be misused and hurt others... :/ * Ellena hmms? Machines only amplify the will of the men that use them. The plow feeds more than a man alone can. The gun kills more likewise. What about the machines that blow smoke into the cities? You hurt the planet with those... Things which benefit man can hurt the planet... * Shane looks down. He does not have a plow attached to his belt. «ooc: LOL » * Shane frowns. We cannot heal the planet fully without the knowledge of the past. ... .oO{ So why not leave the planet. Filgaia has never recovered from the Demons War... Maybe... } maybe... Shane? ...maybe your people were right. Right? Maybe Filgaia should be left. The Elw abandoned the wounded planet, at the height of their knowledge.... ...They must have known Filgaia was damaged beyond hope! ...I don't know if I can agree or disagree with you at this point. A planet's worth half depends on it's population...and I'm still torn on that part. * Shane seems shocked at this thought. Or was it mankind they abandoned on a dead world... But...I want Filgaia to be beautiful like my home...my home which was the Filgaia of the past... * Shane trails off. ... ...You can't go home, can you? ...No... ...I... * Shane looks down at the machine's schema. ...I could get you there. If you wanted. It wouldn't matter. I'd be thrown out or killed. * Shane 's mouth hangs open. * Shane blinks. ... .oO{ Gentle Ellena? What could? } I... I'm sorry. * Ellena plays with bit of egg on her fork, "No...no it's not your fault..." .oO{ It must be because of a machine, somehow! } ...I...I... .oO{ I'm a monster to her. I give birth to things that bring hurt to her... } * Shane has no words. ...I'm sorry. I am. ...Sorry. * Shane frowns. Why...? You didn't do anything wrong. Wrong? Heh... No...no you didn't. ...I suppose... ...but that really depends on your point of view. What do you think my point of view is? *blink* .oO{ He'd probably kill me if he knew what I've done in my life. He'd probably kill me anyways, if he could... } * Shane looks at her. .oO{ He already punched me in open defiance... } I... I can never tell. * Shane shrugs. ...I don't understand... .oO{ I have to make it so he cannot. But how do I make my survival tied to his? } ...How can I know what you think. How can anyone know what anyone else thinks? « OOC: Oh. By reading my bubbles ;D » ...You seem to know. "I am the doubter. And I am the doubt." * Shane chuckles. * Ellena frowns. * Shane looks down, shufling the papers. ...I'm going to be hunted. I'm sure of it. Just like Amelia is. Just like they said Jeff is. I should probably hide. You'd be safer not to be near me, I think... ...Shane... I...I know what it's like to be hunted... ...And I don't think I should abandon you. ... ...why? ...You didn't abandon me. * Ellena smiles. ...Danger will follow me from now on. If Jeff has been sent to help me, and he's hunted too, that doubles it. You have no obligation her... * Shane stops. * Shane blinks. I... But... ..Did your book say anything about bonds, Shane? .oO{ ...but I love you. } .oO{ ...and that means I only did it for myself, I guess -_- } .oO{ ...for if I didn't... I wouldn't've... } * Shane doesnt seem like he heard you. Shane? DId your book tell you anything about bonds? I... er... * Shane shakes his head. Er... I don't believe I recognize that term. * Ellena smiles, "Well, we have bonds with everything...bonds with nature...spiritual...and with people." Shamantic ideals, no? ...No. Elw ideals. I have strong bonds with many of you...You, Neydisa, Hikaru...You're my friends...I want to help you. I want to find the answers for all my questions. About Filgaia...GaiaCo...I don't want to be afraid anymore. * Shane says 'oh' with his eyes. Neydisa... .oO{ Hikaru -_- } GaiaCo... .oO{ the lab. the...tables... } I'm so sorry, Ellena... .oO{ REMINGTON } * Ellena frowns, "...This is about GaiaCo, huh...?" ... My father... ...heh... Did...did he work for GaiaCo? ...Did you know... how my father got rich? Most of GaiaCo's early innovations were... My father... He... ...He worked himself to the ground... ...This was before they were so big... before... ... I'm sorry, Ellena. It's okay, Shane. Maybe in the past GaiaCo...wasn't like they are now. I don't know. * Shane shrugs. He just wanted to please Shamesworth. And me. But then she came... Shane... .oO{ You're a fool, 'Arturis'. Talk of the nobles and all. What if she tries to find out...? } Yes, El? It's okay. Really. * Shane winces at the sunbeam hitting his eyes, and turns away. It's getting late. The others will be up soon, right? Have you slept? :/ You should get some sleep.. ...There's no need. The past is... gone. I've already slept. ...but... I should get back... ...to The Machine. * Shane grimaces. * Shane looks down. ...Just...be careful. Don't lose yourself in it.. * Shane chuckles. I'll... see you around. * Ellena rises, and gives Shane a hug before she leaves, "I'll visit soon. ^^" * Shane relaxes in the embrace, and nods. * Ellena lets go, smiling as her ears flick a bit, before heading out of the cafeteria, and down the hall. ...Ellena? * Ellena stops, beginning to tie her handkerchief on, "Yes?" I... Thanks for seeing me. I'd... I'd thought it was *you* who were avoiding me. * Shane smiles sadly. Me? Shane...I'd never avoid you...you're my friend. :) * Shane nods, quietly. (q) Thank you. * Ellena waves a bit, before heading fully down the hall, and out of sight. * Shane sighs, watching her leave. ...Hope. You fool. «ooc: ^^ Poor Shane. » Hope... is for those who can't see the hard facts in front of their face. «ooc: But he must hope! :o » * Shane looks down at the plans, then at the empty chair. <> This is all that I will have. * Shane shakes his head. « I'd help. ;) » Cope with it, or go mad. Deny reality, and you're deluding yourself. * Shane sighs, staring at the plans. «ooc: Shane has cool Shakesperian monolouges when upset! » «ooc: Alas, Poor Ellena, I knew you not *flicks her ears* » * Shane 's eyes waiver, and his knuckles go white. * Shane closes his eyes, face twisted. Slowly he lets go, no moisture leaving his eyes.... his hands slowly relaxing. Maybe... heh... Maybe I'd be better off with the blessing... curse... blessing... on all the time. * Shane looks at Allen, sleeping. No hate. No love. No want. Only cold logic... * Shane shakes his head. «ooc: bwaah! ;_; Noooo! » * Shane sighs, and starts prodding Allen awake. They have a long day ahead. ----Lude End----