Story:Another Continuation of LCB - Revision history

imported>Administrator: 14 revisions imported

2023-06-25T19:15:58Z

14 revisions imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 19:15, 25 June 2023
(No difference)

2A02:1810:4E2C:A900:6C35:CDEB:3464:D76B: /* Chapter Eighteen */

2023-03-04T17:40:42Z

Chapter Eighteen

1d4chan>AnotherAnonFinishingLCB: /* Epilogue, Part 1 */

2022-06-14T07:09:19Z

Epilogue, Part 1

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:09, 14 June 2022
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	"A culexus..." he muttered. "For your first assassin..."		"A culexus..." he muttered. "For your first assassin..."

	"Unusual, but not unprecedented. ~~To lie is a~~ I am very good at my job."		"Unusual, but not unprecedented. I am very good at my job."

	As the representative looked between the two, he found there was something about her steel grey eyes which made them look as artificial as Madek's. The way they studied and dissected the heretic's every move. She glanced at the representative out of the corner of her eye. He quickly stiffened and broke eye contact. From the corner of his eye: a subtle frown on her face, hidden by the smoke? He couldn't tell, and didn't care to. She turned her gaze to Madek and continued.		As the representative looked between the two, he found there was something about her steel grey eyes which made them look as artificial as Madek's. The way they studied and dissected the heretic's every move. She glanced at the representative out of the corner of her eye. He quickly stiffened and broke eye contact. From the corner of his eye: a subtle frown on her face, hidden by the smoke? He couldn't tell, and didn't care to. She turned her gaze to Madek and continued.

1d4chan>AnotherAnonFinishingLCB: /* Epilogue, Part 2 */ : More typos. Sorry, I didn't adequately proofread this section.

2021-05-14T10:21:12Z

Epilogue, Part 2: : More typos. Sorry, I didn't adequately proofread this section.

1d4chan>AnotherAnonFinishingLCB: /* Epilogue, Part 2 */: typo

2021-05-14T10:07:05Z

Epilogue, Part 2: : typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:07, 14 May 2021
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	A blast door, its outline barely visible in the portal of the window, was to provide additional protection in the event of attack. It had been used once in the three weeks since they had arrived. To defend against the forces which erupted from that damnable place, on the other side of Ulthwe. Out of sight, thankfully, yet forever trapped in its orbit. The Eye of Terror.		A blast door, its outline barely visible in the portal of the window, was to provide additional protection in the event of attack. It had been used once in the three weeks since they had arrived. To defend against the forces which erupted from that damnable place, on the other side of Ulthwe. Out of sight, thankfully, yet forever trapped in its orbit. The Eye of Terror.

	This room was for meetings between trusted prisoners and their Eldar contacts, to provide some level of comfort and safety for them both. Yet it was no secret that true safety lay only in the interior of Ulthwe. Though it was a legitimately relaxing when not under attack, to say there were no additional motives for selecting a location so near the exterior would be naive at best. Liivi did not dwell on these thoughts. He had learned to wait. It was all part of the routine. He had emerged from the door to the left. She would soon emerge from the door on the right. They would have their time to talk. To pass the time, he reflected on a conversation that took place earlier today, in this very same room.		This room was for meetings between trusted prisoners and their Eldar contacts, to provide some level of comfort and safety for them both. Yet it was no secret that true safety lay only in the interior of Ulthwe. Though it was a legitimately relaxing place when not under attack, to say there were no additional motives for selecting a location so near the exterior would be naive at best. Liivi did not dwell on these thoughts. He had learned to wait. It was all part of the routine. He had emerged from the door to the left. She would soon emerge from the door on the right. They would have their time to talk. To pass the time, he reflected on a conversation that took place earlier today, in this very same room.

	“Have you grown restless, cooped up in here yet?” Taesan, arms resting over the back of the couch and foot resting on his knee, almost took up half the couch.		“Have you grown restless, cooped up in here yet?” Taesan, arms resting over the back of the couch and foot resting on his knee, almost took up half the couch.

1d4chan>AnotherAnonFinishingLCB: /* Epilogue, Part 1 */ : Typos. Realized that I never gave any idea of what a "writ of confidence" was. Could probably guess, but whatever.

2021-05-12T11:54:13Z

Epilogue, Part 1: : Typos. Realized that I never gave any idea of what a "writ of confidence" was. Could probably guess, but whatever.

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:54, 12 May 2021
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	“Without our dear Madek,” she continued, “I’d have never gotten this wonderfully convenient arm.” Well cared for mechanical digits drummed lazily against her cheekbone.		“Without our dear Madek,” she continued, “I’d have never gotten this wonderfully convenient arm.” Well cared for mechanical digits drummed lazily against her cheekbone.

	Madek’s mechanical eyes narrowed. “Blasphemy upon the holy human form.”		Madek’s mechanical eyes narrowed. “Blasphemy upon the holy human form.”

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	He smirked. "You could have curried favor with a member of the Ordo Sicarius, and you tossed that away for vengeance?" The aging inquisitor shook his head.		He smirked. "You could have curried favor with a member of the Ordo Sicarius, and you tossed that away for vengeance?" The aging inquisitor shook his head.

	"I made no such trade. They granted my Writ of Confidence a year ago."		"I made no such trade. They granted my Writ of Confidence a year ago." She paused, watching as his features shifted from frustration to incredulity. "You may be surprised to learn that I've been entrusted with a Culexus. I anticipate that my Writ will be renewed again - I fully intend to keep him safe, and risk him only for worthy missions."

	He ~~leaned back slightly~~, ~~though his face did~~ a ~~fair~~ job ~~of hiding his incredulity~~. As the ~~ecclesiastical~~ representative looked between the two, he found there was something about her steel grey eyes which made them look as ~~artifical~~ as Madek's. The way they studied and dissected the heretic's every move. She glanced at the representative out of the corner of her eye. He quickly stiffened and broke eye contact. From the corner of his eye: a subtle frown on her face, hidden by the smoke? He couldn't tell, and didn't care to. She turned her gaze to Madek and continued.		The ecclesiastical representative took note of those two jabs. Soft, but deeply piercing. He also took note of Madek's reaction.

			"A culexus..." he muttered. "For your first assassin..."

			"Unusual, but not unprecedented. To lie is a I am very good at my job."

			As the representative looked between the two, he found there was something about her steel grey eyes which made them look as artificial as Madek's. The way they studied and dissected the heretic's every move. She glanced at the representative out of the corner of her eye. He quickly stiffened and broke eye contact. From the corner of his eye: a subtle frown on her face, hidden by the smoke? He couldn't tell, and didn't care to. She turned her gaze to Madek and continued.

	"This may come as a surprise to one such as yourself, but I've found that, with patience, there are very real rewards for playing by the rules."		"This may come as a surprise to one such as yourself, but I've found that, with patience, there are very real rewards for playing by the rules."

	His eye twitched. There was some testiness in his tone. "I've had at least five of your lifetimes of dutiful service-"		The repeated jabs, however softly phrased, cut deep. With that, they had finally taken effect. His eye twitched. There was some testiness in his tone. "I've had at least five of your lifetimes of dutiful service-"

	Her voice cut him off with the hardness, sharpness, and cold bite of surgical steel. "Not as dutiful as you seem to think, if what I've heard is true. And I believe it is."		Her voice cut him off with the hardness, sharpness, and cold bite of surgical steel. "Not as dutiful as you seem to think, if what I've heard is true. And I believe it is."
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	Her hand never stopped toying with her hair. The indifference spread across her face and leisurely slouching body was reflected in her voice. "You should have known. That was your job, after all."		Her hand never stopped toying with her hair. The indifference spread across her face and leisurely slouching body was reflected in her voice. "You should have known. That was your job, after all."

	It wasn't reflected in her stare. And ~~seeing it~~ really pissed him off. "Want some advice from somebody who did it longer?"		It wasn't reflected in her stare. And the cold light in her eyes really pissed him off. "Want some advice from somebody who did it longer?"

	"Not from you."		"Not from you," she replied casually.

	"If you're sitting on the throne of judgement, then ''judge.''"		"If you're sitting on the throne of judgement, then ''judge.''"
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	“Understood, sir.”		“Understood, sir.”

	“That encompasses the second half of the operation. The details will be provided to your shortly. I must understand if you are up to the task for the first. You are familiar with the ~~Handler’s~~ of the Vindicare Temple?”		“That encompasses the second half of the operation. The details will be provided to your shortly. I must understand if you are up to the task for the first. You are familiar with the Handlers of the Vindicare Temple?”

	“Yes, sir.” The camera bobbed down and up once.		“Yes, sir.” The camera bobbed down and up once.
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	Inquisitor Silvalha’s face, like the rest of her frame, was masked in shadow. Yet there was a soft glow in the corner of her mouth. Was it the pipe? Or was she sneering at Madek, writhing in his seat?		Inquisitor Silvalha’s face, like the rest of her frame, was masked in shadow. Yet there was a soft glow in the corner of her mouth. Was it the pipe? Or was she sneering at Madek, writhing in his seat?

	Truth be told, an Inquisitor was fully within his or her rights to execute anyone at any time. But the Officio Assassinorum did not take kindly to the frivolous execution of its agents. And their opinion was given some weight. The galaxy is a big place, after all. An Inquisitor might go a lifetime without seeing another of their kind. Unfortunate accidents or tactical oversights regularly befell those who wasted the lives of the Imperium’s most valuable tools. And many an Inquisitor who encountered such might be willing to turn a blind eye. The waste of valuable resources for unjust causes is a sin of its own, after all.		Truth be told, an Inquisitor was fully within his or her rights to execute anyone at any time. But the Officio Assassinorum did not take kindly to the frivolous execution of its agents. And their opinion was given some weight. The galaxy is a big place, after all. An Inquisitor might go a lifetime without seeing another of their kind. Unfortunate accidents or tactical oversights regularly befell those who wasted the lives of the Imperium’s most valuable tools. And many an Inquisitor who encountered evidence of such "accidents" might be willing to turn a blind eye. The waste of valuable resources for unjust causes is a sin of its own, after all.

	The video continued.		The video continued.
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	“If I do anything strange,” the assassin said, “please. Don’t hesitate to do what you need to. Okay?”		“If I do anything strange,” the assassin said, “please. Don’t hesitate to do what you need to. Okay?”

	Sascha glanced out the window for a moment, wearing a sombre expression of reflection. She pulled her eyes from the treetops and slowly put her helmet back on. The flight became smoother. The men to the sides of Terra relaxed.		Sascha glanced out the window for a moment, wearing a sombre expression of reflection. She pulled her eyes from the treetops and slowly put her helmet back on. The flight became smoother. The men to the sides of Terra relaxed.

1d4chan>AnotherAnonFinishingLCB: /* Epilogue, Part 2 */ - changed "couped" to "cooped" because that's a dumb typo.

2021-05-11T19:11:08Z

Epilogue, Part 2: - changed "couped" to "cooped" because that's a dumb typo.

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:11, 11 May 2021
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	This room was for meetings between trusted prisoners and their Eldar contacts, to provide some level of comfort and safety for them both. Yet it was no secret that true safety lay only in the interior of Ulthwe. Though it was a legitimately relaxing when not under attack, to say there were no additional motives for selecting a location so near the exterior would be naive at best. Liivi did not dwell on these thoughts. He had learned to wait. It was all part of the routine. He had emerged from the door to the left. She would soon emerge from the door on the right. They would have their time to talk. To pass the time, he reflected on a conversation that took place earlier today, in this very same room.		This room was for meetings between trusted prisoners and their Eldar contacts, to provide some level of comfort and safety for them both. Yet it was no secret that true safety lay only in the interior of Ulthwe. Though it was a legitimately relaxing when not under attack, to say there were no additional motives for selecting a location so near the exterior would be naive at best. Liivi did not dwell on these thoughts. He had learned to wait. It was all part of the routine. He had emerged from the door to the left. She would soon emerge from the door on the right. They would have their time to talk. To pass the time, he reflected on a conversation that took place earlier today, in this very same room.

	“Have you grown restless, ~~couped~~ up in here yet?” Taesan, arms resting over the back of the couch and foot resting on his knee, almost took up half the couch.		“Have you grown restless, cooped up in here yet?” Taesan, arms resting over the back of the couch and foot resting on his knee, almost took up half the couch.

	“Not particularly.” Liivi sat on the far end, resting on the arm, arms folded as he stared out into space. “I am reminded of long periods I spent, traveling in ships. Sometimes they would put me in cryosleep, but not always.”		“Not particularly.” Liivi sat on the far end, resting on the arm, arms folded as he stared out into space. “I am reminded of long periods I spent, traveling in ships. Sometimes they would put me in cryosleep, but not always.”

195.158.1.11: Added links to google drive pdf and tex versions of the fic

2021-05-10T09:59:29Z

Added links to google drive pdf and tex versions of the fic

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:59, 10 May 2021
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	“Okay.”		“Okay.”

			==See Also==
			*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D0XgxkyQV-60QYG2A56sVJuTRfvHx7hZ/view?usp=sharing PDF full version]
			*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dYswJHUH1aq1Tc6IFC0hcra8eabXWMht/view?usp=sharing TeX full version]

1d4chan>AnotherAnonFinishingLCB: /* Epilogue, Part 1 */

2021-04-28T20:48:06Z

Epilogue, Part 1

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:48, 28 April 2021
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	The camera turned to face the farseer, spear blade now covered in sizzling blood. An arm, separated from its body, was visible on the ground. It lashed at her with its remaining arm. She was responding before the movement had even begun. In scarcely the blink of an eye, the grasping hand met the butt of her spear and shoved it violently backwards. Just as the neuro gauntlet seemed prime to touch her pale skin or yank on her foolishly exposed raven hair, the hand began to recede. It fell away, and found itself staring up at the sky once more. The witch shouted something profane, and as it rushed to get up, some invisible force began tearing at its chest. The distinct crack and screech of eldar shuriken weaponry, shattering the sound barrier nearly a hundred times in a second with a constant stream of sharp crystalline projectiles, hinted at the culprit. The battle was decided.		The camera turned to face the farseer, spear blade now covered in sizzling blood. An arm, separated from its body, was visible on the ground. It lashed at her with its remaining arm. She was responding before the movement had even begun. In scarcely the blink of an eye, the grasping hand met the butt of her spear and shoved it violently backwards. Just as the neuro gauntlet seemed prime to touch her pale skin or yank on her foolishly exposed raven hair, the hand began to recede. It fell away, and found itself staring up at the sky once more. The witch shouted something profane, and as it rushed to get up, some invisible force began tearing at its chest. The distinct crack and screech of eldar shuriken weaponry, shattering the sound barrier nearly a hundred times in a second with a constant stream of sharp crystalline projectiles, hinted at the culprit. The battle was decided.

	It spasmed and struggled to look up from the ground. The shredded torso was disgusting to look at, the broken ribs and destroyed flesh oozing blood and other strange fluids endemic to the eversor’s system. It attempted to reach for a melta charge, but this was in ~~vane~~. The farseer stood over it, and so focused was it on its task that it hardly spared her a glance. One burst to the head. The camera was knocked backwards and staring at the sky once more. Another burst. The lens cracked. A final burst. Nothing. The farseer stared down at it with a look of disgust and contempt on her face. It quickly turned to shock. Screaming something else in her profane tongue, she fled the scene. The camera jerked suddenly before the feed was cut.		It spasmed and struggled to look up from the ground. The shredded torso was disgusting to look at, the broken ribs and destroyed flesh oozing blood and other strange fluids endemic to the eversor’s system. It attempted to reach for a melta charge, but this was in vain. The farseer stood over it, and so focused was it on its task that it hardly spared her a glance. One burst to the head. The camera was knocked backwards and staring at the sky once more. Another burst. The lens cracked. A final burst. Nothing. The farseer stared down at it with a look of disgust and contempt on her face. It quickly turned to shock. Screaming something else in her profane tongue, she fled the scene. The camera jerked suddenly before the feed was cut.

	----		----

1d4chan>AnotherAnonFinishingLCB at 17:31, 27 April 2021

2021-04-27T17:31:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:31, 27 April 2021
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	Why yes, it did take [[User:AnotherAnonFinishingLCB \| me]] ''four years'' to finish what I said I'd finish in ''two months''. How could you tell? (I'm sorry.)		Why yes, it did take [[User:AnotherAnonFinishingLCB \| me]] ''four years'' to finish what I said I'd finish in ''two months''. How could you tell? (I'm sorry.)

	Whether or not this continuation is legitimate or canon or anything else is up to the community to decide. For my part, I have done my best. What I have heard of NewerFag's work makes it sound both more clever and more in line with official canon - he made the effort to be consistent with lore, ~~where~~ the sole constraint I imposed on myself was "whatever I enjoy." I don't know the current state of his continuation, but I would recommend keeping an eye out for it, especially if you're interested in canon compatibility.		Whether or not this continuation is legitimate or canon or anything else is up to the community to decide. For my part, I have done my best. What I have heard of NewerFag's work makes it sound both more clever and more in line with official canon - he made the effort to be consistent with lore, whereas the sole constraint I imposed on myself was "whatever I enjoy." I don't know the current state of his continuation, but I would recommend keeping an eye out for it, especially if you're interested in canon compatibility.

	Feedback is always appreciated.		Feedback is always appreciated.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:40, 4 March 2023
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	“Acceptable.” The word slipped out. Why? What was going on? That was always the word used by the trainer to signal approval.		“Acceptable.” The word slipped out. Why? What was going on? That was always the word used by the trainer to signal approval.

	The girl snorted. “Gee, ya think? ''Anyway'', I saw you and I wanted to say thanks. We ~~aint~~ seen any greenskins come this far north yet ‘cause of you Guardsmen, comin’ in the Emperor’s name. So, thanks.” He stared back at her, confused. She was completely ignorant of the situation. Chaos was by far the larger threat in this region, and they were moving north.		The girl snorted. “Gee, ya think? ''Anyway'', I saw you and I wanted to say thanks. We ain't seen any greenskins come this far north yet ‘cause of you Guardsmen, comin’ in the Emperor’s name. So, thanks.” He stared back at her, confused. She was completely ignorant of the situation. Chaos was by far the larger threat in this region, and they were moving north.

	The girl broke the silence. "I uh... I had to scare off some bandits, once," she said, a little more solmenly. "I think I hit one. Dunno if it did him in, but it did spook'em." She sighed and looked to the ground. "I love my family. Love that I can protect 'em. But shootin' at people is still hard." She looked back up at him and stared into his eyes. It was haunting. "I dunno what I'm tryin' to say. It weren't anythin' like pa's war stories, but I figure I got an idea a' what it's like. Think I know why you're so quiet. You got a hard job, protectin' us. So, I got somethin' for ya. Almost as hard as your job, but at least it tastes good." She pulled a stick of dried meat from her pocket and tossed it to him. He snatched it deftly out of the air and stared dumbly at it. She shrugged, turned around, and waved goodbye, snow parting beneath her feet with a surprising degree of silence. “Thanks. See ya.”		The girl broke the silence. "I uh... I had to scare off some bandits, once," she said, a little more solmenly. "I think I hit one. Dunno if it did him in, but it did spook'em." She sighed and looked to the ground. "I love my family. Love that I can protect 'em. But shootin' at people is still hard." She looked back up at him and stared into his eyes. It was haunting. "I dunno what I'm tryin' to say. It weren't anythin' like pa's war stories, but I figure I got an idea a' what it's like. Think I know why you're so quiet. You got a hard job, protectin' us. So, I got somethin' for ya. Almost as hard as your job, but at least it tastes good." She pulled a stick of dried meat from her pocket and tossed it to him. He snatched it deftly out of the air and stared dumbly at it. She shrugged, turned around, and waved goodbye, snow parting beneath her feet with a surprising degree of silence. “Thanks. See ya.”
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	The Fire Dragon was right. It had to happen soon. As the eldar got up to leave, Liivi looked down at his pistol and found comfort in its familiarity. His future was always uncertain. He never knew what tomorrow would bring. But for so long, he had been confident that he was trained for it.		The Fire Dragon was right. It had to happen soon. As the eldar got up to leave, Liivi looked down at his pistol and found comfort in its familiarity. His future was always uncertain. He never knew what tomorrow would bring. But for so long, he had been confident that he was trained for it.

	He was not nearly so certain he was trained for tomorrow.		He was not nearly so certain he was trained for tomorrow.

	----		----

	The sound of feet walking over sand.		The sound of feet walking over sand.

	It was coming from her right. A gentle presence. She almost didn’t notice it.		It was coming from her right. A gentle presence. She almost didn’t notice it.
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	The Farseer was silent for a time. “I’m sorry.”		The Farseer was silent for a time. “I’m sorry.”

	“It’s fine. I understand.” She took a deep breath, collecting herself. “Officially, I was cleared of responsibility. But I still feel responsible. I should’ve seen it. He was my patient. His well being was my responsibility.		“It’s fine. I understand.” She took a deep breath, collecting herself. “Officially, I was cleared of responsibility. But I still feel responsible. I should’ve seen it. He was my patient. His well being was my responsibility.

	We were fighting some mon-keigh. One of our encampments was shelled. So many wounded and dying. Ten full medevac vamps, and that was just for those in critical condition. I was in the first, busy, trying to treat people as fast as I could. The nurses were supposed to keep the stones stocked. Nobody realized we were out.” A pause. The Farseer looked at the little medic. She was reliving it. Staring back in time. Trying to hold in her emotions. Speaking in a calm and deliberate voice. But the dream betrayed her. Taldeer could see it as she spoke. Fuzzy images and flashes of a memory, tearing into the space around her, only to vanish shortly thereafter.		We were fighting some mon-keigh. One of our encampments was shelled. So many wounded and dying. Ten full medevac vamps, and that was just for those in critical condition. I was in the first, busy, trying to treat people as fast as I could. The nurses were supposed to keep the stones stocked. Nobody realized we were out.” A pause. The Farseer looked at the little medic. She was reliving it. Staring back in time. Trying to hold in her emotions. Speaking in a calm and deliberate voice. But the dream betrayed her. Taldeer could see it as she spoke. Fuzzy images and flashes of a memory, tearing into the space around her, only to vanish shortly thereafter.
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	“He was a young man.” Handsome features. “Even younger than me. A guardian.” Another bag of blood gone. Tourniquet changed. “He had a gut full of shrapnel and was missing an arm and a leg.” Two pairs of hands tried to seal blood vessels. Elastic bands struggled to keep pressure on the stumps. “I was so focused, I didn’t see the hairline fracture in his spirit stone.” He stopped breathing. No pulse. Needles were shoved into nerves. Shocks delivered. Trying to inflate his chest. Pump his heart. But it wouldn’t take.		“He was a young man.” Handsome features. “Even younger than me. A guardian.” Another bag of blood gone. Tourniquet changed. “He had a gut full of shrapnel and was missing an arm and a leg.” Two pairs of hands tried to seal blood vessels. Elastic bands struggled to keep pressure on the stumps. “I was so focused, I didn’t see the hairline fracture in his spirit stone.” He stopped breathing. No pulse. Needles were shoved into nerves. Shocks delivered. Trying to inflate his chest. Pump his heart. But it wouldn’t take.

	“...he passed. That’s when I saw it.”		“...he passed. That’s when I saw it.”

	As light began to fill the crimson gem, a thin line of bright white appeared.		As light began to fill the crimson gem, a thin line of bright white appeared.
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	“For a long time, I’d wake up in the middle of the night, crying. Thinking of that moment. And the fact that I couldn’t walk away, after a failure so great - that I couldn’t leave my path - I think that’s when I fully understood I was lost on it. Perverse as it sounds, it’s the fate I’d always wanted, deep down - a healer forever. But that wasn’t how I wanted to find out.”		“For a long time, I’d wake up in the middle of the night, crying. Thinking of that moment. And the fact that I couldn’t walk away, after a failure so great - that I couldn’t leave my path - I think that’s when I fully understood I was lost on it. Perverse as it sounds, it’s the fate I’d always wanted, deep down - a healer forever. But that wasn’t how I wanted to find out.”

	All Taldeer could manage was a stunned expression. The young woman before her had seemed too much like a child. Too sweet. Too sensitive. Too naive. Now she seemed frighteningly precocious.		All Taldeer could manage was a stunned expression. The young woman before her had seemed too much like a child. Too sweet. Too sensitive. Too naive. Now she seemed frighteningly precocious.

	“You’re too young,” Taldeer whispered. “Much too young to be here. To have seen that. To be lost. By Isha. You didn’t need to relive that for my sake.”		“You’re too young,” Taldeer whispered. “Much too young to be here. To have seen that. To be lost. By Isha. You didn’t need to relive that for my sake.”

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:21, 14 May 2021
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	This room was for meetings between trusted prisoners and their Eldar contacts, to provide some level of comfort and safety for them both. Yet it was no secret that true safety lay only in the interior of Ulthwe. Though it was a legitimately relaxing place when not under attack, to say there were no additional motives for selecting a location so near the exterior would be naive at best. Liivi did not dwell on these thoughts. He had learned to wait. It was all part of the routine. He had emerged from the door to the left. She would soon emerge from the door on the right. They would have their time to talk. To pass the time, he reflected on a conversation that took place earlier today, in this very same room.		This room was for meetings between trusted prisoners and their Eldar contacts, to provide some level of comfort and safety for them both. Yet it was no secret that true safety lay only in the interior of Ulthwe. Though it was a legitimately relaxing place when not under attack, to say there were no additional motives for selecting a location so near the exterior would be naive at best. Liivi did not dwell on these thoughts. He had learned to wait. It was all part of the routine. He had emerged from the door to the left. She would soon emerge from the door on the right. They would have their time to talk. To pass the time, he reflected on a conversation that took place earlier today, in this very same room.

	“Have you grown restless, cooped up in here yet?” Taesan, arms resting over the back of the couch and foot resting on his knee, almost took up half the ~~couch~~.		“Have you grown restless, cooped up in here yet?” Taesan, arms resting over the back of the couch and foot resting on his knee, almost took up half the sitting space.

	“Not particularly.” Liivi sat on the far end, resting on the arm, arms folded as he stared out into space. “I am reminded of long periods I spent, traveling in ships. Sometimes they would put me in cryosleep, but not always.”		“Not particularly.” Liivi sat on the far end, resting on the arm, his own arms folded as he stared out into space. “I am reminded of long periods I spent, traveling in ships. Sometimes they would put me in cryosleep, but not always.”

	“Well, lucky you, I’m pretty sick of it already. It’s too cramped.” He shook his head.		“Well, lucky you, I’m pretty sick of it already. It’s too cramped.” He shook his head.
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	The door opened smoothly, and through it she stepped. The two locked eyes. It had been three weeks now, and even though he had grown used to seeing her outside of her armor, it was sill strange to see her wearing different clothing at every meeting. In every arrangement, she still managed to look hypnotizing. He only had variations of ~~the~~ a single outfit - the clothes they made for their human prisoners - a long sleeved shirt that hugged his body, and loose trousers. But as much as he felt uncomfortable without his suit, she didn’t seem to mind. She always smiled when she saw him.		The door opened smoothly, and through it she stepped. The two locked eyes. It had been three weeks now, and even though he had grown used to seeing her outside of her armor, it was sill strange to see her wearing different clothing at every meeting. In every arrangement, she still managed to look hypnotizing. He only had variations of a single outfit - the clothes they made for their human prisoners - a long sleeved shirt that hugged his body, and loose trousers. But as much as he felt uncomfortable without his suit, she didn’t seem to mind. She always smiled when she saw him.

	“Hello, Liivi.”		“Hello, Liivi.”
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	“I can shoot well. But,” he stared thoughtfully into space, before turning his gaze to her. “I am beginning to realize that there is more I would like to be proficient at.”		“I can shoot well. But,” he stared thoughtfully into space, before turning his gaze to her. “I am beginning to realize that there is more I would like to be proficient at.”

	A soft smile greeted his words. But it was the subtle twinkle that her eyes took on ~~that~~ stunned Liivi. “The therapy and counseling are already yielding results, I see.”		A soft smile greeted his words. But it was the subtle twinkle that her eyes took on which stunned Liivi. “The therapy and counseling are already yielding results, I see.”

	He had to look away for some reason. Something compelled him. It was uncomfortable. But not… bad. “Partly,” he replied. “The data from the brain scan was finally interpreted. It seems like the concussion I received helped jumpstart this process. And some lingering questions from a mission shortly after may have led to me sparing you.”		He had to look away for some reason. Something compelled him. It was uncomfortable. But not… bad. “Partly,” he replied. “The data from the brain scan was finally interpreted. It seems like the concussion I received helped jumpstart this process. And some lingering questions from a mission shortly after may have led to me sparing you.”
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	“What about the Scorpions? I couldn’t understand any of what they said.”		“What about the Scorpions? I couldn’t understand any of what they said.”

	“Their statements were short and terse. Not really ~~favorable~~. But hardly positive, either. Nothing more than observations. I get the sense that testifying made them nervous.”		“Their statements were short and terse. Not really unfavorable. But hardly positive, either. Nothing more than observations. I get the sense that testifying made them nervous.”

	“And what of that guardian? I haven’t seen him yet.”		“And what of that guardian? I haven’t seen him yet.”