the_lioness | (no subject)

(no subject)

[OOC: After Adam and Raven fight.]

*Adam and Raven are gone.

They disappeared from right under her eyes.

Fists clenched, Alanna is still balanced precariously on a branch overlooking the clearing where their highly unusual duel had been staged. She wonders if they even knew she was there. The ground shook, trees appeared to move and snakes coiled out of the ground like worms in freshly overturned earth; then it all stopped, and they simply disappeared.

How?

A voice in the back of her head keeps insisting that neither of them would kill the other, but it's not a very strong voice. She grips the tree limb and stares at the clearing, shivering a little as the wind picks up again.*

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Time passes.

It is good at that.

And then, in the midst of the clearing, the air opens.

A Raven perches on a nearby tree branch, fluttering its feathers.

A moment later, the portal closes. The clearing is quiet.

*The more times passes, the more her stomach twists itself into knots.

Alanna blinks rapidly as the air changes somehow, turning her stiff neck to look at the bird nearby. It could just be a bird, but she knows it's not.

She doesn't feel alone anymore.

However, the bird is not accompanied by an Antichrist. Swallowing around a sudden lump in her throat, Alanna feels her face grow hot and tears prick her eyes. She turns away, fingers closing around the branch as she shuts her eyes.*

And then, of course, there is a Raven on the branch next to her.

A man-shaped Raven.

He's quick.

"It did not go so badly, perhaps."

*Alanna is also quick. She scrambles upright, grasping his collar and pulling him closer until they are almost nose to nose.*

Didn't

go

BADLY?

*Incredulous, she glares at him.*

"Progress was made, I think. He has learned something."

Raven nods, once. His eyes are sharp.

"Now it settles. So. He will be back."

I was worried about both of you, you... you... Nightstorm.

*Several deep breaths later, she smooths his shirt and lets go, slumping back against the tree trunk. She almost loses her balance, cursing in frustration as she clutches rough bark.*

What? Where is he?

Raven tilts his head, one hand reaching out to steady Alanna.

"His world, I think. Near a beginning."

Raven shrugs.

"I could not say more precisely, I do not think. It is not my place. So."

*Alanna flinches. Rubbing her free hand over her face to hide the tears, she sniffs.*

A beginning? Are you sure it wasn't an ending?

*The tree gets punched.*

Goddess.

You knew I was here?

"Yes."

Raven nods, watching her carefully.

"But a thing needed doing."

He smiles, slightly.

"All beginnings are endings in disguise, perhaps. The reverse is also true."

*She laughs harshly, looking at him with watery eyes.*

That so? Oh, I feel better now. *Gritting her teeth, she pulls her knees up.* What thing, precisely, needed doing? I thought... you were so different yesterday.

Raven shrugs, slightly.

"I am changeable. It is a fault, perhaps. Also a virtue. It depends on which side you are on, I think."

He looks at her, gaze steady.

"You know what he is, yes?"

*Nodding slowly, she swallows her temper.*

Aye, I do. However, knowing a thing and seeing proof of it are not at all the same.

*She shrugs.*

It's part of him, and certainly doesn't change how I feel. *pause* However, it is troublesome for him, I think.

"Yes. He is afraid of it. Or was. It is difficult."

He tilts his head.

"Better to use a thing, to control it, than to deny. It is important, perhaps."

His eyes, on hers, are piercing.

*Alanna chokes.*

Yes. Yes, it is. *She shivers, her voice growing raspy.* I tried to deny my Gift most of my life, Raven. I know.

I know. If you do not use the gifts the Gods give you, they turn on you.

But he's not here, so why are we... Mithros, you two simply vanished.

"He was cranky, I think."

Of course he was.

*Breath lodged in her throat, she leans her head back and stares up through the tree, a few tears finally sliding down her cheeks.*

I do not. Like. Not being able. To help.

Raven shifts closer, resting a careful hand on her shoulder.

"I do not think anyone does, in truth."

He is quiet, a moment.

"I am very certain of that."

*She lowers her gaze to his face and sighs.*

Anyone with any honor, I suppose.

*Shrugging, she grabs a leaf and spins it in her fingers.*

Indy told me Mel can't get home. And now this. After Meg, and Todd and everything else... Great Mother, I'm allowed to be cranky too.

*She scowls.* Is he going to be able to get back?

Raven snorts.

"Yes. It is not difficult. Also he is easy to find, if it comes to that."

He blinks.

"Cranky is justifiable, I think."

There is a pause.

"Mel?"

I don't suppose he mentioned if he'd be back in time for the wedding?

*Alanna bites her lip.*

Aye. Melaka Fray. Vampire Slayer from the future and very good friend. She is in Hell, trapped there with her murderous twin.

Raven shakes his head.

"I like to think he is responsible enough to remember, but I cannot be certain. Some things take time, perhaps."

He wraps his arm around her shoulder, then, and squeezes.

"I know Mel, yes. I had hoped she would be back before, this, perhaps. Portals are tricky, I think."

*Alanna grumbles under her breath, but she leans on him anyway. After a moment, she hugs him.*

You had better hope that is the case. If he's not back, I'm dragging you with me instead.

*She nods.* Me too. Lilly talked to her in the Dreaming, and it seemed as if Mel was on her way home. However, Tim told Indy that she tried to use her security badge to open the door, and it failed her.

There is a moment, perhaps, where Raven looks exceedingly awkward.

Weddings, particularly when he does not know the participants, are not quite his thing.

Well--all things have their price, after all. He is resigned.

"Well enough, Alanna. Mel will be back, eventually, I think. Some things must be done correctly, or not at all. Quests are like that, perhaps."

*Despite the fact that she doesn't feel much like smiling, Raven's expression makes a smile inevitable. She clears her throat.*

I was joking, Raven. It is a small affair anyway, and I've never been one to worry if I'm properly escorted or not. If anyone, I'll force my brother.

*She sits back, sobering.* Perhaps so.

What you did out there... that was amazing.

Raven blinks, startled.

"It is possible I am confused?"

He sounds a little plaintive, perhaps.

Way to fluster him, Alanna.

Or it is entirely possible I'm not making much sense right now. I'll accept either.

*Closing her eyes, she sits still for a moment.*

Which part is problematic? The fact that I was mostly kidding about dragging you to the wedding? Or that I think what you did, what both of you did, was quite intriguing?

"Ah."

Raven blinks.

"I had crossed the two, I think."

He grins, and ruffles her hair.

It is possibly irritating.

*On any other day, perhaps. Now it is oddly comforting. She wrinkles her nose and looks at him.*

Are you alright?

"Better, yes. More settled and less itchy. It is a fine thing, that."

He grins brightly.

It is a fine thing indeed.

*Alanna nods once and bites her lip. It can't hurt to ask one more time.*

Is he?

Raven tilts his head.

"A fine thing? You are better equipped to answer that than I."

There is a pause.

"But he is well, yes. He is settling the lesson in, perhaps. It is well done of him, I think."

We shall see, I suppose. In the meantime, there's no sense in freezing to death.

*Expression guarded, she starts climbing down the tree.*

You should have a full plate of cookies, Raven. Freshly baked.

Raven drops lightly to the ground beside her.

He rests one arm across her shoulders, and pulls her into a hug.

"Should I need to find him, I will take you with me. He needs to be yelled at more, perhaps. Also it will be funny."

*She nods, hugging him tightly.*

Thank you. That mental image has helped immensely. *Her lips twitch.* Perhaps I, in turn, need to yell more often.

"It is cathartic, perhaps. Though I much prefer flying."

He looks at her, head tilted.

"It is a thing to try, perhaps."

Perhaps it is. Yelling and flying. *Alanna looks back at the clearing once more before looping her arm through his and starting toward the bar.*

Come on. Cookies for you. Bath for me. As everyone keeps saying, this too will right itself in time.

Raven nods, solemnly. Though a grin lingers at the corner of his mouth.

"Time is good for many things, yes."

Many things, indeed.

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