the_lioness | (no subject)

(no subject)

*After their return to the bar, Alanna and Indy deposited Meg in the infirmary and had a few quick words before Alanna raced off to find Adam. It only took a few seconds for them to reach each other, and then Alanna jerked her thumb toward the staff quarters and took off in that direction, black box wrapped carefully in her arms.

Now they stand across from each other just inside the apartment, staring. Alanna is filthy, tank top and pants ripped in places, hair tangled and half up. There's a rather large bruise forming on her shoulder that may or may not be hidden by chocolate and sugary dust. All of this, however, is perhaps eclipsed by the crooked grin on her face.*

I got it. We got it.

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*Adam had so far avoided looking at the box, and it's only a quick glance down before he's looking at her face again, bringing a finger up to run along her cheekbone.*

You're back safe.

I am. A bit shocked and definitely incredulous as to what happened, but safe. *Laughing a little, she rushes forward and wraps her free arm around him.* But it's here, and everything will be alright.

*He wraps his arms around her tightly, kissing her soundly for a few minutes before pulling back.*

Okay. Box.

*he says breathlessly*

*Alanna just stands there staring at him with wide eyes for a few moments. Eventually, she shakes herself and nods.*

Box.

*Swallowing with some difficulty, she holds it out. Despite her general filthiness, the ebony box shines as if it has just been polished.*

Could you... hold it a moment? I need to take some of this stuff off.

*He nods, taking the box from her and eyeing it warily. It's heavy, but lighter than he'd expected, and it just feels ... strange. He doesn't know how else to describe it. Maybe it's the idea that there's a tiny little him inside there that's freaking him out.*

*Pulling the pack and sword off her back, she watches him and licks her lips. Weapons start hitting the floor in no sort of order, and eventually she's standing there in just her tank top and cargo pants. The boots, thick with chocolate, are tossed unceremoniously under the table.

She focuses on breathing for several seconds.*

It's odd, isn't it? I didn't think we were going to make it, but no one could have pried that out of my hands.

I'm awfully glad you did, though.

What do we do with this?

I should hope so.

*She smiles impishly, but soon returns her gaze to the box, worried once more.*

Do you think we should... find Thom?

*Alanna winces.*

*One simple word.*

NO.

*During the course of the day, Alanna had given this a great deal of thought and had reached the same conclusion. It pains her to admit it, but she isn't at all sure Thom would help her now.

Not while Roger has him right where he wants him.*

Okay.

*She bites her thumb, frowning at the taste of chocolate. Moving closer, she searches his eyes.*

Adam...

*He's biting his own lip, though he doesn't quite realize it.*

Yeah?

*While she had discarded the idea of Thom handling it, another thought had lodged itself in her brain. Another option, and one that makes sense to her. After all, Roger didn't know Adam is the Antichrist. Taking a deep breath, she blurts it out.*

Do you think you could try? I mean... I know it's rather a lot to ask. Gods, especially given that it's your life as well that we're dealing with here. *Her voice goes raspy.* I trust you. I think that you -that we- can do this. Truly.

*She groans and digs her nails into her palms.*

Mithros, I'm insane. I'm sorry. I shouldn't ask such a thing of you. I just don't know what else to do.

*Adam nearly drops the box, grabbing it at the last moment.*

I'd-

I don't know about the magic. I thought you said if they disappear-

*Alanna winces.*

I know... I know.

*She hurriedly holds out her arms for the box.*

It's just... you know how you can make things happen? Appear or disappear? I was thinking today, and wondering.

I don't, I don't actually know. I just think about something and... it happens.

*Pressing a hand over her rapidly beating heart, Alanna nods quickly.*

That is what I thought. *More silence, as she struggles to make sense of her ideas. It has been a really long day.* What if you thought that the box had never existed in the first place?

Then-

I don't know. It's not ...

*He wants to say "It's not mine" but that's not quite what he means.*

*Alanna sits down on the couch, eyeing the box. It's almost hypnotizing in its simplicity, and now after it's finally in her hands, she rests her palm on it with a vague sense of horror. One finger, then two, tap against the surface as a strangled sound works its way up her throat.*

Okay. I won't ask it of you.

It's evil. I can feel it, and when I look at it with my emberstone, it stinks of Roger.

*Another idea is still lurking about her brain, and she tilts her head as if listening to something.*

Is there anybody in your world who can destroy it?

*Other than Thom.*

No. Roger and Thom were the best. That was my concern - that Thom would be the only sorcerer capable of counteracting Roger's magic.

The box is from the Black City. *Still staring at its surface, she nods.* I can feel it.

The figures aren't.

*She lifts the box and examines it, searching for a catch even though she knows there isn't one.*

What if you thought them... away.

*There's that lip biting again.*

I-

I could try.

*Feeling wretched, Alanna reluctantly sets the box on the couch and walks over, taking his hands.*

We have time yet. Some.

*With that, she wraps her arms around him, shaking a little. If this doesn't work, and he dies, she will never, ever forgive herself.*

I love you. I'm so, so sorry.

*He holds he hand in his, and takes a deep breath.*

How much time?

Tomorrow morning, I think.

*She growls quietly and pushes back, pacing.*

There's never enough time.

Shhh.

*He grabs for her hand, and tries to get her to sit.*

We'll think of something. I mean, we don't necessarily have to destroy the figures right away, right?

*Alanna squeezes his hand quickly, then slowly peels off the first of three tank tops (the one coated in chocolate) grimacing when she moves her shoulder.*

No, I suppose not. But if you're trying to make it so that the figures inside never existed at all... But that just seems like such a risk to take. How would we know if it worked until it was too late?

He didn't anticipate this. You. But we're still cornered.

*She sighs.* What was it Mike said? Think outside the box?

*Blinking, she looks up at him, a slightly startled look on her face.*

Well, if I disappeared too, you'd know.

*Adam jokes uncomfortably, not laughing.*

What if...

What?

*Alanna is too tired to throw a pillow at Adam's head, but her eyes suggest she might like to.*

Please don't make jokes like that.

What if you thought the figures... out of the box?

If I-

*Adam's looking at Alanna, and so he doesn't even notice when they appear; three tiny little figures, walking around and looking dazed.*

I don't even know if that would work.

*It's getting harder to breathe, and Alanna attempts not to worry and instead to focus solely on the task at hand. She has to fix this.*

Aye, I realize that. However, there's no harm done if if doesn't! Don't you see? We should try that first, regardless.

*Mind set on it, she picks up the box without looking and stands. It feels lighter somehow. Frowning, she looks up, and her eye is drawn to movement on the sofa.

Myles is crouched on the sofa's arm, looking as if he might pounce on one of three figures.

Wax figures.

Wax figures of Adam, George and Ingress.

Alanna sits down heavily on the ground. Her tail bone will remind her of this later.*

Great Mother...

Wha-

*It's a moment before Adam turns and looks at them. It's a bit eerie, seeing a very tiny exact replica of yourself, but there it is. He pokes at it a bit.*

Are they... real?

*Eyes wide, she grabs her emberstone with a shaking hand. All three figures glow faintly orange.*

...yes.

*She laughs, tears working their way down her face. Before long, she pulls her knees up and buries her head, her entire body shaking.*

You might want to get the cat.

*Adam goes and scoops up the cat.*

Maybe we better just close the bedroom door altogether.

*And he does so, coming back to sit by Alanna.*

It's-

It's-

*Lifting her head, she swipes at the tears and gives him a wobbly smile.*

Over. You're all safe. Goddess, I can't even begin to tell you how good that feels.

*She glances over at the three figures, staring helplessly.*

I can't...

You did it.

*Suddenly she laughs, but it's pure joy now. Grinning, she turns and pounces him, knocking him over and covering his face in kisses.

Slightly chocolaty kisses, but heartfelt nonetheless.*

*He laughs madly, kissing her back.*

Hey, hey! We're uh- they're still there though. What are we supposed to do with them?

I have books... and spells... I know how to take care of them safely, but even if I have to wait a bit, they are out of the box. He wouldn't have put them in the box if they were spelled to disappear themselves.

*Alanna gives him another long kiss and jumps up to go collect the figures, wrapping them in her discarded shirt. Cradling them carefully in her hands, she rocks back on her heels and beams.*

The best part about all of this, Adam?

*She bites her lip, afraid she's about to give into hysterical laughter again, remembering Roger's first death.

Liar! Do you deny that you have the knowledge, when I taught image-magic to you myself?*

ROGER TAUGHT ME HOW.

*Giggling, she races toward the bedroom and her books.*

*The relief in the room is palpable. Head in hands, Adam watches after her laughing and laughing.*

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