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 Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:49 am
It wasn't much longer before she found them. Looking at Nika curled up on the ground she nearly sighed in exasperation. She knew she should have made sure he went home first before leaving.
He's been here the entire time?* she asked, keeping the worried concern out of her voice, just barely. It wasn't like she was his mother, fussing over him not to catch a cold. But really...sleeping outside before the night of battle?
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 2:20 pm
Nika stirred and shifted onto his back. Drowisly, he opened his eyes and looked up at Io. Startled, at first, he blinked once or twice. Her mask was gone? What was he doing, sleeping outside?
Then his short-term memory came back. He sighed and slowly sat up, rubbing at his eyes.
'Good morning, is it?' he shrugged, smiled at her and then at Shiva, ignoring the stiff feeling in his back.
'Ready to go?'
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 2:49 pm
*I think we were wondering the same thing.* She knelt down easily beside him. *The ground is not often a kind mistress. How do you feel?*
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 6:12 pm
'Mistress?' he chuckled and winked at her, 'Never.'
Nika massaged the back of his neck with his hand and ignored the sharp pain that continued to stab at his lower back. It would probably loosen with some stretching... probably.
'I'm alright. A little sore, but I'll be fine.' he nodded.
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 6:26 pm
Snickering, she slid her fingers along his shoulders. *You look awkward trying to rub your own back.* Massaging it gently for a few moments, she didn't tease him any more than that. Such things were still private for her, and flirting in front of anyone, especially Io was more than uncomfortable for her.
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 6:46 pm
Nika shivered. Being massaged by her hands felt a great deal better than trying to massage his own neck and shoulders.
He guessed that Shi wouldn't be comfortable flirting anymore, not when they were right in front of Io. But as much as he wanted to continue... he figured they ought to stop. He glanced at his daughter and his cheeks reddened behind his mask. He wasn't that comfortable.
Besides, Io would probably never consider taking them anywhere ever again.
'That feels great Shi,' he grinned at her and then slowly stood up, being careful not to bump her. 'I feel much better.'
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 6:53 pm
She only reluctantly let her hands drop and got to her feet herself. Restraining the urge to stretch to cover her own embarresment, she looked away and at the sky.
*Are we getting close to time?*
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:08 pm
Nika nudged Shi and winked at her, his tone was teasing, 'I am time.'
He didn't bother to explain the comment. Instead, he stretched his arms and looked around for his back-pack.
Where could it have gone to?
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:09 pm
There was a little grin on Io's face as she stood. "Yeah. Let's go." She said, heading towards the trees. She was happy for them. They seemed close. Unlike-- Well, she shrugged that thought off, leading the way to the ruins. But on her shoulder the little shadow dancer danced, keeping her company while she tried to give them privacy.
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:22 pm
She smiled a little tentatively at his comment, shouldering her own pack and verifying her weapons were ready.
*I trust you'll be able to see better than us still.* She said to Io, discerning rightly that the girl was as surefooted as a feline in this twilight morning *You will have to tell me when and where, if it is not lighter by the time we cross over into where they are.*
She had almost said "their territory". Except it wasn't the Rade's. It was their own home.
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:25 pm
"Oh, no worries. You'll hear it. Rade tend to... snore." Io replied, almost playfully. She loved this time of night. It was always darkest right before the dawn, after all. There was a tiny bounce in her step as the night rejuvinated her.
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:34 pm
'Wish I had your eye sight.' Nika sighed and spotted his pack, sitting underneath a tree. He had most likely kicked it there, by accident, while he'd been asleep.
He picked it up and shouldered it, and hurried to keep up with Io and Shi. A familiar, nervous feeling chilled his bones and goosebumps appeapered on his arms.
He wanted to do this. It would be good to remember. Wouldn't it?
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:36 pm
She wondered if that was encouragement. Shrugging, she checked to make sure Nika was with them and just began to collect herself for the upcoming effort.
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:43 pm
She slowed down, flushing slightly. "I uh... tend to forget other people can't see in the dark." She said, as close to an apology as she would get. "Down that path is Sei's place. But I can't promise he'll be there all the time." She pointed to the left, wondering if they could see her.
"Ahead is the Rade Caves. They border the edge of the ruins. The ruins are where they like to hunt." she went on softly. "They don't live there. They just like to... haunt it." A dry amusement tinted her voice as she went on. "A lot of things haunt those ruins."
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:52 pm
*Like what?* she asked. *Is that something that we know? or did at one time? Or merely your own recollections independent of common knowledge?*
She was still worried about Sei, and Io's comment about his abode reminded her of that fact with a sudden strength that bothered her. She wished she knew he was allright.
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