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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2013 8:36:50 GMT -8
"Cheers," said Dresden, wondering just what that was about. Granted, the sample had been more symbolic than scientific, but drinking it seemed a bit of a waste, especially since it could take hours to get that much out of him with more conventional methods. The trick was in finding a needle that wouldn't vaporize the minute it pierced the skin.
"Well, I imagine it's about time for us to go out and face the world. Koko, you mind getting the doors?"
For once, the Shard woman didn't argue, and the heavy blast doors slowly began to rise back into position. She was waiting on the other side, beaming.
"For the record, your declarations count as legally binding marriage vows in 142 systems in this region, so long as they were said in front of a witness. Another 306, Dressel included, requires a bit of paperwork before they become officially binding. Ours is more practical than anything else. It just establishes the partners as each other's emergency contact in case of an incident, grants medical power of attorney if a partner becomes unable to look after their own interests due to medical reasons, and establishes them as beneficiary in the event of death, assuming there isn't a will. There are more elaborate licenses available here, but this one is only two pages long and I've already filled it out. Shall I file it?"
Dresden glared at Koko, but her fox-like grin never wavered.
"I think we've had enough excitement for one day. Besides, that would legally make her your mother."
The grin vanished faster than a nerf in a rancor pit. Now there was an angle she hadn't considered.
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The Major
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Post by The Major on Nov 17, 2013 9:44:45 GMT -8
"Wunderbar! Most subjects dat call me, 'Mother,' are, vwell, creepy! But Frau Koko vwouldt be vone I couldt promptly say I am proudt of. Besides, it vwouldt be jet black irony!!" This the Fallanassi spoke while sitting down at the seat in front of her musket, a wide, sardonic smile twisting one end of her mouth higher than the other. To say that her ego wasn't at its apex thanks to today's events would be an understatement.
"Dresden von Eralam, dere ist shtill much to discuss in matters both tactical unt economical. Agreements must be made; understandingk must be somedink vwe shhtrive to achieve. If zyou needt ein break fuer eine few hours den so be it. However, I request zyour presence heir to finish such discussions."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2013 11:34:48 GMT -8
Koko's already pale face drained to a few shades whiter than paper.
"You know what? On second thought, that's not really necessary. I mean, a piece of paper is nothing compared to your love, right?"
She laughed weakly, clearly grasping at straws.
If the evil glint in Dresden's eye hadn't been enough of a hint that he was up to something, the way he sidled up to the Major and put his arm around her was setting off all kinds of alarm bells in her head. For a brief, terrifying second, they look every inch the happy couple, so long as you didn't look too closely. The smiles were just a little too wide, however. Major's glasses gleamed, impossibly bright in the sparse lighting of the conference room.
Koko didn't know what was going to happen next, but she had a feeling that it was going to settle the score, with interest.
"Now Koko, your mother and I have some things to discuss. Why don't you run along like a good girl? I'll buy you some ice cream later."
Koko spit him with a look that could have pierced a Star Destroyer's hull plating.
"I'm taking you up on that, you bastard."
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The Major
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Post by The Major on Nov 17, 2013 14:24:12 GMT -8
Mirth was good, enjoyment better, but there really was some rather serious operations to talk about. Attempting her best to convey an air of business, the Major motions for Dresden to take a seat -again. This, of course, while running her tongue into the groves of her teeth in order to fish out more of the Fallen Whill's blood. Once a blood sample was exposed to the air, it was useless for experimentation, and could only be used for observation. Time may have been an issue, but work on the demigod's cure did not have to begin today. Once he recovered a bit, she would ask for a proper sample.
There was another life fluid that could prove more useful to this work than his blood, however; all things in due time and course.
"Now, if zyou are ready to begin, I'll needt zyour support, or rather, blessingk, to subdue Eraidu. Ein quisling hast been revealed in vone of der five leadingk families. Dis can unt vwill be exploited. Dis alongk vwith dehr legalization of slavery fuer humans vwould solidify loyalty of enough of dehr nobility to ensure das planet' cooperation. Traditionally, Eraidu has ein history dat cosigns shadow Fascism.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2013 14:42:58 GMT -8
Dresden considered the situation for a moment, and then shook his head.
"Can't sign off on slavery. Spent too much time with the Aing-Tii for that. Never could get a grasp on their techniques, but their teachings sank in."
The strange Monks of the Kathol Rift had, in his opinion, one of the more enlightened views on the Force among the organic civilizations. They viewed it not in terms of light and dark, but as a whole spectrum. They also hunted slavers with a rabid ferocity that had shocked a young and impressionable Shard who was just beginning to grasp the scope of his own immense powers. The first few raids he had accompanied them on had been quite traumatic; the ordinarily docile monks were absolutely ruthless in the destruction of their prey. After a while, however, he began to share their views. It was quite hard to feel sympathy for beings that would willfully treat other sentient beings as mere property. He might use them as expendable pawns for the greater good, but the situation was invariably a result of their own choices. The Major herself was a prime example, though he no longer considered her either a pawn or expendable.
"There are better ways to ensure the cooperation of the leading families. If we can establish a branch of the Market on the planet, for instance, the potential for profit alone should encourage their compliance."
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The Major
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Post by The Major on Nov 17, 2013 15:31:13 GMT -8
The response was delivered quickly and without any sense of hesitation.
"Nein. Ein market ist too slow. It vwould take at last two years für sufficient quarterly returns to sway dehr most conservative of investors -unt den some vwill shtill holdt out on principle. Me unt mein more radical changes vwould precipitate its fall into our sphere of influence. zYou vwant expendable unt zealous troops für zyour plan; I vwon't sendt loyal kampfgruppes to demise. Mercenaries vwon't 'sell' dee same spirit. . .
"Besides, I don't mean slavery of humans: dat vwould be monstrous. I only plan to use sub unt non humans to sweeten der pot."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2013 17:44:15 GMT -8
"Major, you do realize that Koko and I are both nonhumans, right?"
His voice was soft. The former Shard wasn't angry, just disappointed and maybe a lite hurt. He knew he had just promised his devotion to a woman with whose moral compass was not so much broken as nonexistent, but the idea that she would allow the enslavement of nonhumans, that she thought they, and by extension her new family, were inferior, stung.
"I'm afraid this is one point on which I will not yield."
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The Major
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Post by The Major on Nov 17, 2013 19:02:17 GMT -8
Damn. Oh bloody damn.
Dresden and Koko both were always so alive, vivid, and full of activity. A state of humanity was more standard and level then biological status. After all, there were plenty of humans who were a waste of space. It would be a lie if the Fallanassi said she felt guilty about her views -but it made her feel terrible to insult either the arms dealer or the ex-shard. No, she liked insulting Dresden because he did make it easy, but that didn't come from a place of spite. Well, technically it did up until about a week ago.
Deflated, the woman folds her arms and lays both them and her head upon the table, blowing a rouge strand of hair out of her face.
"Nein. I don't mean to say either of zyou are inferiors or invalids.... Obviously from our interactions nothingk couldt be further from reality. zYou both are vwonderfully human."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2013 20:05:30 GMT -8
If anyone else in the galaxy had said what she just said, they would likely be picking up their teeth. By some minor miracle of willpower, Dresden managed to keep his temper in check enough to formulate a measured response.
He opened his mouth to speak, and promptly closed it again when he realized that, in his current state, he probably would have taken that carefully calculated reply and hurled it at the top of his lungs.
The fallen Whill removed another cigarillo from the case, lit it, and took a long drag, and then another. The flood of nicotine coursing through his veins soothed the raw nerves enough that when he finally spoke, his voice was, if not calm, at least quiet.
"Tell me," he said as he placed the now expended cancer stick in the ashtray. "Do you particularly enjoy being called Riplian?"
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The Major
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Post by The Major on Nov 17, 2013 20:22:28 GMT -8
This was going to get worse. Much worse. Even if the morbid scientist was a amoral being with no care for right or truth, she could sense that she had just undertaken a colossal fuck up. That mouth of hers which has time and time again caused so much trouble suddenly turned dry, and the tongue felt like cotton. Every one of Dresden's movements seemed so heavy, and by the time he was done smoking and began to speak, she was sitting straight up, with that mouth of ruination slightly parted in apprehension. And then he lashed out. Not with slaps, but with that damned name.
Naturally, she clenched her fists, somehow felt tiny, and was extremely careful with her next statement.
". . .No." Said the Major, wide eyed and perhaps churning apprehension into fear. Still, she had the strength of will to look him straight in the eyes, even if her shadow slicked ones were trembling now.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2013 20:33:25 GMT -8
"I thought not. I apologize for having to use it now."
Dresden reached across the table to take her hands in his. He met her gaze, his eyes a little softer, his voice a little less harsh.
"I love you, that hasn't changed. But you have to realize just what you're dealing with here. When you propose enslaving nonhumans, you're making me a target. You're making Koko a target. So please, let's take that off the table. There are other ways to accomplish your goals."
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The Major
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Post by The Major on Nov 17, 2013 20:48:49 GMT -8
"Phew. I dought I vwas tot für sure."
Fick! That's suppose to be the internal part. What the Hell was it with his touch now anyway. He shot a gaze, or puts a hand here and there, and suddenly she is daydreaming and half speaking like a drunkard. Wizardry is what it must be -Force tricks. She must regain control of this companionship, before it slips like a freighter stuck in hyperspace. With some self discipline, she could achieve a balance between the different pulls currently round housing her about. Yes, good. Smarts. Use them. Be healthy, clever and wise.
.....
She was hopeless. She had no chance.
On the bright side, he wasn't a cut throating bastard. It was quickly becoming the Fallanassi's saving grace.
"Verdammen, Komrade: vwhat are zyou doingk to me?"
F@$& &$$@ #!/$$ &$@! That was another internal one.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2013 21:02:34 GMT -8
"Er, right now? I'm holding your hands and earnestly pleading with you to avoid doing something that might drive a wedge between us."
When she first spoke, there was an instant, white hot flash of rage, but it died as he remembered her rather hilarious loss of control from earlier. Somehow, his touch seemed to break her brain, especially if she wasn't ready for it. Well, no one would ever accuse Dresden of letting an opportunity go to waste, and right now he had a pretty damned good one: he could let her know that all was forgiven once she had seen sense and still extract a little lighthearted payback, all in one go.
He leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly against the side of her neck before whispering in her ear.
"And right now, I'm invading your personal space. Tell me, Komrade, how does that make you feel?"
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The Major
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Post by The Major on Nov 17, 2013 21:18:10 GMT -8
Fick dich, Dresden. Fich dich three hundred and three times -squared. But he forgets that she is a frightfully fast learner. And so she takes his lead, also leans by his ear, and with a subdued smirk whispers, "Like mein vworst mistake in life vwas not duckingk vwhen shhprintingk, so insteadt of sittingk hier talkingk vwith bullet holes inside, I couldt be. . . discoveringk vwhat dehr rest of zyour body. . . tastes like." Her tongue running from incisor to a molar was unintentional, as was the sigh of steamy breath passing like some kind of depraved cloud from her maw unto his ear.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2013 21:46:40 GMT -8
And with that delightful riposte, it was Dresden's turn to curse as a shiver ran down his spine. He had been called and raised; time to ratchet up the stakes once more. He had a feeling that this was going to turn into a game of brinksmanship to see who remembered they were supposed to be talking business first.
"Well, I did remember to duck, so I think I'll go ahead and help myself."
And with that, he kissed her neck again, this time lower down, almost at the collar line. True to his word, he made sure to have a taste. Meanwhile, he moved his left hand to the Major's side, just below the rib cage. It was far enough away from any potential trouble areas that it shouldn't make her uncomfortable, but this time, it was under the jacket.
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The Major
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Post by The Major on Nov 18, 2013 6:14:49 GMT -8
Down to the collar. Is that so? Most humans wouldn't exactly search to place their lips upon wool, even if it was richly weaved. That's exactly what Dresden got: lips full of white cotton and black collar. Perhaps it was a shard thing to feel fabrics. As for the wandering hands, our Fallanassi would no doubt find his caresses both comforting and pleasurable if she could actually feel them.
The shock plates underneath her button up shirt not only provided protection from small arms fire by dispersing kinetic energy, but applied pressure to her torso -increasing circulation, holding the medical dressings in place, and keeping her body irritation itch free with its cooling properties. It serves as a very real reminder: it was only five days ago that she was shot to shit. That any of these events were possible was a grand testament to her endurance, willpower, and ability to use adrenaline to keep mobile. Any human had a right to sickbay, but this human would much rather be fighting both ideals and the enemy.
For a being who claimed ineptitude at flirtation and organic interaction, Dresden was certainly laying it in. Perhaps this was a subtle power play. Perhaps he was slowly trying to shift her perspective. But she would not be removing her fangs for his sake. He would either learn this lesson and attempt another tactic, or he would execute her in the process. For now, the Fallanassi would bear it without reaction. Not so much as an insult or slight, but because in her current state there was only so far this can go.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2013 11:48:00 GMT -8
Well, that failed miserably. Trying to lean forward was all fine and dandy, but it didn't leave his upper body with much on the way of support. This, in and of itself, wouldn't present much of a problem, as he had the upper body strength to pull it off. His chair, however, was not accustomed to such odd weight distribution and decided it wasn't going to be a party to anything so strange and dumped him.
The fallen Whill added a new, more literal layer of meaning to the moniker as his ass found itself being flung backwards and his face found itself rushing towards the table. He had the presence of mind to make sure his point of impact was not somewhere on the Major, which likely saved her all manner of discomfort, but bought him worlds of the stuff as his face impacted the table with a sickening crunch.
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The Major
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Post by The Major on Nov 19, 2013 5:22:28 GMT -8
There were some painful things the Major had seen in her 25 years of life, and not just the various trauma she herself had withstood. As a champion and unwitting manifestation of the god of war, also known as Mars born with ovaries, various actions and orders had led to a great deal of pain for both friend and foe alike. Gutshots, flaming tire people, death camps, skin to lamp conversation, drug overdose interrogation, thumbs to eyeballs, baby bayonets, neck slash, city decimation, chemical warfare, and summary execution of the enemy were only a few upon the list. Yet, there seemed something so vastly more painful when Dresden crunched against the glass surface.
Ooooo. Ouch. She winches and screws up her face at the effect.
Naturally, his humiliation and its intensity proves to be a source of immense joy for her. The smile is just a little too wide; the light in her eyes at his pain just a tad too bright. But what did anyone expect? This was the genocidal Fallanassi we were talking about.
Playing a good sport, she instinctively drops to one knee in order to kneel by the not-so-iron-knight. There was nothing for it, except to show that she intended to provide support. He was a unfair-class regenerator, but time would be the only tell to determine if his face was bleeding. For whatever inner sweet yet horrifyingly twisted and monstrous reason the tip of her nose is touching upon Dresden's scalp, being tickled by the brown strands which grew thereof. From the heavy breath, it would appear as though she is sniffing his head.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2013 16:31:42 GMT -8
The moment of impact rendered the former Shard unconscious. The sickening crunch was the sound of a great many things, mostly in the general nose area, breaking. The injuries healed themselves instantly, of course, but for a full three seconds, Dresden remained unconscious. This was not his fault.
Those three seconds to him were an eternity.
Or rather, a series of possible eternities.
It is no secret that Whills don't see time the same way mere mortals do. The past, present, and future are all as easily accessible as the room next door. When Eralam was cast out, this power and awareness largely faded, but there were moments when it would resurface.
Like now.
Or maybe it was yesterday, or in a million years.
Time swirled through his mind, and in it, he saw things both wondrous and terrible, futures bright and bleak in equal measure. He saw himself and the Major growing old together happily, with children and grandchildren. He saw them both dead not too long from now, locked together in one final fatal embrace, her with her musket piercing her chest, and he with his body ravaged by the magic bullet. In some futures, she held his hand as the Force ate away at his body when it could no longer contain the power, and in others, she turned and ran when she realized he could not be saved.
Endless possibilities. Laughter. Tears. Love. Hatred. Every grade and gradient of human emotion was present.
There was also a face, not unlike his own, but more like the Major. It belonged to a girl, one not long into her teens. At first, she was stoic. She said nothing. She felt nothing. Each time, however, the visage was subtly different. Perhaps one had the barest hint of a smile, while another had eyes so deeply full of pain that he was sure she could know nothing else.
It became clear that she was not just a possibility. She was a certainty, bound to happen, as though the Force itself had decreed that she must exist. This girl was important, and he would call her...
What? What was she to him? The Force chose not to reveal that crucial detail, but gave a hint.
In the final image, he and the girl were on the field of battle. Her head was in his lap, her glasses askew. The child's chest had been savaged by a long, jagged slash, one that would have been fatal to any human. But the girl, it seemed, was not human. Hers was not the blood of a mortal, but rather the black ink of the Ice Queen. As she whimpered softly from the pain, Dresden, once a demigod powerful enough to have twisted the fabric of space and time to make the wound cease to exist, kissed the girl gently on the forehead before letting her rest on the blood soaked ground. He stood, and the image faded to black. He heard his own voice singing gently. He had heard neither the words nor the melody, but they felt right, somehow.
"Lay your head down child, I won't let the boogie man come
Counting bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums..."
And then there was no more singing. There were only screams.
It was only after he awoke a moment later that he realized the words had been sung aloud.
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The Major
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Post by The Major on Nov 19, 2013 18:03:50 GMT -8
"Sounds like ein lie toldt at dehr endt. . ."Said the woman dressed in black -a slender index finger arched and rested upon the bottom of her chin, no doubt holding a mind searching fleshy brain powered databanks for the meaning behind his half spouted, songless lyrics blindfired in delirium.
"Shards are such terrifyingk creatures -like broken mirrors created into ein deck of cards unt shuffled. zYou see heir, zyou see dere, unt look everyvwhere. Perhaps it ist vwhy I admire dee species. Unt perhaps vwhy I sought to topple dem."
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