002 || Action

[conglomeration]

[Zelgadis learned his lesson about the network, for now. Having been well reminded why socializing is a waste of time (something he should really keep at the front of his mind) he's put himself toward more productive ends. With his hood and mask on, thank you very much, because hell if he's in a mood to deal with more attitude about his stone skin. The strange growth that appeared on his shoulder isn't covered, however, and unfortunately it's rather eye catching. (More rocks, of course. This might be what's responsible for at least part of his mood.)]

[So he'll go practice with his sword at Xanadu; maybe in the dojo, maybe in the open fields. He'll wander the stores around in search of old books or artifacts that might have some information about Chimerism and curing it. He'll go to his job in Mercy's shop -- the only place he's likely to not be scowling, because she's been nothing but helpful.]

[And if people talk to him? He'll cross that bridge -- or blow it up -- when he comes to it.]

Comments

[moonlitrequiem]

[Yin was headed for her place of employment, and her mind had only been on the necklace she discovered that morning for a brief moment. When she notices this man she's only conversed with on one occasion, and his own addition, though, she wonders about it again.]

[If it was happening to other people, then it was likely a curse, and not a gift of sorts. But what did this curse mean. It wasn't like her to approach someone else, but she starts to, quiet as ever as she walks up to Zelgadis, holding the necklace in one hand as she did, instead of wearing it.]

[Yin held it as daintily as she did everything else. While she wasn't clumsy, it wouldn't take much to knock it from her hands.]

[conglomeration]

[Someone is so not interested in dealing with people today. Zelgadis senses her there, but keeps going about his business. She can just be all creepy-stare-y on her own.]

[...]

[...twitch]

What? [He doesn't turn around yet, or make any move at all other than to tense up substantially.]

[moonlitrequiem]

[She is so creepily staring, mainly at the fixture on Zelgadis' arm.]

You have one, too.

[conglomeration]

One what? [His tone is edging that line between polite indulgence and irritable brush-off. Still not moving.]

[moonlitrequiem]

A strange item with a heart shape.

[She's not really moving either, just holding hers out for inspection to show what's talking about.]

[conglomeration]

It's not mine. And I don't --

[Now he does whirl around, not entirely focused on how close she is, because he's thinking too much on his own high temper. A common mistake and in this case, a disastrous one as his stone hand unintentionally swats at her necklace.]

[moonlitrequiem]

[And when he does, it goes flying from her loose hold. Any words Yin was about to speak are gone from her lips as the crystal shatters when it hits the floor.]

[If Zelgadis thought she stared creepily before, it was nothing compared to the complete blank look that took over her eyes then. Her mouth remains frozen, then she slumps to the floor, like a puppet cut from its master.]

[conglomeration]

[-- what the]

[Zelgadis manages to grab her just before she hits ground, as gently as he can given his skin.] Hey! Are you okay?

[He glances over at the shards of crystal and back in near disbelief. That thing somehow...?]

[moonlitrequiem]

[Yep! That's right, Zel. Breaking the crystal broke something in Yin, too. She knows that now, as well, but it's way too late for that information to be helpful. Might want to make sure your own new ornament is well protected.]

[She lays limp in Zelgadis arms, an answer will not be given.]

[coyote_walking]

[Mercy couldn't help looking at the... whatever it was.]

Wow. That's really beautiful.

[conglomeration]

[He takes his hood down when he sees Mercy, about to greet her when she remarks on the weirdness that appeared on his shoulder.]

Uh -- thanks. I guess... [Not about to be rude to his employer (unless necessary), he shrugs and responds honestly.] I have no clue what it is.

[coyote_walking]

It's one of those curse days, I'd guess.

[She smiles at him.]

I haven't paid much attention to the network, but I'd guess lots of people are finding strange things. Yours just happens to be... amazing.

[conglomeration]

[He shrugs again, this time more dismissively -- not at Mercy, but at the situation. As curses go, he's had worse.] It's a rock. Another one.

[coyote_walking]

[Mercy smiled ]

Well, if you have to have another rock, might as well have it be a gorgeous one.

[conglomeration]

[Ever seen a rock blush? Well, you have now.]

I don't know. It's kind of in the way.

[coyote_walking]

If this is like most curses it will disappear at midnight.

[She smiled at him a little ruefully.]

And good morning. Sorry. I got sidetracked, there.

[conglomeration]

Good morning. [Retuning the smile as well as he ever does, which isn't very wide but genuine enough.]

Midnight, hm. Good to hear. I'm conspicuous enough as it is.

action; after the thread with Hei wraps up

[universaltranslator]

[Uhura catches sight of Zel just as Hei leaves with Yin.]

What was that about?

action;

[conglomeration]

[His hood and mask are still down as he goes over (and over) what just happened in his mind. Brooding is nothing new, but he's rather used to being alone with it; the unexpected interruption has him more startled than angry.]

[Until he sees who it is.] I didn't do anything to her on purpose, if that's what you're thinking.

[He keeps on walking, presuming she won't follow.]

action;

[universaltranslator]

Huh? [What's his problem?

Oh. Right. Crap. In all honesty, Uhura damaged so many relationships while under the effect of whatever poisoned her in the Jasmine Dragon, her encounter with Zelgadis had completely slipped her mind.

She hurries after him, reaching a hand out for his arm.]

Zelgadis, wait. Please.

action;

[conglomeration]

[His problem, as always, is himself. But self-aware guy that he is, Zelgadis insists to himself that it's her, because she shouldn't have pretended to be nice to him if she was going to end up being as judgmental as everyone else.]

[He shrugs her touch off (not too roughly, he's already accidentally hurt one person and that's enough for one day thanks) and whirls around to face her.] Wait for what? Do you have more rock puns for me to hear?

[He can only glare full-force for a moment before he averts his eyes, perhaps giving away the real feeling behind his outburst.]

action;

[universaltranslator]

[Her stomach roils with guilt. She'd known at the time she was poking at sore spots, but she hadn't realized how much she had hurt him. She feels terrible how long it's taken her to apologize.]


I'm sorry. I am so, so sorry about what I said.

action;

[conglomeration]

[His eyes flick back to her, first widening and then narrowing, openly suspicious. He's been burned too many times to trust her word that easily.]

Then why did you say it?

action;

[universaltranslator]

[She sighs a little, and wraps her arms around her stomach protectively. She's not bad with apologies, but they're never easy. The hardest part is finding the line between explanation and excuse.]

There was an incident at the Jasmine Dragon. Evidently the waitress put some kind of poison in the tea that...changed people. I wasn't myself.

[She adds quickly]

I know it's not an excuse. I shouldn't have said those things to you, and I'm sorry. I'd never want to hurt you.

action;

[conglomeration]

[Her earnestness gives him pause enough, and somewhere in that gap he finds himself believing her. Knowing what it's like to lose control of himself helps.]

Given how this place works... [a shrug] It makes sense.

[But even so.] We don't know each other that well. You don't have to apologize. [He's pretty well used to it, which goes without saying.]