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.]

[coyote_walking]

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

Wow. That's really beautiful.

[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.]

[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.

[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.]

[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]

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.]

[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.

[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.]

[coyote_walking]

[Mercy smiled ]

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

[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...?]

[conglomeration]

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

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

[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]

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]

[Oh gods what did he do he was annoyed but he didn't mean to]

[Okay, first step: stop panicking. Next thing, if the girl doesn't respond to some gentle shaking, try a healing spell. And at the same time, try -- fixing the thing that broke.]

[Zelgadis leans over to collect the shards with exaggerated care, and begins the process of trying to determine how, exactly, he's going to go about this.]

[moonlitrequiem]

[There was no response, not to the shaking, and there wouldn't be a reaction from the healing, or Zelgadis' attempt to fix the shards, either. The necklace pendant would stay broken. He'd gotten himself into a mess, but he should be used to disasters by now.]

1/2

[mortemscintilla]

[ He's been tracking Yin's movements as par for his daily route to work. Hei doesn't make a habit of it -- (habits are things you repeat enough times until they stick, but Hei doesn't operate on repetition). Nonetheless, with the after-echoes of that 'revolution' still in the air, and the latest curse stirring its own brand of trouble, he'd prefer to keep her on radar. ]

[ Case in point. ]

[ To curb events like this. ]

[ This ]

[mortemscintilla]

[ He's as unprepared as Zel when the pendant shatters, and Yin drops like a marionette. Even as something cold and violent jolts in the pit of his stomach at the sight, the part of him operating on deep-imprinted training tucks this detail away -- Damage the heart, and you fall like a stone. Hei's next few movements are so methodical that they hardly seem out of place in the crowded street, except they're a step too fast. A short succession of movements to cross from his lookout-point to Zel -- a rapid and meticulous sweep to the pendant's shattered pieces, before refocusing on Zel himself. ]

[ The man is a newcomer in the City. A stranger. Hei's not sure if he hurt Yin by accident or deliberately, but he'll know soon enough. Forgoing 'Li's sweet-faced persona, he quietly assesses the scene, cold eyes skating from point-to-point. Probabilities, solutions, retribution: all that zips past his mind as easy as breathing. ]

Get away from her.

[ Yin comes first. The question of consequence comes after. ]

action; after the thread with Hei wraps up

[universaltranslator]

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

What was that about?

[conglomeration]

[Frantic thinking led Zelgadis to take his hood down out of habit before the stern stranger's approach. Even though he's relatively certain the attitude has to do with his appearance, he's not in a state of mind to get properly indignant about it.]

Take her, then. I'm not about to just drop a hurt girl on the ground.

[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;

[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.