Disclaimer: I claim 'Dis' in the name of tea-drinkers forever. Dis is
claimed!
Forward: Well I just got another cup ready, and I have an hour to kill before I head back out to my former place of employment to harass the people I used to work with. Hey, I've got stuff to do. And no, I haven't lost my job since chapter number 1, this is another place. Well, anyway, drink caffeine and enjoy! (Try some Oolong tea, if you have the chance. add two teaspoons of surger, but not after eating beef, or steak for that matter. Cinnamon tea is best for that)
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Chapter 2
Calm after the Storm
The sun's glare was always slightly to harsh. It's piercing rays brought life to plants and animals everywhere, but to some eyes, only pain. There was barely a breeze within the high walls of Athkatla. If there were, though, it would only have brought fresh new scents of dying animals, rotten fruit, and other fetid stenches to the drow's sensitive nose. Everywhere people milled about as mindless golems, pushing against each other going from one place to the next as the merciless sun beat down upon them. Heating them under the heavy, but dull clothes of the commoners.
Viconia was glad she was leaving.
The elven cleric leaned heavily against the Planer Sphere that was smack in the middle of the Slums district. A bemused smile threatened to take hold as she thought of how much these rivvil.... humans, seemed to represent ants. Especially the deep ants of the underdark. A matter of days after the huge oddity made it's appearance, the people of the city no longer began to notice it, taking it's presence for granted and going about their meaningless, simple, and very very short lives. Crawling upon the ground and upon each other, eating whatever scraps they could scavenge from the streets, even living on top of each other. Yes... ants.
And after the Sphere that had caused no significant disruption to their lives was gone, they would likely take but passing notice. The drow sighed. How long had she lived among them? How long until she began to act like them too? True, adapting to their movements and mannerisms was a surefire way to avoid undue attention, but to conform to them, these creatures that were less then her...
No, not all.
***************
"Well, then. Let me be the first to say I'm going to miss you. Every one of you. I owe you all my life, many times over I'm sure." Kincaid circled the table his companions sat at with a half-empty mug in his hand. The Copper Coronet was virtually empty, allowing the friends to enjoy this moment in peace. They had spent many hours here, telling stories and laughing over several readily available mugs of ale and the occasional decanter of Elverquisst. Only Minsc and Viconia were absent. Minsc was apparently looking for some hamster-sized boots.
Imoen smiled cheerily up at him, raising her decanter as if to salute him. "That much is mutual, Kin. C'mon, you need to smile more! You still have the rest of your life ahead of you."
"And a long life that will be, considering how well you've learned." Jaheira continued, likewise raising her own decanter.
The human smiled from the other side of the table. Then, bowing slightly, he raised his eyebrows at the druid. "How well I've learned from your so-perfectly wise counsel, or how well I've learned of magic and what mages usually do with it to extend their time here?"
"Don't worry," Jaheira chuckled. "I have faith in your wisdom where magic is concerned."
Kincaid furrowed his brow as he examined his mug, which had become somehow lighter. "'Where magic is concerned'... how would you take that?"
The mug wisely chose not to answer.
Valygar smirked and swatted the wizard's nearby thigh. "As it was meant. A compliment. You're what... pushing twenty, correct? Don't expect everything that comes with age to be in you already."
"Funny you should mention that." Kincaid replied, arching his back. "Because I've got this terrible case of arthritis." He rubbed his hands together for emphasis, letting his mug patiently wait in the air next to him.
Now both ranger and druid smirked, taking another long pull at their drinks.
"No, I'm serious! Watch what happens when I try to cast a spell." Kincaid went about the motions of spell-casting, making exaggerated wincing expressions. Finally he let out a small cry of pain and snapped his fingers. A flash of light engulfed both Valygar and Jaheira for but a brief instant, then it was gone.
They were now both wearing each other's clothes.
Jaheira's astonished cry was drowned out by the wizards' pleasent laughter. Even Valygar, after shifting uncomfortably several times, joined in as a result of his third tall mug of ale. The half-elf glared dangerously up at Kincaid, holding the ranger's oversized clothes up as they threatened to fall right off.
"I would have thought your days of playing pranks were long over."
Kincaid winked. "'Twould be a sad day indeed if that happened."
She smiled despite herself, then gave in to the laughter bubbling up inside her at the rediculous situation she was now in. "Tcheh... I don't suppose you can now change us back?"
Kincaid turned to his mug that was still floating in the air. "Heh. You'd think after so many years a person would know how to change their own clothes...."
"Enough."
Kincaid tapped a finger to his left temple. "Ah-ah.... All gone. I only memorized that spell once. However, have no fear. For my next trick...." The wizard then reached down and snatched up the Corthala family emblem that Valygar always wore around his neck. "...I shall need some lackluster bauble as a component."
The alarmed ranger reached up to reclaim his stolen gem, but Kincaid had already danced out of range, stopping to give a reassuring wink. Reluctantly, Valygar settled down, crossing his arms around his somewhat feminine clothes as he witnessed the fate of one of his most prized positions unfold.
When Kincaid's spell was complete, he raised the emblem high over his head and blew a breath of hot air in it's direction. When his hands came back down they held a small rodent, a hamster in his hands.
Everyone, except for Valygar laughed at the sight. Kincaid made a deep bow, letting the Hamster, Boo, crawl onto the table as he did so, turned and made for the door. Imoen leapt out of her seat and stumbled after him, catching up to him just as he exited.
"Kin, wait!"
The wizard turned in time for Imoen to slam solidly into his chest. "Whoa, girl! Have a care." He cried, holding her out at arms length as he gave her a quick look-over. "A bit tipsy, huh? I should tell Hendak to water down yours from now on."
He stopped smiling when she raised her face to his and saw the tears in her eyes. "Imoen..."
"I.... I'll miss you Kin. I've always been beside you and now I...." She lowered her gaze, her voice caught in her throat and she reached out for him. This time, Kincaid did not hold her away. "You've your own life now. I can't believe we.... we're really saying goodbye."
"It's not forever, sis, you know that well." He murmured soothingly, stroking Imoen's pinkish-red hair. "We are archwizards, you and I. Space and distance should mean nothing to us." But even as the words left his lips he knew that was not fully the reason Imoen was so upset.
She lifted her head from Kincaid's chest, her eyes glistened with tears as she looked into his. "You've your own life now."
He nodded solemnly, hearing the words he did not want to hear. Between him and his 'sibling' things had changed, and may yet change more still.
Imoen lifted a hand to brush away some of his dark blue hair. A striking color which had always amazed her. And odd color, like hers, but not unpleasant. Blue... like Haer'Dalis's, but far darker. "Do you ever wonder... Do you.... Do you ever think about what might have happened if... if.... uhm..."
Kincaid sighed. "If we had never been taken captive be Irenicus? If I had never had to face Serovok, or Amelysan?
Imoen blinked. "How did you know to say her name right this time."
Kincaid looked puzzled, then looked skyward. "I haven't the Foggiest...."
"Anyway.... yeah... I guess that too.
"Kincaid smiled understandingly, saying simply." I.... often do indeed."
Imoen wiped the tears from her eyes, taking a step away from the man she may never see again. "It was really fun.... wasn't it? Despite all the pain."
"Yeah..."
"Oh! Aren't you going to say goodbye to Minsc?"
Kincaid laughed. "I already have. He wished me well, saying that I should travel far and kick hard, so that the rears of anything evil should quiver in fear of my well-oiled boots."
Imoen laughed, then could not help but ask. "Anything evil, hm? Would that include Viconia's rear?"
The wizard raised his hands, "No, lass. Her rear only quivers in fear of these."
They briefly shared a moment of laughter, then Kincaid looked wistfully to the north, in the twilight he could easily see the Planer Sphere. Twilight.... it had been a while indeed. He turned back to his life-long companion and friend, embracing her in a hug that kept her from drawing in air for several moments. Caring not for her oxygen supply, Imoen did likewise, fresh tears crawling down her cheeks.
"Well... "
"Well...." Was the quiet reply.
Kincaid smiled broadly and winked at her before turning to leave. "Why don't you go help Valygar into some more suitable clothes? That is what you want to do, right?"
"What!?" Imoen gasped. Valygar!? Yet despite her confusing feelings for Kincaid (By Bhaal! He was her own brother! Though.... not related by blood... only by divinity) she could not deny the budding attraction she felt for the strong-willed, goodly ranger. "..... How... how did you know?"
Kincaid cast an amused look over his shoulder and smiled back at her. "I didn't. I guessed."
Imoen too shocked to realize she had blushed a shade that rivaled the color of her hair. Shaking it off with a grin, bemused with the notion of her and the good ranger together (The thought did seem to hold some merit), she walked back into the Copper Coronet.
Imoen had no sooner closed the door when she was nearly bowled over, the door bursting back open, by an incredibly upset Minsc, holding in his large, clenched fist what looking like a gem-set emblem.
"What's wrong Minsc?" Imoen asked from the floor, absently rubbing her bruised hindquarters."
Minsc wailed as he held up the Corthala family Emblem. "It's Boo! He... He's been turned into a Rock!"
***********
"Could you have taken any longer, my m'rann d'sin's? Or were you hoping that your blasted sun would invent a darker shade to turn my skin into?"
Kincaid smiled pleasantly at the greeting, stepping in front of the door to the Sphere and, placing a hand on it, caused it to disappear, permitting entry. "Have you been waiting long, my love?"
The dark elf snorted and shouldered her way past him, answering with a question. "Where do you intend to take this thing anyway?"
"You're not going to comment on the furnishings?"
"They're satisfactory. Where?"
The wizard smiled at his favorite spot in the ceiling. "She can be so pleasant but when her life is at stake... stake being the key word here."
Viconia tapped an impatient foot. "Finished, wael?
He covered the distance between himself and his grumpy lover, taking hold of her shoulders and looking meaningfully into her eyes. "Listen... I'm very sorry I kept you waiting. However, you must understand that these people mean much to me... very much indeed. Likely I shall not see them or hear from them for some time, if ever."
The drow lowered her gaze momentarily. "I know. I just.... they will miss you, won't they. They care for you."
"They care for you, and will miss you as well...."
"You make a bad liar, abil."
"Even Jaheira"
Her eyes narrowed at the mention of the Half-elf. "As if I care for what that Mongrel thinks of me."
"And you say I'm a bad liar.
"AH!" Viconia threw up her hands and stalked off, mostly to stifle the laughter that was bubbling in her. ".... Where?!?"
"The western mountain range of Icewind Dale. I've read about it in Candlekeep. It's far enough away from Tentowns so as to not draw attention... and I think I'd rather enjoy the climate...."
***********
Akel scrubbed furiousely at the defiant stain which mocked him from it's place on the floor. Getting by on a Smith apprentice's wage was difficult enough without one's master having a fit every time the forge was less then sparkling. By Torm! It was a Smithing Forge! Not a nobleman's ballroom. Sometimes Akel could just swear he was out to rid the poor boy of his sani...
Akel looked up suddenly as his ears picked up a noise that should not be there.
"..... murder......" Something whispered. The apprentice looked around nervously, suddenly very scared.
"......murder........ death....." the whispers came again... this time from a different spot. Try as he might, though, Akel could not see anyone.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" He said nervousely. Trying to put some sense of command into his voice unconvincingly.
".... MURDER!" The words stabbed at Akel's ears just as a blade stabbed at his heart, sinking in so deep it came out the other side. As he apprentice sank to the ground, his lifeblood pouring from him, covering the stain that had kept him up so long, his last images where of the cloaked man in front of him that had now become visible. He bore the symbol of Bhaal, Lord of Murder.
--------------------------
I hope you enjoyed my second chapter here. It's really a work in progress or something. I know it will take some time before it starts to make sense but don't worry, the story is firmly entrenched in my dyslexic head. Did anyone see undeclared last night? I wonder if That 70's show was a re-run or something.... didn't know Eric and Donna got back together.... But hey! Gotta say that buying this new pack of underwear was a good choice! The socks are comfy too!
Okay.... tea's gotten cold. I probably should get back to collecting all those dog tags anyway.... Raiden looks so weird with that brown wig on, wonder what the blue one will look like. Alternately.... could play more blitzball....
something happened to me last Thursday on my way home. I looked up in the sky and saw a strange yellow object to the east. It was moving very irregularly. Suddenly, I was surrounded by intense light. When I came too, I was home....
Did you know that urine is sterile?..... you can drink it....
Forward: Well I just got another cup ready, and I have an hour to kill before I head back out to my former place of employment to harass the people I used to work with. Hey, I've got stuff to do. And no, I haven't lost my job since chapter number 1, this is another place. Well, anyway, drink caffeine and enjoy! (Try some Oolong tea, if you have the chance. add two teaspoons of surger, but not after eating beef, or steak for that matter. Cinnamon tea is best for that)
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Chapter 2
Calm after the Storm
The sun's glare was always slightly to harsh. It's piercing rays brought life to plants and animals everywhere, but to some eyes, only pain. There was barely a breeze within the high walls of Athkatla. If there were, though, it would only have brought fresh new scents of dying animals, rotten fruit, and other fetid stenches to the drow's sensitive nose. Everywhere people milled about as mindless golems, pushing against each other going from one place to the next as the merciless sun beat down upon them. Heating them under the heavy, but dull clothes of the commoners.
Viconia was glad she was leaving.
The elven cleric leaned heavily against the Planer Sphere that was smack in the middle of the Slums district. A bemused smile threatened to take hold as she thought of how much these rivvil.... humans, seemed to represent ants. Especially the deep ants of the underdark. A matter of days after the huge oddity made it's appearance, the people of the city no longer began to notice it, taking it's presence for granted and going about their meaningless, simple, and very very short lives. Crawling upon the ground and upon each other, eating whatever scraps they could scavenge from the streets, even living on top of each other. Yes... ants.
And after the Sphere that had caused no significant disruption to their lives was gone, they would likely take but passing notice. The drow sighed. How long had she lived among them? How long until she began to act like them too? True, adapting to their movements and mannerisms was a surefire way to avoid undue attention, but to conform to them, these creatures that were less then her...
No, not all.
***************
"Well, then. Let me be the first to say I'm going to miss you. Every one of you. I owe you all my life, many times over I'm sure." Kincaid circled the table his companions sat at with a half-empty mug in his hand. The Copper Coronet was virtually empty, allowing the friends to enjoy this moment in peace. They had spent many hours here, telling stories and laughing over several readily available mugs of ale and the occasional decanter of Elverquisst. Only Minsc and Viconia were absent. Minsc was apparently looking for some hamster-sized boots.
Imoen smiled cheerily up at him, raising her decanter as if to salute him. "That much is mutual, Kin. C'mon, you need to smile more! You still have the rest of your life ahead of you."
"And a long life that will be, considering how well you've learned." Jaheira continued, likewise raising her own decanter.
The human smiled from the other side of the table. Then, bowing slightly, he raised his eyebrows at the druid. "How well I've learned from your so-perfectly wise counsel, or how well I've learned of magic and what mages usually do with it to extend their time here?"
"Don't worry," Jaheira chuckled. "I have faith in your wisdom where magic is concerned."
Kincaid furrowed his brow as he examined his mug, which had become somehow lighter. "'Where magic is concerned'... how would you take that?"
The mug wisely chose not to answer.
Valygar smirked and swatted the wizard's nearby thigh. "As it was meant. A compliment. You're what... pushing twenty, correct? Don't expect everything that comes with age to be in you already."
"Funny you should mention that." Kincaid replied, arching his back. "Because I've got this terrible case of arthritis." He rubbed his hands together for emphasis, letting his mug patiently wait in the air next to him.
Now both ranger and druid smirked, taking another long pull at their drinks.
"No, I'm serious! Watch what happens when I try to cast a spell." Kincaid went about the motions of spell-casting, making exaggerated wincing expressions. Finally he let out a small cry of pain and snapped his fingers. A flash of light engulfed both Valygar and Jaheira for but a brief instant, then it was gone.
They were now both wearing each other's clothes.
Jaheira's astonished cry was drowned out by the wizards' pleasent laughter. Even Valygar, after shifting uncomfortably several times, joined in as a result of his third tall mug of ale. The half-elf glared dangerously up at Kincaid, holding the ranger's oversized clothes up as they threatened to fall right off.
"I would have thought your days of playing pranks were long over."
Kincaid winked. "'Twould be a sad day indeed if that happened."
She smiled despite herself, then gave in to the laughter bubbling up inside her at the rediculous situation she was now in. "Tcheh... I don't suppose you can now change us back?"
Kincaid turned to his mug that was still floating in the air. "Heh. You'd think after so many years a person would know how to change their own clothes...."
"Enough."
Kincaid tapped a finger to his left temple. "Ah-ah.... All gone. I only memorized that spell once. However, have no fear. For my next trick...." The wizard then reached down and snatched up the Corthala family emblem that Valygar always wore around his neck. "...I shall need some lackluster bauble as a component."
The alarmed ranger reached up to reclaim his stolen gem, but Kincaid had already danced out of range, stopping to give a reassuring wink. Reluctantly, Valygar settled down, crossing his arms around his somewhat feminine clothes as he witnessed the fate of one of his most prized positions unfold.
When Kincaid's spell was complete, he raised the emblem high over his head and blew a breath of hot air in it's direction. When his hands came back down they held a small rodent, a hamster in his hands.
Everyone, except for Valygar laughed at the sight. Kincaid made a deep bow, letting the Hamster, Boo, crawl onto the table as he did so, turned and made for the door. Imoen leapt out of her seat and stumbled after him, catching up to him just as he exited.
"Kin, wait!"
The wizard turned in time for Imoen to slam solidly into his chest. "Whoa, girl! Have a care." He cried, holding her out at arms length as he gave her a quick look-over. "A bit tipsy, huh? I should tell Hendak to water down yours from now on."
He stopped smiling when she raised her face to his and saw the tears in her eyes. "Imoen..."
"I.... I'll miss you Kin. I've always been beside you and now I...." She lowered her gaze, her voice caught in her throat and she reached out for him. This time, Kincaid did not hold her away. "You've your own life now. I can't believe we.... we're really saying goodbye."
"It's not forever, sis, you know that well." He murmured soothingly, stroking Imoen's pinkish-red hair. "We are archwizards, you and I. Space and distance should mean nothing to us." But even as the words left his lips he knew that was not fully the reason Imoen was so upset.
She lifted her head from Kincaid's chest, her eyes glistened with tears as she looked into his. "You've your own life now."
He nodded solemnly, hearing the words he did not want to hear. Between him and his 'sibling' things had changed, and may yet change more still.
Imoen lifted a hand to brush away some of his dark blue hair. A striking color which had always amazed her. And odd color, like hers, but not unpleasant. Blue... like Haer'Dalis's, but far darker. "Do you ever wonder... Do you.... Do you ever think about what might have happened if... if.... uhm..."
Kincaid sighed. "If we had never been taken captive be Irenicus? If I had never had to face Serovok, or Amelysan?
Imoen blinked. "How did you know to say her name right this time."
Kincaid looked puzzled, then looked skyward. "I haven't the Foggiest...."
"Anyway.... yeah... I guess that too.
"Kincaid smiled understandingly, saying simply." I.... often do indeed."
Imoen wiped the tears from her eyes, taking a step away from the man she may never see again. "It was really fun.... wasn't it? Despite all the pain."
"Yeah..."
"Oh! Aren't you going to say goodbye to Minsc?"
Kincaid laughed. "I already have. He wished me well, saying that I should travel far and kick hard, so that the rears of anything evil should quiver in fear of my well-oiled boots."
Imoen laughed, then could not help but ask. "Anything evil, hm? Would that include Viconia's rear?"
The wizard raised his hands, "No, lass. Her rear only quivers in fear of these."
They briefly shared a moment of laughter, then Kincaid looked wistfully to the north, in the twilight he could easily see the Planer Sphere. Twilight.... it had been a while indeed. He turned back to his life-long companion and friend, embracing her in a hug that kept her from drawing in air for several moments. Caring not for her oxygen supply, Imoen did likewise, fresh tears crawling down her cheeks.
"Well... "
"Well...." Was the quiet reply.
Kincaid smiled broadly and winked at her before turning to leave. "Why don't you go help Valygar into some more suitable clothes? That is what you want to do, right?"
"What!?" Imoen gasped. Valygar!? Yet despite her confusing feelings for Kincaid (By Bhaal! He was her own brother! Though.... not related by blood... only by divinity) she could not deny the budding attraction she felt for the strong-willed, goodly ranger. "..... How... how did you know?"
Kincaid cast an amused look over his shoulder and smiled back at her. "I didn't. I guessed."
Imoen too shocked to realize she had blushed a shade that rivaled the color of her hair. Shaking it off with a grin, bemused with the notion of her and the good ranger together (The thought did seem to hold some merit), she walked back into the Copper Coronet.
Imoen had no sooner closed the door when she was nearly bowled over, the door bursting back open, by an incredibly upset Minsc, holding in his large, clenched fist what looking like a gem-set emblem.
"What's wrong Minsc?" Imoen asked from the floor, absently rubbing her bruised hindquarters."
Minsc wailed as he held up the Corthala family Emblem. "It's Boo! He... He's been turned into a Rock!"
***********
"Could you have taken any longer, my m'rann d'sin's? Or were you hoping that your blasted sun would invent a darker shade to turn my skin into?"
Kincaid smiled pleasantly at the greeting, stepping in front of the door to the Sphere and, placing a hand on it, caused it to disappear, permitting entry. "Have you been waiting long, my love?"
The dark elf snorted and shouldered her way past him, answering with a question. "Where do you intend to take this thing anyway?"
"You're not going to comment on the furnishings?"
"They're satisfactory. Where?"
The wizard smiled at his favorite spot in the ceiling. "She can be so pleasant but when her life is at stake... stake being the key word here."
Viconia tapped an impatient foot. "Finished, wael?
He covered the distance between himself and his grumpy lover, taking hold of her shoulders and looking meaningfully into her eyes. "Listen... I'm very sorry I kept you waiting. However, you must understand that these people mean much to me... very much indeed. Likely I shall not see them or hear from them for some time, if ever."
The drow lowered her gaze momentarily. "I know. I just.... they will miss you, won't they. They care for you."
"They care for you, and will miss you as well...."
"You make a bad liar, abil."
"Even Jaheira"
Her eyes narrowed at the mention of the Half-elf. "As if I care for what that Mongrel thinks of me."
"And you say I'm a bad liar.
"AH!" Viconia threw up her hands and stalked off, mostly to stifle the laughter that was bubbling in her. ".... Where?!?"
"The western mountain range of Icewind Dale. I've read about it in Candlekeep. It's far enough away from Tentowns so as to not draw attention... and I think I'd rather enjoy the climate...."
***********
Akel scrubbed furiousely at the defiant stain which mocked him from it's place on the floor. Getting by on a Smith apprentice's wage was difficult enough without one's master having a fit every time the forge was less then sparkling. By Torm! It was a Smithing Forge! Not a nobleman's ballroom. Sometimes Akel could just swear he was out to rid the poor boy of his sani...
Akel looked up suddenly as his ears picked up a noise that should not be there.
"..... murder......" Something whispered. The apprentice looked around nervously, suddenly very scared.
"......murder........ death....." the whispers came again... this time from a different spot. Try as he might, though, Akel could not see anyone.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" He said nervousely. Trying to put some sense of command into his voice unconvincingly.
".... MURDER!" The words stabbed at Akel's ears just as a blade stabbed at his heart, sinking in so deep it came out the other side. As he apprentice sank to the ground, his lifeblood pouring from him, covering the stain that had kept him up so long, his last images where of the cloaked man in front of him that had now become visible. He bore the symbol of Bhaal, Lord of Murder.
--------------------------
I hope you enjoyed my second chapter here. It's really a work in progress or something. I know it will take some time before it starts to make sense but don't worry, the story is firmly entrenched in my dyslexic head. Did anyone see undeclared last night? I wonder if That 70's show was a re-run or something.... didn't know Eric and Donna got back together.... But hey! Gotta say that buying this new pack of underwear was a good choice! The socks are comfy too!
Okay.... tea's gotten cold. I probably should get back to collecting all those dog tags anyway.... Raiden looks so weird with that brown wig on, wonder what the blue one will look like. Alternately.... could play more blitzball....
something happened to me last Thursday on my way home. I looked up in the sky and saw a strange yellow object to the east. It was moving very irregularly. Suddenly, I was surrounded by intense light. When I came too, I was home....
Did you know that urine is sterile?..... you can drink it....