ZEDD
I can think of a hundred other things that I'd rather be doing, not the least involves the infirmary and the injection gun. This thought reminds me of something else. "Pina, will this set back his recovery? Hamper the medication in any way?"
Her brow furrows as she thinks. "I don't think so. Unfortunately, since we really don't know all the triggers for this access point, I have nothing to work with."
Dar, also frowning, speaks next. "Knowing Rita, she wouldn't have cared if he had his memories since that would have made him more controllable. But she would have wanted him to be fully functional otherwise. Since the medications aren't targeting specific parts of his brain, like memory, simply the damage, it shouldn't interfere."
Well, that's something, I guess. Still itching to physically harm the witch, I sigh and stand, grabbing my staff as I do. "I'll go talk to him now. Give me a few minutes. If he responds as we hope, I'll bring him upstairs shortly so that he can see you in these forms once more."
Dar nods. "We'll be in the kitchen or dining room."
We all depart my room. I reach the dungeons in record time and head for Thomas' cell. Just outside the door, I transform once more, my head already pounding due to Thomas' earlier migraine, and now the excessive use of power. I can only hope he does respond to this little show as I will be in poor condition at the present time to battle against him should he dare ignore orders and go after his fellow Rangers. Taking a breath I open the door expecting the worst. "Thomas-"
Swiftly, he crosses over to me and drops to one knee before me, head bowed. "Forgive my disobedience, my lord, I beg you. But to see the Red Ranger so close to you-"
"Stop, Thomas, and rise. You reacted as you should - in defense of me." I wait for him to stand and look at me, feeling some relief as his apology at least shows he won't try and rebel against me. "However, as I told you, a situation has arisen that requires us to be allied with him for now, which means you are not to harm him or the other Ranger he is with at this current time. Is that understood?"
Looking for a moment as if he's desperate to protest, loyalty in the end thankfully wins out and I get a curt nod of agreement. "Yes, my lord."
"Good, in addition to their presence there is also one other thing. This situation of sorts, it also requires me to take a different form for the time being."
I shift back to my natural appearance, my already tired body demanding a rest, I however force myself to remain at my full height hoping to impose some sort of intimidation by body language and stance alone now. I'm doubtful I pull it off however, as much to my surprise, his expression quickly changes from one of respect to something entirely different as his gaze becomes heated as it runs over me. Something that I hoped would happen one day, but right now, it saddens me - as he is not really himself. Doing my best to ignore the sudden scent of lust I continue as if not noticing. "Scorpina and Goldar have also had to take more passable appearances. It was them in the room with me and the two Red Rangers. Fortunately, with you being human, we won't have to alter your appearance."
"So what can I do to help with the situation, my lord?"
"Nothing yet. When the time comes, you will be the key. But for now, you must wait."
Once more, his gaze rakes across me, the barely banked hunger in his eyes setting off alarm bells in my mind. "Then perhaps there is something else I can do to take your mind off the problem, my lord?"
Slowly, almost like a predatory creature, he approaches me once more. I squelch the urge to back away from him - or jump him. I'm uncertain just what he is capable of while in this mind set and if I'm truthful with myself it makes me more than just a tad uneasy. Again feigning indifference I make sure my tone is cool. "Such as?"
His voice changes to a sensual purr. "Well, I do whatever I can while in the service of my Lord Zedd." The slight emphasis on the word 'service' once more triggers alarms in my head. There is barely air space between our bodies now. "My lord must be protected and cared for - in all ways." Before I can react, his lips meet mine and - for a moment - thought is optional as my body reacts. Unused to and unprepared for his show of dominance it's all I can do to stop myself from pulling him fully against me as my mouth opens on instinct and he for a moment deepens the kiss before pulling back. I watch as he licks his lips in what must be a purposeful manner as he runs his hand over my chest. "The form you've chosen is quite - fetching, my lord. I wonder if it's as attractive without clothes."
Not a question, I notice. Marshalling all my willpower, I respond, "This is not the time nor the place, Thomas."
Before I've even finished speaking, his hands are busy at the fastenings on my pants. "I promise, my lord, it won't take long." Knowing how long I've wanted him this way, I've no doubt about that. However tempting as it is to take him up on his offer, I don't want this to come between us when he's in his right mindset again.
"Thomas-" A wicked voice in the back of my mind points out that I'm not forcing him to do anything and perhaps the evil influence is permitting him to get past his fears. After all I'm not the one who just propositioned him, nor am I the one attempting to remove his clothing. In fairness, from an outsider's point of view, it would really be hard to dispute the fact that he is the one actively attempting to have me at this moment.
Struggling against my growing lack of moral conviction I'm suddenly brought back to the present moment when his slightly cool hand touches me. "You want this, my lord. I can do this for you. I can ease your - suffering." And how I am indeed now suffering.
He presses his lips against my throat, his tongue flicking out to caress my skin. As I struggle to regain my control, he takes my hesitation as permission and slides my pants down to my knees, exposing my heated flesh to the cooler air of the dungeon. Swiftly, he kneels in front of me and I can feel his breath caress me. Desire nearly overwhelms my common sense, but I through some miracle of willpower or stupidity recover before he can do any more. "No." My hand finding his head, I push him back carefully but firmly, halting his advance.
"No?" Looking annoyed and as disbelieving as I am at this moment that I did in fact say that and stop him I can't say I blame him for his doubt and aggravation.
"No." Repeating myself to remove any doubt he had misheard, I step back and return my clothes to their prior state. I speak as firmly as I can. "As I said, Thomas, this is neither the time nor the place." Unable to stop myself I hear the words come out before I can really consider them. "Perhaps later."
He rises from the floor, still looking rather displeased, but thankfully not defying me. "As you wish, my lord."
I can hear the faint tinge of resentment and, for the moment, it steels my resolve. "Let's go upstairs." He follows me silently, but I can feel his eyes on me. I tap the bond, curious if it will still work properly. Lust, ire and disappointment war in him. Reluctantly, I realize that I'm going to have to talk to Pina about this complete turnaround in behavior. Not looking forward to it, I still know that it's necessary as I do not want to damage his trust when we fix this.
