|Spargus|

'Seem…' Valentine muttered, lying on her stomach, occupying the monk's simple bed. She was being ignored on what felt like an even hotter day than normal. She wished the woman had a better stuffed matrass… she could understand pledges about humility, but she doubted anyone could sleep on this thing.

'Seeeeeem…' she repeated again, propping up on her arms so she could have a better look at what she was doing. Ignoring the invader, Seem looked as if she was busy preparing a new mixture for the potion Valentine had to drink every day. Whatever she was putting in there, it smelled absolutely foul.

'Sssss-' she started again, before the monk let out a deep sigh, turning to her friend.

'What is it, Valentine? I have never seen you so restless before.' Seem was frowning, though that next to despair at being cooped up with non-believers seemed to be her most worn facial expression.

Valentine frowned as well. It was her fault she could hardly walk around the city without running into Jak. The situation had forced her in becoming something of a recluse. She even took the kids out for training to the oasis for now, not wanting to get confronted by the hero. She didn't want Damos to get angry at her. 'I'm bored.' She complained. 'Damos has had nothing to do for me, except talk with the Council now that it's been decided I'm going to be his heir. It's like he doesn't want to put me in danger anymore.'

The monk sighed, turning back to her work. 'And that is a reasonable wish. You're his adopted daughter now, and the heir to the city. He cannot afford to lose you. Why don't you train the animals and the children?'

'Can't, they're in school.' Valentine grumbled, turning on her back again. 'And I can't afford another lecture from the council, I think they drained all of my health points.' She tried to see if that kind of absurd statement would get a reaction out of Seem. When there was nothing, she continued talking. 'I heard you lost a Crystal to Jak.'

The sudden sound of a vial being dropped signaled Valentine had hit the mark. Seem coughed for a moment, gaining time to think about what she was going to say. 'I thought that I could gain the one he had swiped from the probe.' She admitted.

'I told you you shouldn't try to race with him.' Valentine said in a tone that came close to a certain level of smugness. 'He won the races back in Haven.' She lifted her hand up to the ceiling, watching how the candlelight filtered between her fingers. Her long hair was loose this time, a sign that she wasn't expecting to have to get active at the moment.

'I shall take your advice into consideration next time.' Seem said. That was her way of saying Valentine should stop being so smug about herself before she got kicked out. Valentine stuck out her tongue, much to the surprise of the stoic monk. After blinking her dark eyes, Seem actually chuckled.

'Honestly…' she said, almost too soft to be heard. 'How I managed to think somebody like you was dangerous.'

Valentine laughed, stretching out on the bed. Damn that rock managed to dig hard into her back. 'I used to think you were a stuck-up bitch, so don't worry about it.' She rolled back on her stomach, really not able to keep still. 'I'm glad we became friends, Seem.'

This sent a fierce blush to the otherwise so pale monk. 'We-well… I suppose it could be said that that is true, in a sense.'

'You're embarrassed!' Valentine cried out in glee. 'I never thought I'd see the day. Remember that I hook you up with a better bed than this to commemorate, this thing is killing me. And give me something to do.'

Seem threw her the flask, which now continued the enhanced medicine. At least, that was what Seem said it was. 'First you can have a taste of this.' She ordered. Valentine sent her a salute, before bringing the flask to her lips.

'EEEUUW, what the hell did you put in this?' the heroine cried out in disgust. 'Metal piss or something? This is horrible.' She looked at the flask in horror. 'I want the old recipe back.'

Seem tapped a sheet of paper in front of her. 'I used a compound Kleiver found for me. I believe it's an alcoholic beverage they name 'The Ottsel's Brew' back in Haven. Perhaps it did not stand well to mix with the medicinal juice.' She looked at her test subject, the corner of her mouth set in the way that meant she was vaguely displeased. 'Is it really that horrible?'

'You want a taste? Cause be my guest.' Valentine said, offering the flask. This was the first time she considered incinerating her taste buds. Anything to escape the taste of that. 'Rather, make it up to me by giving me something to do.'

'You are like one of those animals you're so proud of.' Seem said, a hint of disapproval in her voice. 'Always running around, never content to be still. Very well, remember the expedition of monks I sent out to the temple?' she waited for Valentine to nod. 'They still have not send word of their whereabouts, and I am getting quite worried. I told Damos, but he has been so busy lately that I doubt he will think about sending someone up there right away.'

Valentine scrambled off the bed, eager to get away. She was already alerting Meta that she would be needing her assistance. She needed to do something, and the volcano was so far away she'd never run into Jak there. 'Monks, volcano, possible death. Got it!' she paused at the door, throwing Seem a wink. 'Don't tell Damos, okay? I don't want him to put me on a curfew or something.'

Seem let out an annoyed sigh, folding her legs over one another. 'Dear Precursors…' she muttered. Even if she could choose her own friends, why did she end up with such a person as her best friend? Not that she'd admit it out loud. She'd be hounded for the rest of her days.

|Volcano|

'Would you take a look at this beauty, Meta?' Valentine said out loud towards her friend. The sound Meta made gave of the exact amount of doubt to indicate she wasn't accountable for this King's taste. For the Metal Head there were two things to be said about this place : it was too hot thanks to a river of lava, and too closed in because they were in a freaking mountain that spewed fire. It was times like these that made her question her loyality.

'Pah, you don't know a beautiful place when you see one.' Valentine retorted to the mental pictures, turning to see the giant mass of dark purple roots. 'Though we do have one hell of a weed infestation here.' she continued. So this is what happened when one of those probes was left unchecked.

She walked closer to the river of lave, checking over the side. Next to an extremely rickety ladder she could also see dark roots piercing all the way down. She whistled in between her teeth. Now that was some damage. Maybe she should see if they could somehow harness this kind of power.

Meta growled, low, letting the sound reverberate as far as she could. Valentine turned, seeing the Metal Head standing next to what looked like a kneeling monk, covered in ash. She hunched next to the obviously dead monk, a chill running down her spine despite the heat. She couldn't even see if they had been male or female.

'Poor you…' she whispered. She supposed she should say something to honor their memory, but all of Seems speeches had been so long and full of technical terms. Though she was good with technology, she'd never claim to be a star in something as abstract as religion. 'Well…' she started scratching the back of her head. 'I hope you had a good life?' she finally said, before slamming her face in the palm of her hand. That was just pathetic.

'Eh?' she said, looking at the object in the persons hands. She peered closer, praying the body wouldn't suddenly come back to life. 'That doesn't look too healthy.' She mumbled, examining the strange statuette. It looked like tiny barbs had driven themselves into the monks hands before they had died. She shuddered. 'I am not touching that.'

Getting back up she told Meta to keep a look-out for anything hostile. When she neared the strange vegetation the shudder on her back increased. Body parts were visible in several places, and she recognized the traditional monk clothing. Taking an educated guess she assumed that the probes probably devoured any nearby life in order to sprout this plant-like thing. Talk about sexy.

In the center she could see the remnants of the probe. Once it was opened, it was obvious it was a container for whatever it was that sent this plant in working. Kneeling down next to one of the roots she poked a finger next to it. With a yelp she pulled it back out instantly, sucking on it to dull the pain. 'Crap, that stings.' She craned her neck, looking up. 'When in doubt…' she started, pulling herself up on the first huge torn. '… just check it out from above.'

|Jak|

'How come we always get to do this kind of weird job, huh?' Daxter asked him, looking around at the canyon-like structure. 'Can't they for once send us on a mission to a hot tub with four sexy ladies wanting to rub lotion on us? Where would be the harm in that?'

Jak ignored the constant stream of words in his ear, pausing to look at the latest obstacle. How the monks had managed to come this far was a riddle to him. None of them had looked like a really athletic type, and yet they were supposed to have come this far? He shook his head in disbelief. He wouldn't have been crazy enough to come here if Damos hadn't asked him to do it.

'A river made of lava… it's kind of like a hot tub.' He tried, looking at Daxter as if the Ottsel would be able to appreciate his joke. Before his friend could reply, a Metal Head shot from the air, taking Daxter in its mouth.

'Daxter!' Jak shouted. When he saw the Metal Head landing on the ridge above him he didn't think twice about saving his friend. He jumped over some of the cooler patches in the hot ground, making his way to the rickety ladder. He hissed when his palms touched the wood, surprised this ladder hadn't burst into a flames a long time ago with this kind of temperature.

He hoped he wasn't too late. Daxter was still screaming above him, so that was a good sign. When he got closer he could actually make out the words. '- And I don't appreciate being covered in slobber every single time you see me! Isn't there another way for you to show me you like me?'

Jak let out a relieved sigh. It was only Meta. When he surfaced he was just in time to see Daxter getting his face licked by the Metal Head. 'Meta, it's you!' he said, not worried about Daxter being in her company. When the Metal Head saw him she snorted, dropping Daxter to the ground. Walking away she lifted her tail in the air, giving Jak a good view of her behind.

'Well, it's nice to see you too.' He mumbled. He looked around on the clearing. If Meta was here, there was a pretty good chance Valentine would be too. Not seeing anything immediately he turned his attention on Daxter, standing next to a rather eerie corpse.

'Looks like it didn't agree with him.' Daxter joked, pointing at the fellow with a thumb. Like Jak he had seen too many horrible things to get impressed with a corpse. He held out a hand to the statuette, without bothering looking closer to it.

'Don't touch that Daxter.' Jak warned, holding out his hands to stop the Ottsel. 'Who knows what more Dark Eco would do to you?'

'Look at me Jak!' Daxter exclaimed, his voice carrying to the farthest reaches of the clearing. The duo didn't notice Valentine looking down on them with a grim face. 'I'm short, hairy and I itch in odd places. Not mentioning the tail. I couldn't do worse.' Daxter said, with a face that suggested he really believed what he said. 'So just relax, I know what I'm doing.'

Daxter stepped closer to the corpse, looking at the thing. 'This is going to be gross, I just know it. Cold, clammy and dead hands. I can't look.' He said, before placing a paw at the monks side, pulling as hard as he could. After a few seconds the thing broke loose, launching towards a helpless Daxter.

Jak couldn't believe what happened when he held the object. Ripples pulled past his field of vision, and as he looked down he couldn't see his own feet. When something sharp pushed inside his hand he let go with a yell.

'What the hell was that!' Daxter cried out, before he froze at the sound of a familiar voice coming from behind Jak.

'It appears that's what prevented the monk from being gobbled up by this plant.' Jak turned around to see Valentine sliding down a thick, dark vine. Her piercing blue eyes, a shade darker than his own, focused on him. She didn't look happy to see him. 'I only saw a little, but I'd guess it make the Dark Eco in the recipients body speed up, rendering them invisible.' She gave the corpse a sideways look. 'Though it seems that it can kill you when the Eco runs out.'

'Valentine, I need to talk to you.' Jak wasted no time in approaching her. If he did notice the grim way she looked at him, he paid it no heed. 'We need to talk to each other.'

He barely managed to dodge a fist aimed at his nose, stumbling back to narrowly avoid a leg thrown up to kick him in the face. So far negotiations had commenced, though they didn't look too promising.
'Valentine, don't go punching on my boy!' Daxter yelled.

'Stay out of this Daxter.' Valentine growled, sizing Jak up from a distance. Jak felt as if he was being judged like a calf for slaughter. When Meta approached him from behind, Valentine again intervened. 'You too, Meta. This is my fight.'

She lunged for him again. Jak didn't dare to throw a punch back, afraid he might actually harm her. Valentine had no reason to hold back like that. He felt a nail rake past his cheek, drawing blood. Valentine looked down at her finger for a moment, before she resumed the attack.

'Valentine… just listen to me!' he pleaded, dropping to the ground when she tried to jump him. After a head roll she was right back after him. 'Or talk. Tell me-' he dodged another kick, this time aimed at his stomach. 'Tell me why you're so angry!'

'You abandoned me, you jerk!' she shouted at him. When he tried to grapple her she pulled back, arching her back. Looked like she had developed a real fondness for trying to kick people in the face. 'You were supposed to be there!'

Jak found a new appreciation for his haircut. If his hair had been longer she would have been able to grab him. Instead he grabbed her long ponytail, pushing her close against him. With her back against his chest there was little she could do.

'I didn't abandon you.' he grunted with exertion from keeping her still. 'I was intending to be there on time.' With a snarl she brought her heel down on his foot, forcing him to release her. In the same move she dropped to one knee, swinging the other leg to bring him off-balance.

Jak hit the ground with a hard thud, suddenly jumped by Valentine. She held a knife at his throat – where had she pulled that from? – and looked down on him with hard eyes. 'Give me one good reason why I shouldn't just end you right here.'

Her mistake was that she hadn't pinned his arms down. He brought his opposing arm to the hand that held the knife, stopping her from cutting him. Her eyes grew wider when she noticed what he was planning. She spread her arms in an attempt to stop him, but he was already forcing her to the side. With him on top he didn't waste time pinning her hands down.

She screamed at him, kicking her feet in vain. The stream of profanities she spouted had him wondering exactly who had taught her all of those. He decided to shut her up at 'pigfaced douchewaffle nugget'.
'For fucks sake, will you just listen to me for once?' he snapped at her.

She shut up, raising her chin as if defying everything he had to say. Jak let out a deep huff, panting from the fight. He should count himself as lucky that she couldn't transform anymore. After she muttered a last profanity – dipstick – she shut up, lips pursed.

'Look, I meant to be there on time for you. I meant to be there for you, and only for you. That's why I stopped by Keira first, to tell her it was over.' Valentine's eyes grew bigger, but she still had an angry set around her mouth. 'I'd been a real shitty friend back then for not seeing how much it hurt you. I should have at least noticed. So yeah, it is my fault you were caught. But don't you dare think for a minute I wanted that to happen! I wanted to be with you!'

She lay underneath him, breathing for a while. He almost didn't dare let go of her hands, until he saw a tear gathering in the corner of her eye. It looked like she was fighting the urge to cry. 'Valentine?' he asked, hoping it wouldn't unleash another storm of profanity.

'Idiot.' She finally managed to bring out. The tear slid out, soon followed by another. Pretty soon it seemed like there was no stopping the flood. He let go of her, but before he managed to slide away from her completely she started to smack his shoulders. It hurt, but it was better than the beating she had been planning on giving him before that.

'Bleeding idiot.' She cried out. Tentatively he reached out his arms, wrapping them around her. She resisted, instead still hitting him on the arms. 'Why'd you have to do something like that?' she cried as he placed her head on his shoulder, hoping she would stop unleashing that barrage of hits on him.

Finally she did stop, shocking him when she threw her arms around him, using her full weight. 'I was so scared!' she finally sobbed against him. 'When they caught me, I was so scared. I've never stopped being scared. I thought you wanted me dead, that you hated me. I thought you wanted them to catch me.' Her tears soaked his shirt, but at the moment he couldn't care about that. He stroked her hair, trying to register she had stopped trying to rip him to pieces.

'You were my friend…' she continued, nails gripping in his shoulders. '… and I thought you betrayed me. I trusted you, and you weren't there.' Each word she spoke was a dagger in his heart, but he knew he deserved it. 'And I couldn't even let myself miss you because of it!'

Jak brought himself to an easier sitting position, not letting go of her. As she cried he just kept stroking her hair. He hoped she wasn't aware of the tears streaming down his own cheeks.

|LadyAmazon : Glad to know you like Ma'al so much, he is a cutie right? Nothing like a handsome man that insists on walking around naked after all.
And my dear Guest – who hopefully realizes they're in trouble if another one ever decided to pipe up -, I guess this chapter kind of answers your question? Have a wonderful day!|