READ:
Hey so I'm going to be posting a new story just to see if anyone likes it. It won't be written until after these but I want to know if it's even worth pursuing. Review it and tell me if you think it's a keeper of if I should think of something else for after. Don't worry I haven't forgotten FtP.
Oh and um, yeah updating is going to start getting a bit janky (As you've all probably already noticed). I'm so busy these days I barely have time to do anything. Updates will return to normal after this semester of college but I'm getting so much homework and I have so many tests and quizzes that a lot of my time is now being used by that. : /
-E-R-A-G-O-N-
Orik along with four more of their men entered the building around six-thirty. They'd waited there since the morning and his body ached from sitting in the rickety wooden chair that had been one of the few seats available. Arya had sat across from him in silence for hours at a time, only speaking when she was trying to get either Sampson or the other to divulge what they knew. Neither would. Tanner had been his only source of entertainment as he shot wisecracks at Sampson, trying to piss him off. But still, he wasn't focused too much on them. After about the fifth time of the two men refusing to speak, he'd turned his attention to Arya.
Something kept catching his eye. Whenever anyone was looking it was gone. But when she thought nobody was watching, she seemed. . .tired. The emerald green still shimmered with beauty but they were sad, exhausted, and . . alone. That was no way to live. He knew that he'd been a complete pain in the ass almost the entire trip but that was because he'd gotten tired of her incessant bitchiness. Still, him being a tool wasn't helping the situation in the least. He'd tried earlier. Tried to speak with her in seriousness but she'd instantly switched to defensive mode.
He turned his attention back to the present as Arya quickly went over the entire situation in detail. When she finished, Eragon watched in interest as Orik pulled a metal, rectangular box out of his pocket. It was revealed to be a case that was holding a syringe. Sampson swore and jerked away.
"No! You can't! They'll kill me if I talk! Please!"
Eragon frowned.
"What is it?"
Orik flicked it a couple of times with his finger, clearing the bubbles from the blue liquid.
"It's a truth serum."
He looked at him skeptically.
"Those are real?"
Orik looked at him like he was stupid.
"Of course they're real." Orik looked to two of the men. "Restrain him."
Sampson tried to stand but they shoved him back to his knees. With swift precision Orik slid the needle into the man's skin and injected the medicine. Stepping back, they only had to wait a couple moments before Sampson seemed to become drowsy. It was then that Orik began questioning him. Eragon caught Arya's eyes and she nodded towards the hall. He stood and met her in the entryway.
"What?"
"We can head back now. They'll take care of this."
She pushed out the door and he followed. Cold air cut across his skin and he crossed his arms to keep himself warm.
"So we're allowed to use that stuff?"
Arya smiled as if amused.
"It's not truth serum."
"What? Then what is it?"
"I mixture of alcohol and added ingredients that cause a slight burning sensation."
He looked at her for a moment before laughing.
"That works?"
She shrugged as they passed by the first building they'd entered.
"Most of the time. We've built it up so much that they all know it and are warned of it. They try to build up immunity to it but they fail because they don't know what it is. So they're already wary of it and believe it to be real. It's like a placebo. They think they're being given a truth serum and so that's what their subconscious perceives. It also helps when the recipient has a low IQ. If they're quick they'll realize what's happening."
He continued to chuckle as they reached their car.
"That's seriously brilliant. Who thought that up?"
"Saphira."
Shaking his head, he slid into the passenger seat.
"I need to hug her next time I see her."
They rode back to the hotel and he hopped out of the car, excited to go and sit down on the couch and just relax. Arya handed the keys off to the valet and followed him to the elevator. He pressed the button to their floor and leaned against the wall. After a couple seconds he glanced at her. She was resting her head against the wall and looking at the ceiling. She spoke without looking at him.
"What?"
He shook his head and turned away.
"Nothing."
"Obviously it's something."
"I . . . well. . .I was just wondering how you . . you know, cope."
"Cope? With what?"
"Everything. Like, just this job and stuff."
Her featured clouded but revealed nothing.
"Same as everyone else."
He tilted his head and looked at her.
"Well that's obviously not true."
She barely glanced at him as if she didn't care.
"Yeah? How do you figure?"
"Most people vent. Expressing themselves through actions or by talking to others. You're so closed off all the time and you don't talk to anyone. Doesn't that take its toll?"
She looked coldly at him.
"What is this sudden fascination with how I express myself?"
He smiled not unkindly.
"Just curious as to the stability of my partner. You worry that I will let emotions rule over me and you watch out for it. You keep me in check. If I don't know your state of mind, how am I supposed to trust you're always acting in the best interest of everyone?"
"I don't allow emotions to control any part of my life Eragon."
He pondered her answer as the doors opened and they returned to their room. But as soon as they stepped inside and the door closed he turned, coming face to face with her. Only inches separated them and he heard her breath catch in surprise.
"I believe you think you do."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Meaning?"
For some reason being this close was causing his heart to race but he ignored it. He really was curious.
"No one can shut their feelings off completely. You can trap everything inside and shove it where the sun don't shine but that doesn't mean it's gone. I see it. It's just behind the surface whenever you aren't focused on holding it back."
Instead of becoming angry as he thought she might, she just seemed interested.
"You're clever. And not as ignorant as I expected. But tell me, why is venting better than what I choose to do? You burden others with your problems while I keep them to myself."
"It's not a burden to the people who matter. They want to help."
"Who would you suggest I talk to, Eragon?"
Her tone was rhetorical. She didn't think there was anyone. But he answered anyway with a smile.
"You could always try me."
With a last raise of his eyebrows, he turned away and removed his jacket. He unstrapped the holster and rested it across the back of the couch. There was silence for a while before she spoke again, the topic totally unrelated.
"We'll go eat at the one of the restaurants and Saphira will get back to us with any news."
He smirked, his back still turned to her. He'd let it go for now.
"Sounds good." Once they both removed their weapons they headed back down the stairs to the lobby. This time Eragon left his suit jacket in the room. "What's the restaurant called?"
"Senso."
"Type of food?"
"Mediterranean."
When they reached the lobby she made her way to the front desk. The manager came out immediately.
"What can I do for you?"
She looked around.
"We're dining at Senso tonight. Do you have any suggestions in the way of what we should get?"
Nodding the man walked around the desk and started to rattle off dishes served. Most Eragon hadn't ever tried. The manager stopped by and looked around the restaurant. It was full to the brim with not even a small table open. Eragon glanced at the manger who seemed nervous. Arya crossed her arms.
"We'll come back tomorrow."
She started to turn but the manager quickly adjusted.
"No, no. No need for that! One moment!" He motioned for one of the waiters to come over and started speaking in Spanish. "Ir a buscar en los cuartos traseros. Si alguien está ahí, les ofrecemos todo lo que necesita para conseguir que se vayan. ¿Entiendes?" (Go look in the back rooms. If somebody is there, offer them whatever you need to to get them to leave. Understand?)
"Sí, sí." (yes, yes)
The manager started to turn back but stopped.
"Espera. Sólo asegúrese de que está dentro de lo razonable." (Wait. Just be sure it's within reason.)
The waiter nodded and disappeared into the back. The manager smiled.
"Your table will be ready in a moment."
Arya nodded her waiter returned within minutes and waved them forward. As soon as they were seated menus were placed before them. A new waiter walked out and smiled.
"I am Sebastian." He shook Eragon's hand with a strong grip and then turned to Arya. His face changed to wonder and when she reached to shake his outstretched hand he turned her's and kissed it softly. "If I may say, your eyes are strikingly beautiful."
Arya smiled back and nodded.
"Thank you very much, Sebastian."
Something in Eragon burned and he frowned, his eyes narrowing. Arya met his gaze and her own became confused at his expression. He immediately cleared it and picked up his menu, searching it for something he recognized. Meanwhile the waiter continued to speak with Arya, a grin placed on his face. Eragon shifted in his seat. He really shouldn't care at all who spoke with her. It was just. . . that dude wasn't unattractive. He was like one of those foreign dudes that would exchange into your high school and be hated by the guys because all the girls wanted him.
Ignoring their conversation he found what he wished to order and set down his menu. Sebastian, not the inattentive waiter, smiled at him.
"Have you decided on what you want?"
Eragon nodded and spoke his order in fluent Spanish. Sebastian's eyebrows raised.
"¿Habla español con fluidez?" (Do you speak Spanish fluently.)
"Sí." (yes.)
Sebastian seemed to be doubtful and he spoke again in Spanish.
"¿Aprendió por su trabajo o en la escuela? ¿O es sólo un hobby?" (Did you learn for your job or in school? Or is this just a hobby?)
Eragon wanted to smile smugly but instead he just responded politely.
"Tengo una habilidad especial para ciertos idiomas. Aprendí español en la escuela, aunque." (I have a certain knack for languages. I learned Spanish in school though.)
Sebastian grinned and nodded.
"Very good." he then turned to Arya. "And what would you like?"
Eragon was now thoroughly pissed off. Sebastian had turned that on him and applauded him as though he was a child winning a prize. A hint of a smile was on Arya's lips as she ordered as well. He took their menus when he returned to the kitchen. Arya gave Eragon an amused smirk.
"What was that?"
Eragon played dumb.
"What?"
"Oh don't even. You were showing off."
"Was not."
She shook her head and looked down at her phone. Her face turned from amused to concerned. He leaned forward in his chair.
"What is it?"
"When our food comes, eat fast."
She didn't elaborate any more. When Sebastian brought out their food he seemed smug. But when he tried to speak with Arya again she answered with less interest. He ended up leaving after a couple moments. Eragon grinned and ate as quickly as possible. He wished he could savor it because it was delicious but he was more interested in what was happening back with Orik.
They finished quickly and Arya told Sebastian to bring the bill and she placed her card in the booklet. As they were walking out Sebastian placed his hand on Arya's arm very lightly. Still, Eragon was surprised when she froze. Her eyes darkened significantly but she cleared them before Sebastian noticed. The man smiled charmingly.
"What're you doing tomorrow night?"
Seriously. Eragon watched in interest as Arya forced herself to relax and look at the man.
"I'm busy."
Sebastian tilted his head and seemed like he was trying to search her eyes. Eragon coughed to cover his snort. Good luck with that. Tool.
"Are you sure?"
Oh, come on. Arya looked apologetically at Sebastian.
"I'm sorry, I have a boyfriend."
"Ah, I see. Well either way, it was wonderful to meet somebody as beautiful as you."
Arya smiled.
"So full of compliments."
Sebastian held out his hands.
"What can I say? It's in my blood."
Eragon rolled his eyes. Arya chuckled and turned.
"We'll see you around, Sebastian."
They left the restaurant and headed for the exit. Surprisingly, when their car was brought up, Arya handed him the keys.
"Seriously?"
She nodded and slid into the passenger seat.
"Yeah I need to check something and speak with Saphira. I also want to see if you can even drive."
"I can drive."
"You know what I mean."
He turned the key in the ignition and grinned as it's supercharged V8 engine roared to life.
"Beautiful."
He pulled out of the circle drive, shifting gears smoothly while fighting his desire to take the car to her limits. Seriously, zero to sixty in 3.9 seconds, that's damn fast. He followed the GPS as Arya's fingers typed quickly across her phone.
"What're you doing?"
She glanced at him.
"Orik discovered the plan and it's very worrisome to say the least. There are several buildings containing crates of the weapons spread across the city. Each couple of days one will be transferred to an undisclosed location that is only told when it's time to move. A text just came to Sampson's phone giving an address to a scrap yard a few hours from here. The cargo is supposed to be there at six tomorrow morning."
"Shit."
"Basically."
He frowned.
"So what's the plan?"
Arya was silent a moment before she spoke.
"We're sending three of our guys in instead."
Eragon looked over, eyes wide.
"Are you serious? They'll be going in blind, Arya. They'll have no idea of what is to come."
She leaned tiredly into her seat.
"I know. But we can't lose this chance. Durza moved so quickly that his men were able to make the trades of cash and the weapons early on. This is the last stage. If we lose them here we lose them for good and people will die."
He was silent as he parked in the same area as last time. They made their way in the darkness past silent buildings and mysterious alleyways. Everything seemed a bit more hostile than it had before. They arrived and walked inside the abandoned building. Eragon noticed that the three prisoners had been removed and the body as well. Blood still stained the floor red. Three of Orik's people were dressed in jeans and white shirts with cargo jackets over them. Just what Sampson and Tanner had been wearing. He shook his head.
"So this is happening? They're going in without any intel?"
Orik sighed.
"It's the only way."
Eragon nodded and started to unbutton his vest.
"Then I'm going."
Arya's head shot up from her phone.
"No you're not."
He removed his vest and started on his shirt.
"Yes I am."
Orik considered the change and shrugged while Arya walked to face Eragon.
"You aren't. Eragon, you can barely control yourself as it is. If you see Durza you'll blow and go at him while risking the lives of these men. I can't let that happen."
He tried to show her his sincerity as he looked at her eyes.
"I swear to you they will come out alive. You brought me in because the Varden saw that I was good. They have a better chance of living if I'm with them."
"Durza knows your face. How do you suggest we skirt that issue?"
He shrugged.
"I'll wear a hat. We can bruise up my face a bit."
Arya shook her head.
"You're making this more difficult than it needs to be."
Orik cut in there.
"Arya his skill outmatches the three of these men combined." He looked at the three. "No offense."
Eragon grinned.
"So are you going to call in somebody to get me all ready?"
Orik raised his eyebrows.
"No. Makeup comes off."
At first he didn't understand but when the realization hit him he groaned.
"Seriously?"
Orik nodded with an evil grin on his face as he rolled his shoulders.
"You ready."
Eragon sighed. He relaxed his body before preparing for what he knew was coming. Orik was a big guy. Lots of muscle. With a huge grin Orik slammed his fist into Eragon's left eye. Pain rocketed through him but Eragon stayed on his feet and shook it off. Shit that hurt. Orik spread his hand and waited for Eragon to signal him to continue. Eragon nodded. This time the blow was a hook at his jaw. His head throbbed in pain and this time Orik didn't even give him a chance at recovery before punching his right cheek.
"There you go."
Eragon stretched his jaw and glared in annoyance.
"Thanks for that."
"No problem." He looked over to one of the men. "Harry step down. Eragon's taking your place."
Harry's face seemed somewhat relieved as he nodded. Eragon put on a cargo jacket over his undershirt and grabbed a pair of jeans laying to the side. He changed out of sight and returned to the room where Arya was speaking with somebody over the phone. She hung up after a few more minutes and frowned at him.
"Ajihad's cleared it so you're in. Don't make us regret this decision Eragon."
He picked up Sampson's gun and nodded.
"You have my word."
Yeah I used Google Translate again. . . .
Elvendiath: Oh they will definitely become equals. And I'm gonna have soooo much fun writing it when Eragon realizes that he's just as strong as her. It will take more training and stuff but he'll get there :)
DeMoNzMaGiC: Lol will do. Yeah I know it seems like that but it'll be better soon. I'm just sticking with character progression from the book. Arya pissed everyone off with her bitchiness and Eragon cried every two seconds so I've adapted it slightly. I'm not sure yet. Some of the stuff will be the same but I may switch up the plot so as you to keep you all on your toes haha :P
Mahavia: Yeah I get that and that's totally ok I was just wondering because sometimes I see a couple reviewers that read and review a lot for stories like mine but not actually mine. It just interests me.
Microbat98: I know lol. I meant people who don't review certain stories at all even though they're like others.
Tamerlain85: Thinks what? Yeah I don't read those either lol. Especially the one's with awful grammar. I mean, I know I'm not the best with it but at least my grammar is alright. The worst is when people think they can write in text language and get away with it. I want to slap them.
Mark Silverwing: Yeah the summaries are important. So are the title and the cover photo. At least in my opinion.
Burning Book: Yeah character roles will be slightly different in this and don't worry, Murtagh will enter into the story soon :)
Phantom Assassin: Thanks for reviewing :)
Eluvita: I totally get that and it's cool. Yeah I don't review barely anyone unless I'm insanely blown away or they help me out or are a ff friend. I think I've written like, 5 or something total. I don't actually read stories on here anymore anyway. And yes. I definitely used Google Translate because I don't know any Spanish. Like, at all.
Guest: Thank you. I guessed it probably wasn't totally correct because I used Google Translate to do it lol. I might mess it up again if I use it in the future so forewarning there. And thanks, that's good to hear :)
Dracones: I don't read anything really either except a couple of ff friend's stories. Action is coming!
Winter Wolf: Yeah it makes sense haha. Same here. Yeah my mother is a grammar nazi. Even her texts she sends have no mistakes or text abbreviations whatsoever. Really!? Crap sorry I always try to answer questions but I must have missed that. Did you mean just, like, in a response? Or do you want me to rewrite it or something? You already read it didn't you? If you ever want to review it's fine but there's no need to go out of your way to review if you don't actually want to haha. Lmao he can handle it and soon she wont be able to do it anymore :D
Iryan Drottingu: Thanks! Haha yes it will slowly start to recede, starting with this next chapter. I'm just trying to keep it relatively close to how they progressed in the book but I'll fast forward it a bit in my story. They'll become friends most likely in about, 3 chapters or so.
My Generation: It will! Promise! If I play that game do I have to start from the first Fallout or can I just get the third? All I know chapter-wise is that it'll be LONG. Lol and it will basically follow the same pattern but with my own little changes thrown in.
Flyflyaway: Yeah :P And I don't usually review because of laziness too lol.