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[rdmcatpaw]

I'm sorry if you are busy, but may I request your audience with me, the first mate of this ship? I have a question I need answered in person and willing to give my frog in exchange for it.

Comments

[rdmcatpaw.livejournal.com]

How?!

[She balled her fists up, her ears folded over and her tail straight up against her back. The poor Mithra had her eyes closed tight to force back any tears. There were several emotions circling through her head but was only able to name a few.

Disbelief to sadness, anger to envy.

...Envy... Wasn't that the bane of the Mithra Ark Angel?
"You shall be twisted by the envy that drives you..."]

...But, you can't tell me that, can you?!

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

No.

[Kage's voice is surprisingly soft as he straightens up. There's a tinge of regret in his manner and he reaches out his wounded hand to touch her shoulder.

It's true that he normally would never touch Cat, but this is a special sort of circumstance. Besides, her fiance is dead.]

I can't. Believe me, it's for the best.

[rdmcatpaw.livejournal.com]

[Cat really did want to scream, perhaps even go to the point of casting one of her many Enspells and punch at the wall; but instead her legs gave out on her.

Her body was trembling and she rose her hands to her face. This mage wasn't crying, she was straight out sobbing. Her heart playing one of many tunes of despair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_smKwDSRAhQ) and sorrow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDUx4l6u1wU).

She didn't know what was worse, loosing her parents to a war against the Shadowlord or her close friends to the destruction of her world that could have been saved, like it was several times before. This didn't make sense! It couldn't have gone out like that!

The tears only got worse. The only reminders she has of them was the photos from their adventures and the corsage that Wil had given her infront of the waterfalls in Misareaux Coast as an engagement gift.

It was all gone.]

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

Ahh, pretty lady...

[When Cat sinks down, Kage follows her and crouches on the floor next to her. Empathy and comfort has never been Kage's strong suit, but he does have a certain fondness for Cat. He admires how she's remained faithful to her fiance all this time.

It's something he knows he never would have managed.

So Kage puts his hands on her shaking shoulders, eyes downcast.]

Atch-ch-ch, hebb il-habbi. Oq hah al-fath, naam, naam. Pretty lady.

he's so sweet

[rdmcatpaw.livejournal.com]

[The foreign words made her stiffle her sobbing down to sniffling.

Normally the words 'pretty lady' would have made her fluster, but given this circumstance, it didn't do much. Sorry Kage.]

he's utterly sincere in both his cruelty and his comfort. It's how he is.

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

[It's okay. He didn't expect them to even make a dent. He's just making comforting noises as best he knows how. No one ever comes to him for emotional first aid, and he doesn't go to anyone else. At least there's symmetry in that.]

Oq hah al-fath, naam. Hebb il-habbi Cat, ch'kaya fath dolma. Yeah, it's hard news. What'd I tell you, huh? That's only th'beginning.

[rdmcatpaw.livejournal.com]

[She gave a shakey nod.]

...Y-you did... heh...

[Cat tried to wipe away those tears but new ones replaced the old. She wanted to apologize for freaking out and breaking down infront of him, but couldn't bring her voice to say it.

It wasn't his fault, she shouldn't blame the messanger.]

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

See, the thing is--that? Was the easy news. The full story's so much worse. Awright?

[Kage reaches up to the counter and turns on the cold tap, then passes a facecloth underneath it. He squeezes it out, then starts to wipe her face down.

His hands and movements aren't gentle, but he's trying not to be rough. It's obvious he's not used to this.]

And I know, you know, you been in fights. Bad ones. Some fights you win, some fights you lose. This is a tough fight, but you know damn well that even if you lose you keep on comin' back for more like a Zeshat-damned beast, aye? Yeah. So you go on'n cry--

[Wipe, wipe, smoothing her hair back and running the coold, damp cloth over her cheeks and forehead and jaw.]

--and you don't give up. The Captain didn't fish you outta th'water so you'd lay down'n die, pretty lady.

[rdmcatpaw.livejournal.com]

[A moment of recollection (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvSoMqccyyM), when Kage spoke up again and the Mithra blinked when she felt the cloth being pressed against her face. It was strange sensation as her hands were moved aside to get every single tear stain that was on her tanned face.

At the comment of fighting, she couldn't help herself but give a small chuckle for "comin' back for more like a Zeshat-damned beast"; since it was true.

After the next round of the cloth touching her facial feature and brush of her short hair with some 'advice', Cat moved over to the man who tried to comfort her and hugged him.]

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

[Kage blinked.]

--ah.

[The fuck?

His hands remained in midair, one grasping the facecloth, the other empty handed and fingers spread. She was hugging him when she was the most wounded. What was going on?

If this had been any other woman, Kage would have taken this as a sexual come-on, but he knew Cat was completely faithful to her fiance--and he didn't think that mere moments after learning of Wil's death she'd jump on him.

So Kage had no idea what Cat was doing. Was she attacking?

... no, she was hugging. Was she trying to pick-pocket from him? Maybe grab his gun or the keycard...? Nope.

Just hugging.

So Kage remained frozen there, confused, but silent.]

...

[rdmcatpaw.livejournal.com]

[HEY! Sure, she WAS a Thief but she only stole from beastmen, not people! ...Unless they deserved it and Kage wasn't on that list.

A few minutes after hugging, she pulled back. The tears were gone and a small smile was back.]

Thank you.

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

[Kage pulled back as well, just thankful that the hugging was over. He still wasn't sure what Cat had wanted. She hadn't wanted sex and she wasn't attacking him, nor trying to take his gun or his keycard. Kage just chalks it up to 'weird grief behaviour'.

He blinked.]

... yeah, no sweat.

[He should get up and leave, but a question tugs at his mind.

No, his instincts say to get out while the getting's good, and after a momet of hesitation, Kage looks back at her.]

... why are you thanking me?

[rdmcatpaw.livejournal.com]

[She rose up both hands and waved it back and forth. Someone was a lil embarassed.]

Well, you answered my question and even stayed around.. to... uh, comfort me...

[A hand went back to scratch an ear.]

Not like anyone else is around to bring me back to good spirits -- ah, I don't mean it so negatively though!

[...Just what is she trying to say?
She just bows her head and closes her eyes, a deep breath and release. Her ears and tail drooped slightly.]

I'm not making much sense, am I?

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

[He rose as well, and Kage dropped the facecloth into the sink.]

Nah, it's okay. I just--

[Kage would have been on familiar ground if she'd thrown a punch or tried to kill him. Instead, she hugged him and thanked him for being the bearer of terrible news. ]

I just told you some hard facts'n you... ain't angry with me. Shit, if you'd hit me I'd'a laughed. I'm used to that kinda thing.

[He holds up his wounded hand, wiggling his dark, stitched fingers.]

... you come from a weird world, pretty lady.

[rdmcatpaw.livejournal.com]

I couldn't bring myself to do it, even if I did attack what would that accomplish? I can't Warp home and cast an endless amount of Raise spells to bring everyone back.

[She started to get to her feet, a small stumble but nothing too horrible. Once stable, she glanced at that hand made a small face. No longer will he deal with digits that twisted in color than his original skin tone.

Here, have a Cure 3 spell Kage!]

...Besides, sadness and anger would have transformed me in to a monster, similar to that of the Shadowlord or even one of the Ark Angels.

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

It'd make y'feel better.

[He reached out and caught Cat's elbow when she stumbled, his eyes sharp--

And then magic rolled over him. Kage sucked in a breath, but all that happened was that his hand magically healed and the stitches fell out.

He looked at his hand as she spoke, considering.]

... Yeah. Sadness and anger do that, I guess.

[He looked at her, smiling without any feeling behind it. Those words she'd said hurt.]

You're way smarter'n me, Cat.

[rdmcatpaw.livejournal.com]

Its horrible.

[In reply to his comment about how emotions could twist a person, but the last set of words had her scratching the back of her head again, giving a small chuckle.]

Ronny and Sages are alot smarter than I am. ...It doesn't help that Sages will hit me over the head with his Grimore when he's a Scholar.

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

He's a good man. If he hits you with that grimoire, I bet you prolly had it comin', aye?

[Again, he smiled without anything behind it.

His instincts had been right. Kage shoudl have left while the going was good.

His hand slid up her arm until he could pat her on the shoulder and move past her, out of the bathroom and towards the door. He had a peculiar feeling in his chest. It rankled and felt like he was wearing a set of clothes that was two sizes too small.

Kage looked down at his hand and then...

Pity. Or mercy.

He'd never been good with being shown mercy. It angered Kage, because he knew he didn't deserve any. He glanced back at Cat. When she knew the whole story--

Fuck it.]

I'm going.

[His voice was rough, and Kage opened the door. He should have said something else, something so he would come off as smooth, in control, but mostly Kage just wanted to get away. This whole situation was complex and he wanted something simple.]

Bye.

[And he left, shutting the door after himself.]