Vikktor's Marshland Fortress

[*~Nikkole~*]

Lekki blinked at him, moving away as he leaned forward. "I'm fine... just tired." He made a face at him. "Lekki... my name's Lekki." He glanced around before looking back at him nervously. He was still getting used to them being there... but it made him nervous that he cared at all. He always took care of himself. He winced a bit, his movements had reopened a wound on his side. He put a hand on his side to try and hide the blood. "Why... why do you ask?"

Jeremy watched him go before sliding down the wall and leaning his head back. What do they plan on doing with us now? Most of us have no where to go... He looked to Lekki and frowned. The boy looked scared sh*tless....

Kamen sat on the steps up the stairs, holding the necklace in his hands. He looked it over. So many memories... and I don't even know what this sign means.... He sighed.

[Amnesty Lazuli]

Kadaj shrugged. "No reason. Just wondering." OK, he's good. No signs of a concussion, either. He noticed the boy bleeding. "Hmm... where'd that come from? I don't remember us giving you that one..." He asked Loz telepathically to bring back a towel or something for a bandage.

Loz didn't seem to be turning up any meats... Don't tell me the man was both a creep AND a vegetarian. He was STARVING... He finally found a packet of jerky and grinned with triumph. He snagged a towel off where it had been lying on the floor--

Not that dusty thing! Bandage, remember? Get something cleaner.

Loz sighed and went back to it, munching his snack.

Kadaj sat back and thought, waiting. All right, so I'm not here to get involved... but these people that we HAVE found are going to need a place to stay. We can't just dump them... that's too risky, with the entire planet hankering to get a piece of us. But what can we do... we ARE fugitives, and we don't have much money... we can only put them up at the Inn for so long, and how would we get them there in the first place... think, think, there has to be a way... H**l... why did I have to go all soft...

Yazoo finally came back inside, sidling in quietly, trying to remain unnoticed. He held his head high in spite of the indignities he had suffered that afternoon-- so high that he almost slipped on an unnoticed part of the floor slicked with blood from the fight. He regained himself and continued walking, seating himself on the steps and attempting to pretend the population of this room did not exist.

[*~Nikkole~*]

Lekki looked away. "No... its from yesterday, I got lost down in the west wing. Fell and injured myself. Nothing big." He tried to blow it off... poorly though. He was lying, and doing a very bad job at hiding what really happened. He shifted and winced again, blood lacing his fingers.

Kamen looked over at Yazoo, but said nothing to him. He sighed and looked around at everyone. He wondered what they were going to do now... he knew Cironia and Kuro had some family. Last time he checked anyway. Jeremy, he knew for sure, was going off in search of his sister who was transfered to another location a year ago. But Lekki and Fituna... He sighed. The boy, he was told, was found on the streets. No record of any family. Fituna he had no idea... she had been with Vikktor here for years before he had come along....

Jeremy was getting agitated, he wanted to leave. He saw no reason to stay any longer....

[Amnesty Lazuli]

Loz came out of the kitchen, handing a relatively dirt-free towel to Kadaj. No time or means to sterilize it... it'll have to do. He gave it to the boy. "Put that against the wound and hold it down hard until the bleeding stops..." And then what? Ami, you picked a fine time to leave us We could really use your med kit now.

He looked to the others. "All right... It's strategy time. My brothers and I will not be long before returning to our base-- er, I mean, the Inn. We haven't the money to bring all of you back with us, but if any of you have somewhere to go not far from here, we can leave you there on our way. And those of you who don't... well, we'll come back to worrying about that later."

Yazoo attempted to shut off his brain, but it had never worked before and surely wasn't working now. He sighed with frustration. I wonder... maybe Fituna has somewhere to go nearby. That would solve a lot of problems... I don't intend to come back this way anytime soon at any rate.

[*~Nikkole~*]

Lekki took it hesitantly and replaced his hand with it, he took in a sharp breath before relaxing and looking to Kadaj almost alarmed. He looked around at everyone before sighing. This was his home...

Jeremy stood. "As soon as you let me, I'm gone. I have to find someone..." He looked to Kadaj. "Sorry I couldn't be more of a help but I'm slightly rushed...."

Cironia shrugged. "I got family not too far from here. I'll get goin' when everyone else has a plan." She glanced to Fituna.

"I'll raid Vikktors room for some money, then I'll be off if I'm not needed." Fituna answered Kadaj calmly. "I'm going with Jeremy to stop Vikktors friends." She glanced to Kuro, who nodded silently. She sounded confident that she could make it now that she was free.....

Kamen stood and walked over to them. He was sad to see his friends off after not seeing them for so long. They had changed little... except for Lekki, who just got faster at hacking and thinner in size.

[Amnesty Lazuli]

Kadaj nodded to Jeremy. "There's the door, no one is stopping you. You were a great help, so in spite of our personal differences I am forced to acknowledge gratitude."

Yazoo heard Fituna and should have been relieved. But he wasn't.

D**nit. I can't let her leave without understanding this.

Obviously I suffer from an attraction to her. Any idiot could see that. What I don't understand is why I can't quell it. My intangible responses have never been this erratic and uncontrollable before. What is it about HER in particular that makes it different?

He hesitated. So how to convince her to not leave with the boy now? I doubt I can... I know she's stubborn. So, on to plan B.

He rose. "Perhaps you and the boy could use some assistance?"

Kadaj blinked and spoke in a longsuffering tone. "Yazoo, what are you saying?"

[*~Nikkole~*]

Jeremy nodded his thanks and agreement to Kadaj, before looking to Yazoo. Boy? He glared a bit. Fituna looked over at him and raised a brow. "How do you plan to assist us, Yazoo?'' She mused with a slight grin.

Kamen made a face. Oh no... now what? He looked to Cironia who had gotten her stuff quickly and was waiting to say her goodbyes. Lekki was still sitting on the floor, the blood seeping into the cloth he had to it. His wound was slowly stopping its bleeding, but the boy was still looking around nervously.

[Amnesty Lazuli]

Yazoo gave a non-committal shrug. "These people are your enemies, not mine. But I'm told I can be handy in a fight."

Kadaj had heard enough. He got up for a moment, leaving Lekki to deal with the wound on his own for a moment. "Excuse us, please." He dragged his brother outside, speaking with infinite calm. "Have you lost your mind?"

"Kadaj--"

"I think this goes way beyond 'witty combat banter' territory, brother."

"You have--"

"Yazoo, our resources are as near to nil as makes no odds. We have no means of supporting ourselves, much less perfect strangers."

"Kadaj, I know all these things. I am not an idiot."

He crossed his arms. "Prove it. It is not merely a matter of we SHOULD not go with them. We CANNOT go with them."

"Who ever mentioned 'we'?" Yazoo gazed at his brother levelly.

Kadaj was geniunely taken aback. "Yazoo..."

"I know, brother," he cut him off. "You're already afraid to lose Amnesty. But you won't lose her. And you won't lose me."

Kadaj watched his elder sibling quietly for a moment. "Yazoo, we need you. We go together."

Yazoo was also silent. He shook his head. "Not this time."

Kadaj, for once, could think of nothing to say in return. But a question was hovering around in his mind. What is she to you that you would choose her over your blood?

"I don't know." Yazoo turned back and headed towards the door. "But... I have to find out."

Kadaj lowered his eyes as his brother walked away. "If it's your life... I have nothing to say."

Yazoo paused and looked back. "I will return, brother."

Kadaj looked up, resigned. "I know."

Neither had any more words for the other. They returned to the others.

Kadaj went back to Lekki, trying to remain all business. "That will need stitches. We'll be able to take care of it back in Junon. You'll have to keep compressing it until we return. Unless there is somewhere else you need to be... you never did mention your plans."

Yazoo went to Fituna. "It's settled. The others are returning to the Inn. I'll be coming with you."

Loz almost choked on his jerky. "Say what?!"

[*~Nikkole~*]

Fituna watched them go and then come back. She raised a brow at Yazoo, mildly shocked but not really showing it. She glanced to Kadaj, then to Loz. She looked over at Jeremy, who looked rather annoyed, before looking back at Yazoo. She smiled. "I guess we could let you come along..." She teased playfully before getting a little more serious. "We'll leave when you're ready then..."

Lekki looked at him before sighing. "I don't have any plans...." He said quietly, holding his wound tightly. He was slightly saddened by that thought but was relieved he was able to go somewhere at least.

Kamen walked over to the two. "We should get going...." He glanced to Yazoo before looking back at Kadaj, giving him a confused look. "Is he really leaving with them??" He was shocked that Kadaj was letting him go off alone....

[Amnesty Lazuli]

"If I can let my sister go her own way, I should be able to allow my brother the same right," Kadaj replied stiffly. Even if it does go against every grain and fiber of my entire being. "Our cycles are outside. Can you make it that far, Lekki?" First my sister. Now my brother. What next? Why are we splintering apart?

Yazoo nodded. "I'm always ready." He hesitated. "There is only one problem. My cycle... it's a rental. Due back tomorrow. Not as if I really care, but they do have tracers on their equipment, and... I'm already a wanted man."

Loz did not believe what he was hearing. Losing Ami, that he could understand. She had always been a free spirit. But he'd thought the three elder siblings of the family would be inseperable for perpetuity... but what REALLY got to him was the way Yazoo and Kadaj were acting about it. "Oh, come on, you two! Acting all business and stuff like you're not even going to miss each other? What is THAT about?" He barged up to Yazoo. "You can't go!" Loz demanded, sticking a finger in his face.

"Why not?" Yazoo countered calmly.

Loz instantly crumbled and Yazoo found himself the recipient of a (literally) crushing hug. "'Cause I'll miss you too much!"

Yazoo wheezed for air. "Don't-- gasp!-- cry, Loz."

"Shut up," he blubbered.

[*~Nikkole~*]

Kamen nodded meekly, not pushing the matter further. He glanced to the boy before helping him up. Lekki nodded to Kadaj. "I can make it." He winced a bit but stood fully, biting back the pain.

Fituna nodded slowly. "If you want we could return the cycle on our way through? There is a car out back that could mostlikely carry it there..." She offered. As Loz came up, Fituna stepped back a bit, confused and a little curious. They must really have strong ties... She thought before returning to his first statement. Wanted, huh. Wonder why...

Jeremy was ready to get out of there as soon as possible, Cironia saying a blunt and most likely unheard goodbye before leaving. She wanted to leave before they found something for her to help with.....

[Amnesty Lazuli]

Loz finally set Yazoo down, but only after being informed that his brother was on the edge of asphyxiation. Yazoo wobbled a bit before getting a grip (and pulling some air into his lungs). "Thank you, Loz... I'm glad to know someone around here is going to miss me."

Kadaj shook his head at the sarcastic comment. "You know I'll miss you. I figured stating it would be superfluous."

"Pffft. Yeah, right. You just hate saying goodbye." Yazoo smirked as Kadaj glared. "Relax. I was teasing."

"Yeah," Kadaj replied flatly. "Well..." He turned to Lekki. "We'd better go before you lose more blood." He led the way out, not looking back.

Loz wasn't sure which dismayed him more... Yazoo's determination to leave, or Kadaj's determination to ignore the fact. But in the end, all he could do was follow Kadaj helplessly out to the cycles.

He looked back for a moment. "Goodbye, brother."

Yazoo shook a finger reproachfully. "No goodbyes. I'll be back."

Loz nodded. "You better. If you let somebody wipe you out, I'm gonna kill you."

Yazoo made a face and waved.

Loz turned and went out to join the others.

Kadaj got on board his cycle. "Loz, help Lekki up."

Loz nodded, lifting the boy up onto the cycle behind Kadaj. "You all right back there?"

Inside, Yazoo spoke to Fituna, but kept his eyes on his brothers. "Your plan seems sound. Get your money and we'll go."

He finally turned to Kamen. "I'll miss you also. You certainly exceeded all our expectations. Stay with the others... I am no clairvoyant, but I have a strong feeling the key to your past lies not far away."

[*~Nikkole~*]

Lekki stiffened as he was picked up but relaxed slightly out of defiance. He nodded. "I'm fine." He shifted a bit and held his side some. He felt a little light headed but not too bad. He adjusted the cloth so that it would stay in place before clinging slightly to Kadaj.

Fituna nodded to him before going off up the stairs and to the right, disappearing into a room. She searched through Vikktors mainly barren room for his secret safe....

Kamen looked at Yazoo, slightly saddened. He didn't like the fact that this all sounded too depressing for the occasion. "Thanks, Yazoo. I wouldn't have been able to come this far without Kadaj and your little spike prank." He grinned a bit. "Now watch yourself, the others don't know exactly what they might be heading into, and Jeremy is too rash for his own good." He warned gently before nodding to his words. "I'll keep that in mind, Yazoo. It'll help me think this was all worthwhile." He saw Loz put Lekki on behind Kadaj and decided it was best to get going.

"See ya when you get back, brother." Kamen smiled a bit. He said goodbye to the others before catching up with the other three and getting on his bike.

Jeremy still looked rather annoyed as he stood with Kuro. They waited for Fituna as she broke open Vikktor's safe.

[Amnesty Lazuli]

Kadaj nodded and cranked the cycle's ignitions. "Sit tight. We're on our way."

He revved the engine as Loz climbed onto his cycle, still looking a bit puffy eyed and sniffing. Ami, I miss your hankie.

When Kamen arrived and was prepared for departure, Kadaj gave the signal to move out, and they roared away, back the way they had come.

((To Junon Inn))

Yazoo stood at the broken gate, melancholy settling over him. A feeling of incompleteness... This feeling he was perfectly capable of controlling and he knew it, but he decided to indulge himself for now.

A phrase echoed in his mind. Wyrdhal, my brother.

The Seraph word for goodbye... literally, "healthy fate".

Thank you... "I hope so, too."

He turned back to look at the others. "So what are your stories?"

[*~Nikkole~*]

((Yay! lol))

Jeremy looked over at him, slightly perturbed by him talking. "What do you mean? Like how we got here, or what happened to us?" He still looked annoyed and sounded a little bitter. Kuro just watched him, unable to really speak for himself.

Fituna rumaged through the stuff on the shelves and desks, looking for anything they could use. She found... guns. She didn't know if they needed them, but she got them anyway. She looked through Vikktors stuff still, not feeling rushed.