trans_9 | Is Your Love Strong Enough? Part 6

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Is Your Love Strong Enough? Part 6 - The Final Scratch

Such a strange occurrence needed, finally a conclusion. Thanks for the Time Lord's trinket gift, there was suddenly an old, fearsome creature made of gears, it's old features squeaking (although not as bad as before, since a certain someone had given him a good oil job). Analog,the fearsome creature known by some as a the crankiest Time Dragon, walked in the city to find out o where Eleven was. She could smell him even in here, you see (wow that's creepy). Flanked by her three handmaidens, the women giggling like schoolgirls at everything, memorized at the ship. The city could hold her well, for all her large size.

First step - Find the Doctor, ask him what he wants. Step two - Do that. Step three - Get out of here.

She still was a Time Dragon, after all. Proud....and cranky. These boring old puny humanoids were nothing as the greatness of HERSELF so the sooner they were our of her mind, the better.

[OOC - Done! Go for it.]

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Strange, to see Ildraniath's body simply lying there in what had once been Nezaitben's domain. Her breathing was shallow, almost undetectable; had he not been subject to the events of the last few days, he might have simply thought her asleep. Zouichi bent down without thinking, lifting her prone, now-vacant shell gently from the heap of bodies that had been so unceremoniously piled into this abandoned space, careful not to let the dark cloth of her robes drag along the ground. He set her down just as gently in a patch of soft grass, a proper distance away from the others. Somehow, he didn't think she'd be eager to do this where anyone could see.

Truth be told, he wasn't quite sure how to go about this. What should he say? What did he have to confess? It had been easier when he'd simply had the luxury of not thinking about it. They were... colleagues, perhaps. Two people forcibly abducted from their own worlds, who had learned to work together for a common purpose. But then, somewhere along the line, something had changed, hadn't it? Almost imperceptibly. Something it was far easier to simply gloss over in the midst of the hundred separate tasks and concerns that filled each passing day.

Farseer, I... he began, then trailed off. To be honest, I'm not really sure where to begin. I enjoy speaking with you. I enjoy your company. And I consider you a... friend.

It wasn't the whole truth, something he was just now beginning to realize. Not yet enough to appease the conditions for dispelling their current condition. But it was a start, and this task was... considerably more difficult that he'd expected. Perhaps it would have been easier if he'd had the benefit of his own thoughts to retreat to.

He could only hope his own inner conflict wasn't negatively affecting Ildraniath.

Ildraniath had been quietly fuming ever since she'd been forced out of her body. Her ire wasn't aimed at Zouichi of course, but the sheer idea that she was nothing more than disembodied thought at the moment was frightening, in a way. Especially considering what was lurking out in the Warp if something were to go horribly, horribly wrong. But she was hiding that fear as best she could, considering the two of them were currently sharing a mind. It simply wouldn't do, after all, for Zouichi to realize the worry she felt. In that regard, they both had their own inner conflicts to deal with, although she was doing her best to ignore Zouichi's discomfort out of politeness.

The truth was, as her thoughts shifted back to Zouichi and this little dilemma of confessions and feelings, that she wasn't entirely show how she felt and it wasn't crystallizing any more quickly now that she thought about it. He was a companion, really the only person aboard the ship who she felt entirely comfortable speaking her mind to (which was ironic, considering he was almost a human). Even as they worked alongside one another, there was a strain of something else, something she'd felt more comfortable ignoring. It would make things complicated. It was something she didn't particularly want to admit, even to herself, but thinking about it here and now (practically forced to, in fact), it was starting to make itself known.

Zouichi, I have to say I'm in agreement with you on that. You're one of my only confidants aboard this ship and...

Well, how to say this delicately.

I think my life aboard this ship would be significantly less bearable if you weren't here.

That would work, right? She wouldn't have to drag out all of those other uncomfortable and awkward thoughts that she was trying very hard not to hink about.

Unfortunately, nothing happened. Well, in terms of them continuing to occupy the same mind, anyway. The confusion Zouichi was currently experiencing, in contrast, only increased as he listened to her words. Part of him was gratified, glad that she cared enough about him in turn that she could be at ease with his presence. Part of him was uncomfortable, listening to her admit something he doubted she'd ever own up to under normal circumstances.

And a small, selfish part of him, one that he seldom listened to, wanted something else. Something more.

He quashed that line of thought almost immediately. They might both have worlds to return to; certainly they both had duties that far eclipsed the importance of any personal concerns. It was petty. Irrational. Completely and utterly irresponsible. ...But it was also becoming harder and harder to ignore. And oh, did it ever make things more complicated.

I... would miss your company as well.

But they had to get her back to her body. Remaining like this was unacceptable, and besides, if her consciousness should be lost while separated from her waystone...

The truth is, he continued suddenly, You caught my notice the first time we met, back on the Observation Deck. Something about her had pushed him to approach her, to speak to her, though he'd be hard pressed to come up with what, exactly, that something was. Her manner, perhaps -- the cool, poised way she approached those around her, lending gravity to each action she chose to pursue.

This would've been awkward enough if they weren't sharing a body and couldn't hear one another's thoughts. As it was, she could sense that little piece of selfishness as it flared up and then was extinguished. There was so much that she almost wanted to say, but couldn't bring herself to think or say or do, because to do so would be to admit that she'd changed from when she first come on board and to admit that even Eldar could fall prey to the vagaries of the heart and emotions.

Which might not be that bed if she had to say as much to Zouichi. But to everyone else? To the other mon-keigh? Perhaps they'd never notice. Pride, confusion, frustration, that small part of her that wanted something for herself after the years of sacrifice and work and dedication she had thrown herself into for the sake of the Craftworld. Emotions. Such irresponsible things.

For a moment, Zouichi can probably feel her surprise and then it's gone as she tries to regain control over herself.

If pressed...

And she was.

I would have to say that you also caught my interest, Zouichi. You're different from the humans you're modeled after. Different from most of the others aboard this ship.

Perhaps it was the quiet, steady way in which he approached his mission, his dedication to getting the job done, even when separated from his objective by time and space. The way in which he could still indulge in the little things (something Ildraniath didn't do nearly as often as she should, but that was beside the point). The way in which she felt she could implicitly trust him, which was not something that came easily to her.

You flatter me, he said, mental voice wry. He could feel her reaction, wanted to try and assuage that moment of startled realization with what humor he could muster. It is you who are singularly unique.

And she was, at that. She had never asked him to consider abandoning his task, though others certainly had. She alone seemed to understand that the extinguishing of his own world didn't mean the fight was over -- that in all likelihood, it would never be over. And he thought that she also knew the unique frustration of watching those around her as they pursued their own interests, their own individual dreams and wishes, while she had consigned herself to the service of a greater whole.

She did not always agree with him. But she did understand.

He hated feeling vulnerable like this. He hated feeling doubt. It was singularly unfair that only now, after he'd already committed himself to fighting for others, he had finally discovered what he wanted for himself. But that was unimportant. He had to finish this, return her to the way she ought to be. The way she deserved to be. She had been more than kind in the last few days, in which they'd been forced to spend time in closer quarters with each other than he'd ever expected to exist with anyone.

I also care for you. Not... just as a friend. I would like to get to know you better, to become closer to you. To become someone you can trust, and care for in return.

There. That was enough, wasn't it? That should be enough to fulfill the conditions.

Not in any great way. There are other farseers and other Eldar, she replied. I am not even the most powerful among us.

But that was beside the point and perhaps being intentionally obtuse. More and more often she found herself reluctant to simply think of Zouichi as another one of the crew who could be used or cast away at a moment's notice for the greater good. It would bring her personal pain to do that (although she would do it, if need arose). But she did not enjoy dwelling on that thought. That set him apart from the others, all of whom were nothing more than... really, tools to her. Not exactly a thought Zouichi might appreciate, but it was there nonetheless.

Although she agreed with him on vulnerability. It was not often that she felt vulnerable, but in this, she was more vulnerable than she knew. Their thoughts were nearly impossible to hide from one another and even one used to sharing emotions and feelings found the constant contact distracting.

I... feel the same, she finally admitted. I would appreciate that. Very much.

That should be enough. Correct?

A moment later everything seemed to snap and the world rushed away.

For a minute, Zouichi experienced the sudden, disorienting sensation of being in two places at once. Then he was back again, still in his own body, and where Ildraniath had been... Well, she was not there any more. Had it worked? Had she been returned?

He knelt beside where her body lay in the grass; after a moment of hesitation, he touched a hand to her shoulder. "Farseer?"

Ildraniath's eyes flickered opened and she blinked against the light. Where Zouichi had been before, he was gone. Well, it seemed he was back in his own body, as he ought to be. Here she was in her's. She lifted a hand and gave his hand a small pat, "I seem to be in one piece. At least, nothing feels like it's missing."

"I'm glad to hear it." Well, that sounded suitably awkward after several days of sharing each other's thoughts.

"It appears this particular incident has come to a close."

Considering what they'd just told each other? Very awkward. She carefully began to clamber to her feet, dusting off her robes. "Thankfully. As... interesting as that experience was, I don't think I would enjoy having two minds in one body for the rest of my life."

One of her enigmatic smiles lit up her features for a moment, "On the other hand, it may prove to be a valuable learning experience."

"I'm afraid I'll have to agree with that sentiment," he said, standing along with her and maybe sort of wishing he had some robes to dust off right now.

Then he smiled at her in return... and this time, there was not a hint of sarcasm in his expression -- only a sort of subtle warmth. It was not an expression he wore often. "Yes... it might, at that."

Well, maybe this hadn't been all bad.

No, not entirely bad, if also incredibly awkward.

"Although I hope you don't take it the wrong way when I express my hope that it never happens again."

"Of course not."

A brief pause. "Perhaps we could put a few things behind us with a cup of tea? I recently made an accompaniment to it I think you might enjoy."

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Is Your Love Strong Enough? Part 6 - The Final Scratch

Zouichi and Ildraniath

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