And Although I Wasn't Losing my Mind

[redlightgreenlight]

Characters:Valdis and open
Date: April 2017
Location: Various
Situation: Various
Warnings/Rating: In Headers



March hadn’t been the greatest of months. Her discovery of Milyn’s affiliation with the cultists had led to a less than pleasant confrontation with the Foreigners regarding the matter. She would have been lying if she told people she wasn’t surprised by some of the venom contained within certain conversations. But it was all part of the plan, at least, until Milyn had been murdered by the Snakes.

Even then, it took several days before she realized what the odd feeling in the pit of her stomach was. Guilt. The moment she realized it, Valdis fled Keeliai and disappeared into the mountains. While she wandered, she discovered a shrine, a mural depicting the turtle's shell and an eight pointed star. The peace radiating from within the small cave reminded her of the serenity of the turtle's head before Malicant's taint destroyed it. She lingered for days, meditating and finding a sense of peace. She was loathe to leave the place, but it was a discovery that she had to share with some of the others. Perhaps it could even help them awaken Tu Vishan.

Comments

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine had hoped Jackie wouldn't attract that sort of attention. She had known it was a small hope: but she'd hoped, nevertheless. Now her expression drew down, and for a moment Raine looked genuinely angry before she smoothed it out, and sighed. "Do you need some place to lie low for a while?" she asked.

To Valdis, she added, "Regardless of luck-- thank you." It was a genuine relief that someone had been there to help Jackie.

[jinzhong]

Jackie shook his head. "Nah. They haven't tried anything before...I think they were just trying to get me alone. They don't bother me at the bar or the Hotel, and I've always been around people when I've been out. Tonight was just...kind of dumb on my part."

He looked at Valdis. "Yeah...I don't think I said thank you. So, thanks! I would have been dead without you."

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis' upper lip curled back to show her teeth, a low rumble in her throat indicating her displeasure at the situation.

No one hurts my pack.

But she didn't think this was on Yunxu's orders, just like she didn't didn't think that Milyn's death was on the man either.

[ruinsprofessor]

"Regardless of whether or not you should have taken precautions, the fault lies with the ones who attacked you," Raine said, absently annoyed on Jackie's behalf. "Valdis, I assume you're not hurt?" She hadn't noticed the hound favoring anything, and in any case she regenerated, but anomalies had occurred before. She rested the butt of her staff on the ground and surveyed them both once more, just in case.

[jinzhong]

Jackie blinked at Valdis. "I'm your pack?"

He honestly hadn't thought he'd meant that much to her. Or to anyone, really.

[redlightgreenlight]

She flicked her tail at Raine, I'm fine.

Then, eyes still on Jackie, Valdis reached out with her nose to poke his hand.

Of course.

She didn't understand why he felt so surprised. You trusted me when many others wouldn't have and you helped me despite being afraid. That's what pack does.

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine leaned on her staff, regarding the two of them now not with studying intent, but a quiet smile. This was a side of Valdis she didn't often see, and the opportunity was a welcome one.

"What will you do now?" she asked of them both. "Is there anything else you need from me, at the moment?"

[jinzhong]

"I'm probably gonna go back to the Hotel. At least I can be pretty sure they won't bother me there. And hey, thanks, Raine," Jackie said. "You saved my ass, too. Come by the Golden Koi sometime. You and Solomon. You'll be taken care of."

He looked at Valdis. "Yeah, well...I don't give up on my friends. You're in with me, you're stuck with me, got it? That goes for both of you."

[redlightgreenlight]

Jackie...

Valdis ducked her head under Jackie's hand so that it rested on her head. She hadn't realized just how much she cared about the boy until faced with the fact that she might not get him to Raine in time. Now that Milyn was dead, she wasn't sure if death was permanent, but she had known that Raine could save him and she hoped the woman knew how grateful she was.

Thank you, Raine. I'll see him back to the Hotel.

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine found herself touched, and she offered both of them a somewhat brighter smile. "Thank you," she said to Jackie, and, to Valdis, "Of course. Both of you-- let me know how things go, if you don't mind. I may not be strictly involved, but I'd like to be sure you're all right."

And she did find she meant both of them, despite some of the past rockiness in her relationship with Valdis.

[jinzhong]

Jackie nodded. "Yeah. Of course. I'm not gonna let your work go to waste."

He was a little surprised by Valdis maneuvering her head under his hand, and after a moment he gave her an awkward pat. What are you supposed to do when your hellhound friend does something like that? "Thanks," he murmured.

[redlightgreenlight]

Let's go, Valdis said to Jackie.

Dipping her head to Raine, the large hound turned away, ready to lead Jackie back to their home. She would have to speak to Yunxu about this. She was certain he wasn't dumb enough to order an attack on a foreigner, just as she was certain he hadn't ordered Milyn's death. If he was losing control of his people, then that was a problem for all of them.

[jinzhong]

Jackie said goodbye to Raine and left with Valdis. His head was awash with ideas, and the realization of how much Valdis actually valued him - and how much he trusted her in turn - helped him come to a decision.

"Hey - you know anywhere we can talk where we won't be overheard?" he said in a low voice as they walked.

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis halted, turning her head to look at him, ears pricked. She wasn't certain what he felt he had to say that others couldn't hear, but if secrecy was what he needed.

You can think what you want to tell me, she replied, No one will overhear us if we talk in that manner.

[jinzhong]

Jackie nodded, and tried to think at her. He gently put his hand on her head, thinking that might help. He took a deep breath.

You deserve to know, so...don't freak out...Milyn isn't dead. And I know who stabbed her.

[redlightgreenlight]

Her entire body stiffened, her emerald eyes wide with shock and for a few moments she didn't even breathe. Despite her stillness, her mind was whirling so quickly she couldn't quite keep track of her thoughts. Then she took a breath and her mind slowed.

Milyn isn't dead.

It wasn't a question and her voice, filled with relief, wavered as if she might cry, but in the next instant, her voice hardened.

Who stabbed her?

[jinzhong]

Jackie took another breath, unsteady on his feet.

Meisheng.

[redlightgreenlight]

There could be no mistake. Jackie had been a member of the Snakes, he would know Meisheng when he saw her. Valdis didn't say anything, gathering her thoughts. She believed that Yunxu hadn't ordered Milyn's death. She also believed that there were certain parties that would benefit from the Foreigners being focused on the Snakes.

But Meisheng and Milyn and been friends, seemingly quite close, though Milyn had also been a cultist and...A low growl rose in her throat.

Jackie, she said finally, her voice hard. I think the cultists are trying to turn us against the Snakes. They are the only ones who gain from killing Milyn at this time...Do you know what that means?

Because she did and she really didn't like it.

[jinzhong]

Jackie nodded, his mouth dry.

I'm not the smartest guy around, but if I'm understanding all this right...Meisheng's a cultist. And she betrayed her brother.

Oh God. The thought was terrifying. Yunxu was like Uncle Po without the grandfatherly veneer - more like Big Smile Lee than anyone else. Jackie shivered and crossed his arms over his stomach instinctively, remembering his death. Big Smile Lee hadn't killed him personally, but it had been on his orders.

[redlightgreenlight]

Yes, She said quietly, It is the only thing that makes sense.

She shook herself from head to tail, beginning to move forward again.

Someone needs to speak with Yunxu about this. He has the right to know about his sister. She huffed, I suppose it will have to be me.

[jinzhong]

Yeah. He wouldn't take the news too well from me. The traitor. The reason the Snakes were after him.

[redlightgreenlight]

Yunxu isn't stupid enough to order your death. Valdis reassured him, These Snakes were probably acting of their own volition, another thing to discuss with the King Cobra.