Silk Purses and Sow's Ears

"You can't be here." Lily murmurs, dropping her eyes.
"I do not see much that will stop me." I reply with a wry smile. She shoots me a look, and I wiggle my fingers. "Magic in my blood, remember?"
She looks away quickly, but there's the flicker of a smile.
"What do you want?"
"Do I really have to repeat myself?" I ask softly.
She wraps her arms around myself. "You didn't need me last six months."
I nod slightly. "Much has gone on, and I regret that I have not returned sooner. I had many things to attend to." The lie is simpler than the explanation. "The Ard Ri has many responsibilities." Lily looks up, eyes questioning. I nod.
She frowns. "So am I supposed to bow?"
I smile, and shake my head. "Never."
Lily's face softens slightly. I hold her eyes. "You don't look unwell."
The softness fades. "I got by." she states cooly.
"You done here?" I ask quietly.
For a long moment, Lily is still, so very still that it is hard to see whether she breathes or no. Then, finally, she nods.
"Yeah." Her voice sounds ragged.
I smile. "Good. Because you're badly missed at home. Not to mention needed."
Lily looks up. "What's up?"
I lay a finger across my lips. "Later. In a safe place."
For a long moment, she studies me warily. Then she nods. "Belladonna won't want us leavin'."
That makes me smile, a sharp, wry twist of the lips. "She has no say in the matter."
That makes Lily smile.

i stroke the sword and say to it "we gonna burn us a whole damn garden yes thats right girl".

"No, we are not, Sori. Control yourself." I hold out my hand. "Shall we?"
With a very small smile, Lily takes my hand. My heart, to my surprise, leaps in my chest.

i look around at the plants moving around us "ok if i dont get to burn us a path out of here i suggest we get the hell out of dodge quickly because belladonna doesnt really seem like the type to keep petunias and roses rather than poison ivy and meateating plants".

Kiou nodded and shifted nervously. "Despite your glamors I feel as though they are watching us. We should leave before she is aware of our presence here."

"Very well." For a moment, I search for the right words.Then, finding them, I smile. "Let's blow this poor excuse for a comic-book dungeon."

i take point as we leave hacking and burning our way through the jungle.

Kiou followed along behind Sori. "If you continue in such a manner then we will have to fight. And, no offense to you craftsmanship with that flame of yours, but the light is giving me a headache."

by now beads of sweat are running down my forehead i groan in concentration killing the flame i take a deep breath and ask "ok how do you suggest we get out of here then" the time it took me to speak was too much and our path is already blocked by a new growth.

Seeing the new growth already block the path, Kiou grit her teeth and cursed under her breath. "Never mind my words. Your way is correct. i had not imagined the foliage to be quite as hostile as this. Stubborn, yes, but this... This is a bit much in my opinion..."

i turn my head for a second and a branch hits me over the head i look at kiou and say "got any ideas? i dont want to risk you having a seizure in here".

"You're goin' about it all wrong." Lily states. Stepping forward, she whispers, and the foliage curls away. She turns with a tight smile on her foxy face. "Just had to ask nicely, is all. Now let's shift before-"
There's a yelp of surprise down the corridor, and Lily frowns. "Too late."

i look to lily and say "talk to me what should we expect?".

Kiou slowly drew her blade as a dull throb began to grow behind her eyes.

"A load of trouble." Lily replies tersely. "Belladonna trains assassins. Get the drift?"
I draw my blade. "And here I thought we could do this unseen. More fool I."

i roll my eyes sheathe the sword and pull out my pistol muttering "great i hate assasins".

"Assassin's are easy to beat when you realize their morals are weak. Not having honor, makes the blade fast but sloppy." Kiou drew herself into a readied stance.

i get the knife out of my boot the sig runes shining black and realizing what she just said i say "Hey my morals are weak".

Kiou couldn't stop herself from smirking. "That explains so much more than you know."

as i get up i mutter "in all fairness ive done some assassination work through the years" as the enemy comes to view i start shooting at them with my pistol only to hear *click click* i throw the damned thing at them and take my revolver out of its holster.

"Cut the lover's talk! We're getting out of here. Now!" I bark, slashing my blade in a wide arc.
The next five minutes are an insane kaleidoscope of blood and faces, guns and knives and deadly thrown spells, attack and defense. The welter of attackers is astounding. The only thing that saves us is the narrow, twisting corridors, and the abilities of Sori, Kiou and Liam. My blade whirls, finishing those who get as far as me, but there aren't all that many. Sori and Kiou send blood flying.

Panting heavily, Kiou dropped to one knee as the opponents began to thin out. Not that she would tell them, but the whole room was spinning for her. Like a ladel through stew, the world seemed to pull and draw out in a fashion she had never seen before. "I... I believe that I am almost through..." Her eyes slowly looked to Liv as she fought to will herself to regain her bearings.

the assassins are fast but im faster the cries of terror and pain are music in my ears as i tear them apart piece by bloody piece after a few minutes my arms are covered in blood my coat is torn and im bleeding from a gash in my forehead, my chest heaves with exhaustion i drop my guard for a moment a moment long enough to get a knife stuck between my ribs.

Finally, we gain the open air. Eyes track us in the streets as we walk, and no wonder. We're covered in blood, reeking of charcol, and carrying a beautiful Oriental girl between us.
"If Belladonna was not upset before, she surely shall be now." I remark dryly. Lily nods, her eyes wide. I catch the fear in her, and clap a hand on her shoulder. "Well, that will teach the old weed."
She gives me a smile, but it's brittle.

Kiou swayed between them and fought to take in the fresher air. Her head was still swimming when they entered into the apartment. "I... require assistance in the bath..."