angelofthenight | IC INBOX

angelofthenight

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

ukan

Lark can hear an awful lot on the Barge. Not things that go on in cabins (thank God), not things in warden-locked areas, but enough that when he wanders out of his own cabin he can hear the tell-tale quiet of having just missed something, somewhere.

He usually doesn't care enough these days to seek out trouble, but he has an inmate and-

And he knows what she smells like and what pain smells like and it amounts to trouble. So he tracks her as fast as he can. "Demona!"

From:

angelofthenight

[OOC: Continued from THIS]

She hasn't managed to get far before she hears her name being called. Lark! Of all the people who might come across her like this, he is who she most wished to avoid. She looks around in vain for someplace to conceal herself. It's too late for that.

So, she does the only thing she can think of. She wraps her wings around her tender shoulder and tucks her arm far back into the shadows. The burns won't be readily visible now. But the smell...she can do nothing about that.

"Lark," her voice is strained despite her best efforts. "I'm just going back to my cabin. Perhaps we can speak another time."

From:

ukan

"What happened?" He asks, his voice low, like he can shield the conversation from any passersby that way. Lark knows very, very well what burns smell like. "Where's the fire?"

From:

angelofthenight

"There is no fire." She doesn't try to conceal the pain in her voice now. Of course, it was futile to try.

"Another inmate used her... she called it firebending. No matter. It will heal. I only need to rest."

She will attempt to keep moving down the corridor.

From:

ukan

"Demona-" He steps with her, keeping pace. "I need to know what happened before she convinces another warden to do something stupid."

From:

angelofthenight

"It was a challenge between us," she snarls. "It doesn't concern anyone else."

From:

ukan

"I have no idea if she'll convince someone else it does concern them. I have no idea if another warden will suddenly decide to care, and get it in their head that you're a danger now that you have your abilities back." Lark pauses, takes a sharp breath. "I'm not here to tell you not to duel with someone else. I'm here to have your back. Please, Demona."

From:

angelofthenight

"I do not think you will need to worry about those things because..."

Demona grinds her teeth together. She hates admitting this. It's only because of the sincerity in his words that she relents.

"I lost the challenge. Decisively."

From:

ukan

There are things he needs to ask about that. But first, "I'm not sure my medic kit can help you. But maybe some cold water for the burns?"

From:

angelofthenight

"It does not matter. When my transformation comes at dawn I will be healed." Until then she must simply endure the pain.

From:

ukan

Pain is a useful thing, even when you're the one experiencing it. Lark has plenty of use for it...but he is still clearly tempted to offer something to help the pain anyway.

"Get me up to speed, what was this challenge about? Why Azula?" It had to have been her; there aren't that many temperamental fire-wielding women on board. Lark rather likes the woman, but he's also smart enough to be intimidated by her. Obviously this changes a few things.

From:

angelofthenight

"She insulted me whilst I was behind bars in Zero. I wanted to see if she would be as bold when I was not restrained."

Demona pauses to look at him and to take a needed break. Her breathing is ragged from the pain.

"How were you so certain it was her?"

From:

ukan

"It was a hunch. She's the only inmate I know with fire powers and an attitude," Lark smiles faintly. "What would you do differently if she picked a fight next week?"

From:

angelofthenight

"And now I've confirmed it for you." She shakes her head. "Well played."

What would she do differently? That, she can answer already. "Now that I know she has that fire whip, I would plan to come armed with something long-range. I can't get close to her. She's too swift."

She wonders how Azula would fare against a rocket launcher.

From:

ukan

He hadn't expected her to answer with something peaceful and he's glad when she doesn't.

"Good. One thing is always true on the Barge: you need to know how to stop people with more power than you have. If you can find a way to knock her down without her turning around to find a way to get back at you, well, that's ideal."

From:

angelofthenight

"I am pleasantly surprised that you are not telling me to avoid another fight with her," Demona says quite sincerely.

"Are you willing to furnish me with a weapon on the chance that it happens again?"

From:

ukan

"I'm a wolf," he smiles with a lift of a corner of his mouth. "Fighting is important. And what you've told me about your world makes me think that if I tried to make you into a passive little deer, you'd end up dead at home within a week."

He glances up as someone walks too near them, and waits until they're well out of earshot. "I think you do need a weapon, yeah. You said she has one?"

From:

angelofthenight

"I certainly would not stand a chance if I lost my warrior's spirit." However, she does not think anyone is capable of taking it from her. Not after all these years. Not even Lark.

She wonders quietly at his reaction to another person going by. Will he, as a warden, be in trouble for granting her a weapon? If he is willing to risk it, she won't argue.

"It is not a physical weapon she has, but a sort of magic. Fire bends at her fingertips seemingly called up at a whim. Perhaps I need a shield as well."

From:

ukan

He nods as he thinks about that and finds that the idea suits her. "Help me figure out what the shield will look like, and I'll put in a request. He'll probably deny it, so then I'll see if any favors I've been saving are still good."