Jared & Lillith - Breaking Ice and Jaws

[Jones]

jared_sieler* The air was crisp with a chill that laid an evening frost on grass, branch, and leaf; forewarning a winter which bustled to unleash its cold and unforgivable wrath upon the world. To cleanse air, creature, and men. Normally, Jared knew that traveling this time of the season was rather foolish. It wasn't uncommon when a scouting blizzard showed up and froze life at a whim. But everything that was once normal about Jared Sieler had long since left the man. He had revoked himself of normalcy when he'd thrust the dagger home. Insanity replaced a well honed mind. A dark and unforgiving stone replaced the heart within his chest. He relished in the uncontrollable. In the blood-lust that he fell into. How many people and things had he killed since? He didn't know. Enough to keep the blood that ran down his arms warm. -c-

jared_sieler* Today was different. The setting sun shined its golden rays upon the path he would take. The winding road that passed mountains, villages, and towns. Forward. Always forward. Blade in hand. Red blood upon the earth. Mud beneath his booted feet. It was how time would pass. A blur of memories and things there and gone. Things that could be, couldn't be, and might've been. Aeron's face was there. Lillith's. Evie's. Cleo's. Adonis'. And the tavern overshadowed him everytime he laid down. The smell of peaches, and the orchard, filling his nose... Jared would wake and walk again. Dreaming. Remembering. Until finally, the lights in the distance of what he once called home shined through the bare trees. There it was. The pinnacle of his life. -c-

jared_sieler* His steps were soft and sure. The gravel did not crunch, nor the grass waver. The breaths came out in along plumes of gas that showed in the frosty air. Tainted breaths. The world around him shook with fury. The trees roared in anger. The earth trembeled. The Betrayer had returned..afterall. He knew they would see him. Notice him. No matter how far over the hood of his grey cloak was pulled to hide his face. - He placed his hand gently against the door, just like he had so many times before, and stepped through.. The warmth of the fire greeting his chilled body. Encircling. Greeting. And he remained there, standing his full seven feet, staring into this place he had pushed away with a simple thrust. The door closing behind him.

lillith_luminatti: Always watching, always listening, ever paying attention to everything around her, she would listen to the conversations going on. Great. This was so not the Lumination, so not home. But she would stay, for she was a part of this place now was she not? She remained silent, simply taking it all in. Even as she was approached by a very drunk and disorderly man, she wouldn’t say a word. Simply staring at him as he slurred through his speech. She really didn’t hear the apology, for in truth she was memorizing this man. Etching his features, the tone of his voice to memory. He would die later. Mutherfucker dare to try and touch her. Finally she would gain her drink, and it would be downed swiftly, glass placed atop the bar; an indication for more. Not even a look of concern at the flying barstools, at the several fights breaking out. None of this would ever be allowed at the Lumination, but.. this wasn’t there was it. She would roll her eyes a bit, a shimmer of mercury at the movement as she continued her vigil. Aeron had been absent for a long while, yet for once Lillith wasn't worried. At least not much. The barest cant of her head to allow quicksilver tresses to tease against her neck as she looked upon the opening door, pursing her lips slightly as she noted Mass. Yet it would not be him that would give her pause. There within the doorway stood someone familiar, someone she thought surely dead. Her body would turn, elbow settled upon the not so clean bar as another whiskey was set before her, shimmering hues staring upon Jared. Her tongue would click against her teeth, eyes narrowing slightly as she took in the sight of him. Yet she did not move, nor speak. Not yet.

jared_sieler* The hood would fall back. To him, Adonis stood behind the bar, gazing at him. The sisters were there, glaring at him. Accusing. Aeron, blood pouring from the wound in her neck, leaned against the wall. Eyes that were once stars to him..empty. And she was trying to speak to him. Tell him to stop drinking, drink water.. But the knife in her throat prevented her. "I should've done it before..." He muttered softly to himself. Lillith stood at the bar, watching him, and he met her narrowed gaze with an expressionless face. Majestic. Stretched. Cracked by violence and softened by love. They blended together to make a steely and expressionless thing, marred by time. His black hair fell with thin tendrils about his face and to his neck.. slowly moving to the sides as he began to move forward. -c-

jared_sieler* There were no patrons. Just Adonis, and the sisters. The air thundered with his taint. He came up to the bar beside Lillith and turned for only a moment.. "Just water, Adonis." The 'tender gazed back at him in puzzlement before he moved off to get the order. Jared leaned against the bar, and looked back to Lillith, gazing into her eyes, admiring her beauty, breathing in her lilac. So familiar. "Still attractive, Lillith. Age really doesn't seem to touch some people.. does it?" A small smirk spread across his pale red lps.

lillith_luminatti: She would look upon Jared, gauge him quickly and keenly, and she would offer him her most brilliant smile. Mind you this happened to be a wondrous thing, her smile. Can you hear the angels singing? This smile could indeed bring men to their knees, for it was the smile of a Luminatti. Known far and wide for their talents of seduction. Lillith simply tended to not use the wiles she was very much blessed with. Not anymore. -c-

lillith_luminatti: She was all grown up now, and had other talents. Let alone.. this was Jared.And he would know.. oh yes he would.. that her smile would mean something else entirely. " Ah, I get it. Small talk. We're going to do small talk.." A coy wink as she would turn to her drink, so -not- water. lifting the glass, she would swirl it, tipping it to roseud lips as almondesque eyes of pure silver would gaze at Jared over the rim. -c-

lillith_luminatti: Soft words laced with the promise of pain to him before taking a sip of the amber liquor. " Some of ussimply age better darlin'. How's tricks? The weather? Got a girlfriend maybe?" Though her words were indeed 'small talk'.. hewould be able to tell she was far from amused. This man she had trusted had betrayed her and her beautiful Sprite. This man would pay.

jared_sieler* The 'tender came back with the water and Jared simply sit onto the stool next to him and began to sip at it, turning so that he could face Lillith. Her words resonated, and her smile greeted him, but her eyes said more than either of them could. There was anger. Fire. Promising death. He knew his sinful deed was there and reawakened in that beautiful little head of hers. Not that she could ever forget.. It was just in forefront now, he surmised. As it had been for him all this time. -c-

jared_sieler* He shook his head at her questions, and kept a grin on display. But his eyes saw death waiting. Aeron waited for him didn't she? He glanced over Lillith's shoulder, and if Lillith watched his eyes carefully, maybe she'd see the blood covered sister leaned against the wall, mouth uttering eternally silent words. - "Small talk has always been a good way to break the ice. Especially when the ice is thicker than usual." Another sip. Another breath taken. "No. No girlfriend. How about you? Found yourself a new man yet? I'm curious as to how many you've gone through since I left."

ting_shaw: A wicked wind fills the air scattering Ting’s long straight hair with a deep sigh floating from chapped lips. His lithe body shudders into the heavy wool jacket, pulling the arms from the sleeves and wrapping it around him, closing the usual parting that bore his shirtless, small but tight chest.<c>

ting_shaw: His jacket’s coat tails hung low, brushing against the sewn on layer of cloth that acted as a knee pad on his long cloth pants: It was a beige outfit that looked like it belonged tied with a belt and wore in a Hapkido Dojang. This bar he approached seemed suitable for refuge, and he would have to pay tribute to the gift of booze now and then. <c>

ting_shaw: A tight, whipcord arm stretched from the part of wool, opening the door as a soft chime rung through the air: one that snuck into the bones and massaged the body, clearing the mind. But the door was not rigged with a bell, as two metal discs hung from Ting’s vein ripped wrist from a cloth cord, and when he twisted them a certain way, the disc’s edges clinked with the ring. <c>

ting_shaw: Ting flipped his arms into the sleeves, now that he was away from the piercing wind. A small cloth cord was the only thing that adorned his chest, and it appeared from the inside of his coat, full of mystery. Ting sat down in his chair letting his hazel eyes, clear of veins and bright as day, study the tenants as he ordered the stoutest beer. <E>
ting_shaw: -e-

lillith_luminatti: She watched Jared gaze over her shoulder, and even though her eyes narrowed, she knew not what it was he saw. Ghosts perhaps, or merely another tavern customer. Her own drink lost it's flavor quickly though, as his little quip managed to slice through her.. to easily perhaps. Why was she still bothered about what people thought of her? She -was- Luminatti, and indeed, her family had a reputation. Whores. They all had been dubbed whores oh so long ago. She knew this wasn't true.. none understood she and her sisters. -c-

lillith_luminatti: None especially understood herself. A slight glance to the door as it opened once again, noticing Ting enter. Yet every muscle was now tensed as she pulled herself upright, glancing sidelong at Jared through strands of silken platinum. How long would she allow this game to continue? " Not that it's any of your business, especially coming from a man-whore such as yourself.. but there hasn't been a man in my life since way before you left Jared. You keep talking trash to me, and trust me, you'll see this 'thick ice' break pretty damn quick. Now tell me, how is it you managed to find me? Following me maybe? Got a few ghosts running through that fucked up head of yours?" -c-

lillith_luminatti: And there it was. Trust Lillith to never allow a game to continue for to long. She had a score to settle. Surely Aeron would be appalled at her if she attacked Jared in any manner, but Lillith didn't care. He.. would..pay.

jared_sieler* The water tasted bitter on his tongue, and it didn't take many more sips for him to put it down one final time and push it away. He was content to sit there, gazing at Lillith, his arms folded across his chest. Eyes flickering with the firelight. His brow raised when Lillith pulled herself upright and quickly ended what game had barely begun to start. Jared was thankful for it. He knew what was to come, and he hated a delay. But he'd also wanted her to be the one to make the first move. To take the offensive. Jared felt more secure when he got to see the playing field. That way, he knew what to keep off the table, and what to put on. -c-

jared_sieler* Aeron and her glaring sisters remained ignored. Adonis had disappeared. All there was, was Lillith. Her fire sparking to life as her words rumbled from a wrath just for him.. but which she held back. For what reason? He didn't know. But he met it squarely, and didn't make any attempt to flee from the confrontation. "You're always here in the Lumination. Where else would you be? All I had to do was come back.. And no ghosts. I learned to choose which ghosts I wanted to listen to a long time ago. And how to ignore the rest."

ting_shaw: Face had turned into a look of pure terror, and his hand quickly sped to the cloth that hung tightly against his chest, unhooking the knot and pulling the cord. The hunch swung around his coat, popping out as the mess of wooden circles, vibrating and pulsating in a orbital pattern around each other. His hand grabbed the two cords that were tied onto the stable ends, and studied the circular path.-c-

ting_shaw: Then, his head turned violently towards two special patrons, a dangerous looking lady and man. He wondered how he missed it, the weaves of the ki moving in such a tense pattern. Turning his eyes back to the third circle on the convulsing ring, he watched the spin and noted the numbers etched onto the side, turning his eyes back to the room and then moving three chairs down. -c-

ting_shaw: Satisfied with himself, he slowly drank his drink, balancing the Fusui board on the stable edge and watching it intently. -e-

lillith_luminatti: A slight scowl would marr the perfection of her brow as Jared mentioned being at the Lumination. He must be fucked up. Had guilt chewed away so much of his mind then? Oh glee. Movement ws occuring across the room, and sheturned to watch Ting again, her scowl deepening. She was beginning to feel quite.. irritated. Ting was watching she and Jared warily, and Jared obviously thought they were at her own place, the Lumination. The scent of lilac would rise slightly as her agitation grew, wafting from her very flesh as she managed to lean casually back against the bar, elbows behind her, the pose to bring her shirt to pull firmly against the swell of her breasts.-c-

lillith_luminatti: As she spoke, her gaze remained locked upon Ting however, though her words, low and calculating werefor Jared. " We're not at the Lumination Jared. Adonis is not here, Jess isn't in the kitchen. You must have all sorts of guilt for what you did if you're seeing things that don't exist. Tell me. Does blood invade your dreams? Can you see her eyes?" Slowly, oh so slowly her piercing gaze would lock upon Jareds, lush lips thinning as she began to allow her anger free. " Can't shake the smell of peaches maybe?"

jared_sieler* "There is no guilt in me for the deed, Lillith. I saved her from pain. I gave her something quick and decisive, rather than have her lay there and suffer. What would you have done? Shed tears? She was beyond healing. Remember? Beyond anyone there anyway.. It was too late. She was going. She was in so much pain. I killed her. Hell yes I killed her. Do I feel guilty? No. I saved her from suffering." As he spoke, he gazed at the room in puzzlement. They weren't in the Lumination? Adonis was just in the back, as was Jess. And what about her sisters? He turned to the main room and saw hundreds of people.. chatting, fighting.. But there came no sound. No voice. And when he blinked, Cleo, Evie, and Gwen were there. Aeron's chest was thickly covered crimson now. Blood pooled at her feet. "Peaches and lilac..." he muttered softly, glancing back to Lillith. A change of his eyes. Uncertain. Then steel again. Stone. Then he looked away to the bar-top and breathed deeply. "Where did you bury her?"

lillith_luminatti: She listened to his words, felt them slowly roll over her, through her. And with every breath, every word, her anger grew. Jared would have no way of knowing that she had come into her full Power long ago. She had control now, so to speak. As he spoke of how he 'saved' Aeron, her jaw would clench, her eyes of mercury flashing, and heat would begin to wash from her. She had moved to allow her hands to grip the edge of the bar, fingers squeezing tighter, would the cracking and splintering of wood be heard over the din of the crowd? Speaking through clenched teeth, she seethed at Jared. -c-

lillith_luminatti: " Bury her? You -stupid- fuck. Aeron is not dead. She never was. You think my Power so weak that I can't heal my kin? Who the HELL are you to think you had ANY right to make such a judgement?" She was moving, a step towards Jared, gazing harshly up at him. " You had better start feeling guilty Jared. Maybe if you do, it will ease any suffering that might occur.. asi kill you.." Another step towards him, would he feel the heat pouring from her now? Psionics were building swftly, the air becoming heavy, hot. Her hands, looking so small, so frail, were clenching and unclenching, and she hadn't even reached for her guns yet.

jared_sieler* Aeron wasn't dead? -- All else that Lillith might've said beyond that fell away from hearing. The seriousness of her face. The anger seething. The words pounding into his head. Aeron wasn't dead? But he had watched her. He had looked into her eyes. He had watched the dimness slowly begin to close them. He'd felt her flesh shivering under his gentle hand when he'd reached for her. She was dying. Gone and dead already. Right? He'd felt the blade in his hand. He had battled himself, and knew the mercy he would have to give. He'd felt the thrust. Her blood running over his hand. Like sticking his hand into burning coal. Aeron was alive? She was alive? -c-

jared_sieler* His eyes sharpened and came into focus. Their silvery hue gazing into the blazes that roared behind Lillith's. His face contorted into surprise, agony, and realization. "She.." The words died on his lips. A soft breath, coming out in torment. Sharp stabs riddled his gut. His stomach churned. He looked over Lillith's shoulder and watched as Aeron's bloodied lips stopped forming words, and curved into a small and mocking smile. Her eyes focused onto him, a similar blaze within them as to that of Lillith's. "...I thought I was saving her. She... Elg had her in his arms and she.. I.." His hand encircled the hilt of that dagger and he withdrew it from the place within its cloak. And he gazed at the blade.. Still stained. "..I thought I saved her Lillith."

lillith_luminatti: He should count himself lucky. Really, really fucking lucky. Jared, no matter what he had done in his past to her or her family was stll a part of the Luminatti. As she watched the realization come to his eyes, the only thing she could think of wasthat he should count himself lucky that he was going to receive what he was instead of her full wrath. A clenched fist came up at full speed, and full strength, which oddly enough for this small woman was intense. Her fist came for his jaw, intent on breaking it, shattering his face. wanting to hurt him, but no, she couldn't kill him. Not him. but she was screaming as she aimed to punch him, screaming with rage. "THAT WAS NOT YOUR CHOICE TO MAKE!!"

jared_sieler* The contact of her fist smashing into his jaw would send him reeling off of the stool, flipping end over end. The dagger flew from his hand, lost to fate. The world spun before his eyes. And then the floor met his body as it landed..smashing a few stools aside of the bar counter. His face burned. The jaw hung loose of its hinges. Pain pounded throughout his head. Broken. Marred once more. The loose jaw, as it wiggled with every move of his head, fittingly added to the beaten look of him. .. Jared quickly looked up, grunting at the pain, but his eyes never moved from gazing up at Lillith.. Her anger in full swing. Not the killing kind, fortunately. -c-

jared_sieler* Slowly, Jared raised himself to his feet, and he leaned against the bar, his gaze never failing from Lillith. And for the first time, he really saw her. The power radiating. The noise of the tavern filled his ears too now, and raucous laughter roared towards him as patrons turned to see the spectacle. They whistled to Lillith, and hissed at Jared. Laughter. Jared would've said something in return. Anything. But all he could do was shrug at her, while gently letting his hand cup his jaw...feeling it as tenderly as possible. His eyes spoke for him. A look of deserving. And readiness to take whatever came next.

[Jones]

lillith_luminatti: There was oddly enough little satisfaction in breaking Jareds jaw. What a load of crap. She stood there as he tumbled across the room, her chest rising and falling faster with heated breaths of anger. She indeed had every right to kill him. Thoughts of her Sprite, her sister, her blood ran through her head, soft smiles, crystal blue eyes, such the child and such a woman all at the same time. Sounds of Jared rising from the floor met her earsas her head lowered, as the anger within her began to grow, intensify. Her thick mane of quicksilver danced about her face, a face that had brought many a man to his knees before her, begging for but a moment of her attention. Those eyes of mercury were closed as in that moment, as Jareds mind, sight became clearer, hers became hazed. All she saw, much as he had moments ago was blood, the soft hurting whimpers of Aeron, and she was moving. Bearing down upon Jared, a hand out to grasp a table in her way and toss it aside like so much nothing. The scent of lilac poured through the room now, herboots hitting harshly upon the floor, as she neared Jared. Her guns were drawn now.

lillith_luminatti: Both Browning Hi-Powers clutched tightly in her strong grip, the safetys clicked off. Blazing hues of silver were locked on Jared upon the floor as she dropped to one knee before him, the barrels of her guns working to press tight beneath his chin, such hatred working across the near ethereal lovliness of her countenence.She was leaning in close, the heat of her Power pouring over him surely, her lips close to his ear as she whispered while shoving her guns under his chin roughly. " I have every right to simply blow your fuckin' brains all over this place right now Jared. I saw that bit of clarity in your eyes. But I want you to go back now. See the blood. See her face. Look in my fucking eyes and we'll see if you can simply just -shrug- at me again."

jared_sieler* How many times had he looked into those mercury pools, searching through the soft and platinum tendrils that would hide her face? How many times had he met them with stoic loyalty? When she had found him that day in the barn, broken into so many pieces; the moment she'd taken him into the tavern had been the day he swore his loyalty to them. To the Luminatti, and all who they considered friends. What right could he have had to give less? None. So he had devoted his life to the sisters and their friends. Helped in any way he could. Cared for them in any way they needed. Never approaching them like the whores so many people thought they were. He'd seen the truth of them, and he'd respected it. -c-

jared_sieler* Perhaps that was the reason he'd come here. There was no guilt. No blood-lust for a kill. At the moment of decision between life and death, he had chosen what he deemed had been the best choice . . for Aeron. For that lovely young lady he had watched grow into a woman who could take care of herself. -- Lillith's words burned into his ears as hotly as the pain did through his jaw. The gun felt cold against his chin. She didn't want him to shrug again? What the hell was he supposed to do? Did she expect him to talk? She should've thought that one out before she broke his jaw... -c-

jared_sieler* But he didn't attempt at saying that. Summoning his tolerence for the pain, he tried to think of what to say. Should he ask for forgiveness? Should he apologize? He'd only have a few words before the pain in his jaw would render him silent. He had to choose wisely here. -- Jared turned the silvery pools of his eyes into Lillith's gaze, staring at her. There was a rage of anger and sadness within them as they stared at her. Yet, no fear. No uncertainty. Just stubborness, like always. Foolish determination? Perhaps. .. Finally, the words came to him. A light sparked in his eyes, and he leaned a little more forward, making the gun press harder into his chin, and he whispered ... -c-

jared_sieler* "....Fuck....you."

lillith_luminatti: Staring at him as he struggled, gazing deep into his eyes, thinking surely he would crumble.But no, not this man. How long had Jared been in the lives of the Luminatti sisters? Eternity it seemed. Lillith found him irritaing beyond beleief, but had also grown to be quite fond of him. Odd relationship the two had. She always wantedto kill him, and always wanted to see him safe, especially from himself. And Lo, he was true to himself even with her guns shoved beneath his chin. Perhaps he was simply hoping she would carry out her threat, hoping his words would send her over the edge enough to pull the triggers. That was it wasn't it? He wanted the easy way out. Staring at him steadily as he grunted those pained words, she would be silent for many a long moment. -c-

lillith_luminatti: The crowd of the tavern ignoring them really, for such behavior was normal in these parts really. Slowly her guns would drop, shoved back within their holsters, and she would begin to laugh. Shakig her head, a gentle hand would be settled against Jareds jaw, sighing a bit. " Fuck me? Oh darlin'..I know you've wanted to for a long time, but this isn't the way to get me in bed.." once upon a time it took much for her to Heal. Much concentration followed by her usually passing out. No more. A soft sigh as she gazed into Jareds eyes, murmuring as she leaned in to press a gentle kiss upon his lips. " Never say I haven't done anything for you." -c-

lillith_luminatti: With that kiss came her Goddess. Came her other Power. A momentary glimpse ofthe silver bathed Mother within his mind, her gentle, loving smile, her arms opened wide.. he would know She would envelop him in Love if he but asked. A soft gente heat upon his jaw as his bones knitted together and Lillith was standing, turning away from him, her arms wrapped around herself. " Remember something Jared. Youmay be a part of this family, but you will -never- have the authority to make life and death decisions."

jared_sieler* With healing came pain. Bones didn't knit comfortably. Lillith's touched worked its way through him like thorns were being shoved to the bone. It stung like nothing else, and the grim look of his face would reveal as much. However, the healing was quick, and therefore the pain went away just as quickly.. As Lillith turned away, her gentle kiss stayed on his lips, and her eyes remained before him. Her words stayed in his ears. However, even though the Love was offered, he remained still, but the thanfulness he felt would shine through as the fires in his eyes, that had been so ready to meet death, burned away to nothing. Just silver. -c-

jared_sieler* "I'll remember." He finally grumbled, subconciously letting his hand rub at his jaw as though there was still some discomfort. Especially if it meant another year of going insane...and you jaw-breaking me out of it... he thought to himself, standing. His eyes stayed on her back. And weight he had carried for far too long fell away. He felt lighter than air. But he knew this wasn't the end of his accepting responsibility for actions. This was just the tip of the iceburg, so to speak. Lillith had not been the one he'd worried about. "How is Aeron?" His words broke the span of uncomfortable silence that had fallen over them.

lillith_luminatti: Tossing her head, slender digits would slide back through her silken hair of Christmas tinsel as she turned back to face Jared, indeed seemingly calm again. Yet Lillith had always been this way yes? Quick to anger, quick to back down, at least to those she cared about. Others simply died. Slipping past him, she settled herself in a stool at the bar again, her boot hooking the rung of the one next to her and pulling it out for him; an offering to sit. A nod she would give to the tender, silent asking for another whiskey. -c-

lillith_luminatti: " Aeron is fine Jared. As fine as she can be anyway.I haven't seen her for awhile, yet she is with her Fae I assume. She took one of my diamond earrings.. which means she'll be away for awhile.." Her drink set before her and she would reach for it, staring into the amber liquor as she mused. " And where have you been? drinking water I see. Good for you.. but you're still not right. What has been in that head of yours? Why? Was it us that tipped you over the edge?" Shifting her shimmering gaze to him she would purse lush lips, gauging him in silence now. Indeed, she had many questions, but really wasn't sure if he could even answer.

jared_sieler* The offered seat wouldn't be turned away. He took it, and sat back against the bar as well, facing her, glancing to the water with disdain. "Believe me. I'd rather be drinking anything else." But like so many other things of Aeron, there was her request, and his promise to keep. When Lillith asked about what his head was filled with, and where he'd been, he fell silent to think about it. Where have I been? The days and nights were blending together in his head. Blood still felt warm on his hands. The night of the storm... of his decision.. The changing world, the color, the life of everything he had thought dead, felt like yesterday. -c-

jared_sieler* "I don't remember much of anything after I did it," he answered truthfully. His face would look contemplative. His eyes, faraway as he thought. Gears turning as he struggled to remember. "It wasn't you, or your sisters who sent me over the edge. It was the deed, Lillith. It wasn't 'guilt' either.. I felt angry. I felt I'd done right, to keep her from that agony, but it.. set something off." There was still something wrong with him wasn't there? The sisters, and Aeron leaning against the wall had vanished. There really was a room now. Full of patrons. And it wasn't the Lumination. He felt more uncomfortable now than he had with the gun beneath his chin. -c-

jared_sieler* "I don't know." He sighed frustatedly, snatching up the water and downing the rest of the glass. Setting it violently back onto the counter top before he took a deep breath and began thinking again. "There's so many things to consider it seems hopeless to try and work it out. You know me.. I'd rather let most problems rest and let time wear them away rather than meet a problem head on, unless I've got a blade or gun in hand." He glanced to her now, the small grin that had appeared slipping away. "I couldn't do that with you. And I won't do it with Aeron. I'll meet her, like I did you.. There's not much else is there?"

lillith_luminatti: A rare grin would curl her lips, giving a slight nod to his last words, tossing back the remainder of her whiskey. The tender would return in hopes of refilling her glass and she would glare at the man, snorting as she shoved her empty glass away from her. " You serve swill here. Watered down crap. that how you make your money?" The continued glareshe offered the bartender would cause him to blanch, backing up a bit, blubbering about giving her the best he had on the house. Grunting she would shake her head, pulling herself up to sit straighter, arching her back to hear her spine pop. " Fill 'er up then.." Turning to look at Jared she would nod slightly, gazing about the room as she spoke. -c-

lillith_luminatti: " Yes.. I know all to well. Look..I know you felt you were doing the right thing for Aeron.." A pause she would take her shining eyes of mercury landing and taking in each patron of the tavern, trying to be.. civil as it were. " Ah hell I don't know. Just don't do anything like that again. It isn't your choice.. period. I wish I could tell you when she'll return, but I can't. You need to speak to her. Maybe clear yourself of any remaining ghosts that might crop up. She'll probablt be pissy that I attacked you, or she might be pissy that I didn't kill you. One can never tell with that girl.."

jared_sieler* nodded, waving away the 'tender whenever he came by to ask if he would like something stronger. Jared didn't know if he could handle anything stronger even if he wanted to, it'd been so long. Another few minutes of silence would be taken before he made an attempt to reply to Lil. His thoughts were still jumbled up, and the insanity that had gripped him for so long was only just relinquishing its hold. It'd be a slow process.. One that he didn't know would be fully finished at all. His eyes traveled through the patrons, and his words slipped from his lips quietly. "I'll find her. I don't know what speaking to her will do exactly. I just know it has to be done." He stood, gazed at the door, still directing his words to Lillith. "Will the Lum take me back if I return alive?" Another small grin. Playful. Like old times.

lillith_luminatti: She would loft a brow at the man who had entered rather noisily, smirking as the door managed to slam back into his face. He even managed to act quite casual as he leaned against the wall, his nose turning all red, and surely begining to run. She would simply die if Okiheero wiped his nose on his sleeve. He looked like he needed a bath. Turning her head to Jared as he spoke, almondesque eyes would narrowslightly at his question, taking in his slight smile. Sighing softly she would nod. -c-

lillith_luminatti: " Of course. Once upon a time, long, long ago.. I told you the Lumination was your home. I meant it then, and I mean it now. But listen to me carefully Jared. You fuck up again.." she was leaning closer to him, a finger coming up to trace a long nail over his now healed jaw as a cold, calculating smile curled the perfection of her lips.." I will kill you. You have had many chances, and my patience doesn't run that deep."

jared_sieler* As the finger passed over his jaw and her words were taken in, he deftly leaned forward more and pressed his lips against hers. Firmly. Determinedly. Kissing her for a split second.. And then he raised himself up and chuckled gently, almost, seemingly, himself again. "Don't worry dear Lillith. I rarely dare to learn a lesson twice. Especially with such violent outcomes." He stepped halfway through the tavern door and turned back to look at her, still grinning, smacking his lips from the kiss. "And don't say I never thank you for anything!" Another chuckle, and he slipped out the door. --- But the trees were still angry. The earth still trembled. Quickly, the grin was wiped from his face, and the taint hunched his shoulders.