After the Fall (For Rissa).

[Leonid]

Natacha smiled. It was a wry gesture, barely a twitch on the side of her mouth, but the effects on the rest of the face were noticeable. The wrinkles around her lips and eyes softened, her features lost of their usual harshness and look more distended, giving her face a rounder, more pleasant look. For the first time since the girl had seen her, one could notice that she was actually younger than she usually looked. Even her eyes had an amused look, which gave way to a hint of tenderness.

That's generous of you, but as you can see- she said, gesturing with his head towards the lines of tins and jars containing salted meat and some kind of berries and dried plants- I make a decent job of getting my own food. No, food doesn't worry me.

Little girls who I've barely know for a couple of minutes and yet, they feel they have something to hide from me... well, that's another matter.

Despite the change of tone, Natacha simply remained where she was, leaning against the wall. She didn't move, try to reach Jade or went for the gun at her side. She didn't even look threatening, even though her expression looked serious again, and the tone of her voice had lowered a bit.

If the fact that you steal for a living was all there was to your story, there would be no problem. It's something common enough these days. I've had my share of wannabe thiefs, who had turned back to where they came from here with a very sore red bottom as a present.

Noticing the bewildered look on the girl, Natacha chuckled. What did you think I meant with "sorry as they've ever been"?. I'm a soldier, not a monster. I only kill to defend myself or to protect others. I might not look like it, but that's part of the idea. Look like you're a killer, and people will be less likely to want to find out if you're actually one. That's what they taught me at the army.

But anyways. When I asked about you, you doubted. Not that you were uncomfortable, or that you lied. You doubted. That means, there's something you think I should not know. And while you spoke, you thought about what you were saying. Maybe you haven't lied, but you haven't told me all the truth, and that is something that makes me wonder. Are you sure there isn't something you want to share with me, girl?

[Rissa]

Jade smiled slightly when Natacha chuckled, but her smile faded when she was figured out for hiding something. She looked away, sighing sadly. She didn't know if this woman would disown her once she found out what Jade was hiding, so she frowned. It wasn't a pleasant memory to think of the day her father cursed her with this ... demon... T'was the same day her mother was brutally murdered before her and she was helpless to do anything.

"...I'm n-not sure you'd ... u-understand..." Jade muttered, tears forming in her eyes that she quickly wiped from her face. "B-but you a-already know I-I'm hiding s-something...T-there's no p-point in keeping it s-secret, because y-you'd find out eventually, but..."

Jade's eyes teared up again. "...M-my father cursed me..." She said hesitantly. "T-the same day he m-murdered my m-mother..."

Jade sniffled and hung onto her own shoulder, needing comfort. She knew the woman probably wouldn't hug her, so she hugged her arms around her shivering, trembling body. Jade was only trembling because she was crying, but was cold because of the substance. Jade's eyes flickered from their usual crystal blue color to red suddenly, then back to blue. She panicked and clutched at her head. "N-no! Not now!" She cried as the curse took over.

Jade's curse had a condition, though. If she could find someone who truly loved her like her mother did, then it would be broken. But in Jade's mind, that could never happen. Suddenly a dark chuckle emerged from Jade as she lifted her gaze to Natacha. "So you're the one who saved her. Pity, what a pity. I kind-of wanted to see her die." A voice which was clearly not Jade's spoke. "Luckily with one more trip to the village, my job will be done and her curse will never be broken. Then maybe I'll take over YOU

{{Don't worry, the curse won't take over Natacha. I wouldn't do that. The demon's curse will either be broken, or Jade learns to control it. But I'll never make the curse take over your character.

That's why it's called YOUR character. xD

I'm not 'sposed to mess with it. <3}}

[Leonid]

Out of impulse, as soon as she saw the strange change that had operated in the girl, Ntacha had reached under her jacket for her gun- a standard-issue Colt M1911, and almost before she was done yelling in panic, she had the gun trailed on Jade. It was unlikely that the frail, timid-looking child was any threat to her, but she hadn't lived this long on taking chances.

All the while Jade twitched in the ground and finally lifted her eyes up and spoke, with the gun's barrel on her head at every second, Natacha's mind had been working at the top of her speed, assessing the situation. Her first impression, of course, had been that the girl was dellusional. She was a pragmatic short of person- the only type you could be in the army- and "curses" or anything of the sor simply didn't have a place in her mind.

Of course, there could be a perfectly rational explanation to all of this. Jade might be mimicking the voice trying to confuse or disorient her, or maybe she was just plain old nuts.

But that didn't explain the eyes. That was no trick. There was no physical way she could have done that of her own will. But even more importantly, something in her gut told her this actually was no farce. And gut was as importat to a warrior as brains. It often told him of things he wouldn't have pieced out by mere thought. Things that usually saved his life. And now his gut was sending signals that something foul was going on. Fouler than merely a crazy girl playing tricks on her.

So, what now? She could kick the girl out. Posessed or not, she was a child and Natacha was a trained soldier. She could pin her down no problem. But then, something clicked inside her. Sure, if she was so sure she cpould handle her, then why not...

Natacha holstered her guin again and smiled a wry, unsettling smile. I think not. I think that, if you were in control and really wanted her killed, you would have had succeded by now. I think you're just a sidekick tagging along, seeing what she sees and feeling what she feels. That she has you under control, most of the time, and that you'll never be strong enough to take over her, much less me. I've had people way worse than you trying to get me under control, and you don't even begin to compare to them. Feh. What are you going to do to me? Send a naked 9-year old to try and get me? Ooooooh, so scary. Go play demon houses, or something. Jade might think you a big scary demon. To me, you're only a brat that needs to get some proper sense of position spankid into him. So, be a good boy now and go play while us grown-ups have a talk, willya? Jade's not going anywhere.

[Rissa]

Jade's eyes flickered a brighter crimson. Obviously the demon was angry now. A dark chuckle emerged from Jade's mouth. "Obviously you don't know the condition behind the curse. That means I can come back whenever I want. And you won't expect it when I do."

Jade was fighting for control over the demon and finally got it. "S-stop it! I won't let you do t-that!" Jade muttered something under her breath, before looking up at Natacha. Seeing the gun, she backed up a bit, tears in her eyes. "S-sorry..." She mumbled


{{Teeheehee! I love Natacha's response! She's so awesome. You make me wish she was real and I could meet her. Such a good writer, you are. x3

Oh gosh, I just sounded like Yoda. xD}}

[Leonid]

No problem. With those words, Natacha slid the gun back in her holster, with a loud clicking sound that made Jade jump like a startled animal, and which also served to help ease Natacha's own thoughts.

In truth, she felt way less sure of herself than she was allowing herself to show. It was unlikely, as she had said, that Jade could have done much to her. Posessed or not, the difference in strength and experience tipped all odds in her favour, and that without even counting the guns. But still...

Having been a soldier a good part of her life, Natacha could not help being practical- it was the only thinf you could be in this line of work. She had little to no time to ponder about demons, ghosts, simple insanity or whatever there was inside the girl's head. Tactics, movement, evaluation of weaknesses, that she could understand. Demons, real or otherwise, she could not. Which meant she was up against something she didn't know, and that she had no notion of.

Her reaction had been thoroughly inbred instinct- to show no fear, to turn it into rage or agression, or to use the magnification of the senses that came with it to gather information. But deep down, she felt wary and uneasy. Something was wrong with the girl, obviously. This could turn her into an enemy, eventually. One she didn't know about, as she knew virtually nothing of her. That was never a good thing. And besides, she couldn't make heads or tails of this whole "demon" issue, and that was something she didn' like one bit either.

More than ample excuse to throw her out, now.

Natacha eyed the girl. She was a pitiful thing, half starved, dirty and miserable. Tears hung in her eyes and felt in tiny droplets as she trembled, cold and scared. On one side of her, the degenerates who knew only one thing to do with a woman, something that the girl couldn't even fathom. Even if she was plain crazy and all those mumbo-jumbo she splurted was a reflection of her wish to die, Natacha knew she coudln't even begin to imagine the horror that would await her at her hands.

On the other side, the village she'd just left. The man with the knives, smouldering with rage at how she'd made a fool of him, more than willing to take her revenge on the girl for stealing, and then some because he didn't have the balls to come and settle things with her.

She couldn't honestly tell which of the two felt worse.

Which left her somewhat bereft of options in dealing with her. Either she kept this crazy little kid, and had to be on her toes for her reactions every moment, or she left her to something worse than death.

God damn. What now?

Wait a second. Hadn't the girl mentioned something about a "condition" behind this mess. This obviosuly had something to do with what was going on. It was worth a shot learning about it.

While you were... well, all crazy out there, you mentioned something about your...- much as she'd seen what she'd seen, she was still pretty reluctant to ever admit to something such as "curses"- well, your course or whatever it is. You said it had a "condition". What were you talking about? And don't even think being on coy on me, missy. I don't know what's gotten into you, and that is never a good sign. I won't throw you out, and God knows even I myself don't know why, but if we are having something like a convivence here, you will need to cooperate.

[Rissa]

Jade looked puzzled for a moment, stuck on the word 'convivence'. She was confused as to why this woman even cared -- or wanted to do something about helping her. It was probably something for self protection. Jade hesitated, before sighing and frowning. "It really doesn't matter..." She said sadly, sliding to the floor. "There's no-one who could love me like she did..."

Jade looked at Natacha. The woman obviously didn't like her, and there was slim chance, if any that she'd ever LOVE her like a daughter. "But... If you have to know... It's a condition where ... If someone cared about me like my mother did, the curse would be lifted..." Jade looked away, pulling her knees to her chest. "That can't happen, though... Who could love a freak like me.." Jade muttered, crying at the memories of her mother. She buried her face in her own arms, trembling both with fear and sadness. She didn't know how this woman would react, or if she would even believe what Jade was saying. It seemed to Jade, that most people would rather not believe her. It was easier for them...

{{Sorry this took so long. Been really sick since December. Catching up on all the roleplays I can. And this was the first. ;3}}

[Leonid]

[(OoC): Sorry I've been desappeared as of late. As it was, I've been in hospital until yesterday, recovering from a pretty unpleasant infection. I'm back at home, but still feeling like royal c.r.a.p, so it'll be some more days before I post. Please bear with me until then)

[Rissa]

Originally Posted by Leonid

[(OoC): Sorry I've been desappeared as of late. As it was, I've been in hospital until yesterday, recovering from a pretty unpleasant infection. I'm back at home, but still feeling like royal c.r.a.p, so it'll be some more days before I post. Please bear with me until then)

Oh my.. Well feel better! I'll be patient. (: