A Budding Friendship (Her getting to know Nalan)



Omeas continued to visit the castle, for though he was a great warrior and leader of the Iron Hand, he was a quite alone in his occupation. He even crossed swords with Sir Owen (whom, though he was the king of Tirell, he was always first and foremost a knight of honour) in a spar at Tears' behest. Owen bested him and Omeas told him he was honoured to meet one whom could hold their own against him. But then again, Owen was not born into his title as most sovereign, he earned it. They shook hands and were instantly peers. Another bit of time passed before Nalan appeared in her castle. This was quite a curious development but she welcomed him, curtsied, then readied herself for battle nonetheless. He laughed and said he did not come to battle but to apologize for his earlier actions. He explained to her that he had been under the influence of his creator and was forced to do as he was commanded which was to destroy Tears and that really, it had not been meant as a personal affront. She took the news at face value and accepted his apology, then invited him to the run of the castle, for she was a forgiving creature and an even more gracious hostess. Nalan called then to him Ireland_Raine whom appeared at his behest. She was very polite and quite apparently...in love with Nalan. Tears found it quaint, the notion of love, for she had already discovered to her dismay that true love was most likely a myth. Even the most enamoured of her thrall of royal suitors could not attain to her expectations. It was as also that Owen did time and time again reiterate his undying love for her, but she (in her heart) would never accept it again as fully as she had at first, for he had already betrayed her. And it did not help that Daughter_of_Crimson did mysteriously vanish soon after that first turning of his.... Returning out of her silent reverie, Tears went even so far as to introduce this new aspect of Nalan to her Knight Valiant and her Personal Guard. They both raised their brows at her, but did not question. She explained to them the situation and even though they accepted the answer, they continued to question her judgement in telepathic communication. It was then that she discovered she was bored and wondered if Nalan would wish to spar her Personal Guard (Ryuu Ken) whom was even now beginning his training with Owen, but who was cultivating his powers. They both agreed and the battle was on. After the initial blasts of ki were exchanged, the party was moved then to the courtyard for Nalan had flown out of the castle and everyone was quite interested to see what would be done next. After several evasive maneuvers and some phasing, Ryuu finally decided he would take a stand. Building his energy from his reserves he began to gather his power about him in an aura of energy. Nalan decided then to turn the tables on his attempt and began to force power into Ryuu's aura. He changed the afinity of power to become black with his own and began to charge it with his own miasma of energy...effectively force feeding it to Ryuu. As he caused the aura to spike inwards and surround him with the cutting edges of several hundred points of sharpness, he directed them to begin ripping at Ryuu's flesh, layer by terrible layer. Tears was hard pressed to watch her Personal Guard take such punishment, and lent him her own power to fend off the gruesome attack. Ryuu was trapped within his own aura and Tears, having no more stregnth, fainted. It was then that Nalan stopped and went then to Tears' side as did Owen and they managed to revive her after giving her some blood, but it was definitive as to whom had won the fight. Later that night Nalan did invite tears to his study, Ireland was present. It was odd really, for it seemed that they were in the middle of a lover's tiff and Tears felt out of sorts being present. Nalan even shown signs of being suicidal for he felt he was not worthy of Ireland's love. She begged to differ and reiterated that she saved him from his fate, from his master because of her love for him, not because she had to. He told her that he felt he could never repay her for the freedom she had afforded him and almost took his life that night. Tears fled from them, for she could not bear to see such love be thrown away....And so, it was to Tears' great surprise when she saw Nalan the very next day. He came directly to her castle to speak to her of personal matters. Tears lent an understanding ear, for she could sympathize with Nalan's plight and she offered advice as best she could. It was at that time that they agreed they were very good friends indeed and that a close friendship then began to bud between them.