68th Winter 510AV Sulavik had not gone out the day before, instead pacing and plotting in his little room, trying to think of exactly who the three "K&B&T" were. So far he had a long list of nothing. He had absolutely no idea, though he was sure Solat would. He had, however, thought it safer to stay indoors for the day, so that K&B&T might think he had stayed away like they had warned him to. However, if the threat was serious enough, they would know in three minutes flat that he had seen Solat this morning. He didn't care. He had to see him. He ran outside as soon as he knew Solat would be at work, forgetting his cloak. He ran straight down the flights of stairs, after locking his door, and ran right out of the Boarding House. A loud "PETCH!" echoed the Nitrozian Plaza, and Makil was seen running back up the flights of stairs to get his cloak. It was damn cold outside. Sulavik emerged wrapped in his black cloak and descended down the stairs, letter in hand and wrapped in a thick black cloak. Much more calm now. The tall blue man made his way as inconspicuously and calmly down the familiar alley leading to the shipyards. Luck had held, and only Solat was on guard duty. Whether Solat was the only person watching was another matter. Sulavik kept quiet as he walked over to the little room, though Solat perked up and waved happily, grin all over his face. "Sulavik!" he cried, and Sulavik calmly rose a finger to his lips. The serious look on his face made Solat's enthusiasm die out, and a quizzical look replaced the joy on his face. Sulavik sidled his way up to the open window in the guard house. "Hi," he murmured. Solat returned the greeting just as quietly. "Hi. What's wrong?" Instead of answering, he silently handed over the letter. He watched with furrowed brow as Solat's face grew more and more alarmed. Solat handed it back slowly, though he kept his hand gripped with Sul's after he had returned it. "Sulavik, what? When did you get this? Did you see who gave it to you?" The worry that graced his features made further concern well up inside Sulavik. Solat was sure to know who they were, and if he was concerned, then Sulavik would be terrified. Akalak or not, these were three people threatening to break his knee caps into thousands of shards of bone. "Two nights ago it was slipped under my door. I didn't see who gave it to me, but I know it was two men." Sulavik paused, and interlaced his fingers with Solat's. "Do you know who they are, Solat?" Solat looked up, straight into Sulavik's eyes. "They're Kelon, my boss, and his two lackeys, Brigil and Tiler. I am sorry, Sulavik. I didn't mean to get you involved in this." For a moment, pure rage welled up inside of Makil. He let out a roar of anger, of hatred, and slapped Solat hard across the face. A red mark immediately appeared on Solat's cheek, and a bruise would follow in a couple of days. "YOU PETCHING CERULEST!" roared Makil. "How DARE you get me involved in your shady work! I'm here to work, SOLAT, not to play games with an impotent poofter human!" Makil pulled out his Lakan with a cry, unaware of the sheer look of terror on Solat's face at this point, and would have stabbed downwards into Solat's face if it were not for an interruption -- NO! And suddenly, a panting Sulavik was back in control, Lakan hanging limply from his wrist, and shrunken away from Solat. "I am so, sorry Solat. Makil, my second soul, took control. He is a soul of anger and rage. I am sorry." Sulavik looked up, bracing himself to see an angry Solat readied to desert him, yet all he saw was a Solat with reddened cheek and a questioning look on his face. "Second soul?" Sulavik sighed in relief, thankful he still had him. "Yes. The curse of the Akalaks. Ever torn between two souls, two parts of ourselves - the balanced and the unbalanced. Makil is my unbalanced." Sulavik, you helioc. That man has endangered your life, your work, your MISSION! Do you not want to see him dead? No, Makil. I may be descending down the path of evil to kill my uncle and my father, and I may even be okay, even pleased, with that. But I will not kill Solat. "I understand," murmured Solat, touching his cheek ruefully. "And for the record, I forgive you." Sulavik opened his arms wide, and was gratified when Solat embraced him wholeheartedly. Their first hug. He rested a cheek against Solat's head, and was slightly disappointed when Solat pulled away after a few moments. "Go. Kelon is on duty today. We do not want him to catch you." Sulavik nodded and made to turn away. Looking back once over his shoulder, he waved at Solat. And prayed fervently to any which Gods were listening that "K&B&T" did not find him. |