27 - Do you hear the snow against the window-panes?

[notdreaming]

[ Spam ]

[ Through the first two days of port Kara was fine. She could be found all over the tower, especially in those places where battles were likely to be had. She destroys guardsmen's swords, crushes giant spiders in the servant's quarters, even kills snakes in the menagerie.

There was a stretch of many hours when Kara was lost in the guest quarters, distracted by pretty boys and girls, drained of what energy she has left. For a long time she simply sat, staring happily at the pseudohumans who bustled so busily about.

It was the third day when she realized she was getting tired. The way that time moved here confused her, and she couldn't keep track of her power levels like she could have anywhere else. Still she sought out people who needed her help, and searched for the bearded man who must have had something terrible planned. The broken stair was a long chore, and she wasn't sure anymore how many times she'd crossed it. She kept finding herself back in the basement and lower levels of the tower, where monsters roam.

It was the imps in the library that finally forced her to find a quiet corner to rest. She was able to frighten them off, but it took more effort than she liked. She clutched at her side as she scanned the shelves for a clear route to the exit. She wasn't healing as quickly as she should have been. ]

Comments

Library - but I can change it if something else works better?

[mercurialize]

[At first, Kylar had considered grabbing some books to take back with him after he first stumbled into the library. He made certain to stay invisible and kept to the shadows. But then the ghosts caught his eye. He knew better than to believe whatever this place put in front of him and yet it looked like-

The thought was scattered when he saw Kara in the corner. Why wasn't she moving? In no time at all he was next to her, his face visible and covered with worries.]

Kara? Shit. Are you all right? What happened?

nonesense

[notdreaming]

Kyle?

[ She blinked at him, startled to realize she had completely zoned out. ]

I'm fine, I'm just... tired. [ Which is not fine as Kryptonians go. ]

[mercurialize]

You're never tired.

[When was the last time she was tired? Oh right. She had died. Definitely not good.]

Come on, let's get you out of here. Can you walk?

[notdreaming]

[ She gets tired sometimes, when she wants to... she just doesn't advertise it. She pulls herself away from the wall and stands up straight, ignoring the sharp pain this causes in what she doesn't realize is a broken rib. ]

I'm alright, really. I'm just recharging a little slower than usual.

[mercurialize]

[He frowns as she stands. This doesn't look good at all.]

How? There's barely any sunlight here.

[notdreaming]

Sheer force of will?

[ She takes a few steps forward and winces, pressing her hand against the hurting side. ]

I just need time to heal.

[mercurialize]

You aren't going to have time. That's what this place does. You need to keep moving. If we just-

[It's only after the wince that he stops pushing.]

You're hurt. What happened?

[notdreaming]

Lots happened. It'll be fixed up in a minute. Nothing to worry about.

[ Except, you know, for fracture induced internal bleeding. ]

[mercurialize]

Bull shit. When did it happen?

[If it was fixed in a minute, it'd be fixed.]

[notdreaming]

Just a minute ago. Did you see the imps running away? Bit off more than they could chew.

[ She grins, hoping to make him stop worrying already. ]

[mercurialize]

[No. Nuh uh. Still worried.]

Do you need me to carry you?

[notdreaming]

Don't be silly, I told you I can walk. So let's walk.

[ Now she's the one pushing him, though mostly with the arm opposite her broken rib. ]

Broken Stair

[threetoned]

My my, you're not looking well.

[The man perched on the upper landing is speaking Kryptonian, and not even looking winded by the climb. He's dressed like one, too, and casting two shadows instead of one.]

[notdreaming]

[ She looks up to glare at the man, one word on her mind - imposter. ]

Why do you speak my language?

[threetoned]

Call it a gift of tongues.

[He smirks, for a moment gives the impression of a preening bird.]

I've seen many worlds. Especially ones that have met sticky ends.

[notdreaming]

[ Well that just makers her MORE suspicious. ]

I speak English as well as a native. That explains 'how', not 'why'.

[threetoned]

I thought you might prefer it. Apparently, my politeness was wasted.

[notdreaming]

I don't trust people who try too hard.

[threetoned]

My dear, I am hardly trying.

[notdreaming]

So what do you want?

[ She is too tired for this crap. ]

[threetoned]

Ah, that's the great puzzle, isn't it?

Just now, I would say... knowledge. You're a long way from home. All of you are. Why is that?

[notdreaming]

Because we can't find our way out of your awful tower.

[threetoned]

No, no, no. Your ship. Why are you on your ship?

Let's say Menagerie, second day-ish?

[myironeyes]

[Once released from the study, he is a channel; the place flows through him, like flash-flooding in a low alley. He is the hands of fortress, the face of whatever aspect of it he passes over. The Curator is elsewhere, but he is here, too. Marsh is him. And she is interfering.

There is a statue that looks like him, almost, clocked and tattooed, steel spikes protruding from stone sockets. She dispatches another snake, and he is on her, whip-fast, all snarl and shadow, teeth in a mad grin, axe whistling toward her leg.]

[notdreaming]

[ She spins when he attacks her, startled by an enemy she could neither see nor hear approaching. She has enough strength yet to raise her foot and send it crashing down on the fast-moving axe. She thinks she probably could have let it hit her without any pain, but she doesn't trust the magic of this place or the lack of sunlight causing her to tire. ]

Marsh? What are you doing?