The Knife Edge

~VENIN~
*her fingers fly rapidly over the keyboard as she calls up file after file, reviewing and memorizing unnatural files, GUARD and RUNner...there was so much she didn't know anymore, so much to catch up on....face after face flash before her, the stats listed beside each...occasionally she stops one she doesn't recognize and goes through it, reading each word, each conflict memorizing all photos. She stares at each file until she has the minutest detail in memory....once in a while she gets up to rifle through the hard copies, looking for additional comments...*

~WARPOLE~
*Warpole tracks her down. It wasn't hard, knowing her M.O. If she wasn't working out her body, she was working out her mind, as always... or as she always used to do. As dedicated as he was, once upon a time, and it would seem that time had come back to haunt them. So strange to think she was here again, back at work, displaying that professionalism he'd always admired, even took some cues from. Easy enough to find her, while many thought, it seemed, that his cloned body meant he was less of a cyborg, they were grossly mistaken. He was as much as he ever was, the new perfect limbs had been removed and mechanical ones added, like the last time. A little more of him remained intact (Well, it wasn't /little/), but he'd gained vast improvements over his last body... the cybernetics in this one were cutting edge, ahead of their time. He had more abilities now than ever... and he used them to the same old effect. He's not sure she can hear him approach, he no longer carried a scent at all unless if was aftershave, which could mark him as a perfume bottle and little else... his steps were incredibly silent and his weight much less than before with the lighter, stronger metals and other gearing of which he was composed. Harder to find him, harder to hear him coming... even his heat signature was masked. State of the art. So when he leans against the doorjamb, he wraps his knuckles against the wooden framing, gently, just to alert her he was there. Dressed in full uniform -facemask, body suit, pole at his side- he looked about ready to go out on a field hunt. But that wasn't the case*

*She turns slightly as she hears the slight rap, she hadn't heard his approach....but she was so engrossed as she was in the files she might not have heard him anyhow..* that time already? *she glances up at the clock, she hadn't realized how much time had gone by, but she had known this was coming, had almost hoped it wouldn't but knew it was inevitable..after all she had invited it.....she leans back and stretches, the vertebrae in her back popping quietly...she stands, straightening the uniform she had earlier put on...she knew herself, knew she would have gotten caught up and lost track of time so she had been put it on hours ago..it actually felt strange, she felt almost naked with out her usual boots and jeans..strange that was the one part of her runner life that she kept, that and her preference in hand guns* Figured they would probably send you

*Warpole nods and sighs softly* They almost always send me for this crap. M'just a male escort, I guess. *he smiles under the mask, which may or may not be noticeable, then he straightens and gestures with a jerk of his head* Shall we? M'sure yer just /dying/ to meet him

*Her only reaction to his joke is a slight raising of her eyebrow as she looks at him* Might as well get this over with *...this walk like another a short time ago will be so similar..her words an echo of those she once spoke when yet another cyhunter escort had come for her...she pushes in the chair where she had recently sat...and turns towards you...* lead on

*He raises both brows under his mask as he blinks at her a moment. Wow. Cold* Yeah, might as well. *When she's close enough, he spins on his heel and steps out into the hallway. Where'd her humor gone, anyway. He'd expected a smile, at least, for his little jest, even a mercy smile. Inwardly alone, he sighs. Things had changed. Well, didn't time do that? Yeah, seemed so. Neat. He stands next to her, not before her or behind her, but directly shoulder-to-shoulder, leading her that way. Out of protocol, his pole is charged and ready for use, his own cybernetics are up and ready to be employed, which he doubts he'll need. Not with Yvette, anyway, tho he's had to use force before in these situations. He's quiet now, acting his role, simply escorting her without comment of his own and certainly no attempts at joking around. Shortly, they hit the beginning of the shield. It starts at the beginning of one particular hall... just a brush against the skin, really, impossible to know if one felt it. Then it become obvious, the further in they go... heavy... heavier... until its stifling, oppressive, a leaden weight. It makes even thought difficult, distracting. And worse... inherent unnatural powers will also be cut off. Heightened senses mean nothing. Venin blasts and poisons mean nothing. Pain transferred to energy means nothing. Powerless, as all unnaturals will be, and still those shields press on the mind, huge and hovering. Pole glances at her from the corner of his eye, checking to see how she handles it*

*She doesn't catch a reaction from him but primarily because she wasn't really expecting one or looking for it...She knew the way, they all did..most, actually all preferred to avoid it...but then she knew the escort wasn't really to show her the way, Pole was there to ensure that she didn't chicken out....a visit with the Highlord was daunting, none wanted, few willingly...she was one of the few, not that this trip was exactly willing, but neccessary..their footsteps dully echo in a matched cadence as they make the silent journey...her breath catches as she feels the shields fall heavier and heavier upon her...her heart rate increases..this was too much like the cell, the shielding, the oppression of powers...for a brief moment she misses a step falling out of cadence..then she forces herself on, once more matching Pole step for step...but now each step is an effort, each instinct every nerve telling her to turn and run, yet she fights it...her struggle visible in the faint sheen of sweat on her forehead...She wants to turn, leave this...wants to once more feel the powers in her body, too long she had been without them and to be denied them so soon was almost painful...but this was necessary, it was either this or let someone once more enter her mind...and of the two this was easiest*

*Pole himself doesn't feel nearly as much as an unnatural would... he was natural, simply cybernetically enhanced. A natural would feel little more than an oppresive -presence- either, the dampening on powers was for unnaturals alone, lucky them. Its also why the Highlord kept a bodyguard... he was still vulnerable to natural attacks and cybernetic ones, hence, a Cyhunters programming. The shields were actually connected to the Highlord, who was mindblind, being natural as well. They went where he went, were not stationary, always with him, forever now. Too much to cut away and they worked no matter where he went. All unnaturals would feel the way Venin did right now, though it was sharper for her in light of the cell being so recent. It wouldn't have helped, tho, even if that hadn't been the case. It always felt like this. Warpole watches her pull herself together, fight back panic and discomfort, steel herself, fall out of step and back into it. he doesn't pause, thinks that would be insulting. She was so /strong/ he thinks to himself. So damn proud too. Its no wonder, really, what he once saw in her. Hard-assed bitch? Yeah, but there was a reason, and he could respect that. And personally, he would never have seriously called her such a thing... no. Worthy of respect, fit her better. The hallway is long, winding, and it only gets worse and worse as they near the door. Finally, tho, they're there, before the door, and Warpole stands at attention, waiting for the Highlord to admit him, not knocking. A few moments of silent discomfort later and the door unlocks, a magnetic seal and several other kinds, and the door cracks open just a tad... a voice winds out, soft, faintly accented, eloquent* Enter, Yvette.

*Each step feels as if she is wading through concrete, each step progressively heavier as the shields push down like a heavy burden...several times it crosses her mind to just turn, turn and leave..but then she remembers the reason for being there, and that in itself steels her for the next step and helps her continue the journey that seems to have no end...then finally after an eternity of twist and turns they finally come to a door and stand....time seems to creep by as they await a response, an acknowledgement...she finds her fingers nervously drumming on her thigh and clenches her fists, she glances briefly from the corner of her eye at Pole, almost jealous that he doesn't feel the oppression...but then again she's also nervous, she has reason to be...after what seems to be hours the door opens and a voice beckons her in...she takes a breath, unclenches her fists and steps into that room she has never seen before, that room where her future may hang in the balance*

*Warpole hangs back, he wasn't invited in. He'll wait outside as he's been cued to do. Once Yvette fully enters, the door closes again, clicking shut behind her. The Highlord was a powerful looking man, impossible to pinpoint his age save to guess he appeared roughly 45 years old and easily full-blooded Japanese. His hair was still a thick and shining black, course but receding. Still, he held a dignified air and presented himself as well groomed with his mane pulled tightly back into a fetlock high on his head. He wasn't overly tall, but displayed a massive presence as if he filled the entire room. He was standing today, overlooking a very large, spanning bookshelf, almost absently, a figure was standing protectively behind the Highlord; tall and slender was the female, with long black hair falling in soft waves down her back, large brown eyes and cinnamon skin. Her features, too, held just the hint of Asian background making her both beautiful and exotic. Jayde, the highly competent personal bodyguard of the 'Lord himself. It was whispered nothing could harm her, certainly no natural and even unnaturals would find a terrible challenge in it. She, herself, was neither, but kept the secret of what, exactly, she was or from whence she hailed. Jayde wore little, outfitted in tight clothing; a black bolero jacket and black thigh-high boots boasting an impressive and chunky heel, and a jade-colored strapless, thonged bodysuit with fancy pipe-work cording throughout it in an elegant manner. The Highlord smiled and glanced over as Venin entered. The bodyguard just watched flatly, almost a piece of furniture she was so quiet and expressionless* Good afternoon, Ms. Christopher. Nice to have you back among us again.

*She misses the familiar prescence of Warpole beside her as soon as she steps into the room...she almost jumps as the door closes behind her..her gaze passes briefly around the room, noting everything, then she steels herself and steps forward into the center of the room..and stands at rigid attention...she is all business now, all training....after all, this WAS the Highlord..the one whose word could be a death warrant...and she was here to explain why she was openly defying an order, she who had until recently been the enemy....* Greetings sir, thank you sir, good to be back sir

*he notes her posture... perfect, years of conditioning shining through. He turns and offers his eyes to her, bright and black, but kindly enough for now... and smiles. Gesturing to a large leather chair before the desk, he looks at it briefly in invitation, then back to her* Sit, please, Ms. Christopher. *its not exactly a request just as its not exactly a command. He sits himself and glances over the book he's pulled off the shelf. A Japanese book, presumably as the writing on the outside is easily Asian in origin* You seem so uncomfortable, Ms. Christopher. *he glances up briefly* I know my effect on unnaturals. Would you care for more pleasantries or would you prefer we cut straight to the chase? *behind him Jayde has closed him, silent in the shadows, but a hovering presence*

*she stands there, here eyes locked on an invisible spot before her..her mind racing..uncertain on what she should say or do..that was why she had immersed herself so deeply in the files...somehow hoping that maybe something would come to her....she relaxes slightly as he gestures to the chair* Thank you sir *Her gaze wanders briefly to him then to the guard who shadows his every movement..she quickly assesses Jayde, she had heard stories of her abilities, rumors of her skills...but what was she?....Yvettes gaze snaps back to the Highlord as he once more speaks* Sir, I prefer the straight run, please

You're welcome. *he leans back, still looking over his book, checking the condition of the pages, the cover and dustjacket, the binding... she sits and he holds his smile. He shows his teeth in a grin when she gives her answer and he breathes a laugh* Yes, I figured as much. Understand, Ms. Christopher, I usually don't give the option, but in light of your recent past cell experiences, I will allow it this once. *truth... normally, he allows a wallowing in the shields and stifled power. He refused to rush himself and moved at his own pace, despite the discomfort in his visitors. He glances up from his book shortly, not about to rush entirely for her, but he cuts out some of the niceities for her sake* Why don't you tell /me/ the problem, Ms. Christopher.

*this entire situation is enough to make her uneasy, the shields just make her that much more on edge* Understood sir, thank you sir *The oppression of the shields is getting to her, she feels it like a heavy load, and fights the need to bow down under it* Sir? *she catches herself nervously biting her lip* Sir, your recent order regarding the memory banks. *she glances briefly over at Jayde then back to the Highlord...refusing would get her put on Jaydes hitlist..or worse..she takes a mental breath then rushes out with what she will have to say eventually* I can't do it sir

Can't do it or /won't/ do it, Ms. Christopher? *again he glances at her from over his book, then back down at the cover again, flicking off some imaginary piece of dust from the corner. He even breaks the book open and skims a passage in it. A small frown and he pulls the top desk drawer open, withdraws a pair of smart gold spectacles, and places them on. They match him very well, add even more an air of charm and civility to his demeanor* Because there's quite a big difference between the two. Your father /can't/. You, however... *he's totally unconcerned with what Jayde hears, seeming to forget she's there at all, which would be easy enough, she's unobtrusive, swathed in shadows, but her damn presence was horribly powerful... something like sibilant whispers from the dark places of the room niggle at the edges of Venin's mind (or is it her fears, her own conjectures, her own good sense?), that suggest things... things Jayde is capable of, things she might do to a victim. Kill? Hardly. Not for a long long time anyway. She played. Enjoyed games of pain and sex and exposure and humility. Dominatrix, some might ignorantly call her. She was far, far worse, and broke mind, spirit, not just body. And no way to escape her, comes the warning... no power enough to stop her, you would be helpless... it seems to leak over, spill like little snakes slithering over the desk and across the floor, into Venin's hair, over her shoulders. Creeping... cold. Jayde herself makes no move, doesn't blink, just watches, unmoving*

Both...sir...*the words coming out as a heavy breath... well she'd done it..blatantly refused an order that came from the Highlord himself, but that was only the first step....where it goes from here she has no idea, she is no longer in control of her fate, everything hangs on his word....her gaze never wanders from him, yet she remains constantly award of Jayde...and ominous being of unknown origin...somehow Jaydes presence seems to outweigh even the oppressiveness of the shields...doubt and worry eat at the edge of her mind..was she doing the right thing? was it worth it? ... was this really the better alternate? was Jayde the better choice to face?...out there, outside the shields she would have answered yes, but now...now that she was here, facing them, now she doubted the rationality of her decision*

Both. *he says this in some kind of surprise, both brows raising over his pitch black eyes, those dark orbs fixed again on her for a moment, peering from over the gold wire rims. He hangs his gaze on her a moment, then smiles and looks back down, skimming through his book, lingering a moment on some word or phrase before he speaks quietly, a tiny little voice to spill into the silent, lavish and elegant large chamber* Both. Well, then, Ms. Christopher, we seem to have a small problem, don't we? *he again lets his eyes glaze over the words held in the book, absorbing them quickly, an unusually fast rate, and slips a bookmark between the pages -his last bookmark had fallen out and he'd just reclaimed his place- then he sets the books down slowly, not looking at Yvette again until the book is safely down and to the side. he rests one hand on it yet as he turns towards the young woman on the chair* Do you understand the nature of the problem we face? *Jayde's eyes have narrowed slightly now, in lieu of a smile. She liked the answer. Yes, it seems to say, do it, let me play with you... other than that, nothing changes*

Yes sir, both sir....I can't do it sir *She watches him, watches his reaction...she sounds like a bloody idiot..why can't she say anything more?..originally she had thought to say more but now, now she sounds like a mindless drone...was it the shields? or perhaps Jayde*..yes sir, we do...I'm sorry sir *her gaze seems to lock upon the book, the book which he focuses so much attention on, seems so intrigued by, she too vaguely wonders what it is* Yes sir, I do *Somehow, almost against her will her gaze slides from the book to the woman in the shadows..she feels a lump building in her throat, one she is unable to swallow*

*The Highlord keeps his smile and folds his hands under his chin, striking a casual, but interested, pose, leaving his book to the side, untouched, for now. Again, he takes time to watch her, study her, his gaze unnerving, but in light of the demoness behind him, it probably paled. Venin seemed quite distracted by Jayde. She must have been warned. How interesting* Not to insult you, Ms. Christopher, but how would you classify your loyalties to the GUARD? Strong? Mediocre? Weak? *Jayde just stands in the background, like a dark statue with glowing, piercing eyes, which have hooked themselves into the flesh of Venin's face... almost tugging at her physically. Willing her to do this, encouraging her. She hasn't had a strong pet in so long... and this woman seemed strong indeed. Certainly she was lovely enough, even if she wasn't the most eloquent speaker. That was fine. Jayde didn't need her to /speak/... just scream*

*She pulls her gaze from Jayde forcing it back to the Highlord...he was the one she was facing, not Jayde..he was the one who held her future in balance.....or was he?..somehow she feels there is more to this unique pairing than what they have all been led to believe...who was really in charge?* No insult sir. *Her gaze meet his firmly* I am GUARD sir, I betrayed them and for that I will always pay....Their code is mine, their ideals, their goals...these are all mine, and these I shall remain firmly loyal too.... *there she said something, it wasn't exactly what she wanted, but it was something...and the entire time she could feel something almost pulling her, willing her to once more look at Jayde...but she couldn't not now, she had to remain focused on the Highlord, had to read his reaction, for the barest second she lets her gaze slip from the Highlord then she forces it back down, trying to lock on him, attempting to ignore the presence behind him*

*The Highlord listens to Yvette quietly, offering no reaction. Of course, he knows this, but had he not, he would have reacted the same anyway. He leans back in his large leather chair when she's finished with her monologue and regards her calmly a moment, removing his spectacles finally, and nods once* Yes, and I believe you. The problem is, however, unaddressed as yet. It isn't the fact you won't take a memory bank /per se/, Ms. Christopher, its what I've read in your reports. You freely admit to having a telepath tamper with your loyalties, change those codes and precepts, and its certainly to your credit that you possess such a strong self will that you broke his hold. /If/ you broke his hold. You are well aware, as are we, that this too could be a facade. And should he change his game plans, or not, and you decide again to... leave us.... well, then. Ms. Christopher. You take with you all we have accomplished here. You undo us all. Already you know enough to be detrimental to us should you leave tomorrow. Granted, that wouldn't go unnoticed, but as a devoted GUARDian, knowing our codes and precepts, our beliefs and such, one would think you'd readily agree to a memory bank, which would protect /us/. For the better of the GUARD. And what is the saying... the good of many outweighs the good of the one? You are /one/, Ms. Christopher, and we are many. I understand you hesitation, but the bank does not /touch/ your mind in any way. *And it could help keep you alive should you change alliances again, he doesn't say, but its implied even as Jayde watches, some kind of arcane, eldritch beckoning in her eyes now, seeking to actively turn Venin's gaze to her own. Demonic summonings perhaps, or just a macabre desire on Venin's part to look at the demon again... who seemed just a human, save for that presence she exuded... like ghost screams in Yvette's ears... like whimpers and sobs in the night, in unholy places, like claws and rending flesh.... from far, far away... cries from the shadows...*

Sir, I realize all this *she licks her lips nervously and shakes her head* However I cannot, will not let someone else tamper with my head, sir...*she meets his gaze once more* I don't want to endanger those I know here *she can feel the pull/desire to look once more at Jayde...that is the true danger here...she flinches slightly as screams seem to echo in her ears, her gaze briefly roaming around the room to locate the source of the cries, even though she knows she won't find them....This time she does let gaze her wander to Jayde..her words seeming almost mechanical as they roll off her tongue* If something does happen and I once more turn against GUARD then send Jayde after me...

*The Highlord doesn't alter expression. He simply and calmly blinks once at Venin. In a very soft tone, he murmurs to her, a tiny slip of faintly accented velvet sound winding into the still, vast chamber* ...You may wish to reconsider that before finalizing it, Ms Christopher. *Finally, a movement from Jayde... her eyes narrow and brighten in delight, and on her lips, the faintest shadow of a very pleased, very sick, very sadistic smile. Oh yes, and her pleasure strokes the room, somehow, demonic approval, some kind of ability inherent in Jayde though she can't cast magic, so it isn't /that/... transmutes that stroke to Venin, unseen, a caress against her thigh, sliding from knee upward, heated, each finger can be felt, each claw... though Jayde herself never moves other than to offer that single, hideous smile*

*her gaze remains fixed on Jayde, glued with apparent fascination upon the smile...a smile which sends involuntary shivers up her spine, shivers she tries to suppress.....he can hear the Highlords voice wending its way to her ears yet still it is as if in the background to the rest, yet she forces herself to answer..he is the one she came to see, the one she came to deal with..She forcefully tears her eyes from Jayde and refocuses upon the Highlord* Yes sir, I have thought...*she literally jumps in the chair as she feels the caress upon her thigh, her gaze instantly swinging downward to find the culprit...but she finds nothing...color slightly tinges her features as she composes herself and once more looks at the Highlord*..I have thought about it sir..*..she can still feel the ghost running slowly up her thigh, almost sensual..except for the occasional prick of claws as they seem to catch lightly in her flesh..its a struggle to show no reaction*..and I can't do it...*she glances briefly back at Jayde, a faint fire in the back of her eyes...she knows/senses that this Jaydes doing..she doesn't know why, except maybe..she has just become a play thing*

*The air changes in the room... this is a Wyckyd's gift, having nothing to do with magic and all to do with the blood... no other Clan can claim this ability, its a tie to the threads of sorcery, unmagic... simply power inherent. Venin jumps, startled, resists showing any signs other than that... she doesn't move away, so the hand stays, moves inward towards heated parts. Jayde doesn't alter position, only those bright dark eyes fixed like some cosmic microscope on Venin, the riveted attention of a demon focused like a laser on the woman's face. They singe there, palpable, as real as any physical touch. If anything else exists to Jayde in this room, she doesn't show it. Even the Highlord has faded back, she only sees /Venin/. And something her piercing, crucifying eyes seems to actively seek Venin's gaze in return, calls to her... look... look at me... whispered in the shadows of Venin's hair, in her ears, against her cheek and neck like a warm breath, a puff of air. Jayde whets her own lips, tiniest flicker of a pink tongue... and this too transfers to Venin's throat, against the pulse that throbs there like a beacon. Hand and tongue and heat and wetness... and a huge, startling shift in perspective abruptly. Like a dream while awake, like a horrible jump into surreality, a crazy, sweep of a camera angle, Jayde reaches and touches Vanin's mind, or not so the mind, as she does the vision... Venin is human, after all, and Jayde... well, utterly inhuman despite her human half. The room tilts and twirls, an insane drug-induced high, a very bad trip, it swings and sways wildly, heaving beneath her feet, pushing her closer to Jayde, then further away... so very very far away Jayde and the Highlord are tiny pinpricks on the horizon, then forward again, so Venin is almost lip to lip with Jayde... indeed, in that second of disorientation, Jayde's tongue /does/ find Venin's lips, licks there once, deceptively soft... then the scene flies back outward again, away... so fast, all of it, that the body wouldn't even time to really respond. And all the while, Jayde doesn't blink, she doesn't move other than to flick her tongue twice, her arms folded over her chest, her eyes bright, bright and black... approval warm in the air, a heavy perfume, like sex and blood and incense, hanging in the room, layered there, the claw on the leg tightens and loosens, and Jayde seems very very pleased by Venin's choice. It resonates. Through all the shifts and churns, the atmosphere shimmers, unfolds, and opens into something else. Tiny glimpse of Jayde's /lust/... like a smothering blanket. Pain and suffering and the moans and the screams and the pleadings... it surrounds and encompasses... stifles... damp, laden with alien and horrible things. Can the Highlord see this? Doubtful, for certainly he'd react. All he does is watch, watch Venin, watch her reactions looking as if he's ready to speak at any moment*

*She shifts uncomfortably in the chair..trying to avoid that seeking hand, the pinching claws as she looks uncomfortably about at anything except Jayde...as if hoping that somehow by avoiding contact she avoids whatever it is thats affecting her...She can feel the heat of Jaydes eyes, boring into her, as if they could see through her, see her very thoughts...but not even a Psi could do that, and Jayde wasn't a Psi..was she?..what was Jayde, that she could do such things without moving, without apparent effort, was she one of them? ...or perhaps something else?..she can can hear the calls, the whispers like a breeze against her ear, then the dampness of a tongue in the hollow of her throat...one hand reaches up to brush the area then pulled back for examination...what was happening to her? even in the cells, when her own sanity was threatened, even then such as this never happened....she glances briefly a the Highlord to see if perhaps he notices such...then the world itself seems to rebel, to defy all known laws of physics as it twists and turns, condensing and expanding....fear tinged confusion covers Yvettes face as suddenly she is there, their body heat melding as one, then during that briefest of moments it happens and it is over...and she left wondering if the kiss she perceived was real....she continues to shift uncomfortable, her face drained of blood, her hands faintly shaking..as her world continues to alter in disorienting ways...she feels in the air the heavy musk of approval and lust, the pain and suffering seeming a counterpoint to the voice whispering in her ear, the screams a harmony*

Enough. *its a single, solitary word spoken in a man's voice, somewhere in the distance, somewhere beyond the stretching, carnival mirrors and reflections which try to pass themselves off as the Highlord's chamber office. One last, hard, FLING, like a gravitron ride gone bezerk, a physical slingshot effect, a slam to the chest, and its over even as the Highlord makes the tiniest gesture with a single finger. /Enough/. All of it, gone. The heat, the sounds, like hand... all but the dampness that might remain on Venin's lips. The room is just a room, Yvette sits where she sits, everything square and following the correct laws again. But Jayde's ultra-intense scrutiny, that remains. Once, she very very slowly blinks, a silky lower of lashes, so lazy, and they remain at half-mast, dark with sensuality, with desire. Then she is still. Bright pitch shielded by the smoky fringe... nothing more. The Highlord knows Jayde did something, he's seen her do things like this before, or more to the point, seen the effects of such things on others before. He himself doesn't know what happens. All he can gather is what he's read in reports and even then the victims are so shaken the reports are purposefully vague. Apparently, dreams accompany these things, lasting, tilting nightmares. Horrendous, Jayde in them, Jayde playing, teasing, touching. She isn't actually there, of course, that power isn't hers. But events like these tend to scar the psyche, and the subconscious tortures itself for weeks. The Highlord knows this by now. And again, he leans forward, temples his fingers under his chin, and speaks in a maddeningly calm voice* You may wish to reconsider. Why don't you sleep on it, Ms Christopher?

*..and for that one word she is grateful as the world forcefully reasserts itself with the recoil of a bungee cord..her breath slows as she once more regains control of her world, a world she knows....she focuses once more upon the Highlord, perhaps with the briefest nod of gratitude..any more would be to acknowledge what just happened, to confirm that it was Jaydes doing..and she wasn't ready for that...not yet, not while she still sought to recover...she can still feel the burning gaze of Jayde upon her, yet she refuses to look. to even acknowledge the one who can so easily alter her world....she looks at the Highlord as he makes his offer...no longer is she certain that this refusal is what she wants..perhaps dropping her shields once more is not a bad idea...it seems more appealing than facing the one called Jayde, at least for now...and uneasy glance passes for the briefest of seconds to the figure behind the Highlord then back to him as she nervously licks her lips...a gesture she would never have allowed herself to do before the incident* Uhmm, ..perhaps your right...*with her previous decisiveness so falls her pride...no longer is she certain which fate will be the worse*...uhmm sir.....*her words no longer as forceful or militaristic as they had been when she entered..she is shaken, uncertain what just happened...and considering what this one has been through, perhaps to shake her may be to topple her*

*The Highlord knows what has happened to Venin, how could he not? He knows before the vaunted Scratch knows. And he'd really prefer to keep Venin alive should things go poorly. But he sees she's /very/ shaken. Maybe too much so. Still, without allowing a telepath in to help, there's nothing can be done. He sighs softly, smiles gently, and leans back in his chair, relaxed and hiding his true concern beneath. He didn't want her to crumble... just bend a bit* Relax, Ms. Christopher. We are all friends here. *Jayde, on the other, /likes/ that Venin is shaken, likes the fact she's so easy to teeter, so easy to disconcert. Oh, it'd mean a quick breaking, not so much fun, but at least a little amusement. And oh she can do so much more... that was nothing. But Venin, it seemed, preferred her world solid and steady. How interesting. She was a lovely girl, that Yvette, with her shining pride dimmed now, her uncertainty, her confusion and fear... the Highlord flicks a glance at Jayde, the tiniest frown, unnoticeable save to the darkeling, on his brow. She sees it but pretends not to, not looking at him. An old code. /Leave her alone for now, she's not yours/. YET. Jayde always throws that in mentally. Not mine YET* Warpole is still outside waiting for you. I understand you two were once... friends. Perhaps you should speak to him, get your mind off things, get back to me in a few days with your final decision. Does that sound agreeable, Ms. Christopher?

*She struggles to regain at least some of the former composure she possessed when she first came in and manages to regains some of it* Uhmm yes sir, perhaps you are right *she is shaken, but she regains her composure relatively fast...years of training and survival have taught her at least how to appear stable, even when she wasn't... nothing had quite prepared her for what she encountered today...not training, not a life on the run, not even her forays to the tavern, as bizarre a place as that was, nothing prepared her for that...* Yes sir, I will sir *she stands, waiting for dismissal, her gaze never wavering form the Highlords face* that sounds fine sir, thank you for seeing me sir....*though now she truly wondered why she ever desired such an encounter*

*A soft smile yet and the Highlord stands shortly after Yvette does. His hands clasped behind his back, he nods to her in dismissal, glancing at the door in silent invitation to use it. After what Jayde did and the shields that must be driving her crazy, he'd like her to leave* You're welcome, Ms. Christopher. It /is/ good to have you back again. *Jayde is statuesque as ever, but her eyes follow Venin as she leaves... whispers in the darkness, small, short, but there, will follow the Hunter, just a reminder. The Highlord will speak to Jayde when Venin is gone, make sure his bodyguard fully understands his wishes in this matter. He won't have Yvette molested /unless/ she makes the wrong choice. Jayde will hardly listen, if at all. Yvette will find Warpole waiting for her, speaking quietly with an old black man in blue overalls, a mop in one hand, and carting a mop bucket around in the other hand. Bill the Techie. Yvette would know him, he's been on the payroll since GEMlabs opened in the 1940's. Bent and wise, white haired and rheumatic eyed, he was still greatly respected. It was jokingly rumored that Bill was really the first unnatural and his power was that he could not die, coupled with the ability to clean as no one has cleaned before. When Yvette exits, Bill will nod to her, flash that wide, blazing white smile which will set itself against almost blue skin, its so dark... and he'll tip his blue cap, say "goodday Miss Christopher" in his crackly, rough, sandpapery voice, and smile even as he enters the Highlord's chambers for its weekly cleaning. Bill had access to even the highest clearance floors. And Pole, well, Pole will look on her in extreme concern and guide her back down the hall, silent and dying of curiosity...*

*she silently nods and turns to exit the Highlords office, those sibilant whispers following her even as the door closes...her gaze instantly lands on Bill, and a weak smile plays on her lips as she vaguely passes pleasantries, then she nods at Pole and steps out into the hallway ahead of him, she wasn't going to allow herself to be blindfolded on the return trip, she doesn't know if she could handle it, not after that..the pressing weight of the shields were bad enough and even those she meant to escape as soon as possible..she wanted to return to normalcy or as normal her world got...she continues silently up the hallway, her pace quick, all but racing... a massive sigh of relief leaves her lips as they pass the final threshold..she feels her powers returning and tense muscles slightly relax...only now does she allow herself to stop..and she leans almost wearily against a wall her head draped down as her mind plays over everything, her body wanting to react once more to those odd sensations*