Molly St Clair

Death had been an intriguing experience for the acolyte of curses. It wasn’t something she wanted to repeat any time soon, but it had been very intriguing. Her head had been so full of thoughts that at first she didn’t notice respawning at all. Simply lost in the experience of death Itself. Going over and over that moment of transition. When she had been between realms.

Her contemplation was interrupted by a scrabble of bodies. Out of the blur appeared Malachi, a cold look on his face and almost feverish eyes. He looked down at Warner who was still out and slung the man over his shoulder. It took less effort than one would expect. The sword acolyte speed walked away with the slumbering man. Several of Molly’s team called out to the Sixty’s leader, asking why he was taking Warner.

The only reply was, “I need to talk to him.”

Everything was still muddled so she followed after with the rest of her team. Lost children trailing after a burst of activity. Confusion more than wonder on their minds The door slammed shut and they were stuck waiting outside. They milled about, but didn’t speak to each other. All five of them were more interested in their own thoughts. Only Elena and Zachariah showed any interaction. The spearman quietly held a comforting hand on his shield partner’s shoulder.

Molly was happy to return to her own considerations. This seemed more important than any drama between Warner and Malachi. There was a state of energy between life and death that had made a strong impression on her. Dreamily, she got the notion that she could tap into that or even replicate the energy. It felt oddly understandable. Yet, a nagging question wouldn’t allow the acolyte of curses to concentrate.

The worry pecked at her to extrapolate the concern. It was a flashing question in her mind. Why had Malachi taken Warner? For what reason would it be better to do so alone over discussing it with all of them? She could understand the sword acolyte's concern and maybe even anger. The man had become very determined that no one else would die, but Molly knew this to be a folly thought. People were going to die. A lot. This place was designed to test them mortally. Which made the sentiment all the more ridiculous since their leader had okayed the trip. There was no way for her to defend against an accusation that they pushed too far, but that didn’t explain this one-on-one meeting. Leadership couldn’t be the issue as she was on the Council too.

A terrible thought slivered up from the darkness of her mind. Something terrible to believe and uncomfortable. A nasty truth that she found hard to accept. Fiercely rebuked the possibility. Molly tossed the wicked thought aside, but it wouldn’t falter. She found herself running over how Warner had been acting. Reviewing and bleakly seeing the odd behaviors. Distant and maybe flighty as the party had departed the Hall. Her head shook as she thought like a mantra, He wouldn’t lie to me. Yet the memory of him giving her assurances of Malachi’s approval kept being played over and over in her head. Each time her certainty wavered and the faith took one more extra second of convincing.

The door opened. Malachi walked out and through them in an instant. He didn’t give them an ounce of attention. Molly wanted to question him, but the stiffness of the jaw made her hesitate. A sign of raw anger she had never seen in their leader. Yes, self-loathing, bitter, and indignant on their behalf. Never fuming. Her pause was enough for the man to swiftly depart. His interrogation would have to wait.

Turning back to the room, the acolyte of curses saw everyone slipping in to check in on Warner. With the brawler, there was a chance to get some answers, but she was reluctant to ask anything. The shadow of risk felt too high. That dark thought prowled back into the front of her mind. Insistent that it knew the truth. Molly ignored the suspicion and calmly joined her party. Claiming a cloak of faith to ward away the fear that roiled her stomach.

He’s a lout, but I can trust his sense of honor, she confirmed to herself. Warner wouldn’t lie to me.

By necessity, the party stood in an arc around the bed due to the thin space between it and the wall. Molly as the last one was only a few steps beyond the door. The background position suited her just fine. What did bother her was Warner’s somber face. She had expected at least a grin and his usual bluster. A little false modesty and “welp, that sucked.” Especially if Malachi had been stern. The big man would want his team to see him laughing it off. Instead, the brawler was pale and thoughtfully perched atop the bed.

A frown appeared on Molly’s face as she considered the atmosphere of the room. Quiet was not normal for this group, as Warner was a loud person. When he was around even among a group of shy people there was chatter. The man brewed conversation or filled the air himself. No one spoke. Worry squirmed as she looked upon the scene.

Fleeing that baleful suspicion, the acolyte of curses asked mildly, “Did Malachi verbally spake you? Or did losing make you think for once? Careful smoke doesn’t escape from your head. It hasn’t had too much use before.”

He looked up at her, eyes filled with emotions. Openness was terrifying. Molly felt her mouth go dry. She had hoped that a snide comment would raise the man to his normal bombastic self, but the brawler barely reacted. Something worse than Malachi’s ire dampened Warner. A cold flush washed across her skin. To herself, she thought, Did dying hit deeper than expected? Of everyone, I calculated him to be the most unconcerned by the experience.

“Anything Malachi said, I had comin’” replied Warner with a lopsided grin. The sort of smile that tried to be assuring, but could only do the opposite. “Just had it made perfectly clear to me, I ain’t been thinkin’ right. My intentions got off the track. Selfish shit…”

Looks were shared as confusion ran rampant among them. Perplexed, Zachariah asked, “What ya talking about man? Off the track… we bit off more than we could chew sure, but why are you acting like you did wrong by us?”

Molly screamed inside for Warner not to say anything, but he did.

“I lied to you all.”

The words seemed to reverberate through her. Breaking. Molly took a deep breath and couldn’t find the air. Or her lungs wouldn’t. She hadn’t realized how much of her new life was built upon a simple truth. An expected truth. That Warner had could be trusted. Trusted.

Her feelings for the man were a tangled misery, yet there at least had been a comfort from his bravado. Even respect for the charm shown and the confidence spread. It all came crashing down. Denial, disappointment, anguish, anger, and finally hatred as bitterness spilled over to protect the wounds.

Over the questions and exclamation, Warner explained. Moving steadily, but as if he couldn’t risk pausing before it was all out. “I never spoke to Malachi about going into the Tunnels, much less fighting those giant rats. It was all my idea because I wanted to show him up. Let my pride get me into trouble. I didn’t like not being in charge of everything… that ya’ll automatically assumed I had to have his approval to go out was cherry on top. So I lied. Figured we’d kick some ass and look good enough Malachi would just go along with it. I tried to use you to get me back on the top. Honestly didn’t think we’d lose, but that ain’t a good excuse. Nor even a bad one… Doesn’t forgive nothin’. I messed up and did ya wrong. I’m sorry… so sorry”

His apology silenced the room. Shock appeared to seal lips. Warner searched faces hoping for absolution, but expecting nothing. It appeared an honest plea for forgiveness to Molly. She didn’t care. He looked at her perhaps more hopeful than others. Eye to eye, they held each other’s gaze for a second. On the heel, she turned and left the room.

Molly didn’t let the tears free until she was safely in her room.

Conor Murphy

The thickness of the silence deepened as Molly left without a word. It was a pungent statement. The healer had no idea how to react to seeing the acolyte of curses dismiss the chance for reconciliation. For he was quite certain that’s what her leaving meant. There wouldn’t be forgiveness. Not anytime soon.

This forced Conor to reflect on the meaning of Warner’s lie. In truth, he had been ready to forgive his leader. The brawler had offered an apology and true remorse. Was his trust shaken? Of course, but he couldn’t imagine working with another team. The healer made the effort to waffle on the decision and really consider the issue. In the end, he was ready to forgive.

Unsure what to say, but sure of his stance, Conor enthusiastically broke the silence. “I don’t know about the rest, but I’m sticking with you. This is a one time thing, yeah?”

Warner had been staring at the door, but at those words, turned with a soft smile. “Just a lapse in judgment… One I promise never to repeat. To y'all's betterment will I hold to now. I won’t let ya down again.”

“Then, we’re good in my book,” smiled Conor. “Not like we didn’t learn something with our fight and it was only one life lost. How about the rest of you?”

Jorgenson was the next to speak, “Damn, I ain’t gonna stay mad at you either, Papapoulos. Do it again I’ll smack you around. Shock you some for good measure too. I ain’t that sweet on ya. No more fucking lies!”

“Absolutely, I swear I won’t give ya any reason to toss me about,” answered Warner, his grin becoming brighter as it reflected the cheer shown by the storm acolyte.

The two frontliner looked at each other, having a conversation without words. They nodded and Elena said, “You were the first person in my life who saw how big I am and told me that made me useful. A whole life of being told to be more womanly… That meant a lot to me, more than I can express… I’m watching you. I’m going to stick around, but I’m watching you. Earn back my trust! Please…”

Zachariah shrugged, “Can’t say I’m happy, but where Elena goes or stays… that’s where you’ll find me.”

Conor was thrilled. The party wasn’t completely whole, but they were patched together. There would be time to mend, opportunity in their renewed unity. Everything would be fine. Warner would strive to be what they needed. It was in the man’s eyes. With a little patience, things would return to normal. Except there was a hole in their team still. He didn’t look at the door, but the healer thought of Molly.

It’ll be hard to replace her, admitted Conor. There was no way to downplay her importance to the team. She had often been the voice of reason when their blood had been hot. Harder still when word gets out as to why Molly left… Looking at his friends, the healer decided it would be hard, but they would get through this. Somehow.

Malachi Armstrong

In the training room, he sat on the bench with relief. His body aching sweetly from exertion. While the sweat was still warm there was just an appealing vibrance coming from his body into his mind. Unfortunately, the leader of SIxty’s mind couldn’t enjoy that in peace. He had thrown himself into matches against a practice shade to escape thoughts that now once again circled like a vulture. The simulation had been set to reflect the Pale One, but Malachi still wasn’t exhausted enough for clear thoughts. The concern just wouldn’t fade.

“What do I do about you, Warner…” groaned the bearded man. “Was I too harsh? Was I too light handed? Ugh…”

“Sounds like someone is overthinking things again,” said Julia from above. Malachi looked up to see her leaning over the railing around the control panel on the upper tier.

“It is a flaw of mine,” admitted Malachi with a frown. “Normally why I avoided being in leadership positions. Worried I’m too controlling or my decisions could have been better…”

Julia rolled her eyes and sighed, “At least you think out your choices. Most of them anyways. A lot of people here leap long before they think.”

“I’m glad you have such a high opinion of me,” smiled Malachi. “Honestly, poor impulse control is the root of my current issues. Both on the part of me and Warner. He got people killed striking at me and I let my anger spur me to act.”

The shield maiden looked down seriously, her tone piercing. “Do you regret anything you said?”

Thinking it over with such a simple filter, Malachi found the answer easy to say. “Not so much. Perhaps, I would just like to have been in better control of myself. I slapped him. Hard.”

“Damn, I’m jealous,” complained Julia. “He pissed me off earlier and I wanted to slap some sense into him… But I was like no, Malachi would keep his head. Now you went and did just that… Unfair!”

“Heh, next time Warner steps out of line, I give you permission to swing,” placated Malachi. “Though, no witnesses. I at least had the decorum to smack and yell at him in a room alone. Thank god our rooms have thick walls.”

“Yes, thick walls are good for all kinds of shouting,” leered Julia. Her eyes sparkled.

Malachi tried not to think anything inappropriate as he asked, “Are you trying to distract me?”

“Perhaps,” teased Julia. “You came here, presumably, to get your mind off Warner instead of returning to our table. The tea got cold, so I came looking for you. Luckily, you are somewhat predictable.”

“Ah fuck, dammit,” cursed Malachi. “I’m sorry, Julia. Lost myself after talking to Warner. I had to channel that rage out so I could think clearly.”

“Seemed to work, maybe I’ll forgive you then,” winked Julia. “Didn’t chase away the concerns though, huh?”

“Concerns, I’ll never be free of them,” stated the bearded man. “When I took on the mantle of leadership, they became my burden.”

“So, what you’re saying is that you still need a distraction?” grinned Julia.

Before he could respond, she dipped forward and fell. Malachi moved to catch her, but it was a wasted effort. The shieldmaiden caught herself in a handstand on the bench. Then using the momentum of the fall, she flipped forward to land facing away from the sword acolyte. It was a beautiful maneuver that made it hard for him not to admire her figure.

Julia looked over her shoulder with a grin and a blush. “I used to be a gymnast until my curves came, but Mana really makes that easy again. Did… did you like it?” Despite his flush, she seemed suddenly shy from showing off.

“Loved it, a gorgeous distraction,” praised Malachi. Blushing himself, he added, “You’ll have to show me what other moves you remember.”

She laughed and covered her face. As it echoed off, Julia revealed one warm eye and asked, “Would you like to see them now?”

He was genuinely stunned for a moment. A dry mouth made it very hard to be articulate. “I would… very much… like to say yes…”

“But?” asked Julia sadly.

Sighing, the leader of the Sixty, “But, I need to get this straight in my head first… would you help me with that… talk through it with me?”

“Of course!” nodded Julia. In a whisper, he barely heard, “I want you to be paying attention to me anyway. No distractions, but me.” The shield maiden moved over to him and laid down upon the bench. Her head made a pillow of his lap. Making sure he remembered the other offer, but also to add intimacy to their conversation. “So, what’s bothering you? Let’s get to the heart of it!”

“Both your concern and impatience are noted,” laughed Malachi and Julia blushed at the comment. Smiling and blushing himself, he went on. “Right, so I slapped him. Then yelled at him. Accused him of utter idiocy and being led by selfish pride. Basically… aggressively told him I was disappointed in him. That I had expected better. He didn’t deny anything and seemed bothered I didn’t lay any punishment on him. Nothing except being honest. Told Warner he had to tell the Sixty about his failure and lack of approval. Like I said before, I don’t regret what I said, just the manner.”

“Sounds like you said what had to be said,” said Julia. “What can’t you get past?”

“I worry that maybe I made him more of an enemy,” explained Malachi. “Warner is a prideful man and I told him that I would shine a light on his failure. Yet at the same time, I didn’t punish him. So did I just poke the bear and then not show it my strength? Should I be watching my back?”

Julia reached up a hand and cupped the cheek. A comforting smile as she said, “You’re letting fear run away with your wits. Why are pretty men so often dumb too? You are also being unkind to Warner. He’s a pain in the ass, but a good person. I think his concern for his people will temper that pride of his. Remember, that dick seeks to lead because he cares about everyone.”

“Hmm, I suppose that is true,” grimaced Malachi. “Being the leader sometimes makes me expect the worst. What about punishment? Should there be something? Is a slap on the wrist good enough to maintain the order?”

“What’s the purpose of a punishment?” asked Julia. “Is it just to inflict retribution? Or is the point to get someone to follow the rules? I believe in the latter and I think you did right. You made it clear his mistake would be public. That’ll have a big enough effect. Especially someone like Warner who is such a populist. You made the right choice, locking him away or taking his team away would just hurt us. You did well.”

“Yeah?”

“Of course,” grinned Julia. “Feeling better? All those nasty concerns captured?”

“Yes, everything squared away until the next crisis,” agreed Malachi. “Speaking of impending crises, let us take some time for ourselves before another falls on my head!” In one quick movement, he picked up the shieldmaiden in his arms and stood up.

“O’ ok!” blushed Julia. With a laugh, she pointed and said, “Full steam ahead!”

“As you wish,” promised Malachi.