In the forest a little ways beyond a village of perfectly ordinary people, there's a two story dilapidated house. It looks as if it might fall apart in a fairly strong breeze or hail storm, but it still stands. It's the old house of a mechanic known as Creeves. He died a few years ago and lately people from the village seem to think it's being haunted, since strange things have been happening to anyone who goes too close. Not very many people know that the late mechanic's apprentice, Deltira, still lives there. Of those few that do, most think she's utterly insane or eccentric. Who knows, maybe she is?

---

Though the day was filled with a chill in the air, a rather young looking man was walking through the woods down a path & had been walking all day with no sight of a place to rest. That is until he stumbled upon this home, he glanced at it yet shook his head happy to finally see something he could try to rest in & as he slowly walked up the steps he jumped back upon stepping on a triger that had activated something. He instantly pulled his sword & stood at the ready should he need to defend himself, he was ready even though he was utterly tired.

Something that looked like a blue-green bolt of energy jumped out of the stair just above the trigger. It was followed by two identical bolts from next to the doorway and from the window above. All three bolts aimed at the trigger spot and following through to where the young man had been standing.

Necious Jumped back again falling on him butt, he gasped then growled low in his throat & then yelled out," What the hell was that, all i want is some place to freaking rest & then i almost get killed for it. Did i do something so piss someone off, have i really deserved this damn crazy attack?" He growled again then pounded his fist into the ground & then crossed his arms over his knees as he sat there. 

After a few moments of complete silence a rather annoyed looking small woman opened the door and glared out through her goggles at the man sitting in her pathway. She grimaced the scar on her face stretching in a painful looking way. "What do you want? Can't you see I'm busy? I don't need visitor's bothering my experiments." She stamped hard on the trigger step and all three of the machines that threw bolts pulled back into their hiding places tamely. She turned and went back to the door, then threw a look over her shoulder at the young man and said "Well? Aren't you coming in?" Before vanishing inside.

Necious sighed standing up then following her inside, he was rather tall & his white hair cut to look different than most. His black jeans where baggy on him, but his trench coat covered his dark blue shirt & his tattoos as well as various scars. His eyes where pure black, yet held mystery in them. He glanced around the house as he walked in, but did not touch anything & did not care to not wanting to set another trap off.

One of the rooms just off the entrance hall started billowing a green fog into the hall followed closely by the smell of sweet roses and fress manure. Deltira practically fell out of the room coughing and gagging. She leaned against the wall opposite and shook her fist angrily at the door, shouting, "Darn you! You stupid, coffee pot! You may have it in for me, but I swear to you that I will one day have you either making me a good mug of coffee, or you'll be part of a machine to do the lowest dirtiest chore I can think of!"

Necious perked a brow at her & then said with a sarcastic tone," You call that coffee, that stuff stinks & if you want coffee then point me to a bowl as well as some coffee bags or coffea grains." He looked at her again, then waited for her to point him in the direction he wanted to go & that was in truth the kitchen. He laughed a little at her expression & then ran his hand through his own hair, his fair features showing with fang glinting in his grin.

Deltira quirked an eyebrow back at him and stated, "You're not from around here. Too smart to be one of the hooligan kids that annoy me at my work. So who are you then?" She said and then pointed toward the room that had the strange fog and smell coming out of it. "My kitchen."

Necious smiled then pulled out a thin yet strong string & attached down to it was a black feather, he walked towards the kitchen swinging the string making the fog along with the smell disappear. He then said lightly," My name is Necious, where do you keep your bowls & what about your name?" He stood in the kitchen going through the cabinets & searching for what he needed, then once he found it he began to make some coffee.

Deltira followed him and looked around at her kitchen as he started working. "Nice trick that." She said about the string and feather, then, "Deltira Amriel, mechanic, engineer, and doohicky fix-it extrordinaire." The kitchen was a disgusting mess, as was most of the commonly used portions of the house. The sink was filled with dirty dishes, half finished machines as well as finished ones cluttered the two tables and counters. Half eaten food was found in strange places where Del had last left it after working on one of her "projects" and abandoning it there when she finished, or something new came up. "I don't suppose you can cook actual food too?" She asked.

Necious looked at her then handed her a cup of nice hot coffee, then said lightly," Yes i can, but first thing is first i'm going to do you a big favor & you will thank me for this." He waved his hand & then kitchen was clean, yet organized. He then looked to her & said quietly," That was simple enough, i could help you do that to this whole house, but the rest of it my hand." He then smiled at her & walked around her kitchen & began to search for things to cook, her worked quickly yet swiftly making food for them both.

Deltira looked wide-eyed at the room that no longer looked a thing like her kitchen. She wanted to complain, she really did, but she couldn't find a good reason to do so. "Be careful of the blender," She said sourly, "And that thing that looks like a rather thick plate there," She pointed, "It'll warm food up in a flash... literally." She had made that so all her food would cook instantly, though she'd never gotten around the blinding flash factor.

Necious laughed then said lightly," calm down i'm not touching anything but a knife, the stove here & the fridge nothing more. I do things by hand i don't use gadgets, so calm down ok & take a few deep breaths." He smiled at his cooking & then finished cooking , then handed her a normal plate filled with a nice hot fresh meal.

Deltira sniffed suspiciously at the meal. "Doesn't smell like it's poisoned." She glanced at him through her goggles again, then lifted them onto her head and glanced at him again showing the odd fact that she had one brown eye and one a pale sea green. "Ok, what's the deal?" She asked pointedly.

Necious laughed then said lightly," Nothing i only need a place to stay for the night & i needed some food in my system, after tonight i will leave if you wish. I have been walking all day & here is something you should know about me, i only try to harm those who try to harm me. So those traps before i could tell they where meant for anyone not just me, that means that they are there to keep intruders out & in a way i respect that i would do the same to my home if i had one." He sat down on a chair & began to eat his food, he didn't leave a single crumb on his plate either.

Deltira's eyes narrowed as she thought about this, then she shrugged and started eating. "Oh, getting hit by the lazers wouldn't really have hurt you anyway. You'd just end up with a blue nose and covered in warts. Not pleasant, but it makes a good warning." Del grinned at him and her own fangs glinted in the kitchen light.

Necious grinned as he said with a light smile," those things would have never touched me, i would have reflected them off my sword & besides had i not been tired i might have reacted different." He grinned at her & then winked gently, then after finishing his food he washed his plate before putting it away.

"Well maybe the lazers might have missed you, but that was the only trap I've set on my entrance. I'm surprized you didn't set off the other trap on that step, the one that shoots glue under your boots." Deltira said. She finished the rest of her food in short order and decided that for once she'd actually wash a plate herself.

Necious laughed as he watched her, he fell silent for a moment then said simply," Do you mean the third step that had the trap on it?" He waited for her to answer, his eyes never leaving her & his interest set on her she was a strange one yet he didn't mind it. 

"Was it the third step? I could be wrong. Maybe it was the first, or maybe the fourth. Or wait, I might not have set that one up yet, is my super fast drying glue still in the refrigerator?" Deltira made her way over to where it was and bent over to peer into the drawers at the bottom of that object.

Necious shrugged then said with a tiredness in his voice," I'm not sure, but where am i to sleep at tonight & if you don't mind might i go lay down now? " He lay his head on his arms & almost fell asleep there, he truly was tired. It could be seen on his face & in his eyes he was harmless right now, even if he wouldn't have been tired he had to reason to hurt anyone today.

Deltira straightened up and gave him an odd look, before sighing. "I'm not used to people, I guess I should apologize." She looked at him again, "But I won't Just follow." She closed the refrigerator door, and headed out of the kitchen. Before she moved more than three paces down the hall she turned back. "Might be a smart idea to walk only where you see me place my feet. Can't say for certain I haven't booby trapped the halls." She turned again and made her way to one of her guest bedrooms. It was clean and plain, and had almost nothing in it but a bed and a lamp on a table. As well as a wardrobe against the wall opposite the bed.

Necious nodded then followed her foot steps, though sleepily she followed them & once he sat the bed he walked t it then lay down ignoring his clothing just kicking off his boots. He lay his head back & then slowly started to fall asleep, his eyes closing instantly. Yet as he lay there he looked at peace, he almost looked innocently at ease when asleep & as quiet as ever letting his breathing take on it's own pace.

Deltira stared at him for a few moments longer, just then realizing how tired he must have been. And spoke as if to herself. "Well, I suppose I shall have to find something less noisy than tinkering to do tonight. Wouldn't want to accidentally wake you with one of my explosions." She pulled something out of one of the pockets on her belt and layed it on the headboard of the bed. It was a tiny little pill shaped object, a motion sensor. She wanted to make sure to be ready when he woke up, so he wouldn't have to make his way back through her horror house without help. Of course, she wouldn't tell him she bothered.

Necious was sound asleep in the bed, he was laying on his stomach now all curled up against the soft beding & was compleetly at ease. He stayed asleep untill late that night, when he finaly woke he turned over then streached out on the bed & slowly sat uo then glanced around the room. He didn't get up though, but instead sat there for a while trying to wake himself alittle more & slowly making progress.

Not much after he'd woken up there was a knocking on the door, and Deltira called through it. "There's a bathroom behind the dresser, don't ask me why I put it there. Nothing dangerous in there, although the facilities have been tinkered with. I actually labeled everything though. I used to live in this room when my master never let me do anything without labeling."

Necious looked to the door then said lightly," You may come in if you wish, i'm fully dressed & then again i don't remember ever getting undressed before i fell asleep." He sat there then glanced around the room again, he rubbed his eyes a few times & then streached yet again.

Deltira opened the door and tromped in and dropped a set of somewhat tattered but clean clothes on the bed. They would have been much too large for Deltira but perhaps a little small for Necious. "If you want a bath or shower you can borrow these until I get yours washed. I've got something that can wash clothes, but mending I'm afraid is out of the question." It was obvious from the stapled rips and patches on her own clothing why.

Necious looked at the clothes then said with a smile," Thank you for the offer, but i have a set of clean clothing in my bag & those that you offered seam alittle small for me yet thank you though for the offer." He pulled his trench coat off & his black muscle shirt could be seen, his arms where built with a few tattoos here or there yet each had meaning behind them. A few scars ran stray over his arms & a single tattoo stood out the most on his left arm, it was his crest. The tattoo was that of a pair of wings with a sword in the middle & barbed wire was wrapped aroung the seord, then slowly creeping up each wing.

Deltira smiled at the tattoos and scars and shook her head. "Shouldn't you be waiting until I leave the room first?" She pointed out, not taking a step in that direction.

Necious smiled then said simply," Trust me when i say this, you won't see a thing & all you might see are my boxers nothing more nothing less." He smiled standing then took off his shirt, his back had scars on it as well & his chest was rippled with muscles yet had a few scars on it to. He stepped towards the bathroom, then walked in & reached his hand out with his boxers & pants in hand then dropped them to the ground. He back had a tattoo of a pair of black feathered wings on it, they ran the full length of his back & made him look diffirent in his own way. On his chest just over his heart was a single red rose tattoo, it seamed strange in it's own way & yet gave him a more gentle appearance.

Deltira laughed at his confident announcement and watched appreciatively before collecting his clothes when the door was closed. "Take your time, I should be back before you're finished and I can take you safely back to the kitchen."

Necious had gone into the bathroom & taken his shower, when he was done he walked out in his boxers. He stood there for a moment & then stretched out some, then slowly slipped into his new clean pants. He left his shirt off for the moment, but had it over his right shoulder & kept it with him. He put his boots on & laced them up, then waited for her to show the way seeing that she had been standing there.

Deltira had returned about half-way during the shower and now she nodded and led the way carefully to the kitchen. She took a different and slightly less direct route this time, pointing out some of her odd experiments to her guest in very scientific language, that most people wouldn't have recognized and taken for mindless babble. Finally they arrived at the kitchen again. "Breakfast if you want it, I'd suggest you cook again. I'm used to ruining food more than preparing it."

Necious laughed & placed his shirt over the back of a chair, then began to cook breakfast. He made eggs with toast, baccon grits & even cut up some fruit. He once done set two plates out on the table & got two glasses of juice then handed her one & sat dow in his seat. He glanced at her still smiling & then looked back to his food as he ate, his free hand tapping on the table to a rather quick beat.

Deltira ate, but her expression was a little distracted as she had suddenly come up with another invention that she wanted to try. Finally she pulled a pencil out of her odd metal hair-clip and a small notebook out of her shoulder armor, and started writing things down.

Necious watched her just studying her every move, he was still intrigued by her in every way & wanted to understand her better. He sat back for a while before standing & washing his plate, then sitting back down to watch ehr a while longer.

Finally noticing her audience, Deltira looked up at Necious and asked slightly snappishly. "What?"

Necious gave ehr a cross look for snapping, then said in a low tone as he left the kitchen," Sorry for being intrested." He had disappeared back into his room & had gotten back safly, he had remembered where to step. He sighed streching out on the bed & glancing up at the celing, his shirt had been dropped at the foot of the bed.

Not much longer and a square of wood on the footboard (half covered by Necious's shirt) slid back to reveal a grey surface. Deltira's face appeared and she blnked in startlement. "What the...?" She said as half the screen was obscured by the shirt. "Necious?" She asked.

Necious glanced at it, then said in the same low tone," What do yuo want now?" He looked awya from it, his eyes closed & his face showing that he hade bene upset by her tone.

Deltira sighed and scratched behind one of her overlarge ears. "Listen, I'm not used to people, and when I get something in my head like one of my projects I get obsessed. It's the way I am. It's probably why my parents sent me away in the first place. I've been alone too long, and I... I apologize... I mean, for being rude that way." Deltira turned away from the screen. "I'll be around, it seems you know the way to and from the door, so you can leave any time your ready. What's in the kitchen and that room is welcome to you, and your cleaned clothes are on the table in the kitchen."

Necious sighed then said lightly," Don't be sorry, besides it's not the first time anyone has ever acted like that towards me & i guess i should be used to it by now. I have been alone for far too long too & just being here for the little time that i have had felt new yet strange to me, but i will be out of your way soon so that you can have your privacy again." He fell silent then lay down on his stomach & fiddled with somethnig he had in his hand, he turned it over several times in his hand just staring at it.

Deltira peered around the shirt at Necious as if she didn't quite beleive he was serious. "You're welcome to stay as long as you need to, or come back... although, I might have new traps up by the time you do. Then again I have a few people that have a 'key' to my traps and that always stays the same." She said and then was obviously putting some thought into what she had said.

Necious placed a figurine on the dresser, then stared at it from where he was & tilted his head to the side. It was a glass rose, He just lay there staring at it & stayed silent thinking of what she had said.

Finally Deltira sighed again. "I do apologize and I did not mean to hurt. I do not like hurting others, another reason I keep to myself. If you need anything, there's a small round object on your headboard. Just pick it up and shake it and I'll get back to you." At that the grey screen went blank and the wood slid back into place over his footboard although it caught a bit of the edge of his shirt.

Necious shook his head then said mentally to her," I mean it when i say don't be sorry, you have done nothing bute given me a place to say for the night & i thank you for that. Just ignore my stupidity & forgive me for anything i might have said or done to upset you in any way. " He then closed his eyes for a while & stretched out on the bed once more, his back facing up.

Deltira jumped from the sudden mental speech while she stood in her "control room". She was even less used to telepaths or whatever Necious was, than she was to ordinary people. Then again, anyone who managed to get into her house wasn't usually the ordinary sort. She shrugged, then wondered if she could hear her thoughts. Then she shrugged again, likely it didn't matter.

Necious walked from the room & then headed out with the glass rose in his hand, he searched for Deltira then placed the rose before her. He leaned forward then kissed the top of ehr head & walked out the front door, then stood in the yard out front as eh began to exercise for the day. His stuff including his shirt was left in his room save for his weapons, he had them with him ready to pratic alittle more & then began swift movements with his sword. It was almost like a dance he was compleetly concentraited on it & kept moving as if the movements where more of a dance then they looked, yet it wes only simple movements of the body with the weapon to get quicker yet better at it.

Deltira stood stunned in place for a moment, staring at the rose in front of her. She wondered what that had been about. Then she shook her head clear of those dumb thoughts. Having a guest made things really odd for her, but she could get used to it. She walked out in search of Necious, wondering where he had gone, but stopped by her own room, to set the glass rose carefully over her fireplace and on the mantle. She ended up spotting Necious outside from a window, and watched him for a moment carefully. She had to admit that he was in quite good shape. 

Necious did all sorts & styles of flips, with his weapons in hand. By the end of it, he had stopped & stood there then slipped down to one knee. He was holding his left knee alittle & breathing heavily from an old injury flaring up. No one had ever known about it, he didn't want anyone who was against him to know it was his weakness & his main cause for fleaing fights once in a while. He hadn't noticed that Deltira had been watching & sighed as he tried to stand, but fell back on his but sitting there for a while leaning against his hands.

Deltira shook her head at his stubborness, and came out of the house to help him. "Idiot. Too stubborn by half. You don't need to add more pressure to an injury after it's already gone unstable. It doesn't do any good." She pulled out some bandages and a special (extremely smelly) salve out of one of her leather pouches, and knelt down next to him. "If it makes you feel better, I'm just as dumb and stubborn." She pointed out the ugly scars she had on her face and shoulder.

Necious sighed then windes as she touched his knee, it was sore & tender to the touch. He looked at ehr then said lightly," They only make you all the more you & with a cuteness about you, one that makes you even more cute when angery." He smiled then placed a hand on her cheek & just traced a scar with his finger, he tilted his head to the side waiting to see what her reaction was.

"Cute? That's a first. And here I was thinking everyone thought me monstrous and horrific." She winced slightly when he touched her cheek, not used to being so close to someone, but then pretended to get angry and growled at him instead of backing away.

Necious moved his hand away from her face & then looked away, his words truthful yet soft as he spoke," I'm sorry i shouldn't have, i had no right in doing that & i'm extreamly sorry." He moved away from her & then pushed himself up into a standing position, then tried to walk away yet fell just barely catching himself with his hands.

Deltira was up, quick as a whip, and over at Necious side once more. "Don't be ridiculous! I was just surprized not offended. And I told you not to move, didn't I?" Deltira whistled shrilly and a short, wide, barrel shaped, metal object shot out of the house and hovered next to Necious. Deltira patted it like a pet dog. "Here, you can ride M.A.F. inside. My mobile, animate, footstool, useful for propping my feet on and for reaching high places. He also carries tools and snacks in his interior compartments." Deltira grinned now with pride, her face for once not showing a hint of irony.

necious sighed then said quietly," I just need rest & a bag of ice then after that a heated damp towel, as well as to elavate my leg." He waved his hand & his weapond disappeared into his room, his one hand resting on his thigh he was afraid to touch his knee.

"Who's the hostess here? You or me? You can deal with having a floating footstool carry you, or you can deal with ME carrying you. And if I have to carry you, you may find yourself as something other than a human being." Delira's angry gaze had wilted the stubborn spirits of many who thought they were strong before, and she turned this gaze now on Necious.

Necious looked at her then said lightly," I don't care who takes me to my room, but can i please go there & lay down?" He looked at her with pleading eyes, pain showed deep in them as well & he shivered lightly. He leaned his head forward & gritted his teeth, his eyes closing tightly.

Deltira slipped her arms under Necious's and literally did lift him onto M.A.F. Her strenght totally out of proportion with her rather small appearance. "You really should be more careful. How long have you had this problem?" Deltira shook her head in annoyance with herself. "Nevermind that, I'm not a Healer so I wouldn't know what to do about it much anyway." Del hit a button on the front side of M.A.F. and the little machine started toward the guest room, with Deltira following behind.

Necious looked at her then said with a softness," I'm sorry if i have angered you, i did not mean it & if i hurt you in any way i'm sorry. I never ment for anything to upset you, this is a problem that i have had for a few years now & all that helps to stop the pain is what i told you already." His voice fading out & he gripped his jaw tightly, he then relaxed.

Deltira shook her head, "You apologize too much. How can I be offended by you being hurt, it's not as if you planned to hurt yourself. Or did you?" Deltira asked teasingly hoping to cheer him up, although the look she gave him was a bit more spooky than cheerful.

Necious looked at her & sat silent for a moment, then when they got to the room he was staying he sighed in relief.When he was placed on the bed, he lay his head back & placed his hands on his face then moved them to his sides. He relaxed a little, then looked to him as if wanting her to sit beside him & just talk to him. He waved his hand & an ice pack appeared on his knee, he changed it every 10 minutes. His leg had pillows under to to elavate it.

"Well, it looks as if you don't need me to provide. Are you some kind of mage?" She asked curiously.

Necious smiled past the pain & then siad simply to her," I guess you could say that, but tell me did you ever love before & if so who was the fool who left you?" He reached up running a gentil hand across her cheek & placing a finger under her chin to lift her gaze to him even more, his eyes soft on her.

Deltira chuckled but she blushed a little and she wore a rather twisted smile. "Never, not in the way you mean. I've told you that I don't get out much. People are usually scared of me, or pity me. Not that I understand the pity part. I may be small, and scarred, but my machines don't really care."

Necious smiled even more past the pain & then said softly," Where is that rose i gave you?" He looked at her & tilted his head to the side, then waited for her to respond. His smile never fading & her hand lay over hers, he just pulled it to his lips kissing it softly.

Deltira blushed more hotly, her brownish face brightening. Her hand trembled slightly. She didn't know how to react but at least she could answer, "I left it in my room, over the fireplace." She hoped he didn't hear the tremor in her voice.

Necious gripped her hand firmly, then said as soft as ever," No need to be nervious & can you go get it for me, there is something about it that i had hope in you seeing." He nodded to her gently, then let go of her hand so she could get up & just simply watched her.

Deltira backed one step away from Necious carefully, before turning and leaving the room. Just outside she stopped a moment and let a held breath out. "Darn that man, what's he doing to me?" She shook her head. "I'm not even attractive." She shook her head again but she went and got the rose and returned. She tried to compose herself before entering the room again, but she was certain her face had returned to it's red state again as soon as she'd entered.

Necious just grinned like a school kid with something that he was proud of, he looked at her then said lgihtly," Do you see the middle of the rose how it flowers out, one of the petals is like a triger & i wnat to to gently press it back. When it opens up there should be a necklace inside it, it's yours keep it never try to give it back & don't look down on yourself you are beautiful in your own precious way. I only wanted you to bring it here, so that i could tell you how to open it & then watch the look on your face as you opened it." He looked at ehr then patted an opened area on the bed, then waited for her to sit down & with a small hope that she would any wsy.

Deltira sat down on the bed and looked at the rose carefully before pulling the trigger.

Necious watched as the rose opened, he watched the look on her face & smiled brightly as the necklace slipped out into her hand. He said nothing about it, but gently took the necklace & unclasped it then put it around her neck. He then reached up gently kissing her cheek & then lay back no the bed again, he eyes never leaving her.

Deltira lifted the charm on the necklace so she could see it, and her face lit with amazement. She knew good craftmanship when she saw it, and the necklace was beautiful. "Oh! This doesn't suit me!" She turned and looked at Necious, and stuck out her chin. "You are the strangest man I've ever met." She announced.

The smile on Necious face faded & he turned his head away from her, then simply closed his eyes. He didn't say anything, but instead simply lay there quietly & kept his eyes closed. He had nothnig left to say & had nothnig left to do to try breaking her out of the shell he could tell she was hidden under, he felt the only thing left to do was to go as soon as he was able to.

Deltira blinked and reached over to gently touch Necious's cheek. She hadn't quite meant that the way it sounded, so she didn't entirely understand his reaction. "Strange for me is a compliment you know." She said conversationally.

Necious trned to face her & then scooted against the wall, he looked at her then patted the bed beside himself. He waited for her to atleast get closer & then said softly to her," I just don't want to upset or disapoint you, your beautiful in your own way & for that i really like you." He still waited for her to get closer, he simply wanted to put his arm around her & hold her there untill his knee stopped hurting.

Deltira lifted and eyebrow and shook her head with a half grin. "It would take a lot to disappoint me, but then I don't have much to expect of anyone except myself. And I'm not so delicate to be upset easy. I'm a tough girl, and I've taken care of myself for a long time. I'm only acting strange because I'm not sure how to act." But she moved into the space he'd indicated, not sure what he wanted.

Necious lifted himself a little, & lay his head in her lap, then put his arms around her waist. He closed his eyes then just lay there, right now he was happy & it would take some idot to upset him. Something he did not want to happe right now, so instead being happy & calm was what he wanted just sitting there with her.

Deltira almost jumped, but instead managed to hold herself still, then tentatively reached over and ran her fingers through his hair. Her eyes softened a bit, and although her smile was smaller, there was something different in it than before.

Necious opened his eyes for a moment & glanced up at her, then closed his eyes again. His arms tightening around her & the smile returning to his face, he almost leaned his head into her hand. He was content right now & to break him from it would be hard, unless danger came.

Deltira stroked her fingers through his hair, and started humming softly for no particular reason other than that she felt like it. Her voice wasn't particularly melodic, but she could usually carry a simple melody... usually.

The melody that she was carrying right now had really calmed Necious & it was rare for hit to become so calm unless he really cared, something he always feared doing to keep others safe. Yet this was something he could not stop, her fingers through his hair was even more soothing & he felt at home right now something he never had felt.

---

From the forest and in the direction of Deltira's house came a young man with long black hair pulled back in a horse-tail and a big pair of wire framed glasses. He carried a sackfull of books, one of which he had before his nose. Soon he looked up at her house standing a little distance away, and grinned in a way that twisted his face to look almost devilish. He held out a long scribe finger stained with both black and red and started to draw something in the air before him. Following the finger was what looked like a black tear in space framed in sickly greenish yellow flame. When the rune was completed, the man snapped his fingers. The rune vanished and their was a thunderous crack sound, as if lightening had struck the house, and most of Deltira's instruments went dead.

---

This time Deltira did jump as she heard the loud crack coming from around her house. She scrambled up and made her way to the control room of her house, but found all of her instruments had blacked out or were broken and smoking. Her face turned red with anger.

Necious growled in anger at the thought of something happennig, then jumpped ignoring his knee then followed Deltira & became even more angery at seeing all her things smoking. He grabed his weapond then looked at her & said lightly," Stay inside i beg you, i know your pissed because of your things & i will get this one for waht thye have done." He walked out of the place & looked around catching a glance of the young looking man, he growled even more then stood on guard.

Ejjanoh looked over Necious and sniffed before starting to walk in the direction of the door, ignoring Necious as if he was too lowly to be taken notice of.

Deltira listened to Necious, but not entirely. She found her special crossbow, and made her way to the doorway, so that she was soon standing their with it pointing at Ejjanoh. She growled, "Ejjanoh? What the hell are you doing here?"

Necious walked up behind Ejjanoh & growled then said deeply," You touch her or harm her i swear that you are going to die!" He then stepped to the front of him & stood just alittle ahead of Deltira, he wanted to be sure to get to this guy should he move towards her.

Ejjanoh snorted, "Young man. Why would I wish to harm a former companion of mine, and the woman I intend to be mine? She may not wish to have me, but I do not think she'll say no for very much longer."

"Shut up you, pervert! Or you'll be on the outside what you are on the inside! A snake! Or a worm! I can do that you know, and just because you broke some of my instruments, doesn't mean their all dead!" Deltira's face was red and she was breathing hard and speaking through her gritted teeth with anger.

Necious lowered his head & his fist tightened, then he stepped forward. He pushed Ejjanoh back, then growled at him & said straight to him," Listen i don't know who the heck you think you are, but she does not want you like that & if you get any closer to her your going to regret it. I'm no young man, i'm far older than you think i am & you had better get out now." Necious was fuming & he was ready to kill this guy, his eyes a darker blue now that before.

Ejjonoh was calm and he reached up a hand to draw another rune on Necious forehead. This one meant to freeze Necious so he was unable to move. Ejjanoh was hard to make angry. "I don't care how old you are, or what she wants. I don't care much about anything. And I doubt you could stop me if you tried, no matter who you are."

Deltira gasped and yelled to Necious, "Look out! He's a rune mage! Don't let him touch you!"

Necious grabed his arm & twisted it back, then shoved him back. He then heated up his body heat & glared at Ejjanoh, he stepped back then said to Deltira," Get to a safe area & hide he is not getting to you not if i have anythnig to do with it, so go now no questions asked just go!" Necious then stepped back again & held his arms out to the side, then started to chant something.

Deltira growled at him. "I can take care of myself. He's tried this before you know." She aimed her crossbow at Ejjanoh's smiling face, but her aim wavered for a moment. She didn't want to remind Necious that he was hurt, but she was worried that Ejjanoh would see it anyway.

Ejjanoh grinned and pushed the glasses up on his nose before writing a quick rune in the air. This time real lightening lashed out down at Necious. "My dear, you forget that I've been studying since you've been gone from me. How do you think I found this delightful map to where you live?" He looked up at Deltira.

"I don't care how long you study, I won't let you have me or hurt him!" Deltira shouted back.

Ejjanoh's eyes now narrowed. "You're lover is he? I should have known, well, he won't live long then."

Necious continues to chant dsreguarding the lightning, his hands held up & his eyes right on Ejjanoh. He gave an evil grin, then threw his hands forward & chains appeared went for Ejjanoh's wrist. He swung his hands down, then the chains twisted as if to move around him & yet they didn't they still went for his wrist. Necious laughed then even more then swung his hands even further down & brought more chais up that started to head for his legs, then stared at him for a moment.

Ejjanoh's plain looking black robes started to burn with red runes and the chains that were on him started to burn white hot and burst, showering bits of metal in every direction. He glared at Necious through his thick lenses and turned his attention back to Deltira. "You will come with me, lady." He said in a serious voice.

Deltira attempted to dodge the metal bits but a few scored on her, and she was bleeding. She finally got angry enough to loose one of her crossbow bolts at Ejjanoh.

Ejjanoh held up one of his barely freed hands and the crossbow bolt stopped at the red rune on the palm of his hand.

Necioud recieved alot of the metal, some even inbeded alittle wya into his skin & make him bleed as well. He glared at Ejjanoh & then said to Deltira," Are you ok, did it hurt you do badly?" He did not look at her though, he kept his eyes on Ejjanoh.

"I'm fine! Just angry!" Deltira snapped, hoping that Necious knew she didn't mean him, but Ejjanoh.

Ejjanoh snickered, an ugly expression on his bookish face. "My poor sweet lady, your machines have failed you, as I told you they would one day. You should have taken up magic with me, you wouldn't be in this postition."

Necious growled once more & would not stop staring Ejjanoh down, he started to chant again. Only this time it was a traping spell, juke the first one way & yet much stronger. He just smiled even more & then said lightly to Deltira," Please i beg you get out of here, i really don't want anything else to happen to you. " He just barly glanced at her, then quickly looked back at Ejjanoh.

Deltira paused in rewinding her crossbow and propped her hands on her hips. "And you think I want something to happen to you? I know more about Ejjanoh anyway."

Ejjanoh, didn't let Necious finish his chanting this time, he drew three quick runes in the air in succession each a different spell. The ground shook under Necious's feet, and cracked open, while hail poured down over his head. Meanwhile a hole seemed to split in the air behind him and a horrendously ugly demon creature leaped out, slashing at Necious with claws and tusks.

Necious stumbled forward alittle & winced feeling the deep cuts in his back, he turned grabing the demon by the tusk then slaming it into the ground. He twisted it head to the side & quickly grabbed a dagger, then cut away at it's neck. It was not seen by anyone save for Deltira, but his knee was twitching alittle & it was obvious that he was fighting against more than Ejjanoh himself.


The demon's tail lashed around like a whip attacking Necious's arm and dagger. Meanwhile it hissed and continued to claw the ground underneath it, and contort it's body.

Deltira caught sight of the problems Necious was having but now at least she beleived she could help. She lifted her crossbow and shot three times in rapid succession at the demon, easily missing Necious.

The demon squealed and fought harder, but it was obvious that under the onslought of the two, it was weakening.

Ejjanoh swore, and pointed a finger at Necious. The crack in the earth stretched and swerved splitting wider, attempting to engulf the man.

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Deltira's House