Tanuchan

Gryphon, I don't know if you noticed or not - but PMs here at the Pen haven't been working in the last 7 hours or so at the very least... I had things to solve via PM that I couldn't. You can access your Inbox just fine, and create a new message... but no sending it or accessing the Send folder and track messages function... Or at least that is what's happening in my case, so if it's supposed to be working, I'd be glad to know about it .

I will... if I actually can get the time to post, now that I don't *have* to...

Cool lynching, Gryphon (Not cool that I was in it, but oh well... ) Question - can I keep posting while trapped in the nightmare? Or did that robed figure actually meant Katelyn is dead?

lol !

Written with Azuran ~~~~~~~~ Katelyn looked at the message in her hands, wondering what that was about. Duke was somewhat weird, but she - as most of the Chaosites - knew the circumstances of his adoption into the House of Munich, and they didn't make any comments on his presence. Though Katelyn also remembered Karen showing some interest in the boy when both had been younger. The memory of Karen brought back to Katelyn the feeling of absence, but this time she pushed it back and locked it in a corner of her mind. She knew Karen was in trouble, and that she might even not be alive, but there was no way to find her. Both were ShadowMasters, so her sister could be lost in an infinite number of planes... She again smothered frustration, and crumpled the message in her hand. Sol entered in that moment, a similar message in his hands. "So I see you've also received this one?" Katelyn accepted the kiss on her forehead, and let Sol's presence soothe her. She nodded, sighing. "Yes, I did. And I wonder what he wants... or, more than that, who is behind him. " "Given the current climate and with this many contenders for the Regency all together at once, I can only imagine the plotting already going on behind the scenes. I do find the timing a little interesting..." Sol's voice trailed off as he finished his musing within the safety of his own mind. Katelyn let the silence stretch a bit, observing Sol's distant expression with a smile. Then she interrupted his musing with another question. "And your meeting with Sabastian?" Katelyn stretched lustily, willing her muscles to relax, while looking for a dress to wear in the meeting. Sol smiled at seeing her lithe figure, grace and beauty alive in her. "He postponed it." "So he's also going to the meeting... no one will be absent, then. If Sabastian of Sawall is going, everyone will. No one will risk being absent and draw his suspicion." They talked for some time more, then Sol gave Katelyn a quick smile before heading for the door. "I've got some things to take care of before this meeting, but I'll see you there." Katelyn took her time dressing up. For a moment she thought whether there was a way to find out those who had taken her sister, or where they had taken her to.. A small plan started forming in her mind, and she suddenly went to the adjoining room - Karen's. It might work... just might. We'll see.

Written with Azuran - thank you ~~~~~~ Katelyn sat right behind Sol, rubbing his back lightly while he was deep in thought. She wanted to ask him about the meeting with Sabastian, but she knew that Sol would talk just at his own time. But he is worried, and that is well... no one should go and meet a Sawall with complete trust, not after the assassination and not while they're in the struggle for the throne. Softly, she just said, "Don't let him out of your sight and reach." Sol chuckled softly, "I've got no reason to fear--there will be enough from both our houses close enough. Doing anything rash would be suicidal." Whatever Katelyn was going to say was interrupted by a sudden agonizing pain - not physical, not even mental, but something that came from deep inside her and made her gasp and lean heavily against Sol. "Karen!" Even the whisper was painful to her, and if it weren't for Sol's quick reaction, catching her, she would have fallen. "Kate! What happened?" Katelyn shook her head, tears coming to her eyes while she fought disorientation and dizziness. Sol watched with concern as his fiancée's form shifted from human to just half-demoness and back, apparently unable to focus into one shape. He quickly knelt down before her and grabbed her shoulders firmly, trying look into her eyes and calling out her name again. "Karen..." Katelyn's voice came as a sob, but Sol could see she was alread back in control, her eyes glowing the light-green of deep anger. "Something... cut us off... I can't feel her anymore..." "Karen? Dead?" Sol understood it immediately, aware of the peculiar link between the twins. "No... not dead... I didn't feel her dying... just that there's nothing where she should be." It didn't take more than a few minutes for Katelyn to recover from the worst of the shock, and then Sol was standing besides her with the trumps. Katelyn arched an eyebrow, reaching for the cards - but Sol stopped her. "You aren't well. Let me try - I know her well enough." Several attempts later, Sol gave up, frustrated, and put his arm around a resigned Katelyn. Nothing had succeeded, and even Katelyn's perception of Karen - or the absence of that perception - was starting to wear off. "She cannot be dead... but if she is, someone will pay for it. That I swear, on the honor of House Minobee!" Her voice was fierce, fulll of anger and revenge.

hehe... so well expressed, and so true! How many of us have said those same words, looking in frustration at the blank space after a line... *hugs* Here go wishes and hopes that writer's block goes away soon!

Katelyn stroked her pet ferret's back absent-mindedly. Since they'd been back at the Ways of Minobee, Sol and her had spent quite some time discussing the political moves between the Houses, theirs and otherwise. Karen had been absent from most of those, and although Sol had asked her about it, Katelyn had just shrugged. She once again focused her thoughts on the last events. Cid, I can understand... the General? He was a good commander, but just that - a commander of troops. He wouldn't have been able to get the throne, or even if he had... who says he'd have the needed skill to rule? Though... troops' support is always something to take into account. And where is that sister of mine? I need to talk to her. The ferret hissed, turning and trying to nibble at her hand. Katelyn looked down at him, and noticed that she had come near to hurting him with her claws. She resumed her human form, scratching the roden'ts head behind the ears. The contact with its soft fur was oddly soothing, and she smiled. Support... good to know who is allying to whom, whether openly or in shadows. Always good... Sol entered at that moment, catching her smile.

*blushes* Thank you, Gwai...

*huggles everybody* Thank you all

Written with Azuran - thank you! ~~~~~~~~ She stepped away from the group around her, smiling gracefully and exchanging some last pleasantries. Her dark-blue eyes were sparkling, full of laughter - but also with a hint of mystery behind the long lashes. In her long midnight blue dress, her milky skin seemed to glow and radiate light. Eyes glanced at her as she slid towards another group, unable to not notice again one of the Minobee sisters. The most observant caught the glint of blue-grey jewels in her hair, identifying her correctly as Katelyn of Minobee. To confirm that, Sol of Sepharis quietly joined her in a few steps. ”Whoever killed Jerin probably didn’t hang around…” Sol was scanning the others around Katelyn and him with the scrutiny of a warlord nevertheless. Had he seen the guilty party, it was clear that he would have delivered his own wrathful judgment upon him right then and there. Katelyn tilted her head a bit, apparently lost in thought - except for her eyes which didn't miss anything around the room. Across from her, Karen caught her eye and nodded before turning to the couple at her side. Katelyn turned back to her fiancée and what he was saying. "True, I do think I could be a much better Regent than Jerin—I have the command and strength that he lacked—but there’s no excuse for cowardice such as his assassination was!” Sol instinctively despised cowards, as any great military leader does. Katelyn nodded, also whispering, "One could have given him the chance to defend himself, yes... but that would also have been sloppy strategy. Jerin wasn't fit, and sometimes the necessary measures cannot wait for finesse." Sol frowned, but Katelyn's eyes didn't waver. "It needed to be done, Sol... whatever the means, the result is still the same. The Regency is open, for the best among us." Her tone was soft, but left no dobts on her thoughts - the best among them, and she was one of the best. Whether openly or not, she knew House Minobee had their eyes and hopes on her and her sister. And even House Sepharis wouldn't openly disagree with them, not while the alliance was kept strong through marriage ties. Sol scowled slightly, running a large hand over his ashen beard subconsciously. His mind, however, couldn’t help lingering on the availability of the Regency—he knew he could be the greatest ruler of all time if it came within his grasp. Remembering again what Katelyn had been saying before that, he rationalized, “all I’m saying is that the ends don’t justify the means. Sure, a coward might get into power that way, but that’s the same way he’ll fall when it gets back around to him! Or her…” In spite of the intensity of his answer, Katelyn relaxed. Sol's presence at her side was comforting, and even when they disagreed she knew that they respected each other too much to let it truly come between them. Sol noticed Katelyn's tension gone, and touched her face lightly and briefly with a hand. She smiled, remembering the same gesture at the end of the Ritual of Courtship. "I humbly request the blessings of the Holy Church of the Serpent on my courtship of Katelyn of Minobee. I have with me a blade suitable for consecration." Sol had produced the knife, one that later he had given her. "Proceed, Sol of Sepharis" Under the stern gaze of the priest, Sol had taken the knife by its blade, holding it tightly until it cut the skin. Then he had offered it hilt-first to her, saying softly the words of the ritual. "This is the consecrated blade, washed in my blood. If by allowing me this closeness you are betrayed, my blood on this blade will help it find my heart in punishment for dishonor." She had taken the knife, looking into Sol's piercing sky-blue eyes and barely registering the Priest's words. "So let it be written, so shall it be, in the Eye of the Serpent." Katelyn knew that she was fortunate - politic maneuvering had decided that Sol would be a good addition to the Minobee assets, being the skilled military commander that he was. While House Sepharis was clearly pushing Sol into their intended alliance with a Great House, using the friendship ties he had with her. An arranged marriage with a friend shouldn't be a problem with Katelyn, and it wasn't. There wasn't passion in her - she doubted she could ever feel that, towards anyone - but what she felt was enough. Or so she hoped, since she was aware that Sol deserved more than that. Sliding elegantly across the floor, reserving a polite word to those who greeted her, Katelyn approached Sabastian as Samantha left for a while. Her voice had a crystalline quality, modulated carefully to not be too low or too loud. "Greetings, Sabastian. I offer my sentiments on the loss of your cousin... and bow to the fortune of House Sawall on having another one who qualifies so high for the Succession." Sabastian inclined his head, acknowledgin both the condolences and the compliment, while wondering what the Minobee sister had hidden behind her words. Katelyn smiled, showing in her eyes that she was aware of that first, instinctive thought. Katelyn was also aware that, besides Sol at her side, there was another one observing her. She let her gaze wander away from Sabastian for a second or two, to locate the tall Chaosite sipping a drink in a group nearby. Ciroth of Hendrake... a warrior. Who is he looking for in this group? Sabastian, Sol... myself? Choseyre's voice calling her came in that moment, and she smiled at her as she approached. "I have been well, thank you, Choseyre. I hope you have been doing the same. As for our alliance... it will make both our Houses stronger." "I think if everyone just remains honorable," Sol stressed the last word slightly, "we'll be able to see a new leader emerge soon enough..." Katelyn smiled to herself, and added, "I've heard about your studies... what have you learned of interesting? I'm quite sure that it would help you in the current situation, too..." Even talking to Choseyre, Katelyn's eyes never left Ciroth or Sabastian completely - though neither the latter nor Choseyre would find any fault in her.

Tanny was taken completely unaware by Akallabeth's dog kiss, and so had a fit of laughing. She hugged the huge St. Bernard, feeling the soft fur, then scratched behind his ears. She sent a tentative thought to him. ::So you mindspeak, dear friend? Maybe you are one of the few with whom I can talk in this way?:: Akallabeth woofed happily, almost nodding. ::Yes, yes! I can understand you, too!:: Giving a last pat on the St. Bernard's head, Tanny turned to Azuran and hugged him fiercely, without words. The young sage smiled, but whatever he was going to say was drowned by the Raven. Tanny giggled, trying to make the happy bird land on her arm so she could thank him, too. A high-pitched, hopeful voice made her turn to the door, and her eyes went wide as soon as she saw CheerMynx holding out the pink ribbons. "N-noo... no, thank you dear... " Tanny hastily retreated a bit, putting both Azuran and Akallabeth between herself and the cheerleader, "... I'm not planning to.. huh... wear my fur today... but thank you anyway, the ribbons are beautiful!" Taking pity on the disappointed look in CheerMynx, Tanny rushed to her to hug her, picking the brightest of the ribbons and using it to tie her so far loose hair. Better my hair than my fur... Before CheerMynx could get more enthusiastic and tie more ribbons all over her, she turned to hug Gryphon mid-bow. "You look neat in your birthday colors too, Herald!" She smiled, then winked and waved at Regel. "Fox? Where did you get that idea from?" Looking at her friends around her, she closed the Werewolf file she had been digging into, and included them all in an invitation. "The day is bright and the air is fresh... let's have a walk to my cottage, then have a picnic?" Her crystalline, happy laughter filled the room for a few moments, before they left - with Tanny stopping by Panther's rooms to thank him for the earlier message and ask him to join them. ~~~~ Thank you all... it's a happy day indeed, to have you around!

Fun Just an addition to background info: House Sepharis and House Minobee are preparing for alliance, with the upcoming marriage of Sol (Azuran) and Katelyn.

Note: As far as I understood, each of us would choose a best one - with an overall winner being chosen among those. So, here follows my opinion... ~~~~~~~~~ First of all, I would like to congratulate all who participated in this challenge. You made it really hard for me to make a choice, and that means that what you all wrote was really good. My criteria for choosing the best haiku was based on three points: structure (5-7-5 syllables); imagery; and simplicity. For me, a good haiku evokes a powerful image in spite of, and because of, their simplicity - an easy visualization of the scene that caught the poet's eye. That said, I would like to add some short comments on the haikus that made to my final list before I come to the one I chose as the best one... I really liked the image it brought me - I could easily see the grassy field, the dog running and looking for rabbits. I only had trouble with the first line, since it still makes me stumble in the reading and wonder for a second if I understood its meaning. I think the possible trouble is the sequence, being that "wave" can have two meanings at first sight ('waves', like sea waves, and 'to wave'). A nice entry, Akallabeth - specially considering that you haven't written any haiku for so long, and I don't remember having seen any poem posted by you before this one. This one brings to my mind a fractured image, but one that has beauty in itself. The ideas are all there, subtly hinted at - the images come and go in a blink, while reading and re-reading the haiku. I feel it strongly poetic, though I cannot hold a still image of the dewdrop. And that is at the same time the beauty and the problem... it contains a lot, and the final image is hazy. A beautiful entry, Azuran - you have a real gift with words and poetry, whether in poem form or disguised as prose/roleplay. I hope you keep sharing them with us. I'd like to make an extra comment here... Azuran's "dorky computer graphics themed one" flows really well. It's not a valid entry, however it makes me almost understand what it refers to. A very interesting one, and one I wish was valid - and explained so I could really visualize it adequately! A really good one, Regel... for a long time it was a tie between you and the one I ended up chosing, actually. I can easily understand the image - the burning sky at dawn - and, more than see, hear the leaves and the birds. It's simple, beautiful, and flows really well. My only quibble with it was the "understanding" of the image... I understand first the use of "burning sky" and only then feel/see it. So, an image that comes with a bit of stumbling. It's not a big problem per se... though at the end, it tipped the scales in favor of the one below. But congratulations on a really smooth haiku, and one that I really liked. The one that I chose as the best touched me exactly due to simplicity. For me, it embodies the spirit of the haiku - a light and otherwise common scene framed by the poet's personal view and interpretation, making it shine in our eyes. And the simplicity of the poem asks for simplicity in the feedback - so, congratulations, Nimornril! I hope that you can share with us more of your ideas and views, be it through poetry or prose, or even just by being around and participating when you feel like doing so. Again, congratulations to all who have posted their haikus. They're small jewels, and not a few made me truly smile at the images they brought. Edit: formatting, typos

Gryphon, I think Saturday evening for Az would be Sunday afternoon for you... I believe he's around 16-17 hours behind your timezone.

Thanks to Patrick, for checking Gabi's part and adding to it ~~~~~~~ Gabi's incorporeal body floated along the ridges of the mountain, curiosity leading her. Time didn't have meaning for her, and so she wasn't really surprised to feel and hear the giggling passing by her, swirling first down the mountain and, a while later, up again. I know that ... or I should know... There was something very akin to "presence" all around Gabi. She could sense it easily, and so she knew it was from the spirit world. But she seemed unable to contact it, or see it - odd, considering that they should have been in the same plane of existence. There was a feeling of happiness all around her, and something that resembled a voice within the wind. That finally made Gabi recognize what it was - or what it had been. Anne? Annelise, that's you! Gabi didn't know how to talk to her companion ghost, if talk was possible or if it could be called a companion ghost at all. There was something definitely different about the presence of Annelise that she could feel. You belong to the same plane as I belong to now... where are you, why can't I see and talk to you? She stretched all her will - her power? - trying to touch Anne's conscience. She had known little of her, but she hoped that would be enough... enough for what, even herself wasn't sure of. The air seemed to grow still, expectation suspended around Gabi. There was curiosity, and puzzlement, now. The soft, faded voice she thought she had heard in the wind was gone, but something of it still rang in the mountain. Gabi waited, letting her thoughts wander. The sun sent sparks of gold off the roof of the lodge down the slope. One of those sparks seemed to reflect on something to Gabi's right. There was still no movement, but Gabi could tell the wind was starting to swirl around her once again. She noticed a figure leaving the lodge in a run, and recognized her killer. She was tempted to follow him, but she also knew that it didn't matter for her - she would be able to find Johann at any moment she wanted. She didn't know how, but she knew she could. The slight movement caught Gabi's attention - and what seemed to be just a ray of light glinting off the snow seemed to coalesce somewhat. It wasn't yet the shape of a woman, rather just a collection of light, shadow, and mist. And there was still no voice or thought, just a general feeling of curiosity. Anne... what are you? You aren't... quite like me... The soft giggling came again, and Gabi could feel a smile. And somehow, the answer to her question. I'm the mountain... Gabi smiled. Then she saw a second figure leaving the lodge - she thought it might be Evelyn. That thought was so sudden, so loaded with sharp worry about her former friends and companions, that it translated into something Anne's ethereal spirit caught. Gabi just felt the swirling wind get stronger, the giggling suddenly gone, and the rush of the breeze going downward, towards the lodge. Joy suffused Gabi's ethereal soul. She was not alone in the spirit world afterall! She drifted after Annelise, although she could not move as fast as the wind. The storage room. The banging and the cries were still there, though weaker. The wind ignored it, finding again entrance to the room, this fime filling it with cool air. There, confined by walls, its voice couldn't sound but muted, its touch no more than the softest of caresses. Gabi watched those in the storage room, being touched by Anne's presence, although none of them realised what was happening to them. She then remembered Evelyn, who was somewhere on the mountain. "I'll be around." - she whispered to Annelise, and drifted towards where she had last seen Evelyn. She did not know whether she could do anything to help her get to safety, but she vowed to try her best. The wind, now a gentle breeze, looked for the person it had come for with the certainty of a strong spirit, and wrapped him with the coolness of mountain air, of mountain spirit. Edit: slight rewording, typos

*hugs Mynxie* Thank you for the game - I had lots of fun . Annelise will be one of my fav characters in these games. I'm thinking of a "final" post... let's see what will happen, since Anne isn't really a ghost... not as Gabi has become. Thanks again for the fun, kittie!

Vene and I have agreed on one of the Great Houses, and I've edited my character description accordingly. Katelyn and Karen of House Minobee

Well, I'm still in as Katelyn of Tredmer (see here)... and I'm poking my "sister" Karen and I'll get "her" into the game, too... (=Venefyxatu ) Please, for any other interaction that was set at the time of the first sign up, I'd like to start from scratch - thank you

(A rainy weekend over there, cryp? )

The body at the inaccessible bottom of the crevasse looked almost like a sleeping woman. A blanket of snow already half-covered her, for the gentle sliding down had also brought down part of the snow bank at the top of the crevasse. There she would remain, buried in snow and ice, forever part of the mountain. A whisper of wind sounded like an ethereal giggling that spiraled up from the crevasse until reaching the snowy slope, then playing with loose, naked branches down the trail until touching the scarf that waved an eerie greeting. It was like a memorial, and it had been left there as such. Lonely, standing tall in the slope, soft, red as the sunset and as the dawn - a life that belonged to the mountain. The breeze caressed the scarf once more, circling around the tree, rustling branches and carrying the clear giggling farther. Red spots against immaculate snow were also touched, the warmth of the life they had carried already fading in the soft pre-dawn light. There was nothing more than a few blood marks, fading slowly into the old snow, covered by the new one. Life that had been there was no more, and the snow reclaimed the purity, and the mountain buried memory. The giggling faded into a soft humming of crystaline voice, almost whistling towards the lodge below. A window ajar, a gap between door and frame, and a touch came to a cold face. The humming in the wind was soft, the voice faded, but the touch had in it infinite care. And it was gone back into the mountain before flesh realized it had been visited and left a gift. Sunrays touched the summit of the mountain, and shadows covered the opening of the crevasse. A whispery breeze spread around the mountain, giggling in wonder and - why not - happiness.

The envelope that Annelise has given Charles is closed and for him only . I've PMd Panther with the contents of both note and letter that are inside, so I'll ask you that you respect mail privacy even in a locked storage room! Thanks!

Annelise had seen the look Charles had directed to her when being locked. The meaning she read, she decided to keep to herself. She had no joy in seeing him there, contrary to what some might think; but in her mind, also, locked was better than dead. For the first time, she looked at the mountain and didn't feel like looking for its peace. Instead, she went back to her room without talking to anyone - avoiding also Johann, who clearly wanted to talk to her. From the bottom drawer of the chest of drawers, Annelise took a folder. She spread its contents on the bed, and took all of them in. All the documents that attested she was - had been - an instructor. A name tag from five years ago - Instructor, Vannacutt Point. Two pictures - the team photos of the two seasons she had been there. A sealed letter. Annelise's fingers caressed the name tag, then picked the photos. She remembered every one of them - Instructores and patrollers. She remembered the times she had looked at them, wondering who was the one, or the ones, who had kept her alive while waiting for the helicopter to take her to hospital. Then she played with the letter. It was plainly not a new letter, and there was a date, five years old, written at the front lower right. An unsteady hand... I was still in hospital.. Would it be a shock? I believe so. Or maybe not, being who it turned out to be. He might just laugh and throw it into the fire, or he might snarl and wish he had never known. Or it might make some kind of difference. Who knows? He is a mountain himself... self-centered, arrogant, sure of himself, pitiless. With a neat hand, Annelise wrote a small note, got a bigger envelope, and put sealed letter, note, the picture of the fatidical season, and the old name tag into it. On it, she just wrote a name. But mountains have a core, and rare are those who understand it. He does, and I didn't. Picking a heavy jacket, she hesitated a bit before grabbing her skiing poles. She smiled, remembering the days not so long past when she had had training on fighting with a quarterstaff. Weird thing to do while working up the courage to be back... Dana opened the door to the storage room, and Annelise didn't bother in saying anything. Charles glared murder, but she just shook her head silently. As he didn't move to catch the envelope she was handing out, Anne just slid it deftly to his feet. As the door closed, she whispered to herself, "I am sorry. But at least you all have a chance to be alive come tomorrow." Annelise didn't see Johann, and supposed he'd be either out in the mountain or also in his room. She thought about looking for him, but decided against it. I cannot. He deserves a whole person. And I am not. I might be, one day - I can face the mountain again and be happy, I know... but it will take more time. Dana wondered at Anne, who was carrying skiing poles but not any other skiing gear. She just made a half-hearted comment against being out at night, to which Anne answered glacially that she wasn't a child. The slopes were already dark, and the air was getting colder. Some snowflakes touched Anne's uncovered face, and she smiled at their softeness. She walked without any clear destination, not bothering about staying within sight of the lodge. I'm in the mountain, and the mountain is in me. You've always been my best, and only, true friend. You refused my body once - but I'll be here until you accept it. Annelise smiled, making that a vow - she would stay in the mountain, and it would accept her back. She knew she accepted her accident now, and her new position; she also knew that she could beat the mountain - but that she didn't need to do it to be a worthy person. Edit: rewording a couple sentences, typos

Annelise was surprised when she saw Johann coming towards them. He barely looked at her, fixing all his attention on her companion. "Charles Montaigne, what have you been telling Annelise?" Charles looked at Johann, annoyed. "What I tell her is between patroller and intern, boy. And you're interrupting my work." "Don't use that tone with me, patroller. You might bully other people, but I'm tired of you. What have you been doing, brainwashing Anne?" "Johann!!" Annelise tried to stop him, and actually put herself between both men. She wondered at Johann's face, who showed and anger she had never seen in him. "Johann, what in all heavens ..." He ignored her for once, glaring at Charles - Anne actually thought he would punch him if she weren't right in front of him. "Are you so subtly brainwashing her? Do you really want her to go back to the mountain, or you just care to keep her under you?" Charles pushed Anne aside - except that she caught his arm and pulled him down in a stumble to the ground using her own weight. She kept herself over Charles' cursing form, looking at Johann in anger. "What do you think you are doing?!" Brainwashing? Charles? Influencing me? Anne rolled away from both Charles and Johann, glaring at them in stunned fury. Johann, all protective again? I know how to take care of myself in the mountain! There, staring at them ready to fight, Anne's thoughts went back to the murders. And unwilling as she was to admit, she was right then looking at the two men she owed her life to. Both literally, but also her life as a skier - both Charles and Johann had made her see what she needed. And Johann was accusing Charles of manipulation, while she herself had suspected Johann. For a moment, she wished she never had come back to Vannacutt Point. She realized that she couldn't just choose which of those men she trusted. She wanted to trust both - even insufferable Charles. She knew she might not be able to, or that it might not be safe to her. One thing Johann growled at Charles caught her attention - "assassin". So, Johann suspected Charles? Now? Why? Charles? If he had reason to kill, would he? ---------- OOC: You made it hard on me... all three guys... But changing my vote to Panther/Charles Montagne

Annelise just pressed her pillow tight over her own head, her ears. She had heard the screams, and she knew what they meant. No... not another one... She refused to move. Her night had been again troublesome, haunted by Johann's words - both his words of love and care, and the harsh ones about her fears. She had been able to control herself somewhat when talking to him, but back in her room she had wept long and hard until sleep took her. She heard the knocking on her door, too. She was sorely tempted to not answer, to just stay where she was and let go of everything. Johann's urgent voice reached her, and she sighed. "I'm alright, Johann... please, give me some minutes." She heard her raw, edgy voice. But she was too tired to care, even about Johann. Her eyes rested on her skiing gear, and she knew what was the only thing right then that she cared about. After breakfast, on their way to the slopes, Johann noticed Annelise's tired face, and also something glum around her. He tried to talk to her in the chair lift, but she shook her head gently. "Johann, just understand me, please. Keep being what you are, and let me be what I am - for a while." He felt his insides knot, feeling her again putting some distance, bringing about her that icy wall she seemed to wear at all times. But her eyes were gentle, and her hand rested lightly on his arm when she whispered, "I am afraid of the mountain. And the first rule is to never be afraid of it - respect, yes. But not fear. Let me deal with it first." She squeezed his arm, and Johann nodded silently. The words he wanted to say seemed to refuse to find their way to his mouth, and Annelise left quickly once they were at the top. It didn't take more than some minutes for Annelise to find Charles - who had been, as always, glaring at her from the second he had seen her. "There you are. Can you never be at the appointed place at the right time? Don't you have any discipline?" Charles piercing stare also caught something else, and he cut whatever Annelise was going to say. "How do you feel?" The question made Anne wince - it wasn't a caring question, and Charles had just barked it. Part of her mind knew what he meant, and part wanted to snap at him once again. "Well? Do I have to send you back to the lodge, girl?" "No, patroller." Anne managed to keep the glacial tone in her voice. "I didn't sleep well, but if I cannot go on I will tell you." Charles arched an eyebrow, skeptical. Anne looked at him levelly. "I cannot do my work if I can't hold myself. You cannot do your work half as well if you can't trust your assistant's ability and reflexes. I respect the mountain enough that I will not endanger people through my own foolishness." Charles almost blinked in surprise. Anne gave a sudden smile - and that made him blink, since it was the first true smile he had seen in her. At least, when talking to him. "Oh, I do listen to you, patroller." She slid some meters ahead, and stopped to wait for him. "Sometimes, when you make sense." Any residual surprise vanished at that last comment, made in a light, teasing tone. Charles growled. "So let's see what sense you have, girl! With me!" He would put her through the paces again. And this time, he would decide if she was ready or not. Annelise let her mind wander for some minutes while following Charles to the beginning of the first trail. Gaby's trail... so, we'll start there. Poor Gaby... She remembered her talking and trying to be friendly, and her face at seeing Charles at the bottom of the slope after his stunt. She also remembered hearing her easy laugh in the lodge, and her mind lingered on the remaining people there. Stefan. Too silent, too quiet. Evelyn... paranoid, obsessed. Charles... arrogant, self-centered. Johann, sweet and caring. Herself, as seen by others - icy cold, distant even when being friendly. Something nagged at her mind. She almost stopped, going over what she had just muttered to herself. Johann. Sweet and caring. The only one who was, in reality, the opposite of any psychopath killer... obviously loathing blood, sensitive, open. "No." But the thought didn't leave her. She was alive... Charles was alive... Stefan... Evelyn. The one he loved, the one who was obviously helping her whether she admitted it or not... the one she suspected. Had she ever let Johann know of her suspicions? And the obviously paranoid Evelyn. "No. Not him." "Are you going to daydream now? Or do you want the mountain to definitely kill you this time, girl?" Charles' voice snapped her out of her thoughts, and she snarled some unintelligible answer. And forced her mind to focus on the mountain, burying any thoughts deep enough to not disturb her during work. Forgive me, Johann... you don't deserve it. It was her last thought before the mountain occupied her mind completely. ~~~~~ OOC: Vote for Akallabeth/Johann Olsen Edit: small grammar corrections