Memories Again

[Verloran]

It had been a while since Verloran had last thought about his memories. They almost weren't important to him anymore. He figured that the past wasn't that important, and that the future was what mattered. Why was he so worried about a past he didn't have?

But he did have a past, and as he talked to Kittsu Willows, sister of Danlyra Willows, it was all he could think about. He had given up because there hadn't been any concievable way to regain his memories, but now there was. Clys Nexcruor. She was a part of his past, and while he didn't know how, he was going to find out.

Kittsu was an odd person. Her sister, Danlyra, warned Verloran that she was dangerous. As he talked to her he could only think about how childlike she was. There seemed to be a lot of disagreements between the two sisters, and Verloran couldn't really see why. Most of the aggression was coming off of Danlyra, which to him suggested jeasousy. He suspected he knew why. Verloran had never actually seen Danlyra, but Kittsu was quite attractive, and so he ruled that it was probably why. They had talked for a bit, Kittsu and him. The conversation occasionally wandered, but Verloran was always quick to bring it back to the main point. They had made arrangements, and he was to meet with Clys in Darkshire.

The trip there was uneventful, to say the least. Verloran asked Teelia to come with him, as he wasn't about to leave himself alone with Clys, who apparently was a powerful rogue. Teelia came with, and showed him a few places of interest in Duskwood that he had never known of before. Every place she showed him was to be special to him in some way. The wooded area behind Garren's Haunt was to be his 'escape' place, and the Twilight Grove was to be his burial sight. It was fairly close to Thunder Falls, which was a good thing, because that was where he was going to kill himself. It wasn't that big of a deal, really. Dealing with other people's problems often caused depression, which could lead to suicide.

They returned to Darkshire due to a call that Horde were attacking. After fighting them back, they went to the downstairs section of the inn, where Kittsu told him to go. Teelia was in the shadows, so he didn't suspect too many complications.

It was interesting. Kittsu greeted him, they sat, and she went into a trance, her speech being controlled by Clys. She did have what Verloran was looking for, but she wasn't prepared to give it up without a price. So they discussed their options. Verloran could either become a spy for her, or donate certain organic material for her experiments. Kittsu had told Clys that Verloran had no lovers, so he was apparently a perfect doner. He wouldn't get much information, but it would still be more than he had. He agreed to being a doner for her causes. He'd get the same information no matter what he did, and he wasn't prepared to turn spy. He was about to say this when Clys broke her mental connection with Kittsu, cutting him off. It was then that things went bad.

Clys had seen Teelia, and rather than waiting for an explanation, attacked her. In the confusion, Kittsu yelled that it was a set up, and they both disappeared without a trace.

Verloran didn't blame Teelia. It was his fault, really. She made several unneeded apologies to him, and he told her it was ok. It hadn't turned out the way he had hoped, but he wasn't prepared to come so close to getting his memories just to lose his only chance. He wrote a letter to Kittsu.

Kittsu,
That meeting didn't exactly go as planned. You have to understand that it wasn't a set up, or anything like it. Teelia was there because I asked her to come with me. I knew that Clys was a powerful rogue, and I didn't want to have my life in danger should things have gon awry. Clys attacked Teelia first. Please, this is my only chance to get my memories back.

Verloran

After writing the letter, he returned to Stormwind. All along the Gryphon ride, and to the inn where he had a room, he prayed to the Light that things would work.

[clys]

http://www.computer-man.us/fr/immortalis/verloran.jpg


"It was a set up. So typical. I bet he hasn't even lost his memories. He knows exactly who he is, and he just wanted to get me back," Clys snarled. "I should teach him a serious lesson."

"But, I liked him," Kittsu pouted. "He was funny and cute, even if he wouldn't look at my scar. I know I could get him to loosen up. And once he came to the lab, we'd have so much fun!"

Clys waved her hand dismissively.

"Forget it. He's on my S.H.I.T. list."

Kittsu sighed. "Stab, hemmorage, internal bleeding, and tracheotomy. Well I don't think it's fair. I bet he didn't even know Teelia was there. It was probably her idea. You know how those humans are."

"Oh, he knew. I can feel it. He knows who he is, he knows who I am, and he wants revenge. I want you to track his movements, find me a good ambush opportunity. I want to personally slice him into very tiny pieces."

Kittsu sighed again. "Yes, Mistress. Can I at least have his ponytail for a souvenier?"

Clys grinned, her small fangs glinting.

"You can have whatever's left of him. Which won't be much."

Kittsu stuck out her lower lip. Then she brightened a bit, twirling her hair around a finger.

"Can I stuff his leftovers into a glass jar and put them on my mantle?"

"Whatever you want, dear. He's all yours afterwards."

Kittsu clapped her hands. "Goody!"

[Teelia]

Teelia sat in the inn and sighed heavily. The night had not gone as planned, and now Verloran's life was at stake. She hastily penned a letter to Clys in an attempt at diplomacy.

"Clys,

It is my understanding that you and Kittsu are angry with Verloran. You think of the meeting in Darkshire as a "set-up" and wish to no longer trust him.

I am writing to tell you that Verloran is under my protection, and I will not allow him to be harmed even if it costs me my life.

Verloran wished to meet with you to possibly learn a few things about his past. I have no problem with that, but put yourself in my shoes. Would you allow Kittsu to be placed in such a dangerous situation without a contingency? I would hope not, if you truly cared for her.

I was not there to listen, or to spy. It isn't my business what was said or revealed to Verloran. I was there to simply ensure that no harm came to a member of my family, which as a Scourge Slayer Verloran is. And seeing as how eager you were to attack me when you saw me, I feel I was right in doing so.

It is my wish that this letter will convince you to meet with Verloran and share the information he needs to know. As before, I would like to be present at this meeting to ensure his safety. This does not have to end in bloodshed, but rest assured, he is under my protection, and it would be beneficial to you and your family to be decent and peaceful regarding this situation.

As a fellow rogue and assassin, I trust you know what I mean by that.

I wish for us to be allies, Clys. My only concern in life is helping my friends, and eliminating Scourge. Help me to do this, and I may be able to help you with something in the future (as long as it doesn't involve stealing babies or anything).

I trust in your skills as a person to understand, and do the right thing. Contact me if you wish to discuss this further. No one should have to die over this.

Enclosed is a lock of Lovely's hair as a peace offering. I took it while she slept. Figured you would appreciate the sentiment.

Yours,

Teelia Gazee
Lead Slayer of the Scourge Slayers
House of Gazee, Andorhal, Lordaeron."

[Danyxandra]

Danlyra had warned Verloran not to meet with Clys, not to trust Kittsu. As usual, Kittsu had charmed her prey and Verloran seemed to be putty in her hands, completely unaware of how dangerous Kittsu and her lovers could be. Danlyra didn't know what exactly occured at that meeting, but the evening discussion afterward over the guild badge was dismal.

The fact that everyone had survived the meeting should have relieved Danlyra, but still, if Clys ever left anyone alive, there was usually a reason, even it if was merely to keep a toy alive a bit longer. Did she have further use of Verloran? Did Clys withhold from killing Teelia in some sense of sick foreplay? Some rogues were like that, when slicing each other up.

[Kittsu]

Clys sat with her back to the wall, as usual, while Danlily read the letter.

"Thank you, dearest," said Clys when Danlily was finished. "More tripe from the humans, as I assumed. Teelia should realize that if I wanted to kill her, I would have. Amazing how she twists what happened to her own agenda, isn't it? Not surprising, though. You want the lock of Lovely's hair? Or do you have enough?"

"I want it!" said Danlily. "Mother needs bangs. She's been complaining."

"It's all yours, then. As for this Verloran fellow, I'm sure he knows who he is. What other explanation could there be? He knows, and he wants revenge. We'll simply have to strike first. Not that there's any big rush, really. We can wait for the opportune moment. I wonder if Kittsu has his movements mapped yet?"

At that moment, Kittsu appeared in the doorway, changing rapidly from cat-form to elf form and back again, clapping her hands and then roaring and purring, going back and forth crazily.

"Kittsu, what's all this about?" Clys demanded. "What's excited you so?"

Kittsu forced herself into elven form with some difficulty, her eyes wide and excited. She waved her hands wildly as she spoke in a higher pitch than normal, and at twice her normal speed.

"I found someone you lost! You lost her, but I found her. She's waiting to come back to us. I found her. You lost her. But I found her, and she's waiting, just waiting. She smells so good! And she has your mark on her neck, where you bit her, and then I bit it, and I knew it was yours, and she knows Tempest!"

"Whoa, whoa, slow down," said Clys, rising and taking Kittsu by the shoulders. "What are you talking about? Who did you find?"

Kittsu swallowed a couple of times, trying to suppress her giggles.

"You must know her! She has your bite, on her neck. I tasted it! And she knew my scent, and she knew your name, and she spoke Troll and she knows Tempest!"

Clys pursed her lips and gripped Kittsu's shoulders more tightly, forcing Kittsu to look at her face.

"Who? Who are you talking about?"

"Ooopa! The elf! She must be yours and you lost her! But I found her!"

"Ooopa?" said Danlily. "You mean...Lupa? Tempest's mistress? We named my daughter Tempyst after that wolf. But she's dead. Lupa is dead, Kittsu, you know that."

"No!" said Kittsu. "Not Lupa! Well maybe..." Kittsu grew quiet for a moment, then spoke more slowly. "Well she said her name was Ooopa, but when she smelled the cellar where Mistress was the other night, she fell down and said her scar hurt, and then she was all trembly, and she called out in Troll. She said, "Clys! Run! Tempest, after them!" -- something like that. And then she rubbed her throat where you bit her, Mistress, and she got up and was scared. She wanted to know about you and Tempest, so I told her how we used to hunt with Tempest all the time, and how Lupa was with us that night, and how you saw Lupa's spirit go away instead of come back to her body when she fell. And then how you drank all the blood as a tribute, and then we shared some of it later, and how we all miss Lupa. But Oopa was confused. I think she's been lost a long time. She said she didn't speak Troll, but I heard her. Maybe she's half elf like Danlily! She looks elven, like me, but she smells better than regular elves. She has a hot pulse, when I bit her neck I could feel it. And the scar where you bit her had your aura on it, Mistress. I always know your aura."

"Um..." said Clys. "This isn't making much sense Kittsu. Are you alright? You haven't been into the Stout again have you?"

Kittsu stamped her foot.

"I'm not drunk! And I'm not making this up! Here! Smell for yourself. I rubbed her with my own hands!"

Kittsu held out her hands, and Clys carefully sniffed the fingertips, then the palms.

"'Lily, you smell them. I'm not sure I believe what my senses tell me," said Clys.

Danlily obediently sniffed Kittsu's hands, her eyes widening as she did so.

"It does smell like her. But...we know she's dead, right? I mean, you saw her, you drained the blood from her body, you watched her spirit fly away!" said Danlily.

"Maybe her spirit didn't fly away. Maybe she just relocated. Just like I plan to do once my new body is ready," said Clys. "Lupa was incredibly strong. She may have found a new home."

Clys turned to Kittsu.

"We have to see her. Set it up right away. If it's really Lupa, then she's our friend and ally, and if she needs us we have to help her," Clys commanded.

Kittsu clapped her hands happily.

"I knew it! I knew she was one of us! I could feel her soul close to mine, like we were already sisters. Can she come live with us? She can share my room. I wouldn't mind. She's awfully pretty. And we can play cat games together. She's a druid, like me!"

"But Lupa was a Huntress," said Danlily.

"Maybe she switched professions in the spirit world," said Clys. "How do I know? Until we see her, we're just guessing anyway. Kittsu...go! Now!"

"I'm on my way! She said she'd wait in the Stormwind Park. I'll get her to come out somewhere closer."

Kittsu raced out the door, giggling and laughing and then purring as she transformed and gained speed.

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http://www.computer-man.us/fr/immortalis/upae1.jpg

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[Verloran]

Things were not going as planned.

Firstly, no matter what he said, Clys and Kittsu still wanted him dead. Negotiating by mail was getting rather repetetive, especially when it was the same thing over and over again. Kittsu says they're going to kill him, he appologizes, second verse same as the first. Hopefully this would be different, as he asked her to talk to him in person. He would try to get her to talk to him, at least for a little bit, by giving her a picture book he had found in the Cathedral.

Then there was the fact that whenever he spoke of Clys and Kittsu to Danlyra, he discussed possibilities for their demise. Why? The only thing they had done to him was say they were going to kill him, and he had heard that before. All these ways to end them, though! Verloran didn't know why it mattered to him so that they fell, but it certainly seemed to. He would have to put these thoughts elsewhere, though, at least for now. Just until he could get what he needed from Clys. The problem was that Clys wanted him dead, and would likely not give him what he wanted.

He probably would be better off just killing them all.

[Upae]

Everything was changing so fast she could scarce make sense of it all.

It all started really when she accepted the mission to help the watch in cleansing Duskwood. Upae had heard the rumours, she knew the place had a reputation for being creepy. She wasn't prepared for the true reality of the place. Almost as soon as she was there she felt it, a sense of forboding and unease. Yes, everyone who travels to that sad place feels somewhat the same, but this was different.

She found herself becoming short tempered and prone to outbursts. She found herself thinking and acting in a bolder, more direct fashion than normal. Her inhibitions were weakening and her mind was becoming preoccupied with thoughts of battle and lust. She also suspected herself of blacking out. There were pockets of unaccounted for time when she could not recall what she said or did. Always in Duskwood.

Then there was the anxiety attack. It started along the road from Darkshire towards Raven Hill. A growing sense of unease and apprehension. It strengthened as she followed the road, until she could barely place one foot in front of the other. Right there, where the road forked off to the south towards Stranglethorn Vale it reached its height. Upae's heart was palpatating, her breath labored and everywhere she imagined eyes watching her. Alien, serpentine eyes. The north side of the road in particular carried an aura of dread and fear that forced her to hug the southern bank as she slowly forced herself to continue.

In desperation she had called out over her communicator to her guildmate Laron. He was in nearby Stranglethorn adventuring with his friend, the human paladin Vendella. He was concerned enough that he was about to set aside his activities to travel north to her aid.

With effort Upae forstalled him. " No, its a'right." she said. " I'm a'most at Raven Hi''. Its 'oin away now." Indeed, as she left the fork behind the anxiety lessened, to remain only as a shadow in her mind.

The explosive revelations came later that evening. Upae encountered Kittsu in Darkshire Inn. As she was in cat form, Upae immediately recognized the scent as the sister of Danlyra. That meeting was like an epiphany to Upae. The things the druid told her, shown her were undeniable. Pieces of a puzzle were starting to fall into place.

The woman bore the scars of fangs on her torso. Scars that resembled her own neck wound so closely that there was little doubt they were inflicted by the same source; the undead Rogue Clys Nex'Cruor.

Kittsu seemed positively giddy with glee. She recognized the scars as coming from her mistress.

" You are hers! "she said. " and the fact you are alive means you are family! We are family!"

Family?! The thought sent a shiver through Upae. Could it be? Was she actually a member of that bizarre family? It was a scary implication. Yet at the same time Upae felt a strange sensation of ... exhiliration? Anticipation?

Then the strangest thing happened. While in the inn basement Kittsu showed Upae where her mistress Clys had met the man, Verloran. Pointed out where she stood, even where Teelia had been hiding. Teelia? Upae knew the woman from her Swordwaltzer days, knew her as Nouri's ex. What was she doing there? It didn't matter, as pain struck her from her neck wound. She blacked out, to recover moments later lying on the cold floor of the basement. Kittsu was standing over her with an expression of surprise on her face.

" You just spoke troll!" she said to Upae. " You called out in troll! You said, " Clys! Run! They are all around us! Tempest is down!" Kittsu nodded to Upae. " You knew Tempest?"

Upae tried to recall what had happened, to no avail. But the words of Kittsu troubled her. She was the third person to tell her that she spoke troll during those blackouts!

" Tempest? No. Who is that?" asked Upae..

Kittsu giggled. " Tempest was a nice doggy. A wolf, the friend of my mistresses good friend and ally, the troll huntress Lupa. Did you know Lupa? You just spoke about her wolf!"

Upae shook her head, but a strange tightness was taking hold of her chest. " No, p'ease te'' me about this 'upa."

"Oh! She was a friend of ours. Fought alongside our mistress often! She had an elf lover once, a man named Barke. She died not far from here a while ago. "

The words were burning into Upae's mind. It was all coming crashing together.

"Kittsu. I need to ta'k to your mistress. I.... I don't know what is happenin."

Kittsu clapped her hands together and bounced in joy. " Yes! You will need to meet her! You are family I know it! Maybe you can come live with us! You can share my room!"

Later that evening after Upae had left Darkshire to return to the park in Stormwind she thought back to the meeting. The anxiety was gone as was her strange behaviour. It was in that quiet, tranquil garden that she realized that when she tried to repeat that troll huntress' name, it sounded eerily like her own..

[Danyxandra]

((*squeels!*))

[Verloran]

Things were going better, at least. Kittsu wrote him back agreeing to meet with Verloran in light of the fact that he had gotten a picture book for her. He read over the letter briefly, wondering how much she'd actually enjoy Shorty the Dwarf Gets a Ram, and hoping it would satisfy her enough to get decent conversation. The letter also said that he should bring ropes. What in the world would those be for?

[clys]

It was her. Clys knew as soon as she saw Upae. It was there, in the walk, the way she held her head. But Clys had to be sure. As Kittsu spoke to Upae, Clys waited and watched. They were alone in the Pub, in the Park in Stormwind. Kittsu was telling Upae to sit and calm herself, to close her eyes and reach out with her senses.

As Upae complied, Clys drew near, still shrouded in the shadows. She touched Upae, then hugged her. She bared her fangs and gently bit Upae's neck. Upae shuddered and fell to the floor, and Clys stood back to watch.

"It's her, Kittsu. You were right. She's come back to us."

"I told you! I could sense it! And she does, too... is she ok now?" asked Kittsu, looking a bit worried.

"Of course she is. She's strong. So strong even death didn't stop her. She must have pushed someone else out of that body and taken it for herself. Impressive. But then, she always was."

After a bit, Upae regained conciousness, a fiercness in her gaze that wasn't there before.

"Clys! What happened? Where am I?"

The questions came fast and furious. Clys chuckled and let Kittsu do the talking. Kittsu and Upae went upstairs to find a mirror, and Clys faded back into the shadows to think, smiling to herself.

"You know..." she thought. "If she could take over a new body, that just proves that I can, also. My plan WILL succeed this time! And once I have the key, we can do it for anyone we choose. Even Lupa, if she wants to, could switch again, out of that nightelf body she's in now... It'll be up to her of course. The main thing is, she's back, and she's alive and strong, and she remembers! It's just as I knew it would be! The body is just a shell...a shell... just a shell..."

Upstairs, Lupa/Upae was going a bit nuts looking at herself in a shiny mug. There were no mirrors in the pub! But she saw enough... Kittsu clapped and danced with excitement... there were so many questions to answer. How did I die? Where is Tempest? What happened after? Kittsu answered them all, giggling happily when she came to the part about Kurohane.

"Yes, you won after all, Lupa! Kurohane is Forsaken now! All the Swordwaltzers are gone. And here you are, back with us again!"

In the end, Lupa went off to think, and Kittsu went to find a place to rest. So much excitement. Lupa! She's back!

http://computer-man.us/fr/immortalis/upae2.jpg

[Noury]

They were both bored, so Nouri suggsested they take a walk into Mulgore. He met up with Verloran outside the Inn at Ratchet and together they trekked across the Barrens, being careful to skirt the larger Horde settlements at the Crossroads and Camp Taurajo.

This was Nouri’s second visit to the Tauren homeland. The first time was to make a visit to the Darkmoon Faire some time ago. It was just as he remembered it. Rolling green hills, rising spires, abundant wildlife. It was a picturesque landscape. This was Verloran’s first visit and the man seemed impressed.

They were casually walking northwards just east of Thunder Bluff when their guild communicators crackled. “ Hello! Its Teelia! “ came the cheery voice of his special friend.

“ Tee!” called Nouri. “ How are you?”

“Well hello Teelia.” Said Verloran.

“ Hello Verloran. So, how did it go with Kittsu?” she asked. Nouri stopped in his tracks. The man was still pursuing that crazy scheme!?

“ Good. She thinks that I set her up, the you were there by my invitation. I think I convinced her otherwise.” Said Verloran. “ I got her to agree to another meeting. I told her I found some picture books that I can show her. I’m also supposed to bring a rope.”

“Verloran no!” cried Teelia. Nouri could make out her concern over the communicator. “ You can’t let them tie you up!”

“ It’s the only way they can get want they need from me for the information I seek.” He said.

Nouri turned to his friend and said “ Verloran, you are a psychiatrist, so why are you acting like one of your patients?”

“ Huh?” asked Verloran.

Nouri sighed. “ Its just that this plan of yours is lunacy! Do you know what they are capable of? Just ask Lovely!”

“ Lovely? Why what did they do to her?” asked Verloran.

Teelia was swift with the answer. “ Oh , they just pumped her full of drugs and poisons, beat her, raped her, placed their arcane mark on her. Verloran, they will try to do the same to you!”

Verloran looked a little pale at the description but still the man persisted. “ They would have me dead in any case, so I see this as a lesser risk really.”

Nouri’s misgivings were huge. They continued to walk in silence for a time. Eventually the silence was broken with Verloran’s question. “ Why are you scouting this land anyway Nouri?”

“Oh, I’ve been invited to an unusual wedding in a few weeks time. Its to take place here somewhere, and Im just looking for the spot based on the description. I want to know where I will be walking into. Never know when I need to make a hasty exit”

Soon the landscape rose sharply as they approached the base of the high plateau’s of Thunder Bluff. So far they had met not a single Tauren on their trek. Still, they were careful to keep a respectful distance from the high walls of the Tauren capital. Following the base northwards they came to a place where the stone jutted out to form a shelf, like a tongue of rock overlooking the plain below.

“ I do believe this is the place.” Said Nouri. They sat for a while to admire the spectacular view.

“ It certainly is a stunning sight.” Said Verloran.

Nouri turned to his friend. “ Verloran, I can’t stop you from carrying out your plan, you will do it whatever we say if you so decide. I know this. Just, please be careful. That is all I ask. If you need us we will be ready.”

Verloran nodded. They sat for a while before making their farewells. Nouri hearthed back to Stormwind while Verloran waited in quiet contemplation for a time.