giftedthom | (no subject)

::tugs the last of his Gift away and, somewhat reluctantly, surrenders Brennan's magic to him::

::the lir-link blazes back into life, and Brennan practically falls to his knees beside Sleeta, burying his face in her pelt and trying not to show exactly how much that just hurt him::

::Stands there for a minute, luxuriating in his returned (and healthier) power.

Then he comes back to himself, as it were, and orders:: Out.

::staggers to his feet, wiping the blood off his face and hoping that Thom doesn't notice it::

Right. Glad it worked.

::Thom doesn't notice. Lucky Brennan?::

::curtly:: As am I.

::as Brennan shakily turns to leave, Sleeta speaks up::

Children. Always so blind to what's right in front of them.

::Thom and Brennan both hear her.::

::thoroughly gobsmacked:: What.

::slowly turning::

You heard that, didn't you.

::firmly:: No. There was nothing to hear.

Now get out.

::Sleeta sounds amused and annoyed at the same time::

Denying it won't help, lir.

::flushes and shouts:: I don't want you here, damn you!

What - what the hell? We've got our own magic back, you shouldn't be in the link!

::looks down at Sleeta, wide-eyed:: What went wrong?

::the cat looks smug:: I cannot say. But the link encompasses all three of us.

Then the link is wrong. If you think I want to be lir-linked to that ku'reshtin -

Well, good; it's mutual.

I want nothing to do with either of you!

Then you'll get your wish.

::turns on his heel and goes to leave, stumbling slightly but refusing to look back, even when Sleeta protests::

Lir-

::acidly:: No, Sleeta. He wants us gone, we'll go. The lir-link will break when we leave this godsforsaken place, anyway.

And what do you think will happen to both of you? What happens when a warrior loses his lir?

::snaps:: He lives happily ever after.

Or dies forever after. It's the same thing in the end.

If death is my tahlmorra then I accept it. It's a damn sight better than hanging around as bitter, self-centred ku'reshtin whose own arrogance got himself killed!

::snorts:: And what do you call what you just said, if not arrogance?

Realism, perhaps? I won't deny I've got my fair share of arrogance, but at least I don't make other people miserable because of my own mistakes.

Yeah? Nice to know I don't count as people to you, Cat-man.

::balls up a fist and hits Brennan::

::recoils more because of the unexpectedness of the blow than because it really hurts, and reacts almost instinctively, grabbing Thom's arm and spinning him around, shoving him against the wall and holding him there with an arm against his throat::

::hissing:: Right now you're worse than Ihlini to me, and that's something I never thought I'd have to say.

::yelps, startled, and goes perfectly still, glaring::

::hisses:: I have a knack for it.

Get your hands the fuck off me.

::dangerously softly:: Are you going to make me?

Lir-

::sharply:: No, Sleeta. This is my business, not yours.

::narrows his eyes:: Go ahead and try me. It'll make my day.

You want to play at being strong? I've known boys stronger than you are where it really matters. Your magic may be powerful but you're nothing where it counts, Thom.

::stays where he is and speaks again, a challenging note entering his voice::

You really think you can beat me?

::harsh laughter:: There's more to strength than brute force. I have everything that really matters.