InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "really?"

Kadaj (mothersbestson) wrote in mirage_rpg,
@ 2008-10-02 19:19:00

Entry tags:

complete, day 17, kadaj, kidnapping, toph bei fong, xena

Who: Kadaj, Xena and Toph
When: Day 17
What: Kadaj isn't sure about what he overheard the day before...
Where: Outside the main building
Rating: P
Status: Complete

After going back to the forest just beyond the barn, where he exercised with his tremendous leaps and imaginary sword fighting, Kadaj returned to the main vinyard building via the path that took him past the barn. He walked in his typical straight-backed, militaristic posture. He went stealthily, not intending to sneak up on anyone. It was just what Kadaj did. As he walked he kept one hand on the hilt of his sword.

Today he didn't find anyone in the barn but yesterday there had been people talking, and he had also heard a horse or two moving around in what seemed e a restless, nervous way from the sound of them. There were two people apparently. One of them, a female, also seemed stressed but it wasn't his discussion and business so he'd continued on his own way silently.

Just like yesterday, a golem-thing approached him as he got near the plaque in the courtyard. Kadaj took one of the bottles of water from the tray it held and took a long drink. Then he poured the rest over himself just for the hell of it. As he shook his wet hair around, he caught sight of Xena.

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bravely
2008-10-03 10:26 am UTC (link)

Xena had been looking for Gabrielle since the night before. No one she'd talked to had seen the blond haired bard. When she couldn't find her, she went back to their room to wait for her to come back. But she hadn't come back that night, either. Something was wrong. Neither of them had felt well for several days now, and it wasn't a regular sickness, it was a dread that roiled and swelled in their bellies and caused nausea.

Xena's way of coping with it had been to work out, exercise, try to keep her mind off of it. It had helped, but not enough to make it go away completely. And she felt bad that she'd been leaving Gabrielle alone so much. Was this payback? Was Gabrielle angry with her? Was she punishing her by hiding and making her worry? Those thoughts just made her angry, so she shook them away and went out to look for her again the next morning.

She looked everywhere she thought the bard would be, and when she didn't find her, she looked everywhere she didn't think she would be. It was when she was looking through the halls in the E building that she noticed Toph coming out of her room. "Good morning, Toph." She moved toward her and stopped a few feet away. "You haven't seen Gabrielle around have you?" She paused and inwardly groaned when she realized what she'd said. "I mean, seen her in the way you have of seeing, anyway? I can't find her and she didn't come back to our room last night. I'm starting to worry."

That was an understatement if there ever was one. Xena had been worried for several hours and it was starting to make its way to anger and fear. Not a great combination for a warrior with lethal combat skills. "I hate to ask, but would you mind helping me look for her? I know you have some skills that might help. And after we find her, we can train. What do you say?" Hoping the girl would agree and comply, she motioned for her to follow and headed out of the building.

She caught sight of Kadaj and lifted a hand in greeting before nearing. "Kadaj. Good morning. You haven't by any chance seen a petite blond wearing a red leather outfit? Short blond hair, blue-green eyes, slightly muscular?" Xena's hands moved across her body as she described Gabrielle, indicating the outfit on herself and pointing to her hair and eyes when describing those.

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rocksolid
2008-10-03 11:08 am UTC (link)

Toph yawned and turned towards Xena as the woman greeted her, assuming at first that the other had simply come to get Katara for more training or something. It wasn't that though. Xena was off -- unsettled or something, it was hard to pick out certain emotions, none quite so clear as anger or lying. Still, Toph could tell something was wrong. The answer came soon enough.

She waved off the sight comment, more then used to that sort of thing by now and shook her head. "Nope. Haven't seen her, but she can't be far. There are only so many places someone can go in this place." The teen commented with a slight shrug. Xena was worried, but really -- the planet thing had a rule against killing, and everyone here seemed to be playing nice. So she really didn't see the point in worrying so much about her girlfriend taking off for a little while.

This in mind, she would have refused, the promise of breakfast much more appealing then wandering around looking for Gabrielle. The mention of her skill, and the idea of getting to train again though -- she'd barely started to consider it when Xena started off again, likely expecting her to follow. "Yeah, alright..." Not like she had anything better to do, and food could wait a while longer...

When Xena stopped again Toph continued forward a bit, 'seeing' if there was anyone else around while the other two spoke. Kadaj -- weird name, Toph thought absently, though the guy was weird either way. The way he moved all ridged and quiet -- kind of like the soldiers back home. She hoped they weren't going to ask everyone who happened to pass by if they'd seen Gabrielle, that would take forever.

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mothersbestson
2008-10-04 09:02 pm UTC (link)

"Xena. Good morning," he returned the greeting. He also nodded to the other woman but she didn't acknowledge him. Not that it mattered much whether someone exhibited good manners or not, as long as they weren't aiming to kill him.

Listening to Xena, he couldn't miss the concern she felt. He glanced in the direction of the barn. "Are you talking about your friend, Gabrielle?" he wondered, recalling how Xena had mentioned her the day they sparred with their swords. And from the way Xena indicated her leather outfit, it was obvious she referred to someone from her own world.

"I heard her in the barn talking to someone yesterday." He paused for a couple of seconds, thinking about the tiny bit of talk he'd unexpectedly eavesdropped on. "I think she called him Dahak or something like that."

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bravely
2008-10-05 10:25 pm UTC (link)

Xena was glad she didn't have to contend with the disagreeable teenager for once and that Toph just followed along without much protest. When they found Kadaj and asked about Gabrielle, Xena was actually surprised to find that he knew who she was talking about, having forgotten that she'd mentioned her when they'd sparred. "Yeah, Gabrielle. Have you seen her?"

She nodded as he mentioned her in the barn talking to someone. It wasn't all that strange that she had been talking to someone and it didn't alarm her. Of the two of them, Gabrielle was more social and it partially relieved Xena to hear that she was finally getting back to her old self and getting to know people, but the next words out of Kadaj's mouth chilled her and nearly stopped her heart from beating.

In actuality, her heart began to beat a rapid tattoo against her chest and she had to tell herself it was impossible. Dahak couldn't be here. "You must be mistaken, are you sure the name you heard was Dahak?" But all at once, things began to fall into place. The feelings of dread, the nausea, the need to stay busy, the lust for action and combat. It was Dahak. He was here, and he had Gabrielle! Her hand went to her hip and she grasped her chakram with a firm fist, setting her jaw in anger. "Do you know where they went?"

She didn't want to alarm Kadaj or Toph, or make Kadaj feel as if he had done something wrong because he most certainly hadn't. But Dahak had no regard for rules. And she wasn't sure what the Planet could do to him. She was certain he had plans for Gabrielle. She was also certain those plans were evil. Even with all she had been through in the last six years, Gabrielle still held a measure of innocence to her, and Xena knew that would entice the Dark God.

She had to get her back, she had to find her. She just wasn't sure how. But standing around would achieve nothing. "It's important that I find her. I could use all the help I can get if you two would like to come along." She motioned toward the stables just before she set off, her stride quick and lengthy.

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rocksolid
2008-10-08 11:23 pm UTC (link)

"That bad is he?" Toph commented as Xena asked weather he'd heard the name right. The way she'd reacted -- fear, worry, anger. Sure, she hoped the girl, Gabrielle, was okay, but she'd be lying if the sudden prospect of a fight didn't make her all warm and tingly inside. Maybe she shouldn't enjoy fighting so much, but when you've always been treated like something fragile -- she couldn't help it.

"Nothing better to do." She said with a noncommittal shrug. For someone who tried not to look like she cared though, the teen moved quick, staying at Xena's side as the other woman hurried off. "Who is this Dahak guy? He's got you awfully upset." The earth bender asked, knowing it wasn't really her business -- but Xena had asked for her help. A little info couldn't hurt.

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mothersbestson
2008-10-09 11:43 am UTC (link)

Kadaj focused most of his attention on Xena since the other girl seemed intent on ignoring him and the warrior had asked for his help. It became obvious something serious was happening.

"Yes, I'm sure I heard Dahak and I don't know where they went. But couldn't the planet tell us where they went?" he suggested as he accompanied her and the stranger, going toward the stables.

He didn't have to ask who Dahak was so he just waited for the response.

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bravely
2008-10-14 10:51 am UTC (link)

"The worst." Xena tossed the words over her shoulder as she hurried toward the stables. She had no idea what the Planet could and could not do, and she didn't have time to stomp on the ground and ask the stupid rock where Gabrielle had been taken.

"Dahak is the epitome of evil. Think of the worst person you know and multiply that evil by a thousand. That's Dahak. He's from my world. And Gabrielle and I have had experience with him before. He practically destroyed Gabrielle once.." She paused in her explanation. Her stomach churned and she quickened her pace. She couldn't imagine what would happen now that Dahak had his hands on her, mortal hands.

They found the stables and Xena entered quickly, searching for signs of Gabrielle and the monster known as Dahak. She found traces of footprints and evidence that two people had stood in very close contact. She felt a cold chill crawl down her spine. He had abducted her. Now where was she supposed to look? She put a hand to her forehead, her other hand on her hip. She turned around and around, looking for some sign of where they might have gone.

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