#winter contingency

[cloverdigitalis]

“Come again, Noble One? Did you say Covenant?”

“Affirmative. It’s the WINTER CONTINGENCY.”

Halo Reach x 02: Winter Contingency

[okhire]

Halo Reach OST - Winter Contingency

[spud-works]

This soundtrack is THE SHIT

[tokillabeastie]

[cam-osborn]

[seiwind]

Apathy and the Snake

There were years between them. Years that Sei wished she could forget, yet, here he was. Unexpected. She and Anleigha had been out today, gathering things for the house as well as a few new clothes for the ever growing little girl. Sei spotted him. He spotted her. How she wanted to run behind a pillar, grab Anlei and disappear from sight, not from fear, no, not for any other reason than not wishing to see his face. The way things were left between them, it was hard enough to--

"Seiwind...." His voice as emotionless as ever, eyes as uncaring as though he were looking upon someone of lower status. She was used to that. She knew those very same eyes.

"Zephren...or is it Apathy now?" The rogue raised an eyebrow and let her eyes glance over to Anleigha as she joined hands with her baby sitter and exited the shop. The rogue folded her hands before her, smiling pleasantly to the warlock.

Dressed in robes of black, his hair was dark as a midnight sky, and as wild as the very fires that he wielded, Zephren was slender, yet there was some build to his frame, a frame perhaps Seiwind knew too well, and knew how deceiving it could be. For all intents and purposes, the warlock was beautiful, haunting fel green eyes, pale complexion, soft skin that didn't have a mark upon it. The high collar of the robe accentuated his face, making his jawline more pronounced, and melded with the black hair that fell past his shoulders to his mid back.

"Zephren...will do just fine, Sei." He tipped his head slightly, looking to the rogue, who only nodded in response. "I am rather curious as to why you are...out without your husband? A warlock...from what I can tell, hm? Related to the Runeweavers?" He was asking questions. Sei knew. He wanted something, but what, she had no idea. Most people, it was easy to tell if they were threatening, if they were dangerous from how they carried themselves, but that was the problem with this one. Seiwind, even to this day, did not know how to read him.

"Ah, you are well informed. I take it you still wish to become a Magister, hm? Or has that ambition left your mind?" Avoidance. Don't let him get to you, even with their history, even with Sei's training, she was trying hard to ignore him. The man raised his hand, nails long, painted black, sharp, pointed, Sei remembered how he could and would use them.

"It's an idea at the moment, yet I'll think upon it. A greater source of knowledge is always needed and sought for, you know this. Even in our time together, how often did I have you running to get books for me?" The warlock moved off to the side of the shop, inspecting a few small handcrafted toys in the bin, his hand reaching out to pick up a small rabbit, a smile crossing his face.

"But, seems I can't having you helping me with that anymore, it's a shame. We were a good team back then, weren't we? Ah...but the past is past. Seiwind has grown up, out of Penumbra's shadow and has her own...lovely...family. I'm envious Sei...and hurt. Not once have you invited me to dinner." Feigning pain, Zephren put a hand to his chest, shaking his head.

"What can I say, Zephren...there hasn't been enough time for me to care..." Seiwind let a bit of her rage out, and of course, the warlock took notice.

"Oh, come now. Are you still upset? I did try and help her you know. Penumbra wanted that child so badly, and I made a deal with her. She knew the terms. She knew what would and could happen if she broke her oath. She broke it. She paid. I'm just sorry you had to be there when she did so..." Stepping forward, the warlock roughly grabbed Seiwind's arm and spun her around, hand going to her throat, he held her there.

"...But let us get past that...shall we? I've noticed something. A signature...a faint strain of magic out in the Outlands. It's hard to detect, but I can detect it...but tell me why it reeks of your husband's energy?" His teeth close to her ear, the warlock snarled, and Sei only stood there, frozen, not responding.

The two held their position for a bit, Seiwind not answering, Zephren not allowing her from his grasp. Leaning closer, the warlock now purred in the rogue's ear.

"There were many nights like this...weren't there? Don't act as if you don't remember...Sei. My hand here...my other on your belly, trailing down. You were...a joy to have fun with. Perhaps the one time I cared about anyone, was when I saw you reeling in pleasure at my touch...and all it ever took, was my touch...."

At that, Seiwind spun, arm coming up to break the contact between the both of them, she reached behind her back, pulling out a hidden blade from under her shirt.

"....Leave." Seiwind snarled now, anger at full, arm shaking in rage. Zephren only held his hands up at his sides, mockingly surrendering to the woman.

"Ah...there is that fire again. Perhaps that's why...Korus...was it? I think that's the name I've heard...yes. Korus...he probably enjoys that. In either case, I'll leave you to your...shopping. I think I'll make a trip to Outlands soon though, perhaps find out what that retched scent is." Bringing his arms behind his back, Zephren continued out of the shop, whistling a low and slow tune to himself as he left.

Seiwind moved against the wall, panting softly, her arm still shaking. Was...that his play? To see her reactions? Damn it. She let him know...didn't have to say a word, but he knew now. She was confused however, a fel magic signature in Outlands? Why there? And why was it Korus'? Licking her lips the rogue gathered her thoughts and moved outside of the shop.

She had to go home, pull Korus from his office, IF she could. These past few days, he had been in seclusion, for whatever reason, Sei couldn't place it. He would stay in there for hours and hours on end, not eating, then come out, gorge himself, then go back to his office. Locking it. Something wasn't right. She would get down to this, but...she'd have to enlist some assistance first.

[rooktangram]

A Reply to Amariesse

Pausing in his morning training, mind still clouded but at least somewhat rested, the arrival of the note from his sister drew his attention. Delivered by a stalwart raven, it'd take moments to read it over once the words appeared and the reply was just as swift.

  I'll be there, of course. I always am. - Rook