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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carnifex" data-source="post: 879225" data-attributes="member: 227">It really was amazing, the power Wyshira channelled. It washed over Melisande's burns like fresh, cool water, rinsing away all but a memory of the unbearable pain; soon Mel found she could breathe properly and was not, after all, about to weep. She stayed put though, still too stunned and afraid to move. I'll pass out if I try to stand, she rationalized, although the real reason might have been that malevolent, dread-inspiring voice and the aberration from which it issued, the sight of which may very well make her pass out from fear. Kale seemed to be holding up his side of the conversation better than she expected, though. It only occurred to her around then that he was trying to buy time, not really bargain with the monstrosity, and she was appreciatively re-evaluating his practical sense (not that Melisande possessed much of a yardstick by which to judge), when a cool shadow passed over and she found her surprised self bundled up suddenly in a pair of strong but careful arms. Sebastion's voice reached her through the roar of waves (among them embarrassment, gratitude, and a multitude of other ill-defined emotions) breaking against the blue rocks of her heart. Now I really am going to pass out, she thought. I was already in shock. What's he planning to do, outrun another blast from the Beholder with me over his shoulder? Or, she reflected cynically, throw me down as offering to the beast? Stone-eater though it is, it may not turn up its--nose?--at some fresh chicken-brains. But this was unfair and she knew it. The situation was hopeless either way and this was no time to disparage a kind gesture. Really very kind, come to think of it. Feeling furtive, she began to let herself enjoy the moment for what it was worth. Hadn't she always wished to be held in a man's arms but once before she died? And while she might have chosen different circumstances (and postponed death), would she have chosen different arms? Lord Ecurius' good looks passed through her mind with a brief and quite bland flash, and disappeared. Nevertheless-- The guilt of her secret enjoyment pierced through whatever sweet clouds blue Melisande might have been floating upon and she began abruptly to struggle. "I'm all right--I'm fine, thank you--You're very kind but I'm quite healed now--" * * *Sebastion felt, suddenly, somehow, right. This was what it was about, this was the point. It wasn't in the actual slicing and dicing, nor the luck that seemed to be following his throwing axe of late... It was draping the damsel in distress across your arms and carrying her from danger into safety. This was what he wanted from life, this was making a difference, judging the angle so he could turn his body into the path of any danger that came her way. Keeping an eye on the floating orb, therefore, and picking his way gently across the rocky surface towards the horses, he was somewhat surprised when she started to struggle against his grip. This wasn't what was supposed to happen. "Hold still you bloody stupid woman!" he hissed in her ear. "I'm trying to save your life here!" And he was. He had... A plan. It wasn't much, as deceptions went, but it was a plan, and he'd feel better if she were away and out of danger. Twisting slightly, he eased her feet to the floor and took a few steps away "Uh, hey!" he called, loudly, trying to attract the things attention. "She'll be weak after... after that. She'll probably just slow us down in the caves. Why don't you let her on her way while we go in?" The beholder's mouth broke in to what must only have been an unpleasant smile. "Why, I have a better idea. She can... stay up here with me while you go down under the earth. That way, you will have a... motivation to return with all haste from getting me my minerals..." Melisande opened her mouth but she had no idea what she was going to say. Pleading her own uselessness ("They won't come back for me," came to mind) only meant trying to push off hostage duty on someone else, which of course she would never dream of; and she could think of nothing at all to respond to Sebastion Cornell. His behavior entirely eluded her powers of intuition. Bloody stupid woman, I'm trying to save your life? Speaking of stupid! Was this some kind of ludicrous heroism he was building into that Warlord persona, risking himself for the least of his companions? She didn't much like the role that put her in. She stared at him for long enough that he could fill in whatever blanks were left by her own speechlessness, and then heaved a long sigh of resignation. "Well," she said at last with as much dignity as she could scrape back up, "go on, go find some rocks. I'll just wait here." And with that she turned to face the bloated eyes of her fate.</blockquote>

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