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John Eldritch just happened to be walking by Obsidian's room when he noticed something was wrong.
She was on the floor, just like he would usually sleep, but she was twitching horribly. Spasms of terror moving through her body that could only mean one thing, she was having a bad dream, a really bad dream.
He almost had been tempted to go into her room and wake her up, but stopped. He, too, suffered from nightmares, and there had never been anyone to comfort them.
Why was she so damn special? He asked himself.
She was mumbling things in her sleep, mostly things he couldn't understand. In the end, he left her room quietly, leaving her to her own problems.
In her nightmare Obsidian remembered...
Pleased at his new pet the Master set about planning her first mission. Obsidian was a member of the elite group known as Guides and he knew that she had access to technology that allowed her ship to warp to unique sectors. Gaining that ability would give him unlimited power and the universe would bow at his feet. Obsidian had access to places faraway without using wormholes. Yet he had searched her ship but could not find any extraneous equipment that would explain how she was initiating those jumps. The Master considered a biometric trigger and did a full body scan, but again nothing unusual showed up. Finally he decided to let her roam, to make her into a drone, unaware of what had happened to her and what her real task was.
The Master had a special tracer chip implanted near her sternum to record data about where, when, and how her body changed and once activated would act as an amplifier to broadcast his commands. He was satisfied with his new toy and could not wait to play with it.
“Obsidian you will not remember unless I tell you to remember: He hissed into her ear.
“Please, Master, please make the pain stop…” Obsidian whimpered.
“You will forget the pain when you make me happy” he replied. “Obsidian you are now mine and I command you to stop thinking about this place. I have a task for you to complete.....”
Obsidian struggled. "Must resist, I must resist..."
She was on the floor, just like he would usually sleep, but she was twitching horribly. Spasms of terror moving through her body that could only mean one thing, she was having a bad dream, a really bad dream.
He almost had been tempted to go into her room and wake her up, but stopped. He, too, suffered from nightmares, and there had never been anyone to comfort them.
Why was she so damn special? He asked himself.
She was mumbling things in her sleep, mostly things he couldn't understand. In the end, he left her room quietly, leaving her to her own problems.
In her nightmare Obsidian remembered...
Pleased at his new pet the Master set about planning her first mission. Obsidian was a member of the elite group known as Guides and he knew that she had access to technology that allowed her ship to warp to unique sectors. Gaining that ability would give him unlimited power and the universe would bow at his feet. Obsidian had access to places faraway without using wormholes. Yet he had searched her ship but could not find any extraneous equipment that would explain how she was initiating those jumps. The Master considered a biometric trigger and did a full body scan, but again nothing unusual showed up. Finally he decided to let her roam, to make her into a drone, unaware of what had happened to her and what her real task was.
The Master had a special tracer chip implanted near her sternum to record data about where, when, and how her body changed and once activated would act as an amplifier to broadcast his commands. He was satisfied with his new toy and could not wait to play with it.
“Obsidian you will not remember unless I tell you to remember: He hissed into her ear.
“Please, Master, please make the pain stop…” Obsidian whimpered.
“You will forget the pain when you make me happy” he replied. “Obsidian you are now mine and I command you to stop thinking about this place. I have a task for you to complete.....”
Obsidian struggled. "Must resist, I must resist..."
Shortly after the Master had released Obsidian, Cerberus’ black Corvus vulture slowly exited the docking bay. He had left the dock using minimal power hoping to not attract too much attention. Cerberus vowed to himself that he would not allow any more harm to her. He would find a way to end her pain and to bring back the sparkle in her eyes. Unfortunately he knew he could not approach her too closely without alarming her so he worked to stay just at the edges of her sensor range. Several times he was certain that she had detected him because she would appear to be searching for his ship. Yet he was never found, she didn’t lock on to him and in no way attempted to hail. It then dawned on Cerberus that the Master’s mental blocks could also prevent her from acknowledging him. This was something he could use to his advantage.
One day Cerberus dared to test her recall by offering Obsidian a drink in a bar in Dau.
“Have you always been this cute, or did you have to work at it?” he began.
Obsidian was lost in her thoughts and mumbled “Um, thank you.”
“Can I buy a stunning pilot a drink?”
She looked at him and decided that he seemed okay “I’m in the mood for some company. Sure.”
“The only thing your eyes haven't told me is your name. I’m Dav” he lied testing if she would respond.
“Obs” she replied with a soft smile. Obsidian looked at the man and felt something tugging at the far edges of her memory but she could not place him.
“Nice to meet you, you work in this system much?”
“Oh, I get around but I mostly work in UIT and Gray space.”
Cerberus watched for subtle signs and soon noticed her left hand twitching involuntarily as she reached to pick up her drink. It could be a sign that the mental blocks were failing. Concerned for her safety he was driven to keep her within reach. He knew that her guild was a constant presence in her life and that he’d have to join it to stay close to her. TGFT was one of the larger, more active guilds and they had a formal membership process. He’d have to pass several interviews, background checks and a probationary period however Cerberus did not have time to wait. He decided to do some background research on the council of TGFT maybe he could find a backdoor to gain entrance to the guild.
In his studies he came across Ecka the Red, brother to the current TGFT commander Ecka Estenk Cerberus saw this as the opening he needed. If he became acquainted with Red, maybe he could arrange a personal introduction to Ecka Estenk. Surely a family recommendation would help reduce some of the TGFT bureaucratic red tape. Even a basic probationary status would grant him enough access to keep a vigil over Obsidian.
He went to Ecka the Red and planted a suggestion. “I know you said your brother was worried about one of his council members. I bet all that Obsidian needs is some physical activity to wear out her overactive body and mind.” He hoped that Ecka the Red would pass on the idea to Ecka Estenk and the course would be set.
Ecka Estenk was a man of the universe. He had traveled to every corner in search of the best ores. He had spent many years in the universe and with his age, came wisdom. He had seen the birth of a nova star and the death of another. He had seen the ravages of the Itani-Serco war. He knew better than to challenge the universe because in the end the universe would always win.
When he met the anxious Cerberus in his office he noticed how the man radiated energy. Ecka saw in his green eyes the same brightness that Obsidian had once had. Cerberus would not stay still; he paced the room and bounced his leg, showing the same habits as Obsidian. As they talked he realized that this energy could be used to help his Obsidian like Ecka the Red had suggested.. Obsidian was high-energy and needed an outlet, and while Ecka had been trying he was not able to keep up with the physical routine that was keeping Obsidian balanced. However this man could match her liveliness and work with her until she calmed down.
Ecka began " Look Cerberus, you're new here but I need a favor of you. I want to you be Obsidian's partner. She needs someone to be there for her whenever and wherever and I think you are the right match."
Cerberus had learned much about the ancient miner and knew he appreciated directness. “I'm sure you already knew that I am here for only one purpose, and only one target, Obsidian.”
“What do you mean you’re only here for her?” the miner replied.
“I am here to show her the way home. The strength is within her, if she will let go and be set free.”
Ecka sighed and leaned back into his worn leather chair “I cannot argue with the mystery of the universe. When I saw you I had this feeling that she was a part of your path. We all have our own paths. It just takes some longer to find their way.” He paused to adjust his glasses. “I can let go and see where it will take me. Yep, and of course I’m always finding out new things about myself. What else do I have to do, but sit around and think? Only the young live their lives assuming they know what they want and when they want it.”
One day Cerberus dared to test her recall by offering Obsidian a drink in a bar in Dau.
“Have you always been this cute, or did you have to work at it?” he began.
Obsidian was lost in her thoughts and mumbled “Um, thank you.”
“Can I buy a stunning pilot a drink?”
She looked at him and decided that he seemed okay “I’m in the mood for some company. Sure.”
“The only thing your eyes haven't told me is your name. I’m Dav” he lied testing if she would respond.
“Obs” she replied with a soft smile. Obsidian looked at the man and felt something tugging at the far edges of her memory but she could not place him.
“Nice to meet you, you work in this system much?”
“Oh, I get around but I mostly work in UIT and Gray space.”
Cerberus watched for subtle signs and soon noticed her left hand twitching involuntarily as she reached to pick up her drink. It could be a sign that the mental blocks were failing. Concerned for her safety he was driven to keep her within reach. He knew that her guild was a constant presence in her life and that he’d have to join it to stay close to her. TGFT was one of the larger, more active guilds and they had a formal membership process. He’d have to pass several interviews, background checks and a probationary period however Cerberus did not have time to wait. He decided to do some background research on the council of TGFT maybe he could find a backdoor to gain entrance to the guild.
In his studies he came across Ecka the Red, brother to the current TGFT commander Ecka Estenk Cerberus saw this as the opening he needed. If he became acquainted with Red, maybe he could arrange a personal introduction to Ecka Estenk. Surely a family recommendation would help reduce some of the TGFT bureaucratic red tape. Even a basic probationary status would grant him enough access to keep a vigil over Obsidian.
He went to Ecka the Red and planted a suggestion. “I know you said your brother was worried about one of his council members. I bet all that Obsidian needs is some physical activity to wear out her overactive body and mind.” He hoped that Ecka the Red would pass on the idea to Ecka Estenk and the course would be set.
Ecka Estenk was a man of the universe. He had traveled to every corner in search of the best ores. He had spent many years in the universe and with his age, came wisdom. He had seen the birth of a nova star and the death of another. He had seen the ravages of the Itani-Serco war. He knew better than to challenge the universe because in the end the universe would always win.
When he met the anxious Cerberus in his office he noticed how the man radiated energy. Ecka saw in his green eyes the same brightness that Obsidian had once had. Cerberus would not stay still; he paced the room and bounced his leg, showing the same habits as Obsidian. As they talked he realized that this energy could be used to help his Obsidian like Ecka the Red had suggested.. Obsidian was high-energy and needed an outlet, and while Ecka had been trying he was not able to keep up with the physical routine that was keeping Obsidian balanced. However this man could match her liveliness and work with her until she calmed down.
Ecka began " Look Cerberus, you're new here but I need a favor of you. I want to you be Obsidian's partner. She needs someone to be there for her whenever and wherever and I think you are the right match."
Cerberus had learned much about the ancient miner and knew he appreciated directness. “I'm sure you already knew that I am here for only one purpose, and only one target, Obsidian.”
“What do you mean you’re only here for her?” the miner replied.
“I am here to show her the way home. The strength is within her, if she will let go and be set free.”
Ecka sighed and leaned back into his worn leather chair “I cannot argue with the mystery of the universe. When I saw you I had this feeling that she was a part of your path. We all have our own paths. It just takes some longer to find their way.” He paused to adjust his glasses. “I can let go and see where it will take me. Yep, and of course I’m always finding out new things about myself. What else do I have to do, but sit around and think? Only the young live their lives assuming they know what they want and when they want it.”
[EDITED= part of the storyline was in the found thread and after review I felt it needed to be here as well- Obsidian]
“I think they took something out of me the other night…. I mean I feel different, I had a dull ache in my chest but now it’s gone. Do you think it means my nightmare is going to end soon?” she was trying to be hopeful.
He was alarmed when he heard that someone might have taken the chip but he steadied himself, pleading with his body to not let Obsidian notice. “I don’t know what you are talking about. Try to sleep Obsidian.”
“I don't remember, why can't I remember?” Obsidian spoke to the figure sitting beside her.
“ Because, Obsidian, you went to a slave trainer. The Master brainwashed you, Obsidian. That's why you don't remember. You were a perfect slave: obedient, submissive,docile. He broke you, Obsidian. Broke your spirit and your free will. I’m here to help you to pick up the pieces and put yourself back together again.”
“Great... now you think I’m Humpty-Dumpty.” She scoffed.
“No, the master bound you to him so he could have power over you. He wanted to know the depths of your powers. He needed to know how you could warp all over the universe without using wormholes. The master was hunting for the ultimate treasure, one that would allow him to be everywhere and anywhere he so desired.”
Her arms wrapped around her knees, her eyes gazing off into the distance, while she chewed her lip. “I vaguely remember something about a chip. What was that thing he put into me? ”
Go to sleep.” He told her again as his mind was running through various scenarios that could unfold if the master found out that his puppet had been damaged and that the chip was no longer inside of her. He hoped his body would not betray him as he tried to lie to her. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“I can’t sleep” She whispered, head dipping silently. She hated having nightmares because they showed she was still at the mercy of her fear. “How do you……?” She gently asked, not expecting an answer. His stare began to make her feel slightly unbalanced. Why was he staring so hard at her? She silently swallowed, waiting for his answer.
“I don’t,” he answered.
“You must.” She looked at him in bewilderment. “You must sleep sometime.”
“I'm not The Master, okay? I'm not supposed to want you like this! It's not right!!!! “
Obsidian was startled by the sudden outburst. Her eyes widened as she realized the implications. “Want me?”
”I'm sorry, Obsidian. I'm just tired. I didn't mean to yell. I...I'm sorry...” Cerberus got up and started walking towards the door.
Obsidian got up and grabbed onto the back of his shirt to prevent him from leaving. “The only time I feel really, completely safe is when you're holding me.”
“But you aren't safe there, Obsidian. When you're close to me like that... “
Turning him around to face her she looked him straight in the eyes “I am safe there! It's the only place I'm safe...”
“You may be safe from your nightmares... but you aren't safe from me. And make no mistake, Obsidian. I am a beast. I know that even if you don't.”
Reaching out to place her hand on his face she whispered “ Maybe I don't need to be "safe" from you.”
“But how do you know that, Obsidian? You don't know what I'm like... you don't know... I'll try to help you any way I can, but I can't do this. I just can't. Not now.”
Obsidian woke up with a feeling she had never felt before, sanctuary. The TGFT station was always secure but since her return from gray space she had never really felt sheltered in its depths. Her mind was hazy and slow, not ready to register the world around her as heat and comfort wrapped themselves around her like a beloved blanket. Eventually she started to register the surroundings. A warm body was spooned behind her; an arm curved possessively around her waist, someone’s breathing sending shivers down her spine. She wasn’t scared, no; she knew who was holding her and making her feel safe. Her sparring partner, her rock, was here, now if she could only remember his name….
At that moment the final memory block fell away and she realized his name. It was Cerberus who was with her. Panic filled her as she remembered that he was the one who took her back to her cell. He had contributed to her pain and suffering. He worked for The Master!
She scrambled out of the bed and backed away from him. “I know who you are! I know what you did! You’re a fiend!”
“I tried to warn you Obsidian. I am not a nice guy. However, I don’t know why, but I’m here to help you Obsidian.”
"Don’t call me that. You don't know who I am. No one wants the real me. They all like the Guide, not Obsidian. You can’t call me Obsidian. She doesn’t exist anymore!" Her hands went up, jerking to hit him and knock him back. He was so bewildered he never saw it coming. “ I’m the Guide. How can I make you understand that I’m not this Obsidian you keep calling me.”
“ You are Obsidian and I do know you. I have seen your soul and I know the good that is inside. Dig down deep inside, Obsidian is in there, buried underneath it all.”
“What does it matter who I am?” She said defiantly.
“It matters to me.” He leaned down and looked her right in the eye “You need to get your priorities straight. You can’t change what you are … trying to be what others WANT you to be is weak. You’re Obsidian and you cannot run away from that.”
“I think they took something out of me the other night…. I mean I feel different, I had a dull ache in my chest but now it’s gone. Do you think it means my nightmare is going to end soon?” she was trying to be hopeful.
He was alarmed when he heard that someone might have taken the chip but he steadied himself, pleading with his body to not let Obsidian notice. “I don’t know what you are talking about. Try to sleep Obsidian.”
“I don't remember, why can't I remember?” Obsidian spoke to the figure sitting beside her.
“ Because, Obsidian, you went to a slave trainer. The Master brainwashed you, Obsidian. That's why you don't remember. You were a perfect slave: obedient, submissive,docile. He broke you, Obsidian. Broke your spirit and your free will. I’m here to help you to pick up the pieces and put yourself back together again.”
“Great... now you think I’m Humpty-Dumpty.” She scoffed.
“No, the master bound you to him so he could have power over you. He wanted to know the depths of your powers. He needed to know how you could warp all over the universe without using wormholes. The master was hunting for the ultimate treasure, one that would allow him to be everywhere and anywhere he so desired.”
Her arms wrapped around her knees, her eyes gazing off into the distance, while she chewed her lip. “I vaguely remember something about a chip. What was that thing he put into me? ”
Go to sleep.” He told her again as his mind was running through various scenarios that could unfold if the master found out that his puppet had been damaged and that the chip was no longer inside of her. He hoped his body would not betray him as he tried to lie to her. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“I can’t sleep” She whispered, head dipping silently. She hated having nightmares because they showed she was still at the mercy of her fear. “How do you……?” She gently asked, not expecting an answer. His stare began to make her feel slightly unbalanced. Why was he staring so hard at her? She silently swallowed, waiting for his answer.
“I don’t,” he answered.
“You must.” She looked at him in bewilderment. “You must sleep sometime.”
“I'm not The Master, okay? I'm not supposed to want you like this! It's not right!!!! “
Obsidian was startled by the sudden outburst. Her eyes widened as she realized the implications. “Want me?”
”I'm sorry, Obsidian. I'm just tired. I didn't mean to yell. I...I'm sorry...” Cerberus got up and started walking towards the door.
Obsidian got up and grabbed onto the back of his shirt to prevent him from leaving. “The only time I feel really, completely safe is when you're holding me.”
“But you aren't safe there, Obsidian. When you're close to me like that... “
Turning him around to face her she looked him straight in the eyes “I am safe there! It's the only place I'm safe...”
“You may be safe from your nightmares... but you aren't safe from me. And make no mistake, Obsidian. I am a beast. I know that even if you don't.”
Reaching out to place her hand on his face she whispered “ Maybe I don't need to be "safe" from you.”
“But how do you know that, Obsidian? You don't know what I'm like... you don't know... I'll try to help you any way I can, but I can't do this. I just can't. Not now.”
Obsidian woke up with a feeling she had never felt before, sanctuary. The TGFT station was always secure but since her return from gray space she had never really felt sheltered in its depths. Her mind was hazy and slow, not ready to register the world around her as heat and comfort wrapped themselves around her like a beloved blanket. Eventually she started to register the surroundings. A warm body was spooned behind her; an arm curved possessively around her waist, someone’s breathing sending shivers down her spine. She wasn’t scared, no; she knew who was holding her and making her feel safe. Her sparring partner, her rock, was here, now if she could only remember his name….
At that moment the final memory block fell away and she realized his name. It was Cerberus who was with her. Panic filled her as she remembered that he was the one who took her back to her cell. He had contributed to her pain and suffering. He worked for The Master!
She scrambled out of the bed and backed away from him. “I know who you are! I know what you did! You’re a fiend!”
“I tried to warn you Obsidian. I am not a nice guy. However, I don’t know why, but I’m here to help you Obsidian.”
"Don’t call me that. You don't know who I am. No one wants the real me. They all like the Guide, not Obsidian. You can’t call me Obsidian. She doesn’t exist anymore!" Her hands went up, jerking to hit him and knock him back. He was so bewildered he never saw it coming. “ I’m the Guide. How can I make you understand that I’m not this Obsidian you keep calling me.”
“ You are Obsidian and I do know you. I have seen your soul and I know the good that is inside. Dig down deep inside, Obsidian is in there, buried underneath it all.”
“What does it matter who I am?” She said defiantly.
“It matters to me.” He leaned down and looked her right in the eye “You need to get your priorities straight. You can’t change what you are … trying to be what others WANT you to be is weak. You’re Obsidian and you cannot run away from that.”
All caught up and it is very good! I love the depiction of Roda! And who is Cerberus? His name is very familiar, but I have no idea why....
I guess this isnt the best ever probably. Sorry :(
I guess this isnt the best ever probably. Sorry :(
Cerberus was a player. Also, Cerberus is a dog of hell (there are several hellhounds).
Author's note.
"Cerberus" is just 'his' codename based on the historical reference. He's the guard while Obsidian's in hell.
It was not my intention to name the specific player in Vendetta (though I suppose that someone was bound to use the name Cerberus).
"Cerberus" is just 'his' codename based on the historical reference. He's the guard while Obsidian's in hell.
It was not my intention to name the specific player in Vendetta (though I suppose that someone was bound to use the name Cerberus).
Smittens might be thinking of an old guild, the Cerberes Defense Council. (Yes, it was the first guild in VO using the [CDC] tag, no, it is not related to the current one except by the identity of its founder.)
Good story, Obs. Great to see you writing again.
Good story, Obs. Great to see you writing again.
Obsidian hadn’t been right the last few months, John Eldritch thought again to himself.
He couldn’t discover what it was but was not confidant enough to directly confront her he watched her grow isolated and become increasingly secretive. She’d made numerous trips to the border systems without an escort and, to his knowledge, without Ecka’s permission.
He noticed that she had taken up drinking and seemed to spend more and more of her time in the station bar. He watched her descend into the darkness like he had once done. He wanted to swipe the bottles of alcohol away from her and to force her to look at herself in a mirror, to see how faded she’d become. He wanted to shake her awake when she cried out in sleep.
He was worried. He wished he could make her understand how she upset him and the rest of the guild.
John had been out on the trade route for over a week and was going to get some well-deserved R & R. It wasn’t a fancy place but it would meet his needs for the moment.
John was at the bar waiting for his drink to be mixed. He turned and leaned back against the bar to allow him to survey the room. It wasn’t too crowded and the other patrons seemed to keep mostly to themselves. However he saw a single woman sitting at a table in a dim corner with a half empty bottle on the table in front of her full glass. “Why not try to make a new friend today?” He thought to himself as he was in the mood for some companionship and even at a distance he could tell she had a good body.
John turned to face the bartender and began to run through his mental inventory of pick-up lines. He wondered which one he should use “Is that the sun coming up... or is that just you lighting up my world? Or so...did you just dump your boyfriend cause you were to hot for him?” He was sure one of them would work this time.
Picking up his drink he walked over to the woman “Hey, your name is sexy, right?” She shifted slightly and John could now see her face clearly. When he saw her green eyes he gulped and almost dropped his drink. He began to stammer “ah, um, Obsidian, this is one of the last places that I’d expect to find you.”
She looked at him and gave him a soft smile “I’m sorry, you must be mistaken, and my name is Avernus”.
John looked at her with a critical eye looking for differences between the woman in front of him and what he remembered about Obsidian. “You really do remind me of someone I work with.”
“Well, how about you come over here and tell me all about your work.” She smiled and motioned for him to join her at the table. She leaned forward to let him look down her shirt. John tried to avert his eyes; the resemblance to Obsidian was too great. Yet here he was with a beautiful woman practically throwing herself at him. The soft touches, the looks, the crossing and uncrossing of legs; it was all working to make him a mite uncomfortable. However the woman standing before him seemed a totally different person. Avernus wasn’t like Obsidian except in physical form.
After several more rounds of drinks she leaned over and whispered into his ear “how about you give me a tour of your ship?” John wasn’t in any condition to refuse her and eagerly took her back to his ship. He gestured widely with his arm “ come on in and make yourself comfortable” Avernus took off her jacket revealing her sleeveless top. As she turned her back to him to fold her coat and lay it across the arm of the chair John saw something that made all the blood in his body drain away. He saw scarring on her shoulder and at that moment he knew that she could only be one person. “OH HELL!” he shouted and he scrambled to find a way to get himself out of this predicament. He unceremoniously gathered up her and her coat and pushed them down the loading ramp. Once the hull door as safely sealed between them John slumped down against the door and put his head between his hands. What was he going to do? How could he face her ever again? How would Ecka and the council react? Attempting to seduce Obsidian was not going to get him promoted in the TGFT ranks.
He couldn’t discover what it was but was not confidant enough to directly confront her he watched her grow isolated and become increasingly secretive. She’d made numerous trips to the border systems without an escort and, to his knowledge, without Ecka’s permission.
He noticed that she had taken up drinking and seemed to spend more and more of her time in the station bar. He watched her descend into the darkness like he had once done. He wanted to swipe the bottles of alcohol away from her and to force her to look at herself in a mirror, to see how faded she’d become. He wanted to shake her awake when she cried out in sleep.
He was worried. He wished he could make her understand how she upset him and the rest of the guild.
John had been out on the trade route for over a week and was going to get some well-deserved R & R. It wasn’t a fancy place but it would meet his needs for the moment.
John was at the bar waiting for his drink to be mixed. He turned and leaned back against the bar to allow him to survey the room. It wasn’t too crowded and the other patrons seemed to keep mostly to themselves. However he saw a single woman sitting at a table in a dim corner with a half empty bottle on the table in front of her full glass. “Why not try to make a new friend today?” He thought to himself as he was in the mood for some companionship and even at a distance he could tell she had a good body.
John turned to face the bartender and began to run through his mental inventory of pick-up lines. He wondered which one he should use “Is that the sun coming up... or is that just you lighting up my world? Or so...did you just dump your boyfriend cause you were to hot for him?” He was sure one of them would work this time.
Picking up his drink he walked over to the woman “Hey, your name is sexy, right?” She shifted slightly and John could now see her face clearly. When he saw her green eyes he gulped and almost dropped his drink. He began to stammer “ah, um, Obsidian, this is one of the last places that I’d expect to find you.”
She looked at him and gave him a soft smile “I’m sorry, you must be mistaken, and my name is Avernus”.
John looked at her with a critical eye looking for differences between the woman in front of him and what he remembered about Obsidian. “You really do remind me of someone I work with.”
“Well, how about you come over here and tell me all about your work.” She smiled and motioned for him to join her at the table. She leaned forward to let him look down her shirt. John tried to avert his eyes; the resemblance to Obsidian was too great. Yet here he was with a beautiful woman practically throwing herself at him. The soft touches, the looks, the crossing and uncrossing of legs; it was all working to make him a mite uncomfortable. However the woman standing before him seemed a totally different person. Avernus wasn’t like Obsidian except in physical form.
After several more rounds of drinks she leaned over and whispered into his ear “how about you give me a tour of your ship?” John wasn’t in any condition to refuse her and eagerly took her back to his ship. He gestured widely with his arm “ come on in and make yourself comfortable” Avernus took off her jacket revealing her sleeveless top. As she turned her back to him to fold her coat and lay it across the arm of the chair John saw something that made all the blood in his body drain away. He saw scarring on her shoulder and at that moment he knew that she could only be one person. “OH HELL!” he shouted and he scrambled to find a way to get himself out of this predicament. He unceremoniously gathered up her and her coat and pushed them down the loading ramp. Once the hull door as safely sealed between them John slumped down against the door and put his head between his hands. What was he going to do? How could he face her ever again? How would Ecka and the council react? Attempting to seduce Obsidian was not going to get him promoted in the TGFT ranks.
:)
Cerberus stared at his bloody hands and swore. He swore like he had never sworn before, he insulted her mother; HIS mother, and suggested sexual positions that were physically impossible for him to accomplish on his own. He swore until he could not think of anything else to yell. That Stupid Stubborn Woman! How did she pull him into this mess?
His shirt was soaked in blood, and that gave him reason enough to speed up his steps. Few of the bar inhabitants raised a brow or batted an eye as he strode through the dim station; none bothered to block his departure. Most were too inebriated even to acknowledge the curls of black hair fluttering from the crook of his arm.
Her body fell lifelessly against his, descending like a seraph into his arms. Her hair plastered his sweat-soaked face, scented of cherries. He had barely the time for a quick glance at her face before parrying a blow from the drunken bastard whom he had found with his hands upon her exposed chest. Cerberus retaliated with right hook of his own, throwing his assailant to the wall.
He staggered from the room, cradling the woman in his arms. She was muttering beneath her breath as they left out the back door, shivering in his arms, “Obsidian, err, Avernus, err, whatever the hell your name is, I’m not going to forgive you for this!” he mumbled, harshly as he dropped her into the seat beside him in his cockpit.
The engine fought intensely against him before finally sputtering to life with a sharp whine as Cerberus tore out of the docking bay. With the station vanishing rapidly on his radar, he felt safer and absently placed a hand on the bloody head of the lethargic guide. She flinched under his touch, moaning harshly. She was curled up where he had dropped her, but now her head was resting against his knee. He knew he would have to stop somewhere to examine whatever wound was responsible for so much blood… The girl would be no use to him if she stopped breathing. At least, that was the excuse he gave himself for the concern nibbling away at his sense of right and wrong.
Avernus cried out painfully, jerking in her unconscious state. Blood had taken to her lips, and Cerberus looked down uneasily. Sweat flecked her brow and plastered the dark locks of hair to her forehead. He averted his eyes for a moment from the radar so that he could lift her head and carefully lay it in his lap, where he stroked her cheeks comfortingly. Her stirring would only make the bleeding worse.
“Lay still, you little horror.” Despite the harsh words, his voice was soft and gentle. Avernus nonetheless, and twisted away, crying out in anguish as the cramped space of the cockpit impeded her movement. A fresh flow of blood was clearly visible through the browning material of her once white shirt.
Her clothing was badly torn in obvious places, revealing beneath ivory flesh. She was, indeed, stunning, Cerberus nearly gave into his animal instincts as he touched the bruising skin, but steadied his hand. He knew that straying hands would be a fatal mistake, if she regained consciousness. Instead, he probed, without lust, under her shirt for the source of blood, staring all the time at her face for signs of pain. He found the source within seconds, just catching his finger from sinking into the wound. It was on the left side of her body, and it oozed warmth over his fingertips. At his well-intentioned touch, her eyes flew open, instantly spotting his unforgettable face. Drowsy and yet panicked by the sight of the man, she screamed, shoving away from his and kicking savagely at his unprotected belly. Cerberus, by reflex caught the already weakened blow with his forearm, reaching out with the other to restrain her from further movement. “Easy, Obsidian!” He pulled her back to him, attempting to calm her thrashing limbs, in retaliation, she raked a set of nails across his left cheek, four strips of blood, from just below his left eye, to the edge of his jaw. He cursed, unable to touch the painful marks as the writhing girl occupied both his hands. “Just lie still!” he hissed.
Eventually she stopped fighting and relaxed slightly. Cerberus cursed again. Why was he doing this? Why did he care? He should have just left her. Yet he was drawn to protect her even if it cost him his own sanity. He wondered if he could he ever get her to understand why he came for her.
His shirt was soaked in blood, and that gave him reason enough to speed up his steps. Few of the bar inhabitants raised a brow or batted an eye as he strode through the dim station; none bothered to block his departure. Most were too inebriated even to acknowledge the curls of black hair fluttering from the crook of his arm.
Her body fell lifelessly against his, descending like a seraph into his arms. Her hair plastered his sweat-soaked face, scented of cherries. He had barely the time for a quick glance at her face before parrying a blow from the drunken bastard whom he had found with his hands upon her exposed chest. Cerberus retaliated with right hook of his own, throwing his assailant to the wall.
He staggered from the room, cradling the woman in his arms. She was muttering beneath her breath as they left out the back door, shivering in his arms, “Obsidian, err, Avernus, err, whatever the hell your name is, I’m not going to forgive you for this!” he mumbled, harshly as he dropped her into the seat beside him in his cockpit.
The engine fought intensely against him before finally sputtering to life with a sharp whine as Cerberus tore out of the docking bay. With the station vanishing rapidly on his radar, he felt safer and absently placed a hand on the bloody head of the lethargic guide. She flinched under his touch, moaning harshly. She was curled up where he had dropped her, but now her head was resting against his knee. He knew he would have to stop somewhere to examine whatever wound was responsible for so much blood… The girl would be no use to him if she stopped breathing. At least, that was the excuse he gave himself for the concern nibbling away at his sense of right and wrong.
Avernus cried out painfully, jerking in her unconscious state. Blood had taken to her lips, and Cerberus looked down uneasily. Sweat flecked her brow and plastered the dark locks of hair to her forehead. He averted his eyes for a moment from the radar so that he could lift her head and carefully lay it in his lap, where he stroked her cheeks comfortingly. Her stirring would only make the bleeding worse.
“Lay still, you little horror.” Despite the harsh words, his voice was soft and gentle. Avernus nonetheless, and twisted away, crying out in anguish as the cramped space of the cockpit impeded her movement. A fresh flow of blood was clearly visible through the browning material of her once white shirt.
Her clothing was badly torn in obvious places, revealing beneath ivory flesh. She was, indeed, stunning, Cerberus nearly gave into his animal instincts as he touched the bruising skin, but steadied his hand. He knew that straying hands would be a fatal mistake, if she regained consciousness. Instead, he probed, without lust, under her shirt for the source of blood, staring all the time at her face for signs of pain. He found the source within seconds, just catching his finger from sinking into the wound. It was on the left side of her body, and it oozed warmth over his fingertips. At his well-intentioned touch, her eyes flew open, instantly spotting his unforgettable face. Drowsy and yet panicked by the sight of the man, she screamed, shoving away from his and kicking savagely at his unprotected belly. Cerberus, by reflex caught the already weakened blow with his forearm, reaching out with the other to restrain her from further movement. “Easy, Obsidian!” He pulled her back to him, attempting to calm her thrashing limbs, in retaliation, she raked a set of nails across his left cheek, four strips of blood, from just below his left eye, to the edge of his jaw. He cursed, unable to touch the painful marks as the writhing girl occupied both his hands. “Just lie still!” he hissed.
Eventually she stopped fighting and relaxed slightly. Cerberus cursed again. Why was he doing this? Why did he care? He should have just left her. Yet he was drawn to protect her even if it cost him his own sanity. He wondered if he could he ever get her to understand why he came for her.
LeberMac's loaded behemoth drifted slowly through the void of interstellar space, beyond the edge of the galaxy. His life-support systems hummed and clicked along perfectly, preserving him and his enormous hold full of tequila now and into the foreseeable future.
He dreamed. In his dreams, Obsidian was chasing him in her Pink Axia Guardian Wraith, firing volleys of swarms at him while spouting maniacal laughter. He would smash into it with his behemoth, but time and time again the wraith would re-form, uncrumple, reassemble itself and continue its chase, without end. Obsidian seemed more powerful, more competent, and... dare he say it? More dangerous. But his subconscious mind told him these were just DREAMS, right?
Right?
Subconsciously, he hoped he would catch up with Dr. Lecter and the blue agave DNA sometime soon, and be able to awaken from his hibernation nightmares...
He dreamed. In his dreams, Obsidian was chasing him in her Pink Axia Guardian Wraith, firing volleys of swarms at him while spouting maniacal laughter. He would smash into it with his behemoth, but time and time again the wraith would re-form, uncrumple, reassemble itself and continue its chase, without end. Obsidian seemed more powerful, more competent, and... dare he say it? More dangerous. But his subconscious mind told him these were just DREAMS, right?
Right?
Subconsciously, he hoped he would catch up with Dr. Lecter and the blue agave DNA sometime soon, and be able to awaken from his hibernation nightmares...
The cold metal floor sent a chill through her skin as she winced at the new bruises already beginning to form on her body. The movement to her right alerted her to the fact that someone was near, but she knew she was no longer fit or fast enough to fight off whoever it might be.
She hadn’t paid attention; their droning vicious taunts blurred to the point that they no longer revolted her. Nothing they could say would shock her, worry her or even get a reaction. If they were just bluffing, better and if they weren’t, it would come and there was nothing she could do to stop it. All that mattered was present, the actions that were taking place at that moment, and there was no future, no past, just her current state of being.
"Obsidian is dead already but her body just hasn’t caught onto the fact", Avernus thought dryly.
Whatever happened to her was what she deserved, she was in purgatory and this was her penance.
The darkness suffocated her this time as she felt iron grips on her arms and legs. She opened her mouth to howl, but all that came out was a pained squeak. The pitch-black began to squeeze her, making sure she felt every bone in her body splinter. Avernus twitched, jaw clenched tightly. The monsters flew around her, screaming and mocking her as she fell down, trying to avoid their viciously sharp claws. Despair washed over her again and again as she reached out to grab onto something, anything and only to find there was nothing but darkness.
Cerberus turned to exit the corridor when he caught a familiar scent. He turned back and peered towards the shipping containers adjacent to his ship, just in time to catch a glimpse of a figure that darted behind them. It was her, the scent was so familiar. He had been tailing her for almost a week now. She was good. He was never able to get a good look at her, only fleeting glimpses of her form amongst the shadows. As he approached he saw a crumpled body at the base of one of the crates. The coppery smell of blood filled the air. With distain he bent down to inspect the body.
“Obsidian, err, Avernus, err, whatever the hell your name is, I’m not going to forgive you for this!” he swore as her gathered up her limp body.
Avernus jerked when something new came into her constant nightmare. Something wrapped around her waist and it wasn’t the jaws of one of the monsters, but a tenderness that soothed her. She struggled, wary that this was just a new trick of her nightmares, to lull her into complacency.
“Lay still, you little horror.” The voice commanded
Feeling the heat of somebody by her elbow, she lashed out at the thing that would be sharing her purgatory with her. She clawed at it, vowing to not allow the monster an easy target. She felt the skin tear under her fingernails and the sticky blood on her fingertips.
The monster hissed “Easy, Obsidian. Just lie still!”
This time she recognized the voice. Her whimpering stopped, and her tears began to dry. Sinking into his warmth, Avernus closed her eyes, feeling herself wrapped in comfort.
She hadn’t paid attention; their droning vicious taunts blurred to the point that they no longer revolted her. Nothing they could say would shock her, worry her or even get a reaction. If they were just bluffing, better and if they weren’t, it would come and there was nothing she could do to stop it. All that mattered was present, the actions that were taking place at that moment, and there was no future, no past, just her current state of being.
"Obsidian is dead already but her body just hasn’t caught onto the fact", Avernus thought dryly.
Whatever happened to her was what she deserved, she was in purgatory and this was her penance.
The darkness suffocated her this time as she felt iron grips on her arms and legs. She opened her mouth to howl, but all that came out was a pained squeak. The pitch-black began to squeeze her, making sure she felt every bone in her body splinter. Avernus twitched, jaw clenched tightly. The monsters flew around her, screaming and mocking her as she fell down, trying to avoid their viciously sharp claws. Despair washed over her again and again as she reached out to grab onto something, anything and only to find there was nothing but darkness.
Cerberus turned to exit the corridor when he caught a familiar scent. He turned back and peered towards the shipping containers adjacent to his ship, just in time to catch a glimpse of a figure that darted behind them. It was her, the scent was so familiar. He had been tailing her for almost a week now. She was good. He was never able to get a good look at her, only fleeting glimpses of her form amongst the shadows. As he approached he saw a crumpled body at the base of one of the crates. The coppery smell of blood filled the air. With distain he bent down to inspect the body.
“Obsidian, err, Avernus, err, whatever the hell your name is, I’m not going to forgive you for this!” he swore as her gathered up her limp body.
Avernus jerked when something new came into her constant nightmare. Something wrapped around her waist and it wasn’t the jaws of one of the monsters, but a tenderness that soothed her. She struggled, wary that this was just a new trick of her nightmares, to lull her into complacency.
“Lay still, you little horror.” The voice commanded
Feeling the heat of somebody by her elbow, she lashed out at the thing that would be sharing her purgatory with her. She clawed at it, vowing to not allow the monster an easy target. She felt the skin tear under her fingernails and the sticky blood on her fingertips.
The monster hissed “Easy, Obsidian. Just lie still!”
This time she recognized the voice. Her whimpering stopped, and her tears began to dry. Sinking into his warmth, Avernus closed her eyes, feeling herself wrapped in comfort.
The ancient one knows of the darkness in space , the spaces in time. Knowledge is not understanding . It is merely the first step.......
Again caught up. I love John's pick up lines! "He was sure one of them would work" You actually got me to laugh out loud.
Obsidian, you horrible excuse for a human being:
How can you abandon your fans like this? How can you abandon your helpless, deployed fans like this? Have you no patriotism? Is there not an ounce of your being that supports your troops? I might just go hug an IED if you don't end this suspense! Why is Obs bleeding, why is her name changed, what happens next?!?
How can you abandon your fans like this? How can you abandon your helpless, deployed fans like this? Have you no patriotism? Is there not an ounce of your being that supports your troops? I might just go hug an IED if you don't end this suspense! Why is Obs bleeding, why is her name changed, what happens next?!?
This whole 'incompetent trader type turns reckless combatant' thing reeks of Joyce Sanders...
Dr. Lecter: thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read and respond to my little tale. I am honored that you would read it.
Aramarth: I'm sorry, I did not realize that I was leaving you on the cliffhanger for such a long time. I became distracted over the holidays and now I face final exams. I did get bitten by a small plot bunny and created Hortan's Obsession. You can read that for a quick fix.
Also the art teacher and I are planning on stealing a painting by Monet and I have been spending most of my free time planning the heist. Ask me in a few weeks if we were successful.
However I will review my notes and see what I can create for a short chapter to add to A powerful fight. I can try to explain why she was bleeding and why her name has changed but I dont think I have enough written to tell you what happens next. I hope two out of three is enough.
Aramarth: I'm sorry, I did not realize that I was leaving you on the cliffhanger for such a long time. I became distracted over the holidays and now I face final exams. I did get bitten by a small plot bunny and created Hortan's Obsession. You can read that for a quick fix.
Also the art teacher and I are planning on stealing a painting by Monet and I have been spending most of my free time planning the heist. Ask me in a few weeks if we were successful.
However I will review my notes and see what I can create for a short chapter to add to A powerful fight. I can try to explain why she was bleeding and why her name has changed but I dont think I have enough written to tell you what happens next. I hope two out of three is enough.
Obsidian knew she had to be strong to survive in this male-dominated world. She was determined to outsmart the wolves that looked at her as a helpless and naive woman; and would use all of her resources to stay ahead of the pack. Around every asteroid belt hungry predators lurked, ready to pounce on the weaker traders and pilots. Obsidian also recognized that as a woman she would often have to work twice as hard to get half the respect.
Obsidian was raised to be independent, a free spirit as it was called by her Mama. Her Papi constantly told her that she would grow up strong and needed no one to make her happy. She believed them and was an obedient daughter intent on making them proud. Everything she did was to please them; she pushed herself in her academics and reached the top levels years ahead of her peers. She excelled in sciences and worked in the research labs, even publishing her findings. Close friends and boyfriends were an unnecessary distractions because she needed no one to make her happy as long as she had her parents. Mama was always there for her and gave Obsidian unconditional love. Papi didn’t say much to Obsidian, but when he did notice her it was always because she had made the honor role or had own an award. Obsidian’s successes earned her the attentions of her father and she desperately wanted them.
Then Mama died and abruptly Papi was not around anymore. For four months Obsidian tried to reach out to him but even when they were in the same room he had nothing to say to her. Eventually Obsidian began making excuses to not be around when he was home. About six months after her Mama’s death her Papi made an announcement. He wanted her to meet his new friend. Obsidian wasn’t stupid and she knew that she should have been happy for him and that she should not begrudge him someone to share his life, but it seemed too soon and he seemed too happy, too ready to embrace this new family.. He would gush on and on about her kids and their children. Obsidian was taken aback by his sudden verbosity and thought. “Why are you constantly going on about how wonderful her kids are and how happy the grandkids make you? Was I not good enough for you? Why are they worthy of your praise?” Nine months, nine measly months after her mother’s death she got a postcard from him with a photo of him and his new bride at their wedding. Obsidian cried for days when she got that card. “I thought you were away on a business meeting. How could he get married without even telling her he was engaged or inviting her to the wedding?” She had obviously failed as a daughter and he was replacing her. It was clear that he was moving on to a new family. It was then the emptiness crawled into her gut and refused to be pushed away. From that day on, Obsidian felt the emptiness and vowed to never fail again.
Four years ago Obsidian thought about her Papi and how he would have scoffed at the idea that she would join a guild let alone hold positions of rank within that guild. He would have told her that “trading is beneath someone with your level of education,” However she was eager to join the trade guild because it filled her with a sense of purpose, and gave her an opportunity to succeed. TGFT helped fill the emptiness inside.
Three years ago, Obsidian thought about how her Papi would have laughed at her announcement that she was becoming a guide, certain that her announcement was part of a grand joke. However it was the truth. Obsidian was given special access to areas of space few mortals have and she spent many hours sheparding in the universe earning the respect of many pilots. The work was fulfilling and it helped push away the feelings of worthlessness.
Two years ago, Obsidian thought about how her Papi would have disapproved of her Pink Axia Wraith. Restoring that ship to cherry condition was a methodical process but as she saw it transform from a rusted out heap to the sleek lines she knew she had accomplished something significant. It helped stop the sensation that her life was meaningless.
One year ago, Obsidian thought about how her faith in others was growing from her experiences within the guild. The stability of the members and their genuine actions soothed her nerves. Her heart learned it was possible to trust others and that uncertainty was okay if it was with a worthy companion. She was happy with Spellcast, Broma-Ba, Vicious Nanite and many others. Her life felt complete and she was content. But then she thought of her Papi and this time the emptiness began to creep back into her life. It told her that she had been deluded into thinking that she could ever be happy,, that she could not depend on anyone, that becoming attached should be avoided, because in the end, they would leave you either unwillingly or willingly, just like her parents.
Just as the emptiness had foretold her friends began to disappear one by one into the void and Obsidian’s world crumbled. She was losing everything and there was nothing she could do. Obsidian was certain that she had botched her duties somehow and struggled to find a way to make it better. She could blame no one but herself. How could she have been so blind? It was suddenly clear to her why it was her fault. If she had been more diligent, checked in more often, then surely she would not be so alone. The emptiness told her she was a disappointment and that she was getting what she deserved.
In the end her fear of failure lead her to betray her trade guild by going to the pirates. SYN, CLM, BLAK, She could not remember which one had finally given her the contact. She had followed so many false leads and greased so many plans to make the final connection that the days blurred together. However there was someone who held the promise of freedom from her fears that sent her to that isolated station in Pleatus to find salvation. Instead she found herself caught in a web of lies and deceit. The Master invaded her body and soul; and took away the thing she valued the most, control.
He had branded Obsidian, and she was to be his slave with only one purpose: to do his bidding. Yet Obsidian was stronger than he had anticipated and the conditioning didn’t take. She was released with a hazy memory and a missing month of her sabbatical.
Through the passage of time the memory blocks crumbled and bits and pieces of what had happened bubbled to the surface. Years of struggling to stay positive and pleasant, had pushed the negative emotions deep. There they compressed into a larger and larger form until they could not be contained. Within her turmoil Obsidian drifted trying to find reality. Avernus, who had lurked within the emptiness, arose from the darkest depths within Obsidian’s mind.
Becoming a combat pilot was not what Obsidian had really wanted but Avernus saw it as the perfect opportunity to lash out and punish Obsidian for the mistakes she had made. The Master’s training had given Avernus the key to controlling Obsidian and she was going to make Obsidian forfeit all that she held dear. The battle injuries were part of the penance and Avernus would make sure Obsidian endured them for the rest of her life.
Day by day Avernus picked away at the control Obsidian had. For a few weeks she used the power she had taken from Obsidian to toy with men she met in bars and even to seduce John Eldrich but Obsidian would always stop Avernus before she got too far. Each time they struggled it weakened Obsidian, Avernus was patient because eventually she would be able to do whatever she wanted. Then would be the time to have Obsidian pay the ultimate price.
Avernus had known that corridor was a perfect area for an ambush and had intentionally mentioned in the bar several times that she had just cashed in on a VERY profitable trade run. She knew that they would be waiting for her. The thug's crude voice called to her “Hey baby how’s about sharing some of that sugar with me?” Avernus grinned as she felt the blade slice through her skin, Obsidian would finally forfeit her life for the pain she had caused, Avernus had her victory.
Death would bring Obsidian the final peace, Avernus was certain of that. As she lay bleeding, Avernus laughed in delight as she felt the warm blood trickling through her fingers. However a part of Obsidian reawakened and it would not let death come without a fight. Like a phoenix from the ashes, Obsidian struggled against the monster within and cried out in her mind. “ I want to live…… I want to LIVE!”
Avernus hissed back “ you deserve to die: you made Mama get sick, and you drove Papi to find a new family. Everyone WE have ever cared about you have disappointed and driven away. YOU… MUST…. PAY…”
Obsidian fought to remain conscious but she was weakening quickly. "Obsidian is dead already but her body just hasn’t caught onto the fact", Avernus thought dryly. Avernus grinned as she felt the rough hands tearing at Obsidian’s clothes, Despair washed over Obsidian again and again as she reached out to grab onto something, anything and only to find there was nothing but darkness. Avernus was winning. “Let the darkness come!” she shouted at Obsidian.
Then she felt the warmth of arms around her. “Damn that man. Who the hell did Cerberus think he was? How dare he ruin her plans! Didn’t he know he was damning Obsidian to life in misery?” thought Avernus. She jerked wildly to free herself from his arms but he only held her tighter. “Obsidian, err, Avernus, err, whatever the hell your name is, I’m not going to forgive you for this!” Cerberus swore as her gathered up her limp body.
“Lay still, you little horror.” Obsidian could hear the voice and tried to call out to it. She had to let Cerberus know that she knew it was him. Avernus pushed at Obsidian trying to force her to retreat back into the shadows of her mind and lashed out at Cerberus hoping to get him to break physical contact so Obsidian’s control would weaken.
However Obsidian would not let Avernus win this time. She summoned up her strength and screamed in her mind “I WANT TO LIVE!” Avernus fought back filling Obsidian’s mind with twisted images of monsters with sharp claws and bloody fangs. Obsidian tried to flee but their grip was too tight! She heard the monster hiss “Easy, Obsidian. Just lie still!” This time Obsidian recognized the voice as Cerberus’ the monster wasn't holding her, the monster was Avernus trying to confuse her. “No More!” Obsidian cried in her mind as she gathered the last of her strength, “I WANT TO LIVE!” she shouted again. This time Avernus recoiled from the strike and fled back into the shadows to lick her wounds. Relieved that Avernus was no longer in control Obsidian’s whimpering stopped, and her tears began to dry.
Even though he had sworn he would never forgive Obsidian, Cerberus was relieved that she had finally quieted down and was relaxed in his arms. Her erratic moods were proving a cause more of confusion than annoyance or trouble to Cerberus. He had attempted to forget about her but eventually gave up, finding he could not resist the attraction.. Instead he had to seek her out and make sure she was safe. This is how arrived here pondering Obsidian’s mental-state and wondering what to make of her.
They’d had little interaction back on the Master’s station, but frankly Cerberus wouldn’t have minded a bit more. After she left Cerberus followed her and watched from a distance. She was an enigma to him. Cerberus was determined to learn more about her and had even managed to convince the TGFT commander to let him join the guild to give him more time to observe Obsidian but still she remained elusive. At times he thought she was attracted to him but he was certain he was mistaken because he was not worthy of her. Yet how else would he explain that moment of bliss he felt just before she ran away from him.
Even though Cerberus had been actively perusing her for weeks since she left, she had managed to avoid him most of the time. He pondered why he was still tracking her, maybe is was because he was lonely, and she was the closest thing to agreeable to be found in this universe and she was attractive. His eyes went wide at the realization of his own thoughts, and he abruptly shook his head as if to dislodge such thoughts. Obsidian wasn’t his and he shouldn’t find her attractive, physically or otherwise. His mind was just… starved… for attention or something like that, yes that had to be the reason he felt this way.
Cerberus cradled Obsidian in he arms and gently caressed her face. Obsidian stirred and weakly asked. “What were you thinking coming back for me Cerberus?”
Cerberus was so caught up in his musings; he replied automatically “How erotic you have become….”.
Neither of them said anything for a few moments, and Cerberus quickly realized his mistake. “…I said erratic you know.”
Cerberus felt his face could not have possibly been any redder and waited for her to tell him to go away. However Obsidian said nothing.... and they sat in the stillness listening to the sounds of the ship and their breathing.
Obsidian was raised to be independent, a free spirit as it was called by her Mama. Her Papi constantly told her that she would grow up strong and needed no one to make her happy. She believed them and was an obedient daughter intent on making them proud. Everything she did was to please them; she pushed herself in her academics and reached the top levels years ahead of her peers. She excelled in sciences and worked in the research labs, even publishing her findings. Close friends and boyfriends were an unnecessary distractions because she needed no one to make her happy as long as she had her parents. Mama was always there for her and gave Obsidian unconditional love. Papi didn’t say much to Obsidian, but when he did notice her it was always because she had made the honor role or had own an award. Obsidian’s successes earned her the attentions of her father and she desperately wanted them.
Then Mama died and abruptly Papi was not around anymore. For four months Obsidian tried to reach out to him but even when they were in the same room he had nothing to say to her. Eventually Obsidian began making excuses to not be around when he was home. About six months after her Mama’s death her Papi made an announcement. He wanted her to meet his new friend. Obsidian wasn’t stupid and she knew that she should have been happy for him and that she should not begrudge him someone to share his life, but it seemed too soon and he seemed too happy, too ready to embrace this new family.. He would gush on and on about her kids and their children. Obsidian was taken aback by his sudden verbosity and thought. “Why are you constantly going on about how wonderful her kids are and how happy the grandkids make you? Was I not good enough for you? Why are they worthy of your praise?” Nine months, nine measly months after her mother’s death she got a postcard from him with a photo of him and his new bride at their wedding. Obsidian cried for days when she got that card. “I thought you were away on a business meeting. How could he get married without even telling her he was engaged or inviting her to the wedding?” She had obviously failed as a daughter and he was replacing her. It was clear that he was moving on to a new family. It was then the emptiness crawled into her gut and refused to be pushed away. From that day on, Obsidian felt the emptiness and vowed to never fail again.
Four years ago Obsidian thought about her Papi and how he would have scoffed at the idea that she would join a guild let alone hold positions of rank within that guild. He would have told her that “trading is beneath someone with your level of education,” However she was eager to join the trade guild because it filled her with a sense of purpose, and gave her an opportunity to succeed. TGFT helped fill the emptiness inside.
Three years ago, Obsidian thought about how her Papi would have laughed at her announcement that she was becoming a guide, certain that her announcement was part of a grand joke. However it was the truth. Obsidian was given special access to areas of space few mortals have and she spent many hours sheparding in the universe earning the respect of many pilots. The work was fulfilling and it helped push away the feelings of worthlessness.
Two years ago, Obsidian thought about how her Papi would have disapproved of her Pink Axia Wraith. Restoring that ship to cherry condition was a methodical process but as she saw it transform from a rusted out heap to the sleek lines she knew she had accomplished something significant. It helped stop the sensation that her life was meaningless.
One year ago, Obsidian thought about how her faith in others was growing from her experiences within the guild. The stability of the members and their genuine actions soothed her nerves. Her heart learned it was possible to trust others and that uncertainty was okay if it was with a worthy companion. She was happy with Spellcast, Broma-Ba, Vicious Nanite and many others. Her life felt complete and she was content. But then she thought of her Papi and this time the emptiness began to creep back into her life. It told her that she had been deluded into thinking that she could ever be happy,, that she could not depend on anyone, that becoming attached should be avoided, because in the end, they would leave you either unwillingly or willingly, just like her parents.
Just as the emptiness had foretold her friends began to disappear one by one into the void and Obsidian’s world crumbled. She was losing everything and there was nothing she could do. Obsidian was certain that she had botched her duties somehow and struggled to find a way to make it better. She could blame no one but herself. How could she have been so blind? It was suddenly clear to her why it was her fault. If she had been more diligent, checked in more often, then surely she would not be so alone. The emptiness told her she was a disappointment and that she was getting what she deserved.
In the end her fear of failure lead her to betray her trade guild by going to the pirates. SYN, CLM, BLAK, She could not remember which one had finally given her the contact. She had followed so many false leads and greased so many plans to make the final connection that the days blurred together. However there was someone who held the promise of freedom from her fears that sent her to that isolated station in Pleatus to find salvation. Instead she found herself caught in a web of lies and deceit. The Master invaded her body and soul; and took away the thing she valued the most, control.
He had branded Obsidian, and she was to be his slave with only one purpose: to do his bidding. Yet Obsidian was stronger than he had anticipated and the conditioning didn’t take. She was released with a hazy memory and a missing month of her sabbatical.
Through the passage of time the memory blocks crumbled and bits and pieces of what had happened bubbled to the surface. Years of struggling to stay positive and pleasant, had pushed the negative emotions deep. There they compressed into a larger and larger form until they could not be contained. Within her turmoil Obsidian drifted trying to find reality. Avernus, who had lurked within the emptiness, arose from the darkest depths within Obsidian’s mind.
Becoming a combat pilot was not what Obsidian had really wanted but Avernus saw it as the perfect opportunity to lash out and punish Obsidian for the mistakes she had made. The Master’s training had given Avernus the key to controlling Obsidian and she was going to make Obsidian forfeit all that she held dear. The battle injuries were part of the penance and Avernus would make sure Obsidian endured them for the rest of her life.
Day by day Avernus picked away at the control Obsidian had. For a few weeks she used the power she had taken from Obsidian to toy with men she met in bars and even to seduce John Eldrich but Obsidian would always stop Avernus before she got too far. Each time they struggled it weakened Obsidian, Avernus was patient because eventually she would be able to do whatever she wanted. Then would be the time to have Obsidian pay the ultimate price.
Avernus had known that corridor was a perfect area for an ambush and had intentionally mentioned in the bar several times that she had just cashed in on a VERY profitable trade run. She knew that they would be waiting for her. The thug's crude voice called to her “Hey baby how’s about sharing some of that sugar with me?” Avernus grinned as she felt the blade slice through her skin, Obsidian would finally forfeit her life for the pain she had caused, Avernus had her victory.
Death would bring Obsidian the final peace, Avernus was certain of that. As she lay bleeding, Avernus laughed in delight as she felt the warm blood trickling through her fingers. However a part of Obsidian reawakened and it would not let death come without a fight. Like a phoenix from the ashes, Obsidian struggled against the monster within and cried out in her mind. “ I want to live…… I want to LIVE!”
Avernus hissed back “ you deserve to die: you made Mama get sick, and you drove Papi to find a new family. Everyone WE have ever cared about you have disappointed and driven away. YOU… MUST…. PAY…”
Obsidian fought to remain conscious but she was weakening quickly. "Obsidian is dead already but her body just hasn’t caught onto the fact", Avernus thought dryly. Avernus grinned as she felt the rough hands tearing at Obsidian’s clothes, Despair washed over Obsidian again and again as she reached out to grab onto something, anything and only to find there was nothing but darkness. Avernus was winning. “Let the darkness come!” she shouted at Obsidian.
Then she felt the warmth of arms around her. “Damn that man. Who the hell did Cerberus think he was? How dare he ruin her plans! Didn’t he know he was damning Obsidian to life in misery?” thought Avernus. She jerked wildly to free herself from his arms but he only held her tighter. “Obsidian, err, Avernus, err, whatever the hell your name is, I’m not going to forgive you for this!” Cerberus swore as her gathered up her limp body.
“Lay still, you little horror.” Obsidian could hear the voice and tried to call out to it. She had to let Cerberus know that she knew it was him. Avernus pushed at Obsidian trying to force her to retreat back into the shadows of her mind and lashed out at Cerberus hoping to get him to break physical contact so Obsidian’s control would weaken.
However Obsidian would not let Avernus win this time. She summoned up her strength and screamed in her mind “I WANT TO LIVE!” Avernus fought back filling Obsidian’s mind with twisted images of monsters with sharp claws and bloody fangs. Obsidian tried to flee but their grip was too tight! She heard the monster hiss “Easy, Obsidian. Just lie still!” This time Obsidian recognized the voice as Cerberus’ the monster wasn't holding her, the monster was Avernus trying to confuse her. “No More!” Obsidian cried in her mind as she gathered the last of her strength, “I WANT TO LIVE!” she shouted again. This time Avernus recoiled from the strike and fled back into the shadows to lick her wounds. Relieved that Avernus was no longer in control Obsidian’s whimpering stopped, and her tears began to dry.
Even though he had sworn he would never forgive Obsidian, Cerberus was relieved that she had finally quieted down and was relaxed in his arms. Her erratic moods were proving a cause more of confusion than annoyance or trouble to Cerberus. He had attempted to forget about her but eventually gave up, finding he could not resist the attraction.. Instead he had to seek her out and make sure she was safe. This is how arrived here pondering Obsidian’s mental-state and wondering what to make of her.
They’d had little interaction back on the Master’s station, but frankly Cerberus wouldn’t have minded a bit more. After she left Cerberus followed her and watched from a distance. She was an enigma to him. Cerberus was determined to learn more about her and had even managed to convince the TGFT commander to let him join the guild to give him more time to observe Obsidian but still she remained elusive. At times he thought she was attracted to him but he was certain he was mistaken because he was not worthy of her. Yet how else would he explain that moment of bliss he felt just before she ran away from him.
Even though Cerberus had been actively perusing her for weeks since she left, she had managed to avoid him most of the time. He pondered why he was still tracking her, maybe is was because he was lonely, and she was the closest thing to agreeable to be found in this universe and she was attractive. His eyes went wide at the realization of his own thoughts, and he abruptly shook his head as if to dislodge such thoughts. Obsidian wasn’t his and he shouldn’t find her attractive, physically or otherwise. His mind was just… starved… for attention or something like that, yes that had to be the reason he felt this way.
Cerberus cradled Obsidian in he arms and gently caressed her face. Obsidian stirred and weakly asked. “What were you thinking coming back for me Cerberus?”
Cerberus was so caught up in his musings; he replied automatically “How erotic you have become….”.
Neither of them said anything for a few moments, and Cerberus quickly realized his mistake. “…I said erratic you know.”
Cerberus felt his face could not have possibly been any redder and waited for her to tell him to go away. However Obsidian said nothing.... and they sat in the stillness listening to the sounds of the ship and their breathing.
She rested her elbows on her knees and held her head in her hands, willing her breathing and heartbeat to resume their normal cadence. Cerberus settled himself on the floor next to her and with his left hand stroked her back.
“Want to talk about it?” he asked quietly.
“No,” came her abrupt response. Obsidian immediately regretted her temper.
“Okay,” he said, moving even closer until her chest was pressed against his side. His hand now moved to rub her neck and shoulders, hoping to ease the tension there. “It’s okay” he soothed.
Obsidian felt herself relax at the calming sound of the voice and under the hand’s attention. She knew that by not talking she was shutting him out, and yet he was always so understanding and so accepting of her. And every time, it made her heart constrict with some emotion unfamiliar to her.
She finally turned to him. He cradled her face in his large hands and stroked her cheeks with his thumbs. He smiled at the sight of her tousled hair and the quiet look on her face.
“Why are you so good to me?” she asked.
Instead of replying, he pulled her closer to him. It was all the answer he could give her, and all the answer she needed.
“Want to talk about it now?” he asked quietly. Obsidian hesitated a bit and he took that as an opening. “Why the risks? Why are you intentionally trying to hurt yourself?"
Obsidian sighed, "I don't know."
”Are you trying to die?"
Surprised at the thought Obsidian stammered: "No!"
“Dying is messy and unpleasant. Stay away from it.” Cerberus continued.
Obsidian hesitated again but this time she spoke before Cerberus could " It’s my fault that their lives are wrecked! Mine, mine, mine! I screwed up bad Cerberus! How can they think I never made a mistake?” I'm trying to see if I'm still human! I don’t know who I am anymore. I want to I feel something that is really me. I'm not trying to kill myself. I don’t feel like I have a soul. I’m trying to see if I’m alive!” She ripped her hand out from under his. By the end of it she was practically screaming at him.
In a gentle voice Cerberus said "Maybe you're afraid if you let yourself start to feel something, you might not be able to stop. You can't just shut off your emotions."
“I’ve lost so many people…..” Obsidian began.
Cerberus cupped her chin and pulled her face to look at him. “You're not going to lose me You're stuck with me. You’ll never be alone unless you want to be. I promise.”
"You can't promise me that."
"No, I suppose I can't. Losing people's inevitable, and sometimes it happens sooner than we expect, but I can promise you that the people in this guild aren’t about to let you stop living your life, you’re going to have to find another way to deal with this."
"Sometimes I dream of wanting things I cannot have. Sometimes I even want things I cannot have. Now I know how stupid that is, how utterly…stupid.”
We'll figure it out, together." Kissing her softly on the cheek he said, “sometimes what you think you want and what you really want are two different things.”
But as much as she wished that she didn’t love Cerberus as more than a friend, her heart had stubbornly refused to allow the deception. When they first had met, she had felt the shiver of attraction as she stood by his side, as she breathed in his musky natural scent and looked into his angry dark eyes.
Her eyes closed for a few minutes and then flickered open again and she peered up at him. She knew he had been watching her and Obsidian laughed softly. He loved the sound of it, warm and sweet against the wild rhythm of the storm outside. She struggled to sit up then decided to shift her body until she was nearly face to face with Cerberus instead. The position put them in a tangle of limbs with of her knees was between his legs and her left a hand on the floor to balance. She reached out with the other hand to touch the shadows the light left on his skin.
Unable to breathe, he reacted in surprise. He was very conscious of her every move as she leaned closer. He found himself looking up into her eyes, unsure of what was about to happen. Cerberus was caught in her gaze, "Now what it is that you wanted to tell me?" she whispered.
His mind was a blank and he told her so.
Obsidian's shoulders shook with gentle laughter and she looked back at Cerberus with a gleam in her eye. "Well, too bad. I guess I have you at my mercy." She leaned forward and brushed her lips against his. It was a brief kiss, but it rocked him deep down inside his soul.
She placed the palm of her hand on his stomach, watching as his muscles contracted with her touch. A soft seductive smile played across her lips. "My cold hands bothering you?"
Cerberus swallowed hard as she looked back into his eyes, "Nothing cold about you.." he pushed himself up, lacing a hand through her hair and pulled her back down for another kiss. Cerberus gathered her close in his arms and kissed her like a dying man. Obsidian wasn't far behind. She held his face between her hands, marveling at the feel of his warm skin, the movement of his body under hers.
" Cerberus?" she pulled away slightly to look down into his eyes.
He stared back, his hand stroking her arm through her shirt, "yeah Obsidian?"
She looked a little uncertain, "am I making a fool of myself here?" She didn't wait for him to answer, "It's not everyday that I just haul off and kiss someone you know." He opened his mouth to answer and she rolled right over him like a steam train. "I know how I feel... 'cause...well.. you know...but -"
Cerberus leaned back and watched her tie herself up in knots. He was thoroughly enjoying her speech and her hands. While she talked herself in circles she had been unbuttoning his shirt... He doubted that she knew what she was doing.... but he wasn't about to stop her.
A moment or two later she looked down and noticed him smiling at her. She froze as frustration flared in her eyes, "What's so funny Cerberus?"
"Nothing Obsidian..." one hand snaked out and slid under her open shirt. His hand, placed low on her back helped him hold her as he sat up, "You should know you got nothing to worry about. I don't think there's a single person here at the station that doesn’t know how I feel about you. Except for you of course."
“Want to talk about it?” he asked quietly.
“No,” came her abrupt response. Obsidian immediately regretted her temper.
“Okay,” he said, moving even closer until her chest was pressed against his side. His hand now moved to rub her neck and shoulders, hoping to ease the tension there. “It’s okay” he soothed.
Obsidian felt herself relax at the calming sound of the voice and under the hand’s attention. She knew that by not talking she was shutting him out, and yet he was always so understanding and so accepting of her. And every time, it made her heart constrict with some emotion unfamiliar to her.
She finally turned to him. He cradled her face in his large hands and stroked her cheeks with his thumbs. He smiled at the sight of her tousled hair and the quiet look on her face.
“Why are you so good to me?” she asked.
Instead of replying, he pulled her closer to him. It was all the answer he could give her, and all the answer she needed.
“Want to talk about it now?” he asked quietly. Obsidian hesitated a bit and he took that as an opening. “Why the risks? Why are you intentionally trying to hurt yourself?"
Obsidian sighed, "I don't know."
”Are you trying to die?"
Surprised at the thought Obsidian stammered: "No!"
“Dying is messy and unpleasant. Stay away from it.” Cerberus continued.
Obsidian hesitated again but this time she spoke before Cerberus could " It’s my fault that their lives are wrecked! Mine, mine, mine! I screwed up bad Cerberus! How can they think I never made a mistake?” I'm trying to see if I'm still human! I don’t know who I am anymore. I want to I feel something that is really me. I'm not trying to kill myself. I don’t feel like I have a soul. I’m trying to see if I’m alive!” She ripped her hand out from under his. By the end of it she was practically screaming at him.
In a gentle voice Cerberus said "Maybe you're afraid if you let yourself start to feel something, you might not be able to stop. You can't just shut off your emotions."
“I’ve lost so many people…..” Obsidian began.
Cerberus cupped her chin and pulled her face to look at him. “You're not going to lose me You're stuck with me. You’ll never be alone unless you want to be. I promise.”
"You can't promise me that."
"No, I suppose I can't. Losing people's inevitable, and sometimes it happens sooner than we expect, but I can promise you that the people in this guild aren’t about to let you stop living your life, you’re going to have to find another way to deal with this."
"Sometimes I dream of wanting things I cannot have. Sometimes I even want things I cannot have. Now I know how stupid that is, how utterly…stupid.”
We'll figure it out, together." Kissing her softly on the cheek he said, “sometimes what you think you want and what you really want are two different things.”
But as much as she wished that she didn’t love Cerberus as more than a friend, her heart had stubbornly refused to allow the deception. When they first had met, she had felt the shiver of attraction as she stood by his side, as she breathed in his musky natural scent and looked into his angry dark eyes.
Her eyes closed for a few minutes and then flickered open again and she peered up at him. She knew he had been watching her and Obsidian laughed softly. He loved the sound of it, warm and sweet against the wild rhythm of the storm outside. She struggled to sit up then decided to shift her body until she was nearly face to face with Cerberus instead. The position put them in a tangle of limbs with of her knees was between his legs and her left a hand on the floor to balance. She reached out with the other hand to touch the shadows the light left on his skin.
Unable to breathe, he reacted in surprise. He was very conscious of her every move as she leaned closer. He found himself looking up into her eyes, unsure of what was about to happen. Cerberus was caught in her gaze, "Now what it is that you wanted to tell me?" she whispered.
His mind was a blank and he told her so.
Obsidian's shoulders shook with gentle laughter and she looked back at Cerberus with a gleam in her eye. "Well, too bad. I guess I have you at my mercy." She leaned forward and brushed her lips against his. It was a brief kiss, but it rocked him deep down inside his soul.
She placed the palm of her hand on his stomach, watching as his muscles contracted with her touch. A soft seductive smile played across her lips. "My cold hands bothering you?"
Cerberus swallowed hard as she looked back into his eyes, "Nothing cold about you.." he pushed himself up, lacing a hand through her hair and pulled her back down for another kiss. Cerberus gathered her close in his arms and kissed her like a dying man. Obsidian wasn't far behind. She held his face between her hands, marveling at the feel of his warm skin, the movement of his body under hers.
" Cerberus?" she pulled away slightly to look down into his eyes.
He stared back, his hand stroking her arm through her shirt, "yeah Obsidian?"
She looked a little uncertain, "am I making a fool of myself here?" She didn't wait for him to answer, "It's not everyday that I just haul off and kiss someone you know." He opened his mouth to answer and she rolled right over him like a steam train. "I know how I feel... 'cause...well.. you know...but -"
Cerberus leaned back and watched her tie herself up in knots. He was thoroughly enjoying her speech and her hands. While she talked herself in circles she had been unbuttoning his shirt... He doubted that she knew what she was doing.... but he wasn't about to stop her.
A moment or two later she looked down and noticed him smiling at her. She froze as frustration flared in her eyes, "What's so funny Cerberus?"
"Nothing Obsidian..." one hand snaked out and slid under her open shirt. His hand, placed low on her back helped him hold her as he sat up, "You should know you got nothing to worry about. I don't think there's a single person here at the station that doesn’t know how I feel about you. Except for you of course."
were you successful?
yays, you are writing again:)
yays, you are writing again:)