One is not the other

[tismeb4u]

Light cut a slanting slash through the dimness of the room; dust mots illuminated in their dance through the stream. The shrill sound of a piper high in the tops of a nearby leather leaf added a change to the regular muted sounds from the yard. Here where men trained hard to master a force that would kill them sooner or later. Pressed on through adversity to find a skill that would be of use in the coming days, months, or years leading up to Tarmon Gai'don. There was little doubt the time was nearing, thought no one could truly say how soon it would be upon them. All must be ready to serve at the Lord Dragon's side when the day of judgment arrives. The thought was cold and distance like the slightly distorted reflection of a man looking back at his eyes from the mirrored glass. A diamond glint of light raced along the small silver blade set on night's black cloth at his neck. His hand caressed the sword pin delicately before falling back to his side.

 

~So proud of a simple trinket of metal. So small it could not be of any real use or value. Is this the future you see; the desire so readily quenched now that you are the faithful lap dog.~

 

The deep growl that echoed in his throat sounded like a wolf preparing to spring on it's victim, the last sound they would hear before their throat was torn open and life giving red painted the floor. I am no one's lapdog! This is a means to an end, an end of those who do not swear to the Lord Dragon. An end to the witches who refuse to come to heel like proper servants. His hand swept across the top of his shoulder crisply smoothing the black fabric. But first I have an acquaintance to make and renew. A long standing debit to pay. With one final look a the pin now adorning his collar he turned and headed out of the barrack, a man on a mission with a purpose as dark as the fabric he wore.

 

Eyes squinted slightly as they adjusted to the brightness of the clear day. Earlier as the sun was still just a thought on the horizon he had traveled the yard, worked his routine around the track and through the training grounds. But his goal today was not continued practice of Saidin and it's mastery. Today was the beginning of a plan that had been festering in his broken mind for a very long time. Since his eyes were opened to the worlds true horrors after Isha had abandoned him in the blight. Linten had remembered the name of the man who was the cause of that abandonment and isolation. The reason he had had to hide from women of the blasted White Tower. “Rion” the word was more of a hissed whisper then a true word, but even as a whisper it was filled with venomous hatred.

 

He had taken great care since his return to learn a lot about the small and timid little man he remembered vividly from the last night he had been in the yard before that trip. Even after Linten had set eyes on him again with the dragon pin of an Asha'man. The picture of that frail whimpering fool at his feet begging for his life was all that his mind could believe. How he had fooled all those here that he was worthy of such an honor was beyond Linten's comprehension. It had to be a trick of that woman he kept company with, the one that held his leash. It came as no surprise to find him following along behind the lead of a woman like a faithful and obedient puppy; the thought of it made him sick. No man should answer to a woman, submit to her rein. Now it was time to find out just what this leash holder was like and if she would amount to much of a fly in the ointment of his plans.

 

Prior observations had formed out her routines and habits; the places she liked and the paths that took her there. The first meeting had to be one of fairly public viewing and perhaps a little less threatening then he would like. But then it would do no good to study and practice for weeks in the creek only to finally make it to the river and scare off the fish because you dropped the lure in to close. She was quite involved in her work, one might even say lost in the task at hand when he approached. Made no indication that she noted his arrival or offered any greeting; her back still to him as she reached back into the basket. “Good day, I do not believe we have met, but we do have a mutual acquaintance.” He bowed slightly as she turned to face him. “I am Linten, and you are?” His voice was warm though he forced the emotion into it while anger and vengeful desire simmered under the surface begging to be set free.

 

 

Linten al'Dracain

Vengance just begining :twisted:

[Jocelyn]

It was going to be another warm day, Jocelyn thought to herself as she hefted her basket filled with wet washing. The sky was clear of clouds, and even though it was well before the sun's zenith, the air was warm already. She did not mind the heat as much as she used to, given her homeland was much cooler even in the summer months. It always seemed too gloomy around the farm when it was cold and overcast, leading her mind into unwelcome imaginings about the other inhabitants and their potential for madness.

 

Rion had told her time and again that she didn't need to do such menial chores as washing, when he could do it so much quicker with Saidin, but Jocelyn needed the tasks to keep her occupied. It wasn't as though she could fill her days with shopping or some such, and as she had no children to care for, she did the next best thing in caring for their home. It was funny, once she would have thrown a violent tantrum rather than demean herself so far as to scrub a sheet, but time changed many things.

 

Jocelyn was feeling considerably warmer upon reaching the ropes strung out to form a clothesline, the weight from the basket making the walk that much more exhausting. How Rion and the others could ignore the heat was beyond her, particularly when they wore such heavy, black clothing. He had tried to teach her the trick, claiming it had nothing to do with channeling, but she had been unable to master the skill.

 

Humming to herself, Jocelyn shook out a sheet which she took from the basket by her feet, tossing it over the line and spreading it so that it would dry properly, though in this heat it would not take long. Pegging it so it would not blow in the breeze, she reached for another, startled out of her silent thoughts as a voice sounded behind her.

 

“Good day, I do not believe we have met, but we do have a mutual acquaintance.” The voice was unfamiliar and she turned, finding herself face to face with a Dedicated, the same rank Rion was when she had first come to the farm. “I am Linten, and you are?”He seemed friendly enough, a welcome change, given most of the others she had encountered seemed more intent on maintaining a terrifying image than being civil. She bestowed him with a smile, pushing her long black hair back over her shoulder.

 

"Pleasure to meet you, Linten. I am Jocelyn." She inclined her head in greeting as his name echoed in her mind. Linten...why was that name familiar? She thought she had heard it before, though she was certain she had never met him before. Possibly one of the many new recruits that seemed to arrive daily that had risen through the ranks quickly. But why then would the name spark recognition in her mind.

 

"It is nice to see that there is another here who knows how to be civil, at least." Jocelyn smiled with good humour as she continued hanging her clothes, though she kept up with the conversation. "There are too few men here who remember how to speak to a woman." She pulled a face as she pegged one of her dresses to the line, the blue one that Rion had purchased for her.

 

"Except of course those that think because I am in skirts I am free game." She snorted in a most unladylike manner to show what she thought of that remark. Bloody fools. Most everyone by now knew that she was Rion's woman, but still some tried their hand at sneaking a caress or trying to entice her away from him. It was hard to remain from teaching a few of them a lesson, light knew she was better with her quarterstaff than most of them put together, but a man with wounded pride was worse than a bear with a thorn in its paw.

 

 

Jocelyn 'Just Give Me An Excuse To Be Fiesty' Mahrin.

[tismeb4u]

Linten's smile remained warm like the morning was becoming under the still early sun. It would be a very warm day again with little promise of reprieve shown on any of the horizons. Her eyes held puzzlement for a moment but recognition never seemed to touch them and she returned to her work in relaxed routine. Good, she has not recognized the name. Perhaps the spineless one was too embarrassed to tell her of the boy he had coward from. Unseen tension eased from his shoulders as he reluctantly edged back from Saidin's sweet alluring call. He had been prepared to seize it after he announced his name; the simple weave of air already in his mind. If she would have lashed out he would have been ready to tie her in those flows like a deer slung throw a pole carried between two hunters.

 

But it appeared that would not be necessary at the moment, no doubt that would have brought Rion around. But it was still advantageous to learn a little more about his little pet project before he put the man's defenses up. A calm lamb enticed to the pen with sweet oats was easier too slaughter then a fighting ram. This Jocelyn certainly seemed to have a shape worthy of calling sweet. Her long dark hair was sure to draw many an eye to a cute face. He chuckled slightly as she seemed to read his mind with her comment and snort; have eyes in the back of her head to witness his eyes rove over her frame briefly. This one definitely held spirit, it was a shame she was tied to one so weak and misguided. Mentally he shrugged off the thought, there was still more work to be done.

 

~If she were Aes Sedai would you look at her so simply~

 

If she were Aes Sedai we would not be standing here chatting now would we you light challenged goat kisser. Be gone! ... I have work to do. The voice retreated into the recesses still mumbling incoherently, times like these drew a smoke thin tendril of worry if perhaps the taint they had been told about was eroding his mind. Determined desire for revenge shredded the momentary question as it seized his focus again. He had talked to many in the yard before making this approach and was very sure she was a simple civilian amongst the wolves. No Jocelyn was of little threat when all was said and done in his calculations. But she was potentially necessary bait that could be used as leverage against one of the many he would find retribution with. He had sworn that to himself many times as he hid like a small school boy from the nightmares that walked this age. But he was back in the safety of the yard again and working hard to master Saidin, he would never be a ...

 

~coward.~

 

The voice seemed to sneer at him from the dark corners of his mind hidden in shadow.

 

~Hiding, trembling like a baby under those stairs as the Aes Sedai searched the Inn. Curled up and sucking your thumb like a pitiful infant wrapped in mud under that log while misshapen forms strode past looking for their next meal. Now who is the pathetic one Linten! Who is the spineless jellyfish!!~

 

The voice in his head had reached a fevered pitch, unseen fingers pointing the accusations at him. His jaw clicked with tension as he fought to ignore the unseen accuser; to forget how much truth it spoke.

 

I am not that person any more, I will find my revenge. Mark my words I will find my revenge. The sound from the tension must have carried to her ears as she seemed to pause in her task and turn quizzically. With effort he washed the tension from his face, concentrated on the beginning exercises of the Flame and Void. He could not complete them and slip into the wonderfully isolated shell the void offered. It would raise too many questions and place a guarded presence over his bait. If she had noted the tension before it was released from his face she made no outward appearance of it. “Jocelyn, a pretty name, no doubt you have straightened out more then a few who underestimated the strength of a lady in skirts.” He offered her a slight bow as if addressing someone of a ruling house as his tone took on a pondering edge. “It seems a shame that there are still men out there who lack the proper edict when socializing with a lady in public. Anyone can see that you are obviously a close friend to Asha'man Rion.” It took great effort not to sneer and spit out the man's name venomously, one step at a time Linten. Walk before you learn to run, you need to instill confidence first.

 

Leaning on one of the poles supporting the ropes she used for her laundry he let his eyes rove over the yard briefly before returning to his present objective. “So tell me Jocelyn, if I am not being to forward or prying. Why is it that you would work so hard at something I am sure Rion could do in a matter of moments with Saidin? I do not mean to offend mind you, I am just curious why a person would choose this as something to occupy their time.”

 

 

Linten

[Jocelyn]

Close friend of Rion's? Anyone with eyes would know that was an understatement, if not for the house that was almost finished that would be theirs, but for all the stolen kisses and the fact that they practically lived in one another's pockets. Jocelyn smiled a secret smile as she remembered the day she told Rion she was his special friend. He was so sweet and innocent, wondering it having a friend meant you could dandle them on your knee and steal kisses. He had come a long way to be sure, but there was still much she would teach him, given the chance.

 

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Linten lean casually on one of the poles supporting her line, and wondered not for the first time just what had spurred this conversation. Not that she minded, there were few enough black coats willing to waste their time speaking to a woman that they could not fondle when they could be blowing things up with the power, but she was curious all the same. Still, another friend in this light-forsaken place would be welcome, though this time she would do her best not to provoke Rion's jealousy. The incident with Caelen had not been amusing.

 

Jocelyn slung a pair of black pants over the line and turned to face Linten with a puzzled expression on her face. "What else is there for someone like me to do, if not menial chores?" Did Linten believe she would do such a task if she could find anything else to amuse herself? "I am not allowed to leave the grounds, so I cannot amuse myself with shopping or visiting friends. And while I do enjoy riding and a few other hobbies, even they grow thin when it is all I do day in and out. So I clean. I cook. I wash. I keep myself busy lest I go as mad as..." Jocelyn hastily shut her mouth before she finished that sentence, as some of you. It wasn't a fair statement, though the light knew it were true.

 

Something flashed in Linten's eyes that made Jocelyn wary. Was he already suffering ill effects from channelling tainted Saidin? She knew Rion did, he had confided in her about the voices. Perhaps Linten was also sensitive about it. Best to mind her words, she did not want to anger someone who could string her up before she could blink, not without someone like Rion or Isha there to protect her. "...well as mad as someone can get while held as an honoured prisoner." Jocelyn pulled a face to hide her slip as she reached for a shirt in the basket, again in unrelieved black.

 

Why was she being nervous? Linten was being pleasant enough, though for some reason she did wish her Quaterstaff were close at hand and not in her bedroom in Dashiva's house. You are just being a fanciful girl, she berated herself as she shook out the soft linen and hung it next to the pants. Turning, Jocelyn collected the now empty basket and rested it lightly on her hip as she smiled at Linten. "Though if you can think of anything else to amuse me, I'm all ears." Belatedly she realised just how her words could be taken. Light, she just hoped Linten didn't think she was offering to let him...amuse her. Poor, poor choice of words.

 

 

Jocelyn

[tismeb4u]

Linten chuckled softly, his head nodding at her comment. “Yes .... mad ... I suppose you have been witness to that rather unfortunate part of wearing this.” His hand pulled lightly at the black shirt, eyes watching the way the sun light seemed to disappear in to the fabric rather then radiate back out like it did with white. Why should those women be blessed with the gift of pure power and still feel the need to hunt us? How many times on his return journey had he thought they had finally found him; finally caught him. It was only through those trials that he had noticed the tingle when they wove with Saidar, noticed how they never seemed to be able to tell when he held Saidin and when he did not. A benefit he had used and planned to use more once his training here was sufficient to be allowed to travel abroad unrestricted and un-escorted.

 

Her offer brought a sly smile to his face as his jade green eyes flicked up to met her's again; read the recognition in them as to what her words could mean. “As entertaining as that would very much be Jocelyne, I do not think Rion would approve.” His voice had been level, no hint of the mirth that filled him inside at the thought of the reaction that would cover Rion's face if they did follow that unspoken path. But as her eyes widened and she prepared to clarify her stance a broad grin swept over Linten's face. “It's okay, I know that is not what you meant ... I was just trying to add a little humor to this meeting. Perhaps it was a poor choice of timing to break the ice but I have never been known as a scholar. Perhaps if you have the time we could amuse each other with a game or two of stones until your next choir.” Seizing Saidin and fighting through the taint that coated him an twisted his stomach Linten wove a tendril of earth into the ground and pulled forth a cluster of small smooth stones. “Do you play?”

 

~What are you at fool boy? Take her or be rid of her ... but this play is worthless. She has no ability to touch Saidar. They are the one's we need to hunt; to get them before they get us.~

 

Linten's posture remained relaxed and welcoming, no indication of the mad rantings of the voice in his head. No outward appearance of the games he had planed, or the vengeance he sought. Ignoring the voice to a buzzing in the back of his head, his mind continued to work over the plan he would use to ensnare Rion and give him a sampling of the suffering and fear he had felt when Isha had abandoned him to the blight. As much as Linten wanted to lay heavily the blame for that leaving on Isha and the subsequent nightmares that became his recent past. He could not bring himself to accept it ... But the whole reason he had been taken there was because of Rion and his witch loving. If not for him Linten would be an Asha'man by now. He would have been the one to enjoy the safety and warmth of the Farm and know who he could trust. But Rion had stolen that possibility from him; stolen time from his life. It was that and so much more that Rion would pay for. The White tower would come to heel at the Black and the witches under the guidance and control of the men the Black raised would be the hammer and anvil the Dragon would use to crush all that opposed him.

 

“Of course if you have to run off to Rion I will understand. If not I would love the continued practice, I'm sure Rion will be happy I was able to add a little fun in your day.” If I have to continue saying that traitor's name I am going to sick up all over the place. The only saving grace to this meeting will be the sheer pleasure of what will go through his mind when he returns and finds his precious little pet with me. Excitement raced through his nerves at his thoughts and curled the corners of his mouth in a slight smile while he waited for Jocelyn to add to his happiness by accepting the offered game.

[Guest Estel]

It wasn’t that Isha had been spying. Not exactly. But trust was hard to relearn once it is betrayed. Light, Isha had trusted that the boy would follow him through that Gateway so long ago. But how much had Linten trusted that he would wait? Blood and ashes, what a circle. So many if only this, if only that. In the end it all came down to this: Linten was not the same son Isha had left on the Shienaran hills and Isha was not the same mentor Linten had known before that fateful Gateway. How much Isha would have given to take that mistake back. Burn him, what had happened to the boy to turn him like this?

 

No, Isha hadn’t been spying but it hadn’t exactly been coincidence that his remaining eye fell upon a familiar blonde head. Nor did he stop only to rest his mutilated thighs. Seeing who it was that the Dedicated was talking to did little to ease the suspicion that kept his eye rooted to the back of Linten’s skull. That night in the inn was branded into the grizzled giant’s scarred memory and the fight between Rion and his mentee was the climax of those events. Did the boy know the relationship between Jocelyn and Rion? How much resentment did the Andoran hold for his former stuttering rival? What thoughts were swirling under that light hair?

 

Apparently he was being pleasant enough, Jocelyn was all smiles and politeness. That should have assuaged the big man’s worries, but something about the fact that Linten had started a conversation with Rion’s woman bothered him. Surely… Surely it was just happenstance. Maybe Linten was even trying to apologise for past wrongs. Better safe than sorry though.

 

Being unable to remain a silent observer, besides Isha didn’t exactly make an inconspicuous spy, the big man went up to the pair. Placing a firm hand on Linten’s shoulder as a friendly gesture, only a hint of warning was conveyed through a slight squeeze. “Hello Jocelyn, I see you’ve met my mentee, Linten. Stones did you say? I’d be more than interested in watching your match.”

[tismeb4u]

The wheel turns and man's plans are forgotten, the threads twist and bind creating a rich closeness and then are thrust to opposite sides; plans anew are formed and lost. The pattern is all the wheel knows. It's threads, the lives of man, can do nothing beyond their bending to the will of the wheel and the calling of the creator. Even plans well set and thought through can compare not to the weave of the wheel. Thus the sudden darkening of light over him; an all to familiar shadow blooming up from behind him to bar the brilliance of the sun from his head did not come entirely as a surprise. True, had he been paying attention fully to his surroundings as he had been taught he might have better know Isha was behind him, felt his eye on him. But his personal lust for payback was a far sweeter seductress to dance to, the firm squeeze of his shoulder drawing up a brief tensing of muscle before mind could dissipate the suddenness of the contact.

 

“Mentor Talcontar, what a pleasant surprise to see you.” Pleasantly unfortunate in fact. Emerald green clarity cut in sharp movement to glance at the man looming over him; eyes meeting one for a moment. Lies and caution, promises and guarantees passing unspoken in the brief meeting before they returned to take in the bait. “I was hoping to tempt Jocelyn here in to a game or two of stones. Perhaps improve my skills before we play again?” An internal struggle surged through him as he worked to keep his voice light and the smile on his face. Isha's presence was not part of the original plan. He could not offer the cold bitting words and dark looks to Rion should he show his miserable face with Isha present. The man would have him back in the blight before the dust from his foot steps settled. No, everything hinged on Isha never finding out. He had to keep his mentor in the dark and unknowing until all was accomplished. Only then could he approach him for forgiveness.

 

In the mean time he had already invested time and energy into this pretty piece of bait. Time was far to precious a commodity now and he could not afford to start this stage all over again another time. Even though he would almost prefer to eat his own tongue rather then offer words of encouragement or pleasantries to that witch loving cockroach of a man. He would find a way to make it through such pleasantries until a time when certain shadows no longer fell on him. Besides there was a chance that Isha would find the game very boring if she accepted and perhaps move on before Rion's arrival. Another quick glance at his mentor dissipated that wisp of misty hope and feed anger into the thin tendril of revenge that lazily drifted within. Waiting like that of a smoldering fire for that quick rush of air in which to violently bloom back to life with an untamed vengeance.

[Jocelyn]

Jocelyn was eyeing the new set of stones that she had watched be formed from seemingly nowhere when Isha joined the pair. Hardly a stranger to channelling now, still it did leave her with some awe and a small amount of worry. It wasn't as though she could see the taint, but from all Rion had told her, they could well feel it. Summoning a genuine smile for the gentle giant, Jocelyn greeted Isha warmly. He was one of the few who had never treated her like a pretty piece of meat.

 

"I'm afraid I haven't haven't had much experience with the game, though I have watched my father play a few times." Jocelyn turned her attention back to Linten, her smile unwavering. Whatever went on between the two, she was oblivious. "But I'd be happy to have a new pursuit to fill my time. Perhaps you could give me some pointers?" She raised her brows in question, wondering again what Isha's presence meant. Perhaps ensuring Linten's intentions were noble, and not just plans to cuckold Rion? It certainly wasn't as if she couldn't look after herself, she wasn't powerless, but the intention was nice.

 

Turning her basket upside down, Jocelyn used it as a makeshift chair and smiled up at where Linten and Isha now towered over her. "I have no other pressing chores, and Rion is occupied - I think now is a perfect time to begin learning, don't you? And I have no doubt that you can make us a board to match those stones." Jocelyn waved to the pieces and waited for a response.

 

Jocelyn

[Guest Estel]

“Mentor Talcontar, what a pleasant surprise to see you.”

 

Linten looked far too innocent and after that first lesson since the boy’s return, his mentor knew exactly how far the boy’s innocence went.  It was a screen, something had happened to the Andoran after Isha had left him on the Blightborder.  He had tried to broach the topic, but his mentee was as unwilling to talk about their year apart as the giant was.

 

‘So innocent.  Stones?  What’s your real game, boy’

 

~You don’t trust your self-proclaimed son?~

 

‘Do you?’

 

~About as much as I trust you to retain your sanity~

 

Disgusted with Abrem, Isha roughly tried to force the voice to the back of his mind, only to find that his other persona resisted and was able to stay in the forefront of his mind.  Suddenly frightened, the giant checked to see that neither of his companions had noticed his momentary lapse but the two were too busy staring intently at each other.

 

Jocelyn seemed devoid of any suspicion towards Linten.  It was unlikely Rion would ever bring up memories from that night or of anything connected with Linten after what happened at the inn.  Isha wanted to warn her to be wary around the boy, but dared not do it where it could be overheard and wrong impressions drawn.  And he certainly did not want his mentee to hear, their relationship was tenuous enough without giving the blonde man more reasons to hate and distrust his mentor.

 

Seizing saidin, Isha did his best to hide the tiny wobble he felt as the Taint threatened to set his breakfast in reverse.  Making a chair out of Air for himself, he brought a stones board out of the very ground they stood on.  Putting it on a pedestal of Air and tying the weaves off, Isha started his baby-sitting duties.

[tismeb4u]

Linten saw the light well up around his mentor before the board and chair appeared. He watched the weaves half heartedly knowing that most of what was done he had been drilled to for many weeks. But his mentor settling in to watch the game, that was the one unexpected thorn he had hoped would not sprout. If Isha were to stay then his goals would have to be approached all the more cautiously and his questions far more cryptic. All this meant that the time it would take to draw out the information he sought was going to be exponentially longer. Noting the look from his mentor as he sat the chair to the side of the board, Linten quickly weaved the stones from the ground to the boards edge while a second chair rose from it's earthy confines and was tied off. The one benefit of making a chair with Saidin was that it was exactly the right height and shape for your comfort.  Settling into the chair Linten looked once more at his new baby sitter and then back to the eager looking Jocelyn.

 

A flow of air lifted a dark stone and placed it just inside the left upper quarter of the board on a set of transecting lines. “Really it's a very simple game as I am sure you have gleaned. Well simple in it's premises really. But in it's actual workings it is wrought deep and strong with strategy. Something I am sure you have learn from your husband.” He offered her a simple smile and felt Isha's study of him. “Please,” his hand swept over the table. “place a stone where you wish and we will see what we can make of this game shall we.” As an almost after thought he added with an air of absentmindedness, “feel free to ask my mentor for additional strategy if you like. He his rather good at this game, sometimes.” His glance cut to Isha with his last word and the smile seemed to twist slightly at the corner of his mouth. But not enough to be outright obvious. Perhaps if he could goad Isha into the game he could distract him from his directed conversation with Jocelyn.

 

“I'll even take it easy at first. Wouldn't want to leave her lost and alone at the start would we my great mentor?” Refusing the large man the opportunity to study his eyes he slipped his gaze back to the game board in front of him. “I'm sure you will find this more entertaining then laundry Jocelyn. At least until your husband returns. I would hate to keep you from him after what I am sure has been a busy day.”

 

 

 

[Guest Estel]

The more his mentee prattled on, the more uneasy Isha became.  On the surface it was all just harmless chatter, but chattering wasn’t Linten’s usual style and there was that hidden edge to it that was presence in everything the boy had done since his return.  It was too much of a coincidence for Linten to simply “stumble” upon his old rival’s wife.

 

Isha’s soldier’s mind wasn’t made for this sort of intrigue.  Rather he was blunt and forthright , completely mystified by Daes Dae’mar like most of his countrymen.  Why waste time on politics when there were more important things to do, like keep the Shadow from overtaking the world, for example.  He tried to contemplate each nuance and possible meaning to Linten’s speech and words but found himself suddenly paranoid and jumping at the smallest and most unlikely simple phrases.

 

All in all, he was failing in protecting Jocelyn from possible malevolent intent from a boy most of him was stubbornly maintaining was as harmless as himself.

 

~That says a lot~

 

‘Shut up you’

 

“Sometimes?” his laugh was too forced, Linten would see right through it.  Damnit, surely the boy couldn’t know his mistrust.  “I beat you more often than not.”