Post by Kira & Lee Norris on Jul 28, 2007 13:55:49 GMT
ooc: I'm so late, la la la la la...
First thing Wednesday morning, Kira had ran up to see Prof. Hoodham, and told him her theory. He seemed pleased to hear that she finally had a lead on what could be happening, and was happy to offer his help. Because Kira was new in her role of Head of the Spies, she didn't really know many of the students she was meant to be leading, and Professor Hoodham was able to list some of the key students who he felt would be suitable for the job. She had also gained the word of Professor Hoodham that this was to be a very secret mission. Nobody was to know about this... in case of 'leaks'. She didn't dare mention her theory about possible spies within the school- not when the old man had been so willing to help her.
Kira had used his advice to pick out two shape-shifters.
The first one was a tall, black boy called Lisle who spoke with a strong French accent. Although she'd had some difficulty understanding him at first, she was pretty certain by the end of their meeting she understood his slow (deliberately, for her sake) careful English, and that he was enthusiastic about the mission she was giving him.
The other spy was a much shorter boy, who looked a little stout beside Lisle's tall, lean figure. This was Seamus, and Kira had been pleased to find in him a fellow Irishman (or woman, as she was, but that was beside the point). Both boys were 17 years old, and in their last year at the school. However, they'd both been going on dangerous missions since their time at the school began, and they were well-experienced.
From what Seamus happily told her, Lisle and him had been paired up before. They made a very good team- every weakness one had was the other's strength. For example, Lisle was very accomplished whenever it came to being stealthy- hiding in the shadows and gathering information. Seamus, on the other hand, was much more of a people person. He was excellent at getting information out of people and making up fake identities.
Perhaps it was the accent. It was very endearing.
Whenever her shadows returned to her, they were able to give descriptions of some of the 'baddies' (for want of a better word) and to decide who they were going to morph into. They were then to cross No Man's Land, track down their set person, and... well... basically knock 'em out, hide them and take their places. The shadows had carefully assessed which humans would be best for the two Spies to become, and where able to give a clear description of their manner, so the Spies would know how to act. Lisle was to become a 'baddie' they knew as Clive Yaxley, who was working closely on the defence of various bases, and helped devise war strategies. Through this, he could discover weak points, and know where to let the Warriors through. Seamus, on the other hand, was to become Rapoto Blanche, who also worked on defence, but a different type. Whilst Clive worked on battle plans, Rapoto worked against the very thing Lisle and Seamus were doing- people infiltrating and getting their plans. The shadows believed he was very likely to be carrying a lot of information about Macy, and eventually, his colleagues would reveal it to him- or even lead him right to Macy!
The risks were staggeringly high, but as Lisle and Seamus reassured her as they left on their way ("Eet is ok, Key-ra.") they were professionals. They understood the risks perfectly well, and was certain they would do her proud. Kira was miserable to watch them go, led by the shadows, and had not heard from either since that night.
"It's weird not having a shadow," Kira said miserably to Lee that Friday evening. "Look, it should be here, but it's not. That's weird."
Lee watched his own shadow flickering back and forth in the flames. "Hmm... you can't do shadow puppets anymore."
"I can't do shadow puppets anymore," Kira repeated, aghast. "No, no, no, that's not fair."
He grinned at her, and held up his hand in imitation of a panting dog. His shadow bounded across the wall towards her, before she growled and forced it backwards with her mind, morphing it into a skull and crossbones instead.
"Creepy," he said appraisingly, as the skull melted away back into an outline of himself again. "Very nice."
She laughed. "So, where's your lover?"
"Oh, stop calling her that." Lee pulled a face. "And I wish you'd stop asking about her too."
"Why would I want to do that?" Kira asked, laughing. "It annoys you, so that means- "
"You're worse than freaking Bethany, I've always said so," he muttered, but his blue eyes were dancing with that familiar laughing light. "And FYI- that's bad."
"How is Beth, anyway?" Kira asked, her tone light as her heart tightened. Lee gazed at her for a few moments, his blue eyes burning into her own. He knew exactly what was going through her mind.
There was a tense pause as Lee looked at her, but it was broken abruptly as he looked away into the fire, sighing. Kira smiled in relief. He'd chosen not to talk to her about it. Thank god.
"She's good," he said, forcing a smile. "She sent me a letter the other day; it had a picture of her and Glynn in it. Their wedding's been scheduled for late November. Short notice, isn't it?"
"She was never the best for being organised," laughed Kira, and then, as though unable to control herself, "Did she ask about me?"
There was another tense pause, longer than the first, as Lee's hands twisted each other helplessly. "No."
Kira hadn't been expecting much else, but she still felt her heart sink a little at that. She cleared her throat. "Oh, you know... I just thought with the wedding and all, she might've... um... mentioned- nothing?" The last word came out a little desperately.
"Well..." he muttered. "Something. But it was stupid. Bethany was always a bit thick..."
"She was an Academic," Kira said hollowly, "so how could she of all people be thick?"
Lee flinched as though she'd hit him. He twisted his hands around each other for a few more moments, then sighed, slumping forward. "She said- it was stupid, I was just saying she can be- she said I shouldn't hang out with you so much... She said that you're... you're just like Aunt Rachel- sorry, your mum- and you'll end up like your Aunt Black."
Kira felt a sharp pain in the back of her head, like someone had just hit her there very hard. The pain moved quickly, pulsing to the front of her head and back again- pounding and pounding. She knew... she knew that she was unpopular with Lee's side of the family but that was... that was low...
But Bethany had said that.
Bethany.
Oh god...
Kira felt a hot liquid rise suddenly up the back of her throat, but forced it back down quickly. It burnt her throat as it moved downwards, feeling horribly solid, leaving a nasty, sick taste in her mouth.
"Gee, they really hate me, don't they?" she bared her teeth, attempting a grin, but was certain it came out more as a grimace.
Lee sat up, his eyes blazing. "Don't say that."
"Why not?" she half-laughed, her voice strangely brittle. "It's true, isn't it?"
"Don't, Kira," he repeated, a little warningly. "Just don't talk about it, okay?"
"Don't speak, don't think, don't worry," she growled. "I'm tired, Lee, and I think I should be able to talk to you of all people!"
"Oh, yeah?" he growled back, rounding on her. "Well, I'm tired, Kira! D'you think I'm proud of the way my family are acting? D'you think I want to talk about how rotten you're feeling?"
"I didn't mean it like that," she snapped, stung, "it's just you're my friend. I talk to you about everything."
"Well maybe you shouldn't talk to me about everything," he muttered. "Maybe I'd like to go without the guilt trip, for once in a while."
"I'm not accusing you of anything- "
"But sometimes it feels a little like it," he muttered, his cheeks reddening a little, as though already ashamed of his outburst. "Like with Madeleine... right, whatever. Leave it."
"But- "
"Leave it."
"My shadow!"
Lee jumped up as though he'd been scalded, moving across the room to stare at the shadow. Surely enough, before their eyes, Kira's shadow morphed into the shape on the wall, rippling before them in the firelight. The shadows shoulders sagged a little with relief as it settled itself beside the fire.
"Aah... warmth," came its whispered voices. "We have been working very hard, and there is little time for rest, you know..."
"What's it saying, Kira?" said Lee quickly, gazing at the silently moving mouth. "What's it saying?"
"Shh," she hissed. "Gimme a chance to listen."
"Yeah, shut up," came the rushing laugher of the shadow as it prodded Lee's. "We have important news for Kira, and do not wish to be interrupted."
"Well?" prompted Kira, rubbing her hands together slightly nervously.
"We have found the Macy girl," came the whispered reply. "She is locked away with a cruel man, who hurts her in terrible ways... unbearable ways... In this prison, she is unable to use her powers, and cannot escape. She is trapped and alone and frightened. We must help her," added the shadow, with a rare touch of remorse in its whispered voice. "We want to... to help her."
"We will," Kira said kindly, putting her hand up to the shadow instinctively. "Just... just tell me everything."
The shadow shifted, nodding as it did so. "Everything..." It made an indistinguishable noise, and then continued on its story. "The boy Lisle has managed to pick out a weak point for the Warriors to enter. He has marked it with a long, white pole, which he has hung an enemy flag on. This flag is moon-shaped, and slightly ripped. The other poles are black. We can see it easily in the night."
"Perfect," smiled Kira in relief. "What about Seamus?"
"The Macy girl is in a metal shack beneath the trenches. It sits neatly behind the white pole, covered by earth. Her captors use their powers to open up a passageway through to it every day. You need someone with Earth powers."
"Wondeful," sighed Kira leaning backwards in relief. "Oh thank god. Okay. Grand. You rest now. I'm off to tell Madeleine..."
The shadow nodded its head gratefully and turned back towards the fire. Lee moved suddenly in his chair, then seemed to think better of it, and collapsed back into it. Kira looked at him blankly for a few moments.
"I'll tell you later," she said finally, and walked on.
First thing Wednesday morning, Kira had ran up to see Prof. Hoodham, and told him her theory. He seemed pleased to hear that she finally had a lead on what could be happening, and was happy to offer his help. Because Kira was new in her role of Head of the Spies, she didn't really know many of the students she was meant to be leading, and Professor Hoodham was able to list some of the key students who he felt would be suitable for the job. She had also gained the word of Professor Hoodham that this was to be a very secret mission. Nobody was to know about this... in case of 'leaks'. She didn't dare mention her theory about possible spies within the school- not when the old man had been so willing to help her.
Kira had used his advice to pick out two shape-shifters.
The first one was a tall, black boy called Lisle who spoke with a strong French accent. Although she'd had some difficulty understanding him at first, she was pretty certain by the end of their meeting she understood his slow (deliberately, for her sake) careful English, and that he was enthusiastic about the mission she was giving him.
The other spy was a much shorter boy, who looked a little stout beside Lisle's tall, lean figure. This was Seamus, and Kira had been pleased to find in him a fellow Irishman (or woman, as she was, but that was beside the point). Both boys were 17 years old, and in their last year at the school. However, they'd both been going on dangerous missions since their time at the school began, and they were well-experienced.
From what Seamus happily told her, Lisle and him had been paired up before. They made a very good team- every weakness one had was the other's strength. For example, Lisle was very accomplished whenever it came to being stealthy- hiding in the shadows and gathering information. Seamus, on the other hand, was much more of a people person. He was excellent at getting information out of people and making up fake identities.
Perhaps it was the accent. It was very endearing.
Whenever her shadows returned to her, they were able to give descriptions of some of the 'baddies' (for want of a better word) and to decide who they were going to morph into. They were then to cross No Man's Land, track down their set person, and... well... basically knock 'em out, hide them and take their places. The shadows had carefully assessed which humans would be best for the two Spies to become, and where able to give a clear description of their manner, so the Spies would know how to act. Lisle was to become a 'baddie' they knew as Clive Yaxley, who was working closely on the defence of various bases, and helped devise war strategies. Through this, he could discover weak points, and know where to let the Warriors through. Seamus, on the other hand, was to become Rapoto Blanche, who also worked on defence, but a different type. Whilst Clive worked on battle plans, Rapoto worked against the very thing Lisle and Seamus were doing- people infiltrating and getting their plans. The shadows believed he was very likely to be carrying a lot of information about Macy, and eventually, his colleagues would reveal it to him- or even lead him right to Macy!
The risks were staggeringly high, but as Lisle and Seamus reassured her as they left on their way ("Eet is ok, Key-ra.") they were professionals. They understood the risks perfectly well, and was certain they would do her proud. Kira was miserable to watch them go, led by the shadows, and had not heard from either since that night.
* * *
"It's weird not having a shadow," Kira said miserably to Lee that Friday evening. "Look, it should be here, but it's not. That's weird."
Lee watched his own shadow flickering back and forth in the flames. "Hmm... you can't do shadow puppets anymore."
"I can't do shadow puppets anymore," Kira repeated, aghast. "No, no, no, that's not fair."
He grinned at her, and held up his hand in imitation of a panting dog. His shadow bounded across the wall towards her, before she growled and forced it backwards with her mind, morphing it into a skull and crossbones instead.
"Creepy," he said appraisingly, as the skull melted away back into an outline of himself again. "Very nice."
She laughed. "So, where's your lover?"
"Oh, stop calling her that." Lee pulled a face. "And I wish you'd stop asking about her too."
"Why would I want to do that?" Kira asked, laughing. "It annoys you, so that means- "
"You're worse than freaking Bethany, I've always said so," he muttered, but his blue eyes were dancing with that familiar laughing light. "And FYI- that's bad."
"How is Beth, anyway?" Kira asked, her tone light as her heart tightened. Lee gazed at her for a few moments, his blue eyes burning into her own. He knew exactly what was going through her mind.
There was a tense pause as Lee looked at her, but it was broken abruptly as he looked away into the fire, sighing. Kira smiled in relief. He'd chosen not to talk to her about it. Thank god.
"She's good," he said, forcing a smile. "She sent me a letter the other day; it had a picture of her and Glynn in it. Their wedding's been scheduled for late November. Short notice, isn't it?"
"She was never the best for being organised," laughed Kira, and then, as though unable to control herself, "Did she ask about me?"
There was another tense pause, longer than the first, as Lee's hands twisted each other helplessly. "No."
Kira hadn't been expecting much else, but she still felt her heart sink a little at that. She cleared her throat. "Oh, you know... I just thought with the wedding and all, she might've... um... mentioned- nothing?" The last word came out a little desperately.
"Well..." he muttered. "Something. But it was stupid. Bethany was always a bit thick..."
"She was an Academic," Kira said hollowly, "so how could she of all people be thick?"
Lee flinched as though she'd hit him. He twisted his hands around each other for a few more moments, then sighed, slumping forward. "She said- it was stupid, I was just saying she can be- she said I shouldn't hang out with you so much... She said that you're... you're just like Aunt Rachel- sorry, your mum- and you'll end up like your Aunt Black."
Kira felt a sharp pain in the back of her head, like someone had just hit her there very hard. The pain moved quickly, pulsing to the front of her head and back again- pounding and pounding. She knew... she knew that she was unpopular with Lee's side of the family but that was... that was low...
But Bethany had said that.
Bethany.
Oh god...
Kira felt a hot liquid rise suddenly up the back of her throat, but forced it back down quickly. It burnt her throat as it moved downwards, feeling horribly solid, leaving a nasty, sick taste in her mouth.
"Gee, they really hate me, don't they?" she bared her teeth, attempting a grin, but was certain it came out more as a grimace.
Lee sat up, his eyes blazing. "Don't say that."
"Why not?" she half-laughed, her voice strangely brittle. "It's true, isn't it?"
"Don't, Kira," he repeated, a little warningly. "Just don't talk about it, okay?"
"Don't speak, don't think, don't worry," she growled. "I'm tired, Lee, and I think I should be able to talk to you of all people!"
"Oh, yeah?" he growled back, rounding on her. "Well, I'm tired, Kira! D'you think I'm proud of the way my family are acting? D'you think I want to talk about how rotten you're feeling?"
"I didn't mean it like that," she snapped, stung, "it's just you're my friend. I talk to you about everything."
"Well maybe you shouldn't talk to me about everything," he muttered. "Maybe I'd like to go without the guilt trip, for once in a while."
"I'm not accusing you of anything- "
"But sometimes it feels a little like it," he muttered, his cheeks reddening a little, as though already ashamed of his outburst. "Like with Madeleine... right, whatever. Leave it."
"But- "
"Leave it."
"My shadow!"
Lee jumped up as though he'd been scalded, moving across the room to stare at the shadow. Surely enough, before their eyes, Kira's shadow morphed into the shape on the wall, rippling before them in the firelight. The shadows shoulders sagged a little with relief as it settled itself beside the fire.
"Aah... warmth," came its whispered voices. "We have been working very hard, and there is little time for rest, you know..."
"What's it saying, Kira?" said Lee quickly, gazing at the silently moving mouth. "What's it saying?"
"Shh," she hissed. "Gimme a chance to listen."
"Yeah, shut up," came the rushing laugher of the shadow as it prodded Lee's. "We have important news for Kira, and do not wish to be interrupted."
"Well?" prompted Kira, rubbing her hands together slightly nervously.
"We have found the Macy girl," came the whispered reply. "She is locked away with a cruel man, who hurts her in terrible ways... unbearable ways... In this prison, she is unable to use her powers, and cannot escape. She is trapped and alone and frightened. We must help her," added the shadow, with a rare touch of remorse in its whispered voice. "We want to... to help her."
"We will," Kira said kindly, putting her hand up to the shadow instinctively. "Just... just tell me everything."
The shadow shifted, nodding as it did so. "Everything..." It made an indistinguishable noise, and then continued on its story. "The boy Lisle has managed to pick out a weak point for the Warriors to enter. He has marked it with a long, white pole, which he has hung an enemy flag on. This flag is moon-shaped, and slightly ripped. The other poles are black. We can see it easily in the night."
"Perfect," smiled Kira in relief. "What about Seamus?"
"The Macy girl is in a metal shack beneath the trenches. It sits neatly behind the white pole, covered by earth. Her captors use their powers to open up a passageway through to it every day. You need someone with Earth powers."
"Wondeful," sighed Kira leaning backwards in relief. "Oh thank god. Okay. Grand. You rest now. I'm off to tell Madeleine..."
The shadow nodded its head gratefully and turned back towards the fire. Lee moved suddenly in his chair, then seemed to think better of it, and collapsed back into it. Kira looked at him blankly for a few moments.
"I'll tell you later," she said finally, and walked on.
