The Death of Hope

[saerwen]

Test tubes, chemicals, cold metal tables, chairs, white boards, walls...ugh...These are the drab surroundings of a laboratory. Cabinets full of chemicals of every type lined the walls, who knew that there could be so many of them. That wasn’t all that could be mixed here though. Bring along your own ingredients and make use of the Bunson burners, graduated cylinders, and thermometers that measure to the nth degree. If you wanted a place to make some yummy soups, this would be it.
The rather dark looking figure that sat amongst these hallowed tools of the nerd world held not the slightest interest in them. She sat there, head bowed, hands clutching her head, form visibly shaking. It was strange to see her here, for she despised such things of science. Her mind was very disagreeably engaged at the moment, and her thoughts led her to this rather disagreeable place.
She had a book of science in front of her...home work, it was. She was fighting desperately to concentrate. She dared not to go to any of her usual study places for fear of running into the friends that seemed always too likely to congregate there. She knew that she could not face them, it was a hopeless case. In vain she struggled to concentrate on her homework, that so needed to be completed, but would probably never be finished. Her mind was in too many knots. She kept on hearing herself argue about something that was bothering her immensely. Ever since Damion had asked her in the coffee shop, her mind had shied away from the idea, until the fifth time that he had mentioned in on their fifth meeting after said event. Her guilt was gnawing away, devouring her ever thought and process with a ravenous furry.
She stared at the book with undivided attention, forcing herself to read it, but in the end, she read the same line about 30 times and still never understood what it was saying, not because she lacked intelligence, but because she was not concentrating. When your mind is consumed so fully with something else, is it ever possible to push it to what you want to accomplish?
She gave up with a disgusted sigh, slamming her hands down on the table she was sitting. Her angry movement caused the glass instruments on the table to quake with fear. She was sure that they knew who and what she was and that they were judging her for what she had done. No, dear, they are not the ones calling down the judgements, you are. she told herself as she gave a grim smirk, throwing her head back, and letting her black curls fall over the back of her chair. The little devil and the little angel in her head continued to argue back and forth, You need to go and confront Miriel. You know that is the only way to bring her back.[/b] No, you don’t you know what pain it will cause you. You may never come back from the abyss again. Think of Neron, think of how his struggles persecute him. You would never survive the beast that you are. But Miriel has been your constant friend through every hard struggle. You must help her, you owe it to her. And it is not like you aren’t already thinking of killing yourself. Why not sacrifice yourself for a greater good?[/b]
As this inward battle raged on, Jaedon simply sat back and closed her eyes. She had left the lights in the laboratory off, they were far too bright, and she could see well at night. She was much happier in the darkness...where nothing could be seen, especially not your blunders. She thought of a child drawing in the dark, the game that was always so amusing. When you had no light, the drawing seemed to be perfect, without anything wrong, a masterpiece of all masterpieces. When you turned the light on however, the light showed you how horrid your drawing was, and the blemishes that marred the once white paper. You are ashamed...the light was so shaming, so proud... she hated it.

[»Míríel«]

The steady clatter of footsteps against the school’s tile floors could be heard echoed down the empty halls. That small racket belonged to the slender and petite frame of Cecily. Her silver hair swayed side to side as she continued to her destination with a book clutched tightly to her chest. It was a book all about poisons, her favorite. It seemed that fate wanted her to have a study day, after all the rain drumming on the ground outside only added to the environment. No one was here, or so she thought. With a smile she paused at the Laboratory. Ah the wonderful place full of such wonderful chemicals, though she herself just came for the equipment. Sadly the dorms didn’t allow her to have all her little trinkets and equipment of her own laying around, what a pity. Resting her hand on the door she opened it and flicked the light on. The only reason she didn’t notice the other girl’s presence was because she was to busy bustling to a table and facing her back to the girl. Plopping down on a high stool that was so typical of Labs, she gently set the book on the table.

Leaning back for a moment and then swaying from side to side like a little girl Cecily took a deep breath. “Ah...and now we begin with.....” Her lips puckered as she flipped open the book cover, revealing a chapter that said in flourishing letters, “The Tea’s of Sorrow”. Then with a rapid movement she flicked through the pages, until she settled on the one she wanted. “Ah yes, this one...I can’t wait to create you.” Twisting around she reached for a little parcel that she had been carrying when she laid eyes on a dark figure in the corner. “Oh....” Blinking rapidly for a second was the only sign of her shock. “Well then..” Forgetting her little parcel she slammed her book closed and hopped off the chair. “Excuse me, I thought I was all alone.” The book’s cover read, “Medicinal Poisons.” Cecily loved that title. If you asked her she would be more than happy to explain it, but few asked, for few ever got to see her book. It was her very well kept secret. Picking up the book she stood up and turned to leave. What a shame, she had been so looking forward to experimenting with one of her little creations.

[saerwen]

When the lights flicked on, Jaedon could tell. It was blinding even though her eyes were closed. She gave a slight sigh, but then stopped short as she wondered who it was. Surely not one of her usual friends. If it was Neron then she would think that he really had started to stalk her. Thoughts of Neron made her become slightly discombobulated lately and she could provide no reason for it at all. She hated what it did, but she was sure that one of these days it would all come to nothing. It wasn’t like Neron cared about her, or that she cared for Neron. As a matter of fact, it was hardly as though there was anything there other than a good friendship. It would sink, like everything else had. Her friendships never lasted long...Miriel’s friendship had died, and she was sure that it wouldn’t take long for the rest of her friends to abandon her too. Then she would go on, like she always had, reverting back to her old ways of killing for no good reason at all. That was what she had to look forward to. Maybe in the end, she would just kill herself instead. That was looking like the brightest future now. She didn’t fear death, she simply feared the punishment that she would find there, for she knew that a soul so evil as her own could not enter into peace...not even in death.
She raised her head and looked around the room, finally making it to the side that was newly inhabited. What on earth was this?! It was as though all the world was against her. She ran from what that girl in the coffee shop had said because she knew that she had the remedy, but now, her that odd girl was, sitting there, oblivious to everything else that was living apparently. Jaedon stared at her in wonder. What kind of girl must she be?
When she finally took notice of Jaedon’s presence in the room, Jaedon could tell that she was startled. Looking at the girl with sad and dull green eyes Jaedon surveyed her, not with any sort of prejudice, but rather, with bleak interest. Her mind still told her with a vicious insistence that she had met this girl before...Somewhere, a long time ago, but she knew not where, or when. As the girl rose to leave, Jaedon debated on whether or not to ask her to stay. The silver-haired girl was half way out the door when Jaedon saw that she had forgotten her sack.
“Hey, you forgot your bag.” Jaedon spoke with little enthusiasm. She simply stated the fact and turned back to look at her chemistry book. “You don’t have to leave you know... I don’t mind.” She saw the book that the girl carried. She smirked, “Interesting choice of literature. Is it a hobby, a profession, or both? And do you really use them for medicinal purposes or for the more lethal ones?” Jaedon went back to resting and relaxed her head against the back of her stool not really expecting an answer, but didn’t ward one off either.

[»Míríel«]

Cecily stopped in her tracks as she heard a voice call out to her. “Perfect.” She smirked slightly. But that smirk soon was wiped off her face as she spun on her heel around, what had taken it’s place was an innocent smile. “Oh goodness, I totally forgot.” Her amber eyes grew wide. “Thank you!” Rushing over she grabbed the silver draw sting back and stroked the braided cords. While Jaedon talked Cecily tilted her eyes upward slightly, giving her a half listening look. Then when she had finished she smirked with a strange gleam in her eye and answered. “Ah, no you may not mind but I do. You see, this...” She picked up her bag. “Has some nastily wonderful things in it. I couldn’t just let you see all of my....secrets. As for this.” She set the book down on the table once more. “Oh I guess you could call it a hobby. I just...uh....” Her gaze fell to the table and she started tracing an infinity sign with her finger on the table’s smooth surface. “dabble...around a bit.” Cecily never gave people to much information, well, she tried not to. “As for which purpose, the answer is yes.” Her grin grew broader and had a mischievousness to it. “It just depends on what side of my little tea’s you are, the giver or the receiver.”
Innocence crept back into her face and her eyes widened once more, with the bright pink colored bow in her hair, trailing down the side of her hair, she almost looked like a big five year-old. Twisting back and forth on the stool it gave off a slight squeak. “Would you like to try one of my teas? It might perk you up a bit.” The mask was off once more and her eyes narrowed slyly, “Or it might not. You see...” The smirk crawled back, it never was gone for long. “Those who see my book get a free taste of one. Whether they want a swift or long “healing” is up to them. ”
There was a reason Cecily didn’t have many friends. She had a strange sense of humor, it was a bit morbid actually. Her fascination for such dangerous stuff actually has a long history, one that she doesn’t tell, not even to the closest of friends. Only those who have power over her could wrestle it out of her, but it would be a long fight. She also has a huge love for destruction, but that is another thing she probably won’t explain to you. Cecily has to really trust you, or feel that you understand her, before she reveals anything about herself. Perhaps she would find someone who understand what she had done and why, but more then likely she wouldn’t. The truth of the matter is, Cecily is misunderstood and lonely, but she ,of course, would never admit to that.

[saerwen]

Jaedon smiled at the quirkiness of the girl, and then she let out a slight chuckle. “What a piece of work you are...”Jaedon said to herself in little more than a mutter. “Your secrets are your own. I have no use for poisons.” She said a little louder, her eyes were closed and she looked as though she were in a coma, slowly dying away. This conversation was surprisingly helping her mind to push aside the other pounding thoughts that razed her mind every second that it could steal away from her.

“Ah, haha...” Jaedon was more than amused at the covered threat. “There is no reason that I should deny that pleasure. I can tell that you do receive pleasure from said vocation, so who am I to deny it you? The only thing that might take away from the joy of it is that I would probably drink the poison willingly, and knowingly. For someone that longs for death, poison holds no fear, even the fear of death could not sway me to have mixed thoughts. I would drop dead in peace.” Jaedon spoke with apathy now, her own words reminding her of her dismal thoughts. All traces of relief died, and by her own words to. Yet again, all that I can do is kill. She thought with a bit of irony.

“So tell me, what is your name? And what urging did you find deep down inside of you that caused that impulsive action in the coffee shop?” Jaedon smirked again as her green eyes opened and gazed very intently on the poison girl. Jaedon wouldn’t have been surprised had she been some sort of mythical snake. “I highly doubt it was in compassion for our friends plight.”

[»Míríel«]

Cecily pouted slightly at Jaedon talking about her secrets. “So you say.” Then her smirk returned. “But then again...That’s what they all say.” Her amber eyes seemed to be glowing. “No one wants to admit it, but they have need of my secrets every once in a while. Then they pretend I don’t exist.” She shrugged. “Pretty sad actually I feel like a rag. They use me to clean up their messes then toss me out and pretend I don’t exist until they come crawling back to my cellar to use me again.” A sigh was heard. “Well, except I am a lot cuter than a rag and my cellar is more like a shop... But no matter you get my point”

“Well you say you do not fear it, but what will you do when you hold the drink in your hands. Will you have the guts to put it to your lips.” A smile crept up on her mouth. “Plus who says you will drop dead in peace, I could give you one that causes you the up most pain, or one that would only leave you crippled for the rest of your natural life. Plus even if I am merciful enough to let you have a peaceful death I cannot insure what you will meet after. I’ve heard it can get quite nasty, especially.” Her eyes narrowed. “For people like you.”

Flicking her hair to the side with a carefree motion Cecily returned to her innocent mask. “My name, you ask for my name? Hmmmm” She blinked for a moment. “Well some call me the mad doctor, others call me silverhair, and some call me the peacemaker. But most...” The odd gleam came to her eye once more. “Most call me Cecily.” She smiled broadly. “I’m sure you have heard of me. As for why I did what I did.” Her eyes grew wide with innocence. “I just couldn’t stand seeing such distress among your friends. I had to put in my two-cents worth. Though, I don’t know if I would call it compassion, more like I was devilishly curious. It’s a great weakness of mine.” Cecily swung back and forth on the chair, her ribbon fluttering in the stirred air. “So what caused your friends great plight?”

[saerwen]

“Yes, I understand you words well. They have described myself in the past. A tool to clean up another’s mess at the cost of your own conscience.” Jaedon looked at the girl starting to have a recollection of where she last saw her...The mention of a cellar had brought it to her. The place was dark, it looked like the inside of a building, but she was unsure as of where. It must have been night time though. “But, by now, I doubt that you or I have a conscience left.”

“Any fate that you could possibly ensure whether in the depths of your mind, or to me in the open, would be more than just. I think right now I would welcome any death, just so long as it gave me death.” Jaedon was totally serious. “And as for what I will meet after, I am sure that it will be wholly deserved. But I must ask...What makes you think mine will be worse than someone else’s?” Jaedon narrowed her eyes. “I know that I have made it obvious that I have done evil deeds, but what confidence do you have that would allow you to make such an exact observation?”

Peacemaker[/b]...Jaedon had heard that name before. She had heard it in reference to a master of poisons a long time ago, but memory was refusing to oblige her with the exact source. Jaedon sat and listened as she continued to puzzle over this girl Cecily and how she knew her. The picture of the building became clearer, but it was still fuzzy. “Would you have happened to ever sold poison to assassins with big clients?Or perhaps the more accurate question, were you ever involved in aiding the underground mobs?” Jaedon was taking a wild leap here. She had no idea whether her guess would be right, but to be unable to recall a girl so striking would have to mean that it was a long time ago.

Jaedon hardly heard Cecily’s question, which is why she responded rather slowly, and after her own question. “Oh, her boy friend and her best friend got in a big fight, and then she had the stupidity to go and get close to water. The water caused what seemed like an emotional melt down, and when she tried to heal her friend, it sucked just about everything that she had out of her.”

[»Míríel«]

“Conscience, no I still have one. You see it’s not me that kills the people, but the people who apply the poison. After all a gun smith doesn’t kill a person, he just gives the tools to the person who did. Thus he is totally blameless. ” She smiled broadly. “So technically I haven’t killed anyone in my life....well..” She narrowed her eyes. “That’s not totally true but that happened so long ago I doubt that it counts.” With a tilt of her head one of her delicate fingers rested on her cheek and her bright eyes faded into a distant look. She was thinking about a time long ago, a time she been much much younger.

Sitting up she raised an eyebrow at what Jaedon said. “I doubt you would be willing to take any sort of death. But you say you would like to die in any way. Well then you don’t need my tea’s after all none of us live forever.” She smirked. “An interesting thought...” Turning around on the stool she leaned her back on the table and faced Jaedon more front on then from the side. “As for how I judged what type of person you are. That...” She leaned forward.”Was easy.” She resumed her position and paused for a moment, deciding how truthful she should be. “I have dealt with many people, for a long time, and I have come to recognize what the people are. Plus with the look on your face, it would seem that you could murder anyone.” The innocent smile came to her face, “Not that I would know anything about such things.”

It was fun watching people digest her many names, she could tell that this girl before her knew her by one of them. An interesting thought. So her gut feeling was right about this girl, she was one of her clients, or if she wasn’t she probably was tied up with someone who had known Cecily. Though her eyes narrowed to slits when Jaedon mentioned selling poisons to assassins. “Perhaps I have. Perhaps I haven’t. You decide. Though...if I did I would probably have a disguise.” Leaning closer to Jaedon and lowering her voice to a whisper Cecily continued, “You see so many people don’t know about magical species, a sad thing, but something that is very true. I couldn’t have people seeing a girl handing out poisons. A little bit freaky don’t you think? I’m only telling you this because you aren’t one of those useless humans and I have a strong feeling that you have been one of my “clients” before.” Leaning back and evil gleam came to her eyes. “You might remember...” She opened her hand in front of her face with one hand with the other pulled her hair up a bit. “This” Both hands dropped and the face of Cecily was altered. It was older, almost witch like, with silver hair straggling around her face. “Rather unbecoming don’t you think?” The pout came to her face. A snap echoed in the room and her face turned back to normal. It was only a bit of illusion work, nothing too sophisticated. Settling back she watched Jaedon with a smug smile, wondering how the girl would react.

“What a shame about your friend.” Her words were slightly sarcastic. “I’m guessing her boyfriend is the white one, he seems to be having quite a punishment right now. Poor guy.” She frowned. “Life, isn’t it full of surprises.[/b”

[saerwen]

Jaedon gave a slight huff, “So you are an instrument to murder...wow. Wish I could boast as much.” She looked at the girl, now fiercely battling with her mind to grab onto where she had seen this girl. It was annoying her that she couldn’t remember. “Not all of us have the luxury of waiting till life ends. If I had that luxury, I would not be feeling like the sneaking, lying, murderous demon from hell that I am. I would be living a good life, full of good friends, having more than myself to worry about. Foolish pursuits would no longer characterize me and I might keep myself free from broken ribs for more than a week.”

When she mentioned the disguise, Jaedon stopped bashing herself for not remembering. So she had been in costume...but then, how did Jaedon know that she had seen her before. It must have been only slight enough to throw Jaedon off. What a crafty little thing this Cecily was. “Yes, I am sure that I was one of your clients. Poisons were one of the most effective and easy to use. Too bad they are sloppy sometimes, the only kind of poison I used were the completely lethal and scentless ones. Those do the trick very nicely, but if you don’t take extra care to ensure that everything is perfect, they can be easily messed up. I prefer a dagger blade across the throat. Clean and untraceable.”

When she put on the illusion Jaedon was slightly taken aback. She raised an eyebrow and surveyed Cecily’s new found appearance. After scanning the old looking visage she remembered. It had been in a beat up warehouse. It had been abandoned for years. Jaedon had gone there in her panther form to meet the Peacemaker, an old lady, hooded and cloaked, ready to exchange a bottle of poison for money. She would never forget that meeting for the rest of her life. It seered her mind now. That golden colored bottle with a scentless, deadly poison in it was ready to be used on any unsuspecting person that would just so happen to drink that. Jaedon knew exactly what she had done with that liquid...and even worse, she knew that she had done the job well...too well. She didn’t respond to Cecily. Her eyes became glazed over as she simply stared at Cecily. She was really focusing on nothing, but her eyes rested on Cecily and the face that had become that of a young lady again. Her eyes displayed great sorrow...wishing that she had never met Cecily, Fische, or anyone else that had set her on her path to where she was now.
After a long time she spoke very quietly as she continued to look blankly at Cecily. “Fische recommended you... Said that you were the best.”

[»Míríel«]

“It is a great place to be I must admit.” Cecily drummed her fingers on the table behind her. The usual smirk was present on her face and made her face have a happy evilness that was so distinct to her character. “You don’t need to worry about broken ribs if you are skilled enough in a fight. I’m disappointed.” She frowned. “Usually my clients are from a higher level of assassins, not the every day criminal...not that I would turn them down. But I save the good stuff for the upper class.” Finished with her drumming she picked up her hand and started twirling her long starlight hair. “You say you don’t have the luxury of waiting until life ends but that’s not true. If you don’t mind me back treading in our conversation... Everyone has until life ends, because it ends for everyone. Sometimes babies die, some people who are “lucky” have a long life, others die in the middle of there life.I don’t understand that saying. After all if they died they aren’t in the middle of their life but the end. A quirk don’t you think?” Cecily sighed. “You see, we all have a full life for we all live, but what you do with your life, no matter how long or short, if of you decision. The length has no point in the matter.” She smirked once more. “Hate to burst your bubble.”

The dainty nose of Cecily wrinkled as she made a face at what Jaedon had said. “Hah clean. I beg to differ. Daggers make a bloody mess of everything, literally.” She shook her head vigorously, making her hair fly about her face. “No just give me a needle, or a vial of poison and it does the job quite nicely. As for being sloppy.” An evil look crossed her face. “My poisons are never sloppy, it is just the users that don’t know what they are doing that make the job sloppy.” She smirked.

When Jaedon mentioned Fishe Cecily’s eyebrows raised in genuine astonishment. “Fische?! He told you about me?” A bright smile came over her face. “He’s such a dear! Always keeping me in the back of his mind. Ah...” She sighed with her hands clasped in her lap. “It’s been to long since I saw him last, too long...I miss him.” She shook her head before eyeing the girl before her once more. “Though if he told you about me you must have been very close to him. Well if you ever need anything dear I’ll make sure to whip up anything you want for a reduced price.” She winked. “Just for you though. So tell me, what poison have you used from me that worked the best? I love to hear how well some of them work.” She squirmed in her chair like a child waiting for a treat.

[saerwen]

Jaedon smirked, “Don’t think me an addle child playing with fire. I have been an assassin for longer than anyone that I know, meaning that I actually lived long enough to boast that. I just don’t have the drive that I used to. It used to be life or death, now I don’t really care either way, so I get slightly sloppy.” She shook her head. “You call the underground upper class? Well, considering politicians love to work through the underground with a clean slate, who can say the difference? I can assure you that assassins take both the upper class and lower class, but only for a price.”

“I have lived my life for as long as I want. Aye, time may have no effect, but the truth is still the same, there is nothing left for me to live for. I have filled my life with bad choices that I regret. So as far as I am concerned, my life is over.” Jaedon was not kidding. She had been thinking about this a lot since Miriel had lost her memory. This would be the perfect time to end it all. Miriel would not care as much if she died, and she would not try to stop Jaedon. It wasn’t like Neron cared, so Damion was the only one that would be sorry. He had Miriel, so he could live. Why should she stick around when she only made things worse. Perhaps it was the little devil on her shoulder talking to her, but maybe, it was the angel of mercy, she really couldn’t tell the difference any more.

“From the assassins point of view, everything is better done physically. You see, if we poison someone, but they are rushed to the hospital and everything is taken care of, then we fail. If you cut their throat and feel the life die from within them right there, then you can go to your employer, knowing 100% that your target is dead and you have no more worries. Granted, I relied a lot on poisons simply because they leave 0 connections and they give you some leeway, but I hated hanging around making sure that they worked. Good assassins don’t leave until their target is dead, so that is why I like daggers and swords better.” Jaedon laughed when she talked about the sloppy users. “Those fools are the assassins that don’t live a year past service. The first thing that you learn about in the assassin world is that you stay till the job is done, whether it be in a few seconds or a few hours, you always stay. That applies to poisons especially.”

When Cecily acted so sweet about Fische Jaedon could feel disgust welling up within her. “Bloody good that you haven’t seen him too. That monster was not worth anything.” She crossed her legs and turned back to her book, her distaste was evident in her voice. “I suppose that your offer will fail when I tell you that you won’t be seeing him any time soon.” Jaedon smirked as she turned back to Cecily, the smirk slowly evolving into a wicked grin. “He’s dead.” There was a strange irony in her voice. “That was one of the kills that I did for me, myself, and I. It was lots of fun... I never had the chance to use poison, guns, and knives all at once until him.” There was a gleam in her green eyes. “I really feel no remorse about that kill.”

[»Míríel«]

Cecily smirked. “You get my point exactly. Though some might not call the assassins upper class, I do, not only because of their employers, but because of the talent. Few can be one for long without getting themselves killed. A risky business.” The smirk grew bigger. “And those are the best I might add.”

When Jaedon started talking about how everything in her life was terrible and how she wanted it to end Cecily studied the girl intently. Assassins didn’t give up, especially not one of this caliber. Could it be guilt? Cecily nodded slightly, yes that was it. Looking down at her bag for a moment she shuffled with it a bit. “Well excuse me if I may be trespassing my bounds but.” She looked up. “If what I heard at that delightful little shop is true... and considering how you are acting. I deduce that you must be holding onto a key. Perhaps the key to your friends memory. But you are unwilling to cause your little self the pain of retelling it. Even though it would bring your friend back. Sad, but that must be one nasty memory you two have. Now...let me tell you one thing.” Cecily inched closer. “Your friend right now is lost, perhaps she doesn’t show it that well, but she is. Think about not knowing anything, every time you pass someone you don’t know if you have met before or even if you are best friends. When you talk to friends it seems like they know you better then yourself. Every time you do something you wonder, is this the way I used to act, or am I different? What if my friends don’t like me? What if I don’t remember a friend that needs me? For your friend, the only memories she seems to remember are those sickeningly sweet ones, and even then they seem fake because there is no background to them, not feeling, just a memory. Sort of like..” Cecily leaned back on her stool and a thoughtful look appeared on her visage. “Imagine walking in on a movie when a couple embraces and kiss. The other people who had been watching the movie from the start are bawling like babies, but you, having no clue of what happened just stand in confusion and wonder, ‘Wow that must have been quite an emotional scene, wonder what happened.’ That is what your friend is feeling like. Lost. So are you going to bring back her memory or not?” Cecily sighed. “Not that it matters to me, your silly little life is up to you, I just stand back and watch.” She smirked.

“Dead?” Cecily raised an eyebrow for a moment before shrugging. “Ah well, that’s sad news, but I knew it was coming one day anyways.” She smiled slightly. “Ironic, he promoted my poisons to the height, and in the end he died by one.” She let out a little laugh and stroked her silver hair. “Ironic no?” Then her amber eyes flitted to Jaedon. “Oh well, there will be another to take his place, there always is. ”

[saerwen]

Jaedon listened to Cecily her heart burning with every word as the more than accurate accusation hit the nail on the head. She closed her eyes, trying with all of her might to block what was said from her mind. She knew that Cecily was right, but she didn’t want to do it. She couldn’t...Miriel hardly even knew her now, what if it didn’t work and Miriel hated her for the rest of her life? What if it did work and Miriel became angry with her all over again? She couldn’t stand to think about it, but as she listened to Cecily for longer and longer she knew that she had to...she just had to tell Miriel the truth.

I am being so self-centered...It is not like I want to live much longer anyways, so why does it matter if I have comfort in my life or not. Let Miriel think what she will. She has a life to live, and she has Damion. I have no one. My life is worth nothing and therefore my comfort is worth nothing. She just stared at the floor and let these thoughts rush through her mind. Jaedon felt a tear roll down her cheek, but she had turned slightly away from Cecily so Cecily would not have seen it. Why is it that you never really appreciate what you have until it is all gone? I want my Miriel back! Jaedon never really replied to what Cecily said.

Jaedon laughed bitterly. “Yes, there will always be someone to take his place.” She clenched her teeth together as she thought about it. “Some poor soul, sucked in by ill fate and ignorance will be condemned to a life of murder.” She did smirk slightly though, “But if it weren’t for the assassins, I suppose that no one would by your dear little poisons. Then you would be out of a job.”

[»Míríel«]

Cecily hoped down from her chair, pleased with the slight change in her little assassin friend. She hated seeing assassins get to the end of their rope, plus like Jaedon said, without assassins she wouldn’t have anyone to sell poisons to. Now that was a sad thought. Smoothing out her skirt with her hands she frowned down at it. “Exactly why I never have to worry about the economy. I’m always in buisness.” She looked up with a smile on her face. Then grabbing her bag the evil gleam came back to her eyes. “Now I suppose I will be seeing you very soon. Perhaps you will be my client this time and I won’t have to be your psychiatrist. ” She laughed and taking her book turned from Jaedon and started to walk out of the room.

THE END

To be continued...[/b]