The Glitch IV - Inversion (Ch. 1)

[LadyTevar]

The man smiled at the woman, his hand reaching out to hers. He took it lightly, floated into the air with her, then zoomed away. He seemed to disappear for a moment, before he was behind her, his arms wrapping about her body.

The dream Leah was caught, pulled close to him, the rough hands holding her by the hips. Warm breath flowed softly past her ear, and the faint mummer of sweet nothings, intended to delight and entice her.

It was all a game, and he wished to play it with her. Never once, even though her dreams tried, did he let he become Leandra, it was Leah he played with, stroked, held in mid air.

The sleeping Leah moaned softly, moving slightly under the sheets as her body responded to his actions in the dream, yet not waking or even sensing the cloaked stranger loaming over her in the darkened room.

[Dark Silver]

The fingers trailed from her forehead, down over the mousey archivst' nose, and over those lips. His fingertips traced her lips ever so lightly, before moving to stroke her cheek, tracing the curve of her face, and moving down her throat.

In the dream, the stranger stroked her body, his hands moving over the curves that she kept hidden normally beneath stollid clothing. His lips found hers, kissing her roughly, passionately.

As she reacted, her body wrapping around his, he increased the contact. Hands guided her to lay back against him, her body resting against his as he played with her, squeezing and pinching, teeth nipping ear, neck, shoulders.

Every sensation was there, one which Leah, through Leandra, experienced countless times, the need and want, the excitement of sexual contact, the opening posturing which would culminate in her desire.

It was then that the cloaked stranger slipped into her bed with the woman, her body reacting through his touches in the dream, and now from the way he held her and carressed her in the bed. He kept her focused on the dream at all time, his contact with her deepening it.

He placed his mouth next to Leah's ear, whispering to her, so that she'd hear it even in the dream "I want you...." just before his tongue slipped into her ear, and his hand cupped her nethers through the nightgown.

[LadyTevar]

There are some points where even the deepest dream can't stop the body from screaming 'SOMEONE'S TOUCHING ME!'

The dream shattered, Leah's eyes flying wide open with instinctual flight/fight panic, her body temporarily paralyzed from the sudden awakening. Her mouth opened as she tried to get the breathe for a scream.

And the room was empty. No one was there... just the HDD's on-light glowing softly in the darkness of her room.

[Dark Silver]

The images replayed in her mind, the intense erotic imagry, along with the way her body remembered being touched. It wasn't gentle, infact, it was almost needy. The stranger seemed to be Darek, the way he acted, the way he spoke to her, the way he started touching her...

As her mind replayed the images, the most imtimate and final ones were reached, the ones that were surpressed in the instant of coming awake.....the form of Darek melted away...and in it's place, was the broken tusked Troll from the entrance to the Keep, the one who was leering at her...

A deep sense of filth washed over her......

In the shadows, just beyond her still blurry vision, the cloaked figure chuckled to himself, just before the darkness consumed him, and he disappeared. His laugh echoing in the small room.

[LadyTevar]

Leah started at the sound of the laugh, clutching the sheets around her in terror like a child. It was a long moment before she got the courage to move and turn on a light.

Nothing. Nothing but the HDD, still turned on.

After a long moment she rushed out of the bed and unplugged it from the powersource, still trembling. She did not sleep the rest of the night, but spent a long time in her shower scrubbing away a feeling that she'd been violated somehow.

[Comrade Tortoise]

Justin laughed. What he didnt gell Ted was that Creationism Bashing day involved him tearing out the entire book of genesis from several different versions of the bible, then setting them on fire, before incinerating a little model of the Ark with an oxy-acetaline torch to deminstrate what would happen to the ark beause of the latent heat of vaporization released when 4.4 billion cubic Kilometers of water condensed.

Then he went into his room, and logged on.

[LadyTevar]

Leah was in a foul mood all throught work the next day, and it didn't help that one gentleman was dead certain that his father died in the state, and refused to take "we've searched every record for that year, the year before, and the year after, he either didn't die here, or he ain't dead!" as an answer.

Of course, she couldn't put it in those words... she had to be polite. But there was a nice little fantasy of hiring Sviri to garrotte him slowly... or letting Vadlenar use him for experiments.

Finally she got out of work, dragging herself home ... and feeling vaguely uneasy as she looked at the HDD. She had turned it off before she went to bed. She remembered doing so. But when she woke from that ... that dream... it had been on.

She really wished she didn't have to log on tonight. She could find something else to do... read a few books she'd never gotten around to. Watch tv. Learn to crochet. Go out and find a Real Boyfriend.

Leah sighed, slowly eating her dinner alone in the kitchen. "Face it.. you have no life, Leah... just your friends on Zion."

She washed her dirty dishes then plugged the HDD's power cord back in. "Please let Thog be there... I really need to talk to him..."
***

Leandra appeared in her store, looking around to make sure everything was in place. The packs with their potions were still where she left them, each one marked with a little symbol for her to tell each one apart. All of them held healing and antidote potions, but two contained potions to boost strength which she'd give to Ottoman and Decimus; one had potions for speed and invisiblity, to help Sviri; three had potions to regain magic and to boost wisdom for El, Vad, and herself to use; and the last one was Thog's, with potions for strength, speed, wisdom, and a couple special ones that she had just learned to make which should give him a temporary regenerative effect.

There was one more pack that she'd marked with a caution symbol. These were the explosive pots. People who wanted them could take them, but Leandra herself never used them.

Now... if only Thog would show up to help her carry them to Ottoman's manor. And while they were walking, she could tell Thog about last night.

***
That is how Leah thought of it... telling THOG, not Albert. Thog was too dumb to understand, but he would quietly listen and then give her a hug 'jus cause'. She'd discussed a lot of her problems with Thog... sweet, simple Thog.

[Shark Bait]

Vadlenar was mostly ready for the journey he had put the various potions he had made into saddle bags on his new mout. There were more than enough healing and antidote potions for himself and a few others, as well as many explosive potions and vials of alchemist’s fire and several other nasty things he had concocted at one point or another. He also had a saddle bag almost full of nothing but pre-carved soulstones that just needed to be bonded to whomever they were given to. Finally he picked up a communication stone, he was unsure if Leandra had received the package of information and samples he had sent her.

“Leandraâ€

[Comrade Tortoise]

Elwyn arrived at the designated meeting point a bit early. He had His staff, and armor with him. As well as pouches filled with just about everything he would need to cast his various spells. Acorns and berries for grenades and mines, respectively. In addition he had a bandolier of various potions, including healing potions and explosive potions. Just in case he got magic locked again.

[LadyTevar]

[quote="Shark Bait"]“Leandraâ€

[SirNitram]

Albert logged in. He should have swung by the bookstore, but he had promised to show up for this mission, and he was late as it is. The pile of essays, however, had a nice dent in it.

Thog manifested in Leandra's shop, stretching out as if he had just been asleep.

[Shark Bait]

[quote="LadyTevar"][quote="Shark Bait"]“Leandraâ€

[Comrade Tortoise]

Elwyn walzed on into the potion shop. Decked out in full battle dress, clad in his camoed leather armor and staff in hand.

"So, we were going to meet... elsewhere in a few hours?"

[LadyTevar]

[quote="Shark Bait"]“If he was dead that happened after I saw himâ€

[Shark Bait]

“Very well then I will see you shortlyâ€

[Rukia]

Sivri logged on. She was a bit late due to matters in RL. She put on her most protective armor then proceeded to race around her little house packing things up, potions, extra clothes and armor, food, and some extra weapons. After she had gotten the minor things done she walked over to an wood chest and opened it. In it was a set of daggers and a short bladed sword. They were made of pure silver with amathyst stones set into the handles. They had been made especially for her a few years ago, and were complete with her name engraved on not only the blades but the matching holsters as well. She had never used them, but decided that now was the time. She gingerly took each one out and set it on the cloth in front of the chest. At the bottom of the chest was a pouch of deep purple satin, in it contained some of the most powerful poison one could aquire. She opened the bottle and prceded to place several drops on each blade. The silver turned green for a second as the poison was absorbed then was back to its normal state. Also in the pouch was a protection prayer along with some old runes:

I call upon thee
Goddess of the Moon
For your protection and help
Today, tonight and forever more.
I place myself in your protection
And hope for all to be right
To forever follow the white way
The one you hold with all your might
Guide me now to protect myself
And help all those in need
Keep me safe and warm
Until in death I sleep

She said the prayer and charged the runes with her internal power. She could not do magic... but she needed all the help she could get. She held her eyes closed for a second, pleading with the Goddess for protection. She put the runes, prayer and poison back in the pouch and drapped it around her neck. She stapped on the holsters on her waist and either thigh. She then picked up her napsack and reached in to pull out Le's contact stone.

"Hey it's me sorry I'm late... long day at work. I'll meet you all at Ottoman's." She placed the stone back and left her house. She went to the stable that kept her horse Meeka, and saddled her up. After she had grabbed enough food and water for the horse, Siv mounted her and trotted to Ottoman's.

[Shark Bait]

Vadlenar waved in unison with his army of undead servants as Sivri trotted up to Ottoman’s house having arrived just shortly before her. “Helloâ€

[Agent Fisher]

Decimus appeared inside his room. He opened a chest and took outh is armor. He pulled on his armor. After the armor came his sword belt and sword. Then came a pair of daggers, with another placed in a holder in his boot. Then he packed his pack. He loaded food, water, a blanket, some rope, and anything else he might need. Decimus walked out of his room, his shield strapped on his back, with the pack over it. He made it to the stables and saddled his horse. Into the saddle bags went more food and water, along with some food for the horse.

As he was loading his horse, his commanding officer entered.

"Decimus, where are you headed?"

"Mission from the Baron, sir."

"Very well, good luck and good hunting."

"Thank you, sir."

He climbed upon his steed and trotted out, towards Ottoman's estate. He returned the salute of the guard at the entrance to the militia base.

[Charon]

Matthew set his book down and walked to the front of his store, making one last look to make sure everyone was gone he locked the door and went about cleaning. Albert hadn't come in today, a shame, he'd been looking forward to discussing things with him in a place where he didn't have to take precautions to make certain no one heard him.

Placing the last of the books back where it needed to be Matthew walked upstairs to his home. Stepping gingerly around a few piles of books that he didn't have the room for downstairs Matthew got to the kitchen and grabbed a quick bite to eat before he went into his gaming room and flipped on the HDD.

---------

Ottoman arose from his chambers and donned his armor, the black carapace of metal did not gleam in the light of the candles that were still burning. Ottoman stepped over to his weapon stand. Gingerly placing a hand on the hilt of his corrupted blade Ottoman pulled the sword partway out of it's sheath, the bright metal shone across Ottoman's face and he let himself smile. Shoving the blade back into it's sheath he attached it too his waist. Ottoman then grabbed his shield and slung it on his back. Ottoman looked back at the weapon stand. Most of his other weapons had already either been loaded on the cart or had been carried off by Mark and his men. They spared no time, good. Grabbing his almost plain helmet Ottoman slipped it on over his head and stepped out of his chambers. Making his way across the great hall Ottoman openned the front doors and looked to his left. The horses and the cart were both ready for travel. Ottoman looked out the front gates which still had their two guards. Now all he needed was the rest of the lemmings to join their lemming leader.

[Agent Fisher]

Decimus arrived at the Ottoman estate. He stopped at the front gate. He nodded to the Dark Elves.

"Hello."

[Shark Bait]

Decimus arrived at the Ottoman estate. He stopped at the front gate. He nodded to the Dark Elves.

"Hello."

Vadlenar touched his hand to his brow “Good day to youâ€

[Agent Fisher]

"Of course." Decimus stretched out his hand for it.

[Shark Bait]

"Of course." Decimus stretched out his hand for it.

Vadlenar dismounted and walked over to Decimus he placed the stone in his hand and closed the warrior’s hand around it. There was the characteristic flair of green light before Vadlenar released his bowed his head ever so slightly and went to wait next to his horse once more. He gently almost lovingly stroked the bleached white bones of the horse’s face, in his eyes it was truly the most magnificent creature. “That stone will revive you when you die, and when you do I will craft you a new one.â€

[SirNitram]

She turned to the half-giant, wishing she'd had the chance to talk to him privately like she wanted. Well.. maybe on the trip out. "I've got a pack just for you, Thog... and there's a new potion for you to try." She reached in and pulled out one of the regeneration potions to show him. "This one will make you heal like a troll during battle. I've also packed Healing, Antidote, Speed, Strength, and Wisdom".

Thog's bottles did not have script on them telling what they were.. they had little icon pictures: a red cross, the mr green/mr yuck, a running man, a man lifting weights, and a lightbulb. After all... Thog couldn't read.

Thog picked up and squeezes Leandra affectionately. "Thank you, pretty Le-Dra. Me save the smrt potions for when you need Thog to think real hard. 'Bout rocks and stuff." He grinned, tucking the potions away. "Thog ready to go. Le-Dra ready to go?"

[LadyTevar]

Thog picked up and squeezes Leandra affectionately. "Thank you, pretty Le-Dra. Me save the smrt potions for when you need Thog to think real hard. 'Bout rocks and stuff." He grinned, tucking the potions away. "Thog ready to go. Le-Dra ready to go?"

"Yes... I think I'm ready. Will you please carry the rest of the pouches for me, Thog?" Leandra asked.

---
now that Thog was online, Leah sent him a whisper. "Something happened again last night... as if someone was in my room and grabbed me while I slept. When I woke, I heard a man laughing in my room ... and the HDD had turned itself on. Please... please tell me I'm not going insane."