Lexikon

#vss365 "So where are the others?" He left the door open and marched back into the house. She stayed quiet as she followed him in. He turned and leaned against the kitchen counter, eyeballing her. "Just me," she smiled. "What? No." He stared at her. "You drove 70 #miles just to check on me?"

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#vss365 "You've been at this for hours, you must be nearly there. I've seen you solve harder puzzles on a post-it note in no time at all." She glowered at him. "I'm checking." "How many times have you checked?" he laughed. She refused to look up. "If I'm wrong." "Where's all this #doubt come from?"

#vss365 "Your #commitment to being such a mean a*@& is truly impressive." Rowan stormed out of the room, slamming the door. Thos sighed, cursing the woman. He turned and realised the Doctor was still there. She smiled awkwardly before turning back to her work. "Don't worry, people often forget me."

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#vss365 He watched her close her eyes and lean back with a sigh, just for a second. Her shoulders dropped as the mask dropped. It wasn't lost on him that these days she only seemed to relax when it was just the two of them. Gone were the days he only ever made her #nervous.

#vss365 "Hurry up," he hissed. "I'm sorry, my #training never covered having to sabotage machinery in a stupid dress," she shot back. "Did it cover being faster?" "Do you want to come under here and do it?" Her head peered out from underneath,the anger disappearing as her face grew red at his smirk.

#vss365 "Maybe if I..." "Stop." She opened her mouth to argue but he put his hand on hers, fixing her with a hard stare. "You can't keep second guessing yourself. You are not to blame. Life is a #lottery. You make a series of choices and you cannot predict all the consequences. Especially that one."

#vss365 He kicked the tyre in anger. "It's #dead." "I believe that's my cue." Elle ushered him away. "You don't have any equipment, this wreck hasn't got any spares. What could you possibly do?" She hefted open the bonnet, and raised an eyebrow. "Miracles, now move while I MacGyver this sh*t."

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#vss365 He closed the door behind him, resting his forehead on the wood. He had to go but the #sound of her muffled sobs from inside nearly broke him. His throat closed up as he subconscious warred with itself. He had seen the moment he broke her heart; all because of his own damned fear.

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#vss365 "I know you're angry..." Her head snapped round, wild eyes flashing. "Do not tell me to #calm down..." "Elena," he stepped forward, his hands held outstretched. "No," she snapped, her voice wavering. "Do not try and tame my anger because right now, it's the only thing keeping me together."

#vss365 Lamont noticed his hesitation. "What is it?" "Nothing." He still didn't open the door. "It's Doctor Smith,isn't it? You think she'll be angry with you?" "Oh yes, can't you see me #quake in my boots," he growled turning the handle. "Don't tell me you finally care what somebody thinks of you?"

#vss365 He appeared as soon as she climbed off the stage. "How come I've never heard you sing?" She shrugged self-consciously. "You're incredible. I don't know why you'd hide that." "It used to embarrass someone." "Then he's a fool." His eyes had darkened. "You're a #siren, anyone would follow you."

#vss365 He watched her through the doorway, leaning tiredly on her arm as she kept working. "No man is an #island. Isn't that the quote?" He wandered in, hands in his pockets. "Why are you here alone again?" "No man," she gazed up, "Woman is shipwrecked, fighting for survival."

#vss365 "Avalon is landlocked," he shrugged. "So I like seeing the water when I'm here. #Sail away somewhere." A couple of kayaks drifted past. "I always think it would be awesome to fly." "I thought you hated planes?" "Yeah,"she pouted. "I mean literally be able to fly. Don't look at me like that."

#vss365 Everything went quiet, like the eye of the storm. Her head was empty, silent for once, having been overloaded by the sheer tidal waves of thoughts and fears assaulting her. She stood dazed and confused, waiting for the feeling of helplessness to rise up and wash her away like a #hurricane.

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#vss365 "What's with you too? He seems to #harbour just a little resentment." She was still watching the door Thos had just left through. "Oh that?" Lamont laughed. "Thing you need to know about him, is that he doesn't really know how to express feelings. For anyone." He stared at her pointedly

#vss365 She sat up, realising she hadn't blinked in too long. Something had pulled her out of her work. She turned round to see him stood in the doorway, holding a cup. He gave a crooked grin, "Huh, so I can #lure you out with coffee." "I need to work." He cocked his head, "Just five minutes?"

#vss365 "You're making a #mountain out of a molehill." He rubbed his face, waiting for more. But she stayed quiet. He glanced up in surprise, she'd been so worked up and now silence. She was staring down at her hands, barely moving. She even looked like she'd shrunk."Elle." "Forget it,you're right."

#vss365 I walk under a #cloud of my own making. Gloom summoned from my own imagination is just as strong yet somehow more toxic. It lingers, hovering over me no matter where I turn, no matter what anyone says. Ignoring it is not an option, instead I must wait under it, until it rains itself out.

#vss365 He was flustered as he came into the room. "You might get a #reprieve. The council has been called in so they might postpone your presentation." Horror twisted her face. "No, no it has to be tonight. I've been an utter wreck all day trying to psyche myself up, I'll won't be able to again."

#vss365 "You're a telepath?" Elle's face hardened but he was used to that. "Yes, so you might want to #purify those thoughts," he joked, winking. The look she gave him made his blood run cold and then she was gone. "Wow." The Captain drew level with him. "Don't ever go in her head. Ever."

#vss365 "They aren't too happy about us, no," he admitted, lowering his gaze. "They have always frowned on relationships outside of Avalon." "Will said I could #renounce Albion and it might help." She stopped him when he opened his mouth to argue. "All I have is you, I'd be losing nothing."

#vss365 "She's going to bottle it." Declan stared at the woman on the podium pityingly. "You #reckon?" Thos didn't look at the wretched man. "Even before she wouldn't have stood a chance, but now?" "Perhaps you underestimate her. Perhaps you can't stand that they are listening to her, not you."

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#vss365 "I envy you," he smiled. "Your work is your #passion." She looked around the lab and he noticed her hesitation. "I'm wrong?" "No, I suppose. It's important," she nodded half-heartedly. "You're telling me this isn't what you always wanted to do? What then?" She shook her head. "You'll laugh."

#vss365 "Why does everyone look so pensive? We're about to #embark on an adventure!" Kae grinned as they stood in front of the chasm awaiting them. Rowan shook her head and headed into the cave first, torch held high. Elena paused in front of Thos. "He starts singing, let's leave him down there."

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#vss365 She dropped a piece of paper in front of him. "I can't track it all the way, this is the best I can do. I'm sorry." He skimmed the page,astounded by the level of detail. "This must have taken you hours." "Waste of time though." He shook his head."You don't see what a #marvel you are,do you?"

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#vss365 "I need to figure out what's causing it." She busied herself at the displays. "You can't keep being driven by fear." She laughed. "Oh you'd be surprised how much fear, spite and sheer bloodymindedness can #sustain you." He blocked her path. "You have to pay the price eventually."

#vss365 She sat in silence, watching him pace, waiting for battle to #commence. Arguments were readied, defences were mounyed, practised and armed in her head. Finally, he stopped and turned piercing her with one look and one line that shattered every her resolve. "You scared me."

#vss365 "I lack the #eloquence needed." "I've seen you stand up in front of a lecture theatre full of students that hang on your words." "That's different." She threw her hands up. "Those are facts, puzzles I can explain. I can't talk about me." "Well," he smiled. "How about I tell you what to say?"

#vss365 "Who are you Dr Smith?" He gestured to the photos of no-one. Places and artwork were dotted around but one of her, nothing of family. "2 doctorates,best in your field..." She shrugged but he kept watching her. "In my #naivety, I thought maybe I would finally impress my parents. I was wrong."

#vss365 He studied the shelves. Despite being here before, he'd never taken time to look at the #melange that made up her home: books on every imaginable subjects, trinkets and curios, quirky art. But there were no photos, no certificates; it was as if she wanted to disappear even in her own home.

#vss365 He paused, the attack still leaving him reeling. Yelling at the Doctor hadn't helped either. He leant against the wall and took a deep breath. She should not have interfered and yet. His mother would have said it was his #intuition that told him his anger was for nought, he could trust her.

#vss365 His hands worked with #adroit precision. It seemed his hands were careful whether he was handling a sword or a safe. Magic teased at the ends of his fingers as he worked the lock. It clicked. He turned, his face full of mischief. She had to turn away before her face betrayed her thoughts.

#vss365 There was a knock on the door. She suppressed a smile. Her eyebrow arched as she opened the door wordlessly. He leaned on the door frame, "I was just doing a #reconnoitre of the area. Saw your office light on." "Reconnoitre? What for?" His smile smouldered. "For you."

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#vss365 "Are you alright?" She looked up in surprise as he entered the room. He sighed, perhaps the others had been right. He was the last person anyone wanted to #console them. "Are the others coming?" He frowned. "No, why?" "Good." Her shoulders slumped. "I haven't got the energy to pretend."

#vss365 "I'll go and see what's wrong." He stood up with a huff but paused when he saw their faces. "What?" "She's upset Thos." "Hence seeing what's wrong." Kae held up a hand to stop Rowan from jumping in. "Yes, but perhaps someone else should. You're not the most #empathetic person." He grimaced.

#vss365 The flame flickered as if moving in and out of reality. She wished she could too. If she looked at the candle long enough, she could forget there was anyone else there. As she watched the #wax run down the side, the server approached. "Do you want to wait?" "No, I'm just going to go."

#vss365 She looked at the #broom, imagination sailing away. "Can any of you fly?" "Excuse me?" "Well, I don't know. You tell me magic is real, so I have to wonder to what extent." "We only manipulate another level of energy..." "Which Lamont can use to be invisible. Maybe one of you can levitate?"

#vss365 "My brain used to be like a #sponge soaking everything up." She sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Now it's just wrung out and full of holes." "You're still recovering." She fixed him with a level stare. "What if this is as good as I get? Without the ol' science brain, I'm no use to anyone."

#vss365 The group was silent. They all knew there was no way he was going to be able to pull this off and if he didn't. they were all done for. "It must have a weakness," Todd hissed. "Must it?" Todd frowned, thinking back. "I attack with sound shield." He rolled the #dice and smiled: natural 20.

#vss365 She was balanced on a #razor's edge. If she just focused on the task at hand,she could keep going,could ignore the rising panic in her chest, her pounding pulse in her ears. Her traitorous hands began to shake. "Hey." She looked up at the man drinking coffee opposite. "You're safe, promise."

#vss365 "Keep talking like that and I'll wash your mouth out with #soap." His face twitched playfully. "If you vampires don't like sweary women, then I we are going to have a problem." "Swearing is fine, but you keep using that v word." He fluttered his eyelashes. "It hurts my feelings."