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Date Posted: 22:23:04 01/27/02 Sun
Author: Tristan
Subject: Danger, danger, I know
In reply to: Erlic Eastlore 's message, "Tristan and danger" on 17:54:18 01/26/02 Sat

Tristan could almost feel Marz falling asleep beneath his fingers, and he had a hard time keeping the smug smile from spreading onto his face. He hoped Jeremy was getting a good look at this. He knew, deep down, that even the smallest touch between himself and Marz was a form of intimacy, however subtle. Hopefully, Jeremy would only have to glance at them now to understand this, and he would consent to forgo his outrageous claims to Marz’s affections.

Good plan, but don’t forget that everybody else can see you, too. It was easy enough to bury the thought for a few minutes, since he was so busy concentrating on how much he hated Jeremy. After a while, though, it began to tell on his nerves, and he was beginning to grow gradually more self-conscious. This was dangerous, too, since being so close to Marz only made him want to touch him even more, and, as usual, he was petrified at the mere thought of losing control of himself like that—at least in public, anyway.

Fortunately, he was allowed to lay his thoughts to rest, as Erlic chose that exact moment to interrupt. He looked up at the man as he approached, guessing that he was probably coming to ask about the incident Tristan had spoken mentally to him about. However, instead of addressing him, Erlic turned to Marz, first, actually asking his permission to have a word with Tristan!

Tristan’s jaw dropped ever so slightly, but he closed it back fast enough to flash Erlic a look of extreme indignation. Marz’s teacher didn’t seem at all bothered, though, as he calmly waited for his student’s response. Marz was almost as tired looking as the snoozing cat in his lap, and he gave a sleepy shrug without even opening his mouth.

Still seething inside a bit, Tristan shifted slightly, and started to get to his feet to follow Erlic. He caught Jeremy eyeing him once again, though, his beady eyes darting toward Marz’s face every now and then as he nibbled on a Twinkie. In a sudden flash of haughty superiority, Tristan leaned down and gave Marz a kiss on the cheek before finally standing and heading to where Erlic was waiting to speak with him. Let the little punk meditate on that parting image for a few minutes, while he tried to help sort out just what the hell had happened to Marz earlier by the lake.

Erlic wasted no nonsense on him, speaking very sternly as he immediately pointed out that this was exactly what he had predicted would eventually happen. His slightly condescending manner made Tristan sulky at first, but after a while, it seemed to work. He focused on Erlic’s face instead of avoiding his eyes, and chewed on his lip as he listened to the man’s words.

When Erlic mentioned the all too real possibility of Marz dying, Tristan gave an involuntary shudder, his eyes flicking nervously toward his lover, who was still seated by the fire where he’d left him. He swallowed and nodded once, taking a deep breath while trying to think of all the information Marz had given him.

“He said he’d had a nosebleed, and that his head was hurting, too. Must have been pretty bad,” he admitted, cringing slightly, now that he thought about it, “Since he actually asked me for some aspirin. I mean, he’s getting better about not being such a hotshot all the time, at least not in front of me, but he never asks for medicine.”

He shook his head slowly. “He did get angry with me before, but I don’t think that has anything to do with it. After that, he was with Jeremy for a while, and…” he colored, looking briefly downward. “Well, I doubt he made him angry enough for that. No,” he shook his head a second time, frowning, “It had to be someone from the outside. Just look how tired he is, too!”

Marz’s sudden weariness had to do with more than merely having his temples gently rubbed; the ex-gang leader was normally almost hyperactive at times, and it took a lot to settle him down so quickly.

“The funny thing is that I can’t smell any foreign magic on him.” No, wait a second. “Oh—that could be because of the soap.” He ignored any impatient looks that Erlic might have been giving him. Tristan tended to speak the way he thought; that is, slowly and deeply, with vague connections in between each part.

“He was by the pond when it happened, I guess. Over there.” He pointed in the general direction he’d seen Marz and Jeremy bathing in, his finger trembling slightly as he thought about finding them there together. I must still be angry, he thought, dropping his hand.

“Whoever they are, they didn’t do anything major. You would have felt it otherwise, right?” He was pretty sure Erlic would have. After all, the link the two shared was direct and unique, allowing Erlic to almost literally experience everything his student was experiencing. At least that had been Tristan’s perception of it when he’d studied it from within Marz’s head a long time ago.

“I understand how serious this is,” he finally muttered, looking a trifle grumpy, as if he were forcing himself to speak. “I know it’s important that he learn to close those chakra things. If there’s a way to do it without hurting him so much this time, then I guess we could try it again. I mean…with your help and all. I guess. If he wants to.”

He shifted uncomfortably on his feet, his eyes now continuously turning from where Marz sat and back to Erlic. “Can I go now? It’s not safe to leave him alone, right?” Naturally, he was concerned for Marz’s safety, but even more so than that—yes, he was petty and selfish. So sue him—he didn’t like the thought of leaving his easily tempted lover in such close proximity to that greedy, worthless little loser, Jeremy.

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