Can I get her to kill me? ||Rissa||

[Taha Darkness Mahalasioan]

Taha was sitting in a café, looking at the humans passing him by. He could see a target sign on every ones forehead. There was nothing more he wanted that to exterminate the pest problem. However he had been ordered to stay low for a while. Seeing he had killed a high human thing. A King, not that it mattered. Taha really didn't like humans, and the fact that they could almost look alike, was enough for him to start killing randomly. However orders where orders, beside he wasn't here for the coffee.

Rissa!

He didn't know why he had taken a shine to her, but he had. He wanted nothing more than to get her out his mind, out of his blood, however the mimic had managed to catch his attention, and he had not been able to get her out his mind since. Taha just sat on the chair as he looked at world passing him by. He had not really known how to get in touch with the little assassin, so he had just done what he did best. Get in her face and annoy her as much as he could.

He had started with stealing her kills, then save them, just to kill them when she was gone. He had found it amazing and hysterical funny. If she looked stunning trying to blend in, it paled beside her when she was angry. It was like the world came alive in her eyes and mimic. He had found her so beautiful when she gave him a piece of her mind, and he had been even more hooked. From that moment on he pretty much did everything he could to have her yell at him. He would always smirk and just tilt his head to the side, with a smirk that made her even more angry. The fact that she hadn't hit him yet, was more her self-control than anything else.

Taha smirked with the mere memory of her. He leaned back and balanced his chair on the two leg at the back. He ignored the waiter that came with more coffee. He had his eyes on an assassin. He had met him before, and now he would just stay close to Rissa. She would flip on him, however she had gotten a kill on a high end mobster from the humans, and his son had connections. There was a hit out on Rissa. Taha knew it because had he had been offered the kill first. He had not taken the job, because his word was what he lived on.

However he had made damn sure to know who had taken the job offer. However right now Taha could only see Hrae'in. He was a skilled assassin. However he would fail today, and he would lose his life, if he didn't back down. Honestly Taha hoped he wouldn't. That would mean he could get two birds with one stone. Save the woman of his dreams, and kill the competition. He let his fingers run through his messy hair. He couldn't waste his time doing his hair. Most days anyway. However today it would just mask him slightly in the crowd. He was tall and that was pretty much the real reason he sat down. That way he wouldn't stand out too much.

Taha wondered if who would spot her first. He was used to have her in his mind, however right now, he would have to try and ignore her, and only focus on Hrae'in. He looked at the fae, he was one of the kind, that loved to stand out. Not that Taha didn't like the same, however when working on a job, anonymity was crucial. Taha was wearing a worn leather jacket, and a hoodie under it. He had worn jeans on, and he didn't stand out, as long as he didn't stand. The hoodie was over his head, so his hair and eyes were somewhat covered. He knew how to stay out of sight, however some times being seen was to prefer.

Taha saw how Hrae'in changed his posture, and he leaned forward and felt the chair snap back on all four legs. He narrowed his eyes, as he looked in the direction that the other assassin looked. There she was, now most wouldn't notice her. Taha wasn't most. He would spot her even if he was blindfolded. She had an aura around her that just screamed to him. He wanted nothing more than to get up. Walk over to her, and just hide her in his arms. For now he would have to settle with killing Hrae'in.

[Rissa O'Sullivan]

All around her, Rissa saw evidence of the toll that the last two months had taken on her city. The northern quarter should have been bustling at this time of day, with shops brightly lit and proudly displaying their wares. Instead, not too many people passed her by and every other store seemed to be shuttered. Sadness warred with anger. Not too many things got her angry, but the whole affair just didn't sit right with her. So many dead... so so many dead. Uncle Bobby was gone, as was his wife Aunt Jeannie. Classmates gone, strangers she didn't know gone.

If there was a silver lining to the last two months, the only thing she could say was that there was a definite upkick in the number of contracts her family had been hired to take on. Besides taking contracts, Rissa herself was helping out anyway she could with fighting the fae. They didn't belong here. Not the dark fae who hated her kind or thought them inferior, and not the light fae either.

Speaking of the fae... they seemed to be everywhere today. Some of them didn't even bother to keep up their glamour, though some of them still tried to look human. She didn't know why... their gig was up, so to speak.

But she was getting sidetracked. Rissa probably looked a little strange, to be honest, just standing there on the sidewalk looking around. Shaking her head, she smoothed out her pale blouse before she began walking again. Clothes. She was here for shopping, not for anything else today. There was one specific shop down the street that hopefully would be open. Designer, and decently priced to boot.

As she made her way down the street towards Ye Old Fashions, she kept getting an odd feeling. Like someone was watching her. Except every time she turned around, there was no one there. I must be getting paranoid, she thought to herself. Yeah, definitely paranoid. Maybe a little romp through my kitty condo later will help. That brought a little smile to her face. All the dangles and shinies she'd attached to her kitty playarea... if nothing else, that would definitely ease her a bit.

The smile left just as quickly as it had come. That feeling was back again, and after the third time feeling it there was no discounting it. She was being watched, she knew it. Stopping in front of a charming little cafe, Rissa eyed the people around her. No one seemed threatening, no one seemed to be looking her way.... but looks could be deceiving. She should know.

[Taha Darkness Mahalasioan]

Taha looked at Rissa, she had not noticed Hrae'in. Which made Taha relax just slightly. Seeing he knew as long as she didnt make him, she would be safe. Well safer. Scratch that safe! He would keep her safe anyday. He would take a bullet for her. Not that Hrae'in or himself for that matter used bullets. However he would always take the blow. For her, even her family. Not that he cared one bit about them. Taha let most fight their own battles.

That being said, he would fight his brothers battles anyday. Despite his older brother could fend for himself. Yet he had finally gotten a child. He and his wife had tried for centuries, never getting lucky and two years ago, they finally got their first born. A son. Sta'Hae. Now Taha never did show his emotions, not even to his brothers. But Sta'Hae was a different story. He would pretty much forget who he was, and how bad assed he was. Anytime the toddler reached for him. Of course he never showed any feelings around his brother and his wife. However he had been more than once a sitter.

Being alone with the toddler was a hole different story. Taha would forget how to behave, or even show emotions. The toddler got it all out in him, when they were alone. Despite his cool looks and emotionless features when other were around didn't stop Sta'Hae from being all over his uncle. Taha had to admit he loved every second of it. Even if he didn't play with the toddler most days. However Taha was on a job, true he wasn't paid for this one, but then Rissa yelling and sulking at him would be more than enough payment.

Taha emptied his cup and just waved his hand, as the glimmer shielded him so he could move around, without the humans interfering. He moved with a speed unknown to humans, however he made sure no one would remember him, if they even noticed him. However that was the plan. Hrea'in didn't look behind him, he only looked at Rissa, as if she was the only female in the world. Taha frowned as he felt a stab in his chest, as he hated how the assassin looked at Rissa. However Taha moved with speed.

He was behind Hrae'in before anyone even noticed anything happened. His fits made contact with Hrea'in face. Knocking him clear out. Taha grabbed him, and opened the door where he had stood and hidden. Taha looked at Rissa, as she spotted him, and all he could hope was that she had not seen what he had done few seconds ago. He winked at her, and didn't move until she walked past him, and left him in the doorway.

Taha just smiled smugly, as she walked past him, he just tilted his head, and looked at the rear walking away from him. He shook his head, and just heard Hrae'in wake up. Taha didn't move, but his foot just knocked out the stupid assassin. If he was too stupid to stay knocked out cold, he would get a very bad headache. Of course Taha knew he would be dealing with the scum soon enough. It was funny how things changed. It had not been long ago he would never stick his neck out for anyone but family.

He would never take anyone's marks from them. He would never risk anything for someone that loathed him. However things had changed. True before the fall. However now he could pretend it had happened afterwards. Not that he would ever admit to anyone that Rissa had him eating from her hands, given if she would ever feed him. Taha grined and waved at her, as she turned away from the road where he was standing, the second she was gone, so was he. He had Hrae'in pinned to the wall in the store.

Taha didn't even look at what store it was. He was too occupied to even notice that a human was glaring at him. Taha simply looked at Hrae'in and let a finger in front of his face, tell him he had made a mistake. The finger waved at the assassin. However Taha didn't wait for the assassin to catch on. He just grabbed him, and pulled him out the back door. He was angry, and he was going to take it out on Hrae'in. If anyone got close to Rissa, they would be signing their own death warrant. He would never let anything happen to her. Of course he would have to take a Sabbath, to keep her safe. It wouldn't matter, he had enough money, and he loved to be around her. Even if she did hate him.

Taha had never backed away from a job, being that a killing or studies. He had never backed down, and this female had his blood boiling. He wanted her in ways he could not even begin to explain, and even if he could he wouldn't. Taha looked at Hrae'in. He would be dead, and no one would miss him. If they did and decided to come after him, he would deal with that. If the hit would be given to someone else to finish Rissa, they would die. He didn't care if he had to make a statement, that she was not to be messed with. Of course if he made it himself, she would be in grave dangers, as she would be his Achilles, and all would go after her to hurt Taha.

Taha rubbed his face, as he let his hand run through his messy hair. He smiled to the shop owner, and just pulled Hrae'iv over his shoulder and walked back to his place, keeping the glamour up, so no one would notice him. He didn't take a break when he got home. He killed the other assassin, and just made sure the body was cremated and scattered in the wind, he wasn't taking any chances. Not with Rissa, she didn't have to love him, for him to protect her. His love would be enough for the both of them for now. Taha took a shower after the work of hiding his tracks. It was a very cold shower.

[Rissa O'Sullivan]

(( I hope the post was alright... haha, never done a time lapse before in a thread. First time for everything. : D And I hope the modding at the end was in line with what Taha would do, since you said that was okay. xD ))

Rissa had no clue that a hit had been called on her. Or that while she was busy looking for the person that she knew was watching her, that fae was busy killing the current assassin after her. Instead, all she knew was that after a while, the feeling passed. She couldn't shake it off; that was so odd, she'd never had anything like that happen before.

But as she continued her shopping in peace, she couldn't shake it off. There had been someone there, she was sure of it. Whoever it was, they were very, very good with blending in. There had been a moment when she thought maybe she'd seen someone that should have never been there, but it was just her imagination. Because it was impossible that she had seen who she thought she might have caught a glimpse of. She didn't know his name.... but by god, she hoped she never saw him again.

Three hours later and it was getting close to dark. Powerful floodlights were starting to go on all around her. They'd recently been installed to keep the shades at bay from this strip, and so far they seemed to be working. People could come to shop, eat, enjoy themselves without fear of being killed where they stood by shades. Though there was no guarantee that there wouldn't be other dangerous creatures stalking the strip.

Aside from her moment earlier of being watched - she still had no idea what that was about - today was a good day. Two shopping bags full of clothes, along with a book or two.... it just might be time to stop. But even as she thought that, a buzzing vibration from her pants pocket startled her. Flipping open the phone, she held it up to her ear while juggling her bags. "Rissa here, what's up?" Listening to the voice at the end of the line, she frowned then nodded her head. "Sure, I'm on it. Text me that picture, and if he's here I'll keep an eye out." The phone call ended, and Rissa looked forlornly at her bags.

Well, that was the end of her shopping trip. And she was going to have to stash her bags somewhere too. Not right now, but eventually. The call was from her sister Chloe; one of their top-priority marks had landed in Dublin's airport a day ahead of schedule. Not completely unusual, but usually there was some kind of intelligence on the matter. Shoddy intelligence made for poor assassins.

Their target, a dark fae masquerading as a prominent businessman, was supposed to arrive tomorrow evening, when one of her family would then shadow the man until the opportunity arose to kill him. That he was a day early meant none of her family were prepared, and Rissa was the only one close enough to have any chance at completing the contract tonight.

It didn't take long to make her way to the bed and breakfast their mark was supposed to be staying at. Her clothes weren't ideal for an assassination, but it was what it was. She always carried around a small handgun equipped with a silencer in her purse, as well as a knife and two clips of ammo, so she at least was good on that front. Between those, her training in lethal methods without any weapons, and her water manipulation, hopefully there would be no trouble.

Twenty minutes later Rissa caught sight of the fae being dropped off by a cab. Great, now just to wait for him to check in and eventually fall asleep or head out alone, and she had him..... what the? No way, this was not happening. That damnably annoying fae who'd gotten in her way more than once now was strolling up to her target. She didn't know what he said, but her target took one look her way and took off in the opposite direction. Aw, damn it all to hell.

Rissa took off running after the target, leaving her bags where they lay on the ground and giving the fae the middle finger as she did so. She was not going to lose this one. And once she'd caught up to her mark, she was going to have some words for that fae. Who did he think he was, letting them know she was waiting?

[Taha Darkness Mahalasioan]

Taha had taken a shower, and his skin just itched like there was something worng. He only got this feeling when ever his family or those he loved were in trouble. The first thought that hit him was Rissa. He grabbed some clothes, a pair of low cut black jeans, a black turtleneck and black dr. marten shoes. He grabbed his leather jacket with a hoodie under. He just pulled it on, as he ran out of his home. He wondered if he could find her as fast as he felt he needed too.

He was outside a bed and breakfast soon. He stood in the shadows, and saw her. he just leaned against the street light, as he made sure that Rissa would notice him soon enough. As he thought back on the first time he had seen her. She had been working, on a job that he had been working too. She had been dreadfully close to dying, hell he had been close to dying. He had managed to kill the mark, and come out of it as if it had been no problem.

He had taken the time to look at her, her eyes had captured him, and he had been hooked ever since. Still he had no idea how to get close to her, so he kept getting in the way. Annoying her as much as he could. As he knew that this way he would be remembered even if it was in a bad way. In some senses he was like a kid. Any kind of attention was good, even bad attention. So he acted like a kid brad, that always got what he had wanted, and he played that card.

Making sure he could stalk Rissa when ever he wasn't busy. He looked at the place, he didn't know what she was doing here, however he could guess. It had to be a job, someone was going to die. Of course if she was dating someone that someone would die. Either way, death would be at the bed and breakfast this night. Taha just stood in the light, as he made sure no one would notice him, no one but Rissa would be able to see him. He smiled widely as he waited for her to notice him.

However it was cold, he didn't freeze however the weather wasn't like back home. Taha wondered if Rissa would ever take a fae lover. He doubted it, especially a lover for a night. He had followed her for a while and she had never shown any interest in anyone, male or female. The ladder was good as he could not compete with a girl. However a man, sure of course if she was only to humans he would have to use glamour to make her fall for him.

He finally looked at her, and waved his fingers when she spotted him, he smirked as her eyes turned cold. His grin was so wide he wondered if his head had cracked. However he felt smug, he would interfere with Rissa if she was in trouble but for a change he wanted to see how she worked. Or more correctly see her move. He felt the cold, however it didn't affect him. He could sleep outside in a blizzard, however he did like the warmer weather, however he could adapt to pretty much any climate.

Taha looked at her, as he started to undress her with his eyes. Not that he was a pervert, however he had noticed that when he did certain things, like pretty much any kind of sexual gesture she would explode. She looked so stunning when she got worked up over him, he hoped she would never get tired of that game. He pulled his hoodie over his head, and just hid in it as he started to move forwards to her.

He almost missed the car that would have hit him if he had not seen her face change. That had been enough. He didn't smirk when he saw the change in her face, he simply stopped dead in his track and looked at her. As he tilted his head, before he made a little hello gesture, and just turned around and moved away. Never leaving her, just staying out of sight, he didn't know what had happened. If she had shown some kind of emotion, and if so if it was positive or negative. He would have to work that one out at one point.

[Rissa O'Sullivan]

Good grief, the nerve of that man. Fae. Whatever you wanted to call him. Normally she would laugh off anything like how he was acting, and for the first few encounters she had brushed off everything except the fact that he was stealing her hits. And then it became the fourth time... then the fifth... and after that nothing about him was a joking matter anymore. She didn't get what his deal was, or why he seemed to be stalking her targets. Or herself, she had no idea. Hopefully it was her targets... she could take most things, but a fae stalker was not one of them.

Nor did he seem to get what a middle finger implied. Or if it did, it didn't bother him in the least bit. Though, he did start to move towards her at first... and her eyes widened as he stepped into the way of an oncoming car. Dumbass, it would serve him right if he got hit. Then she wouldn't have to deal with him anymore.

She didn't stick around to see if he realized what he was doing or not. She had a target to catch, and be damned if she was going to let this one slip away. Though judging by the fact that there were no squealing tires, he probably moved in time. Pity.

The seconds that were wasted on the mystery fae behind were were ill-spent. Her target was blocks ahead already and turning down the right, but while her target may have speed on his side, she knew these streets like the back of her hand. Pushing herself faster, she turned the corner just in time to see him take a sharp left into an alley. Hah, sucker. That was a dead end. Unless he was able to scale the walls or magic his way out, the chase was going to be over soon.

At any second Rissa expected the other fae to pop out of nowhere and steal her target yet again, but she hadn't seen him since the bed and breakfast. What was he waiting for? But he didn't appear, not when she rounded the corner to find her target prepared to fight, not for the ten minutes that dragged on as she traded jabs song magic for water knives (trees were great for stealing water from, and by manipulating the molecules of the water just right they could work quite well), and not when she finally got a chance to take a shot at him. The first one hit his arm, the second his head. Dead before he hit the ground.

For a moment Rissa just stood there, not exhausted but definitely tired out after the brief but intense struggle. She hadn't been expecting the resistance from him... she'd been expecting to have to deal more with his running away. But at least she wasn't majorly hurt. A few scrapes, but nothing major. And a few snapshots with her cell later, proof that the hit had been completed. Normally in a case like this body disposal was needed, but not now... finding dead bodies lying around was all too common in the last couple months.

She was about to give Chloe a call when she heard a sound. It wasn't loud, but she wasn't taking chances. If someone had seen her kill... that wouldn't be a good thing. She (and most of her family) operated on secrecy.

Whipping around the corner of the alley, she froze. Dark eyes watched her, waiting. Not saying anything, just watching her. "You! What's your problem? First you bug me, steal my targets, and then you just what, stalk me? Watch me? I don't know what your deal is, but you need to knock it off. Seriously. Get your own contracts, don't mooch off mine." She kept her voice low so that it wouldn't carry, but it still carried the annoyance she felt.

[Taha Darkness Mahalasioan]

Taha looked at Rissa when she fought, she was unlike anything he had ever seen. She was for lack of a better word, perfect. Yet that word didn't do her justice. She was in his face, all he really wanted to do, was puller her closer and kiss her. Kiss a human? She had some fae blood in her, that much was true, but in Taha's world she was nothing more than a pathetic human. However no matter how pathetic she was, he could not turn of the feelings he had towards her. She was like an infection in his blood. She was in his mind, some times in a good way, but mostly in a bad way.

He didn't move, as she come closer. He just looked at her, his eyes almost penetrating. He knew that his eyes would in certain light look like they were liquid. Sometimes like melted chocolate other times like gold. He smiled as he wondered what to do. She wanted answers and he wanted them too. However he was pretty sure that she would not accept anything he offered her. Without any hesitation, he just let his hand slide behind her warm neck and just held her in place, as he moved closer and just gave her a kiss.

However he had barely let his lips brace her, before he was slapped and kneed in the groin. He took a deep breathe and let go of her. And watched her storm away from him. He rubbed his cheek, not that it hurt him or anything, however she had touched him. Now for most a slap and a knee would be a negative reaction. However Taha saw it as first real touch. He was smug and started to walk towards Rissas home.

He stayed in the shadows, and just smiled. His song, were mostly based on hurting other, he didn't have a song for healing. He had never needed one, he still didn't need one. However he did have on song that didn't necessary end up with death. It was a nursery rhyme. It wa singe word. ould put anyone that heard it to sleep. It worked on most, only those who where older than Taha didn't drop onto the floor like a sack of potatoes.

He just pulled the jacket closer and looked at the skies, as they opened up, and tried to drown Taha. He didn't mind the weather. He just looked at the house, it was still light in there, so someone was up. He saw a shadow, as he started to hum a song. He just looked at a shadow in the window, and just felt his song move away from him. He didn't move closer, however the song soon covered the house, as a cloud that would keep everything bad outside. However the bad thing in this case was Taha.

He didn't move until all of the lights in the house where turned of. He waited for an hour before walking across the street. He gained access to the house, and just took a stroll inside the most holy place that Rissa came. Of course if he was caught here, he knew she would try and kill him, in all honesty he hoped she would. He moved around the house without making a sound. He cold see his song linger in the halls. It didn't affect him, however he knew that all occupants in the house would be sleeping.

He walked into Rissa's room, and just looked at her, he shook his head, as he wasn't there to get laid or anything like that. He walked over to the table beside her, and grabbed the knife in his pocket. It was made with a song that would keep her safe. The knife could never be used against her, and should she loose it, all she would have to do was call for it. Or more correctly think of it, and it would appear in her hand.

He placed the knife there, with a note. Taharanja

[/color]. All she had to do, was say the word out loud and it would bind to her. It was a rare blade, and Taha had taken a while to find it, he had never planed to give it away. As a knife as good as that was something anyone in his line of business wanted. However Taha wanted one thing more than the knife. Rissa[/color]. He didn't want her, he needed her. Safety was the first thing on his mind.

He just looked at her, touching his own lips as he recalled the kiss. However he didn't stay for long, the song was slowly letting go of the grip it had on the house, and Taha wasn't about to get caught there, if Rissa knew he was there or that the knife was from him, she would most likely try and kill him. Not that he didn't want to spare with her, however for now he needed to make sure she was safe. As long as the hit was out on her, he would not take any chances. He would stay outside, guarding her, however no matter how good he was. There was always someone better. Someone faster and smarter. Hopefully that someone didn't get the job, and hopefully didn't fall in love with Rissa. [/blockquote]

[Rissa O'Sullivan]

Whatever Rissa expected, it was not this. Utter shock froze her in her tracks as the fae bent over and gently kissed her... but that shock didn't last long. Glaring at him, she stepped back a step before slugging him in the face and following up with a knee to the groin. How dare he! She didn't send out any waves that it would be okay to kiss her. Though... owww. She shook out her arm, still feeling tingles in the hand that she'd hit him with.

"Don't you ever touch me again, fae." Her voice was like ice, very very cold. "Ever. In fact, do me a favor, and leave me alone. I don't normally go after decent people, but I could make an exception for you. Now-" the rest of what Rissa was going to say was cut off as he just slipped away. For a moment she just stood there, glaring at nothing and unable to figure it out. He hadn't even replied to a word she said! Just.... was gone, the same way he'd arrived.

Okay. She needed to calm down. Maybe look at it a different way.... so she had a fae stalker. Not cool, at all. But if he wasn't stealing her hits, it would be laughable. I mean, seriously? Come on, why is he so fixated on me anyway? Does he have a death wish? Maybe it was time to sic her sisters on him... she didn't know his name, but she sure knew what he looked like. Get surveillance on him if possible, catch him unawares instead for once...

[/i]

But Rissa could think on it later. Right now, she'd let the fae distract her and that wasn't a good move. There were things to do tonight. Speaking of... she pulled her cell phone out of her pants and speed-dialed her sister. It didn't take long to inform Chloe that the hit was complete, pictures would be on the way shortly, and that it was best just to leave the body. She knew her sister could hear the tension in her voice still - getting asked if she was alright wasn't common. But whatever, Rissa was going to go all zen and ignore it for now. And maybe have a chat with Chloe and Gabby later on.

For now, home it was. Giving one last look at the body to make sure he was really dead, she made her way back to the bed and breakfast first. Not surprisingly, instead of a pile of silver bags she saw empty pavement. Disappointing, but nothing to do about it now.... plus she'd gotten her things on sale. She could spare the money to rebuy them later after all. Hey, maybe she could even hope that whoever stole them needed them.

Later that evening, Rissa woke up with a start. She had an odd feeling, a grogginess as if she had been drugged or something, mixed with the lingering amusement of a dream that was quickly fading. Little did she know the grogginess was the aftereffects of the sleeping song that had been cast on her entire apartment building. No, she didn't know what it was, but the past 24-hours had been filled with too many oddities. Maybe it was just her system. She didn't believe in coincidences though.

Slowly feeling around for the switch on the lamp next to her bed, she blinked back involuntary tears at the sudden brightness. Was that a knife on her table? And a piece of paper? Picking the paper up, she frowned, the last of her dream-induced amusement gone. "Taharanja?" It sounded like a fae word.... but no, it couldn't be. Could it? She wasn't sure, but she wasn't going to ignore the fact that there was a mystery knife on her table. It wasn't anything of hers - it was too ornate, too old-looking.

But how did someone get in here, leave it and the note, then exit without waking her up? She should have heard them... usually she slept so lightly that a pen being dropped could wake her. There was no way she was going to go back to sleep tonight.... instead, first she checked all the windows and the door. Locked, all of them, and they didn't look like they'd been picked... So she heated up a cup of coffee and turned on the tv. It was going to be a long night without sleep. And once she was fully awake in the light of day she would figure this out.

[/blockquote]

[Taha Darkness Mahalasioan]

Taha smiled when he left the house, he stayed behind. Just to make sure that no one entered it while the occupants slept. He stayed for a while, as the light was turned on. He didn't want to leave, but staying would be foolish. However he just needed a little space between his thoughts and his needs. He let his hand run through his hair, as the rain started to fall. He was soaked before he even crossed the road, however he liked the rain. The night. Everything that was slightly dark. He just left the area and started to walk into the park.

He didn't move when some lights hit him, he just turned around and looked at the car, it was so crude, he loathed the cars, the bikes pretty much everything here on earth. It wasn't natural and he wanted nothing more than to destroy what the humans had made. He only pretty much liked one thing. This Ipod. Now the name was stupid like everything else that the humans made, however this little machine could play songs. Music in ways he had never heard before. He had to admit he loved it. Every nuance of it. From rock to pop and to the more classical music.

However right now he was listening to jazz, it wasn't his style per say, yet it was calling to him. The music called for him, and the tones made him let his fingers tap to the beat. However before he got very far, he changed the music on the Ipod, and heard some hard rock. Honestly he was an old fae, but when he heard music he could be only twenty. He could not help it, but he was rocking to the music. He even played some air guitar and dropped to his knees to make a solo, not caring that his jeans got dirty.

Taha suddenly got aware of himself, and got up. Scouting the place to make sure no one had seen him. Of course if anyone had he would kill them. However he was alone, he strolled home as fast as he could, without running. He made something to eat, and took another shower. Before he went to bed. He had a hard time falling asleep, as he could not get the image of Rissa in her bed out of his mind. Finally before the break of dawn, he got up, he had been tossing and turning in his bed.

He walked back to the bathroom and touched his lips. He could still feel the silken soft touch of Rissas lips. He growled and simply grabbed some clothes and put them on, he was out the door in a heart beat. He would have to go back home. It wouldn't take long, and he should be pretty safe, when he would only be there for less than five minutes. He made the journey quickly, and was back in time to see the sun rise.

It was a stunning sight, it didn't matter which world on was in, dawn and dusk were by far Taha's favourite times. When he was back, all he did was stop and look at the sun. when he was done he walked in a fast pace towards the library. He grabbed a special version of the bible, and simply sat down. He grabbed a piece of paper, and started to decode the message he had gotten. He didn't waste his time, the second he had deciphered it, he left the library, not even taking his time to put the bible back where he had found it.

The stupid humans would never figure out what he used it for, or for that matter figure out the code. He walked outside and looked at the sun, it was barely ten am. Taha didn't need a watch, he could tell the time by looking at the sun, or even the moon. The stars guided him as always. He was bound to nature and was a part of it. He turned up the Ipod and simply walked towards the book store, Rissa might drop by today. Of course he could not be sure, all he did do, was use the glamour so no one really noticed him.

He was in the book store less than fifteen minutes later. He just leaned against the desk and simply observed the humans run around like rats trapped in a maze. He wondered when they had evolved from the apes. They had not changed much. They were still filthy, just less hairy. Then there was Rissa. She was far from anything, he associated with the humans. She had her own little pedestal, where Taha put her up and admired her. How he wished he could tell her, what he felt for her. How he wished that she would ever accept him. Taha looked at a book he had grabbed from the desk, it was about faes, and how to eliminate them. Clearly a human had gotten a fun idea, the printing part had been done fast. With a speed that almost impressed Taha.

As he hated humans, she hated faes. It was the way of the world. He could not change that. However at that moment the doorbell rang, and Taha stood up tall, as he looked at the new customer.

[Rissa O'Sullivan]

((Heh. So I just may have written a book.... kinda just put on some instrumental music and let it flow. xD ))

By the time morning came around Rissa was already showered, dressed, and ready for the day. True to her word, she hadn't gone back to sleep after waking up to find a knife by her table. Which confused the heck out of her - she didn't think it was someone who wanted her dead. If it had been, they would have just slit her throat while they had the chance.

And what was with the note? That one word, taharanja? Nothing on the internet pulled up, and she'd spent well over an hour trying to find it, or any variation of it she could come up with. Taranja? Nothing. Haranja? Nothing. Replacing the 'j' with an 'h'? Also nothing. Which meant it was more and more likely that it was a fae word.

That could only mean one thing. She wasn't stupid - it was highly unlikely that some random fae would break into her home, leave an item with a strange note, then leave. But she did know of one fae that had an odd fascination with her. Mr Mysterious Fae who she didn't know a thing about. Which was, to be honest, why she wasn't freaking out over the whole thing. Maybe she should be, but she wasn't. Out of all the times she'd tangled with him, not a single time had he shown that he wanted to harm her. Maybe it was time to search him out, find out some answers. Last time he'd totally ignored her, but this time she wasn't going to let him get away that easily.

First though was a trip to her family home. With the hit on Mr Businessman Fae complete, they would be contacting their hire for the money. Half up front, half once the hit was complete. Sweet gig, if she did say so herself. Well, mostly sweet. She still couldn't tell anyone what she did for a living, other than the few people she talked to who were somehow linked to the business. In some ways it was a pity her break from the life was interrupted with The Collapse, but oh well.

Before leaving her apartment Rissa drained the rest of the coffee that had been sitting in the pot. Okay... purse, check. Cell, check. Car keys, check. Yep, she was good to go. Waaaiiiit. Hold on. Today was Sunday, right? That meant the book she'd ordered a month ago should be in. Theoretically, at least. First it was supposed to be two weeks, then they told her last week, then this week.... hopefully they wouldn't be putting her off again, she needed the book for some research on the fae. If it yielded anything decent, she'd be bringing with her to one of the informal humans against fae meetings.

It didn't take long to make her way back to the Northern Quarter, the scene of so much drama yesterday. She ended up having to park farther down the street than she'd hoped, but the walk would do her good. As she was walking towards the bookstore, she found the knife surfacing in her thoughts again. And the minute it did, Rissa got the shock of her life.

Without warning, she felt a weight in her hand. One second, her hand was empty, and the next second she was clutching a very ornate knife. The same knife she'd been thinking about. Rissa jumped and cursed. What the hell just happened? She knew she'd left it at home... Looking around discreetly, once there was no one immediately in sight Rissa chucked the knife into a trashcan. There was an audible thud, and for a moment she thought that was the end of it. Only to jump again as it appeared in her right hand again.

"Okay.... that's some freaky shit right there." The words came out of her mouth without meaning to say them. Wondering if she was going crazy, Rissa tried ditching the knife twice more, and each time it reappeared in her hand less than a minute later. But upon stuffing it in her purse, it remained where it was. So... what? She was stuck with it? And why hadn't it done this at all at home? She was definitely going to have to scour the books at the store for anything on fae knives while she was there.

Speaking of the bookstore... it wasn't that far away now. But the moment she stepped through the doorway and looked around she froze. Over to the side was a pair of very familiar eyes looking at her. The glamour was different than she was used to, but underneath it was that fae. And he was staring right at her. No way. There is no way this is coincidence. Why couldn't I get a nice, normal stalker? And does he seriously have a death wish?

"Hey, you. What the hell is with this knife? And would you quit stalking me? Seriously, it's getting really, really old. Go stalk someone.... oh, I don't know, maybe of your own species?" The words were spoken in a low tone so that the other patrons wouldn't overhear. But even if he missed the emotion in them, her crossed arms hopefully clued him in that she was not amused.

[Taha Darkness Mahalasioan]

Taha looked surprised to see Rissa, he looked at the sun outside, it was still early. She wasn't supposed to be there for another hour. However who was he to complain. She was there and she saw him, he could not hide his smile. She was still stunning when she stood there with her arms crossed over her chest. "Hey, you. What the hell is with this knife? And would you quit stalking me? Seriously, it's getting really, really old. Go stalk someone.... oh, I don't know, maybe of your own species?" 

Taha smiled as he listened to her, debating if he should answer her or not. He just nodded and shrugged. Finally he looked at her. He had never spoken to her before, and he knew she could not remember his voice from the night before. He looked down at his hands, where the book on faes was opened on the first page. He sighed before speaking to her, knowing that his voice would affect her. He just didn't know what it would do to her. Would she like it or hate it.

”First of, I stalk who ever I want, and stalking my own species? Been there, done that, and no honey I didn't get the t-shirt. I can not say why I stalk you, only that you are special. The knife is a gift. A rare gem in this world. Beside its bound to you. It will never hurt you, and no one can ever take it away from you, or use it against you.”

[/b] Taha looked at her, as he reached for the knife, only to get cut. His blood smeared the blade, but he had made his point.

He looked at her, a little shy smile was shown on his face for a brief moment. However he was soon back to being the smug bastard Rissa was used to. However he wasn't trying to annoy her, yet it was the only thing he was good at. He looked at the book in his hand, it was a joke, yet he was amused that humans though that faes were that easy to be taken down. Yet he would not say anything that would get the humans to think they had gotten it wrong.

Taha let the book spin in his palm, as he just looked at Rissa, she was glowing. He could not say he had ever noticed anyone glow when they were angry, however she was literally glowing. Taha wondered if she would slap him again today. Or if she would push him. Any kind of touch was welcome. In all honesty, Taha had never seen anyone glow like Rissa. He had of course heard from his older brother, how his wife had glowed while she was pregnant.

Taha had not seen it. He narrowed his eyes, for a second. Was Rissa pregnant? He looked at her stomach, and simply shook the thought away. She was clean, if one could use that term. However the mere idea of her being with someone else, left a bitter taste in his mouth. He felt the stab of jealousy. He just looked at her, every trace of smile in his face was gone. He looked like he could kill anyone right now.

Truth be told, he could. The mere idea of Rissa not being his woke his rage. However he got the entire part. That if he didn't tell her what he felt, and she didn't return his feelings, he could not call her his. Not that he would stop. There was no way Taha would ever just give up a fight because he was told to leave someone alone. If he had done that, he would never have become an assassin. He felt one of his blades. It was on his back. Under his shirt. Or he actually had two. That he could pull out if he was in need of them.

They were strapped to his back with the handles downward. He leaned back at the desk, removing his glamour, so it wouldn't look like Rissa was talking to herself. For some strange reason he did actually care, what others thought about her. In the sense that he didn't want to give her a bad reputation, of course it would help him if she as isolated from the rest of the world. However she would not be happy, and her happiness, was important to him, even if he didn't understand why.

Suddenly an idea hit him, he pushed himself away from the desk, he moved with faeish speed, moving into Rissas private sphere. He had his face was near her ear, as his warm breath caressed her. ”You are diffferent, I am... taken by you. You are... freedom.”[/b] Taha knew it wouldn't make sense to her, or maybe it would. Maybe the little fae in her, would understand what he meant. If not well then he could play his games as always. If on the other hand she did understand him, he would love to see where it would take them. If she would ever accept him, despite his race and ideas.

If not, he would just play with her, as games were always fun. At least for Taha.[/blockquote]

[Rissa O'Sullivan]

Honestly, Rissa could care less that she seemed like she was talking to herself. She wanted answers, and this was the perfect opportunity that she was not going to pass up. She didn't have to wait long for her answer either, and would wonders never cease - he spoke. Rissa hadn't been sure she would even get a response from him, since she hadn't before now. Though what he told her was almost as surprising as as hearing him talk. That voice totally didn't match what she had expected... not that she really had any idea of what to expect, but it wasn't this.

The honey comment almost had her smirking. She wasn't anyone's honey, and it was laughable that he had picked up the habit. Honey, sweetie... terms like that she heard all the time from total strangers, which amused her. If it wasn't for the fact that she knew it was just the latest trend going around she would have probably kneed him again, just to let him know it wasn't okay to call her that.

But now, his next comment had her mulling it over thoughtfully. A knife that couldn't be taken away, lost, or used to hurt herself? Now that was rare indeed. She had been right, that word was fae... and from what this fae said, it was what bound it to herself. There was no doubt in her mind that he wasn't sincere either - it made sense, in an odd way, of why it kept coming back to her.

Huh. Now, why he would give it to her was the million dollar question - something like this, no matter what world it was from, would be pretty damn near priceless. And old, definitely old. Then again, it was already pretty apparent he had some sort of a fascination with her, or obsession. For a moment she was tempted to demand to know how to un-bind it from herself, but common sense won out. This would be very, very useful in her line of work, and even in just defending herself. She wasn't foolish enough to throw away such a weapon.

None in the bookstore were paying any attention to them, but Rissa noticed the moment his glamour was let down. It was like having a case of double vision that suddenly goes away - her eyes suddenly didn't feel strained, having to constantly pay attention to what was underneath the glamour. That confused her, why had he let it go? Then again, why should he keep it up either? It wasn't like it was needed anymore.

But before she could say a word, he was suddenly in her personal bubble, up close and personal and whispering in her ear. Wanting to take a step back, but knowing that it could be taken as a sign of weakness, she resorted to snorting and giving him a not-amused-at-all look. "Dude, freedom? Please, tell me what drugs you're smoking. First of all, don't get in my personal space. Ever. Oh, and don't try another trick like last night either, unless you want me to permanently disable your family jewels." Rissa smiled pleasantly, but her eyes showed she meant business.

"And secondly, I don't know how you see freedom in me, and to be honest I don't give a crap. You," she poked him, if he was going to invade her personal space then he got the same, "need to go away. Do me a favor, stop following me, stop taking my hits, and like I said go find someone of your own kind.

I'm giving you one warning. One. That's it. Stay away from me, or you're going to find yourself on the wrong end of one of my family's hits. The city's electricity may not be terribly reliable, but it's good enough that I can have my family spend the resources to find you, track you, and figure out your habits before going in for the kill."

Rissa was completely serious. Unless he gave her a really damn good reason for otherwise, she didn't want to see him again. "Oh, but I will keep the knife, thanks. I'm not stupid enough to waste a perfectly good weapon."

[Taha Darkness Mahalasioan]

Taha was smirking as he looked at her, threats. How cute. He didn't move, at least not before an elder woman coughed, and looked at him with disgust. Taha smiled at her, and just stepped back and showed her with a gesture that she could pass. As she did, he was gone. Using a stronger glamour to hide him. He moved outside and just across the street. He didn't look at the book store, he was talking with one of his informants. He wasn't the most brightest in the world, but he was loyal, and he had a thing for Taha. Something Taha abused. Hey if you have it why not flaunt it?

He didn't look at Rissa when left the book store, or even looked to see if she looked at him. He wasn't using glamour, as he wasn't hiding for anyone. He simply stood with his back to her, not really caring if she left or walked over to him. He just nodded and grabbed his pocket, where he found some cash. This informant was a fae true, but he had found that drugs made life easier, not something that Taha understood. Life was grand as it was, of course they weren't home. But you had to adapt. If there was something that Taha could, it was to adapt.

Beside he had left a red tulip in Rissas jacket, which she would most likely not notice before she was home. If she did, he would be slapped on the head soon enough. Not that he minded it that much. She was after all different. Taha just let his informant talk, not that he had any news that Taha wanted, yet one could never know. He was after all quite high in the fae court. However most didn't know that he had a drug problem. Who was Taha to rat him out? When he could blackmail him if he ever needed anything.

Taha just pulled his jacket closer as he looked down the street, the store with pets where open, and he simply moved from his informant when he was done ranting. Taha looked at the window. At the fluffy cute things. God he hated them. True he felt closer connected to animals, than humans or even a lot of other faes. Taha was a loner, and he didn't mind spending a lot of time alone. Or with a pet. Back home he had his own pets, wolfish pets. They were pack animals. Very easy to hunt with. Very easy to kill with.

Taha though about the day he had found out he loved Rissa. She had been a thorn in his eye. However he had felt something about her for a while. It wasn't really until a night where she almost died. He had interfered without knowing why. It wasn't till later, much later, well later in the sense the threat was dead. That he knew he could not live without Rissa. There would be no sun, no birds, there would be no laughter if she was gone. However how could he tell her, how much he hated humans, but that he loved her, despite her... ancestors.

Diversion and traps. It was one way of killing. Taha didn't ming getting his hands dirty. However with these humans? He would rather skin himself than get their blood on him, or anything else. All but Rissa. Taha let his hand rub his face, as he tried to tell himself he didn't love the human. But his heart didn't listen to him. Taha wondered if there was a song out there that would get him back to his old self. Hating humans. All humans! However despite Rissa being human didn't mean he wanted her out of his life. She was the only spice here that was worth it. She was worth it all! He saw her reflection in the window before he heard her. Clearly she had found the tulip before she had gotten home. Taha smiled as he turned around.

”What?”

[/b]

The red tulip, it had to be obvious. Red was the colour of love, at least the humans said that. The tulip was more a metafor for female. The womb. Not that he would be admitting to that anytime soon. He wasn't about to just drop on one knee and declare his love, and ask her to have his children. That would never happen. Taha still believed that he would one day find love as his brother had. Well honestly it wasn't love, it was practical. Taha knew he would never settle with anything less than Rissa.

He already knew he family would not accept her, however they could do less than nothing about it. He wasn't about to just let her go. He loved her. Yes loved. How was he supposed to explain it to his family, yet alone Rissa. If you looked aside he was un-seelie one could never accept a fae with a human. Well if one was un-seelie. However Taha would rather be outcast from the un-seelie court, than not have Rissa in his life. He needed her. Now how was it. Was he to serenade her? He would need a book or ten in courtship.

”What is it now? Are you dense? I do all of those things because I care. I know its a joke. Me a fae, falling in love with a filthy human!”[/b] before he could stop himself he blurted out his frustrations. He stopped and just saw the look on her face. She would never forgive him. He would never forgive himself. He sighed, getting ready to get kneed or hit. What ever made her feel better. Maybe it would make him feel better?[/blockquote]

[Rissa O'Sullivan]

Honestly, Rissa wasn't sure why she'd expected anything else. Perhaps she was too expectant that just because she'd gotten something from him at first she was going to keep getting him to talk. Either way, she just stood there waiting for some sort of reply that never came. An annoyed/disgusted cough from some old lady drew her attention for a moment, and when Rissa turned her attention back to the fae, there was nothing but bookshelves and an annoyed old woman around.

Groaning, Rissa spun around, but she didn't see anyone else around. Just bookshelves, a bored clerk, and an otherwise empty store. Dangnabbit! How did he go so fast? He must have used a glamour that not even a fae-blooded could see through, but why? Why did he keep pulling that disappearing act? He truly must not believe her threats... well, she'd see. If she caught him stalking her again, she would pull out all the tricks in the book on getting her family to help her go after him. Hells, she didn't even know if he was a light fae or dark fae. Or his name, or anything.

Realizing that the old woman was staring at her, Rissa sighed. Okay, she could deal with this later. She'd almost forgotten the reason for stopping at the bookstore in the first place - her book on order. Walking over to the clerk, she inquired about her order.

A 10-minute wait later had Rissa leaving the store annoyed. She could handle a week delay, even a two week delay. But this was now the fourth week it was delayed? She got that there were issues going on, she really did. Between the fighting and the jobs that were vacant, it was a miracle anything even still functioned right. But if they were going to promise to have a book to her by a certain date, they needed to quit pushing it back.

Whatever, she was just going to have to deal with it. For now though, time to go home. Hopefully their hire would be able to wire the money, instead of doing a face-to-face meeting. If they demanded a meeting usually that meant they weren't happy about some aspect of how the hit was pulled off, and they were more than likely going to try to stiff them out of money.

Starting to make her way back to her car, she reached into her coat pocket to pull out her cell and give her parents a call. But a phone wasn't what she found, and Rissa froze. There was something distinctly long and flowery-feeling in there along with her phone. Upon pulling the object out of her pocket, she stared. A.... red tulip? Red, as in the color of love? Rissa groaned again. He had to know what it meant, and there was no doubt as to where the tulip had come from.

She did an abrupt 180 and headed back towards where she'd just come from. There was no guarantee that he would even be around or in a glamour that she could see through, but if he was then boy... She wasn't sure what to think, other than that he needed to cut this out.

It didn't take long to find him, either. In front of a pet store, for goodness sake. About to open her mouth, she just stood flabbergasted at his outburst. Oh good god, seriously? Love? He was truly an idiot.... and wait a minute, filth human? Great, not only did she have a fae stalker who apparently loved her, but he was a dark fae to boot? Oh this was just awesome. And that was awesome in a completely sarcastic way.

"Alright, look here buddy. I. Don't. Want. You. Around. I couldn't give a crap whether you think you're in love with me, or whatever. Speaking of? If you're attracted to someone you don't annoy them to death and you don't take away their source of revenue either. Do you know how much money we've lost, just because you took away my hit to kill yourself? No proof that we did it means we don't get paid, idiot!

And filthy humans? Your kind aren't much better, and what makes you think I would ever be on friendly terms with an unseelie? Your kind are trying to kill us, or worse. It's my family's job to kill fae like you. Not to mention the fact that you disappear whenever I try and get some answers from you, I don't know your name, I don't know diddly squat."

Rissa wasn't sure whether to be angry, exasperated, flattered that someone actually was interested in her, annoyed, or a combination of all of those things. So she settled for just saying what she'd said for now, and wondering if he would actually respond or if he was going to disappear again, the flower still in one hand.

[Taha Darkness Mahalasioan]

Taha looked at Rissa. She was working herself up to yelling at him, he could not help smile. He looked at the tulip in her hand, and simply looked at her, while she started on one of her threats. The stalk-me-and-i-will-kill-you rant. He had never liked other that ranted, yet this was just adorable, and very cute. However he had to stop himself from pulling the hair behind her ear, as he was sure she would see that as a hostile (wonder why) gesture. However Taha just smiled and listened as she continued.

He looked at her eyes. They were on fire, she looked like a dream. Okay he needed to get a hold on himself as this was becoming ridicules. He let her finish, before he just acted on gut instinct. He pulled her close, and just kissed her. Feeling slightly dizzy as his lips touched hers. However he was ready for the knee or the fist, he was pretty much ready for it all. However the second she leaned into the kiss, Taha lost track of time. Well it came back fast. With Rissas hand slapping his face. He looked at her, before shaking his head.

He rubbed his cheek,, as he looked at her. Curious as he didn't understand her reaction, why kiss then hit. Or why hit if you kissed back. He looked at Rissa sheepish. He looked at her as he didn't let go, she was in his arms, so for a moment she would have to accept faith. No not feelings. Faith in as she was in his arms and couldn't get free, before he was ready. He looked down at her. Taking in her scent as her hair smelled nice. Well everything about her was nice.

He leaned closer as he let his forehead rest on hers. ”I am in love with you, I have never felt anything like this. I have no idea what I have to do, so I just do what I know. And my name is Taha. If you really want me out of your life forever please use the knife. I don't mean kill me, but draw my blood.”

[/b] Taha let his hands slide around her waist as he held her close, and made sure that she could not knee him. ”Stop fighting me, I wont hurt you. If you really hate me, I'll leave. But if you ever miss me, or is in trouble. Just use this flute, it will summon me. Of course I might not be at your side the next second. But I will be there. So long Rissa. Take care of your self. Goodbye.”[/b]

Taha let go of her, and simply walked away before she could collect herself. He had told her what he felt, he knew he was a fool, that she would never love him, she hated un-seelies as much as he hated humans. It was tragic, yet pathetic. He knew there wasn't a chance he would ever love another, but then being an assassin mean that one had to live alone. He didn't do much only walked back to his home, and found ten lbs of gold. He walked over to her home and left the gold in her bedroom.

Lucky for him, there was no one home. He left a note written with calligraphy.
Dear Rissa.

I am sorry for making a mess and being the source of you not being paid. Here are the money and interests. Take care of your self Rissa.

Taha.[/i]

It wasn't perfect, but it would have to do. Taha was in pain, and he didn't care about anything. He just went home, and laid on the bed. This was the first time ever that he didn't take a shower when he got home. But he could still smell her in his arms, he could feel her. So he closed his eyes, and just pictured her there. In his arms. Nothing more, nothing less. He didn't do anything for a few hours, before the scent of Rissa was gone. He took a shower and just put on a pair of jeans and a tee. He didn't do much, but eat an appel. As he turned on his computer. Yeah he had gotten one too. He had to be updated in this world. To make it all work. He even had an email.

He was domesticated. He laughed bitterly, as he knew he would never see Rissa again. The knot in his chest, made him painfully aware that he already missed her. However he would keep his word. He had some pride left. After a long few hours trying to think about anything but Rissa, he gave up. He walked over to his brothers house, and simply knocked on the door, before entering. He looked at his nephew who ran to him, and he simply lifted him up, and looked at the child. He was smart, he would make it far. Taha would see to that.

He didn't talk to his brother, he only sat there with his nephew. Trying to focus and tell himself that it was a good thing he had left Rissa. That he should get his own offspring, find a nice un-seelie fae, and get children. However the mere idea, made him nausea. However he did want children. But he already knew he only wanted them with Rissa. He walked into his brothers office, and slammed his fist into the wall. Looking at the mark he managed to make in the wall. Rolling his eyes, as he lit the fireplace. The flames reminded him of Rissas eyes when she was yelling at him. [/blockquote]