Unwanted reminders (tagging Tide)

"Mm. Too bad I have no price on my head, as opposed to this one. If you brought my head in it would be murder. I've made no threats at you, cat, there's no self defense to call." She'd even recognize the smirk, but it was a twisted, vicious version of it. "And there are more kinds of partners than sexual, not my fault you instantly jumped to that, it tells more of you than me." Being called a hypocrite got Jasper a small glare, but Odhran soon caught himself and 'smiled'. "I did. And she's dead. Because of him." He'd let the cat think of that while she escaped into the bakery or whatever this place was, turning his attention to Nec again.

Bristling, Nec growled. "That's back there, you can't claim it here. And my safety check is still in place." And he wouldn't be able to get back! Right? Wait, what? "I never met her, how's it my fault?!"

"Be that as it may, I'd still be more than happy to put a knife in your chest, nych. See, it even rhymes, you almost picked the right name! And you did it by existing!" Suddenly the smiling, slick changeling was gone and a human stood in his place, grinning even wider. This one didn't look at all like Nec, not even Nec's former human form. But he had kept his size and strength, almost like what you'd expect a blacksmith or bodybuilder to look like, and turned to give Jasper a superior look when she emerged again.

"What an utterly inane nickname" Odhran sneered.

Nec frowned but took the light, what was-- oh no. "Jasp--!" Too late!

Odhran started too, he hadn't expected that, not her coming so close and being as noble as she was! Insulting! Before he knew it he had cake in his face and was grabbing wildly in the air! He caught cloth but is ripped and he was left with only a piece of it, roaring in anger! That cat was talking but he didn't hear.

"Yup, you too!" Grabbing her hand, Nec took off and Jasper wouldn't have a choice but to follow, down alleys and dodging between buildings. His father would pursue, he had no doubt, but with cake in his eyes, maybe they stood a chance. "What the hell were you thinking, Jasper?!"

Nec didn't doubt they were being chased, but chances were he knew the village better than Odhran, so after several twists and turns, and noticing Jasper's increasing 'weight' as she struggled to keep up, Nec dove through a hole in a wooden fence and stopped.

"Cake was probably best, more for him to get in his eyes. Flashlight would've done less I think." Breathing hard, half from the run and half from adrenaline, Nec whispered and listened. "You should leave. No point in him getting more pissed at you when he has me to murder."

"Ah! What--?!" He cut himself off and gave her a surprised glare, only to be grabbed and... lectured? Wait what? He'd said that? And. She would? Okay he really needed to remember what had happened!!! "I..." Blueberry sounded familiar too. This... needed thinking on, but not now.

"Yeah." Apo would literally eat the man if he thought it would help.

"How sweet. Only friends, hm?" Out of nowhere Odhran appeared, smirking and suddenly way too close for comfort! Still bits of pieces of cake on his face but he was unphased by it. He'd grab for Jasper, but missing her he'd go for Nec. Either one would do.

"Oh no you don't."

Odhran was quick and twisted her arm around her back, almost lifting her off the ground by it! "I don't care!" Snarling the words, he leaned down and hissed them in her ear. If she managed to take a bite he'd only twist her arm harder until she let go, or snap her arm, he had no qualms with that.

As soon as Jasper was grabbed, Nec reacted, and he came all of two steps forward before a knife was at her throat. "Go ahead, and she'll bleed out." A sick smile on his face, and Nec had to stop. He couldn't risk Jasper!

"So what do you want? Just keep talking? Why don't you man up and get to the point?? You wanna kill me then try, but leave her out of it!" Nec was furious! And scared. And embarrassed. And frustrated. And a whole bunch of other things.

Ah, that's what he was waiting for. "Oh I won't kill you. Yet. You don't deserve a quick death like that. You killed your mother. Destroyed my life, I would be head of the Order by now if it wasn't for you!!" Reigning in his temper his voice got quiet. "No. I'll let you wait. Look over your shoulder. See your friends die in agony, knowing it's your fault. Anything you've gained here, including your companions, will be destroyed before I kill you. That's all you're worth, death and destruction, and all you bring to anyone stupid enough to even acknowledge your existence!"

Nec could feel Apo running. In circles in his mind, and wildly through the weyr to get to the village. Problem was he hadn't learned to neither fly or Between, so he was essentially too far away to help, and he knew.

NO! Nonononono N'c! No! Can't get to you! And Nec's own panicky mind didn't help his dragon either!

Odhran was hitting all the right spots to stab at Nec, he knew well what would cut deepest despite never knowing his offspring. He knew enough about psychology, manipulation and how to read people that he could tell when he hit the marks. "You'll see everything you know you never deserved ripped apart. You shouldn't have existed in the first place but by defying those laws you killed her." Grinning, he stared at Nec. "And your friends. She was sent to the Dark lands, you know. In pieces. They didn't bother to kill her before parting her." Whether it was true or not was impossible to tell. "You might as well have wielded the knife yourself, nych!"

Nec winced at the words, they did hit the mark, he'd been through this so many times he knew it was true but he didn't like having it thrown in his face! Not what he was focused on though. "Let her go!" He just needed to get Jasper away, give her a chance to run, escape!