Xull'rae's Plight by uneide

by my good friend Apis aka *Uneide

The scene is from Xull'rae's Plight.

He was dripping sweat from his brow and rivulets of the salty liquid ran down the length of his bared, obsidian torso which offered a certain sheen to the wasp tattoo which encased the bulk of his wiry chest.

The shock of white hair which framed that visage was quite different from its normal preened style, now it was matted down with sweat to the point it appeared he had just bathed. Twin pools of crimson locked with her amber eyes as he slowly drew out one of his slender leather-clad hands to wipe his forehead. Dark liquid, perhaps blood mixed with less mentionable things, dripped from between his fingers as he scrubbed his mouth and then spoke. "Fire-blossom, so kind of you to drop by..." A slight cough then escaped Vesz'aun and tiny flecks of blood lingered on his exquisite lips.

Xull'rae's frown deepened upon scrutinizing him and his condition. He looked just as dirty as the rest of the wretches in this place. Normally Vesz'aun would always catch her eye, though she'd never admit it. He was quite a looker, with a body that most matrons would kill each other for just so they could be the one to have him father drowlings to ensure they would be pretty. But now he was repulsive.

She stepped away from him in a cool manner, then with a huff, asked, "What do you want Bladesinger...?"

A perplexed frown creased Vesz'aun's countenance for a moment as he considered her question, only to have it replaced with yet another crooked grin. "I've been well, thank you...well, more or less," he replied. Then he turned away just as another short wheezing cough was emitted. "I just love the way that hood frames your face...." he added in, but his grin faded fast as more blood-filled spittle came forth as he spoke.

"Look," Vesz'aun goes on to explain after seeing Xull'rae scowl, "one of these wretches used a poison on me that I don't happen to have an antidote for...I've managed to delay the effects for a time, but well, I figured maybe since you fawn over me so much, that you'd, well, help me...." He frowned, realizing he sounded too needy. Then just as quickly, a bright, beaming, out of place smile was offered to her; much hope was etched into it. Pleading hope!

Xull'rae suddenly burst out laughing, finding it ludicrous that Vesz'aun would assume she'd help just like that. She caught her breath and exclaimed between the laughter. "What? You called me for this?"