The Cornerian Complex

[Guest]

The elven girl walked around the corner, only to see a dragon. She walked up to him, curious.

"tell me about feeling like your in a fantasy. geez, i didn't know they had DRAGONS here too! this place is better than expected" she said

[Star_Dragon]

Draco laughed at the young elf. "Actually, I am - more or less - a recent arrival. And how about you? An elf, here... I haven't seen your kind since I was working with the Mirdakian military oh... ten--no, fifteen--years before my son was born."

[Guest]

"well, personally, my parents refuse to tell me where I was born. but anyway, skipping to introductions, I'm Salem" she said

"and you said you had a son, he with you, or is he somewhere else doing other things?" she added

[Star_Dragon]

"well, personally, my parents refuse to tell me where I was born. but anyway, skipping to introductions, I'm Salem" she said

"Nice to meet you, Salem. I'm Draconarius... but my son and his comrades call me Draco."

"and you said you had a son, he with you, or is he somewhere else doing other things?" she added

"Yes, he's here," Draco answered, "And if you so desire, I would introduce you to him - but I would recommend holding off on that. As things stand, he's headed headlong toward a confrontation with an old... well, an old friend."

"She's more than an old friend," Jason said, stepping out of the nearby bar, a bottle of Romulan Ale in his hand. His cloak covered his lightsabers as he introduced himself. "Jason Anderson, captain of the Recalcitrant Predator."

* * *

Keesha continued to trek toward Kyle's presence in the Force. He was stationary, which was good - it made it easier for her to find him. She sipped the last of her cappuccino, then threw the empty cup away. She considered drinking the other one, but decided against it. She wanted this one for Kyle. She followed Kyle's presence to a secluded holographic arena, closed off to everyone else, but left running - Kyle's invitation. Keesha stepped inside, and found herself on a grassy field on Cerinia. The sun shone brightly on her face, and a tree in the distance marked where Kyle and Keesha had first met, and years later, admitted their feelings to each other. She continued inside, looking for Kyle...

[Guest]

She looked at Jason

"Salem Kaine, random chick wandering around the complex." she said. Angel soon ran up to Draco, out of breath

"holy......crap.....i...hate...RUNNING. where is....he?" Angel said, trying to catch her breath

[Star_Dragon]

Draco frowned. "If you refer to Kyle, he's on the other side of the complex. Is everything alright?"

* * *

Keesha moved calmly through the grassland of Cerinia.

"I knew you would find me here," Kyle said, his voice seeming to come from everywhere at once. "It was only a matter of time, once you learned I was here."

"Then you know why I am here," Keesha said. "Kyle, please - show yourself."

"Why?" Kyle asked. "For all I know, you could be some illusion, an apparition sent to haunt me."

"Why would I lie to you?" Keesha asked. "Kyle, you know the last thing I would do is lie to you."

[Arashikage]

(Weren't we supposed to keep the RPing IN the complex?)

[Star_Dragon]

(It is. Keesha is going through a holographic representation of Cerinia.)

[Guest]

Angel looked at draco

"no, not him dude! did you NOT see a kid running around here with MY WALLET?!" she said, looking around. a small , unknown to angel, female child ran past her.

"GET BACK HERE YOU DAMN THEIF!" angel said, perusing the female

[Star_Dragon]

"... odd, but no matter," Draco said. Returning his attention to Salem, he asked, "So, what brings you here?"

* * *

"Why would I lie to you?" Keesha asked. "Kyle, you know the last thing I would do is lie to you."

"You wouldn't," Kyle answered. "But I've been deceived by those I love before."

"I know what happened between you and Star," Keesha said, seemingly speaking to the sky. "It sent echoes through the Force that drew me here."

"Perhaps so," Kyle stated, "But you're too late - the damage is done."

"Maybe so," Keesha admitted, "But I'm not too late to help you."

"Why?" Kyle asked.

"You know why," Keesha responded with a soft voice.

Kyle paused, then said, "If you ever loved me... don't rob me of my strength. It's all I have!"

"Let it go, Kyle," Keesha said softly, "Let it go."

[Guest]

"well i-" salem started before being interrupted as Star ran by Draco, faster than you could say: what the hell? Celeste ran close behind her, a gun in hand. Star reached the arena, where, in attempt to escape, jumped through the glass window, broken glass cutting her skin and she bled, but did not stop

"SH*T SH*T SH*T!" star said as she ran towards the next window, jumping through the next one and this time, had no strength to move.

"oh for the love of, WHY THE HELL DID YOU GO AND DO THAT?!" Celeste exclaimed

"WHAT?! YOU said a little bit ago you were gunna kill me!" Star yelled

"IT WAS A JOKE!" Celeste yelled in anger.

"great.....i gotta go find help. dont move" she added before running off to a random area of the complex

"WAIT! DONT LEAVE ME- awww crap.........." Star said, now looking at Keesha

"hey, your that same chick from the coffee shop!" star said

[Star_Dragon]

Keesha was surprised to see this sudden intruder, but she did not draw weapons. If Star knew Kyle was present here - in one form or another - Keesha didn't know as she asked, "You gonna be okay? Do you need a medic?"

[Guest]

"im waiting for Celeste to bring one back. if she dont, then well, sucks to be me then" she said in a tone saying "i dont really care either way" She sat, her back against the wall

"wuzgoinon with ya Chicka? i thought you would be lookin' for Kyle." she added

[Star_Dragon]

"Well, technically," Keesha replied, "I've already found him. He just won't show himself."

"I have my reasons," Kyle said, his voice sounding as though it was coming from the sky above.

[Guest]

"dude chill out, now come out dude and actually talk to her face to face" she said, pulling a large chunk of glass out of her leg

"SON OF A B--- GOD WHERE IS SHE?!" she added, trying not to scream in pain.

"if we still communicate, remind me never to jump through two glass windows in one day and all in the same moment of fear" she said

[Star_Dragon]

There was a pause after Star told Kyle to reveal himself, but Keesha had her mind on other things at the moment.

"Hey, if you need a medic, I can help - the Force holds a great many secrets. Healing wounds such as these are a trivial matter," she said.

[Guest]

"I said im good. I trust my friend enough to bring back help, and if I die, what does it matter to you? It will be on her conscience, so just leave it. I trust my friend with my life, and trust is only one of the two things i have left. the other is hope that I actually CAN trust 'em" she said

[Star_Dragon]

"I'm just trying to help," Keesha said calmly. "I want to help. Ask Kyle, I've never turned my back on someone who needs help."

"Even when one believes themselves to be beyond help," Kyle affirmed, "she helps them anyway." Kyle paused, then added, "You have not changed, Keesha."

Keesha shrugged. "A side-effect of being with a Cerinian Dragon-Shifter so long," she said.

(Almost forgot about Draco and Salem! oops.)

* * *

"So," Draco said to Salem, "What were you saying earlier?"

[Guest]

"oh. I only came here out of curiosity." she said

****

"oh, i don't take help from people i barely know" Star said, looking at the floor

"that went away when balsa beat the shit outta me.....but that don't matter anymore. Hell, nothin' really does, and I am gunna have to get a job once again........soon enough, i will have to leave the complex, happens every time I get a crappy job. I never stay in one place for too long because of that, and it looks like i have overstayed my welcome, eh Indari?" she added

[Star_Dragon]

"Overstayed your welcome?" Kyle said. "What makes you say that?"

"I think she was referring to the fact that she left you," Keesha responded.

Kyle sighed. "I thought I made it clear that I don't hate you for what you did," he commented. "You did what you had to do. And if you check your account, I left you a little something before I came here... a thank-you gift, if you will. For turning me away from what I had become."

"That was nice of you," Keesha said.

Kyle re-appeared, assuming his dragon form, and looked to Star, tears in his eyes. "I would not be here if it weren't for you. You did what few dared to do. What Keesha would have done had she been here. Try though I might, I cannot and will not hate you for putting Angel's life first. You taught me not to be the monster I despise. I still care about you, and I still believe in you, even if you don't believe in me."

* * *

"Salem, did I mention my son was a Dragon-Shifter?" Draco asked Salem.

Jason snorted, trying to keep his Romulan Ale in. "That's a bit of an understatement in terms of his powers, don't you think?" he laughed.

[Guest]

"Keesha, hurt Kay, and i'll break your face" star said

"but as for the gift, thanks. and, i will still have to leave, that cant be stopped. Money don't last forever, does it not?" she asked

[Salem]

(sorry I'm late modom was down)

Zack woke up with a sudden jerk and found himself lying in a bed in the clinic, "What happened?" Zack asked now finding himself with a massive headache.

"You passed out simple as that", came a unfamiliar voice, "to elaborate more on it, you passed out, fell from your chair, and now have a minor concussion.

My name's is Daric Shaper, I'm the one that dragged your sorry ass up here", he said in a cocky tone.

[Star_Dragon]

(Sorry this reply took so long. Mom got on my computer to check her e-mail and look at every news article on Yahoo.)

"No, it does not," Kyle admitted. "But it was my last gift to you... to say thank you for everything you have done."

"And I would never dream of hurting Kyle," Keesha said. "I love him too much. Though it was you that hurt him, I have to thank you - because you led me straight to him. And because you helped me, I want to help you."

"Don't shut her out, Star," Kyle said, tears streaming from his dragon face. "Let her help."

[Guest]

Star weakily got up, part of her shirt soaked in blood. She held the wall for support and then spoke

"Im heading to a clinic, seeing as Celeste probably wont come back. Pssh this is the last time i trust ANYONE....and you know, maybe I would be better off being paranoid, as, it seems to help avoid attacks better". She looked at Kay, shaking her head

"my trust in you, sorry to say, is too far gone...." she said before weakily limping off towards a near by clinic.

[Star_Dragon]

Kyle sighed, turning around and walking off. Keesha noticed and went over to him. "It's not your fault," she said.

"Perhaps not," Kyle admitted. "But I feel like s**t anyway."

"Kyle," Keesha said, "Don't beat yourself up. Let me help you - I'm here for you."

"Just when I find someone who understands me," Kyle sobbed, "She walks out of my life like we never even met."

"You still have me," Keesha said softly, taking Kyle's dragon head in her arms. "Even after sixteen years, I am still willing to be with you, like we were before the war."

Kyle looked into Keesha's eyes. "You know of the war?"

"Baby, I know everything," Keesha stated. "Do you think I'd come here looking for you if I didn't dig up some information about what you've been up to first?"

Kyle closed his eyes, smiled, and he and Keesha both quoted CPO Mendex, the first teacher of the UNSC Spartans, "If you're going to drop into hell, you may as well drop with good intel."

* * *

Draco lifted his head, his mind catching something... the ripples in the Force that signified Kyle's anger and pain were diminishing. Whatever Keesha was doing was working.

He turned to Salem and asked, "Fancy a meeting with my son?"