[A note on cave panthers: They have six legs and a split tail and look something like this. Just for reference. Yep. You may now read.]

<JETMODE> *The hall stretches on for quite a way, amazingly remaining fairly straight. Genoa takes it at a fairly brisk pace, looking like she knows exactly where they're headed.

<TIAMAT> *Teal manages to keep up pretty well for a while, staying quiet for the most part to save his breath -- unless you wanted him to ask her something.

<JETMODE> *She glances back every so often to make sure Teal's still there, but her pace definitely isn't slacking.

<TIAMAT> *After a while, his might. He falls behind just a bit, wincing at his shoulder.

<JETMODE> *Genoa stops and turns, expression unreadable. "It's not much farther. Can you make it?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal pauses for a moment to catch his breath, then nods. "I'll be fine. *he starts down the hall, then pauses again. "What do you mean, it's not much farther?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *hesitation* .. Where we're going.

<TIAMAT> *Teal arches an eyebrow questioningly.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *looks away* Let's just hurry. *she picks up speed again*

<TIAMAT> *Teal sighs a little and takes off after her.

<JETMODE> *Eventually, the tunnel widens considerably, and it even gets light ahead. Not very light. But a little light. Genoa looks relieved.

<JETMODE> *She finally stops when they reach the open chamber, which is lit by a couple of dim pools of water off in various corners. There are a couple of convenient outcroppings to put one's back against, and there doesn't appear to be anywhere to go from here.

<TIAMAT> *Teal stops just inside the chamber and looks around. "How did you know about this?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *shortly* There was only one way to go.

<TIAMAT> *Teal: .. Right. *he sighs and takes a few steps inside.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> .. We can rest here. *she makes for one of the outcroppings* There's water.. and a place to put our backs against.

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Are you sure that water's safe?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> Yes.

<JETMODE> *She sounds tired and strained. "There should be food along shortly."

<TIAMAT> *Teal walks over to one of the pools, mumbling, "Magic cave..

<JETMODE> *Genoa gives a soft snort. "Sit down and I'll clean your wounds and rebandage them." She presses her hands to her eyes for a moment, then drops them.

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Give me a moment. *he kneels next to one of the pools, peering into it for a moment before taking some water in his cupped hands, drinking and splashing his face.

<JETMODE> *Genoa sighs and sinks down, ripping another piece off her skirt.

<JETMODE> *She fiddles with the cloth, looking boredly around the room, then drops one hand into the water and splashes it a bit. Thinking. Or something.

<TIAMAT> *Teal turns back around from the pool and collapses against one of the outcroppings, looking worn. He watches Genoa for a few moments. "Jajara talking to you again?"

<JETMODE> *Genoa looks up at him sharply, face pale. "No. .. not now." She shakes her head. "I was thinking. *dull smile* Ready now?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal sighs a bit and returns the smile. "I suppose. *he pulls his tunic off again, wincing a bit as he lifts his shoulder.

<JETMODE> *Genoa goes to work on the bandages -- might sting when she peels them out of the dried blood. She dips that extra piece of cloth in the water and dabs at the wounds as she goes, looking moody.

<TIAMAT> *Teal keeps quiet as she works, watching her a little pensively.

<JETMODE> *After a few minutes, she pauses, rocking back on her heels. She has her head cocked, apparently listening to something, and her expression goes a little gloomier. In point of fact, Teal can probably hear a murmur of sound, but nothing distinct or understandable.

<TIAMAT> *Teal frowns a little irritably, but doesn't say anything.

<JETMODE> *The murmuring stops, and Genoa snaps back awake, dipping the cloth in the water to clean it. She murmurs something half to herself. "Sometimes.."

<TIAMAT> *Teal looks worried. "Jajara?

<JETMODE> *She doesn't meet his gaze. "Yes." She goes back to cleaning him up, a faintly ironic smile twisting her lips. "He was giving me instructions."

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Ah. Of course. What kind of instructions?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> Where I'm going next. What I'll be doing when I get there. *shrugs, starts rebinding the wounds*

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Care to enlighten me?

<JETMODE> *Genoa shoots him a look, finishing the bandages off and standing up and folding her arms around herself. "Not now. Not yet." She gives him a frustrated look and turns away.

<TIAMAT> *Teal watches her but doesn't press the issue.

<JETMODE> *A low rumble sounds off to the left, like an animal growling.

<TIAMAT> *Teal starts slightly and looks sharply over toward the noise, getting halfway to his feet.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> As promised ... *she draws the sword, sliding over to shield Teal*

<TIAMAT> *Two glowing eyes appear from the darkness, another low growl eminating from the cat as it slinks slowly into view, fangs bared.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *mildly* This is probably totally unnecessary, but I suggest you stay behind me.

<TIAMAT> *Teal looks faintly insulted as he climbs to his feet. "I can take care of myself, you know.

<JETMODE> *She feints at the cat, primarily to see what it'll do. "I'm sure you can, unarmed and with a wounded shoulder. Behave yourself."

<TIAMAT> *Teal snorts softly as the cat hisses and dodges around Genoa, circling slowly.

<JETMODE> *Genoa lunges at the cat again, bent on keeping its attention, then darts away, leading it away from the pool and Teal.

<TIAMAT> *The cat hisses again and takes a swipe at Genoa as she passes, following her slowly.

<TIAMAT> *Teal sighs and leans back against the wall to watch, still looking irritated.

<JETMODE> *Genoa murmurs a soft chant, then fires a burst of flame to the cat's left and lunges at it from the right.

<TIAMAT> *The cat yells in confusion, dancing away from the fire and right into Genoa, lashing at her awkwardly with one of its middle paws.

<JETMODE> *Genoa dodges the clumsy swipe neatly, plunging the sword into the animal's side and ripping it free in one smooth motion.

<TIAMAT> *The cat screams and thrashes wildly, trying to get away, but she slowed it up pretty good -- it limps visibly, hissing low and dangerously, blood dripping in a puddle around it.

<JETMODE> *Genoa steps back easily, then darts in to lash the sword at it again. She proceeds in a hit and run pattern several times, wearing the animal down.

<JETMODE> *After a couple minutes of this, she decides it's high time to finish the job and strikes close to the first wound, plunging the sword in deep and twisting it just to make sure.

<TIAMAT> *The cat makes an awful racket, screaming and yelling like you wouldn't believe. It wavers for a moment, blood gushing from the wound, before collapsing.

<JETMODE> *Genoa lets out a deep breath, brushing her hair back out of her face. She smiles sweetly across the room at Teal. "Finished!"

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Bravo. *he takes a few steps closer, peering at the cat.

<JETMODE> *Genoa gives him a wry smile, then hitches up her skirts and kneels next to the body, bringing the sword down to slash the animal's throat.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> I don't suppose you have a smaller blade handy.

<TIAMAT> *Oh, Teal might just have that dagger he usually carries around with him all the time. He frowns and unsheathes it, flipping it neatly and catching it by the blade, handing it to her hilt first.

<JETMODE> *She hands him the sword gingerly, as it's covered with blood, and takes the knife. She hums softly to herself as she starts skinning the dead cat.

<TIAMAT> *Teal takes some of the cleaner cloth strips that had served as his old bandages -- assuming there are any -- and starts wiping the blade down, watching Genoa. "I take it that's the dinner you mentioned earlier.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> Clever, aren't you? *continues cleaning it, rapidly and efficiently* I might even be able to cook it. Raw meat is hard on the stomach.

<TIAMAT> *Teal blanches slightly.

<JETMODE> *She glances at him. "Is something wrong?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal steadies himself. "Nothing.

<JETMODE> *Genoa attempts unsuccessfully to keep her mouth from twitching in amusement.

<TIAMAT> *Teal ignores her. Or tries to. He looks irritated, though.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *very drily* If it would make you feel better, you don't have to watch.

<TIAMAT> *Teal's busy cleaning the blade. "I'm trying not to.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> I've never had cave panther before. *she's selecting cuts of meat at this point* I wonder if it tastes anything like its overworld cousins.

<TIAMAT> *Teal pauses. "... You've eaten panther.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> Only once. I didn't have an option at the time. And I was hungry.

<TIAMAT> *Teal hesitates for a moment. "Was it any good?

<JETMODE> *She takes the meat and trots briskly back to the pool, almost grinning at him. "Raw or cooked?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal: ... Er ... both, I suppose.

<JETMODE> *She takes some of the leftover cloth and sets it down to put the meat on, splashing herself liberally to clean off the blood she's sort of covered with. "It was the gods' own ambrosia, but that could have been because I hadn't eaten for nearly a week."

<TIAMAT> *Teal: .. Is that so ... well, let's hope this is as good, then.

<JETMODE> *Genoa utters a soft snort, then stands when she's finished cleaning herself, looking for a good place for the fire.

<JETMODE> *She paces around a moment, then settles on a place not too far from where she started -- near the pool, but well away from the carcass. She murmurs a brief spell, and a crackling fire starts up in the middle of the floor. No fuel, no flint, just fire!

<TIAMAT> *Teal: .. Impressive. *he seats himself next to the fire, holding out his hands to warm up.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> Not really.. *she retrieves the meat from the pool, looking thoughtful*

<JETMODE> <Genoa> Where's your sword?

<TIAMAT> *He probably had it with him and set it down next to him when he sat down. He takes it and hands it to her.

<JETMODE> *She gives him an absolutely brilliant smile.

<TIAMAT> *He arches an eyebrow questioningly.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *cheerfully* We're going to improvise. *in one smooth motion, she skewers both the cat steaks on the end of the blade, then stands back and holds them over the flame*

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Absolutely delightful. *he winces a bit.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *pleasantly* If you'd rather have it raw, I can oblige. *she's trying hard not to grin at him*

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Quite all right, I assure you. *he's looking considerably tired -- not to mention rather moody.

<JETMODE> *Genoa's grin fades, and she shrugs and returns her attention to the meat, which is cooking nicely.

<TIAMAT> *Teal looks around. "So where do we go from here?

<JETMODE> *Genoa pulls the meat out of the fire and inspects it, then turns it and sticks it back in. "There's a cave farther up the wall. Those ledges --" *she gestures to a stair-step like series of limestone formations* "-- lead up to it."

<TIAMAT> *Teal studies it for a moment from where he's sitting, then gets up and goes over to the steps to inspect them a bit closer.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> They're a little slippery.

<TIAMAT> *He runs his fingers over one of them. "I noticed.

<JETMODE> *She pulls the meat out again, and slices a bit off one of the steaks with the dagger, popping it into her mouth.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *thoughtfully* Not bad.

<TIAMAT> *Teal turns back to her, eyeing the meat a bit. "Doesn't smell bad, anyway.

<JETMODE> *Genoa nods and seats herself near the fire. "They're pretty much ready.

<TIAMAT> *Teal walks back over and sits across from her.

<JETMODE> *Genoa appears to be debating the logistics of serving the damn things, but she finally shrugs, grabs a reasonably clean bit of cloth, and drops one of the steaks on it. "We'll have to share the knife."

<TIAMAT> *Teal nods. "Ladies first.

<JETMODE> *She smiles faintly. "I don't like people watching me eat. We'll take turns." She pats the ground next to her and shrugs.

<TIAMAT> *Teal: If you insist. *he scoots around the fire until he's next to her, looking a little awkward.

<JETMODE> *She settles the meat between them, cuts herself off a piece, and hands him the knife. "It's easier."

<TIAMAT> *Teal takes it and slices himself a thin strip of meat, biting off a small chunk.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *chewing on her own* Not bad.. Shelly always said I couldn't cook. *dry smile* Guess I showed her.

<TIAMAT> *Teal swallows his own bit. "Your sister?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> .. My maid. *finishes off her piece and reaches for the knife*

<JETMODE> <Genoa> About as close as I got to one, though, I suppose.

<TIAMAT> *Teal cuts himself another slice, then hands her the knife. "Maid, eh?

<JETMODE> *She slices herself another piece. "My mother was sickly, so she couldn't have another child. *sourly* At least the old bastard was kind enough not to force her to."

<JETMODE> *She tears at the meat viciously.

<TIAMAT> *Teal watches her for a moment while he eats. "I'm sorry.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *cuts herself another piece* What for? He's dead now, so it's not really a problem.

<TIAMAT> *Teal takes the knife and cuts another piece, going silent.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *turns her gaze up to the ceiling and flops backward, putting her arms behind her head* Sorry, didn't mean to regale you with tales of my dysfunctional family.

<TIAMAT> *Teal finishes his slice, looking thoughtful. "It's all right. I've heard worse, I assure you.

<JETMODE> *Genoa gives a hoarse chuckle. "You haven't heard all of it." She closes her eyes. "But I won't argue with you."

<TIAMAT> *Teal leans back against the wall. "I can keep watch, if you want to rest for a while.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *rolls over on her side, facing away from him* I don't want to sleep.

<JETMODE> *That low murmuring fills the air again, this time sounding more like laughter than speech. When it trails off, the tone turns questioning, and Genoa's shoulders give a jerk.

<TIAMAT> *Teal blinks at her. "Genoa?

<JETMODE> *Abruptly, something flashes across Teal's vision. He's still in the cave, and he'd still be aware of that, but what he sees is something else entirely.

<TIAMAT> *He starts and yells a little, blinking hard.

<JETMODE> *It's a small room at an inn, and it's very dark. There's a storm raging outside, lightning flashing across the room -- which is not empty. Instead, in the dim light, one can see the remains of two people, a man and a woman: gutted, mutilated, dismembered, and scattered all over the room.

<JETMODE> *Another flash of lightning, and the vision's gone as quickly as it came.

<TIAMAT> *Teal yells again, staring at the mess in confusion and horror, and he's breathing hard when he finds himself back in the cave.

<JETMODE> *Genoa's still lying over there, hands pressed to the sides of her head and back stiff.

<TIAMAT> *Teal stares at her, then scrambles over to her, shaking her a little. "Genoa?

<JETMODE> *She gives a terrified spasm, coming up into a sitting position and swinging her fist at him -- nothing personal, but he scared her. Her face, surprise, surprise, is tear-streaked and twisted into a snarl.

<TIAMAT> *Teal yelps as he catches the punch smack in the face and collapses backwards, sprawled on his back.

<JETMODE> *Genoa's expression fades slowly, and she stares at him blankly for a moment. "Did I --?"

<TIAMAT> *He groans a little as he comes up on one elbow, rubbing his nose, which is bleeding just a little, with his other hand. He wipes the blood away and glances up at her, frowning. "Yes, actually, I'm afraid you did.

<JETMODE> *She scrubs at her eyes furiously, sitting back and staring at her lap. "Sorry."

<TIAMAT> *Teal sits up, still rubbing his nose a little gingerly. "Are you all right?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> Fine. I'm fine. *shaking, though*

<TIAMAT> *Teal sits back against the wall, suddenly remembering the vision he saw. He rubs his eyes wearily, looking a little spooked himself.

<TIAMAT> *Teal takes a deep breath and sighs, glancing over at her again. "What happened?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *lifts her head* .. You saw that? *her expression is strange -- almost horrified*

<TIAMAT> *Teal gives her a sideways look. "I saw ... I'm not sure what. At first I thought it was a dream.

<JETMODE> *Genoa's head droops again, and she smashes her fist against the floor. Very softly, "Shelly. And Dumas. They were waiting for me at the inn, but Roderick got there first."

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Roderick? *looks faintly horrified* Your brother?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *shortly* Half-brother. My father's bastard.

<TIAMAT> *Teal: He did that? *he pauses, rubbing his temples.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> Yes. *dully* He poisoned my father and framed me for it. Shelly and Dumas helped me get away. *smashes her fist against the floor again*

<TIAMAT> *Teal stares at the floor and mumbles, "I'm sorry.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *pulls herself upright again* You didn't know.

<TIAMAT> *There's a long pause, then Teal sighs. "We should probably rest for a while.

<JETMODE> *Genoa nods. "I'll leave the fire going. Nothing should bother us."

<TIAMAT> *Teal leans back against the wall, setting his knife out next to him. "I rather hope not. *he settles back, closing his eyes.

<JETMODE> *Genoa snorts softly and lies back down, drifting off almost immediately.