<TIAMAT> *It's several hours later -- just past midnight -- and that storm that was coming has hit hard. Lightning flashes and thunder booms, but the arena is dark and quiet, for the most part. Devan Teal is not a heavy sleeper, but he's definitely slept through his share of bad weather, and that is precisely what he's doing now.

<JETMODE> *Then it's a fair bet he wouldn't notice the short, slim figure stepping out of the shadows, pistol in hand.

<JETMODE> *She ambles over to the edge of the bed, eyeing her target lazily. His back is to her, rolled on his side in the night, and she lifts the pistol to press it firmly against the back of his neck. "Bang."

<JETMODE> *With a low, irritable sigh, she draws the pistol away. "That quick, that clean. But no."

<TIAMAT> *Considering his back is to her, the figure probably has no idea that her victim is now very much awake, though he lies very still, listening intently.

<JETMODE> *She continues speaking, though, conversationally, as she holsters the pistol and drags out her other weapon, a broadsword, with a steely hiss. "This would be a lot easier if Pacheco didn't have such a penchant for melodrama."

<TIAMAT> *Teal actually stopped breathing for a split second when he heard the name, eyes widening slightly.

<JETMODE> *She swings the heavy sword up, grinning. "But I'm not getting paid to think, am I? Time for the big good-night." And she brings the sword down in a heavy, overhand chop.

<TIAMAT> *Teal heard it coming, of course, quite thankfully, and he rolls off the opposite side of the bed a little less gracefully than he would've hoped for, though he manages to land on his feet, albeit a bit clumsily. He stumbles upright, glaring across his now-ruined bed at his attacker.

<JETMODE> *The assassin, for her part, is gazing at him with faint amusement. "Oops. You really should have stayed still for it -- would have made life easier for both of us."

<TIAMAT> *Teal: I do apologize for the inconvenience -- it's in my nature, you see. *he grabs a long sword off his wall, balancing it in both hands and edging his way toward the door to cut off her retreat.

<JETMODE> *She sighs. "I suppose I should have expected you to be difficult about this." She drops into a fighting stance, mentally cursing Pacheco -- not to mention his parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Like I said, it's in my nature. *he sizes her up for a moment, then darts in low, swinging his blade wide toward her legs.

<JETMODE> *She backpedals, moving to block the strike.

<TIAMAT> *The swords clang together, and Teal brings his up sharply underneath hers in an attempt to disarm her.

<JETMODE> *The assassin not only loses her grip on the sword, she loses her balance completely, tumbling backward. She utters a startled shriek, cut off when she hits the floor. "Well. This makes me look incompetent, doesn't it?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal takes a quick step up to her, resting the tip of his blade at her neck. "Get up slowly, and know that I will slit your throat if you try anything.

<JETMODE> *She gives him an idle stare and gets to her feet, avoiding the point of the blade. "Damn pity he wanted me to use that sword."

<TIAMAT> *Teal studies her for a moment, swordpoint still at her neck, then grabs her shoulder and pushes her toward the door, keeping hold of her and resting the swordpoint at the back of her neck -- he has, unfortunately, no way to bind her. "Let's go.

<JETMODE> *She chuckles. "Not too swift, Baron." And suddenly, she disappears, and Teal is clutching a whole lot of nothing. Her voice, however, sounds behind him. "What a pain. If he didn't want the damn dragon bitch, this would be over already."

<TIAMAT> *Teal stumbles a bit, eyes going wide when he realizes what she said, then he swings around, lunging rather blindly toward where the voice was. "NO!

<JETMODE> *The sword connects with something solid, to the surprise of everyone concerned, I'm sure. Blood dribbles down the blade as she fades back into the visible spectrum. "This is.. just not.. my night."

<JETMODE> *The sword caught her solidly in the ribs, crushing inward to break several of them and really mess around with her internal organs. She coughs, spitting up some more blood. "Not good, nope."

<TIAMAT> *Teal hisses a curse as he yanks the blade free -- he really didn't want her dead.

<JETMODE> *She stumbles when the sword comes free, arm dropping loosely to her side. It doesn't stay dropped, however, coming back up with that lovely pistol of hers in hand. "Really screwed the pooch this time." She coughs up a little more blood. "No problem. I was leavin' anyway." She fires two shots rapidly, then vanishes from sight.

<TIAMAT> *Teal didn't see this coming for anything, and he has no time to dodge, but we'll say that the assassin's aim might have been a little off -- lack of blood and all. The first shot grazes his shoulder deeply, the second burying itself in his chest almost exactly next to Jajara's scar. He yells out sharply, dropping his sword and stumbling into the wall, which he leans heavily against as he presses his hands to the wound, eyes darting around for the assassin.

<JETMODE> *The assassin is gone -- not a sound, not a sign.

<TIAMAT> *Teal's breath comes in gasps and he winces sharply as he puts pressure on the wound -- his hands are soaked in crimson and not doing much to stop the bleeding, but right now that is actually not his primary concern. He shifts a little, gasping sharply as he scoops up his sword with his good hand, but makes immediately for the door. Get to Genoa before the assassins do.

<TIAMAT> *Thankfully, the Blue Heron is not far from Teal's quarters -- just down the main hall on his floor, in fact, or I'm sure our lovesick fool wouldn't make it. He stumbles through the deserted bar, thunder booming outside as he pounds on Genoa's door, calling for her hoarsly but urgently. "Genoa! Genoa!"

<TIAMAT> *It's several long (and excruciating) moments before footsteps sound from within and Whisper's muffled but annoyed mutter. "This had better be good, Genoa. *she opens the door and Teal nearly collapses inside -- Whisper is just able to catch him as he falls, uttering a startled shriek. His sword clatters to the floor.

<JETMODE> *Genoa is on her feet in an instant and at the door almost as fast. "What -- Devan!?" She supports him from one side, trying to take some of the load off Whisper. "What.. is.."

<TIAMAT> *A streak of lightning illuminates the room briefly, showing Teal's ashen but determined features -- not to mention the blood running slowly down his chest. He coughs a little, looking at Genoa. "Had to...make sure...you were all right."

<JETMODE> *Genoa stares at him, not having the foggiest clue what he's talking about. "I'm.. I'm fine -- Please, you're bleeding --" She starts pulling him toward one of the beds. "Whisper -- the infirmary --"

<TIAMAT> *Whisper had been watching (and, yes, supporting) Teal in a sort of grim surprised horror. She helps Genoa get him to the bed, then nods silently and takes off out the door.

<TIAMAT> *Teal collapses down on his back on the bed, wincing and gasping sharply.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *murmur* Ah, god, please.. *she's casting about for something to stop the bleeding and settles on a sheet -- she'll just have to improvise 'til help comes*

<TIAMAT> *Teal reaches up a little weakly, but manages to take her hand, clasping it in his own; he's breathing heavily and his face is even more pale than it was a few moments ago. "Stay with me...Genoa -- I -- *he cuts off, wincing again.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *holds his hand tightly* Please don't talk -- I won't go anywhere. Help's coming.

<TIAMAT> *Several long minutes stretch by, Teal managing to stay conscious through the whole thing, though he's struggling by the time hurried footsteps are heard outside and Whisper rushes back in, looking concerned and a little scared.

<JETMODE> *Peggy, the alchemist on duty, is close behind her, looking harried. "What in the name of --"

<JETMODE> *Genoa turns to her, looking half-frantic. "Please hurry --"

<JETMODE> <Peggy> *already on her way over, clucks disapprovingly* You two again?

<TIAMAT> *Whisper takes Genoa by the shoulders, trying to pull her away a bit. "Come on, Genoa--"

<JETMODE> <Genoa> I said I'd stay --

<JETMODE> <Peggy> Well, you're in the way.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper pulls her a little more firmly, wrapping her arm around her shoulders. "Come on ... it'll be all right ...

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *hoarsely* All right.. *lets Whisper lead her away, leaving Peggy to her work*

<TIAMAT> *Teal's hand slips away from Genoa's and he looks up toward her, eyes a little glassy. He seems to want to say something, but only a yell comes out as Peggy starts to patch him up.

<JETMODE> *Genoa tries to jerk back toward him, fighting back tears.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper grabs her before she gets too far, pulling her into a gentle embrace. "Shh, it'll be all right. Everything will be all right. He's going to be fine. *though she is watching Peggy a little worriedly.

<JETMODE> *Peggy is working rapidly, but she doesn't seem terribly worried -- looks like she can handle this patch-up. Genoa, on the other hand, leans against Whisper with a small sob. It's really been a rather horrible day for her.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper hugs her gently, murmuring soothingly and encouragingly. Teal's fighting to both stay still and conscious as Peggy works.

<JETMODE> <Peggy> *rather crossly* Don't be so stubborn. Just let me do my job, and you'll still be breathing in the morning.

<JETMODE> *After a rather tense half-hour, Peggy finally straightens and turns to Genoa and Whisper. "I don't think I want to know what happened here."

<JETMODE> <Peggy> So! Listen carefully.

<TIAMAT> *Teal has, by then, probably settled down a bit; he's still awake, barely, and his breathing's more normal, though his face is still pale. Whisper glances between him and Peggy a little nervously.

<JETMODE> <Peggy> His bandages will need changing every few hours, and be sure they're sterile. That's what this stuff is for. *she plunks a vial down on the table* A drop or two and some boiling water. In addition, I want you to feed him some of this in the morning -- *a larger bottle this time* -- he won't like it, but it's good for him. Keep the wounds clean with this -- *a third bottle* -- and tell me if anything changes.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper nods a little numbly at all this, though she keeps clear track of the three bottles and what they're to be used for. "He'll be all right, then?"

<JETMODE> <Peggy> Well, he's survived worse than this. Just keep his wounds clean and get the medicine in him.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper nods again. "Thanks...for all your help."

<JETMODE> <Peggy> *grins at her* 'S my job, innit? For now, all three of you get some sleep. *she heads for the door*

<JETMODE> *Genoa, contrary to orders, heads for her bed again -- and, more importantly, its occupant.

<TIAMAT> *Teal blinks tiredly up at her. "Guess I messed up bad again ... eh?"

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *scrubs at her eyes, trying to smile* You really.. should be more careful.

<TIAMAT> *Teal manages a weak smile himself. "Tears don't become you... *he coughs, wincing a little.

<JETMODE> *Genoa laughs weakly. "You keep telling me.." She bends and kisses him softly. "Go to sleep."

<TIAMAT> *Teal reaches up to brushes her face gently, smiling a bit as he drifts off, sleeping soundly in a matter of moments.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper pulls Genoa up gently. "See, I told you he'd be okay. Come on...you can sleep in my bed. I'll take the couch."

<JETMODE> <Genoa> But.. all right..