Miryanna set the sword back on the table next to the bow and quiver. She wandered in her own thoughts for a bit, then shook herself out of her reverie.

"I'll be back in a bit. I'm going to go see what Karayan is up to." She said.

Iphnis nodded, his eyes still closed.

Miryanna gave one last glance around the room, and left. She made her way slowly to Karayan's room, her mind deep in thought. Now that Iphnis was back, he'd maybe be able to finally help with Karayan's memories. But would he? And besides that, she still was at a loss as to what happened to him. She really did want to know, and help him, but he was so stubborn in not telling anything. Ah well, he had only been here for a day or so. Mayhap in a few days he'd be more open.

Having come to the door to Karayan's room, Miryanna knocked softly. "Karayan? Can I come in?" She asked.

"Sure," his voice replied a few seconds later.

She went in to find him seated on his bed, one leg drawn up, the other dangling to the floor. He was crouched over something that Miryanna couldn't see. She assumed it was a book.

"Hey, Kar. What are you up to?" She asked, sitting beside him on the bed.

Kar is the worst nickname you could give Karayan. It does not fit his vibes, it does not sound like him, I just ugh do not like it. It's only purpose is to distract him from who he used to be. and even then...

He shrugged.

Miryanna almost rolled her eyes. First Iphnis doesn't respond verbally, and now Karayan. She peered down at his hands in his lap, and saw a small book.

"What are you reading?" She asked.

who knows. no idea what book this is. no idea what writing systems they have. no idea what the rate of literacy in this country is. do they have a printing press? are scribes a common workforce? no idea.

He shrugged again.

"Karayan, are you alright?" She asked, a little concerned. He usually wasn't this unresponsive.

He looked up and met her eyes. "Tell me about myself." He asked. Or was it a demand?
She hesitated before answering, knowing it would disappoint him, and at this stage, maybe anger him. She had to say no. She didn't know what he would do; how it would effect him. She gently put her hand over one of his. "Kar, I'd like to be truthful with you. I really would. But... it's too risky right now." She answered feebly.

MIRYANNA. IS. SO. BAD. AT. THIS. AND THAT IS PRECISELY BECAUSE I AM SO. BAD. AT. THIS.

He frowned. "Why? Was I really that terrible? What did I do, murder people for a living? Mutilate their bodies to the point of unrecognition?"

This was really a bold thing for me to do, and I really didn't know what I was doing. I knew I didn't know what I was doing. i.... *sigh* I really shouldn't have dragged it out like this. I was having some fun with this, but it was also due to feeling an obligation to write. And November is past now. There is no more word count worries.

Miryanna opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. She didn't know what to say.

Karayan went on, "Even if all that was so, and worse yet, I still want to know. I want to know who and what I am." He said, his tone pleading.

"Karayan, as I've said, I wish I could tell you. I want to be truthful and honest with you. But--"

"But what? I'm tired of 'buts'. I want answers, Miry."

can't say that I blame him

She took a deep breath. "What you did was terrible, but it wasn't entirely you."

He cocked his head, confused.

"You were under the control, of a Sorceress, and she influenced you to do what you did."

There it is. was that so hard?

Karayan was silent at that. "Influenced? I still hold responsibility for my actions; whatever they were?"

Miryanna bit her lip and nodded.

He closed his eyes. "At least I can do something." He uttered.

Miryanna was confused. "What?"

His eyes shot open. "At least I can do something besides sit around all day., trying to regain any and every scrap of memory my mind can yield to me." He snarled.

Miryanna was surprised at his outburst, and to be honest, a little frightened. He reminded her of some episodes a year or two ago, when his anger directed his actions...

ooooohhh

"You're scared." He stated.

Miryanna turned widened eyes upon him. She gave a shaky laugh, "Now, Kar, what have I to fear from you?"

Anger shone clearly in his eyes. He stood up. "You tell me."

Miryanna stood up as well, trying to calm herself.

Karayan stepped forward, and Miryanna retreated.

"You're scared." He stated.

Miryanna swallowed, "Now Kar, calm down."

"Oh, you're the one who needs to calm down right now, Miry." He replied menacingly. "I feel just fine."

ooooooooooohhhhhhhh

"Karayan, you're not acting like yourself." She tried to reason.

"But if what you say and I remember is true, then I'm acting very much like myself." He growled through clenched teeth.

oooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhh

Miryanna had backed up until she was against the wall. "It doesn't need to be this way," She said, trying to delay. She hadn't thought much about what she would do were this to happen., Karayan had been so calm. So unlike his former self that Miryanna thought such precautions would be unnecessary. She saw now that she was wrong.

"Doesn't it? I want to remember. I want to know. But you refuse. You always delay, saying I should wait, or that it might do things to me. Well what have you to say now?" He loomed up before her, uncomfortably close.

"Karayan, calm down." She half ordered, half pleaded. While she spoke, she was feeling her was to the door, hoping to slip out. She grasped the handle, but before she could open it, Karayan slammed his fist into it, keeping it closed.

"You're not going anywhere. Until you give me the answers I want." He said.

Miryanna didn't know what to do. She could tell, but with the state he was in right now, would it help?

She looked down and stayed silent, hoping he would calm down and not take this any further.

"Miry, I'm waiting." He said in a low voice.

Miryanna looked up again and nearly screamed. His eyes and his voice had changed. Only slightly but they had changed. They weren't glowing, but were tainted red. And his voice. It had taken on that smooth, low, wonderful to listen to tone. When he'd woken up after losing his memory, that was one of the first things Miryanna had noticed. His voice was low, but hoarse. She'd thought it would come back as soon as he'd recovered more, but while his vice was still lovely to listen to, it no longer had that enchanting lilt to it. Now it was back. Not in full force, but it was back. Miryanna wanted to tell him. She wanted to please him. But she couldn't! Could she? Could the consequences be that bad? She couldn't risk it! She was caught between a rock and a hard place, it seemed. How she wished someone would come. Anyone.

To her disbelief, a knock came at the door. Miryanna glanced up at Karayan and he stared down at her.

"Who is it?" She called.

"Miryanna?" Roric's voice answered.

"R--Roric? Is that... is that you?" Her voice shook.

O.O

"Yes." He replied.

Miryanna waited for him to speak, and when he didn't asked, "So, what are you doing here?"

"I came to talk." He replied.

Miryanna had wanted someone, but did it have to be Roric? If he saw Karayan and the way he was acting right now, he'd kill him with no questions asked. But she needed someone. She took the risk.

"Well, come on in." She said.

*cough*

The handle turned and Roric tried to push the door open, but Karayan still held it closed.

"Miry?" He tried again, and the door wouldn't give. "Miry, come on."

"I--It's not me, Roric." She said, and hoped she hadn't sealed her doom.