#johnwaterstrike

John Waterstrike hit the floor as soon as Dagger Unit linkpearl went off, listening as a call of arms was being sent out by Axe, with Sam saying he would give out station on where the unit members would be place.  Even as he threw on his Private jacket, quill in hand as he tried to write out a note for Warren, he cursed his luck under his breath.  He had been planing on pearling Hannah, to see if she was alright, even if Sei had said that she needed to get her head together.  She had been gone too long and it was causing him to become more worried about her.

When he got to Rhalgr’s Reach, he was told that he would be station there with several other healers.  The ones with more combat experience would head on to the front lines, though whispers among the men was that the leaders of the City states were trying to parley a peace treaty.  John didn’t hold out much hope for it happening.  Tanya pass by as he was helping with supplies and they spoke for a few minutes before she went to her only assignment with her Adder unit.

It was a quiet moment when made his way to a quiet corner of Reach.  Fitting the linkpearl onto his ear....”Hannah,” he says, not sure if she respond or not but wanting to say something.  “I...I don’t know when you might be coming home.  We all hope it’s soon.  But if you’re not ready, I want you to know that all of us will be here when you’re ready.”

John's tail lash as he sat at the table in, watching some of the younger children and adults hunt for eggs.  He couldn't bring himself to enjoy it or even participate in any of the hunts going on.  He was here on holiday with his family when his other family was having to deal with reporters and handle Lady Annunu's death.  He stood up, stalking out of the area.  It wasn't fair.  Why did someone want to kill Lady Ann?  Why was he here?  He should be at home with his family, giving support to Warren and the others.

He stops, why was he still here?  Why was he hiding out when they needed the support?  With a growl, he ran out, collecting his things from his inn room, and leaving a note with Lady Miounne to give to his sister and parents.  He race down the stairs to the airship landing, missing the older Miqo'te, one that look very much like an older verison of John, as he stuck his head into the entryway of the Canopy.  John could hear someone yelling about picking up some cinnamon and Miounne's clear voice ringing out.  "If you would, Rhag'li."

The room was quiet, the only sound was the faint breath of John as he slept.  One glove hand rested on Kit’s book for a moment before the sounds of shouting came through the open window.  His eyebrows winkles, muttering for Bandit to shut up, he tries to turn over and go back to sleep.  More shouting and screams about fire finally rouses John from his bed in a rush.  He grabs his shirt from the back of his chair, pulling it on quickly as he makes his way to the door of his room, and hopefully not break his toes on the chair while doing so.

It look like he wasn’t the only one pull from his bed, following the others as they head out of the house.  John could just make out smoke and fire near Raubahn’s Salute.  Tanya came up behind him, “What’s going on?” she asks.

“I don’t know,” he says, frowning.  He could hear the others murmuring on what might be going on.  “I should go and see if they need help,” he adds, only to be caught by his ear.  “Owowowow!”

“No, you’re going back to bed.  Samuel told me you over extended yourself during training yesterday,” Tanya said.  She nods her head to the others before pushing her little brother back into the Duskbreak.  “You need rest and I’m sure we’ll hear all about it in the morning.

It was several hours that things began to become even more strange.  Word that Lady Ann’s room was empty and that escape paths had been found.  He was about to pearl Evening Fist when words from the other people in the area said that a headless lalafell’s body was found in the ashes of the storage shed.  He worried his lip, hoping and praying to the Gods that it was a rumor, and wondering if he should head over there to see if his gift could be used to find out what might have happen and bring closure to whoever’s family that they belong too.

"Evening, Tanya." Warren Castille smiles knowingly, bowing his head slightly. "You know, I always worry a little when you come out here. It's usually not good news!"  He laughs richly.

Tanya sigh, "I fear it's not this time either, Ser." she says.  "John is fever." she says.

Warren Castille frowns and makes the Warren :| face. "He was worried about getting sick when he was doing relief, too."

"It's mild and was caught early enough but... yes, he's always have had far greater chance when a sickness move through the area."  She did smile.  "Though Mom was muttering that he was acting like Father, saying he was going to die and some such."

"Hey. Men are infinitely more likely to die from small wounds. It's known. Sei, how many times have I almost died from congestion or a cold?"

"Too many," Sei' Castille

"See?" he says.

Tanya tilts her head at the female miqo'te.  She chuckle.  "Ah, it is like that with Father."  She turn her attention back to Warren,  "She gave him something to help ease the fever and to also help him rest.  It should be knock out with a couple of days."

"Tell him I told him to rest, sleep and recover." Warren says.

Tanya roll her eyes, "I'll do so.  Mom has remove his diary and medical journal as well so there would be nothing to distract him from rest.  And Kit is with him so that is the best watcher we have for making sure he rest."

"It's appreciated. I don't want him worrying about us out here, either. Especially when he's sick."

Tanya nods.  "I'll also sit with him tonight...in case the fever brings up nightmares.  I'll make sure to pass on word to him so he won't worry.  Please let Howl know that we have John well in hand."

"I'll pass it along, no worries there. Thanks for the heads-up, Tanya." Warren said.

Tanya she bows to the both of them.  "Then have a good Grindstone, Ser Warren and Lady Sei."

"Not a lady, but thanks." Sei says

"My Lady."

"Ah, then I'll remember that Sei."

"Sweet of you, but too classy for me." Sei says, though she blush slightly.

"Hells, people call me all sorts of things. Just go with it." He smiles over his shoulder.

Tanya covers the chuckle with a cough.  "Then I bid you both farewell."

"Thanks, Tanya. Be safe getting back." Warren says.

Tanya holds up her staff.  "Ah, I think I can handle things.  This isn’t  just for magic you know."

"I've been brained enough out here to know to not underestimate a staff, that's for sure." He smiles wanly. "I'm sure it'll be fine, I'm just a worrier."

"I thank you for your concern.  Father as least made sure I knew how to fight dirty...since Thanalan isn't always a safe place." Tanya says, placing the staff back into it’s holder.

"Sure isn't."

Tanya bow to him once again.  "Then please be careful heading home after the fights tonight."  She wave a farewell and began to make her way back to Ul'dah.

Warren nods and waves back.

Thomas Waterstrike open the door for the fairy, slightly surprise of the other being here.  “Kit, is something wrong?  Or are you bring me a message from John?”  He move over to the desk, pulling out an apple favor piece of candy.  “Here, you probably need the sugar.”

Kit cheer, taking the candy and sitting crosslegged on Thomas’ desk.  ‘Thank you, Tom.’ she says, taking several licks off of it.

“You always welcome, little one,” he says.  He look at her seriously, “What brings you here, little one?”

The fairy turn serious.  ‘Haven’t seen friend...or Ruran.  Worry over them.’

Thomas sigh, “You are as kind and gentle as John.  I can understand why he did as he did to get your book.”  He remove the glasses, setting his chin on his hand.  “I too worry for him, since I remember my own time as a void hunter as well.”  He watch her nibble at the piece of candy.  “He push himself too hard, much as John did for a while.”

She watch Thomas lean back in his chair.  'I would go and speak with him, but I am unsure where he would be at.'  She look at the candy, ‘Haven’t ‘smell’ Ruran or friend.’

Thomas reach over tapping Kit very gentle on the head.  “Do not worry, little one.  I can ask around and see if anyone that ‘Hunt’ have seen him.”  He set quil to paper, allowing Kit to finish up the piece of candy, and then once she was done, he seal the letter.  “You should get back to John.  I do not wish for you strain the link between you two for you coming here.  I’ll let you and John know if I’m able to speak with him.”  He open up the door, excepting the hug from the fairy, and watching her move down the hall.

“Now then, looks like it’s time for me to hunt now.” he says, taking the staff that was next to the door, and leaving the room.

(This takes place right after John teleported after from the others after the event of WHAT LIES BENEATH, pt. II (Finale).)

John Waterstrike knew, in that one moment before darkness claim him, that he had push himself too much.  It shouldn’t have surprise him, from worrying himself sick as Kit and the others climb down the ledge to Maril Hawker and Ruran Vas.  The pain from the corruption as the darkness the group face, grabbing the rope to pull Ruran and Athil Thorne up even as they pair climb up it.  It was probably a good thing that he wouldn’t feel the pain as he head it the path, leaving him in painless and dreamless/nightmareless darkness for hours.

The aetherstones in the cover of the book reacted, releasing a just as exhausted Kit from it’s hold.  ‘John?’ she asks in worry.  She place two fingers against his neck, feeling the low aether in him.  She look around but there was no one about at this time of day and she bites her bottom lip.  She didn’t want to leave him in this state but she had no idea on where the others were at.  She didn’t want to do it, this spell, but there was no choice.

She move her hands, forming the pattern that her Master had done, the first time that he use her for their first big heal together.  But she push the fear that she had felt for herself that first time.  She focus on the love and hope, that fuel her to be beside John and attack as her partner ability awoke the dragon, Ryuuga within Howl’s memories.  Remember that moment when John push himself trying to help a soul that was so damage that it was two instead of one.  How strange even now to see the world through John’s eyes.

‘John’ stood up, stumbling forward, and pressing up ‘his/her’ hands to the door.  Kit shook John’s head.  This spell...she remember how dangerous it is, especially if either of them was low on aether.  Pushing the door open, she check the surrounding but there was no one in the room.  She move to the hall, quickly finding John’s room, and ducking them both inside.

[A time before of unknown memories.  John offers to try and help Lucerna Sainahs with memories that she has missing by using his Gift.]

Dear Howl, Warren, Sei, and the others,

We arrived at Castrum Oriens early yesterday morning and the unit is settling in right now.  No word yet on what Dagger unit will be doing and if we knew, I could not send word back to you and the others for fear of the Garleans getting their hands on the letter.  Sam...I mean Captain Robinton said that until they have a mission for us, we will mostly do patrols around the Castrum.  He is allowing some of us to return to Ul'dah to pick up some supplies.  I hope that I'll be able to return with the group to at least help with one more Grindstone before we are assign our next mission.

I also think that Sam and Tanya, as she is here with the Adders, are worried over the last flashback I had from when I was last held in a Castrum.   It didn't help that Fabrellet was in it for some ungodly reason.  I'm fine, really...I just miss you and the others.  I hope you are doing well, Howl, and I hope the next time that we see each other that I'll have a gift for you.

Please take care of yourself and the others.  I and Kit miss you and the others.

Love