Biding Time

[Celes Islay]

Cel hadn't been listening to Tallulah, nor had she even been looking at her. The tigress had turned away from her odd coloured kin and was starring idly at the wall. She'd lost interest in trying to provoke her and was now fuming to herself that she'd brought up her sister. She'd rather forget she even existed.

It was a moment later that the vines burst through the floor and promptly wrapped themselves round her limbs. Cel froze like a statue, she didn't have in inbuilt fear of magic like her mother but that wasn't to say she wasn't scared by it. This was one of those moment. It didn't help that she was devoid of her own defence, her pistols and tonfa having been confiscated when she had been found. Still, the young feline wasn't the sit back and let it happen type.

"FREAK! Magic freak! Let Cel go you half brained excuse of a weirdo!"

[Tallulah Sonne]

Tallulah ignored the insults that spewed from Celes' mouth. They'd do her no good. She was bound and defenseless now. She hadn't the intention of killing her. Now, returning the favor for her injured comrade was an entirely different story. The feline looked at her fellow tigress with rare, cold eyes as she extended her claws again, curling the index of her right hand. This caused the vines to pull her towards the bars, within Tallulah's reach.

The brown tigress studied her for only a moment longer. No more words could describe the torturous words she'd spewed nor the suffering that had befell her companion. Instead, she raised her paw and removed Celes' glasses gingerly. Then, delicate as if a surgeon, she drew her clawed hand to Cel's face and cupped it. She continued as if Celes hadn't said a word.

"I think this would suffice as analogous treatment though. Wouldn't you think?"

At that, she thumbed a claw towards Cel's right eye.

[Sarath Crescent]

"I would advise against that unless you want to answer to our Lord about why you are torturing his prisoners."

The voice was female, calm and well spoken. It was a gentle tone, one that didn't seem fitting for a cell block on an alien vessel. A hand promptly landed on Tallulah's shoulder, the grip firm but non threatening. Should the tigress turn round she would find a female wolf standing behind her, garbed in a long flowing blue and white robe, Lefina.

"As insulting as she was towards you I would suggest you control yourself for now...our Lord has some question for her in due course...after which I'm sure he'll be happy to listen to any 'requests' you might have."

The wolfess gave a small smile, like a mother might give to a young child. It wasn't intended to be patronising, it was simply Lefina's nature.

[Tallulah Sonne]

"Don't worry, Lefina. It was only a legitimate compromise. However..."

Tallulah slowly drew her hand away, completely unfazed by the matter that she'd just nearly tore Cel's eye out. As she did so, the feline waved her hand and the vines which originally bound Celes receded back into the ship from which they'd come. It was strange to see them re-anchoring the metal plate and settling it back into its rightful place before they disappeared beneath Cel.

"I suppose it's best to save liberties for later. Is there any particular reason you've come? It's not very commonplace for you to be wandering around the cell blocks."

[Sarath Crescent]

Lefina watched as the vines receded and shot a small glance at Cel as she hit the floor. Turning to look at Tallulah again she gave a small nod. "Lord Sarath has requested your presence on the bridge with an update on the wounded. I believe he is becoming restless after two weeks hiding at the bottom of the sea so I would suggest caution and careful words when addressing him."

Lefina looked away for a moment, glancing down the line of cells and giving a small shudder. It was true that she didn't come here often, hardly ever in fact. Still she had good reasons for her dislike.

[Tallulah Sonne]

"Hn. Must have lost track of time."

Tallulah sheathed her claws, rubbing her neck gingerly. What menacing hue that befell her eyes had long since diminished. She hadn't even flinched nor spared a look as Celes hit the floor. Stepping out of reach of the no doubt fuming feline, Tal resigned herself with a nod and started out of the block.

"I will hope then that what news I bring will quell his Lordship's soul."

It almost seemed as if the scene from seconds ago never happened, although no doubt Celes could still feel its reality.

[Sarath Crescent]

Lefina gave a nod at Tallulah, cast a final look at Cel, and then followed on behind the tigress. She wasn't concerned about what just happened, it happened all the time...especially between the crew themselves. Lefina was generally the one to break it up though, as devoted as she was to her Lord's cause she still deplored unneeded violence and made it a point to try and keep things in check.

In reality Sarath knew this, it was one reason he kept the wolf at his side. A gentle nudge in the right direction was sometimes needed and Sarath realised he was prone to outbursts, similar to the one Tallulah had almost enacted on Celes.

As they passed through the ships corridors it was clear to see the level of repairs needed. Cables lay all over, slung across the floor and hanging overhead. Panels on the wall had been removed revealing circuits and wires. Some sections of the ship were without power and others without life support. Some had still not been pumped clear of sea water and some had been stripped to repair other areas.

Still, the arrival of the four ships from Radical City had been a welcome sight. It seemed that in the chaos of Capitol City, the late reinforcements had been fogotten, all four of them diving beneath the waves as their scanners read what was happening. Two of the ships had now been almost stripped bare, parts, supplies and people used to herlp fix and resupply the Monceros. The two remaining ships were now being retrofitted along with the Monoceros to better face the forces of the world.

On the bridge itself, Sarath sat in his chair skimming through a lengthy status report. Things were going slowly but so far they had been going smoothly too. He was itching to make another move but knew that being premature would be dealy this time. For the time he had to remain hidden and bide his time.

[Celes Islay]

As Cel hit the floor she was still frozen to the spot in fear. Her eyes were wide, a cold sweat evident on her face as the pair turned and began to head off out of the cell block. It took her a moment to regain her composure and for her body to relax, but the moment it did her normal personality resurfaced with a vengence.

"YOU STINKING LITTLE SINILO! YOU COWARDLY EXCUSE OF A BAG OF PUSS! CEL HAS YOUR NUMBER! SHE'S GONNA MAKE YOU REGRET THAT!"

Whether either of the departing pair heard or even cared for her insults was a good question...although Cel had brought out the big guns. Sinilo was about as low an insult as you could get on her homeworld although the exact translation was not something that had been decided yet.

Cel glanced around her cell, trying to find something to kick to releave her anger. All she found was the blankets that were her bed and the enpty tray of food from the previous day. Aiming her foot she sent the tray clattering across the cell, smashing it against the back wall and causing it to bounce a few times before it finally hit the floor and stopped.

Breathing heavily she slumped onto her bed, a glaring scowl on her face. "Cel is getting out of here...oh yes, Cel is getting out!"

[Tallulah Sonne]

Tallulah hadn't spared a glimpse back at the feline behind her as Cel shouted at her. About the only satisfaction Celes would receive from her outburst was the slightest twitch from Tal's ears. She made her exit though, more focused on heading to the bridge than dealing with the toddler tantrum Celes displayed.

However much disarray the ship had suffered was old news for Tallulah. She took it in stride, stepping over a loose cable here and there. Most of the damage had been removed from the walkway though. It's amazing how much progress could be made with such a diligent, dependable crowd of hands on board. She nodded at a German shepherd as she passed him by, but didn't stop. Making Sarath wait was the last thing anyone wanted to do on this vessel.

Eventually, the duo reached the bridge, the doors swishing behind them. Tallulah took quick note that Sarath's attention remained concentrated on a document, no doubt a written report. A lot of the crew feared Sarath the past few weeks and resorted to those instead of meeting in person, but Tallulah was inclined to present herself as she always did. She remained quiet for the time being, awaiting his attention.

[Sarath Crescent]

One of Sarath's ears flicked back slightly as he heard the door open. His eyes didn't leave the report though as he finished reading the page he was on. He huffed slightly and suddenly discarded the report across the bridge. He sat back in his seat and closed his eyes for a moment.

"You're early...the first one of the day. I just hope your report is also the first good one of the day." Sarath turned slowly, he bore a slight scowl on his face but nothing that could be conceived as massively threatening. Although the last few days had gone nicely today was proving to be a little taxing.