Snippet #2091018

Edmund's dream was not what one would call ordinary. However, it wasn't overly strange either. In reality it was more of an out of body experience, emphasis on the out of body. This was a dream he had had several time, each time after exhausting himself by wielding his flames. His dream took place in what appeared to be a giant, blue crystal of some kind. He could not see out of it, only the azure crystal and the like-colored flames that flowed within were visible. Said fire seemed to be the focus of the dream. Serpentine streams of blue fire flowed from the far of edges of the space, rushing to the center to form a blue sun. Arcs of flame surrounded the fire ball, but Edmund had no fear of being burned. Both the lack of a body in his dream and his knowledge of the nature of these flames were the cause.

More and more fire was added to the core of the jewel, and Edmund could feel his strength returning to him. The phantom pain of his physical body faded and the tension in his muscles lifted. He was rejuvenated by the light of the blue sun, a mental construct which represented the energy pool from which his flames were created, and he couldn't be more thankful for it. He had a feeling he wouldn't be able to rest much longer. His hunch was emphasized by a brief tugging sensation overtaking his mind. The sensation repeated itself for a few moments, growing stronger each time. The serenity of his blue-tinged mental world was literally shattered by a very feminine -and very angry- yell, "I said wake up!"

His dreaming consciousness was forced into his body, a dull pain in his ribs making for a suitably annoying replacement to his normal alarm clock buzzer. A few mumbled curses escaped his mouth before he searched the room for the one who woke him up. Obviously, since a rather steamed looking Ryder was the only other person in the room, she was the one responsible. The crimson-clad woman was simply staring at him, her expression was set in a scowl and her venomous glare was directed directly at him. Edmund grimaced, "Of course Sasha wouldn't be awake to get little Ms. Ryder off my back."

She spoke with a small hint of annoyance seeping into her voice, "Come with me. It's time to just get the questioning over." Edmund exhaled deeply through his nose. He stood up, popping his joints with a few quick stretches and let out a muffled yawn. He turned his attention back towards Ryder who was walking away, "We are just going downstairs to the main room. Now hurry it up." Edmund chose to leave his belongings here. He didn't think 'Chaser' -as she told him to call her- would appreciate him bringing a sword to his questioning. He followed Ryder's path out of the room and caught up to her on the stairs. It was here that he noticed her, still bandaged, arm. The bandages looked dingy, and a few spots of dried blood stained them reddish-brown.

He cursed to himself. His morals wouldn't let him ignore her glaring injury, but he knew that it would end poorly for him. His brief interactions with Ryder have allowed him to glean that she was strong-willed if nothing else. This usually meant stubbornness which usually lead to people having having a strong sense of pride. This translated into a serious issue with accepting help from others, and when added to her already less-than-pleasant attitude towards Edmund... he could only sigh and curse again. In the end his morals won, and he dropped his playful attitude. It would only serve to further create animosity between the woman and him. At the foot of the stairs he placed a hand on Ryder's uninjured shoulder, "Chaser, I can see that you have a pretty nasty wound underneath those bandages. Would you like me heal it for you?"