[sub]in collaboration with [@Meiyuki][/sub]

[center][i][u][h1]"This Better Not Be Goodbye"[/h1][/u][/i][/center]

Lorelai's eyes finally fluttered open.  She felt strange,  her body tingled with an alien warmth.  [i]'I'm a Dragon now[/i] she thought to herself.  She ran a mental checklist over her body,  wriggling her toes and fingers to ensure everything was still in working order.  [i]Everything seems to be in order[/i].  Suddenly she realized the source of these strange sensations.

There was no pain.  The twisted power that had ravaged her frail form for so long now rested contentedly in her mind.  It's a wondrous thing to suddenly be bereft of pain so deeply embedded as to no longer be noticable.  Her mouth bloomed into a silly grin.

With a giggle the threw the sheets off of her nude form and spung to her feet.  Spinning her eyes fell on an even more wondrous sight.  [color=00aeef]"Elizabeth!  My sweet,  my darling,  my Knight."[/color]  

Elizabeth was seated in the armchair she'd often used for reading,  overlooking the new armaments she'd received from the forgemaster.  Lorelai skipped over to the huntress who managed to set her new weaponry aside - barely - just before the Dragon leapt into her lap,  planting a kiss on the blonde woman's cheek.

[color=00aeef]"Good morning."[/color]  She whispered.

Elizabeth had been sitting in the armchair silently, for just a few quiet minutes. Though she had glanced at Lorelai's sleeping form when she had first arrived in the room, her vision was soon overtaken by her amazing new weaponry.

The dart on her new whip gleamed, it was a black color that shined purple like obsidian when tilted in the sunlight. The chain looked like a regular silver, but it was lightweight and each thin bar was engraved with a blood red dragon, in various fighting stances. The spear was the same obsidian black throughout, and just as decorative. The eyes of all the silver dragons were embedded with glowing rubies. Both weapons had blades that looked sharp enough to cut through steel. 

Her armor was gorgeous, made of the same lightweight material used for her whip. It shined like a beacon, where it sat waiting to be worn in the corner of the room. On the shoulder plates, was the crest of the Von’Strauss clan, but the forgemaster had given her replacements that were plain. He knew very well that wearing the Von’Strauss crest was not allowed in the real world. She had thanked the forgemaster heavily, kissing his calloused hand that was twice as big as her body. 

Her steady concentration was snapped as Lorelai awoke. The girl skipped towards her and in a panic Elizabeth shoved the weapons off of her lap, they hit the floor with a dull clang. Elizabeth steadied Lorelai as she landed, smiling merrily. [color=magenta]”Whatever happened to you, Lorelai? You seem oddly cheerful for a lady so tired just moments ago. I just returned from the forgemaster, if you couldn't tell.”[/color] Her eyes sparkled with an almost motherly pride as she mentioned the new weapons. 

[color=00aeef]"My heart is light,  and burning brightly this morning.  I wonder why?"[/color]  Lorelai winked at her lover.

She turned her eyes towards Elizabeth's new whip,  now laying on the floor.  She shifted,  and much to her surprise a small serpentine tail snaked out from her rear to retrieve it,  before dissapating back into black smoke.  [color=00aeef]"That will take some getting used to."[/color]

She turned the beautiful instrument over in her hands.  The whip was a master's weapon,  it had reach,  power,  and grace.  Elizabeth was a dangerous woman.  Sometimes it was easy to forget that.  [color=00aeef]"It's beautiful,  much like its owner.  Is this [i]adamantine[/i]?"[/color]  She examined the tip with reverence.


[color=magenta]”I'm very glad to hear that, Lady Lore. No more dark clouds for the time being?”[/color] Elizabeth brightened noticeably, watching with thick curiosity as Lorelai sprouted a tail. It was black and reptilian, and carried an almost sentient grace before it disappeared in a cloud of smoke. [color=magenta]”I'm sure you will, soon you'll forget how you ever operated without your new appendages.”[/color] 

She watched as Lorelai inspected the whip, holding it like someone who had no experience in any weapon other than a ritual dagger. It was endearing, and Elizabeth wondered if she could ever coerce Lorelai into taking lessons. [color=magenta]”I believe it is, he seemed very proud of the materials. He was also happy to be making weapons for a real warrior. Tell me, what's special about adamantine?”[/color]

[color=00aeef]"Nothing but buzzy happy thoughts,  maybe a little cheerful whimsy."[/color]  Lorelai leaned in to steal a proper kiss before returning her attention to Liz's new weapon.

[color=00aeef]"Stories say adamantine came from the stars,  crashing down to earth when it was young.  I don't know the truth myself,  but I do know that this is a dragonslayer's weapon."[/color]  She grinned brightly.  [color=00aeef]"The finest mundane steel in the world is nothing put parchment against this edge."[/color]

[color=00aeef]"Remind me to avoid offending you, love."[/color]  She winked.

Elizabeth shivered at the kiss, it was a rather pleasant sensation that sent a shock of warmth through her body. [color=magenta]”Comes from stars? What a special little gem. Well, two gems if you count Emiliah’s spear. I've no clue how to deliver it to her. I don't even know if she'd accept it.”[/color] Elizabeth peered at the spear by her feet, it was a heavy rock thrown upon the scale of her choice. Staying with Lorelai sank lower and lower. 

[color=magenta]”I really do miss them…I wonder what Andri is doing? He wouldn't believe it if I told him I saw a true giant. Oh, and Flint! What would he think?”[/color] Her voice took on a tone of solemn wonder, and a small blush found her cheeks when she thought of Flint in front of Lorelai. [color=magenta]”The last time I saw him he was trying to kill you, I doubt much has changed since then.“[/color] She barked a laugh, but it was weak and low. 

Lorelai pressed head against Liz's shoulder,  tucking herself snuggly into her lover's lap.  [color=00aeef]"I haven't the faintest love."[/color]  Her hand came up to stroke the woman's cheek.  [color=00aeef]"But,  I've been doing some thinking."[/color]

[color=00aeef]"I've no ill will towards either Flint or his brother... I've already taken enough from them."[/color]  She sighed.  [color=00aeef]"I promise to do everything in my power to remain hidden,  so that whatever you choose won't lead you against either me or your friends."[/color]

[color=00aeef]"And if you want to visit them you have my leave to do so,  whenever you'd like."[/color]  Lorelai found Liz's hand,  and intertwined their fingers.  [color=00aeef]"I don't know what you'll tell them,  you may have to lie,  but I don't want to make you choose.  Not if I don't have to."[/color]

[i]Lying,[/i] Elizabeth thought, suddenly despising the very idea of lying. It had been an afterthought before, but now that Lorelai hit her with the idea, it was obvious. [i]Of course I'm going to have to lie, what did I expect?[/i] She grimaced, the horrible truth leaving her head spinning. If she went back, the rest of her life would be built on the foundation of lies. 

[color=magenta]”Yes, I suppose I may have to lie.”[/color] She admitted, squeezing Lorelai's hand to ground herself. [color=magenta]”It's a risk seeing them, but shouldn't I at least try? They deserve to know what happened to me, at least know I'm alive.”[/color] She chewed on her inner cheek, indecisive. Everything had told her to go, but she had been naive, and she hadn't thought of the consequences. 

[color=00aeef]"I want you to be happy love."[/color]  Lorelai kissed the huntress' cheek.  [color=00aeef]"I also want you to stay with me of course,  but that's selfish.  You've got family and friends to think about."[/color]  her stomach churned at the possibility of losing Elizabeth,  but she couldn't live with herself if she trapped her sweetheart into a life she may not want.

[color=00aeef]"I don't want to lose you,  but I won't bind you to me if you want to go home."[/color]  She whispered.  [color=92278f]"Tell me what you need,  and I'll do it."[/color]  Her heart fluttered in her chest,  pleading silently for mercy.

[color=magenta]I...I need…”[/color] Elizabeth paused, her lips pursed as she held Lorelai, cradling the witch against her chest. She needed many things, her heart still irritably split. She felt it tear, one side swolen with the pain of losing her newfound lover, the other throbbing rapidly at the thought of losing her friends. She had betrayed them, yes, but there was still a chance she could salvage her broken bonds. 

Liz sighed softly, the breath escaping her parted lips. [color=magenta]”I need to go ho-”[/color] She bit down hard on her tongue as she was about to say the word ‘home'. [color=magenta]”I need to go to Seren's Folly, for the time being. I need a damned good cover story too.”[/color] She laughed, pained and weary. 

Lorelai's heart would not get any mercy it seemed.  Love was a rose,  and its thorns bit deeply into her chest.  [color=00aeef]"A-...as you wish Elizabeth."[/color]  She stood slowly and went to collect some clothes from her dresser.  [color=00aeef]"Do you have everything you need?  I'll have Sousiel take us ho-,  to the castle momentarily."[/color]  She choked back tears.

Elizabeth stared hard into Lorelai's back, but she made no move to comfort her, it would only make leaving that much worse. Instead, she gathered up her new weaponry and armor, looking over it to distract herself from any sort of negative emotions. She had to go back, it was that or never seeing them again, and as much as she cared for the witches, it was time to return to her old friends. She made a silent promise to Lorelai, vowing that she would return. [color=magenta]”I think I'm ready.”[/color] She said, her voice void of emotions.

[color=00aeef]"Sousiel,  take us back."[/color]  Lorelai said.  The two felt the demon in their minds as the room melted into a starless void.  They floated there,  as disembodied minds,  for several fleeting moments before finding themselves deposited back in Lorelai's tower on the material plane once again.

Sousiel's arms where around her mistress before they'd had any time to react.  [color=92278f]"... mistress."[/color]  her voice was small.  [color=92278f]"There's been some trouble."[/color]

Elizabeth didn't mind floating around as a disembodied essence, those few silent heartbeats were amazingly calm. It was when they returned that Elizabeth felt uneasy, her whole body tensing when Sousiel wrapped her arms around Lorelai, saying there was trouble. [color=magenta]”Sousiel, what happened?”[/color] She spat the words rapidly, before Lorelai could open her mouth to speak. [color=magenta]”If it is my place...of course.”[/color]

Sousiel tilted her head at Elizabeth,  not sure why it wouldn't be the place of Lorelai's knight to hear the news.  [color=92278f]"Matrim,  a hunter,  nearly killed Triss and has escaped."[/color]  Her tone was worried.  [color=92278f]"They know where we are now Lorelai..."[/color]

Lorelai's pained heart sank further.  Just moments ago she was in the arms of a woman she loved,  at peace with Medusa.  Now she was back where she'd started,  alone with war on her doorstep.  More of life's cruelties.  [color=00aeef]"Which means Flint and Fenros will be here soon,  to claim my head as they've always dreamt."[/color]  She shuffled to the foot of her bed in a daze.

[color=magenta]”You guys were holding [i]Matrim[/i] prisoner?”[/color] Elizabeth didn't know what wounded her more, the fact that they were holding Matrim hostage, or the fact that Matrim had escaped and was planning on waging war. Now she knew, with absolute certainty, that she had to return to Seren's Folly. 

Liz moved over to Lorelai, taking the woman up in a strong hug. [color=magenta]”I will go to Seren's Folly myself, and talk them down, if that is what you wish.”[/color] She looked to Sousiel, to confirm this. Lorelai would want the best for Liz, so she wouldn't answer truthfully. 

[color=00aeef]"If you talk them down... they'll never let you stay with them love."[/color]  Lorelai said saddly.  She patted Liz's shoulder,  allowing herself to lean her head against the huntress' shoulder.  [color=00aeef]"I'll handle this."[/color]

Sousiel looked between the two,  her eyes narrowing.  [color=92278f]"Lorelai... she's your damned knight.  Let the woman try to save your life,  and your sister's lives.  Otherwise things are going to get real bloody,  real fast."[/color]  Her eyes met Liz's,  twinking with an accusation she dared not voice in front of her mistress.




Elizabeth groaned at the accusatory stare Sousiel gave her, but she would have to explain herself later on. For now, her thoughts remained on the situation at hand. [Color=magenta]"Sousiel is right,  I need to go over there and at least try to talk them down. Otherwise, a lot of innocent witches could die."[/color] She held Lorelai at arm's length, and smiled. [color=magenta]"If I fail, you and the other witches can step in. Until then, I'm on my own."[/color]            

[color=00aeef]"Your dreams,  your friends,  your family.  You can't give that up for me.  I want you to stay with me,  but not because of this."[/color]  Lorelai returned Liz's smile weakly.  [color=00aeef]"I wanted you to [i]choose[/i] me,  not to get stuck with second best."[/color]

Sousiel's eyes flashed angrily,  before she turned and left the room.  Better than speaking her mind,  by a longshot.

 Elizabeth watched Sousiel flee, and her own sadness deepened. She turned her attention back to Lorelai and shook her head. [Color=magenta]"Lorelai, you aren't second best. My journey to Seren's Folly is temporary, I will always return to you. Now I have a duty there."[/color] She gave Lorelai an encouraging squeeze, before getting up to chase Sousiel. 

[color=magenta]"I'm going to talk to Sousiel, then we'll see to it that I'm on my way."[/color] Liz gave Lorelai a peck on the forehead, and sprinted out the door to find the demon.   

[color=00aeef]"I love you!"[/color]  Lorelai's fearful voice chased the woman down the hall.

Liz came upon Sousiel standing at the base of Lorelai's tower.  Arms folded beneath her chest her face was angry.  Her lower lip trembled as she spied Liz.  [color=92278f]"Please explain to me what's happening."[/color]

[color=92278f]"I don't want to hate you,  but I'm getting pretty close here."[/color]  Sousiel spoke slowly.  [color=92278f]"Now please,  tell me you haven't stolen Lorelai's heart,  only to leave her.  Can you do that?"[/color]

Elizabeth leaned against the nearest wall, her arms folded and her face steely. [color=magenta]”I believe what's happening is I'm trying to go to Seren's Folly, to end the war efforts before the start. I am doing this for Lorelai, but also to save the other witches in this domain.”[/color] She watched Sousiel’s expression, the demon was angry on behalf of her Mistress. Here Elizabeth was, giving herself to Lorelai and then running away in the span of a day. 

[color=magenta]”You are allowed to hate me, because it may be a day or two before I can return and seek Lorelai again. I may even be killed, by the hunters there, and cause her another heartache.”[/color] Liz strode to Sousiel, her hand hovering cautiously above the demon's shoulder. She met Sousiel's mismatched eyes, taking in the colors. [color=magenta]”However, I promise on my fragile life, that I [i]will[/i] return for Lorelai. Even if I have to fight my way out. I will not hurt her, the way others have.”[/color] 

With that, Liz crossed her heart, a confident smile on her face. [color=magenta]”If it makes you happier, I'll take a blood oath.”[/color] Elizabeth chuckled, but knew Sousiel would probably take up the offer. [color=magenta]”You may hate me now, but I need you to help me get ready. I will not pain Lorelai with preparations for my departure.”[/color] 

Sousiel nodded grimmly.  [color=92278f]"I knew I liked you."[/color]  she started stripping in the hallway.  [color=92278f]"Take me with you,  join my spirit with your flesh,  and I'll see you living on the other side of this."[/color]

[color=92278f]"Lorelai's just scared,  for you,  of losing you."[/color]  she grinned at the huntress.  [color=92278f]"She'll get over it.  Right now her heart goes with you though,  and I'm going to make sure it makes it back in one piece.  So open up."[/color]

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, curious as to how this would work. She would be binding herself with a demon, then going into a bar full of hunters. [color=magenta]”Sousiel I trust you, but aren't you afraid of Flint and Fenros sensing your demonic presence in my body, and then...you know, killing us? That is their specialty.”[/color] Although she had just described one of the many possible deaths they could face, Elizabeth's eyes were mirthful. She didn't give it a second thought, opening her body to Sousiel's invasion. 

[color=92278f]"I'm a bit more dangerous than that Lizzie."[/color]  Sousiel's eyes glimmered with malevolence as her shape blurred into black smoke.  Liz felt a burning sensation as Sousiel poured her essence down the huntress' throat,  dispersing her power throughout Liz's body.  The Knight's limbs filled with unholy might as the demon deepened the binding,  leaving herself defenseless in Liz's frame.

[color=92278f][i]"My power is yours now.  I'll slumber in the back of your mind undetected."[/i][/color]  Sousiel's eyes opened just behind Liz's,  and the demon whispered gently inside the huntress' mind.  It was a strangley comfortable sensation,  as Sousiel curled up in the back of Liz's consiousness.  [color=92278f][i]"Good luck Elizabeth,  wake me when things go wrong,  and I'll make a mess."[/i][/color]

The burning sensation of Sousiel was slowly transformed into power, and Elizabeth stretched her muscles to make it dissipate. Sousiel whispered in the back of her mind, a shiver that reminded her of nights by the fireplace, getting her hair brushed and fussed over by nannies. A wave of sensual tiredness brushed over her, and she bounced a bit to shake it off. [color=magenta]”If this all goes as planned, I won't need to use you, and the death toll will be zero.”[/color] 

Liz swooped down to pick up Sousiel's clothes, and hustled back to Lorelai's personal abode. Once there, she shedded her clothing, and changed into something fresh. [color=magenta]”Lorelai, dear, I want you to know that everything is fine.”[/color] She equpped her new whip, hanging it on her hip and stroking its weightless bars. She planned to go to the training grounds, and get a feel for it before she left. [color=magenta]”Is there anything you would like to do before we leave? Tour the gardens, walk in the woods, anything?[/color] 

Lorelai looked up from her demonology,  smiled softly as her eyes fell on Liz's features.  [color=00aeef]"I know,  but I worry.  Probably more than I should."[/color]  She stood,  making her way slowly to stand in front of her knight.

She leaned her head up,  standing on tip-toe,  to press her lips against Liz's.  When she finally managed to pull away she whispered.  [color=00aeef]"There is... one thing I'd like to do before you go,  but it might take a little while."[/color]  Her face colored lightly as she winked.

Elizabeth flushed momentarily, as Lorelai told her what she wanted to do. [color=magenta]”I have some extra time, and what a lovely way to say goodbye.”[/color] Elizabeth pulled Lorelai in for a kiss, long and rough. They didn't have much time to utilize, and she didn't plan on wasting a single moment. For all she knew, this was the last time she would see Lorelai. [i]Sousiel, do you think you could…?[/i] She didn't know how to finish that request, leaving it up to Sousiel to decide as she took Lorelai to the bed.