2.4: And It Comes to Pass Again

There was a frown lacing Shaen's lip at the close of the Council meeting, despite the mirth of the members that had already abandoned their seats. She remained seated, feeling that something was a bit off. Really, she had no evidence to justify the sensation, but justification rarely mattered when it came to her feelings. Intuition was everything to her, and her stricken expression caught the eye of her adviser.

"You are concerned you have forgotten something, perhaps? Something important, Mistress?" Chael inquired softly, making his presence known once more. With her alive again, he needn't bother with being vocal during the Council, serving only as Shaen's personal Scribe for the events, noting the facial expressions and subtle emotional fluctuations in the other Councilors. Not just the others, actually, these days. Shaen didn't really trust her own perceptions during meetings, and its not like her file system was perfect these days.

A nod indicated that Chael was correct in his assumption. The Misshapen had long figured out that someone else had accessed her files and changed the settings. Even his own access to the files had been modified, which was what perturbed him the most. Still, that had happened many years ago, before Chael's own current form had been shaped. He lacked some of the files from those days even now, despite rifling through the files when she was otherwise occupied. There was a tangible distrust in the air now, and he understood what was happening before it did once again.

The slender powerful fingers were around his throat with speed that was certainly superhuman if not divine in its nature. The pain ripping through his skull was familiar, unfortunately. Paranoia coupled with madness led her to often tearing through his memories, seeking evidence of betrayal. Even within his head, the violence continued as she shoved his consciousness to a corner where he could not attempt to hide or modify any of the files she would be shredding with a voracious appetite.

Assuaged only when she had raided years of information, raping his mind with the intensity of her search, the woman sat back at the table, eyes opened once more. Yet, still, the feeling that there was something missing plagued her, though at least for now, it was not the fault of her...most trusted. Frustrated by the lack of information...or perhaps, by his continuing loyalty, she exits the Council's chambers alone, storming out and onto the streets.