Consequences with kneel_majorzod & <lj site="livejournal.com" use

[have_no_mercy]

It's not unusual for Tess to be entertaining a guest. It's really not unusual for that guest to be Zod. What isn't the norm is that he's not the only person she's expecting.

It's time, they've decided, to put their plan into action, to attempt to rid themselves of one of the nuisances in their lives. Darkseid has been summoned to the mansion on the pretext of potentially another adventure or evening of games. Security has been told to notify Tess when he arrives and everything else is in place for what's really going to take place. Or so she - and Zod - hope.

So until he does make his presence known, they'll just have to wait. One way or another, it's going to be an interesting evening.

Comments

[kneel-majorzod.livejournal.com]

There have been far too many nuisances of late, far too many thinly veiled dangers for Zod's liking. Therefore, after months of uncertainty and worry, actually being able to take action against one of said nuisances is, in his mind, something of an improvement. It's certainly preferable to waiting for harm to befall his people or anyone else involved.

That said, their plan isn't without its risks. Even with the Major keeping an extremely close watch, he's a bit on edge about the situation, to say the least. And waiting for their guest to show up is not an enjoyable experience.

So he'll just sit, thinking through each precaution being taken. He knows that everything is in place, but mentally double checking himself is about the only thing he has to keep himself occupied at the moment.

[have_no_mercy]

Tess is very good at appearing unconcerned even when she is. Especially when she is, in fact. So she's lounging in her new chaise, drinking a glass of water and letting the Major contemplate whatever he pleases. Besides, she's the one who's going to be doing all the acting and first on the order of business in that regard is being relaxed, otherwise she'll give it all away.

She is curious about one thing, however. "Have you decided where you'll be spying from yet?"

[kneel-majorzod.livejournal.com]

Though he is very deep in thought, Zod doesn't appear exceedingly agitated himself. He's also good at masking such anxiety, as he's obviously had quite a bit of practice.

When she speaks, however, his thoughts will be momentarily interrupted, and he'll shoot her a thoughtful glance. "Where will he not look?"

[have_no_mercy]

Oh, the answers she could give to that. Rather, she'll behave herself and half shrug.

"He's been here before, so I don't expect he'll be overly interested in the scenery." Then she decides to actually be helpful and gestures toward a far corner. "There's a hallway back there. I doubt he'll have reason to snoop in that particular area."

[darkseidofmoon.livejournal.com]

In fact, Darkseid is at this moment heading toward the main entrance of the mansion, his manner just as nonchalant as always. It's really the same as any other visit, after all, save for one minor detail. This time he's actually invited. And expected, which has really only happened once before.

Still, it's not surprising that security stops him upon entry and takes the time to notify Tess of his presence.

[have_no_mercy]

The time it takes for Tess to pick up and then put down her cell phone is roughly five and a half seconds.

"He's here," is all she says to Zod, assuming he'll proceed to his shadowy hallway immediately. Tess is going to take what time she has to slip off her shoes and make her way over to the bar to pour herself another glass of water.

[darkseidofmoon.livejournal.com]

Once the guards let him pass, Darkseid walks the length of the hallway fairly quickly, swinging the doors open when he reaches Tess' study. Once he does, he smiles particularly knowingly just for her and nods in greeting.

"Got lonely rather quickly this time, did you."

[have_no_mercy]

Tess smiles in return, taking her glass over to her new favourite chair and setting it on the table beside. She then pats the cushion of the chair as a gesture for him to sit.

"It seems I did. But then, after our last encounter, how could I not?"

[darkseidofmoon.livejournal.com]

"Maybe you have it backwards." He tilts his head head again and leans in a little closer. "Maybe I've been training you to call me."

[have_no_mercy]

Tess shakes her head, tsking quietly. "No, no. You're the one who keeps showing up at my doorstep unannounced."

[darkseidofmoon.livejournal.com]

Darkseid regards her with amusement. "Perhaps it was my plan all along to keep showing up unannounced until you started calling. All part of your training, as it were."

[have_no_mercy]

"Now why would you want me to start calling you?" She wonders aloud, leaning in a little herself. "Is that all part of the plan, our entwined destiny?"

[darkseidofmoon.livejournal.com]

"The last time you got me a beverage on the pretense of being hospitable, I took two sips, and it was quickly forgotten." His tone remains rather light, though it becomes a bit lowered as she moves closer.

[have_no_mercy]

That knowing smile of her own returns. "Maybe I want one." She raises her eyebrows at him and then starts to move away again.

[darkseidofmoon.livejournal.com]

"Leaving your guest unattended," he tsks playfully. "Not very hospitable, you know."

[have_no_mercy]

"Leaving my guest to grow fonder of me in my absence," she corrects as she walks over to the bar and starts to pour herself a glass of water.

[darkseidofmoon.livejournal.com]

If Darkseid is in any way surprised by the sudden metallic contact of the blade against his skin, he doesn't show it. In fact, he appears altogether unmoved by its presence, granting it only a brief downward glance. And if anything, his knowing smile actually widens ever so slightly as he does so.

"If I weren't part of your destiny, I wouldn't be here." He glances up at her out of the corner of his eye, amusement now plain to see on his face. "And you really shouldn't rely on your pets for weaponry."

[have_no_mercy]

Tess does catch his eye, can see the amusement and lack of concern and frankly, she doesn't care. She's here to do a job and at this point, that's all there is left to do. So the blade is pressed further against him, starting to draw blood and then she starts to pull it back, hopefully in one swift motion.

[darkseidofmoon.livejournal.com]

His eyes drift closed as he feels a single drop of red blood make its way down his skin. Its touch, so seldom felt, is almost soothing. Its scarcely halfway down his neck, however, when his eyes fly open again, and the blade's progress stops the instant he does so.

His expression becomes somewhat more serious as he regards Tess then, the metal, still clutched in her hand, being pulled away just enough for him to turn his head and look at her.

"You would do well not to heed your Kryptonian pet's advice," he tsks quietly. "He really doesn't know what he's doing, you know."

[kneel-majorzod.livejournal.com]

It's with great remorse that Zod finally allows the darkness to consume him. So many things gone without farewell. Cordelia, his people. His purpose. It's almost as if he can see them vanishing before his eyes as his surroundings slowly fade. Tess' face is the last thing he sees before his vision darkens completely.

And then there's nothing. For an agonizingly long moment, Zod's lifeless form remains stretched out on the floor. Then, suddenly, there's a sort of flash as his broken skin and flesh begin melding back together, working furiously until they're seamless again.

It's a terribly odd feeling, having one's life returned almost instantaneously. Zod lets in an involuntary gasp as the air suddenly rushes back into his lungs and the feeling returns to the rest of his body.

All of this happens at once, and it's so overwhelming that it's another long moment before he can wrap his mind around the situation properly, much less speak. When he can, though, he turns to Tess with amazement and confusion.

"What just happened?"

[have_no_mercy]

Tess... looks immensely relieved and helps him sit up. "Just take it easy, okay? Here," she passes him the glass of water, "drink - slowly - and breathe."

Then, after a moment, "How do you feel?"

[kneel-majorzod.livejournal.com]

He takes the water from her when she offers it, but he doesn't drink right away. He's still rather occupied with frowning down at his healed skin through the torn cloth of his shirt.

"Unscathed," he replies softly after a short pause, giving her a stunned and somewhat questioning glance. "What did you do?"

[kneel-majorzod.livejournal.com]

"No," he says without hesitation. "You hold onto it in case he decides to come back."

[have_no_mercy]

Right. Because that worked so well earlier. Still, if he wants her to keep it for now, Tess really has no objection to it, so she'll gather it up along with the other objects she'd collected.

"Oh, I have a feeling he'll be back. But I don't think he'll hurt me."

[kneel-majorzod.livejournal.com]

"I don't think you should take that chance," Zod replies softly, watching her perhaps with concern. "His actions have made it fairly clear that he's the enemy. And he should be treated as such."