Don't Call Me That- An except...thing

Nothing all that special today, just an excerpt/short story thing with my characters from ADV. I don't know that it can or will ever fit into a future MS, but I like the idea of it. If it does manage to make it in it will probably be gutted and re-written.  Also, with the last part of the scene, please don't read too much into it. Nothing is going on and nothing will. Other than that, please enjoy.

"Don't Call Me That"

~

            Tas turned in a full circle, staring up at the high arches stretching up to the ceiling somewhere in the darkness. He thought the Council was big, but this place was ridiculous. There were lavish tapestries adorning the walls over rich mahogany panels or intricately carved landscapes that stretched the full length of the halls at times. Paintings adorned the walls in other places and there was a shocking array of various stone present throughout the entire complex. Tas had never seen such extravagance before.

            Lush hand-woven carpets covered the red stone floor beneath his feet as he explored. Rei had told him not to go poking around, but he’d been curious about the place she’d grown up; and besides, he couldn’t sleep.

            Tas stopped and stared at a twisted statue carved of onyx. It looked like some human-dragon hybrid. The body twisted and contorted in on itself, spines and scales covering parts of its body. The eyes were human and it had the shape of a twisted man, its dragon-like feet spread wide across the platform, long talons spread as its tail whipped around. It really was an ugly thing, but Tas admired the craft it must have taken to make. Still, he wrinkled his nose and walked past, moving further down the hall. At the end stood two tall doors over twice his height of solid oak. The handles were gold carved into a scalloped design, intertwined with the tails of two snakes. The reptiles were huge, twisting and writing up the doors before doubling back, the heads ending in the center of the door in gaping hisses. Tas wrinkled his nose again and shivered. He hated snakes.

            One of the massive doors stood slightly ajar and was about to turn back to find his room before Rei caught him wandering around when he heard voices drifting out through the doors.

            “You are my daughter,” a man shouted. Tas pressed closer to the door. He assumed it was Rei’s father talking, but he wasn’t sure.

            “But if you would just-”

            “No!”

            Tas recognized Rei’s voice, but he’d never heard her sound so desperate before.

            “You will do this Andreina and I will hear no more about it.” Footsteps receded further back into the room and Tas stifled a giggle, moving back into the shadows. Andreina? Seriously? He snickered again as the door opened and Rei stormed through.

            “So…” Tas stepped forward into the dim light of the hall. Rei whirled on him as he spoke, her eyes wide in surprise. “Andreina huh?” Rei’s eyes instantly narrowed. In seconds she’d grabbed the front of his shirt and slammed him up against the wall. The look in her eyes was frightening.

            “You are never to call me that again,” she whispered. “If I hear that name from your lips a second time I swear I will cut out your tongue and watch you drown in your own blood and I will enjoy every second of it.” Tas didn’t know what to do. He had never seen Rei react like this. In all the years he’d known her he’d never seen her this furious. He had no doubt she would follow through on her threat either. Rei didn’t give idle threats. When she said something she meant it.

            “Do you hear me!?” She slammed Tas back against the wall.

            “Okay, okay!” He raised his hands in surrender. “I get it, never again.” Rei’s lips curled, but she released him and stormed down the hall away from him. Tas watched her go in utter bewilderment. What was that all about?

            Rei knocked on the door to Alexander’s room, but opened it before waiting for a response. He turned to face her as she entered.

            “Well hey there sweetcakes,” he teased. “What’s-” He stopped short as he saw Rei on the verge of tears. The teasing note in his voice vanished, replaced with one of concern. “Rei what happened?” He took her by the shoulders but she wouldn’t look at him.

            Rei shook her head struggling not to cry. “I don’t want to talk about it.” Her voice cracked as she spoke, her throat closing up as she choked on her tears.

            Alexander ducked his head, trying to catch her eye. “What can I do?” he asked quietly. Rei’s whole body shook as she choked on a sob and clutched at her arms.

            “Just hold me,” she cried. She wrapped her arms around Alexander, pulling him close and cried into his shoulder.

            Momentarily thrown by her sudden actions Alexander quickly wrapped her up in his arms and held her tight. Rei held him desperately, as if he were her only lifeline. Alexander gave her a tender squeeze. He couldn’t help but wonder what had happened.