Akallabeth

Johann left the chairlift with his mind in a state of numb shock. He felt like he had been sideswiped by a car. He coasted gently over the crest of a hill, and down a bunny slope. When he got to the bottom, he found a convenient bench, and sat down after brushing off the snow with his gloved hand. "Anne...," he whispered to himself... What had he done, he wondered, to make her do this? Everything last night had seemed so promising... He shut the thoughts from his mind. He had dealt with those enough. He couldn't have done anything to change her since that night. Could he? He thought more. If he hadn't changed her, who would have... who was always around her... wished to control her... His head came up, and his eyes were blazing. Charles would regret controlling her in this. Standing up and taking his poles, he walked to the lift and went to find Charles. (OOC: choosing Charles/Lord Panther)

Placeholder post from the last evening has been replaced with complete post. I'm not sure if I'll get in a vote tonight, or if it will be tomorrow, but I'll try to get a post with a vote of some sort in.

Happy Birthday Wyv!

(OOC: Once again, much of this post (the good part ) is thanks to Tanny. ) Annelise sat in her bed, still shocked at the killing scene she had witnessed. There was a soft, hesitating knocking on her door, and she sighed. "Who's there?" "Johann..." Surprised, Annelise opened the door and invited him in. She immediately noticed his tenseness, a slight curve of shoulders and back that shouldn't be there. "What's wrong, Johann?" "Wrong?" He blinked, surprised. Anne nodded. Johann looked at her, not daring to speak for a moment. In his mind, her soft black hair, now loose, framed her features with perfection; the green eyes that stared at him were full of questions, though also shadowed. He got lost into those eyes, and almost jumped when Anne repeated her question with a slight frown and - to his chagrin - a step back as if in sudden fear. "Eeh... sorry, I... I need to talk to you ... if you wouldn't mind it... I realize it's getting late but... You probably want to rest, that shooting was really shocking... " Johann swallowed, making an effort to stop babbling. Anne cocked her head a bit, frowning - and remembering better the boy he had been five years ago, talking in a shared chair lift. "I can have a bit of fresh air, too. Let's just go outside for a bit, then." They ended up sitting on the benches right beside the entrance to the lodge, with the sunset spreading a soft golden glow around them. After some disconnected sentences about the mountain, the air, and the sunset, Johann finally blurted out the sentence he had been working on the whole day. Or tried to, since he stumbled after the first couple words. "Annelise, since I've met you I've... I've been... ah... I've felt... I mean... you're so... lovely... " Annelise's breath caught, finally connecting Johann's bouts of shyness and nervousness around her with his protective attitude when out in the slopes. Because she had noticed that he seemed to be always worried about her safety, trying to check on her randomly during the day - a nearby trail, a shared chair lift, a wave from afar. She didn't really know how she felt about those small gestures, but she was grateful he wasn't showing pity or being overly protective. She also was grateful for his help and discretion on that incident at the slopes on the first day. Johann suddenly went crimson and turned away from Annelise. He had seen her look of sudden realization, and knew that she had finally understood what he meant by his words and actions. His insides seemed to fill with lead as he awaited her answer, and tried to get a few more words out to fill the silence that seemed to be growing. "I'm sorry, Annelise..." Johann's voice was no more than a whisper. "I... can't help it." Silence stretched, and Johann fought a sudden urge to stand up and run away. Annelise's surprise was obvious, and that hurt Johann - she had never noticed, never saw him as more than another boy, another junior instructor... and he might just have ruined any chance of at least having her as a friend. Had he been too quiet with expressing his feelings for her? He hadn't wanted to accidentally embarrass them both in front of the others. "Johann..." Her voice was suddenly very soft, and gentle. She leaned to him, and rested a hand over his. "Are you really saying you are in love with me?" Johann's heart leapt into his throat. He hadn't expected this. He had half thought about not even asking her and merely deciding that she was not interested in him. Firmly he controlled himself, and tried to say what was in his heart and mind. "Anne, I... I... I certainly care for you, and I believe that it may be love..." Johann mentally groaned. He certainly had a way with words and finding the most awkward possible way to say them, he thought to himself. He tried again, "What I mean is, I've cared for you ever since we met. I hadn't known your entire name and you left my life, but I didn't forget. I've dreamed of you for years, I've never given up. Seeing you here, alive and whole, made me feel the greatest I have felt in years. I want to be with you, I enjoy being around you, I love...," he trailed off into silence, not sure if he should complete what he was saying, and hoping that the trembling that he thought he felt throughout his body wasn't really there, that it wasn't going through his hands to Anne's. That he wasn't truly as terrified of being so near this beautiful lady he was in love with as what he felt he was. "Johann... I don't know what to say... you are a sweet guy, and I do like you. But honestly, I've never ... thought of your attitudes as more than some kind of ... retribution feeling you might have for my advice five years ago... an advice that I must say that I'm glad I gave." Johann nearly laughed with the feeling of ease that filled him upon Anne's asking that question. She couldn't have asked an easier question for him to answer. "Anne, even before you talked to me on that lift five years ago, I had thought of how to be able to talk to you, and that sheer chance that placed us both on that lift and allowed it to break down partway up more than I could have hoped for. Certainly I was thrilled that you thought I was a good enough skiier to be an instructor, but I'd been walking on air just because of those few minutes we spent together on the lift...," catching himself before he had the chance to add the next words that were on his tounge, 'before your fall.' However, Anne knew what he had left unsaid, and gave him a slightly sad smile. "No, I don't doubt your feelings. Don't misunderstand me. I'm just not the Annelise I was five years ago. Heck, I can't even ski with half the skill I had!" Johann suddenly squeezed her hand, shaking his head. "You have the skill. You're afraid of using it. Don't you think I've noticed that? You're afraid of the mountain. Of failing it again." Annelise paled. She tried to take her hand away, but Johann grasped it tighter. "Face it, Annelise. If you don't, you'll never regain it. You're doing your best, and I can see that being with Charles has helped you - whether you're willing to admit it or not. But..." Johann stopped suddenly, realizing that blunt truth might not have been the best idea. He berated himself for having taken the conversation that way, when all he wanted was to tell Annelise that he truly loved her for what she was. Annelise fought tears, fought the hands that squeezed hers. She suddenly stopped fighting, and Johann thought that she was about to collapse, so he caught her in his arms, and supported her as she wept silently. The feeling was strange to Annelise - she had fought it for so long, barred herself against it with such determination, that it was hard to even remember what it was like. But she finally yielded. Fear and helplessness made her tremble - and she felt the comfort coming from the strong arm holding her tight. The sun was considerably lower, and the long shadows looked like wraiths ready to rise and swallow them. Johann let his mind wander, gently brushing her hair with his hand, and wondered to himself at this sudden change in this lady who had wished to keep everyone at a distance from her. Annelise recovered in some more minutes, and Johann let her go. She stood up and walked some steps away, letting the cold air cool her face. She felt strangely relaxed, and looked at the slopes ahead of her glowing softly in the reddish light. She smiled at the memories the sight awakened, and breathing deeply she went back to Johann - who had remained seated, drinking in the beautiful sight of her against the setting sun, fixing this picture firmly in his mind to remember, no matter what she said. "Johann..." He stood up, not knowing what to say. Anne blushed and lowered her eyes. "Johann, I don't want to say either yes or no. I don't know what to think of myself, much less... of what I really feel about lots of things." He nodded, the weight in his gut returning slightly. "I understand." He turned to the side somewhat, and thought of what he might pluck from the buzz of words floating through his head, and felt Anne's hand return to his as he looked up at him. Anne's voice was soft. "Let's give it time, Johann... let it be a maybe." He nodded, finally smiling. He could feel Annelise was open to him, though not ready yet to return his feelings. He could wait, and would. He grasped her hand, and they walked to the door back inside, which he took in his other hand, and released her hand. "Ladies first?" he said with an imitation of a bow from an era gone by. She smiled, and went through the door. He followed her through the lodge to their rooms where they bid each other good night, and seperated, each leaving their minds in the company of the words, thoughts, and feelings they had exchanged that evening.

Thanks to Tanny for assistance in this post _____________________________________ Throb. Throb. Throb. Groaning in pain, Johann reached into his pocket for another aspirin, and took a swig of water from the bottle he carried with him. The entire day his head had felt like it was splitting in two, pulling his skull from both sides of his forehead. He dropped to his knees for a short bit, and pressed his forehead into the snow in hopes of relieving some of the pressure. He knew well enough what it was from. For the past five years, he had dreamt of becoming a ski instructor, and had hoped beyond all hope that he might return to Vannacutt Point and work alongside her. It had finally happened, and yet his dream seemed to be crumbling around him. Though he had returned to Vannacutt Point, things were not as they should be. People were being killed right and left in ways that left him feeling weak inside. Annelise was no longer the skiier that she had been when they met. She was also an intern now, not a full instructor. But in his mind, the one thing that was giving him headaches was that she didn't seem to care about him as anyone more than just another person. That one thing was ripping him apart. Despite his actions and words, it seemed that Anne had not seen that he was interested in her. Or if she had, (and he could hardly even bear this thought) she did not reciprocate his feelings. Though he had tried to stop thinking of her so that he might get on with his work, he couldn't. And the headache from trying to avoid thinking of her, and thinking of the questions running through his mind did not help his ability to ski or check trails. He knew that there was only one thing to do. As soon as the opportunity presented itself, he'd have to talk to Anne and then, perhaps, he would know what to do, what to think. Until then, he would survive. His headache had abated some, and he moved on. Just then, Charles appeared out of nowhere, whizzing to a stop just yards from Johann. "What do you think you're doing? I saw that you were standing here when you should be checking this trail." Johann shook at this suggestion. He wasn't going to let Charles in on what he was thinking, but also didn't want to make an enemy of an instructor senior to him. "I stopped to take a drink of water, and to get a contact lens in place. My left one has been bothering me much of the day." Johann hoped that Charles might believe it. And that he might not realize that Johann didn't use glasses or contacts. Fortunately, he had bet safely this time. "Understood," Charles replied with a slight nod, "they can be pains at times, and it is always important to have your vision at its best when you're on the mountain." He turned to go, but stopped and turned to face Johann with one more question: "Have you seen that incompetent Utah guy around here?" Johann looked at Charles with a puzzled expression, and said, "No, I haven't seen Gregor since this morning." Charles nodded, looking grimly thoughtful. At that, he moved off and Johann breathed a sigh of relief. Charles could be such a stuck up and irritating guy far too often. However, his comments set Johann thinking: Why had Charles mentioned Gregor? With as socially polite and friendly as Charles was, Johann suspected that he wasn't wanting to have a friendly chat about the best ways to safely descend an unknown slope. Johann's mind clicked the statement into place amid the headache's pressure. Charles suspected that Gregor was the killer. While Charles was not a friendly type by any stretch of the imagination, Johann knew that he was certainly no fool. And there were certainly worse things to do rather than follow a senior instructor.. (OOC: Vote for JDRollins/Gregor) (EDIT: Giving credit where credit is due, and spelling repair)

Johann yawned sleepily, and suddenly forced himself to wake up completely, feeling his brain actively protesting to the sudden surges of energy rushing through it. Looking at his alarm clock harder, disbelief was etched in his face as he saw what the digits said: 3:18 PM Groaning in disbelief, he stumbled over to his alarm clock and checked to find out that he had set it for 12:40... AM... 'Many more after lunch naps like this and I'll be looking for a new job," he thought to himself. 'Now get your back end in gear.' He got his outdoor clothes on, grabbed his gear, and had just moved to open the door when he ran into the door. Mentally berating himself once more, he grabbed for the handle on the correct side of the door, and pulled it open. He walked through the common room as quickly as possible, hoping that his lack of care in setting his clock would not get him in trouble. As he paced out under the clock over the door which accusingly said 3:27, he dropped the skis to the ground and fitted his boots into them. Pushing off quickly, he moved across the mountain, past the enterances to several trails before coming to one he hadn't been down before. Pushing off quickly, the began to speed down the track, attempting to make up for lost time. As he came around a hairpin turn in the trail, he was moving too quickly to avoid a fallen tree that way laying across about half the trail. Though he slowed down as quickly as he could, Johann was still moving at a good pace when he crashed into the fallen fir sideways. He stopped for a second, and slowly sat up in the branches of the tree, but didn't rise. He thought to himself of what he had been doing over the past few days, and what he ought to have been doing. Far too much of his time had been spent daydreaming or not achieving much work due to the secondary priority he had given it. And it was all for nothing. Johann allowed himself to consider that he was far too focused on Anne. Too much of his day was wasted or inefficiently spent merely thinking of her, considering what to say. He realized that he needed to stop this, and decided to start working on this change immediately. Picking himself up, he slowly descended the rest of the trail, and then went to the lodge to get a small chainsaw which he very carefully took down to that point on the trail he had been on, and cut the fallen tree into manageable pieces, setting them off outside the trail, on the inner edge of the hairpin turn where they might be out of the way until they could be picked up and removed from the trail entirely. Johann went the rest of the way down the trail, and then boarded the ski lift to the lodge. Upon arriving, he walked to the storage room where the chainsaws were stored. On his way back to it, he heard Brad muttering suspicions to himself of Annelise being a murderer. With a frown, Johann continued, his day shadowed by the words sponken by Brad, a person who obviously did not know Anne as well as Johann thought he knew her. (OOC: Vote for Gryphon/Brad)

After a day on the slopes, Johann decided to return to the lodge before the sun left. He walked in upon a number of the other instructors sitting around the fireplace, most of whom were silent, but a few who conversed quietly with each other. He seated himself in a large chair, and sat staring into the flames, considering what had been said that morning, letting the various sounds that occurred around him float by, only half absorbed. Charles had saved Annelise? How could he have done that, and yet remained a toad of a person, as socially toxic and annying as what he had been five years back? Johann simply could not absorb this. A door into the lodge suddenly slammed, causing more than a couple of the instructors to jump or twitch, startled. Annelise had just strode in, glaring death at all who looked her direction, and walked to her room. Upon her closing the door, a small amount of ash fell from inside the fireplace and snuffed out a bit of the fire. Johann rose, and turned his steps toward his room, and Anne's room. What could possibly have incensed her so much? Just as he raised his hand to knock on her door, another thought crossed his mind: was this really a good time to try and find out? Upon some reflection, Johann decided to let her be. Perhaps she would be more prepared to talk in the morning. He inserted his key quietly into the lock of his room, making sure that the the correct side was up. He went inside, and prepared for sleep. However, when he finally lay down, he couldn't fall asleep. Sighing to himself, he got out a book that he had brought along, The Hobbit. As Bilbo progressed farther along on his path to the Lonely Mountain, so Johann gradually began to fall asleep. He had nearly finished a tenth chapter when a phrase caught his eye. It seemed somewhat familiar... like he'd heard it someplace else recently. Stifling a yawn, his eyes drifted shut on their own accord, and he knew no more.

Co-written with Tanny ------------------------------- Johann sat on a wooden slat bench in the resort's ski rental area. He greatly preferred using the resort's equipment over his own, as his was rather old and worn, and though the resort might not have the very best equipment, it certainly could be worse. Dana left the room after locking up the other equipment besides the pairs of skis, boots, and poles for Johann, and another couple of sets she left out in case another instructor had trouble with their set of skis, and was willing to finish the day on a borrowed, incorrectly sized set. Johann clicked the second buckle on the ski boot into place, and was about to tighten up the setting on the buckle when Annelise walked in, and moved towards the counter, apparently lost in thought, as she did not seem to have seen Johann yet. She moved behind the counter, picked up a waxing iron, and began to walk out again before stopping shortly upon seeing Johann, who had finished getting the first ski boot on, and was gingerly standing to test its adjustment. "Hi, Johann. I hadn't seen you. Having trouble with your equipment?" Sh "Good morning, Anne. No, not exactly... but... well... my equipment isn't too great. I've never had too much to spend on skiing, and have been using some older equipment that I bought used some years ago. Dana's been kind enough to get some properly sized equipment out for me from the lodge's supply." Johann gestured to the waxing iron, and said, "I guess you've got some ski maintainance to see to before heading out to the slopes today." "Heh... my iron just fried itself." She frowned slightly. "It seems I'll have to complain to the dealer, since I've bought it less than ten days ago." "They don't seem to make quality things anymore." Johann nodded, finally happy with the adjustment of the borrowed equipment. Then he looked at Anne, noticing her somewhat glum face. "So, ready for the mountain? Or maybe today it's not calling you?" He tried to smile and give a tone of I-don't-believe-you-aren't-there-already to his voice, and actually got a small smile back from her - that soon turned into a grimace. "Hm.. yeah... actually, I'm supposed to wait for Charles, but I don't know where he is." "Ah... of course... you're his.. erm..." He picked the poles to hide his embarrassment, changing his sentence hastily, "... ehm... last I saw him he was heading to the breakfast table, we were talking about Tina's smile... I mean... death, and that smile... " Johann looked at Anne in a worried way, not sure of her reaction to such grisly memory. She nodded slightly, a shadow crossing her face. "That was... so wrong. No one should ever want to die. Or ask to be killed. Life is so... short in the points that matter." Johann blinked, not sure of her meaning, and hoping that she might mean that she actually did like him and... "Was it my fault, Johann? My accident?" ...and was caught completely unawares by her next question. "No, of course not!" "Some people seem to think I was careless." Her voice was hushed, her look distant. Johann swallowed, trying to remember what he had seen that day. All that he could really remember was her body sprawled in the snow with a ski patroller kneeling by her, and people starting to gather at both the top and bottom of the slope. "No, of course not, Annelise. It could have happened to anyone!" "Did you see it, Johann?" It would have been easy to answer yes, since she would never know. Yet… it just wouldn’t be honest to do that. And looking into her eyes, knew he couldn't do the easy thing. "N-no... not really... just... you being attended to..." "So you don't know, do you? It could have been." "Yeah, it could... but no, you wouldn't... I mean, you're good, Anne... you wouldn't. " She looked at him pensively, which made him wish he had never started this conversation. "Anne, I... I don't know but I don't think it was... you were so determined to teach us to be careful and still enjoy the mountain..." "Yes, I was... wasn't I?" Her voice seemed disappointed, but with an edge of what Johann could only describe as 'hope'. Why was she so afraid that she was responsible for her own accident? Johann frowned, feeling confused. He called to his mind the Annelise that he had met five years ago. He also remembered his snippets of talk with the present Annelise since meeting her again - how she acted as the instructor he had known most of times but, from time to time, something seemed to make her doubt herself so much. Like the difficult slope where he had helped her, or right now. Was it merely her return to the mountain and the memories it held, or was it something that was new, something that had changed… Like becoming an intern under the direction of Charles Montagne. He definitely didn't like Charles - but he wouldn't be able to say if it was just for Anne's sake. Silently they parted. Anne returned to finishing up with waxing her skis, and Johann went outside. Johann stood on a small area of packed snow created by the traffic from the instructors and placed his boots in the bindings of his skis. Taking his poles, he pushed off and headed for the first trail of the day, Depresión Verde. His skis hissed quietly as he went down the slope, his eyes taking in the many graceful firs and pines which had inspired this trail’s name. As he came to the straight trough section of the trail, he bent lower to the ground, attempting to gain the highest possible speed he could. Soon the sound of the skis had been drowned out by that of the wind, and Johann began to slow as he approached the flat area on which the trail ended. He took the nearest lift to the top of the slope, and as he slid off it, he saw Anne approaching. The crisp air invigorated him, and suddenly he noticed that Anne was looking at the mountain and smiling. He just observed her in silence, thinking how beautiful her smile was when she was relaxed, how sure of herself she looked when she felt one with the mountain - as she obviously did right now. She turned to him, still smiling. "Let's go, Johann. We have a full day ahead." He was more than glad for her company on the way to the slopes, and then up to the top, where they separated, as he had some trails to try. He asked her to come with him, but she declined with a resigned sigh. “I can’t. I’m supposed to wait for Charles, and he hasn’t showed up yet.” Johann was tempted to tell her that he’d take care of her for the day, that she wouldn’t have to go with Charles but… that’s what the management had decided, and her spending time with Charles would be better than both of them losing their jobs. After an attempt at a cheerful wave, Johann took a lift farther up the mountain to one of the higher trails, a narrow weaving one which prevented any large amount of speed. And allowed for time to think. Tina… was gone. There was nothing that could be done to change that, yet Johann knew in his that until those who had killed her and Seth were stopped, no one would be safe. He could try to tell himself that maybe they were the last, maybe there wouldn’t be anymore, but he knew in his heart that this was not the case. And they might even try to get Anne. . . The mere thought of this caused a cold lump to form in his stomach. Worst of all, he didn’t know where to turn, who to choose. None of them seemed like killers, no matter what oddities they had. Unfortunately, there was no distinction that he could see pointing out one of the killers. However, action had to be taken. In his mind, Johann formulated a list of the instructors, and began counting the number of curves as he went down the last section of the trail. Perhaps, by a combination of sheer chance and luck, the mountain would tell him ‘…6…7…8,’ he thought to himself as he came out of the trail beside the lodge. Disappointed as he was by the method he used to find a possible killer, he decided that he would stick with it. Instructor number eight was Shayna Harmon. (OOC: vote for Sayna Harmon/Evangeline, instructor eight (determined by random.org)) (EDIT: added "/Evangeline" behind Sayna Harmon's name)

*Thanks Tanny* Evangeline, essentially what she said is right. Many times I'll not say exactly how I got from one spot to another, though I usually try to at least imply how my post connects to the other posts. Except for Tuesdays and Thursdays of most weeks during this semester, my time to work on posts and reply to PMs is between about 9:00 and 12:00 PM. Other than that I rarely get other chances to get online to The Pen. Thanks for taking the time to check!

Johann sighed as he slowly glided down one of the long Green Circle trails. It wasn't anything hard, but it was one of the longest trails on the mountain, and one that he had been told beginners liked. With its twists and turns and long length it did make for an enjoyable and easy ride. And also it allowed some thought. Back at the lodge, many of the other instructors were incredibly worried and panicking, a combination that Johann believed to be inferior to quiet thought and contemplation. Clouded and troubled minds would not help them find the killer. Johann thought through the names and the people there. . . Tina had seemed to be genuinely concerned, genuinely wishing to help Dana. That brought a feeling of shame to him, as he had been too queasy to even help Dana walk inside. Fortunately he wasn't on Ski Patrol. That brought Charles to his mind. He was on Ski Patrol, and he had an odd feeling that there might be something familiar about him. Surely a killer wouldn't also save people, it wouldn't be logical. He may be a self-centered jerk, but that was probably all. He immediately threw Annelise out of the remaining group of possible killers and moved on. Brad? Well, Johann hadn't gotten to know him too well. He was just another one of those that followed that little, well, Johann didn't want to think about her. Or was that her idea? Vinka. . . it reminded Johann of a certain furry little creature that could be found in the wild. The mink. It rather amazed him that some people would wear these cute looking little bloodsuckers, which most likely had just finished sucking the blood out of some duck before being caught, killed, and skinned. The vicious little things. . . and their wail. . . Almost like her laugh. . . Johann skiied on, annoyance clouding his mind enough to almost upset him as he came over the largest bump on the slope at a fair speed. He coasted over to the chairlift, and got on for a ride to the top. Perhaps one little bloodsucking creature could be gotten rid of. . . (OOC: Vote for Vinka/Vahktang) EDIT: for color

Happy Birthday HB!

Johann was sitting in front of the fire, staring at the flames when Dana screamed. He rushed outside with the others, sucking his breath in upon seeing the bits of Seth and his snowboard. His bloody snowboard. . . 'Ah crud,' he thought, ' this is awful, worse than that historical spot in Thunder Bay.' At least then he wasn't seeing the blood, just imagining and being told what those horrid mechanical leeches and tooth instruments would do. That had nearly been enough to get him to pass out. Seeing those bloody stumps. . . Johann reeled into a snow covered chair on the deck trying to remain concious enough to control his churning stomach. No sane person could ever do this to another human, he thought. There's just no way. . . (OOC: No vote)

Johann listened to Annelise's memories, watching secenes from the past fly through his mind as she spoke. Getting onto the chairlift with her. . . Her saying that he should be an instructor. . . Seeing her lying there in the snow on the way back up. . . He shook that thought from his mind. She was here now, she was well, and . . . Annelise was staring at him, a slightly disappointed look on her face. He belatedly realized that she must have stopped speaking a while ago, and that he had zoned out while she was talking. 'Ahhh,' he thought, 'I'm don't want to screw this up again.' "Anne, I'm sorry for not looking like I was listening. It's just that you speaking your memories sent me back into my memories of you and that day." He gave a slight smile. "Because of what you said, I'm here now, and I'm absolutely thrilled to find that you are back." She smiled back at him, dazzling him. "Thanks," she said quietly, "I've been avoiding the memories of that day for far too long." Suddenly she noticed the clock. "I need to get to the slopes. I've got to meet the instructor who's supposed to be 'training' me very soon," grimacing at this unpleasant thought. "I expect I'll see you later today," she said, and left. Johann took his time with getting ready to go to the slopes, his mind joyfully contemplating Annelise's sudden change in thoughts, and her acceptance of the accident.

Johann nodded mutely, not really knowing what to say. He hadn't expected to run into Annelise this soon. His mind desperately churned, trying to think of something to say to her. Looking at her face, he knew that what had been said so far had brought her down, first with the memory of the accident, and then with the thought of her returning as an intern instead of as an instructor. He wished his foot was bigger, as it just did not seem to be blocking off some of the things that came from his mouth. "Well... it's good to see that you've come back... not given up on skiing even after your accident," he said in a quiet voice. "You see, you're the one that inspired me to become a skiing instructor." Annelise remained expressionless, but was quite suprised to hear these words come from his mouth. She hadn't told too many of the students she'd had such things, and this was the first time that she'd actually met a student she had said this to who had become an instructor. Many of the times she had said this, it seemed that the student had merely taken this as a compliment, not as a serious suggestion. And try as she might, she could still not place Johann among the few to whom she had said those words. "When exactly did I say... that you should consider being an instructor?" she asked in a kind and curious tone. Johann felt somewhat crushed. Her words had stayed with him through these years, and she didn't remember saying them. He thought some more, and realized that it was possible she didn't have quite as good of a memory of what had happened near the time of her crash. Or perhaps she merely wished to forget that time. He tried to think of how best to say when they had talked... "Well... we rode on the chairlift together, and it broke down partway up... We talked... and you said I would be a good instructor... and then..." He broke off, not really knowing exactly how to say the rest, while Annelise looked at him, now with a curious expression on her face. "I've shared a chairlift with alot of people. I'm afraid that I don't really remember you in particular." Johann's hopes dropped like a stone. She didn't recognize him. Opening his mouth wider than he should have, he said, "It was the last chairlift ride you took five years ago. I had just gone down the mountain after going on the chairlift with you, and saw you sprawled on the snow among some treesss..." His last word hissed out between his teeth. The look that he saw on Annelise's face made him want to melt onto the floor and find a crack to diappear into. The mixture of hurt and memory made him want to say something to comfort her, but he kept his mouth shut. After saying that, there was no telling what might come out. Annelise recovered he glacially calm expression quickly. She pulled her hand from his, and stepped back some. "I know when I met you now, though right now I don't really want to try and remember you. And...," seizing his other hand which had been idly attempting to insert the key into his doorknob upside down for the past few minutes, "...THAT is how to operate a door lock." She turned and walked quickly down the hallway, leaving Johann standing by his door, one hand holding a key partway in his door's lock, and the other hanging limply by his side.

Evangeline- That portion of my post was simply invented (Mynx, if it isn't ok, just tell me and I'll edit). My thinking was that Dana noticed Johann staring at Annelise, and thought that it would be somewhat of a suprise to him to be rooming across from Anne. Following that train of thought, the bit about the yougest and newest instructor having to room by the intern may or may not be true. In other words, Dana may have just made up a "rule" for Johann's benefit.

The 'copter Johann rode in on gradually resumed a parallel position relative to the earth and began to descend. Upon feeling this change in angle, Johann stirred from his sleep, leaving the dreams that had been with him ever since he had departed from the airport. He looked out the window, taking in the huge lodge squatting on the side of the mountain, and watched the trails writhing down the mountain from the lodge. Over the trails, the lifts which crawled up the mountain hung unmoving on their cables. In an instant, he picked out the chairlift, the one on which he had gotten to know a bit about her. . . He shook his head, clearing those thoughts from his mind. Daydreaming was not how he should begin this job. A few seconds later the helicopter gently bumped down on the landing pad, and Johann quickly climbed out with his suitcase, and got out of the way as the craft lifted up and went out of sight. Johann slowly approached the great doors into the lodge, and swung one of them open enough for him to pass through. He glanced around inside, taking in the few others who had already arrived. His eyes locked onto a figure heading towards the instructor's quarters, and all else was blotted from his mind. It looked like her, but was it possible? Could she really be back as an instructor at the same time as he was just beginning? "Hi, I'm Dana." Johann jumped. As his awareness suddenly returned, and he realized that he had probably been standing still for several minutes, a suspicion that he mentally confirmed as he saw that all the others had been looking his way and smiling. The person he thought might have been Annelise had disappeared, and in front of him a young lady was standing. "Er, hello, I'm Johann Olsen," he replied. "I'm sorry for having zoned out there, I guess I was off in a world of my own." She laughed, and said it was no problem. She then introduced him to the other instructors who had arrived. To his dismay, she didn't mention Annelise as being one of the instructors. After a while longer chatting, he asked where he might put his suitcase. "Oh, that," Dana said, "well, as the first instructor to arrive who is both the youngest and one of the newest, you'll be in the room across from the intern." "Intern?" "That's right, you didn't get to meet her! Her name's Annelise. Just go down the hall, and your room is the last one on the right." Johann proceeded to his room in a daze.

Johann Olsen He's grown up in the northwest of Minnesota, and has enjoyed both downhill and cross country skiing for most of his life. He is twenty-one years old, and is taking the job as another in a long string of various small opportunities that he has found to earn money. He is hoping that perhaps he may have found something that he can have as an enjoyable and adequately paying career. He isn't a fancy or elegant skiier, as he has never found the reason or the opportunity to be fancy or elegant. He is quite competent at basic skiing in any terrain, and will stay standing up where many others with skiing finesse fail. (and fall) As he is not very well off, he has looked forward to using some of the equipment that the lodge has instead of the lousy, cheap, junky stuff that he has used for most of his life. Above all, he hopes that this may turn out to be more than just another job. . . ----------------------------------- Age: 21 Height: 6'1" (1.85 m.) Build: light to medium Weight: 190 lb. (86.18 kg.) Hair color: Straw colored blonde Skin color: light EDIT: Johann had a crush on Annelise five years ago when he visited Vanacutt Point for one week. As she had an accident at the end of that week and he found out her last name, he had not known what had happened to her until they both returned to Vanacutt Point. EDIT #2: For spelling, not for fun

Wooohooo! Skiing! I'll formulate a character in the near future.

*looks at banings* Hmm, good baning Azuran. Too bad I only assisted in killing a villager on my extra day. Ah, well. Congrats wolves!

Warren lay in his sleeping area, attempting to sleep, but knowing that he was in for a wakeful night. He could not turn his mind from his accusation of an innocent man. He knew that mistakes happened, but when mistakes resulted in death. . . that was unforgiveable. Restlessly, he turned over on his mat. There was nothing he could do to change what had been done. He would keep doing his duty as a guard and decide what must be done to purge this guilt from his life when circumstances allowed. He turned over once more, doing his best to shut the world from his mind and gain some peace in the void of sleep.

Once again, Warren was left on guard duty. Though it was often a lonesome duty, it gave him time to think, time to try and discover who the killer might be. Though he was not entirely sure of many of the people, he was fairly sure that Ibis was not a killer. After all, he had served the Atreides faithfully, and Warren hadn't noticed any falsehood in him throughout his time of service as a soldier. Warren watched over the sand hills beyond the enterance to the cave, and noticed that there was a glint in the distance. He slowly moved as close to the rock face as he could, and tried to become one with his surroundings as he had been taught. Gradually, he took his viewer from his belt and put it to his eyes, aiming towards the glint he had seen. "Harkonnens," Warren thought, as he watched a carryall slowly lift a spice factory from the sands. Slowly the carryall and factory moved off, followed by their spotters. As he watched, they passed over the horizon and out of sight. Seeing that Ibis had just come into the cave, Warren stopped him. "Tell the Captain that I saw a carryall, probably working for the Harkonnens, removing a factory a fair distance away. I did not see it in operation, so I assume they saw a worm coming for the factory shortly after setting down." Ibis left for the interior of the cave, and Warren continued his watch on the outside. It was unfortunate that the Harkonnen danger could not be averted merely by keeping them from this enterance. The danger inside must also be dealt with. (OOC: Still suspicious of and voting for Tor/Pillow) EDIT: clarification

Warren went off guard duty when the Captain came to relieve him. He entered the cave quietly, and began to walk down a main passageway. As he passed an ajoining passageway, he heard a voice drifting up from it. A Fremen voice. . . Though he couldn't identify which of the Fremen was speaking merely from the voice, he heard bits of what they said. Something about Edi. . . being the killer?!? Certainly, he was a drunk who wasn't aware enough of his surroundings to distinguish a weapon from a bottle of alcohol, but that didn't make him a killer. From the way he had seemed so far, being drunk didn't even make him violent. Warren heard quiet footsteps approaching, and silently continued walking down the passageway, as he listened for following footsteps. Hearing nothing, he turned down another corridor and stopped for a short while. Out of the corner of his eye he watched the Fremen Tor walk by, who had evidently gone silently behind him ever since Warren had continued walking. He was the one who had talked of Edi. . . Warren's mistrust grew. Fremen had been on Arrakis before the Atreides, and the Harkonnen had been on Arrakis before the Atreides. (OOC: voting on suspicion for Tor/Pillow)

Warren was at the opening to the cave standing guard, his mind in turmoil over what had happened the last night. No one would have gotten past the Fremen Niab if he was truly standing watch, that was certain. Nothing escaped those blue eyes. The soldier's eyes clouded over as he thought back to when he had first arrived on Dune. Upon leaving the Guild shuttle, the sun blasted his eyes, making him raise his hand in self defense. He had never seen anything like it before. Sand and sunlight as far as the eye could see. And the Fremen, well, he wasn't prepared to see exactly what spice did to the eyes. And he could just feel the gazes of every man, woman, and child within sight going up and down him and his men, even though he never saw one actually turn his way. He knew that they could see the slight variation in his step from his one leg which had broken, and never exactly healed correctly. He knew they noticed his weakness for tolerating bright light. Oh yes, they could certainly see. . . His conciousness jerked back to the present, back to guard duty. He couldn't be dreaming at these times, he had to stay alert. And to try to figure out who would have possibly killed that merchant the last night. (OOC: No vote yet)

Warren looked about the cave and the persons inside it. This cave appeared to be a defendable spot, a strong point from which they could live and watch with relative safety. Sighing, he looked about the people. It was unfortunate that there was only one other soldier and the Captain left in the group. Few of the others appeared to be capable of defending themselves from the Harkonnen invaders, though perhaps the Fremen might be able to assist. . . if required. Though Warren had been on this dry rock for a while now, he still was suspicious of those blue eyed devils. They appeared to be quite fit, and very able in a scrap, but he did not know how they had gained these skills and who they fought. And some of the rumors of their customs were certainly enough to make the blood run cold. . . He looked around once more, and noticed that the soldier the blond-haired girl had been caring for had passed on. Warren's expression stiffened. Only him, Ibis, and the Captain were left to defend this cave. Him, Ibis and the Captain. . . . With these thoughts echoing in Warren's mind, he went to the mouth of the cave to relieve the guard on duty. Perhaps he would find some solace in the solitude of watching the shifting sands of Dune. . .

*Attempts to change one of the "Character to come"s to something more specific* I'll be Warren, one of the Atreides soldiers. He's a heavyset guy, generally silent and glowering from the sidelines. He is always quite ready and willing to fight for his Duke, no matter what he may say or how he may appear. Also, as he is from the cool, water rich planet of Caladan, he is quite uncomfortable on Dune, though he is doing his best to adapt to his new home.