Kadlin visits Aleena in this short but intense piece.

 
Minor cursing

Aleena sat down on the beach and surveyed the horizon below which her ship was located. It would be a lengthy task to get that ship raised and repaired, but things were coming together to accomplish that. She was gathering workers, supplies, and-

"Explosives," someone behind her said.

"Kadlin," Aleena turned, startled. "I wasn't expecting you."

"It's a 'wicked witch' thing. I appear suddenly. I brought you some of the new explosives I've been working on. They're waterproof and quite potent. Consider it a going away present." There was a vitriolic emphasis on that last sentence.

"You need not be so cruel." Aleena turned her gaze down. She did not dare to look Kadlin in the eyes.

"Cruel?" Kadlin laughed. "I usually kill people who annoy me the way you do. Instead I come bearing gifts, and I didn't even coat them in a contact poison."

"Why are you here?"

"You're taking a step to get out of Konall's life, and I support that action. I'm afraid if you just die it'll interfere with his healing process. He never loved you, and he needs to realize that. The person he loved and the person you really are have nothing in common. The first is kind, compassionate, loving, and all in all wonderful. The real you is a heartless bitch."

Aleena sighed. "That is unfair, Kadlin."

"Really? You led him along all this time promising without words that you loved him and wanted a relationship. And then you stabbed him in the back."

"I love him, Kadlin, and I do want a relationship with him. Just not the kind of relationship he was hoping for. It is on me that I did not disabuse him of that notion earlier. Things are different on my world, we share love freely. But it is still my fault."

"You love him when it's convenient, up until you want something from someone else. You'll only go as deep in a relationship as you feel comfortable at the moment, and then pull back when it suits you. Meanwhile he was willing to completely give himself to you. You took that gift and gave nothing back."

"There is give and take in any relationship, and such was the case in ours. Where one draws limits in a relationship is up to those involved."

"Well, you've decided to leave the planet. And I want to make sure you accomplish that. Also, I recommend staying away from the Degrassi area. I was able to keep my emotions in check this time and let you live. I'm not sure I can maintain that level of control forever." Kadlin lifted the hood of her robe and fell back into the darkness, disappearing from sight.

Aleena took a deep breath of the salty sea air. Warmed by the sunshine she spent a few moments lost in memory of Konall and of the pleasure they shared - and for a moment, Aleena could feel Konall's mind. The nanites she gave him were still active, and she pondered on what she wanted to do with them. As for Konall specifically, she wanted to reunite with the warrior, to apologize to him again, and work out a better relationship next time.

Not much to say. This establishes very well the character of both women and the conflict between the two.