OOC commentary: Still Pika doesn't know who Ror exactly is. The punk. *g*
Training the Kra'ineba
'Do you understand?' Claire's face throbbed from the blow. She lay in bed, in her father's bed, at Ruthivan's side. She had made the mistake of being unsuccessful. She tried to get Ruthivan to see that she was miserable, unhappy, that she didn't love him, that they had no rights to lead the tribe, that everything would be better if he let her leave and found himself a mate that loved him. For a fleeting glimpse of a moment, she thought she had him thinking... but the moment collapsed with a slap across her face. 'You are mine, Claire. You were promised to me, you have been mine for three hundred years. You are where you belong, and tomorrow you will act like it. Or you will be sorry. Do you understand?'
'Yes...' she whispered.
'Now, get your rest.'
Claire drifted off, hoping that Mirin was doing something to help her. Anything. This situation was growing unbearable. Claire felt guilt over her father's death, guilt laying in his bed, guilt that somehow everything was her fault.
She was awoken the following morning by a small boy who stared at her with white hair and a sky blue complexion. His voice was soft and halting, 'What would you like for breakfast, Kra'ineba Claire?'
'Wha... I'm... what are you doing here?'
Then reality suddenly shook Claire. Ruthivan had even brought on servants. It disgusted her. The boy rattled off choices for breakfast and repeated his question. 'Please,' Claire said, 'You don't have to call me that.'
'Yes I do.' The boy frowned and looked around himself. 'He said I did.'
'Who said?'
The boy's expression left no doubt. 'Is it true he killed Elder Eladrim?'
'I... yes. It is.'
'Do you love him?'
Claire looked at the boy, her mouth hanging open. She started to shake her head, then stopped herself. The night before, the threat, the understanding. She nodded her head. 'Yes, of course,' she lied. Her heart sank as the boy looked at her with incredulity and disgust.
He returned after a long while, struggling to keep the dishes from clattering together. He set them down and stood watching her. 'You don't have to wait.'
'I... do. He said for you to eat everything, you need your strength.'
Claire closed her eyes tightly. 'Please, Mirin,' she thought to herself. 'Please get me out of here.' Then Claire ate was the boy stood watching her to make sure every scrap was gone.
'Yes...' she whispered.
'Now, get your rest.'
Claire drifted off, hoping that Mirin was doing something to help her. Anything. This situation was growing unbearable. Claire felt guilt over her father's death, guilt laying in his bed, guilt that somehow everything was her fault.
She was awoken the following morning by a small boy who stared at her with white hair and a sky blue complexion. His voice was soft and halting, 'What would you like for breakfast, Kra'ineba Claire?'
'Wha... I'm... what are you doing here?'
Then reality suddenly shook Claire. Ruthivan had even brought on servants. It disgusted her. The boy rattled off choices for breakfast and repeated his question. 'Please,' Claire said, 'You don't have to call me that.'
'Yes I do.' The boy frowned and looked around himself. 'He said I did.'
'Who said?'
The boy's expression left no doubt. 'Is it true he killed Elder Eladrim?'
'I... yes. It is.'
'Do you love him?'
Claire looked at the boy, her mouth hanging open. She started to shake her head, then stopped herself. The night before, the threat, the understanding. She nodded her head. 'Yes, of course,' she lied. Her heart sank as the boy looked at her with incredulity and disgust.
He returned after a long while, struggling to keep the dishes from clattering together. He set them down and stood watching her. 'You don't have to wait.'
'I... do. He said for you to eat everything, you need your strength.'
Claire closed her eyes tightly. 'Please, Mirin,' she thought to herself. 'Please get me out of here.' Then Claire ate was the boy stood watching her to make sure every scrap was gone.
The New Elder
"The enchantments are in place, Elder Ruthivan."
Ruthivan released Claire's arm and nodded to the wizard, who promptly left. He looked back at his mate and smiled. "Welcome home, Claire."
He walked from the room, leaving Claire behind, and went into the large grand foyer. While the tent looked small from the outside, looked simply like any other tent, inside it was a palace. His palace. After all the years of groveling to the Elder Eladrim and his wife, years spent silent in his observations of their rule, years waiting for Claire to be his as he was promised - he was now the one in charge. He stopped at the looking glass and dusted off his jacket and ran fingers through his hair. He turned and walked out into the tribe.
"My brothers and sisters," he began when they all had reassembled. "We are at the dawning of a new beginning for this tribe. Your previous leader, my previous leader, was weak. A fact well known to every one of us, evidenced by how he allowed his own daugther to run about, shirking her duties to her people. A fact evidenced when he banished me after everything I had done for his family because I dared to tame the wildness that he allowed to flower in his child. He is gone, and now I am here to lead us. As was foretold in the annals of our histories, one will come forth of noble heritage and pure lineage who will lead us back to our rightful home. Our duty is to populate our people once more, for if we make a population of great might, the spirit of the one to lead us will undoubtedly have a home when the time comes. Your Kra'ineba will serve as an example of a dutiful mother, our bond will be the guide for how to live your lives. I have proudly brought four children to bear with my beloved mate, and a fifth on the way. Together, and with the strength of our tribe, they will be raised to be noble, admirable, and pure. Each of you will be expected to do your part, your duty. We will champion the new beginnings of the Esper race. We will grow our people to be proud and mighty. We will destroy any who oppose us, abuse us, and use us. We will return home."
He smiled at the applause, which started slow, then grew as the others joined in. He turned to his old friend, Velek, who stood clapping in the group. "Velek, come here please."
"Elder," Velek addressed as he inclined his head.
"Your son, Fendash, I wish him to tend to my wife."
"It would be an honor for my family to serve."
"Good. Send him tomorrow morning."
"As you wish, Elder."
Ruthivan turned his back on the tribe and entered his tent. His children stood looking at him, humbled and quiet, wary and afraid. "Children," he said, kneeling and holding out his arms. They reluctantly shuffled forward. "I know what you saw, and I know it looked terrible, but it was necessary. Look, look where you live now. And look at all the people out there, your people." "But you killed Grandfather," Celiara whispered. "I know, my love, but your Grandfather was not a good man. He was not a strong man. Not like me. I won't let anything happen to you. I will take care of you and protect you with my life."
His children entered his embrace and Ruthivan felt them relax. Everything was changing, everything was turning out right.
Ruthivan released Claire's arm and nodded to the wizard, who promptly left. He looked back at his mate and smiled. "Welcome home, Claire."
He walked from the room, leaving Claire behind, and went into the large grand foyer. While the tent looked small from the outside, looked simply like any other tent, inside it was a palace. His palace. After all the years of groveling to the Elder Eladrim and his wife, years spent silent in his observations of their rule, years waiting for Claire to be his as he was promised - he was now the one in charge. He stopped at the looking glass and dusted off his jacket and ran fingers through his hair. He turned and walked out into the tribe.
"My brothers and sisters," he began when they all had reassembled. "We are at the dawning of a new beginning for this tribe. Your previous leader, my previous leader, was weak. A fact well known to every one of us, evidenced by how he allowed his own daugther to run about, shirking her duties to her people. A fact evidenced when he banished me after everything I had done for his family because I dared to tame the wildness that he allowed to flower in his child. He is gone, and now I am here to lead us. As was foretold in the annals of our histories, one will come forth of noble heritage and pure lineage who will lead us back to our rightful home. Our duty is to populate our people once more, for if we make a population of great might, the spirit of the one to lead us will undoubtedly have a home when the time comes. Your Kra'ineba will serve as an example of a dutiful mother, our bond will be the guide for how to live your lives. I have proudly brought four children to bear with my beloved mate, and a fifth on the way. Together, and with the strength of our tribe, they will be raised to be noble, admirable, and pure. Each of you will be expected to do your part, your duty. We will champion the new beginnings of the Esper race. We will grow our people to be proud and mighty. We will destroy any who oppose us, abuse us, and use us. We will return home."
He smiled at the applause, which started slow, then grew as the others joined in. He turned to his old friend, Velek, who stood clapping in the group. "Velek, come here please."
"Elder," Velek addressed as he inclined his head.
"Your son, Fendash, I wish him to tend to my wife."
"It would be an honor for my family to serve."
"Good. Send him tomorrow morning."
"As you wish, Elder."
Ruthivan turned his back on the tribe and entered his tent. His children stood looking at him, humbled and quiet, wary and afraid. "Children," he said, kneeling and holding out his arms. They reluctantly shuffled forward. "I know what you saw, and I know it looked terrible, but it was necessary. Look, look where you live now. And look at all the people out there, your people." "But you killed Grandfather," Celiara whispered. "I know, my love, but your Grandfather was not a good man. He was not a strong man. Not like me. I won't let anything happen to you. I will take care of you and protect you with my life."
His children entered his embrace and Ruthivan felt them relax. Everything was changing, everything was turning out right.
Arrivals and Declarations
Claire had spoken with her daughter. She had the chance as they walked the quarter mile into the camp from their home in exile. Ruthvan kept his arm linked in hers, preventing her escape and giving the impression to the children that things were okay. They remained behind, walking in wary silence. It would have been the perfect time for Claire to get away- would have been - if Ruthivan hadn't threatened her before leaving: 'If you try anything, anything at all, I will hunt you down and find you, my love. And I will have to teach you a lesson, do you understand?'
They arrived in the camp, subverting the magics that kept the entire tribe hidden from the world. Every esper face had gathered in the commons, standing and watching them. There were thirtyfive espers, all faces Claire and Ruthivan knew. Many looked at Ruthivan with a solidarity that made Claire sick. Others simply looked on with shock. Ruthivan halted and pulled Claire close to his side. 'As soon as I have my family settled, I will address you all. Suffice for now, it is as Seranfrit told you. I am your new Kra'bat, and Claire is your rightful Kra'ineba, the daughter of Eladrim, making me your rightful Elder.'
'Welcome, Elder Ruthivan. Welcome back, Kra'ineba.'
The entered the tent followed by one of Ruthivan's hand picked wizards. 'We need protections on our home. Kra'ineba Claire is not to leave or use her magic until she learns her place.' The older esper turned his swirling magenta eyes on Claire and nodded.
'It will be as you ask, Elder.'
'Good.'
'Please,' Claire croaked. 'Stop calling me that. I am not the Kra'ineba. You are not the Elder. We are imposters in our own tribe.'
'You see?' Ruthivan said, gripping Claire's arm tightly. 'She has lost her way and needs guideance until she finds herself again.' The wizard bowed and nodded. 'Yes. Kra'ineba has always had a desire to flee us.'
'Indeed,' Ruthivan answered coldly. 'Make your enchantments quickly so I may address the tribe.'
As the wizard worked, Ruthivan escorted Claire to the bedroom. She winced as he tightened his grip and shook her. 'You had better resign yourself quickly to your fate, Claire. This is what we are meant to do. It is our destiny, yours, mine, and our children.'
'This is wrong, all of it.'
'The only wrong is the way this world has treated our kind. And that is the wrong we shall rectify.'
They arrived in the camp, subverting the magics that kept the entire tribe hidden from the world. Every esper face had gathered in the commons, standing and watching them. There were thirtyfive espers, all faces Claire and Ruthivan knew. Many looked at Ruthivan with a solidarity that made Claire sick. Others simply looked on with shock. Ruthivan halted and pulled Claire close to his side. 'As soon as I have my family settled, I will address you all. Suffice for now, it is as Seranfrit told you. I am your new Kra'bat, and Claire is your rightful Kra'ineba, the daughter of Eladrim, making me your rightful Elder.'
'Welcome, Elder Ruthivan. Welcome back, Kra'ineba.'
The entered the tent followed by one of Ruthivan's hand picked wizards. 'We need protections on our home. Kra'ineba Claire is not to leave or use her magic until she learns her place.' The older esper turned his swirling magenta eyes on Claire and nodded.
'It will be as you ask, Elder.'
'Good.'
'Please,' Claire croaked. 'Stop calling me that. I am not the Kra'ineba. You are not the Elder. We are imposters in our own tribe.'
'You see?' Ruthivan said, gripping Claire's arm tightly. 'She has lost her way and needs guideance until she finds herself again.' The wizard bowed and nodded. 'Yes. Kra'ineba has always had a desire to flee us.'
'Indeed,' Ruthivan answered coldly. 'Make your enchantments quickly so I may address the tribe.'
As the wizard worked, Ruthivan escorted Claire to the bedroom. She winced as he tightened his grip and shook her. 'You had better resign yourself quickly to your fate, Claire. This is what we are meant to do. It is our destiny, yours, mine, and our children.'
'This is wrong, all of it.'
'The only wrong is the way this world has treated our kind. And that is the wrong we shall rectify.'
Plans
Meanwhile in Ror's office, Ror finished the last of the intel reports. The last one informing him that one of the esper tribes had a radical leadership change by murder. Keeping an eye on what remained of esper society here was something Ror valued. After all, Vector was always nearby. Always on the mind...
Done with his work for today, he stood up and started pacing around his room while thinking. He found that walking around improved thought. He was brooding on something. Something which he had discussed with Aneh before, but still...
All life came from the lifestream and was energy. Magic too came from the lifestream and was energy. Espers, highly magical, consisted out of energy as well. Magitek and makou were ways of harnessing energy. In his mind he drew lines between the facts, spinning a web of relations. Everything came from the same source. So then, he thought, so are you, Kefka.
It was a devious plan, one that had worried Aneh, but Ror had good faith in it as it was in essence fairly simple. After he had acquired many pieces of Kefka's armour, he and Psycho found out there was more to them than met the eye. Kefka had somehow latched onto them. And to prevent the bloody armour from re-assembling, Ror had boxed and locked away every piece separately and put under 24 hours surveillance. Safe and sound in the Tripower, but yet, it was a temporary fix. A final solution needed to be found. He had tried to destroy one piece, but it had been an extremely tough deal. A dangerous deal.
But there is a way, thought Ror, Kefka's soul is not the problem, but the key to the solution. Lifeforce is energy, and Kefka's power was stolen from the espers. All I need to do, is to take back what was never his...
He stopped before the map of Cruoris and narrowed his eyes when they fell on the Vectorian Empire on the map. When I have back what you stole, Ror thought, I will annihalate Vector along with ever man, woman and child that supports it. There shall be no quarter...
A knock on the door broke Ror's concentration and the rage ebbed quickly away. Fixing his composure, he said, "Enter." And the door swung open, revealing a young recruit.
"Sir! It is I, sir, Robin? " said the boy slightly nervous.
Ror waved his hand in the go-on-go-on motion and Robin explained he had been assigned to watching the DAQ in the basement during Rors shifts. Ah yes, thought Ror, "In case something changed, " interjected Ror. The boy nodded and Ror smiled. "Finally. " He took his coat off the peg and stepped past the boy into the hallway. "Well, what are you waiting for? Tag along and give me your report as we walk to the lab. I don't have all day, you know. "
The young recruit gulped, "Yes, yes, sir! " And hastened after Ror.
Done with his work for today, he stood up and started pacing around his room while thinking. He found that walking around improved thought. He was brooding on something. Something which he had discussed with Aneh before, but still...
All life came from the lifestream and was energy. Magic too came from the lifestream and was energy. Espers, highly magical, consisted out of energy as well. Magitek and makou were ways of harnessing energy. In his mind he drew lines between the facts, spinning a web of relations. Everything came from the same source. So then, he thought, so are you, Kefka.
It was a devious plan, one that had worried Aneh, but Ror had good faith in it as it was in essence fairly simple. After he had acquired many pieces of Kefka's armour, he and Psycho found out there was more to them than met the eye. Kefka had somehow latched onto them. And to prevent the bloody armour from re-assembling, Ror had boxed and locked away every piece separately and put under 24 hours surveillance. Safe and sound in the Tripower, but yet, it was a temporary fix. A final solution needed to be found. He had tried to destroy one piece, but it had been an extremely tough deal. A dangerous deal.
But there is a way, thought Ror, Kefka's soul is not the problem, but the key to the solution. Lifeforce is energy, and Kefka's power was stolen from the espers. All I need to do, is to take back what was never his...
He stopped before the map of Cruoris and narrowed his eyes when they fell on the Vectorian Empire on the map. When I have back what you stole, Ror thought, I will annihalate Vector along with ever man, woman and child that supports it. There shall be no quarter...
A knock on the door broke Ror's concentration and the rage ebbed quickly away. Fixing his composure, he said, "Enter." And the door swung open, revealing a young recruit.
"Sir! It is I, sir, Robin? " said the boy slightly nervous.
Ror waved his hand in the go-on-go-on motion and Robin explained he had been assigned to watching the DAQ in the basement during Rors shifts. Ah yes, thought Ror, "In case something changed, " interjected Ror. The boy nodded and Ror smiled. "Finally. " He took his coat off the peg and stepped past the boy into the hallway. "Well, what are you waiting for? Tag along and give me your report as we walk to the lab. I don't have all day, you know. "
The young recruit gulped, "Yes, yes, sir! " And hastened after Ror.
Knowing Claire
Mirin sat by the stream watching the twins play. It was clear that Reggie was going to be extremely adept with magic, as the boy kept summoning globes of water into the air to try dropping them on his sister's head. Regina, too, was adept, but in the ways like her father, Orn. She dodged the water, barely keeping her balance and using the quick aid of a squirrel to race over and nibble Reggie's arm. They would both giggle and return to their play. They were growing so fast.
She leaned back and closed her eyes. What would her mother think if she could see them now? Mirin didn't assume much - her mother, Claire, had been gone for a long time now. Sanria was more of a mother to her than Claire. Though, it didn't mean she couldn't try to reach out.
'Mother,' Mirin telepathed, but got back only static. Perplexed, she tried again. 'Mother?' This time the telepath went through and a very surprised voice responded.
'Mirin? Oh Gods, I can telepath... I can reach out!'
'Mom, what are you talking about?' Mirin sent, dropping the formal mother. Something wasn't right.
'You have to talk to Gilean and Sanria, you have to tell them that Ruthivan killed my father and is in the process of moving to the Tribal camp. I need help... I desperately need help. He's lost his mind.'
'What?'
'I can't focus for long or he'll know, he has an eye on me right now. He has lashed out at me, killed your grandfather, and ... oh please, Mirin... get someone to help us. Please.'
'Of... of course,' Mirin telepathed in return. She was shocked at just how desperate her mother sounded, and even more so that this man who had stolen Claire from her father had stooped to murder.
'You know how to find the camp?'
'No... '
'Ask Askari... he can help... I hope he'll help... Gods I hope he will help. I'm ready to take my own life but he's sealed up my magic.'
'No... no mom, don't do that. I'll get help, I promise, just... hang in there.'
'Thank you, Mirin... thank you.'
The connection was broken and Mirin stared blankly ahead. How exactly did one go about stopping an esper from beating an esper?
'Twins,' she telepathed. 'We need to go inside. I have to talk to Grandma Ria and Grandpa Gilean.'
"Is bad?" Regina asked.
'No, no it's okay.'
"Why are you sad, Mama?" Reggie asked.
'I'm... not sad,' Mirin replied, but couldn't shake the tremor of anxiety that gripped her.
She leaned back and closed her eyes. What would her mother think if she could see them now? Mirin didn't assume much - her mother, Claire, had been gone for a long time now. Sanria was more of a mother to her than Claire. Though, it didn't mean she couldn't try to reach out.
'Mother,' Mirin telepathed, but got back only static. Perplexed, she tried again. 'Mother?' This time the telepath went through and a very surprised voice responded.
'Mirin? Oh Gods, I can telepath... I can reach out!'
'Mom, what are you talking about?' Mirin sent, dropping the formal mother. Something wasn't right.
'You have to talk to Gilean and Sanria, you have to tell them that Ruthivan killed my father and is in the process of moving to the Tribal camp. I need help... I desperately need help. He's lost his mind.'
'What?'
'I can't focus for long or he'll know, he has an eye on me right now. He has lashed out at me, killed your grandfather, and ... oh please, Mirin... get someone to help us. Please.'
'Of... of course,' Mirin telepathed in return. She was shocked at just how desperate her mother sounded, and even more so that this man who had stolen Claire from her father had stooped to murder.
'You know how to find the camp?'
'No... '
'Ask Askari... he can help... I hope he'll help... Gods I hope he will help. I'm ready to take my own life but he's sealed up my magic.'
'No... no mom, don't do that. I'll get help, I promise, just... hang in there.'
'Thank you, Mirin... thank you.'
The connection was broken and Mirin stared blankly ahead. How exactly did one go about stopping an esper from beating an esper?
'Twins,' she telepathed. 'We need to go inside. I have to talk to Grandma Ria and Grandpa Gilean.'
"Is bad?" Regina asked.
'No, no it's okay.'
"Why are you sad, Mama?" Reggie asked.
'I'm... not sad,' Mirin replied, but couldn't shake the tremor of anxiety that gripped her.
Elder Ruthivan
'We will leave tomorrow. So pack your things and be ready.' Claire stared at Ruthivan in horror. Not only had she just witnessed him slay her own father in cold blood, now he was taking over the tribe her father built with his own hands. She stared at him and shook her head. 'No. You're not...' 'I'm not what?' Ruthivan snapped and rounded the table by which Claire stood. She swallowed, carefully choosing her words. 'You're not high born, you didn't earn it.' 'Your father didn't *earn* it. He was worthless as a leader. I will show all of them how things should be run. We will never be at the mercy of Vector again.'
Claire could say nothing. She bowed her head and nodded. She had no flames, she had no time to pretend that everything was well. She looked at the blood stain on the floor and fought the rise of emotions that choked her. 'Clean that up.' Ruthivan said, and left the room.
Dutifully, Claire went to the sink and filled a bowl with water. She couldn't even use magic to take care of the blood of her father. She got on her knees and wiped up the floor. She withdrew into herself with each stroke of the rag, knowing this was the end. She would never be free of this life.
'By the way,' Ruthivan said, entering the kitchen again as he rolled up his sleeves, 'you will do well to drop this attitude. Our people will need a figurehead to look up to - a tribal queen that is worthy of their adoration.' 'And what do you think they will say when your mate cannot leave her house.' 'Nothing, if they know what is what. You will learn to love me, Claire. You may think you hate me now, but you will learn. We have eons for you to gain understanding.' 'It will never happen.'
Ruthivan was on her like lightning. He lifted her onto her feet and shook her in both his hands. 'You will learn, do you hear me? Now, say it!' 'Say what?' she asked, her arms throbbing in his powerful grip. 'Tell me what you think of me, my love.' His request rolled out like a snarl. Claire closed her eyes and set her jaw. He shook her again, harder this time. 'The children hate you.'
The powerful slap across her face came from nowhere. She kept her eyes closed, her head bowed. 'Tell me what you think of me,' he repeated, and only when he drew back his fist to strike, did she let the disgusting words fall from her lips:
'I love you.'
Claire could say nothing. She bowed her head and nodded. She had no flames, she had no time to pretend that everything was well. She looked at the blood stain on the floor and fought the rise of emotions that choked her. 'Clean that up.' Ruthivan said, and left the room.
Dutifully, Claire went to the sink and filled a bowl with water. She couldn't even use magic to take care of the blood of her father. She got on her knees and wiped up the floor. She withdrew into herself with each stroke of the rag, knowing this was the end. She would never be free of this life.
'By the way,' Ruthivan said, entering the kitchen again as he rolled up his sleeves, 'you will do well to drop this attitude. Our people will need a figurehead to look up to - a tribal queen that is worthy of their adoration.' 'And what do you think they will say when your mate cannot leave her house.' 'Nothing, if they know what is what. You will learn to love me, Claire. You may think you hate me now, but you will learn. We have eons for you to gain understanding.' 'It will never happen.'
Ruthivan was on her like lightning. He lifted her onto her feet and shook her in both his hands. 'You will learn, do you hear me? Now, say it!' 'Say what?' she asked, her arms throbbing in his powerful grip. 'Tell me what you think of me, my love.' His request rolled out like a snarl. Claire closed her eyes and set her jaw. He shook her again, harder this time. 'The children hate you.'
The powerful slap across her face came from nowhere. She kept her eyes closed, her head bowed. 'Tell me what you think of me,' he repeated, and only when he drew back his fist to strike, did she let the disgusting words fall from her lips:
'I love you.'
Seeking Seranfrit
Ruthivan entered the forest, his eyes narrowed as he scanned the tree line. Somewhere Claire's mother had escaped, though it was unlikely she went far. He had killed Claire's father in a fit of rage when the elder had threatened to free Claire and take his children. No one would take what was his.
He went back into beast form and sniffed at the air. The change was instant, as was the scents. He could follow the trail of scent left behind as though it were a neon sign. And in short order, he caught up with Seranfrit.
"Please," she begged, backing up against one of the trees. "Don't kill me. Please."
"Seranfrit," Ruthivan crooned, effortlessly turning himself into his esper form. "Why would I do that?" She let out a sob and shook her head. "You killed my husband!"
"You hated him anyway. I did you a courtesy. And now you will do one for me."
"What are you talking about..."
"You will go back to the tribe and let them know that they have a new leader." Seranfrit's eyes grew wide. "You can't be serious."
"Oh, but I am. Eladrim was a failure, he couldn't get our people to populate, the numbers of those in the tribe are the same as they always were. What good will it do our people if we aren't prepared?"
Seranfrit inched away, but Ruthivan slammed a hand on the tree trunk beside her, blocking her way. "You don't want to challenge me, do you?" She merely shook her head. "Good. Claire and I will provide the perfect example of what needs to happen - what good, solid esper pair bonding can do to help a people rebound from the brink of extinction. No Vectorians will cross us once we have built up our numbers. We will crush them, and all that oppose us."
"You're mad..."
"No. I'm a leader, your leader. Go and get the main tent ready for our arrival. You may move into ours. And Seranfrit... if you cross me, I will give you the same courtesy I gave your pathetic husband."
Ruthivan watched Seranfrit scramble as she rushed through the forest. He turned and walked back to the tent house and froze when he met eyes with Celiara and the other children. He smiled, and they fled back into the house. His breath caught in his throat and a scowl came to his face. Claire. She made him do this. She made him kill her father and as a result, she made his children fear him. 'No matter,' he thought. 'Time will heal that wound, and when they see what an esper leader should be, they will understand why that needed to happen. All would be as it should be.' Ruthivan entered the house.
He went back into beast form and sniffed at the air. The change was instant, as was the scents. He could follow the trail of scent left behind as though it were a neon sign. And in short order, he caught up with Seranfrit.
"Please," she begged, backing up against one of the trees. "Don't kill me. Please."
"Seranfrit," Ruthivan crooned, effortlessly turning himself into his esper form. "Why would I do that?" She let out a sob and shook her head. "You killed my husband!"
"You hated him anyway. I did you a courtesy. And now you will do one for me."
"What are you talking about..."
"You will go back to the tribe and let them know that they have a new leader." Seranfrit's eyes grew wide. "You can't be serious."
"Oh, but I am. Eladrim was a failure, he couldn't get our people to populate, the numbers of those in the tribe are the same as they always were. What good will it do our people if we aren't prepared?"
Seranfrit inched away, but Ruthivan slammed a hand on the tree trunk beside her, blocking her way. "You don't want to challenge me, do you?" She merely shook her head. "Good. Claire and I will provide the perfect example of what needs to happen - what good, solid esper pair bonding can do to help a people rebound from the brink of extinction. No Vectorians will cross us once we have built up our numbers. We will crush them, and all that oppose us."
"You're mad..."
"No. I'm a leader, your leader. Go and get the main tent ready for our arrival. You may move into ours. And Seranfrit... if you cross me, I will give you the same courtesy I gave your pathetic husband."
Ruthivan watched Seranfrit scramble as she rushed through the forest. He turned and walked back to the tent house and froze when he met eyes with Celiara and the other children. He smiled, and they fled back into the house. His breath caught in his throat and a scowl came to his face. Claire. She made him do this. She made him kill her father and as a result, she made his children fear him. 'No matter,' he thought. 'Time will heal that wound, and when they see what an esper leader should be, they will understand why that needed to happen. All would be as it should be.' Ruthivan entered the house.
Vodka Tonic (Part 6)
"The rune in the middle is a dead give away." She pointed it and the bugs eyes widened and feelers perked up. "It's the word of power the monks use. It's strange someone would use it though. It's as if someone was trying to read one of the monks minds. But why go through all that trouble when a simple charm spell on the monk or an insect would be enough to know what they were up to. "
"It's a curiosity! I've got a use in mind for the stone though, if you want to travel with me while I collect some more items I would be happy of such learned company. And then I would let you have the item if it was still worth anything to you." The wizard bartered with the old man for a few moments then turned back to her after purchasing the items.
"Should be an enjoyable evening then. A pleasure to meet you, I am called Vodka." She courtseyed thinking better than to shake the insects claws. "Mmmhmmm, Yes, I am Xzar Firefly, at your service." The bug made agreeable clicking noises and they both ventured off into other parts of the city.
Hours passed as Xzar shopped, it was his first trip to the city and he was enthralled with not only what he could purchase but also on the "Amaza-Za-Zing" deals. The two conversed about a variety of subjects and after a few local drinks shared stories of their homelands. Xzar had been back to his much more recently than Vodka had, but it was hard to say no to 3, 000 brothers and sisters at his families hive. Sharing the tale of her Tonic he was intrigued by such power.
"But even with such power, it must have been terrifying to essentially take your own life and lock it away within yourself!" It seemed everything was a learning experience for him.
"It was, but knowing it had been done once before at least made it a bit easier." She shrugged trying not to think of the hours before that she had sat in her Lab crying about what might happen if things went wrong.
They again shopped, now more freely and with the commeraderie of friends making jokes as they discovered new shops and intriguing items. At an odd shop filled with boxes of strange items, Xzar literally crawled inside one of the crates and thre objects out of it much to the shopekeepers dismay. It was only later and after a few more local drinks that Xzar entrusted her with why he was gathering these items.
"I'm serious! I know there's a way to gain more power, physical or otherwise through the enhancement of armor beyond the obvious temper imbues and magical enchantments." He nodded looking almost hurt that she had laughed at him.
"They've tried that for centuries, the only ones to even get close were the Vectorians and they had to slaughter espers by the dozens to do it and even then they only achieved it within such constructs that they were unsustainable." She leaned in close so that no one could here her next words. "If this happens to be true, it's dangerous. There's no telling how it could amplify spells and enchants! " "Exactly," His grin was almost mischievious. "There's so much more to this kind of power than we could even conceive! Imagine how we could help people! Imagine the evil we could drive from this world."
"It could change everything or destroy it. Balance in this kind of magic was never abundant." She thought deeply and ordered another drink. Could there be more power that her new form was seeking? This wasn't the end, it was for sure a new begining.
"It's a curiosity! I've got a use in mind for the stone though, if you want to travel with me while I collect some more items I would be happy of such learned company. And then I would let you have the item if it was still worth anything to you." The wizard bartered with the old man for a few moments then turned back to her after purchasing the items.
"Should be an enjoyable evening then. A pleasure to meet you, I am called Vodka." She courtseyed thinking better than to shake the insects claws. "Mmmhmmm, Yes, I am Xzar Firefly, at your service." The bug made agreeable clicking noises and they both ventured off into other parts of the city.
Hours passed as Xzar shopped, it was his first trip to the city and he was enthralled with not only what he could purchase but also on the "Amaza-Za-Zing" deals. The two conversed about a variety of subjects and after a few local drinks shared stories of their homelands. Xzar had been back to his much more recently than Vodka had, but it was hard to say no to 3, 000 brothers and sisters at his families hive. Sharing the tale of her Tonic he was intrigued by such power.
"But even with such power, it must have been terrifying to essentially take your own life and lock it away within yourself!" It seemed everything was a learning experience for him.
"It was, but knowing it had been done once before at least made it a bit easier." She shrugged trying not to think of the hours before that she had sat in her Lab crying about what might happen if things went wrong.
They again shopped, now more freely and with the commeraderie of friends making jokes as they discovered new shops and intriguing items. At an odd shop filled with boxes of strange items, Xzar literally crawled inside one of the crates and thre objects out of it much to the shopekeepers dismay. It was only later and after a few more local drinks that Xzar entrusted her with why he was gathering these items.
"I'm serious! I know there's a way to gain more power, physical or otherwise through the enhancement of armor beyond the obvious temper imbues and magical enchantments." He nodded looking almost hurt that she had laughed at him.
"They've tried that for centuries, the only ones to even get close were the Vectorians and they had to slaughter espers by the dozens to do it and even then they only achieved it within such constructs that they were unsustainable." She leaned in close so that no one could here her next words. "If this happens to be true, it's dangerous. There's no telling how it could amplify spells and enchants! " "Exactly," His grin was almost mischievious. "There's so much more to this kind of power than we could even conceive! Imagine how we could help people! Imagine the evil we could drive from this world."
"It could change everything or destroy it. Balance in this kind of magic was never abundant." She thought deeply and ordered another drink. Could there be more power that her new form was seeking? This wasn't the end, it was for sure a new begining.
Vodka Tonic (Part 5)
Various cities were left behind as she flew overhead. Not much interested her. The desserts flew by, the TriPower Capital of Torregiano, the elemental valley, the dwarven forests, Ganglands and Westbridge. There was still a hunger for more, not for blood but for more power. All sorts of travelers found themselves on the usual trade routes and roads connecting the cities. The leather bound book was on the seat to her right and she looked down at it. What was she forgetting? What needed remembering and how could it be more important than the Tonic that had turned her into this creature.
Almost her whole childhood and early life had returned to her. The blood memories were the easiest to regain in this condition. The past few years though weren't coming together as easily. There were vague memories of magical endeavors, both good and evil swirled like ingredients added to a cauldron inside her mind. There one moment but vague and incomplete quickly dissapearing as she tried to remember. Like so much sand sifting through her hands. The Mountains and Heifong III lay head.
The Airship Port was as large as the one in Torregiano. Grounds crews raced to supply, maintain and land ships carrying supplies to and from the city. After docking her ship off the tarmac and paying the fee to rent the space for a day she took walked off to the city streets of Heifong III. The city was rather new compared to most on this continent. The wealth they had gained when the TriPower invented airships and and they were able to build their own. Oddly enough, the city had become a valuable source for rare trade and exotic merchandise. Some of the side streets boasted pubs with rare brews and porn shops with every fetish imaginable.
It was one of the rare magical goods stores that stood out in her mind. It wasn't a very obvious storefront. Just a simple magical sign that greeted you as you entered adorned it and made it different from the other stores. Inside wasn't all that interesting either. Mostly white walls with a picture of a strange looking wizard here or there. The objects behind the counter were covered by grey coverings mostly and the shopkeeper, although old wasn't of note either. The wizard being helped by the shopkeeper was interesting to say the least though. The Thri'kreen was staring intently at something in its clutches. He made humming insect noises as he thought deeply about the object.
"Marvelous! Simply Marvelous! It's worthless, but it just might work. I'll take 3, but wait, what's that, I sense it under that sheet." The wizard pointed behind the counter and past the old man who turned and looked through thick spectecles and lifted the covering enough to see the object for himself. "Excuse me miss, but you've come too late to get these great deals!" The wizard chortled to himself. The old man pulled out a box from under the covering and put it on the counter. He uncovered it revealing a black stone with green runed carvings.
"It's a Psyonists stone." Vodka knew it from research before the Tonic but not why she knew it.
"Indeed! Very rare to find one like this too." The wizard tilted his head and grinned. The image was slightly offsetting considering his insect fangs.
"Not many survived the fall of Myth Drannor. This one seems very odd though. It's new." The object was very interesting to her.
"You think so? I haven't heard of any living Psyonists capable of making these." He grabbed the stone and examined it.
Almost her whole childhood and early life had returned to her. The blood memories were the easiest to regain in this condition. The past few years though weren't coming together as easily. There were vague memories of magical endeavors, both good and evil swirled like ingredients added to a cauldron inside her mind. There one moment but vague and incomplete quickly dissapearing as she tried to remember. Like so much sand sifting through her hands. The Mountains and Heifong III lay head.
The Airship Port was as large as the one in Torregiano. Grounds crews raced to supply, maintain and land ships carrying supplies to and from the city. After docking her ship off the tarmac and paying the fee to rent the space for a day she took walked off to the city streets of Heifong III. The city was rather new compared to most on this continent. The wealth they had gained when the TriPower invented airships and and they were able to build their own. Oddly enough, the city had become a valuable source for rare trade and exotic merchandise. Some of the side streets boasted pubs with rare brews and porn shops with every fetish imaginable.
It was one of the rare magical goods stores that stood out in her mind. It wasn't a very obvious storefront. Just a simple magical sign that greeted you as you entered adorned it and made it different from the other stores. Inside wasn't all that interesting either. Mostly white walls with a picture of a strange looking wizard here or there. The objects behind the counter were covered by grey coverings mostly and the shopkeeper, although old wasn't of note either. The wizard being helped by the shopkeeper was interesting to say the least though. The Thri'kreen was staring intently at something in its clutches. He made humming insect noises as he thought deeply about the object.
"Marvelous! Simply Marvelous! It's worthless, but it just might work. I'll take 3, but wait, what's that, I sense it under that sheet." The wizard pointed behind the counter and past the old man who turned and looked through thick spectecles and lifted the covering enough to see the object for himself. "Excuse me miss, but you've come too late to get these great deals!" The wizard chortled to himself. The old man pulled out a box from under the covering and put it on the counter. He uncovered it revealing a black stone with green runed carvings.
"It's a Psyonists stone." Vodka knew it from research before the Tonic but not why she knew it.
"Indeed! Very rare to find one like this too." The wizard tilted his head and grinned. The image was slightly offsetting considering his insect fangs.
"Not many survived the fall of Myth Drannor. This one seems very odd though. It's new." The object was very interesting to her.
"You think so? I haven't heard of any living Psyonists capable of making these." He grabbed the stone and examined it.
Current Character Description - Calliope
The long flowing robes of blue and white make this young woman a very powerful sight to behold. Black hair shines different colors in the sunlight but her eyes seem to enchant you. Her demeanor is warm and inviting, but this makes her all the more mysterious. A wicked looking whip is curled at her waist and shielding spells mostobviously surround her. The mysterious power that resonates from this priestess is of note, but it seems she is uncertain in these changing times. Perhaps she knows the meaning behind the whispers, the secret that in the dark of night people hope not to dream about and the knowledge is tearing her apart.
Current Character Description - Hiroaki Thai Chi
An extraordinary man stands before you. His face bears no expression. He is dressed in fine robes. He is bald yet has an extremely long beard. He wears sandals apon his feet. He carries no weapon. Yet something about him demands your respect Off in distance your someone say, "Who's the master?"
"Hiroaki's the master!"
"Hiroaki's the master!"
Current Character Description - Zelgadis Graywords
A clever man in a long brimmed hat sucking on a bone toothpick. His well kept gottee hides a grin and a twinkle in his eyes make you wonder how much he has actually seen of this world. Wearing strangley fashioned armor and elven weave, he carries himself with the air of an experienced fighter. He carries two well taken care of scimitars that glisten in the light. The man does not seem out of place, in fact you'd imagine he could fit in anywhere, but perhaps he belongs no where. Called by many names and titles this Knight of the Rose, Mystical Mercenary and Estranged Lover enjoys every moment of life, yet weeps for the world he once knew. A crest in ancient dragon reads "When I looked upon the breadth of my adventures, I wept for there were no more worlds to conquer"
Current Character Description - Vodka Skaya (Vodkavania Chernomyrdin Kovalevskaya)
The tiny pointed teeth that protrude slightly from her lips are half dream and half Nightmare. They draw you in to seek more about the seemingly young woman. Robes of black silk are lined with red and blue. Blackened lightweight platemail is barely noticed beneath her robes which hide much about her figure which must be thin but muscular. There is a grace about her. An elegance to her style and a strength to her posture. Pointed ears peek out from her black hair showing her heritage. The smell about her is intoxicating and it seems that getting drawn up in her mistique is exactly exactly what she desires.
Vodka Tonic (Part 4)
"The Tonic, it was his creation at first and I perfected it." The memories of the night before flooded back to her. The bubbling Cauldron the ancient ingredients, the blood sacrifice, the final words and even the panic of drinking the elixir and knowing death.
"I don't know how much more I can or should even tell you," he finished the last shot. Clink.
"I only have a few questions," she pleaded with him to stay and he obliged.
"I will answer only what I can." He shrugged.
"My name, my full name, you know it don't you?" she could recall much but not this simple detail about herself.
"You were named Vodkavania Chernomyrdin Kovalevskaya, but I don't think anyone has called you that in years. You prefer Vodka Skaya. It's because you spend all this time with these... Southern people. Come back home Vodkavania, you belong there even with this... Condition." He let out a long sigh and got up, he picked up the tray and took it to the bar. Picking up the full bottle he brought it with him to the door. "At least think about it."
"I will Aleskinov, you've always been such a good brother to me." he held back tears and nodded at her as he left the castle and entered a dimensional rift back to the northern lands.
A winter elf was rarely seen outside their homeland, let alone living in the south. Was it truely her wish to prove that her father was not the insane vampire everyone thought him to be or was there something else that drove her to this madness. There were more answers that must be found. And perhaps the search was what lead her down this path. Magic was not a destination but a jouryney. Her mothers words all those years ago when she had first learned to make her brothers soup cold. The journey was not over. In fact it was just begining.
The suit of blackened platemail back in the crypt fit her pefectly. The cloak concealed it and the two handed Kaskara strapped neatly to her back and was concealed by her cloak. The airship on the dock overlooking the cliffs was custom built and must have cost a fortune. It was small enough for her to operate herself but had room for 2 to 3 more if needed. She entered from the hatch under the ship between the two large guns and settled into the comfortable custom captains chair. The key was already in the ignition and the ship roared to life with the turn of the key and the turning of some gauges and flicking of switches. She noticed the teleport beacon list and she went through them. There were no towns she wished to go to just yet so she pulled back on the controls and the ship lifted into the air and rocketed to the west at incredible speed.
"I don't know how much more I can or should even tell you," he finished the last shot. Clink.
"I only have a few questions," she pleaded with him to stay and he obliged.
"I will answer only what I can." He shrugged.
"My name, my full name, you know it don't you?" she could recall much but not this simple detail about herself.
"You were named Vodkavania Chernomyrdin Kovalevskaya, but I don't think anyone has called you that in years. You prefer Vodka Skaya. It's because you spend all this time with these... Southern people. Come back home Vodkavania, you belong there even with this... Condition." He let out a long sigh and got up, he picked up the tray and took it to the bar. Picking up the full bottle he brought it with him to the door. "At least think about it."
"I will Aleskinov, you've always been such a good brother to me." he held back tears and nodded at her as he left the castle and entered a dimensional rift back to the northern lands.
A winter elf was rarely seen outside their homeland, let alone living in the south. Was it truely her wish to prove that her father was not the insane vampire everyone thought him to be or was there something else that drove her to this madness. There were more answers that must be found. And perhaps the search was what lead her down this path. Magic was not a destination but a jouryney. Her mothers words all those years ago when she had first learned to make her brothers soup cold. The journey was not over. In fact it was just begining.
The suit of blackened platemail back in the crypt fit her pefectly. The cloak concealed it and the two handed Kaskara strapped neatly to her back and was concealed by her cloak. The airship on the dock overlooking the cliffs was custom built and must have cost a fortune. It was small enough for her to operate herself but had room for 2 to 3 more if needed. She entered from the hatch under the ship between the two large guns and settled into the comfortable custom captains chair. The key was already in the ignition and the ship roared to life with the turn of the key and the turning of some gauges and flicking of switches. She noticed the teleport beacon list and she went through them. There were no towns she wished to go to just yet so she pulled back on the controls and the ship lifted into the air and rocketed to the west at incredible speed.
Vodka Tonic (Part 3)
The aura of the man outside became visible to her. A darkened silhouette encased in Winter blue aura became her vision. The world was dark, hollow, the background faded into nothingness and she could see only the man, the bottle on the table and faintly the structure of the castle. The blood Vision was easy to move through. The bottle lifted effortlessly to her hand and she walked through the glass to the terrace outside. The man turned to her and she relaxed wanting to know who he was and why he was here.
"Vodka, how good to see you after so many years." He said in a thick northern accent. The furs he was wearing must have been unbearable to wear in this heat but he seemed comfortable. A long black fur overcoat hid much about him, he was thick beneath it but she couldn't tell if he was strong or just large. The ushanka hat of grey fur had a silver emblem on it she didn't recognize fully. It was for sure a status symbol. His cheeks were very round for an elf and his skin although white had a pale blue tinge to it. "Sorry that we must meet under such miserable circumstances"
"And what circumstances would that be?" she said in the same sort of accent which suprised her. Had she really not heard her own voice in that long?
"I'll explain from the begining... But it seems you have a nice cold castle and this heat isn't to my liking, perhaps you invite me in for a drink?" He grinned at the bottle in her hand. "Fair enough," she walked back to the castle and threw the glass doors and with a quick flick of the wrist opened them as she glided to the couch once more. "This bottle isn't for sharing I'm afraid, but there are many more..." He was already helping himself to a glass from the bar in the corner of the room. Pouring clear liquid into multiple shot glasses he sat down across from her in a cushioned armchair that didn't quite hold his entire frame.
"It was over 240 years ago, I almost don't remember and wish I didn't," he emptied a shot glass and placed it upside down on the tray with a soft metalic clink, "you were very young girl, not even 10!" He gesticulated with his arms for emp role + "It was over 240 years ago, I almost don't remember and wish I didn't," he emptied a shot glass and placed it upside down on the tray with a soft metalic clink, "you were very young girl, not even 10!" He gesticulated with his arms emphasis. "Your father was a brilliant man, and maybe a little crazy but it was at that time that he first tried what he thought would amplify his power."
Visions burned through her mind as he began the tale as if the memories would flood back as he told it. Screams and fire and a winter landscape gave way to people who didn't understand and fled from her family. A small elf girl stood in a doorway with a doll, her mother screaming for her to run. And her father, a monster now that would ravage all those he saw in his lust for blood. It was her, she knew it to be true. Memories like this stayed in you like blood. She stared at him, tears about to well up in her eyes and he stopped where he was.
"You remember now, don't you?" He frowned and had another shot glass. Clink.
"I do, why would he do this?" She emptied the glass in her hand and poured another.
"He wanted a better life for you. It was truely sad what happened. You asked me to come explain this because you weren't sure what you would remember." His hands shook as he took another drink. Clink. "There was one truth you discovered though, that it could be done. It took you almost 200 years but you found out what he had gotten wrong. Like father, like daughter I suppose. You're far more gifted than even he was in this... Practice."
"Vodka, how good to see you after so many years." He said in a thick northern accent. The furs he was wearing must have been unbearable to wear in this heat but he seemed comfortable. A long black fur overcoat hid much about him, he was thick beneath it but she couldn't tell if he was strong or just large. The ushanka hat of grey fur had a silver emblem on it she didn't recognize fully. It was for sure a status symbol. His cheeks were very round for an elf and his skin although white had a pale blue tinge to it. "Sorry that we must meet under such miserable circumstances"
"And what circumstances would that be?" she said in the same sort of accent which suprised her. Had she really not heard her own voice in that long?
"I'll explain from the begining... But it seems you have a nice cold castle and this heat isn't to my liking, perhaps you invite me in for a drink?" He grinned at the bottle in her hand. "Fair enough," she walked back to the castle and threw the glass doors and with a quick flick of the wrist opened them as she glided to the couch once more. "This bottle isn't for sharing I'm afraid, but there are many more..." He was already helping himself to a glass from the bar in the corner of the room. Pouring clear liquid into multiple shot glasses he sat down across from her in a cushioned armchair that didn't quite hold his entire frame.
"It was over 240 years ago, I almost don't remember and wish I didn't," he emptied a shot glass and placed it upside down on the tray with a soft metalic clink, "you were very young girl, not even 10!" He gesticulated with his arms for emp role + "It was over 240 years ago, I almost don't remember and wish I didn't," he emptied a shot glass and placed it upside down on the tray with a soft metalic clink, "you were very young girl, not even 10!" He gesticulated with his arms emphasis. "Your father was a brilliant man, and maybe a little crazy but it was at that time that he first tried what he thought would amplify his power."
Visions burned through her mind as he began the tale as if the memories would flood back as he told it. Screams and fire and a winter landscape gave way to people who didn't understand and fled from her family. A small elf girl stood in a doorway with a doll, her mother screaming for her to run. And her father, a monster now that would ravage all those he saw in his lust for blood. It was her, she knew it to be true. Memories like this stayed in you like blood. She stared at him, tears about to well up in her eyes and he stopped where he was.
"You remember now, don't you?" He frowned and had another shot glass. Clink.
"I do, why would he do this?" She emptied the glass in her hand and poured another.
"He wanted a better life for you. It was truely sad what happened. You asked me to come explain this because you weren't sure what you would remember." His hands shook as he took another drink. Clink. "There was one truth you discovered though, that it could be done. It took you almost 200 years but you found out what he had gotten wrong. Like father, like daughter I suppose. You're far more gifted than even he was in this... Practice."
Vodka Tonic (Part 2)
The door was locked by powerful magic but as she touched the handle, it pulled her through the door to the other side. That would come in handy, she thought as she tested going back and forth quickly. The Sorcerors Laboratory she entered was extremely tidey. The entire western wall was wall to wall, floor to ceiling books of all shapes sizes and natures. Beakers and Flasks were still drying from the night before on a wooden rack near a cauldron used for washing them. Lab Benches and a pit locked and bolted and amplified by magic made up the center of the room and there was a stone stairway up and out of the room.
Where to start? There was so little she could remember. Vague faces and locations came to mind but nothing solid. The Lab was cleaned almost too well. It was as if the person who cleaned it didn't want her to find anything amiss and mistake its importance. There must be more to this place. She climbed the steps and placed her hand on the door. Again she was pulled through it and was suddenly standing in the middle of a Gallery of Rare Artwork.
There were beautiful depictions of all sorts of places and people. The grandest was a knight fighting a 5 headed dragon in a giant tapestry. Staying here to view them all and soak in the rich history within would have been interesting but there would be more time for such things later. The doors to a sitting room were open to the west. The room had magnificent windows that stretched to the ceiling. Black, green runed curtains blacked out the light which would have poured into the room. A tray with a crystal bottle with a stopper of the same crystal was laid out ready for someone to drink with only one glass set out. After sitting luxuriously in the couch next to the table with the tray, she picked up a small card from the tray. It said merely "Drink Me".
Pouring the drink into the short glass she held it to her lips and inhaled gently. Her sense of smell was acute now and the alcohol burned at her nostrils but there was something more.
Sipping the glass, she felt the familiar sting and smooth texture of chilled, pure alcohol. There was more to this she thought, another sip and she nearly bit the glass involanterily. The Leather Tome she found in the crypt glowed again and she opened it:
(Scrolled ina very neat handwriting, glowing Gold)
I hope you're enjoying the luxuries of this Manor it's been my home for the past 20 years. I've shared it with close friends for most of those years but haven't seen them in quite some time. Here is where we spent countless hours preparing for the moment we achieved last night. These halls have secrets but they did not reveal the actual elixir that transformed us. That was the work of the past 50 years, it sounds like a long time and it would be if we were not already gifted with long life.
The object of our desire was not immortality, but the desire to transcend. To break free of the clandestine and terrestrial and delve into the secret realms of this world. There were those whom I very much desired to help through all this and I will reveal why and whom soon enough. You have such great potential, I only ask that you obtain it eventually. There is one thing I must warn you about, but it can wait. For now enjoy the drink and when you're ready, open the curtains.
(Again the book shut on its own and sealed itself)
No wonder the drink was so enticing. She poured more and sipped it, wondering what could be outside. There were new feelings, she could tell, that coursed through her like knowing how to move her hands. It was that easy to tell there was someone outside. Waiting for her.
Where to start? There was so little she could remember. Vague faces and locations came to mind but nothing solid. The Lab was cleaned almost too well. It was as if the person who cleaned it didn't want her to find anything amiss and mistake its importance. There must be more to this place. She climbed the steps and placed her hand on the door. Again she was pulled through it and was suddenly standing in the middle of a Gallery of Rare Artwork.
There were beautiful depictions of all sorts of places and people. The grandest was a knight fighting a 5 headed dragon in a giant tapestry. Staying here to view them all and soak in the rich history within would have been interesting but there would be more time for such things later. The doors to a sitting room were open to the west. The room had magnificent windows that stretched to the ceiling. Black, green runed curtains blacked out the light which would have poured into the room. A tray with a crystal bottle with a stopper of the same crystal was laid out ready for someone to drink with only one glass set out. After sitting luxuriously in the couch next to the table with the tray, she picked up a small card from the tray. It said merely "Drink Me".
Pouring the drink into the short glass she held it to her lips and inhaled gently. Her sense of smell was acute now and the alcohol burned at her nostrils but there was something more.
Sipping the glass, she felt the familiar sting and smooth texture of chilled, pure alcohol. There was more to this she thought, another sip and she nearly bit the glass involanterily. The Leather Tome she found in the crypt glowed again and she opened it:
(Scrolled ina very neat handwriting, glowing Gold)
I hope you're enjoying the luxuries of this Manor it's been my home for the past 20 years. I've shared it with close friends for most of those years but haven't seen them in quite some time. Here is where we spent countless hours preparing for the moment we achieved last night. These halls have secrets but they did not reveal the actual elixir that transformed us. That was the work of the past 50 years, it sounds like a long time and it would be if we were not already gifted with long life.
The object of our desire was not immortality, but the desire to transcend. To break free of the clandestine and terrestrial and delve into the secret realms of this world. There were those whom I very much desired to help through all this and I will reveal why and whom soon enough. You have such great potential, I only ask that you obtain it eventually. There is one thing I must warn you about, but it can wait. For now enjoy the drink and when you're ready, open the curtains.
(Again the book shut on its own and sealed itself)
No wonder the drink was so enticing. She poured more and sipped it, wondering what could be outside. There were new feelings, she could tell, that coursed through her like knowing how to move her hands. It was that easy to tell there was someone outside. Waiting for her.
Kids? Really?
Pika stood in the middle of the orphanage. His eyes strayed to a little girl who looked at him questioningly. Pika stood frozen until a child is heard crying upstairs. SHIT! Pika looked around in a panic. What the hell was he supposed to do. His eyes locked with the little girl who still stood staring at him as if asking her for help.
"Mister, that's Milly she's prolly hungry. You gonna feed her?"
Pika looked down at the child in front of him and up at the ceiling above him.
"What's it eat?" Pika asked with a deep frown. The little girl stared at Pika worriedly. Was the orphanage seriously putting this guy in control? He looked like a lost kid himself. Slowly, moving her hands in a motion of eating, the little girl says
"Sheeee eeeaaaats fooooooood... You know what food is, don't you Mister?"
Pika snapped his chin down and glared at the young child. That little brat.
"Well where is the food, smartass?" Pika asked in an irritated tone. The young child simply shook her head and turned away. She picked up a dirty doll that rested against a wall along her way, skipping down a long hallway.
What... The... Hell... Pika glared back at the door Ror had left through and climbed the stairs to see about the crying baby. There had to be some kind of assistant around here! Where were they? A cook? Someone! Panic set in as Pika started his first official day as caretaker of the orphanage, a task he clearly was not prepared for.
"Mister, that's Milly she's prolly hungry. You gonna feed her?"
Pika looked down at the child in front of him and up at the ceiling above him.
"What's it eat?" Pika asked with a deep frown. The little girl stared at Pika worriedly. Was the orphanage seriously putting this guy in control? He looked like a lost kid himself. Slowly, moving her hands in a motion of eating, the little girl says
"Sheeee eeeaaaats fooooooood... You know what food is, don't you Mister?"
Pika snapped his chin down and glared at the young child. That little brat.
"Well where is the food, smartass?" Pika asked in an irritated tone. The young child simply shook her head and turned away. She picked up a dirty doll that rested against a wall along her way, skipping down a long hallway.
What... The... Hell... Pika glared back at the door Ror had left through and climbed the stairs to see about the crying baby. There had to be some kind of assistant around here! Where were they? A cook? Someone! Panic set in as Pika started his first official day as caretaker of the orphanage, a task he clearly was not prepared for.
Log: 22092013 - Ror and Arien
OOC commentary: The start of Arien's entry RP into Tripower. Fitting for a merchant! :)
Vodka Tonic
(From the inside of a coffin)
What a nightmare, she thought, dreams of such Blood and Carnage she had never experienced. It was as if hell itself had been whispering in her ear the most terrifying thoughts. How long had she endured this torture? Was it meant to be torture? What had she been doing the night before? A Sorceror's Laoratory came to mind and draughts and drafts of the Undead Tonic she had been brewing rushed through her thoughts like the Blood through her viens.
Careless disregard for her own life had driven her near to Madness and the hellish Nightmare may in fact be her reality. Pushing at the lid to her coffin it opened into a dark crypt. She was underground and in pitch darkness but could see perfectly well. It wasn't real she thought, none of this could be. Then she noticed the man held prisoner in the corner, struggling to undo his binds. Foolish mortal, she thought, those were magical knots. The more he squirmed the tighter they became.
The rush of blood soaked images told her exactly what to do and with her new unholy strength, she lunged at the man. Teeth that were once slightly long and pointed, almost cute, elongated into depth and blood producing fangs that tore at the mans throat. His whimpers couldn't turn to cries for help under her power. He stared terrified beyond believe at what was happening. She drank lustily, spilling the crimson tide across herself and the mans Vectorian robes. As she drank her fill the rush subsided from her and allowed her to take account of what had transpired.
There was a book, bound in leather with beautiful blue pulsing runes on a table not far from the elegant coffin from which she had just awoken. Sitting at the table which only had one chair, she opened the book.
(Scrolled in a very neat handwriting, glowing Gold)
We've done it, not for long life but to prove it could be done. Elves live truely long lives as it is but we have found a way to circumvent reality itself. I have made arrangements which should be to our liking.
I am you and you are I. There is no escaping this but I fear that drinking this tonic shall require us to start again. There is however much to remember and I'm sure since we now have all the time we need, there will be enough to catch up.
Remember, we have done this with good intentions. The man was worthless, a truely vile individual. Fear not that you took his life. When you are ready, this tome will reveal all that has transpired in the past few years but until then, know that we found a Tonic that would transform us into the most powerful being we could become. It was the labor of most of my life and it is not the will of the insane. I have not lost control of my magic, we have enhanced it beyond measure.
You have friends, they may not recognize you nor you them but they are out there. They should prove helpful in the months to come. Aid them with your strength.
Remember always that I love you and our mind will be whole soon.
(The book closed on its own and sealed magically)
Beautiful robes of satin and silk were on the wall, but the suit of dragon hardened platemail next to it was more attractive to her thoughts. Both would have their uses. For now, I would need to be secretive, there were those that would hunt her for what she was, she knew this. Dropping the loose fitting black robes she was wearing to the floor, she walked to the robes which felt incredible to the touch. There was a strength to them. Amplified through magic. The dark fabric was lined with blues and reds. They flowed around her, pefectly sized. A large moneypurse was in one of the folds and she figured out quickly how to open the secret fold to get at it like finding an old jacket and exploring the pockets.
She smiled with her fangs in the mirror next to her and saw a beautiful women with 2 pointed teeth. And this was only the begining.
What a nightmare, she thought, dreams of such Blood and Carnage she had never experienced. It was as if hell itself had been whispering in her ear the most terrifying thoughts. How long had she endured this torture? Was it meant to be torture? What had she been doing the night before? A Sorceror's Laoratory came to mind and draughts and drafts of the Undead Tonic she had been brewing rushed through her thoughts like the Blood through her viens.
Careless disregard for her own life had driven her near to Madness and the hellish Nightmare may in fact be her reality. Pushing at the lid to her coffin it opened into a dark crypt. She was underground and in pitch darkness but could see perfectly well. It wasn't real she thought, none of this could be. Then she noticed the man held prisoner in the corner, struggling to undo his binds. Foolish mortal, she thought, those were magical knots. The more he squirmed the tighter they became.
The rush of blood soaked images told her exactly what to do and with her new unholy strength, she lunged at the man. Teeth that were once slightly long and pointed, almost cute, elongated into depth and blood producing fangs that tore at the mans throat. His whimpers couldn't turn to cries for help under her power. He stared terrified beyond believe at what was happening. She drank lustily, spilling the crimson tide across herself and the mans Vectorian robes. As she drank her fill the rush subsided from her and allowed her to take account of what had transpired.
There was a book, bound in leather with beautiful blue pulsing runes on a table not far from the elegant coffin from which she had just awoken. Sitting at the table which only had one chair, she opened the book.
(Scrolled in a very neat handwriting, glowing Gold)
We've done it, not for long life but to prove it could be done. Elves live truely long lives as it is but we have found a way to circumvent reality itself. I have made arrangements which should be to our liking.
I am you and you are I. There is no escaping this but I fear that drinking this tonic shall require us to start again. There is however much to remember and I'm sure since we now have all the time we need, there will be enough to catch up.
Remember, we have done this with good intentions. The man was worthless, a truely vile individual. Fear not that you took his life. When you are ready, this tome will reveal all that has transpired in the past few years but until then, know that we found a Tonic that would transform us into the most powerful being we could become. It was the labor of most of my life and it is not the will of the insane. I have not lost control of my magic, we have enhanced it beyond measure.
You have friends, they may not recognize you nor you them but they are out there. They should prove helpful in the months to come. Aid them with your strength.
Remember always that I love you and our mind will be whole soon.
(The book closed on its own and sealed magically)
Beautiful robes of satin and silk were on the wall, but the suit of dragon hardened platemail next to it was more attractive to her thoughts. Both would have their uses. For now, I would need to be secretive, there were those that would hunt her for what she was, she knew this. Dropping the loose fitting black robes she was wearing to the floor, she walked to the robes which felt incredible to the touch. There was a strength to them. Amplified through magic. The dark fabric was lined with blues and reds. They flowed around her, pefectly sized. A large moneypurse was in one of the folds and she figured out quickly how to open the secret fold to get at it like finding an old jacket and exploring the pockets.
She smiled with her fangs in the mirror next to her and saw a beautiful women with 2 pointed teeth. And this was only the begining.
Log: 21092013 - Ror and Pika
OOC commentary: Giving Pika some more responsibility... the hard way! :D
Log: 20092013 - Ror and Pika
OOC commentary: First encounter with the punk Pika. Of course Ror recognizes a punk when he sees one. He used to be a punk himself when he was young!
Knights of the Blue Rose
The sky darkened on the horizon and the win sped up blowing back the cape of the middle aged man who stood with his black leather boot upon the side rail of the ship. His hand hung on the suport line of the mizzen mast. Lady luck never favored this man so he made his own luck. The black dark blue cape that blew fully in the wind now revealed blue swashbuckler attire which belied the reinforced leather and chainmail beneath it. It was a night like this which started this mad adventure years ago.
His well kept goetee was as black as the rest of his now shoulder length hair. Hi weathered skin seemed to accentuate the sadness within his blue eyes which changed with all the colors of the sea and all the rich complexities of the northern ice. Gulls rushed past the ship escaping the storm. Lightning flashed in the distance and he stared at it like an old adversary. The blades at his side would not avail him. The sea was a cruel mistress that could not be tamed but such feable constructs. The port of New Thalos was visible on the horizon though and nothing would prevent him from setting foot on the soil of his homeland. Not this time. The Bell in the port rang out and he could just hear it due to how far the wind could carry the sound. It was the same bell which he had lost site and sound of so many years ago.
(Zelgadis' thoughts shift to the past)
The knife plunged into wood, the long blade sinking halfway into the ships hull beneath the strong well muscled arm of the now shirtless and armorless knight. Crimson blood mixed with salt water and stung the mans eye which had suffered a terrible gash. He pulled himself out of the sea, now colored black in the tumoltuous storm. The red ribbon which had once held the knife to his arm blew freely in the wind, whipping at his wrist. Staring back at the storm through his one good eye he cursed at the storm. The grand ship which was once his flagship of his merchant fleet and this storm had lifted it out of the sea and thrown it like a grain of sand.
He searched the horizon, rain falling down slower now, the sea becoming more calm. There were no ships on the horizon, no sailors swimming for their lives. No gulls, nothing but the cruel black sea.
(His thoughts return to the present)
It was 5 years ago. Five damned years since he'd seen this port. The port was rapidly approaching, an airship guiding their path with powerful makou floodlights. As they came about to a dock, sailors threw large ropes over the side and he jumped the few feet to the dock. He marched down long pier, cape still billowing behind him. The dockmaster was in a small stone hut at the end of the docks where it became dry land.
"Business or Pleasure Sir," The dockmaster greated him.
"Both, I'm here to take back what's mine." Zegladis stared down the cowardly man with his one good eye and the man sat down in his chair. He tossed coins at him to pay the docking fees and made his way to the center of town to find more travel arrangements.
His well kept goetee was as black as the rest of his now shoulder length hair. Hi weathered skin seemed to accentuate the sadness within his blue eyes which changed with all the colors of the sea and all the rich complexities of the northern ice. Gulls rushed past the ship escaping the storm. Lightning flashed in the distance and he stared at it like an old adversary. The blades at his side would not avail him. The sea was a cruel mistress that could not be tamed but such feable constructs. The port of New Thalos was visible on the horizon though and nothing would prevent him from setting foot on the soil of his homeland. Not this time. The Bell in the port rang out and he could just hear it due to how far the wind could carry the sound. It was the same bell which he had lost site and sound of so many years ago.
(Zelgadis' thoughts shift to the past)
The knife plunged into wood, the long blade sinking halfway into the ships hull beneath the strong well muscled arm of the now shirtless and armorless knight. Crimson blood mixed with salt water and stung the mans eye which had suffered a terrible gash. He pulled himself out of the sea, now colored black in the tumoltuous storm. The red ribbon which had once held the knife to his arm blew freely in the wind, whipping at his wrist. Staring back at the storm through his one good eye he cursed at the storm. The grand ship which was once his flagship of his merchant fleet and this storm had lifted it out of the sea and thrown it like a grain of sand.
He searched the horizon, rain falling down slower now, the sea becoming more calm. There were no ships on the horizon, no sailors swimming for their lives. No gulls, nothing but the cruel black sea.
(His thoughts return to the present)
It was 5 years ago. Five damned years since he'd seen this port. The port was rapidly approaching, an airship guiding their path with powerful makou floodlights. As they came about to a dock, sailors threw large ropes over the side and he jumped the few feet to the dock. He marched down long pier, cape still billowing behind him. The dockmaster was in a small stone hut at the end of the docks where it became dry land.
"Business or Pleasure Sir," The dockmaster greated him.
"Both, I'm here to take back what's mine." Zegladis stared down the cowardly man with his one good eye and the man sat down in his chair. He tossed coins at him to pay the docking fees and made his way to the center of town to find more travel arrangements.
The parting of ways
Pika entered the bar with a fierce look on his child like face. He glared at a huge man who was in his way causing the muscled man to laugh in a cruel manner that Pika did not even register. Glaring around the bar in search for a table, Pika decided a seat at the bar top was better suited to the task at hand. Hopping into the seat, Pika waved the bartender down, ordering five shots of the strongest the bar had to offer before proceeding to brood, reflecting on the thoughts of what the hell just happened.
One hour ago....
Pika excitedly drew marks in the soft dirt, fleshing out a plan of attack that he just knew would come out with them on top. It was risky, it was underhanded, it was sneaky, it was flawless! Most of all, it would lead to the rescue of his sister! There was just one problem. Convincing Tika. By the dangerously stormy look on her face, he wasn't doing a very good job. He started going over the plan again. Maybe she had missed something, how could she not see the beauty of it all???
"ENOUGH," Tika shouted raising her hands and yelling a few magic words in anger. A bolt of lightning struck down square in the middle of the plan Pika was hashing out. There was a deathly silence as the siblings stared at eachother, one angry and one completely stunned.
"Pika," His sister's voice came out choked at best. She turned away with tears of pain in her eyes. "It's just enough. I can't do it anymore. I won't be here tomorrow brother..."
Pika slowly pushed himself up, utter disbelief on his face. "What do you mean you won't be here? What do you expect me to do? I can't do this by myself! You can't abandon us! You can't abandon her!" He took a step towards his sister, prepared to shake some sense into her.
Tika turned to her brother again, nostrils flaring. Her voice dripped with venom and her lips twisted as she let the words flow, so much that she had been holding inside for so long. "She chose her path, brother. SHE CHOSE. She's a willing whore of her master and if you can't see that than you are no better off than she is. I AM LEAVING, brother. This is not who I am, some vigilante set to save the world, fight Vector, rescue some stupid traitor whore, or whatever it is you think you are doing. I DON'T CARE!" Tika's eyes glowed a deep violet color as her magic energy built inside of her. "I'm leaving, and you can continue this foolishness to your death you stupid, stupid boy!"
Pika shook with anger as he launched himself at his sister, eyes closed and fists curled. He landed with a THUMP on the soft dirt, skidding a few feet with the force of the launch. She was gone, and he was alone. He screamed his frustration to the tree tops and pounded his fists into the dirt.
One hour ago....
Pika excitedly drew marks in the soft dirt, fleshing out a plan of attack that he just knew would come out with them on top. It was risky, it was underhanded, it was sneaky, it was flawless! Most of all, it would lead to the rescue of his sister! There was just one problem. Convincing Tika. By the dangerously stormy look on her face, he wasn't doing a very good job. He started going over the plan again. Maybe she had missed something, how could she not see the beauty of it all???
"ENOUGH," Tika shouted raising her hands and yelling a few magic words in anger. A bolt of lightning struck down square in the middle of the plan Pika was hashing out. There was a deathly silence as the siblings stared at eachother, one angry and one completely stunned.
"Pika," His sister's voice came out choked at best. She turned away with tears of pain in her eyes. "It's just enough. I can't do it anymore. I won't be here tomorrow brother..."
Pika slowly pushed himself up, utter disbelief on his face. "What do you mean you won't be here? What do you expect me to do? I can't do this by myself! You can't abandon us! You can't abandon her!" He took a step towards his sister, prepared to shake some sense into her.
Tika turned to her brother again, nostrils flaring. Her voice dripped with venom and her lips twisted as she let the words flow, so much that she had been holding inside for so long. "She chose her path, brother. SHE CHOSE. She's a willing whore of her master and if you can't see that than you are no better off than she is. I AM LEAVING, brother. This is not who I am, some vigilante set to save the world, fight Vector, rescue some stupid traitor whore, or whatever it is you think you are doing. I DON'T CARE!" Tika's eyes glowed a deep violet color as her magic energy built inside of her. "I'm leaving, and you can continue this foolishness to your death you stupid, stupid boy!"
Pika shook with anger as he launched himself at his sister, eyes closed and fists curled. He landed with a THUMP on the soft dirt, skidding a few feet with the force of the launch. She was gone, and he was alone. He screamed his frustration to the tree tops and pounded his fists into the dirt.
The Muse (Part 4B)
"Can't dwell on the past, have to move forward, don't worry about why it could happen," Ror tried to settle my thoughts but I couldn't calm down. The bottle in front of me levitated by my will then exploded and before the pieces flew out they stopped and imploded upon themselves and the bottle became nothing.
"You don't understand, I'M NOT GOING BACK THERE," I nearly screamed the last part and got more than a few odd looks from other patrons. We'd been drinking a while though and after some explaining about having to see a man about a horse, Hiroaki had to leave
"If I did this to someone, it's because death was too good for them. I'm going to find them before they find me." I breathed slowly to calm myself down.
"You're right, I don't understand. But that doesn't mean you are," he said it so nonchalantly that it didn't infuriate me. "The Tripower has walls that are high and might that is great, you could easily be protected by us and we could use a priestess of your talent."
"I'm flattered you think so, I must admit the idea of being protected by you does seem rather nice, but I think I should at least wait until morning to commit to anything. It's late and I should make sure an Inn room is available." I smiled a at him and he showed me to the door and had the class to make one of the young airship attendents see me to one of the local Inns.
It was certainly something I hadn't thought about. Could there be those that could protect her from the fate she had suffered? Did she need to hunt her tormentor down? It seems this day has brought more questions then answers.
"You don't understand, I'M NOT GOING BACK THERE," I nearly screamed the last part and got more than a few odd looks from other patrons. We'd been drinking a while though and after some explaining about having to see a man about a horse, Hiroaki had to leave
"If I did this to someone, it's because death was too good for them. I'm going to find them before they find me." I breathed slowly to calm myself down.
"You're right, I don't understand. But that doesn't mean you are," he said it so nonchalantly that it didn't infuriate me. "The Tripower has walls that are high and might that is great, you could easily be protected by us and we could use a priestess of your talent."
"I'm flattered you think so, I must admit the idea of being protected by you does seem rather nice, but I think I should at least wait until morning to commit to anything. It's late and I should make sure an Inn room is available." I smiled a at him and he showed me to the door and had the class to make one of the young airship attendents see me to one of the local Inns.
It was certainly something I hadn't thought about. Could there be those that could protect her from the fate she had suffered? Did she need to hunt her tormentor down? It seems this day has brought more questions then answers.
The Muse (Part 4A)
"I got leave Phil, Ale and keep it coming!" the handsome elf in a tripower officers military uniform loosened up his collar and sat at the bar. Uncorking the bottle of ale he was given, he poured a tall class full of it and tossed some coins on the bar which were quickly picked up by the bartender. Walking toward the bar I took a spot close enough to speak to him.
"Buy a lady a drink?" I asked of him my back to the bar but my eyes upon him.
"Of course," and he slid the glass down the bar into my hand without spilling a drop. Smooth, I thought to myself, he had a way about him that betrayed the grace of an experienced fighter. I amused myself with the thought that perhaps he could be a lover, not a fighter. But the Military Uniform squashed my sudden fancy. "Phil, seems a beautiful women has gone and stolen my drink again, 1 more." He winked at me.
After exchanging pleasantries and a few moments talking about my profession and his status as a Leader of the Tripower, I asked him questions that would hopefully let me figure out how long I had been imprisoned. After some deliberation my first few days out, I had made it a point not to ask anyone directly. It might not be wise to go around talking about how little I know of who I am or what I've done. "Everything seems so different in this city, suppose that's the Tripowers doing?" I asked trying to coax information.
"In a way, various factions rallied to oust the Vectorians from this city and an all out war was averted." He seemed caught in thought and drank more ale. "Suppose it's been quite a few months since the city has been Westbridge and not that infernal Kefkaberg."
"Forgive me for asking, but I've been away, how long has it been since they first attacked? Couldn't be that long with strong Tripower men like you around." I drank more ale, it wasn't the best disguised line, but it would do. A bald average older man walked into the bar and Ror seemed to know him. He got up and greeted the man by handing him an ale.
"Forgive me, where are my manners, Calliope, please meet my very good friend Hiroaki," Ror introduced his friend.
"Pleasure to meet a friend of Ror's," We sat back at the bar and I pressed them about when Vector had first entered Westbridge.
"Must be, four or five years now," Ror thought and Hiroaki agreed about the Time.
"Five years?" The world fell out from under me as I spoke. How could it be five years in that place, I knew it was long, and I should be thankful it wasn't twenty. But five years had been stolen from me. I stumbled off the stool and across the bar with a hand on the pool table and landed on the couch. Ror grabbed a glass from behind the bar and filled it with water from a spigot. Walking over to me he placed the glass in my hand and I drank it so fast I nearly choked.
"Easy now, what's gotten into you? Too much ale?" He grinned at her and Hiroaki made a joke about keeping the girl on top of the table rather than under when drinking with them. "No, I'm just shocked at how long it's been," They both looked at her quizzically and as she explained they both nodded and offered words of encouragement.
"Buy a lady a drink?" I asked of him my back to the bar but my eyes upon him.
"Of course," and he slid the glass down the bar into my hand without spilling a drop. Smooth, I thought to myself, he had a way about him that betrayed the grace of an experienced fighter. I amused myself with the thought that perhaps he could be a lover, not a fighter. But the Military Uniform squashed my sudden fancy. "Phil, seems a beautiful women has gone and stolen my drink again, 1 more." He winked at me.
After exchanging pleasantries and a few moments talking about my profession and his status as a Leader of the Tripower, I asked him questions that would hopefully let me figure out how long I had been imprisoned. After some deliberation my first few days out, I had made it a point not to ask anyone directly. It might not be wise to go around talking about how little I know of who I am or what I've done. "Everything seems so different in this city, suppose that's the Tripowers doing?" I asked trying to coax information.
"In a way, various factions rallied to oust the Vectorians from this city and an all out war was averted." He seemed caught in thought and drank more ale. "Suppose it's been quite a few months since the city has been Westbridge and not that infernal Kefkaberg."
"Forgive me for asking, but I've been away, how long has it been since they first attacked? Couldn't be that long with strong Tripower men like you around." I drank more ale, it wasn't the best disguised line, but it would do. A bald average older man walked into the bar and Ror seemed to know him. He got up and greeted the man by handing him an ale.
"Forgive me, where are my manners, Calliope, please meet my very good friend Hiroaki," Ror introduced his friend.
"Pleasure to meet a friend of Ror's," We sat back at the bar and I pressed them about when Vector had first entered Westbridge.
"Must be, four or five years now," Ror thought and Hiroaki agreed about the Time.
"Five years?" The world fell out from under me as I spoke. How could it be five years in that place, I knew it was long, and I should be thankful it wasn't twenty. But five years had been stolen from me. I stumbled off the stool and across the bar with a hand on the pool table and landed on the couch. Ror grabbed a glass from behind the bar and filled it with water from a spigot. Walking over to me he placed the glass in my hand and I drank it so fast I nearly choked.
"Easy now, what's gotten into you? Too much ale?" He grinned at her and Hiroaki made a joke about keeping the girl on top of the table rather than under when drinking with them. "No, I'm just shocked at how long it's been," They both looked at her quizzically and as she explained they both nodded and offered words of encouragement.
Log: 16092013 - Ror and Calliope
OOC commentary: This was the first roleplay between Ror and Calliope. Hiroaki dropped by as well. Later Calliope wrote some rolenotes about it. People who pay close attention might spot a few differences. Although nothing major.
The Muse (Part 3)
It had been a few days and she had found work to survive as a healer. Skill with healing spells was apparently natural to her. The injured and sick had begun to come from all over the port and city of New Thalos to recieve her help. Her hands healed those who needed it as if imbued by the gods. Could this gift be why I was imprisoned? It couldn't be true, those who I helped expressed such gratitude that they could never hurt her. Perhaps though, there were those who wanted some of them dead, and she couldn't be allowed to stay around and heal them.
One thing was certain, I couldn't stay here and get answers. Gathering my few belongings and pulling my cloak over my head and body, I walked down to the merchant caravans that were headed west. They would miss me, but I couldn't stay there. Bartering my passage one of the goblins allowed me to sit in the back of his cart. I could fly, or travel by magic, but to where, for what purpose? I didn't know and thus it was better to travel where no one could find me, so that I could see them coming before they saw me.
The dessert was cooler in the night, but the breeze was still warm. The caravan moved along normal roads pulled by camels and other creatures suited for the dessert. After a few hours, a grand city could be seen, Makou Light and Airships shone brightly. An enormous tower could be seen in the center.
"Torregiano trades, hurry it up. You're done here too lady," the goblin pointed at me and I entered the city. It was incredible, a testiment to their power. The whole city was lit up bright as day. Tripower Banners hung on one a few buildings, but I wasn't looking for them. The old transit system lead to a few places, but I was looking for something familiar. Westbridge, struck a cord more than the others and I bought a ticket. In Westbridge, I walked a few blocks to the airship park, a local bar was full of life by this time of night so I entered it.
One thing was certain, I couldn't stay here and get answers. Gathering my few belongings and pulling my cloak over my head and body, I walked down to the merchant caravans that were headed west. They would miss me, but I couldn't stay there. Bartering my passage one of the goblins allowed me to sit in the back of his cart. I could fly, or travel by magic, but to where, for what purpose? I didn't know and thus it was better to travel where no one could find me, so that I could see them coming before they saw me.
The dessert was cooler in the night, but the breeze was still warm. The caravan moved along normal roads pulled by camels and other creatures suited for the dessert. After a few hours, a grand city could be seen, Makou Light and Airships shone brightly. An enormous tower could be seen in the center.
"Torregiano trades, hurry it up. You're done here too lady," the goblin pointed at me and I entered the city. It was incredible, a testiment to their power. The whole city was lit up bright as day. Tripower Banners hung on one a few buildings, but I wasn't looking for them. The old transit system lead to a few places, but I was looking for something familiar. Westbridge, struck a cord more than the others and I bought a ticket. In Westbridge, I walked a few blocks to the airship park, a local bar was full of life by this time of night so I entered it.
The Muse (Part 2)
"You motherless sons of dogs," a ship captain announciated more than his crew as he spoke sharply to them, "Bringing a creature like this on board, and a women none the less! It'll be a complete miracle if we catch any fish t'all this trip."
" But Cap'n, she ma'ya drowned werenot for sully and pike" a sailor in a pinstripe shirt whined.
"And we done be the better for it," the captain picked an apple out of a barrel and bit into it and let it hang at his side. The apple was all I cared about, this squabble was nothing, my hunger was such that I could have eaten them. I crawled to him and grabbed it out of his hand and took a bite. It was sweeter than any bliss I knew. The juice seeped out of it a bit and ran off the corner of my mouth.
"And just look what this curr lass has done now, stolen my apple," He stomped his foot and pulled the cutlas from his belt. "Now hand that back, or do I take it by force! "
I bit into the apple again and as he raised his sword I thought of divine power. How the wrath would tear through his body like my teeth through the apple. Perhaps not, with a word his eyes drooped and sword fell to the floor and he fell asleep. The crew members shrieked and began running around the ship grabbing wooden planks and readying life boats. Some of the lesser minded fools jumped overboard with nothing. Good, I thought, means we're near enough to shore. Standing, I grabbed another apple from the barrel and bit into it. I'll eat a whole bushel of these.
The last of the crew jumped overboard and swam toward a life boat and with a few words of magic I summoned an elemental of wind to stear the ship and controlled the weather to push the boat in the direction the life boats were going. West it is then.
After a few more apples and a skin of wine I'd found in the captains quarters, land was on the horizon. Fury raged within me being fueled by a fire of vengeance. Standing on the crossbeam of one of the sails, even the wind didn't cool my thoughts. It was too long since I could do anything about what had happened. All that time in the dark had stolen her memory, it would take a long while to find it. That's ok, I thought, time was suddenly on her side.
" But Cap'n, she ma'ya drowned werenot for sully and pike" a sailor in a pinstripe shirt whined.
"And we done be the better for it," the captain picked an apple out of a barrel and bit into it and let it hang at his side. The apple was all I cared about, this squabble was nothing, my hunger was such that I could have eaten them. I crawled to him and grabbed it out of his hand and took a bite. It was sweeter than any bliss I knew. The juice seeped out of it a bit and ran off the corner of my mouth.
"And just look what this curr lass has done now, stolen my apple," He stomped his foot and pulled the cutlas from his belt. "Now hand that back, or do I take it by force! "
I bit into the apple again and as he raised his sword I thought of divine power. How the wrath would tear through his body like my teeth through the apple. Perhaps not, with a word his eyes drooped and sword fell to the floor and he fell asleep. The crew members shrieked and began running around the ship grabbing wooden planks and readying life boats. Some of the lesser minded fools jumped overboard with nothing. Good, I thought, means we're near enough to shore. Standing, I grabbed another apple from the barrel and bit into it. I'll eat a whole bushel of these.
The last of the crew jumped overboard and swam toward a life boat and with a few words of magic I summoned an elemental of wind to stear the ship and controlled the weather to push the boat in the direction the life boats were going. West it is then.
After a few more apples and a skin of wine I'd found in the captains quarters, land was on the horizon. Fury raged within me being fueled by a fire of vengeance. Standing on the crossbeam of one of the sails, even the wind didn't cool my thoughts. It was too long since I could do anything about what had happened. All that time in the dark had stolen her memory, it would take a long while to find it. That's ok, I thought, time was suddenly on her side.
The thoughts of the sister
Tika spread the heady salve on her brothers wound, a deep frown planted in place. That had been such a stupid idea. She always let her brother talk her into his schemes. But he always seemed so sure they would work!
With a cry of pain from her brother, Tika came back to the present and began wrapping his arm. That was going to leave a scar, she thought with a sigh.
"We can't go through that again," Tika stated firmly, giving her brother a stern look. "If we end up dead, what good will that do anyone?" She watched as her brother slumped back, not saying a word. He knew she was right, or at least she hoped he did. "We'll find a better way," Tika said more softly, soothing her brother's wounded ego.
She let out a sigh as she released his arm and leaned back against the tree beside him. Morning would come soon and they would make their way to Westbridge for some food. There they would meet with one of their parents old contacts. That, Tika knew would set the tone for what was to come for her and her brother. She could only hope that somewhere in the future they would be able to... What? Regain control of their sister? Make her see the error of her ways? Force her to come with them? Tika closed her eyes against the anger that flashed and turned away from her brother. She wouldn't let him see her uncertainty. He didn't know the things she knew. He hadn't seen the things she had seen... Sleep drifted over the girl as thoughts of hatred settled deep within her heart.
With a cry of pain from her brother, Tika came back to the present and began wrapping his arm. That was going to leave a scar, she thought with a sigh.
"We can't go through that again," Tika stated firmly, giving her brother a stern look. "If we end up dead, what good will that do anyone?" She watched as her brother slumped back, not saying a word. He knew she was right, or at least she hoped he did. "We'll find a better way," Tika said more softly, soothing her brother's wounded ego.
She let out a sigh as she released his arm and leaned back against the tree beside him. Morning would come soon and they would make their way to Westbridge for some food. There they would meet with one of their parents old contacts. That, Tika knew would set the tone for what was to come for her and her brother. She could only hope that somewhere in the future they would be able to... What? Regain control of their sister? Make her see the error of her ways? Force her to come with them? Tika closed her eyes against the anger that flashed and turned away from her brother. She wouldn't let him see her uncertainty. He didn't know the things she knew. He hadn't seen the things she had seen... Sleep drifted over the girl as thoughts of hatred settled deep within her heart.
The Muse
Thin spider-vien cracks slowly appeared in the black ice that encased a young priestess. The flowing blew robes hung weightlessly in the ice as if she was frozen instanly. Long black locks also looked blown back by some sort of wind at the time she was frozen. Her pale white skin was due to years without sunlight and her expression was of disbelief that made the anguish of her condition more believable. A symbol of Mystra stood out around her neck glowing very faintly in the darkness. The cracks grew very slowly, bright red light pulsated within them. What twisted fate befell this girl? The black ice gave no answers, the red pulsing cracks that were continuing to grow gave even fewer.
Light, it was the first I'd seen in years. It could be an illusion, or a nightmare. I've been thrust into darkness so long that I don't remember my own name. There were fates worse than death in this world but reading about them and experiencing them for youself are two very different things.Nothingness, it made every part of your body scream out in terror while at the same time numbing them with the reality which meant that there was absolutely nothing that could be done about it. Eventually, it made you nothing. Hope though, the imperceptible spark of chance, could drive you mad. After so long Hope wound its way around your mind like a serpent and squeezed with every waking moment in the darkness. It was something as undaunting as hope which made her forget. With every hopeful moment her mind turned against her. So I stopped thinking about how to escape my fate, or when it would end or how. I stopped thinking about anything. I gave up.
This was a curious thing. Cracks were new. Light, even as far away and blurry as this was couldn't be mistaken. Like the light at the end of the tunnel. Was I rising toward it? It falling toward me? Perhaps my mind finally shutting down and this was death. The cracks were growing brighter and larger, they slowly turned purple then blue. The light grew brighter, larger. Hope, my enemy, crept into my mind once more like a silent thief. The light began to swirl and began slowly to illuminate the world around me. The cracks widened and something rushed between them. It felt like knives, feeling anything after so long was painful.Something blocked out the light for a moment then it was clear. My savior was the sun. The perfect circle of bright light bore down on me and again hope pushed at me, erging me to take the bait. Bubbles rose from my cell. The pain I was feeling subsided into cold. Hope overcame me, I was rising. My prison was rising toward the sun from the bottom of an ocean. The water turned beautiful greens and blues, colors I hadn't imagined in years. I could see the surface. It moved in a dance with the sky. Light dazzlingly reflecting off each wave. The cracks were near breaking point. Then I felt the rush of energy that I had longed for over the years. Like a lost lover returning from the dead, magic flowed into my soul once more.
This cage could no longer contain me. Energy ripped through what remained of the cage and it sent shards flying through the air. The warm sun fell upon me and I basked in its radiance. Powerful shielding spells encircled my body the force of which pushed at the sea which gave way as water does to such forces. I breathed in the warm air and tears flowed freely from my eyes.
I was exhausted though and fell to the sea, the warm waters flowed over my body and I closed my eyes, focusing for the moment on keeping my head above water and my face in the sun. I felt strong arms pull me up and out of the sea. Their intent was to save me. They spoke languages I didn't comprehend. They shook me and as I opened my eyes an old mariner looked at me through grey beard and hazel eyes and asked "Who are you child? "
"I am the Muse"
Light, it was the first I'd seen in years. It could be an illusion, or a nightmare. I've been thrust into darkness so long that I don't remember my own name. There were fates worse than death in this world but reading about them and experiencing them for youself are two very different things.Nothingness, it made every part of your body scream out in terror while at the same time numbing them with the reality which meant that there was absolutely nothing that could be done about it. Eventually, it made you nothing. Hope though, the imperceptible spark of chance, could drive you mad. After so long Hope wound its way around your mind like a serpent and squeezed with every waking moment in the darkness. It was something as undaunting as hope which made her forget. With every hopeful moment her mind turned against her. So I stopped thinking about how to escape my fate, or when it would end or how. I stopped thinking about anything. I gave up.
This was a curious thing. Cracks were new. Light, even as far away and blurry as this was couldn't be mistaken. Like the light at the end of the tunnel. Was I rising toward it? It falling toward me? Perhaps my mind finally shutting down and this was death. The cracks were growing brighter and larger, they slowly turned purple then blue. The light grew brighter, larger. Hope, my enemy, crept into my mind once more like a silent thief. The light began to swirl and began slowly to illuminate the world around me. The cracks widened and something rushed between them. It felt like knives, feeling anything after so long was painful.Something blocked out the light for a moment then it was clear. My savior was the sun. The perfect circle of bright light bore down on me and again hope pushed at me, erging me to take the bait. Bubbles rose from my cell. The pain I was feeling subsided into cold. Hope overcame me, I was rising. My prison was rising toward the sun from the bottom of an ocean. The water turned beautiful greens and blues, colors I hadn't imagined in years. I could see the surface. It moved in a dance with the sky. Light dazzlingly reflecting off each wave. The cracks were near breaking point. Then I felt the rush of energy that I had longed for over the years. Like a lost lover returning from the dead, magic flowed into my soul once more.
This cage could no longer contain me. Energy ripped through what remained of the cage and it sent shards flying through the air. The warm sun fell upon me and I basked in its radiance. Powerful shielding spells encircled my body the force of which pushed at the sea which gave way as water does to such forces. I breathed in the warm air and tears flowed freely from my eyes.
I was exhausted though and fell to the sea, the warm waters flowed over my body and I closed my eyes, focusing for the moment on keeping my head above water and my face in the sun. I felt strong arms pull me up and out of the sea. Their intent was to save me. They spoke languages I didn't comprehend. They shook me and as I opened my eyes an old mariner looked at me through grey beard and hazel eyes and asked "Who are you child? "
"I am the Muse"
Beast
Ruthivan glared at Claire, his chest heaving. He could slaughter her here, but no, she had a child in her. He would calm himself enough not to rip out her insides like he had her father. It was a fight. He grabbed her around the neck and squeezed hard, to the point he knew she was ready to pass out, then pushed her against the wall, holding her in a standing position. "You liar," he snarled in her ear. "You fooled me once, but you will not ever again. You'll do everything I ask of you and never question it. I don't care if you dry up and rot, you'll dry up and rot as a pure blooded Esper devoted to her family, and so help me if I don't see adoration and devotion on your face-" he gave another squeeze.
He let Claire slump to the floor in a coughing fit and turned around to the body laying on the floor. He roared as he leaned down and began to devour the body. He knew as he crunched the bones, the magic in Eladrim, in Claire's father, would saturate him. He thought nothing of the consequences or the putrid nature of what he was doing. He did not stop to think about the madness that would consume him even more than his own. The blood dripped down his face, the magic quivered in his stomach before radiating outward in pulses, causing him to shiver beneath the power.
He shuddered back into his Esper form and looked up into the faces of his horrified children who stared at him from the doorway. "Children..."
"You eated him..." Desmaren whispered before suddenly breaking into sobs.
"Claire," Ruthivan snarled. "Your duty begins now. Take your children to their rooms and tell them how you brought this upon yourself and our family."
Ruthivan stood up and wiped his mouth. All that remained of Eladrim was a puddle on the floor, and he would force Claire to clean it. For now, he had to find Seranfrit. If she feared him, all the better. He would force his family back into the tribe, and he would rule them as he saw fit. He caught Claire as she walked past him and forced a kiss upon her lips, smiling at the blood that smeared itself on her. "I love you," he grinned and walked out the door, slamming it behind him.
He let Claire slump to the floor in a coughing fit and turned around to the body laying on the floor. He roared as he leaned down and began to devour the body. He knew as he crunched the bones, the magic in Eladrim, in Claire's father, would saturate him. He thought nothing of the consequences or the putrid nature of what he was doing. He did not stop to think about the madness that would consume him even more than his own. The blood dripped down his face, the magic quivered in his stomach before radiating outward in pulses, causing him to shiver beneath the power.
He shuddered back into his Esper form and looked up into the faces of his horrified children who stared at him from the doorway. "Children..."
"You eated him..." Desmaren whispered before suddenly breaking into sobs.
"Claire," Ruthivan snarled. "Your duty begins now. Take your children to their rooms and tell them how you brought this upon yourself and our family."
Ruthivan stood up and wiped his mouth. All that remained of Eladrim was a puddle on the floor, and he would force Claire to clean it. For now, he had to find Seranfrit. If she feared him, all the better. He would force his family back into the tribe, and he would rule them as he saw fit. He caught Claire as she walked past him and forced a kiss upon her lips, smiling at the blood that smeared itself on her. "I love you," he grinned and walked out the door, slamming it behind him.
Discussions
Eladrim sat down and sighed deeply. He turned to look at Claire. "You say he hit you?"
'Yes, father. And I can do no magic, I can't be freed of this place. I can't get out.'
"Claire," Seranfrit commanded. "This is ridiculous. You need to settle down and you finally have. This is your life!"
'Then why don't you have it, mother? Honestly, I don't know why you don't have more children. I am a litter mother to a brood of children, why not you?'
Claire watched her mother struggling to formulate words, her mouth working like a fish. She turned her attention on her father. "Please, I don't want to be here, father. I will go wherever you ask of me, but not with him. Break the bond, absolve me of this misery!"
"And what of your children?" Eladrim asked.
'Take them, take them from him and his racist and ignorant teachings. Don't let them become him.'
"You don't want your own children?" Seranfrit hissed with disgust.
'You don't want me, mother, unless its on your own terms. If I could take my children from him and not have to endure his presence I would, but something tells me that if I take them, I would never see peace.'
Claire stared at the frozen beast that hulked in the kitchen. She could hear the low growls from under the frost. "I am willing to let them grow up in the tribe, if you'll have them, full blood Espers. I can't do this, father. Please."
Eladrim sighed deeply and finally nodded. "I will seek out the wise ones to see if we can free you of the bond. In the meantime, we will bring you and the children into the tribe."
"You can't be serious," Seranfrit spat.
"I will not have this man harm -our- daughter. Will you?"
Fish mouth worked and Claire's eyes filled with tears. 'Thank you, father. Thank you.'
Eladrim rose and walked to the icy Ruthivan who growled and whimpered in his shell of frost. He stared for a long moment. "I know you have heard all of this, Ruthivan. You will be separated from my daughter as soon as we find the wise ones. You will not have your children, you will not be part of the tribe. You will not have Claire. In fact, you would best serve yourself by returning to your home and your mother."
Claire gasped as the frost began to melt and crack. With a roar, Ruthivan broke his bonds and drove his entire fist into Eladrim's stomach. He ripped his hand back out, entrails flowing over his hand. Claire didn't hear her own screaming as her father dropped to the floor, shocked as he exhaled his last breath and died. She only knew that in a moment, her mother was running for her life, and Claire was face to snout with Ruthivan.
"You will never leave and above all, you will never take my children. If you try, I will kill you."
'Yes, father. And I can do no magic, I can't be freed of this place. I can't get out.'
"Claire," Seranfrit commanded. "This is ridiculous. You need to settle down and you finally have. This is your life!"
'Then why don't you have it, mother? Honestly, I don't know why you don't have more children. I am a litter mother to a brood of children, why not you?'
Claire watched her mother struggling to formulate words, her mouth working like a fish. She turned her attention on her father. "Please, I don't want to be here, father. I will go wherever you ask of me, but not with him. Break the bond, absolve me of this misery!"
"And what of your children?" Eladrim asked.
'Take them, take them from him and his racist and ignorant teachings. Don't let them become him.'
"You don't want your own children?" Seranfrit hissed with disgust.
'You don't want me, mother, unless its on your own terms. If I could take my children from him and not have to endure his presence I would, but something tells me that if I take them, I would never see peace.'
Claire stared at the frozen beast that hulked in the kitchen. She could hear the low growls from under the frost. "I am willing to let them grow up in the tribe, if you'll have them, full blood Espers. I can't do this, father. Please."
Eladrim sighed deeply and finally nodded. "I will seek out the wise ones to see if we can free you of the bond. In the meantime, we will bring you and the children into the tribe."
"You can't be serious," Seranfrit spat.
"I will not have this man harm -our- daughter. Will you?"
Fish mouth worked and Claire's eyes filled with tears. 'Thank you, father. Thank you.'
Eladrim rose and walked to the icy Ruthivan who growled and whimpered in his shell of frost. He stared for a long moment. "I know you have heard all of this, Ruthivan. You will be separated from my daughter as soon as we find the wise ones. You will not have your children, you will not be part of the tribe. You will not have Claire. In fact, you would best serve yourself by returning to your home and your mother."
Claire gasped as the frost began to melt and crack. With a roar, Ruthivan broke his bonds and drove his entire fist into Eladrim's stomach. He ripped his hand back out, entrails flowing over his hand. Claire didn't hear her own screaming as her father dropped to the floor, shocked as he exhaled his last breath and died. She only knew that in a moment, her mother was running for her life, and Claire was face to snout with Ruthivan.
"You will never leave and above all, you will never take my children. If you try, I will kill you."
Dinner
His eyes bulged and he could feel the rage that coursed through him electrify and ignite. Only the calm he forced on himself kept him from turning into the beast and ripping the table asunder. He glared at Claire, then felt the icy blue eyes of Eladrim on his face. "Is this true?" Eladrim asked.
"Now, dear, you don't mean all of that, do you?" Seranfrit coddled, patting Claire's hand.
"I mean it all," Claire answered, finally looking at him. He wanted to kill her.
"Children," Ruthivan said, measuring his patience.
"Take your food to your rooms."
"But father," Celiara whined and was silenced by the glare from under his brows.
"Go. Now."
Ruthivan gripped the sides of the table and forced himself to look at Eladrim. "I had to knock a bout of sense into her, that is all."
"And I'm your prisoner in this house," Claire added.
"You are being kept safe," he said.
"I want out. I want out now."
"Ruthivan, you knew my rule. If Claire was not in agreement with this arrangement, you would have to set her free."
He couldn't contain it, and he felt the change ripple over him. He was the beast, he was beyond any soothing or consoling. He let out a roar in Eladrim's face, his clawed fists clenched. "I will not let you take my family from me. They are mine!"
Eladrim stood calmly, closing his eyes and bowing his head. Suddenly, he exhaled, frost flowing from his mouth and over Ruthivan, freezing him in place. Ruthivan could see out of his prison, he could hear the conversation, but he could not move or fight against the superior magic that held him fast.
"Now, dear, you don't mean all of that, do you?" Seranfrit coddled, patting Claire's hand.
"I mean it all," Claire answered, finally looking at him. He wanted to kill her.
"Children," Ruthivan said, measuring his patience.
"Take your food to your rooms."
"But father," Celiara whined and was silenced by the glare from under his brows.
"Go. Now."
Ruthivan gripped the sides of the table and forced himself to look at Eladrim. "I had to knock a bout of sense into her, that is all."
"And I'm your prisoner in this house," Claire added.
"You are being kept safe," he said.
"I want out. I want out now."
"Ruthivan, you knew my rule. If Claire was not in agreement with this arrangement, you would have to set her free."
He couldn't contain it, and he felt the change ripple over him. He was the beast, he was beyond any soothing or consoling. He let out a roar in Eladrim's face, his clawed fists clenched. "I will not let you take my family from me. They are mine!"
Eladrim stood calmly, closing his eyes and bowing his head. Suddenly, he exhaled, frost flowing from his mouth and over Ruthivan, freezing him in place. Ruthivan could see out of his prison, he could hear the conversation, but he could not move or fight against the superior magic that held him fast.
Dinner
It had been several days since Claire had talked Ruthivan into birth control, raising their four children, inviting her father and mother over, and faking her flames like mad as she held onto memories long past. It was just unfortunate that in her zeal to lie long enough to break free, Ruthivan had lied about birth control so that he got her pregnant days after Hadriel was born, he kept her parents from coming for days as well, and her hopes of getting outside long enough to contact someone, anyone, to save her were shut down with the discovery of her newest child. She was frantic, she wanted free, but she was drugged and found herself in a foggy haze for a day.
Finally, Ruthivan had made good on his promise. He invited her parents to dinner, knowing that her mother, Seranfrit would be on is side, and knowing that her father, Eladrim, wouldn't be at all the wiser since - in the tent - she couldn't communicate with him in secret. Still, Claire had to do something. She felt stir crazy, like she was drowning, suffocating, being choked by the lies that fell fat from her lips after filling her throat.
She did her cooking, listening to her mother's harpy-like voice crooning over her grandchildren and praising Ruthivan for being such a good father. She kept her head bowed as she worked at the stove. Once dinner was ready, the entire family sat at the table. Eladrim, her father, gave a smile and nod. "This looks delicious," he said. "So, it seems things have been going well here."
'He beats me,' Claire said, not bothering to look at the strangled look of murderous rage on Ruthivan's face as she spoke. 'I want to leave here and he will not let me. I am a prisoner in my own home. I want out. I want to break the bond. I want to be free of this man. If I can't break away, I'm afraid of what I will do to myself. I harbor a hate so deep and full, a hopelessness so complete and total, that I will end my life if I do not get help.'
The table was silent until Desmaren, two and so precocious shouted out, "Let's eat!"
Finally, Ruthivan had made good on his promise. He invited her parents to dinner, knowing that her mother, Seranfrit would be on is side, and knowing that her father, Eladrim, wouldn't be at all the wiser since - in the tent - she couldn't communicate with him in secret. Still, Claire had to do something. She felt stir crazy, like she was drowning, suffocating, being choked by the lies that fell fat from her lips after filling her throat.
She did her cooking, listening to her mother's harpy-like voice crooning over her grandchildren and praising Ruthivan for being such a good father. She kept her head bowed as she worked at the stove. Once dinner was ready, the entire family sat at the table. Eladrim, her father, gave a smile and nod. "This looks delicious," he said. "So, it seems things have been going well here."
'He beats me,' Claire said, not bothering to look at the strangled look of murderous rage on Ruthivan's face as she spoke. 'I want to leave here and he will not let me. I am a prisoner in my own home. I want out. I want to break the bond. I want to be free of this man. If I can't break away, I'm afraid of what I will do to myself. I harbor a hate so deep and full, a hopelessness so complete and total, that I will end my life if I do not get help.'
The table was silent until Desmaren, two and so precocious shouted out, "Let's eat!"
Current Character Description - DAQ I
The Defense Armour Quiritian (DAQ) is a massive automotive armour built by the Research Department of the Tripower Kingdom. DAQ glows a sinister green as it moves around. Nearby this technological pinnacle, the sound of clockwork ticking and moving inside can be heard. The armour itself is new but reminds of the metal-clad knights of old. The sigil of Tripower is set upon the center of the chest. When armed, DAQ wields a similar massive warhammer in its gauntlet.
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