When RP takes control IC thread

[Xenocide_613]

Thalryn & Elistraee

The gold elf grinned slightly at the kiss. He winked, then nodded towards the door. “Let’s see what we can get in the way of food, shall we?”

Elistraee entered his mind as he ended his sentence. Ah, Thalryn. It seems you just can’t keep the females off of you.

His grin turned into a smirk as he eyed the elven maiden before him. Straee, you know you are my only love.

The sound of the ferret’s laughter echoed in his head. You are naught but a charmer, elf. I don’t know what she sees in you.

The gold elf laughed aloud, causing Athyna to eye him curiously. I don’t see too many male ferrets around, dearest

I am pledged as a familiar. I have not the luxury of males master.

So you say. Just keep your thoughts to yourself about how I conduct my personal affairs, hmmm?

Then where would I derive my entertainment?!

Thalryn rolled his eyes at Elistraee, jerking a thumb at her perch on his shoulder at Athyna’s inquiring glare. The gold elf shook his head and sighed.

“Let’s just go get some food. Straee has a special knack for pestering me, is all.”

 

[katalynn]

Athyna could only imagine what the beautiful ferret was saying. But being unable to hear her, it was only guesses. Calling lightly for the huge cat to follow, in hopes that he would be welcomed as long as he was with her.

"Would she like a little playmate? I'm sure we can find another like her........ Or, is she allowed to have such ... pleasures?"

Grinned back at him and the ferret, assuming that was somewhat of the coversation. Or at least a mere topic. Seeing me and another woman after her master, well. It could be of an issue.

She opened the door and began to walk out, letting Pouncer out first.

"I've always thought about getting a ferret, just don't think there is another that would be as smart as you Strae.... Then again, this is land of magic...."

Athyna felt more secure now as she reached over and took Thalryns' hand into hers lightly and almost cautiously, unsure of how he would feel about that.

"Where should we start, there seems to be many choices in the air."

 

[Xenocide_613]

Thalryn

The gold elf gently squeezed her hand before letting it go. He lifted his hand up to her face, lightly touching her cheek. His grin seemed a little sad.

“When an animal goes through the rites of becoming a familiar, all their natural abilities become heightened. Some even develop the ability to use magic. As you know, a familiar is sentient, setting them apart from others of their kind. It is somewhat hard to find a compatible mate for one who is greater than the rest of her kind. Many familiars, therefore, take an oath of celibacy during the rites. They put their animalistic sides aside for the service of the master.”

Thalryn reached up and gently stroked Elistraee behind the ears. “It is not an oath that is required, but one that is freely given. It heightens the bond between master and familiar, and allows for certain feats that would otherwise be impossible.”

Thalryn appraised the cat that strode on the opposite side of Athyna. “It takes a great deal of time, magic, and energy to find a familiar. While…Pouncer…is a good animal companion, imbuing a creature like that could take months…years maybe. It is…possible, but only for High Magi.”

The gold elf’s mind seemed to wander as he walked with the elf maiden and her great cat. His thoughts drifted to the lady necromancer, and the necessary rites that might be involved in binding loyal undead servants such as the ones she had. By his observation, they were serving of their own free will. This said volumes alone about the necromancer in question. He was usually a good judge of character, and though she practiced the darker arts, she was fundamentally good natured. He wished to get to know her better, but as yet he didn’t even have a name.

Thalryn shook his head, coming back to reality. “Ah…we can eat where ever you’d like. I’m not too picky.”

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her servants

“In this cold season,
You’re trying to tell me what love is?
Never mind about that.
Let’s blame it on the winter and warm each other up…!”

The sky above her swirled and melted together in an odd fashion. She was dimly aware that she was spinning around, that the wine was spilling over her hands. If she were a princess, then she would have on a dress of cool pearl that would move with her, right? When she reached down to see, she was surprised that all she had on was her usual leather suit. That was odd - she could’ve sworn that she had on a dress. A really nice one. Like the ones she had seen other little girls wear when she was little…but she always had to wear beat up things. She couldn’t remember wearing a dress.

Dimly she heard Lang singing - that used to be her favorite song. Why wasn’t it still her favorite song now? It probably was, but she couldn’t hear it all too clear. There was a continual thudding of the blood within her ears, the sloshing about of that blood that made her stagger and almost lose her balance. Lucky when she almost fell, her hand landed against a tombstone, helping to keep her up. The Harlot was still there, joining in in the song. She was a nice woman. Most women that were dead tended to be. Why weren’t they like that when they were alive?

“In this cold season,
What can I do about anything?
You can’t say none of that matters.
We suffer in loneliness, but…”

It wasn’t even cold. Why was he singing that? She wanted to tell him that it was summer. Or at least it felt like summer. Her mouth wasn’t working too well, though. And her eyelids kept dropping down like she was supposed to be sleeping. Her tongue was thick in her mouth, and the world kept swimming before her. Wow, the ground was coming up to meet her awfully fast…Ouch. She sat up from where she fell, trying to piece together how she had taken the fall in the first place. Before her, Shihou’s eyes were worried - he was the only one that hadn’t been drinking. She could hear his voice, but couldn’t see his mouth moving. How in the world was he doing that?

“Zhu, Zhu…! I think you’ve had a bit too much…come, give me the bottle…”

It was almost empty, anyway. The bottle passed to his hand, then to another dead soul who had wanted it. She could feel his arms around her…and she pressed her face into his shoulder. It was like this when she was little, too. He was still cold…but he always smelled good. Not like people thought a dead person smelled. He smelled like fresh earth and pine buried beneath his expensive jasmine cologne. They used to call her ‘princess’ when she was little, too.

“Oh, princess…My poor princess. You already think that you’re grown up…” came Shihou’s voice. He was holding her like she was a baby….how did he manage that? She had grown! Really. Like, with curves and breasts and taller. And still, it didn’t keep him from holding her like a little girl. She liked that. The world wasn’t moving as fast as it had been a minute ago. She could hear the dead, thinking that because she was leaving, the party was over. Nooo….She didn’t want to go.

“Shihou, I don’t wanna go…lemme sleep here…”

In the distance, she could still hear Lang singing.

“When our stubbornness finally melts away,
Who will love call out to?
But for now, I don’t have anything.
So please warm me up..!

 

[katalynn]

Athyna suddenly felt bad as he explained what the familiars go through and what they sacrifice. She knew it was a great deal, but didn't think it went to that extent.

"I am sorry, I over stepped. Though I had no idea it went to that great of .... lengths for an animal to become a familiar as such."

He fell silent for a few moments and she wondered what he was thinking about. Hopeing that he wasn't upset with her words about Strae.

"Anyway, how should we go about making amends with this necromancer? I do not think Dom will want to pretend to be a street rat just to get to healed. Even then, we still have Kryss."

Athyna was somewhat looking for the woman with the servants, she really didn't want to go out of her way for this, but she did feel bad that she thinks we were ill towards her when, well, Thalrynn and her were not.

"This looks like a good spot.."

The little merch had all kinds of meat, fresh meat that he would cut to the customers wishes and cooked just how they wanted it. From thick juicy steaks and ribs, down to cold cut sandwhiches. Athyna asked the man for a thick slab of raw meat, maybe even with the bone. At first he looked at her funny not seeing the beast at her side when he turned around, then he nodded saying he had the perfect thing. She on the other hand got something a little lighter.

"Where do you think we could find this mystery woman?"

She spoke after the golden elf lord ordered something for him and Strae.

 

[Xenocide_613]

Thalryn

"Where do you think we could find this mystery woman?"

He pondered the wood elf’s question as he waited for the butcher to cook the steak he’d ordered.

“Jasleth probably knows.” He looked at Athyna, wondering if he should speak his thoughts. “I…” he began slowly, thinking over each word carefully. “I do not wish to be…unwelcoming, but I think we might have better…results…if I were to seek out the necromancer…alone.”

 

[Armphid]

Kyle

Kyle had left the courtyard just after Thalryn appeared. Largely because he did not want to make a bad situation worse. The necromancer was mad at him! How did she find the nerve! He was the one who had been called a reject, who'd had weapons pulled on him, the one who had swallowed his tongue when her walking bone piles had takled trash on him! He'd been polite! Was a little courtesy in return too much to bloody ask?

He stalked about the valley ina foul mood for hours. A brief encounter with Kryss had lifted his spirits, but his magnificent girl had sensed his anger and melted away, dancing in the woods and singing when she left him. There was something different about her...and his own anger seemed to chase her off. That had confused and even hurt him...yet he was happy that she was so pleased. Once he shook this bad mood, he'd have to find her.

He was walking by a cemetary when he thought he heard a familiar voice. ....it couldn't be her...not in a million years. However....he had to find out. He padded around to the now open wrought iron gate and peered inside. Perched somewhat precariously on a large tombstone was the white clad necromancer from before. Several bottles littered the ground, and her attendants, plus a woman he had not seen before were singing a drinking song.

He blinked. What was going on here? Was this the same woman he had spoken to earlier? To have such dignity and now be like this...there was something going on here. Looking at her now...he had a strange sense of deja vu. He sighed, muttering to himself, "Kryss, dear...lend me a little of that joy I saw you with, I'm going to have to stay my anger here."

Then he took a few steps into the graveyard. The sentinals he had already met snapped to attention, weapons ready. He held his hands out, empty palms up, and bowed deeply. "Forgive me for interrupting you, My Lady." "I wished to take this chance to apologize for giving you offense earlier." "I didn't mean to do so, I was trying to be polite, and apparently failed spectacularly." "Please accept my humble apology."

 

[katalynn]

Athyna was taken back a little by his words, though, under the circumstances he was probably right. The necromancer in no way did like seeing her there by Thals' side.

Athyna sighed, wasn't out of disapointment or anger, was out of understanding.

"I don't like it, not the fact that you wish to go alone. But she is a caster...."

Saw the look the in his eyes, they were telling me to not worry about him, it was something she couldn't help. Athyna closed her a moment, trying to think of something to say.

"I just don't trust her.... yet, she seems to have some respect for you. I could follow you and watch your back, then, that would be disrespectful of your wishes......... Considering certain..... situations right now. You are most likely right..."

She wasn't sure of what else to say, not really wanting to leave him alone in a possible trap. She would have no way of finding him, no way of getting to him if he needed help. They claim no harm can come to these lands, but she is a necromancer, they always have ways of bending the rules.

"Just be careful."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kryss noticed from Kyles hug that he was angered about something. She just smiled at him in understanding that he still needed to be alone, granted she wanted to be there for him like he was there for her. Sadly the look in his eyes told her there was nothing she could do right now.

Just so happens she did need food and rest, it has been a long few days, so much excitment, little sleep. It was actually catching up to her. Kryss just kissed lightly before departing with him, no words were spoken, just an understanding between gesures and eye contacts.

She watched him go, just when he was out of sight she went to the inn, asked for food to be brought up to the room. Soon she was walking into the room that they shared, the bed looked so inviting, suddenly forgetting about being hungry. Curled up under the velvety covers and drifted off the sleep, peaceful sleep.

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her servants

At the sight of the living man, the dead scattered to their graves, hurriedly pulling coffin doors shut and withdrawing under comforters of sod. In a few minutes, the graveyard looked as undisturbed as usual, with the exception of the drunk Lang dancing around the fire, still unaware that his company had departed from him.

She was beyond words, dozing drunkenly on the wide shoulders of Shihou. It was amazing - with as very grown as she was, he was cradling her like he would a toddler. Of course with her being knocked out, it was impossible for Shihou to speak his mind. A shame, he was the only one really sober. Huozai was the one who made the approach, his flame hair wild.

“M’lady is indisposed at the moment, but when she awakens, I will inform her of what you had to say,” the puckered flesh of his stitched eyelids jumped as it seemed he was taking in the sight of the young man. There was something familiar about this boy now as well, now that he was closer to him. Something that tugged at the back of his mind as much as the name “Avrice.” From beneath the wild waves of her thick hair, Shihou’s pale hands surfaced for a moment as he pulled her tighter.

“I think I have seen you before, boy….” The fluted archways of a majestic palace, a young girl playing hide and seek among the guard’s legs, taunting her playmate to come and find her. The feel of a spear in his hand as he kept his head up, trying hard to stifle the smile growing on his face. Before he could recover anymore, a steel door slammed down on his memory, and he shook his head faintly. What he could remember was just Zhu when she was little, crying and rubbing at her dirty cheeks. Even then, she tried hard not to be weak. Too hard for a little girl.

“Or it might be a lapse in my mind. Go, I will tell her. Make sure that your friend poses as an urchin in order for her to heal him…” His closed vision turned back to her. Her exotic features were calmed now - her eyelashes in sharp curving lines over her cheekbones, following the arced path of her red gold eyebrows.

In the distance, Lang continued to sing.

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Dominic

As she pulled away from me, I felt the surge of good feelings flee my body. I made almost a whining sound and tried to hold on to the evaporating pleasure. But it was soon gone. But the need still remained.

I look down to Skyler. Everything about her seemed to be even more radient then usual. Even with my blood on her lips, she was still as beautiful as ever. I could see her big blue eyes looking up at me. I could see that look of trust. That look I had fallen in love with.

But I felt a flash in my mind and saw the look of trust become a look of betrayal. I could see the blood on her mouth glisten as her lips quivered. I could feel her body go limp with my sword in her stomach.

I stumbled back a bit and groaned. It was only a memory of something that didn't happen, but it still hurt my head. And, apparently, my leg as well. I could feel the Blight constricting on my leg and sending waves of pain up.

I dropped to my knees and gripped my leg. It wasn't a horrible pain, but, with everything else, it was the straw that broke the camel's back. For some reason...the Blight was spreading.

Why me? What's happening to me?

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Slip

The iguana moved across town, plodding at a fairly fast rate. The reason for his movements, a lone butterfly, fluttered in front of him, heading off to some flower patch. The familair took his lace in the tall grass, shaking his tail slowly like a cat ready to pounce. With a flick, he shot out his tongue at the insect.

But a loud squak alerted the insect and it flew off into the air. Slip ended up with a mouthful of petals and pollen. The lizard spit out in disgust. He glared at the raven that landed next to him.

Thanks a lot, you feather-brain. There goes my lunch.

The black bird merely ruffled her feathers. Blow it out your ear. If we weren't in the sanctuary, I would have eaten you by now.

You wouldn't dare eat a fellow familiar. Your master would be pissed.

I think she'd make an exception for you. If bird's could smile, the raven probably would have. Slip snorted.

You sure are smarmy for a bird that has to be cooped up in this mountain all day.

The bird stretched it's neck around. Well, I'd rather be here with everything going on outside. The whole world's going to hell. Do you know the oracle's have been foretelling this for years?

Slip did not seem impressed. He let out a yawn. Oh really? Go you.

You know you're master's going to be very important soon.

That's what I always say. But he doesn't listen to me. He goes and shacks up with a vampire and gets himself all Blighted by a necromancer and shit. I tell him "be careful", but he does he listen to me? Noooo.

The raven sighed. You are supposed to be more agressive than that.

You wanna try? It ain't easy controlling that kid.

Well, just watch out for him. And next time you see him, tell him Ashlin want's to see him.

Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Slip nodded. The raven rolled it's eyes and took flight. Slip watched her leave, then turned around. The butterfly was back and sitting on a dandilion. Slip smirked and stalked off into the tall grass.

 

[Armphid]

Kyle

He bowed again to the larger man. "I will do as you request." There was that odd feeling again...like he'd met this man before as well. It was still strongest with the woman...and he had a strong suspicion that he should know her name. He hesitated, then pulled a small thin vial from his sash. "I know you have little reason to trust me, but I'm sure that your Lady has spells that can detect poison." "This powder, when mixed into tea, will lessen the hangover she will have." He smiled, "I don't drink myself, but I like to have it around for those who need it." "I thank you again." He stepped away from the big man, pressing a fist into his open palm to the unconscious necromancer before leaving the graveyard.

His steps soon brought him back to the party's Pagoda. He padded up the steps, noting the near total quiet. He headed to the third floor, hearing faint sounds of motion. If he recalled correctly...this was where Dominic and Skyler went. Coming to the lacquered door, he tapped lightly on it. "Dominc, Skyler?" "I'm sorry to bother you, but I have learned of something, or someone rather, who might help cure the Blight, though it may require some subterfuge."

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her servants

Lang could only hold her hair back as she vomited into a pile of nearby bushes.

“Oh man, I feel horrible..” her face turned a slight shade of green, and she lurched over into the bushes again. Shihou just shook his head. She’d be fine. What was bothering him, though, was Huozai’s silence. The man never really spoke all that much to begin with, but this sort of silence was the type of secrets. He knew something. The blonde paced up to his side, and glanced up at him with his washed out blue eyes.

“You’re awfully quiet, Huozai. Decay finally getting to you?”

“Hmph.”

Oh, that definitely meant that something was up. “Huozai, we didn’t get this far keeping secrets from one another or from Zhu. What’s bothering you? What do you know?” his eyebrows arched up. Huozai crossed his arms, and glanced out into the distance. They hadn’t left the graveyard - Zhu had been adamant about staying there, as well as she had been about not desecrating it when she felt like she was going to be sick. They were on the outer fringe of it, between the back gate and the open plain of the city. The acrid wind tousled the long hair of both men. After a time, Huozai licked his lips.

“I just thought I knew that boy from somewhere. It must be my memory slipping…I can hardly remember anything past Zhu. My life has been woven into hers for so long, I can’t tell if we were ever separated to begin with…”

Shihou nodded slightly. He knew that Huozai had really been with her for the longest - he was the second to join as one of her guardians. “Do you regret anything?” he asked, allowing his voice to trail off. He couldn’t remember anything past Zhu, either…but for some reason, he knew that it was not her doing, and if she had the power, she would remove the blocks. But as of now, she just had not gotten that far…she was still too young.

“Of course I don’t. I get the feeling that even before Zhu, my life was nothing memorable. Now it has meaning and a purpose…and not many people, dead or living, have even that.” The blind man turned to Shihou and smiled slightly, the expression causing the stitched flesh of his eyes to pull upwards a bit. The blonde grinned back as well as he could - sometimes the stitches in his mouth made expression difficult. But even then, he knew that she had not done such things to them…Someone had done it before, long before. He could feel that. They knew something and had to be silenced. It…was…through her tears that they were brought back…Mm. He grunted softly, grabbing his temples. Thinking about it made his head feel like it was going to crack open. Worried, Huozai held out his hand. Shihou waved it away.

“It’s nothing, just a small headache…It’ll pass…” He paused. He didn’t hear the sounds of vomiting. “I think she’s gotten it all out of her system.”

“So she has.”

Shihou pursed his lips as much as he could. “You know, you can be cold as hell sometimes.”

“You’re one to talk.”
______________________________

Lang tenderly stroked the side of her face. “Are you feeling any better?”

She thought about nodding, then thought about the effort it would have taken. Best just to speak. “Yeah, a little…Ugh. Drinking really doesn’t cure anything, does it?” She fished around in her suit for a handkerchief; she wanted to wipe the edges of her mouth, and if she used her hand she’d mess up her gloves. Finding one, she dabbed the corners of her lips with it, frowning slightly.

“Now I’ve got a headache AND the problem I had to begin with.”
“Oh, I’m sorry love, I would’ve stopped you, but I got drunk too,” he laughed softly, before cringing. Yuk. Even a sound of pleasure made his head hurt a bit. “But we had fun while it lasted, right?”

She grinned a little. “Right.”

 

[NyghtRayne]

Skyler

She moved forwards as he stumbled back, fear and worry filling her eyes, she was afraid she had drained too much from him. “Dominic… are you ok?” She could see something was wrong, he seemed in pain. She hadn’t forgotten about the blight and in the back of her mind had heard it mentioned in voices in the other room while she had fed.

She moved to his side, concern for him filling her eyes. Suddenly she knew how to help him, but she was afraid to mention it to him. It was a drastic step and she had never done it before. “Dominic, maybe you can use your powers better here and see how we can get you healed of the Blight?” She was hoping that suggestion would show them other ways of having him healed other than the one she knew would work, but would change his life completely.

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Dominic

I let my heavy breathing subside. The Blight wasn't spreading anymore, thankfully it didn't get very far. Damn this thing...it was going to drive me insane.

Skyler was suddenly by my side and helping me. "Ugh...I don't know what I can do about this Blight." I shook my head. "I don't even know what caused this attack. I don't know why..."

There was a knock on the door and I heard Jas's voice. I suddenly remembered him calling to me earlier, but I was too much into Skyler then to hear him.

"Dominc, Skyler? I'm sorry to bother you, but I have learned of something, or someone rather, who might help cure the Blight, though it may require some subterfuge."

I got up and slowly moved to the door to open it. "What? Someone that can cure the Blight?" I asked, not sure if I heard him right. The Blight was not something to be taken lightly. To be cured by one person..."And what do you mean subterfuge?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. I wasn't quite sure I like how he said that.

 

[Xenocide_613]

Thalryn

Emerald orbs flashed over the elf maiden. “I appreciate your concern, but it is unneeded. As you have said, I can take care of myself, and I am also a bit of a caster, though the blade is my focus.”

He cleared his throat, then continued. “Besides, I doubt it will come to blows. If it does, Straee will go to you directly.

The gold elf finished his meal with Athyna in silence, then nodded to her as he left. He back tracked to the pagoda, noticing Jasleth enter just before he arrived, then took up the lady necromancer’s trail. Even though the elf couldn’t claim any ranger training, his enhanced elven senses and a spell of trace magic aura brought him to the outskirts of a cemetery.

He recognized the lady necromancer’s voice and quickly hid himself with a spell of invisibility, although he wasn’t sure how reliable it would be after his first encounter with the undead servants. Thalryn shrugged as he and Elistraee faded from visibility.

Cautiously the elf made his way toward where the necromancer was…vomiting? Well, this was indeed interesting. He’d heard it said that nobody partied like the dead, but it seemed his lady necromancer had taken it to heart. Not that he could really blame her. Necromancers where known for their companionship with those long dead, so why not party with them?

He dropped Elistraee invisibly to the ground and dismissed his spell as he perched atop a tombstone. He smiled down at the lady necromancer and produced a white lily from his tunic, which he smelled before offering it to her.

“It seems the night has been long indeed. Are you up for a chat, M’lady?”

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her servants

Lang helped steady her on her feet.

“Chat? What would I have to chat with you about?” she said, trying to mask the hurt in her voice. The only reason why he was coming and attempting to be nice to her was because of his teammate who was suffering from Blight. And to make it worse, he was trying to act charming by offering that lily. She wasn’t THAT stupid. People never wanted to talk to her - just have her do things for them. Well, best get this over with and have them out of her hair. “In order for you people to leave me alone, I’ll cure your friend of the Blight. I don’t want any charge…just to be left alone…”

She sighed dejectedly. But there was something else that she wanted as well. “And directions to where I might find Avrice. If you give me that, I will cure your friend.”

Turning back to her servants, they talked among themselves softly.

“The faster I get this done, the better,” she sighed, casting a longing glance at the elf.

 

[katalynn]

Athyna watched as he took his leave, unable to believe how she was feeling about this whole thing. She never really fell this hard for a male before. Avrice and his brother made her hate all males, but this one.

"Damn, what is it about this one? Why do I have these feelings for someone I barely know?"

She whispered to herself, only picking at ther meal now. Pouncer finished his raw thigh bone, there was nothing left. Luckily he didn't leave a mess either as he lifted Athynas hand with his nose. Distracting her from her thoughts.

"I know, I know... I'm way in over my head here... I know, lets take a walk."

Had nothing else to do, her hand on the cats head the whole time they walked. Ended up deep in the woods, far from the city limits, no sound cept wild carried out this far.

"What you think of this spot?"

Pouncer just looked up to her as if to say it was perfect. Athyna sat down cross legged, in a medatative position. Closed her eyes to enter a new world, to try to get her thoughts and emotions back together. Pouncer layed on the ground next to her, keeping an out for anything out of the ordinary. Even as he fell to sleep next her, was still alert.

 

[Xenocide_613]

Thalryn

The elf smiled disarmingly at the necromancer. “Indeed, I would appreciate if you would heal Dominic, but that is not why I have come. I am intrigued by you, m’lady. You are strong not to have been tainted by the art you practice, and your servants are loyal of their own will, not bound by magic as are most undead. I would know more about you.”

Thalryn knelt before the lady necromancer and took her hand in his. He raised her hand to his lips and gently kissed it. His emerald eyes shone brightly in the moonlight as he rose from the ground.

“I must apologize for not being able to tell you where to find Avrice. All I know is that he has taken a keen interest in my party and will likely find us.” He tilted his head slightly to the right before continuing. “I will tell you of my encounter with this most vile of wizards if you wish it, but it is not a tale I long to recall.”

 

[Armphid]

Kyle

Emerald eyes darted to Dominic disheveled state, to the hastily covered would on his arm. Ah...that was why they hadn't answered earlier. Though there was an unspoken question in his eyes, there was none in his voice. "There is a nercomancer in the Valley, a fairly powerful one, as skilled in her art as ony of us in ours." "Necromancy can remove the Blight as well as cause it, and she could at least seriously weaken your...infestation...if not cure it."

He rubbed at the back of his neck with one hand. "I brought her here to see you, and I was trying to be polite...but I think I said the wrong thing." "She's very, very touchy this necromancer...possibly the most defensive and sensitive person I've ever met." "Anyway, I went later to apologize to her but she was...ah...indisposed." "One of her bodyguards agreed to give her my apology, and suggested that if you were disguised as an urchin, she would heal you." He shrugged. "I don't know about trying to trick this one...she seems pretty sharp and likely to take offense if we do." "But that's the advice I was given...I know you may want to just wait and hear what the Sages have to say, but it's a possibility that I had to tell you about."

His expression shifted as he recalled the strange sense of deja vu he had felt around the woman and that big guard of hers. His face was troubled as he stepped back from the entrance to the Oracle's room. "I'd think about it a little before you decide." "If you'll excuse me..." He inclined his head to them both, then paced downt he hallway until he came to a balcony. Leaning out over the railing, his eyes moved in the direction of that cemetary. Where did he know them from? He couldn't think of it at all...but maybe Jasleth would know. He'd been quiet in thier mind lately...Kyle had thought that a good sign, but now it looked like he might need his other's help. "Jas...wake up...I think we've got a problem..."

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her servants

“Tainted? You think all necromancers are tainted…?!” Her voice sounded like it was bordering tears. “How DARE you say that! We are not TAINTED. Life and death are the purest things that this world will ever experience. No, it is not the ART that taints, but the unbalanced heart of the mortal that dares toy with powers beyond their comprehension. If I appear untainted to you, it is only because I chose this practice with an open heart, and it has rewarded me as such.”

She wrenched her hand away from his grasp, hurt and anger overpowered any charm he could have had over her at the moment. The three men edged closer, on guard. At the elf’s comment of free servitude, Lang stepped forward. “We serve the Lady freely because we love her,” he said, his gaze boring straight into the elf’s. “We have been bound to her service, yes, but this was no doing of hers. She has given us the opportunity to return back to the peace of the grave, but we stay because we care for her.”

“With the way you talk about this other necromancer, it is no surprise why he attacked you…” murmured Shihou.

Huozai remained silent as he tilted his head upwards, as if trying to look above and beyond the elf. A large hand came to rest on the shaking shoulder of Zhu. Her face was strained with the effort of holding back her tears. Tainted! He had the nerve to call her life’s work and art tainted, and then come asking for help! No, he was going to make no offer to want to understand her, not with that mindset. From beneath her feet, the ground shifted, heaved. From a crack in the soil, the voices of the ones buried there began to protest. Their voices ran together in an undulating hum, growing louder and all the more angry. She grabbed the sides of her head, trying to decipher what the dead were saying, what they were crying about. It was no fault of hers, they chimed, that they were angry. If anything, they owed a debt to her…They felt her anger and her pain, and were trying to come to her rescue, if only she said the word…

“….ENOUGH!” she called out, throwing her hands from her temples. The voices stopped, the ground mended itself, and all was still once more.

“…It is clear…” she said, shaking a bit “That you have nothing to speak with me about.” Her red eyes stared right into his, seemingly illuminated by a light all their own, issuing deep from within her body. “You now know why my servants follow me, and I would not doubt that the answer is not to your liking. I can see why many necromancers terrorize the living - you’re intolerable in the way that you treat people different from you. What’s next, you hate me because of my eye color? Because they look like fresh blood and that makes me evil? Or it is the dark color of my skin, burned by the sun to unrecognizable proportions? Whatever your mind can come up with, so be it! But know you this - I am that I am, and that is good enough for me.”

 

[Xenocide_613]

Thalryn

The elf’s smile twitched as he listened to the woman and her servants. He took a step back as the ground began to erupt, then sowed itself together again.

This was not going as expected.

“My lady, I do not judge you or your servants. You are pure of heart to walk the path you have taken with such clarity. I only meant that you are strong where others who would take your path only for the power it brings are weak. I meant no offense to necromancers!”

He lowered his eyes and his voice. “And any being who proposes to judge you based on your eyes are your skin deserves to burn in the nine hells. That is not I; I swear it by wind and word. I only judge Avrice because mine eyes have witnessed him slaughter an entire castle. I went up against him in mind battle. I have felt his evil, his corruption. I saw things no being should see in their worst nightmares.”

His voice rose again, sounding strangely melodic in the chill cemetery. “Him I judge, for he is evil. You are not! And I do not pretend to judge you who I know so little about! I am here to learn. Do not reject me on my ignorance of your art. Elves do not work in necromancy.”

With the end of his last sentence Thalryn’s voice seemed to diminuendo to nothingness. His green eyes locked on her red, and a chill wind blew through the cemetery, whipping his long golden hair about his face.

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Dominic

I could see the question in Jas's eyes, and I responded to it with my own visual response, one that said stay the hell out of my business. It was probably much harsher than I meant it to, but I was having a hard time controlling my irritability as of late.

At the mention of the word necromancer, my blight began to ache again. Just the sound of the word brought back horrible memories. The thought of seeing one caused my irritability to increase.

"I...don't know..." I said, trying to stay calm. "Another necromancer...I don't trust it..." And by the sound of it, this was one pompous necromancer.

"Yeah...I'll think about it. I hope...she doesn't mind waiting a bit." I nodded to Jas as he left. It occured to me that I never thanked him, but I didn't really care.

I turned around to look at Skyler. One look at her reminded me of the pleasure I had felt in her embrace; how I felt with her teeth in me. God...

I sunk to the floor. An odd feeling passed through me, as if a thought came from my leg and worked it's way up into my brain.

It did feel good, didn't it? It felt good to know she was relying on you. That she needed you.

I nodded weakly, without realizing it.

She's at your mercy. The scathing voice seemed to whisper in one ear, then the other. She'll do anything for you now. I bet she'd open up her legs for you. It's come close to that. So close...and we want it so bad.

I subconsiously licked my lips. My mind was getting fuzzy.

Yessss...bend her over...have your way with her...we deserve it... The voice laughed a little. She wants it...she wants it bad...she wants you to take advantage of her. Look at her weakened state. She wants us to rip off her clothes, grab her ass, and suck her tits. She wants us to have her in every way. That fuck Jasleth won't bother us for a while. We can do whatever we want to her. And she'll do it...because she wants us.

I shook my head, trying to clear the fog in my brain. Was I hearing voices? What was going on?

"Uh...Skyler...? What..." I cleared my throat, trying to get rid of the visuals that were now taking over my mind. "What...what do you think? Should I go see the necromancer?"

 

[katalynn]

Kryss started out in peaceful rest, curled up on the bed feeling wonderful after the.... treatment?!?.. Then slowly, that female necromancer she past entered mind for some reason. Not sure for she has never met her before, now she invaded Kryss' thoughts...

It was soon after that Kyle came in as well, the anger and confused look on his face when she ran up to him. It wasn't long after when she past the necromancer on the paths. Did those two meet? What had happened to get him so angry? Most of all, Kryss didn't make him happy after leaving him, she still felt the hidden feeling he had.

The dream started to get worse, of things that did not happen but they felt so real. Kyle had pushed her away, walking in the direction of the necromancer. Kryss couldn't think if there was connection or not. He had said he needed to get his own thoughts together, still, the dreams told her different. Visions of him going to her, talking to the scarred woman. The woman did as well seemed to push him away as well.

Out of no where was Avrices voice mocking Kryss from behind, they both watched in the distant as the female started to place a hand Kyle, followed a kiss. Wasn't a kiss of passion, it was something more, within moments after the kiss, Kyle dropped to his knees, then the rest of the way down on his face.

Kryss tried to run to him but failed, Avrice was laughing as he spoke.

"See Kryss, everyone will be my pet.. You will soon find that out. Even as we speak, you are slowly becoming mine..."

His words whispered deeply in her ear as he stepped up from behind her. Hi hand reaching around her, lightly touching her pelvis area.

"Remember the wonderful moment we shared? The intesity of how you screamed out my name for more.... I wish to hear you scream again..."

He kept toying with her, seemed to real as the woman over with Kyle began to play him like a puppet, making him him touch her in ways he should only touch Kryss. Despite everything she had done this made her anger rise, hurt inside started to build up where his hand was placed. Slight swell of sadness as she stood there helplessly watching.

"You see, he would do anything for attention.... You are just a distraction for him. He claims things, how he feels for you. But you cheated on him, you screamed out my name instead of his."

Avrices' words were taunting her to hate, bringing herself to hate what she had done. With a surge of energy and anger, all the hurt inside came out screaming.

"LIES!! ........"

" nothing but lies... You stay away from me."

The scream filled the room and the pain within her pelvis area grew more sharply, causing her curl up in a tighter ball on the bed. She could still hear Avrices' words, his laugh which brought the tears.

"Lies.... so many lies..."

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her servants

True, she was taken aback by his words…and also true that she was finding it hard to hold his gaze. However, her training had not been to look away. Not until he did first. Their eyes held each other, ruby on emerald, blood on grass, while the wind toyed with their hair. After long moments of silence, she moved to rest her left hand on her right elbow, hugging her arm to her side. The wind blew a bit harder, pushing her hair across her face leaving only her eyes visible. They seemed to still be considering his words; if she should be wooed by the pretty face or stand her ground.

Slowly, her kohl-rimmed gaze went to her servants…then back to him.

“If…this Avrice is doing things to harm people, then he must be stopped. He becomes the shame of all necromancers when he behaves in such a fashion…although I will not speak so quickly as to say that these people did not deserve it. Tell me, what castle was thi-” A splitting pain ran through her chest, caused her to sink to her knees. Clutching at her chest, she gritted her teeth.

“M’lady!” cried the three men in unison, rushing to her aide. Her breathing came in heavy pants, and she struggled to clear her eyes. Why was it whenever a castle was mentioned, this pain would race through her? Something slamming down on her memories…Something keeping her from…Feeling the cold arms of Lang about her, she smiled faintly and waved him away.

“It was just another one of those little attacks - really.” She shook her hair back from her face. “It’s nothing,” she murmured, as if reassuring herself. Perhaps in this necromancer, there would be the answer. Perhaps a bit farfetched, but something was pulling her to him. Perhaps it had been a boon from the gods to introduce her to such lack wits. As Lang helped her up, she faced the elf once more, her eyes hardening. “Take me to this man so I can heal him,” she said firmly, pacing to the edge of the graveyard to cover up her business attire. The sooner that she got to the bottom of this, the better. If this Avrice was upsetting the code or the natural balance...He would have to pay. But only until she saw with her own eyes...

And not a moment sooner.