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Post by Tana Puhrmann on Oct 18, 2021 22:44:20 GMT -5
"Mistress Puhrmann. Your car has arrived, but before you go, if you could sign the checks for Despana's re-election campaign?"
Jess, the Latina Gangrel vampire that had worked as the personal assistant to Tana Puhrmann for years walked into the skyline office of the CdG main headquarters that towered over all of the city of Meridian. There would be no hesitation from the woman as she approached the Regent's desk, laying the checks and a pen down upon the large Lignum Vitae desk.
Tana Puhrmann, the Regent of the CdG would turn, looking up to her assistant with blue feline-slitted eyes before turning her down to the checks that lay before her. Jess reverently keeping her eyes lowered. It was beyond her to be afraid of the woman she had served all these years, but the wise understanding that showing disrespect could mean a swift final death would always be on the forefront of her mind when in the presence of the savage hellcat.
Athina Despana, her partner in crime for many years. Their hands built the CdG into the force it was today. She had moved on to more public political arenas while still utilizing the groups network of spies, assassins, and enforcers. It kept her hands clean and seemingly above the law. The law that they put in place. It was to one of these enforcers Athina's check was made out to. She'd sign it without batting an eye and push the check back towards Jess before rising from her desk chair.
Tana straightened the black strapless dress she wore, adjusting the slit that rode up to her hip and smoothing out the lines that hugged her perfect hourglass figure. Taking up the sable wrap and sliding it over her shoulders she'd look to Jess, tilting her head to the side and holding her arms out.
"Well? How do I look?"
Jess would look up and allow her gaze to trace up Tana's long legs, her narrow waist, full breasts, and up to her face. Her gaze would stop at those ruby red lips with the hint of fang that peeked out as the woman smirked.
"Like a Goddess, my Mistress."
A pleased smile crossed her lips and she'd lightly trace her fingertips up her favored assistant's arm as she walked past with the rumble of a purr.
"Thank ya Darlin'."
She'd move to her private elevator and Jess would follow.
"Your box seat for the Magic Flute is prepared. I have confirmed your escort should meet you there instead of riding with you."
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The scent of the air around Zella shifted from salty to metallic and the clear African sky filled with a million stars faded away, blocked by the lights of a city that literally appeared around them. The hum of the electricity and the smells of the city temporarily confused Zella to the point where she wouldn't notice the semi-truck bearing down upon them until the horn blared. Niwyn would throw herself at her and push them both out of the way, Zella grabbing hold of the gnome and rolling out of the way with as much cat-like grace as she could for being tossed upon the sidewalk.
"We have been teleported?"
She'd stand, taking Winnie's hand as it was offered and standing to her feet, pulling the gnome into her arms for a better view as she looked around the city.
"But where are we?"
Her gaze would shift from the location to the people on the street, taking note that passers by were giving them both a wide berth, stopping and turning the other direction, or hurrying past them as quickly as they could. A couple would pull out cellular phones and take pictures with whispers and questions of 'isn't that Mia Puhrmann?' And 'who is she with?'
Zella would frown. With as much as she reminded everyone at her parents' home that she was not Mia she felt it inappropriate in this situation. The general fear and unease of the people as they backed away did not give her an easy feeling.
"We need to get out of sight cousin..."
She might've been unfamiliar with all the technology and the modern advancements, but a large city always had it's back alleys and dark corners and Zella would walk with her head low, face covered as much as she could with long nearly white hair until she could duck out of sight down a side street between buildings.
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Post by darkheart on Oct 18, 2021 23:57:02 GMT -5
Niwyn would be scooped into Zella's arms, narrowing her eyes as she heard the name Puhrmann. Mia wasn't a coincidence, but what was this Puhrmann? Never one to miss a detail, she ferreted it away in her mind as she, in turn, scooped Goopy into her arms as well. Turning to follow Zella with a short gust of wind...nothing happened. Looking around, she pulled at the weave again but found nothing to pull. Magic dampeners? The city was installed with magic dampeners? The energy alone to maintain the lines would be immense. Not even Nathan or Kil'atha had cracked that, even with all the research of theirs she had read in Antarctica. Rose had been close in version 9 of the Loop, but even with their combined efforts the best they'd managed was a city block or two. Nate had wards and absorption in Austin...but this...this was oppressive on a magnitude she couldn't begin to fathom. Someone had this city locked down hard. Turning to follow Zella on foot, then, a phone was shoved in her face and her picture forcibly snapped before the large, older human started shouting at some black and red suited men down the street. "Officer! OFFICER! Isn't that Niwyn Tinkbottle - The Sapphire Breeze? Wasn't she...isn't she dangerous?"The men started tromping their way, but the little gnome dashed after Zella quickly enough that the men did not see her directly. She heard them arguing with the woman, then a very large zapping noise followed by a thud. Not knowing the context of this place, she felt it wise not to gather information just yet, especially if Zella got too far ahead. They had to stick together. More than one thing was off in this place, and for the first time in a long time she was feeling a touch scared. The rules had changed, somehow, and it certainly held ill omens ahead. *~*~* As the young man strolled down the corridor of white marble pillars and ebony floors, there was a slight bounce to his step as the people before him scattered like chaff in the wind pretending to be busy, averting their eyes or just plain shutting their doors. One brazen thing in a purple sari with waist length hair and honey colored eyes strutted up to him with a silver teapot and a white porcelin cup on a saucer. Pouring out some of the dark, steamy liquid, her eyes promised much more than a relief from a parched throat and a dull evening. The ruby red lips curled upwards slightly, though she knew better to speak. A black gloved hand reached up to take the pro-offered cup, lifting it to his lips with a raised pinky and sipping it with a nod. Replacing the cup on the saucer, his free hand would raise to her cheek, tracing a slow line downwards with his index finger as he never broke her stare. "Well now, aren't you a precious gem? I don't know that I've seen you before in this office. Tell me, did my sister hire you for my amusement, or are you seriously thinking that putting a dose of the Purity virus in my tea would go overlooked simply because you are a luscious lump of exotic flesh?"The confident air of the woman would falter slightly, her eyes moving from a fake lust to slight confusion with a hint of fear. "Oh dear...didn't you know? I developed a vaccine for that ages ago, Love. Gave it to my mother and sister too - why do you think the Starfire massacre went off without a hitch? Couldn't risk infection when I took old Jaeden off the board...no...Purity is just a tool in the toolbox these days dearie. As I'm always telling Mia, you really should have done your homework..."Leaning over, he would kiss the woman on her satin lips, breathing in deeply as he tasted her. His dark, crimson green eyes would flare with bio-luminescence as the woman's neural energy was absorbed with a breath. Her corpse would crumple to the ground as two security officers would run to his side. With a callous sigh, he'd motion his hand in small wave, instructing them to be rid of her. With a wave of his hand the teapot atomized into steam, the virus inside neutralized. Clicking his tongue, he raised the cup in his hands to his lips and took a sip. "Strange...makes it have a hint of vanilla and almonds...almost enjoyable. Pity...why are the pretty ones always so dumb? Thank Mom for Mia...else this existence would be positively a bore..."He would open the large double doors at the end of the hall, strolling in to stare at Jessica and Tana. Raising his pinky and sipping his tea, his left eyebrow raised and a slight smile curled his lips. "Mother, dear, you look positively ravishing. Were I not your cub I might be persuaded to improper thoughts. I am both envious and piteous of whomever has convinced you to dress so. Jessica, dear, you are looking...well...bourgeoise, hun. Frankly mother could improve your wardrobe significantly. But I suppose you're all function over form and whatnot. Still, some nice butter cream flats and a nice gold watch might suit your tribute to drab. Perhaps mother will lend you to me for the evening wearing only that, hm? What do you say, mother dear?"A sadistically cruel smile split his lips as he sipped his tea, a wolfish look in his eyes as he playfully taunted them both. Sighing heavily, he rolled his eyes. "Alright...perhaps that was a bit gauche, even for me. And I didn't come here to interupt your evening mother, or make you squirm, Jessica dear. I came to let you know that I've calibrated the cold fusion generators as you asked. And while I certainly could have simply sent you a report on that, I was looking for Mia. It was my understanding that you'd ordered her to publicly dispatch Niwyn Tinkbottle, Tinkbottom? Whatever it was - not only for her political and economic rivalry to Ms. Despana, but also for her ties to that horrid little group of troublemakers that insist on irritating Mia's secret police. I'll have you know that my data collection algorithms captured 14 different sightings of Mia with Tinkbottle down on Ardem Street not 23.6 minutes ago. If it were anyone but my dear sister I'd have had them brought to my interrogation cells immediately. But this is Mia we're talking about...so I'm wondering what on earth possessed her to defy you - even if she is playing shadow games..."
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Post by Tana Puhrmann on Oct 19, 2021 21:35:15 GMT -5
Tana and Jess would both stop and turn just before Vespyr strolled so casually into the room. Jess would frown, keeping her opinions to herself and taking a step back into the awaiting elevator.
"I will wait for you in the lobby Mistress Puhrmann."
Tana would dismiss her with a waive of her hand, walking over to her son with an amused smile on her face.
"You shouldn't tease Jess. She's been with me since tha' Aztec age. But most importantly... she is mine."
A gentle caress of fingers through his white hair before her tone changed. Mine. A simple word that bore down upon the beastial side of her cub and forced them to submit. Still, she'd smile gently, and a taloned fingertip would trace from behind his ear and under his jawline, flicking it up and away quickly for a little nick upon his chin.
Slowly she'd stalk about the room, bringing that finger to her lips to lick the faint trace of blood from it as she listened to him speak of Mia.
"Impossible. Your equipment is wrong dear. Mia is in this building, recently capturing Jenetia Despana."
She'd move over to one of the walls in the overly large office, touching the large embedded screen and quickly moving through the menus to pull up the security feed of subfloor 5. In the image was Mia, straddling a woman tied to a chair who appeared to be half Drow. In her fingers behind the woman's head was a thin blade with which she twirled between them. Jenetia seemed to have just recently lost an eye.
"You remember Jenetia, don't you dearest? Athina's heretic daughter, also a part of that same group of little troublemakers. She believes I manipulated her Mother into her actions. Ain't that quaint."
She'd half chuckle with a little purr, glancing back to her cub.
"Now now. Ah know your thoughts. You're algorithms and surveillance is never wrong so let's test her location shall we?"
Gently she'd reach and tap the button for audio. "Mia dear?"
Mia would look up slowly from her work, a smile on her face as she looked to the camera from which her Mother's voice was emanating. She'd grasp Jenetia by her cheeks, pinching them together and forcing her to make a silly face as her head was turned.
"Do us a favor and smile for the camera, hm?" Jenetia would thrash until her face were free and Mia would just chuckle darkly, standing up from off of her to turn and move towards the camera.
"What can I do for you, Mother?"
"Dearest, your Brother is here. He says 23.6.... make that 25.2 minutes ago... you were spotted near Ardem street with Niwyn Tinkbottle. Can you confirm your whereabouts?"
Mia's gaze would narrow and a dark smile crossed her features. What games was her brother playing at now and why was he attempting to get her killed. Data can be faked, but their own Mother could track them through her link without the need for technology. What exactly was he playing at.
"Vespyr's insight into this city is typically fail proof. Perhaps he has been hacked? I have badge swipes and this very camera feed to show I was in this building. And Niwyn is dead. I brought her lifeless husk to you myself for a midnight snack."
Tana nodded glancing back to Vespyr with a smile. "My Darling you are a clever girl though. But let me prove to your Brother you are where you say you are. Hm?"
Mia would look confused a moment and start to question when her breath was caught sharply in her own throat. She felt it, the pull of the beast inside her. Her Mother, though several stories up within this tall building, was calling her to shift. It was never pleasant when she did this as the body and mind are never quite ready. Mia dropped to her knees, Green feline slitted eyes going wide as fang elongated and clothing tore away until what was left was a giant feline creature with roughly the same buff coloration and features of an adult lioness. Driven now by the smell of blood in the room from Jenetia's missing eye she'd whirl on the prisoner, grabbing her by the throat in her large maw and nearly biting her head clean off in one bite. The building's security feed would begin to flash on the screen to those privileged enough to see it of a security risk on sublevel 5 and that the floor was to be locked down until the threat had passed. Meaning, until whichever of the giant cat Gods had eaten their fill and they had shifted back.
"There. You see. Mia is here and couldn't have been near Ardem St. But yer a good boy. I know you're gonna get to the bottom of this."
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Post by jsmith506 on Oct 19, 2021 22:19:25 GMT -5
As Zella ducked down the side street, a pair of rats dashed out in front of her standing on their hind feet reaching in the air screeching urgently.
Goopy's little hands shot up in the air in excitement as Niwyn caught up to Zella and the rats. Because of the basic psionic abilities he inherited from Z'ress he could understand them! "Wynnie! Zella! They say to follow them, they have been searching for Niwyn for days, afraid the scary red police men got her... They say to follow them to their master's shelter." Goopy put both his hands on the sides of his face and gasped. "Sebastian says (that's the brown one) Niwyn has all the best treats, and Stan (the black one) Really misses cuddle time..."
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Post by darkheart on Oct 20, 2021 10:23:51 GMT -5
His eyes would loll gently as his mother touched his hair, a soft purr starting to creep into his throat until she said that word. Hers. The purr stuck in this throat with a half cough, which he attempted to stifle with a sip of his tea. That was all she had to say - she'd appreciated the humor and had let the slight faux pas slip because he was her cub, but there was never a doubt who was the alpha and where her territory was clearly marked. As she nicked his chin, a single drop of blood fell from his chin and into his tea, the remainder of the liquid freezing instantly into an off-brown block of ice. His lips curling downward less at the injury and more at a perfectly wasted half cup of tea, he set the saucer and teacup on the nearest table and crossed his arms.
Standing with perfect posture, his left eye only twitched by 3 degrees of closure when his mother told him his instruments were wrong. He was never wrong. Well, he was correct 99.99999916% of the time. To assume that his algorithms were incorrect or his system was not flawless was an affront, and yet this was Mia they were speaking about. Anyone else would have been dead long before the data review and autopsy proved him accurate. He had the slightest of soft spots for his sister and mother, which was why he chose to ask the question rather than simply take action. Well, that and he didn't feel like losing as many men as it would take to try to subdue his sister. The casualty rate would be tantamount to his accuracy rate.
The twitch subsided as his mother acknowledged his thoughts. She knew him better than anyone. As she pulled up the screen, the slightest of relieved sighs escaped his lips. There she was deep in her work, and how he loved to watch his sister work. The sounds of the conversation muted out in his ears as he watched his sister move. He didn't even anger at the notion he could have been hacked. Preposterous. But the 14 stray strands of hair that danced in front of her eyes were chaotically, paradoxically perfect. The way her hip moved 6-8 degrees as she swayed, always ready at a 3.2 millisecond delay to pounce and kill without hesitation. The 3.91 psi of her index finger and thumb on the grip of her knife, perfectly tensioned for reversing the grip with a simple spin to throw or upslash, maximizing the longevity of her grip strength for prolonged work. Mia was chaotic. Unpredictable. Graceful. Elegant. Perfect. He adored his sister, though he would never deign to admit it to her. He simply couldn't make a door large enough to fit her head through after that.
The sudden shift of his sister into her lioness form snapped him from his admiration with jarring suddenness. Sniffing once, he nodded to his mother coolly.
"That was decidedly unnecessary, but I appreciate your confirmation of Mia's identity. For once I haven't any idea of what's going on, but as usual you are correct - I certainly will get to the bottom of this. By the time you return from tonight's revelries, you will have a full report."
For once the light kiss pressed to her cheek was more from body memory than intent. His mind was already spinning as to how he could be wrong. That such a possibility could exist in this city. He had created these systems with impeccable accuracy to keep his mother and sister informed at all times. He was their Overwatch - never sleeping, never blinking. That there could be the slightest chink in his perfect system was...untennable. Calculations and scenarios burned through his brain faster than any supercomputer ever conceived as he moved out of his mother's office. Stepping into the elevator, he sank down several floors. To watch him on biometric camera, he wouldn't move. It was as if he wasn't even breathing. He was locked in thought and the incredible offense someone had issued to him at the thought his mother and sister were not 100% informed, safe and supported. As the doors opened, one of the lab technicians stepped forward with his clipboard. In a blinding flash Vespyr swept his leg, falling atop him with one knee on his sternum. Grasping his labcoat in his left hand, he began to punch the man in the face.
"I'm...not...wrong! I'm....never...Wrong! How DARE you look at me with judgement in your eyes! How DARE they make a fool of me! I'll KILL THEM! I'LL KILL THEM ALL! I'LL...oh...it doesn't seem as if your're listening anymore...tch."
Looking down, he'd concaved the man's sinus cavity inward with his blows, what was left of his head looking like a bowl filled with brain and blood soup. Sniffing once, he composed himself, rising to his feet and smoothing out his jacket and hair. The blood on his glove had smeared through his silver hair, leaving reddish brown streaks like macabre highlights, speckles of blood like freckles on his right cheek. Turning to the other 2 techs in the hall, he picked up his clipboard and looked at the data.
"Hm...so we have a witness. Perfect. Your little toy soldiers are surprisingly efficient today, dear sister. I shall have to speak with her. Honestly, Willis, are you going to lay there and pout all day or are we going to get to work?"
Ever so slowly the decimated skull would start to resew itself, as if time were reversing and the damage was reverting like a video played backwards. After a few moments Willis stood, pulling out a handkerchief and offering it to Vespyr with a nod so that he could clean his hands. Turning and walking down the hallway in silence he led the way to the next chamber with a robotic precision of a most unnatural nature.
*~*~* Niwyn would glance up at Goopy, never breaking stride. Running behind Zella, she'd grasp her belt gently to slow the speed demon down just enough to let the rats take point. Bearing in mind that she had no idea how these rats would know her or that she would cuddle with suck icky creatures, at least one thing held true in this strange place - she still had the best snacks. She knew Zella's keen hearing had heard Goopy, so she didn't bother with an explanation. She just kept pace with the rats and wondered where they were off to.
*~*~*
"Subject 91324 - Annabelle Cameron. Human, 53.4 years of age. Conservative haircut, stretch marks on the lower abdomen indicate at least 2 children born naturally. Domesticated civilian. Investigation 214.15.92.19 commencing."
He would click off his tape recorder, setting it down on the table. Removing his leather gloves, he replaced them with purple latex surgical gloves. The woman who had snapped Niwyn's picture before was strapped to a stainless steel table, her clothing removed and the narrowest parts of her most private anatomy covered in thermal straps. She trembled with fear as her eyes darted around, her head strapped down as well. Vespyr took ultrasound gel, squirting it onto her abdomen and her body attempted to jump violently against the straps both from the cold and the terror. Her mouth had a bite bar in it, preventing her from biting off her own tongue, so the whimpers and cries were muffled as tears tore black streaks of eyeliner across her temples.
"You know who I am, yes? Of course you do. I can see it in your plebian little face. My Mom, you must have been pretty once...full of vitality in your youth. I sincerely apologize - normally I would simply ask you some informed questions and release you so long as you didn't lie to me. However, since this involves my sister and my mother has complicated this by forcing her hand, Mia will require proof to satiate her anger and know that what happened to her was not some prank. This is important, Anna...so I need proof. What comes next, you will not enjoy."
Placing several pads across her body, Annabelle's biometrics came up on the nearby screen. Her pulse was racing and her blood pressure and respirations were highly elevated. Moving around her, to stand behind her head, Vespyr lowered a device that resembled an ultrasonic drill bit. Pressing it down on her forehead snuggly, tapping a few calibrations on a holographic keyboard. There was a slight whirring sound, along with a slight crackle, before the woman started screaming and writhing about in utter agony. Her eyes would roll back in her heat, and the smell of burnt flesh would start to wisp around. On a 26' monitor against the far wall fragmented images went in and out of focus presenting broken pieces of color and shape. Tapping his pen impatiently, Vespyr waited a long moment before turning a dial clockwise a few clicks. Annabelle's screams went soundless, her back arching and her body going stiff. Blood began to ooze from her tear ducts and nares, and the smell grew nearly rank. Completely unphased, Vespyr sighed blithely as a few stolid memories came into focus. Tapping a button a few times, he took still frames from what was Ms. Cameron's memory of the incident, then turned the dial down. Annabelle went limp, breathing weakly but still conscious and alive. He would start to tap away at the keyboard, cleaning up an image of Zella as she darted towards the alley and Niwyn as she stared up at Annabelle as her picture was taken. His mouth frowned down slightly as he ran biometrics on the image. The results came back - 99.87% match for Niwyn Tinkbottle. 99.67% match for Mia Puhrmann. Slipping on a leather glove with light sensors, he began to motion with his hand to focus in on Zella. Enlarging and cleaning the image, he measured her stature, body angles, and form. He had every aspect of his sister memorized. This young woman was a near spot on match for everything. Yes, the hair was different, but that could be a wig - Mia was an expert at field ops, so she could be who and what she wanted at any given time. Something was still off. Scanning up to her face, he smiled wolfishly.
"Well hello there, gorgeous, who might you be? You're devilishly beautiful, but my sister you are not...."
Shrinking the image quickly, he sent a copy to Tana and Mia with a quick note.
"Mia has a fan...heterochromia in the eyes indicate that while the subjects in the image are exceptional work in copies, they are .013% and .033% flawed. This can be diluted through crowd sourcing and poor pixilation imagery, but not from direct memory. Dear Sister, it would seem someone is impersonating you at a dangerous level. Let me know if you intend to mobilize and I will facilitate you in any fashion you choose."
Standing, he removed his gloves and replaced them with his stylish black leather ones. A relieved sigh crossed his lips as he moved to Annabelle's side and released her restraints. She whimpered and pulled away as he gently offered his hand.
"My mother thanks you for your citizenry and service, Ms. Cameron. I apologize for the discomfort, but you are free to dress and go. If you head out that door just there, my associate will facilitate your return home."
Timidly Anna would take his hand pulling herself to her feet. Vespyr would smile reassuringly and motion towards the door with his free hand. A half-choked laugh of relief would escape the woman, and she would totter towards the door. Turning the knob, the floor would open and she would fall into an industrial incinerator, her momentary screams of pain and terror extinguished as she vaporized.
"Oh, I'm sorry, dear Annabelle. I'm afraid the cake is a lie, yes? Hm. Now, where can I get a nice cup of tea, I wonder...?"
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Post by jsmith506 on Oct 20, 2021 19:53:48 GMT -5
Sebastian and Stan wasted no time once they were acknowledged by Niwyn they darted stealthily down side streets and back alleys being sure to guide their pursuers through cctv blind spots and staying in the dark as much as possible. Goopy whispered into Niwyn's ear as they ran. "I think they brothers... They argue, say the master said you were dead but Stan refused to believe it. Zella also has them scared, said they're supposed to run away from white haired lady and shouldn't bring her home, but, she's with Niwyn so it's OK?"
The rats skidded to a hault in front of a partially dislodged manhole cover, it was slid open enough a rat could squeek through. They screeched excitedly beside it, then dissappeared into the sewer.
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Post by Tana Puhrmann on Oct 20, 2021 20:43:28 GMT -5
"Perhaps."
Tana turned those bright blue eyes upon Vespyr as he mentioned shifting his sister was unnecessary. She loved her cubs, as much as a creature such as herself was capable of. They were of her and despite the emotional failings of their sire he was a great physical specimen. What she expected was perfection. But just like Jess, they were also hers and sometimes that needed a bit of reinforcement. The possibility what Vespyr had caught in his digital web could have been Mia and the thought long dead gnome was just... offensive.
"That's my boy."
She'd smile, stepping up to pull him in and press a kiss to his forehead after he had pressed the kiss to her cheek. She'd purr lightly, using her thumb to wipe away the imprint of ruby red lipstick left behind.
A ding could be heard behind them and Tana would turn as her private elevator returned and opened. A man would step out, Asian in appearance with a perfectly tailored black suit. He'd take a look towards Tana and Vespyr and reach up to push the dark lensed glasses up his nose. His irises hidden behind those smoked out lenses reminding one of lapis lazuli with a blacked out sclera.
She'd smirk.
"Clearly I must be late if Adlai has come to fetch me. Vespyr, we will speak when I return from the opera."
And so she'd turn. Even in heels her steps and body moved with a preternatural grace. Adlai stood, hands clasped in front of him like the good guard that he was. Even as her hand would reach out to tenderly touch his chest and slide across it as she walked past and into the elevator would he not move. Once she passed he too would step back into the elevator and ensure the Lady made it to her awaiting car safely.
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Mia §
Immortal
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Post by Mia § on Oct 20, 2021 20:44:39 GMT -5
It took Mia a good two hours to regain her senses and return back to herself. Her prisoner was half devoured, along with the secrets she might've been able to impart. There wasn't even enough of her brain left to pull memories from the corpse and even then that was better done when the body was fresh. A couple of unfortunate technicians had been stuck upon sublevel 5 when the doors were locked. She had left their remains where she had found them.
It was tempting to immediately visit her dear Brother, naked and covered in gore as she was but she simply could not bring herself to do it. She'd shower and have a clean set of clothes brought down to her first. He had hesitated after all. Anyone else would've been purged for even the suggestion of going against the regime without the need to both Mother. The fact he did... well she supposed she owed him enough to at least ask what game he was playing.
As if on cue her phone would notification would go off. Her gaze would dart over to see whom was messaging her as she set the towel down. Two messages. One from her husband asking her to contact him should she need him. No doubt the emergency contact protocol initiated once she frenzied. Pointless and should have been disabled long ago. Mother's control bypassed the need to have 'a one' and thus she had never bonded with anyone. Not in that way. A way around the curse of her Father's bloodline it seemed. The second from her Brother.
A frown creased her features as she skimmed over his message, dropping the towel and opting to simply shadowstep from sublevel 5 to his lab above. She'd simply appear, still damp but clothed, out of one of the darkened corners. Willis would be caught off guard and take a step to protest her intrusion. With the flick of her wrist his neck would turn in an unnatural way with a loud crack. He'd crumple to the ground and she would simply step over his body.
"Copies? Are these clones? Disguises? Robotics? Do you have anything more besides visual biometrics?"
She'd stalk over, pressing her palms against the cold metal table where Annabelle Cameron had once lain. Anger still flashed in her green eyes but eventually calmed as she looked upon her fraternal twin. She'd huff, looking away for a moment. Vespyr was still loyal. He was not trying to get her killed. He was still her favorite person and he did not deserve her ire.
"I'm sorry. You are brilliant and never wrong. The lead that you have given us is huge and your art of acquiring this information is like listening to Debussy's Arabesque. The first one."
She'd smirk as she walked around the table to the opposite side where her brother stood. She'd lean around him, turning the knob back to close the trap door to the incinerator he had used to dispose of his test subject.
"I want them alive. I want to peel them down to their core and find out what makes them tick. If we can use them. Lets use them. I've many theories on why someone would want to use my face with Tinkbottle."
Again her phone would ding. She'd pull it out of her pocket with a frustrated sigh. Another text from her husband checking in. She was going to disable that cursed emergency contact. Quickly she'd type out a response of I'm on my way. Maybe he was truly concerned. Or maybe he just didn't want to miss his dinner reservation.
"I have to go. See if your algorithms can find where they went. This little stunt is going to be the end of the resistance."
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Zella's steps would slow after feeling Niwyn's hand grasp at her belt. She wasn't thinking and assumed Niwyn could keep up with her wind magic. Her steps would pause and would almost turn around to scoop up Niwyn and Goopy if not for the rats. They smelled odd. Smelled like they spent a lot of time with a person instead of being normal street rats yet clearly neither of them were pets.
Goopy had piped up, interpreting in his excited little voice what the rats were saying. She'd glance down to Niwyn, finding the whole situation to be odd. Especially that their 'master' knew Niwyn's name. None of this seemed right and yet right now it was all they had. She wouldn't say a word, just nod to the rats that they would follow, mindful to stick to the shadows and to make sure Niwyn's hand didn't leave her belt.
Goopy would continue to interpret, whispering into Niwyn's ear yet still loud enough for Zella to overhear. Someone believed Niwyn to be dead and that the rats were supposed to be afraid of her? Was Mia Puhrmann supposed to be her sister? She had devised her newly acquired twin was a bit of a troublemaker but even this seemed a bit much.
The rats stopped and indicated the manhole before scurrying down themselves. While unappealing moving through the sewers wouldn't hinder her. She had certainly stalked demons with Viconia through sewers and much worse in her life.
Carefully she'd remove the manhole cover, lifting it one handed and holding it so as to be as quiet as possible. She'd hold her hand out to Niwyn in an offer to assist in lowering her down to the ladder.
"This is not what I pictured when you said you'd take me underground little cousin."
She'd whisper and smile, attempting to add some levity to the situation they were in. Once Niwyn was secure and safely on her way she too would slide in, making sure to replace the manhole cover without a sound.
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Post by Deux McCarrion on Oct 20, 2021 20:49:30 GMT -5
~A few hours later~
The being formerly known as 199-XDMC-2 smiled, as he smoothed his suit lapel down. This one was gun metal grey. It matched his eyes... but it would not help the fact his pale skin would continue to stand out.
He stared in the mirror, running his hands over his smooth scalp. He took a few seconds to straighten his skinny tie. The minutes rolled by. He fidgeted. As his feet snapped together, he briskly exited the bedroom and walked down the stairs.
"Looking sharp, big man."
He smiled, as he heard a familiar, silky, voice reverberating in the hall. He tugged at his cuff links and stretched his massive frame. "Yeah, I clean up I guess. Mmmhmm." his eyes widened in surprise as he got a better look at his wife in the bathroom mirror.
"Damn, woman. You are not so bad yourself."
Deux McCarrion, The Kingpin of Meridian, approached the woman, who had stopped applying mascara long enough to crane around and check him out casually. She gently pulled him close for a kiss. He wrapped his arms around her tiny frame.
"It's a pity I'm gonna mess this up later."
Deux's expression quickened. "That so? Are the boys from the Secret Division finally going to give you a bit of space?"
She turned away to reapply her lipstick. "Uh, no. Deux. I already sent out the invitations. We're going to hand out little popcorn bags and let them all watch."
"Ho. Ho. Hilarious. I'd probably charge em' top credit though. Heh heh." He quietly chuckled, knowing that would probably get a giggle.
She smiled warmly. There was a brief pause as he gently stroked her arm.
"So, tell me something."
"What is it, Deux?"
"Stop me if I'm wrong... we got all the way overseas, and then after having to cut our little vacation short, the CdG then decides to put you on assignment on the other side of the planet? Does that seem fair to you?" His brow furrowed for a moment, but he eventually smirked as she ignored his "rhetorical" questions.
Deux glanced at her glowing phone as it chimed a few times. He sighed. "Nevermind. Mrs. Enforcer, it looks like you have some notifications. Seems work was trying to reach you again. That's not a good sign."
"Don't worry with that, I'll check on it in the car once we're on route." She was straightening a rogue curl in her hair.
Deux sat on the bed, feeling the need to get to work at the task at hand...
No, not that.
"Shit. Alright. Alright. To business. So... you've got the best intel on this. Brief me on the dead girl everybody keeps talking about."
"It's Tinkbottle."
Deux turned towards her. "Tinkerbutt?" He reeled while he processed the name. "Hm. Unexpected. I usually delete the memory file of the dead, but I seem to recall that nasty little nickname I called her in private."
"Niwyn Tinkbottle was a blonde haired gnome with a wicked little shit attitude. She's about three and a half feet tall I suppose."
"Hmph. Who was she with?"
"Apparently... Me. Brother dearest thinks she's a clone of sorts. Near perfect match. Who else in town would have that kind of tech? Or even magic?" She'd give him the eye, knowing where his own body came from.
"About that. It just doesn't add up. They have to be an outsider. Nobody uses magic in my town without me knowing about it. Unless they just need killing. Think it's the gnome? What is she capable of?"
"Absolutely not. She was a strategist and a politician. A pacifist who wanted peace. She wouldn't have that kind of knowledge or resources. Vespyr is investigating who might've had the resources and ability to create another me."
"So... on the subject of ending her. Is this...personal, or political?"
She'd frown, narrowing her green eyes with a light growl. "I already ended her Duex. I. Don't. Fail. That can't really be her. Just as that isn't me."
"True doppelgangers, then. Got it. No sweat." he nodded. "I just want you to remember I'm doing this so you won't have to go through it again." Deux tightened his jaw. "If I can take down a tyrant like my old man, I can handle them."
Mia sighed, running her hand up Deux's jawline and grasped the back of his head. "I know I know, baby. Just don't fuck it up. Find out who the double is, and use your best judgement. But remember, we need the gnome alive. Bring her to me. She may be the key to finding more resistance resource locations."
"Sure. No problem. Might even be fun." he grinned wickedly.
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Post by jsmith506 on Oct 20, 2021 22:05:47 GMT -5
The rats waited patiently as Zella and Niwyn climbed down into the bowels of the city. They continued to chitter back and forth between each other and Goopy continued to eavesdrop. "She's really not scary! Haha, yeah my dad said he thinks she's pretty too."
Once they safely reached the bottom, the rats continued off down the tunnel, seemingly a bit more at ease now below the surface. After about a half hour the rats stopped at what seemed to be a dead end and dissappeared into a small hole in the wall.
A moment later they returned chattering at them. "They are saying that The Lady comes... wait, who's the Lady?"
Then, obfuscated within the shadows of the tunnel, a commanding female voice with a supernaturally awesome presence boomed. "What trickery is this!? First you murder Tinkbottle for all to see, now you parade some sort of construct of her around through the sewers! By the grace of Set, I should strike you dead where you stand Mia Puhrmann! I am Maxine De Asandir, in the name of my husband the Enforcer and the Starfire Paladins I will restore balence in this world!"
A glowing white hot blade slashed through the shadows a woman dressed in black leathers in a hooded cloak emerged from the darkness illuminated by the brightly glowing blade which was pointed directly at Zella. Flowing white hair spilled out of her hood over her plunging neckline that revealed the very pale almost white skin of her ample chest. Serpentine eyes focused on them intensely.
Goopy shuddered and scurried behind Niwyn's neck. He peeked out from under her hair. "W-w-w-wait! This no Mia! Zella, Zellllaaaaaa!"
Serpentine eyes squinted, then blinked.
"What the fuck?"
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Post by darkheart on Oct 20, 2021 23:01:20 GMT -5
He was not at all surprised when Mia appeared. He couldn't predict precisely when she would arrive - the transformation was as chaotic in duration as it was in form, and as such predicting it down to the second was impossible. Knowing that she would come, however, was a given; he was simply relieved that she'd come unarmed. The initial burst of ire was met with the typical blank dispassion of his stare, though his lips curled slightly upward at the compliment. Praise from his sister was the very thing that gave his work meaning. He shook his head quietly at her initial question, motioning to the image that was still on the screen.
"My cursory analysis indicates that the life forms are organic. Any technology passing my City Gate Warden System is tagged with a non-harmful radioactive isotope so it can be tracked and monitored. The detection systems only noted the emergency emanation from the semi horn that was employed 2.1 minutes before Ms. Cameron snapped her photograph of our two subjects. This indicates that androids, cyborgs, and artificially body modifications are not present in the two individuals in question. Likewise, I have eradicated 13 non-sanctioned genetic cloning facilities in the city districts. The only 3 that remain are your husband's, the CdG bio-science division on premises and the miniature version at Wong's Meat Palace. I suppose the commercial value of the latter is advantageous due to the shortened time to raise fowl for protein, but that Kuei Jin gives me the willies with his one eye and his creepy, raspy laugh. Ugh. Regardless, any other lab would require significant draws from my energy grid, and since I monitor the usage, I would know if it were siphoned off. So it is fair to say these life forms are organic and naturally aged."
He would sigh as she read her texts and had cause to withdraw for her husband. He understood, but his time with her was always so limited. Waving her off with a flick of his gloved hand, he nodded.
"Given the state of my last subject, I've been put behind in my timeframe. Rest assured, Dear Sister, I will have a heading for you by your hors d'oeurves and a triangulation before desert. Now enjoy your repast with Master Deux...and tell him that if he needs me to run diagnostics on him, I'll make the time for your sake. I mean, Dear Mom in Heaven, I could increase his efficiency by a coefficient of 19e^143 if he'd just let me have a peek...but I digress. Go on then."
As Mia withdrew, he looked down to Willis with a sigh.
"Don't look at me like that. And don't pretend that you're not happy she touched you. Pfft. When you're done drooling, get over yourself. I need to go to work."
Willis' head would slowly twist as his neck rotated of its own volition, straightening and reconnecting. He stood stiffly, then exited the lab to perform his duties. Sighing, Vespyr moved to the elevator and took it up to his private penthouse one story below Tana's. Moving the nearby cabinet, he opened the heavy mahoghany doors to reveal several shelves of highly polished skulls with small name plates beneath them. Removing the glove on his right hand, he set it on the nearby end table, then ran his bare fingers over their marble like surfaces, trying to decide. Archos the great dragon. Eochaid the Warror Poet. Jaeden Starfire the Arch Angel. Phyrexian Dreadnought and his wife Calliope. Finally he settled on one. Next to Jaden Starfire was the Enforcer, Malcolm Desandir. Vespyr had slain him when he orchestrated the demise of Jaeden's realm. Picking up the skull with reverence, he held it in his gloved left hand as if it were a precious treasure. Walking to his arm chair which overlooked the city, he motioned with his right hand and the lights dimmed and a 3D multi-tiered wireframe of Meridian came up. Sitting, he began to stroke the skull slowly, pondering.
"Pull up Ardem Street. Focus on the alleyway. Display all sonic sensors and visual capture devices in a 2 mile radius. Hm...only 2 paths they could have taken to avoid detection along that heading...both are netted into dead ends. No way out at street level without detection. Hm...what do you think, Desandir? Up or down? Up gets them off the street and potentially sheltered with food and water, but isolates them. Down is more questionable...but it offers mobility. Hmm...with subject number 1's stride and agility and subject number 2's notoriety, detection and recognition would be upwards of 78% I agree you grumpy old bear...down it is. Display the sewer branches and subway tunnels. Restrict to narrows and aerated sections with ventilation allowing for at least 18.5% oxygen. MmHmm. Display power overlays and voltage analysis. Now Ohm transduction. No power draw. As I've always suspected, they have a zero heat isolated power source with air gapped operation. Completely off grid. Based on rate of speed, likelihood..."
He would pat the skull gently, then wave his hand for a holographic text display.
"Mia - they are in the sewers. 2 mile radius of Central Park. I know you've swept that area multiple times - but there is a 98.63% probability that I'm right based on my calculations."
He would tap the top of the skull thoughtfully, looking as the sun set over the horizon. He was alone once again, left with only this thoughts and his utility. There was a ding from his virtual assistant, indicating an anonymous off world call. Loneliness found a small foothold in his mind and on a whim he answered it.
"Vespyr? VESPYR! By Lloth, I finally reached you! Hey, it's me...you remember, from the Selune massacre? It's Nathe! Nathe Barruj.....*click*"
He clicked his tongue. He was lonely, not desperate. And certainly not THAT desperate.
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Post by Niwyn Bleu on Oct 20, 2021 23:13:55 GMT -5
Niwyn would chuckle at Zella's levity. In spite of the precariousness of the situation, she'd been in worse scrapes. I mean, she wasn't strapped to an idol in the basement of an Ust Natha temple, after all. And she had Zella and little Goopy. Shaking her head, she grasped her cousin's hand gratefully, swinging over the hole.
"Counterpoint, Zel....this will still smell better than Morsus after cabbage egg roll night! Tee Hee!"
Soundlessly she slid down the ladder into the darkness of the sewers. Her eyes immediately adjusted, and she saw the two rats before her squeeking commandingly. Clicking her tongue, the gnome chided them.
"Sebastian, Stan...don't you get Bucky with me! I'll roast you until you're just little red skulls!"
Looking upward, she called out:
"All clear for the moment, Z! Drop that plate and get out of sight!
*High above the rapidly disappearing pair a cloaked figure reached the edge of the rooftop in time to see Zella slip into the manhole. The face was covered with tinted goggles and the figure was surrounded with a burlap style fabric with strips of foil and small washers duck taped to it. The figure watched Zella slide into the manhole, and they paused for a moment, as if uncertain. Checking their watch, after exactly 14 seconds of waiting, the figure took off in a chaotic vector, vanishing from view and hiding under laundry lines and water towers and away from camera and zeppelin views. Tana was out for the evening, as was Mia, according to surveillance. Perhaps now was the time to strike at the CdG.
As Zella dropped beside her and the woman drew her blade, Niwyn summoned the power of earth to draw up a shield and....nothing. The magic dampeners would not allow her to perform any such action. Color started to grow in her cheeks until she heard Maxine say that word. Blinking as Goopy tried to explain something in her hear, she cocked her head to the side with a look of confused incredulity.
"Blah blah blah, vengeance, death, yaddah yaddah....did you just call me Tinkbottle? I mean, seriously....tha'FUCK calls me by my mother's name? Nobody even knows that 'cept my dad, Emmy and Me-me. Well, I suppose I told Nate, Zeddy and Mia on the trip back from Ust Natha, but THAT'S BESIDES THE POINT! Who the HELL do you think you are, Lady, pulling your sword and callin' me that?!?! Give me one good reason!! I mean, I don't know where this is or why I can't use my magic, but SO HELP ME!!! You call me Tinkbottle again and I'll bite you! I'll bite your ankles clean off!!
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Mia §
Immortal
Posts: 146
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Post by Mia § on Oct 21, 2021 13:02:12 GMT -5
The hairs on Zella's neck would stand on in moments before Maxine made herself known. The voice echoed in the small sewer tunnel and the girl crouched, ready to spring except, she had no swords. Her hands reflexively went to her hips where her twin blades normally would be. Her moonshard blades were left in Faerun with Viconia and her newly inherited blade, Holy Justice, had been left back in Africa in the umbrella stand with everyone else's weapons. She wasn't entirely defenseless mind you, but she didn't like this disadvantage. A light and instinctive growl would slip from her throat, taking a step back and laying a hand on Niwyn's shoulder she would prepare herself for fight or flight.
The glow of the sword would catch her eye as the woman's position became clear after movement. She'd arch her back and lean backwards as the blade sailed over her head. Like a dancer she would spin, grabbing hold of Winnie's shoulder and moving the three of them as far back out of sword range as she was able to in the dark tunnels.
Winnie and Goopy would be placed behind her, Zella's hand outstretched as if indicating to the woman to stop. She'd open her mouth to try and reason with the woman only to have a little pink haired tirade happen behind her. Her other hand would reach down, in almost a protective manner of her gnomeish charge but also to keep her from darting out and away from her. Once Niwyn took a breath, she would speak.
"Lady De'Asandir. I am not Mia Puhrmann despite appearances. I know not what my sister has done to provoke your ire or why you think she would lay a finger on Niwyn but I am not she. Perhaps can you tell us, how you know Niwyn? We seem a bit... lost."
Her posture would not change, ready to move, ready to protect, and ready to fight should the woman persist. But the pause in the woman after her first swing gave her hope the woman would listen.
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Post by Ilimetha on Oct 21, 2021 14:18:11 GMT -5
The town car would stop in front of CdG's tower one and the driver would hurry around to open the door for his passenger. A black, red soled stiletto would place its self upon the sidewalk. Attached to that shoe were long bare legs, skin a flawless deep grey. The driver would offer his hand and assist the Drowess from the car. Those who ran in particular circles would know the woman as Jabbress Ilimetha Elamshinae, the Mistress of House Elamshinae, the most highly regarded escort service Meridian had to offer. Her courtesans were the most refined men and women had to offer and clients who broke her rules of engagement often ended up blackballed from society by the secrets the House kept or met with an untimely end by the Mistress herself. Given her contacts there was no opposition.
Arctic white hair was twisted atop her head with two golden hair pins securing them into place, long elven ears adorned with little golden hoops and chains. The Drowess was tattooed starting at the back of her neck with flowing gold ink in swirling patterns that graced her shoulders, her collar bone, and farther down her back beneath the spaghetti strapped top. She'd adjust the black pencil skirt and the sheer spider web detailed black overlay as she waited.
Ilimetha was beyond taking on clients at this point in her career, but this one was an exception. She had a weekly standing reservation with Vespyr Puhrmann and he expected punctuality, even if all that amounted to the visit was talk. And sometimes, that's all he needed.
She'd wait until a certain time before walking away from the car, knowing exactly how long it took her to to get to his private penthouse using the series of elevators in the building. She had security clearance to get there on her own and by now the guards would know better than to try and delay any of her steps. She would make it to his door at exactly the appointed time, rapping her knuckles gently upon the door before turning the handle and making her way in.
Ilimetha would find Vespyr sitting in his chair and watching the sun set down below the city skyline. In his hand he held a skull which he petted gently as if it were a sleeping cat. A disturbing scene to some but for the Drowess it drew a small smile to her lips. Amber hued eyes would take in the open cabinet door, trying to place which of the skulls was missing before removing her sheer wrap. She'd lay it and her clutch upon the sofa and walk over.
"Alas poor Malcolm... Did you know him well?"
She'd ask, sitting herself gently upon the arm of the leather bound chair he sat in. He seemed reflective and not quite his usual brash self.
"Something must've happened today. You seem troubled."
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Post by darkheart on Oct 21, 2021 16:14:03 GMT -5
Mortality was an illness, he was convinced of it. He refused to have direct physical contact with anyone outside of his mother whom he venerated as the literal goddess that she was, and even then it was the occasional kiss on the cheek or her ruffling of his hair. She brought him into this world - she was entitled. He'd only ever touched Mia voluntarily on two separate occasions - once when he hugged her as a child, only to receive a huff and a broken nose. The other was at her wedding to Deux when he offered her a kiss to her middle knuckle in celebration of the day. To everyone else he kept his hands gloves. Leather for day to day. Latex for lab work and disection. Tech extensions for virtual manipulation. His clothes were always immaculate (when not soiled with blood, anyway) and his movements precise. The only physical stimulation with any sort of frequency was the warmth of the tea he drank religiously, and the caress of the polished skulls of his vanquished enemies.
Mortals were greedy, selfish, lustful, short-sighed, chaotic, stupid, wrathful, gluttonous, dirty, filthy lower life forms. He feared that touching them would somehow infect him - lessen him in some way. His mother, perfect in his eyes, could not do so as he was less than she was. Mia he could accept, but she was Deux' and had contact with him. Death. Death was a purification of the sickness and weakness of life. Those foes he vanquished had been admirable in their meaningless flailing in the dark infirmity of life. He had purified them with death, so to touch their perfect remains was to honor them for attempting to achieve greatness before he offered them the mercy of release.
Ilimetha, however, was different somehow. Setting Malcolm's skull aside, he removed his left glove, setting it atop the skull, then gently traced his fingertips along the impossibly smooth, soft skin of her thigh that lay exposed from where she sat on the arm rest beside him. The opiate rush of the warmth of her flesh shot up his arm and into his mind in an unquenchable rush. Most men would have attempted to throw her to the ground, consumed by their base nature. To him, however, the attraction was just as cerebral as it was physical. He was a wolf - he could chew her up and spit her out in a second without anyone deigning to complain for fear of erasure. And yet, paradoxically, he was a fly caught in the spider's web. She was dangerous and deadly, seductive and formidable. With the touch of her finger or the slightest bite of her lip she could have others begging for her to kill them for the sheer perceived pleasure of it. While it was true that indulging in the many forms of physical pleasure she offered held more value and addiction than what many could dream to afford, to Vespyr she was the closest mortal he'd ever met to shaking off the shackles of insignificance and the anchor of normalcy that most mortals succumbed to. She was fearless - unencumbered by the thoughts and opinions of others. She was beautiful - more so than any Degas or Caravaggio. She was intelligent - she didn't just listen to him, but she could often understand what he explained and, stranger yet, could offer intelligent riposte. She was always calculated - never sloppy. She would no doubt attempt to betray him in the end, somehow, and yet he couldn't bring himself to be without her based on suspicion and likelihood alone. If she did make good on his suspicion, he had no doubt that no one would ever remove her immacualate, beautiful skull from his possession, and that no other in his collection would ever compare or see use again.
He would trace only the tips of his fingers along the skin from her knee to the edge of her pencil skirt, tracing a slow, thoughtful line of sentience with the feather light nature of the slightest of touches. His voice was deep with thought and remembrance.
"Malcolm Desander was the Enforcer of the Starfire Paladins. He often stood in for my godmother, Jaeden Starfire, as a tutor when I was younger. He was strong and kind, a truly great werecreature. When Jaeden called my mother a false goddess and critiqued her actions, I was forced to eradicate the entire civilization. I infected them all with the Purity virus and laid out battle plans for Mia's shock troops. Mia indulged me, however, and allowed me to enter the fight physically for once. Cold as she may appear, she does have some regard for me - and I felt I owed Jaeden the courtesy of dying by my hand. Malcolm came to defend her. Can you believe he actually landed a blow - broke two ribs. Even though weakened and dying from Purity, his anger and rage fueled him enough to move faster than I predicted. Even at 2% of his actual strength, he still struck me faster than I could dodge and hard enough to injure me. I almost regret having decapitated him. I respected him enough to do so quickly and cleanly. Whenever I think of honor and strength, I think of Malcolm."
He would stand, taking up the skull and glove and moving to replace it in the cabinet. Leaving his gloves on the table, he moved back to Ilimetha and gently took her hands, lifting her to her feet and pulling her over to the window. He would motion to the city before them, then look down upon it.
"And I am troubled. Someone...well, two someones...out there have affronted me. First they have managed to slip into my mother's city without being detected by my systems. Secondly, they have insulted my sister's honor and efficiency by impersonating her and the dead traitor Niwyn Tinkbottle in the open streets. As if my sister would FAIL? Never. The deception was great enough that I had to ask my mother about it. To bother her with the product of such lies! To make me be WRONG?!?! I am rarely...ever....wrong. It hurts worse than the ferocity of Malcolm Desandir. I will have them. My sister will destroy them. I will reanimate them and make them suffer a million deaths of shame and humiliation. If they are resistance, I will crush them, their families, friends, acquaintances, love interests, childhood teachers! I will ERASE the very notion of them from existence."
His eyes would flare and his tone would burn like ice held too long to flesh. The plate window would even frost slightly at the edges as he reached beneath his collar to touch the silver ring he bore on a chain around his neck. Ilimetha was the only one who had ever seen it - he never took it off, even when she insisted. His hand would fall and his tone would even. Turning to her, his gaze bored into her eyes fiercely.
"Tonight I find myself most.....angry. I fear I may have need of your deeper touches tonight, Ms. Elamshinae, if you will permit it. I have roughly 97 minutes before Mother's opera ends. Mia is at dinner with Master Deux. I believe we have time for...indulgences."
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