RP:Curses and the Mute
Summary: Roleplay betwen Gheneroc, Larewen, and Kysara. Larewen learns the basics of cursing from Gheneroc and Kysara is given a place to stay.
Gheneroc chewed through the hide of the Ancient Black one he slew. Gheneroc crunched through the melting flesh and bone, tearing at the large corpse of the dragon. The mighty cave dragon devoured his victim slowly. The stone-skinned lizard sensed his consort near by, and gave pause to his eating, swallowing the last bit of meat, his lips coated in the other dragon's blood.
Larewen could hear the distant sound of Gheneroc's feasting as she crossed the threshold into his cave. Careful steps guided her deeper into the cavern and along a meandering path through the carnage left behind by his meals. It wasn't with any sort of disgust that she avoided them; it was simply she wished not to mess her garb so quickly yet again. When the sounds of eating stopped, her head lifted to return his stare. "Evening," she greeted, studying him quietly. Though her anger had tempered, it seemed there was still some annoyance to weigh down her voice.
Gheneroc licked his lips, slapping at his chops a little bit. Gheneroc noted the sense of annoyance in Larewen's tone and merely grumbled in return. The cave dragon shook his head a bit, cracking a couple bones loose in the process. He kept his keen sight on Larewen. "How are you?" He asked, a bit genuinely concerned.
Larewen answered with a lift of her shoulders, forcing the faintest of smirks to her lips, though it would only linger for the briefest of moments. "I am well, thank you. And yourself?" came her reply. A frown had settled onto her lips then, but she still drew closer, extending a gloved hand to touch him softly.
Gheneroc grumbled and rumbled as he shifted his weight, taking a more comfortable pose just before Larewen placed her hand gently upon him. "That is a matter of perspective." Gheneroc started to answer. "You are by far my best thus far, but the road we must travel is terribly long." Gheneroc had shifted his gaze away as he spoke but now turned back toward the vampire. "I shall teach you something this night. Something simple."
Larewen curled her fingers against his rocky plates. "That it is, but..." she trailed off, pursing her lips together momentarily. "No matter how simple your teachings may be, do not hold back for fear of losing me. It will inhibit my learning."
Gheneroc grumbled. "Larewen, we have already discussed this." Gheneroc lowered his head a bit closer to the vampiress. "If I have to repeat myself, I will not be able to teach. Do you know how to curse objects?"
Larewen loosed a long, low growl at his response, clearly unhappy with it. She truly did fear that his need to be careful might hinder her ability to learn from him, after all. After a moment, she drew her hand back before she shook her head. "I do not," came her answer. The more pressing issue - his reluctance to put her at risk presently - was, for the time-being dropped. Ultimately, she wanted to complete her apprenticeship so that she might study under Xersom as well.
Gheneroc rumbled low in response to Larewen's growl, giving her one of his own. The dragon adjusted his position. "Curses, in principal, are enacted when something specific happens and the target is harmed." Gheneroc paused. "The more powerful the curse, the more dangerous it is. And like all magic, it has a chance to blow back in your face." Gheneroc started. "To begin, select an object."
The sounds of a few pebbles can be heard falling from above, as they strike the ground, a few of them crumble, made more of smaller pebbles held together by hardened dust then solid stone. A streak of red plummets from whence the stones fell, striking the ground in a small, though sudden, burst of flame. The fire clears almost as quickly as it sparked, and the kitsune can be seen on one knee with both hands to the stone floor, her hair an absolute mess from the tumble she'd just taken after slipping through a narrow tunnel. After a momentary shock from the landing, more emotional then physical, Kysara stood up and started dusting herself off, taking a look around with a feeling that it was rather familiar... when she finally turned around and saw the oversized iguanna... again... she realized why it looked so familiar... Wasn't this the same fire forsaken cave she'd had her arm eaten by a wall for a few seconds? She moaned to herself, which really sounded more like a soft, though drawn out sigh, what was it that kept drawing her back to him no matter where she went? She'd just gone exploring yet another cave, and somehow ended up HERE? What horrible mystery of fate had destined her to be attracted to such a creature against all logic and personal will, much akin to a magnet that were attracted to it's opposite even though it longed to be with others like itself?
Larewen reached to her wrist, seeking to draw off one of the serpentine bracelets. It would do just as well, the dark sorceress figured. Just as her gloved fingers closed around it, their lesson, just beginning, was interrupted. The woman's head tilted back to an angle that must have been uncomfortable, for it dislodged her hat and veil, allowing those dark brown tresses to fall and frame her face once more. Her brow furrowed as the kitsune was expelled from the ceiling, a low growl rumbling in her throat yet again. Turning in order to face the newcomer, her expression softened, though only minimally.
Gheneroc turned his attention briefly to Kysara. "The prodigal fox returns..." Gheneroc rumbled low. "Do not fret little one, you already bear the Mark." Gheneroc steered his attention back to Larewen with the bracelet. "Curses are founded in malice and anger. The darker your heart and mind, the more powerful the curse." Gheneroc was starting to think Kysara might actually be a good guinea pig for Larewen to test with. "The first curse you will master is to make the object magically heavier when you activate it." Gheneroc spoke. "You must direct your hatred and anger. Say the key phrase "Killim a'aas" and the curse will be placed. Keep in mind the method you want to activate the curse."
Kysara snickered, after watching the bear get eaten, she figured she wasn't in too much danger, either the iguanna couldn't eat both the bear and a little girl, or it liked her for some reason. Honestly that didn't make her feel much better about being around it, she wasn't personally very fond of the creature... besides, it's breath stank. She did however see that lady from the other night as well, she thought about it a moment, didn't she say her name was superior or something of the like? Not wanted to really get closer, but somewhat curious as to what was happening, Kysara slowly made her way closer, if only because of the kindness the woman had shown her.
Larewen wouldn't have thought of what she'd offered Kysara as kindness, but that was only because Larewen believed her dead heart had little to over in that way. As Gheneroc's rumbling speech picked up once more, the elf found her eyes drawn back to him. This time, she twisted the bracelet off her wrist and held it flat in the palm of her head. It seemed, for the moment, that the fox was forgotten. Anger and hatred were not difficult feelings for the dark sorceress to find; she felt hatred and bitterness for many, especially the giant that had once disowned her. Anger? While it did not express itself so clearly on her face now, her blood was still boiling at Gheneroc's blatant lack of faith in her from previously. "Killim a'aas," she repeated, the word hardly more than a hushed, haunting whisper that echoed through the cavern even after it had fallen from her lips.
Gheneroc narrowed his eyes. He sensed Larewen forgot to visualize a way to activate the curse and so the bracelet suddenly weighed immensely, so much so that it would even challenge Larewen's supernatural strength not to drop the now magically heavier bracelet to the ground. The more anger and bitterness that was channeled, the more the bracelet weighed. "Good. However, since you neglected to visualize a way to activate the curse, it will remain constant." Gheneroc rumbled. "It could be something simple. Wave your hand in the right direction. Now, to remove a curse, you must feel love and hope. Unless you imagined a condition to remove the curse you laid. This is why curses are dangerous." Gheneroc reached with his clawed hand and bumped the bracelet, immediately removing the curse. "Place it again with a condition this time."
Kysara eventually decides two things, firstly that they are busy, and likely she needn't be bothering them, and second, whatever the lessons revolved around was not likely something she wished to partake of, curses, anger and hatred? She didn't know the first thing about what a curse was, but if it fed off anger and hatred, it wasn't anything she wanted to be near. With nary a second thought to stop her, the kitsune turned tail... literally, and started to slowly walk her way back out of the cave, not entirely certain where she might wander off next, life was full of it's little surprises... and giant iguannas. although she'd swear that iguanna was somehow stalking her?
Larewen had detected her own mistake almost instantly, for even before Gheneroc could detect the weight that was added to the bracelet, the elf had already released it. With an unusually heavy thud, in fell to the floor of the cavern and created a small crater around it. His explanation as to how to lift the curse was met with a wrinkled nose. "You mean to tell me you're capable of love?" came a rather bitter retort, seemingly from nowhere. It was an uncalled for remark and, as he nudged the curse away from the bracelet, the dark sorceress was leaning down to pick it up. She was aware of Kysara's movements behind her and for a moment, she glanced back at her. "Stay." It was a single command, soft and surprisingly gentle for the bitter feelings she clearly harbored. That small crater at her feet was proof of that. Again, her eyes turned to Gheneroc and she re-envisioned the spell once more. This time, she chose an activate, fear, and a de-activate, acceptance. "Killim a'aas," she whispered again, this time a bit more sharply.
Gheneroc rumbled with laughter. "Yes, Larewen. "As are you. Even if you only love yourself, it will be enough to lift the curse. If you are unsure of yourself, Larewen, you will find progress in magic to be far more difficult and treacherous." The dragon watched intently as the curse was re-placed upon the item. "Excellent. Now see how the bracelet works." Gheneroc eyed Kysara, wondering if the fox-kin would stay at Larewen's beckoning. "Give the bracelet to someone."
Kysara was quite taken aback by the sudden attention she received from the taller woman, she hadn't gotten too far, thus she returned her attentions to the pair. Curiosity still holding her as to what, exactly, was going on, she opted to stay, though she certainly didn't approach just yet, she was still a bit edgy with the conversation bearing such a dark and obvious tone. Instead she simply watched from about ten or so yards away.
Larewen dipped her head slightly toward Gheneroc and then turned on her heel to face Kysara. She knew, to some degree, that the fox was cautious and tried to remain aware, but could the creature know to trust them? Turning the bracelet over in her hand, Larewen moved away from her master and toward the other woman. "A gift, in anticipation of your loyalty and trust," came the dark sorceress's voice, cool and hauntingly sweet once more. If Kysara took the bracelet with fear in her heart of what may come, or what may happen, it would activate its curse and the fox would be weighed down. If she accepted it, trusting her superior, then it would be nothing more than a bracelet.
Kysara 's head tilted as she slowly reached for the object, she was primarily curious as to why she was offering the bracelet to her? Was her lesson in curses complete? Or was she to be used as a guinee pig? When she removed the bracelet from the woman's hand, she wasn't exactly afraid, as she really only feared words from those who didn't know she was a mute, since that brought her so much stress. But she was far from trusting either. Appearently her concern over being made a test subject was enough to trigger the bracelet, as it's suddenly increased weight fought against her meager strength, Kysara felt a sudden surge of power, a new reserve of strength that was barely enough to allow her to hold the object, she was straining under it's weight, eventually forced to drop it as it's master had done only moments prior. While it struck the floor with a great force, her slowly buckling under it's weight only put it a few inches above before she'd dropped it, only managing to chip the stones where it struck. Kysara was a bit perplexed by this as she found herself kneeling, breathing a bit heavily, though not by much, was she so weak that such a small object threatened to destroy her with it's weight, how was this other woman able to hold it like it was nothing?
Larewen had turned her focus now upon the fox, eagerly awaiting to learn whether or not her curse upon the object had been successful; whether or not Kysara feared or accepted her. The answer was quickly learned as the mute's doubts and concerns triggered the cursed bracelet and she was brought to her knees before the dark sorceress. With Gheneroc once more in the background, and his consort's focus upon the fox, it was rather perfect. Larewen knelt down to Kysara's eye level, seeking to meet her gaze even as gloved fingers reached outward to trace where the bracelet yet weighed Kysara's grip downward. Her touch was surprisingly gentle, for while that hand met hers, the woman's opposite rose to cup the mute's cheek. "You have no need to fear me child; listen to what I tell you, what I ask of you, and you'll see that things will begin to move in your favor. I can, and I will help you, as long as you serve our Master and me."
Kysara had already dropped the bracelet, and was huffing her breaths a bit from having held her breath in while struggling with the bracelet until it slipped from her hand. Kys met the woman's gaze with her own, curious and confused. Things moving in her favor? What did that mean, how could things simply move in favor of her? What was that like, was it rains ceasing and the sun peering out from the clouds on what would have been a dreary, and damp day? Or no... idiot, metaphore. But without memories, how would she know if things were going well? wasn't the definition of a good day based on experience? If one was devoid of experience, how did they know the difference? As an abused slave would no doubt describe a day with less beating 'good', a well cared for child who was beaten at all, even in discipline would consider that day bad for exactly the same experience. Her lips pursed, she didn't even know what she wanted really.
Larewen sought to curl her fingers against the fox's cheek, for she was not oblivious to her confusion. "You don't understand, do you?" she asked, softly. A simple nod or shake of the head would be an adequate answer, even as Kysara released the bracelet. Larewen reached down, curling her gloved fingers around the bracelet. There was no fear in heart and as such, when it came in contact with her, it was once more as a bracelet ought to be: light. Again, it was held out to Kysara. "Trust me, and it will be light."
Kysara stared at the bracelet, she started to reach for it, but couldn't quite bring herself to retrieve it again. It had just... wait. Curious again, she poked the bracelet and watched as the added weight pushed the womans hand down, if only for an instant. Trust? She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. This time she reached for the bracelet, as she slipped it out of it's masters hand, it once again increased it's weight, this time however, it fell cleanly through her grasp, no hidden resevoir of strength comming to her aid. Surprised and a bit upset, her body started to heat up, while it was naturally a bit warm to the touch, it would rise from her stress noticably, though not enough to burn by any means. Even through the caress of the woman's hand to her cheek, Kysara's gaze turned more towards teh bracelet, and her appearent lack of trust.
Larewen could feel the searing heat of the woman's anger, for being dead brought with it a coldness most could not comprehend. Kysara's frustration was met in a most odd way, though. Rather than scowl or push her away, the vampire, perhaps in part due to a loss of sanity over the years, sought instead to draw the fire druid into a motherly embrace. "Accept me, little one. Accept me, and all will be well."
Kysara had a sudden spike of stress, causing ehr inner fire to burn more fiercly, drawing more heat, forcing her body to become even hotter, hot enough to boil water. Shock and surprise overwhelmed her, conjoining the stress she already felt, all scemblence of anger had left, but it was emotion that fueled the heat, regardless of what kind. She was barely able to struggle as she was drawn in.
Larewen did not cry out as the fox heated up; she did not scream, squirm, or even release her as the heat began to boil and melt the vampire's flesh. The pungent odor that accompanied that burning of Larewen's body was not enough to cause her revulsion and still, she held Kysara. Did it hurt the elf? Yes. Did she -want- to let go? Most definitely. Gheneroc's task, however, had demanded a befriending of the mute, and Larewen's instincts told her that she was following the necessary route. Even as her flesh sizzled and popped, as stolen blood began to bubble from within her arms and chest, Larewen held on. "Accept me, little one."
Kysara : As the initial shock subsided, Kysara was suddenly taken with the feeling of entrapment. Heart racing, she squirmed, held too closely to simply slip out, eventually she managed to put one of her feet against the woman's knee, planting both her hands against her body, and pushed. As she stumbled back, her hand unconsciously swiped at her pouch, and she felt a subtle chill a moment after. She was breathing fast enough that she risked hyperventillation. Suddenly, her breath caught, even more confused. She pulled her right hand over and looked down at it, within her grasp was a faintly glowing red sword, simple in design. it would be hot to the touch, even hotter then her skin was at that moment, but she couldn't feel heat. She dropped the weapon, backing away even more confused then before, what was this thing? It looked like... She reached into the pouch at her waist and retrieved the contents... a tiny little red bar. The sword was missing. She looked back at the weapon, once again breathing heavily, how had THAT happened?
There was no doubt that Larewen felt pain. Even as the woman kicked her way free of the vampire's grasp, pain wrought itself on her features. Fire was, for most vampires, quite deadly, simply because of the destructive force behind it. Her clothing had begun to melt, the metal bones of her bodice searing their way into her flesh as dark chocolate eyes watched the fox. The sword, and the mute's confusion, were duly noted, even as her head dipped forward. "I do not understand your fear. I am trying to protect you; offer you safety. Are you deaf, too?" she asked, studying the other's features even as she reached to pick up the cursed bracelet once more.
Kysara took a deep breath, sparing the woman a glance as she reached down, she herself replacing the little charm into it's place. She picked up the sword with a sigh, wondering how she was supposed to carry it now? she spun it quickly and thust the blade into the stone, the heat of the weapon barely enough to allow her to make it stand up from the rocks without aid. She felt a bit bad about that, but she just couldn't handle feeling... trapped like that. As she looked back to the woman, she wondered at what had burned her and damaged her clothes?
Larewen saw the confusion in the fire druid's expression, her lips pursing for a long moment. Finally, sighing in a mixture of frustration and, perhaps, embarrassment, as was denoted by the fold of her arms quite suddenly across her breasts, the dark sorceress said quietly, "Your skin is like fire."
Kysara appeared quite puzzled as she mulled over that comment, looking more towards the floor as it ran circles around her mind, her gaze very quickly fell to where the sword entered the ground next to her. It glowed with an inner fire. Curious, she retrieved it, and held the blade against her dress for a few seconds, though she still jumped a bit, dropping the weapon with a clang agains the stone, she wasn't completely surprised to see her dress catch fire along where the blade had touched it. She quickly moved to put it out, realizing something that seemed quite important... Fire. Her skin was like fire, fire burns other people, but she'd wondered why she never felt anything around them. She was suddenly caught with a feeling of dread and sorrow, she'd just brought this woman great pain. Shocked, and quite upset and confused yet again, she picked up the weapon and hesitantly took a few steps back before simply running away, fighting back the tears at just how torn up she felt about what she'd done.
Larewen knew, even before the fox did, that she was about to run and she reached outward. It Kysara was faster, the dark sorceress's magic would employed to thicken the air and slow her. "Don't, please. I'm fine. Come back," she seemingly pleaded.
Kysara managed to trip over herself as her motion was hindered by... erm... nothing? As she tumbled over herself in what seemed like slightly slowed motion, instincts kicked in. Every movement took more effort then she'd expected, but she managed to put one arm under her, slipping the flat of the blade between her body and the rocks just beneath, snapping the weapon down as she let go, her knee and forearm riding the sword down. She skid off the blade, rolling onto her belly, faint whimpers could likely be heard as she cried, sharp inhales betwen her silent sobs, her face was burrowed into her arms, As usual, her body superheated again, she'd stopped just close enough that her shin rested against the hilt of the barely glowing weapon, but just far enough that her dress was barely outside it's reach.
Larewen rose to her feet and quietly approached Kysara, her burnt and temporarily mutilated body most definitely visible to the fox. Again, she reached out a gloved hand, the air loosening enough to allow the touch, if the girl so wished it. "Trust me, little one. I do not wish you harm; I offer you a home, love, and understanding. I would take you as my own, if you'd like."
Kysara had passed out by the time the woman had reached her, arm wet from her tears, but her body slowly cooling back down without the stress of emotion to fuel the fires. The blade would revert within a few hours, returning to the size of a small charm, completely cooled off the moment the infusion expired.
Larewen would wrap her arms around the cooling druid, offering her the comfort of an embrace throughout the night, while simultaneously seeing to it that no harm came to her.