Maintaining Balance ((Closed for Ausus_girl13))

[Vail_Indigo]

Skadi was finding her...partner...to be an interesting woman, more with each turn of their journey.

The Malleus hadn't thought this far ahead, hadn't planned for anything other than actually getting on the boat. But, then, this mission hadn't gone even remotely close to 'as planned', and improvisation had been the primary methodology. Which was just fine by Skadi, but it did tend to leave her suddenly unsure of what she was doing next.

Images flashed, unbidden, through her mind. A gift, it seems, from the demon she was now becoming. Images that told stories. Skadi knew what to do.

She pulled her cloak around her, covered her face with the cowl, and went up onto the deck where she knew the Captain would be guiding the ship, alone, under the night sky.

The man was right where she'd pictured, and barely nodding in her direction as she came out onto the deck. Skadi leaned back against a railing, watching the Captain steer his vessel, her face and most of her body obscured.

"The six starred scar on your bicep, its from an arrow used only by the Kushiel Archers. Almost impossible to heal. The archers protect the 'Court' at Er Annas. Only a dozen men came back from the last siege attempt."

The Captain ignored her.

"The tattoo on the left side of your neck was done by Ezekiel Mev, sometimes known as Mad Mev, sometimes known as The Darkness That Screams. It is believed that Mev was... dissipated over 70 years ago. It is believed."

The Captain stared at the stars, his ship following his eyes.

"Your blood smells of incense. This is common among men who have married into half-fae families. Its a ritual meant to both designate the new member as elevated above the world, but still a part of it."

The Captain almost twitched.

"Can I help you with something, 'Boy'?" There was a hint of something in the man's voice, but it was not a threat, as such.

"I am sharing these observations as a way of acknowledging that you are a man of the world, and far more than you seem. As am I," Skadi pushed back the cowl.

"And I am hoping that, now that our masks are lifted away, perhaps we can speak as equals. Citizens of a world few will ever see hint of."

The Captain chuckled.

"I'll ask again, can I help you with something, 'Boy'?"

Skadi was beginning to like this man, quite a bit.

"You'll need to change course," and she rattled off a new bearing.

"It will take a very long time to reach Portugal, in that direction."

"Yes. I would imagine so. But we are in no rush. There is, however, in that direction a ship my Mistress and I would very much like to see."

"And yet here we are, contracted to take you to Portugal. That bearing will only take us to the New World. Hardly a comparable journey."

"I think we know that carrying travelers back and forth is hardly the way you or your master make their fortune. If we were to catch up to the ship in question, and you were to assist us in boarding, or, if needs be, simply taking the vessel, I suspect you'd find no small amount of wealth on board. Wealth that, at this point, you would be welcome to keep."

The implication, that Dinsal was dead, was not lost on the man.

There was silence for a short bit.

"The fourth ring, the one the middle finger of your left hand is missing. I do not know where Lady Maeve hid it, nor, exactly, what its purpose is. However, I have ever reason to believe that the man we are after will have certain substances with him. Very rare reagents and earths. With those, you can go to a woman, a woman who's name I can provide to you, and she can find the location of that ring."

He smiled at the offer.

"I'll let you know when we have the great ship in sight."

Skadi turned to go back below, pulling the cowl back over her face. She paused and without turning to the Captain.

"70 years ago, Captain, and the last siege was almost half again as long ago, and the fae...even the half-fae...marry mortals so rarely. Truly, as weathered as it is, the years have been kind to your body, haven't they," Skadi...teased.

She sensed the smile on the Captains lips.

"I do hope there is room enough in the cabin, 'Boy'. Room enough for the three of you."

Skadi's turn to smile. And she returned below to her Eros.

 

[Ausus_girl13]

The rocking of the ship lulled her to sleep, Maia was warm and comfortable; she also knew that Skadi would wake her if something went wrong.. or if she wanted her. The thought was a fading one, Maia's last conscious mental image one of her kneeling for her Mistress.

Where was she?

It was so cold.. it was as if she had been sleeping for a thousand years. The world a wasteland...

Her Mistress...

"MISTRESS!! She screamed. There was no response.

Laughter. It melted into thunder and Maia pulled her threadbare cloth around her. Threadbare? She never wore things like this.. where was she? The sky was blood red.

"Hello? o-o-o-..." Her call echoed back at her and the sound of laughter sprinkled over the desolate landscape that surrounded Maia.

She fell to her knees, sinking her fingers into an earth that felt dead to her. Something was rumbling within her chest. She clutched at her breasts, panting in pain.

AUGHHhh!!! She straightened, and her head thrown violently back for whatever was inside her to work it's way out. Maia fell to the dirt exhausted and crying while the ball of pain floated out and materialized into the air before her.

"Maia."

She looked up and around, searching for the voice inside her head.

"Maia, listen child- we have mere moments before he comes. Listen!"

She nodded and looked to the little black shifting shadow in front of her.

"He is going to meld the worlds, and there are those on this side of the veil who are helping him. If you don't stop your Mistress from falling, she will perish. Her daemon with her. The Lord seeks nothing less than her power.

"What is this- falling? Falling from grace? Falling where? How? Her power? Skadi's power? What power? Help me understand!"

"He comes! Send her back!"

The shadow zipped back to her chest, making Maia scream in agony as she fell back to the ground, her head banging against wood as she finally landed, crying out. Her eyes popped open and she was staring into the eyes of her Mistress.

"Skadi..." Maia choked out, tears streaming down her cheeks. Something was happening to their world and in the midst of it, her love was in perilous danger.

 

[Vail_Indigo]

Skadi was on her way back to the cabin, enjoying having successfully connected with the sailor, a bond between adventurers that few outsiders could understand. When you understand that the difference between life and death is a flicker of a moment, when you see that the world is a far less ordered, far less comprehensible place than most would like to believe, you attain a certain perspective.

<interesting, something is afoot.>

<Well, hello there. I was wondering where you'd gone.>

<Gone? Do not think for one moment that any decision you've made does not have my metaphysical hand in it.>

Skadi felt a shiver pass over her skin. She remembered that, in truth, she didn't know what the dark rapture entailed, had no idea as to the depths and ramifications. But she was also a realist. What was done was done. She'd bear the consequences, much as the sailor had learned to bear his scars.

<Oh don't be silly, my prettiness. I need you at least as much as we've convinced the Eros that she needs us. I could make you love me even more.>

The demon did…something…to Skadi, her cunt suddenly throbbed with need, and her mind became a column of pure, white sensation.

<What…oh, god…what did you do? What was that?>

<Pfeh, just a present…>

<A threat.>

<Words words words. You can call it a threat, but you can't believe its anything other than, well, I suppose you really don't have the words to express what that just was. Don't make me do it again. Hm, unless you feel ilke begging.>

And she did, very much.

<Still, we have things to do. Something is afoot.>

<Yes, thats where we started off, isn't it.>

<Your Eros, something is happening with her. I can't tell what, which is strange.>

<Why didn't I sense it??? Why are we wasting time talking about this???>

<First, I barely caught it. Its something far from us. What I'm sensing are only the faintest of echos in her. You aren't attuned enough yet. Second, this entire conversation has taken place in the time it took you to go down a single stair. We now return you to your regularly scheduled sprint.>

Skadi didn't understand what the demon meant by the last comment, but she seldom understood an entire conversation.
What she knew was her…her what?…her partner? her girl? her lover, bitch, possession?…Eros was…the demon hadn't been clear on that either.

But the confusion that was finding a home within Skadi's mind didn't keep her from breaking into a mad dash back to the quarters they shared.

Warrior instinct made her stop short at the door and listen, but only for a moment. She heard a blood-deep scream and burst through the door as Maia collapsed to the floor, hard. A puppet with her strings cut. A sharp thud as brow cracked on wood.
Skadi had the girl in her lap in moment, wishing her senses could explain what was happening, had happened, anything at all.
She had to hold back tears of relief when the girl opened her eyes and said her name.

 

[Ausus_girl13]

Maia's hand flew to Skadi's cheek, she had to touch her to make sure she was there.

Something was seeking...

She was, Maia was safe. Here in her Mistresses arm's. A haven for her body.

Filtering through the veil

Maia, tried to choke out her warning. That they had to turn back. To seek help from the Sisterhood. That they would need back-up. There was something they were missing. It wasn't enough that the two of them were after Maquette, he would slip through their fingers and Skadi might loose her life. Maia whimpered around her warning.

Seeking.... searching... thin filaments of a grasp... her body still connected to the veil...

Maia's eyes went wide. " Skadi!" She screeched, grasped the woman who held her, then fell silent, her body immobile.

Through the haze of the veil she awoke. Looking around, finding herself in a room of dark woods, gold filagree, rich carpets. She sat up, looking around. She looked down at her body, her body covered in a fiery satin.

" I hope you don't mind. I took the liberty of dressing you, in something that I felt that would be appropriate on this side of the veil. Something sumptuous for the Eros, oui?

Maia gasped softly and tried to hollar at him. At the Mark. Who stood before her. She jumped up, and tried to speak.

"Oh you have no voice here, silly girl. Scream all you want. But you're not completely here. Your real body lies on the other side. You'll just have to use that delectable body here won't you? The man stepped closer to her. She stepped back, looking frantically around. She ran to the door and tripped out to the veranda, and out to the manicured lawn. She had no idea how to navigate on this side of the veil.

"Ohh boo..hoo... " He appeared in front of her, laughing at her while she silently screamed for her Mistress, for salvation. Then her hand flew to her collar, and it was... gone. She collapsed on the ground, tears running down her cheeks. She could die right now and it would suit her just fine. Maia had just been ripped in two.

"Oh that's right ma petite fille, think about it. You've been warned. I couldn't have you telling Skadi what power she had. What she couldn't do. How she alone can give me the power to command on both sides of the veil. And I had to take what she held most dear. Think about it. Give me your tears, fille. That pain is like water here. Yours is particularly poignant aussi ma cherie, cry for me. He knelt next to her and breathed her in, sighing softly, happily, while he eyed her hungrily. "If she allows her body to go full Malleum... what will happen? He whispered to Maia. And her body was wracked with silent sobs. Because she knew.

On the other side of the veil, Maia's body was silent. No answers were forthcoming to the woman that held her so lovingly.

 

[Vail_Indigo]

Skadi held the frighteningly still woman in her arms, unsure of the situation, but very aware that her skills and strengths were not likely to be much good here.
She hated feeling useless.
Something happened.
An aggressive emptiness filled Skadi’s mind. A painful vacuum, her entire body shuddered and she moaned deeply, collapsing over the dormant Eros.

<Well now, that was unexpected.>

<What was that??? Wait, I can’t...>

<Feel her at all anymore? No, you can’t. The link has been, well, not severed. Nothing in all the varied realms can do that. But it as been weakened and obscured. You aren’t sensitive enough yet, but I can still sense her, she’s somewhere. I just don’t know where.>

<Is she hurt? In danger?>

<Can’t tell. She hasn’t been dispersed, and the connection to her physical body remains intact. But thats all I can tell for now. Given enough time, I may find a way through what remains of the bond.>

<Maquette did this. I can feel it in my bones.>

<Probably. But he was definitely not the first event. What I felt coming down the stairs, thats a different, separate event. The Eros’ mind has been having a surprising number of visitors.>

<This is because of you, isn’t it? Because of what you made me do to her.>

<Let me start out by saying this...you wanted to do that to her, like you never wanted anything before. I can bring that emotion back, if you’d like.>

The demon was good as its word, and Skadi’s body shook with the primal desires that had gripped her not so many hours ago. Her skin flushed, began to sweat, her mind swirled, and nails raked her own flesh. The wave of need passed, and Skadi whimpered at its absence.

<Second, I seriously doubt its because of what we did. WE did. While the moppet would be quite a prize, recognizing that would be very difficult. Maybe impossible. Except for another demon. I’m guessing that whoever is playing with her...both ‘whoevers’, is doing it to get at you. Us. What we are becoming.>

<Me?>

As powerfully as the dark desires had rushed through her moments before, the guilt came crashing down.
But only for a brief moment.

<No, there’s no time for that, girlie. You and me, we have things to do. The moppet is more important than you know. And, really, you two...us two...us three...pronouns get tricky here...are a package deal. Everything you could want and more all in one neat little...>

<My left arm for you to stop drifting off into whatever your babblespeak is.>

<The kids will love it someday.>

<Grrr.>

<OK, fine. I don’t know who the first ‘people’ were, but it does seem likely the mark has SOMETHING to do with this. He may hide his ethereal footprints well, but we know where his physical body is. More or less.>

<‘West’ is not much of a ‘where’. Or, rather, too much of a ‘where’.>

<Trust me. I know things. By noon tomorrow, we’ll be able to see his ship. Have the Captain pace us so that we can pull up along side them at night.>

<And then?>


Skadi couldn't believe the confusion in her voice. The loss of the Eros, of her Maia, had left her adrift.
The demon, of course, was there for her. In its way.

<Silly girl. We do what we were made to do. Now pull yourself together.>

 

[Ausus_girl13]

"NOOO!!!!!!" Maia screamed, jumping up she struck out with her hand, and realized that it would pass through the body of the Mark. It did. What was it that the Sororitias Malleum were always muttering?

Volens, meld ea moderatione- Will it, meld it, control it.

She willed her hand to be solid, and then swung out once more, the mark was caught off guard thinking that she would never figure it out. He fell back from her.

"We are done here Sir." The sudden weight of the knife in her hand was a comfort as she lunged at him, with a cackle he disappeared. She knew he had returned to the other side of the veil. Slumped over in the desolate yard of his creation she sobbed out her frustration.

Ah. Here you are. We have been looking everywhere.

Looking up Maia spied the dark ball of energy that she had seen earlier, she thought.

We need to go, child. It is time. You have many things to do.

"Excuse me?" her voice was raw, she supposed it had been the sobbing and screaming.

Up. Now.

Maia sighed and heaved herself to her feet. The ball moved towards her, seemingly to rest against her breast, she jumped at the shock of energy that flew through her. Frowning slightly as the scenery melted around her. The grass, the towering chateau gone. Replaced with stone flagging, large walls, it was dark, and damp. A drip of water nearby into a puddle confirmed that she was somewhere incredibly dank.

She's coming, you're hers, defeat her.

"Wait? What?-" Maia paused, something was coming. She wanted more information, but her Eros instincts kicked in. Her clothing. Breathing in, she created a skin tight dress, it was fantastical, but would allow her freedom from distraction. A freedom that whomever, whatever opposed her wouldn't be granted.

A clicking upon the flagstone floor drew closer, she could see the light coming closer. Maia stopped breathing.

A new play-thing? Look at her. She will be fun to break...

The voice, vaguely female, washed over Maia like a cold shower. It was enough to make Maia widen her stance, but she said nothing. She knew there was a game afoot. The firelight expanded, until Maia could see what she was looking at...

The gasp leapt to her lips without her being able to stifle it. In her heart she quailed, and it wasn't fear that filled her. Maia would follow the beauty that stood in front of her, willingly. Just to have one of those hands slide around her throat. It would gratify her to just kneel and wait to be touched by such a creature. She gasped as the "woman" walked towards her.

The space between them closed, and it was into those arms she fell. Maia's head comforted by the breasts that caressed her cheek. Those delicate fingers worked their way through her hair, Maia was already whimpering in defeat, squirming as she got wet from each tiny touch.

STOP! This is what she wants!

Maia shook her head. She felt drunk on the "woman" already. Something felt off. She knew she had something to accomplish. Something to do. But she couldn't remember what it was. She couldn't remember her name. Something rattled loose. Maia! Maia and..and.. the mark. Skadi! Death! Veil! Maia!

Struggling in the still comforting arms she felt like she was being pulled under, already details of her suddenly remembered past felt, distant, foggy.

"NO!!"

Again with the scream. Again with the knife. Only difference was this time, the sound met her ears wasn't one of air, it was of steel invading another body.Maia looked up at the succubus in surprise. It was as surprised as she was, and took a step back still staring at Maia in shock.

Take the office! Take it!

"Your power is mine." Maia guessed at the words, and then felt something invisible settle around her shoulders. She wondered at it, for a second as she contemplated the now cowering figure at her feet.

It is done.


I am Queen of this side of the veil, all denizens of this land are Mine to control.

Indeed.