WOD: Through the Darkness of Forever

[Elbryan]

Lucian moved quietly through the dark streets, his pure white longcoat standing out against the dull, dingy landscape. Not for the first time, he wondered how humanity could have let itself become complacent in a world such as this. As he stepped over another sleeping man, taking care not to step in the pool of drying booze next to him, he shook his head sadly at the hold the Technocrats had over the Sleepers. Well, tonight he would be one step closer to breaking that hold, if all went well.

He looked up as he approached his destination, a small museum deep in the inner city. Approaching the doors, he sighed with relief as he noticed there was no guard posted outside. He began chanting softly in Enochian, focusing his will on the door. It was hard, it was always harder here, but he steeled his determination, and willed reality to shape to his wishes. Slowly, the keyhole of the door enlarged, and eventually grew to take up most of the door. Smiling, Lucian stepped through the hole, and checked the current time. He had timed the effect for ten minets, so he would have to work quickly to retrieve his goal.

He moved through the sections in a hurry. Past the art galleries, through the prehistoric exhibits, until he finally reached the storeroom. As he reached for the doorknob, he heard a small noise behind him. Spinning around, he saw a guard round the corner, heading his way. The man saw Lucian at nearly the same moment, and reached for his gun. Realizing the danger he might be in, Lucian barked out three words in Enochian, simultaniously drawing the symbols in the air, his fingers leaving glowing trails behind them. Having completed the symbols, he focused his will upon the guard, and watched the symbols fly towards him, encirling him 5 times before seeming to sink into the guards body. As they did, the guard slowed dramatically, his hand still only halfway to his gun. Lucian had no time to relax though, as he felt the force of Paradox sweeping through him. Unable to prevent him from bending time to his will, Reality took its vengence on Lucian's body, and the pain brought him to his knees. Gasping, he slowly rose to his feet, and walked over to the guard, glad his spell was still in effect. The man must be extremely confused. Lucian knew that though he had slowed down the passage of time to a crawl for the guard, it would seem to him as if he were moving in real time, and that the rest of the world was a blur around him. Well, at least it would be over quickly for him.

Taking the gaurds keys, Lucian unlocked the door to the storage room, and moved inside, searching through the rows of catalouged items, until he finally reached the one he was looking for. The pot was old, nearly a thousand years old, but not so noteworthy as to have been shipped to a larger museum. Runes covered its sides, which Lucian knew to be warnings to the person who held the vase, to keep it safe, away from the eyes of the Awakened. Mentally checking the time again, he growled as he realised that he had only three minets before his enchantment on the door was to expire. "Well, i guess this isnt the time for subtlety." Raising the pottery above his head, he threw it downward, and watched as it shattered into thousands of peices. One peice, though, caught his attention right away. He bent over, and gently removed the violet colored stone from the broken pieces, carefully brushing it clean before placing it in a small lead box, and hiding that within his coat. He moved quickly back towards the entrance, relocking the storage room door and replacing the keys back on the guard's belt as he left.

Lucian barely made it through the enlarged keyhole before the spell dissapated. He watched as the space inside the keyhole, which he had enlarged to human size, quickly shrank back to its normal dimensions, leaving the door unharmed. Turning away from the museum, he slipped back into the dark city streets. He had fulfilled one of his master's requests. He had retrieved one piece before his 18th naming day, although he had cut it very close. Now, all he had to do was to figure out what that nagging feeling in his head was, as if he was being pulled towards something...

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

She tugged her coat tighter around her, trying to fade into the urban landscape as she walked quickly and with determination, the manner of one who knew exactly where they were going.

It was a ruse, of course.

Not so fast. Slower, slower. If you go too fast, you'll look nervous. Let's try to avoid fights if possible.

But I AM nervous!

Well, obviously. So am I. But I don't want you getting hurt, and I'm trying to give you what advice I can. Come on, you're smart enough to know this.

Sure, but it's easy for you to say. You're not in control of the body.

Devin lost herself in the conversation within her head. Underneath the ragged coat she had thrown on when she leapt from her window was a pretty pink dress embroidered with silver runic symbols, and she did her very best to keep it hidden. Her soft boots made quiet clicking sounds on the pavement, becoming almost a mantra for her as she attemptet to calm herself and her companion.

Her companion, of course, was in her head.

Very well, Girl. Once we fully escape from your parents and they no longer wish to throw you into the insane asylum, we can begin our quest.

Boy, it's YOUR quest. And could we call it "sanitarium" instead of insane asylum? Sanitarium just sounds so much more homey. In case I end up having to go there, I'd like it to at least sound nice.

...right. Anyway, doll, I know you're too sweet to not listen to me. Besides, it's for both our good, right? I need to learn how Time works. All the spheres are important to be... but I need to understand how these things modify the world...

You know I'm not that interested in power, Boy. I'll never understand why you can't just relax and let me live my life in peace.

And so it went.

Devin Shildea had been possessed of this other personality for as long as she could remember. The other personality was apparently male, so she called him Boy, and he called her Girl, since technically they were both named Devin. Normally, they were quite friendly with each other, though there were times when they struggled for dominance over her body when they had very different objectives.

Her parents were rich enough to keep her safe, and poor enough to avoid the notice and smirking of the very rich at their strange daughter. It was a shame, some said -- she was pretty, intellect, and incredibly sweet and virtuous -- and such a shame she's insane. Devin didn't mind, though. Boy was a very interesting companion, and a very philosophical one, though rather depressing. She had only a limited mastery of magic before he began to add his own talents... and now she controlled power from five seperate domains.

Girl's point to existance was helping people. Boy considered this foolish, since of course, the world was meaningless, the physical manefestations of everything are irrelevent, and that everything will return to nothing in a manner of time. Boy's point to existance was somehow finding meaning, and he used Devin's body as a vessel, for his method of finding meaning involved understanding magic.

Devin walked down the road, still lost in thought, and still talking to herself. Of course, she never STOPPED talking to herself.

Technically, Girl was the rightful owner of Devin's body -- since Devin was female. Thus, Devin normally was in control of her own body; though it was always hard to tell who Devin really was. Slowly, Devin found herself embodying the Yin and Yang... wondering whether she was really supposed to be the Girl at all.

Her philosophical inquries were interrupted, however, when she bumped into a man in a long, white coat, knocking him back.

Ah! Boy, why didn't you warn me?

...I can only see through your eyes. How could I?

"Oh! Oh, I'm sorry, sir," Devin said, seeing that the young man had been lost in thought, and looked quite surprised. She pulled down her hood, revealing dark hair, intricate silver earrings, and a cute face. "Are you alright?"

 

[Celestiale]

Victoria paced nervously back and forth, her hands wringing and pale, cold to the touch. Why was she so nervous? She had been preparing for this all of her life, why did she suddenly feel so frantically trapped? In a few short hours, night would come, and life as she knew it would end. She paused briefly, her own sharp intake of breath startling her senses, as the door handle twisted slowly, announcing the arrival of a visitor. He wore a hooded cloak, lush darkness enveloping him as his soft voice commanded her attention.

"Victoria..."

It was Simon, a family member of the Ventrue, and one of Victoria's tutors. "Victoria, we sense your uneasiness...but fret not my little one, I will keep you company and ease your mind. I feel the tempest which toils within you, and yet you must know that there is no reason to upset yourself so."

Victoria took Simon's hands within her's, noticing that his were even colder than her own.

"Please sit with me, Simon." she began. "You're right of course, with all that you've taught me, and with the noble history of our family, I thought that I would be so much more tranquil at this moment, but somehow, I feel fear...and...uncertainty. There is an ache within me, something pulls at me."

Simon's lips pursed slightly, and he nodded, caressing her hands soothingly. He had his own reasons for coming as he had...more than just to ease the girl he taught and loved. He would not let her run, she would perform dutifully in her embracement ceremony, she WOULD persevere. No one and nothing would get into the way of that, he would make sure of it. The family had too much invested into her, to lose her to Him.

The two sat together upon the settee, Simon finally letting his hood fall back into the warmth of the room.

"Simon, tell me again of the honor it is to be embraced into the fold."

Simon chuckled softly, a tendril of his long, dark hair straying across his cheek. She brushed it aside, smiling at him, and felt some of the tension fall away as Simon began to speak softly of the embrace. Still, that aching throbbed deep within her, unexplainable, and she tried not to let her mind wander back to ponder it as she fingered a small amulet that lay quietly at her throat.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Sonja walked the two blocks from where she had to park to her apartment building. The howling of the cool night air worried her even more so than the wandering vagrants of the city. Having only been here two weeks she was still unfamiliar with this city. The worst part of it all is that she still had no work. Although in her line of work finding a good contract wasn’t easy. She used to live out in Los Angeles, working as an interior designer. Frustrated by the snobby psychotic celebrities wanting a post-modern hippy look with, as they described it, “cool” looking chairs and stuff.

She arrived at her apartment building, shuddering from the cold; fumbling with her keys she made it inside. Locking the doors, she felt relief from the vagrants and the criminals she knew lurked outside. Setting her things down, she headed to the bathroom to draw a bath. Stripping down she sank into the tub, allowing the warm water to flow over her body, caressing her gently, making her long for the touch of a man. Honestly the touch of anyone would do as she soaked and wandered away into her own thoughts.

Sonja’s thoughts drifted to a life she had lived only in her head. She was adventurous, lovable, kind, and most importantly wanted. She was taken to lavish parties, the likes only described in the Hollywood screenplays and acted out by the performers she had grown to loathe so. She always pictured herself being whisked away by some handsome gentleman, and being ravaged until she fell asleep in his arms, content with life.

However such wasn’t so, and the only thing she felt right now was the quickly cooling water of the bathtub. As she gets out the tub, she is startled by a sound in the bedroom. As she peeks out, there is someone going through her personal belongings. “Hey, get away from there.” she yells, and she must have startled him, because he turns and runs towards the window, leaping out. She hurries over and looks out, seeing him already on the next building over, landing on the roof which is at least 6 floors down, and running off without a scratch. She closes the window and locks it, checking the other locks now throughout the apartment. Wondering what it could have been that she saw. For surely, no human could have made that with no injuries.

 

[Elbryan]

Lucian

"What?"

Lucian looked up at the face of the person he had bumped into, and nearly bowled over. Suprised that his senses had not told him another person was nearby, he looked down, into the face of the person that bumped into him. Suprisingly, it was that of a girl, a small and delicate looking one. Concentrating, he let his senses rake into her, looking past her flesh, into her spirit.

Ahh... so she is one of the Awakened as well, that explains why I did not feel her presence. But, what is this I sense? It is as if there was another being inside of her. Is that her Avatar? I have never felt an Avatar so strongly manifest itself. hmmm...

Lucian looked into her eyes, his violet gaze seeming to bore into her with it's intensity.

"To whom am I speaking?"

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

She blinked.

Hey! HEY!

Boy, what is it?

He's scanning us! I'll try and erect a shield! Errgh... um... I'll cloak us with an invisible field of mixed spirits, okay? It'll jam whatever he tries to find out about you and me, mixing up his focus.

Okay... if you think it's necessary...

If he tries to go farther, deeper in, he might find out who we're running away from and turn us in for a reward! Of course it's necessary!

Well, if it will work, okay...

Devin felt her counterpart go to work casting the spell, and saw a look of surprise flicker across the white-coated man's face. Considering that the girl herself hadn't appeared to have cast any spell, it must have been her Avatar, or whoever that spirit is...

"My name is Devin," she said softly, smiling. Boy, are you sure he was trying to do something bad? Maybe he was just seeing if I was magical or not.

I don't care, Girl! I need to make sure we're safe!

"Devin Shildea," she said again. Her voice was silvery and musical, the voice of a talented singer and a sweet heart. "I am new to this place. Who are you?"

This is no time for idle conversation! Get the hell out of here!

Boy, calm down! Search him. See what he can do.

Well I'll... HEY!

What is it now?

Those bracers he's wearing! He's a Master of Time and Space! There's a group that uses those decorations...

So he's a guy that you're looking for?

Yeah. So don't get the hell out of here. Use that charm of yours.

It isn't CHARM, Boy! She almost blushed at the thought. I just try to be nice, and people like to listen! And anyway, how do you know these sort of things? I've never read anything like that.

...look, just go for it, okay, Girl?

Alright...

He knows you're Awakened. Try using that as common ground. Maybe we'll engage him in conversation. If he's interested, he might take you to a bar. Make sure not to get too drunk though.

Damn it, Boy! Don't embarass me or I won't be able to think!

She smiled and leaned forward slightly. "You are Awakened as well, then, sir?"

 

[Morgoth]

The portal opened in the sky, purple light zigzagging tears across the gray matter of the clouds, a small circle erupting in the epicenter. "Ahhhhhhh!" Wrathlance screamed, jettisonning from the portal, unable to control the dimensional travel and landing with a soft grunt in the center of an alley. He stood, brushing himself off and looking about to make sure no one saw. His pride and dignity healed, he folded his wings into his back and set off. He quickly needed to find out just what kind of world this is and what its big problem was. He headed for the nearest church, casting an invisibility on himself to screen his alien form from spectators.

 

[~Dream~]

Desiree'

Her craving for blood is legendary. she has heard there is another chantry of Tremere in the local area , she cant believe her ears!!
This was to be My domain and mine alone.. My Father Malik was a warlock who was killed by Lucian , and I have heard that he has come to this area.

It's not currently my wish to harm Lucian , Good things come to those who wait, that is the saying , is it not?"I need to instead make alot of friends , and fit in with my surroundings so as not to draw too much attention to myself .. for now.

But hey ? what the hell? Desire''lept to her small apartment's window as she sensed the opening of a portal somewhere nearby. 'who could be coming to wreak havoc now'?Looking down at the alley near her apartment she saw a man , standing , non-chalantly brushing himself off, or was it a man at all that she saw?
Yes,indeed he had WINGS!! ... interesting indeed ..she looked again and tried to focus upon him but alas ,he was gone just as fast as he had appeared.
'What could HE want in this world'? she thought to herself...

 

[NyghtRayne]

Sonja finished up locking down her apartment, feeling a little safer and then went back out to her purse in the living room. Pulling her towel tighter around her she pulls the flyer, which she found on her windshield, from her purse. She thinks to herself that it might be a good thing to go to this new club, or she may never meet anyone in this town. She drops the flyer on the coffee table and heads back into her bedroom. Upon reaching her bed, she drops the towel next to the bed and slips under the warmth and secure feeling of the electric blanket. She picks up her book off the bedside table and begins to read, and soon falls asleep with thoughts running through her mind about going to the club the next evening.

 

[Elbryan]

Lucian

Lucian narrowed his eyes as he looked more closely into her spirit, searching for the identity of the other being he sensed within her. However, before he had the chance to complete his scan, his senses were bombarded by multiple energies, as if she had called up spirits to confuse him.

Well, she knew enough to rebuff his scan. It seems she has some sort of talent. And he really was curious about that other spirit he had sensed within her. He had heard stories of Avantars manifesting themselves so strongly, but none in the recent past. It was a curiousity he would not soon have another opportunity to study. However, he really did not have the time to deal with her right now. He needed to get the fragment back to his study and examine it. It might yield answers as to where the other fragments are.

"I am sorry, I cannot linger here. Perhaps another time." He reached into his pocket, and handed her a card, with the words "The Oracle" printed across the top.

With that, Lucian turned away, and started to move down the alleyway.

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

"Oh..."

Devin glanced down at the card.

"This is that new nightclub, I believe..." she thought aloud.

Put up your hood and get out of here, Girl. We need to find shelter.

Yes...

Nodding to herself softly, she pulled up her hood once again.

Where would be safe?

Look... a church. Head there.

Devin walked quickly through the darkened streets, unaware of her destiny guiding her feet...

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

She paused.

Watch out! WATCH OUT!

Boy! You feel it too?

Yes! Something, invisible! And something else, following it! Near the church! Go, Girl, go! This world is too dangerous for us!

Feeling beset from all sides, confused and bewildered, Devin Shildea ran, summoning her aura in her palms and calling a crackling ball of Force to her hands in case she was attacked. Rushing blindly through the streets, whole minutes must have passed before she finally stopped, bending over and panting.

Girl... we're here...

What?

She glanced up, and saw a small, glowing sign...

"The Oracle."

Music pulsated from within.

She tugged her coat closer about her.

Boy... I'm so lost... so scared...

I'm scared too, Girl. Neither of us know what to do. We've been locked away too long... and I know things, but nothing of this world...

Should I look for that boy? The Time mage? He has what you want...

Yes. Perhaps he will be able to provide us with some information as to lodging... and contacts to other mages of Time, if he has no desire to have a charming young pupil.

Boy! What's that supposed to mean! She nearly blushed at Boy's thoughts. I wouldn't do anything like that...

I know, I know, Girl. It's too easy to tease you...

With a small 'hmph' at herself, she entered the club, looking around for the young man in the white long-coat...

 

[Morgoth]

He instantly spun about, the strange energies drawing him. He followed, and soon came to a deserted bit of street. He sniffed, and a strange scent came to him. It was easy to track, and he began following, unsummoning the invisibility, thinking that perhaps someone could sense his offworld magic. He arrived at some sort of club or guild, Lokken had once called them "nightclubs" and had said they were places where people got together to party. "The Oracle" he whispered to himself. "Truly, like a preominiton", he added as he attempted to walk in, stopped cold by the bouncer. "Sorry bud, you gotta wait in line just like the rest", he said, pointing to the block-long line. Wrathlance growled, and the bouncer took a step back, then stepped up again. "Listen, fella, if you wanna go, let's go, but otherwise, get to te end of the line" spoke the agitated bouncer. Wrathlance looked as if he was about to protest, but then, remembering that he was not the dread Daemon Lord in this world, turned and stalked off. He went around back, where he ripped the locked door off its hinges, then entered. He dodged through the back, and came out onto the main floor. He gaped in shock at what surrounded him. None of Lokkens tales could prepare him for what he saw there.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Sonja wakes with a start and looks to the clock on the nightstand, ”Man it’s only 10.” She tries unsuccessfully to go back to sleep, and after an hour of trying she drags herself out of bed. “Well since you’re not going to sleep, why not try that club tonight? Hell you might even meet someone interesting.” She gets dressed quickly and before she sits to put on her makeup, she calls a cab, knowing it’ll probably take forever for it to get here.

As the cab arrives outside the club, she thinks one last time about changing her mind. She pulls her knee length leather coat tight about her as she steps from the cab and heads quickly into the cold and heads for the front door of the club, seeing the line as she gets there. She turns to head for the back of the line when the guy at the door, touches her arm.
“Miss. You can go on in, no need to wait out here..”
She turns back and smiles as he opens the door for her. “Thanks.” She then steps into the club and her senses are assaulted by the dark, noise and commotion. She heads deeper into the club looking for the bar to get a drink.

 

[Morgoth]

Wrathlance stumbles to the bar, his mind still not truly comprehending all around him, his handsome face a mask of shock. The bartender looks to him. "An... an... ale, please" he gasps out, staring at the lighting above him. The bartender looks at him for a second, then speaks. "Uh bud, you realize that it's not the sixteenth century, anymore, right?" Wrathlance turns to him, looks past him towards the sink. "Well, what century is it?" he asks, astonished. "Er, uh, it's the 21st there fella. You sure you okay?" he asks, staring at him suspiciously. "I'm... fine. All right then. Give me anything highly alchoholic", he says slowly. The bartender saunters off to get his drink, then returns, setting down a full glass of Vodka on the Rocks before him. Wrathlance reaches into his purse and pulls out a gold coin and slaps it down on the table. The bartender stares in shock at the gold coin, but after a moment, snatches it greedily. He stares at Wrathlance with a look of disbelief. "Uh, keep the change?" he stutters bravely, reciting one of the few phrases from modern times that Lokken had taught him.

 

[Elbryan]

Lucian

Lucian looked up from his study of the fragment, suddenly aware of a strange sensation. It was as if some energy that he had never sensed before had suddenly materialized right underneath him. Today was proving to be a trying day. Placing the fragment back inside its box, Lucian concentrated, and reached out, through space, past space, into a bubble of... non space. He placed the box there, beside the Infinity Rod, and pulled back, leaving both items inside their own pocket dimension, where no one could retrieve them besides him. He smiled to himself as he let the spell go, and did not feel the burn of Paradox. He was safe here, surrounded by the trappings of his paradigm.

Standing up, Lucian moved to the window and looked down onto the crowd, letting his senses wash over them, trying to discern the source of this new energy.

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

Devin hissed, blowing on her hand subtly as she wandered around the area, using her other hand to cover one ear. The other was battered mercilessly by the loud music. She hoped it changed soon.

Ouch... shouldn't have summoned that Force without reason...

The decorations were amazing -- some terrifying (of vampires and garou and death), and some wonderful (of fae, and life) -- but all beautiful, whether in standard ways or inexplicably ways. Boy was silent, studying the artwork with pensive thought. Girl, on the other hand, while just as smart (though not as depressing) as Boy, was not in the mood for looking at the art. She was inexperienced in the outside world, and didn't want some guy making a pass at her...

She stumbled up to the bartender, noticing the tall, dark, handsome man sitting at the bar. She pulled down her hood to stare at him, and when the bartender saw her dark curls and pretty face, he walked over, smiling.

Whoah... who is that man? He's cute...

Hmm. I sense something strange from him. Be careful.

Oh... She didn't hide the disappointment from her thoughts. Of course, she couldn't, either. Well, thanks for the tip, Boy.

"What can I do for you, miss?"

The handsome yet mysterious man, glanced her way, seeing the bartender move in her direction, and she blushed, looking away and trying to pretend she hadn't been looking at him. "Uh, uh, have you seen a man with a long white coat enter here?"

"What, you mean the kid? Sure, he's upstairs. He won't be hard to find. Just look for warps in the space-time continuum." He winked.

She gulped. "Uh, thanks." Nodding to him, she approached the stairs, slipping off her cloak so as to appear more presentable. Her soft, tan, calf-length boots complimented her short, light pink dress, though she didn't fit in too well with the crowd. She caught a lot of stares; both for her good looks and her strange outfit.

Damn! I feel stupid! I wish I knew what to do!

Who cares about these pathetic Sleepers? Be calm, Girl.

Ugh... your arrogance only annoys me even more, Boy!

Arrogance? I suppose I should have expected that from you...

Yeah, yeah, I know. You and your depressing philosophy that everything sucks.

Everything is meaningless. There's a big difference.

Ignoring her slightly offended spiritual partner, Devin walked up the stairs, her hands folded at her stomach like a proper lady. She peered nervously into doors, hoping she wouldn't be accused of eavesdropping... and finally saw the man in the white long coat.

Ah! Success!

Good. Now go swish in and blow him a kiss, and get him to teach you Time Magic.

Ugh! You're DISGUSTING!

What, Girl? Guys like that!

Nearly grumbling aloud, Devin walked in, smiling modestly but having a look of awareness in her eyes. She bowed slightly at the once-again startled young man.

"I'm sorry..." She smiled softly. "Remember me, Sir? I had a question for you..."

 

[NyghtRayne]

Pushing her way through the crowd she finally makes her way to the bar, and just as she is about to take her last steps there, someone accidentally bumps into her, knocking her into a gentleman at the bar. She instinctively reaches out to catch herself, grabbing his arm to keep from falling into him completely. She looks up to him almost unable to speak for a brief moment. “Excuse me, I’m sorry.” She lets go of his arm as she steps back a step, briefly looking to him, thinking it strange him carrying a sword in a place like this, and then thinking it kind of fits with the rest of the crowd. She brushes her hair from her face and then turns to the bar..

 

[Elbryan]

Lucian

"Hmm?"

Lucian looked up from his thoughts, to find the girl he had met earlier standing in the doorway. Again, he marveled at her ability to stay beneath his senses, and again, he felt the pang of curiousity about that being within her. And again, he feet that surge of annoyance that he had been interrupted yet again. It seemed he would get no work done this evening. Lucian turned towards her, and getstured for her to enter.

"Welcome. What do you think of my home?"

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

"Oh... you live here...?"

She knew enough to keep her expression hidden.

"I'm new to this area, I'm afraid..." Of course, she knew he could tell by her pink dress.

She smiled gently. "I'm looking for a teacher in the art of Time magic." She glanced at his bracers. "I was... told... those mean you are skilled at the arts of Space and Time. I was hoping you might be able to help me."

She swallowed, now unsure of herself. "I... I am skilled at the adaptation of Prime, Life, Entropy, Forces, and Spirit... I have a... companion that helps me learn... I will be a useful ally to you, I'm sure." She bowed her head.

"I'm sorry, I can't lie to you!" she suddenly burted. "Truth is, I have nowhere to go! I'm running from somebody, and my companion wants me to learn Time and Space magic... and I saw you, and thought it might be fate... I don't have anything to pay you... but I don't think you'd be in any danger from who's chasing me..."

Her features suddenly trembled and vanished, leaving a blank expression. For some reason, that expression made Lucian even more nervous than the dark expression it faded into.

"You know, she's very smart, and very insightful, but she can't see beyond virtue. I keep telling her, she won't really be virtuous until she can see what lies in the darker side and refuse it... you can't know the heights before you know the depths... but oh well..."

The girl smiled, though it was a different smile. A sardonic one.

"If you remember, her name is Devin. She just calls me Boy, and I call her Girl. You can call me whatever you want. You'll probably be wrong. I don't really know what I am -- I think I'm just a human born in the wrong body, really. At any rate, I need your help. I want to understand things. Nothing imperative, really. I don't have much to give except my knowledge." She (he?) smiled. "Or you can study me, if you like." She (he?) then grinned darkly. "Or study her, if you're in that mood. I'm sure once you get close to her she'll fall easily... girls who think they're virtuous but are untried are like that..."

The features struggled, and then the expression vanished, to be replaced by a fierce blush.

"I'm so, so sorry, Sir," stammered Devin, obviously now in Girl form once again. "He does that sometimes... you see, I'm being chased by my parents... they think I'm crazy, or split personality, or something, because of that... I might be, I don't know. I might be making it all up." Her expression softens slightly, and the gleam of intelligence comes back, reminding Lucian that she is more than a soft girl. "I might be crazy... I really have no way of knowing, do I? We're all deluded, though... even Boy argees with me there..."

She shrugged and smiled. "That was a terrible introduction, wasn't it? Well... I'm sorry to have bothered you..." She began to blush again. "I'm very embarassed... what an entrance... I'll go now..."

She began to back away quietly.

 

[spiritual_love]

"Mama, tell me the story again!" ,the child begged excitedly. Her eyes pleaded with her work weary mother for the tale one more time.

"Which story, Sara?" ,her mother inquired, tucking a strand of light blonde hair behind the girl's ear.

"The one about the fairyyyyyyyy!" ,she squealed in anticipation of the moment.

The mother smiled having known all along which story the child was referring to. Though the child loved the story, the mother had her reservations. She had embellished it into a "disney" story with a happy ending, even including a battle for the wee fae's life between her champion prince and the evil dark lord. The mother didn't dare tell her child the real words of the story she had heard ages ago when she was but a young one. Besides what harm was there in telling the story as she had recreated it. It was after all, it was only a fairy tale.

Genesis sat atop the curtain rod with the room. She watched the mother and daughter as they preapred for bed. She felt envious of the child. The relationship betweeh the two was pure love. Something Genesis had never experienced, the love of a mother. Or for that matter, parents. She listed to the story as the mother began...

"She was birthed of a brilliant red rose. No one knows for sure how it happened. The flower blossomed and upon its crimson petals a fae child lay...."

Black rose...birthed in the light of a full moon..
Genesis corrected her mentally as the woman continued.

"She was loving and beautiful. An exquisite creature to behold. She was pure of heart and full of mercy. It was rumoured that she was sent as a gift to the world. A sparkle to chase away dark times. A beacon of light that would guide lost ones home. She was the beginning....Genesis."

At least she got my name right. And I am positively exquisite.
The arrogant little fae mused. Her iridescent wings fluttered inthe soft burst of air from the ceiling fan.

"She had gifts, magical and mental. She did many battles against the witches and warlocks. Many of the victories against those practicing the dark arts became synomous with her name. She spent her days providing for others, the sick and the poor."

I'm a candidate for sainthood!
Genesis giggled softly at her own thoughts.

The truth was she enjoyed the tale. It was amazing to her, that this story was essentially about her but lacked in all the truths. She sensed the woman knew the truth, but had failed to relay that to the child. She supposed she wanted the child to buy into the thought that all of the fae were sweet, fun-loving, mythical creatures. There was no mention of Genesis's true nature. The little deviant, spiteful fae. The one that was notoriously known as the "dark fae child".

Growing bored with the false tale of her own being, Genesis concealed her presence, fluttering through the shadows of the dimly lit room, heading towards the cracked window. She had other places to be tonight and she hoped they possessed more potential than a bedtime story.

She recalled hearing a bit of a buzz about a club..perhaps that was where she needed to be. And with that thought she zipped off, carried by the tiny flutter of fae wings.

 

[~Dream~]

Ever curious still about the strange creature she had spied earlier in the alley , Desire'decides to visit the local bar called 'the Oracle' disguised as a waitress where she intends to find someone who will quench her undying thirst for blood if not for sex as well...

Perhaps "He" went there as well?.

She goes to put on her leather outfit,gets in her car and drives to the club.Sensing that she may get a hard time from the bouncer at the door , she decides to pour on her vamp charm" .

'Hello there I am Desire' and I have come to replace 1 of the waitresses who called in sick tonight" , sounds like we have quite a nice crowd , this evening'...

'Well , sexy , you can SERVE me anytime your little heart cares too',replied the bouncer.

'Mortals! hmpft! she thinks to herself as she heads for the employee changing area..the music seemed quite hypnotic to her and helped to put her in an even hornier frame of mind and it certainly did not help that there was a full moon tonight as well.

She couldnt believe her eyes when she noticed the stranger from earlier at the bar where she was headed to get an order of drinks filled...
She immediately sensed an aura unlike any other she had seen , (what the hell is this guy?)'Hey , there , if you keep slamming down those vodka's like that you are gonna be in a heap of trouble"
."How ab0ut I get you something a little less shall we say , toxic?
She sensed he was not amused with her suggestion but watched as his deep ,mysterious eyes traveled every curve of her body..

'My name is Desire' by the way "and I dont recall seeing you here before, new to town?"

 

[Elbryan]

Lucian

Lucian held back the irritation that was rising up from inside of him, and turned to look out the window, onto the floor, as he collected his thoughts. After a few seconds, he turned back to the almost cowering girl standing in his doorway, his face a perfect mask of composure.

"I will admit that I would love to study the phenomenon that you embody. And allies are always welcome in my struggle." Lucian took a step towards her, punctuating each sentence by moving closer to her. His violet eyes were riveted to hers as he spoke quietly, but firmly.

"However, you seem to not know your own direction. You state that you desire instruction in magic, yet, in the same breath, you say you are leaving. How can you expect to learn from me, if you cannot even ask a simple question without cowering?"

Lucian sighed then, realizing he was almost on top of her, and backed away from the girl slowly, turning again towards the window.

"I can provide you with the shelter you need, and with the instruction. However, I will do neither if you continue to act in this manner."

Lucian turned towards her then, and his eyes burned with intensity as he spoke. "Magic is the bending of reality to your will. You reshape the very fabric of the world, against the belief of billions of sleepers. It is not something you can do halfway. It is difficult, and it is dangerous. And I will not teach a fool or a coward."

Lucian paused then, before speaking again, slowly. "So, are you either of those?"

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

Her eyes burned. She stood up straight, obviously insulted.

"So much for being polite!"

Her face warped to a sardonic glance, and she rolled her eyes.

"Aww, you're just hypersensitive, Girl. I'd say that was more than just being polerrrkkk...."

The face twisted again to the normal expression of the girl, who was now fuming even more. She clenched her fist and swung out her arm expressively, her teeth gritted.

"I am certainly no fool, and anything but a coward! I'll prove it to you any way you like!" She slapped one petite hand into one petite fist. "I'm worthy of the powers bestowed upon me... though sometimes I'm not sure if this fellow with me is worth the trouble." She shook her head, and her features hardened.

"Which direction am I going? Are we ever sure?" She frowned. "I can never tell, sometimes, whether I'm going forward, backward, or doing both at the same time. My companion seems to ask the exact same question, though in a different manner... so I figured Time and Space Magic would help me understand better..."

Her features changed again, but she didn't seem to fight it this time. Apparently, she had let her spiritual companion take over.

"I'm impressed," she said softly, a look of surprise on her face. "I didn't realize my dear Girl understood so much about me. I shall not underestimate her again..." She glanced up, and her eyes were deep and fathomless. "I might appreciate your studies as much as you would appreciate it. My host, I certain, will assist you in any way you need. Her potentials as a worker of the world's energy, a medium, and a healer are quite impressive."

"And besides, every Magician needs a beautiful assistant, right?"

At that point, the expression twisted, and with a short barking laugh, Devin took over her body once again, a blush immediately rising to her cheeks. "Oh, I'm... I'm terribly sorry about that... he really has no limits..."

She shook her head, and her face hardened again. "If you would accept me as your pupil, my skills might be able to help you as well." She frowned. "I've already had enough of running away!"

"Please... let me follow you!"

 

[Elbryan]

Lucian

Lucian turned away from her slowly, looking down on the crowd. Then, slowly, he began to laugh. It started out as a quiet chuckle, but before long it turned into an all out laugh, the sound reverberating throughout the room. Lucian turned to the confused looking girl, and smiled.

"That is exactly the kind of energy I am looking for. The spirit and passion required to reshape the world as you see fit. It seems you could make a good student after all."

Lucian walked past her, and closed the door, before pulling his chair out and gesturing that she should sit. Lucian moved towards the window, his back to her, and looked out over the crowd as he spoke, still curious as to where that energy was coming from.

"Now, tell me what it is exactly that you came here for. What do you want of me?"