The Edge of Shadow || Original RP || IC Thread

[Hack Thornias]

Leto Fenring

Current Location: City of Azoth
Speaking With: No one

Leto was slithering through Azoth trying to find a suitable host. It had been several hours since he had been forced to possess Velcath and it was getting cold for the snake. He’d have to find a body soon, but it needed to be a good one.

He was avoiding where Fae had slept, that old hag was probably there with her strange magic. He’d have to wring it out of her when he had a new body. He was looking for a member of the Shade, he would need a body with good physical strength, and hopefully magical potential. Unfortunately the draw back was that he’d have to fight the body’s occupant Astral Body.

He was sure there was a way only he could remain in control but he had yet to find a method to do so. Animals were much easier because their minds and astral spirits were much weaker than humans. They could easily be controlled, but a human with magic and a strong mind would be difficult to break. “I’ve broken worssssssssssse.”

It was concerning to him now that his S’s were stringing together. IT was a sign of being in Velcath for too long, he needed to find a host, NOW. As luck would have it, he finally saw a healthy specimen walking towards who knows where. He was in fine physical shape, male, and reasonably attractive.

“Perfect…” He thought to himself.

He released his hold on Velcath and swooped out of the snake and dived into his new host. The Astral Body currently occupying it had no idea what had hit him, it was crushed under the weight of Leto’s attack and the mind blanked out as Leto took control.

After a moment of standing there Leto was in control of the body, he opened his eyes and said, “I am reborn.”

The voices were nowhere to be heard, he considered the fact that maybe it was his mind in his old body that was damaged. This one was healthy, and powerful...

[Diandra Moon]

Aine Aiyana

Location: Dorian
Speaking with: No One

Aine woke in the room she’d been given in the castle and looked around, yawning and rubbing her hair vigorously, as if that would shake the fatigued fog from her brain. She didn’t have a headache. She remembered drinking, but for some reason, she was forgoing the expected hangover. She put it up to the brawl before the copious amount of drinking. Well, that or she was still drunk and the hangover hadn’t kicked in quite yet. She doubted that though- her mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton. She wished her stomach felt that way. She thought something with claws had a hold of it and was squeezing. She was hungry too.

Bare feet hit a stone floor and earned a gasp before she yanked them back up onto the bed. "Where are my socks?” She looked around and didn’t see them…Though she did see the floor was littered with tons of packages. “What the hell?” It took her a moment to recall the shopping. There had been quite a bit of that before the drinking. She wasn’t going to deal with it right now…Well, one thing she would.

She went and grabbed a long box, a little longer than her forearm and opened it. Nestled and wrapped in silk was a dagger that looked almost exactly like the one that was still strapped to her hip. The only difference was that instead of a wolf with an orb in its maw, the snarling wolf’s head was encased in a dark glass orb. Her hand being so small, the rough texture that had been smoothed down with time at the end of the hilt hadn’t torn into her hand. But a male’s hand was much larger. She bit the inside of her cheek indecisively for a moment before she shut the lid on it and penned a quick note that merely said “Here. Now keep your claws off mine.” If he didn’t know who that was from, then he was a bigger idiot than she originally thought. She opened the lid and tossed it on top of the wrapped dagger then closed it again and tucked it under her arm.

She didn’t know where her socks or shoes were, so she’d have to deal with the cold floor. Bracing herself, she put her bare feet on the stone and stood. Even as cleaned and polished as the stone was, her feet could feel the imperfections in the surface, but she only gritted her teeth and went to her door. Once in the hallway, she moved to the next door and slipped into Castiel’s room, setting the box on the nearest available surface and darting out before anyone would have the chance to notice her.

Silently cursing the entire way, she made her way to the kitchen. She didn’t make a sound, not wanting to risk anyone stopping her and asking her what was going on. She still didn’t know how stable (or unstable) her nerves were, and she didn’t want to take a risk of being startled. Or finding out she was still drunk if she tried to explain and it came out gibberish.

Once in the kitchen, she didn’t see anyone right away, so she helped herself to some bread and cheese, and some fruit. It was accompanied by some juice and she sat at one of the tables that was in the corner, normally used for prep work and ate while she tried to mentally recall how she had gotten to her room, and if she’d done anything unbelievably stupid from the time she left the pub with Luca until she’d reached her room. She couldn’t recall anything, but then again, she wasn’t exactly completely awake yet.

[thequeen-- barbie]

Fae's doe eyes were wide, boring directly into the ceiling above her. She'd slept for the better part of the day, but she'd spent quite a few hours awake. She was glad, in a way, that Leto was gone. She knew the abuse would have continued if she hadn't of had the courage to end his life there. For once she'd taken a stand and said no. I will not suffer. It was unlike her, and yet, still empowering. 

But the world would not stop because one girl had beaten or raped, or even if she killed a man out of anger for all that she had ever been through. At seventeen the innocence was stripped from her, and it was just as several had warned her throughout her short life; the world was a cruel place. Being sweet would not change that.

In a way, it hardened her. Fae sat up and rubbed her bloodshot eyes. She was still sore, even after Ariel's help to fix her up. There were muffled voices from the other side of the door. The male one was one she distinctly recognized, and perhaps the only she trusted. She stood on weak knees and hobbled over to the door, opening it and leaning through the gap only slightly.

"I'm awake." She whispered carefully. It was barely a whisper but she knew they would both hear regardless. Fae leaned against the doorframe and wrapped her left arm around to grip above her right elbow, hand hanging loosely at her side. 

She didn't move for another moment, quietly surveying all around her before whispering again. "You made it home safely. I'm glad." Nothing more than being cordial. Of course there was the weak child within her that wanted to be immediately swept up and held and coddled until there were no tears left to be cried, but she restrained it and put on a brave face. She smiled a sad smile.


{ location } • City of Azoth
{ speaking to } • Ariel Wyant and Slevin Acaelus

[Kelevra Black]

Current Location: Wendigo Plains
Speaking With: Victor Thornias

Kostro sighed. It was always the same when it came to The Great Conduits. "No one ever said that difference you make would be good...

"The war needs to end... You're right. But a war for power is not always best fought with more power. If you're about to be eaten by a Wendigo, and a Chimera kills it before it can eat you, that doesn't mean you're safe. Now you're just left with a different monster...

"The same can be said for Drathia. Slade is the Wendigo, and now you have a Conduit of your own... You're the Chimera..." Kostro looked him right in the eye and pulled him into his grip with magic. "Sometimes the best way to kill a Wendigo is not to be a Chimera... But to be it's prey."

Kostro released him and let him drop back to the ground. "If you abuse this power, Victor, I will kill you."

Kostro teleported away, and began heading back to The Port, hoping he had made the right choice.

[Kelevra Black]

Current Location: Dorian
Speaking With: Nebula

After Droston headed off to the kitchen, Lannister locked up and took a seat at the window sill. Every so often, he would send up a Spark that alternated between colors in a very specific order, hoping Nebula would see it. It caught the attention of several guards each time, and they always withdrew their weapons, despite Lannister constantly yelling down at them that there was nothing wrong. He was merely 'practicing'. It was a lie of course. He wasn't about to say he was signaling his dragon. But they still never dropped their guard. Lannister saw that as a good thing... Guards should always be vigilant.

About a half hour passed before a massive gust of wind ripped through the room and sent parchment flying off the desk and into the air, scattering it about the room. Nebula made a very sudden stop on the bed, her claws ripping the mattress ever so slightly.

"Droston isn't going to be happy about that. I've already ruin his armor and now you're ripping his bed apart. That man just can't have nice things around us, can he?" ... Nebula hissed in response and slammed her tail against a pillow, ripping another small tear into it. It was more to bring attention to the letter she had dropped on it... The tear in the pillow was just a bonus.

Lannister picked up the letter and read... Then smiled. "Tomorrow is the big day, Neb."

[Hack Thornias]

Current Location: Wendigo Plains
Speaking With: Solomon Crowley

“Funny… I don’t even know how I would begin to control this thing.” He said as he willed the gem back into view by flowing out his hand again. He stared at it for a moment and then willed it back into himself.

Empathy… the power to make pain or emotion transferable. Victor wondered then if he had made the right choice by taking it. It was a Conduit… he didn’t even know what that meant. All he had for experience was Gilia, and she had used the Omni Conduit only sparingly. He needed more information about it.

He decided he would need to go back to Crowley and speak to him about this. He headed back to camp and smelled dinner cooking. “Master… something has happened.” He willed the gem to emerge from himself and he held in his hand to show his master.

[Hack Thornias]

Current Location: Dorian (Castle)
Speaking With: Aine

Droston headed to kitchens but when he arrived who was there but Aine. ‘Fantastic…” he thought to himself as he walked in. “Hello Aine, you look hungover. You alright?”

He was mildly concerned but he knew that her attitude might not allow for her to admit that she was vulnerable. Just in case however he saw what the kitchen had to offer for cures for hangovers and he found what he was looking for. If she needed it he could give her his custom cure all, cinnamon powder laced in orange juice with a splash of cranberry juice. It soothed the stomach and caused the mind to spring awake.

While he waited for her to talk he made himself a sandwich with some very delicious looking meat.

[Kelevra Black]

Current Location: City of Azoth
Speaking With: Fae Maridan & Ariel Wyant

"I'm sorry I wasn't here, Fae... I should have been." Seeing her actually made him feel guilty. Despite the fact that Ariel had said she'd been sleeping for the last several hours, she looked tired. She was drained, and not just emotionally, but physically. She carried her head high, which was admirable considering what she had just been through, but there was almost a desperation behind her posture, something that was screaming to let her head hang and to simply pour her emotions out until there was no longer anything left to feel but the rhythm of her breath and her heartbeat. The basic signs that she was still alive.

She seemed weak, yet stronger. Slumped, yet taller. She had killed for the first time, and it had been a full grown man who had forced himself upon her and taken every ounce of control and power from her... And then she took it all back and he died. He was left powerless...

... Possibly. Ariel had also stated that there was a way for him to return. A way he could still live on and find a new body. Slevin didn't like the idea... But now that he saw Fae, he welcomed it. He hoped Leto found a new body... He hoped he returned just so Slevin could rip him to pieces all over again. It didn't matter how many times he had to kill Leto. He would.

It made him remember the first time he had killed... Unlike Fae, it was not a full grown man... No... It was a child. Slevin was a child at the time as well. Eight years old... The child he had killed was only eleven, his name was Creighton. Life in the streets of Serith was tough... And that kid had only made it tougher. He frequently beat on the younger members of the gang, and stole their earnings for himself. One day he had beaten and raped their youngest member... A poor orphaned little girl no older than four years old.

It had been the last straw for Slevin. Lucky for him, Creighton was bisexual... Slevin organized a plan. He falsely seduced him, leading him to the docks with the promise of sexual release. Something beyond their years... But Slevin had another idea. He led him to a boathouse where he had a short rope tied to an anchor waiting. As Creighton tried to force himself upon Slevin, Slevin slipped the rope around Creighton's ankle and kicked the anchor over the side.

Creighton vanished beneath the water and never resurfaced... Slevin was welcomed back as a hero... But the girl Creighton had beaten died later that night as well from her injuries. It was a victory that meant little if Creighton's worst victim could not enjoy his death...

Slevin never regretted killing the kid... He would do it again... And if he ever ran into Leto, he just might die the same way.

[Hack Thornias]

Current Location: The Port
Speaking With: No One

For two days Slade planned with the Generals and a basic battle plan had been formed that would allow for further additions by the Tribes when they arrived, which would be within the next several days. Already twelve ships had been dispatched to Sahleen to pick up the tribe there. Then they would be taken to the underground lair for the Manticores. Slade had nicknamed it the Hive, since it was a massive structure where the entire tribe could live comfortably with the Manticores safely below them.

The plan for attack was simple, the Cerastes Settlement would be attack and demolished by Slade personally with a minor attack force. Kostro would probably be there as well since he could put his new assassins, if Kostro was even training them. No one had seen him since he had arrived, but Slade dismissed it, Kostro was loyal or at least appeared to be.

After the Settlement was taken a minor outpost would be set up for Slade’s forces, it was the bait for the trap. A series of traps would be laid around the outpost so that when or if the forces from the Amick and LeMarche attacked they’d be trapped and destroyed. Slade would also deploy a series of spies and maybe a demon or two to spy on the cities so he’d know which one sent a deployment. The fleet of ships would be kept out of sight by creating a vast mist and when it was time, Slade would sail in and at the last moment, drop the mist and attack the cities.

It would be a two pronged attack. The stronger city would be attacked with the new Manticores so their forces would be ripped to shreds. The weaker city would be attacked by standard troops and siege techniques. Slade himself would take the field, if the Families of Power were there Slade wanted to be there in person when they were forced to flee, or die.

He found it fitting if they had to abandon their homes and castles and flee to the other Families. It would be sweet victory to take the Castles they lived in and convert them into fortresses for his armies. He might even make a summer home there…

[Kelevra Black]

Current Location: Wendigo Plains
Speaking With: Victor Thornias

Crowley chopped up the last bit of rabbit he planned on using and dumped it into the kettle as Victor spoke. "Dinner isn't nearly ready yet. What could have happened that brought you back so early... You're alive so it couldn't have been a Wendigo..." Crowley looked over his shoulder...

... To see Victor holding a single, metallic, violet diamond. It was so much worse than a Wendigo.

Crowley hopped to his feet and dropped his threads, sure to keep them invisible. "Victor..." Was all he could say. The item he held was known to The Chantry... And forbidden. "Where is he?" Crowley asked. Kostro Lenore was the last known holder of that gem, and a traitor. The Chantry had reported him carrying it when he had been spotted in Lusca not long ago. Where he had gotten it was a mystery, but he had it, they knew what it was, and now Victor had it... And it was bonded. Crowley could see it.

"You don't know what you've done, Victor." The Threads reached out and Chained Victor, tying his arms behind his back and dropping him down to his knees.

[Hack Thornias]

Leto Fenring

Current Location: City of Azoth
Speaking With: No one

Leto stretched the limbs of his new body, his first priority would be figuring out what this host’s name was so he could at least try and blend into the scene. Secondly, he needed to find out what magic this body had so he could begin to formulate a plan. Already he could tell Sensory was at play, he was sensing magic and could feel a small constant drain on his energy.

“Get out!” the Astral Body he was possessing was beginning to fight back.

“No.”

“It’s mine!” It was strong but Leto had years of practice to break minds, but unfortunately… this was only his second human.

“Not anymore. What’s your name, I'm not here to hurt you”

“Stilgar, now get the ******** out.” Stilgar… interesting name. Definitely from the North
.
“It’s a shame Stilgar that you had to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. For now I’m taking over, I needed a body and you fit the bill perfectly. Now shut up and enjoy the ride.”

He pushed the Astral Body aside and buried it into a corner of the mind. It would keep him there for a time, but he’d be fighting constantly for control. He needed to find a way to make himself the only occupant. He considered trying to drag the Astral Body of Stilgar out with Leto. Leto knew the technique but Stilgar did not, so in theory Stilgar would not be able to survive outside the body.

He began to walk to the inn, he would need privacy and food while he got used to the new body.

[Hack Thornias]

Current Location: Wendigo Plains
Speaking With: Solomon Crowley

“He teleported away. Why am I Chained? What have I done?”

Victor was stunned, and frightened. Why was Crowley looking like he was at a funeral, or that Victor was extremely dangerous. He flexed his arms and knew there was no way he could undo the Chaining. Plus , he didn’t even know how…

The Conduit meanwhile had retreated back into himself, he considered using it if Crowley was going to hurt or torture him. “No, I'm not a monster.” He thought to himself. That would be cruel and not to mention dangerous. For now he'd see how this played out.

[Kelevra Black]

Current Location: Wendigo Plains
Speaking With: Victor Thornias

"Empathy, Victor..." He punched Victor across the face "... Is a double sided sword with a grip just as sharp as the blade itself." He punched Victor again, and then once more in the chest. "The Conduits are a great force, with absolute control over their element. But that doesn't mean learning them is easy...

"If you don't know how to control that Conduit..." He punched Victor once more. Blood sprayed off Victor and onto Crowley. "... There is nothing stopping you from feeling everyone else's pain... Whether you want to or not."

There was nothing more that could be said. Anything that was said would just be noise, but noise is exactly what Crowley felt like making. Just as soon as he'd taken an apprentice, he'd been failed. Or had he failed Victor by not telling him earlier? Or had Victor failed him by not thinking his choice through and asking the necessary questions before touching the gem. "Instinct and emotion are the keys to our trade. The magic of The Chantry requires you to master them. Until you learn to control that Conduit, you may feel what your enemies feel, and that will greatly inhibit your ability to use our magic. You can not drop the basic Threads if you're feeling your enemy's fear... Their weakness is their greatest weapon against you now."

It wasn't until then that he remembered the precaution that all Conduits had. "What was this set in? They do not just come as gems. Was it a dagger? A ring? A Necklace? A Diadem? What was it Victor?" He punched him again.

[Hack Thornias]

Current Location: Wendigo Plains
Speaking With: Solomon Crowley

“A…A…a bracelet. My pocket…”

Victor was in pain, Crowley had dislocated his jaw. He was in agony, but he refused to use the Conduit on Crowley. That would be an invasion of self that he knew Crowley would never forgive. Still, the temptation as great to just unleash the pain Victor was feeling on Crowley. The man deserved it in some way, he used pain as a tool and a teacher, but he seemed to get a sadistic pleasure out of it.

Why was Crowley beating him? What caused this insanity?

[Kelevra Black]

Current Location: Wendigo Plains
Speaking With: Victor Thornias

"You should not have touched the gem. You should have held the bracelet and came straight to me. It was something we could have talked over together." Crowley let the Chain go from Victor, then wove some Threads to set Victor's jaw back into place. He took a few steps back and dropped a piece of wood into the fire to keep it burning and keep the soup boiling.

"This is exactly how you got Gilia killed... That's right, I know about it. The Chantry organized it. We had Faelan kidnap her... And what do you do? You slaughter her brother and your servant. You jump to your decisions. You act more on impulse than wisdom. Kostro offered you a new power, and you took it. Why? Because you thought it could help?

"Well not everything works together so smoothly... And in the end, Gilia paid the price for your rash decisions. Because you don't think of how things can go wrong. You have romantic notions about life, where things always turn out for the best. And as Faelan once told you; This is the real world. Things don't work like that.

"We set up your life so you could grow into the man who is meant to end this war. We did everything. We planned for you to meet Kelevra, we planned for Kostro to be there if things went wrong. We organized the mission where Gilia met you. We killed your parents. We made you Lord... Everything, Victor... It was all us.

"And you've ruined it all. Slevin Acaelus predicted you had to do one simple thing, Victor... One thing to win this war... 'Just say no'"