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 Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2024 3:09 pm
『 It's in the air and it's all around 』xxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx Location: Prison
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Company: Ash and Deia
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Internally: Okay
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Wearing: Jeans, black shirt, and a leather jacket.
"Oh honey..."
Mephitis' features scrunched up as soon as he heard those first two words. The dragon didn't even need to hear the rest as he could read Deia's expression all too well. She didn't believe him. It was so absolutely aggravating because he had already been in her for hours at this point and he didn't even get the reaction he wanted. A misstep? A slip up in her perfect mask? Even a damn grunt? He would have taken anything that showed that he had tripped her up for a second when he said those words. Now, he just made himself the fool for absolutely no ******** reason. What was worse is that she reminded him of how screwed up his early school days were thanks to her.
"For ******** sake, Deia, I- Stay there." Mephitis took a step back and started to take deep, counted breaths as he walked around the room. No, he wasn't trying to prove it was him through this act. He was genuinely pissed and about to lash out. He walked in a circle within the cell as he tried to reorient his mind. He couldn't blame her for this. He had made the decision to come here. The plan was just going horrendously wrong and, unfortunately, he had to use their darker memories. He was hoping to avoid that but there was no choice now.
Mephitis walked back over to the cell door and grabbed onto the bars. His head resting between two of them as he took a deep breath. Eyes staring at the ground as he went back to a day that still wounded him. "Looking back now, I should have known Typhon was lying about Mom, but I guess we were both just kids who didn't know any better. Feel like the house had never been that quiet before. Hell, could hear my own heartbeat as he brought us into his office to tell us the news. The man actually placed his hands on our shoulders and pulled us close. Most he ever acted like a ******** father to us as he lied right to our faces. Mom had been in a terrible accident and didn't survive. I can't remember a word he said after that. I just stood there frozen until he finally pulled his hand away..."
Mephitis took another few breaths. Why did he take Typhon's word for it? If she had died, the man would have been on a warpath instead of comforting his children. "And I ran. I ran crying my eyes out, screaming for mom throughout the house and then into the garden. I raced to the spot by the fountain where we always had tea. I kept hoping she'd appear out of thin air and ask me what was wrong. Instead, you did and you didn't say a word. You just crawled under the table after me and sat with your back against mine. I kept crying until I didn't have any tears left while you stayed there. It meant a lot to me cause I felt like my whole world had been destroyed... But I still had you."
Mephitis went silent after that. He didn't want to pick at old painful memories like that but so much of their life had been put on display for the public.
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『 With a taste of a poison paradise 』
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Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2024 4:11 pm
Deia Isernia
Deia’s features pinched for a brief moment, her lips pressing into a thin line as if to hold back the wave of emotion threatening to surface. The dungeon’s cold, damp air seemed to close in around her as his words took her back to that day—the hushed silence of the house, the heavy weight of Typhon’s lies, and the heart-wrenching ache that had settled in her chest. She could almost hear the faint trickle of water from the fountain in the garden, feel the rough stone under her hands as she sat with her back pressed against her brother’s, both of them trying to make sense of their world shattering around them.
The story wasn’t something anyone could have found in public records or learned through idle gossip. It was a memory buried deep in their shared past, one that only the real Meph could know. Her heart gave a painful twist, but she retained her cold, unfeeling composure, her expression one of controlled indifference; the practiced mask of a queen who could not afford to show vulnerability.
Her gaze moved to Ash, her features softening as she looked at her son. The torchlight cast a warm glow on his face, and for a moment, the weight of her authority as a mother and a queen bore down on her shoulders. This wasn't fair to him but she was going to ask for it anyway.
“Will you give us a moment alone?” she asked quietly, her voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable firmness. The air seemed to still in the dungeon, the echo of her words hanging in the cool, stone-lined space. There was a hint of authority in her tone, the kind that didn’t expect any argument.
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Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2024 5:40 pm
The first narrative that Mephitis equipped to convince his sister of his identity left a foul taste in the young dragon’s mouth. A man who put his revenge above the mistreatment of mortal slaves…whose own trauma justified the abominable culture he humored in order to close in on this sick ambition…and who was now joking over memories with his sister over a distant past as if what he had allowed was so easily excusable. The corners of Ash’s jaw flexed as his ocean blue irises bore into the woman behind the bars. A long time ago, he had idolized his uncle…but time can erode all things couldn’t it. Still, the nature of the woman’s attempts resonated with an impression that was oddly…safe and trustworthy despite the history. Call it a hunch, but Ash was picking up that this woman was of no threat to the kingdom.
Unfortunately for Mephitis, his sister didn’t buy what she was being fed, the fact denoted as insubstantial and easily found by external means. It was the final exposition, however, that seemed to strike his mother with a sense of belief. It was a touching moment, a reminisce that struck the chords of emotion buried deep in a past that Ash figured had been happily buried away until now. And it showed on in the subtle changes in his mother’s visage. So it really was him. Ash’s eyes, which had wandered to Deia to confirm the validity of the story, slowly shifted back toward the woman as he waved his hand, summoning a golden sentry in the corner of the dungeon. There was a metallic jingle of light metal…followed by the crunching sound of the arcane armor approaching the young Demigod.
It was then that his mother, equipped with maternal authority, made a request of him…he didn;t look at her right away, turned toward his golden sentinel and received the keys of the cell before the knight evaporated into particles of gold. Only after that did he turn to his mother…his hand reaching for hers and placing the keys in her palm. Her words had always carried a power with it, and he listened…but this time was a bizarre exception. His features carried with it the firm resilience of a king. “Gladly, but he is your responsibility and when you are done…then he will leave; A man like him has no place in the kingdom I want to grow.” Disgust…disappointment…Ash had no intention of hiding how he felt for his uncle, but the way he put Mephitis in Deia’s care resonated with the decision that he was allowed to be released. Still, what he said was not up for compromise. Mephitis was not welcome. Ash’s warped flesh on his chest and neck felt as if there were pins and needles under his skin…and it made him loathe the moment that he came down here to investigate in the first place. In the face of disappointment, Ash realized the reason he had come down here in the first place: the hope to put his bitterness for his uncle to rest. What a fool he was.
After that, Ash walked around his mother, his gaze tearing away from hers as he scratched at his neck and used his free hand to reach for the main dungeon door. and with the solid shut of the heavy door...he was gone.
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Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2024 1:23 am
Deia Isernia
Deia took the key from Ash’s hand with a confident ease, the cool metal a familiar sensation against her palm. She gave him a single nod, acknowledging his words without hesitation. She wasn’t troubled by his firmness—she respected it. As his hand brushed hers, she noted the tension in his grip, the undercurrent of frustration that he couldn't quite hide. She understood; he was the reason Ash was scarred so. Deia would have hated her brother for that if she didn't think both of them were to blame.
She watched him walk away, her gaze following his every move with a practiced calm. His fingers scratched at his neck, a small gesture that spoke volumes about his agitation. The heavy thud of the dungeon door shutting behind him echoed through the chamber, but the silence that followed wasn’t oppressive to her; it was simply the space she needed to consider her next move, her mind already ticking through the possibilities like a well-oiled machine.
Turning back to Mephitis, her expression remained calm, almost indifferent, as she moved closer to the cell, her steps steady and purposeful. She thrived in moments like this, when she was in control, steering the course of events with a steady hand.
“Why are you here, Mephitis?” she asked cool and collected, showing neither warmth nor hostility. Her eyes met his without flinching, sharp and assessing, searching for the truth beneath his facade. "And for ******** sake, why are you a woman?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2024 2:14 am
『 It's in the air and it's all around 』xxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx Location: Prison
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Company: Ash and Deia
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Internally: Okay
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Wearing: Jeans, black shirt, and a leather jacket.
“Gladly, but he is your responsibility and when you are done…then he will leave; A man like him has no place in the kingdom I want to grow.”
Mephitis narrowed his eyes as he stared at the ground below for just a second longer. That's right. He didn't belong here anymore. Regardless of what he did or if he got his power in control, he was still an exile. A dragon without a clan and without a place to call home in the end. It was honestly for the best in the end. The former king was a risk to all those around him as long as he stayed free. Not only that but there would be hell to pay if Ash had allowed him to walk these streets. Too many people saw him as the enemy now for a variety of reasons. His family didn't deserve to deal with the fallout that came from his decisions. Still, was it wrong for him to want something different? To not be hated by his own people for his actions...
Mephitis turned his gaze up just as Ash started to turn away and leave. Those pink eyes locking on the other man's neck as he scratched at it yet again. How many times had that been now? Enough for him to take notice and that meant something was definitely wrong with Ash. His eyes studied the clone of Astarot until the man was out of sight once again. Had he done that? Was it best to even linger on the question? He planned to remove himself from Ash's life again after this. Besides, he had an older sister to focus on right now. Those pink hues snapping to her as she just stood there.
"So, the cell stays shut and the questions keep coming. Awesome." Mephitis just rolled his eyes. He really didn't seem that mad about it. Really, he was just tired and depressed at this point. Bringing up old memories like that had snuffed out any real fight he had in him for now. They still hurt so damn much even if he knew his mother was alive. How was she... Best not focus on that. Mephitis took a deep breath and stood up straight. His features soft now but also sad. "I told you. I need that nano-tech that you made to control my mana. I lost my mask and I can't go around breathing on everyone around." And maybe he wanted an excuse to go home. "As for the second question, wild magic. I don't have as much control as I did before the... The accident. The spell casts can range from floods to, well, this. I'm back to training on controlling it though. Any other questions, sis?" No, he was not calling her Queen Mother of Whatever the hell it was. She was his sister first and foremost.
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『 With a taste of a poison paradise 』
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Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 5:11 am
Deia Isernia
Deia barely registered that she hadn’t yet opened the cell, her mind already considering the logistics of what needed to happen next. Mephitis’s comment about the cell staying shut was met with an arched brow, but she didn’t rush. There was no urgency in her movements as she weighed his words, noting the weariness in his voice and the sadness that lingered in his eyes. The fact that he was in such a state made her decision easier—there was no point in dragging this out any longer.
“I’ll get you what you need,” she said evenly, her tone giving nothing away as she finally turned the key in the lock and opened the cell door. The cold clang of the metal bars echoed in the confined space. She pushed the door open with the same calculated grace she applied to everything, then stepped back, giving him room to exit.
“Stay close to me,” she instructed, her voice carrying a note of command that brooked no argument. She turned on her heel and began to walk, expecting him to keep pace. The corridors of the castle stretched out before them, a labyrinth of stone and shadow that Deia navigated with ease, everyone bowing with respect at her passage. Her footsteps were quiet, measured, as they moved deeper into the castle, the light from the elongated windows casting long, shifting shadows that danced in the corners of her vision.
As they approached the Isernia wing, Deia’s mind was already working through the logistics of getting him out of the city. The sooner he was gone, the better—for everyone’s sake. She had no intention of prolonging his stay any more than necessary. When they reached the entrance to her lab, she paused, turning to face him, her expression still calm, but with an edge of cool detachment. "In."
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Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 8:10 am
『 It's in the air and it's all around 』xxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx Location: Prison
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Company: Ash and Deia
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Internally: Okay
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Wearing: Jeans, black shirt, and a leather jacket.
"Thank you." Mephitis said before breathing a sigh of relief. While it was a small win, it was still a win. It meant that Mephitis wouldn't have to worry about the possibility of killing someone through mana-poisoning. For a brief few seconds, the mage's mind floated back to Iris. He hoped that she was doing better now without him. Honestly, it felt like everyone would be better off without him in their lives at this point. He was just an utter mess that- Stop it. He couldn't be thinking like that right now. Besides, he was slowly getting better.
Mephitis stepped out of the cell and looked towards his sister. No hug, no 'Good to see you', nothing. Well, she was never one to show her feelings. At least, not to him and not after what Typhon did. He just slowly nodded and followed along without a word. Mephitis knew his part right now. He didn't look at anyone that they passed or even spoke a word to his sister. The less attention they got, the better. He just needed to appear confident and that he was here on business for the Queen Mother. Still, it did feel strange to be walking through this castle again.
Even when they came to the entrance to Deia's lab, Mephitis just stepped on in without a word.
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『 With a taste of a poison paradise 』
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Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 4:46 pm
Deia Isernia
Deia stepped aside, allowing Mephitis to walk past her into the room. Her gaze followed him as he entered, but she remained silent, her face a mask of calm authority. Once he was inside, she closed the heavy door behind them with a quiet click, the sound echoing through the stone hallway. She turned to the few servants who lingered near the entrance, their expressions curious but respectful.
“You are dismissed until dinner,” Deia instructed, her tone leaving no room for debate. “I require absolute privacy until then.”
The servants bowed slightly and departed without hesitation, their footsteps fading into the distance. Deia waited until they were completely out of sight before she turned and walked toward the door leading to her laboratory. With a firm hand, she opened the door and gestured for Mephitis to follow her inside.
The lab was a stark contrast to the rest of the castle, its sleek, modern design filled with polished surfaces and advanced technology. The walls were lined with shelves filled with equipment and vials of various substances, all meticulously organized. At the back of the room stood a tall, refrigerator-like machine, its surface gleaming under the bright lights. Vials of liquid were hooked up to wires at the top, a faint hum emanating from within as it maintained its delicate contents.
Deia moved with purpose, her steps precise and unhurried as she approached the computer terminal next to the machine. She began to type, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she booted up the nano-tech’s program. The screen flickered to life, displaying a series of complex diagrams and data streams that Deia scrutinized with a practiced eye.
“You should have taken the offer when I made it,” Deia said, her voice cool and measured, breaking the silence that had settled between them. She didn’t look up from the screen as she spoke, her attention focused on ensuring everything was in order.
“Coming here is risky,” she continued, her tone carrying a subtle edge of warning. “You might not be so lucky next time.”
She glanced over at Mephitis, her gaze sharp and unyielding, before returning to the task at hand. Deia’s fingers flew over the keys as she double-checked the settings, making sure the program was calibrated correctly. The nano-tech had to be administered with precision; there was no room for error.
Finally satisfied, Deia straightened up and moved toward the machine. With a deft hand, she carefully extracted a vial from its holder, its contents glowing faintly as she held it up to the light. She examined it briefly before turning back to Mephitis, her expression unreadable.
“Lay down and hold still,” she instructed and pointed to the floor. Deia didn't really have people in her lab so there was no medical bed or table large enough to hold him. If he did so, she would unscrew the cap of the vial, line up the needle, and puncture the tip into his throat, directly targeting the area where the valve was located.
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Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 5:21 pm
『 It's in the air and it's all around 』xxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx Location: Prison
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Company: Ash and Deia
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Internally: Okay
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Wearing: Jeans, black shirt, and a leather jacket.
Mephitis couldn't to follow Deia's orders silently until they made their way into the lab. Once there, the former-king-in-disguise started to walk around the laboratory. His eyes flicking over all the design of the lab itself and the technology it held. It was so different from his own when he was working up secret plans within this castle. Deia's lab was like walking into something out of a scifi film. Meanwhile, Mephitis was straight out of a fantasy. It made sense though. She leaned into the complex designs that came with tech while Mephitis loved getting lost in arcana and lost knowledge. All that work and look where it got him...
“You should have taken the offer when I made it,”
"Yeah." Mephitis said softly, not even turning in his sister's direction. "Didn't know what my breath was then. Didn't realize I could end up killing people around me with enough time. I was too caught up in wanting... It doesn't matter now. There's no real excuse. Should have taken it." He wanted Tiamat clan to see their king was broken. Perhaps, he wanted some connection to his past or a show that he was mortal. The reason was foolish either way.
"I'm never lucky, Deia." Mephitis replied flatly as his eyes became distant. He truly did believe that his luck was just gone at this point. His whole life had just been an utter trashfire, hoping that some grand event would make up for all of it. That moment never really came it felt like. Instead, life just smacked him down when he got close to feeling "lucky" and made him regret ever believing for a moment. Still, he wasn't going to let it stop him here. "Besides, there won't be a next time. I don't care for the throne and I'll do more for our people by being away from them. The only thing that would..." No stop that thought immediately.
Mephitis finally turned as he heard Deia moving. His eyes flicking towards his sister and then to the vial that she took hold of. His brow arching as she told him to lay down. He looked around the room again and then down at the ground. Of course. He just let out a long sigh as he lowered himself down onto his butt and then laid back. His eyes staring up at the ceiling as he took a deep breath. He couldn't help from tensing up as that vial came closer. Mephitis had to use every ounce of will to force his scales to stay back so Deia could inject him.
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『 With a taste of a poison paradise 』
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Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2024 7:40 pm
Deia Isernia
Deia moved with precision, her fingers steady as she prepared the injection, the sharp needle gleaming under the cool lab lights. Mephitis’s flat words hung in the air, his defeated tone not lost on her. But Deia didn’t flinch or offer immediate comfort; she was always more practical than sentimental. She knelt beside him, her movements careful as she guided the needle toward his exposed throat. "Hold still," she murmured, her voice calm and clinical.
As the needle broke through his skin, there was a brief pinch of pain, followed by the slow, cold sensation of the liquid entering his body. It was like ice sliding through his veins, the nano-tech spreading quickly, seeking out the rogue mana that threatened to spill from him at any moment. Even if Mephitis tensed, Deia’s hand would remain steady, not once hesitating as she administered the dose.
"I dunno, Mephitis," she said lightly, a faint smirk touching her lips as she sat there with a needle in his throat. "I think you're pretty lucky. You got me as a sister after all." Her tone was almost teasing, but there was a hard truth beneath her words. With each breath, the usual puffs of blue mist that escaped his lips began to thin, dissipating into the air. Slowly but surely, the exhalations became clearer until there was nothing but normal, quiet breaths. No more rogue mana spilling into the room.
Deia removed the needle with a quick, practiced motion and stood up, already turning back to the lab equipment without missing a beat. She was careful to dispose of the vial, moving to the far side of the room to grab additional tools, as if she still had more to do. Her back was to him and she began to move around the lab, grabbing things, flipping switches, typing commands into her computer, all without looking back at him or telling him he could get up. Whether that was intentional or just the way she dealt with moments like these, it was hard to say but it was clear she was busy with something even though her job seemed to be complete.
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Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2024 11:38 pm
『 It's in the air and it's all around 』xxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx Location: Prison
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Company: Ash and Deia
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Internally: Okay
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Wearing: Jeans, black shirt, and a leather jacket.
Hold still. As if he didn't know that already! Mephitis wanted to back sass his sister so badly right then. Just a few words to make her see how absurd that comment was, but he also realized it might not be the best idea. It was more than just the fact that it would go against his sister's request. She was also holding a damn needle up to his throat! He was certain she wouldn't actually hurt him but she could toy around with the thought of not giving him the nanotech. So, he just stayed silent. As he felt the needle slide in, Mephitis tensed for just one brief second. His facial features tightening before he forced himself to relax once again.
Pink hues snapped to Deia as she said 'I dunno, Mephitis'. The hell was she going to say now? One brow arching as he waited before a short puff of blue smoke exhaled through his nose. A small smirk playing across his lips as Deia reminded him just how lucky he was to have a sister like her. He didn't actually respond with words but his face said it all. He'd give her this little win by admitting that he was lucky to have her as a sister. Things could have been so much worse for him if Deia wasn't Deia. If she were more a traditional dragoness, Typhon likely could have torn into Mephitis' life with far more ease.
Mephitis breathed clean, clear sigh of relief as the vial was finally pulled away. Finally, that was one problem down and ninety-nine others to work on. Now, he just needed to... Where was Deia going?
"Deia?" The blonde sat up with a curious look on his face as he watched Deia dart from one machine to the next. "What are you doing?" He just had to ask. As he waited for an answer, Mephitis got up onto his feet. His eyes following her about. That taller sibling's head tilting to the side slowly as he tried to work out what the hell Deia needed to be doing right now.
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『 With a taste of a poison paradise 』
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Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2024 7:30 am
Deia continued working around in the lab. "You said you had a problem with wild magic surges."
"Yeeeeah? That's only if I lose control of my emotions. It's happening less as I train." As if he needed to reassure her that he was fine. What was she up to though?
"Yeah, I can see that." Deia replied, her doubt obvious in the way her voice drawled.
“So glad you believe in your loving younger brother.” Mephitis said with a roll of his eyes. “Seriously, what are you doing right now? Trying to figure out a way to suppress them entirely?”
"You mean sister." The smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth deepened. "And no, I'm not suppressing you idiot. Think of it like... a surge protector."
"Oh, are you suddenly wanting to play dress up now, shorty?" Mephitis' words werer dripping with all the sass he had been holding back when Deia injected the nanotech. He just stepped in closer and nodded. "Okay, I guess it could handle the smaller ones but anything big would be like it going against a lightning strike. You think it can address that?"
"Looks like you're already playing dress up without me." Deia replied back with a focused, nonchalant air as her eyes flickered across the screen. "And you know, not everything needs to be a fight upstream. Sometimes you just need to redirect it."
"I thought looking like Mom would get your attention a bit faster. I was clearly wrong." Mephitis said with a roll of his eyes. "Redirection could work. You going have the nano-tech rework it all in a safe spell or am I about to carry around a damn battery pack?"
Deia smirked at him. "You remember those bracelets you stole from the BoM and tampered with?"
Mephitis' eyes immediately flicked over towards Deia. No anger but he was suddenly very wary of his sister. "How the..." How did she know that? "You got into my lab, didn't you?"
Innocent silence.
Mephitis' narrowed his gaze on her. She had a LOT of information she shouldn't have now. He was also certain that she had already seen and understood what he was planning. "What I studied in there stays between us." That's all he could ask for at this point.
(( Note on what she found in there.
Research on:
Mana/Energy Fission (Separating someone's innate power from their soul)
A very old ritual to access the celestial realm using the leylines and a world tree seed
Highest level of soul gem research (Storing)
Golemancy
Objects:
A lot of miscellaneous artifacts, rare ingredients, potions
A prototype, high-grade golem body. Mephitis clearly toyed around with it to host high levels of power if necessary
Trying to remember if there was anything else. Playing with the idea that Mephitis researched "Draconic Ascension" or not. Essentially, dragons able to host and use their innate element far more than they can now. It'd relate back to him using his mana in whole new ways. ))
"If I had wanted to tell anyone," Deia explained, "I would have already done so by now idiot." She began sequencing the program in her computer to line up with data she had on her brother and his mana. "So do you want bracelets or what?" The bracelets were really just a vehicle for the regulation tech the BoM came up with, Deia could put it into anything that sat on one of his major output currents.
Mephtiis didn't reply to her first statement. He just slowly looked away and took a deep breath. He had a hard time getting a read on Deia so he wasn't sure what she thought about his research. Granted, did he even want to know. He just focused on the bracelets. Did he want them? No, not really. It felt wrong in some way. However, he didn't want to hurt others. "Yeah."
"Alright, bracelets. Should I select something pretty to go with your new look?" Deia teased.
Oh, he wanted to absolutely tackle her right now. After all the ******** teasing about his gender lately, it was just wearing on him. Still, he wanted to sass her. "Don't know if I trust you selecting anything given that gaudy a** dress you're wearing. I know you want to scare away potential suitors but you didn't need to try so hard."
"Be a good boy or I'll make them into n****e piercings." Deia snarked back, reminding him that she had the upper hand in this situation and could outsass him while still typing, like the girl boss she was.
"Pick something cool. I don't plan on staying like this longer than needed. It's been ******** annoying for the most part. Almost makes me hate all men." Mephitis groaned.
"Men are s**t." Deia agreed with him, nodding as she went to her cabinet of artifacts and searched for 'something cool'. "Have you tried a dispel magic ritual?" She asked as she daintily picked through the curio cabinet in the center of the room. A lot of these things were too ostentatious... too regal... too girly... hmmm, those were cool... likely not to his taste though. "Looks like I'm fresh out of batman capes. You want to pick something?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2024 8:42 pm
"First thing that came to my mind. Tried a few times and the attempts didn't work. Doesn't mean it can't be dispelled but the spell itself is likely pushed to a higher level than what it should be. I wouldn't be surprised if it came from a wild magic burst." Mephitis was certain it was spell. It was just currently out of his range of expertise for now. "Damn, I was hoping to start moonlighting as a superhero again. Figment returns. Sure, move aside. I'll take a look."
Need to get in Meph's head on this one. Part of him feels like it's a sign of his weakness. The other part understands that he needs this and that it won't inhibit him in any way as it only manages overflow.
Deia nods and plucks the object carefully from the cabinet, then puts it into something that looks like a chicken incubator and sets a program to run. "This is going to take a little while. Have you tried True Form yet?" Might as well entertain herself with his little problem while they wait.
Deia would see a small flicker of hope and excitement in her brother's eyes. Being himself again would have made things so much better. Mephitis stretched a little as they came out onto the balcony. "I can fly. Just takes a moment." He took several seconds to focus himself and then unleashed his wings. He could still bring them out without ripping his clothes, which was nice. However, they looked nothing like Deia would remember. His scales were like mirrored plates that shined with an unfathomable power. Arcane energy constantly working its way through them.
Without a word, she began to set up the circle. Her movements were precise and deliberate as she drew the runes into the earth, marking out the ancient symbols with practiced ease. The soft scratch of her tools against the ground accompanied her quiet focus. Around the circle, she placed specific objects in carefully chosen spots—crystals, stones, and small artifacts, each one imbued with a purpose, arranged according to an intricate pattern.
"Stand in the center," she instructed, her voice calm but firm as she gestured for Mephitis to step inside the circle. "You need to focus on the form you want to shift back into. And it may take a while," she warned, her voice steady as she continued the chant. "Don’t lose focus, no matter what. Stay with the image of your form."
Once he was ready, Deia stood at the edge of the circle, her hands already raised as she began to chant in a low, rhythmic tone. Her words were ancient, weaving a spell that resonated with the arcane symbols around them. The air seemed to thicken with energy, the runes glowing faintly as the spell took hold.
It really did take a long time for the ritual to actually take hold especially with someone whose mana was in such disrepair. However, Deia's enhancements and the magi-tech controlling the levels of Mephitis' mana allowed them to complete the ritual. An arcane-blue light surrounding his form in the final few seconds before shifting everything back to how it should be in an instant. Cute, feminine features giving way to sharp, handsome ones. Blond locks disappearing and replaced by those long, dark blue hair. An overly endowed chest became broad and muscular. The worst part was that his pants fit so terribly now that it was almost painful! However, the dragon couldn't care in the slightest in the moment.
"D-Did it work?" Mephitis asked as he started to feel over his body. "It worked! IT ******** WORKED! YESSSSS!!!!" Mephitis excitement was showing even through his limiters as they glowed brightly upon his body. His muscles flexing and feet slamming into the ground below as Mephitis felt like himself once again. A genuine, wide smile across his face as he looked up at the sky for a few seconds before then turning his attention towards Deia.
If his sister wasn't fast, Mephitis would practically snatch up the girl. His draconic power activated as he would even be able to lift her up with all that damn weight. Laughter erupting from his throat as he cried out, "You little genius!"
Deia completed the last chant of the ritual, the arcane-blue light surrounding Mephitis like a cocoon, glowing brighter with each second. She watched closely as his form shifted. It took longer than expected, but her enhancements and the magi-tech kept the process steady.
The ritual was a success.
A small, satisfied smile tugged at the corner of her lips, but before she could say anything, Mephitis's exuberant shout of triumph filled the air. She was about to offer a calm congratulations when, in an instant, his powerful arms wrapped around her, lifting her off the ground. The sudden movement caught her off guard as she found herself hoisted into the air, her 5'2" frame dwarfed by his towering 6'2" form.
For a brief moment, a flicker of warmth crossed her expression, a small laugh almost escaping as she shared in his joy. But then, just as quickly, her usual composure returned. She scrunched her nose and placed a hand on his face, pushing it away with mock disgust.
“Ew, gross! Don’t be all affectionate out of nowhere,” she complained, though there was no real bite to her words. “Put me down, you overgrown lizard,” she added, trying to sound annoyed.
"Not a chance!" Mephitis cried out with such glee as he continued to hold onto his sister. Oh, she could object to everything that was going on. She could push her hand into his face to keep him back. He was not letting go though. He was just far too happy and he needed to show it. Besides... "You rarely let me hug you, Deia! This is the first time in over a year and I'm going to relish this! My big-brained big sister."
It'd be a while before Mephitis actually let her down and eventhen he held on for a few more seconds. "Thanks, sis." He let out a long sigh as if he had just gotten through the worst hell of his life but he was now seeing a little bit of light in the distance. He looked down at Deia and gave her a big smile, teeth flashing. "Guess we should..."
Head back? Mephitis' smile faded as he looked back in the direction of the Capitol. He really couldn't go back now, could he? There was no disguise now. While he had a ton of tattoos and looked much rougher, he was definitely the pariah king people remembered. So... What now?
Deia rolled her eyes dramatically, her usual sharp demeanor slipping as she let her body go limp like a rag doll in Mephitis's arms. "Yeah, yeah, yeah," she muttered with mock annoyance, her head lolling back as she exaggerated her defeat. She’d let him have his moment—good thing no one was around to witness the Queen Mother in such an undignified state.
Finally, when he set her down, she straightened up, smoothing out her dress with an elegant flick of her hands. She adjusted her crown, her regal composure snapping back into place like a well-practiced routine. "There. Hope you enjoyed it while it lasted," she quipped. "And yes, we should," she said, her voice suddenly serious as her gaze flicked toward the Capitol in the distance. "Ash will want you out by nightfall." So there was only one thing left to do. "This might hurt a little."
Without further warning, Deia fully shifted, her body transforming into her massive draconic form. She loomed over Mephitis, her claws gleaming as they wrapped around him, lifting him off the ground. His entire upper body was engulfed in her iron grip, leaving him little more than a muffled sound as he was swept up.
Deia spread her wings wide, the powerful gust of air kicking up dust and leaves as she took off from the ground. The landscape of the Altai Mountains blurred beneath them as she flew swiftly toward the castle. The flight was quick, and in no time, they approached the open balcony doors of the castle. Deia gave him a 'gentle' chuck into the balcony and Mephitis sailed through the open doors, landing inside with a solid thud.
Moments later, she landed gracefully on the balcony whilst shifting back into her human form, adjusting her crown once more as if nothing had happened. "You’re welcome."
Mephitis frowned as Ash's name was spoken once more. The dragon didn't know how to fix that shattered relationship after everything that had happened. Part of him wanted to reclaim some sort of familiarity. However, Ash essentially stood for what Mephitis hated. He was his own man but he was also Astarot. A god sitting upon the throne of their people. He wanted rid of the entire notion of their gods so badly after seeing how uncaring Tiamat was. He wanted his people to move on... Could they do that under Ash?
"Huh?" Mephitis was so caught up in his own thoughts that he didn't even realize Deia was transforming. Not until his older sister snatched him up. The blue-haired male let out a muffled cry as Deia wrapped her claw around him. She wasn't wrong. It hurt just a bit to have all that power wrapped around him as they flew through the air. The constant pressure upon his form made it feel like it was hard to even breath. However, it wasn't anything life-threatening and he'd be more than fine once they landed... Or well tossed right towards the ******** floor in this case!
"s**t!" Mephitis cried out as the world around him suddenly became clear again and he could tell him he was plunging right into Deia's room. His arms flailing about wildly as he soared through the air. The landing really didn't hurt but it didn't take a hit at his pride. Getting carried by another dragon like that... What was he a kid again!? He plopped right onto his a** and just straightened up.
Mephitis pushed himself onto his feet and started to straighten out his clothes as best he could. "Yeah, yeah. Thank you. Couldn't really get into the Capitol any other way so I get it. Still, you could have given me a warning. Granted, I'm sort of locked to your quarters unless we give me a damn good disguise."
"Well, you're quiet adept with dresses now." Deia implied, a smirk curling on her lips.
"Oh, haaa haaa. Shame. You missed out on your chance to play dress up with me." Mephitis shot back before smirking himself. It was so much easier to joke about it now that he was a guy again.
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Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2024 3:07 pm
"It's only fun when you don't look good in it."
"Oh, getting jealous of girl-me?"
"Girl you was an abomination." Deia replied flatly and led him back into the lab to check how her machines were doing with syncing the object he picked and adding nanites and miniscule arcane symbols etched into the metal, so tiny one needed a very strong magnifying glass to even see.
"Definitely jealous." Mephitis said with a smirk as he started to follow behind Deia. The dragon arching his bro as he asked, "Everything working as it should?"
Deia's hands flew across the keys as she was checking everything. "Seems to be..." She murmured, distracted. After several minutes, she removed the disc from the machine and handed it to Meph. "Here. No way to know for sure if it works until it's tested, but we're not doing that here."
Mephitis just stayed silent and let his sister work for now. He didn't want her screwing up some calculation because of him. When she held out the disc, he just tilted his head and carefully took it. The younger dragon looking it over for a few seconds before flicking his gaze back towards Deia. "I'm sure it'll work. It's at least better than just hoping I don't suddenly have a wild magic burst out of nowhere."
Deia frowned slightly, then shrugged as if conceding the point. He wasn’t wrong, but it was so obvious she hadn’t felt the need to state it. With a casual toss, she threw him a chain, her expression carefully composed. "Now that you’ve been neutralized, I can arrange a short visit with Mother, if you want." She tried to act nonchalant, but it was clear the offer carried more weight than her tone suggested. She knew how much this meant to him—how long he had been yearning for this moment. Her eyes flickered, betraying her awareness of how much he would sacrifice for this chance.
"You need to be escorted out of the city by sundown," she continued, her voice a bit more brisk now, her posture shifting back into business mode. Deia didn't want to expose the soft spot she may or may not have had for her brother. "So you’ve got about 20 minutes. Enough for tea." It wasn’t ideal, but it was all the time they had, and she was offering what she could.
Mephitis took the chain and started to work on putting it together. He still couldn't get rid of that small pang deep within his heart. It kept gnawing away at his pride that he had to wear something like this around. His body was so out of control that he couldn't even trust himself. There were plenty of heroes barely containing powers far beyond their own understanding but this didn't feel like the comics. They still seemed competent. He was just some... Stop it. How many times did he have to tell himself not to let his thoughts run like that. For better or worse, Deia gave him something that took his mind off those thoughts.
The older dragoness was able to witness her brother freeze up at the mere mention of his mother. One hand holding onto the disc while the other was holding onto the chain. Those pink eyes wide with shock as if Deia had told him the secrets of the universe right then. His mouth hanging open, trying to say something but the words refused to come to him. He knew this was a possibility. It had run through his mind over and over but... Could he do it with how he was right now? He was a tattooed punk with a messy past and an even messier look.
He looked down at his own body as he slowly let the necklace go so it could hang around his neck. Eyes scanning every inch of his body. "Deia, I- Does she even know what I'm like now?" He didn't want to worry but he wanted to see her so badly. He just needed this one thing from the world. "I-I don't even look appropriate. What if she- I just... These clothes and the tattoos and-and-and the mana scars."
Deia wasn’t one to dwell on insecurities and sad sap feelings were gross so she turned her attention to tidying up, busying herself with small tasks around the room. Her movements were precise, methodical, giving her an excuse to stay emotionally distant. She wasn’t going to dive into Mephitis’s self-doubt. She didn’t know how to, and she preferred to keep things practical.
As she disposed of the used needle, she spoke, her voice casual but with an undercurrent of truth. "Has mother ever cared about that stuff?" She glanced at him briefly, her eyes sharp but not unkind.
"I-" Mephitis paused for a few seconds. His immediate answer was no. His mother never seemed to care about such things. She had a kind, understanding heart that wanted so much better for others. At the same time though, did he really know that? Mephitis only had her for so long before she was taken away. Would he waste even more precious moments with her because of how he looked though. He took a deep breath and said, "No. So... Lead the way." The tension within Mephitis was obvious. Every muscle locked up but somehow still able to move as he played out this meeting in his head over and over. Each one going differently than the last.
"You stay here, I can't have you wandering around the castle. I give you permission to use the kitchen, make some tea. You may also go ahead and check my closet to see if there's something more comfortable to wear, I don't recommend snooping through my things." She likely had left over mens clothing from some plaything hanging up somewhere. "But be quick, it won't take me long to fetch her." Deia excused herself then.
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