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 Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 3:55 pm
Mia looked up in awe as they were shepherded into Poena Privus. She had been considering her options after graduation, and while she had thought of going to the Ars Lilium, the seeming independence of the Reapers had attracted her also. Now here she was on the wrong side of the scythes she had thought of one day attaining.
The witchling squeezed Sin's hand as the other mononoke practically glued herself to her side. The group pressed close together the farther down the steps they went. When the iron cage loomed behind them, Mia balked. Like Sin, everything in her screamed against going into a cage. That's where, in her experience, animals were put to be made displays of, tamed, or in the worst cases, killed. "Just stay close," she whispered to the other girl. She stopped moving forward, sticking close to her partner in this awful place. The two of them seemed to be some of the last in, as others had also come to a standstill, but with so many other witches moving at once, they were shuffled in amongst the rest, albeit it with great trepidation.
After everyone was securely locked in, all their guards and the other Reapers who had been shadowing the group left, although not after a strange power struggle between one of their Blackheart kidnappers and a mononoke Reaper. The fact that those on the other side of this seemed just as confused and even more on edge than the captives did not bode well for their future. And then there they were, all locked in a cage in the apparent dungeon of Poena Privus, with no one around. Flattening her ears against her skull in alarm, Mia looked around the skull. She began to walk along one side inspecting it for any weak spots, but she still kept one eye on Sin, hoping to offer some protection or comfort to the young mononoke. She wasn't expecting to find anything, and no doubt there was magic placed on the prison as well, but it gave the girl something to do, something to hope for and keep the fear and despair at bay.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 5:14 pm
In the cage Cedar felt Kaylpso's groping hand, and she grabbed it with her own, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. Her friends were close, but the locking of the door seemed to make her heart drop. She couldn't help but go over the worst case scenarios in her head. She had so much she wanted to do with her life. She wanted to fall in love, her olive eyes fell onto Lea. She wanted to smile and laugh with her friends. She looked at the young witch's hand she held, Xerxes and Uaithne. She kept trying to hold back the thoughts but it was all to clear what was going to happen.
Even though they could use magic it wouldn't work right and even together as a group they wouldn't be strong enough to take on the Black Hearts. But it wasn't hard to hear one of them starting to yell but then only soft murmurs. The bindings prevented full movement, but she twisted to see everyone. There was little to no light in down there. Was there anyone that would try an bring everyone together? Any natural born leaders? Cedar wasn't good at lying... Or giving false hope on on a scale like this. If it was up to her, she would be blunt and get everyone together rather then chaos...
Clearing her throat she raised her voice, not yelling but trying to get some attention. "Anyone have any ideas on what to do?" Rather then sitting there like sitting ducks right..? Maybe someone heard some leaked rumors.. Or one of the mononoke could hear what was being said up stairs.
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 4:35 pm
A delighted, bubbling laughter danced from Runa's lips. She gave the impression of someone saintly, exuding a fondness for her subordinates as not usually seen, the type of woman one might slay dragons, conquer kingdoms, if only for that delicate smile to be directed at them, or the touch of her hand, a kiss upon their cheek; such a desirable, yet treacherous femininity.
"Please, you do not have to be so formal when you speak to me," she purred towards Shaden, giving a subtle glance behind her as she felt the manifestation of her loyal guard-dog approaching. Runa took half a step backwards until she felt her back touch his chest, and she reached a hand up, fondly stroking an index finger down his jawline and throat. "Isn't that right, Xander~? Formalities are lovely, but what really turns a head around here are deeds, of which my lovely blackhearts have done a wonderful job of completing." She again cast a doting gaze towards Cruor and Sibelius, before turning her shaded, colorless eyes towards the others.
"The royal sages of our beloved kingdom do not yet know of the epidemic that threatens to strike and mangle our people," she murmured, an almost saddened demeanor in her gentle, purring voice. Her eyes fell to the floor and she clutched a finger in front of her lips, sullen. "Our research here, on the ninth floor, you know....We've done so much research, precious, precious research to find a way to cure those majin stricken with the hunger, the very research that had helped to craft your very weaponry....and in this research, we discovered something atrocious. I'm sure you must remember back in the winter, our fellow reaper who sadly....passed?" She raised her eyes, a look of sheer sympathy and remorse within her delicate features.
"He, a human, was craving, and taking, and consuming the hearts of other human witches. Madness took him, an insane, insatiable hungered that nothing could satisfy. He had become...infected, for lack of better word. The state of being a majin...the curse of being a majin, is infecting humans, and turning them into heart-consuming monstrosities. That is why I have gathered these young ones here, for they above all others are in most dangerous peril."
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 9:21 am
As soon as the last of the kidnappers had wandered up the stairs after locking the group in, Azra'iel straightened and shuffled as quickly as he could to where the cage met the wall. He needed to get a better look at the charms plastered around the room! The light levels were low, but even without good light, he could tell they were to prevent the use of magic: what he really needed to see was the rune used---aha, that one would seal the room, yes, but not entirely. He reached tentatively into the soul of his power and was able to draw it forward, albeit sluggishly. Satisfied that he had access and even some control over his magic, he returned his attention to the huddled group near the door of the cage.
But before he could move back in toward the group, a tentatively raised and fleetingly-familiar voice rang out, trying to rally them. Raising a brow, the light witch tried to make out who was speaking. Seeing it was one of the other captured witches and vaguely recognizing her, his keen eyes narrowed, digging for her name to come to mind.
'Cedar. That was her name; I attended a training session with her while back'
Moving cautiously forward to be back in the midst of the group, he spoke up loud enough for his voice to reach all, but hopefully not ricochet up the stairwell to their rather loud captors.
"No solid ideas just yet, Miss Cedar, and before we discuss any... is anyone hurt or still feeling effects from being held unconscious so long?" He looked around, face still stern and set with a slight frown, attempting to make eye contact with everyone. "If not, I think our first order of business should be removing the restraints, if we can. They are not inherently magical or blocking our magic themselves; that is the seals spaced about the room. But even those should not fully block your powers if you reach for them slowly and do not try anything ...foolish."
Focusing above the heads of the group, Azra'iel felt sweat break out on his forehead as he coaxed a small sphere of light to form so they could all see a bit better, at least. It was difficult without having his hand available as a focal point but he was doing it none-the-less. Though, he was panting and slightly nauseous from the effort.
'Interesting. I was not aware I could do that.' He gave a pragmatic mental shrug as he tried to collect himself. 'Desperate times and all that, I suppose.'
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 9:45 am
Athir sat in his new cage, knee's drawn up against his chest, bound arms huddled behind the folded legs. He wasn't going to struggle, or cry out.. there was no point after all. In fact, he kept almost deathly quiet, and made no contact via vision nor listened to the conversations that now buzzed amongst the other witches and witchlings that knew one another. He resorted to his usual habits; trying to blend in and seem invisible. After all, he'd always been invisible when he was in school, and even now that he was a graduate; hardly anyone gave him the time of day. Asides from.. Kian and Shaden. Gray, sullen eyes were glued to his lap, long golden hair streaming along his face like a waterfall. As he often did when feeling lonely, he let his mind take a little venture elsewhere, so he didn't focus on the reality so much.
Instead, he thought of work, and of Kian. Hopefully the majin was ok...
{Please bold Athir's name if you're acknowledging him, or I'll miss it. }
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 11:05 am
[ ignore this post idek ]
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Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 5:16 am
Lea's opinion of the Reaper Organization and what they stood for had always been neutral at best, even after the incident at the Hallow's Eve Ball that supposedly involved one of their own. The beliefs and the code of conduct which the reapers and Blackhearts abided by might seem extreme to most but he always thought that their presence was necessary regardless, at least to keep the evil witch eaters who killed senselessly at bay so as to avoid more tragedies like what had happened to his own blood family.
The rationale behind this mass... abduction still eluded him no matter how much he tried to figure things out on his own during the transfer from the carriage to the cell that they were currently held en masse at. Whatever the 2 Blackhearts knew, they obviously weren't saying anything and the way that the dragon mononoke had stood right in front of the sole exit of the room that housed their prison was already a fine testament as to their experience in handling such situations and how minuscule their chances were should any of them attempt to make an escape back then. No. Now was not the time for that... yet.
All was quiet for what seemed almost like forever other than the sound of people shifting to get comfortable or to inspect the cage as best as they could within the darkness. The snow leopard mononoke witchling hadn't realized that he was spacing out until Cedar first spoke followed by Azra'iel and then there was a small sphere of light illuminating the cage and dispelling the darkness along with the feeling of despair that had been lurking at the back of his mind.
"I suppose you've made a good point and we could start from there first." His gaze found its way to Cedar as he spoke, a wry smile on his face as he tried to give her some form of reassurance that not all was lost despite the dire situation that they were all in. Reaching for his own magic, he found what Azra'iel shared to be true and tried to dredge what little he could get from his own power to form something that could be of use to their cause.
He had no idea how much time had elapsed since he started concentrating on his magic. Maybe a minute or two. Perhaps even three. But the shard of ice that had taken form in his hand was real alright and he could only hope that it would last as long as it took for him to cut through at least one of their bonds so that the witch/witchling could assist in freeing the others thereafter.
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Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 8:21 am
Did anyone have any ideas on what to do? He heard the voice through the darkness of their cell and knew it to be Cedar. Ideas? He looked around a bit and found himself wondering what they could do in the position that they were in. They were locked up, bound, cut off from their magic as well as being in a rather dangerous place. Was there any way for them to get out of this? His mind was racing with the attempt to figure out... well, anything at this point. He'd do anything needed of him if it would help get everyone out of here safely.
Another voice spoke up, one that he didn't know among the group, who was asking if anyone was hurt of feeling any side effects. Lifting a hand up he chewed on his thumb nail in the manner he always did when a little nervous. He was, for the time being, alright. He wondered though how long they would be here and cut off from magic though. He wondered if that meant that, since people couldn't reach their own magic that his kind in turn couldn't glean it off people to eat. That would be horrible if they were trapped in here for a long period of time, it risked causing the hunger that his kind had for magic to get worse, wouldn't it? It wasn't something that he really wanted to think about, not when standing among his friends and peers, and most certainly not when within the walls of the Reaper and Blackheart stronghold. Dragging his mind away from the potential threat that he and the other Majin might pose later he concentrated instead on what the stranger's voice was saying. Their first order of business was removing the restraints? Yeah, that would allow them to at least move easier. They were told then to reach for their powers slowly and not to try anything foolish. They didn't want to draw the attention of those upstairs after all. The problem being that to really use his powers he would need the help of plants... he doubted there were any here. Maybe moss growing on the dungeon walls? Not that he could see them well enough to ascertain of there was any such thing here.
When a little sphere of light suddenly appeared Uaithne couldn't help but to give a little jump of surprise before moving slowly toward it and the others from where he'd been leaning against the back wall. They were going to attempt an escape then? He couldn't help but wonder if they had a chance before deciding that any chance, no matter how minimal, was better then just waiting here for those Blackhearts to return to finish them off, right? Right.
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Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 3:58 pm
Cedar smiled at Lea, and she was grateful that Azra'iel had stepped up and gave them all some light. She felt... Empty. She couldn't hear the voices and she tried to reach out, but the courting she would need to was next to impossible in that cell. She didn't want to think she was useless but it was hard not to see that way. With Lea's help she used his ice to free herself after some time. Giving her wrists a rub she looked around and saw Athir, the boy she had bumped into before they were brought in.
Maybe she had actually hurt him? She gave Kalypso a pat on the arm to let her know that she was going to move away and she walked over to the boy that was huddle against the ground.
"Hey are you okay? I bumped into you earlier and I didn't think I had hurt you." She tucked her skirts under her knees bending down. The boy seemed a but withdrawn. There was a good chance he was just scared, she was to. Putting her forearms on her knees she didn't want to cross into his personal space. Sometimes the best thing to do was to leave someone alone but she wanted to make sure the he knew she was there.
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Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 11:04 pm
Mia looked up from her inspection of the bars near her when some of the witches began speaking. The first one, a girl asked if anyone had any type of plan. And the other boy, to the witchling's surprise, managed to pull some of his magic past the seals placed on them. Mia was an illusionist, but she could do a little evocation. She focused on her magical core, attempting to pull some up. Nothing. She furrowed her brows, straining, but eventually she stopped, holding her head as she only gained only an acute headache.
Then the boy mentioned breaking their bonds. With a look at Sin, the young mononoke stepped forward. "Um, I don't know about any of the other mononoke, but I might be able to at least get my claws out or sharpen my teeth," she began quietly. Her voice growing stronger, she looks around at the group. "If anyone else can do that, even if your other magic is still blocked, it might help." Concentrating, Mia reached into her soul to the the bobcat that was inherent in her own being. It was still difficult, but as it was a more natural magic, Mia felt a small flicker from it. Slowly, centimeter by centimeter, the girl's teeth lengthened and sharped, the canines becoming almost fanlike. Shaking from the effort it had taken, Mia looked around and decided attempting her own bonds first might be the most beneficial.
Bending her head, Mia began to slowly gnaw at the restraints between her wrists, not sure how metallic and solid they were. She concentrated, trying to access her animal's strength. She could feel a small give in her restraints at the pressure, before she looked up, panting, with an idea. "Can anyone control heat? Or use anything that might be able to soften this material a little?" she called over the growing murmurings as the captives began to move into action.
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Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 6:34 am
Scentana had felt completely useless thus far. The mononoke had cried for a bit, too scared to really do much else. She was kidnapped, locked in a cage, and threatened with unknown tormet. Once settled she thought of her family, her four older sisters and her parents. What would they do when they found out she was missing? When would they even find out? She had been in the dorms so it could have been a week or more before they went to see why she hadn't answered their letters.
She watched as Mia and the others began to think of ways out of their bonds and maybe out of the cage. Her own claws and fangs would be rather useless, skunks dug not clawed. But maybe...she wondered if they had completely searched her. Sin began feeling around on her clothes, at all the hiding spots she usually kept her vials. While not the greatest spell caster, Sin was a fabulous potion maker! A cooking background had let her excell at the practice as well as her own brand of magic.
"Ah found one!" she suddenly said as she pulled a small green vial from a fold in her skirt. Sin usually hid potions on her as she didn't want anyone taking them or them getting lost. Some could be dangerous depending on their effects. Quickly she searched the rest of her dress and found three more vials; she normally had eight but beggers couldn't be choosers. She had a green, black, orange, and white vial. The black vial was a smoke maker, good for distraction. The white vial was a healing potion, usually due to the damage caused by several other potions. The orange....well that was only a last resort. But the green one! The acid she made!
"Mia, I think I can get a few of us free, but not everyone," she held up the small green vial. This was going to be hard with her magic restrained. She needed to activate the potion with her own magic for it to be successful. She placed the other three into her pocket then held the green in her hands. Slowly she began to concentrate, trying to pull her magic to the surface and into the vial. Her whole body shook with the effort but finally her eyes glowed green for just a moment, long enough to activate it. She let out the breath she had been holding and looked to the other mononke. She doubted she'd be able to use any of the others very soon unless they got out of the cage. "Ok, I think I got it. It's not going to smell the best but it will get our hands a little more free."
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Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 11:03 am
Not really paying attention to most of anything, lost in his own mind, he was delayed in a reaction to Cedar, slowly letting his gaze lift from his knee's to look at her. His usual gentle smile wasn't present, instead a rather distracted, or distant expression in place. Bumped into him? Oh right... he'd forgotten about that. Letting his gaze lower some, he spoke softly, "No you didn't." he assured gently. Of course he wasn't really ok, being kidnapped, tied up, and placed in some very.. uncomfortable place... and his best friend just paces from him but... he wasn't able to talk to her.
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Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 9:26 pm
(( So behind OTL ))
Cruor gave a small nod at Sibelius, glad that he was willing to offer some form of explanation as to why they had kidnapped the children off the streets. Despite his belief in the Reapers and Black Hearts, the act had made even him a little uneasy. However he was certain that if he was provided a proper explanation that he would be put at ease fairly quickly; their leader always had a reason for doing things, even if the things that they did were sometimes... Unsavory.
Suddenly Cruor's head whipped around at the sound of another voice, following Sibelius gaze and turning to stare at the woman that had spoken. He'd never seen their leader in the light but there was no mistaking the elegance, the power, the voice... When her fingers slid over his jaw, her praise sliding down his spine like a caress, he seemed to relax immediately, his eyes hooding in pleasure. He watched her move silently, listening to what she had to stay, eyes barely straying from her to glance at the others.
It seemed that he wasn't the only one that found her presence, her voice, to be reassuring and calming; everyone else seemed to be quite relieved that she was there explaining everything. However what she said in the end made his blood freeze in his veins, made his eyes widen as he stared at their leader. Majin infecting humans? From everything that they knew it should not have been possible and yet... It certainly explain the Black Heart that they had had to cut down for devouring human hearts. In fact, it explained many things.
"What causes the infection?" he questioned finally, glancing around at the others, then back at Runa. "My apologies for interrupting but... Due to our constant exposure, wouldn't we all be the most likely to become infected? Is there a way to prevent it?"
Perhaps it was a little selfish sounding, thinking only of them, but, in his mind, Reapers and Blackhearts would be the worst possible people to become infected and turn. Things like the ball would happen again and perhaps even sages, the most powerful of them all, could become infected as well. That could easily spell disaster for anyone living in the kingdom, let alone around its borders, it was a thought that, though he would not admit it, terrified him.
"The last thing we need is for all of us to become Witch Eaters and wreak havoc on innocents."
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Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 10:47 pm
Runa turned a smile towards Cruor, giving the blackheart an appraising look, a finger idly twirling a long strand of dark purple hair around itself. "My darling, what a wonderful question to ask," she purred. "Don't let your bravery become shrouded with the veil of worry and fear. Only those who are fed from have that possibility to happen to them. The man in our ranks who fell, well....Unbeknownst to us, he had somewhat of a relationship with a majin from Lumena, and he has paid for it with his sanity and his life." her face held empty sympathy, a small sigh escaping her gentle mouth. Weaving the threads of fear and suspicion, worry and despair. It was a fabrication that must be woven.
"Our beloved children are in danger, and that is why we've collected them. Shall we proceed below?"
Without waiting for a response from any of them, she proceeded down the steps to the cellar where the young ones were held, the dim lanterns hanging on the ceiling illuminating her face as she stepped from the shadows of the door, stopping her pace in front of the iron bars. For a moment, she only stared at them like a child in a zoo, and then her soft lips curled into a sort of smile.
"My dear children, I apologize from the depths of my heart for any fears or ill-treatment you have beheld." Her smile broadened as her eyes fell upon their meager little escape attempt, and a soft chuckle pervaded the ill-conceived atmosphere. "My my, please do not try anything foolish. It would behoove you to simply hush and be obedient; afterall, I am here to help you, for you are all in more danger than you realize."
Such a gentle, soothing voice, it was like drinking in water while parched in the desert to those who heard it, but it was a mask, such a well-guised mask that even the most clever would have trouble discerning. "Won't you tell me your names?" she purred to the captives, still smiling in on them.
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 8:39 am
Glad to see those who could starting to help others loose their bonds, the blonde set to work on his own restraints. He had not been able to break through any part of them, but they had loosened a bit and tempted the young swordsman to test his flexibility. Bracing his shoulders against the bars, Azra'iel was able to slide down enough to get his hips through his arms. Slowly, feeling a strain in his shoulders, he slid down further. Now that he was sitting on the floor, he pulled his knees to his chest and was able to draw his legs through the loop of his arms: so that while his hands remained bound, they were now in front of him. Throughout this maneuver, Azra'iel was facing away from the stairs. Standing and stretching, his guardian-like nature had him unconsciously watching over the other captives as he massaged his wrists to restore circulation to his hands ...when out of no where, the most entrancing voice he had ever heard sent a warm thrill down his spine. His head whipped around, seeing the reassuringly-empty stairwell was now full of Black Hearts and Reapers, led by a sinfully beautiful creature. How had he not heard them? He had only a moment to curse himself for feeling secure in their solitude before the power of that voice pulled at him. Most of him wanted to sink into that voice, to do as it asked so it would continue speaking to him---but his flippant nature would apparently not be denied.
Feeling cornered and somehow rude, he turned to fully face the speaker. Etiquette always second-nature to him, he bowed to the regal woman; sheepishly aware of his altered bond as he opened his mouth to obey and give his name: but that was not what escaped his lips.
"Forgive me, milady, but if you are aware of such grave danger to our persons, how is it you do not already know our identities? Surely, whatever warned you of this danger would have informed you of whom you were ...gathering to protect.
Golden eyes shot wide as he listened to himself speak. Terribly embarrassed, but unable to take back words he had not planned to say, Azra'iel shifted his weight, warily. He was not in a position to provoke anyone! What on earth had come over him?
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