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 Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 11:47 pm
There was a heavy tension in the air. Jericho would be able to sense the tension from Riley, but the battle itself was now in the mind, between her and the unknown figure in the shadows. The figure was shrouded from her by it's cloak, but that did not stop them from obviously interchanging thoughts.
And the sound of the figure's voice, it's actual voice, would be a sudden jolt in the silence. It shook Riley to the bone, and actually made her cringe.
Though, it wasn't a cringe of fear.
"Aaaaenny? Little Aenny, is that really you?" The hissing sound of a voice from the throne in front of them filled the air with horrible echoes. The mindflayer sitting in the throne herself pulled off her cloak's hood, and stared at Riley for a good few minutes, before shrieking in glee.
"What an absolute shock, this can't be! Little Aenny, look at my little parasite all grown up. Is this your thrall? He looks so delicious. The mindflayer suckled underneath her tentacles. It was a sickening sound. "Did you bring your Auntie a gift?"
No, Aunt Olorae. Riley's deadpan, and now thoroughly annoyed, voice emitted. He is mine. Besides, what would you even want with a gift, when you seem to have an entire army under your control?
The Illithid on the throne squealed again, and clapped her hands giddily. It looked positively ridiculous. "You noticed my little pets! I'm surprised they didn't kill you - you know, they're trained to kill on sight. I wonder-"
Riley's eyes slit thin.
"-Ahh, as if my little Aenny could be killed by a bunch of filthy Formians! Even as a tiny thing you were so spunky! I was at your first trial, do you remember that? I think I even helped you figure out how to pop off your first sku-"
YES, Aunt Olorae. You were very helpful. I am lucky to have had a strong woman like you as a role model. Riley's voice was still deadpan, but it suddenly quirked in curiosity. Does the council know what you are doing here?
Another heavy silence fell on the room, and Olorae put her hands together, regarding Riley and her 'thrall' carefully, before her smooth, dangerous answer came - directly into their minds. L'blada zhaun jal, Aen'ryllis. Riley stiffened. It was clear by the sudden change that her aunt did not like discussing these matters around her thrall - though, if Jericho really was a thrall, there wouldn't be an issue.
Which meant she knew.
"So, precious parasite, what brings you to my happy home? Your little pet can stand, if he wishes. Can he speak? I haven't heard another voice in ages.. and you don't seem very talkative yourself."
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 12:03 am
When the new voice rang out through the silence, Jericho stiffened. Outside of the fact that he didn't expect there to be a voice at all, it sounded like she was familiar with Riley... even if she was calling her something weird. Did she mistaken her as someone else?
Remaining as still as he could, he kept his eyes trained on the ground. Either way as the conversation went on, it was obvious they were in the presence of another Illithid. And she sounded like she was outright mad.
Though, apparently she wasn't quite off her rocker completely. Hearing the Drow once more, Jericho furrowed his brow. He didn't know what was said, but she did not sound very pleased. The dragon might have to try and question Riley about that later on, but right now they had to deal with a potentially powerful and mad Mindflayer. Either way she was a dangerous one for sure.
Slowly, the dragon stood up after Olorae said he could, but he didn't say anything just yet. His gaze flicked over towards Riley briefly, then to the ground. Maybe if he just acted dumb for a little while, he might be able to catch her off guard later... maybe.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 12:22 am
Riley had no way to warn Jericho, even through her expression. She remained calm as she watched the dragon stand, but remain silent, and stifled her relieved sigh. Instead, she lifted her hand and brushed it through his hair fondly, as one might stroke the fur of a pet.
Of course not. But, even mute, he makes such a handsome thrall. I am very attached to him - I might even keep him for a year or two, if he pleases me. She scritched a claw under his chin, and tried to keep a straight face.
Olorae's tentacles shrunk inward in an expression of disgust. She was a purist, and thought Riley's behavior was reckless and downright nasty. But it was also so typical of her age group - Olorae herself had thrall once, many hundreds of years ago.. he was an orc, proud and strong, and he was very good at keeping her sated. But, as with anything else, she grew out of him, and at the end he was just as delicious on the inside as he was on the outside.
"A dragon, though.. such proud creatures. One hopes he's properly trained." Olorae snickered softly, and her lithe body moved off of her throne, standing and walking in one fluid movement. Now that she was up, it was clear the woman was tall - far taller than Riley, and far more muscled. She was a full-grown mindflayer, after all. And she had come into her power at no small price.
"But you did not answer me! Why are you here? I thought I made it clear by the psychosis wards that I wanted to be left alone." Olorae bent in, glaring an inch from Riley's eyes, as if trying to read the ghoul's mind through sight alone. "Are you suuure you're not trying to lay claim on my land?"
Riley let out a soft chuckle. With myself. And one dragon. Against your army? Auntie, you must think me brainless. I'm actually here because I wanted to make a new piece of armor, and I wished to use some brightsteel. But, I see you've got the market cornered, and I have no wish to infringe..
Riley's head dipped in submission instantly, and Olorae briefly considered ripping it off. Her hands rose, but in a gesture of apathy. "Oh, you silly thing, you need only ask! I'll give you a nice chunk, I'm sure it will be enough."
Thank-
"If you give me your thrall."
... -you. Riley slapped her forehead. Of course she would want an even exchange. Of course..
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 12:32 am
Still standing pretty still, Jericho kept his eyes trained onto the ground while Riley pet his hair and eventually scratched him lightly under his chin. His eyes closed and his head lifted up slightly as he tried to play along with this whole 'pet' business. It was a little frustrating to do this and he really wanted to attack right now, but given they were in the presence of an adult mindflayer, he had to bide his time.
He did his best to not react to anything said between the two and he just tried to keep his gaze focused on the far wall like he really wasn't all there.
The dragon really wanted to let Riley know somehow to play along with the bargain for now. In theory the other Illithid shouldn't be able to hear anything he thought to Riley in specific. But earlier she said to stop speaking into her mind.
He just... needed to get close. Really close. To Olorae right about now. And hope for the best really.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 12:35 pm
There was a long, charged silence, as the two mindflayers glared at one another, tasting each other's power in the air. Finally, Olorae broke the silence with a squealing laugh.
"Just look at you. You are so much like your mother. I wish you could have met her."
Low blow. Riley's hand twitched.
In Jericho's hands, however, one of the ant drones dropped a large chunk of brightsteel before backing away quickly. "Of course you can have it, darling. You're family! Now, you will do me a favor, won't you? Tell your father I said hello, and make sure it's clear to the others that this place is mine. Once you leave, my wards will triple in strength - after all, if a little scareling like you could get through.." Olorae's hands went up. She was clearly done with fake compliments.
"Do be safe, though, won't you? I look forward to hearing good things about you." Olorae's eyes fluttered to Jericho for a moment, before returning to Riley. "Good things. Now, off you go Aenny! You and your little pet."
Thank you, Aunt Olorae. Riley was already backing up, tugging on Jericho's arm hard. Come. And be careful with that, oaf. If you drop it, I kill you. She demanded to the dragon harshly, turning and storming out.
The sound of a hissing chuckle followed them out the door.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 1:19 pm
The air was certainly tense. Jericho could tell that much. But at the very least, the other Mindflayer had retracted what she said about 'handing over the thrall'. Feeling something cold and heavy placed into his hands, he looked down and saw a pretty sizable chunk of metal there. This should be more than enough. At least that was what he hoped. He didn't want to come back here.
Jerking up as Riley tugged at his arm, he sort of stumbled along after her. That hissing chuckle he heard sent chills down his spine and his grip onto the metal tightened.
Was this it? He couldn't be certain. But right now he just kept his mouth shut until they were further away. The dragon couldn't wait to drop this whole slave role.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 6:27 pm
They were allowed to leave. The guards at the end of the stairs moved out of the way, though one of them glared angrily at Jericho, and the treasure in his hands. He didn't look happy about the gift. The other was side-glancing at Riley warily, as if it had experience with mindflayers before. He probably had.
Regardless of either creatures opinions, they both let the two pass, and up the curve of steps they went. Up, and up, for quite some time, in complete silence. None of the ants paid them any mind, this time.
Finally, they were at the top of the mountain, and Riley peered up at the night sky from the hole above them.
It still wasn't safe to speak, but she gestured up with her head, and held out her hands.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 6:54 pm
Quietly, Jericho followed Riley out of the mountain, not pausing until she had done so. Glancing to her when she gestured towards him, he looked down briefly at their prize, then handed it over to her carefully. While he was sure she could handle the weight, he still didn't want it to accidentally slip during the exchange.
There definitely seemed to be more than enough of the material to fix his gauntlet, which had him wondering what she'd do with the rest of the ore.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 6:57 pm
Riley took the metal in her hands, cradled it carefully, and secured it with a tentacle, before she turned and stood in front of him. She pressed her crossed arms against his chest, and with a slight agitation, she nudged her head upward again. She had actually meant for him to pick her up and carry her out of this hellhole, it seemed.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 7:14 pm
Pausing for the moment, Jericho nodded and carefully scooped her up into his arms. Once he had her secured, he took in a deep breath, then launched them into the air. He was more than happy to be heading home now.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 7:33 pm
She was careful. She couldn't tell how far she had to be before it was safe to talk again, but she knew there was little her aunt could do at this point, now that they were in the air, and on their way back.
The scenery did not change as they looked down on it. It seemed whatever had been affecting them, was gone - for the time being. Riley's body finally relaxed, and her callous expression softened to affection as she looked at her best friend.
We're alive. She whispered excitedly. It was more than she could have hoped for.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 8:11 pm
As he flew through the air, Jericho was relieved that the scenery hadn't shifted at all before them. Seeing Riley's demeanor shift back to normal, he glanced down at her and smiled lightly, relaxing as well. he grinned. He kept to mental speech for the time being just so it'd be a little easier to hear him while they were in mid flight,
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 8:24 pm
Sorry about.. Riley's shoulders slumped slightly, as if trying to look sheepish. It didn't quite work. You know. The whole thrall thing. She rested her head on his shoulder. You know I would never want to do that to you. Ever. Her voice had punctuation at the end, fervent in her need to make it clear. I know what your kind must think of mine - and they're right, for the most part. But I would never. Not to you, Jericho. Never to you.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 8:28 pm
Glancing down at Riley as she began to apologize, Jericho blinked at her for a moment or so before smiling softly, holding her a little more closely as they flew along. he thought quietly to her,
To emphasis that it was alright, he smiled a little more warmly towards her.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 9:30 pm
He understood. Riley could tell, and it eased her enough to close her eyes.
I'm going to rest for a bit. She murmured. If you need me..
She was gone before she could finish the sentence.
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