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 Posted: Sat May 14, 2022 5:22 pm
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Cynthia considered everything as she looked at Luna for a long moment of silence while she poured the tea and passed the cups around before finally speaking, "Actually... Since Luna seems so amenable to being useful for now... Why not set her loose?" she suggested softly then waited for a moment more before continuing.
"She can go after Vekun's 'allies'..." she looked at Luna again and offered a small smile, "You can make it a vendetta of some kind. Your changing rules are legendary, after all, so you can choose whatever reason you want for it. The only thing is that Harrow remains untouched. We have an entire clan at risk there and have to move at the right pace and time for that one. If his allies are falling one by one, he will back off on his plots and allow him to be watched more carefully. Luna's attacks can seem as if she's going after Vekun's allies due to how he treated Kam, if she so wishes..." she offered, knowing that Luna would appreciate the irony and subtlety of the new plot.
Kam gave his own grin as he added sugar and cream to Luna's tea before adding lemon to his own as he listened, "I have plenty of ammunition to use to fuel any reasons to go against Vekun's cronies. My father did like to use my... skills... whenever it was of benefit to him..." he said simply, knowing that Luna would love that as an excuse to go after anyone...
Gypsy just shook her head as she headed for the door again, "I'm just here to answer to challenges to Cynthia's authority and kill anyone she wants immediately dead. After that, I'm supposed to train the twins to fight. Admittedly, if Brianna is going to be that way, it'll be purely self-defense training. With Merrick, it'll have to be active fighting in all forms since he's the next king," she said simply then left the room to check with the guards outside the door.
Cynthia gave a soft sigh over it all and set her cup down as she looked up at Zosne, "We're going to need something for her to go at. It'll have to be public and something useful... Pick someone to antagonize into making a challenge during the next Council meeting, I think..." she said softly, knowing that Gypsy really needed something to take care of to put her in her 'happy place'...
In truth, Kam had plenty of people that Luna could go after. Vekun had been quite eager to use Kam's... skills... And he knew that Luna would be feeling rather possessive after collaring him...
Meanwhile, Brimstone was looking after the twins and watching their accelerated growth with both shock and amazement, and a little bit of terror... It was truly frightening to see it happening. Brianna was able to keep it from being painful for them, but it was still... |
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Posted: Tue May 24, 2022 6:09 pm
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Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 12:53 pm
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Zosne listened to the exchange with mild interest, there was no doubt some use to be had of having Luna going about killing but she couldn’t help but think that perhaps this was overkill, and when the question came for the level of subtlety she was very quick to respond “let’s keep this quiet, we don’t need Harrow going to ground before we can take him down, based on your information there are quite a few choice targets that would likely need to be removed that aren’t likely to spook Harrow, that said discretion is advised when dealing with any of them since we don’t need it known that you are on the warpath at the Queen’s endorsement, should the wrong person here of it, Harrow would likely here of it as well.”
Zosne had been pretty clear about how discreet Luna needed to be but whether or not that would be adhered to was up for debate, especially since she seems quite willing to unleash bloodshed so brash, but she was willing to give the benefit of the doubt and hope she did indeed heed to caution over throwing caution to the wind.
Al’gaan stood there listening giving Zosne a concerned look who in turn simply gave a slight nod before stepping closer to him and placing a hand on his shoulder and whispered in a hushed tone “relax Commander, all will be dealt with in time, focus on the task at hand for now” Al’gaan nodded “understood” he looked at Cynthia a moment before turning his attention back to Luna and Kam his resolve having been renewed he maintained a demeanor expected of a legion commander, and stood there ready to act if something went south. |
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Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 10:47 am
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Cynthia sipped at her tea as she considered it all then finally gave a small nod, "I agree with Zosne... Subtlety will win this one through," she considered Luna again then finally gave another nod and turned to Al'gaan, "Why don't you go replace Brim watching the twins? I need him in here," she requested softly.
In all honesty, Brim was the only one that could explain this one...
She looked at Luna and knew she'd made the right decision, "There's a very good reason that we're so cautious with Harrow. Brimstone can explain it better than I can. In truth, the Wolven Reapers clan is in deep trouble and all of it is because of Harrow. But we cannot act yet because of the risk of more deaths," she told her simply, hoping that she would understand it all after Brim could explain it.
She saw Zosne frown at her and shook her head, "She needs to know. Better to have her on the rampage with the full knowledge than to send her out there and inadvertently cause more harm. I don't know about you, Zosne, but I don't want her coming after me because I didn't give her all the information she needs..." she threw out in a calm tone, knowing that she was right. And she saw that on Zosne's face as well... |
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Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2022 4:52 pm
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Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2022 7:42 am
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Al’gaan nodded and went into the nursery where the twins were and spoke up in a light tone “Brimstone, the Queen has need of your presence, I am here to take over” Al’gaan shifted taking on his demon form immediately, and resting his secondary hands by his side while he crossed his primary arms and just leaned up against the wall well within the room and every angle within his sight, and just watched as brimstone for a moment before he kept his focus on the kids and watched them rest.
While they waited for Brimstone to come in Zosne spoke up with a deep sigh “unfortunately, too much I’m afraid. There is much going on and even more information that is relevant that is required to be passed on to you that’ll need to be understood before you leave this room, mind you none of this information goes beyond current company, there are few even within my own legions that fully know the particulars of what is about to be told to you, and only one person who would likely do you justice in explaining it in a way that doesn’t give you a headache just trying to fully grasp it all” Zosne paused when Brimstone came in and grinned “and here is the one who will do just that” Zosne snapped a finger getting the attention of everyone not visible and spoke with authority “security is dismissed until summoned again, return to Barracks and standby” immediately shadows shifted slightly as four war demons from Zosne’s own legion came out of the shadows and left the room in a timely order none hesitation nor questioning her order, and once they were gone and the door closed did she look at Brim “Brim dear, would you be so kind as to bring our guests up to speed on the particulars that are currently at a need to know basis” she stood back close to the door to the nursery, seeing formalities being no longer necessary she shifted forms and casually rested her secondar hands up against the wall while she crossed her primary arms, tapping the wall lightly enough to attract Al’gaan attention who in turn responded in kind and grinned as she knew him to well what he was doing and decided this time she would allow it, considering he had as much need to know at this point what was going on as anyone in the legion. |
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Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2022 6:28 pm
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Kam gave a nod to Luna, "I can easily give you some names that no one would miss. I will admit that there were a few in there that I actually liked, so we can leave them be. But there are plenty in there that I would have no problem giving up to you," he assured her and got her a pastry from the tea tray then sat back for the rest of the show.
Cynthia finished her cup of tea and sat back as Brimstone entered the room. He made himself a cup of the tea and took a heavy drink of it before he started talking. Seeing what the twins were doing had shaken him a bit...
"First, I think the twins will be fully grown by the end of the week and seeing it in action is very disturbing..." he started, taking another sip from his cup and silently wishing that it was something stronger.
Then he looked at Luna and Kam, giving him a nod since they knew each other, "Hey Kam... Well then... Let's start with my particular clan. The Wolven Reapers. Ever since we started, we've been Martriarchal. When the Council started up, our leader became Baroness. She's always our leader, passed from mother to daughter, aunt to niece... The last one was my mother and when she died it should have passed to my sister, Tempest. But she was too young, so my uncle Harrow was appointed as her regent until she came of age. But once he was in power, he started changing things..." he began the explaination then began to pace as he continued.
"At first it was small things that no one would notice, then it got progressively worse as time passed. Now... My sister have been isolated from each other for the last several years. He has assassins in place to take me out if she doesn't do as he says, and one to take her if I don't do as he wants. No female of any age has any rights anymore. They can be married off at any age to whoever her father chooses for her. All the males are isolated from their mothers as soon as they are weaned and are taught Harrow's ideals from that young until they believe it like gospel.
"I don't know every law he's put into place, there are things I can't access no matter how hard I've tried. But thanks to Cynthia and Zosne, we've been pooling evidence on everything he's done. There's just one problem to it all... If we take him out now, we have to deal with all the males in the clan that he's brainwashed. We have to have the evidence and take him down in Council. Then we have the full weight and support of all the other clans to clean it up and we'll be able to do it without anyone else dying," he paused there and looked at Kam, knowing that he'd understand the full problem.
Kam frowned then looked up at the male, "How many have died so far?" he asked softly, knowing that Luna would see the whole thing easily from that answer.
Brim gave a heavy sigh and sat down heavily in a chair with a hand to his head, "I do have those numbers, actually... We've lost fifty thousand in the last ten years... They're listed as accidents or raids... But the truth is that they're all suicides... Mostly females between the ages of ten and sixteen... A few are older... But..." he paused there, not sure what else to say.
Kam looked at Luna and knew she'd understand the need for caution...
Cynthia looked at Brimstone and offered him a small smile, "Your sister should be here by tomorrow. We sent a full escort for her. She's already slated to start training with Gypsy and Zosne has arranged a detail for her protection while she's here," she assured him, knowing that he'd appreciate the knowledge that his sister would be safe.
Now, though... The ball was in Luna's court... |
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2022 11:38 am
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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2022 12:55 am
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Cynthia gave a nod to Luna, "I fully understand and even share your sentiments on the whole thing. When Brimstone first told me about it Lareth had to tie me to the bed to keep me from going after the b*****d. Once he explained the problems to me I understood the need for caution. Still, each day that passes makes it a little more difficult for me. As it is, I'm still considering throwing in a few things to make Harrow's life a little more... interesting..." she said calmly, though her last statement had Zosne and Brimstone giving her a concerned frown.
Few knew of Cynthia's abilities as a sorceress, and even fewer remembered the bloody rampage she'd gone on so long ago. Zosne and Al'gaan would actually remember the time when Cynthia nearly wiped out three demonic families. Brimstone had done the research and knew that Cynthia had actually killed off one entire clan. Hence, her previous death sentence...
For her to be sitting there so calmly with everything that had happened Well... Luna might be able to pick up on a little bit of Cynthia's potential instability, however controlled it may be for now.
The unrest in the realm thanks to Harrow's plots, the plots Goh had in place that they didn't know about yet, the deaths among the Drow, the forced growth of her children, and the death of the only person she'd given her full heart to... Honestly, it was a miracle she hadn't blown up the castle so far...
In truth, Cynthia understood Luna better than everyone else in the building. After all, Cynthia had once been evil enough that even Luna wouldn't have crossed her. Especially with as powerful as Cynthia was. She could literally obliterate someone with a careless flick of a finger if she chose to.
Right now, she was very carefully controlling everything so that she didn't go on her own bloody rampage. At least, not until the twins were old enough and trained enough to take over... Then? Well... Time would tell...
There was a knock at the door and Gypsy stepped inside with a note, "So far, Allistair has shown up with Dev. Dev assured the guard that Allistair is holding his temporary leash, so no bloodbath from that one for now. Allistair said he'd take the council seat you offered. Hope you've got a good title for it. Harrow is still sniffing around. I may growl at him in a bit," she explained calmly, then looked at Brimstone.
"Oh, and you're sister's escort just pulled into the courtyard. Her rooms are right next to the queens, so if someone has something else to distract the b*****d so I don't prematurely separate his head from his shoulders, you might want to act now," she said simply then headed back outside.
Cynthia gave a soft sigh and looked up at Zosne, "Pick someone for her to challenge. Please. Combat is her go-to happy-place," she instructed, knowing that Zosne would likely have the perfect candidate for that one. Especially with how many of the council members kept pressing to get Gypsy married off.
Then she looked at Brimstone, "Brim, go greet your sister and escort her up. I'll meet with her after she's had a chance to settle in and rest a bit," she told him, giving a soft smile when the half-incubus simply bolted to do just that.
She then looked at Kam and Luna with a teasing glint in her soft green eyes, "Why don't you two give Harrow a tease on your way out? I'm sure Kam has someone in the castle you two can pick on for now. That should keep him distracted while Brimstone moves Tempest into her rooms," she suggested simply as she set her cup down and moved to check on the twins.
She placed a hand on Al'gaan's arm briefly then moved over to check on their progress, finding that Brimstone's estimate was correct, "Al'gaan... Would you team up with Khaza to change out their beds? The twin size beds in storage will do for now. They've about outgrown the cribs now," she said softly, knowing that she didn't dare say it louder or she'd start having a meltdown over what was happening to her children....
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Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2022 3:13 am
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Cynthia moved back into the nursery as the two males started working on the beds, helping them where she could. Her biggest part of helping was moving the twins. She kept watch on them and instantly thought that Brim's estimation was going to fall very short of the mark...
When they were finished, she looked at Al'gaan and shook her head, "It won't be a week... It's going to be a couple of days... Would you and Khaza go and let Zosne know? I need to rest and so do the twins. They'll be hungry when they wake up and will need to start through the first stage of their training. She'll need to get that prepared. Put guards you trust on the door," she told them, knowing that she and the twins needed some time alone.
She knew that they couldn't have much time, but she was hoping for a little bit for now. Plus, she needed to help the twins as much as she could and she didn't want anyone to see it....
She was grateful that they didn't argue with her. She nodded as they bowed and left then turned her attention to the twins. She moved to them, her hands surrounded by a hint of emerald power as she reached out to touch their heads gently. She was giving them everything that she could for now. She wished she could give them more.
Hours later, she fell asleep in her bed, the nursery under protection and the most trusted guards on the door.... |
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2023 9:32 pm
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Cynthia had been preparing for the meeting with Allistair and Dev while also seeing to helping the twins wherever she could. She had already set the spells in place to help them with their education so that they wouldn't have to worry about that. But she'd been thankful that Zosne and Al'gaan had been prepared for helping with the physical strains on the twins' young bodies as they went through the accelerated aging process.
Whatever Brianna had planned for herself and her brother, Cynthia didn't know. But she hoped that it would be worth it...
Right now, they were resting. Currently appearing to be about early teens. She was guessing that they'd reach full growth in just a couple of more days. The rest of the trusted staff in her rooms had taken binding oaths of silence over this one, so no one would know about it until they were ready to announce it.
Of course, that also meant starting the preparations for Merrick to pass the Trials... He had to take on anyone that wanted the throne in full combat. It would be held at the Fort, as it had since the first High King took the throne. She was also going to have to see about Merrick's armor as well as his training. If she guessed right, Lareth's armor and clothes should fit him when he was grown. Which would make things even more interesting as time passed...
She had used her magic to set up two rooms attached to her own for the twins until they were ready for their own elsewhere in the castle. For now, these rooms would keep them here and safe while they finished growing.
For the moment, she was setting up a meal in the sitting room. Everything had been made by her personal chef and delivered by one of Zosne's guards, so the food was safe. She was wondering what Allistair would think of what she was planning for him... Well, she knew Dev would like it...
She moved into her room to finish getting dressed: dress in marbled emerald and black that hugged her upper body and waist then flared down to her ankles, suede boots in a rich brown, her hair braided and partially coiled around her head. The only jewelry she wore were her wedding ring with the large emerald stone Lareth had chosen for her, the emerald pendant necklace he'd given her for their last anniversary, and a very plain gold coronet that was braided into her hair.
She was going rather simple for this meeting, but she usually preferred simple.
That done, she moved back own to the siting room and checked on the meal before issuing the final instructions to the servants then simply waited for her guests... |
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Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2023 2:47 am
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Cynthia got to her feet as the door was opened and had to smile at the familiar grin on Dev's face as he crossed to give her a hug. He held her for a moment then pulled back to look at her face before giving a simple nod and crossed to drop lazily into a chair, "Cynthia, meet Allistair. He's holding my leash and has promised to keep me behaved," he started the introductions then had to grin again, "Well... Mostly behaved..." he couldn't resist that one...
Cynthia held her hand out to Allistair with a regal nod of her head, "Baron Allistair..." she said simply, giving him his new title as a council member.
Dev grinned again, "Allistair, meet Cynthia. Current Queen of the Demons, Regent for Merrick until he comes of age to take the Trials, Immortal Human, Sorceress, and the only person to ever tame the late king..." he finished the introduction and smiled when he saw Cynthia give a brief blush for the last bit. Her relationship with Lareth had been the subject of no less than six new songs, two plays, three sagas, and over two hundred jokes.
However, he hadn't said anything wrong...
She simply gestured to the seating and took her own seat and gestured for her maid to serve the meal then leave. She didn't say anything until they were alone, "Allistair, I hope you're open to being used a bit. I need someone in the council meetings that I can trust completely. I also need someone that can..." she hesitated there, not sure how to phrase it exactly...
She was a vision of grace and poise as she sat there eating and having a conversation with them. But Dev had been the one to see just how close to the edge she was. They'd had a few very long conversations a very long time ago where she'd been very honest with him about what she could do. So he knew that she was even more dangerous than any demon alive....
Dev tilted his head at her with a frown, "How open do you want him to be? Do you want to just stir things up a bit? Or do you want to throw them into chaos?" he asked simply, knowing that Allistair would catch on quick to this one, "And which Barony are you giving him?" he added, having a feeling that bit of information would be important here.
Cynthia gave a nod, knowing that Dev was right, "You're right, of course... If it's amenable to you, Allistair... I'd like to give you the Barrows Estate and the Baronial seat that comes with it. The current holders of that estate and title have been... Well... Let's just say that they met with an unlucky fate..." she said simply there then simply moved on, "You can populate the estate however you wish, although I should point out that the Shadow Reaper Clan are currently looking for a new home," she did point out an entire clan that was just as loyal to the royal family as Allistair's family and Ash's family. They just didn't have a current home. There were two of them on Merrick's protection detail right now.
"As for the rest..." she hesitated to take a drink from her wine glass then focused her clear green eyes on the demon sitting next to the tiger, "That would depend on how open you're willing to be... And how ruthless..." she stopped there, not wanting to push him past his comfort zone... But... Well... It was in his hands now.... |
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Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2023 10:33 am
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Allistair
Allistair gave a polite and perhaps somewhat over-exaggerated bow as Dev introduced him to Cynthia and he heard her address him by the title of Baron. He gave a chuckle when he heard Dev's introduction for Cynthia and saw her blush at the last bit of what he'd said.
He immediately moved over to take his seat when Cynthia gestured towards it. He gave a polite nod towards the maid and then fixed his gaze on Cynthia when he heard her starting to speak. He took a sip from his wine glass and then gave a simple nod. "I am open to being used if that is what you need from me," he stated simply. "In the right circumstances, perhaps I can even enjoy it."
He grinned when Dev started to ask several important questions before he could, finding it amusing that his pet had leapt into things so quickly. He hadn't anticipated that the other male would be so quick to chime in on such matters on his behalf. He kept his attention on Cynthia, though he made a mental note to properly reward Dev later.
He contemplated Cynthia's words about the estate and Baronial seat that she was offering to him, intrigued by her brief mention of the previous holders of the estate and title meeting with an unlucky fate. He immediately picked up on her intentions when she said that he could populate the estate however he wished but then immediately mentioned an extremely loyal clan of demons that could use a home. He knew that she wouldn't stop him from choosing anyone else, but it would be advantageous to choose a clan that was loyal to the royal family.
He took a few more sips of his wine and then leaned forward a bit, using shadows to conjure a pen and paper as he did so. The pen instantly started to move across the paper on its own, quickly writing out a message as Allistair looked over the queen. "My time away has done nothing to shift my loyalties. I am loyal to those who are best for the Demon Realm. For the longest time, that has been the royal family. That hasn't changed, so neither has my stance. I am loyal to you and your children, my Queen. I have no doubt that you will rule the realm in a way that will be best for the most people possible, unlike the fools who decided to make a ridiculous and selfish power play by murdering Lareth and so many others. So I am happy to be as open and ruthless as you require. Simply tell me what needs to be done, and I assure you that I will do everything within my power to ensure that it is done."
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