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 Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 6:46 pm
This is a private role-play between Nymphalidae (Calixita) and Asmodeus (Calixita), plus Hródolf and Malphas the familiars.Note: Nymphalidae is maxed out.
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 6:49 pm
It had only been a few days since she had given birth; two foals, too early to tell what genders they were, too early to see if they possessed the traits of Kalona. They now rested warmly in their baskets, colors seeping into the fibers, a mix of herself and Hallow's Bane. There would always be a piece of him in them, no matter how far Nymphalidae ran. She'd always be reminded of him when she looked at her foals, her proteges, the first steps in her efforts to purify her bloodline. The only thing she wanted to see in them were the traits of a Kalona; as long as that were true, she could handle anything else. She snorted, a puff of cloudy air in front of her nose from the cold chill of the night, and delicately picked up one of the baskets as she stepped out of the temporary hideaway they had taken shelter in. She'd seen the signs from Asmodeus -- just as he had promised, he'd kept her in his sights -- and now it was time for her to leave with her prizes.
But how would she carry both of them? Hródolf had not returned yet, but she doubted the wolf would be able to carry a basket; strong enough to pick up, maybe, but the bulky size would not be easy to carry. She struggled enough with holding one in her teeth, and it was unclear if the basket was strong enough to survive such a journey like this. Nymphalidae had made certain that Bane was able to obtain strong, sturdy baskets, sending him out multiple times until she finally approved of his findings, but now that she held the basket and felt the weight of it with a foal inside, she had her doubts.
She may very well be forced to leave one behind. Transporting them aside, there would be more trouble if they awoke Hallow's Bane from his sleep.
A shadow peeled away from the forest around them and approached Nymphalidae, its head bowed, and when Hródolf met her eyes Nymphalidae knew it was time to go. Her heart hammered in her chest, but she wouldn't admit that her excitement was mixed with fear. There was no time or room for doubts. This was the right decision. Hallow's Bane was strong, yes, but certainly Asmodeus was stronger, wasn't he? His blood was pure and Bane's was not, it was no question. She and the Kalona would be a far better match than whatever fleeting tryst she'd had with the demon.
Nymphalidae turned her head to look back at the sleeping stallion and the basket she had to leave behind. She'd only meant to spare a glance, just one more look, but her eyes lingered for longer than she'd intended to, and when Hródolf rubbed against her leg she snapped her attention back to the waiting wolf. She gave him a short, careful nod, and Hródolf began to lead the way out of the forest and away from her demon.
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:22 pm
Hródolf dutifully led the way through the forest, making sure his mistress didn't fall behind. He knew better to underestimate her, but she'd only recently gone through labor, and he'd learned to read between the lines of her standoffish attitude, able to anticipate her needs before she realized what she herself needed. It was because of this that he cursed himself for obeying her orders instead of her heart; he was never meant to become truly bonded to her. This was an assignment from his true master, Asmodeus; it was all meant to be an act. But the pull had been there from the very beginning, hadn't it? Hródolf had felt it from the first moment they met. He was never meant to follow Asmodeus. He was surprised the stallion hadn't known that he was sending Hródolf away to spy on a mare he would become bonded to. He was so powerful; how could he not have? Hródolf could not help the feeling of betrayal with each careful step he took, leading Nympalidae into a trap. He almost wished he didn't know what the plan was. It would be so much easier. Say something, he thought. Someone will be betrayed regardless. Do you want it to be Asmodeus or Nymphalidae? Just... say somthing. He slowed down to a trot before eventually stopping altogether, just short of the meeting spot he'd arranged with Malphas. Maybe it wasn't too late to warn her, and he turned to look up at the irritated expression on his bonded's face.
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:34 pm
If only Nymphalidae hadn't spoken, demanding to know why they'd stopped, then maybe they could have returned without alerting the bat, warning Hallow's Bane of the trap and made their escape. But Malphas heard every word, ears twitching as he picked up on each sound that came from Nympahlide's mouth. They didn't seem to be getting any closer, though, so Malphas spread his wings and swooped down from the tree he'd been perching on to meet them. He couldn't hold back a snicker as she saw the expression of delighted recognition cross the mare's face. Fool! What a foolish mare! Oh, she had no idea. This was going to be so much fun to see! Master would wipe that look right off her face, tear it straight off -- maybe literally! "Hey, what you stopping for? This way, this way! Don't want to keep the master waiting, do we? He's a busy stallion, you know, important things to do. Mustn't go wastin' his time."
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 8:12 pm
Nymphalidae was a little surprised to see that they'd met up with Malphas so soon; they were far enough away from the den by now that any sounds they made wouldn't be heard by the one she'd left behind, but it was still so close. Did that mean Asmodeus was near, too? Would she truly be seeing him again tonight? She had expected a journey of a few days, at least, but maybe he was concerned about her traveling alone in her condition. It would be safer for both her and the foal if they were accompanied by someone who was at full strength. A part of her recoiled at the act of pity -- he was underestimating her strength! -- but the rest of her felt a sudden thrill buzz through her veins, excitement giving her the energy she didn't think she had. This union is what Nymphalidae had striven for her whole life, ever since she learned of the weakness of impure creatures. Her father, her grandfather, her mother... she would never understand why they had been so willing to mix blood and taint their own children in such a way it felt like a curse. What kind of proud Kalona couldn't fly, had such fragile wings?
But it would all be fixed now. Asmodeus was the start to triggering the purification Nymphalidae so desperately wanted. Her children would be stronger than herself and, in time, when her children have had children and so forth, the blood of lessers would no longer run through her family's veins. She couldn't remember why she felt doubt that leaving was the right choice, anymore. She stood up a little taller and held her head up high as she nodded. "Of course. I'm sure Asmodeus is looking forward to our meeting. I certainly wouldn't want to deny him that," she declared with confidence, then dipped her head back down to pick up the basket.
The three of them trudged on, and Nymphalidae kept her eyes straight ahead; there was no reason to look back, to observe the world around her. It had nothing to offer her that could tempt her more than Asmodeus. She didn't notice, then, the way that Hródolf slunk along behind them, head low, ears pressed back, tail tucked between his legs in shame, too cowardly to speak up again. Even if he warned her now, they'd be hunted for the rest of their lives. Asmodeus wouldn't let his prizes go so easily, and Hródolf was sure Malphas wouldn't betray their master, either. They stopped ever so often to rest, refresh themselves in a small stream or puddle briefly before carrying on as Nymphalidae's insistence. She could rest once she was reunited with Asmodeus again. Once everything was perfect. The trees around them began to thin out as they neared the edge, and faintly Nymphalidae thought she could hear the sound of rushing water in the distance.
It seemed as though one moment they were in the forest and in the next, a field; the land before her was bare of trees, and dry, yellowed grass swayed in the wind, and there was more light to see from the moon now that nothing was blocking it. She flexed her wings and stretched her legs, glad to have the wide open space, and she watched as Malphas dove down to land on the ground. Nymphalidae blinked at set down the basket, appreciative of the temporary reprieve of carrying it. "Is this the place?" she asked, looking around, but there was no one else in sight; just an empty field which ended abruptly into a canyon a few yards away, and when Nymphalidae lilted her head and listened closely, she could tell that's where the sound of water was coming from, so far below.
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 8:27 pm
Hródolf stood anxiously by, knowing their master was watching them. He'd chosen a perfect place, too; the canyon's edge curved around toward them. Less room for Nymphalidae to flee if she caught on too soon. Asmodeus would be able to trap her easily and make the sacrifice, and at that thought Hródolf's blood ran cold. Why hadn't he said something? At least if they were stalked for the rest of their lives, they'd both still be living. But here, in this place, he'd willingly led her to her death. He choked back a soft whine that threatened to escape his chest, eyes darting around with growing anxiety. Was he going to strike immediately? Make her death fast? Or would he toy with her first, give her time to realize -- maybe there was still a chance to escape. His mistress didn't always have to rely on her strength to win a battle; she was clever, too. "It's," he began, nothing more as a whisper as he cut off his words, trembling. He had no fear of protecting his mistress from anything else, but Asmodeus truly terrified him. "It's a trap," he finally managed, but his words were still too quiet for Nymphalidae to understand. "It's a trap," he whispered again, harsher, and this time Nymphalidae turned to look at him, confused, clearly having heard him make a sound but not his words. He'd caught Malphas' attention now, too, and the bat was looking at him as though he was going to devour him whole.
Hródolf wasn't afraid of the bat, though. He was, however, afraid of the shadow that suddenly loomed over him.
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 9:05 pm
Asmodeus hadn't taken his chances; although he trusted Malphas, there was no telling if the mare had been followed during their journey, and so he waited in the safety of the shadows of the forest, watching silently as the three of them waited for him to make his presence known. The behavior of each of them did not miss his attention; Malphas, eager as always. Nymphalidae, the stupid mare, so confident in herself to think that a pureblooded Kalona would choose her. The sheer audacity made him scoff; how delusional was she that she believed all his lies so easily? It was hardly a challenge to trick the mare at all. His eyes fell to the basket near her feet, then, and he was eager to see what was inside, if what the mare told him was true; that she'd mated with a demon. He wanted that power for himself, and he was not about to share it with useless sacks of meat like her. After waiting for so long, it would finally be his. The greedy expression on his face slipped into a cool smile and he stepped out into the field, his shadow falling over the wolf he'd sent to watch over Nymphalidae. Close enough to hear him whisper words of warning, and the smile fell from his face into a cold, hard glare.
Hródolf stood frozen in fear as he looked up at Asmodeus, and the two stared at each other for several seconds, each unmoving, the wolf too petrified in fear to run. He wasn't sure if he could, anyway; it would mean leaving Nymphalidae behind. After a moment, the smile was back on Asmodeus' face and his attention was turned toward Nymphalidae. His tail lashed out to knock Hródolf aside as he approached the mare, beginning to circle her to distract her. "Ah, at last we meet again, my beautiful mare," Asmodeus all but purred the words, watching as Nymphalidae clung to each one, turning her body to keep eye contact with him in rapt attention. "You did well, waiting for my signal. I'm sure you were eager to leave, but the time had to be right, of course. You understand, don't you?"
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:38 pm
Nymphalidae didn't understand what the standoff between Asmodeus and Hródolf was about, but she couldn't help frowning with displeasure at the way the kalona treated her wolf. He had no right to do that; the wolf had been a gift to her, belonged to her. Hródolf had done nothing to deserve that. "Yes, I..." she blinked and turned her gaze away from her wolf to look at Asmodeus, following his movements with her eyes. "Yes. Of course I understand." Asmodeus was so close to her now it was difficult to remember what she had been unhappy about not moments before. It wasn't as though he had injured Hródolf, after all, and he was just a wolf. And now that they were going to become mates, they were going to share everything, too; Hródolf wasn't really just hers anymore. He was theirs. If Asmodeus saw fit that the wolf deserved mistreatment, then she would trust his judgement. What had Hródolf been thinking, anyway, daring to meet the eyes of his master? Nymphalidae felt her body relax again, slipping into an easy smile; she'd been waiting for this day for so long, and it was finally, finally here.
"But the wait doesn't matter now. We are finally together, as we should be, and I am once again at my full potential. No one will be able to stop us," she all but purred, moving up closer to Asmodeus to feel the warmth of his body near hers. "Together, we'll be unstoppable. No one will dare cross us when they learn of our strength. Fate brought us together, and I believe it is fate that our children will be strong Kalona. I have no doubt that your... virility will make sure of that."
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Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 10:07 pm
The proximity of the mare made Asmodeus' skin crawl; how dare she approach him with such familiarity? He wanted to rend into her, feel her arterial spray spray drip down his muzzle, watch her bleed out and then bathe in it. He clenched his teeth together tightly to restrain himself -- all in due time. He would have his prize soon. He elected to ignore Nymphalidae's comments, offering nothing more than a strained smile before he turned his gaze to the basket she had brought with her. Yes, this is what he came here for; he could hardly wait for the thing inside to emerge, to find out what kind of power the child of a demon could posses, however weakened by it's mother's blood -- and how he could use it for his own gain. Still, though... only one? He lowered his nose to sniff at the basket, but the scent wasn't anything extraordinary. Although the scent of the father lingered there, it still smelled too much like it's mother for Asmodeus' taste. He looked back to Nymphalidae, leveling her with a curious stare. "This must be the child you bore for your demon lover, is it? Tell me -- did the foal inside display any form of power to speak of as it was moved to the basket? Any unique features?" he asked, pressing her for information.
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Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 10:50 pm
Nymphalidae recoiled a little and blinked at the stallion, startled by the abrupt change of subject -- foal? What? Oh, that's right -- the basket she brought with her after leaving Hallows. She looked down at the basket, watching as Asmodeus investigated it, surprised that he was showing such interest when the foal inside would undoubtedly not be a Kalona. Why would he even care? "No, I hadn't noticed anything of interest. Both foals merely looked pale, featureless -- I could not even tell their genders." It was the truth; delirious though she had been from labor, she had been determined to get a look at her children before they were sealed away in baskets to continue growing. No wings, not even horns to speak of -- she had never seen a foal so young and underdeveloped before. Surely they would grow in time; they wouldn't be so... plain. She had to know, though. "Why?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:38 am
Asmodeus' eyes flicked back up away from the basket to look at the mare, a slow smile spreading across his muzzle. "No need to sound so suspicious, little one. I'm merely curious; it's not often you get to see the spawn of a demon, is it?" his words were like silk, purred from his throat as he moved closer to Nymphalidae again, rubbing up against her side and curling his tail around one of her hind legs. It was a shame there were no noticeable features upon it's birth, but he supposed that was to be expected. At least he would be the one to watch it grow, to teach it how to harness whatever powers it was gifted with, and to obey only him. "I cannot help but notice you mentioned there were two foals... what happened to the other one? Did you drop it on your way here?" He already knew that she hadn't; Malphas would have told him as such if it had. "Or... did you only escape with one?" he tsked, the curl of his tail around her leg tightening it's hold, smiling wider when the mare flinched. "Here I thought you were supposed to be strong," he whispered into her ear, words venomous.
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Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:48 am
The tight curl of Asmodeus' tail around her leg made Nymphalidae flinch and try to pull away without catching on the spikes at the end, but the hold was too strong, and suddenly she found herself wondering if this had been such a good idea after all. She stared straight ahead when the Kalona whispered into her ear, the veil of his trickery over her slowly lifting, and she swallowed thickly as she tried to pull her leg away again, a little harder this time. She ignored his taunting. "Let me go," she said instead, growling low in her chest and yanked her leg this time, pulling it free from the grip of his tail. She was on guard now, unsure of Asmodeus' intentions, wondering why he'd seemed to have a sudden change of heart. Why did he care so much that she only got away with one basket? What did it matter? They were supposed to make a family of their own -- with strong foals. "You think I will allow you to insult me, just because you are Kalona? You think I am weak, when I have slaughtered a whole herd, claimed their lands as my own? You underestimate me. I am strong, and my foals -- they don't matter, not with the plans you and I have made! Will we not rule the world with our strength? Strike fear into the hearts of lesser beings, just by our names alone?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:55 am
Hródolf couldn't take it anymore. It was clear Asmodeus no longer cared about his facade; he was done, ready to kill and take what he wanted, and now Hródolf would either watch Nymphalidae die or -- or -- or he could do something. He had to. With a growl, the wolf leapt forward to stand beside Nymphalidae, his ears flattened back against his head as he bared his teeth at Asmodeus. He could feel his body trembling, although he wasn't sure if it was out of fear or the exhilaration of finally, finally standing up to Asmodeus -- in all likelihood, it was a little of both. But he couldn't back down now. "Mistress, it is a trick -- he only wants your foals, he wants their power to himself! He never wanted you, he will not stand by your side -- but I will. I -- I will fight with you, and I will die for you." He looked up defiantly, straight into Asmodeus' eyes. "I don't serve you anymore. She is my true bonded."
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Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 1:05 am
Asmodeus was surprised by Hródolf's betrayal, but the wolf's attempt at bravery and defiance only made him throw his head back and laugh, long and loud. Did he think himself frightening? Did he think he could make a difference now, when he had the mare alone and her basket right here to the taking? His grin was wide and toothy when he looked at the pair standing tall and proud before him. Oh, great Kalona, it was truly amusing what these lesser, impure beings thought themselves capable of. "Oh, dear Hródolf, it is far too late now. Even if you escape alive, how could she ever want you? All this time, you kept an eye on her for me, reported everything to Malphas -- you did your job to the letter, just as always." He looked directly at Nymphalidae, his gaze turning hard and cold. "Or maybe she would. She is a fool, after all. She believed herself worthy to mate with a Kalona. She believed I would lower myself to her level, that she actually had something to offer me. Did you, Nymphalidae? Did you think yourself worthy, special?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 1:24 am
Nymphalidae felt her whole body go cold, frozen in place as she tried to comprehend what was happening. It was too much; how could she have been so blind? How had Asmodeus tricked her so easily... or that Hródolf had been betraying her this whole time, and she never noticed? Nymphalidae had never felt so foolish in her entire life; it was almost enough to distract her from the imminent threat before her. She shook herself out of her stunned daze, focusing entirely on Asmodeus; she didn't care what Hródolf did. If she wanted to die for her, fine. But this was her fight. She had been the one who was used, so she would be the one that ended this. The humiliation she felt was slowly dissolving into fury. "And you think I will bow to you now, allow you to walk away with MY foal?" she snarled, her words vicious now, no longer awe-filled as they had been when she had been under Asmodeus' spell.
She should have never believed Asmodeus. She should have never run away from Hallow's Bane, should have never accepted the Kalona's gift of Hródolf. It was all too clear now what the debt Asmodeus wanted in return; her foals, with demon blood running through her veins. He never cared about her, not even once; she knew now that he would have killed her on the spot had she not mentioned she was carrying the foals of a demon. She should have noticed.
But Asmodeus was right; it was too late. She could only face what was in front of her now and deal with what was coming. But she wouldn't wait for it -- Nymphalidae dug her hooves into the ground and charged.
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