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Post by Venus on Oct 24, 2009 17:16:56 GMT -5
Rafael pushed away from the table he was leaning against, taking a step towards the arguing pair and the injured Aleiko.
"Now, now." Both hands rose up, palms flat and claws glinting to match his placative tone - but it was deception, made clear by the distinct chill to his glittering smile. "We can't be having too many arguments, hm? I'll leave it to the two of you to resolve this litte... conflict on your own time." He paid no mind to Aleiko's injuries as he turned to the young dragon, smile fading to something more deadly.
"As for you... I hope you understand what is expected here. I will not stand for anything but total loyalty if you want the chance to see the sun again. Not to mention your friends." The smile returned, twisted and sadistic. "We'll see what becomes of you. Time will tell."
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Post by Fury on Nov 8, 2009 11:57:42 GMT -5
Aleiko trembled beneath the icy gaze. He had a churning feeling in the pit of his stomach that made him have to focus very hard to avoid vomiting up the birds he had eaten for breakfast. The sadistic nature of Rafael was not something he was used to to say the least. After all, Tiamat was a patient teacher who treated him more like a son than a student. She did the same for Aisling who was always there for him to lean on. Never before had he missed them both so much.
If you want to see the sun again.... That sentence echoed in his mind. Time will tell... The uncertainty of the moment was what really got to him. He didn't know what was going to become of him, but Lei was sure it wasn't going to be good especially if Rafael's own forces reacted to each other this way. How could he hope to be saved if even those working together tried to kill each other? He felt a sense of foreboding deep down inside.
Blood still ran thickly down his face. Neraika smirked in satisfaction, licking the red liquid from her talons with a high air of victory surrounding her. She needed something to take her violence out on and Lei had just happened to be the perfect outlet. Poor fellow.
"I apologize, Lord Rafael," she replied after she was done cleaning up her claws.
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Post by Venus on Nov 8, 2009 12:06:49 GMT -5
Rafael tilted his head in half-acknowledgement, turning on his heel to face the spread of tabletop sitting behind him. On it, an array of unfurled scrolls, wet ink glittering. Tail curling lazily from left to right, the dragon leaned forward slightly to examine them from beneath his hanging feathers.
"Now. It is perfectly obvious that Aleiko's little group of friends," He snorted disdainfully. "... will be making every attempt to wrestle him back from us. The mage and the eastern will undoubtably work together with the other apprentice and little Venus. The assassin is less predictable, but he will likely do the same if he knows what's good for him." Rafael chuckled darkly, running one claw over a line a script and tapping once before turning back to face the assembled group. The beginnings of a plan glittered in his eyes.
"So, why don't we show them that their precious Aleiko came to us willingly, hm?"
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Post by Fury on Nov 8, 2009 12:29:34 GMT -5
Aleiko's spine literally caught such a shiver that his entire body trembled. How did they plan to prove to his friends he came willingly? He feared the result and rightly so. Especially as Neraika let out a cackling laugh and clenched her claws coldly at the air as if she were choking something or someone.
"Sounds excellent. However I have to ask, how do you plan on doing so? Surely you're not going to just tell the little imps that he came with us on his own accord? You'll be proving it to them." The hissing behind Neraika's tone spoke so much of malice and was so full of venom that Lei felt his heart skip a beat.
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Post by Venus on Nov 8, 2009 12:46:13 GMT -5
Akachi's proud bearing melted into a smile, triumphant and cunning.
"Brainwashing, my lord?"
Rafael lifted one shoulder, tail tip twitching as his grin grew, half-crazed.
"Oh yes. If they believe him to stand with me from the beginning, I doubt their motivation for rescuing him will remain intact for long. Particularly the trio; from memory, they have little tolerance for betrayal."
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Post by Fury on Nov 8, 2009 12:57:28 GMT -5
Neraika paused then calmly and quite coyly slipped in her own comment. "I have something better. What if we let him see what he's doing, eh? What if we make him a puppet instead of just a brainwashed mindless drone?"
That was enough for Aleiko. Spirits started to float around the room in small motes as he drew them to himself. Hopefully with their assistance he could escape. He had to get out of here! Still he hadn't been expecting such a quick response.
Before he could even move or properly gather the spirits for the teleport, Neraika's eyes flashed. He found himself falling to the floor with his joints locked. The spirits- as if confused- swirled around for a moment or two then were gone. She snarled. "What did we tell you about respect?"
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Post by Venus on Nov 8, 2009 13:13:19 GMT -5
Rafael toyed with one talon, the haze of dark power surrounding it fading away as Neraika dealt wiith Aleiko's little escape attempt. The raven crested dragon stepped forwards, stooped down to settle at eye level. His smile turned cruel, voice silky.
"I was going to be merciful, Aleiko. I was going to block you off from memory and sight and free will so you didn't have to experience your treachery, if only thanks to your cooperation." A look of mournful disappointment played across his face. It looked wrong. "But it seems that you let me down again. And so, you will be punished."
He stood abruptly.
"Neraika, your suggestion is of interest to me. Begin preparation for paying those poor unfortunates a visit. Akachi-" Rafael glanced over his shoulder, and the other lieutenant stood to attention. "You will track the assassin. Try not to get yourself killed, hm? Lich, I have a number of new acquisitions I need to introduce you to."
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Post by Fury on Nov 8, 2009 14:34:17 GMT -5
Neraika nodded. She kept her gaze fixated on Lei, however, as she held him in her spell. "I will at once... However I suggest you do what you wish to the youngling before I release my grip. He may attempt escape. Once he is your puppet he will be powerless to stop himself from obedience."
Lei's eyes remained wide, his own gaze on Rafael. "...N-n-no!" he stammered. He struggled against Neraika but her mental prowess was more than he could conquer.
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Post by Serrion on Nov 8, 2009 21:25:32 GMT -5
The lich coughed a laugh. "What would the point of running be? If one of us did not catch him, his chances of making it off the island would be very slim."
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Post by Fury on Nov 12, 2009 15:25:34 GMT -5
Neraika snorted. "Pardon me for thinking ahead then Lich! Still I just thought Lord Rafael would appreciate my input. After all he doesn't need to get off the island he only needs to escape to the shelter of his friends. If even Tiamat were with him we would have a significantly harder time apprehending the youngling again."
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Post by Venus on Dec 16, 2009 9:05:52 GMT -5
"Now, now. If I were in the mood for sport, I would be inclined to agree with you, Lich. But sport may only come after our goals are achieved, hm?" The feathered dragon clicked two talons together, deep purple sparks of power escaping from the contact point. They sputtered to the floor, but their effect remained: darkness flooding white claws as quickly as ink soaking into greedy parchment. Rafael turned his sinister smile on Aleiko, flexing his hands and watching as the magic settled.
"Ready to forget yourself, youngling?"
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Post by Fury on Dec 16, 2009 15:39:56 GMT -5
Aleiko's body rose and fell like a wave as he felt shockwaves of pain. Both from his terror and Neraika... well mostly Neraika. She now had an absolute iron grip over his nerves and he could hardly breath without a sharp searing pain like a blade stabbing through his body let alone plan escape. This was what the dragoness wanted of course.
She cackled. "Oh look at him squirm."
His eyes fixated themselves, trembling, on Rafael's talons. The darkness creeping toward him was of more concern but somehow he couldn't make himself look away from the deadly curving shapes. He opened his mouth to cry out 'no' but heard no sound. His vocal cords wouldn't obey... and this would be just the beginning of his body's disobedience if Rafael had his way.
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Post by Venus on Dec 16, 2009 16:45:12 GMT -5
Rafael took another step forwards and tilted his head, regarding Aleiko. Whatever he found in the young dragon seemed to satisfy him, as his claws fanned outwards in a stretch, darkness bleeding from them in curling tendrils. They came to rest a breath away from his temples, a few mute seconds passing before they made contact.
The compulsion spell was instant, and Rafael's laughing eyes guided it in its ruthless takeover of Aleiko's senses.
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Post by Fury on Dec 16, 2009 17:38:59 GMT -5
Aleiko couldn't move. He felt his joints lock and then... he felt nothing. It was like a dark shadow had been cast over his mind and though he could see and hear everything he couldn't move. Neraika removed her grip and he tried to make thought into action. Run! Get out of this place! Yet he did not. He could not...
And against his will, the brown dragon found himself standing fully and then dipping his head into a low bow. His mouth moved of it's own accord. "I live to serve you."
Neraika burst out in a cold laughter. It was icy and it filled the room with its horrible sound. She knew they had won. Even Tiamat and her magic could not break such an ancient spell. Victory tasted sweet.
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Post by Venus on Dec 16, 2009 17:57:02 GMT -5
Rafael settled back, pleased as the darkness fled from his claws to leave them gleaming bone-white.
"That, Aleiko, is exactly what I wanted to hear. But whether you live to finish your service is a different matter entirely. But we shall see." He laughed quietly to himself, dark and half-mad. "We shall see."
From her position at the back wall, Akachi stirred. Her proud bearing remained, eyes darting across the room. Soon it would be time for her to hunt the assassin from the shadows, but vigilance was called for, now. Her master's plan was balanced on a knife edge, and it was her duty as lieutenant to insure that it fell on the right side.
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