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Post by Timora on Sept 14, 2006 2:09:07 GMT -5
A slender figure sat in the back of the huge library, she was pouring over several volumes of gigantic, leather-bound books, each one written in a different language, some in Latin, some in Greek, others in English and even one in Spanish. She seemed to be studying something, a spell perhaps, or the effects of a spell, that might have been more to the point. Her long, Raven locks were loose and hanging about over her face, surrounding it as she leaned down over one tomb, her eyes could nit be seen, nor her features, though it would appear that she was slender and in good shape, her right hand rested on the edge of the book, the fingers twiddling the pages between them, as she read on.
The Library was officially closed for the night, and she was the only one in the dark, deserted building, or, at least she thought so anyway. She used no candles, a light hovered over her head instead, a ball that shown perfectly on what she desired to see, it seemed to move with her eyes as they swept the pages.
With her dress, there could be no distinguishing marks on her, though beneath her robes, one would find long scares over her back as if she’d been beaten or tortured for some unknown reason. To this, one would be correct; she had resigned herself to tortures beyond the normal capacity of a mortal for the powers and strengths she desired in her chosen lifestyle.
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Post by Tim: High Chaos on Sept 14, 2006 2:32:21 GMT -5
"Hello." A strong voice came from the bookshelf behind the woman. "Out for some late night reading?" There was a slight chuckle. "It is after hours, good little citizens should not be here. Good citizens should be at home, in bed, or at the local inn, enjoying themselves."
There were footsteps and suddenly a man, dressed in black leather, golden gloves on his hands, a red bandana wrapped around his eyes. His forearms and shins were wrapped in the same material as his eyes and a bronze belt buckle glinted in the soft light. His gauntlets were etched with runes and each finger was tipped with a deadly looking talon. On his face a small, amused grin was set.
He stood in front of her, hands folded, metal on metal, legs spread slightly. His broad shoulders were wrapped in a red cloak. His long blonde hair was pulled back, behind his head, yet there was so much of it it seemed thick, almost like a lion’s mane. Though it was difficult to see in the dim light his skin was sandy, a soft, light brown.
"But you are not good, are you sister?" He tilted his head slightly. The man's eyebrows raised and a little tooth could be seen in his grin. His hidden eyes were pointed directly at her, as if he could see through the thick cloth that was bound around his head.
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Post by Timora on Sept 16, 2006 0:50:30 GMT -5
The girl continued going over her ‘studies’ as the man began to speak, she didn’t seem to even notice him or at the least even so much as be listening, but she was, she was adept at multi tasking and when he had finished, stating that she wasn’t one of the ‘good citizens’ she let a smirk draw over her lips and finally looked up at him.
“Good night brother.” She said. “And well met. Have a seat?” She offered as she kicked the chair opposite from her out from under the table.
She took in his appearance and felt his aura she knew he wasn’t any ‘normal’ Infernomancer, but she did not know the ones in this realm as if yet, she had only been here a few days and had not, as of yet, presented herself to the council. She had only time enough to find a place to call her own, a small job to make her some profit and to make her appear to be a ‘good citizen’ and that was about it. Tonight she wanted to brush up on a few things and then tomorrow night would have been her night to ‘present’ herself.
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Post by Tim: High Chaos on Sept 18, 2006 0:53:53 GMT -5
The male Infernomancer blindly felt his way to the chair and sat down, tenting his metal fingers, elbows resting on the table. “I have come to formally welcome you.” He stated. “I am to escort you to the school, yet I will let you finish.” He added.
“For the council I should be provided with your name, title, rank and a somewhat detailed history with our order, such as where you were stationed.” He bowed his head slightly. “All formalities, I assure you, I do not wish to be intrusive, yet it is required for one such as you.” He gently untented his fingers and rapped them against the hard wooden table. He had the air of a intelligent man who was mildly interested in what he was doing, as if he had done the task a number of times and it was becoming mundane. His sightless eyes still were pointed to the woman, as if he could see her.
The Infernomancer tilted his head. “What is it you are researching?’ He asked, unable to see the pages she was reading. “Perhaps I would be of some assistance.”
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Post by Timora on Sept 18, 2006 1:22:01 GMT -5
She continued to gaze at the man as he seated himself on the offered chair and when he spoke she listened carefully to his words, getting a feel for the tone he used as well as for the vibrations in his undertones. He seemed genuine enough to her ears after some scrutiny and so she would answer his questions.
“Thank you for the welcome brother and I am pleased to be noticed so soon. I am called Timora an Archon and have been a part of the chapter far away in the north training and learning under the artic watch.” S he started, telling him her name and rank. “as for what I am studying, well I am trying to find the source of a spell I once saw used on a person, it was interesting indeed. The man, looked as though he could see, acted and walked as though but ran into things all the same, saying he could see but his brain never registered a thing so was blind and didn’t know it, I guess you could say. I am trying to figure out what was used to make him do this. I have come up with quite a few things here in this library, it is quite nice, but nothing solid.” She mused as she flipped a page of her book and began to run her eyes quickly over the writing there. “So basically what the spell did was blind him without his knowing it had.” She finished, now flipping another page.
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Post by Tim: High Chaos on Sept 18, 2006 1:46:15 GMT -5
The Infernomancer nodded. “I am Turance Iscariot Masuris, I hold the title of High Chaos.” It was common knowledge in the Infernomancer cult that the title High Chaos was the highest rank of the priest caste. He did not know whether or not the northern clans knew of the position, but it mattered little to him, he did not need to flaunt his title to gain respect, nor did he, he always commanded respect with his actions.
“That spell is unknown to me at the moment.” He said, pondering the effects for a few moments. “But I am sure our archives will be of help.”
((slight writers block, next one will be better, promise))
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Post by Timora on Sept 18, 2006 2:00:22 GMT -5
Timora inclined her head to him after he had announced his ranking, she gathered from his tone and the way he acted that he would have been of some form of high rank, but she hadn’t expected to be greeted by one of the high council themselves and to boot High Chaos, she was pleased. Certainly, he was more into the religious course of their chosen life, and she the warrior type, but it made little difference, they all worked for the same end.
“I see.” S he then said. “Thank you for your input, I will look into the libraries at the school when we get there, but I would like to complete what I am doing here first, if it pleases you.” She told him, her words carried to his ears on an honest breath. She didn’t want to make him wait unless he was truly willing to do so, she had no intentions of starting tension in a new place and especially not with the likes of the man sitting across from her now. She could tell he must be powerful, as wounds such as the ones he carried were not given without a certain amount of return. She knew all too well the pains it took to gain power from the demons they ‘played with’ Her hidden scares and her inability to ever bare children were her marks from what she had gained. She had her own powers, gaining more perhaps than was good for her, but she figured that like him, she desired what she could stand to take.
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Post by Tim: High Chaos on Sept 18, 2006 2:25:47 GMT -5
Turance nodded. “It does.” He said, allowing her to continue. “And you are welcome, Timora.” He bowed his head for a moment, listening to her turn pages. His breath was silent, as if it no air was escaping his lungs, though the slightly movement of his chest and shoulders clearly showed it was.
“May I ask you as to the extent of your position up north?” He asked. “I understand it is a warrior’s position after putting aside the fanaticism of lower ranks, though I must admit I rarely indulge in such distinctions in war.” The Infernomancer paused and looked up. “And, if it is not too to pry, may I ask what your trade was?” He blindly looked at the woman, not sure if she kept that information close, but he decided on asking anyway.
He sense a large power around her, her sacrifice had been great, perhaps not as great as damnation, but still considerable. He knew it was only one pact made, as he had long since made it impossible to cheat the system like he did many years ago.
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Post by Timora on Sept 18, 2006 2:40:11 GMT -5
“My position was rather high in my own rank, I do not strive to go any higher, what I do is what I do. I love my work and quite enjoy learning what I can, but to rule the council is beyond my desires. I was what you would call the one who trains the lower ranks, teaching them the ways of war, how to fight and stay alive for what they believe in, I do not believe in failing, will not allow my student to fail either, death becomes one much better than failing in ones task.” She told him, her words not soft or held back but truthful and holding in them a passion that only one of her own would know. “My trade was as it is, war.” She told him quite frankly. “I was designed to be a weapon and so therefore I am a weapon, that simple.” She finished with his line of questions hoping she understood correctly what tit was he wanted from her. The entire time she never looked up from her studies her eyes continuing to graze over the words she read as she talked, obviously multi tasking was one of her talents.
“What might I ask then, since we are being curios, is it that drives you?’ She then asked, closing the current book she had been going over and scooting it over to the side with one hand, as the other reached for and then situated and opened the next.
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Post by Tim: High Chaos on Sept 18, 2006 2:57:31 GMT -5
"I am driven by the desire for change." He said. "Despite how strange it seems I wish for there to be a change in this world. I see starving children in the streets and I do not feel it is right." The Inferomancer sighed. "I realize I am a minority, but I hope that the council will take heed of my requests and change things for the better of the general populace." He shrugged slightly. "Perhaps it is a foolish ideal, given the means I am using, but I feel the ruling body is not doing the best job it can be."
He realized she had misinterpreted the meaning of ‘trade’. He decided to correct himself. “What was your pact?” He asked in a tone that implied it was the final question in the string of inquires. He leaned back in his chair and tented his fingers again, his face rather impassive. He was never fascinated by the warrior caste as a whole, though specific members intrigued him slightly, the ones who did not seem boorish and crude. This Timora seemed to be one that would intrigue him, the fact that she was new, yet experienced was a definite interest.
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Post by Timora on Sept 18, 2006 3:22:14 GMT -5
Timora stopped reading for the moment, her hand stopping on a line in the middle of the fourth page of the large volume and she looked up, once more regarding this interesting male. He wanted her to tell him what she lost to gain, her pact, or rather pacts. This was not a question asked much by others though she didn’t mind telling him. It wasn’t to boast about what she had gained nor to complain about what she had lost from either was the case. She was pleased with what she had been given. She paused a moment, collecting her thoughts before she would speak, this was no light question and she actually admired him for asking it. It meant that he truly had nothing to hide himself and this was a trait not often found in the Infernomancers.
“That is a noble cause brother.” She commented to his answer. “You would be hard pressed to find many of our kind who would care to think of the starving children in the streets, I can see your problem there.” S he added and then took a deep breath, her eyes blinking slowly, their amber brilliance sparking to life now as she would begin to tell him her ‘pacts’.
“My first was to gain the power of shadow walking, it is quite useful in my line of work, the price wasn’t all too high, a few hours with a demon to satisfy his sadistic pleasures on my body, leaving not more than a few hundred scares over my back, not a high price at all, I was lucky then.” She told him. She gave a half laugh, and yes I did say my first, there was a second, would have been more had I been able to cheat the system further, but it would seem I was unable to shortly after. “For the second I gained the use of the fire element, total control and this I as well have found quite useful in conjunction with my fighting style, though the price was much higher having left me unable to bare a child, ever.” She told him, no regret in her voice whatsoever. “After though I saught further power, wanting more than I should have but I was pleased to find that though I tend not to agree with them, a Mage can be a great teacher and thus is the reason for my studies, I study to learn the effects of and reasons behind the way things work. IT is the only way to truly use magic.” She finished.
Timora then tilted her head to the side and regarded him for several long moments. “So, might I inquire as to the same question for you?” She asked.
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Post by Tim: High Chaos on Sept 18, 2006 4:12:28 GMT -5
The High Chaos Infernomancer looked at the woman blindly. He was about to make a comment about it being against the code to take more then one demon in pact, but he knew it was a very hypocritical statement. He opted for a more neutral way of saying things. "It has been against the code for many years now to take more then a single demon in pact." He looked slightly concerned. "The penalty is death or exile. Yet your pacts were made up north and I will assume the notification failed to reach the clans." He nodded, effectively removing any responsibility she had in the incident, removing any blame that would be put on her. "I will have to resend it."
The Infernomancer then wrapped one hand around a wrist and twisted. There was a click and the held hand went limp. With a slight tug he removed not only his gauntlet but what appeared to be his whole hand. His arm, about a few inches down the forearm, ended in a stump. "I gave up my hands and eyes." He said after a moment, reattaching his hand. "I was given abilities to compensate for bother."
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Post by Timora on Sept 18, 2006 17:26:11 GMT -5
Timora watched as he removed his hands form his arm and listened to what he had to say about duel pacts. She held back a growl at his statement of exile and a laugh at his acquittal. She knew of the restrictions when she preformed what she had, it had made little difference to her at the time. She was young, so much younger than she is now or at least a good 6 years younger anyway. She had taken what she wanted and though the Northern clan had stopped her from gaining more, she still reached for and obtained further powers from yet another source, one that was often looked down upon though was quite useful nonetheless. As well as being a continuing source of learning and further power gained by her own work and her own time, there was really nothing to loose in gaining these forms of power and had she actually thought about this path earlier, she would never have had to make those first pacts. She care not what others thought of her, let them try and kill her, it wouldn’t be as easy as all that, but, he had let it drop and so would she.
“Yes, the restrictions did indeed reach us, though too late for us to do anything about what it was I had done so it was overlooked as a ‘before the fact’ issue. So no, you really have no need to resend it.” She told him in all truth.
“You seem to have given up quite a lot to gain what you sought, though I know it must have been worth it.” She then stated as her eyes returned to the volume she had open in front of herself. She would not press the powers he had sought, she was not that forward as he. She tended to keep to herself and not pry into others affairs, it always seemed to start something bad when she tried it and so, she dropped the topic of conversation and returned to her reading. “This is the last volume I have to check and then we can be on our way brother.” She told him as she turned a page.
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