Plotlogs
The Price Of Pride Sr Victoria 241117
In the somber, shadow-cloaked hall of a stone tower, fraught with the weight of ancient battles, a crucial exchange unfolds. Ash arrives, visibly carrying the weight of rage, followed by Juniper and Elias, who share similar sentiments of urgent desperation. They are here for Kah, a once-majestic wolf, now a pitiful shadow of himself, trapped in a massive, foreboding cage. The air, heavy with the scent of suffering and decay, bears witness to the cruel fate that has befallen him. His once pristine white fur is matted, his once powerful frame emaciated, a testament to the prolonged cruelty he has endured.
The atmosphere is thick with tension as Nixx, a figure of malice and smug superiority, enters the scene, confident in the power he wields from his throne of desolation. He toys with the fate of the wolf, pretending to ponder a deal, his every word dripping with venom and disdain. The forged group, burning with a collective fury, stands united against this symbol of oppression, their determination shining through the darkness that fills the chamber.
Juniper, fierce and unyielding, negotiates with Nixx, offering a prideful vampire in exchange for Kah's freedom. Meanwhile, Ash and Elias prepare for the worst, their powers humming at the edge of their restraint, ready to unleash havoc. Even Bear, arriving late, is quick to catch the tense undercurrents, his presence adding to the collective resolve of the group.
In a moment charged with anticipation and the crackling energy of potential confrontation, Nixx contemplates the offer. His greed and cruelty are evident as he tries to manipulate the situation to his advantage, even as the prospect of acquiring a new subject of torment briefly distracts him. Despite his outward confidence, there's a flicker of uncertainty, a hint that the tables might be turning.
Faced with the united front of resolve and the unspoken threats of violence, Nixx relents, striking a deal that feels heavy with unspoken consequences. He frees Kah, but not without ensuring his terms are clear, binding the group with a sinister promise that heralds unknown challenges ahead.
With Nixx's departure, a tangible sense of relief momentarily fills the room, followed by a stunned silence. Bear's muttered triumph and Elias's calm assurance hint at a cautious optimism, yet the grim reality of their situation lingers, a reminder of the cost of pride and the price of freedom.
As the cage door opens and Kah is finally within reach of freedom, there's a palpable tension. Will he remember them? Is there enough of the wolf they knew left within the battered shell that stares blankly at the prospects of freedom? The moment is loaded with significance, a testament to the enduring spirit of the Forged, a group bound not just by shared battles but by the collective determination to reclaim one of their own, no matter the cost.
The story concludes with Kah's fate hanging in the balance, a symbolic representation of the constant struggle between oppression and liberation, cruelty and compassion, and the unbreakable bonds that define the true essence of unity and strength among those who are Forged together.
(The Price of Pride(SRVictoria):SRVictoria)
[Sat Nov 16 2024]
In the main hall of a stone tower
The main hall of the tower is a place where the very air seems heavy with the echoes of an
ancient battle. Shadows cling to the jagged, obsidian walls, flickering as the torches cast their eerie glow. The floor is a mosaic of dark, polished stone with scorch marks and deep gouges that scatter across the floor. Massive, ornate pillars rise from the ground, their surfaces adorned with grotesque carvings of demonic figures locked in eternal combat. At the far end of the hall stands a colossal throne, forged from blackened iron and draped in the tattered banners of fallen warriors. A half-ruined staircase spirals upward behind the throne, and the air is thick with the scent of sulfur and ash - a constant reminder of the infernal realm outside.
It is about 50F(10C) degrees.
is just waiting on two more!
Ahem. We're waiting on two more people, apologies (OOC)
Feel free to do your arrival poses and we'll get started!
Ash paths in with their gear, looking a bit out of breadth - as per usual, the AuDHD androgyne is poor with time management. They push their gray dreadlocks back from their head with a sigh, flustered, but the leather mittens in their hands - with white fur in the inside - is held in so tight a fist that it's clear that their emotions mask a rage the Hegemon rarely shows. "June, Elias," they greet curtly, with none of their normal pet names.
Making his way to the meeting point that was agreed upon with Juniper, keeping close to her said. Elias greets Ash as they arrive, "Good evening, Ash. What a lovely day to literally be in this shitty place, hrmm?" He says with a grunt.
Ash grunts back in agreement, grumbling irritably, "Why is even Hell fucking cold? Jesus Christ...."
As the Forged step into the tower, an immediate and suffocating weight of despair settles over them, a palpable presence in the air that seems to seep from the very walls. The tower itself, though a modest structure, offers no reprieve from the darkness that fills every corner, a darkness that gnaws at the mind and offers no comfort, no warmth. Its a subtle chill that clings to the air, only marginally cooler than the blistering heat of Hell outside, yet it brings with it a sense of profound unease. Everything about this place speaks of suffering and hardship, as though its inhabitants have been broken, their spirits worn down by untold years of torment.
The silence here is thick, oppressive, broken only by the faint echoes of their footsteps. Their eyes are drawn instinctively to the center of the room, where a throne sits atop a raised dais, surrounded by pillars, their surfaces intricately carved with designs that seem to shift and writhe in the dim light. Its an unsettling sight.This throne, perhaps once a symbol of power, now feels more like a throne of desolation, abandoned by any hope of comfort or respite.
To one side of the throne, a massive cage stands, its towering presence casting a long shadow across the room. The bars are thick, heavy, and coated in a strange, unnatural substance that is dark and slick, as though something cruel and unyielding has been smeared across them, sealing the prisoner inside with a grim finality. Atop the cage rests a door, secured with a thick, rusted lock that looks too heavy to open without significant force, an ominous symbol of imprisonment that seems to mock the very idea of escape.
Inside the cage, a lone figure stirs, a thin, gaunt wolf whose once-pristine white fur is now matted and tarnished. His body is drawn, bones visible beneath the tattered remnants of his coat, a testament to the long years of neglect and deprivation hes endured. His eyes, though dull with weariness, seem to glimmer faintly with a distant, guarded intelligence. He doesnt move as the Forged approach, his gaze fixed downward in an almost meditative silence, as if the weight of his existence here has crushed him to the point where even hope has long since fled.
Markings, burnt into the fur along his sides, mar the purity of his coat. They are jagged, cruel symbols, runes or brands that seem to sear the very flesh, leaving permanent scars both physical and mental. The wolfs emaciated form shivers slightly, not from cold, but from the depths of suffering that have slowly hollowed him out, body and spirit alike. The malnourishment is obvious, as his ribs bearly show through the thin layer of fur, his once powerful limbs now weak and trembling. There is no fight left in him, only the quiet resignation of a creature who has been kept in this cage for far too long, the very air of the tower seemingly sapping the will to live from his bones.
The silence between them is thick, the wolf offering no sign of recognition, no sign of rebellion, just a quiet acceptance of his fate. And yet, despite his brokenness, theres a lingering sense that this creature, though frail and battered, is still very much alive within, that something in him is waiting, watching.
Almost as if at the last moment, Victoria steps through the gates and into the tower, frowning as she does so. Moving to stand beside Juniper, she gives a nod of her head. "I'll take a little bit of cooler temperatures than the norm," she muses to Ash in greeting as her eyes stare to the room's center.
Juniper would arrive with Elias, naturally, looking not out of breath, but certainly more perturbed and less calm and collected than usual. Her nostrils flare and her eyes track down to the mittens in Ash's hands with a tightened expression on her lips. "You too?" she asks Ash, her chin ticking to indicate what the androgyne holds. Greetings aside, she too is even jumping straight to the emotional business of it all. There's a hand to Elias's arm with a soft squeeze and then she looks around the room and its pillars proper.
Ash nods to Juniper sadly, angrily, a mix of unpleasant and unwanted emotions. A mix they're eager to make someone else's problem. To Victoria, they don't bother bantering as they normally do about the chill - they give her a nod, their hazel eyes near golden amber fully as they meet her gaze, before looking over the carvings, the throne, but more than anything, the cage. Defiant of the darkness, presuming that, this far in, there's no need for stealth - they fill the room with light, pastel flames that float and flicker with agitation, the heralding sign that this is not just little Ash here, but The Witchfire King.
Lying within the cage, Kah(wolf) sits. His form no longer what it used to be, his size limited by the time in his confinement. His weight is gaunt, the bones showing easily though signs of feeding are evident enough. Leavings or piles of scrap not quite finishes lie in one corner, bloodied with something far too red to be normal blood, and no other signs of food or nourishment to be had but the dosed, rotten meat. The light of someone' shift in demeanor barely brings a reaction from the creature, too tired is Kah(wolf) to do more than try unsuccessfully to lift his head. A small glimmer of recognition comes with the motion, but no more.
Lying within the cage, Kah(wolf) sits. His form no longer what it used to be, his size limited by the time in his confinement. His weight is gaunt, the bones showing easily though signs of feeding are evident enough. Leavings or piles of scrap not quite finishes lie in one corner, bloodied with something far too red to be normal blood, and no other signs of food or nourishment to be had but the dosed, rotten meat. The light of Ash's shift in demeanor barely brings a reaction from the creature, too tired is Kah(wolf) to do more than try unsuccessfully to lift his head. A small glimmer of recognition comes with the motion, but no more.
A bristling that Juniper works to tame is not perfectly stamped out, nor even all that close to being stamped out as her nails elongate momentarily into claws as she blocks an instinct to shift, to change, to give into primal fury at the sight of the wolf in the cage and his state. His /shivering/. "Kah," she says the name that this creature has been given. That he called himself. Introduced himself as. And then, momentarily she is quiet but intent in her staring as if sending what she can through their common bond.
While the others focus on Kah(wolf), Elias rests his hand lightly on the hilt of his blade as he peers about himself, watching for something. Something on his face suggests this is not a warm reuniting for Elias at this point, at least this isn't the time for him to do that.
From the shadows of the staircase, a figure emerges,a presence so undeniably otherworldly that it draws the eye, even before the mind can fully grasp it. The form that descends is unmistakably Nixx, his features twisted and sharp, his eyes burning with a predatory gleam. His every step is filled with palpable confidence, each movement calculated, as though the very air bends to his will. As he approaches the throne, his gaze never wavers, a slow, deliberate smirk curling at the corners of his lips. With a fluid grace, he lowers himself onto the throne, the power he exudes settling around him like a cloak. The smile that creeps across his face is one of malice and delight, a snake about to strike. "Well, well," Nixx muses, his voice a silky, serpentine hiss that coils through the room like a venomous whisper. His eyes lock onto Ash, and an almost gleeful gleam flickers in his gaze. He tilts his head slightly, the movement almost predatory, and folds his fingertips together as if savoring a sweet, unspoken secret. "Excellent. I see you received the gifts I sent." His words drip with satisfaction, each syllable carefully measured, as if he takes great pleasure in the thought of his gifts having been delivered, or perhaps in the twisted understanding of what those gifts mean. "Come to make an offer for what's left of him, then?"
Victoria's lips part, fingers curling into fists before she presses them tightly shut again as though finding it to be more wise not to speak. She turns a grey eyed, worried glance to Juniper, before eyes fall back to the cage in a contemplative expression.
Ash fiddles with their nose ring, almost as if thinking of an offering, but their golden-hazel eyes flash to someone, as they think.
Ash fiddles with their nose ring, almost as if thinking of an offering, but their golden-hazel eyes flash to Juniper, as they think.
"How about," Juniper begins to say, a growl within her throat colouring her words. "We offer you your slimey life in exchange for our Packmate back." A hand is tossed out to the side to gesture at someone with a severely choppy movement. "We have these fancy /mittens/ made of only the fucking finest. I'm sure you'd agree. I'll throw them in just to sweeten the deal. Wear them if you feel like people watching in Haven again. Or, you know, feel like being a walking target." The blonde's eyes are on that smirking face with no way of hiding her ire or her desire to rid him of that smirk in a more physical way.
"How about," Juniper begins to say, a growl within her throat colouring her words. "We offer you your slimey life in exchange for our Packmate back." A hand is tossed out to the side to gesture at Ash with a severely choppy movement. "We have these fancy /mittens/ made of only the fucking finest. I'm sure you'd agree. I'll throw them in just to sweeten the deal. Wear them if you feel like people watching in Haven again. Or, you know, feel like being a walking target." The blonde's eyes are on that smirking face with no way of hiding her ire or her desire to rid him of that smirk in a more physical way.
Ash is generally the calm one - but at Juniper's words, they step forward slightly, their flames flaring to emphasize what the leader growls. On their own behalf, the stars under their skin flicker, threatening to flare, but holding back. Only for Juniper, this much is evident in their body language - and in the professional yapper's silence.
Instinctively knowing how this likely is going to go, Elias likely doesn't need to pull upon years of diplomatic work to know this though. The tension is thick in the air and he isn't going to be the one to de-escalate it at this point. Instead he widens his stance as he lowers his frame, his hand moving ready to draw his blade from its sheath. The air around him starts to plummet rapidly as this happens as the magic energy in the air is starting to thicken around him as he draws it towards himself, a thin layer of frost starting to form around his feet, spreading outward slowly from around his feet. It only takes a moment and the pattering sound of rain starts outside, pelting the roof and the occasional crack of lightning can be heard.
Nixx leans back slightly, settling deeper into the throne, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest in a rhythm that seems to echo throughout the room. "It almost seems like you're unappreciative of my gifts" Nixx says casually to Juniper, the words slipping from his mouth with the ease of someone who has long since grown accustomed to manipulating the fates of others. His tone is so nonchalant, so utterly devoid of any real care or concern, that its almost more terrifying than if he had shown any hint of anger or passion. "I'm 'm sure you have something appealing. His usefulness is waning." The mention of 'his' is cold, detachedno hint of emotion in the words, as though the wolf in the cage is nothing more than a pawn in some elaborate game hes already won. His eyes shift toward the cage, his head turning with a deliberate, almost contemplative movement, as though hes pondering the next move in a game that only he truly understands. His gaze rests on the wolf inside, the thin creature with his broken form and burnt markings, as if weighing the prisoners worth, or perhaps deciding just how much longer he might be allowed to endure his suffering. Theres a coldness in his stare, a predatory gleam that flickers just beneath the surface, as though the wolfs torment is an amusement to him, something to be savored before it is inevitably discarded.After a moment, he speaks again, his voice low and deliberate, his tone carrying the weight of an unspoken decision. What to do with you he muses, more to himself than anyone else in the room. His gaze flickers once more toward the wolf, the smile returning with a hint of something darker, something crueler. Its as though the wolfs fate is something far less important to Nixx than the amusement he derives from simply considering it. The question hangs in the air, loaded with a chilling sense of finality, and a narrowing of eyes to Elias and Ash.
Ash snorts, growling, "You bluff. You need him for your fucking demon tear ritual. Nice try... but I know a dream vision when I see one."
The tension and the energy building in the room, seems to liven Kah(wolf) somewhat. Inside the cage, there is still something to the nature of the anger and hatred pouring out of the people within the room and it seems to vitalize the wolfen creature inside the cage just a hair. The speak of him draws motion from his tired form. Kah(wolf) tries to push himself up into a more alert position, though the cage's confines don't allow him to do much more that lift his head a few scant inches from the place its been resting on emaciated paws and forelimbs. Dull blue eyes find a little more recognition, maybe from the intensity or the anger. Something about the response the group provides is familiar to Kah(wolf).
"Listen to me, you horrid piece of steaming sulphur shit," Juniper tells Nixx, demanding his attention back on her and away from the wolf in the cage or Elias. "You want something to experiment on? We've got a one-armed vampire shackled under a restaurant and I don't give a demon's tit what you do to him. He wasn't easy to take down, if you like something with a bit of fight to him." She remains steely, staring down the jailor on his throne. "A life. Well, sort of. For a life." She takes in a deep breath, setting back her shoulders. "And if you want to use him to wipe your ass with, at least he doesn't shed."
Bear huffs heavily as he rushes into the area, a sheen of sweat on his brow, "Ah... ah fuck... sorry I'm late!" He huffs almost violently, the man clearly not built for endurance running at his size.
Juniper only recognizes Bear's arrival with a small flex of her hand at her side and the slightest tilt of her chin downward, while she stares down Nixx with her newest counter offer.
Nixx's expression flickers, the carefully composed mask of confidence momentarily slipping as Ash speaks. His eyes narrow, the gleam of surprise flashing in their depths before he recovers. Do I? he asks, his voice quieter now, threaded with a subtle curiosity. He seems almost intrigued, as if Ash's statement has shifted the balance of their interaction in some unexpected way. The smile that had lingered on his lips falters just for a heartbeat, but then, with a languid motion, Nixx reaches into the folds of his cloak. His fingers curl around something small, something gleaming, and as he pulls it into view, the sharp glint of a blade catches the dim light. Its a small dagger, the blade darkened with dried blood, an ominous sign of its recent uses, his gaze sharpening with renewed interest. "Do I need to demonstrate the wonders of this blade on a wolf?" he wonders aloud, his tone shifting, taking on an almost playful, yet chilling quality. His eyes never leave the wolf in the cage, the small, bloodied dagger pointed at the creature like a promise of impending torment. "What exactly am I to do with a crippled vampire? I need suffering, and sustenance," he states in reply to Juniper, curling his lip.
Ash spits hissed words towards Bear, "Just in time, June's offering him the fucking deal of a demonic lifetime." Bear has rarely if ever seen Ash this pissed. Their witchire flickers and dances with the fury within them, their eyes a sharp golden-amber. Their hostility isn't aimed at him - they step back, even if only to grab his shirt for a means to keep calm, keep steady... keep from exploding with homosexual starfire.
They grin, though, in response to Nixx as he shows that they've called his bluff. They don't flinch at the sight of the blade, and instead stand confidently with all the viciousness fae are known for.
Bear looks around frantically, trying to catch up on the situation. "Shit, we makin' a deal? Who for? Oh, is that Kah?" The man frosses his arms, considering, "I mean, do we want him back for sure? Kind of a loose cannon- Oooh, violence? I'm a fan of that."
SRVictoria's head swivels toward Bear, and she nods. "We definitely don't want to leave him here." The words are practically spit from clenched teeth as she takes a step toward the throne.
Victoria's head swivels toward Bear, and she nods. "We definitely don't want to leave him here." The words are practically spit from clenched teeth as she takes a step toward the throne. (fix)
The sight of Kah(wolf) is accurate by Bear's measure. Hard to tell given the sorry state he's in but there's no denying the wolf in the cage is the man or beast in question. Dulled blue eyes watch wearily through silvered bars coated with some black grime and struggle to rise enough essense or energy to bring himself about in full. Only the barest signs of human intelligence gleam from within those clouded orbs.
When Nixx starts fiddling with the knife, talking about demonstrations, Elias applies a small amount of pressure on the guard of his blade, preparing to make a lunge forward if the need comes. Frost continues to slowly expand outward from his feet, at this point providing roughly a foot radius around him. His gaze drifts between Juniper and Nixx, waiting for the next move.
"Yes, yes, you're so big and bad," Juniper reiterates sourly to Nixx. "This wolf looks like he's accepted his fate. What suffering does he have left to give? Why not a furious, powerful vampire? He's missing an arm but he doesn't need it to offer a good fight. Pride. So much pride in him. The suffering could be intense if you knew what you were doing." A small taunt thrown in there for good measure. The air thickens and almost crackles between the wolf's fury, Ash's queer wrath and Elias's draw on the very warmth that the blonde supplies.
Nixx spins the blade between his fingers with an effortless grace, the steel gleaming in the dim light as it dances through the air like an extension of his own will. His posture shifts, sitting up straighter, the movement sharp and deliberate. Theres a sudden shift in his demeanor as he leans forward, his attention fully on Juniper, his eyes narrowing with an unsettling intensity. "Pride?" Nixx's voice is a low, incredulous rasp, dripping with venom. He tilts his head slightly, his lips curling into a smile thats as cold as it is mocking. "You took his arm, and still this... vampire exudes pride?" His tone is heavy with disdain, tinged with a surprise that quickly turns to barely restrained rage. Its a fleeting glimpse of emotion, one that flickers like a spark before being doused by the smoldering calm that follows. Nixxs gaze hardens, his fingers tightening around the blade.
"I assure you," he continues, his voice now smooth, yet laced with an icy venom, "I know exactly what Im doing." His eyes flick back toward the cage, the wolf inside itthe prisoner that seems barely more than a shadow of life, a husk of what he once was. Theres a twisted satisfaction in his words, an undercurrent of control that suggests hes been playing a game much longer than anyone else realizes. "You'd think this husk would be proof," Nixx muses, his gaze lingering on the emaciated creature with a look that borders on contempt. With a sudden, violent motion, he jabs the blade toward the cage, the tip of it slicing through the air with a sharp hiss. "Careful," he spits, his eyes flashing toward Victoria as she moves. The tone is sharp, like the crack of a whipthreatening, yet almost too calm, as if hes fully in control of every moment, every reaction. His gaze shifts to Elias next, the change in focus just as swift and just as deadly. "You, too," he warns, his eyes flicking down to the frost creeping across the ground.
Bear crosses his arms, "I dunno', fella', I mean, whats the end game here? You kill Kah, and then, what? We stomp your ass until you're a broken heap on the floor? I mean, I totally thought Kah was dead, so worst case scenario is his suffering ends and a fucker dies. This ain't the angle you think it is." Peering sidelong, clearly less invested than the rest of the fortune, "Am I getting my mace out here, or..."
"Take the damned vampire," Victoria's words cut through the tension, flat and unapologetic. "She's not lying. He's a rather...prideful asshole. And effectively could last quite a while to provide just the suffering you require."
Ash whispers, "He was made to be tested and twisted, he was made to be broken and beat." Their voice rises, gaining a singsong quality. "He's faced horrors greater than an old man with a knife - you're just trying to play us, thinking us fragile hearts that will cry over every sound. Yeah, we feel it, some more than others, but we're not strings on a fiddle."
They smile at Nixx, though it's as cold as what Elias can summon. "We're the Forged Fortune, fucker. We ain't that easy." As much defiance as warning to their family, they relax for the first time since they've come in. "You're grasping at straws now, the tables have turned."
Ash smiles to Bear, and agrees with someone. "The left hand man of a Fomorian, a greater demon than you are... we're offering a prime specimen, and you're trying to wring more out of us."
Ash smiles to Bear, and agrees with Victoria. "The left hand man of a Fomorian, a greater demon than you are... we're offering a prime specimen, and you're trying to wring more out of us."
"Maybe you didn't count on how many of us would come to Kah's aid," Juniper muses, matching his calm and yet sharp tones as threats run like an under current to everything they say. "But you asked me to make you an offer. I've brought you two in fact. A trade. And your life. Because as Bear so elegantly put... I think we would stomp your ass." A glance over to Ash has her finally looking away from Nixx as if his importance has waned now. "The witchfire king is so deliciously spicy when the situation calls," she idly notes with affection. "I've just spent three days hunting under the full moon and fed my blood lust, but I can make a damned extension for you, Nixx. Just try me." The growl rises once more to her throat, the smooth tone going away as quickly as it came. "You take my fucking offer or Elias gets to do experiments on your demon brain." A pause. "If he can find it in there."
Ash asks Elias in a sweet tone, almost cutesy as it is casual, "Can I get an upgrade if you do?"
"Heart. I would want his heart." Elias clarifies to Juniper as he looks back to Nixx, "The structure of it works well with fire enhancing magic, I might need it to interact with the Emberstone."
Nixx turns his unnerving, unblinking gaze toward Bear, his eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger as a slow, patronizing smile spreads across his face. His teeth, razor-sharp and impossibly white, flash in the dim light, a reminder of the danger lurking beneath his calm exterior. "As though Im afraid of death," he chuckles, the sound hollow and serpentine, echoing through the room with a chilling resonance. His laughter seems more like a hiss, filled with disdain, as though he finds the very suggestion beneath him. He doesn't seem threatened by the mere concept of death. No, to Nixx, death is just another game, another part of the world he controls. With an air of boredom, he turns his attention back to the wolf in the cage, his gaze thoughtful, almost detached as if hes considering the next move in some twisted chess game. The dagger he had been toying with slips smoothly back into his cloak, disappearing from view like a discarded toy. In its place, he pulls out something far more delicate, a golden key, the smooth surface catching the light as he slips it through his fingers, flipping it absentmindedly, almost as if deciding what to do with it next.
He meets Juniper's gaze once more, his expression hardening, the air between them thickening with the weight of his words. "If we make this deal," Nixx says, his tone cold and calculated, "there's no going back on it." His eyes narrow slightly, locking onto hers, the implication clear. Once this path is chosen, there is no turning back, no renegotiating the terms. Hes offering something, but in return, hes demanding finalitya deal struck that will bind them all, irrevocably. "I bear no further responsibility for what this thing has turned into," he adds, his voice carrying the faintest trace of distaste, as if the wolf is nothing more than a failed experiment, a disappointment that no longer even merits a second glance. The mock smile returns to his face as he looks back at Ash, this time somehow even colder, more insincere. Who am I to turn down a perfectly good deal? he muses, the words floating in the air with an almost casual cruelty. His voice smoothes over the harsh edges of his earlier tone, adopting a tone of false magnanimity, as if hes doing them all a favor by agreeing to the terms. "But you lot keep the gifts, hmm?"
"I'd be even more surprised if he had one of those," Juniper quips as an aside to Elias and Ash.
[OOC]: Juniper is a slow typer tonight, sorry!
Bear blinks,
Bear blinks, "Wait, fuckin' gifts were passed about?" He peers about frantically, clearly much more invested in whats being said.
Ash says "No, Bear. He ripped off Kah's skin as an invitation."
"Juniper, where is Silas?" Victoria asks in a tone kept purposely light, and a measured exhale. "Gifts made of his pelt," she tells Bear.
"There's no going back," Juniper repeats quickly and curtly to Nixx, her eyes on that golden key that he proffers. "Silas is under The Most Dangerous Game," she replies easily enough in response to someone, her eyes still on the one holding the key. "And /we/ will take this wolf as he is. Something you probably could never understand."
"There's no going back," Juniper repeats quickly and curtly to Nixx, her eyes on that golden key that he proffers. "Silas is under The Most Dangerous Game," she replies easily enough in response to Victoria, her eyes still on the one holding the key. "And /we/ will take this wolf as he is. Something you probably could never understand."
Bear nods simply, "Ah, doubt I could even find a good tailor for that. Tanner? Whoever would turn it into a bitchin' jacket. Nevermind, continue."
Ash pulls a spear from their back, spinning it around before slamming the but into the ground. And with fae luck, they get it right, managing to not look goofy at all. It's a tall Ashandarei spear, of heavy black oak. This spear, known as an Ashandarei, is tall and as thick as a man's wrist. Made from stout black oak, the tip of the spear is a mildly curved blade of Damascus steel the length of a short sword. Heiroglyphs and other scroll-work have been carved all along the length of the spear and inlaid with gold. They state calmly, "He feels his Pack. He knows us. Even if we were to be slain, better him, our brother, than anything else."
Nixx's gaze lingers for a moment longer, taking in the room with quiet amusement, before he leans back, clearly satisfied with the terms set before them. The decision has been made, but its far from over. His gazes draws back to Juniper, his expression cold, yet threaded with a subtle, calculating expectation. He draws out the words slowly, his voice smooth and mocking as he speaks, the kind of tone that suggests hes already certain of the answer hell receive. "I trust you'll bring him," he drawls, his eyes flicking toward Elias for a moment, his gaze sharpening slightly as if measuring something dangerous. "And leave behind these... distractions." The word drips from his tongue like venom, a silent dismissal of the others in the room, as if they were nothing more than nuisances to be cast aside once the deal is struck. With a swift motion, his fingers flick the golden key toward the lock on the cage, and the sound of it sliding into place echoes through the room. Yet, he doesnt release the key. Instead, his fingers linger, a faint pressure on the cold metal. Theres something deliberate in his stillness, as though hes savoring the moment before sealing whatever bargain has been made.
I have your word, yes? he asks, the question simple yet laced with an undeniable weight. Theres no room for ambiguity, no space for hesitation. His voice is sharp, and his posture shifts, leaning forward just slightly, as though closing the gap between them, as if to emphasize the gravity of the moment. The cold smile that returns to his lips is a predator's grin, knowing and filled with dangerous intent. "Do remember," he continues, his voice lowering just enough to make the air feel heavier, "its binding." The words hang in the air, loaded with an unspoken threat.
Ash says "Two deals for one?"
Ash says "Greedy. "
Signs of life begin to stir from the beast in the cage, a whined chuff of air at the sound of the key scraping into the lock. It's not the reaction from an animal expecting to hear the sound of freedom, that's for certain. His lips curl back baring what teeth he can and his ears press flat to his skull. The sound of the lock opening for Kah(wolf) - means only one thing comes next. The rack, and the knife.
Nixx's eyes gleam with interest as Ash presents the spear, his gaze lingering on the weapon with a mixture of curiosity and calculation. He doesn't rush to speak, allowing the weight of the moment to hang in the air before he offers his response. His lips curl into a sly, almost predatory smile, his tone laced with a subtle, amused menace. "I look forward to acquiring that one day," Nixx drawls, his voice smooth and almost playful, as though the idea of taking the spear is a matter of when, not if.
"I will bring you Silas," Juniper repeats to Nixx, her voice clear like a bell and cutting through the air with its clarity. "As trade for this prisoner. This white wolf. This member of the Forged. This Packmate." She works to keep her eyes on Nixx and not flicking them to Kah(wolf) when that whined sound is uttered. Still and stoic. With no spear to bear, her words, her tone and her stubborn as shit chin have to be it for her.
Ash doesn't snarl back, they just stand, waiting for someone to turn the key.
Ash doesn't snarl back, they just stand, waiting for Nixx to turn the key.
Bear just watches the proceedings, seeming to decide his inputs aren't being particularly helpful.
Juniper seemed particularly emboldened by Bear's earlier outburst, for once.
"We have a deal, for now," Nixx states, his voice smooth, almost casual, as though the decision has been made and nothing more needs to be said. But theres a dangerous finality in his words, a subtle reminder that deals with him are rarely as straightforward as they seem. He pauses, letting the silence linger for a moment, as if savoring the tension in the air before he adds thoughtfully, "I am at the least providing this one with all limbs intact." He leans back ever so slightly, his fingers once again playing with the golden key, turning it between his fingers with a rhythmic, almost absentminded ease. His eyes remain fixed on Juniper, but theres no warmth or trust in his gaze. Only a cold, calculating assessment. The deal is struck, but its clear that, for Nixx, the real game is only just beginning.
The sound of the lock clicking echoes through the tense silence of the room, a sharp, definitive noise that signals the completion of the bargain. Ill be waiting, Nixx says softly, his voice low and almost soothing, but filled with a subtle promise of things to comethings that none of them are truly prepared for. Its a declaration, but more than that, its a threat veiled in the gentlest of tones, the kind of promise that lingers in the air long after the words have left his mouth. Without another word, he begins to move, his form almost imperceptibly shifting. With a fluid grace, he takes a single step back, and in the blink of an eye, his body vanishes as though swallowed by the very air itself. There is no explosion of light, no flash of magic, just the eerie absence of his presence. One moment he is there, and the next, he's gone, leaving only a lingering chill in the air and the faintest echo of his voice.
For himself, Kah(wolf) remains still as his skull shifts to stare almost suspiciously at the door to the cage that sits above him. The lock still sits in place but it's no longer LOCKED .. but there's no movement or motion from the wolf. Hesitation and outright fear of the hidden trick or trial keeps his frozen in his prison.
Bear pauses along moment in that pregnant silence. Interrupted only by a quiet, "Yeah, you better run..." He glances aside at the rest of the Fortune, assuring them, "I coulda' taken em'."
With Nixx gone and the key turned in the lock, Juniper is quick to stare at the cage and the immediate response of Kah(wolf). When the world seems to pause a moment she looks at Ash with askance. "Ash? I don't think I can touch that cage. Could you..?" The words slide away, but the sentiment, is hopefully clearly understood.
"Well, I think we got two birds with one stone. We got rid of that bastard of a vampire and we got Kah back. I think you should take over my stock portfolio, June. That was a good negotiation." Elias says as he relaxes as Nixx leaves, standing fully back up straight once more.
"It's silver," Victoria shakes her head to Juniper, breathing a sigh of relief as she steps closer to the cage. "I can't touch it either. Someone grab this lock?"
Sighing, Elias wanders over towards the cage door, looking to Kah(wolf), "Okay buddy, I hope you aren't feeling bitey." Elias says as he reaches to tug on the cage door, opening it up for the large white wolf.
Ash is walking over.
Ash is just a bit of a slow typer right now.
Bear struts up to the cage, "Oh hey, it'd sure be great if we had someone super strong who didn't mind silver- Oh wait." He leans in towards the cage, "Kah, you gonna' bite my hands off if I bend these bars?" As Elias walks up to simply open it, he chuckles, "Or that, shit."
The atmosphere is thick with tension as Nixx, a figure of malice and smug superiority, enters the scene, confident in the power he wields from his throne of desolation. He toys with the fate of the wolf, pretending to ponder a deal, his every word dripping with venom and disdain. The forged group, burning with a collective fury, stands united against this symbol of oppression, their determination shining through the darkness that fills the chamber.
Juniper, fierce and unyielding, negotiates with Nixx, offering a prideful vampire in exchange for Kah's freedom. Meanwhile, Ash and Elias prepare for the worst, their powers humming at the edge of their restraint, ready to unleash havoc. Even Bear, arriving late, is quick to catch the tense undercurrents, his presence adding to the collective resolve of the group.
In a moment charged with anticipation and the crackling energy of potential confrontation, Nixx contemplates the offer. His greed and cruelty are evident as he tries to manipulate the situation to his advantage, even as the prospect of acquiring a new subject of torment briefly distracts him. Despite his outward confidence, there's a flicker of uncertainty, a hint that the tables might be turning.
Faced with the united front of resolve and the unspoken threats of violence, Nixx relents, striking a deal that feels heavy with unspoken consequences. He frees Kah, but not without ensuring his terms are clear, binding the group with a sinister promise that heralds unknown challenges ahead.
With Nixx's departure, a tangible sense of relief momentarily fills the room, followed by a stunned silence. Bear's muttered triumph and Elias's calm assurance hint at a cautious optimism, yet the grim reality of their situation lingers, a reminder of the cost of pride and the price of freedom.
As the cage door opens and Kah is finally within reach of freedom, there's a palpable tension. Will he remember them? Is there enough of the wolf they knew left within the battered shell that stares blankly at the prospects of freedom? The moment is loaded with significance, a testament to the enduring spirit of the Forged, a group bound not just by shared battles but by the collective determination to reclaim one of their own, no matter the cost.
The story concludes with Kah's fate hanging in the balance, a symbolic representation of the constant struggle between oppression and liberation, cruelty and compassion, and the unbreakable bonds that define the true essence of unity and strength among those who are Forged together.
(The Price of Pride(SRVictoria):SRVictoria)
[Sat Nov 16 2024]
In the main hall of a stone tower
The main hall of the tower is a place where the very air seems heavy with the echoes of an
ancient battle. Shadows cling to the jagged, obsidian walls, flickering as the torches cast their eerie glow. The floor is a mosaic of dark, polished stone with scorch marks and deep gouges that scatter across the floor. Massive, ornate pillars rise from the ground, their surfaces adorned with grotesque carvings of demonic figures locked in eternal combat. At the far end of the hall stands a colossal throne, forged from blackened iron and draped in the tattered banners of fallen warriors. A half-ruined staircase spirals upward behind the throne, and the air is thick with the scent of sulfur and ash - a constant reminder of the infernal realm outside.
It is about 50F(10C) degrees.
is just waiting on two more!
Ahem. We're waiting on two more people, apologies (OOC)
Feel free to do your arrival poses and we'll get started!
Ash paths in with their gear, looking a bit out of breadth - as per usual, the AuDHD androgyne is poor with time management. They push their gray dreadlocks back from their head with a sigh, flustered, but the leather mittens in their hands - with white fur in the inside - is held in so tight a fist that it's clear that their emotions mask a rage the Hegemon rarely shows. "June, Elias," they greet curtly, with none of their normal pet names.
Making his way to the meeting point that was agreed upon with Juniper, keeping close to her said. Elias greets Ash as they arrive, "Good evening, Ash. What a lovely day to literally be in this shitty place, hrmm?" He says with a grunt.
Ash grunts back in agreement, grumbling irritably, "Why is even Hell fucking cold? Jesus Christ...."
As the Forged step into the tower, an immediate and suffocating weight of despair settles over them, a palpable presence in the air that seems to seep from the very walls. The tower itself, though a modest structure, offers no reprieve from the darkness that fills every corner, a darkness that gnaws at the mind and offers no comfort, no warmth. Its a subtle chill that clings to the air, only marginally cooler than the blistering heat of Hell outside, yet it brings with it a sense of profound unease. Everything about this place speaks of suffering and hardship, as though its inhabitants have been broken, their spirits worn down by untold years of torment.
The silence here is thick, oppressive, broken only by the faint echoes of their footsteps. Their eyes are drawn instinctively to the center of the room, where a throne sits atop a raised dais, surrounded by pillars, their surfaces intricately carved with designs that seem to shift and writhe in the dim light. Its an unsettling sight.This throne, perhaps once a symbol of power, now feels more like a throne of desolation, abandoned by any hope of comfort or respite.
To one side of the throne, a massive cage stands, its towering presence casting a long shadow across the room. The bars are thick, heavy, and coated in a strange, unnatural substance that is dark and slick, as though something cruel and unyielding has been smeared across them, sealing the prisoner inside with a grim finality. Atop the cage rests a door, secured with a thick, rusted lock that looks too heavy to open without significant force, an ominous symbol of imprisonment that seems to mock the very idea of escape.
Inside the cage, a lone figure stirs, a thin, gaunt wolf whose once-pristine white fur is now matted and tarnished. His body is drawn, bones visible beneath the tattered remnants of his coat, a testament to the long years of neglect and deprivation hes endured. His eyes, though dull with weariness, seem to glimmer faintly with a distant, guarded intelligence. He doesnt move as the Forged approach, his gaze fixed downward in an almost meditative silence, as if the weight of his existence here has crushed him to the point where even hope has long since fled.
Markings, burnt into the fur along his sides, mar the purity of his coat. They are jagged, cruel symbols, runes or brands that seem to sear the very flesh, leaving permanent scars both physical and mental. The wolfs emaciated form shivers slightly, not from cold, but from the depths of suffering that have slowly hollowed him out, body and spirit alike. The malnourishment is obvious, as his ribs bearly show through the thin layer of fur, his once powerful limbs now weak and trembling. There is no fight left in him, only the quiet resignation of a creature who has been kept in this cage for far too long, the very air of the tower seemingly sapping the will to live from his bones.
The silence between them is thick, the wolf offering no sign of recognition, no sign of rebellion, just a quiet acceptance of his fate. And yet, despite his brokenness, theres a lingering sense that this creature, though frail and battered, is still very much alive within, that something in him is waiting, watching.
Almost as if at the last moment, Victoria steps through the gates and into the tower, frowning as she does so. Moving to stand beside Juniper, she gives a nod of her head. "I'll take a little bit of cooler temperatures than the norm," she muses to Ash in greeting as her eyes stare to the room's center.
Juniper would arrive with Elias, naturally, looking not out of breath, but certainly more perturbed and less calm and collected than usual. Her nostrils flare and her eyes track down to the mittens in Ash's hands with a tightened expression on her lips. "You too?" she asks Ash, her chin ticking to indicate what the androgyne holds. Greetings aside, she too is even jumping straight to the emotional business of it all. There's a hand to Elias's arm with a soft squeeze and then she looks around the room and its pillars proper.
Ash nods to Juniper sadly, angrily, a mix of unpleasant and unwanted emotions. A mix they're eager to make someone else's problem. To Victoria, they don't bother bantering as they normally do about the chill - they give her a nod, their hazel eyes near golden amber fully as they meet her gaze, before looking over the carvings, the throne, but more than anything, the cage. Defiant of the darkness, presuming that, this far in, there's no need for stealth - they fill the room with light, pastel flames that float and flicker with agitation, the heralding sign that this is not just little Ash here, but The Witchfire King.
Lying within the cage, Kah(wolf) sits. His form no longer what it used to be, his size limited by the time in his confinement. His weight is gaunt, the bones showing easily though signs of feeding are evident enough. Leavings or piles of scrap not quite finishes lie in one corner, bloodied with something far too red to be normal blood, and no other signs of food or nourishment to be had but the dosed, rotten meat. The light of someone' shift in demeanor barely brings a reaction from the creature, too tired is Kah(wolf) to do more than try unsuccessfully to lift his head. A small glimmer of recognition comes with the motion, but no more.
Lying within the cage, Kah(wolf) sits. His form no longer what it used to be, his size limited by the time in his confinement. His weight is gaunt, the bones showing easily though signs of feeding are evident enough. Leavings or piles of scrap not quite finishes lie in one corner, bloodied with something far too red to be normal blood, and no other signs of food or nourishment to be had but the dosed, rotten meat. The light of Ash's shift in demeanor barely brings a reaction from the creature, too tired is Kah(wolf) to do more than try unsuccessfully to lift his head. A small glimmer of recognition comes with the motion, but no more.
A bristling that Juniper works to tame is not perfectly stamped out, nor even all that close to being stamped out as her nails elongate momentarily into claws as she blocks an instinct to shift, to change, to give into primal fury at the sight of the wolf in the cage and his state. His /shivering/. "Kah," she says the name that this creature has been given. That he called himself. Introduced himself as. And then, momentarily she is quiet but intent in her staring as if sending what she can through their common bond.
While the others focus on Kah(wolf), Elias rests his hand lightly on the hilt of his blade as he peers about himself, watching for something. Something on his face suggests this is not a warm reuniting for Elias at this point, at least this isn't the time for him to do that.
From the shadows of the staircase, a figure emerges,a presence so undeniably otherworldly that it draws the eye, even before the mind can fully grasp it. The form that descends is unmistakably Nixx, his features twisted and sharp, his eyes burning with a predatory gleam. His every step is filled with palpable confidence, each movement calculated, as though the very air bends to his will. As he approaches the throne, his gaze never wavers, a slow, deliberate smirk curling at the corners of his lips. With a fluid grace, he lowers himself onto the throne, the power he exudes settling around him like a cloak. The smile that creeps across his face is one of malice and delight, a snake about to strike. "Well, well," Nixx muses, his voice a silky, serpentine hiss that coils through the room like a venomous whisper. His eyes lock onto Ash, and an almost gleeful gleam flickers in his gaze. He tilts his head slightly, the movement almost predatory, and folds his fingertips together as if savoring a sweet, unspoken secret. "Excellent. I see you received the gifts I sent." His words drip with satisfaction, each syllable carefully measured, as if he takes great pleasure in the thought of his gifts having been delivered, or perhaps in the twisted understanding of what those gifts mean. "Come to make an offer for what's left of him, then?"
Victoria's lips part, fingers curling into fists before she presses them tightly shut again as though finding it to be more wise not to speak. She turns a grey eyed, worried glance to Juniper, before eyes fall back to the cage in a contemplative expression.
Ash fiddles with their nose ring, almost as if thinking of an offering, but their golden-hazel eyes flash to someone, as they think.
Ash fiddles with their nose ring, almost as if thinking of an offering, but their golden-hazel eyes flash to Juniper, as they think.
"How about," Juniper begins to say, a growl within her throat colouring her words. "We offer you your slimey life in exchange for our Packmate back." A hand is tossed out to the side to gesture at someone with a severely choppy movement. "We have these fancy /mittens/ made of only the fucking finest. I'm sure you'd agree. I'll throw them in just to sweeten the deal. Wear them if you feel like people watching in Haven again. Or, you know, feel like being a walking target." The blonde's eyes are on that smirking face with no way of hiding her ire or her desire to rid him of that smirk in a more physical way.
"How about," Juniper begins to say, a growl within her throat colouring her words. "We offer you your slimey life in exchange for our Packmate back." A hand is tossed out to the side to gesture at Ash with a severely choppy movement. "We have these fancy /mittens/ made of only the fucking finest. I'm sure you'd agree. I'll throw them in just to sweeten the deal. Wear them if you feel like people watching in Haven again. Or, you know, feel like being a walking target." The blonde's eyes are on that smirking face with no way of hiding her ire or her desire to rid him of that smirk in a more physical way.
Ash is generally the calm one - but at Juniper's words, they step forward slightly, their flames flaring to emphasize what the leader growls. On their own behalf, the stars under their skin flicker, threatening to flare, but holding back. Only for Juniper, this much is evident in their body language - and in the professional yapper's silence.
Instinctively knowing how this likely is going to go, Elias likely doesn't need to pull upon years of diplomatic work to know this though. The tension is thick in the air and he isn't going to be the one to de-escalate it at this point. Instead he widens his stance as he lowers his frame, his hand moving ready to draw his blade from its sheath. The air around him starts to plummet rapidly as this happens as the magic energy in the air is starting to thicken around him as he draws it towards himself, a thin layer of frost starting to form around his feet, spreading outward slowly from around his feet. It only takes a moment and the pattering sound of rain starts outside, pelting the roof and the occasional crack of lightning can be heard.
Nixx leans back slightly, settling deeper into the throne, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest in a rhythm that seems to echo throughout the room. "It almost seems like you're unappreciative of my gifts" Nixx says casually to Juniper, the words slipping from his mouth with the ease of someone who has long since grown accustomed to manipulating the fates of others. His tone is so nonchalant, so utterly devoid of any real care or concern, that its almost more terrifying than if he had shown any hint of anger or passion. "I'm 'm sure you have something appealing. His usefulness is waning." The mention of 'his' is cold, detachedno hint of emotion in the words, as though the wolf in the cage is nothing more than a pawn in some elaborate game hes already won. His eyes shift toward the cage, his head turning with a deliberate, almost contemplative movement, as though hes pondering the next move in a game that only he truly understands. His gaze rests on the wolf inside, the thin creature with his broken form and burnt markings, as if weighing the prisoners worth, or perhaps deciding just how much longer he might be allowed to endure his suffering. Theres a coldness in his stare, a predatory gleam that flickers just beneath the surface, as though the wolfs torment is an amusement to him, something to be savored before it is inevitably discarded.After a moment, he speaks again, his voice low and deliberate, his tone carrying the weight of an unspoken decision. What to do with you he muses, more to himself than anyone else in the room. His gaze flickers once more toward the wolf, the smile returning with a hint of something darker, something crueler. Its as though the wolfs fate is something far less important to Nixx than the amusement he derives from simply considering it. The question hangs in the air, loaded with a chilling sense of finality, and a narrowing of eyes to Elias and Ash.
Ash snorts, growling, "You bluff. You need him for your fucking demon tear ritual. Nice try... but I know a dream vision when I see one."
The tension and the energy building in the room, seems to liven Kah(wolf) somewhat. Inside the cage, there is still something to the nature of the anger and hatred pouring out of the people within the room and it seems to vitalize the wolfen creature inside the cage just a hair. The speak of him draws motion from his tired form. Kah(wolf) tries to push himself up into a more alert position, though the cage's confines don't allow him to do much more that lift his head a few scant inches from the place its been resting on emaciated paws and forelimbs. Dull blue eyes find a little more recognition, maybe from the intensity or the anger. Something about the response the group provides is familiar to Kah(wolf).
"Listen to me, you horrid piece of steaming sulphur shit," Juniper tells Nixx, demanding his attention back on her and away from the wolf in the cage or Elias. "You want something to experiment on? We've got a one-armed vampire shackled under a restaurant and I don't give a demon's tit what you do to him. He wasn't easy to take down, if you like something with a bit of fight to him." She remains steely, staring down the jailor on his throne. "A life. Well, sort of. For a life." She takes in a deep breath, setting back her shoulders. "And if you want to use him to wipe your ass with, at least he doesn't shed."
Bear huffs heavily as he rushes into the area, a sheen of sweat on his brow, "Ah... ah fuck... sorry I'm late!" He huffs almost violently, the man clearly not built for endurance running at his size.
Juniper only recognizes Bear's arrival with a small flex of her hand at her side and the slightest tilt of her chin downward, while she stares down Nixx with her newest counter offer.
Nixx's expression flickers, the carefully composed mask of confidence momentarily slipping as Ash speaks. His eyes narrow, the gleam of surprise flashing in their depths before he recovers. Do I? he asks, his voice quieter now, threaded with a subtle curiosity. He seems almost intrigued, as if Ash's statement has shifted the balance of their interaction in some unexpected way. The smile that had lingered on his lips falters just for a heartbeat, but then, with a languid motion, Nixx reaches into the folds of his cloak. His fingers curl around something small, something gleaming, and as he pulls it into view, the sharp glint of a blade catches the dim light. Its a small dagger, the blade darkened with dried blood, an ominous sign of its recent uses, his gaze sharpening with renewed interest. "Do I need to demonstrate the wonders of this blade on a wolf?" he wonders aloud, his tone shifting, taking on an almost playful, yet chilling quality. His eyes never leave the wolf in the cage, the small, bloodied dagger pointed at the creature like a promise of impending torment. "What exactly am I to do with a crippled vampire? I need suffering, and sustenance," he states in reply to Juniper, curling his lip.
Ash spits hissed words towards Bear, "Just in time, June's offering him the fucking deal of a demonic lifetime." Bear has rarely if ever seen Ash this pissed. Their witchire flickers and dances with the fury within them, their eyes a sharp golden-amber. Their hostility isn't aimed at him - they step back, even if only to grab his shirt for a means to keep calm, keep steady... keep from exploding with homosexual starfire.
They grin, though, in response to Nixx as he shows that they've called his bluff. They don't flinch at the sight of the blade, and instead stand confidently with all the viciousness fae are known for.
Bear looks around frantically, trying to catch up on the situation. "Shit, we makin' a deal? Who for? Oh, is that Kah?" The man frosses his arms, considering, "I mean, do we want him back for sure? Kind of a loose cannon- Oooh, violence? I'm a fan of that."
SRVictoria's head swivels toward Bear, and she nods. "We definitely don't want to leave him here." The words are practically spit from clenched teeth as she takes a step toward the throne.
Victoria's head swivels toward Bear, and she nods. "We definitely don't want to leave him here." The words are practically spit from clenched teeth as she takes a step toward the throne. (fix)
The sight of Kah(wolf) is accurate by Bear's measure. Hard to tell given the sorry state he's in but there's no denying the wolf in the cage is the man or beast in question. Dulled blue eyes watch wearily through silvered bars coated with some black grime and struggle to rise enough essense or energy to bring himself about in full. Only the barest signs of human intelligence gleam from within those clouded orbs.
When Nixx starts fiddling with the knife, talking about demonstrations, Elias applies a small amount of pressure on the guard of his blade, preparing to make a lunge forward if the need comes. Frost continues to slowly expand outward from his feet, at this point providing roughly a foot radius around him. His gaze drifts between Juniper and Nixx, waiting for the next move.
"Yes, yes, you're so big and bad," Juniper reiterates sourly to Nixx. "This wolf looks like he's accepted his fate. What suffering does he have left to give? Why not a furious, powerful vampire? He's missing an arm but he doesn't need it to offer a good fight. Pride. So much pride in him. The suffering could be intense if you knew what you were doing." A small taunt thrown in there for good measure. The air thickens and almost crackles between the wolf's fury, Ash's queer wrath and Elias's draw on the very warmth that the blonde supplies.
Nixx spins the blade between his fingers with an effortless grace, the steel gleaming in the dim light as it dances through the air like an extension of his own will. His posture shifts, sitting up straighter, the movement sharp and deliberate. Theres a sudden shift in his demeanor as he leans forward, his attention fully on Juniper, his eyes narrowing with an unsettling intensity. "Pride?" Nixx's voice is a low, incredulous rasp, dripping with venom. He tilts his head slightly, his lips curling into a smile thats as cold as it is mocking. "You took his arm, and still this... vampire exudes pride?" His tone is heavy with disdain, tinged with a surprise that quickly turns to barely restrained rage. Its a fleeting glimpse of emotion, one that flickers like a spark before being doused by the smoldering calm that follows. Nixxs gaze hardens, his fingers tightening around the blade.
"I assure you," he continues, his voice now smooth, yet laced with an icy venom, "I know exactly what Im doing." His eyes flick back toward the cage, the wolf inside itthe prisoner that seems barely more than a shadow of life, a husk of what he once was. Theres a twisted satisfaction in his words, an undercurrent of control that suggests hes been playing a game much longer than anyone else realizes. "You'd think this husk would be proof," Nixx muses, his gaze lingering on the emaciated creature with a look that borders on contempt. With a sudden, violent motion, he jabs the blade toward the cage, the tip of it slicing through the air with a sharp hiss. "Careful," he spits, his eyes flashing toward Victoria as she moves. The tone is sharp, like the crack of a whipthreatening, yet almost too calm, as if hes fully in control of every moment, every reaction. His gaze shifts to Elias next, the change in focus just as swift and just as deadly. "You, too," he warns, his eyes flicking down to the frost creeping across the ground.
Bear crosses his arms, "I dunno', fella', I mean, whats the end game here? You kill Kah, and then, what? We stomp your ass until you're a broken heap on the floor? I mean, I totally thought Kah was dead, so worst case scenario is his suffering ends and a fucker dies. This ain't the angle you think it is." Peering sidelong, clearly less invested than the rest of the fortune, "Am I getting my mace out here, or..."
"Take the damned vampire," Victoria's words cut through the tension, flat and unapologetic. "She's not lying. He's a rather...prideful asshole. And effectively could last quite a while to provide just the suffering you require."
Ash whispers, "He was made to be tested and twisted, he was made to be broken and beat." Their voice rises, gaining a singsong quality. "He's faced horrors greater than an old man with a knife - you're just trying to play us, thinking us fragile hearts that will cry over every sound. Yeah, we feel it, some more than others, but we're not strings on a fiddle."
They smile at Nixx, though it's as cold as what Elias can summon. "We're the Forged Fortune, fucker. We ain't that easy." As much defiance as warning to their family, they relax for the first time since they've come in. "You're grasping at straws now, the tables have turned."
Ash smiles to Bear, and agrees with someone. "The left hand man of a Fomorian, a greater demon than you are... we're offering a prime specimen, and you're trying to wring more out of us."
Ash smiles to Bear, and agrees with Victoria. "The left hand man of a Fomorian, a greater demon than you are... we're offering a prime specimen, and you're trying to wring more out of us."
"Maybe you didn't count on how many of us would come to Kah's aid," Juniper muses, matching his calm and yet sharp tones as threats run like an under current to everything they say. "But you asked me to make you an offer. I've brought you two in fact. A trade. And your life. Because as Bear so elegantly put... I think we would stomp your ass." A glance over to Ash has her finally looking away from Nixx as if his importance has waned now. "The witchfire king is so deliciously spicy when the situation calls," she idly notes with affection. "I've just spent three days hunting under the full moon and fed my blood lust, but I can make a damned extension for you, Nixx. Just try me." The growl rises once more to her throat, the smooth tone going away as quickly as it came. "You take my fucking offer or Elias gets to do experiments on your demon brain." A pause. "If he can find it in there."
Ash asks Elias in a sweet tone, almost cutesy as it is casual, "Can I get an upgrade if you do?"
"Heart. I would want his heart." Elias clarifies to Juniper as he looks back to Nixx, "The structure of it works well with fire enhancing magic, I might need it to interact with the Emberstone."
Nixx turns his unnerving, unblinking gaze toward Bear, his eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger as a slow, patronizing smile spreads across his face. His teeth, razor-sharp and impossibly white, flash in the dim light, a reminder of the danger lurking beneath his calm exterior. "As though Im afraid of death," he chuckles, the sound hollow and serpentine, echoing through the room with a chilling resonance. His laughter seems more like a hiss, filled with disdain, as though he finds the very suggestion beneath him. He doesn't seem threatened by the mere concept of death. No, to Nixx, death is just another game, another part of the world he controls. With an air of boredom, he turns his attention back to the wolf in the cage, his gaze thoughtful, almost detached as if hes considering the next move in some twisted chess game. The dagger he had been toying with slips smoothly back into his cloak, disappearing from view like a discarded toy. In its place, he pulls out something far more delicate, a golden key, the smooth surface catching the light as he slips it through his fingers, flipping it absentmindedly, almost as if deciding what to do with it next.
He meets Juniper's gaze once more, his expression hardening, the air between them thickening with the weight of his words. "If we make this deal," Nixx says, his tone cold and calculated, "there's no going back on it." His eyes narrow slightly, locking onto hers, the implication clear. Once this path is chosen, there is no turning back, no renegotiating the terms. Hes offering something, but in return, hes demanding finalitya deal struck that will bind them all, irrevocably. "I bear no further responsibility for what this thing has turned into," he adds, his voice carrying the faintest trace of distaste, as if the wolf is nothing more than a failed experiment, a disappointment that no longer even merits a second glance. The mock smile returns to his face as he looks back at Ash, this time somehow even colder, more insincere. Who am I to turn down a perfectly good deal? he muses, the words floating in the air with an almost casual cruelty. His voice smoothes over the harsh edges of his earlier tone, adopting a tone of false magnanimity, as if hes doing them all a favor by agreeing to the terms. "But you lot keep the gifts, hmm?"
"I'd be even more surprised if he had one of those," Juniper quips as an aside to Elias and Ash.
[OOC]: Juniper is a slow typer tonight, sorry!
Bear blinks,
Bear blinks, "Wait, fuckin' gifts were passed about?" He peers about frantically, clearly much more invested in whats being said.
Ash says "No, Bear. He ripped off Kah's skin as an invitation."
"Juniper, where is Silas?" Victoria asks in a tone kept purposely light, and a measured exhale. "Gifts made of his pelt," she tells Bear.
"There's no going back," Juniper repeats quickly and curtly to Nixx, her eyes on that golden key that he proffers. "Silas is under The Most Dangerous Game," she replies easily enough in response to someone, her eyes still on the one holding the key. "And /we/ will take this wolf as he is. Something you probably could never understand."
"There's no going back," Juniper repeats quickly and curtly to Nixx, her eyes on that golden key that he proffers. "Silas is under The Most Dangerous Game," she replies easily enough in response to Victoria, her eyes still on the one holding the key. "And /we/ will take this wolf as he is. Something you probably could never understand."
Bear nods simply, "Ah, doubt I could even find a good tailor for that. Tanner? Whoever would turn it into a bitchin' jacket. Nevermind, continue."
Ash pulls a spear from their back, spinning it around before slamming the but into the ground. And with fae luck, they get it right, managing to not look goofy at all. It's a tall Ashandarei spear, of heavy black oak. This spear, known as an Ashandarei, is tall and as thick as a man's wrist. Made from stout black oak, the tip of the spear is a mildly curved blade of Damascus steel the length of a short sword. Heiroglyphs and other scroll-work have been carved all along the length of the spear and inlaid with gold. They state calmly, "He feels his Pack. He knows us. Even if we were to be slain, better him, our brother, than anything else."
Nixx's gaze lingers for a moment longer, taking in the room with quiet amusement, before he leans back, clearly satisfied with the terms set before them. The decision has been made, but its far from over. His gazes draws back to Juniper, his expression cold, yet threaded with a subtle, calculating expectation. He draws out the words slowly, his voice smooth and mocking as he speaks, the kind of tone that suggests hes already certain of the answer hell receive. "I trust you'll bring him," he drawls, his eyes flicking toward Elias for a moment, his gaze sharpening slightly as if measuring something dangerous. "And leave behind these... distractions." The word drips from his tongue like venom, a silent dismissal of the others in the room, as if they were nothing more than nuisances to be cast aside once the deal is struck. With a swift motion, his fingers flick the golden key toward the lock on the cage, and the sound of it sliding into place echoes through the room. Yet, he doesnt release the key. Instead, his fingers linger, a faint pressure on the cold metal. Theres something deliberate in his stillness, as though hes savoring the moment before sealing whatever bargain has been made.
I have your word, yes? he asks, the question simple yet laced with an undeniable weight. Theres no room for ambiguity, no space for hesitation. His voice is sharp, and his posture shifts, leaning forward just slightly, as though closing the gap between them, as if to emphasize the gravity of the moment. The cold smile that returns to his lips is a predator's grin, knowing and filled with dangerous intent. "Do remember," he continues, his voice lowering just enough to make the air feel heavier, "its binding." The words hang in the air, loaded with an unspoken threat.
Ash says "Two deals for one?"
Ash says "Greedy. "
Signs of life begin to stir from the beast in the cage, a whined chuff of air at the sound of the key scraping into the lock. It's not the reaction from an animal expecting to hear the sound of freedom, that's for certain. His lips curl back baring what teeth he can and his ears press flat to his skull. The sound of the lock opening for Kah(wolf) - means only one thing comes next. The rack, and the knife.
Nixx's eyes gleam with interest as Ash presents the spear, his gaze lingering on the weapon with a mixture of curiosity and calculation. He doesn't rush to speak, allowing the weight of the moment to hang in the air before he offers his response. His lips curl into a sly, almost predatory smile, his tone laced with a subtle, amused menace. "I look forward to acquiring that one day," Nixx drawls, his voice smooth and almost playful, as though the idea of taking the spear is a matter of when, not if.
"I will bring you Silas," Juniper repeats to Nixx, her voice clear like a bell and cutting through the air with its clarity. "As trade for this prisoner. This white wolf. This member of the Forged. This Packmate." She works to keep her eyes on Nixx and not flicking them to Kah(wolf) when that whined sound is uttered. Still and stoic. With no spear to bear, her words, her tone and her stubborn as shit chin have to be it for her.
Ash doesn't snarl back, they just stand, waiting for someone to turn the key.
Ash doesn't snarl back, they just stand, waiting for Nixx to turn the key.
Bear just watches the proceedings, seeming to decide his inputs aren't being particularly helpful.
Juniper seemed particularly emboldened by Bear's earlier outburst, for once.
"We have a deal, for now," Nixx states, his voice smooth, almost casual, as though the decision has been made and nothing more needs to be said. But theres a dangerous finality in his words, a subtle reminder that deals with him are rarely as straightforward as they seem. He pauses, letting the silence linger for a moment, as if savoring the tension in the air before he adds thoughtfully, "I am at the least providing this one with all limbs intact." He leans back ever so slightly, his fingers once again playing with the golden key, turning it between his fingers with a rhythmic, almost absentminded ease. His eyes remain fixed on Juniper, but theres no warmth or trust in his gaze. Only a cold, calculating assessment. The deal is struck, but its clear that, for Nixx, the real game is only just beginning.
The sound of the lock clicking echoes through the tense silence of the room, a sharp, definitive noise that signals the completion of the bargain. Ill be waiting, Nixx says softly, his voice low and almost soothing, but filled with a subtle promise of things to comethings that none of them are truly prepared for. Its a declaration, but more than that, its a threat veiled in the gentlest of tones, the kind of promise that lingers in the air long after the words have left his mouth. Without another word, he begins to move, his form almost imperceptibly shifting. With a fluid grace, he takes a single step back, and in the blink of an eye, his body vanishes as though swallowed by the very air itself. There is no explosion of light, no flash of magic, just the eerie absence of his presence. One moment he is there, and the next, he's gone, leaving only a lingering chill in the air and the faintest echo of his voice.
For himself, Kah(wolf) remains still as his skull shifts to stare almost suspiciously at the door to the cage that sits above him. The lock still sits in place but it's no longer LOCKED .. but there's no movement or motion from the wolf. Hesitation and outright fear of the hidden trick or trial keeps his frozen in his prison.
Bear pauses along moment in that pregnant silence. Interrupted only by a quiet, "Yeah, you better run..." He glances aside at the rest of the Fortune, assuring them, "I coulda' taken em'."
With Nixx gone and the key turned in the lock, Juniper is quick to stare at the cage and the immediate response of Kah(wolf). When the world seems to pause a moment she looks at Ash with askance. "Ash? I don't think I can touch that cage. Could you..?" The words slide away, but the sentiment, is hopefully clearly understood.
"Well, I think we got two birds with one stone. We got rid of that bastard of a vampire and we got Kah back. I think you should take over my stock portfolio, June. That was a good negotiation." Elias says as he relaxes as Nixx leaves, standing fully back up straight once more.
"It's silver," Victoria shakes her head to Juniper, breathing a sigh of relief as she steps closer to the cage. "I can't touch it either. Someone grab this lock?"
Sighing, Elias wanders over towards the cage door, looking to Kah(wolf), "Okay buddy, I hope you aren't feeling bitey." Elias says as he reaches to tug on the cage door, opening it up for the large white wolf.
Ash is walking over.
Ash is just a bit of a slow typer right now.
Bear struts up to the cage, "Oh hey, it'd sure be great if we had someone super strong who didn't mind silver- Oh wait." He leans in towards the cage, "Kah, you gonna' bite my hands off if I bend these bars?" As Elias walks up to simply open it, he chuckles, "Or that, shit."