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| The curtain raises and the lights shown down; *open* | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 26 2007, 09:25 PM (708 Views) | |
| High Priestess | Jul 26 2007, 09:25 PM Post #1 |
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High Priestess
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Opening night in Dhemlan and the backstage was abustle. Many people shouting, hair getting the last touches, make up that little extra bit, all typical of the chaos before the play. Glamours woven from craft and jewel provided the final bit of touch up, changing hair color, tiding up a bit of the stage, adding more illusion to the set or costumes. Despite the strength of her jewels and ability with glamour craft Devahn rarely helped out, simply put it wasn’t her job. Hers was not an attitude that went over well in the ‘all for one’ insanity to get the players and stage ready. Another wave of her hand dismissing another grip struggling to place a glamour spotlight as the power in his jewel faded, another utterance of that hated word “bitch”, another night when the director, Nikolai Roerikh, came running feeling that terrible dark cold. Niko could have killed them all, Devahn for her arrogance, the other actors for their smirks and the crew for their idiocy in provoking her. Don’t they know that’s his job? And further that he doing it carefully to get the performance he wants out of her tonight. It was tricky to take her to the edge without her going cold. The trick was to keep her anger hot and violent, far away form the cold abyss of her dark jewel. He didn’t tell anyone this, but he loved getting his jibes in. If only he didn’t receive worse than he gave from Devahn. He shrugged, better that than a cold dark death. He wondered how dark she was. There was speculation but nothing definitive, and he had a strong suspicion that beneath those finely polished nails he would find black. She loved it, he knew, the speculation, the interest, the fear. The fact that she was one of the few, if not the only, pure-blood hayllian actresses and he had something of a celebrity in the making helped ease the sting of her barbs. Well maybe not celebrity yet but she was at least a source of gossip and idle interest in the jaded hayllian aristos. If only he could turn that interest into gold he thought. He had his secret also. All those little side jobs came through him. When the topic of the side jobs came up he became the subject of interest in the troupe and he knew Devahn didn’t like to share. She had often tried to wheedle the secret out of him. The secret of how he was connected to all those jobs. They all assumed he was an independent contractor. He laughed inside (quite a trick this close to the start of the play) knowing Devahn’s opinions of his employer. He didn’t report directly to Damian Troy, but the one he did report to received their orders directly from the prince. He even had help with the writing of this last one. Not surprising since it had subtle undertones of the current political situation between Hayll and Dhemlan. It was the story of a warlord prince Illius who had become a cruel cold and handsome tyrant. He was so cruel and calculating that his own queen did his bidding and violated the land and the blood. How a queen came to love the tyrant, but lost him to her sister. How instead of saving her sister from her torment she became jealous and bitter. At this point the play becomes a blood bath as one poorly wrought scheme after another ended in disaster for the queen. As she falls deeper and deeper into the twisted kingdom, constantly second guessing herself and seeing ghosts, she charges about the stage in her despair. It was supposed to be an old play and they always had the air of a fairytale. In these tales a hitherto unknown prince would ride in with a beautiful young queen, save the land, and therefore the blood after the bloodbath. Then there would be a great moral statement at the end and the play was over. This play had all that, leaving out that the savior warlord prince was the son of Illius and the sister, you cant make it too obvious. The rehearsals in hayll went as well as Niko could have wanted. He even took immense pleasure as Devahn raged across the stage in a fit of anger and declared that no queen would do such and such while stabbing the script with her finger. Now in Dhemlan, he knew this would be a great performance with Devahn as the jealous queen, for he had pushed all the right buttons. He knew she would rage across the stage, once in rehearsal she had even scared the lead actor playing Illius. He relished that she would give such a good performance improving the lot of a troupe of actors that ultimately worked for Damian Troy who she despised. Fortunately, for most of the play she is on stage alone. The only possible glitch is that he might have wound her too tight and she might unleash that dark power on the crew. He had to be careful, so very careful, then the curtain rose and the glamour lights shone. He had done it. |
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| Devahn Sai'Larine | Jul 26 2007, 10:02 PM Post #2 |
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Black Widow
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Devahn paced furiously as she waited in the wings for her cue. She was still so angry, too angry to think. Niko that bastard. Still in an odd way Niko fulfilled the role of a warlord for her, slowly stepping her out of the cold abyss before she hurt anyone. Sure she was….. distant and probably not altogether nice to the crew but she didn’t want any of them hurt, especially not by her. *Niko Niko* She thought as she paced *there is something about you* Then shaking her head at her lack of focus returned to her lines and the play. Her Cue introducing the queen, and she stepped out onto the lit stage, just barely capping her anger for when she would need it later in the play. Nobility she played with ease, everyone associated hayllians with aristocracy, or at least as the embodiment of the more negative characteristics associated with the aristos in Dhemlan and Hayll. Poised, graceful, purposeful she almost seemed to dance out onto the stage, hit her mark perfectly, and managed somehow to seem love sick for illius. With each succeeding act she was able to give play to more of her still considerable anger, slowly opening her self up to the hot fires within. There was something about the slow build to her anger’s edge that refined the feeling, changed it’s character, made it sensual instead of violent. She was still reveling in her discovery of a new emotional tool when the play ended, took her bow and swept off the stage as if she expected nothing less than the warm but not thunderous applause. Her anger gone she slipped into a thoughtful repose as she removed makeup, costume and glamour. She still had time before she set out on one of Niko’s ‘errands’, if she was quick she could catch the circus after the play before she set out. It galled her to admit it that most of the audience came to see the circus over the play. If there was one thing that united her with the others in the acting troupe it was the mostly friendly rivalry with the circus performers. The clowns and jugglers would warm the crowd prior to the play, and the big acts would come after. Devahn couldn’t help but wonder that the whole company afforded Niko a wide range of options in abilities when doling out his ‘errands’. Slipping into a casual but still elegant outfit, she dashed out to take a seat in the audience, just remembering to use a glamour web. Oh how she loved being blonde and blue-eyed, an appearance conveniently offered on the errand sheet as one preferred by her mark later. Try to meet him in the theater. Warlord, older, loud, rude. This will be fun she thought. There he was. Move down he aisle to him, just a hint of inattentive clumsiness in her walk, take the seat in front of him. A smile and slip, reach for the back of the chair to steady herself, feel his overconfident hand on hers, a web passed, a target caught. She smiled sat down and watched the rest of the circus act, and out of the corner of her eye Niko fuming at her for not getting on with the assassination while she had him. ~Don’t fret Niko~ She sent distaff to spear ~he isn’t going anywhere I don’t want him to go tonight~ ~You bi… ~ spear to distaff. Devahn wagged a finger at Niko with a radiant smile. It was her turn to watch him pace in fury. She wondered if he would go cold. She hadn’t managed it yet, but really wanted to see him loose his vaunted control and go to the killing edge. |
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| Circe Vivaldi | Jul 29 2007, 10:30 PM Post #3 |
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Black Widow Priestess
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Circe moved anonymously through the crowds as they shuffled in to take their seats for the play. She had decided to wear a rather plain dress, but one that complimented her natural figure. She always tended to wear a-line dresses and today was no different. Her dress was the gauzy color of twilight which brought the pale blue irises of her eyes out, but also brought out the peculiar mark in her eye. Her black hair was artfully piled on the top of her head to fall in gentle waves down her back. Truthfully, Circe had only come to see the circus, but decided it was worth the money to watch the play as well. Circe had been traveling the realm of Terreille since she was eighteen and had perfected the art of fortune telling which made her a natural for employment at a circus. She had been in a few other smaller circuses, which taught her some dancing and a few mediocre magic tricks, but her real art was telling people their fortunes. Much of it was from having a good eye and knowing what people wanted to hear… another big part of it was Circe’s strong bond with the Darkness and her ability to understand its cryptic whispers. She’d left her last job only weeks ago to head out on her own. She was tired of living in Raej and she wasn’t making the money she needed in order to support her baby sister. Ivy. Circe felt the blush of embarrassment crawl up her cheeks. She chided herself that she hadn’t thought about the whole reason she was looking into joining the circus. Ivy needed a steady home and it was becoming more and more imperative that Circe have that money since Ivy was nearly the same age that Circe had been when Theodore began to show extraordinary interest in his young step-daughter. Circe had hoped that it would be different with Ivy, but she knew the man who had been her father for fourteen years. Even his own flesh and blood was not safe. Circe didn’t delusion herself to think her mother would protect her progeny either. Circe took her seat and quietly crossed her legs settling in to watch the play. A very loud and slightly offensive man had sat behind her. Through most of the play she was wishing he dropped dead, but tried to remain focused on enjoying the performance in front of her. She was impressed with the actors’ depth of emotions and how life-like it truly seemed. Circe always thrilled at emotional displays because she felt they were gifts from the Darkness and that people should be grateful for emotions. She found herself slightly awed by the extent of passion the lead woman had, and when the play ended found herself having surprisingly enjoyed the play thoroughly. She stood with those around her as they gave their applause and yelled “Bravo!” and “Encore!” She settled shortly after and had butterflies in her stomach as she prepared to watch the circus. She always made it a point to watch the circus before she joined it, and had found herself passing up a number of perspective jobs because of it. If she didn’t like the show she knew she wouldn’t like working there. Circe liked the atmosphere so far and once again settled in her seat to watch the circus. A tall, pretty blonde haired woman took the seat next to her and Circe started forward when she lost her footing, but the loud and obnoxious man behind her had already steadied her. Circe smoothed out the folds in her dress as she shifted in her seat prepared to see the circus. She looked excited and nervous all at the same time and as her blue eyes shifted to her left she gave the blonde woman a timid smile and said, “Have you seen the circus before? If they are as good as the play, I think we’re in for a treat.” |
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| Devahn Sai'Larine | Jul 31 2007, 10:11 PM Post #4 |
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Black Widow
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No sooner had she sent her thread to Niko then the pretty raven tressed woman with the intriguing eyes sitting next to her turned to her and asked. “Have you seen the circus before? If they are as good as the play, I think we’re in for a treat.” Devahn smiled warmly, this woman liked the play. She was so sorely tempted to knock the circus, then her eyes gleamed with golden fire as she thought of using her control of the warlord. Devahn answered “The circus has always proven more popular to those that attend these events. However, I am happy you enjoyed the play, some could not wait for it to end”. Devahn glanced back over her shoulder at the vulgar warlord. Seemingly prodded on by Devahn’s words and glance, the warlord took this moment to expound upon the superior merits of the circus, in rough even vulgar language. The little show intended the message that the refined in the audience would prefer the play. Devahn cringed a bit as the warlord leaned forward for….. ‘Please mother night!’ She thought, the idea of those lips touching hers suddenly repugnant in the extreme. Gathering her control to her again, she smiled at the black widow and raising a hand the warlord quieted and sat back down. You could still hear his whispers to his fellows seated on either side concerning the fetching qualities of the women in front of him. Yet everytime he came near to saying something crude he would gurgle a bit and return to his quiet and whispering. The first acts of the circus were coming onto the reconfigured stage. Devahn nodded at the act remarking casually “This one is quite good” Behind them the warlord was looking very ill at ease. Devahn looked back showing perfect concern to the friends of the warlord. “What is wrong? I hope he will be alright.” His friends took the time to comfort her before taking the warlord to the back and out the building. She slowly sat back in her seat the concern bleeding from her features and smiled at the woman next to her. “That was odd”. There was commotion behind the doors at the back of theater then she felt the warlord return to the darkness, and his jewels burned out. ~About time~ Niko sent on a tight opal thread to her ~Use the blades instead of those damn webs next time. There is certainty in the blades~ She should tell Niko of the black widow sitting next to her that witnessed the whole thing, but thought better of it. Besides not answering Niko would upset him about as much as anything Devahn could say. Devahn stared a little bit at the summer sky black widow and seemed to come to a decision. She felt like a sister not a threat. She had been taking chances lately so she took another. On a tight summer-sky thread Devahn introduced herself. ~ Sister. I am Devahn Sai’Larine. I am pleased to meet you.~ and allowed her sister’s senses through the glamours of her disguise. Devahn hoped reminding her of their sisterhood and the previous boorish behavior of the warlord would be enough to ensure she caused no trouble for her over recent events. |
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| Circe Vivaldi | Aug 3 2007, 12:11 AM Post #5 |
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Black Widow Priestess
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As the blonde woman next to her spoke, Circe gave her her full attention. It seemed rude not to, and Circe didn’t want to offend anyone here. She had already offended enough people in the last Territory she worked in. Circe’s nervousness about the circus were slightly waylaid by the woman’s reassuring comments. Perhaps this circus was really good and would draw big crowds to them, and the idea of making enough money to actually give her sister a good life brought a special light to her eyes. Circe’s blue eyes shifted when the woman in a perfectly toned voice tinged with concern asked about the overly obnoxious man behind them. He seemed very ill at ease, and Circe was almost sure in the dim light of the circus that his skin had a gray tinge. When the woman next to her commented on how odd it was that the man seemed to be having an attack she nodded and added, “Indeed…” Even though the woman next to her was a more powerful Black Widow, Circe could still feel feather light brushes of a web around. Her connection with the Darkness told her to not question the web and to simply go with it and she did. She acted as if she didn’t feel something odd around them as it was she didn’t know if it was something in the act in front of them because she wasn’t strong enough or skilled enough to truly detect what the intentions of the web was for. ~ Sister. I am Devahn Sai’Larine. I am pleased to meet you.~ Circe smiled at the woman next to her, but didn’t see the reason for being so secret as to send messages psychically to each other on what Circe could sense as a very tight distaff to distaff thread, however, when Circe turned to look at the woman her eyes widened as the woman let her look through her glamour. It was the woman from the play! Circe felt embarrassment flow through her at her comments about the circus now, and though she truly enjoyed the play she probably wouldn’t have said anything if she had known it was that woman. It would have seemed like Circe was only pandering to the woman instead of being truthful, and Circe had a strong sense of morality. Circe was confused about the situation and why the sister Black Widow had to hide her appearance, but after a few moments a knowing smile slipped onto the lips of Circe and she nodded cordially. *Sister, it is I who should be pleased. I am Circe Vivaldi, a humble fortune teller at your service.* |
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| Devahn Sai'Larine | Aug 3 2007, 05:17 PM Post #6 |
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Black Widow
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Devahn would continue to look back at the empty seats every now and then concern and worry crafted into her features for the benefit of any who might know the warlord recently carried away to his death. The warlord was up and coming in the male council and there were certain to be more members in the audience somewhere, their interest piqued by what had happened to their colleague. She had to keep playing the girl drawn to his power, seduced by his position of authority, anxious that her chance to rise above her station had been thwarted by unfortunate circumstances. And so she would look at the exit through which he had been taken, biting her lip in worry, and nervously sitting back in her seat. It was a bit to manage when she would much rather just sit and chat with the black widow next to her and watch the circus. Devahn returned the woman’s smile and held it as her eyes opened in surprise. The smile lessened and her eyes dropped a little seeing the woman’s embarrassment, then returned when Devahn saw a strong something return to her eyes. Devahn thought she was right to have not introduced herself to this woman without lies. Still Devahn worked it so that it would appear that the woman next to her was giving her comfort in her little distress at the warlord’s exit. First accepting her help with a smile, then looking down as the other acknowledges her distress, and finally gratefully accepting whatever advice she was receiving. The other woman nodded and Devahn thanked her silently, perfect, those around would simply think she had acknowledged some fine point of distress. *Sister, it is I who should be pleased. I am Circe Vivaldi, a humble fortune teller at your service.* There was relief in her she couldn’t hide at Circe’s knowing smile. Devahn smiled and nodded receiving the introduction. Sending one more psychic thread to lead them to normal conversation. ~Forgive the deceptions sister. They are necessary for others reasons we can go into later if you wish. I didn’t lift the glamours to cause you embarrassment but to avoid introducing myself to you with a lie. Indeed, I am most happy you enjoyed the play. However, I still have a role to play if will indulge me?.~ With that Devahn’s glamours fell back into place for Circe. It was little difficult to focus so that one might see through them. Raising her voice just above a whisper implying that is how they had conversed until then, and her eyes widening in surprise Devahn exclaimed. You are a fortune teller Circe? She smiled Oh! You will have to do my fortune. This circus doesn’t have one yet, and I do enjoy having mine told. It is one of my favorite things to do at a circus. Not now of course, but later. She was reasonably sure any watching would snicker at the ditzy blonde so easily distracted from her earlier distress. Perhaps they would think to themselves she would have been perfect for the warlord’s night. If only he hadn’t died. Regarding Circe it was an assumption on her part, bit it seemed Circe was more than simply interested in seeing a circus, perhaps she was looking to join them. Devahn turned back one last time as the seats behind her filled with new people, as more came for the circus. The hall was nearly at capacity now, and Devahn smiled to herself soon no one would pay attention to her lost in the distractions of the ever larger crowd and the performance of circus. |
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| Circe Vivaldi | Aug 7 2007, 03:57 PM Post #7 |
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Black Widow Priestess
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Circe had a small smile on her face as she finished introducing herself to Devahn. She could hardly blame Devahn for hiding her appearance in the crowd that surrounded them. If they knew the star who had appeared only a little while earlier on the same stage they were watching was sitting in their midst she would surely be begged for signatures and dozens of people would like to tell her how well she did and everyone would miss the circus that was happening at that very moment. Circe appreciated Devahn’s candor and from that little act Circe had a new respect and appreciation for the woman. When Devahn divulged the real reason for her glamour, Circe was only slightly confused but decided that Devahn deserved the benefit of the doubt. She had proved trustworthy and Circe felt a kinship with the woman perhaps that extended beyond just their castes. She sent her agreement on the same tight thread and took a deep breath to remember what she had been taught about acting at all the other circuses she had worked at. An amused smirk slipped over her lips and she pulled out her spirit cards. “I am indeed! And I’d be only too happy to read the fortune of one such as yourself. I see many great things in your future already…” Circe fanned out the cards for affect. She had put them away as she always did with the backs up but when she fanned them out to appear to show Devahn the cards one card happened to be out of place and facing Circe. Her brows drew together for a moment in confusion before she once again smiled at Devahn to cover her expression. She brought the card up and looked at it in the dim and flickering light that shone from the stage. Fate. It seemed odd to Circe that the only card that wasn’t in place was her fate card, but the Darkness felt strong tonight and Circe was not one to ignore it. She replaced the cards in pouch at her side and her blue eyes shifted to Devahn’s. She didn’t know what she was supposed to say. Most didn’t believe that Circe could actually get messages from the Darkness and simply thought that Circe’s fortunes were fiction and created from Circe’s imagination and insight into people. But… Circe had never thought it that way. She truly believed that the fortunes she received while open to the Darkness were true fortunes and many had come true. Perhaps she would tell Devahn of the card sometime later… when Devahn would believe her. Circe pushed a stray lock of black hair behind her ear and turned her eyes to the circus which had really started to get interesting. All eyes in the hall were staring forward at the performers on the stage and yet Circe suddenly felt as though the action on the stage was not nearly as interesting at the intrigue that Devahn had drawn her into. *How did I do?* Circe asked with a slightly amused tone. |
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| Devahn Sai'Larine | Aug 8 2007, 09:39 PM Post #8 |
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Black Widow
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Devahn settled into her seat as her attention settled onto the circus and Circe, relaxing as the webs fell into place to conceal her involvement with the warlord’s death. Not the webs of black widow craft rather the webs of the theater, acting, storytelling, the webs of common deception. Niko had trained her hard in this craft both for the stage and for her errands. She had become his favorite for handling hard to get to aristos. Though the black widow webs complimented the basic deceptions Niko taught her, it was clear he distrusted them and discouraged her black widow training all he could, but that was a debate for another time. The circus performers on stage now were doing a tumbling routine. They really were very skilled Devahn had to admit. As all around her watched them she turned to Circe and gave a friendly smile upon hearing her agreement to let her finish her act. There was no acting in this smile. It was remarkable to her how easily they had dealt with the situation, and despite her armor was starting to like this woman even hoping Circe might indeed join them. ‘Ah hope.’ She thought, that is a web that had caught her on many an occasion always with painful results. ‘Best not to hope too much’. Her smile warmed as Circe agreed to read her fortune here instead of later. Devahn lost all interest in the circus when Circe exclaimed there were many great things in her future. An act certainly, but it sure sounded good, and Devahn rarely deprived herself of indulging in a good feeling. With rapt attention she watched Circe spread the cards then pause as a look of confusion flickered in her features, quickly covered with a smile. Devahn gave her a questioning smile in return, not her usual dismissive one, but one meant to encourage. There were faint ripples of power in the reading but she had no idea what was occurring. It didn’t seem to be black widow craft, unless it was a type she had never encountered. She tried to inch over to see what was on the card as Circe held it up the flickering stage lights, but couldn’t make it out. Circe seemed to study the card for a long time before turning back to her. ‘She is really good’ Devahn thought, and was now determined to get her to join their little playhouse. Devahn was waiting for the big finale filled with promises of dark princes, fortune and fame and thoroughly enjoying the show when Circe replaced the card in the deck and the deck in the pack. Her blue eyes met Devahn’s own fake blue ones and Circe seemed to want to say something but couldn’t? wouldn’t? A little chill went down her spine watching the fortune teller. Was it horrible? Even worse maybe she really could read the future? Maybe she was one of the ones that could read the deep currents of the darkness without a twisted web? Before she could finish her thoughts Circe asked on a thread how she had done. The warm recollections of the evening’s adventures chased the chill away and Devahn’s smile returned. She quickly gathered herself, wanting Circe to join now more than ever, wanting to keep an eye on her, wanting to know if she could really read the future, and sent a thread of her own hinting at all of these feelings. *You were wonderful Circe. Thank you* Devahn studied her for just a moment, but not long enough to make Circe uncomfortable. Returning her gaze to the circus she decided to propose a meeting with Niko, glancing over to Circe to see how she was taking her suggestion. “How would you like to bring your talents to our circus and playhouse? I can introduce you to the man in charge. His name is Niko and unfortunately I know him well.” She grimaced mockingly and smiled. “If you wish we could even go now. He is busy backstage and sure to be upset with me for interrupting his ‘concentration’. What he really means by concentration is watching the attractive women in the circus. Frankly, I can think of no better time, and don’t worry he will agree if I want you to join.” Besides she thought if Circe really could read someone’s future it would really creep Niko out. Niko was always uncomfortable with the female side of the blood, black widows were bad enough, but the really intuitive powers were sure to make his skin crawl. Devahn smiled mischievously as she stood and headed toward the exit in the back, looking over her shoulder to ensure Circe was following. |
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| Circe Vivaldi | Aug 8 2007, 10:16 PM Post #9 |
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Black Widow Priestess
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Circe hardly wanted to worry Devahn with the card and didn’t have time to divine into the Darkness further to be able to get some clarification. There were many meanings to Fate which couldn’t be divined without other cards to focus the Darkness into a clear meaning. As it was with the dozens of people around her she was worried someone would feel the dark ripples of power roiling over, around and through them and become panicky with the restlessness that type of Darkness caused in people. The last thing Circe needed was a stampede of people rushing from the circus because they felt some unknown power moving through them. Circe felt a blush of pleasure fill her cheeks when Devahn complimented her acting and her help with Devahn’s “act” that night. She, herself, knew that her acting left much to be desired, but it helped immensely if one’s partner was much better. It allowed the other to aspire as well as learn from the other. She let a genuinely radiant smile spread across her lips as she turned her eyes to the stage where the circus performers were tumbling and dancing about. She could feel Devahn’s eyes on her and though she was sure the woman didn’t mean to cause her embarrassment Circe felt the blush creeping up her neck. She shifted her eyes from the stage to her companion beside her with one eyebrow raised questioningly, but a smile lighting her lips. When Devahn proposed her question, Circe could hardly believe her ears. She hadn’t even been at the circus for one night and she had already found a way to join it! And what made it even better was that this was the best circus that she had seen in ages. There was no question in her heart that she wanted to be a part of it, and if Devahn could get her a job quickly all the better. She found herself chuckling at what she thought was a joke about the ringleader of the circus until she realized, at least in part, it wasn’t a joke. Circe could sense something in Devahn’s voice about this man and it was neither good nor bad, but sounded like something between the two. Were the old lovers? Perhaps they were past friends who had business differences? Circe wasn’t sure, but she chided herself for wondering as it was Devahn’s business and not her own. Before Circe could even express her extreme relief and gratitude to Devahn for the offer, Devahn was already moving out of the aisle and seemed to be heading backstage. Circe quickly gathered her skirts in her free hand and began the careful dance out of the aisle. With numerous expressions of “excuse me” and “pardon me,” Circe shuffled her way out from her seat to join Devahn in the center aisle and then followed her like an obedient puppy towards backstage. Circe smoothed out her dress and brought a delicate hand up to check the pinned curls on the top of her head to be sure none had fallen out. As per usual, some had fallen out but there was nothing she could really do now as they moved through the crowd. She wanted to make a good impression on this Niko fellow since he seemed to hold a good place in Devahn’s mind and might hold the answer to her future. If she could only get a steady good paying job she might be able to finally afford to adopt her younger sister and save her from what she herself had to live through with Theodore as a father. As Circe followed Devahn her mind traveled back to the spirit card and how serendipitous it was that Circe had met Devahn. Now it seemed only right that the card which had popped out of the deck had been Fate and a serene smile spread across her lips as she said as silent prayer of thanks to the Darkness. It had been a long time since she had felt truly alone and the Darkness saw to that. It was never far from her call and it always tried to point her in the right direction. Whether or not she understood the clues was another thing all together, but one can only learn from their mistakes which was a creed that Circe held close to her heart. As they reached the backstage she realized just how nervous she was and felt her throat go dry with anxiousness. Her heart pounded a steady albeit quicker rhythm and her hands felt clammy and cold all at once. She knew she shouldn’t be worried about getting the job. She knew that her skills would impress as she truly could tell the future, but having her fate determined by another was something so foreign and alien to Circe that it made her belly roil with nausea. |
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| Devahn Sai'Larine | Aug 11 2007, 09:07 PM Post #10 |
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Black Widow
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Heading to the backstage Devahn reflected a bit on her meeting Circe. She really did feel good about meeting her, and certainly wanted her to join. Her curiosity was piqued though. There were the feelings of dark power around her as she used the cards. More importantly for now, Circe didn’t seem to have any of the airs of her fellow performers, she as guilty as any of them. She smiled a bit thinking they were all divas, she the biggest in the company of course (in her mind), or aspiring to be one, even the men. The circus performers had their own idiosyncrasies, but that was another issue. Devahn already found herself feeling a little protective of her new friend’s openness, knowing her company had a tendency to poke at eachother ruthlessly. Devahn also knew that if she put foot down the others would back off, though it wasn’t clear that Devahn’s protection would be a good thing for Circe. Well Circe would be getting a real feel for the group in a few minutes, Devahn thought, for there was no relationship more explosive in the company than hers with Niko. Noticing Circe’s nervousness, Devahn took her first to the dressing rooms and found an out of the way corner thinking a little mirror time might help Circe calm down, hopefully explaining Niko would also. Devahn exchanged some unpleasantries with the few actors and actresses that hadn’t already left having finished the evening performances some time ago and settled Circe into a chair. Devahn was sure things were happening faster than Circe was used to, but she might as well see what she was getting into right away. Devahn stood behind her watching Circe in the mirror as she pinned the curl in place she tried to calm Circe some. “Here sit in this chair, and we will get you all done up and I can fill in on Niko. If you prefer to have it set a different way let me know, feel free to use any of the cosmetics. Now Niko is the director. Directors are the biggest diva’s in any company, and will yell just to yell. The important thing is to understand that there is nothing you can do to keep him from yelling, so there is no reason to be upset when he does.” Devahn paused a bit before continuing. “Now because I will be there Niko will be especially loud in his yelling. We will have plenty of time to go over that later. For now just remember no matter what happens if I want you hired you will be, and I do. I just have to let Niko make his protestations about who runs things before he will settle down and accept my good judgment” With that Devahn gave one her warmest smiles to show Circe that it was mostly all in fun, fussed with her own hair a bit, tidying up the strays, even taking a few deep breaths as if she was going out on the stage again instead of simply meeting the director. She gave a reassuring smile to Circe as she finished up. Took one more deep breath and asked. “Ok. Let’s go meet Niko” And when Circe was ready lead her to the wings where Niko was sure to be yelling at someone and so quickly found in the controlled chaos of the performances. |
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| Circe Vivaldi | Aug 17 2007, 09:11 PM Post #11 |
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Black Widow Priestess
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Circe followed Devahn behind the curtains her excitement only mounting as she drew closer to her wish. It was strange to think that something she wanted so bad could make her so nervous. She fidgeted behind Devahn until she sat her down into a chair and helped her pin her usually well behaved hair into the intricate design it had been originally. Circe smiled as Devahn helped her with her hair and as she stared into the mirror was struck with such a sense of melancholy that she nearly burst into tears. She wiped at her eyes as they welled with the salty sign of regret. She didn’t want to ruin her kohl-lined eyes as well as her hair. Such friendly and most of all “sisterly” acts brought on vivid memories of a Ivy as a toddler and wistful thoughts of what she must be like now. A sweet natured active waif of a girl with bright blonde hair who remained as untouched as the Askavi mountains. She didn’t want to make her new friend feel uncomfortable so she played it off as if an eyelash fell into her eye and she nervously laughed it off. Devahn’s talk of Nico was making her worried as to what the man was like. Circe considered herself a quiet person and when others yelled it always made her think it was harder to hear the subtle things. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be I guess…” She gave Devahn a half hearted smile filled with nervousness. “Let’s go meet my fate.” |
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| Devahn Sai'Larine | Aug 18 2007, 04:44 PM Post #12 |
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Black Widow
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Usually an astute observer, Devahn had completely missed Circe’s momentary melancholy. She was too busy preparing to deal with Niko. The usual game was for her to vent her anger and he would his, then as a peace offering she would get what she wanted. It seemed no matter how she might try to change the outcome there was always the angry confrontation. ‘No matter’ she thought, this time she was angry he had been baiting her since their return from Raej. She had only wanted some time. He apparently only wanted her storming across a stage and in a suitable frame of mind to run through a warlord in the middle of the theater. He wanted to play? Then fine. They had played it for a few hundred years and she was good at it. Something was different since they left Raej. It was difficult to piece together but something had happened when she set her hate and anger aside and had seen…. someone like her. She had no idea what to think of him now, and her mark getting away still galled her. Devahn nodded and smiled as Circe said she was ready. ‘She is already fitting in wonderfully’ she mused pulling her own hair back and pinning it in a loose ponytail. Best be ready for anything from Niko. When Circe mentioned fate she paused just a sec before continuing into the backstage. Fate, the word stuck with her as she left the dressing rooms with Circe not far behind, and she quickly wondered at her new friend before returning to Niko. She wondered at Circe’s connection to the darkness, wondered about what they had not said to eachother. She gave Circe another reassuring smile and thought ‘we both have our secrets but maybe….. maybe our fate is to share them?.” She dodged some crew, quickly looking back to see that Circe had also. Devahn loved it back here, the barely controlled chaos, the aroma of tense excitement and wood, fresh wood for the sets, the old of the theater, and the sounds, muffled yelling anxious to get something done while not wanting to interrupt the performance on stage. Sounds, like the sound of Niko yelling far in the backstage area. Her fiery golden eyes watching as the sea of scurrying extras and crew swam before her. Those that could had already started to follow. Dev and Niko had always been good theater. Rounding on him her ire rose without any effort on her part. She really was irate. There had been too much poking and prodding, he had come too close to calling her a bitch, he had pushed one button too many. He didn’t retreat, didn’t move, like a rocky cliff waiting to take the fury of a stormy ocean, and Devahn stormed. It had been awhile since she had unleashed like this and it felt good. “You bastard! All day! All day! You have pushing me. This piece of crap play you wrote” daggers in her eyes “don’t you deny it! Stop looking at them when I am yelling at you!” He too slowly peeled his eye from a fetching circus performer. Even more furious Devahn clenched her teeth, hand on a hip, and growled. “Rrrr. You little slimy bastard don’t you ever think to criticize my work again, and if you ever even start to call me a bitch again I’ll emasculate you” Steel flashed and Niko roared his challenge. Devahn snarled and answered with her own steel easily parrying his aggressive thrusts. She held against his attack and began to turn the power in his attacks against him, slowly gaining the edge, only to lose it instantly in a second to Niko’s more powerful frame, and it started over again. They both began to breath heavy from their exertion as their blades danced. There was skill in their dance, but it was far from the tepid prancing taught in a fencing school, this was a dance full of swirling passions, feral snarls and steel that screamed in protest. A thrust of her hips to take him off his balance, a twist of his to beat her back, legs entwining, trying to get the fall, grunting from a painful miss, breath hissing from between clenched teeth, screaming their defiance of each other. The pins had come out and her hair was flying about them tossed by the storm of their struggle, until finally Devahn’s leg caught his just right and nearly putting him on his back overextended and ended up on her own. There was a great ummmmph as they both came down and a great sigh from their spent bodies. There was a suspended moment with him atop her both trying to catch their breath, ruined with his smile. He wanted her to yield but she never did, instead she emphasized the knife at his throat with a little pressure and a grin, that and dark power beginning to flow from her. Leaning in she brushed her lips over his, then licked hers before informing him in a breathy voice full of her exertion. “You have a new employee. Her name is Circe. You will treat her well and pay her well”. The gathered throng was impressed, few stood against Niko for as long as she had or with as much grace. Niko was bulllike and so was his fighting style intended to beat grace out of his opponent’s style. Finally he snarled sarcastically. “Yes M’lady” |
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| Nikolai Roerikh | Aug 18 2007, 05:11 PM Post #13 |
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Opal to Sapphire Jeweled WP :: Leader of the Scarlet Night
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He knew he had pushed a little too hard today. He shouldn’t have even hinted at saying the word. ‘Oh well what’s done is done’ he thought as he watched her dispatch the warlord and then chat with the woman next to her. At any moment he expected the woman next to Devahn to expire from a strange affliction, instead they both got up and headed for the stage. Her took a second look, not sure he was really seeing what he had, and smiled. It was another recent oddness in his protégé that warranted some further inquiry. The stage, the sights, sounds, smells brought back memories as he headed back. Meeting a teenage Devahn, teenage for the long-lived, she was desperate and full of anger at everything it seemed. For the last three hundred years he had been honing the anger in his skilled protégé into useful skills, acting and killing. His long-term goal had been to use the instruction as a way to spend her anger, leaving the charming woman he knew lurked beneath it. In addition, she learned skills to earn a living and more importantly protect herself from any that would take from her again. Then he remembered trying to teach her the ways of the bedroom and frowned. He had misstepped there so very bad. Gaining another assassin and actress was not the only reason he had helped her out of her desperation. He thought that after one hundred years the pains of her virgin night and loss of her parents would have waned. Too late he realized those events were still close and painful. He shook his head recalling his arrogance. That was the first time she had gone cold on him and it had scared him, as nothing else before and since. He had experienced witches going cold, but none with that same sense of dark power, and worse there was calculation behind the feral intensity that filled her golden eyes. It was like staring into the cold golden fire of a nightmarish beast that didn’t simply want to rend him, but do it slowly in a manner that would extract every drop of pain from him it could before he expired. That was the day he discovered a purpose for all that protocol he had thought useless, and that had saved him. In the intervening years he tried a few more times to get closer to her, but it didn’t take long to realize the relationship would never work. The warlord prince in him never accepted that and led to some of the animosity on his side. A wry smile was all he showed recalling how they had settled into such a strange relationship. He protected her as he could, but found early on he had use her anger to motivate her to practice, to focus on and perfect the skills she had learned from him. Otherwise she would drift away into a far-away world, one contained in those damn books he thought. It was always tricky to stoke it, but at first it was the only connection he had made with her. There were more now of course, sometimes they almost acted like friends. Some part of everyday was spent trying to account for the breach in trust his callous advance had caused. Much too late he realized his attempts to bed her had only confirmed her distrust of everything, the conviction that everyone wanted to take from her. Everyday he would look for it, and on rare occasion he would get glimpses of what she should be, what she could be. All he wanted from her now was to be what he had glimpsed, and not require playing her anger to keep her engaged in this world. He had tried protocol and fussing, but it had gone nowhere. While protocol would bring her back from the cold abyss, he had to provoke her anger to get her out her shell. So for 300 years they fought. He had achieved all his goals where she was concerned except the one he abandoned so long ago, to be her lover, and the last remaining one that she blooms into the flower she should be. He hoped it happened soon, for her skills matched his now but would exceed him in a little time. She had to leave the anger before then. Soon she would best him in blades the last of the skills he exceeded her in, she was already a better performer and assassin than he could ever be. There was a time he had wondered if the assassin training wasn’t another colossal mistake. She had taken to the skills and studies required of a good assassin too eagerly. Her improvisations were not just brilliant at times but spoke of a deep dark motivation. That is what had given pause. He didn’t want to turn her into a monster. The idea was to send her against warlords like the one that had abused her, and hone her close quarter skills for her protection, eventually letting her overcome and walk away from the pain as she mastered those that caused it. He had really thought they would be moving away from her anger by now and was making some progress toward that end. He had hired Jenny to help Devahn with her aversion to sex, and there was some success. Maybe she could learn to give, he had know no other as giving as Jenny in all his long years. However, it was a project with mixed results. It was still clear though that while money could get you between her legs, she had still not invited anyone between them. It seems the usual pattern had set in as well. Devahn had a problem. She wanted the money but not the contact and with any problem she went to her father’s books. She was very skilled in seduction craft and web weaving from what he could gather. Once again not the outcome he sought. Those damn books. They were going to fight again he decided. It was always his way of letting her know her focus was slipping and that was dangerous in their line of work, besides she needed practice with her blades. Much about her recently had the feel of sloppiness, ever since that damn job in Raej at the summer solstice ball. All through practices in hayll after her return she had seemed distracted. It didn’t seem to have anything to do with the warlord that escaped. He dearly wanted to know how that had happened. Devahn hadn’t missed a mark in over two hundred years. Even tonight she was too casual in the kill, playing with her skills just to feel the elation at using them instead of using her blades and efficiently getting the job done. There was something wrong in her performance also. It lacked some of her usual subtlety as if she were trying too hard to convince herself of something. She was hanging onto the role too hard, both as queen in the play and the one as Devahn. He smiled again as it struck him. She had manufactured her anger for the role as queen, instead of letting it flow. That’s why it had come too hard instead of building. He had made the back of the stage and waited, yelling now and then to let everyone know where he was. She was taking longer than he thought, and she was talking to that witch next to her. Something was different. In times past she would have stabbed the other witch with her cold dagger eyes, and in all likelihood the other witch would have died in some unexplainable manner. He had seen it so many times before. ‘Something was different and it was taking too long, she should have been here by now.’ He would have to compare notes with jenny again when they returned to hayll in a few days. Even as he thought it Devahn came around the corner in all her fury, this would be a bad one he thought. She snarled, he drew on her, they fought. Oh how he loved these fights. They were the closest he ever came to knowing what she must be like in bed. She came so close this time, if she had been practicing she would have put him on his back. Evan on her back though she was still acting like she had won, what fire….. Then he felt the knife and the dark power. Her light warm kiss was at complete odds with the shiver he felt just prior to it, knocking him back on his mental heals. He fell back on protocol addressing her as M’Lady. He stood amid the excited whispering of those that had gathered for this latest round between the two. They were waiting to see what would follow as the two stood and eyed each other, Devahn with her snarling defensive look (Niko hated that look it symbolized everything that came between them), and Niko’s broad roguish grin that indicated he had received what he desired (which Devahn hated). Now all that remained was to see what to do about what she wanted. He saw Devahn stand and vanish her blade as he finally turned to the new woman with a welcoming smile and asked in his rich stage voice. “Circe is it? Perhaps you can inform me? What job did I just hire you for exactly? It seems our mutual friend has forgotten her manners. My name is Nikolai.” He bowed his head respectfully to a witch, and smirked as Devahn scowled. However, this time there was a little spark of humor in her usually icy eyes. He could have hugged her. |
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| Circe Vivaldi | Aug 18 2007, 11:21 PM Post #14 |
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Black Widow Priestess
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Circe followed Devahn through the busy backstage and was pleasantly awed by the quiet chaos that surrounded them. They walked through it as if Devahn was the eye of some buzzing storm. The atmosphere brought an unknowing smile to Circe’s face and she knew now more than ever that she wanted to a part of this busy circus as it brought purpose to everyone who was in it. She was simply enjoying the décor, the lights, the smells that greeted her senses backstage when she heard the unmistakable voice of Niko. A pang of panic slipped through her before she took a few quick steps to catch up with Devahn. It could be safely said that Circe did not expect Devahn’s reaction to the ringleader of the circus. She thought perhaps there would be harsh words when she felt Devahn’s anger growing. Her brows furrowed wondering what this man had done to her new found friend that caused such cold anger to snap through her. What had this man done that was so unforgivable, and yet she still remained at his side? Those were questions that Circe would ask Devahn and only Devahn. There were certain things that could be ascertained by the Darkness, but it would be impolite and wrong to pry into secrets that were left unspoken. Circe was sure that if it was something Devahn wanted to share that should would given time. There were secrets that Circe didn’t want to share at this point in time… namely that she could feel certain currents of Darkness and could often times use those dark currents to foretell the future. When the ringleader and his star performer leapt at each other, Circe couldn’t help but leap back and cover her mouth in shock. She could hear the whispers behind her hissing that she must be new since she was surprised at Devahn and Niko’s reaction to each other. It made her brows furrow in anger as she whipped around to glare at the makeup girls who huddled together staring at her. Her pale blue eyes narrowed at them as she looked them up and down with icy daggers. They stopped giggling when they noticed her watching them and looked away ashamed. She turned back to where Niko had just fallen atop of Devahn. “Devahn!” she started forward before she saw the glinting dagger pressed against Niko’s neck. She was very good. Circe felt an excitement pass through her that she had never felt before. She wanted to learn to use the blades with that efficiency and then she knew that she could protect her sister and teach any man who thought they could push their way between her legs that they had another thing coming. She was shocked when she saw Devahn brush her lips against Niko’s. There’s was a relationship that only the Darkness knew how to interpret. She blushed when Devahn informed Niko that he basically had no say in the matter and that Circe was joining their little performing troupe. She didn’t want to impose, but she had to admit that she was happy that she was joining. She wanted Niko to be as happy as Devahn seemed to be with her joining the troupe. For some reason she thought that anything that made Devahn happy would be fine with Niko, but she could be wrong. She didn’t know them quite enough to read them properly now and they were probably both excellent actors and so any emotions should be suspect. She felt the nervousness return to her and a blush spread across her pale cheeks as Niko addressed her. She looked to Devahn for a moment as if to ask her if it was true? Had it been that easy? All it had taken was to meet the right person at the right time and her wish had happened? There was no question in Circe’s mind now that the Darkness had a guiding hand in her meeting Devahn this night and that Fate was still flowing heavily through them still. “Indeed, my name is Circe Vivaldi and my dear Nikolai, and you’ve just hired yourself a fortune teller.” She was prepared for the giggles, snorts and chuckles that she always heard when she announced her profession and her blue eyes drifted over the faces of what would become her fellow performers and felt once again the icy distance between herself and others. She cast her gaze back to Devahn before steeling herself for the same humor the rest of the troupe felt appear on Niko’s face. |
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| Devahn Sai'Larine | Aug 21 2007, 05:45 PM Post #15 |
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Black Widow
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She rolled her eyes at Niko’s jibe about forgetting her manners, the scowl slowly disappeared as Niko acceded to her wishes. That dealt with she turned to Circe. Circe had yelled out her name when Niko attacked. Circe had wanted to help. It slowly dawned on her, the realization that she had made a friend without Niko’s help. Not that she thought less of her friendship with Jenny, but she had always wondered if there might be something wrong with her, something that prevented simple things like forming friendships without Niko’s help. Now she had reason to hope she wasn’t somehow flawed in that regard. As she scanned the room it was confirmed, the hostility of the others for her was now directed at Circe as well. The smile she gave Circe when she looked at Devahn briefly before answering Niko was genuine and supportive, as genuine as the scowl, and warning, she cast at the crew as Circe spoke to Niko. Friendship. It was till a shock to her. She hid her unbalanced state well enough from the crew but Niko would know, and perhaps Circe, she seemed to have another sense about her, some intuition. Devahn smiled, Circe will scare the hell out of Niko at some point. But there was something else happening with Niko, something in his eyes. Niko was happy, it was very subtle buried under his formality to Circe, and what is certain to be his brusqueness toward her, but it was there, a faint wisp that hinted at happier times spent in banter and easy company, times when the anger and disappointment had been banished briefly. Devahn had always thought the anger was hers and the disappointment his, disappointment in her. After the look Devahn had given them, there was not one among the crew that would do anything but give Circe their respect, but that was all and only until her back was turned to them, which was as much as they gave Devahn. Devahn couldn’t help a smile though as Circe informed Niko of the decision he had come to with a mix of formality and humor that reflected her own. She smiled because Niko was going to be in trouble with the two of them in his company. Devahn sent a tight spear to Circe. It was impossible for Devahn to hide her gratitude for her new friend’s support when the fight broke out. *Thank you for supporting me* or how well she thought Circe was handling herself *you are handling yourself marvelously* With that she turned to watch Niko. Even he seemed different since she had met Circe, and Devahn was now deeply curious to know how these two would interact. One the bright spear of hard logic, leadership, physical force and control, the other tuned to the deep currents of unknowable dark power. She could sense some discomfort in Niko. The situation was moving too fast for him and in areas he was uncomfortable with. He would also be looking for a way to gain control. He would probably ask them back to his office. Devahn leaned gracefully against a support beam, one foot lifted up to rest on it also, folded her arms across her, and gave Niko a smile that was as much dare as anything else. Daring him to trust in what he could never know, but there was humor as well and a confession. The humor was in his discomfort. She didn’t know where this was going either, but she was certain now that Circe had come into their lives for a reason and she dearly wanted to know what that reason was. The confession was that Devahn also knew she would find out the reason with or without Niko’s aid. |
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