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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 (709 Views) | |
| Nikolai Roerikh | Aug 21 2007, 05:50 PM Post #16 |
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Opal to Sapphire Jeweled WP :: Leader of the Scarlet Night
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Niko of course hadn’t missed a thing that transpired between the crew, Circe, and Devahn. His quick assessment of the obvious was that somehow in the span of perhaps an hour Devahn had made a friend and their lives were changing. This witch had done in such a short time what he had failed to do in three hundred years. The only thing that kept him from showing the anger he usually used to mask his fear was the happiness he saw in Devahn. ‘Mother night’ He thought. ‘She is a fortune teller.’ He noticed Devahn’s gaze had froze the crew. ‘May the darkness be merciful. She is protecting Circe. Can one be so happy and out of sorts at the same time?’ He wondered. Seeing Devahn’s own imbalance at the evening’s events helped him pull himself together. His broad smile returned reflecting on how Circe had taken her cue from his own words. Formality and humor. Even as his job was appearing to get more difficult by the second, it seemed he would be compensated with more humor in his life. Seeing the dare in Devahn’s eyes he stepped into his uncertainty, also wanting to see where it led. All eyes were on him as spoke. That was some comfort at least. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance. A fortune teller?” In his rich baritone, only curiosity and no hint of ridicule or his uncertainty in it. “I am sure Devahn has informed you of our need for one. What is a circus without one to sense and interpret the dark flows of fate? Of course having said that I must inform you. I expect the best out of my employees. Therefore I will want monthly readings leading to the substantial increase in my personal fortune.” His eyes smiled amid the overly dramatic oratory. He hoped it put Circe and Devahn as much at ease as it did him. “I don’t think that is asking too much since I could have asked that you provide me insight into the tangled, nay hopelessly snarled web that is Devahn.” He winced playfully as Devahn hit him in the arm. “Ok. OK. You are hired Circe. We will see to the details when we return to Draega in a few days or tomorrow if word of our play reaches the local court and we are kicked out of Dhemlan by Victoria Draak for the insult our play causes. Hmmmm. In fact you best get ready to leave on short notice. If you need anything have Devahn help you, she is yours to bother as you will.” He smiled broadly “I mean she can help you get situated and mentor you.” He gave a dismissive wave and now nearly yelling at his favorite volume again. “Now leave me. If you haven’t noticed I have work to do.” Devahn led Circe back to a small coach with a few beds, offered one to Circe and sat on the other and smiled. “Well you are one of us now. It is likely we are chased out of Dhemlan tomorrow the play was an unsubtle attack on the queen, Niko was never known for being too subtle. However, never think him clumsy. Anyway, for now I can answer any questions you have or help or provide you something you need if we have it.” |
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| Circe Vivaldi | Aug 22 2007, 08:42 PM Post #17 |
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Black Widow Priestess
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Circe was filled with such mixed emotions as she spoke to Niko. Relief - that she was able to get the job she had traveled across Dhemlan for, fear - for the future which seemed so uncertain, and yet so planned out, and joy - for the look on Devahn’s face when she accepted the offered position. She flushed with pride when Devahn sent her the very tight message about supporting her and how well Circe was handling herself. *Truthfully,* she sent back on the same tight spear, *I think I’m still shaking. Niko yells a lot.* “I am pleased to make your acquaintance. A fortune teller?” In his rich baritone, only curiosity and no hint of ridicule or his uncertainty in it. “I am sure Devahn has informed you of our need for one. What is a circus without one to sense and interpret the dark flows of fate? Of course having said that I must inform you. I expect the best out of my employees. Therefore I will want monthly readings leading to the substantial increase in personal fortune.” Circe smiled and feeling especially bold because of Devahn’s continued support as well as Niko’s good humor replied to Niko with a coy smile. “I don’t need spirit cards to be able to see that you will be rolling in money because of your especially keen business sense in hiring a fortune teller.” She winked at him to let him she was only joking. She would read his fortune at some point, but it wouldn’t be this night. Devahn… perhaps would be another situation all together. “As for Devahn, I agree with you Niko! She is as deep as the abyss, but given time all things will become clear.” Perhaps there was a bit of fortune telling in that one statement, but Circe didn’t plan it that way. Circe was in a jovial mood as Devahn led her to the coach, which doubled as their sleeping stations. She sat with a great huff and her skirts fluffed around her as she giggled. Leaning back she let out a sigh and kicked off her boots. “Don’t worry about me, Devahn, I’m fine. It has been so long since I have had a place to call home.” Circe began to babble aloud, not sure if Devahn wanted to hear stories of her life. “I left my home when I was eighteen and I haven’t seen my mother and step-father since… or my half sister.” The note of melancholy filled Circe’s usually pleasant voice. “She was only three…” Wiping a hand over her face, Circe sat up and gave a gruff little laugh. “I must be very tired, I usually don’t reminisce.” She gave her friend a small smile before reaching into her pocket and pulling out her spirit cards. “Because you’ve been such a good friend I’d like to repay you… can I read your fortune?” |
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| Devahn Sai'Larine | Aug 24 2007, 08:40 PM Post #18 |
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Black Widow
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Devahn watched as Circe sat on her new bed with a huff. She was still smiling recalling her new friend’s humor with Niko, and the cheek in her quick read of Niko’s fortune. “That was well done. The bit about Niko having the good business sense to hire a fortune teller.” Then playfully squinted in mock anger. “Deep in the abyss huh?” As Circe kicked off her boots and settled she appeared fine with her new situation even before she confirmed it. It was odd Devahn never thought of the coach as home and looked around after Circe mentioned she could call it home. The villa in Draega was always home, but maybe this was also a home she mused. Her musing didn’t stop there. She kept wondering why she had formed this friendship so easily. Was there something about Circe that had opened that door? She had decided long ago that as a rule all the blood were tainted. Look how they lived; using each other mercilessly, preying on each other ruthlessly, killing each other, breaking each other in so many different ways, sometimes it almost seemed a contest to see which gender ruined more of the other in some ill-defined period of time. Maybe Jenny changed something that allowed her to open to a friend? Whatever the reason, she usually sat in her bunk and dreamed of elsewhere, but tonight she was happy to be here with Circe and it did begin to feel like a home. As Circe began to recall her past it was there in what she didn’t say. Left home at eighteen. Stepfather. She hadn’t seen her family or more importantly her sister since, despite the sadness she felt in being separated from her. Devahn needed little more to determine Circe felt she had to leave and was afraid to return. Her stepfather no doubt the reason combined with her concern for her sister, her young sister, suggested how the stepfather had driven her away, but Devahn would let Circe tell her when she was ready. After she did, Devahn would begin the hunting of Circe’s stepfather, he would merit one of Devahn’s favorite dark webs, and he would scream for eternity if she had her way. Devahn was very careful to keep those thoughts out of her voice and her expressions focusing instead on Circe. ‘She could probably be a very good actress, she is so expressive’ thought Devahn. ‘I wonder if she will try her hand at the stage as well?’ Devahn had just started to reply that if Circe needed rest she could now when Circe offered to tell her fortune. Devahn smiled when told she had been a good friend, she didn’t hear that much, even from Jenny. “I would love to have you read my fortune, though I hear it might be difficult, something about too deep in the abyss as I recall.” Devahn’s broad grin was enough to tell Circe her new friend was playing. With that Devahn leaned forward to see the cards better, and what Circe did with them, wondering what the dark currents would relay to her through her sister the priestess black widow. |
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| Circe Vivaldi | Aug 26 2007, 11:54 PM Post #19 |
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Black Widow Priestess
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Circe smiled brightly as Devahn agreed to let her read her fortune. Most, unless they were explicitly seeking their fortune read, tried to avoid Circe’s fortune telling practices as they often inspired an eerie sense of reality with them. Usually people wanted their fortunes read and expected that it would be taken with a grain of salt, but once they’d had their fortune read by Circe they began to fear that everything she said was true. Not even Circe was foolish enough to believe everything that she received from the Darkness. Fate was a tumultuous thing that writhed and changed in the blink of an eye and if one simple if not seemingly unimportant matter changed then the course of history could also change and Circe’s fortunes would be off. She took the few steps to cross the coach to Devahn’s bed and took a seat slowly while she shuffled her cards with expert hands. After a moment she held it out for Devahn to touch before once again shuffling the cards. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes opening herself to the ever flowing currents of Darkness that swirled around each and everyone of them. She began the careful process of revealing the future to Devahn with the help of her spirit cards. She began to lay out the cards in a specialized form known as the Priestess’ circle and with each card that revealed themselves to the pair. The cards seemed to flow from her fingers like water and fell into the circular form effortlessly. Cups. Wands. Swords. Pentacles. Each had its place in the circle, and each had it’s particular meaning. “Love,” murmured Circe as she gently caressed the ace of cups beside the King of Swords. “Love with an arrogant man – probably dark haired, but not a bad man.” She moved on slowly the Queen of Clubs which sat to the right. “A maternal woman has come into your life. You may confide in her. She may help you earn a living.” Her brows furrowed as she came upon the Ten of Swords which laid closely to the Nine of Swords. She placed her fingers on them and gently grazed the worn pictures of the dueling men beside the happy faces of others. “Disappointment?” She said it as a question as if she did not particularly expect to find a dark card mixed with Devahn’s fortune. “Disappointment followed by a favorable turning point, but when and how I cannot tell.” Her fingers moved once again following the circular path the cards had formed. They whispered to her with inky tongues of darkness and spoke of fate and destiny in her ears. Circe heard nothing but their seductive sing song voices in her mind. The Darkness was fickle and changed more than a river’s current, but it’s mysterious ways tickled their way into her ear and whispered the answers. Her fingers brushed across the face of the Queen of Swords who’s entire body hung upended. “A greedy woman. A greedy woman will spread gossip and become a terrible enemy.” Once again her brows furrowed as she knew the Darkness was being cruel now. They were showing the bad and the horrible things that would happen and not giving a context of time. Circe could not tell if this was to happen tomorrow or years from now, but her consternation smoothed from her face as her fingers fell to the last few cards. “The Ten of Coins – a journey will be made. Someone from your past will confess something of importance.” A smile slide across her face as she realized what the important confession would be, but she kept that secret. The final two cards brought a brilliant smile to her face. The two of wands beside the two of clubs. “Make a wish, Devahn, because these cards say that your heartfelt wish will come true.” She breathed a sigh of relief as she finished the reading and the incessant whisperings of the Darkness quieted to a gentle hiss. She blinked and rubbed her eyes as a new feeling of fatigue came over her. It often did when she spent time listening to the Darkness as if it exchanged it’s knowledge for some essence of her life. “Did any of that make sense to you?” asked Circe with a sheepish smile. There were times she didn’t know what she was saying and other times she knew exactly the meanings of the cards. Either way, Circe was sure that given time they would reveal themselves to the pair. “Well, what did you wish?” She smiled and her pale blue eyes lit up as if they were two young teenagers whispering secrets in the dark. |
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| Devahn Sai'Larine | Aug 28 2007, 04:16 AM Post #20 |
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Black Widow
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Devahn couldn’t help but smile as Circe did. At first it was simply nice to see to her new friend so happy, and then she felt the dark currents. A shiver went up spine as she felt the darkness gather. It was almost enough to bring goosebumps to her. The look she cast about the coach was a professional surveying of their surroundings, but there was a hint of nervousness as well. Devahn couldn’t help a look of new respect for Circe either. With only slight trepidation she welcomed Circe and her cards to her bed, gracefully shifting aside to make room. In the end, Devahn was not one to hide from a new revelation from the darkness, and so she smiled her best game for anything smile and settled in to see what Circe would see in her future. Once she touched the deck of cards the darkness shifted and the reading began. It was beautiful really, watching the cup, wand, pentacle and sword cards glide from the deck into the pattern. Devahn couldn’t help but think it would be worth the price just to see Circe practice her art, for that is how she saw it now, a little dance of fingers and cards in a prescribed pattern not unlike a ball. The ball. It had come back to her, a turning point she didn’t understand and she knew instantly that her feelings and thoughts of the ball since were now part of the reading. “Love.” What came after that was slow in registering. “Love.” Her features brightened under the flush of a need so deep in her she rarely acknowledged it, and yet there it was dancing in the pattern that Circe set between them. The actress was gone as the teenage girl returned looking intently at Circe for more information. Arrogant, probably dark haired, not bad. She knew already it wasn’t Damian though he affected her. The man she danced at the ball with was not at all arrogant, but he was dark haired and not bad. Not bad. As in good or not bad looking? She sighed from the temptation left unfulfilled. She wanted to know everything, and knew at the same time she wouldn’t. It never worked that way. Love it seemed always came unexpectedly, and these cards were no doubt another misdirection in her road to love. The words would be burned into her memory and she would see all men through them. In the end, as it usually does, the fortune will never be known until after she had found him. The next bit was Jenny to the tee. Devahn was aghast; fortune telling was never this direct, and then her head sagged and shook back and fourth a little. Disappointment? She lifted her head and stared out still shaking her head. Hadn’t she had enough? What was left to disappoint? All she had was two friends, the acting, and the promise of an appointment to the black widows coven in hayll. She knew now she couldn’t bear to lose or be disappointed in any of them. It was too much. “Disappointment followed by a favorable turning point.” Devahn relaxed into an unsettled relief. The sense of darkness gathering increased as the fortune continued. At this point Devahn was getting a little skittish. “Mother night’ she thought ‘isn’t this enough?’ Devahn steeled herself for what was to come. An enemy there was always an enemy, but she should take the warning to heart, perhaps this time it would be different. Devahn watched intently as Circe’s features changed from a kind of unhappiness to happiness. A journey, someone from the past, a wish. A wish? A wish offered with blood to the darkness is a prayer, or was it the other way around. It didn’t matter her wild impulsiveness took hold and threw herself into the dark abyss, she would make the strongest wish knew. When Circe rubbed her eyes Devahn was holding her bleeding hand hidden in her lap so Circe wouldn’t see. All of her wishes were a dream, of a warlord prince, of love, of the better world that her father spoke and wrote about, of the blood honoring their gift, a world where fear was not a constant companion. She broke from her reverie at Circe’s smile and slowly warmed to the infectiousness in it. “Does it ever make sense?” Devahn smiled “Love…..” she lingered on the word. “I am certain to find many that would be my love before I actually do right? And the rest?” She smiled bright “You will meet the matronly woman when we return to hayll. Her name is Jenny and she is my only other friend. Disappointment?” She paused as her features hardened. “There is nothing new about that, there has always been disappointment. An enemy?” She shrugged “Isn’t there always an enemy?” She tried to appear nonchalant but really just didn’t want to think about yet another enemy now. “A journey and a wish?” Devahn smiled. “The perfect ending I would think, and what was it?” She paused for dramatic effect, always the actress it seemed, and wanted to say ‘I wished for love for all of us in all the forms it takes, the deep love of another to share your life, the warm love that fills your life with friends, the love of the land that only the blood can know, and love for your fellows that I have never known.’ However, she knew that would ruin the mood. She wanted to be teenagers whispering secrets in the dark and so flashed her best dreamy smile and said. “I wished for the Love in the cards, of course.” Grinning now she added with a mock whine “Does he have to be arrogant? And only dark hair? What about handsome? No beautiful. I want him to be painfully beautiful, and cultured, and graceful, and have that presence that makes those around him have eyes only for him.” She bit her lips and smiled. “Can you tell me any more about him?” She asked in a nearly pleading voice. After they had retold their desires in their men, laughing at the silly things each imagined in their dream man and feigning mock surprise or complete agreement at this characteristic or that, Devahn became a little more serious. “You are not the average fortune teller are you?” She looked intently at Circe. “I have never before felt the darkness like that in another.” Then she smiled. “Don’t worry it doesn’t scare me. Well… not too much.” She gave a reassuring smile and waited for Circe to give her thoughts on the reading. It seemed to Devahn that Circe was holding something back. It didn’t matter really, they would both keep their secrets for a time. That was necessary in the world they lived in. |
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| Circe Vivaldi | Sep 4 2007, 01:51 AM Post #21 |
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Black Widow Priestess
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When Devahn had stated that she was not the average fortune teller, Circe had hedged toward the end of the bed. Most found her deep connection with the Darkness a bit scary thinking that it allowed her to pick their most dark secret straight out of their heads. She couldn’t do that and she didn’t pretend to be able to do that. Fortunes were about the future, and those sometimes they made mention of past events it was only to help explain the future. Circe didn’t dwell on the past… at least she tried not to. Circe was thrilled that Devahn had enjoyed her fortune so much. When she asked if the man had to be dark haired and arrogant she giggled. “Devahn, dear, most of us don’t realize the ones we love have flaws. You most likely wouldn’t know that he is arrogant, but I’ll keep my eyes open and tell you if any particularly arrogant guys come around.” When she pushed for more about him Circe could only smile. “Knowing too much about your future could be as detrimental as knowing too little. Besides, it’s not as if it is written in the stars that you will meet this man soon. I’d say keep your heart open… perhaps he’ll walk into your arms before you know it.” Circe finished with a wink. “I’m sure you have plenty of dark haired admirers… perhaps it was one of them?” Circe knew though that it wasn’t. She knew that it was a man of power in Devahn’s life. Perhaps Circe had met him already, and perhaps not, but she was certain Devahn’s interest in finding him would be fun to watch. Circe slid off Devahn’s bed and placed her cards reverently away as she flopped back over on her own bed and began to unbraid her hair. Her pale blue eyes were sleepy and she leaned back and kicked off her shoes. All of her belongings had been conviently vanished since the last time she was hired by a circus they had left without her as she ran back to where she had been keeping her stuff. She closed her eyes after she finished with her hair so that it sprawled over her comforter like wispy snakes and intertwined her fingers over her stomach. “Where are we headed next?” The only place she had not wanted to go was to Chaillot, because she was sure she would see her step father and neglectful mother. Although, perhaps it would be interesting to see her sister and perhaps finally be able to take her away from the ticking time bomb that was the Vivaldi family. |
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| Devahn Sai'Larine | Sep 4 2007, 08:08 PM Post #22 |
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Black Widow
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The night was a joy and had siphoned away much of the restless energy she usually took to bed with her. At times during the evening as she sat on her bed with Circe laughing at this or that comment, observation, or joke, Devahn had paused briefly to savor the moment. It was true much had been taken from her; the noble titles of her family for which she hated aristos, the beauty of her virgin night for which she hated men with few exceptions, the ceaseless need to improve her station instilled by her mother and reinforced by most of the women she had known for which she came to hate her own gender. Her life had been one of pushing others away to keep them from taking more, her few good memories were of her father in childhood, and a couple with Niko since. Now approaching her 1000th year she had been given, yes given, a wonderful friend almost a mother in jenny, a new friend in Circe, and a she did not know what but it felt great in Damian Troy. Despite the laughter and the fun there was still hesitation on both sides; Circe hedging away when Devahn complimented her fortune telling, and Devahn pulling away every so often for no reason. It felt good to talk like teen-agers with out a care, but they were both blood, both witches, and both lived in a world that took them from their families far too early. They should have been given time to come into their own, to be courted properly, and love the one whose blood sang to theirs. Instead they sat on this bed in a wagon of an acting company, but it was a moment Devahn would hold dear the rest of her days. Whatever would be taken form her in the future no one could take this time from her. When Circe said she would look out for arrogant guys, Devahn was struck with the realization that her friend would not leave her, and could perhaps rely on her. She could only smile in response too appreciative to vocalize her thanks, and then listen intently as Circe talked about the future and fortunes. She was so young and yet so wise. “Keep your heart open” she had advised. Devahn looked a way for a second full of regret…remorse…something realizing her heart had not been open to the world since she was a very little girl. She looked back in time to smile as Circe winked. Devahn did have plenty of admirers, many of them dark haired, but none wanted her for love. She was a best a trophy on their arm, and at worst….most of them we not alive to woo her anyway. The conversation died away as they both tired. Devahn sent a opal tight thread to Niko and confirmed they would be headed back to Hayll first thing in the morning. Those in Victoria Drake’s court that attended the play were none too happy with it, and the delight of those not in the court with the play only added to their anger. The ugly politics of their world swirled around the little wagon, but inside she and Circe were still cheered by their budding friendship. When her friend asked where to next. Devahn smiled and replied “We leave for Hayll first thing in the morning. We should be getting a much needed break, and I can show you the villa I share with my friend Jenny. I think you both will get along great.” Devahn lay back in her bed and wished Circe goodnight, then dimmed the witchfire lights and doused the candles with craft, and drifted off to restfull sleep. The next day they were treated to more fine feats of yelling by Niko. Devahn and Circe remained apart from the rest of the crew as they prepared to depart only bothering to get their own coffee and wait for the better seats to be prepared in the coaches. Devahn really wouldn’t mind helping but true to form within seconds of emerging from the wagon someone in the crew had managed to offend her again. The diva was back, but she directed none of that at Circe. Devahn and Circe had the coach to themselves on the return to Hayll, as none of the others would risk Devahn’s anger. Most of the conversation during the trip was taken up with Devahn telling Circe about Hayll, and Circe recalling her home in Challiot to compare and contrast her new home. All in all a pleasant trip full of small talk, safe talk, providing space for the new friends to embrace their new friendship. |
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2:50 PM Jul 11