Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Darkest Web: A Black Jewels Trilogy RPG. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Secrets revealled; *Circe*
Topic Started: Sep 10 2007, 09:52 PM (358 Views)
Devahn Sai'Larine
Member Avatar
Black Widow
Sapphire - Ebon Gray
It was a long and eventful day, returning from Dhemlan after being ousted by Victoria Drake’s minions, victory over Niko, and a journey to the widow’s den to accept a position in the coven. It was also a day of revelations, Niko ran the scarlet night an assassins guild. It was no surprise that Niko ran assassins, for he had been sending Devahn on missions for two centuries. That he ran the whole operation though was a shocker. Devahn had always thought of him as dramatist first that had taken up assassination to pay his rather large bills. Now it seemed he was an assassin first that played theater on the side as an indulgence. She still hadn’t confirmed the main bit of information she wanted. Was Damian Troy behind the scarlet night, which was behind the acting company? Niko had said yes, but he lied all the time. Devahn wanted proof. Well what she really wanted was control and to no longer be simply a pawn of theirs to move on their game board. When she and Circe had returned to the villa she would have to sit down and go over the papers.

Devahn led Circe up a broad avenue that ended on the lower flanks of a hill. It was all the view Devahn and Jenny could afford, any further up the hill and they would have to pay much more money. The view out over Draega was still breathtaking. The Villa faced south, but there was a balcony facing west to catch the sunsets. Devahn had mostly been pointing out the sights of Draega to Circe, strongly emphasizing the good points because she wanted her new friend to feel at home. Circe had questions but Devahn had promised to answer them only when they had returned to the Villa, and so there was much small talk about members of the acting company. Circe had to get the scoop on them anyway before taking on her duties. Devahn finished the tour of the Villa. It was smallish but well situated and well appointed. Circe was shown a room she could use, and they both called in their luggage to a pile in their respective rooms.

Next was some fine Dhemlan red, and trip to the western balcony, to take in the sunset. There they could relax while reviewing the papers and answering Circe’s questions before Jenny came home. Devahn poured the wine, then spread out the papers she swiped from Niko, still smiling at her victory, then sat and turned to Circe. “It is important that we discuss the events in the tavern and at the widows den only here in the Villa, and this is very important. Niko and anyone else except Jenny must never know we are members of the widow’s den. One reason is that if he ever suggests we are then that means he has been approached by either Damian or Raina, or one of their close associates and they would only tell Niko if he was also affiliated with their court in some fashion. There were sophisticated webs hiding the den, which means it is a secret they want maintained at great cost. Another reason is to find a way to use our fortunate appointment to torment Niko, for that to work we must maintain that I am hostile to Damian Troy and his court, at least in Niko’s presence. I am sure that will work well for Damian and Raina as well.” Devahn smiled at Circe and taking some of the papers in hand said conspiratorially “Let’s see what the boss is hiding.”

Circe seemed as eager as Devahn to go through the papers, nodding as she sipped her wine quietly. Devahn started going through the papers she stole from Niko, quickly finding and holding up a wallet full of gold marks, happy surprise in her open eyes and mouth as she showed it to Circe. Devahn quickly went through the rest. She found a ledger and anger began to cloud her features. Many of the gold marks in the wallet were from a tip sent by a wealthy theater goer, apparently with an ax to grind with Victoria, to the pay homage to the ‘riveting work of the lead actress even though she is hayllian’. She found the ledger again and did a thorough scan. That bastard had been pocketing her tips. She found the letter requesting the hit on San’na, and the hayllian compromised in Damian’s court. Next to the latter name was hers. Apparently, the hayllian would be her next job. It irritated her that another working girl would die, but this one was apparently playing a dangerous game. There was a seal on the letter but she had no way of knowing whose it was.

The ledger was the best information in all of the papers. It detailed Niko’s income which was much more substantial than he had let on. It was time for a raise for the company. Devahn was elated with her find plenty of money coming into Niko’s coffers, most untraceable, and a miserly bit going out even for assassinations. She was almost bouncing in her chair excitedly going over what she would do to Niko with the information. Once she had gone through the ledger to he satisfaction, Devahn turned to Circe and invited any questions she had about this day's events or those concerning the previous day.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Circe Vivaldi
Member Avatar
Black Widow Priestess
Summer Sky - Green
Circe was dog tired by the time they returned to Devahn’s manor in Draega. Not only had they gone on a hunt for Niko, disguised themselves as dandies, and joined one of the most secretive and yet prestigious coven’s in Terreille, but they were not going back to Devahn’s house to go over the papers they had stolen from Niko. Circe dreaded what they would find in his papers and knew that a man like Niko was bound to have a dozen secrets all that would lead them to dark places they shouldn’t be entering.

Devahn’s manor was nice – much more like a home than the coach’s that they traveled in from Territory to Territory. Circe wondered why she didn’t spend more time in Draega if she had a home such as this one. Most likely because she was drawn to the excitement and thrill of performing and that being solitary would inspire boredom. The sheer number of things Devahn was involved in lead Circe to think this. Either that or her friend didn’t want to slow down and take a look at her life. Perhaps she was running from something in her past which made it hard for her to slow down. Either way, Circe was sure the pace of Devahn’s life suited her and for now it suited Circe as well.

She wanted to ask where Jenny was, but assumed the woman would be along shortly once she heard that Devahn was home. What would she think of her? Jenny had been Devahn’s only friend for many years and Circe worried she would be hostile toward her for the mere fact that she would feel she was being replaced. She readied herself for the possibility but didn’t voice her concern to Devahn who had handed Circe a glass of Dhemlan red wine of which she took a deep gulp. So much better than that stingy ale in the Flying Heron – so much better.

Circe took a handful of the papers that Devahn had stolen from Niko and she looked through her half of the batch carefully. She didn’t find anything as significantly important as Devahn, but she found a few hand written letters addressed to a woman she didn’t know as well as receipts and detailed spending reports though if they were matched against Devahn’s accounts of Niko’s money there would be some noticeable errors in Niko’s benefit. She laughed when Devahn pulled out the sizeable amount of gold marks. Niko had definitely been holding out on his hard working actors and circus folk and this realization made Circe feel as though she would be keeping a careful tally on her work for Niko to come.

Once they were done looking through their pilfered paperwork Devahn invited Circe to ask questions about their day since she made it explicitly clear that they weren’t to talk about the Scarlet Night or the coven unless they were in her manor in Draega. She had numerous questions about the coven and Damian Troy. He was such an imposing figure she wondered how Devahn could act so casual around him. Had Devahn and Damian met before? His greeting suggested that he did. Infact, with a smile Circe’s mind whirled back to her fortune reading from before, he did seem a little arrogant in his assumptions about the ladies in his coven. He was dark and handsome… and as Devahn had so much wanted painfully beautiful even. Did Devahn think of Damien when Circe had given her description of her love? Having not met the man yet, Circe’s mind automatically assumed Niko, but now with two arrogant love interests posed before her Circe could not adequately be certain of either. She kept these musings to herself, but added a comment she didn’t know if Devahn would get. “Damian seems awfully sure of himself, no?”
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Devahn Sai'Larine
Member Avatar
Black Widow
Sapphire - Ebon Gray
Devahn watched the last of the sunset pass from the sky and sipped more wine, the wheels in her mind spinning madly. How to best use the information in the papers she stole? How best to let Circe know of her other profession? Surely she had guessed, and it would be best if she knew, besides it wasn’t really a crime for blood to kill blood even for money. If she asked questions though about how Devahn had entered the business, or more specifically what motivated her, then Devahn would have problems answering. Those answers were a little too painful to her to share with Circe at the moment.

The woman to whom Niko was writing was a mystery to Devahn as well, but the receipts confirmed what was in the ledger. Devahn folded the ledger and handed it to Circe so she could confirm her suspicions at her convenience. She knew full well that most of the ledger was concerned with contract killing and Circe would see her name next to some of the contracts. Devahn prayed Circe would not be offended.

“Damian seems awfully sure of himself, no?”

Devahn was preparing for questions about assassinations, Niko, the tavern, or the coven. She was stunned for a moment when Circe asked about Damian. Before she recovered she was already blushing and it was too late. Circe had skipped right past all her defenses with one question. She bit her lower lip and looked away quickly upon realizing she was blushing, and then hugged her knees hiding her face behind her long hair. She seemed to melt into her legs her head coming to rest on her knees before turning to Circe again with a smitten schoolgirl smile.

“He is sure of himself isn’t he and dark and handsome.” Devahn pursed her lips as her glowing eyes flicked down then back to Circe. It was no use. Devahn had already revealed her feelings so she might as well tell Circe. Still brightly smiling she flicked her hair out of her face, and rocked a bit still hugging her knees as she relayed the tale of the ball. “I met him at the solstice ball. In truth prior to the ball I hated him, our families had warred and his father had seen to our expulsion from the hundred families that rule hayll. For that and some other reasons, it was…. awkward at first. And he was not so bad.” Grinned at the memory of her fortune. “He was very kind to me that night…..” Then Devahn’s expression became blissful. “We danced Circe! He is a fabulous dancer. I can’t believe your cards didn’t see it.” Then she expression quickly changed to one of dejection. “It wasn’t in the cards because he isn’t.” There was bitterness as she said it and then her voice trailed off as she looked away from Circe again. “He is a warlord prince ruling hayll. His blood will sing for a queen of good standing, one that can rule with him, not a fallen noble who scrapes a living acting, assassinating, and on occasion as a courtesan.”

She didn’t look at Circe, just stared out at the gathering dark, still hugging her knees, looking for a world that would never be. Wishing for a world where her parents lived as members in good standing of the hundred families and she could dream of one day being wooed by prince Damian Troy. She turned away from Circe as a tear fell, wiping it quickly as she clenched her teeth trying to regain her control. She spoke softly. “I’m sorry. I am really not like this. I wanted this night to be fun for us, so you might feel good about a life in Hayll.” She wiped another tear and looked at Circe with a wry smile not knowing what else to say except "Jenny will be home soon."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Circe Vivaldi
Member Avatar
Black Widow Priestess
Summer Sky - Green
Circe took the ledger in her hand and proceeded to scan over the items written. Indeed, she saw where Devahn’s name was beside a couple of the assassinations. Circe’s blue eyes widened and snapped up to where Devahn was sitting across the way. Was it true? Could her kind and gentle friend truly be an assassin for the Scarlet Night? The same place they had just visited in a seedier part of town? Circe looked away for a moment back down at the ledger. Her other hand gripped the stem of her wine glass as she brought it to her lips and took a deep gulp. Could it be true? Circe thought back to all that she knew about Devahn, and she had to honestly admit to wonder when she had seen Devahn and Niko fight with blades as to why Devahn would need to know how to use them with such skill. That explained it fairly well. And she now wondered where that Warlord had gone at the circus when his friends had taken him out back and he had never returned. He was annoying, yes, but enough to assassinated? Circe wouldn’t presume to know.

It took Circe another couple of moments to think things over before she decided that she had already had inklings that Devahn was some sort of killer for hire. It didn’t really matter… did it? No. She was still the same Devahn, but now she trusted Circe enough to show her everything about her. When she looked up she felt a bright smile spread across her lips as she realized Devahn was thinking about her comment about Damien. But before she could join in on the giggling and ask about this crush that Devahn seemed to have on him Devahn’s entire expression changed to one of near agony. Her cards didn’t see them dance? Her cards didn’t see that Devahn was an assassin. Her cards don’t see a lot of things. The Darkness was coy and mysterious and things that most people want to be revealed to them are not. “He is a Warlord Prince and he rules Hayll, but I don’t see why that has anything to do with love.” She was truly at a loss for words. She didn’t know what she could say that would lift her friend’s spirits.

“I’m sorry. I am really not like this. I wanted this night to be fun for us, so you might feel good about a life in Hayll.”

She gave her friend a soft smile before pushing a lock of her black hair behind her ear. “Life is only as good as we make it, Devahn, and I intend to make the best of mine.” She wanted to talk more about Damien, but with the approaching footsteps that heralded Jenny was home, Circe wanted to be prepared. Besides, she wasn’t sure if Jenny knew about Devahn’s liking of Damien.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Devahn Sai'Larine
Member Avatar
Black Widow
Sapphire - Ebon Gray
All during the elation and upset over Damian Devahn had watched Circe gauging her reactions. It wasn’t that she doubted her or that she was attempting to manipulate Circe, quite the contrary, it was simply second nature after all these years. So even as she brushed a tear away Devahn saw confusion and a little doubt cloud Circe’s features, and it sent a stab of fear through her. She couldn’t lose her friend just having found her, but before she could say anything Circe offered her take on Damian and it brought a measure of comfort.

“He is a Warlord Prince and he rules Hayll, but I don’t see why that has anything to do with love.”

Devahn could only nod in reply. She wasn’t even close to the point where she would dare to believe in something as ephemeral as love. Circe truly was a good friend to offer comfort though, and her next comments bought Devahn all the way back to her previous good spirits.

“Life is only as good as we make it, Devahn, and I intend to make the best of mine.”

Circe was not going to run away from the assassin. Devahn smiled in relief as she looked toward the approaching footsteps and said in a whisper before Jenny came. “She doesn’t know about Damian or the ball, but I will tell her. I will explain more later, but only just this day confirmed I worked for the scarlet night. I always thought I only worked for Niko. In my defense most of my targets were awful men that had done horrible things to other blood. Most of the rest were witches that aided them or joined in themselves.”

They could hear Jenny moving around in the interior of the villa. Devahn smiled her mischievous smile and called out to Jenny. “I am out on the deck, and I have brought a surprise. Come and see.”

--------------------------------------

Jenny was exhausted as she approached the villa. It had been a rough few weeks while Devahn was away. The madam of the red moon house was pushing her hard with her healing and courtesan duties. The vile woman always took advantage of Devahn’s absences to work Jenny harder. With the problem came the dilemma to tell Devahn and stoke her fury at the woman or to let it go and be taken advantage of by her. Jenny preferred to keep her friend from feeling anger, it seemed to keep Devahn from descending into that pit where she would toy with the taint. Jenny was so tired though and it was affecting her work in both jobs she had at the house something had to be done. Tomorrow maybe.

To make matters worse she had difficulty sleeping and was distracted at work. She couldn’t get the image of the little blonde girl getting abducted out of her mind. Jenny knew all too well what fate awaited that poor little girl, and it brought her to anger, an emotion she very rarely felt. She had decided earlier. It was the first thing she would discuss with Devahn, if Devahn was in a calm enough mood. Jenny would wait if her friend was already straying to the edge of her anger from darkness knows what else might have happened over the weeks she was gone.

Jenny was so lost in he thoughts that it wasn’t long before she was in the door and getting situated in the villa they shared. She smiled brightly when she heard Devahn call from the balcony. ‘She is in a good mood’. Jenny slipped off her shoes with a sigh of relief grabbed a glass and headed out to the balcony, prepared to take her seat in the chair next to Devahn, when she saw Circe. All her features opened in surprise at seeing the woman, and the minx that was Devahn only offered a cheerful “Surprise Jenny” by way of explanation, and a long pause to let her and Circe twist a bit. It wasn’t until both she and Circe were looking askance at Devahn that Devahn offered more feigning innocence. “What? You don’t like my surprise? This is Circe. Circe this is Jenny. You are my only two friends so it is required that you both get along.” The bright hopeful smile Devahn wore was precious Jenny thought, prompting her own smile from the depths of her exhaustion and worry.

Jenny greeted Circe “I am very pleased to meet you Circe. I can’t tell you how happy I am that Devahn has made another friend.” Jenny shot a pointed glance at Devahn that clearly was admonishing her for taking so long to strike up another friendship. Devahn just smiled and shook her head a little. Jenny’s plan for Devahn, in stark contrast to Niko’s use of anger, was to fill Devahn’s life with enough people she cared for that she would spend more time in this world with them, and less time in her version the world full of dark anger and hatred that could occupy her for days, weeks, months. As she had more reason to be in the real world, perhaps she might eventually make some kind of peace with the world she lived in and begin to see the good in it. Jenny could only hope.

Jenny was elated Devahn had made another friend and her happy grin revealed as much. Jenny took her wine and settled on a cushion near enough to the other women to allow for easy conversation. She wanted to indulge in some easy banter before she brought up the young girl and spoiled the evening, but it wasn’t long before Devahn’s features started to harden seeing the exhaustion in her friend. ‘That didn’t take long.’ Jenny thought, as Devahn was already stating her intentions. “I will go see the ‘madam’ tomorrow.” Jenny was shocked to see a devious kind of smile on Devahn’s face instead of the usual fury. Perhaps now was the time to bring up the little girl.

“Thank you for your concern Devahn, but there is a more important mater that weighs on me. Now remember we said there was no getting angry when I told you news like this. We will sit and calmly make a plan.” Jenny waited until Devahn nodded, unease in her eyes as she tried her best to keep her anger at bay, satisfied Jenny continued. “It was not long after you left for Raej. I saw a beautiful young blonde girl wandering the market unattended. I am sure she was a queen Devahn, and dark jeweled. I tried to follow her…. She reached for a wolf statue and a man grabbed her whispering something about an investment.” Jenny was crying now, she hadn’t realized how much the event had affected her. She just felt so sorry for the little girl. Devahn was a statue with hints of barely contained dark emotions boiling beneath her dead golden eyes. Neither woman was looking at Circe. Perhaps they should have been paying more attention.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Circe Vivaldi
Member Avatar
Black Widow Priestess
Summer Sky - Green
To say Circe was slightly apprehensive in meeting Jenny would be an understatement. She was utterly terrified that Devahn’s oldest friend would somehow view her as a threat or just not like her at all. But when Jenny walked into the room the glow and the aura that flowed off the woman was welcoming and warm and made the bile that had been slowly climbing Circe’s throat recede and her heart stop fluttering. There was something matronly about Jenny that caused Circe to break into a bright smile to mirror Devahn’s own. With Devahn’s joking statement that they must get along Circe laughed brightly. She didn’t think that she was going to have such a hard time getting along with Jenny since she reminded her of someone she ought to remember.

Circe knew of Devahn’s work and through her own admission but Circe was unclear of what Jenny’s profession was until their friendly discussion turned down a different road when Devahn made mention she would go and visit Jenny’s “madam” the next day. Ah, so Jenny was a courtesan as well. Circe wondered how the two had first met and couldn’t for the life of her imagine Devahn as a courtesan. It was not a bad profession and Circe’s own could be considered questionable so far be it from her to question Jenny’s. And even in the small amount of time that Circe had known Jenny she was up in arms over the woman’s apparent exhaustion. Circe was about to throw in her two cents when Jenny moved smoothly away from the subject of her work and her boss to the recounting of a scene in the marketplace a few days ago.

“It was not long after you left for Raej. I saw a beautiful young blonde girl wandering the market unattended. I am sure she was a queen Devahn, and dark jeweled. I tried to follow her…. She reached for a wolf statue and a man grabbed her whispering something about an investment.”

At first when Circe was listening to the woman tearfully recount her story she didn’t feel anything. Thoughts of her half sister hadn’t filled her head since she had met Devahn really and so she was not even connecting this story to the idea that her sister was in Draega. Her family lived in Challiot which was a far cry from Hayll. Though the more that Circe replayed Jenny’s words in her head the more that the Darkness seemed to flow up around them and through Circe. She didn’t know why she felt so strongly about this. The Darkness was so thick that it was seemingly choking her with its insistence to be understood. The Darkness had never been this focused before… it had never felt like this before.

Circe slid off the couch and onto her knees one hand clutching at her throat while her odd blue eyes were dilated to the point where there was only a sliver of blue showing. The air was thick with power as the Darkness pushed its way to be heard. She doubled over and braced herself with her arm on the deck while the other still fought to breathe. In the process her spirit cards toppled out of her pocket and spread out with a fluttering crash over the deck. Fate. Once again it was at the head of the pack. Most of the cards were still face down, but a few remained face up. Circe struggled to see them through the black spots that were threatening to block her vision. Two of Cups. Three of Swords. Nine of Swords. Eight of Wands. The Hanged Man. The Sun.

When the Darkness had finished its impromptu message Circe was left breathless and panting. She struggled to clean up the cards. Never had the Darkness been as violent as it had just then. It had always been seductive and silky much like a lover who caresses you in the night. Never had it forced its way upon her and made her read its messages. However, more so than ever she wanted to piece together the meanings of her spirit cards then now. She scrambled to pick up the cards and hold them in the way that they had revealed themselves. She looked up to Devahn and Jenny with eyes still slightly dilated and gave them a pleading look.

“There… is more to the story.”

She pushed her black hair from her eyes and spread out the cards that had landed face up when she had fallen off her seat. Her blue eyes scanned each one thoroughly before moving to the next. She wanted to share her thoughts with Devahn and Jenny. Maybe the could add insight to her own spinning thoughts.

“Fate. Something we are destined to do. Or the Darkness has pushed us together for a certain reason. I’m not sure. Two of Cups.” Circe struggled to remember what her cards meant. Her mind was racing and her fingers were trembling as she touched the card. “Two people… who share a special connection and can love unconditionally. But not lovers... it’s not bright enough here for that.” Circe pointed to a spot above the heads of the figures holding the two chalices in the worn picture of the two of cups. It was just bright enough for… Circe pushed the thought from her head. “Three of Swords – pain. Shattering something that is fragile. Nine of Swords – emotional pain that refuses to leave. Apprehension.” Bile began to rise in Circe’s throat as she put the cards together. It was as if her worst nightmare were coming to fruition. “Eight of Wands – swift movement is needed. Confusion needs to be cleared quickly in order to continue. The Hanged Man – sacrifices need to be made for knowledge to be gained. Something physical must be given for mental knowledge, but what it is… I do not know. Finally, the Sun – power… true power. Do not simply watch – but reach up and grasp this power then it will truly be ours.”

Circe sat back as she put together the meanings of the cards she had been given by the Darkness. There was nothing that implicitly spelled out the reason for such a strong message… however with Jenny’s description of the girl and with the Darkness’s sudden surge. Circe was afraid to think that the abducted girl was her half-sister that she had worked so hard to save.

“But it can’t be. My family lives in Challiot…” said Circe aloud.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Devahn Sai'Larine
Member Avatar
Black Widow
Sapphire - Ebon Gray
The hardness held in Devahn’s eyes even though she knew she had to get control. Her anger had always been a problem. Jenny was already crying, and Devahn’s anger was just another problem for her when she needed comfort. But just the idea that they were taking girls now….. ‘Nope nope. There will be time for anger later.’ Devahn found the leash and was about to go comfort Jenny when Circe slid off the couch to the ground sounding like she was getting strangled.

Devahn rushed to her side, as did Jenny. The healer was already moving her hand over Circe to try to ascertain what the trouble was. Devahn was waiting to help Jenny in any way she asked while scanning for enemies and poison in Circe’s system. A quick scan convinced her there was no immediate threat from another blood, just to be certain she sapphire shielded the room. She looked at Jenny with pleading eyes. “Please anything you need Jenny. Please help her.” Only then did Devahn probe the darkness around then and was nearly stunned by the power she sensed. She held her hand to her forehead as the room pulsed with dark power. ‘Mother night what was this?’ It didn’t feel threatening, it just felt…. powerful. Devahn held her friend as she doubled over, frantically probing for poison again. Only then did she notice Circe’s cards were out.

Both women pulled back to watch as Circe straightened up suddenly much the better, though panting as she picked up the cards. Devahn didn’t know what to do, her friend looked so anxious. “Circe? How can we help?” Circe didn’t appear to hear as she focused on the cards and then turned to them. Six words that Devahn would come to understand marked the passing of Circe’s strange dark power, a connection to the darkness different from any she had heard of, and somehow focused in her spirit cards. Just six words.

“There… is more to the story.”

They gave Circe the space she needed to spread the card and listened to her every word as she went through each card. The fate card. They were called to eachother, that would explain a lot actually. Devahn saw that jenny was thinking the same thing. Devahn wasn’t known for making friends easily or quickly, so her new friendship with Circe was odd, very odd. The two of cups. “Friends?” Devahn offered. Jenny shook her head “No it seems like family, perhaps siblings.” Three of swords. Pain of separation apparently. Both Devahn and Jenny shook their head no. Neither had lost someone close, well anytime recently. Devahn had lost her parents nearly 4 centuries ago. The way they looked back at Cicre confirmed what both were thinking it was Circe’s pain of separation in the cards. When she moved to the nine of swords and eight of wands both Devahn and jenny were just watching her with concern in their eyes. Circe’s reactions to the cards a silent confirmation of their fears

The hangman and sacrifice didn’t sit well with Devahn at all, and she touched Circe gently on the arm. Whatever was to come she would not face it alone. Devahn wasn’t drawn to power like so many others she knew so all the sun card meant to her was the possibility that Circe would be given the power she needed to handle whatever the trouble was.

“But it can’t be. My family lives in Challiot…”

Holding her arm lightly Devahn asked softly. “Circe what is it? What did you see?” Jenny waited to see what happened and help in any way she could. Devahn wanted to cover the cards with her hand but didn’t want to interfere with any others vision Circe might have either. “Do you think……. You think the little girl was your sister?” Devahn sat next to her now, looking apprehensively at the cards that Circe continued to stare at. She didn’t know what to do but wait for her friend to try to clarify it for her. When Devahn took a quick glance at Jenny, Jenny would shake her head no. She didn’t have any idea what to do either.

They both looked at Circe encouraging her to tell them more, that they might help her. Devahn gestured to that couch asking if Circe would like to sit again. Maybe just giving her time to gather her thoughts would help her find the understanding she needed. Insight wasn't likely to come form Devahn or Jenny. Whatever Circe was doing was far beyond whatever they had encounted before, but one look in thier eyes would tell Circe that they would be with her as long as she wanted and probably longer.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Circe Vivaldi
Member Avatar
Black Widow Priestess
Summer Sky - Green
The emotions that flashed over Circe’s face were too numerous and quick for any one feeling to be picked out. Fear, anger, anguish, guilt, and hopelessness moved in merging parade over the face of the pale Black Widow Priestess. She looked away from the cards spread out in front of her with haunted eyes and back toward her friends who were encouraging her to sit on the couch.

It couldn’t be true… and yet the Darkness seemed to think it was. Who could argue with the Darkness? It might have been an intangible thing that left out the particulars, but when it came to the big picture it was most often very accurate. She cursed violently and stood pacing the deck in front of her friends. Her eyes were normal now and no longer were dilated from the Darkness’s intrusion, but they held a wild look in them now. She had worked so very hard to make a place for her sister to grow up and know love and nurturing. Now. Now that that very goal had been reached her sister had been snatched by unknown forces and taken some undisclosed place? How in Hell’s Fire was she supposed to find her little sister now. If it was her little sister? How the hell did her sister travel from Chaillot to Hayll on her own? Was her family visiting? Vacationing? She wouldn’t put it past the parents that she remembered. Her mother would love the shopping here in Draega, but it was the season that all the aristo ladies threw parties and had socials. Her mother wouldn’t leave Chaillot during this time unless her step-father had threatened to disembowel her and even then Leigh would think twice about it.

She had to be sure that she wasn’t reading into the cards what she wanted to see. It wasn’t that she wanted to see that her little half-sister had been abducted, but it seemed the most plausible at the time. Why else would the Darkness be so strong and so forceful? Why else would it send her the message and not another? Didn’t that mean that the person was connected to Circe? The more that Circe thought about it the more she realized that it might not be her sister. The Darkness might be strong because it was showing Circe that an important person was abducted. A person that would bring about change or that the Darkness had deemed important… if an intangible intelligence beyond all human knowledge and reason could deem a person important. Besides – her sister was simply a Queen, not anything special. Not a Healer Priestess Queen or anything of the like. Her sister would most likely end up ruling some small district when she was old enough, but she certainly wouldn’t be anyone important. It’s not that Circe didn’t believe she could be, but with the way that their family’s luck fell it was not a good thing to hold onto dreams and hopes.

All the while, Circe had been pacing. She’d scattered her spirit cards even more as she had trodden on them in her frantic pacing and internal monologue that played in her head. One bony hand was crossed over her waist and the other cupped her chin in thought. Her eerie blue eyes were unfocused and distant as she was consumed in the dialectical argument in her head.

Once she’d come to her conclusion she stood still and looked to her friends who most likely worried about her sanity in this moment. She gave them a timid smile to reassure them that she was in fact in charge of all of her facilities. She quickly gathered up her spirit cards which were cast about and stuffed them back into her inside pocket. She turned back to Devahn and Jenny with a wry smile.

“When I was eighteen I ran away from home. I know it is cliché, but I had my reasons.” She once again began to pace as though telling them this account of her childhood was agitating. “My half-sister was born when I was fifteen and I worried that what was happening to me would happen to her. I had to leave so that I could stay strong and be able to come back for her when she was twelve. Twelve was when my step-father began to “visit” me in the night.” Circe wrapped her arms around herself as she remembered what it was like to be laying in bed when Theodore came calling. “I didn’t want Ivy to have to bear that. Not that innocent little babe. So, I ran away so that my step-father couldn’t break me and so that I would be able to make a life for us. We lived in Chaillot at the time. My step-father was a merchant and my mother… well, she was a social climber. For eight years I’ve been honing my skills and gathering money in order to go back to Chaillot and retrieve my sister, Ivy.”

Circe was frustrated with how jumbled her thoughts were. She gave a low growl and ran her fingers through her raven’s wing colored hair until it looked wild and untamed and she, in her frustrated anger, looked as though she were one of the Greek furies. “The Darkness makes it seem as though it is someone I know… we know. It can’t be my sister. My family isn’t from here. My mother wouldn’t leave Chaillot to visit Hayll anyway because it is Chaillot’s social season. There would be no reason for them to be here. The girl you saw taken, Jenny, it can’t be my sister.” And even with the amount of conviction she said that statement with she still felt the niggling doubt in the back of her mind. Had her parents moved to Hayll? It was a curious question that she needed to find the answer to.

“I have to go find some answers…” Her tone was final and though she had never showed Devahn this side of her the thought and memories of her step-father made the violent and rebellious nature that she usually kept buried come to the forefront. She turned on her heel not bidding either to follow. This was something she needed to do alone. She needed to prove to herself, Ivy, her parents, the Darkness and Devahn that she could do things on her own. She had always leaned on everyone else, but now… now Ivy needed her and she didn’t intend to fail her.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Haydia Province · Next Topic »
Add Reply