RPG Harlequin,Raiha and a cask of amontillado

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Lifé: Cause the nearest dispensible minion is more than fifty miles away in the next village.

Shalistrae: Be thankful he can only hold so many people in his sway at once.

Lifé: It shouldn't be too difficult. If you tap into the power your god forgot to remove. Vichante.

Vichante: What are you .....wait a minute.

[i]Shalistrae and Lifé grinned at eachother...then winked. It was so obvious, neither could believe that he had missed something like that.[/i][/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo][I]Vichante swore, and closed his eyes. He sent questing fingers of intend through his aura, finding to his amazement that there was an established reservoir of energy pulsing in various links. He cautiously attempted to engage some. It flowed freely, but was not replaced.[/I]

Vichante: There is enough residual power left to last me a few weeks of constant use, more if I work out a way to supplement it.

Ilmiwyrth: Then why in hell was this all such a problem, if we've all basically worked out that we're more than well-armed?

Vichante: You really don't take well to having to be patient, do you?

Ilmiwyrth: ....What's your point. I say we go visit this village, take care of this fiend of yours, and....well...I don't care what we do. But can we just do something?[/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Lifé: Patience young one....they are already coming. Their magic has removed the doors...

[i]She sat down and meditated. The words of the spell rolled over and over in her head.

Sounds were finally heard, shouting and yelling....more than five minutes had gone by.

She stood up and slid into the fighting stance she had used for years. Split rose, defensive and offensive at once.

The first of the angry village people came into view. Shalistrae whipped up a barrier between them and all but one. Then Lifé flung her blade straight into his heart and he howled.[/i][/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo][I]The felled man shimmered a second, before dissolving, scintillating smoke pouring from the wound instead of blood. His body basically dry-melted, into a wisp-fine powder that seemed to feed on itself, leaving only a cloud of smoke that lost its iridescent intensity and abruptly fled, leaving a tall, haughtily beautiful figure in its place. It stared at them, glacial blue eyes framed by perfect, long lashes. His chiselled, expressive features spoke volumes of the agonies he had in store for them.

Ilmiwyrth gave him about 5 seconds of posturing before spinning a series of sigils into existance, framed in pure light. Rune and counter seal paired in intent to bind, trapping free spirit in a void of etheric existance,leaving it no where to go.

The being raged a moment, then concentrated, and started to slip away.[/I]

Ilmiwyrth: The bastard decided that becoming material was an option!

[I]The being stopped abruptly, in twin with a chill laugh from Vichante.[/I]

Vichante: Think you can hold your side of it up?

Ilmiwyrth: As long as you can. Ladies, your cue.

[I]Bound physically and etherically by both controlled force and raw power, the being could only let that haunting visage twist into hideous rage.[/font][/color][/I]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Shalistrae and Lifé whirled in a tight circle, arms tangled together in a swift dance. They moved as one, collective energy rising into view. Both of their lips muttered the same words, over and over, in a language long forgotten.

As they moved, some remnant of an angel power flodded into their bodies, giving them a sense of electricity....one not usually in existance during a spell.

They held eachother's hands tightly, unwilling to let go and risk an untimely ending. Shalistrae turned and brought her hands forwards. Back to back, they stood. Energy flaring around them. Pure and unttempered. Silver and red pouring out of their bodies as one fine ribbon of magic.

It twisted then flung itself around the girls, whispering its way through their arms and legs, then around their hearts. Then it twisted itself against their eyes before fluttering in the direction of Tirakindaro. It paused, before flowing into its mouth.[/i][/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo][I]Ilmiwyrth gave a sharp, barking laugh, and ran off a swift, flawless string of runic designs in the air as the creature reverted to a discorporate state and tried with redoubled fury to escape. The thing's dissonant energies unwound inside his astral cage nevertheless.

The wraith like being quivered, its stressed being giving off sharp, shattering resonance that left Ilmiwyrth gritting his teeth to contain. Free spirit unwound from the very thread of creation, the illict energies thrown off could unravel matter at will.

This was no mere exorcisism. This was destruction, pure and simple.

at last, the pressure collapsed, fading away like voices carried away by winds. Ilmiwyrth held the seals a second longer, noting that the other formerly possessed beings looked more than slightly confused. He at last relaxed his guard, and was rewarded with no triumphant spirit escaping. He looked around, quite certain in a minute, something that was either a)stupid or b) merely annoying, would happen, and this time, not even at his instigation.[/font][/color][/I]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Lifé picked up her slingblade. The laburnum powder was gone, safe to touch again. She slipped it back into its sheath, then turned to Shalistrae. The dragouret sighed and reverted once more.

The two watched the villagers mill about, before shouting at them to get back to work. They complied....still slightly dazed.[/i]

Shalistrae: Just like sheep.

Lifé: The more of them in a group, the dumber they become.

Shalistrae: Oh well.[/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[color=indigo][font=gothic][I]Ilmiwyrth chose to ignore that. It wasn't particularly hard, having had quite a bit of experience at it in the past. It was a matter of principle almost.[/I]

Ilmiwyrth: So, what in hell do we do now?

Vichante: Have you ever been on holiday?

Ilmiwyrth: I'm a dimension hopping reality crafter. I spent a few decades a while back on a tropical paradise, and since then, can't stand indolence of any kind.

Shalistrae: Decades? Just how old are you, anyway?

Ilmiwyrth: Old enough to know what's good for me...Without having my bones ache yet.

Lifé: You don't excercise enough then.

Ilmiwyrth: There's a lot of things I don't do. Talk about things I don't do is one of them.[/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Shalistrae: ...and here I am...200 years old and never spent any time lazing around.

Lifé: And I'm fast approaching 520. Oh well.

Vichante: My age is none of your buisness.

Shalistrae: It's not like we asked.

Ilmiwyrth: So where exactly are we doing now?

Lifé: We could visit my parents. It's only been 100 years.

Ilmiwyrth: Ah yes, the in-laws. The King and Queen I presume?

Lifé: King Mestone and Queen Primen of the Kingdom of Turn.

Shalistrae: Both immortal, both self absorbed....

[i]The princess rolled her eyes.[/i][/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo]Ilmiwyrth: So basically a longer lived version of our current company, with a lot more boring ceremony?

Lifé: Oh you'll wish that were all.

Ilmiwyrth: I've been to Syralik. It was for the investment of the new high whatever they have there, it was pretty unpronouncable. The ceremony itself lasted several months. Preperations had taken a decade. The after party lasted a few hours.... Not one of the people on the entire planet could hold their alcohol.

Lifé: Let me guess, you supplied it?

Ilmiwyrth: Well, yes.

Shalistrae: Can we really trust him anywhere close to a position of relative power?[/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Lifé: My father is a Gatekeeper. My mother is a Shadow Mage and an Angelic Keyholder. Any questions?

Ilmiwyrth: Do you hate them?

Lifé: Only when they wanted to arrange a marrage for me. And that's when I left. Of course, the fact that my parents are brother and sister....

Shalistrae: I didn't know that.

Lifé: Now you do.

Vichante: That explains alot.

Lifé: Fück off.

Ilmiwryth: That's actually quite refreshing for once.

[i]She groaned and turned her face in the direction of the rising moon. Might as well get started.[/i][/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[color=indigo][font=gothic][i]With a snapped glare at Vichante for getting in first, Ilmiwyrth noted her direction, and with signature impatience, started walking.[/I]

Ilmiwyrth: What are the odds that someone will try to kill me when we get there?

Lifé: Are you always so paranoid?

Ilmiwyrth: Paranoid? I've had my services bought and sold like cattle, and my body with them. My soul has played host to all sorts of greater evil and fiends. I've been subjected to torture for all kinds of causes, quite often lasting more than most natural life span, no matter the creature in question. I've been used to tear entire realms apart, and let my patron feel an entire universe's pain through me. Every single living thing, dying inside me. Am I paranoid? In the multiverse I'm used to, I'm a commodity. It pays to be paranoid.

Lifé: I blame your work ethic.

Ilmiwyrth: So do I most of the time. When I'm in a position to allow anything to take the blame.

[I]He lapsed into moody silence, staring at the wan moon. And not finding much help there. Soft murmers of conversation passed between Vichante and Shalistrae, Ilmiwyrth made no move to overhear. He had far too many problems to be worrying about gossip. There was still a potential collection of deities on his trail, after all.[/font][/color][/I]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Lifé gave him a real smile, for once. Then she started moving forward. It would take a week to get there. In the meantime, she needed another change of clothes before appearing before her mother again. Daddy dearest wouldn't care, but appearences were everything to the lady she was forced to address as Queen Mother.

She sighed to herself, and Ilmiwyrth looked in her direction. Homecoming didn't seem to excite her much.[/i]

Ilmiwyrth: Afraid?

Lifé: Sad.[/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=indigo]Ilmiwyrth: For what you missed, what could have been?

Lifé: Not exactly.

[I]Ilmiwyrth returned to his silence, allowing her to return to hers. Pensiveness tended to get epidemic quite fast. And very little tended to help. Mainly because after all, Ilmiwyrth was content with melancholia. Happiness could be too easily snatched away, but melancholia had its securities. Its rewards. He'd long since resigned himself to his way of life, and he several doubted that this fleeting influence would change it much. Chances are he'd outlive most of these creatures anyway, though not neccessarily on this plane of existance. Hopping among differerent time frames had some problems attached to it....

He simply continued putting one foot in the other, not really concerned what that action lead him to.[/font][/color][/I]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She looked up. Shalistrae clapped a arm around her shoulders, covering her with the moonflower scent.[/i]

Shalistrae: Cheer up or I'll be forced to sing.

Lifé: I'm happy. Don't sing.

Vichante: You sing?

Lifé: The correct term would be yodel. Like a....nevermind.

[i]The Dragouret grinned and left her alone. Lifé looked at Ilmiwyrth. He looked back, then promptly tripped over a rock. She held him up with a burst of magic, singing his shirt at the same time.[/i]

Ilmiwyrth: Will your parents yell at you?

Lifé: After the feast to welcome me home...probably. I'm not married. I'm too wild. I still serve Tai Alujah. I hang out with psychotic killers.

Vichante: Killers?

Lifé: Appearence is everything. Just try to remember that when we get there.[/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[color=indigo][font=gothic][I]Ilmiwyrth smiled, and his face swam for a moment. When it re-solidified, he was grinning like a maniac, revealing teeth filed to points, cannibal style. His face was covered in inked black tatoos, strange tribals and the occasional black slaughter ritual. From each ear hung a few strung together vertebrae. [/I]

Ilmiwyrth: That do?

Lifé: Perfect.

Ilmiwyrth: Good. I'll even act the part, just to relieve boredom. Should I be barbaric or just coldly intelligently vicious?

Lifé: The first one. It'll leave a different impression.

[I]Ilmiwyrth chuckled, a ghastly reverbration in the back of his throat, before bursting out into bellowing, full-throated laughter.[/font][/color][/I]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Lifé rolled her eyes, then whapped him on the back of the head. Instantly, he reverted and she rolled her eyes. Shalistrae contained a fit of giggles, and let her body melt into a small pale elf like girl. She similed and Vichante looked lslightly non plussed.[/i]

Vichante: Now I look like a pedophile.

Lifé: Weren't you one already?

Ilmiwyrth/Shalistrae: Ouch.

Vichante: .....grr.

[i]Lifé grinned, enjoying this while ordeal hugely.[/i]

Ilmiwyrth: I'm going to hang myself.

Lifé: You can use my belt.[/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[color=indigo][font=gothic][I]Despite the offer, when he reached for it, she still stepped back.[/I]

Ilmiwyrth: You took that back fast.

Lifé: We'll talk about it later.

Ilmiwyrth: Ath-forsaken....

[I]He cut off the curse and sighed. If nothing else, he was getting quite practiced at that.[/I]

Ilmiwyrth: You do know that comparitively, I'm also a cradle snatcher?

Lifé: That's alright. I'm sure my calming influence will offset that.

[i]Ilmiwyrth just stared at her. He shook his head few times as if trying clear it, then gave up.[/font][/color][/I]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Lifé: It's not like I'm ready for a mate anyways.

Shalistrae: Liar!

Lifé: And your point?

Shalistrae: ....none whatsoever.

[i]They continued walking, sometimes laughing, sometimes tryig to kill one another. They stopped in a clearing. Faes and fauns sitting quietly. Several gathered in Lifé's footsteps, laughing and riding on her shadow. She turned and waved to them. The spirites giggled and winked back.[/i]

Ilmiwyrth: Why do they like you so much?

Lifé: My mother's inflluence.[/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[color=indigo][font=gothic]Ilmiwyrth: Somehow the thought of you babysitting such creatures is less than comforting.

Lifé: Is there anything you would find comforting?

Ilmiwyrth: Solitude tends to work. And small, dark rooms. Preferably in conjunction.

[I]Ilmiwyrth eyed several of the creatures with a long-suffering air, and resolutely ignored them.[/I]

Lifé: For an inter-planar traveller, you have a marked lack of tolerance.

Ilmiwyrth: I know that. But it's okay. Bribes tend to take care of that.[/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Lifé: I'll tell my Daddy to give you a nice cold dark room when we get there.

Ilmiwyrth: I am your slave.

Shalistrae: That was easy.

Lifé: Godo greif.

[i]On particularly brave faerie lighted on her shoulder, then otno her outstretched fingers. She kissed it's little head, then flung her arm ot. It rocketed around, making minute shrieks of joy. Ilmiwyrth gave her a look of surprise. Apparently, she did have a sweet maternal side to her, and that was vaugely unsettling. He was just getting used to the cool cynic side.[/i][/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[color=indigo][i][font=gothic]Ilmiwyrth was quite certain that his privacy, normally quite fragile, was on the verge of permanent collapse. And that was more than vaguely disturbing, all things considered. He looked at the faerie again, and shuddered. The gods knew, well, they probably didn't, but the metaphor serves, how long this little fiasco would last, and although the time period might be small in comparison to Ilmiwyrth's life, it would certainly be one of the more....trying periods of time.

He had a lot of doubt he'd find consolation anytime soon either. Perhaps he'd become an alcoholic. It seemed to work for Vichante, after all.[/font][/color][/I]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Lifé gave him a look that would've iced over hell. He stopped feeling sorry for himself for two seconds...long enough for her to kiss his lips, then leap forwards twirling and jumping with the fauns.

Shalistrae just rolled her eyes and muttered something about immature children. Ilmiwyrth was in an advanced state of shock and needed a good stiff drink. But of course, there was nothing to be found.[/i]

Shalistrae: Something wrong?

Vichante: He's in la la land. Somebody should wake him up.

Shalistrae: I like him beter like this.[/COLOR]

[The Harlequin]

[color=indigo][font=gothic][I]Ilmiwyrth blinked a few times, and fixed Shalistrae a cooly appraising look.[/I]

Ilmiwyrth: I thought it was Lifé who wanted me pliable.

Shalistrae: I'm not after pliable, I merely prefer quiet.

[i]Ilmiwyrth turned and spun potential reality into amontillado, taking a long drink before looking askance at the tankard, then breaking it over his head. Strangely enough, it didn't invoke too much of a response. He didn't turn around to find out why.[/font][/color][/I]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Lifé seemed to be whispering with one. It squeaked back, then pointed the way with twin nailed fingers. She smiled and patted its head. It dissapeared in a puff of purple smoke. Lifé grinned. Capricious, yet helpful.[/i]

Vichante: You asked for directions from a fae?

Ilmiwyrth: ....we're gonna get lost.

Shalistrae: Nonsense.

Lifé: I know where we're going, I was just making sure. She merely reinforced what I knew to be truth.

Ilmiwyrth: Yeesh...

Lifé: Stop moaning and groaning and give me a glass of wine.[/COLOR]