Feathers in the Dark

[Olorae]

The Celebrant slowly made her way down the dark stairs, trusting her instinct and familiarity to guide her without a light. She made her way down the hall, feeling the gentle caress of the shadows' hands as she walked through the darkness, heels clicking softly on the stone, ringing out, announcing her arrival.

She stopped at a door, uttered the words that would release the lock, opened it and stepped in. She knew the girl was there, she could hear her breathing, could hear the ruffle of her feathers in the far corner as she tensed, knowing the dark elf was in the room.

Olorae had deliberately not brought any light. Though they were creatures of darkness, they were not accustomed to enclosed spaces. The lack of any light made the darkness oppressive, made the room feel smaller. She would bring light when it was necessary to see the girl, but this time was for something else.

"Are you ready for your next assignment?" she asked, voice strong and firm. "It will allow you out, for some time. Prove yourself and you might earn some liberties. Continue as you have and you may find yourself smaller accommodations."

She would hold true to her word; she found it easier to reward good behavior than to correct the bad, though she certainly had the experience to do it. She wanted the girl to cooperate, she wanted to know the kamael's spirit was broken to her will.

It was up to the girl, now.

[zethrodraithius]

((Rather obvious who the feathered one is... Way to stir things up tho... open rp down the road?))

[Olorae]

((Very much going to be an open RP coming up))

[Kuros]

((excellent, then I shall take the opportunity to use this thread to mark Dachande's return from his long absence. For easy clarification, cuz I seem to be jumping in time lines these days, this RP takes place after the Four Knots Tavern thread but before the thread where Dach meets up with Lafyel. Or does this specific mission require Dach to think the certain winged being is dead?))

[zethrodraithius]

((thats something I'm wondering myself... I would think, because Lafy also assumes for the moment that Jes is dead, that it would occur after Dach and Lafy part ways the first time in Uncertain Future... but thats for Olo to clarify.))

[Olorae]

((This would be after he considers her dead))

[Kuros]

((10-4))

[Sadori]

She groaned slightly as she stood, joints aching with cold and disuse. She didn’t think the dark bitch could see her, but she straightened and lifted her chin just the same though her indignant fury no longer warmed her as it once had. So many days, weeks, (or was it months?); in the dark with the denizens of the en’Eveil woman lurking all around her. Alone and not. No conversation except when She came in her attempts to persuade the Kamael to cooperate. So long since she had last heard, seen, or touched her Love. An eternity of longing ache, and loneliness, and worry had dulled the keenness of her fury. Now, defeat was so close she could taste it, acrid and bitter and empty. The oppressive darkness, the lack of comforting conversation and touch, and most of all the overwhelming need to see him again tore at her, finding a glimmer of hope in her Keeper’s words.

“Will I be permitted to see him again? To spend time with him? … If I cooperate?”

[Olorae]

She smirked at the kamael's pride, easily observing the girl both through her own eyes and the much sharper senses of the shadows. She listened to the girl shift and stretch, waiting calmly, calculating what she assumed would be the next question.

True enough, there it was. The kamael was as predictable as the knight.

"Child, you may, if he would see you. I fear he may be too busy for you, though," She trailed off the last few moments, laying the bait before the girl, slipping her tone to one of soft concern. "But, if that is your wish, I will try to make the arrangements."

[Sadori]

“…if he would see you. I fear he may be too busy for you, though,". She drew a slow breath and tried to quell the dread churning in the pit of her belly.

“Too busy? What do you mean? Why would he not wish to see me?”

[Olorae]

The Celebrant held a calculated beat, watching the girl.

"Nothing, I should not have said anything," she began, turning to the door, gesturing to the shades to loose the girl's shackles.

"I just hope he can find time away from the girl to see you, that is all."

She stopped at the door, waiting, ears tuned to the kamael. Would she take the bait even further?

[Sadori]

It took a moment for the words to strike home, as she rubbed her wrists where the shackles had chaffed. “…hope he can find time away from the girl…”, What did she mean? No, she couldn’t possibly be implying that he…

“Girl? What girl? What is it you are saying?”, she gritted her teeth and drew another calming breath. “Out with it witch! What is it? What has he done?”

[Olorae]

Olorae smiled, then schooled her face before turning back. Though the girl might not see it, she could ill afford to allow her to hear the smile in her voice. A long moment passed in the dark, only the soft hush of the shadow floating nearby sounding in the small chamber.

"He has taken up with another kamael," she said softly, as if the words were difficult. "Younger, prettier." She took a moment, watching the girl. "They seemed inseparable, last I saw them." She allowed the girl time to let the words sink in, watching, gauging her emotions and the reactions on her face. "It seems whatever time is not dedicated to his lessons are spent with this youngling. I will send for him, should you wish, but I do not know if he will come."

She hesitated a moment, deliberately stuttering, as if to suggest she were seeking the words she already had planned out. "I... I think it best you forget him, as he forgot you."

[Sadori]

“I…see.”, the words stuck in her throat like dry bread. She wanted to rail and scream and call the evil bitch a liar, but was this not what she had been fearing deep within her heart all this time? Why else would he have not found some way to see her, to tell her what he wished her to do? Why had he not gotten some message, some token to her? Another Kamael? Were they simply some novelty to him? Another pretty toy to tire of in time? Or had she failed him in some way and he was seeking to supplant her role in his plans with another? And to know that her brother was his friend! The knot in her stomach grew tighter, sharper, yet she managed to keep herself straight rather than vomiting what little food was in her stomach into the straw on the floor.

Still, she had to see for herself. Or did she? Had there not been another Kamael woman before her? And had he not repeatedly remarked on how the power of her people would play such a strong role in his plans? Clearly, he had decided her incarceration was too much of an obstacle to overcome and found himself another pawn. Hadn’t she been told time and again that the Humans could not be trusted. That they were shiftless and disloyal, like the god that had created them? And to think HE was the reason she was here at all!

Now the question remained, would she consent to this woman’s leadership? This imposed slavery? What had she to lose? If she chose to continue the fight, she would only remain here until the woman tired of her and had her killed. If she consented, she could at least have some freedom. And if the bitch was lying, she would soon find out and he would help her escape. And if she were telling the truth? Well, that would remain to be seen.

“Alright. I concede. What would you have me do…Ladyship?” Though she had intended the words to be venomous, the poison of her Love’s deception had already sunk into her heart and drained all her will away. “How may your servant serve?”

[Olorae]

Within, Olorae reveled in her victory, however fleeting it might be. Physical torture and abuse would not work to break this one, she had known from the moment she had the kamael dragged from the Council hall. No, this one required a special touch; she required breaking from the inside out. She was not broken yet, Olorae knew that much. But the cracks were showing, widening into fissures that would allow her to bend the kamael to her will and, ultimately, to Shilen's Will.

"For what it is worth, this is a pain that I know too well," she said softly. "I am sorry, and I am sorry I had to be the one to tell you." The emotion in her voice was genuine, brought about by years of betrayal and heartache, but it was a calculated ploy that she suspected would pay off quite well.

"In Dion, there is a man that is suspected of shared loyalties both the Revolutionaries of Dusk and the Lords of Dawn, feeding information from one to the other and lining his pockets with the profits," she said simply, back to business, as if she wanted the kamael to believe she let slip too much. "I need to confirm these suspicions before he is confronted, to hold evidence in my hand before he can be tried for his traitorous actions."

She opened the door, allowing in the dimmest candlelight, a flash of light behind her, illuminating her figure, showing the extended hand, palm cupped and raised.

"Come, be my eyes."

[Kuros]

((evil Olo, pure evil. Pray Dach never finds out Jesi is still alive. Cuz if he does even Shilen's hatred and fury will pale in comparison. Aside from that it was well thought out. <wink>))

[Olorae]

((The text in my signature isn't just pretty words. It's apt.

We should be starting the next installment soon, but we have a few details to work out ahead of time.))

[zethrodraithius]

((good start.. may be a good way to reveal Azydria's role to Lafyel... Weee, intrigue, spies, power ploys and plays... coming soon. .. LOL))